by Erin West
I stay frozen for a minute and take in my surroundings. The woodsy smell of home hits my senses and the birds are chirping outside. Am I really here?
Standing on shaky legs, I head toward the kitchen. “Drake? Are you here?”
There is a loud crash and then footsteps running from down the hall. Drake bursts into the living room and my breath catches in my throat.
His hair is long and shaggy, not short like I’m used to. His normal clean-shaven face is scruffy, and there are dark circles under his eyes. His clothes are wrinkled, like he hasn’t changed in days. He stands there and stares, blinking. “Rose, is that really you?”
Breaking whatever spell is between us, I run to him, closing the distance. I jump up, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist.
He grabs my ass and his lips crash down on mine. He moans and shoves my back against the refrigerator, desperate to feel all of me.
More than happy to oblige, I meet his ferocity and rub against his growing erection.
Someone enters the room and clears their throat, loud enough to break through my lust-filled brain.
Pausing just a moment, Drake pulls away but whispers in my ear, “This will continue, and it will be in just a few moments. My wolf can’t wait much longer than that.”
My heart speeds up at the promise, and I nod.
He sighs and steps away from me.
Mia comes into view and I gasp. “Oh my God.” I run over to her and hug her hard. “What are you doing here?”
She hugs me back. “Looking for your pretty ass.” She pulls back and points at Drake. “This poor fella, along with the other two, have been beside themselves for the past month.”
What does she mean, a month? “You mean two weeks?”
Her eyes widen. “No, it’s been a month.”
I take a step back. “That’s impossible.”
Drake growls. “Time moves differently in each realm.”
Turning to him, I glare. I don’t want Mia caught up in all this crap. “Let’s talk about this later. We have company.”
As usual, Mia laughs. “Girl, I’ve missed you so much. I’ve been lonely without you.” She cuts her eyes at Drake then back at me. “I know this man is desperate for some time alone with you, so I’m going to head home, but tomorrow, I need a girls’ day, okay?”
Even though my thoughts were centered around the guys while I was gone, seeing Mia makes me realize how much I’ve missed her, too. “Yes, I could use some girl time.”
She hugs me again and kisses my cheek. “I’ll come pick you up around three.”
“I hate to put a damper on your plans,” Drake runs his hands through his hair, “but, due to our situation, I’m not comfortable with Rose going out by herself. I’ll be accompanying you.”
Turning toward him, I point my finger at him.
He raises a hand. “But I promise that I’ll keep my distance, and it will be like I’m not there.”
I open my mouth to argue with him, but when I take in his haggard appearance again, I can’t bring myself to do it. When Mia doesn’t argue, I know she must be thinking the same thing. “Okay, but this isn’t a forever kind of deal.”
Sighing, he leans over and kisses my cheek. “Thank you for not fighting me on this.”
My heart flutters. I love this man so much.
“On that note,” Mia opens the front door, “I’m out of here.” She turns to me and wiggles her eyebrows. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
I laugh as she shuts the door and then turn to Drake. “Now, where were we?”
A growl rumbles in the back of his throat and his arms wrap around my back, pulling me into him. His mouth descends on my neck, placing kisses and nipping along the sensitive skin. Hands grip the back of my thighs and he hoists me up. I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me up the stairs.
At the top of the stairs, he runs the rest of the way to his bedroom, kicking the door closed behind him. He walks over, lays me down on the bed, and steps back, just staring at me. It’s like he's trying to memorize everything about me, or make sure I'm really here.
No words are needed. We are reveling in the fact that we are here, together. He doesn’t ask about Bael or what happened, but I know that conversation will come soon enough. This is our time; his wolf needs to believe that I’m alive and here.
Drake pulls his shirt over his head, tossing it to the side, not caring where it lands, followed by his jeans and boxers. His erection juts out in my direction, a pearly bead of precum on the head.
The fire stirs within and my eyes rake over his glorious body. Even disheveled and homeless looking, I still want him. My tongue darts out of my mouth, wetting my dry lips.
A groan draws my gaze back to his and his husky voice spikes my need. “I think you have too many clothes on.”
I caress his erection, drawing a growl from him, before letting him go to pull my clothes off.
Glowing eyes touch every part of my body on display as he climbs on the bed, hovering over me. His wolf bleeds into his words. “I don’t know if I can go slow. I need you too much.”
Words have escaped me in my need. I nod my head several times, grabbing his hips and directing him to my entrance.
Drake reaches down and guides himself into me with one swift thrust, stilling to allow me to adjust to his size. Leaning down, our lips meet in a slow, sensual kiss, his mouth swallowing my cries of passion.
I wiggle my hips in an attempt for more friction. His lips lift in a smile before he pulls out and pushes back into me at a slow pace.
I dig my heels into his ass to speed up his thrusts, but he keeps the same speed. My hands claw down his back as moans fill the room. “I thought you couldn’t go slow,” I pant in between thrusts.
A devilish smile makes his face appear more carnal. “Turns out I can. I thought I lost you. Just let me savor this.”
Tears prickle behind my eyelids and I nod. I can’t imagine losing any of my men or thinking that they were gone forever.
Drake’s thrusts pick up speed, and his hand reaches between our sweaty bodies to rub my clit. The orgasm I’ve been chasing washes over me in a tidal wave, my body bowing off the bed and my toes curling. My core clenches him as shudders wrack me from head to toe.
“Rose.” His voice is hoarse and his body tenses as his release fills me. A sharp pain on my shoulder turns to pleasure, and another orgasm courses through me as his teeth break the skin to mark me again.
Chapter Seven
Soft kisses rain over my face before Drake rolls over opposite of me, pulling me onto my side, facing him. His eyes rake over my face, as if he’s still trying to make sure I’m real.
I lift my hand to his cheek, the facial hair tickling my palm. “I've missed you. I'm glad that you're okay. I was worried after Bael took me that something might have happened to you guys.”
He turns his face into my hand, placing a kiss in the center of my palm. “No, we were trying to figure out what happened. Eli filled us in on who took you. There wasn't anyone that would help us get you back, not against the son of Satan. They all believed it to be a suicide mission.” His voice trails off. “Were you hurt while you were there?”
I start to shake my head but stop. “Yes. But Bael healed me.” Now's not the place to tell him that I was on the brink of death before Bael completed our bond. That probably won't go over well.
His deep tenor draws me out of my own thoughts. “So, you and Bael, too, huh?”
Is this what he wants to talk about after making love to me? I don't meet his eyes, because the emotions I'll see reflected from his gaze will kill me. I nod my head.
Tender fingers grip my chin, lifting my face to his. “It's okay. I'm not happy about it, but I also know this is a situation that’s new to all of us.”
To hide my shock, I clench my teeth together to keep my jaw from dropping open. What happened to my super possessive alpha? Something must have happened while I was gone for this sudde
n turnaround. I pull myself together. There’s no telling how long it will take Bael to show up when he finds me gone.
I lean forward and kiss his soft lips. “I lov—” My words die off as a loud crash sounds from downstairs and a roar shakes the house.
Drake is up and has clothes on before I realize he’s not beside me as I lay on the bed.
Another roar echoes through the house. “Briar.”
Oh shit. Bael’s here and he doesn’t sound happy.
Drake looks back at me. “Stay here.” He turns to leave and stops, whipping his head around again. “Please.”
I can’t help but smile at the fact that he is learning more about me. Unfortunately for him, just like Bael, it won’t work this time. I need to face Bael, after I was somehow able to leave Hreidmar. The only logical explanation is that I’m able to transport realms since Bael and I are bonded.
Which would be fucking awesome. Just saying.
Glass shatters and a loud crack, followed by a grunt, comes from the living room. That can’t be good. I jump out of the bed, throwing my clothes on and flinging the door open, then descending the stairs as fast as I can without breaking my neck.
There’s a good possibility that I’d even survive that, but I don’t want to take the chance regardless. Picking up the pace, I reach the threshold into what used to be the living room. Furniture is thrown in all directions, splintered or broken. What the hell?
Drake and Bael are charging each other, clothes torn and burnt, with ferocious glares on their faces.
“Stop.” I yell at the top of my lungs, but even that doesn’t deter them.
They clash together, the impact making me wince.
“What the hell? Stop fighting.” My exasperation bleeds through in my voice, to no avail.
Fine, if they want to be senseless assholes, who am I to stop them? I lean against the wall with my arms crossed over my chest, watching them destroy my living room.
A wind blows my hair across my face and into my open mouth. I check the windows, but none are broken. My attention goes back to the men. Eli has Bael in a chokehold, trying to keep Drake from attacking him while he has him restrained.
Is he joining in, too? And here I thought, after my conversation with Drake, that things had changed.
Eli’s voice carries to me. “You fucking dickheads. We have more pressing matters to take care of than whose dick is bigger. Now, if you ladies don’t mind, shall we talk like rational adults? I know that might be difficult for you.”
My hand covers my mouth, hiding the smile and holding in the laugh close to bursting out.
Drake and Bael breathe heavily as they regain their composure, glaring at one another.
Drake takes a look around the room, his eyes landing on mine, regret flashing through them.
Both men keep their silence but nod, moving around the room to straighten what furniture isn't broken. Which isn't much.
Drake motions for me to sit on the one couch that somehow made it out pretty much unscathed. Bael steps closer and sits down beside me, our thighs touching from hip to knee, and he places an arm around my shoulders, claiming ownership.
I sigh. Well, not all of my men are in with the program.
My eyes meet Eli's and I notice a tightening of his jaw before the stone mask slides into place. He looks better than he did in the first dream, but the skin under his eyes is beginning to look a little sunken.
There's a tickling in the back of my mind, and Bael's voice replaces it. You fucked the wolf. And fucking left me. We will be discussing this further after things have been cleared up.
Goosebumps rise all over my body, and I rub my hands down my arms. I don't know what he's in a pissy mood about. I've been telling him since he kidnapped me that these infuriating and frustrating men are my mates. It's not my fault the fates decided to add him to the mix as well. He can kiss my ass.
If only I knew how to tell him that in his mind.
With pleasure, mo bhriar. His deep tenor purrs through my mind. Asshole.
My thighs clench and a chuckle whispers in my head. Damn him.
Bael is smirking while Eli and Drake’s mouths are in tight lines.
I roll my eyes at the lot of them. The tension thickens in the air the longer the silence continues. Clearing my throat, I break it and all eyes turn to me. “Has anything major happened while I was in the Underworld?”
Eli jumps in, surprising me with his eagerness to reveal information. That’s very unusual for him. “Something big is brewing in the supernatural community, but it’s been quiet. No one wants to talk about whatever it is, which is never a good thing.”
Bael’s fingers rub circles on my shoulder, distracting me from the conversation.
I lean forward, placing my elbows on my knees and my finger on my lips in contemplation. “I guess one month isn’t a long time in the grand scheme of things.”
Drake shakes his head. “Something is always going on in our world. Someone is either making a power play or toying with us for some reason.”
My focus returns to Eli as I search his face. “How are you? Do you need to feed again? I’m not sure how long it’s been since we dreamscaped.”
Bael tenses beside me and Drake’s face hardens in fury as he takes a couple of deep breaths, glaring at Eli. “You knew she was okay, and you didn’t bother to fucking tell us?”
I’ve never heard Drake this angry before. The power he exudes with every fiber of his being is why he’s an alpha and not someone lower down the totem pole.
“Who would help you? Unless it was…” Drake trails off.
Eli nods his head.
Who helped him? I’m so damn confused.
The front door opening draws everyone’s attention and prevents me from asking.
Oren steps through the door, his wild hazel eyes searching the room before landing on me. His dark brown hair is mussed, as if he’s been running his fingers through it. His shoulders drop a fraction as he walks in my direction, lifting me from the couch and wrapping his arms around me.
Coolness seeps into my body from the contact. I let out a deep sigh, melting into his embrace and tightening my arms around his shoulders. Our connection buzzes through me. He lifts his head and places a gentle, soul-searing kiss on my lips.
The other three men in the room protest the interaction. Hands grip my waist and drag me away from Oren, lightning flickering around the ceiling of the living room. Bael sets me back on the couch as they all remain standing.
Oren runs his fingers through his hair, just as I imagined him doing when he first arrived. “Trouble’s brewing. He’s gearing up for something big. We need to prepare for the worst. Now that we have Rose back, training needs to ramp up, and we need to gather any allies for our side.” Hazel eyes collide with mine, expressing the severity of his words.
That’s what I love about him. He includes me, like he believes that I can be involved.
“I’ve been training. I should be fine. What can I do to help?” My question is met with protests from Drake and Eli.
“She’s not ready. Look what happened at the last battle, and it ended with her being taken.” Eli’s comment overtakes anyone else’s.
I glare at him. My fire shimmers below the surface, but holding it back is easier than it has been. My hand opens and closes in a fist several times.
He shrugs with a look that speaks volumes. He doesn’t think I can take care of myself. Who the fuck does he think he is? He hasn’t endured all the training with me since I’ve been in Hreidmar.
Bael speaks up for the first time. “She’s more ready than you think. But I do agree, something big is coming. Lucifer wasn’t happy when he found out about her. Even paid us a visit before she disappeared.” He cuts his eyes to me.
It’s my turn to shrug, my eyes innocent because I don’t know how it happened. But I’m glad that it did. I was beginning to wonder if Bael would ever bring me back.
Drake snorts. “Yeah, she’s good at that.”
<
br /> What the hell? Is it “Gang up on Rose” day?
Eli cuts in, “I have a contact that I need Rose to meet. She can come with me while all of you start recruiting and preparing.”
Drake shakes his head. “No, she’s not going with you alone.”
Eli’s fangs elongate. “Why the hell not? You all have gotten her to yourselves for a time. I’ve yet to spend any time with her. Besides, my contact doesn’t allow mutts in the vicinity.”
Oren glances at his watch. “That’s not a bad idea. He might be able to gather more information, and anything, at this point, could be crucial. As much as I want to stay, I need to get back to Kheelan to finish up business before I can come back for any length of time.”
My eyebrows scrunch together. “But you just got here.” Gah, I sound like a whiny teenager. Suck it up, Rose. We’re all adults here and have things to do. “Never mind, I’ll walk you to the door.”
I stand and walk toward the foyer area. Oren’s hand touches my lower back, coolness spreading from his hand. Turning, I grab his shoulder and pull him in for another kiss. I don’t know when I’m going to see him again.
He groans in the back of his throat and presses his growing erection into my stomach. He separates our mouths, his voice guttural. “You’re making it harder for me to leave, love. There will be plenty of time for us after everything is sorted. I promise.”
I try to keep my face neutral. I know he’s right, but it doesn’t make it any easier. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Please be careful and come back to me.”
His smile melts my heart. “I have every intention to keep that one. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Be safe, love.”
With a last kiss, he’s out the door. I close it behind him, needing a minute to myself. Bael’s heat caresses me from behind. I turn to find him inspecting me. “Are you leaving, too?”
He nods, his cognac eyes roaming over my features. “I need to go back to the Underworld. It’s best if you stay here.”
I smile to lighten the situation. “How difficult was that for you to admit?” A light laugh escapes me.
