03.2023 | WELCOME BACK! Hello friends old and new! I'm so excited to welcome you all back to SITW! I've made some changes to the plot and added the ability to play supernatural charcaters! So come and check it out! I can't wait to jump back into this little town with all of you!
A strange history surrounds the town, it is a place where mysterious and supernatural things have been known to happen. The reputation of the town reguarly draws in visitors and newcomers alike. While some residents avidly believe in the supernatural, others are far more skeptical. What do you believe?
Getting out and about during a full moon was always one of her favorite things about being a werewolf. Being out with the pack, running without fear or concern; it helped relieve so much of the stress she carried with her from work. Especially now that she was the acting Sheriff. Work seemed to get to her a lot more lately.
So, it wasn’t uncommon after a night running with the pack to find herself waking up in the woods, though she did try to stick with familiar areas. Namely places where she might have stashed a pack with clothing, or near her jeep. Today, she stretched with a yawn and got up, brushing some of the dirt and leaves from her bare skin as she looked around. She could tell other members of the pack were close, but it was the familiar scent of Harland Shaw that brought a smile to her lips as she followed his scent. “Hey, wake up sleepyhead.” She called out to him, not quite trying to catch sight of him undressed, but also; it wouldn’t be the first time.
Gemma tended to keep herself a bit more modest around the pack, even around Harland she tried to at least have herself somewhat covered. Which, she pulled one of her stored bags and removed an oversized t-shirt, pulling it on over her head. She dug through the pack, there was a towel, toothbrush, hair brush, underwear and a pair of shorts. no shoes, so this had to be the bag near the lake. Gemma took a deep breath in, running a hand through her hair to remove the twigs and bits of debris. “What sounds better; a dip in the lake or a shower at the old cabin?” She asked with a chuckle, knowing one would be warm, the other a bit cold.
Harland always compared full moon changes to the day after a good three hits of acid night, the euphoria of the next day how a good run or trip will reset an ego. Harland stretched out upon hearing Gems calling nit yet opening his eyes, "I'm just keeping my eyes closed," he grunted. Harland could hear Gem rustling about knowing she was looking through one of her ditch supplies, smart but Harland rarely kept his updated and some he'd forgotten over the years.
He also knew about Gems, like say randomly this one didn't have shoes they were near the lake. For his kind it was totally normal to be kind of obsessed with someone...it wasn't yet near imprinting he didn't think, he felt he'd know but Harland had always been territorial over one woman his entire life that wasn't his Momma and that his Gem.
"If you got some spare towel we can hit the cabin before the others and get cleaned up," her confirmation of them being by lake made him grumble, "I ain't about to get in no cold water this early," Harland rolled over and he didn't shy away from staring and watching, after all he'd seen a lot more of Gem than either ever let on about seeing each other after a shift.
Harland love her. He did. He just didn't know how to ever tell her...
“Well, just so long as you’re awake.” She teased with a gentle shake of her head, blonde hair falling over her shoulder as she smiled. It didn’t matter how the nights started; Gemma always managed to find herself with or near Harland come morning. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. There wasn’t anyone Gemma wanted to spend time with more, or spent time thinking about. Especially when they hadn’t seen a lot of each other since she took over as acting Sheriff. Blue eyes flitted over to where Harland lay, unable to help but bite on her bottom lip at the sight of him, barely able to focus on his words.
What was it he said? Something about a towel, right? She blushed slightly as she returned her attention from him and toward the bag as she grabbed out the towel for him and turned with an amuse smile at his comment about the cold water. “Hey, I seem to recall quite a few times we enjoyed a cold morning swim after a night of running.” She said and tried not to so obviously stare as he rolled over.
“Here ya go.” Gemma said as she stepped closer to hand him the towel, grinning at the sight of the bits of foliage clinging to his dark hair. Without missing a beat, the blonde reached down to brush the bits of leaves and twigs from his hair with her soft smile. “The cabin sounds like a decent start, what plans do you have for the day?” Of course she was asking because she hoped to be able to spend more time with him.
The closer Gem got the stronger her smell, Harland could almost growl. Everything about her just seemed to be perfect. As she reached down to exchange the towel to pick something out of hair Harland doesn't shrink or shy away it was second nature for her to do little things like that or adjust a button on his flannel, sometimes she'd had to dap a bar towel because he'd dropped something on his shirt it was the little things.
"Thanks," he said as he laid the towel across him, "I've got no plans, but I still ain't getting in no water this morning unless, oh yup," Harland would finally rise wrapping his towel around him, "You got some dirt right here just a little here," he jokingly indicated her whole face though and would try to scooped her up, "Don't worry I got it, I'm just going to toss ya in the lake and give ya a bath," he was laughing the whole time and would teasingly begin to pull her towards the lake.
Being closer to home only made it harder to focus. There was something so incredibly intoxicating about his scent. It sparked a need inside her that she hadn’t felt for anyone else. But that was just because they were such good friends; right? Craving the familiarity and comfort of her favorite person in the world… okay, so maybe she was a touch in denial about her feelings being quite so platonic. But it was Harland, her grouchy teddy bear of a best friend; he couldn’t possibly see her as anything more.
Gemma’s brow arched curiously as he spoke and got up, eyes unable to help but enjoy the sight of his muscles shifting as he moved. When he indicated to her face, she narrowed her eyes at him and then realized only too late what he was doing. She knew him better than that, she should have expected this. Or perhaps she did and she wanted to let him scoop her up. After all; he towered over her by nearly a foot and had a good hundred and fifty pounds on her at least. Gemma truly was quite petite in comparison to Harland, proving just how fitting his nickname for her was. She truly was his little Gem. Her cheeks blushed at the thought, she wanted to be just that; his. But more importantly; she wanted him to her hers.
“Harland, don’t you dare!” Of course she attempted to playfully struggle against him, but there would be no point to it. Harland had her, and she would be at his mercy. She mostly laughed, shaking her head with a grin. Even if be tossed in the cold lake wasn’t her preferred way to start the day; she wanted even less to find herself no longer pressed again him. He was so warm, sexy and drove her inner wolf absolutely wild with desire. “Oh? Well you better join me then, because you’re a hot mess.”
Harland would jokingly one last time pretend to toss her out of his arms but instead he swung her out over the water and back on land...hugged up close to him. He was holding her tight and his face was closer to hers...and...
...just
For...
A...
Second, Harland almost kissed her. Almost.
"I'm still not getting in the lake, so I'll race you back to the cabin and first one there gets the hot shower first," and Harland was immediately turning to race.
Post by Gemma Tramell on Jun 17, 2024 21:18:59 GMT
Harland’s jesting and pretending to toss her out toward the water, only to find herself being set back on land and being hugged firmly to his warm body. She couldn’t help that she so naturally returned the hug and rested her head comfortably against his chest, those her face turned up looking at him.
They were so close, her breath nearly hitching in her chest as she tried to keep her heart from racing at his proximity.
Yeah, she definitely had more than a little crush on the man.
Her brow shot up as he spoke, and then she couldn’t help but break into laughter as she watched him take off running.
“Hey, no fair! Your legs are longer!” Gemma called out with a shake of her head as she took off after him. Of course, he would likely beat her there, but she wasn’t going to not at least try.
Harland didn't put his all into his sprint towards the lake cabin, in fact he would lose on purpose because he didn't mind the view as his Gem ran by. He had decided a long time ago he would die for this woman. Once upon the old porch, Harland who was in great shape, breathed heavily for no reason.
"You won," he said as he smiled and pushed the door open, "Fair and square little Gem, but you could be the sweetest and save little ol'Har some warm water," he gave his most puppy dog face and then stood in the door so she'd have to squeeze past his muscular frame to get by.
Post by Gemma Tramell on Jun 27, 2024 14:14:04 GMT
Was Gemma very aware that Harland let her win; yes. But a win was still a win, especially when it came to her slightly competitive nature. Plus, there was something sweet about those wins where he could easily have it, but he let her. He was so good to her. Gemma couldn’t help but laugh at his exaggerated heavy breathing, giving his chest a playful swat. “Fair and square my ass, but I’m fine with you letting me win.” She teased, watching him stand in the doorway, his best puppy dog pout on display.
Gemma eased up to him, unable to hide the blush creeping into her cheeks and she ran a hand along his chest. She couldn’t tell whose heart was racing more, his or her own. Harland standing there in the doorframe, practically towering over her petite frame made her so very aware of how much larger this man was. Stronger too. And how touching his body made hers feel electrified. It wasn’t quite fair how easily her body seemed to ache for him.
“Hmmm, I mean I could do that…” her tone was soft as she looked up and gave him a playful wink, clearly having no issue pressing her body against his as she slowly moved into the house. Enjoy the way his firm body felt against hers for the brief moment. Or what should have only been a brief moment, but she stopped in the doorway with him. Those blue eyes of hers searching his face for any indication that she was wrong in her thinking -and feeling- that there was something, well, more here than just a life long friendship. She wanted so badly to just kiss him. “or, you could join me.” Gemma found herself saying, that rosy glow quite evident in her cheeks now.
last edited Jun 27, 2024 14:17:31 GMT by Gemma Tramell
Harland couldn't hide his smile as she blushed, "You deserve a win every once in a while Gem, and you'll always have your fair share with me of course," he pushed a lock of her loose hair behind her ear.
When she stopped in the doorframe and touched him Harland stepped closer to her, if she couldn't tell by sense then surely she'd feel his heart hammering like a carpenter knocking nails. His large hands found her hips gripping them firmly, "If that's an option then," and Harland kissed Gem, a small peck he paused and if she didn't stop him he'd kiss her again with a lifetime of raw built up passion, his large hands pulling her closer even still to him. His very apparent size and strength and how he felt in the moment pushed her smaller frame against the doorframe.
Harland didn't stop kissing her when he lifted her up, hoping she'd wrap her legs around his waist and if she did he'd easily carry her into the cabin never once breaking the kiss. He used his foot to slam the cabin door and carrying her through the house. She felt so light in his large arms but suddenly all of this felt right, why had he denied either one of them something he felt that they always wanted? He hadn't wanted to ruin what they had but even before Sookie there was his little Gem. She'd accepted Kenna too. She knew the old loosely based grump was a softy, she could have broke their spell of ignorance at any time and Harland would have kneeled before her like she was a Queen.
Through the house they went into the small bathroom with the standing shower, he turned the shower on before sitting her down, "If..if this is still an option Gem...I want it...," he was blushing himself and his heart could start a fire, but the truth was Harland loved Gemma Tramell.
Post by Gemma Tramell on Jun 27, 2024 15:14:27 GMT
Somehow, this big, rough and tough man always managed to show her a gentleness that others didn’t know he possessed. Because that side of him wasn’t for other people, and deep down she knew that. She had just been so afraid to hope. This was her and Harland after all, and she couldn’t risk not having him in her life. Hell, it had been awful when she left for college and was only made bearable because he visited her. She couldn’t help but smile up at him as he closed the space between them.
She was tired of trying to act like she didn’t want so much more than just their friendship. Of always letting her own wants and desires be pushed down. So when he kissed her, it was a small peck and suddenly everything seemed to make so much sense. Was this what an imprint bond felt like? Had she truly been ignoring it for years thinking they were just friends? There was no way she could be content with just a simple peck like that. Not when everything inside her burned for him.
Thankfully, he didn’t leave her wondering. Harland’s grip and deeper kiss let her know she wasn’t the only one who had been holding back all these years. And just like that, any of her reservations melted away and she found her hands roaming his body to pull her as close to him as possible. There was no turning back now, she wanted- no, needed him. Never in her life had she felt such intense and raw desire for someone.
When he lifted her up, Gemma indeed wrapped her legs around him. Her body trembled with excitement and she suddenly understood why she could never share this side of herself with anyone else; because part of her always knew she was his. How could she settle for anything less when he was always right there? Gemma looped an arm around his neck, definitely impressed with how effortlessly he maneuvered through the cabin with her.
It wasn’t until they got to the bathroom that he set her down and spoke again. Gemma was still a touch breathless and very flushed, but she also knew there was no way in hell she was getting in a shower alone after that. But that did lead her to feeling a touch timid as she gently bit her bottom lip. “I-I want this Har… I want you.” She stepped forward and put a hand on his chest with one of her sweet smiles, her cheeks still rosy. “I just… don’t laugh, but I’ve never been with anyone like this.” Why did sharing that information with him make her feel so embarrassed? Because she was a virgin in her thirties? It just never felt right before, and now she knew why. “I just never wanted someone t-the way I want you.” She said softly and then took a half step back as she pulled the shirt off, standing there bare before him.
The raw passion was there, their shared energy for each other didn't ebb away with her admission of never being with someone for Harland it was the truth that Gem had been waiting...waiting on him. As she removed her oversized shirt and Harland took in the full bare sight of Gem the soft side of Harland came to the forefront as he stepped closer again one large hand coming to rest on left hip and his other hand lightly touched just above her navel tracing her soft skin.
"I've always...always been afraid to ruin what we have Gem, because the truth is I love you Gemma, always have and I buried it behind my grump side," his finger traced further up between her breast's, over her collar bone, "I want you Gem. All of you. I've self sabotaged every one I've every been with because they weren't you, my little Gem. All of what comes with it I want it, hell no one knows me like you and who else can melt away the gloom of Harland Shaw?" he smiled as his hand finally reached to cup her face in his large hand as he pulled her naked body close to him. His eyes stared down at his Gem locking intensely and for the first time the strongest feelings and urges overtook him, he'd heard about this before from other older pack members...Imprinting...was that was happening? His heart said so.
Harlands eyes burned with a fire of desire his hand on her hip gripped tighlty but not to hurt her, "I want you," and Harland kissed her again pulling her face to meet his lips.
last edited Jun 27, 2024 15:38:28 GMT by Harland Shaw
Post by Gemma Tramell on Jun 27, 2024 16:26:11 GMT
Gemma had never felt so inexplicably drawn to someone that way she was with Harland. Had they really spent so much time afraid of risking their friendship that they suppressed these feelings for one another? Honestly, she was just thrilled this wasn’t some one-sided silly crush on her end. The feel of his hands on her skin sent such a rush of excited trembling.
His admission of his feelings made her wonder if she was indeed awake, or if this was just a very intense dream playing tricks on her. But there was no denying the warmth of his hand trailing up her body. She was definitely awake. The desire and passion burning inside her for one of her oldest friends, was very real. He cupped her face in his hands and she couldn’t help but smile, still struggling to put things to words. Because it was simple, and she didn’t have all to flowery words and intense declarations like in some romance novel she might have loved as a teenager.
“Har… I love you too. It’s always been you, for me.” She admitted, finally admitting to something she guessed she always knew. It was why she didn’t find herself actively ‘trying’ to date, why she shied away from the flirtatious types at the bar. Hell, she only preferred being at the bar when Harland was there. And she stayed at the counter near him. How had they both been so blissfully unaware of these feelings?
His gaze so directly locked with hers and it made sense. Everything her mom and dad had told her about their connection, and what pack members tried to explain about the imprinting bond… every fiber of her being was desperate for him!
And he was telling her everything she needed to hear, pulling her in for a kiss which she eagerly returned. Pushing herself up a bit on her toes before her arms wrapped around his neck to help her keep her balance. Only breaking the kiss to give a soft, but suggestive growl. “I’m yours, Har. Always.”
"And I'm yours Gem, always," he picked her up again, the warmth of her naked body against his made him growl as he kissed her back with just as raw emotion and fire as before. He was strong enough to hold her as he removed the towel from around his waist and carried her into the shower. The hot water didn't compare to the heat coming off the both of them and once fully inside he sat her back down pressing her against the back of the shower wall.