by N. M. Howell
Leo knelt down in front of me and wrapped his arms around my thighs, running his thumbs over my hips. He smiled sweetly and rested his head on my lap.
“That's perfectly fine. We can cuddle you until you fall asleep,” he whispered.
I blinked in utter shock.
“Really?” I asked.
“Yes, of course. Why wouldn't we?” Forrest responded.
His fingers were running through my hair and coaxing me down to the comfortable cotton sheets waiting to embrace me. Exhaustion was quickly taking over from my night spent with Zane. Part of me felt some level of guilt for denying these two men who had done everything in their skill set to give me comfort and affection. But there was no time for that. I was too tired.
“I guess I'm just used to...” I faded and shrugged. “I'm not sure. This isn't my usual scene.”
“That's fair. I don't imagine those fangs over there have any respect,” Leo supposed.
“I mean, they do. It's just...they're somewhat rigid. One partner for nearly eternity and one position. They don't really explore,” I elucidated.
Forrest grimaced. “That sounds awful.”
I nodded. “There's just nothing exciting about an eternity spent on the bottom.”
With glowing eyes, he bit his lower lip and leaned against my shoulder.
“Well, I'll have to remember that next time,” he whispered. “My apologies for being boring.”
“Oh, I didn't mean to offend!”
Laughter erupted from the two and I sank back into the bed, shaking my head nervously while trying to offer the same laugh. I was still bashful around them, and their sense of humor hadn't quite settled in as much as their affection.
“You haven't offended me, Riley. I'm not like those snooty fangs who expect you to know everything,” Forrest chuckled.
“We're simple men with simple desires...Well, some of our desires are simple,” Leo teased.
He crawled up on the bed next to me and curled into my side as Forrest wrapped an arm around my waist. This was exactly where I wanted to be. I relished the attention I received, marveled at the skilled hands running over my smooth skin, and cherished each kiss. They were sweet beasts who had my best interests in mind, and I wanted nothing more than to reciprocate what they've shown me.
With a mischievous smirk, I sat up from their arms and looked them both in the eye. They curiously watched my fingers dance over their torsos and sink down to the edge of their pants. I winked and sank further, allowing my fingers to graze through hair to find the source of pleasure that I knew would bring them both to their knees. As they sighed, I smiled wider and relished the sound of their moans.
Yes, this was exactly where I wanted to be.
Chapter Nine
Monsters. Everywhere.
Some of them bore fangs and others were covered in fur. Though they were each different in appearance, their goal was still the same: capture me, tear me to pieces, and eat my limbs bit by bit. I sprinted feverishly through the forest to the west, away from the coven and away from the mountain. It was freezing. I had been huddled beneath a tree for a few minutes to catch my breath when I heard the dreadful sound of heavy footfalls and paws tearing through soil. I didn't have much time. I had to keep moving.
Huffing, I stood on two sore legs and honed in on my target. A hundred yards or so in the distance was a house where I could barricade myself inside. There would likely be meat stored away in the fridge if it were a modern house, and I could at least take shelter for some time before devising a plan. Voices rang out behind me in triumph at seeing my weakened form sprinting. I was quickly losing.
My ragged breath heated the cold air, something that didn't make any sense in this dream state. I reached up to touch my face and found it heated from running; flushed from overexerting myself. As I approached the house, I extended my hand to grab the handle of the door. Almost there. I could just about touch the edge, almost feel the brass under my chilled fingers.
But I wouldn't make it. A black wolf dove from my left and knocked me from my path, standing firm above me as his paws pinned me to the ground. The eyes were a luminous green that cascaded through the dim light of dusk and held my stare. Shocked, I allowed my jaw to drop open in an attempt to speak. Perhaps I could reason with him.
“I'm on your side,” I insisted. “I will help you. I promise.”
“You can't help me. I've been taken,” he growled.
“I don't understand.”
I quivered in fear. His weight was beginning to hurt my shoulders. I could hear my bones cracking underneath his weight as his snout drew closer, the smell of death lingering on his breath as he pressed his salivating jaws to my ear.
“You can't help the dead, Riley.”
My eyes popped open. Above, I could see the familiar mural on the ceiling of my bedroom. I glanced down at my body to inspect it, patting myself frantically to find any scrapes, scars, or bruises from the beast that had landed on top of me. The mob hadn't existed anymore at that moment. It was merely the black wolf and me.
And those luminescent green eyes.
I had never seen this wolf before. He had never walked up to me. Most of the pack were comprised of brown wolves, some of them with reddish hues in their fur. The women were a lighter shade of brown and they weren't as aggressive as this one. But what did I know? I hadn’t dared challenge their territory since the day I had accidentally wandered into it.
It almost didn't seem like an accident at this point. I had been chased by the fangs into enemy territory, and then chased by the shifters into their cave. If they were trying to run me off, they would have guided me into a different direction. I recall them plotting to kill me, but they had the choice of chasing me off somewhere else and finishing the job.
So, why was I here?
I shook my head at the strange thoughts occupying my mind. The nightmare was fast fading, but the dreadful feeling still remained. I could still feel the black wolf standing on my shoulders. His eyes were piercing—just as piercing as Sirus's eyes had been. I found myself shivering in their wake, begging my mind to stop repeating this image over and over. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and pressed my shivering feet to the ground, trying to keep my balance by gripping the cotton sheets. The door slowly squeaked open.
“Good evening,” announced that familiar, husky voice.
I looked up at Leo with a rugged expression. His excited expression faded into one of deep concern and he dropped the rabbits he had caught on the ground. They scurried around the room. Distracted, I hopped up from the bed and chased after them while Leo stood in the doorway with that concerned look plastered to his face. I stood while holding the three gently in my arms, cuddling them and shushing them as their nervous noses sniffed at the air. Once they were calmly under my spell, I walked over to a cage I kept in the corner of the room and set them inside.
Sighing, I shut the door to the cage and turned to Leo.
“Well, that was an early evening work out,” I joked.
“You look horrible. Your color is practically faded.”
I froze. Did I really look that awful? I wanted to turn to the mirror over the dresser, but I knew I might find my horrid appearance far too shocking. I must have been frightened to the point of paleness. There was no doubt that nightmare had left me shaking, left me rugged and exhausted. I sighed and lowered my head.
“What's the matter? Tell me,” he begged as he crossed the room.
When he took my hands in his, I broke. My chest fell into a fit of convulsions as I melted into his arms. Every bit of my dream surfaced in the form of a ragged sentence as he carried me over to the bed and lay me out. I could hardly speak for some reason, the memory of the dream causing the words to come out as gibberish.
“You're not making any sense,” he soothed.
“I can't...the wolf...green...” I stammered over the important details, attempting to make sense of them. But none of them made sense. Nothing did. Not even my ini
tial goal. What would I benefit from taking down an entire clan of fangs whose only purpose was to destroy the human race? Other than retaining a sense of pride for humanity, nothing benefited me. It was all just a glamorous reach for moral high ground. It was me desperately proving that my vampiric vegan lifestyle was worth recognizing.
It was me reaching.
I felt Leo's warm hands smooth over my face before his lips met my wet skin. They soothed my aged breaths which eventually faded as he took me in his arms. I rested against his muscular chest, pulling as much healing energy from him as I could manage. When I had finally gained my composure, I looked up into his eyes and played with his hair.
“I had the worst nightmare,” I confessed.
“I can tell. You look horrible.”
My lower lip quivered. He took my lips with his and soothed away the hurt from his statement, whispering his apologies repeatedly until I was properly consoled.
“Go on. Please,” he begged.
“It was...I was running through the woods from both fangs and shifters. They chased me towards this house. I tried to reach it, but a black wolf pounced on me and then stood on my chest. I can still feel him standing on top of me,” I explained.
He frowned. “Did he say anything?”
“Only that I couldn't save the dead. He had piercing green eyes. They were like galaxies...like spears cutting right into my soul. I swear he could read and see everything about me that there was to know.”
Leo's frown deepened. Worry lines appeared on his forehead that I tried to smooth away with my fingers. He looked haggard suddenly, as if he had received news of a friend passing.
“It sounds like you're worried about this raid,” he spoke slowly. “And I would suggest a good breakfast with some cuddling afterwards.”
The worry lines faded when he looked into my eyes and I smiled.
“That sounds like the perfect remedy.”
Chapter Ten
“Please, at least let me guide her up to the outer edges!”
I watched fretfully as Forrest begged Zane to accompany me on my journey. He had dropped to his knees with his arms outstretched as Leo stood to the side. Even Leo was growing angry. It made my heart ache.
“You know very well, brother, that your scent will be discovered far before you reach those gates!” Zane shouted. His nostrils flared. He was growing more impatient by the second. And I couldn't blame him. We were quickly losing daylight to this ordeal.
I stood behind with my hood pulled up to guard myself from the daylight. I watched the patches slowly disappear between the trees as the sun retreated, becoming dimmer as the evening approached. I yawned. This was particularly early for me.
“But Zane, she might die,” Forrest shouted while crumbling to the ground.
“All of us could die, brother. And one day, all of us will die. That is the nature of life, of our existence as paranormal creatures on this fruitful earth. Collect yourself, please, before I lock you in the dungeon.”
Forrest continued to grovel on the ground. When Zane raised his fist, I intervened and pulled Forrest upright. I held his shoulders and shook him.
“You'll join the ranks after I've made the initial break. Don't lose yourself,” I whispered.
A grunt erupted from his lips as he stood on two feet, using my shoulders to steady himself. When he was standing, he pulled me in for a hug and planted a passionate, but sloppy kiss upon my lips. I smiled when I pulled away and ruffled his hair.
“Chin up,” I reminded him. “Or else we might all go down.”
When Forrest had stepped away, Leo approached with his lower lip sucked into his mouth. He was thinking. I could tell by that look that he was lost in his own thoughts, perhaps even imagining what his life would be like without me. I batted away tears and forced a fang-filled smiled.
“And you,” I teased. “Watch your brother lest he becomes a mess in my absence.”
“Don't say that,” he huffed.
Though it bit, I understood what he meant. I gave him a long kiss, lingering around his lips for a moment, and then pulled away to stroke his head.
“I’ll see you both soon,” I whispered.
He nodded. “That's exactly right.”
I couldn't stop the tears. They fell freely as he squeezed my hand and stepped aside to join the others standing around. All of the shifters were present, even the women. Though I had not gotten along much with Gracie, she still offered me a supportive nod. I guess this was the part where I proved my allegiance.
And I was ready for it.
I turned to Zane who calmly held out his hand for me to take.
“I can walk you about halfway, but you'll need to go the rest by yourself,” he advised as we began to walk between the trees. “I just want you to know that I will be right behind you.”
“I know,” I shivered.
His hand squeezed mine, but never released it.
“You can do this, Riley. I'm so proud of you for being brave. This is no easy feat,” he encouraged.
“I feel like I'm holding the weight of the world on my shoulders.”
A light chuckle escaped his lips. “I suppose that's just one more thing we have in common.”
I smiled at the comparison. It was true—Zane and I were rather similar in our leadership skills and our morality concerns. He was fierce, strong, determined, and also incredibly kind. He used kindness as a weapon above everything else, only resorting to violence when it was necessary. I appreciated this trait in him.
“We seem to have a great deal in common, Zane,” I voiced aloud. “And that's what keeps me glued to your side.”
“You would make a fine leader, Riley. I don't doubt it,” he said.
I smiled wider. “I'm not so sure.”
He stopped us in our path and held my shoulders.
“Don't think that way. You are a leader. Believe it,” he said firmly. “Hone in on that skill and use it to defeat these sadistic fangs. It will take all of your strength to do so.”
I bit my lip and nodded. When he released my shoulders, he leaned in to kiss me. We turned to keep walking. I sniffed at the air and realized we were just about halfway. My stomach dropped as I recognized the parts of the wood that were Tempest Legion's territory. It wouldn't be long before Zane had to fall back.
When we reached the clearing where I had initially encountered the shifters, we stopped near the edge of the pond. The waters calmly reflected the fading light. I looked over in the distance to see the sun through the trees. The light barely reached us. It was almost time.
“Remember, guard your thoughts. The spell I gave you should mask your scent temporarily. Be sure to be swift as Wyatt takes out the security cameras. They should be unarmed by the time you get there,” Zane reminded me. “And if you need anything–”
“Whistle. I know.”
He laughed.
“Good girl,” he whispered. “Now, go get 'em.”
I turned to leave knowing that if I lingered any longer, I might try to run away with Zane. But that was ridiculous. Running away wouldn't solve anything. As I walked toward the trees up ahead, I turned on my heel and ran back for one last passionate kiss. Our breathing became ragged as we embraced under the fading light, and I pulled back to whisper heatedly, “Thank you for letting me become one of you.”
With wide eyes, Zane nodded, pulling me closer.
Another kiss sent me off and I ran in the direction of the coven. If I got there quicker, this would be over much sooner and I could return to my beautiful men who wanted nothing more than to be my everything. I arrived at the maze and ducked down below the bushes to catch my breath. While my breathing slowed, I clutched the blood stone tucked underneath my cloak.
A deep breath slowed my body and helped me regain my composure. When I had recovered from my sprint, I stood and shed the cloak from my body. I wouldn't need it from here. The black cotton fell to the ground and revealed my sleek outfit: tight black leggings, a black blouse, my bloo
d stone, a long braid, and a utility belt holding my dagger and a few other assorted items to guard me from the fangs.
I looked incredible.
It was the sexiest I’d felt in a long time which only amused me as I made my way around the maze quietly. I looked up at the windows overlooking the guard. No movement. No sound. I sniffed the air curiously to see if anyone was near. Nothing.
With my heart caught in my throat, I quickly made my way across the courtyard with my dagger in my hands. I pressed against the door and gave a quick glance around. Still no sign of anyone. A sputtering noise caused me to jump and hold up my dagger. It sounded like water gushing from a spout. I turned to see the fountain coming to life and chuckled quietly to myself. When the panic subsided, I turned back to the door.
The latch was unlocked. I made my way inside, shut the door quietly behind me, and then carefully walked over to the carpeted steps. I felt too exposed. Surely, I would be caught walking up these steps, but it was the fastest way to the office upstairs. I had to move quickly. My footsteps were silenced by the carpet and I held the banister firmly to prevent myself from falling. I clutched my dagger in my right hand and breathed a practiced sigh of relief when I reached the top of the steps.
“You wreak of a wet dog.”
I gasped and froze in the center of the hallway. That voice was far too familiar. I knew it by the way the syllables reached my ear, by the smell of sage, and by the familiar tingle between my thighs. Unfortunately, I was still attracted to him, but who could blame me? Hundreds of years of sex appeal practice did well for him. With a proud smile, I turned to face Adrian.
“Oh, honey, I'm home,” I whispered sarcastically.
He smirked. “Cute, Riley. Have you come to collect something or just to flit about without any real purpose? Lord knows that's all you did when you were here.”
I kept my smile fixed to my lips while swinging my dagger around. With expert precision, I twirled it in my hand and then tossed it into my left, wielding it pointed toward him.
“You know very well that my purpose holds more meaning than that,” I spat. “For you to uphold your barbaric ways when there is a more humane option is simply ignorant.”
