Page 47 of These Wicked Desires

I hop to my feet and dash up the steps before the last word leaves her lips. I find Cade sitting on the floor in the hallway. His knees are drawn to his chest, and his head rests on his folded arms across his knees. I kneel next to him, gently running my hand through his brown hair. He slowly turns his head to look at me. His violet eyes are the saddest I’ve ever seen them. A weight sits on him, heavy and suffocating, and it breaks my heart.

“Cade,” I whisper. I sit on the floor next to him and wrap my arms around him. He buries his face in my chest and lets me hold him. I keep running my fingers through his hair, gently scraping my nails against his scalp.

It takes me a moment for me to realize he’s crying. His body shakes with small, silent sobs. I hold him tighter, gently rocking back and forth, hoping I can be enough to calm him. He clings to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and crying into my middle. A song comes to me, one my mom used to sing when Gracie and I were upset or sick. The lyrics are just mist in my mind, but the melody is clear.

Softly, I hum the song while I hold my soul-bonded in my arms, giving him the only thing I can. Support. Love. A safe place to just let it all go. When his tears stop, I pull him to his feet and head toward Cole’s bedroom. I saw him put clean sheets on his bed, and I’ve decided to commandeer it.

Cole’s room is starkly bare. The white walls and cream carpet are clear of anything. His queen sized bed is covered in a simple navy blanket. It’s more than enough for Cade to rest and recharge.

“Let’s get you tucked into bed.” I let go of his hand and he stumbles, until I grab his waist to steady him. “How much magic did you use?” I ask quietly, peering at his drawn face.

“Too much,” he rasps. “But it wasn't enough.” Red rimmed violet eyes look straight through me. Dark circles bloom under them, and his mouth is pulled into a deep frown.

“Oh, Cade.” I clasp his cheeks, wiping away the tears still clinging to his skin. Lifting onto my toes, I press a soft kiss to his forehead. “Arms up.” I drag his shirt over his head before pushing him onto the bed when he stumbles again. Kneeling on the floor, I tug off his shoes and help him swing his legs onto the mattress. “Come here,” I say, patting the spot next to me after I climb on the bed.

Cade scootches over until his head rests on my lap and he wraps his arms around my thighs, using me like a body pillow. I lean against the headboard and run my fingers through his hair again.

“Get some sleep, Cade. I’ll be here.” My heart flutters as he sighs and his body relaxes, sleep already claiming him. Being able to offer him this safe spot means more to him than I ever realized.

I don’t stop running my fingers through his hair. The memory of my mom doing the same for me, and the comfort it provided, drives me to keep going. I want to give him that comfort. The door opens and Kai and Sterling step into the room, quietly closing it behind them.

“Is he asleep?” Kai asks, almost whispering.

I nod, watching Kai take off his shirt and shoes before climbing into bed next to Cade, pressing a kiss to his temple. He gets as close as he can to me, pressing Cade tight between us, and I use my other hand to run my fingers through Kai’s silken hair. He sighs and closes his eyes, a content smile on his lips.

“Allie just left,” Sterling says. “She said she’ll be back first thing tomorrow morning.” He sits on my other side, still wearing his shirt and shoes. His hand grasps the back of my neck and pulls me toward him for a quick kiss. “Have you eaten?” he asks when he pulls away.

“Yes. Cole made sure I did.”

A soft, rumbling chuckle echoes in his chest. “Good. I guess he can be trained after all.”

My head falls to the side and I stare at my mate. “Why are you still wearing your shoes?”

“I’m going to meet some of the pack about a few wolves who’ve been causing some trouble.”

I pout, hoping I can convince him to stay with us. I never really feel complete unless all of us are together. It’s like some part of me is missing, and it leaves me just slightly off balance.

The smile he gives me tells me he sees my attempt, but has chosen to ignore it. “Get some sleep, kitten. This is technically our nighttime.” He kisses me again, lingering a moment longer. Before I can try to deepen it, he pulls away. “I love you, Ellis.”

“I love you too, Sterling,” I whisper.

He disappears and I sigh, scooting down in the bed to lay my head on the pillow, doing my best to keep from jostling Cade. Still, he mumbles something and re-adjusts, snuggling against me even more. So much has happened today. I faced Thomas again. I threatened to release the footage of me with Sam. Cade rescued his family. My thoughts are so jumbled and overwhelming. There is still so much we have to do. I’m surprised to find my eyelids growing heavy, so I let them close and fall asleep with two of my three guys.

Ellis

The scent of bacon, coffee, and eggs greets me as I descend the steps the next morning. Somehow, Cade, Kai, and I slept all through the rest of the day, and the following night. Sterling joined us at some point, and I didn’t even hear him climb into bed. When I left the room, Cade had already turned to Kai and they were snuggled with each other under the covers.

“Good morning,” Shari says with a smile, whisk in hand. “Hungry?”

“Actually, I could really use some coffee.”

“Not a big breakfast eater?” She digs through the cupboard and hands me a mug with the words “Ew, people” printed in large black letters.

I shake my head. “No. I rely solely on coffee first thing in the morning.”

She smiles and hands me the mug. “Cream is in the fridge, sugar on the counter. I have to run a few errands, but the bacon and eggs are done, and there are fresh muffins in the oven. They’ll be ready in a few minutes. Do you need anything while I’m out?”

“No, I’m good. Thanks though.”

---