by A. M Martin
"The red one." I whisper my breathing harsh. My fingers curling into my palms.
Aden leans forward, "Then take it." He whispers.
My eyes flick up to his. Take it I will.
My hand slowly comes up, held out in Aden's direction. I watch the red ribbon my mouth drying. I feel giddy. I watch how it moves and twist around and through Aden's body, my fingers fluttering, mimicking the way it moves through the air.
Come. Come to me. My finger seems to say. The ribbon pauses. Then starts to twist away from Aden's body. I hear a grunt. My eyes locked onto that ribbon. Watching it as is slowly slithers through the air like a snake and I'm its master. The grunt turns into a scream but still, I pull calling it to me. It finally breaks free of Aden's body. A torment scream rents the air as the ribbon meets my fingertips.
It glides along my fingers up my arm. Twisting around it. It feels like a cool gel. It slithers down my shirt. And I jerk as it presses into my chest into my body. I'm absorbing it. My moan filling the air.
I pant and wither. As it fills my body. Much as the same feeling Kayden brought forth earlier today. But so much more fulfilling.
My eyes snap open, "More." I breathe, taking a step towards Aden who's laying on the ground, panting.
Green eyes filled my vision.
"Avery stop." Kayden’s deep husky voice as me pausing.
Stop why should I stop? There's more to take. So much more. They want me to take them.
"Avery." Strong arms wrap around my body, pulling me into his chest. "Sweetheart snap out of it."
A love. A blanket of calmness falls on my body.
My eyes blink and blink like I'm coming out of a daze.
I look over Kayden's shoulder. Aden's normal steel grey eyes are glossy from the pain. Cam looks at me like I'm a monster.
Tears well in my eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." I whisper looking at Aden.
"I'm so sorry." My tears stream down my cheeks.
"I think that's enough for today." A soft voice comes from behind me. Dean.
Cam nods helping Aden sit up.
I’m swept up into tan arms. Kayden cradles me to his body like an infant, walking back to the farmhouse.
The look on Cam's face. The pain in Aden. I'm a monster. I squeeze closer to Kayden's chest. My whimpers are the only sound as he goes into the house.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I grip Avery tighter to my chest. Her body shaking as silent tears stream down her face.
I never should have let this happen. Look at what it does to my beautiful girl. When am I going to start going with my gut on things like this? We should never have tried something like this, we don’t even understand what it is that Avery can do.
"I'm a monster." Avery's whisper has me tightening my grip on her small body.
"You are not a monster love," Dean whispers as I sit down on the king size bed in our room, clutching Avery on my lap.
"No, you’re not," I mumbled, placing a soft kiss on Avery's head.
Her winter scent calming my body.
"I am." Avery snaps coming up out of my arms. Surprising me all with her bitter words. My heart pounds painfully in my chest at her words. How could she think that?
"No."
Avery turns towards Dean leaving my lap. A snarl turning her face into something uncommon for her.
"Even you thought so." Avery screeches, arm lashing out in the air towards Dean.
Dean's up in an instant standing right in front of Avery. I move just as swiftly coming to stand at her side.
I lightly run my fingertips down Avery's soft skin. A small smile tips my lips as some of the tension leaves her strained body.
"I've said no such thing." Dean snarls.
My eyes widen seeing a different side of Avery as she tips her head back and cackles. Has she taken Aden’s anger onto herself?
"Yes, you have."
I move closer still, lacing my fingers with hers.
"No, I haven't," Dean growls, his eyes flashing.
I growl out in warning. Avery doesn’t need this right now. I know Dean would never do anything to hurt Avery, but I wanted to make myself known.
"You've killed off everyone from the Rain line. How can you not think that? You killed them. And me," Avery's cold laugh sends an ungodly shiver across my body and I grip her hand tighter, "I'm only here, because somehow some way, one of those monsters from your past slipped through your fingers." She rages pulling forward.
"I'm a monster from your past. How can you even look at me?" Avery whispers all the rage from before leaves her body in a gust of air.
Shock has my pulse skyrocketing as I watch pain fall across Deans face. Is that really how she's felt this whole time? That she's a monster.
Dean huffs rushing forward and claps Avery’s face between his hands. His thumbs gently wiping away Avery’s tears.
"No Avery." Dean breathes out, "You’re the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me."
My body clenches with the need to wrap Avery up in my arms too, but this fight is for her and Dean to figure out.
Instead, I let my fingers slip from Avery’s hand as Dean pulls her into his arms.
"If you haven't figured it out by now well, I'm in Love with you," Dean says softly.
I breathe in deep from Dean’s words, I can’t believe he just did that.
An uneasiness starts to pull at me. Was it too soon to utter those words? The very words that have been on the tip of my tongue.
✽ ✽ ✽
Dean bites the inside if his cheek. His chin resting on the top of Avery’s head.
"You love me?" Comes Avery’s whisper.
"Of course, silly girl." Dean chuckles pushing her back a little, looking into those ice blue eyes that have a shine to them.
"I can't .... I can't say it back." Avery mumbles. Her face going white as his wolf.
"Shh. I know. It's okay." Dean mummers, running his fingers through her soft hair. "Whenever you're ready to say them. I will be here."
Avery nods her head. A light pink tint still on her face.
"How about a nap love?" Dean smiles fondly down at her.
What she did to Aden wiped out all her energy. Dark circles are already showing under her eyes.
Avery nods and Dean nudges her towards the bed.
Kayden folds the pink quilt down, worried filled eyes watching as Avery climbs into bed.
Dean slides in behind Avery. The cool pink silk sheets, soothing his heated skin.
His arms wrapping around her tiny waist pulling her closer into his chest. He tucks her head underneath his chin. Avery’s smell easing his tense body.
Dean smiles softly as he feels his winter queen relax. Her breathing no longer fast but slow and normal.
He gives a nod at Kayden, who lays on Avery’s left, holding both of her small hands in his.
Soon all three falls into a much-needed cat nap. Dreading what tonight brings. The dinner with the Council.
Chapter twelve
I'm warm. Too warm. It’s like I’m in a heated bubble. My eyes flutter open. A mess of curly hair blocks my vision. I move my head back getting the hair out of my face.
Kayden’s face is so much softer, peaceful in sleep. The lines around his eyes disappear. His lips soft and part letting out small breaths.
I turn my head to the right and see bright copper eyes.
“Why do you always do that?” I whisper.
His eyes sparkle, “Because, I like watching you sleep.”
“It’s creepy.” I mummer turning away from that dang smirk.
I stretch out my sleepy body, my back arching, arms going over my head.
Dean groans, his hand latches onto my hip pulling me closer. “Ah, I love when you do that too.” He moans, fingers slipping under my shirt, touching my skin.
I’m paralyzed, well not really but that’s what it feels like as his fingers glide up my shirt across my ribs stopping just below my bra. Fingers moving lazily.
Cold bumps break across my left side, my body jerks from the heat-inducing shivers.
“What are you doing?” I gasp.
“Touching you.” He hums. His fingers gliding back down around my belly button and slipping just an inch below my waistline.
I feel this tingling in my lower parts. Damn if it doesn’t feel good. My heart hammers in my chest and I yearn for more of his touches.
My eyes closed and a low moan parts my lips, as his hand moves around to my hip bone, to my lower back and up my spine. Oh, so soft. He’s barely touching me, yet I feel it down to my curling toes, how my lower body jerks on its own accord.
His hand follows the same path downwards, as his hand rounds my hip. I push back into his warmth. I feel his muscles clench and something hard grinds against my butt. It causes a combusting sensation that has me panting and pushing back harder. My thighs clench together, muscles quivering. God, I want more. So much more.
A hand grazes my face, my eyes pop open meeting a darken green. Kayden leans forward, his nose rubbing mine softly, his lips ghosting over mine. He lightly kisses the corner of my mouth. His lips gliding across mine, I push forward, he smiles kissing the other corner.
I groan as he does it again and again. The kisses lasting longer and longer. Finally, he lays his lips upon mine. He kisses me softly pulling my bottom lip into his mouth, nibbling on it.
Dean pulls my left leg up, laying it across his hips, his ghosting fingers going to the inside of my thigh to my panties then back down to my knee and slowly up again.
I shake and shiver. My pulse thumps as my core tingles and heats.
Kayden slips his tongue into my mouth. My eyes close. Our tongues meet in a slow sensual dance. I gasp. Kayden moans. Dean moans slipping his fingers underneath my underwear. His lips going to my shoulder blade nibbling and licking as his fingers lay right at my pantie line. His fingers sweeping up and down.
My legs part more earning another groan from Dean as he pushes his body harder against mine.
Kayden pulls my tongue into his mouth, sucking on it catching my moan.
My body moves and quivers moving in every direction. I tingle and pant wanting more. More kisses. More touches. I trail my hands down Kayden’s neck, his chest, and abs. I dip them in his pants. His lips part from mine sucking in a breath of air. I smile. I like the way I make him feel. His eyes darken even more. He nips and licks at my lips.
“Guys.” A muffled voice has my high going way down.
I fall back onto the bed. My muscles tense and jerky. I didn’t even know I use halfway raised up. I feel dazed and light headed. Squirming in-between the guys. My body hot. Needy.
Dean lets out a fierce growl.
“I’m going to kill you, Cam.” Kayden barks at our closed bedroom door.
I’m panting mess of heat and tingles. Good lord.
We all three lay there panting. Dean growls softly. Kayden groans an aggravated sound.
“Yeah well, it’s six and there’s been a delivering for Avery,” Cam says.
Six. I forgot all about that stupid dinner. I groan now. Nerves and fear swallow up the toe-curling feeling Dean and Kayden brought forth.
“Ah, what are you doing?” I screech at Dean now laying on top of me.
Kayden snorts, laying a kiss to my cheek, then walking into the bathroom. The water turns on.
Dean smiles, “Taking your attention away from your thoughts.”
He pecks me on the lips.
“What?”
My eyes widen understanding. They don’t like to feel my fear or to even know it exists.
“Oh,” I mumble pulling Dean down, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.
He lays his head on my shoulder. A soft kiss lands on my neck.
“Everything will be fine.” He mummers against me, his hands running through my hair.
I don’t think everything will be fine. I grip him harder.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
"Are you sure?" I whisper, clutching Dean tighter. My fear battling his calm.
"Yes." Comes his muffled answer.
Is it possible that nothing god awful is going to happen, just because he said it wouldn't? I don't think it is, but I'm going to trust his words.
"Okay."
My grip loosens, feeling him raising up.
He smiles that soft smile only he gives me, and my heart melts a little more.
"I'm going to take a shower." He leans down and kissing me softly, pulling my lower lip into his mouth.
I follow him with my eyes. That smooth prowl of his. God, he's sexy. My gaze going to his firm butt clad in bright green boxer shorts. Him and his weird underwear. I smile.
My eyes flicker to Kayden. I gulp.
He's walking to the dresser with only a plush towel wrapped around his lean waist. Is it possible to pass out from this? Wet. Good lord. He's still wet from the shower. The water has his skin shining and that nipple ring glinting.
I still can't believe he has his nipple pierced. Quiet, calm, sweet Kayden. I would never think he'd do something like that.
My heart starts pounding and I get this ugly feeling in my gut. My hands start to wring together.
"What's wrong?" Kayden’s deep voice soothes over my nerves.
He's standing at the end of the bed now, dressed in dark washed jeans the button undone.
Why do I find that hotter than the towel?
"I just realized something." I tap my finger on my knee, "I don't really know anything about you. Or Dean."
He laughs. My eyes widen.
"Kayden." I screech, "It's not funny. I don't even know your favorite color. Or what food you like best." I climb to my knees on the bed. Wanting to hit him or something.
"Ice blue."
"Huh?" My head cocks to the side.
He smiles, "Ice blue, like your eyes, is my color."
I smile and feel heat inflame my cheeks.
"Chicken. Any type of Chicken is my favorite food. I hate coffee. Coke and Pepsi taste like dirt. I'm a dr. pepper man. I love it when it rains. Winter is my season of choice. Nick pisses me off all the time. I love running through the woods at night. I love your smile and your sweet voice. I melt every time you touch me."
My heart flutters in my chest. My blush spreads down my neck.
He leans forward, his hand laying against my cheek, "Everything else will come with time." His thumb glides across my cheek.
I nod. Lost in the feel of his hand. Rough yet soft. So powerful but touches me so gently.
He pulls away. I watch as his muscles flex and move as he pulls on a black t-shirt.
"Why did you get your nipple pierced?" I ask looking away. My stomach twists.
He barks out a laugh, "How long have you been waiting to ask that?"
I smile at him and my shoulders shrug, "Awhile."
"I lost a bet. Nick said I couldn't take down a bear by myself. He had to help and this, " He jesters at his covered chest, "Was me losing."
I suck in a breath of air, "Why would you do that?"
"Nick's a dumbass." He grumbles.
"Wouldn't you be the dumbass for going along with it?"
He smiles, "Are you calling me a dumbass?"
I bite my lips, "Yeah."
He laughs again, laying down beside me on the bed. His right arm goes behind his head, taunting the muscle. I lick my lips.
I'm going to combust one of these days.
"So, what about you?"
"Hm." I'm still watching his arms. Gods, I want them around me.
"What's your color?" He laughs softly noticing my gaze. My blush burns hot.
"Purple, I like dark purple where it's almost black, but you can still tell it's purple. Mt. Dew, I need it." He laughs, it has my toes curling. "I love summer. Swimming is my favorite thing to do."
He smirks, and I can only guess what he's thinking.
"Pizza, I love a good pizza. I like to take walks through the woods. I hate it when it rains other than the smell. A fresh rain smel
ls good."
I look down at the bed, "Your eyes. I like how the color changes depending on your moods."
His hand lays on my leg, "Don't be embarrassed." He mummers.
"It's hard not to be," I mumble.
He laughs softly, his thumb moving in soothing circles on the top of my thigh.
"You’re up."
"Ahh, shit why did you do that," I yell twisting to look at Dean behind me.
"Cause it's funny," He smirks.
Funny my ass.
I climb off the bed.
"You know what's funny?" I mock.
"What?" Dean smirks.
"Your wacky choice in underwear." I laugh watching his eyes widen, then narrow.
"What is wrong with my underwear?"
I nod.
He's got purple, pink, blue tie-dyed boxer shorts on. I giggle.
"Where do you even get those?" I laugh getting my clothes from the dresser.
"Cam gets them for me." He mumbles.
I look over my shoulder.
"Black. I like the color black, like your hair. Winter is my favorite smell. Winter and Ice. Like you."
I turn completely around looking at Dean.
"Don't know about the pop thing yet, still deciding over that. Food would be meat. Any type of meat. Your skin is one of my favorite things to touch. It's silky soft. I love hearing you laugh."
At my confused look, he says, "I heard you guys in the shower. Wolf remember."
I nod.
Sometimes I forget that. That he and Kayden aren’t like normal boys.
"We have the rest of our lives to get to know each other Avery. Quit freaking out about it. Alright, love."
"Yeah. Sorry." I smile going into the bathroom.
The rest of our lives together. My heart speeds its tempo. I get this warm and fuzzy feeling. I'll never be alone again.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
I'm just stepping out of the shower when my heart spikes. Fear and anger spin through my body causing my breath to hitch. Dean and Kayden.
I dry off in record time. Shimming into my jeans and a black tee shirt, hair up in a towel, I'm on the move. Not running but not walking either.