Chapter 53: Frozen Waterfalls

~This chapter has an unedited version with a sexually explicit scene, which can be read for free on Radish Fiction, or on Wattpad in The Nitty Gritty which can be found on my profile~

Chapter 53

Frozen Waterfalls

"Oh how lovely," said my mother as she settled into the hot pools. "Isn't this nice, Quint." She turned to her husband, who nodded.

"Yes, very nice." My father cleared his throat and looked at Titus.

"I have a swimsuit on," he exclaimed, sitting up to show the blue fabric.

My dad looked to me.

"Really," I breathed. Next time we were not going early.

Darius stepped into the water with his mate and mother. He appeared rather annoyed. I glanced at Storm.

She rolled his eyes. "He's mad, because I made him wear a swimsuit."

Darius narrowed his eyebrows. "How are you supposed to bathe properly with clothes on. It's ridiculous."

Rose patted her son's knee. "We have guests, who appreciate your modest."

My mother laughed lightly. "Very much so."

Darius sunk into the water. I guess the pup pouting was something that ran in the family.

Storm grabbed his chin. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Your father won't demote you for wearing a swimsuit."

He grumbled something, before standing and marching off toward the waterfall.

His mate shook her head. "Pride issues."

"Get's it from his father," said Rose.

"Where is Xavier?" asked my mother. "I need to have a word with him." She glanced around.

"Pack business today."

"Oh what a shame," she sighed.

She still had that list of suggestions in her purse, which was sitting next to her towel.

Titus grabbed my hand and pulled me toward deeper water.

"Well be over there," I said, kicking off the ground and floated along behind him.

I soon wasn't able to touch the ground. Titus was struggling to keep the water from lapping up over his chin. He held me safely above the water with my legs tucked under his arms.

"I need a hot tub back home." I brushed Titus's hair back, before the water dripped into his eyes.

"You'll have one next winter."

"Hmmm..." I smiled. "It's more like a small lake than a tub."

Titus shrugged. "We're a big pack. Werewolves would be lining the place if my dad hadn't said it was off limits while your family was here."

"Great," I sighed. "A pack that already think I'm a spoiled brat, before I'm even a member."

Titus smiled and kissed me lightly. "It's common. Every time we have guests some of the areas of the cave are made off limits."

I sucked in a deep breath. "As long as it's not only me." I placed my forehead against his.

"Don't worry about everyone else."

"It's hard not too. If I end up an omega, they'll all out rank me."

He grabbed the back of my neck. "As my mate, you will out rank them. You'll never be considered an omega." Titus kissed me hard.

I parted my lips and arched into him. Kissing him was always exhilarating. I hoped this feeling never faded over time. Titus pulled me flush against him and twirled his tongue around mine. His hand softly ran along my leg. The other touched my side. I broke off the kiss.

"Shit," I hissed, covering my mouth with my hand.

Titus smiled. "What now, Aden? Should we go back and sit with your parents?"

"Shut up." I put his hand on his chest and pressed away, so there was some space between us.

He kissed along my jaw to my ear. "You're still a hormonal teenager."

My face was red, and it wasn't because of the water. "It'll go away. Just stop touching me, and it'll go away."

He pushed me away from him. I started to tread water, glaring at him.

"You said I shouldn't touch you."

I spun around, looking over my options. My parents were chatting with Storm and Rose. Darius was drowning his swimsuit sorrows in the waterfall. Anywhere I sat or tried to get out would draw suspicion or give me away.

"Titus," I called. My arms were starting to burn. "Help me."

"Alright, alright." He grabbed my arm and dragged me over to him. "We'll need someone to cover for us."

My mouth fell open when my boyfriend look to his brother. "No, not him."

"Would you prefer Storm or Rose?"

I groaned and put my head on his shoulder. "Fine."

We swam over to the waterfall. I waited on the lower rocks as Titus went up to whisper something to his brother. Darius's face drew back into a smirk.

He gave me a precarious look. "I'll cover for you, princess. You are a guest," he said with a chuckle.

I groaned and marched with Titus to the far side of the room. He helped me maneuver over the slippery rocks to a side cave. A small stream of water was running down the path, before it pouring into the main pool.

"Come on, in here." He ushered me through a narrow slit in the rock.

We walked along the passage until it opened up into a small room. A skylight was over head. Steam was escaping through it, coming from the small pond.

"How hot is it?" I asked.

"Not bad." He took my hand and helped me in.

It was warmer than the main pool. I sat down on the edge with just my feet in. Titus moved between my legs and started to kiss me. I draped my arms over his shoulder.

To spend the rest of my life with this man would be a dream. I might be 17, but I knew he was what I wanted as my future husband and mate.

***

The ATV fitted with snow tracks stopped along the river's edge. Ice chunks were floating downstream. Titus helped me out and put his arm around my shoulder.

"What a beautiful day," said my mother, looping arms with my father.

They wandered down to the river's edge with the alpha and his mate.

"Are you warm enough?" asked Titus.

I nodded. "Yeah, it's not too cold."

Titus was wearing far less clothing than me to stay warm.

"Come on, I want to show you something." He took my hand and help me navigate through the mounds of snow up stream.

I heard the sounds of falling water and could make out the blue pillars of ice through the trees. "Oh wow, it's so pretty."

Titus helped me climbed up on a flat rock near the frozen waterfall.

"That's amazing." I glanced up at him, and he gave me a smile. "I've never seen one freeze like that before."

The white and blue mixed together. Only a thin section towards the right side had water still flowing.

He put his arm around my waist and pulled me close. "Next year I'll take you to one up north territory. It's at least three times wider, and the whole thing is frozen solid by this time of year."

"I'll be a werewolf then." I rested my head on his arm. "So hopefully we won't have to worry about me freezing."

"I'll keep you warm."

"How sweet," I laughed.

I swayed side to side, soaking in his warmth. It really was a stunning scene. Winter was so peaceful in the woods, compared to the city.

"Aden?"

"Hmmm..." My eyes met his.

Sucking in his lips, he turned to face me. "I have something I wanted to give you."

I glanced around but didn't see anything. "Like what?" I watched his hand go into his pocket.

Pulling it out, he hid the object from me. I moved in closer, waiting for him to show me what he had in his palm.

"I don't know how if I'm doing this properly, but," he dropped to one knee and opened his hand. "Will you marry me?" He gave me a hesitant smile.

I stared at the ring. A gold band with a smooth stone embedded on the top with carving of wolves running. "I thought we were already engaged," I laughed softly.

Titus shrugged and stood. "I guess not official in the human world. So will you?"

I nodded and stood on my toes to kiss him. "Yes."

He gave me a huge grin and kissed me hard. "Here." He took my hand. "Which one does it go on?"

"I have no idea," I chuckled. "Whichever one it fits on. My mom will let us know if we got it wrong."

He slipped it on my right ring finger, and lifting me in the air. I shared a passionate kiss as he spun around.

Setting me down, he held my hand and ran his thumb along the band. "So in the human world this mean you're taken, right?"

"Oh, I see your motive here. The mark on my shoulder wasn't enough."

Titus let out a deep breath. "That'll keep the werewolves away. If this keeps other humans away, I'll buy you a ring for every finger."

"This one's plenty thanks." I examined the wolf silhouettes along the sides. "What is it?" I touched the creamy stone with subtle gold ripples.

"Elk ivory."

My eyebrows pinches together. "What is that?"

"Well it's kind of like an elephant tusk, but it's an elk."

"I get that much."

"It a tooth."

My mouth fell open. "Oh."

"Do you not like it?"

I shook my head. "No, I just didn't know elk had ivory." I held it up. "It's really pretty actually."

Titus hugged me from behind. "My dad has a collection from the elk we hunt. This was the best one, and he let me have it when I told him I wanted to set it in a ring for you." He pressed his head against mine. "I think he secretly hopes it would give him some bonus points from your mom, so if she asks, mentioned my dad found it."

"I love it." I looked back and clasped his cheek. "Thank you."

We kissed and parted when I heard noise coming from the trees. Looking over, I saw my mother standing there.

"It's done then?" she called.

I held up my hand.

"Oh good lord," she hurried over. "My baby's engaged."

Titus helped her onto the rock.

She threw her arms around me. "You've made up for not telling me about Titus. I got to be here when you got engaged," she said excited, holding me out in front of her. "You're growing up on me. You need to stop that."

I laughed. "I'll try, mom."

She took my hand. "Oh, that is gorgeous. Elk ivory."

Titus nodded. "From my father's private collection."

"It's stunning Titus."

"How did you know what it was?" I asked.

"You're father was into hunting when you were little. He brought home a couple really nice ones, and I had earrings made out of them. Still have them in my jewelry box somewhere." She dug around in her purse and took out her phone. "You two go stand in front of the falls. I want a picture."

"Mom."

"Go on," she flicked her wrist at me. "The family is going to want to see the big event."

Titus put his arm around me, and we posed for the picture.

"Hold up your hand, Aden," she instructed.

I did so, rolling my eyes. "There."

"Don't look so excited, you didn't just get engaged or anything," she teased.

I smiled and leaned into Titus. We took a few other photos. My mom even showed Rose how to work the camera, so I could get one with my parents and Titus. My mother worked her magic again and got Xavier to be in a few photos. Even made the alpha sit through a couple timed photos, so she could have one of everyone together.

By the time we were done, I was frozen and ready to head back to the cave. We walked back to the ATV. Again, I had the awkward middle seat in the front between the alpha and Titus, though I was stealing a good portion of Titus's seat.

We started back to the cave as my mother waved around her phone, trying to get serves to start calling the family.

I huddled against my boyfriend's side.

"Are you freezing?" he chuckled.

"A little bit."

My dad passed up a blanket. Titus helped wrap it around me. He swung my legs so the fell between his and hugged me to his chest.

"Jenny," said my mom. "It happened. Titus asked him. I know, it was the sweetest thing. I don't have good service, so if I cut off you know why. Oh, of course, I took many. I'll send them all when I can. Oh yes, I made him, even though the men were all being difficult. I made them be in them."

I glanced back to see her eyeing my father. Bring my arms up against my chest, I twisted my ring around my finger. It was official. I was going to marry Titus.