Avery (Wolf Rage Book 1)

by A. M Martin

  She nods and with a deep breath, bends over. Lips are hovering right above my neck.

  I tense from desire and excitement. My pulse is pounding loudly in my ears.

  Finally, our bond will be complete.

  I moan out as Avery lightly kisses me, a sharp pinch follows as her teeth pierce my flesh with a pop.

  I smile one last small smile as darkness takes me away. The bite is doing its work connecting us for a lifetime and more.

  Avery

  "It’s creepy,” I whisper to myself wiping the blood, Kayden’s blood from my lips.

  Kayden is laying on the bed barely breathing. Eyes closed. With blood on his neck. Something is glowing underneath it.

  I asked Cam why we pass out after a bite and the gist of it at least what I understand is it’s our bodies way of building the final link of the True mate bond. Making room for that link.

  I can’t help myself. I run my fingers through Kayden’s thick dark hair and down his tanned cheek.

  "This is weird, right?" I ask looking at Dean, and my breath freezes in my chest.

  I didn’t really pay any attention to him when I came into the room. Only focusing on Kayden. The guilt and worry are coming from Kayden just pressed everything else to the back of my mind.

  Until now that is.

  Dean with only a pair of black shorts on is leaned up against the wall next to the door. His arms are crossed against a very formed chest. I follow the ridges with my eyes. Chiseled arms, carved chest, down my gaze goes.

  His abs are carved, I’m sure I could feel each individual ridge of muscle with my fingertips. There’s a light dusting of white hair below his belly button leading into the band of his shorts, resting on slim hips. The Happy trail I heard some call it. Must lead to a very happy place.

  I feel the heat of my blush, knowing I’m red as a tomato. My heart has picked up its tempo, my breathing a little huskier just looking at him.

  He’s not as broad as Kayden, but this boy is made of sin itself. I gulp.

  And he’s mine, gosh that will take some time getting used too. Calling both him and Kayden mine and believe it will take time. So much time and understanding on their part.

  I flick a look up at Dean’s face and know from the pride shining in his dazzling eyes he watched me, eating him up. That one-sided smirk, lifting his plump lips does crazy things to me. With a shake of my head, I retreat into the attached bathroom.

  The door shuts behind me with a click, and I relax. Slightly. Now I know where the phrase hot and bothered comes from. Because of people like Dean and Kayden.

  Turing the cold water on at the sink, I cup my hands and bring the water to my lips. Swooshing the water around in my mouth to get the coppery taste of Kayden’s blood out. It’s not the best taste in the world. Blood. Yuck. It’s like I sucked on pennies.

  Once I spit the pink colored water out, I cup another hand full, splashing it on my face. Washing away the sweat I know is there and hopefully the stress with it.

  I haven’t looked at myself in the mirror after Kayden bit me. I even avoided the mirror when I took a shower before coming down here. I was afraid. Afraid of what I would see. What it would mean.

  Looking now I realize my mistake. My big giant mistake in not looking. That’s what fear gets you.

  Alright, don’t freak out. You knew you would have two guys name on either side of your neck. So, this must be normal. The normal part of having not one but two true mates’.

  I tell myself this but looking at the tribal and the small paw print, all I can think is I have been collared. Collared with a silver shine and two guy’s names. Branded like property for the whole wide world to see.

  I don’t know if I feel angry or I’m just highly upset and on the verge of tears. Either way, it’s not good.

  I run my fingers from Dean’s name along the tribal, across the paw and to Kayden.

  I don’t feel anything. No raised skin or bumps. It’s like a tattoo. Nothing but smooth silvery skin.

  I worry my lips as I leave the bathroom and the awful truth mirror behind.

  A smile blooms across my face as I enter the bedroom and see Kayden awake and standing.

  The smile slowly fades as I take in the scene in the middle of the bedroom. My mouth pops open in a silent oh.

  They’re standing nose to nose. Literally. Kayden has a few inches on Dean in height. But otherwise, their noses are touching. Are they going to kiss?

  Both are tense, muscles bursting at the seams. Their skin seems to ripple and roll. Dean’s normal copper eyes appear to glow. While Kayden’s flash from his jade green to a yellowish.

  Should I step in? I kind of figured they’d come to blows sooner or later. I mean they both have the same mate. That’s sure to cause problems. But this is so much sooner than I would have liked.

  Opening the link between the three of us, I feel no jealousy or anger. Just pure animal dominance. It’s wild energy.

  So, this is a wolf thing. I believe I’ll stay right where I am, up against the wall. Out of the way if it comes to fight.

  It feels like hours. I chew on my fingernails watching them. They do nothing but stare at each other. Just stare and breath. I haven’t even seen either of them blink their eyes. It’s creepy and frying my already shattered nerves.

  Finally, something happens. I straighten up from the wall. I don’t know what it means, though.

  Kayden nods his head, looking down and to the left. Baring his neck to Dean. That self-satisfied smirk covers Deans plump lips.

  Why every time I look at those lips all I want to do is nibble on them. Gods, that can’t be healthy or normal. Right

  It’s like they’re in sync with each other. As one they turn facing me. Standing shoulder to shoulder.

  My heart picks up its beat. Faster and faster it goes.

  Dean has a one side smirk, and Kayden has a soft smile gracing his kissable lips.

  I shift from foot to foot. When they do nothing, I move further into the room by the edge of the bed, an arm’s length away from the guys.

  Should I say something?

  Nope.

  They break apart Kayden going left and Dean going right.

  I stumble back, tensing and my pulse pounds in my ears.

  They both do a complete circle around me, leaning in close and sniffing me. Finally stopping on either side of me.

  Um.

  I gasp as they move closer. Their muscular chests touching my arms, my shoulders on both sides of my body. I’m in a meat sandwich.

  I bit my lip. Confused. Nervous. Scared. Is this wolf thing too or are they messing with me?

  Heat flushes my body, sending a warm tingle in places that have never felt such a thing. It makes me uncomfortable and a little worried. A little panty.

  They both lean in close, breath blowing ever so softly on both sides of my neck. I bit my lip. As goose bumps flow across my skin with a shiver.

  "Avery." They both breath my name at the same time. My eyes shut on their own and a soft gasp parts my wet lips. Dean’s sweet, whimsical voice mixing with Kayden’s deep baritone.

  I thought Dean’s voice was something to behold. But together. It sends shock waves through my system.

  Avery

  My eyes snap open, and I jump as two sets of warm lips kiss both sides of my neck.

  I can feel Dean's lips curve and the soft chuckle from Kayden. They’re driving my body insane. My mind.

  I clamp my thighs together as heat pools. A shiver sweeps across my body as the kisses start sliding down my neck. One set of lips going to the back of my neck and the other to the front. I moan and instantly feel embarrassed by the sound. I don’t move. I don’t think I could if I even wanted to. My legs feel weak. Is that normal?

  My eyes, they close as those lips go back up. Each to one ear. I feel the wet rough touch of their tongues. I’m lost in the sensations flowing through my body. Lost to which lips belonged to which boy.

  Does it even matter?
/>   I feel another tug on my right ear as someone nibbles on it. A growl more purr like rambles from both their chests.

  I bit my lip and quit fighting it. Melting into the person behind me, leaning against a muscular chest.

  A tongue swipes across the seam of my lips, pulling a moaning gasp from deep within my throat. My eyes pop open the same time my lips does.

  "Kayden,” I whisper softly seeing him in front of me with a soft smile gracing those red lips.

  "Avery." He whispers back.

  His hand is coming up, fingers trailing around my eyes, across my lips, and down my neck. I shiver and feel wide hands clutch my waist pulling my body in closer.

  Kayden leans in, a smile still on his beautiful face. His eyes flash as he moves closer again. His lips are gently touching mine. I open for him and with a sweep of his tongue, I jolt forward my hands coming up, grasping his thick hair.

  I thought I felt heat before, but I was wrong. As his tongue slides over mine, tangling together in their own sensual dance, I feel a heat, a wetness.

  Both boys let out another purring growl, clutching me between them. I think I’m going to combust.

  "Yo. Oh shit."

  A voice barely registers as two vicious growl rocks the wall. Kayden spins around the same time I feel Dean pull me behind him.

  It all happens so fast. I’m still panting for air, leaning my back up against the wall, clutching my chest and my body is all tingly. I slowly come out of the daze they put me in as I hear Nick.

  "Sorry dude,” Nick mumbled slightly embarrassed at what he saw.

  I’m frazzled. Too many feelings are flowing through my body. My hands clench and unclench. As I lean up against the back wall for support. Breathing hard.

  "No." Kayden snarls.

  The sound had my eyes snapping open looking at my mates, that’s so weird calling them that.

  Kayden starts pacing in front of us. Me and Dean both watching him. His skin ripples and runs. He growls and snaps his teeth.

  I shift closer to Dean as dread and fear start to bubble up in my gut. Whatever has Kayden so upset can’t be good.

  "I’m sorry man, Jeff said so,” Nick says quietly getting another snarl out of Kayden.

  My eyes jerk to the left watching Dean. He’s still like a statue watching the other two. I slowly step forward.

  "What’s going on?" My voice brings all three guys attention snapping to me.

  Kayden’s face softens as he moves to me. A hand is cupping my cheek.

  Thumb is sweeping across my lips.

  "Another wolf is here to meet you." He says softly searching my eyes.

  Whatever he sees or feels has his eyes flashing colors.

  "No." I gasp out; it’s more of a plea than anything.

  I don’t want to meet another wolf. Not after the last one. I cringe and step back a step coming up short to a hand wrapped gently around my waist.

  I look up at Dean with tears in my eyes. I don’t want to do this. The last one was a bad person. Wanted to do bad things. I can’t.

  "No fear." Dean's voice is soft always soft as he looks me in the eyes. His hand moves away, linking his fingers with mine at the same time Kayden takes my other hand.

  "Nothing will happen. Everything will be okay I promise." Kayden says rubbing his thumb gently on the top of my hand.

  "Why do we have to do this?" I whine full of fear.

  Kayden sighs looking defeated. "It’s the rules. How the packs work. Other Alpha’s are entitled to come and meet females when they’re of age." He grunts again, his other hand coming up to his hair, pulling, “You're different Avery. New. Special. There will be others."

  "Why can’t we say no?" I mumble.

  "Jeff commands it of us. To keep the peace between the packs."

  A soft growl comes from Dean. He and Kayden lock eyes.

  I chew on my lip biting so hard I bring blood. I don’t want to meet this wolf. Why do I even have to?

  Dean’s in front of me, looking at the drop of blood pooling on my lips. He wipes it away with a swipe of his finger. "NO fear." He growls kissing me on my forehead. I nod.

  No fear.

  My free hand flutters up to my neck. Kayden grips my other hand tighter as Dean moves to stand behind the two of us.

  "It will be okay,” Kayden says lightly kissing me on the lips. I want to pull him to me and never let go. Never leave this room.

  Instead of what I want, he pulls softly on my hand leading me out of the bedroom with Nick in front and Dean right behind me. His breath hot on the back of my neck as we walk down the hallway to the stairs.

  No fear. No fear. I cringe. I can’t help but feel fear. Fear about everything. About this on my neck. The other wolf and what everyone is not saying.

  There was something in both Kayden’s and Nick's' eyes. Something that they are keeping from Dean and me. Something we should know. Why can’t everything just calm down? Slow down only for a little bit. Give me time to breathe. Give me time to get used to this. Them. But no. It just keeps on coming.

  Kayden

  My skin ripples and slithers. My wolf wants to break out. I would be calmer with fur, teeth, and claws, but I hold back the change it’s not what Avery needs right now. No, not at all.

  I push it back with a silent growl. I give a gentle tug on Avery’s hand, moving in the doorway.

  We follow my brother down the hall. I suppress another snarl. I know my brother wasn’t telling us everything. That Nick lied to us in the bedroom. I know my brothers tell well. The hands in his front pockets, shoulders hunched up to his ears. Yes, I knew Nick was keeping us in the dark, and that raises more of my protective instincts to the surface, causing my predator to creep out from behind my eyes.

  A small hand grips mine tighter pulling me from my lying brother and to the beautiful girl at my side.

  My heartbeat quickens as I look at her.

  Avery.

  Awe spreads through my body at the sight of her by my side. Our hands locked together. My name on her neck and hers on mine. I feel proud.

  I still can’t believe this happened. That she is mine and I am hers. That she didn’t push me away but instead completed the bond. My thumb sweeps across her cold hand.

  I love her. I’d do anything for her.

  Worry influxes in my gut. Not mine but hers.

  I wish I could push it to the side. To do anything to make that go away. But I don’t know how at least not yet.

  I glance over my shoulder as we take the stairs to the first floor. Dean’s otherworldly eyes snap from my and Avery’s hands onto my face. I gulp.

  I try to hide the wince but knows I failed as that self-satisfied smirk covers Dean’s face.

  I turn back around, my grip on Avery’s hand tightens. My own worries bubble up.

  Dean. I don’t know what to think of the other wolf.

  He could at any time make me stand behind while he is with Avery. He has the power to do it. Dean is the first. I can’t help but wonder, worry why the Alpha steps aside and lets me take the leading role. Is it because I know Avery more than the other wolf or is it for different reasons.

  So many things to worry about and work out. To understand. I bit the inside of my cheek stepping off the last step and going down the hallway.

  I glance at Avery out of the corner of my eye. A smile forming. I catch the silver glint of the markings around Avery’s throat and almost grind to a halt.

  I keep moving. I know those symbols. Learned about them in my history classes. But for the life of me, I can’t grasp them. They mean something. Something fundamental but no matter how hard I reach for the memories I can’t catch them. A dread boils in my gut.

  I’m off guard walking into the kitchen. A snarl does fly from my lips but stops as soon as my eyes lock onto the person who pulled Avery from my hand. Cam. His eyes are red and shiny with tears.

  As I come to my senses knowing Avery is in no danger, and I start to make out Cam’s tear-filled mumbles words. />
  "I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry." Cam mumbles and cries hugging tightly to Avery.

  I watch as Cam places a peck of a kiss on Avery’s forehead and flees the kitchen, nearly running through the sliding glass doors with Aden at his heels.

  Avery shell-shocked turns to me with wide frightful eyes. What just happened?

  "What was that about?" She whispers looking out the door, towards the trees where Cam disappeared.

  I walk to her side and wrapping my arms around her small body. A sigh comes from me as Avery wraps her arms around me. This right here is what peace feels like.

  "I don’t know,” I mumble, softly kissing the top of her head, inhaling her crisp winter scent that’s a balm for my stressful nerves.

  A clearing throat has me looking at Nick, standing at the other door out of the kitchen.

  I bare my teeth at Nick as I take Avery’s hand leading them into the formal part of the house. That liar.

  My lips raise in a silent snarl as I scent and sense the other two wolves just beyond the doorway.

  With a shuddering breath, I lock down my emotions and walk into the room.

  Jeff is standing right in the middle as we come in but what has my muscles locking up is the two men seated on the chairs in front of the big bay windows.

  Enforces of the most influential pack around. The Crown wrapped around the red paw on their shirts give them away. The right-hand wolves of the Alpha Red Paw. The ones who police’s the shifter world. I’ve never met one before and fear skitters down my spine.

  This is not good.

  My hand tightens on Avery, ready to jerk her away.

  "Kayden. Avery." A snaky voice pulls my attention to the left wall.

  A man with graying hair and dressed in a red suit stands with his arms crossed, eyes widening on Avery’s neck as we both turn towards him.

  The man in the robes steps forward. A greedy light is shining in his black beady eyes. My mouth sours at the look.

  "Well, Well, it seems you have been keeping secrets, Jeff." The man smiles, never looking away from Avery, devouring her with his eyes.