Cursed Blood

by Ashley Marie

  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 leaving 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 busting 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 that 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.

  If feels like hours. I chew on my finger nails 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 soft 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.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Avery

  MY EYES SNAP open and I jump as two sets of warm lips kiss both sides of my neck.

  I can feel Deans 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 from 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 to 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 quite fighting it. Melting into the person behind me, leaning against a strong 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 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 still. His lips 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 mumbles slightly embarrassed at what he saw.

  I’m frazzled. Too many feelings 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 as 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 cupping my cheek. Thumb 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.” Deans 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, “Your different Avery. New. Special. There will be others.”<
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  “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 Nicks’ eyes. Something that they are keeping from me and Dean. 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.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Kayden

  KAYDEN’S SKIN RIPPLES and slithers. His wolf wanting to break out. He’d be calmer with fur, teeth, and claws. He holds back the change it’s not what Avery needs right now. No, not at all.

  He pushes it back with a silent growl. Kayden gives a gentle tug on Avery’s hand, moving in the door way.

  They follow his brother down the hall. Kayden suppresses another snarl. He knows his brother wasn’t telling them everything. That Nick lied to them in the bedroom. He knows his brothers tell. The hands in his front pockets, shoulders bunched up to his ears. Yes, he knew Nick was keeping them in the dark and that raises more of Kayden’s protective instincts to the surface.

  A small hand grips his tighter pulling him from his lying brother and to the beautiful girl at his side.

  Avery.

  Awe spreads through his body at the sight of her by his side. Their hands locked together. His name on her neck and hers on his.

  He still can’t believe this happened. That she is his and he is hers. That she didn’t push him away but instead completed the bond. His thumb sweeps across her cold hand.

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

  Worry influxes in his gut. Not his but hers.

  Kayden wishes he could push it to the side. To do anything to make that go away. But he doesn’t know how at least not yet.

  He glances over his shoulder as they take the stairs to the first floor. Dean’s other worldly eyes snap from Kayden’s and Avery’s joined hands to Kayden’s face.

  Kayden tries to hide the wince but knows he failed as that self-satisfied smirk covers Dean’s face.

  Kayden turns back around, his grip on Avery’s hand tightens. His own worries bubble up.

  Dean. Kayden doesn’t know what to think of the other wolf.

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

  So many things to worry about and work out. To understand. He bites his cheek stepping off the last step and going down the hall way.

  Kayden looks at Avery out of the corner of his eye. A smile forming. He catches the silver glint of the markings around Avery’s throat and almost grinds to a halt.

  He keeps moving. He knows those symbols. Learned about them in his history classes. But for the life of him, he can’t grasp them. They mean something. Something very important but no matter how hard he reaches for the memories he can’t catch them.

  He’s caught off guard walking into the kitchen. A snarl does fly from his lips but stops as soon as he locks his eyes on who jerk Avery from his hands.

  Cam. His eyes are red and shiny with tears.

  As Kayden comes to his senses knowing Avery is in no danger and he starts 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.

  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 Kayden with wide frightful eyes.

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

  Kayden moves to her and wraps his arms around her small body. A sigh comes from him as Avery wraps her arms around him. This right here is what peace feels like.

  “I don’t know,” Kayden says softly kissing the top of her head, inhaling her cold winter scent that’s a balm for his nerves.

  A clearing throat has Kayden looking at his brother standing at the other door out of the kitchen.

  He bares his teeth at Nick as he takes Avery’s hand leading them into the formal part of the house.

  Kayden’s lips raise in a silent snarl as he smells and sense the other two wolves just beyond the door way.

  With a shuddering breath, he locks down his emotions and walks into the room.

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

  Enforces of the strongest 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 one’s who police his world. Kayden’s never met one before and fear skitters down his spine.

  This is not good.

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

  “Kayden. Avery.” A snaky voice pulls Kayden’s attention to the left wall.

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

  The man in the robes steps forward. A greedy light shining in his black beady eyes.

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

  “No Sir, this happened after you were notified of Avery.” Jeff bows slightly.

  The man just grins stepping forward an old hand out stretched towards Avery. Kayden snarls pulling Avery behind him.

  “Control your pack mate.” The man snarls his eyes flashing yellow.

  “Kayden stand down,” Jeff commands.

  Kayden eyes widen in surprise as he feels no need to fill his Alpha’s orders. No gut jerking will to do what Jeff commands of him. The surprise of it has him stepping back, pulling Avery with him.

  Jeff looks at him with equal surprise and worry.

  Kayden smiles now. An evil crude smile knowing Jeff can never command him to stay away from Avery ever again.

  “Come now Kayden. Sir Loral just wants to meet her. You know I would never let anything happen to Avery.” Jeff says trying a different route.

  Yet Kayden could care less. He will not let that man, Loral near Avery. Not now with seeing those greedy eyes feast upon her.

  Sir Loral snarls releasing a gust of his Beta power. “You will step aside now boy.” The older man snarls. Only to be shut out with a more powerful blast of wild magic coming from the back wall.

  “Task task task,” Dean says his tongue clicking, stalking forward in nothing but those black shorts, standing at Avery’s side.

  “You have no power here, old man,” Dean says with that cocky smirk. A devilish light in his copper eyes.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Dean

  DEAN HAN
GS BACK following the second and his ice queen out of the bedroom.

  Ice queen. He’d never call Avery that to her face but in his own mind and thoughts-that is what she is. His queen who smells of winter and ice.

  The second.

  Kayden.

  Looks back at him. Dean can’t help but smirk at the young pup.

  Dean’s smile widens as Kayden turns back around, going down the stairs. Dean has a sense of pride for the other wolf. Yes, Kayden brings a sense of pride to Dean.

  The boy was on the verge of wolfing out but he didn’t. And that makes Dean feel more comfortable with letting Kayden take the lead.

  Kayden calms her. That makes Dean very happy and lets him smother his protective instincts easier when Avery is calm.

  As for their supposed guests. They are in for a rude awaking. A silent snarl forms on Deans mouth. How dare they think they can just come in and take what is his.

  Dean bares his teeth in a smile. He can’t help it, imagining the looks on their faces will be priceless.

  Dean finally remembers his life before fur and teeth. Before he finally let the rage sweep him away. He was tired at that time. Tired of the politics and the greedy hands. Tired of fighting off the rage and oh so tired of being lonely.

  He came here to the Blackwell lands knowing Jeff’s great great grandfather. Ben Blackwell.

  The Blackwell pack was second to his. Ben and Dean were good friends and allies in another time. Another place. Another life.

  Time. It flew by him faster than he would have thought.

  He wonders if they know what is in their home. He thinks not. And for some reason, it brings a hint of guilt with it.

  Why?

  Is it because of his mate, Avery or has he gone soft?

  Kayden’s snarl brings Dean out of his musings.

  Ah, the pup was caught off guard.

  Dean tilts his head watching the shaggy hair boy tighten his arms around Avery. He’s a blubbering crying mess.

  What did the boy do?

  “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry.” The boy mumbles and cries hugging tightly to Avery.

  A low growl comes to the forefront of Deans mouth but he holds it tight as he watches the boy place a peck of a kiss on Avery’s forehead and flees the kitchen, nearly running through the sliding glass doors with the wolf Avery doesn’t care for at his heels.