Page 67 of The Hidden Falling
Snarls and growls reach my ears and my heart feels like it will stop, a small cry escaping my lips. Keep going, keep going! I see a figure coming from the same place the wolf had, and I bit my lip to stop me from screaming. The dark shape moves closer and closer, and I don’t stop. I just keep running so they don’t get me.
Running back home to safety.
Running back home to tell my parents what I heard.
I just didn’t know it would change everything.
My body jolts, and then I feel strong arms sliding around me, encasing me in warmth. I think I mumble something, my eyes still shut, and the arms around me squeeze tighter. “Shhh,” a voice says from somewhere. “Settle, I got you.” My body relaxes, sleep claiming me again as I feel a soft touch against my forehead.
My eyes slowly open, blinking away the morning light surrounding me as I shake off the dream, the nightmare that changed my life. I groan, my muscles sore as I lift my hands above me to stretch. I immediately freeze, arms up in the air as I try to make sense of the heat next to me.
Turning my head to the side, my eyes widen as I take in the half naked male laying down next to me, hands behind his head and eyes on me. I gape at him, wondering if I’m still half asleep. It isn’t until he rumbles in a gravelly voice that I know that I am not, in fact, dreaming.
“You’re finally awake.”
I bolt up to a sitting position, glaring down at him, and a sinful smirk spreads across his mouth. “What are you doing in my bed?” I ask, ignoring his naked chest and sleep tousled hair.
“You were tossing and turning in your sleep, murmuring some shit.” I blink, and then my eyes double in size. Shit. Did I say something to him? Anything about Sarah? Edward? “You wouldn’t shut up, so here I am.”
“Here you are,” I say slowly. Darius climbed into my furs with me because I was having a nightmare, and wanted to… Comfort me? My brain is still trying to play catch up when he nods, bringing a hand to trail a finger down my bare arm, his eyes heating as he watches goosebumps appear.
I grab one of those skillful fingers, bending it back as I dig my nails into his wrist with my other hand. “Darius?” I purr. His eyes trail over my face as I lean toward him, my lips hovering over his. His pupils dilate at my closeness, and I internally smirk.
“Yes, little wolf,” he murmurs, bringing his tongue out to lick along my lower lip. I suppress the flare of desire coursing through me because he needs to realize something. No matter how my body reacts to him, he needs to know one thing.
I lower my face further, my lips brushing against his as I speak. “Just because we made a vow last night, and just because we fucked before then, doesn’t mean you can invite yourself into my bed and touch me like you think you have the right.” I bend his finger back more, not stopping until It’s close to breaking and he releases a small grunt. “Think twice before coming into my bed uninvited, Darius. I used you when we fucked, just like you used me. Don’t think for one second you can come to me unless I allow it.”
With a look that I’m sure would shrivel his balls if he was any other person, I jump to my feet before going into the pool. I ignore his deep, amused chuckle and let the water cool my skin up to my knees. I would bathe, but I’ll do that when I reach home. When I’m alone, without temptation. Getting naked again in front of Darius is not a good idea.
“You’re feisty this morning,” he acknowledges, and I sigh in response. “Don’t tempt me to tame that wildness, you know how I like to play with you, and playing with you has become a favorite pastime.”
My body heats at the thought of him holding me down as he fucks me. Instead of giving in, I watch as wisps come out of the trees spread around the cave, floating around me in greeting before heading over to Darius. I look at them from beneath my lashes as he holds his hand out briefly to them, getting to his feet and showing me what the Gods gave him. It’s really fucking unfair that the only attraction I have ever felt to someone is to him.
I heave out a breath, hands on hips and lifting my face to the morning light. Closing my eyes, I let my senses flow, making them go wide. I pause, noting a familiar feeling just outside the cave. I hop out the water quickly, not bothering putting my boots on as I make my way to the tunnel that will lead me outside.
“Solvier is here,” I tell Darius in a rush, not waiting for him to catch up.
I quicken my steps through the tunnel, the only light coming from the veins of ulcalim ore running through it. We could mine it and use it for weapons, but with it being white and glowing, it’s not a great color for camouflage. I round a narrow section of the tunnel and shield my eyes from the glare of the sun when I reach the end, my bare feet hitting the dirt beneath me. Solvier sits there, waiting patiently for me and I go to him, wrapping my arms around his neck as I always do before stepping back.
Golden eyes watch me as I ask, “Did you feel it?” Darius appears at my back, the heat of his body seeping into me as he barely leaves any space between us.
“I did. It won’t be long now,”he answers, tilting his large head, his ears flicking as if he hears something.
I look over my shoulder at Darius, seeing his eyebrows scrunched together, letting me know Solvier is speaking to the both of us. I look back at him, pinching my lip with my fingers before asking. “Won’t be long for what?” I shuffle on my feet waiting for his reply, unsure why he seems so solemn.
“For everything to begin anew, and to right a wrong.”
Thirty Five
Rhea
Iswirlaclotharound the pot, lowering it to let more water into it before cleaning it some more. Dinner went well, surprisingly so with the Elites there. The pack have definitely got used to them over the past two weeks and are slowly being less hesitant around them, especially the kids.
I should stop their interactions altogether, but seeing some of those towering males make them laugh… I just can’t bring myself to tell them to stay away. Maybe if the Elites got close to them, they would become another protector for them. The Elites know some of the pack still shake in fear when they get too close, but they never cross boundaries with them. Its surprising they respect it, considering some are the cause of some members suffering.
I sigh and tip the pot forward, letting out the water into the river. “How are the injured Elites doing?” I ask Anna as she washes a mug beside me. It’s only Anna, Josie and I out here. I asked them earlier to help me so we could talk privately.
She wipes a strand of red hair from her freckled face. “They are healing well. A bit too well if we want to delay their trip back to the Highers.”
