Page 43 of The Hidden Falling
They may go around protecting the lands from creatures, but some here have asked for their help before and a blind eye was turned to their suffering. Why would they trust them now?
And as Kade comes over to me, picking Sam up so gently in his arms so that he doesn’t disturb her and rubbing his cheek against her head, I know they will never trust the Elites with their secrets. With their pain.
Not when some have been the cause of it.
Twenty Three
Rhea
“Youdidwhat!”Thescreeching words hit my ears, and I wince.
“Shhh,” I hush her, grabbing her arm and dragging her away from listening ears and looking around to see if anyone is nearby. “Dammit Josie, keep it down.”
“You just told me you got all frisky with Darius and you want me to keep it down!” Her mouth opens and closes like she can’t believe the words out of my mouth. To be honest, I can’t either. “How did that happen?” she asks as we continue walking to collect water from the river.
“I don’t know. I don’t understand how Josie, but it just happened. What’s wrong with me?”
She grabs my arm roughly, bringing me to a stop as the bucket from my hand drops to the ground. I look at her and her dark-green eyes flash at me. “There isnothingwrong with you. Do you hear me? So you did a bit of a dry hump and grind and got off, so fucking what? It’s about time you had some pleasure from somewhere else apart from your hand.”
My cheeks heat. “I have got off before without using my hand,” I mutter as I bend to pick up the bucket and continue walking.
“That was one time, and you just wanted to get it over with. This was different, wasn’t it?”
Of course it was different. “Yeah,” I sigh. “I don’t know what came over me, but I’ve never felt so… alive when his hands were touching me.” I shake my head. “He’s the fucking enemy, but maybe I can use this to my advantage,” I muse, glancing up at the sun peeking through the canopy of trees.
“How so?” she asks, swinging her bucket back and forth as we walk.
“Let me think about it,” I tell her, and walk toward the river. I bend down and fill the bucket in my hand with water as Josie does the same.
Darius obviously has some attraction to me, even if he said I was just there at the time. But maybe I can use that to sway his mind and see that my pack is good here, and that they need to stay here and be safe. If I can get him to see them in a different light to how he sees me, it could work.
“Just be careful, Rhea, but don’t shy away from exploring that man meat if he’s up for it.”
I splutter a laugh. “Man meat?”
She smirks. “Oh, he’s definitely a whole ass snack.”
I bump her shoulder with mine as we head back to the gathering. “Don’t let Danny hear you say that.”
“Why would I do that? He’ll get jealous and carry me off to our cabin and have his wicked way with me.” She’s not wrong.
“Devious girl,” I tease.
“I prefer smart,” she winks.
We arrive at the gathering and pour our last bucket of water into the pot at the center. It took us a few trips to the river, but thankfully the pot is now filled to the brim and ready to boil. Josie sets the fire beneath to prepare for dinner tonight. I watch out of the corner of my eye how the Elites wander around, but take extra care not to get too close to my pack members. Some have been brave and started sparring with them, but a lot still keep away from them. Understandably.
“I’m going to head off and find Danny,” Josie smiles, mischief dancing in her eyes.
I laugh and touch her cheek to mine before she skips off, excited to make her mate jealous. I shake my head at her antics. That girl is about to have trouble sitting down for a few days after Danny is done with her.
I add a few more logs beneath the fire when a small head of dark hair catches my attention. I stand and move unhurriedly, walking between the scarcely placed trees around the gathering. I follow the little boy, keeping him in my sight as I look around for his mom. Not seeing her, I pick up the pace, but then come to a sudden halt.
I place my palm against the tree next to me as Jerrod, the big, red-haired Elite, stands still as Oscar runs to him and clings to his leg outside of one of the cabins. Shit. I step forward, about to open my mouth, when something grabs my arm, and I’m pulled back against a hard chest.
His scent hits me, making my tense body relax slightly as his breath tickles my ear. “Watch,” is all Darius says, his hands on my hips gripping me firmly. He’s not hurting me, he just wants me to stay put.
Curious and a little worried, I watch as Oscar babbles up to Jerrod, holding his little arms up to him as the Elite looks down. After a moment, Jerrod tentatively reaches down and gently picks Oscar up, his arms going under him to keep him steady. Oscar picks up Jerrod’s long braid from where it was resting over his shoulder and looks it over before tickling himself with it on his nose.
