Disclaimer: Blood and Chocolate and its characters belong to Annette Curtis Klause.

"Don't wag your tail yet wolfman," she said to cover her fear and desire. "You've bitten off more bunny than you can chew."
She followed him to the window, her blood singing in her veins. (p. 107)

She landed on the gras and ran quickly into the shadows of the trees, before the neighbours could see her, where Gabriel was taking off his pants to change. She admired briefly his body and he smirked as he saw her expression.

"See something you like?" He asked lifting his eyebrows at her. She just looked away, changed into wolfform feeling the pain and pleasure of the change and ran. The race was on but this time she wasn't running away. She would let him catch her. Eventually. She felt him behind her. Heard his paws hit the ground.
She changed back halfway to speak and called back, "Already out of breath wolfman?", but she couldn't see him. She turned back into a wolf and started running again. That instant something jumped her from the side and she turned all the way back from the shock.

"Who is out of breath?" Gabriel asked while he held himself on top of her supporting his weight by his arms and grinned as he looked down at her face.
"Oh I'm not making it that easy," she said and rolled out under his arms before turning back into a wolf and starting running again. Gabriel right behind her.
When she reached a clearing she stopped and changed back into human and looked up at the sky drawing up her knees so he wouldn't see every part of her body so openly. Strange. Normally nudity would not have bothered her that much. She had grown up with it and had never had a problem. But something had changed between her and Gabriel. The need to touch him was almost overwhelming.

She felt him sit next to her.
"Got you," he said and kissed her on the cheek. She didn't say anything. She didn't know how to act. He was already supposed to be her mate since she had won the bitches dance by accident but she had never acted on it. She always thought he was this arrogant bossy guy who always tried to get what he wanted. She hadn't expected him to be so nice.

"Vivian, you don't need to be so tense. I'm not going to do anything you don't want and I'm not going to rush it even if it didn't seem that way at first but I meant it when I said I would wait for you. How about we start by going out on dates so we can get to know each other?" He seemed so different from that selfconfident way he acted around the pack.
"When did you get so nice?" She asked him.
He laughed. "I just understand what you are going through and I know everything that happened is a lot to take in. And I know you weren't trying to become queen but I'm glad you won. I also know that you are quite insistent on being your own person which I honor. Not many people understand how important that is. If we become mates I want us to be equals and I know you are my equal. Oh and I've always been nice you were only trying pretty hard to hate me to notice that."
Wow. He is incredible. How could I not have seen that.

He leaned back on the gras and looked at the stars. She watched as his muscles moved. He was really, really attractive.
"I didn't know anyone understood me that way." She leaned back too and looked at the sky while she talked. "Ever since the fire I tried to be a part of the pack but I never felt like I belonged there anymore. It hasn't been the same since my dad died and I felt guilty. I always thought it was partly my fault because I didn't tell my dad at once what Axel and the five were doing. And even though I wish my dad were still alive I know the pack needs a leader different from my dad. Someone who knows when he needs to be tough. Someone fair and strong. Someone who can still be loving when he needs to be. I know you are going to be a great alpha. You already are. Vermont is a great place. I miss the old days. I miss being able to go out running without fear." She turned away to get up but felt his hand at her waist holding her back.

"I promise you I will do everything in my power to make you safe again. " He was very serious as he said that.
She just watched as he got closer and closer before his lips touched hers. She nipped at his lower lip before he asked for entrance with his tongue. Her hands got tangled in his hair and his caressed her back. When she pulled back she only turned away and changed back into wolfform.
God. What a moment to get shy. What is it with me I feel totally stupid.

They ran back home and she enjoyed the wind on her fur.
She let herself fall back and brushed his side. He nuzzled her neck with his snout and she growled playfully. She stopped and looked deep into his eyes before deciding whether she should do it or not whether she could do it without losing herself. She touched his nose with hers and went down on her paws before rolling over and showing him her belly. Doing this she was submitting to him. Declaring herself his queen.
This is the right thing. I can't believe I was too blind to see that what I was looking for was right in front of me.

He seemed too shocked to react so she touched him with her frontpaw. She wanted to know what he thought about this.
Was it too soon? He probably thinks I'm not ready and not over Aidan yet.
She was starting to panic still on her back before he started licking her snout and she rolled back on her paws. But then he surprised her by going down as well and showing his belly to her.
What is he doing? Is he submitting to me?

He got back on his paws and changed back to human form to speak. I was to dumbfounded to even move.
"Vivian, did you think I would let you submit to me without me giving something back? I meant what I said before. I want us to be equals. As much as you will be mine, I will be yours," he said. She changed into human now too and kissed him without warning. He held her close to him and she let herself go enjoying the feeling of him. When she pulled away she couldn't believe how she had gotten this wonderful man as her mate.
"Thank you," She whispered and he laughed stroking her cheek.
"Always. Whatever you need Vivian," he got to his feet and helped her up on her own then he led her by the hand to her window where he kissed her lightly on the lips but that was enough to leave her breathless.
"Good night. I'll see you tomorrow."
Vivian watched him pick up his pants and disappear into the trees then she climbed her window.

The sun was already shining brightly into her room when Vivian woke up. She was glad to be still in her human form not believing yet that what happened hadn't been a dream.
Wow. I have a mate now. And not any mate. I am queen.
As she got out of bed her eyes wondered over a piece of fabric on the floor and she picked it up. Gabriels shirt. He had left it there before going on the run and went home without it. She brought it to her nose and breathed in his scent.
God. It was intoxicating. Almost as good as having the real Gabriel with her.
She folded it and left it on the bed.

After taking a long and hot shower she blowdried her hair giving it some volume and put some moisturiser on. She didn't need make up because her natural glow made her beautiful without it. She put on a pair of tight shorts and a top that showed some of her tummy as she walked because it was way to warm outside for more fabric on her skin.

It was noon when she walked down the stairs and Esme was in the kitchen making lunch.
"Finally. I thought you would never get out of that room of yours. Honey you are beautiful in anything you wear no matter what and I'm glad you accepted that. Maybe you can't let humans see you like that. But our kind would never say anything about it. So – " She turned around and looked at her daughter standing in the kitchen doorway. "But… How…? When..?" Then she just squield like a six-year-old and locked Vivian into her arms. "How did you change back? " She asked as she pulled away.
"Ehm… I-" But the doorbell safed her from figguring out what she would tell her mother.
"Hold that thought," Esme said before leaving Vivian alone in the kitchen.
Esme went to get the door while Vivian toasted a bagel and got a cup of coffee. She heard their steps as they came into the kitchen.
"Oh Gabriel you would not believe what happened. Vivian is back to normal." She heard her mother say.
Gabriel?

She turned around to see Gabriel smirking at her.
"So you were about to tell me how that happened." Esme said into the silence.
"Ehm. I-"
"Oh, Esme I hate to interrupt but I was hoping I could kidnap Vivian for the afternoon." Gabriel safed her from saying something again.
"Of course. Go ahead." Esme eyed Vivian suspiciously as she passed her without a word.
"Thank you for that," Vivian said after they had closed the door behind them.
"Anytime," he said and walked over to his motorbike where he held up a helmet to me.
"So where are we going?" She asked taking the helmet from him.
"On our first date. Well it's more of a rode trip."
"Oh, well," she shrugged and put on the helmet while swinging behind Gabriel a leg over the bike.
She put her hands on his stomach and felt his muscles under his shirt.
"I'm ready when you are."
Gabriel started the machine and she tightened her grip on him.
They sped away on the Interstate and Vivian wondered where they were going. She was sure they had been driving for more than two hours. But she would have been glad to just keep holding him like that for the rest of the day. When she was finally about to ask where they were going they got off the Interstate and into a nice, small town. Vivian looked interested at the old houses and buildings as they sped by them. At one point Gabriel took her hand from his stomach and kissed her palm.

"That building over there that's labeled High School will be your new school for your senior year."
Vivian gasped. They were in Vermont.
"We need to sign some papers today and I thought you might want to come to see where we are moving to."
"This is the best date ever!" She answered him and kissed her neck before going back to inspecting her new home.
"So what do you think until now?" Gabriel asked her as they parked in front of what seemed like a town's office and helped her to get off the bike.
"It's beautiful! But I knew you would pick the best place for us you could find," She said taking his hand and stepping in front of him to give him a soft kiss on the lips.
As they went into the building an older woman behind a desk that seemed to be a reception greeted them heartedly.

"Hello, my name is Mrs Carson can I help you?"
"Hello, Mrs Carson I'm Gabriel Gerard we are here to sign the papers for the hotel."
"Oh, you're the ones who bought Old Harris' Hotel. Well, then welcome to Vermont. Follow me. Mr. Fisher should be expecting you. You'll love it here. Especially since you are moving to Old Harris. It's directly at the National Forrest. It's really beautiful here. Normally there are more tourists here but since old Mr. Harris died and the hotel closed it's been really boring. We hope that will change with you here." She knocked at a door and when a voice answered Mrs Carson stuck her head into the room and said, "Mister Fisher here are the new owners of Old Harris' Hotel to sign the papers."
"Oh, yes. Let them in!"
"Go on in you two," Mrs Carson said and stepped aside to let them pass. "Come on in. Take a seat." A middle-aged man stood behind a desk and motioned to some chairs in front of it. "So you are the ones who bought the hotel. Well, I'm glad to finally meet you." He shook their hands and they took their seats. "I must say I didn't think you would be so young but it's nice to have some new people in our little town."
"We are glad to have finally found a place so beautiful," Vivian said.
"So let's get to the papers Mr. Gerard – " Mr. Fisher said.
"Actually, I was thinking I want Vivian to be partowner of the hotel.
"What?" Vivian said shocked. "Mr. Gerard your friend… I mean… How old are you Miss…?"
"I'm sixteen."
"Mr. Gerard I'm sorry but it is impossible for me to make an underaged teenager partowner."
"She is a legal adult," Gabriel said and got out some papers.
When did that happen? When have I been declared an adult? It would have been nice to know that. And what's with all this partowner thing? I'm only sixteen I cannot own a hotel.

"Oh, well. Since that's the case I would be delighted to write her into the books. That is if you are alright with that Miss… Ehm…" Mr Fisher stuttered.
"Vivian Gandillon. And yes. If Gabriel wants me to be partowner I would be honored to."
"Well, here are the papers and the books you need to sign here and here and I'll write Miss Gandillon into the books while you do that."
Gabriel signed first and passed the papers over to Vivian.
"Are you sure about this?" She asked him.
"I'm sure about you that's all I need to know,"he said and the look he gave her was all she needed to understand what he meant.

Mr. Fisher handed them the books. " You two need to sign both here and here."
They signed, got the keys and left with the best wishes from Mr. Fisher and Mrs. Carson.
"What now?" Vivian asked when they had reached Gabriel's bike.
"Now I'm showing you our new home."
"Really?"
"Did you think I would drive you all the way out here just to sign some stupid papers?"

As they drove through town Vivian could see how they got closer and closer to the National Park.
When she thought they could not get any deeper into it they took a turn. Vivian could not remember when she had been this excited before.
Gabriel drove through the front gate and up to the stairs that led to the entrance of a beautiful old vintage hotel. All around the main building were little cabins and in front of the entrance was a trail that led into the forest.

"Wow!" Vivian breathed. She was absolutely awed about what she saw.
"How did you get this? I mean the money we got from the insurance could never have been enough for this." She asked as she got off the bike and took off her helmet.
"The old owner died and his children just wanted to get rid of it. I don't think they knew what they had. Do you like it?" He asked as he watched how she looked everywhere.
"Do you like it? I love it! Come on let's go inside. I wanna see it." Vivian replied full of excitement and pulled at his arm like a little child that got a glimps of a candyshop.
"I'm coming. I'm coming," Gabriel laughed.

In front of the door he handed the keys to Vivian, she took them without a second thought and opened the door.
"I know there is much to do. But most of it is painting and the other repairs we can do with the rest of the pack – "
"It's perfect!" She turned around and kissed him. At first it was a soft and excited kiss but then it deepened and Gabriel pulled her up against him. They only let go of each other when they were out of breath.
"I'm glad you like it! Let me show you the rest," he took her hand and led her through the first floor which entailed the lobby and reception, the breakfast room, the kitchen, an office and a conference room.
The second floor entaled a ball room and an amusement room with a pool-table, bowling and a bar.
The floors above were rooms. They were beautiful. They were decorated with the flaire of the hotel with antiques but romantic designs.
"It's just… I don't know what to say. It's just perfect." Vivian said as Gabriel kept leading her upstairs.

"Where are we going? I guess all the other rooms are similar."
"Yes they are but I want to show you the top floor."
"All right," she huffed but she was just glad he had not let go of her hand in all the time they had been together.
He opened a door for her and she stepped aside. She was speechless. The room was beautiful. The furniture was old design but it made the room look romantic. But what got most of her attention was the view she had from the wall-sized window. She could see far away across the National park at the mountains. It was an overwhelming sight.
Gabriel was watching her expression and was waiting for a response but she was completely speechless.
"This is going to be our room," he said.
That got a reaction. "What?" She exclaimed.
"That is… If you want to share a room with me. We will have our cabin of course but as packleaders we will need to be here sometimes to overlook things and help around where we can –"
"This is our room?" She stepped into the bathroom and looked around. There was a clawfooted bathtub and a shower in a corner.
Another door led into another room with just a little couch a table and a TV. And the last door led into a walk-in closet.
Her expression must have grown more disturbed by the second because Gabriel stepped up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders before saying: "Vivian, we don't need to share a room if you don't want to. I'll be glad to leave this room to you and sleep somewhere else. I don't want to rush you I know how it is and you just lost Aiden –"

"It's not that." Vivian sighed and turned around to face him.
"What is it then? I can see something about this bothers you." He seemed surprised.
"It's just that… I mean, I…"
God how am I going to tell him this? I'm not used to this. Boys have always been chasing me around and I know how I need to act and to move to get on but this isn't a boy. He is the one. He's also an alpha. He won't wait forever. But he is my mate I need to tell him…

She blushed a deep red.
"I mean, I've never had…"
"Look if it's Aiden, I understand," he said
"It's not Aiden. I don't even think I really loved him. I was just with him because I didn't know what I wanted and he seemed to understand at the time. But now I know what I was looking for and what I needed the most." She exhaled.
She crossed her arms at her chest and tried to calm herself down for what she was trying to tell him.

"Then what is it? You can tell me." He encouraged her.
"What I was telling you was that I'm still – sigh – I'm still a virgin." She whispered the last part and looked down completely embarassed.
At first he didn't react but then she felt him brush her cheek with his hand and she leaned into it closing her eyes.
"Honey, I wasn't thinking about getting you into bed when I chose this room for us. I was just thinking that I want to share my life with you and sleep by your side because you are the one person I want to see at first in the morning." She sighed in relief and felt his arms go around her.

"It's just, I know you've had your share of women before and I don't want to disappoint you," she whispered into his chest.
"First I've only had one woman not women. The others were just flirts and I regret them. And second you could never disappoint me. Believe me I want you but we won't have sex until you are ready. So is that a deal you could make to share a room with me?" He asked and pulled back to look into her eyes.
"Deal!" She answered.
"So what do you think? Do you like this room?" He changed the topic.
"Are you kidding me? Look at this view! What's not to like? But don't you think this should be the honeymoon suite?" She asked.
"There is another room like this at the other wing of this floor. It's not as great as this one but it'll do."
"Alright then. This will be our room." She said and kissed him lightly.

"Our cabin will need some work before it's alright for us to move in."
"Let me see it," Vivian said excited.
"I want you to see it when it's ready. In the meantime I was thinking you could be in charge of the colors for the painting in the rooms," Gabriel pondered.
"Really?" Vivian asked.
"I saw your muriel. So yes, I think the hotel could not be in better hands."
Vivian squield and hugged him. She knew exactly what she wanted.
"Before we go I've got another surprise for you," he said.
"Another one?" What is it?" She asked.
He led her back downstairs and got a basket from the sidepacks of his bike.
"We're having a picknick."