Breathe Into Me

by Nikki Drost

  ***

  I feel like I’ve been run over by a mac truck. I begin to rub the sleep from my eyes and instantly regret it. My body screams in protest with every movement. I take a moment to assess my injuries. My entire body is covered in bite marks, scratches, and dried blood. My leg isn’t broken, but it’s going to be sore for a while.

  “Are you okay?” Hannah’s soft voice asks from a few yards away.

  “I’ll live, how about you?” I force myself to look in her direction despite the pain it causes. Her long golden hair is caked with dirt and blood. She’s holding the right side of her sternum. She probably has some broken ribs.

  “I’m okay as long as I don’t take any deep breaths.” I have a lot of respect for Hannah Whitaker, that female can throw down with the best of them. We don’t have that many female Enforcers, but the ones we do have are just as tough and brave as the males. Bodies begin to stir all around us, curses and grunts of pain sound out with their movements. Sounds of thunder begin to echo in the distance. I glance at the darkening sky, a storm is moving in quick.

  “What the fuck did we all walk into last night?” Dallas asks as rain begins to fall.

  The cold droplets feel like acid against my skin.

  “I’ve never seen anything like that.” He skims his hand over his light mocha skin to cover a nasty looking wound on his shoulder.

  “We never should’ve left town last night. If we had stayed those humans would still…” Cass covers his face with his hands.

  The weight of last night’s tragedy begins to settle on all of our shoulders.

  “It wouldn’t have mattered. We can’t be everywhere at once.” Micah pulls Cass against his body to offer him comfort.

  The truth in that statement is part of the problem. There just aren’t enough of us to go around and it seems like no matter what we do it’s not enough.

  “What do we do now?” Hannah asks the group.

  That’s the question of the hour isn’t it? Some of those fuckers got away last night and none of those shifters looked familiar to me.

  “Where’s Jamie?” My head snaps up at Gunnar’s question. I scan the area, but don’t see him anywhere.

  “He was here last night,” Lincoln adds.

  Shit, I hope he didn’t do anything stupid. Just as I make it to my feet, Jamie appears through the trees. He shifts forms and joins the group.

  “Where the fuck did you go?” Micah growls at his brother.

  “I went back to dispose of the bodies. You know, that way the humans won’t learn of our existence.” He slaps my shoulder as he walks by, causing me to spasm in pain, the fucker.

  “And you didn’t think you should tell one of us where you were going?” Micah fires back.

  “Gee mom, I didn’t realize I needed your permission to do my goddamn job.”

  Before Micah can respond Gunnar’s voice rings out. “Fight it out later boys, we need to figure out our next move.”

  He’s a brave male, but then again he is a millennia old Viking.

  “Gunnar’s right, those assholes crossed a new line last night,” Jamie says as he runs his hand over his Mohawk.

  “We need to find the ones that got away.”

  “Got any idea how to do that, it’s not like we can track them now,” Lincoln say as the rain continues to pour down on us washing away the evidence of our battle. Shit, he’s right. Whatever scents were left back at that campsite are now being washed away by the storm. We sit silently as the raging storm begins to mirror our emotions. Thunder roars like the sound of our cries. Lightning flashes across the sky like our growing fury. The rain pours down just like our tears. The darkening sky adds to the sense of foreboding. Last night was a loss no matter how we look at it. In less than a week, eight humans have been killed, and there is no sign of it stopping. I’m not sure how long we sat like that, minutes, hours, but Micah was the first to speak up.

  “I want the three of you to go home, take the night off, and heal quickly because we may need your help again.”

  We begin to say our goodbyes when I’m embraced by, Gunnar.

  “I heard you found your mate, I’m happy for your brother. I will pray to the gods for your eternal happiness.”

  I quickly peel him off of me. “Thanks Gunn, but could you not hug me when we’re naked?”

  His head falls back in laughter. “I had forgotten your sense of humor, I have missed you, pup.”

  I roll my eyes at him. “I’ve missed you too, now get your Norse ass back to Boston.”

  Dallas opts to shake my hand. “Congrats, brother, I sincerely hope Jamie doesn’t fuck her behind your back like he did my female.”

  Oh shit, here we go. Everyone in the group begins to groan in protest.

  “You know, she never mentioned being your female, Turner. Of course it must’ve been hard for her to speak with her lips wrapped around my junk.”

  I inwardly sigh at the both of them. Dallas should know better than to get into a pissing match with Jamie. The man is a master at arguing.

  “You son of a bitch, you knew how I felt about her, but you just couldn’t keep your hands to yourself.”

  “Don’t forget my lips, tongue, and most importantly, my huge cock.”

  And with that, Dallas lunges at Jamie and they end up rolling around on the ground. Fists begin to fly as they continue to hurl insults at each other.

  “Enough!” The ground begins to shake with Micah’s growing anger. Jamie and Dallas separate, new cuts and bruises have already starting to form on the both of them. Micah flashes his now emerald eyes at the group.

  “I’ve had enough of this shit. We need to be united, not at each other’s throats.” He begins to pace and I can tell that he’s trying hard to contain his powers. “Dallas, get over it already, if you had claimed the girl this wouldn’t have happened.”

  Dallas begins to argue, but quickly shuts his mouth. Micah isn’t the type of male you argue with, not unless you have a death wish.

  “James, stop being a dick and apologize.”

  Jamie crosses his arms over his chest and gives his brother a look of disgust. “No fucking way.” The earth explodes around us, showering us with mud, and rocks.

  “One of these days James you are going to piss off the wrong person and I won’t be there to save your ass. I’m not saying this to you as your brother. I’m saying it as your fucking leader and I’m giving you an order. Now the both of you kiss and make up because this is the last time that I want to deal with this.” With that, Micah turns and walks away.

  “This is bullshit,” Jamie growls as lightning wildly flashes in the sky. I instinctively take a step back. If Jamie wanted to, he could send that bolt into anyone of us.

  “No, the fact that you refuse to apologize is bullshit.”

  “Fine, I’m sorry that you didn’t have the balls to fuck her,” Jamie offers with a smile.

  “Nice fucking apology. You want to know something, Trudeau, paybacks a bitch. One day you’re going to want a woman more than you want your next breath and I pray to god I’m there so I can screw her behind your back.”

  Jamie throws his head back in laughter.

  “That will never happen for two reasons. One, I’ll never settle for just one woman and two even if I did, once I’ve been inside a female they forget other males exist.”

  Dallas moves toward Jamie, but is quickly blocked by the Viking. “I look forward to proving you wrong you arrogant bastard.”

  I step in front of my best friend before he decides he wants another piece of the mouthy Enforcer.

  “Bring it on cowboy.”

  ***

  Hours later, we’ve finally arrived home. Our trip back was silent, but tense. Micah and Jamie haven’t said a word to each other. No doubt, the older wolf is still pissed about having to play referee. Cass and Lincoln are in somber moods as well. I strip out of my soaked clothes and head for the shower. The warm water hits my skin and I ignore the sharp pains it causes. How the hell am
I going to explain this to Andy? Most of my body has already begun to heal, but I won’t be back to normal for at least another day. Maybe it’s time for me to bite the bullet and just tell her everything, consequences be damned. After the shit that went down last night, I can’t keep this from her much longer. If she rejects me so be it, I’ll just have to suck it up and protect her from afar. I can only hope she cares about me enough to stay with me. I can’t force her to choose this life. I quickly wash my body and get dressed. I avert my eyes from the mirror, I don’t want to know what I look like. Grace’s facial expression when we walked through the door said it all. My phone beeps letting me know I’ve got a text message, it’s from Andy.

  “I missed you last night. I can’t wait to see you.”

  I hit reply.

  “I missed you to, angel. I need to hold you.”

  After witnessing that gruesome scene last night, I just want to feel her against my body. I need to have the physical reassurance that we are both alive. Which reminds me I still need to thank Lincoln for saving my life, I’m thankful he had the balls to stand up to Micah forty years ago and demand to stay here with us instead of going somewhere else. I place my phone in my pocket and head out in search for the bear in question.

  Chapter 8

  “Good evening, Andy.” I’m greeted with a friendly smile by Adam’s housekeeper, Grace.

  “Hello, Grace, it’s good to see you again.” I step inside of the cabin, and its beauty still takes my breath away.

  “I have to warn you, Andy, the boys ran into some trouble last night and they are a little worse for wear.”

  Before I can ask her to elaborate, Adam and his friends appear from downstairs.

  “Oh my god, what happened to you?” I ask as I’m pulled into Adam’s arms. He looks as though he’s been in an accident.

  “It’s nothing you have to worry about, angel.” He presses his nose into my hair and breathes in my scent. “I’m better now that you’re here.”

  I lean back to get a better look at the long scratches on his cheek. They don’t appear to be deep, but it makes me wonder what he has hidden under his long sleeve Henley. I lean to the right to take a gander at his friends. They look in worse shape than Adam does. They’re all covered from head to toe in scratches and bruises. Jamie even has a black eye and split lip.

  “You told me you weren’t doing anything dangerous.” They must have been ambushed or at the very least out numbered. Even Lincoln is marked up.

  “I didn’t know it was going to be as bad as it was.” He runs his hand through his curly hair making it stand in all directions while several strands fall into his beautiful eyes.

  Even like that, he’s sexy as hell. No, this is not the time for those kinds of thoughts.

  “I’m sorry, angel.”

  I squeeze his hand and scan his friends for serious injuries. “Let me look at your eye.” As I make my way toward Jamie, he takes a step back.

  “I’d rather you not.”

  Is he kidding me? I point toward a leather chair. “Sit down, now.”

  He can fight me all he wants. I’m used to dealing with stubborn patients.

  Jamie glances at Adam almost as if he’s asking permission. Adam nods his head and Jamie finally moves forward taking the seat I indicated. I tip his head back to get a good look.

  “Have you had any problems with double vision, or headaches?” I carefully examine the giant purple and yellow bruise. He must have gotten this early last night. He gently removes my hand from his face.

  “I’ll live, Andy, it’s just a shiner.”

  God I hate macho men. “Didn’t anyone teach you how to duck?”

  “I’ll have to remember that for next time,” he snorts.

  “Good, now go put ice on that eye.”

  He offers me a full smile. “Yes nurse, Harris.” He shakes his head as he walks into the kitchen.

  “Okay, who’s next?”

  ***

  After I had looked over each one of the men, I concluded that they would all live so I decided to let whatever happen last night go, at least for now.

  “Thank you for caring for my brothers. You have no idea what that means to me.” Adam holds his arms out so I can climb onto his lap.

  “You’re welcome,” I sigh into his neck. I’ve realized if I’m going to be with this man, his friends are going to be part of the package. Just like mine are for me, somehow I think I got the better end of the deal. Adam’s hands begin to caress my backside through my jean shorts before traveling over my bare legs.

  “Your skin is so soft, angel. I can’t wait to run my tongue over every inch of your body.” His mouth finds my neck placing soft kisses to my skin.

  I have to bite my lip to stop myself from moaning out loud.

  “No other woman has tempted me like you do. You are all I think about, even in my dreams you fill me with desire.”

  I know how he feels. Ever since I met Adam, I’ve felt drawn to him. It’s not just his good looks, he’s smart and funny and sweet. I never thought I’d meet a man with so many good qualities. As I stare into his beautiful eyes, I realize that I’m completely head over heels in love with this man. It doesn’t make any sense, we’ve only known each other a matter of days, but this man is meant to be mine. It’s as if my soul recognizes his, we just belong together, and in my book, that makes me the luckiest girl in the world.

  “Before I met you I was broken, I was content to live my life not trusting in others and believing that I’d never be whole, but with you I feel complete. You are all that I’ve ever wanted and everything I didn’t know I needed.” I place my lips to his and hope to convey all of the things that I’ve wanted to say to him, but couldn’t. Trusting someone like this is new to me, but admitting how much I care about him just feels right.

  “Oh, angel, I-”

  My heart begins to beat rapidly in my chest as I wait to hear him say it, those three little words that every woman longs to hear. As he begins to speak the room fills with voices, apparently dinner is ready.

  “I really wish that I lived alone.” He sighs. I kiss the tip of his nose as we join the others. We will definitely be finishing this conversation later.

  ***

  Dinner was delicious. Grace had really out done herself. I’ve never seen so much food in my life. The conversation was just as good as the pot roast. Adam’s friends have gone out of their way to make me feel at home. In between bites, each one of them told jokes or funny stories about each other. Seeing them together like this has shown me a different side to, Adam. He’s so relaxed and comfortable with them as if he’s known them forever. I’m even starting to see Jamie in a different light. Once you get past his appearance you start to see how much he cares for everyone at this table, he’s funny, playful, and yes arrogant, but he definitely has the stuff to back it up. Maybe he’s not such a bad choice for my best friend.

  “Okay we’ve put this off long enough.” Lincoln gives me a smile full of mischief.

  “Put what off?” Adam looks nervously at his friend.

  “Relax, brother, we just have some questions for your female.”

  “Guys…” Adam begins to protest, but Cass cuts him off.

  “If Andy’s going to be spending time here we need to make sure that we’re all going to get along.”

  I’m not sure if it’s the wine or the fact that I’ve seen the true side of these men, but I know deep down that this is all in good fun.

  “Ask away, gentlemen.”

  “Okay we promise not to ask you anything too personal,” Micah adds.

  Maybe I spoke to soon.

  “First question and it’s kind of a big one.”

  I try to play it cool, but I can’t help the nervousness I begin to feel.

  “Sports yay or nay? Oh and name your teams,” Jamie asks.

  He has to be joking. “That’s your big question, whether or not I like sports?” I’m met with several nods while Adam begins to chuckle. Okay, I’ll pl
ay along. “Yay, I love the Red Sox, Bruins, and Jets, but I hate basketball.” Apparently, my choice in sports teams makes Jamie happy if his huge smile is any indication.

  “Okay what are you scared of most?”

  I answer Cass’s question instantly. “Spiders, all those legs freak me out.” My answer is met with several chuckles.

  “Man that’s so girly,” Cass teases.

  “Please, you’re scared of little white bunnies. At least her fear is rational,” Jamie says coming to my defense. I knew I was starting to like him.

  “Hey have you seen their red beady eyes? They’re terrifying!” Cass visibly shakes as I join in on the laughter.

  “God, you guys are such jackasses,” Adam sighs.

  “Hey this stuff is important,” Lincoln adds.

  “Speaking of important, who’s your favorite super hero and why?”

  I take a moment and consider Micah’s question. “I actually have two. Batman because Bruce Wayne is just a regular guy who wants to protect the innocent and Ironman because who doesn’t love a rich, smart, arrogant man in a suit,” I sigh dreamily. My answer is met with more laughter.

  “Okay last one, if you had to choose between dating a vampire or a werewolf, which one would you prefer and why?”

  Adam visibly stiffens with Lincoln’s odd question. I ignore Adam’s strange reaction and answer honestly. “I’d pick the werewolf. I’d rather have a boyfriend that howls at the moon than have one who drinks blood.”

  Adam begins to relax while his friends exchange glances with each other. In unison, they turn to Adam and say. “Marry her.”

  I’m shocked by their statement, but I guess I’ve passed their test.