Page 9 of Thayne
“So I gotta ask. And you can tell me to fuck off or I guess just flip me off. How do you know what I’m saying? Are you reading my lips or my mind? Do you still know what I’m saying if I do this and talk to you?” Raiden covered his mouth and I could see his mouth still moving behind his hand. I knew he was trying to distract me but I couldn’t help smiling at his antics.
If I could speak I’d tell him it’s a little of everything. I read thoughts, read lips, and read people’s body language, but instead of trying to get all of that across I decided to simplify it for him. Holding up my hand, I put my thumb and pointer finger really close together in the universal sign for a little and then winked at him. Raiden broke out in laughter while shaking his head at me. Inside he was calling me a smartass, but in an affectionate way. We were both laughing as Savannah stepped into the living room a few seconds later.
We were both up out of our seats, all traces of laughter eliminated. Raiden was holding Savannah stroking her hair and she looked drained. I wanted to demand to know what happened. Instead of waiting for Savannah to explain anything, I booked it to the bedroom to check on Scarlett.
I found her in her animal form huddled in the middle of the bed. Her body was shaking and inside her mind, she was sobbing. Climbing on the bed, I pulled her body into mine and just held her. I let her know I was there for her regardless of her form. She was thinking that her life was over that I’d abandon her and I needed her to see that I would never do that. Raiden and Savannah found us still huddled together some time later.
“It’s not the suppressant that’s causing the issue. She is.” Raiden and I both looked just as shocked by her declaration. What did she mean Scarlett was the reason she couldn’t shift?
“Her own fears are keeping her from shifting. She’s going to need to confront those fears before she’ll be able to shift to her human form again. I’ve done what I can to help but she has to do the rest. Give her time Thayne.” That was her answer. Give her time. How much time?
Scarlett was looking at me now. Her big green eyes pleaded with me not to give up on her and to stay. Didn’t she already know I wasn’t going anywhere? Sighing I ran a hand through my hair before pulling Savannah closer as my animal started purring like a damn cat. They both gave me sympathetic looks as they walked out the door, closing it softly behind them.
After the door shut, we laid there snuggled up to each other for so long the shadows of nightfall were creeping into the room. Neither of us seemed to be in any hurry to separate anytime soon. Whatever her fears were, I would help her vanquish them. I would do whatever it took to be with her, even if that meant waiting. She was everything I needed or wanted it in life, and nothing was ever going to make me leave her.
Scarlett on the other hand had other plans. She was already making plans on how she was going to leave me for my own fucking good.
‘He deserves better than this. He deserves to be happy. I can’t let him sacrifice his happiness for me. I’ll just let him know that it’s okay if he leaves. That I understand and that there are no hard feelings.’ My animal growled a warning at her. He was not happy with her train of thought and frankly neither was I. Looking down at her I gave her my best don’t-even-think-about-it look. The one that said I fiercely disagreed with her thoughts.
‘Don’t give me that look. You won’t be happy staying with me like this. I’m just trying to avoid animosity and heartache for both of us. You’re a man first, a man wants to be able to do ‘certain things’ with their mate. We can’t do those things with me like this’I narrowed my eyes at her trying not to smile at the fact that she’s thinking of being able to do ‘certain things’ with me.
She was right. I was thinking about all the things we wouldn’t be able to do if she remained in her animal form. We’d never be able to communicate normally. Someone would always have to talk for me and that was worse than not being able to have sex with her. Sure, I could hear her thoughts but there would always be a need for someone to speak for me. That was worse than never being able to have sex with her. I wish there was a way for me to get that across to her, but without someone else to talk for me, it wasn’t going to happen.
Let me out. I’ll show her the truth.
I’m not sure if that’s such a great idea either. You are grade A prime psycho material when you are out. What if you lose control?
Just trust me for once. She’s our mate. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her, ever. If Colton can change and not harm his mate, you can. Stop being a pussy and let me out. HA! I called you a pussy.
Yeah, I didn’t miss that either, you jackass. I swear you’re like a feral frat guy. I’ll do this but only if you agree to Colton watching over us, for Scarlett’s safety. After some grumbling, swearing, and generally being disagreeable he agreed to let Colton keep watch.
If he shifts, I get to bite his tail. You tell him I said that too. He better stay in human form or it’s chompy chomp chomp on his tail.
Seriously, you want me to tell the big scary dragon man that if he shifts you’ll chomp on his tail. Pretty sure he’s not going to give two shits about that, but okay. If you get us bar-b-qued I’m never going to forgive you. You know that right? Instead of answering me, he gave me a saccharine sweet smile much wider than necessary.
An hour later Colton, an uncertain Scarlett, and I headed to the back of Colton’s property. It would give us plenty of room and some privacy from everyone else. Colton still had several shifters, including Baron, staying at his place until they found somewhere safe to go. With some luck, Scarlett and I would be heading for Nebraska in the next day or two.
I’d planned to give her a few days after Savannah healed her, after I had time to persuade her of course, before asking her to go home with me. Since that was a bust, I’d have to ask her through Colton and hope she said yes. Without me being able to use my skills of persuasion, I didn’t have as much confidence in her answer being yes anymore. Now it was up to my leopard to convince her and I hoped he didn’t completely fuck it all up by being his typically psycho self.
Trust me I got this.
Scarlett
I don’t knowwhat’s going on. One minute I was on the bed next to Thayne and the next he’s picking me up and hauling me out the door. At first I figured he was taking me somewhere to dump me, because well let’s face it that’s how my life has worked up until this point. When he stopped to talk with Colton, I thought I might get some information then, at least from Colton’s side of the conversation. Only he didn’t say anything, he only nodded while putting his hand on Thayne’s shoulder like he understood.
Now, we are all standing in the middle of a field behind Colton’s house. Thayne has been pacing in a circle for what feels like hours, but is probably more like only a few minutes. All his pacing is making me and my fox anxious.
“Are you sure you want to do this? Your leopard isn’t known for playing nice with smaller animals.” Colton’s face contorts with worry, as he looks from me to Thayne and back again. What is going on?!
Did he bring me out here to set me free in the wild? I’ll be honest I won’t last a day if that’s the case. Did he bring us out here to kill us? I won’t go down without a fight that’s for damn sure. What the fuck is going on and why isn’t anyone talking so I know what’s going on? Thayne looks down at me forlornly and then he’s taking off his clothes.
Okay then hot leopard man show me what you’re working with.
Oh my god, you cannot be thinking with your vagina right now! Do you not think of anything…
I’m about to explain to her just how inappropriate it is to be thinking like that when I get a good look at what Thayne is packing. Holy crap on a cracker that can’t be real! Nope, I’m seeing things. There is no way that man has been carrying that thing in his pants this whole time. Thayne glances over at me and his ears turn about three shades of red. Shit, forgot he can read my thoughts. Sorry not sorry. Dude that’s a helluva package you’re packing there. That’s the kind of package women have wet dreams about, not me, but other women. Okay, me, those women are me, I’m the one having wet dreams. Am I blushing? Can my fox blush?
“Don’t just stand there with your dick hanging out shift already.” Colton yells.
