Page 30 of Veiled

“You’re special too, X.”

“Attention whore,” I laughed as she swatted at me.

“I admit, Gray, I don’t think I have ever heard you speak so much in the entire time I’ve known you.” I smiled at him and turned back to the books on my desk, looking through them. “You have a voice that’s just made to be heard, and I love it. I kind of want to keep it all to myself in a box.” I laughed as he mockingly held his throat.

“And keep this magic from other women? I can’t do that to my fan club.”

I narrowed my eyes but laughed when Xena jumped on him and knocked him down, sitting on his chest calm as ever.

“X, I was joking. Get off,” he grunted, while I laughed.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Good job X, claim what is mine.” I got up and walked over to my dresser. It may be late, but I was a little restless and maybe a good run with Xena will help with the jitters.

“Xena, want to go for a run with me?”

Yes, I keep safe.I smiled and blew her a kiss.

I went into the bathroom to change into my gym clothes and put my hair up. When I stepped back into the room, Gray and X were fake wrestling on the floor. I rolled my eyes. I grabbed my phone and tucked it into the side of my shorts. I started to head out of the room and Xena and Grayson got up to follow me.

“Do you want us to go with you?” Grayson asked.

“No, it’s okay. I can meet you at the gym after though.”

“Okay.” He reached out to grab me and kissed the side of my head. “Have fun.” He winked and walked towards the gym.

I made a quick protein shake before going out and while I drank it, I looked around, startled to realize that the house was spotless. The boys must have had someone come and clean while we were gone. I didn’t even realize; I had books to store and shit to steal. I smiled at the thought of them, the urge to see them all unfurling in my belly. I finished up my shake and stretched before walking out of the house and starting off at a jog with Xena by my side.

We ran the path a few times before calling it and going back into the house. Xena ran into the pool and I laughed as I closed the front door and headed to the gym.

I walked downstairs and paused when I saw the guys training and sparring, looking perfect. Ryder and Zane were sparing with magic infused weapons, sparks of magic being let off into the air while they fought. Grayson and Hunter were sparring and using magic at the same time, using some impressive strength and power, but still there were some things I know if Kalen were here, he would smack them upside the head until they corrected.

I smiled and switched their music and stuck out my tongue at their shouts while

“Perfect” by Simple Plan started blasting through the radio. How appropriate. I jumped on the treadmill and started to jog, not tired from my run at all. I usually only trained with music at full blast if I felt comfortable in my surroundings. So, the fact that I have been able to let myself free here spoke volumes. I felt safe here and I wasn't going to overthink it, so I blocked everything out and just ran. I felt my feet hit the belt, moving and urging me to go faster as song after song blasted through the room. I hit a full out run without feeling even a little winded. My eyes flicked at the clock and I’ve been running for 45 minutes straight at a flat out run. I should at least be breaking a sweat by now or dying. Clearly, this wasn’t working, so I slowed down and turned off the machine, taking a drink of my water before turning around to do something else. Well, I tried to turn around but suddenly, there was a wall of muscle in my way. I rolled my eyes. Seriously like fucking dick magnets.

“Yes?” I asked as I pushed my way through the wall of warmth. Pausing briefly, a low growl leaving my throat when I touched them, yum. They cocked their heads and looked at me strangely. I tried to keep moving and Hunter reached for my arm and brought me close enough that I could smell the sweat from his body. Yuck, I don’t care what these books say, sweat isn’t sexy, but fuck me if being this close didn’t make my heart race. I tipped my head and leaned up for a kiss, a low moan escaping from my throat as he reached around and grabbed my ass and brought me closer. When we broke apart, it was as if our bodies fought against it.

“I like when you growl for me, baby,” he teased.

“You also like when I call you daddy.” I took a step back and danced away laughing as he went to grab me.

I would try to process this feral reaction that was increasing every moment I was around them, but seriously, did it even matter? I mean it was cliché, but this is what all the women from my books must feel like. I always laughed, thinking it was all a lie; ‘oh look, I suddenly met a walking cock, and I can’t think’. I used to scoff. Well, jokes on you, Hudson, you slutty whore you, after a bunch of dicks at once. Father would be so proud. But you know what? When he asked, I’m going to blame the Harkwrights’, and while he tried to figure out who they were, I was going to hang up the phone. Nothing like a good ol’ book reference to get you out of an argument.

I walked to the weapons wall to warm up, the guys, who were following, stepping back. I grabbed two long swords, testing the weight in my hands, and found the weight comfortable, like an extension of my arms. I turned the blades in my hands, testing them both together before turning around. “I had fun today, boys. Thank you for coming out with us. Hunter, you never told me what you were buying at the store.” I sliced the swords through the air, picking up speed and pushing my body to fall into an easy rhythm of blocking and parrying against fake opponents.

“You’ll see,” he grinned while he shared a smile with Ryder and a scary smile with Grayson. Okay then. Weirdos. I rolled my eyes, and I flipped the swords into the air, did a flip, and caught them behind my back, before stabbing an imaginary home wrecker in the gut. I was not leaving this gym until I felt like I was going to pass out, then I was going to eat dinner and set my alarm for my regular 5 am run. It is time to get back into a routine. Maybe that is why I’m restless, not my hormones. The guys stayed for a while but eased out when I went from weapons to sparring to the punching bags and then back to the treadmill. After a while, Hunter came down and literally picked me up and took me upstairs to eat. I glared at him but mumbled, “thank you” while I ate my food.

“I’m not sure what time you guys leave, but I do five am runs if you want to join me,” I spoke around swallowing my food.

Ryder looked at me appreciatively, “Thank fuck, these guys never want to get up that early and run with me. I’ll join you. Students and teachers are expected to eat in the common area for breakfast by the way, so at least you’ll have time to get ready.”

“Yeah, I think the fuck not. How about I play nice the first day and then everyone else can eat a dick? I don’t play nice with others and I have a strong feeling after the first day everyone is going to hate me.” I smile. “I’m actually counting on it. I’m suddenly bloodthirsty for whoever is hot for the teacher.” I winked at them and they laughed at me. I wasn’t joking though.I will cut a bitch.

Iwalked in after my run with Ryder and quickly jumped into the shower to shave my legs. Fucking skirts. I even washed my hair and blew it out. I smiled as I thought of the little delay Ryder and I had during our run. We were on the way back when he suddenly grabbed me and kissed me. Xena even made herself scarce. He was huge and muscular, but he was so fucking sweet and tender with his lips. Except then it was like we were starving for one another and he pushed me up against a tree and tugged my shorts down and slid inside me.

I didn’t register the pain from my back as he brutally pounded into me while making me come apart when he bit my neck and growled,

“Fuck, Hudson, how can you make me feel so fucking weak around you? I can feel myself falling harder for you every fucking second I’m with you,” he said, filling me as he came. It took a while to come down and he slowly kissed me before we made our way back to the house.Yeah, running at 5 am is going to be my new favorite thing.

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