radicalducati Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Looking at the empty field that will be perfect for building new houses for new families and Mates looking to transition out of the dormitories and into their own homes, I sneak a peak at Rune as he leans against the front of my truck, a sketchbook in his hands. Right now, Rune is working on a basic sketch for three houses that will be built here come spring in hopes of having them ready for winter next year.
“I never knew you could draw.” I muse, watching him jump in surprise before a blush of embarrassment creeps along his cheeks. After lunch, he and I had taken my truck out to drive around the territory, making note of the new land we received from Onix Moon a few weeks ago and finding a few good spots along the stretch of land where we could begin building more dorm buildings and houses families and newly mated pairs could move into. This is how we found ourselves relaxing in the warm fall sun when Rune brought a sketchbook out of the backpack he brought along on our ride.
“To be honest with you, no one does.” He admits sheepishly, giving me a half smile before returning his gaze to the sketchbook in hand.
“My mom was the one who taught me to draw. Valor thought it was a stupid skill stating an Alpha only needed to learn how to lead a pack and kill his enemies. After her death, I had to hide when I wanted to draw.” He adds, his eyes turning misty. I reach out and place a hand on his shoulder, getting a small grateful smile from him.
“It’s one of the few things that I have left that connects me to her.” He continues, his hands moving in quick but accurate strokes.. I smile, happy to learn a part of Rune that no one else knew as I watch the three houses come to life on the pages. After labeling the houses one, two, and three, he quickly flips the book over and begins to sketch the inside of house one.
I watch on in silence, intrigued by this new side of Rune while occasionally looking over at the empty land picturing the houses that he had drawn. With a smile, I think about going to find Alayne in the pack library and seeing if she could find books on architecture that I could bring to Rune for him to read. Maybe I can even convince Rune to go to college and become Crescent Phoenix’s architects.
“What do you think of the first house’s layout?” Rune asks as soon as he is finished sketching, holding the book out to me. I take it gently, looking over the pages and finding every detail from the way the fireplace will be built to how the kitchen flows for ease of movement for those using it.
“This is incredible!” I admit with a small voice, running my hand along the pages.
“You are talented, Rune.” He mumbles something, his face red in embarrassment and I realize this is the first time I have ever seen him looking like this. Usually, there was this smugness to him, a smugness that all Alphas carry.
“Do you think you could make a few blueprints and bring them to Holton so that we can start plans for building these homes as quickly as possible?” I ask, looking up to find Rune staring at me, his grey eyes filled with excitement and adoration. I hold my ground, not wanting to feel intimidated by his feelings for me. The bond stirs though, reminding me that it is whole once again and that I will need to decide what I want to do with it as soon as possible.
“I never drew any blueprints before, but if you give me some time, I could come up with something.” He answers with a shrug, taking his sketchbook from my hands gently. I grin at this, turning back to look at the empty field. I can already picture the image Rune sketched being built. How our wolves would instantly volunteer for the project and have the houses built in the blink of an eye.
“I was actually going to talk to Alayne. She is in charge of the pack library in the Pack House about finding you books on how to create blueprints.” I state with a shrug, making my way to the driver’s side of the truck. Getting the hint that it is time to go as the sun was beginning to set, Rune moves to the passenger side, climbing into the seat beside me.
“I was thinking of getting you books on how to form blueprints and maybe see what we could do to get you into college or university to become one of our architects here. We need capable wolves and you have a talent you shouldn’t let go to waste.” I continue as I pull the seat belt across my lap. Rune is silent, his eyes staring at the sketchbook in hand.
“You really think I could do something like that?” He asks quietly, the man beside me lost in his own thoughts.
“I do.” I admit with a grin, feeling the mate bond shiver with excitement and happiness.
“I’ll talk to her, Aunt Asteria and Holton about it then tomorrow, see what options I have and if I could do online classes for now then.” Rune finally agrees with determination in his voice. I turn to look at him, finding his grey eyes trained on me. Feeling my mouth suddenly turn dry, I nod, not sure what to say, and put the truck into drive. The drive back to the pack house is spent in a comfortable silence. Having him come help me today was a good idea as I got to see more of who Rune is as a person away from Pine Moon, but it also complicates what we will do going forward.
Holding in my sigh, I peak out from the corner of my eye to see Rune watching the trees pass by and wonder if he and I could truly regain the friendship we lost or if the mended mate bond and the pup growing inside me will make things even more complicated between us.