by J. E. Cluney
“Is that a rare thing?” I asked as I leaned forward, intrigued by this piece of information.
“Fairly rare, not as rare as halflings, but thankfully a lot of them accept their special ability and become teachers or professors or whatever,” Lucas shrugged.
“My mother had the ability, so she used to teach. Apparently it ran in her family,” Marcus said, his smooth voice quite low.
The other guys fell silent at this, and I reached over to squeeze his knee comfortingly.
“I’m hoping tomorrow I can get a lot of answers about my magic from my grandmother. I’d like to know what else it is, since it’s not just fae magic,” I said, pursing my lips as I tapped my fingers on my Fanta can.
“Can’t your father figure that out?” Skip asked as he looked over at Lucas.
“He tried to get a reading on it when he investigated around the house, but he says Ally’s magic is rare and not something he recognizes,” Lucas answered as he cocked his head at me. His deep emerald eyes were lit up with intrigue and questions as he gazed at me.
“Surely he has a way of finding out what though?” Skip grumbled as he leaned forward to check the esky for more sandwiches. He was pleasantly delighted to pull out another ham and cheese sandwich. I guess Lucas had thought ahead, knowing he was always wanting more.
“Maybe, but I think he’s more focused on this wendigo thing,” Lucas shrugged.
“Besides, I might find everything out tomorrow,” I interjected as Skip went to say something again.
He closed his mouth at this and sipped his coke again.
“Well, we’re out of food now, and there’s only a few cans of soft drink left. We should probably head off soon, make sure you guys are back for your lectures,” Lucas sighed as he eyed the esky and ran a hand through his golden locks.
‘Ugh, don’t remind me,’ Ollie muttered, his ears flattening at the reminder.
I chuckled at this, as did the other guys, and I caught Lucas’ eyes as he gave me a tender smile.
The way he was looking at me, it was like he was proud of how things were turning out, content with me around the guys. But also curious. Probably about my magic.
How I picked all that up from the look was beyond me, but maybe he was using magic to help me understand it better.
Who would know?
I helped fold up the chairs and pack them into the back of the cruiser while Marcus heaved the esky into it with ease.
His cool arm brushed mine as he did this, and the soft tingles that ran down my arm made my cheeks burn.
He noted it too as he gave me a soft smile.
‘The cramps have lessened today, haven’t they?’ he noted.
I just nodded silently as we moved around to climb into the back seat.
Skip was strapping Ollie in, who looked mighty displeased with it all.
Once we were all in and the seatbelts on, Skip started her up, turning the music up for us.
By the time we exited the forestry, I had all of the guys belting out some Bon Jovi with me. Lucas and Skip were getting right into it, while Marcus held my hand and sang softly. Ollie was singing mentally, but meowing out loud which resulted in laughter all around.
I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect morning with them.
“Um, okay, sure,” Mr Drew said awkwardly as I stood at the doorway to the lecture hall with Oliver hooked under one arm. He’d tried to walk to uni with me, but he tired out quickly with his little legs.
Mr Drew looked quite perplexed at this, despite him knowing it could be an issue.
“Thanks,” I sighed as I headed inside, ignoring the odd looks from other students. They would’ve figured it out instantly that he was a shifter, not just a cat.
‘This is humiliating,’ Ollie groaned as I found us some seats and set him down beside mine.
‘No one will care. You can’t help it,’ I assured him, but a few of our classmates were glancing our way, and two girls were snickering.
‘Really, no one will care?’ he growled, his tail flicking with irritation.
‘Ignore them,’ I growled, making sure to send a dark look down the way of the girls.
They just scoffed, but turned to their notebooks when Mr Drew began speaking.
‘You didn’t have to come, you could’ve stayed home and just watched the lectures,’ I said as I opened up my notebook and tried to focus on what he was saying.
‘The guys all agreed that someone should stay with you at all times until this wendigo is sorted out,’ Ollie stated.
“Oh did they just,” I muttered under my breath. Of course. Apparently I couldn’t take care of myself.
Sure, it warmed me that they worried about me, but making sure I was never alone was a little over the top.
‘They all care about you.’
‘I know that.’
‘More than just a friend.’
‘I know that too.’
I did know that. I couldn’t keep pretending like we were all just great friends with sexual benefits. No. There was much more to our little group than that.
‘It’s quite interesting, isn’t it?’ Ollie agreed.
I could tell he was thinking about how he wasn’t too happy about me sleeping with Marcus at first, but now he was accepting it. And he was looking forward to being with me again like that.
My mouth tugged up into a smile at that.
He had been a sweet, gentle lover. I’d enjoyed being with him, and I was certainly attracted to him.
Hell, I was drawn to all of them.
It was madness. And I loved it.
‘There are some shifter species who have multiple mates. Werewolves have done it in certain packs, as there are more males born than females in the werewolf lineages,’ Ollie remarked.
Huh. Interesting. Maybe that was it then. Some old wiring that made me want them all.
‘Well, not quite. It was something that came into effect do to low numbers, their way of keeping everyone happy since females can have crazy drives, especially around the full moon.’
Well, there went that theory. And the full moon thing? Nope, no effect on me. I was a fairly big dud as a werewolf. I could shift, and that was it. No added strength on a full moon if I shifted like full-blooded werewolves, no desire to shift often.
Nope, I was a halfling and fairly useless as a werewolf.
‘Because you’re more pixie.’
“I know,” I mumbled as I eyed the projector screen down the front.
I was only just catching what Mr Drew was saying.
I shushed Ollie mentally after that, wanting to focus on taking down notes. We had assignments to do, and I wanted to make sure I got good results in them. Becoming a veterinarian was such a big thing to me. I wanted this. As did Ollie. I knew it was important to him too. He liked having a bigger purpose, being able to help.
He sat up straight, his tail twitching as he listened to our lecturer. He’d check out my notes later, or the recording of the lecture.
And tonight we were getting pizza.
I was shouting Ollie’s, even if he was in cat form. He still wanted it to put in the fridge for when he was human again.
I’d make sure he got his pizza.
I enjoyed the cold milo I made once I got home with Ollie. He was more than happy to sprawl out on the lounge beside me as I plopped down beside Marcus, who was busy typing away at his laptop.
“What are you doing?” I asked as I eyed his screen.
He looked to be designing a character. A warlock considering the magical elements he was adding around it and working on.
“Working on that game,” he murmured, dragging those gorgeous icy eyes to me. He smiled softly, and I leaned into his side as I watched him work. His arm touching mine made a soft shiver course through me, and I loved how I instantly reacted to any touch from him.
He noticed it too, I could tell by the way his mouth tugged up in the corner and he leaned into me more.
It was nice, sitting in silen
ce with him, watching as he created this character while I finished off my milo. He was using a drawing tablet, and I was amazed to see the male warlock come to life as the minutes ticked by. He really knew what he was doing.
“Has Lucas got classes today?” I asked, noting that I hadn’t seen him since getting home. Skip had headed upstairs to study, I think, but I hadn’t spied our fun little warlock anywhere.
“He’s got something on this afternoon,” Marcus said as he saved his artwork.
“How are your classes going anyway?” I queried.
“Good, they’re always good. I have a few tonight, and then I’m meant to work on the game with my team,” he said as he closed his laptop.
He sat it on the floor before leaning back and smiling at me.
Butterflies danced in my stomach as he leaned over, his lips touching mine lightly and sending a spark of electricity through me.
“So, apparently you guys are getting pizza tonight?” he murmured, his cool breath washing over my lips.
There was no way I was thinking about pizza right now.
He smirked as he read my mind, and I flicked my eyes down to Ollie, who’d fallen asleep on my other side.
Marcus seized the chance, claiming my mouth and deepening the kiss.
I knew he’d become addicted to me, just like I was addicted to him now. Addicted to kissing and touching and the mind-blowing sex.
He chuckled as he listened to my thoughts.
‘Is it sex you want now?’ he said, that smooth, deep voice making my body warm at his words.
Did he really need to ask?
He slid one hand up under my grey singlet I’d worn today, and that smooth, cool hand slid up under my bra to tease my nipple.
I let out a soft moan, consciously aware of Ollie right beside me.
We shouldn’t be doing this here.
But I was frozen, enjoying the electrifying kiss and the tingles running through my body straight into my lady parts as he touched me.
Ollie shifted, and I quickly caught Marcus’ wrist as I broke the kiss, sucking in a deep breath as I looked down at Ollie.
He was still asleep.
“Want to go upstairs?” Marcus whispered as he nibbled on my earlobe.
God, he was making a mess of my downstairs. And I was already one hell of a mess there right now. I’d changed my pad when I’d gotten home, grateful I’d emptied the bin when we got back from this morning’s drive.
“A little blood doesn’t bother me,” he purred as he took my earlobe into his mouth and sucked on it.
I was suddenly shoved right into Marcus, toppling onto him as something exploded beside me.
I let out a strangled sound as Marcus gave me an utterly confused look as he held me on top of him.
I scrambled back up, turning to spy Ollie now completely human, curled up on the lounge but grumbling as he slowly woke up.
Marcus sat up, so now I was perched awkwardly on his lap as Ollie stretched as he sat up and looked at us.
My eyes instantly fell down, and my body ached at the sight of his partially stiff erection.
What was with him getting them every time he slept? I thought it was only a morning thing.
Ollie just blinked groggily as Marcus sighed and rolled his eyes.
“Yes, pizza,” Ollie moaned as he ruffled his hair, grateful to be human again.
I instantly tightened up at the sound, and Marcus let out a sharp laugh as he shook his head. He knew exactly what was going on with me.
God, why was I always so horny? Why was my mind in the gutter so much lately?
“Ollie, you’re naked, remember?” Marcus said when Ollie made no sudden movements to leave as he just yawned.
Ollie glance at us, at me sitting on Marcus’ lap awkwardly, and then realization dawned on him as he looked down in shock.
“Oh shit,” he groaned as he snatched up the nearest cushion and covered himself.
I just laughed as his face went beet red as he refused to meet my eyes.
“I’ve seen you naked, Ollie,” I reminded him.
That forced him to look at me.
“Jesus Christ,” Marcus muttered, but I could still feel his interest pushing into the side of my thigh.
“I’m going to go get dressed,” Ollie said awkwardly.
I inwardly pouted at this. He looked damn fine naked. All lean and toned, not as built as Skip or defined as Marcus, but still athletic. And my body reacted rightfully so.
Ollie hesitated, and I knew he’d heard my thoughts too.
Well, this was interesting.
I looked back at Marcus, a soft smile playing at my lips.
He just stared at me, the furrow deepening as he slowly figured out what I was thinking.
“I think you need a cold shower,” he grumbled, his jaw ticking at the thought.
“Or…?” I murmured, reaching down and brushing one hand over his arousal straining against his pants.
He shuddered at the touch, and I knew he held back a moan as those frosty eyes darkened.
Maybe I could get lucky with a threesome? Right here?
“Shower, now!” Marcus insisted, and I cursed as he lifted me up and flitted me upstairs.
“You’re no fun,” I grumbled as I found myself in the bathroom.
“You’re too horny right now to think straight. I thought most girls got cravings for sugar and had anger issues on their period,” he said, giving me a baffled look.
“Not all girls,” I retorted as I turned towards the shower.
Man, I was hoping I’d finally get that threesome with some of the guys.
Hell, I wanted all of them, all at once.
“I know,” Marcus groaned.
“Well, you better take care of this then,” I barked as I rounded on him.
He just looked shocked until I eyed his fading arousal with dismay.
“Fuck,” he sighed, but I could feel his slight delight in the request.
I would’ve really liked Ollie to have joined us though. Like, a lot.
“You’re insatiable, aren’t you?” Marcus chuckled, the sound music to my ears.
“You won’t claim me as your own, but you won’t let me be shared,” I pouted, and he just smirked at my expression.
“I don’t think you’d be happy in a monogamous relationship anyway,” he stated as he folded his arms.
He was right there. I was not ready to settle down. As much as I liked him, I still wanted the other guys, and I was not about to give up the chance to have them all.
“Ollie said some shifters take on multiple mates, why can’t it be something like that?” I shrugged.
“Because, none of us are the type of shifters who do that,” he said with an eye roll.
Spoilsports.
He just scoffed at that.
“Ollie didn’t seem like he’d mind joining us,” I purred as I moved forward and wrapped my arms around his neck.
Could I seduce my way into getting what I wanted? I know Marcus was already getting horny again, and he loved having me. And I’d felt Ollie’s interest at the thought of us doing it altogether. He was quite open to it.
“I’ve never been good at sharing,” he growled as I kissed his neck.
“But you enjoyed it when I was with him, remember? You got off to it,” I murmured against his cool skin, darting my tongue out to lick his neck. He shivered at this, a deep moan resonating from him.
“Because you were enjoying it. I can feel your bliss and joy, it affects my own emotions,” he said as his hands ran up my sides.
“I’d be mighty pleased with both of you,” I purred as I dragged my lips up his neck and sucked on his earlobe.
His arms wrapped around me, and I could tell he wanted to just take me right there.
“You really want that?” he asked softly.
I peered into his mind, not wanting to upset him by asking. He wasn’t sure how to feel by it all. He’d never done anything like it before really. He knew the other guy
s did.
But he just wanted me to be happy. He thought it was strange, how he was happy as long as I was happy. It was something new to him in regards to a girl he liked.
I just smiled tenderly as I kissed his neck again, this time with pure affection and sweetness.
“Okay,” he murmured as his hands trailed up my back to tangle in my hair.
I moaned as he caught my mouth, his tongue darting between my lips as he walked me towards the shower.
One hand was under my shirt now, exploring and caressing my skin, leaving cool prickles in its wake.
The kiss was passionate and needy, and his body pushed up against my own as he moaned, pressing his fingertips into the back of my ribcage to hold me steady.
The heat flushed through me like wildfire, charring every inch of me, his cool fingers only sizzling it more.
He had my shirt off in record time, and I made sure to remove my own underwear, not wanting him to see the mess on my pad. I’d deal with that after the shower.
I giggled as he kissed my back as I pulled them off, his hands exploring my now naked body as I stumbled towards the shower.
“Call him to join us then,” Marcus instructed, his voice husky and needy.
“Are you sure?” I murmured as I stepped into the shower. We’d be pushing it to fit us all in here.
He smirked as he stepped in with me, reaching around me and pinning me against the wall as he turned the water on.
The icy water splashed onto my feet, but we were out of the mainstream as he dipped his head to lock eyes with me.
“I’m sure,” he stated, those utterly gorgeous frosty eyes unwavering as he traced my lower lip with his thumb.
My mouth tugged up at the corners, and I closed my eyes as I reached out to Ollie.
He was startled to hear me calling him.
‘Why?’
‘Come join me in the shower.’
‘Marcus is with you…’
‘He wants you to.’
I could feel his excitement as he sat in his room, partially dressed. He’d been feeling my emotions through our bond, and he’d been considering doing things alone.
But he was hesitant. Mostly because he was worried that taking this leap could alter the strange workings out little group already had.
