by Tamara White
All of the guys lean forward, their attention fixed on Colby, but Drew’s the one to ask the question that I’m sure is on all of their minds. "You're really her Guardian then? As in one of the Guardians of old meant to protect the gods and goddesses of this world?"
"I think so. I don't know very much about them. My basic understanding is that you feel a protective urge to be near the one you are meant to protect. That’s been very much true in my experience, even before Katie awoke the power within me. My mother did tell me that Lachlan and Ian might know more about the role of Guardian, seeing as they were around when the last gods were on the earth."
"No!" The vehemence in Drew's voice surprises me and I find myself drawing back from him, a little nervous in the face of such anger. "We will never call on those two. They have no regard for anyone but themselves and have killed people simply for mentioning the gods. I won't have Katie anywhere near them!"
"Okay, Drew. Calm down,” I urge. “I have no idea who those two are, but if you say they're dangerous, then we won't even discuss it. But we do need to figure out what to do about the witch situation, because I have a feeling they won't leave me alone. Plus, I would also like to figure out how to get control of these new goddess powers, rather than just trusting my instincts to get me out of sticky situations."
Drew grips my hand again, forcing me to look at him. "For now, I just want you to relax. Let me talk to my friends in Africa and see what they think should be done. I know you had plans to help train Bas, Kyle and Dwayne and I think that’s a great idea. I would also recommend that you use those sessions to train yourself in your new powers. That way, you can explore your magic in a safe environment where the others can help you if something goes wrong."
That's actually not a bad idea. I could teach the guys what I know about fighting, and then we could end our lessons with me trying to harness this new power within me. I mean, there has to be more to being the Goddess of Love than hearts and flowers because if not, I am going to be so disappointed.
"And if you wouldn't mind, I would love to add a few other less experienced pack members to your training. Seth was the best fighter our pack had and he taught you everything to the point you surpassed even him. It would benefit all of the pack to learn as much as possible in the face of the witch threat."
I'm nodding before Drew has even finished speaking. That was something I had meant to bring up with the guys after volunteering to teach Bas, Kyle and Dwayne, but I just hadn't gotten around to it yet. "Yeah I can do that, but I won't take it easy on them. I'll teach them the exact same way Seth taught me."
Drew grins at me, although there’s a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I would expect nothing less." Then he looks around at the guys who have all finished eating. "I think it's time we went back to the house. We need to do a thorough search to make sure there are no charms hidden on any of the others or on the property."
With that, all the guys start to shuffle out of the booth. Drew slides along the bench, pulling me after him. Then he stands, lifting me to my feet. Alex walks up to the waitress and deals with our check while Drew leads me to the door and then out onto the street.
"You can stay in my room tonight, Katie," he tells me as we begin walking to his car.
I frown and pull my hand from his. "Thanks for the offer, Drew, but I have classes tomorrow and all my stuff is in my dorm room. I don't want to be going back and forth, but I promise to come see you tomorrow." I step away from him, intending to start walking back to campus. Kaden and Alex said that they wanted to stay with me tonight, so I’m sure they’ll break away from the others and follow after me.
I make it two steps before Drew's hand latches onto my wrist firmly. I turn back to see a worried expression on his face. The rest of the guys are standing a few feet behind him, watching with small smirks.
Bas leans closer to Kaden to whisper in his ear, but I still hear every word. "Ten bucks says she castrates him when she finds out."
Alex grins on the other side of Kaden, gaze still locked on Drew and me. "A hundred bucks says she kills him."
Kaden laughs lightly. "A thousand says she never has sex with him again."
Dwayne, Kyle and Colby remain silent, their faces blank of emotion as they continue to watch.
My gaze finally turns back to Drew and I spear him with a look of anger, because he must have done something seriously fucked up for them to be laughing and taking bets like that.
"Drew. What have you done?"
He shifts uncomfortably, but doesn’t avert his gaze. "I moved all your stuff into the frat house. You’ll be staying with us now."
I stare at him, unable to comprehend how he could do such a thing. Even as my anger begins to rise, I try to fight it down. I know I’m probably overreacting, but I can't seem to help it.
"You... you moved my stuff into the frat house without asking me? When? You've barely been back for ten fucking minutes! When did you have the time?!"
He shuffles his feet and lets go of my wrist as if it burns him, which wouldn't surprise me with how angry I feel. How dare he? He could have at least asked!
Colby sighs and breaks away from the others, approaching me slowly. "It was my idea, Katie. We were attacked on pack lands, for goodness sake. Do you really want to put your whole dorm at risk if the witches decide to attack here?"
When I remain silent, he takes a step closer, wrapping his arms around me softly. "I'm sorry we didn't ask first, but we need you safe. Think about Kaden and Alex. You're carrying their children. It would be better for them to have you near, as it would appease their wolves. And I’m your Guardian. I too need to be close to you.
“If you really want to move back into your dorm room, I will help you pack up. But just know, you wouldn’t be going back alone. Myself, Drew, Alex, Bas and Kaden will be coming with, and I'm sure Dwayne and Kyle will end up there at some point as well. Plus, others in the pack will want to visit, especially once they find out you're carrying pups."
I rest my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat as I relax. He's right. I hate it, but he's totally and completely right. It would be too hard to have that many people in my dorm room. And plus, I think I at least deserve to give Alex and Kaden a chance to be around me while I’m pregnant. I'm sure they would like to help, but are nervous to ask since I already have so many other males around, wanting to take care of me.
I pull away, sighing heavily. "Fine, I’ll try it out for a week. But tonight, I’m staying with Kaden and Alex. No arguments," I add sternly when Drew opens his mouth to object.
The three of us have become somewhat distant after everything that’s happened. I want the chance to spend time with them, talk to them about the babies, and see how they feel about everything without everyone else around. Maybe then, we’ll be able move forward as a family.
Drew and I are facing off in the front yard of the fraternity and I am about two seconds from knocking him on his ass.
"I don't want to do this tonight, Drew. I'm tired. The pack can wait twelve hours for me to sleep and refresh before we tell them I'm pregnant."
He's shaking his head adamantly, his frustration obvious. We've been out here for ten minutes already and at this point, it’s just us out here. The others all gave up and went back into the house a few minutes ago, leaving us to it.
As we were walking up the path to the frat house, Drew had sprung it on me that he had called a pack meeting so we could tell everyone about my pregnancy and ensure I would be protected at all times. Hearing that really pissed me off. I'm utterly exhausted and just want to curl up in bed with two of my mates.
"Katie, it has to be now. I know you have class tomorrow and the pack needs to be aware of your delicate situation as soon as possible. We will leave out any mention of the goddess side of things, but we have to tell them about the babies because you are a little more fragile now. Well okay, not fragile, but you need to be taken care of and protected."
I rub a hand down my face, feeling myse
lf caving already. I blow out a breath and nod in resignation. "Fine. As long as it’s over quick, though. It’s been a long day."
Without another word, I turn away and make my way to the door. When he doesn’t follow, I turn back and look over my shoulder at him. He’s staring at me with a dumbfounded expression, as if he didn't expect me to give in so easily. I’ll admit, in the past I may not have, but things have to change. I am stubborn, hell even I know that. And with both Drew and I being obstinate asses, one of us needs to be willing to back down in certain situations. But just because I gave in this time doesn't mean I always will.
"You coming?" I call back at him, waiting patiently with my hand on the door handle.
Drew hurries to catch up and I open the door to let us in. Once inside, I make my way down the hallway I now like to think of as 'the screening hallway.’ Why else would they have a hallway with nothing in it, including no doors? I think it was designed solely to give the occupants advance warning of people coming into the house.
"Okay, what the hell was that?” Drew asks as we walk to the next set of doors. “The Katie I know would have argued until she was blue in the face. You gave in way too easily.”
I pause before opening the doors, turning to him with a glare. "I've changed, Drew. Yes, I will still fight when it’s something I believe in, but you were right this time. It’s as simple as that. My babies mean more to me than my desire to win. If you think I need more protection than I have now, why would I argue that?"
Drew's eyes soften and he pulls me to him for a quick hug. "Thank you. I know this is going to be an adjustment for all of us, but now that my curse is gone, I won't ever leave you again. I guess that means that I too should work on a little personal growth. I can't promise anything, other than that I'll try."
"That's all we can really do," I tell him with a warm smile. Then I pull away from him to open the second set of doors and step into the living room, with it’s half-kitchen area.
As I step through the doors, I can hear Kaden telling everyone gathered, "She is the reincarnated Goddess of Love and she carries our children so her safety is our number one priority."
Well, so much for not telling anyone about me being a goddess tonight.
Kaden's back is to me so he can’t see my reaction, but Colby, Bas, and Alex all see the anger in my eyes directed at Kaden. Drew hovers just behind me, only barely in the room.
The rest of the wolves Kaden was addressing notice our arrival and all look past Kaden to me, a million questions in their eyes.
I cross my arms over my chest and wait for Kaden to turn and face me. When he does, he has no regret in his face, just a cocky arrogance.
I uncross my arms and place my hands on my hips angrily. "You know, Kaden, just because I'm the Goddess of Love does not mean it's not still possible to piss me off by... say, oh I don't know? Telling the pack things that are not yours to tell!"
He shrugs his shoulders, completely unapologetic. "They needed to know, though. If we left it up to you, you'd never tell them who you really are."
"Then you could have at least waited for me. This is the last warning for every person in this room, I will not tolerate decisions being made for me. Just talk to me like a rational human being and I will hear you out, I promise. Doing shit like this, though?" My gaze is on Colby, Bas and Alex as I wave my arm in Kaden’s direction. Drew should already know by now that I don't take kindly to others making decisions for me.
I step away from the door, ignoring everyone as I move among the pack members and over to the hidden door that I know leads to Kaden and Alex’s room. When I reveal the doorway, I turn back to Kaden. "I'm going to bed since you seem to have all this handled."
Then I enter the little hidden passage, following it past the kitchen to the staircase. I smile when I hear the sound of footsteps following me. I’m not at all surprised; I figured one of them would come after me.
I begin to move faster until I'm almost running, closing in on the door. But just before I make it, arms grab me around the waist, pulling me flush against a hard male chest.
My gaze flicks up over my shoulder and I see Alex looking down at me, his blue eyes sparkling in amusement. "That was a very naughty thing you did back there. The others are all worried you’re mad. And if not for that little spring in your step, I would have thought the same thing. Oh well, guess that just means I get you all to myself for a little while."
He nibbles along the part of my neck that’s exposed, a small growl rumbling in his chest. My chest heaves as I fight for breath, the way he's brushing his teeth along my skin lighting me up inside. "Alex," I moan, trying to pull away from him. "We're in the middle of the hallway. Anyone could see us."
He chuckles and uses his hold on my waist to move me towards his bedroom door. But before I can open it, he spins me around so fast that it leaves me a little disoriented. My back is now pressed against the door and his body is flush against mine, a heated look in his eyes.
Alex leans down, kissing me slowly and I sigh, wrapping my arms around his neck happily. He pulls back after a moment, a tortured look in his eyes. "Sorry, Katie. I really did only come up here to check on you and make sure you had everything you needed, but my wolf got very excited when you ran."
I grin up at him and pull his head closer, my lips hovering over his own. "I wouldn't kiss you if I didn't want to, Alex. You are my mate and I have been dying to have you to myself."
"That's all I needed to hear."
Then he’s kissing me with such abandon that I can't stop myself from moaning eagerly. His hands move to cup my ass, lifting me up to straddle his waist. The position brings our bodies in line and I can feel his hard cock pressing against me.
Alex opens the door to the room and carries me inside. But rather than set me down, he walks us straight to the bed, lowering me down onto it with a growl.
He pulls back to peel off his shirt and I rise up on my elbows to watch. Then he’s standing there shirtless, looking down at me with something akin to awe in his expression. "I need to know how far you want this to go. I don't want to hurt you, or the babies."
"Alex, honey, there is nothing you can do that is going to hurt me or the babies. Despite what guys seem to think, your cock isn’t long enough to reach them. So please, throw those thoughts out of your head because I want you to touch me. I want you to show me what it’s like to be with just you."
"You want only me?"
I nod, biting my lip in anticipation.
"Take your shirt off." The command in his voice surprises me and I hesitate, but only for a fraction of a second before doing as he wants. I throw my shirt at him and lie back down on the bed topless, seeing as I lost my bra earlier.
His eyes darken with lust and his gaze roams over my chest hungrily, as if he wants nothing more than to devour every inch of it. Still, though, he remains standing and slowly pulls his sweats off, so he’s standing in nothing more than a pair of tented silk boxers.
"Your turn. Pants off."
I lift my hips off the bed and slowly pull my pants down until they're at my ankles. Then I use my feet to kick them off the rest of the way. They fall to the floor beside the bed and Alex grins wickedly.
"Good girl. Now, stay still or this is going to get intense." He climbs over me, kissing my lips gently before the torture begins. Well, it feels like torture at least. The gentle kisses he places along my neck, my collarbone and my breasts are nothing short of agonizing. It's so good and only makes me want more, but he just keeps teasing, denying me what I really need.
My pussy is throbbing and I can't help the groan of frustration as I squirm and try to find some kind of relief. Alex growls and lifts his gaze to mine. "I told you not to move. Now it’ll be that much longer before you get me where you want me," he murmurs, his voice filled with amusement.
"Please, Alex. Any other night, I would happily beg for this torture, but right now, I need you. I want to feel your cock buried deep inside me, and have you stare into my
eyes so I can see the pleasure as it builds between us. I want to kiss you as I explode around your cock, crying out your name for all to hear," I whisper, my nails sliding down his bare chest lightly.
His breath hitches and I see his pupils dilate. In a flash of movement that shocks me, he rips off my panties and then his boxers, lining himself up at my entrance.
My eyes widen and a giggle slips free. "Um, well that was fast," I mutter, the surprise evident in my voice.
Alex looks down at me, his expression fierce and possessive, as he pushes himself between my wet folds and for once, I lose the will to talk. Once he’s fully sheathed inside me, he leans down, his lips brushing against me ear. "You wanted me, Katie. You got me."
Moaning, I lift my hips slightly, encouraging him to start moving. He chuckles wickedly and begins to move slowly. He doesn’t fuck me, though. No, he pulls back until only the tip of him is inside me, before thrusting back in deeply, a soft grunt from both of us the only sounds filling the room.
I don't know how long Alex continues like that, sliding out slowly then thrusting in deeply, before I feel my climax burst free. At the sound of my cry, Alex smiles warmly, his eyes filled with adoration. Then he begins to really fuck me, moving faster and faster, our breaths mingling as he holds his body above mine. His lips claim mine hungrily and I clench my walls around his cock. Then an idea pops into my head.
"Stop for a second," I pant out.
He stills immediately. "You okay? Did I hurt you?"
I smirk and wrap my legs around his waist. Then, like I learned in one of my MMA classes, I flip our positions so I'm on top of him, straddling his waist with him still buried deep inside me. The surprise in his eyes alone is worth it.
I start to move up and down his hard cock, clenching my walls around him tight, gripping like I would if I had my lips wrapped around him. Then I grab his hands, which are resting on my hips and guide them up to my breasts. Using his hands, I have him tweak my nipples just the way I like.