Conquering Theana by LeTeisha Newton, Lillian MacKenzie Rhine Page B

carefully undid the twine and lifted
the covering and top lid off to reveal a hair-clip with shells and feather
plumes affixed to it. She quickly slid the comb into her hair. It was beautiful
and perfect for the sweltering heat of the day. Theana wrapped her arms around the girl to thank her. When she felt her heart flutter
her body went into to panic mode. Theana stepped back
releasing herself from the erupting emotion. She
cared. Her anxiety was soaring. Theana was beginning
to question herself and overanalyze the situation, and then the oddest thing
happened. The teen’s cheeks blushed, and she crashed her arms around Theana’s torso in a tender hug. This time Theana didn’t resist the offered love.
    It
felt like ages, but in a matter of moments the sweet gesture ended. Theana held the girl at arm's length, and asked her,
"What is your name, little angelos from
the sky?" Theana tended to speak Greek around
the younger wolves just like Walter did her as a pup.
    "My
name is Luna."
    "The
comb is gorgeous. Did you make it?" Luna nodded. "Thank you, angelos Luna. It is poli omorfi , meaning
very beautiful." She embraced Luna again. In that short time, she found
herself bonding with the young woman. Luna had touched her heart, and Theana was appreciative of the tender care.
    Theana’s softer side was something that she preferred to stay hidden, only
to show when she was around the youth of her own pack, but being around Luna
chipped away at her exterior like a jackhammer. She stood up and silently
cleared her throat. Being around the Ulric pack was
intense and exhausting.
    She
faced Rafael, shifting her glance briefly at Gregori, before she asked,
"So how about you show me around before you leave?"
    "After
you," Rafael stated motioning her to the rear of the room, to the entryway
that led to the subdivision located behind the main house.
    The
wall was filled with window panes, and a door frame made out of materials from
the forest was miraculous in structure. A wolf that visited or lived in the
main house could see far off in the distance just by looking through the
windowed wall. There was a small room attached, which appeared to be some type
of indoor porch that was encapsulated in glass from ceiling to floor.
    "This
enclosure is for the members of the house to lounge in. They can sunbathe,
stargaze, or watch the rain fall," Rafael said. It was like he stepped
into her thoughts.
    "Wow,
that’s impressive," she muttered.
    "Yes.
We like to provide comfort and pleasure for everyone who graces our
household." Listening to the word “pleasure” roll from his tongue made her
wolf purr like a kitty. Theana was starting to
realize that living in close quarters with Rafael was going to prove a more
difficult task than she planned on. Not to mention the added testosterone of
Gregori. She cringed remembering being spread over the hood of her car.
    They
continued their tour, walking inside of the most massive kitchen Theana had seen in her life. A custom gas stovetop with
twelve eyes was sitting with pots stewing away. Three chefs were making their
way around the kitchen, rinsing freshly plucked fowl inside of a sink that was
large enough to fit an entire human body. There was a butcher's block located
in the center that was at least six feet long, and a long cedar wood table with
benches attached sitting directly across from it.
    "This
is where the wolves of the home eat their breakfast and lunch. I believe quail
is on the menu for dinner tonight. I hope you are a fan."
    "Yes,
that sounds delicious," she answered.
    They
continued on past the kitchen into an adjacent room. Gregori clicked on the
lights, and a thirty seat dining table was commanding in the room. Each chair
was high backed with a felt covering like something made for a castle, and a
glorious crystal chandelier hung over the top.
    "This
is magnificent, Rafael," she admitted, surprised at her outburst. The
house was breathtaking, and it had her complete