by Belle Harper
“I feel like I have slept all day.” I stretched again. I smiled when Raff yawned and shuffled his feet to me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me. I was taken by surprise. I thought he would hate me... well, not hate but not be so... like this. Okay? Did this mean we were okay? I didn’t fuck up everything up? He hugged me tight to his chest and whispered, “I love you. Are you still mine?” into my ear.
I bounced lightly on the balls of my feet. Did he even have to ask? I was always going to be his. I reached up and tugged on his hair until he was looking at me.
“I love you, so much, Rafferty. Yours, always and forever.” I kissed him. What was to be a light kiss turned deeper as he ran his hands down over my ass, squeezing gently. Why did our kisses always turn so heated, so fast? I could feel him, he was hard against me and I gasped when he rubbed himself against my core.
Someone made a coughing sound, and we pulled apart, even though I didn’t want to. Raff’s lips all red and swollen. I smiled and chuckled at that; I ran my thumb over his lower lip and he caught it in his teeth and nipped lightly. Fuck, he looked so ruffled and bed hair really looked sexy on him.
“You have slept all day and night, sweetheart... You all have.” I darted my eyes to Galen, then the others. My mouth dropped slightly.
“I slept for twenty-four hours?” How did I sleep that long? I had wanted to speak to Tobias. I wanted to know things. But I also didn’t. I was a little unsure what he would say. But I needed to know. I need to know about my powers. Why can I heal shifters? Vampires? And most of all, my mom. If she was a vampire, what happened?
“I... I wanted to speak to Tobias. I didn’t want to sleep this long. Is he still here?” I looked around my room, it was clean. Like someone had come in and cleaned while we were all sleeping. Because it didn’t look like this when I got here... yesterday morning.
“Ada?” She had been sleeping here. I needed to see her. Oh god I had to apologise to her, tell her how sorry I was for just leaving her like that. My heart was racing. So much to say. I had so many people to apologise to.
“Hey, it’s okay. Tobias is downstairs with Alaric. Ada went home, but she will be back. She wanted to see her parents. Make sure they were okay. She is fine. She was worried about you and visited while you were sleeping.” I nodded at Galen’s words, but I realized that this little happy bubble in here was now going to stop when I walked out that door.
I really wanted Ada here. But I didn’t want to worry her either. I wasn’t going to win gold in the worst best friend category. If I was Ada, I would have run away and said goodbye to my crazy life long ago. But I felt a warmth in my chest at the thought that she didn’t. She wasn’t just going to run off and leave me to this shifter, vampire... angel life. She just rode the same wave I did, and I honestly couldn’t think of a better person to be my friend. Plus, she still had the hots for Saint and well now Huxley, so I had a feeling that she would be dating a shifter by the end of summer. If not, I was sure she would spend a lot of time here with me. I need that badly. Too much testosterone here.
“I’ll have a shower and go down.” I felt nervous, as much as I wanted to see Tobias, ask him all these questions. It was still the whole, he was my father thing just hanging in the air there. Did he want me to call him dad? I didn’t think I would be able to call him dad. Plus, he looked like he was only five years older than me. It would be strange. I would call him Tobias. Was I his only child? Did I have siblings?
“Everyone go have a shower, get changed and we will meet downstairs,” Galen ordered. I smirked at his bossiness.
“Yes, Mr Donovani.” His face softened from the serious look he had as a sly grin appeared and he winked at me. He strode over and pressed a kiss to my forehead before he turned to the door. Raff hugged me tighter, then let go as he pressed a soft kiss to my lips and followed Galen out of the room. I licked my lips, remembering that heated kiss we just had. I felt like a giddy teenager... hell, I was a giddy teenager.
I peered over to the twins. I never thought about how upset they might be with me. I dropped my gaze down to my bare foot as I skirted the white carpet with my dirty toes. I wasn’t good at this; I felt like I was forever saying sorry to someone since I got here.
“I love you, nothing will change that.” Maverick wrapped his arms around me and pulled me tight to his chest. Oh man, I sniffed back the tears as I hugged him back.
“I love you.” He was such a grumpy asshole when I first met him, and now he was all soft and sweet. Well, to me he was, pretty sure he was still an asshole to most people. I stood on my tippy toes and kissed his cheek. He left the room, which just left Ranger and I standing in here. My once happy-go-lucky Ranger was looking far from it. He was laughing not that long ago, but now he looked so serious.
“Oh, Ranger. Jett was just messing with you.” I thought back to the comment Jett made when he called me cupcake. Asshole, I told him not to say anything to Ranger about sharing my cupcakes with them. That was it. I wasn’t sharing anything nice with Jett from now on. But it did remind me that they told me he would flirt non-stop with Clare. Mekhi and Jett’s high-school sweetheart. Which made me feel jealous that he had flirted with another girl.
Clare was crazy for walking away from them, I would have dragged them with me. Alaric said they didn’t go to college like normal teens do. But I wouldn’t have cared. Those guys were so sweet and still hung up on her. Hard. But Ranger flirting, did she like it? Did she want him? Was that why she left them because she wanted Ranger?
“Lex?” Ranger walked over to me, his head cocked to the side, his green eyes questioning me as he rubbed his hand down his chest nervously. Wow, his body was like... so distracting.
“Huh?” I asked. Did he say something?
“I said ‘I can smell you.’ What were you just thinking about?” He held my upper arms now. His chest right there in front of me. I tried to lay my head against it, I wanted to hear his heart, I wanted to show him how much I loved him but he held my arms tight so I couldn’t press against him.
“No, you tell me what is making you give off this scent? I have never smelt it on you before.” I furrowed my brow. I had no idea what scent he was talking about. But I was happy he was no longer looking at me the way he just was.
“Tell me,” he growled lowly into my neck. It sent shivers down my spine.
“Oh, um... that you were upset? About the cupcake thing. And how you used to flirt with Clare and it drove Jett and Mekhi crazy.” He pulled back and peered down into my eyes. I could see a look wash over his face and his lip curled up at the side. He chuckled and crushed me to his chest. Does this mean he was okay? I didn’t understand what was going on with Ranger. He liked to hide his feelings behind jokes, but this laugh was real. Pure.
“You’re jealous,” he stated as he pressed my hair back. I looked up into his eyes again, I could see the mirth in there. He was generally happy that I was jealous. I wanted to keep this Ranger here with me. He was so real right now. I slapped his chest playfully.
“Yeah, well. You’re mine and if you flirt with her ever again, I will drag you home by your tail.” That had him laughing again.
“Okay, fair enough. She was nice and smelled good. I couldn’t help it.” My eyes flared at his statement and he let me push him away.
“Aww babe, Lex. You know I only have eyes for you.” I cocked my hip and pursed my lips at him, his cocky grin appearing. He wiggled his eyebrows. “Well, sometimes have eyes for—” I pointed at him, then at the door. “Out.”
He grabbed his chest, “I was going to say burgers, but I guess my girl gets jealous of me looking at food too.”
“Tease.” I smiled, trying to stop myself from laughing, but a small giggle popped up as I quickly turned away. I jogged over to the bathroom just as the room tilted. Two large hands picked me up and Ranger cradled me to his warm chest.
“I will wash your back and you wash mine? Or will you be jealous that the water gets to touch me... naked?”
Lexi
As much as Ranger wanted to shower with me, I kicked him out and showered alone with my thoughts. But now I was in my closet, a clean one at that. All the bedding was gone, and it kinda frustrated me that they were forever cleaning up. I hadn’t done the dishes here in like... well, I hadn’t.
Ugh, why was finding something to wear so hard. I didn’t have anything that I felt would be appropriate to wear in front of Tobias. Which was stupid because I didn’t need to impress him. But I didn’t want to look like I didn’t even try to look nice.
“Hey,” there was knocking behind me on the doorframe. I huffed out a breath. This was stupid. Why was I being so dumb about this? It was just clothes and he wouldn’t care. Who cares about looking nice in front of their... ah... angel dad?
“Did you want to borrow something of mine?” I smiled as I looked over to Raff. He looked so cute, but he was wearing a black tee and gym shorts. He didn’t dress up any different, neither should I. I should just be myself. I shook my head.
“No, I just didn’t want to look, I don’t know...” I pulled out a tank and pulled it over my head. I pulled on some ripped jean shorts. I needed to get some new clothes, even if they were just tanks and jeans. I walked over and wrapped my arms around Raff. I felt him nuzzle into my hair, then my neck, and I giggled at his marking of me. His hair was all done, slicked back, so made up... so Raff.
“Marked me up good?” He took a sniff, and I watched the side of his lip quirk when he shook his head no. I rolled my eyes and took his hand before he kept me here all day, marking me as his. The others would want to do that too, can’t leave them waiting.
“Let’s go.” I gestured, and we walked together down the stairs where I could hear everyone talking. I took in a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves and the butterflies that had formed in my belly. We rounded the corner and saw Ranger sitting on the kitchen counter, Maverick was standing off to the side. His arms crossed against his chest, he stood a little taller when he saw me and gave me a sweet smile. Oh man, I loved to see him smile. But when he looked back to Tobias, his smile dropped.
Galen was sitting beside Tobias on the stools. He had no wings. Wow, did they like retract or what happens there? They were both watching me... I guess waiting for me to say something? I hesitated, now he was here I didn’t know what to say. Where to start? Galen must have seen this as he stood. He was over to me so fast it took my breath away.
“Lexi, I have been speaking with Tobias. He has a lot of information about what you are and your powers.” I nod, not taking my eyes off Tobias. He smiled over to me but he didn’t get up or make a move towards me. I kinda felt... neglected, he bothered to speak to Galen and he wasn’t even making a move to talk to me.
I felt sick. As I watched Tobias out of the corner of my eye, I dragged Galen and Raff with me to Maverick. I held my arm out to him and bared my neck. I watched Maverick’s eyes in confusion; he smelled me, then almost growled when I pressed my arm to his throat. He nuzzled and rubbed himself against me, marking me. Something he didn’t do often in the past, but right now I needed to be marked. I needed Tobias to see they were my mates and no matter what he says or does from now on, that will never change.
Ranger didn’t wait for me, he jumped down and wrapped me in his arms; he rubbed against my hair, making it all messy. He tried to fix it, but in the end gave up and kissed me before retreating back to his spot on the counter.
I looked over to Tobias; he was watching me; it was intense. I finger combed my hair back. And tucked the long strands behind my ears. Fuck it, if he wasn’t going to talk. I would.
“Hey,” was all I said. He smiled and nodded at me. Ugh, this was a bad idea he was a total douche. I can’t talk to him. This was fucked up, I took a step back to leave and Raff squeezed my hand, tugged me towards the counter. I put my hands on the cool black marble and smile over to Ranger.
“Hey Lex, so Tob here was just telling us—” There was a weird pressure in the air and I watched as Tobias turned his head towards Ranger, his eyes boring into him. Ranger’s eyebrows shot up “tob—” and quickly added, “ias?” The pressure died down and I could see the worried look on Ranger’s face.
Okay, just learnt that Tobias doesn’t like a shortened name. Also, he was scary powerful and maybe he won't know if I slip out and run away. If Galen had all this information, then I didn’t need to ask Tobias. I would be fine. Like this was the better plan, right? I swallowed the huge lump in my throat. Right?
“Hello, Lexi. Please come and take a seat. I don’t bite, unlike your mates.” Okay... that wasn’t creepy or anything. I breathed out and wrapped my hands around my middle. I turned to Raff and watched his expression. Okay, he was freaked out, nope I think my plan to run was for the best. I took a step back away and Galen stopped me by holding my arm before I got any further. Fuck, he knew I would run.
“Lexi, why don’t you sit beside me. Maverick will make some tea, coffee. Something,” Galen said as he lead me over to a stool and he took the one beside Tobias. I felt a little better with Galen as a buffer. But I was so tense, I couldn’t relax. I didn’t think anyone was relaxed right now. I wasn’t too sure if Tobias was okay with... well, all of this. Was he going to take me away from my mates? Was that what he meant by them biting, I knew they were wolf shifters... and a vampire, but they were mine. They claimed me, and I claimed them. I wouldn’t leave them. Well, not like that, not if I have a choice. I would run away with them.
“Your mates are very protective of you. I can tell you are worried for them. I can sense your fear of me. Do not fear me, I just want to help you. Get to know you.” I looked around the room, everyone was just watching us. Apart from Maverick, who was in the pantry getting something... maybe snacks?
Did Tobias just talk in my head? Oh wow, like what Galen can do when he drinks my blood. I darted a gaze to Tobias.
“Yes, it’s something like that, Lexi. Which is something I worry about, especially for your vampire mate.” Everyone turned to Tobias and yep. Oh fuck. He just read my thoughts?
“Lexi, I forgot to mention something,” Galen started to say. Raff cut in and blurted out. “Tobias is telepathic.”
“Okay, wow. Is that something I can do? I can hear Galen when he drinks my blood. But he can't hear me?” Tobias looked at me and cocked his head, then to Galen. He scrubbed the scruffy beard on his jaw and I could tell he was thinking. Ranger was shuffling where he sat on the counter.
“I would like for him to stop drinking your blood, at least until I can find out why your mother was a vampire when I last saw her. I shared my blood with her and vampires do not have children as you know, so this is highly unusual.”
I didn’t want to stop; I loved this connection I had with Galen when he drank my blood. I felt safer with him knowing where I was, how I was feeling. I reached down and grabbed Galen’s hand and squeezed it. Fuck him, Tobias can’t tell me what to do. He wasn’t my father. Blood didn’t mean shit. Look at Raff’s uncles. They sure weren’t a great family, and if I had to choose, I wouldn’t choose Tobias.
“Your mates are worried that I have read their minds while waiting for you this morning.” I could hear the gasps around the room. Did he? Did he listen?
“Yes.” He nodded to me. I stood up. I was pissed off. How dare he.
“You cannot just read other people’s minds. That’s wrong.” His eyes shifted to mine, and he smiled. It was a little intimidating, to be honest.
“Lexi, you are my daughter. You are my only child. Of course, I read the minds of your mates. I wanted to make sure their hearts were in the right place.” I was shaking, Ranger jumped off the counter and wrapped his arms around me, shielding me. Raff was next. Then Maverick stood beside me. They were all touching me, and I felt stronger than ever. I stood taller.
Tobias just sat forward, his elbow on the counter now, his amber eyes glowing. It made me nervous. Was he going to say bad things about my mates? His eyes roamed over
them all and his smile grew.
“This one, the chatty one.” He pointed to Ranger, who I heard suck in a breath. “He loves you, deeply. There is too much going on up there at once. But he is loyal, I give him that. But stop thinking about sex while I’m around, other things might be more useful.”
My mouth dropped open. What the fuck?
Chapter Ten
Maverick
Lexi’s father reads minds. Fuck, oh shit, I forgot about that. How could I forget that? What was I thinking when I was down here? Not good things about her father that was for sure. He just called Ranger out for thinking about sex. I didn’t think about sex, well I do. But I was more concerned that he would take Lexi away from us, and I couldn’t stomach the thought. My wolf wanted to come out and show him she was mine. He would have to fight me, if he thought he could take my mate.
“You, Maverick.” I sucked in a deep breath and held my tongue, waiting to see what he would say about my thoughts. Could he sense my wolf so close to the edge? “You are very protective; you were watching me. Trying to find my weaknesses. Trying to determine if I was a threat. You were ready to stop me if I tried to take Lexi from you. I like that about you.”
My mouth dropped open slightly. I... well, I was doing that; I was always protecting her. I was watching him, trying to get a read on what his plans with Lexi were. I couldn’t help it, I puffed up my chest a little at his words. He liked that. His eyes darted between Rafferty and Galen. His head tilted as he watched Galen. Like he was reading his thoughts right now. He better stay out of Rafferty’s head. He has had enough shit to last a lifetime. You better not. I growled lowly. My hackles rising. I didn’t know I would be this protective of a packmate. But Rafferty was ours, my wolf had claimed him when he claimed Lexi.