by Erin West
Chapter Sixteen
The shower did little to clear my thoughts. Instead, I fantasized about a naked Drake just on the other side of the wall, taking a shower, too.
Hunger pains rumble through my stomach, so I head to the kitchen. Two male voices drift down the hallway as I get closer to the kitchen. What the hell? Are they buddies now that they’ve beat the shit out of each other?
I peek my head around the door. Drake and Oren are sitting at the island eating something that smells delicious.
There are a couple of stools between them, and their conversation seems to be around mundane things, so it’s not like they’ve become buddies.
As I step into the kitchen, both men’s attention focuses on me.
Drake with a smile.
Oren with a closed-off expression. He’s a hard man to read.
“That smells delicious. Is there any left for me?” I stand just inside the door, not sure if I’m entering hostile territory.
Drake and Oren both stand, glaring at each other.
Drake growls. “Of course. I’ll make you a plate. I wasn’t sure you’d be hungry.” He hands me a plate.
Oren holds a stool out next to him.
Drake grabs his plate and moves to the stool on the opposite side, sandwiching me in between them.
The aroma of fresh-baked lasagna wafts up, and I completely forget about the now-silent men surrounding me. That is, until Oren places a hand on my thigh and coolness courses up my leg.
Drake turns his body to face me and puts his hand on my back, buzzing joining the coolness.
The fork drops to the plate, my body on sensation overload from both of their hands on me.
Drake’s eyes glow as he stares at Oren. “How long are you planning to stay?”
Oren shrugs his shoulder, not moving his hand from my leg. “However long it takes.”
What does that mean? My brain is not functioning with both of them touching me. It’s glorious but terrifying that they both elicit such different emotions from me at the same time. What the fuck am I going to do?
I stand and walk over to the counter with my plate, needing distance once again. This is overwhelming, and it seems to be getting worse as I’m around them longer.
Drake watches me with concern outlining his face. “Are you okay?”
No, I’m not. “Yes, just need to stand. Today has me restless.” At least, that’s partially true.
Oren smiles at me and begins eating again.
Pushing all thoughts aside, I take another bite of food. I am kind of shaky after all. Granted, Eli made me his meal today, and then, instead of eating, I went and had a hard work-out, so my blood sugar must be tanked.
Both men are eating, but Drake keeps an eye on me.
When I’m halfway through, I go to the wine rack and grab a bottle of red wine. I pour a glass, and when I turn, Oren is beside me.
His hazel eyes find mine. “Mind pouring me a glass as well?”
I hand him the glass I’d just poured, and he reaches out to grab it, his fingers brushing mine.
His touch relieves me so much, it’s hard not to sigh, but I somehow manage to keep it in. I grab another glass and turn to Drake. “Would you like a glass, too?”
“Nope.” He gets up from the table, opens the fridge, and pulls out a Yuengling. “I’d rather have this. I only keep that other stuff for you.”
My heart pitter-patters at his comment. He’s way too good to me.
Oren props himself against the counter beside my plate. “So, when’s the last time you went home?”
Definitely wasn’t expecting that. What the hell is he getting at? “Well, it’s been about a week.
He takes a sip of wine and puts it down on the counter, turning to me. “But there was no record of that.”
Okay, that’s creepy. “Well, I’m sure if you talked to my landlord, you’d find that record.”
“Landlord?” He rubs his chin with his hand. “Are you talking about here in the city?”
What the fuck? “Yes, where else would I be talking about? I have an apartment in the city that I don’t want to return to.”
“Why not? You’ve been staying here that long?”
Drake growls. “It doesn’t matter how long she’s been staying here. This is her home, and she’ll be staying indefinitely.”
Glaring, Oren takes a step toward him.
Shit, I don’t want this right now. “Well, you met Eli. He’s a little volatile, and I invited him into my place. Anyways, I don’t want him to have easy access.”
Pausing for a moment, he leans back beside me, at ease with my explanation. “That makes sense, but I’m sure we could go stay at my hotel room or just go back home for that matter.”
Scraping the chair across the ground, Drake stands up. “She won’t be going anywhere with you.”
Oren stiffens and takes a step toward him.
Fuck. I move where I’m standing between the two of them. “Look, stop. You are acting like teenage boys and stressing me out.” I turn to Oren. “He’s right. This is my home. It’s felt like that since the moment I stepped foot here.”
He flinches at my words.
Turning to Drake, I place my hands on my hips. “Listen, please calm down. If I’m going to figure out what’s going on, I need both of you to give me time and space. You can’t get mad every time he talks to me or asks questions.”
Taking a deep breath, he nods, but it’s obvious he isn’t happy.
I grab my plate and put it in the sink. Then, I reach for my wine and head into the living room. I’ll leave those jackasses back there just staring at themselves.
I love Drake’s living room. The seats are worn brown leather, and I mold right into the corners. I left the lights on dim, and there is a woodsy scent in the air. It smells just like him, which puts me at ease.
A full moon shines through the window, and I hear some howls not too far away.
Drake enters the room and sits next to me. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I can’t get the picture of you and him together out of my head. But I want to be fair to you, too, and for some reason, you’re confused.”
There is a knock at the back door followed by it opening. An older man enters and bows his head. “Sir, the pack is ready.”
Stiffening, Drake takes a deep breath. “Tell them I won’t be able to make it tonight.”
The man’s eyes widen. “But, sir, it’s pack tradition.”
What’s going on? “What are they wanting to do tonight?”
Huffing, Drake turns to me. “It’s a full moon and we like to run together.”
I look at the older man and then back to him. “So, why aren’t you going?”
He runs a hand through his hair. “I wanted to stay here with you.”
Sitting up, I cross my arms. “You’re their alpha. Go run with them.”
His face is torn, almost as if he’s unable to make a decision.
I reach out and touch his arm. “Go. I don’t want you to change anything for me. If you need to be with your pack, go be with them.”
Glancing back to the kitchen, he then turns his attention to me. “But I don’t want to leave you and,” he points to where Oren is, “he’s here.”
Leaning over, I kiss his cheek. “I’ll be right here when you get back. I’m not leaving the house.”
He turns his head so my lips brush his. “All right, but I will be looking for you immediately upon my return.”
I giggle. “I don’t want it any other way.”
He gets up from the couch and makes his way to the older man. Before walking out the door, he gives me one last look.
It’s crazy, because he was just here less than a minute ago, but I already miss him. That cannot be normal.
I pull my legs up on the couch and wrap my arms around them. Why are things so complicated all of a sudden? It seems like my life has been a whirlwind ever since Drake appeared to me as a wolf and I met Eli in the club.
Oren walks into
the room and sits next to me. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to mope any longer, I’m here.”
Damn, he’s too sexy for his own good. “Good to know.”
He puts his hands on my shoulders and begins rubbing.
Oh, my God. This is amazing. If moping gets him to do this, I’ll be striking this pose a lot more often. His hands are working some sort of magic. Between that and his cooling effect on me, I’m beginning to relax. “Oh, God.”
“Now, I know I’m amazing, but I still prefer my own name.”
I turn toward him and roll my eyes. “That was lame.”
He taps me on the nose. “I thought you liked that humor.” Getting up, he gets on my other side and pulls my legs into his lap.
Leaning back, I try to get comfortable and keep my focus on nonsexual things.
“So, seriously, when was the last time you went home?” He looks at me.
Why does he keep asking that? “I told you, I’ve been here about a week.”
He tilts his head my way. “You really have no clue, do you?”
“I guess not. Are you going to tell me?”
Biting his lip, he looks up at the ceiling. “Do you ever feel like the room is too loud when there is barely any noise? Or that it’s oddly quiet when there is loud noise coursing through an area?”
What the fuck? Yes, I do. It’s odd, especially when I bartended and a stripper would have a hot show, but it seemed dull and lifeless to me. I once made a comment to Tip, and he accused me of being jealous. “Maybe.”
“Do you feel more part of the world when you are outdoors?”
I sit up so I can see him better. “Yes. Being indoors sometimes feels like a cage. That’s one reason why I love it here at Drake’s.”
Letting out a breath, he shakes his head. “That hurt, but okay.” He takes my hand and stares into my eyes. “It’s because you aren’t from here.”
Is he shitting me? I laugh hard. “Oh, that’s mean. I thought you were being sincere, but shit.”
He chuckles. “I’m not kidding. You can believe in a vampire and a wolf shifter, but can’t believe in another dimension, another world?” He lifts his hand and puts his fingers below my chin. “You’re fae, Rose. Just like me.”
What? “I’m not small like a fairy.”
Laughing, he winks at me. “Well, there are fairies, but that’s not us. We are from the courts.”
From the courts? What does that mean? I have so many questions, I’m not sure which ones to ask first. “How do you know I’m from there?”
“Well, it’s because we look like humans. Fairies tend to be small, and there are a ton of other creatures that we can discuss later.”
That makes no sense. “But how do you know I am?”
He looks off, almost as if he’s trying to decide on something. After a moment, he focuses back on me. “Since you’re my mate, it’s time I let you in on a little secret.”
Why does this make me nervous?
Grinning, he squeezes my hand. “Calm down. It’s not bad, but I’m trusting you to not tell anyone else.”
I nod. “Got it. I do know how to keep my mouth shut.”
“Okay, I have a very rare and special ability.” He holds up a hand. “Let me start off by saying all fae are magical, but in their own way. My court is the Autumn court, and I can influence the earth and land.”
What the hell? Is he serious? For some reason, I believe him.
He glances outside. “So, I can also do something else besides that. I can read auras.”
He can tell when I’m in a good or bad mood? “What color am I now?”
Covering his face with his hand, his shoulders quiver with laughter. “No, not the kind of aura humans talk about. I can tell by the color of one’s aura what race they are.”
Uh… what? “I’m not sure what that means.”
“Fae have a white glow to them. We are made of nature and light so our aura takes on that glow. Vampires have a grey one for their corrupted souls. Shifters have a brown one since they tend to be one with nature and earth.”
What the hell? “I’ve been seeing that, too.”
He startles. “What? Have you always been able to do that?”
When did it start? “No, I haven’t.” I tap my finger to my bottom lip. “Shit. It started right after we had sex.”
“That’s impossible.”
I tilt my head. “Do mates normally take on the other’s special power?”
He shakes his head. “Never. This isn’t normal.”
Wow, so I’m fae. I don’t even know what that really means other than maybe it’s one reason why I don’t feel at peace. At least, I have a reason now. Growing up in foster care, the other kids just thought I was weird when I would rather spend my time outside laying under the trees than playing on the playground.
Leaning over, he cups my cheek. “I really hate to say this, but you look beat and had a big day. Maybe you should get some rest.”
Without thought, I move around so my body is now in his lap and my head is against his chest.
He chuckles. “Or we can do this. I’m never opposed to this.”
Snuggling against him, his arms feel like home. “I have so many questions, but I don’t think I can take anymore tonight.”
He kisses the top of my head. “Princess, we have the rest of our lives.”
They keep saying that, but I’m not sure if I will.
The back door opens, and Drake’s voice booms through the living room. “What is going on here?”
Chapter Seventeen
Drake’s brown aura is vibrating around him. This is not what I need right now. All the emotions and back-and-forth is wearing me out.
“We’re having a conversation.”
Oren’s chest vibrates under my cheek. “We need to have conversations more often.”
Raising up, I meet his hazel eyes, full of mischief and mirth. Does he like to stir shit up? Is it a fae thing? Shit. Is that something I like to do?
Pushing him back, I stand from his lap and face Drake’s imposing form in the doorway.
His eyes are glowing, and his voice is rough from the change. “This is why I didn’t want to leave you with him.”
This has to stop. “Enough. You’re going to have to get used to him being around. If you have a problem with that, then I can leave.”
The breath swooshes out of his body like I gut-punched him.
I guess that was a little harsh, but this shit has got to stop. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but their theatrics are not helping the situation.
Without a word, he turns and walks back outside, stripping his jeans off along the way.
The glimpse I get of his sexy ass before he shifts into a black wolf sends my heart rate skyrocketing.
He lifts his head up and howls before taking off into the woods again.
Fuck. We’ll need to talk after he cools off a bit.
My shoulders sag, and I feel terrible. If one man is happy, the others are pissed. I want to bang my head against a wall, but that won’t solve anything other than giving me an excuse to avoid them.
Oren’s hands land on my shoulders, and his thumbs rub in circular motions, providing cooling relief for the fire burning within.
“Hmm, that feels so good.”
His breath whispers across my neck, “I can make you feel amazing. Would you like that?”
“Yes.” Wait, what?
He spins me around and cups my face. Our lips crash together, and I can’t help but respond.
My senses are spinning out of control. I want him again. That’s all I can think about.
A howl off in the distance pulls me back to myself, and I pull away from his talented mouth.
Did Oren just trick me into that? Or was that all on me?
“You’re tired. You should go to bed. We can talk more tomorrow.” He lifts my hand and places a gentle kiss on the back, rubbing his fingers across the spot he kissed.
“Yes. Goodnight.”<
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“Goodnight, Princess. Dream about me.” He winks and watches me walk out of the living room.
Rick and his buddies are in the living room drinking, playing cards, and being loud and obnoxious. They always leer at me and make suggestive comments while groping themselves.
I hate when his friends come over.
Tonight is worse than usual, so I head to my room and lock the door behind me. I can only hope they get too drunk to do anything but pass out.
Rick’s wife, Lori, locked herself in their room after cleaning up after dinner. She ignores everything that goes on in this house right under her nose. As long as it doesn’t affect them getting the check from the state, she doesn’t give a shit.
Please, don’t let anything happen tonight. How many times have I whispered that to myself lying in this hell hole?
Staggering footsteps hit the floor down the hallway and make their way to my door.
No. This can’t be happening. My breathing quickens and my hands clutch the threadbare quilt in my fists until my knuckles turn white.
The doorknob turns several times. Metal scraping together sounds loud in the quiet of my room before the lock disengages and the door swings open. A man stands there, silhouetted by the light from the living room, leaning against the door frame for support.
My heart rate skyrockets and sweat forms on my forehead.
He takes a few steps into the room. The clinking of his belt buckle hitting the hardwood floor has fear and adrenaline flooding my body.
I squeeze my eyes tight, not able to watch him pull down his pants as he gets closer to my bed.
He grabs the covers and tries to pull them away with a grunt.
I cling to them with all my strength, but it’s not enough.
He goes to his knees and tries to grab my ankles. I kick out and meet his nose in my struggle to get away. Drawing my feet up close to my body, I try to kick him again but miss.
Hands clamp down on my thighs, dragging my body away from the wall. A burning builds in my stomach, clawing to get out.
His heavy body presses me back into the mattress.
Panic claws up my throat. My nails make contact with his face and rake down his flesh, drawing blood to the surface.
