by A. K. Koonce
My jaw clenches and I storm away, not stopping until I get to Kain’s room where I throw off his fucking coat that smells just like him only to pull on a shirt that smells just fucking like him. I can’t believe I like this man. I cannot believe I think someone so completely arrogant is attractive.
What is wrong with me?
In the other room Myla, Sinister, and Rime whisper to one another about what we saw in the woods. It makes my stomach twist all over again as they whisper her name.
“I’m not an alpha.” Kain’s voice is gentler as he slowly closes the door behind him. His back leans against it as he watches me stomp around and internally lecture myself for my poor taste in men.
“Really? You’re not?”
“I’m not.” There’s that growling edge to his voice again.
“Because when you were ordering around the other shifters on how to take control of the terrible crises that has hit, you looked like an alpha.”
“I overstepped. That’s not my job.” His arms fold across his chest at the same time as my hands press to my hips.
“Well it’s not your job to order me around either.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” He pushes off from the door then and the dominant steps that bring him into my space make my heart stutter, makes my confidence waver just slightly. “It’s my job to protect you. No matter what alpha asshole might run this village, I run your fucking well-being, Arlow. You’re mine to protect.”
All the emotion in me from the evening slips away just from the rasping sound of his words. The fear and annoyance no longer register because of his overbearing honesty. He isn’t even touching me, but I feel him against my skin, nonetheless. I feel him like an ache deep inside myself.
With a waiting stare he glares down on me. I see it the moment he feels the tingling tension between us. His Adam’s apple bobs and he blinks away that irrational anger in his eyes.
The steady, gentle fingers that skim down the side my jaw, the length of my neck, and over my collarbone are the opposite of the anger that shook through his words moments ago. “I didn’t mean to order you around. I meant to protect you.” His mouth opens before his lips ever press to the side of my neck and my fingers fall against his hard chest as his tongue swipes along my skin. The collar of my shirt pushes down until his teeth rake against my shoulder too.
“I meant to protect you too,” I say on a heavy breath as his palms travel low down my back, his mouth continuing to nip and suck at my flesh.
“Not your job,” he murmurs with a swirl of his tongue beneath my ear.
“You think I should just stand waiting and thank you when you run out into danger?”
“Mmm, exactly.” His head lowers and his teeth rake over the top of my breast and my back arches to him. I bend and bow but I’ll never relent to the actual words he’s saying.
My fingers drift down the etching lines of his pale stomach and they pause when they get to the waist of his jeans.
“I’ll compromise.”
He pauses, his mouth an inch from my skin the moment I say the apparently magical words he clearly never expected to hear.
“Really?” His warm breath fans against my skin. His head lifts, and he looks down on me with lust shading his eyes.
On my tippy toes I lift myself until my lips tease against his. His mouth parts for me but I only graze a kiss over his wanting lips.
“I’ll never stand back and wait for you, Kain. You’re wrong about a lot of things but you were right when you said I leap head first into danger. I do. Especially when it’s for someone I care about.” Someone I love. “So, I won’t stand back and wait for you. But I will thank you.”
His eyes narrow with confusion and before he can even speak, I press my lips to his. And before his tongue can even meet mine, my hand slips beneath his jeans. Hard, smooth skin slides into my palm and my fingers don’t fully wrap around his thickness. He groans against me, his tongue searching deeper into my mouth as his fingers push roughly through my hair.
The hinges are so damn quiet when the door opens.
“Just saw a dead girl and this is your first reaction?” Chaos’ shaming words have me pushing fully away from Kain.
I pull at my wrinkled and skewed shirt. Heavy breaths shake into of my lungs like I’m trying to get enough air to take flight.
I look innocent.
This is totally innocent.
Kain looks over at his friend, his hands pressing to his hips in a way that I think is meant to look confident but all it does is pull the room attention to the massive erection beneath his jeans.
Completely. Innocent.
Chaos’ brows raise and he waits for his fearless leader’s explanation.
“You could knock before you walk into a room.” Kain glares at his friend. His dick’s hard and he’s still aggressive somehow. Men are a confusing enigma.
Chaos seems to consider this suggestion but never actually agrees.
“I’m going to keep watch outside tonight.”
My heart squeezes painfully.
I verbally want to argue and stomp around and cry for him to stay here with me. I physically want to shield over him and protect him from whatever is out there.
But the moment Kain nods to Chaos, he walks out to the door.
As if Kain can sense my dreading emotions, he pulls me against his chest. He eases my anxiety the longer he holds me in his arms.
“Don’t ever risk your life for ours, Arlow.” Authority tinges his words but I never reply. His lips seal to mine slowly. My heart beats for him; a beat of fluttering love and a beat of sputtering annoyance.
He and I both know I’ll never agree to his ridiculous and insufferable demands.
Thirteen
Those Damn Candles
Days pass and the community is still on high alert. The shifters continue to patrol the area. The tension grows so high, a serious meeting is called.
A meeting that discusses a fucking party far longer than they even talked about the actual incident that led us here.
“I just don’t think a bizarre happenstance should ruin a tradition,” Brylee says from her spot at the front of the crowd. “I made one thousand candles.”
Her father blinks at her from where he stands at the front like he has no idea how to rationally argue with the hard facts. One Thousand candles have been made. What’s a guy to do?
Dozens of us stand congregated around his enormous house, waiting in the wide span of the dusty road. Pink shutters are the only thing that take away from the serious setting. Lord Carlin, his second in command, Skovence, and Kain stand slightly above us all on the front porch.
“Yes, we all protect our traditions but this is not the time for tradition. A young girl was buried yesterday. Her family is in mourning and our guard must remain intact.” Everything about Carlin is proper. Stern and to the point.
Kain nods. A few others murmur their agreement. The sound of understanding hums through the group.
Except for that little fucking shit at the front.
“I hand dipped one thousand fuchsia candles, Father.”
“You should probably redo them anyway since the color of the Fire Festival is red not pink. And there’s only four hundred and three villagers, stop over achieving, my child,” Agatha’s pipes up from my side.
Chaos’ arm shakes against mine as he suppresses a laugh. Rime’s gaze shines with that cruel amusement as his hands casually slip into his pockets. Sinister’s smirk deepens to show off those perfect dimples, and the three of them really hold it together compared to the few men in the back who are openly snickering.
Blonde hair trembles around her beautiful but furious features as Brylee turns to look at the oddly accurate mage standing to her left. I’ve never seen big blue eyes look so angelic and so hateful all at the same time. I mentally try to imagine if Agatha’s random head count is correct, but it’s a pointless thing to think about since deep down I know she’s more than accurate with her sight.
“It’s fu-chsia. And Natalie made them with me. For weeks she crafted them with love.” An idea flits across the manic woman’s face and then she speaks louder, her steps bringing her to stand on the porch directly in front of her father. “This year’s Fire Festival will be held in her memory. We will light the candles of her heart and we will forever remember Natalie …” Her voice dwells down for a quiet moment before her father takes a step closer and whispers in her ear.
“Natalie Thullman.” I hear him mumble.
“Natalie Thullman. Tomorrow night at dusk we will honor the memory of our sweet Natalie Thullman with one thousand beautiful candles.”
From behind her, a heavy sigh falls from Kain’s lips as he pushes his hand down his face. Skovence exchanges a glance with his leader but Brylee’s father never speaks up.
At least, he never says what we all know he should.
“That’s a lovely gesture, Bry. You’re a sweet child.” With beaming pride Carlin looks out to his astounded crowd. “We will shorten this year’s festivities, though, as a precaution. I want everyone safely inside before midnight. Your safety is my greatest concern.”
“Is it?” Sinister whispers quietly to no one in particular.
“I want our men to stay on high alert.” Kain’s voice booms over us, lines of frustration tighten his jaw as he steps past Carlin, nearly shoving Brylee right off her damn pedestal of a stage. “Do not wander tomorrow night. Stay as a group. Fucking do not underestimate this threat.” His voice lowers to a growl as he walks off and leaves his alpha staring after him.
His hand slips in mine and I start walking the moment he’s close.
“I need to prepare. We’re not ready for this shit,” Kain whispers, and once we’re near his house with the span of the dirt road separating him from everyone else he stops.
The tension in his body hardens every muscle in him. He’s stressed. He’s been stressed all week. I just want to ease all of this for him.
But I can’t.
“I’m going to practice today, defensive magic, I think. Just to be safe.” My fingers wrap around his forearm and my touch makes his shoulders lower into a more natural position. His features smooth, shining green eyes still hold more worry than I’d like but there’s improvement here.
“Good. That’s a good idea.”
“I’ll practice, go work with Skovence. He seems reasonable about all this.” Unlike Carlin.
He nods, his head lowering toward mine. A thrumming feeling races through me as I inch up to meet the brush of his lips. Warm palms barely skim against my hips from beneath Chaos’ jacket that I stole. It’s not enough, it’s too brief, but the small kiss captures all of my attention until the second he pulls away.
Brylee lingers near her father, but she watches us from among the dispersing crowd. I don’t meet her prying gaze. I refuse to give her the attention she wants.
With quick strides Kain meets Skovence and Carlin in the middle of the road and they begin planning instantly. I watch him even as Sinister motions for me. He’s ready. He’s been ready to release his magic all morning. It helps. It distracts us. And most importantly it’ll keep us safe.
I pretend not to even notice Sinister. Until he looks away toward Chaos and Rime.
With one quick turn, my magic shatters through me and out of my palm. It spins in pure white colors. Colors that Sinister soaks right up the moment it strikes his chest.
He takes the blow with a groan humming through him. His long fingers press over his chest, just over his heart. The wince that creases his eyes makes my stomach drop.
I shouldn’t have sneak attacked. I’m an idiot.
I take a step forward, it’s hesitant at first, but then I’m rushing over to him when he doesn’t immediately retaliate.
Brylee tilts her head at the demon, halting the serious conversation between her father and Kain.
“I’m so sorry.” My hand brushes against the back of his tattooed knuckles.
I shouldn’t have put so much power into it. I got too caught up in it all. I shouldn’t have hurt him like that.
Then his leg collides with my calves. His body follows mine down and in an instant, he’s holding me to the ground. His hands pin my wrists above my head loosely, his eyes shining with amusement.
“Never lower that guard, love.” The rumbling feel of his laughter against my chest makes my heart clash with emotions.
I wish there was a resting place between all this soaring and falling my heart does when I’m around him. It tatters my nerves into frayed pieces, making them hum to life with a painful spark when he’s around.
Hard muscle aligns with my soft curves. Lean hips brush against mine. His tongue slips over his lips as realization settles into his now hooded gaze. All that amusement washes out of his features as a completely different look settles into place.
“Never let your guard down, Sin.”
“What?” The word is breathed out on a rasping tone. Magic tingles through my fingertips and it strikes against every inch of his skin that’s touching mine. “Fuck.” A grimace creases his eyes. I roll him. It’s a push and pull of the upper hand, but I’m currently the one on top.
… on top.
Warm hands clasp my hips. I straddle over his stomach with a triumphant glare. His smirking attention slowly drifts away as his eyes leave mine, looking out at the village of shifters surrounding us.
Silence drops.
And then I suddenly notice the way everyone’s looking at me and my friend and the sexy position he and I are in.
“I feel sorry for the way you’ve settled, Kain.” Brylee’s voice sounds out around the quietness. Everyone looks from me to her. From across the road, Chaos and Rime pin hard glares on the woman the moment she speaks. “I feel sorry for the second-rate relationship you’ve fallen into.”
Outrage reddens my chest and cheeks and I stumble as I stand. More judgmental attention from the community is thrown my way. Rime’s fingers fist hard into his palm but his anger isn’t as fast as Chaos’ unfiltered words.
“Yeah, it’s a relationship built on love and endless orgasms. What a fucking pitiful life he must be leading.” A taunting smile pulls wide against his sexy mouth. Rime’s teeth sink into his lower lip and I can tell it’s hard for him to repress his smile right now.
While Kain looks like he wishes his friend wouldn’t have spoken at all. His gaze shifts to Carlin.
He’s the one who matters. Chaos and Rime have been on the alpha’s bad side once before. And here I am throwing them right back across that line once again.
“I think my daughter might be correct, Kain. As I advised you before, I think you should consider some of your past mistakes and try to … make up for your errors.” The polite and overly formal wording doesn’t deter the building irritation within my chest.
… His errors.
His errors. Like leaving Brylee. Like meeting me. Like coming here with me.
Just when I think I’m fitting in here, I realize I’m not.
A mixture of pain and anger strike through each beat of my heart as my attention holds on Kain and the way he’s staring hard at the man in front of him.
“I don’t think I’ve made any mistakes, Lord Carlin. As a matter of fact, I think my decisions have been quintessential. One hundred fucking percent perfect.” Kain’s mocking properness mirror’s Carlin’s false civility but the anger beneath the surface tears against his tone.
Emerald eyes flicker to me for a split second before he rakes his gaze back to Carlin.
The man’s jaw spasms. There’s a tension in the air between them. I always wondered how too much alpha dominance could work in this sort of society.
And here’s my answer.
It doesn’t.
“That woman doesn’t love you.” The way Carlin’s voice scrapes against the word woman makes the blush against my cheeks burn hotter. Anger rushes into me in insufferable waves. “She’ll never be your mate. You had a mate of utter perfec
tion and you threw her away. And now you’re settling for watching your friends find love when you should be fixing what you had.”
Brylee’s slender fingers tick just enough for her skin to meet Kain’s. It’s the smallest brush of their hands.
And it fucking enrages me.
“He’s right, KayKay.” And that absurd term of endearment that she utters is my breaking point.
My feet are pounding against the dirt before my mind can even realize what I’m doing.
“Arrie, don’t.” Sinister’s hand catches against mine, but I rip way from him.
The wind catches my hair as I run faster toward them. Mere inches separate me from them when Kain turns to look at me. Angry energy pulses through my veins, and he barely has time to react when I leap.
And he catches me.
The fabric of my dress bunches against my thighs as my legs wrap securely around his lean hips. My fingers push through his thick hair and before he can catch his breath, my lips crash against his. His tongue pushes against my lips the moment we kiss, demanding entrance. His tongue slides against mine, claiming all my emotions with every caress. I breath him in and his hold on me tightens, his fingers sinking into the underside of my thighs. I feel every part of him; the hard muscle of his body along with the contained anger he’s holding within. He gives it all to me with the bruising press of our lips and the sensual flicks of his tongue. The light copper taste of blood tinges my tongue as the firm press of our lips becomes as painful as it is pleasurable.
Angry desire never tasted so good.
When I finally pull back with a gasping breath, we stare at one another like we’re not in the crowded village, right in front of our friends, right in front of their leader, and of course, right in front of his scowling ex-girlfriend.
Because he’s mine.
I feel it all at once. I feel the pressing pull of emotions strike through me like something I’ve never experienced before. It’s a bond that I never could have imagined.
“I love you.” The whispered words sneak out without thought and all the pain, anger, and love I’ve held in for years slip out right along with them.
