Page 44 of The Hidden Falling
A chuckle leaves me as he continues to play with Jerrod’s braid, but I’m also a little shocked by the big redhead letting him do it. Every time I’ve seen Jerrod, which is not often, he’s always careful with his words. But seeing how happy Oscar is warms my insides, and I’m grateful the Elite is letting him have his fun.
Darius’ grip tightens on me as he rests his chin on the top of my head and I just let him, not understanding why. Hearing Oscar’s name suddenly being called, I look toward the sound and see Katy running from between the cabin, her face full of panic. I go to step forward, but Darius holds me back as Katy finally spots her son.
She freezes at seeing her son in the arms of an Elite, and the distress on her face makes me wrench out of Darius’ grip. He grabs me again by my ponytail and turns me toward him, our faces close together as he leans down, and I let out a low growl of warning that he immediately returns.
“Watch them,” he murmurs against my lips. He reaches a hand up and grips my chin, turning my head in their direction.
Oscar still happily plays with Jerrod’s hair, oblivious to his mom’s presence, but Jerrod’s eyes are locked with hers. I see Katy straighten her shoulders before skittishly walking toward them. Her posture screams fear, but with an Elite holding her son in his arms, she’s being brave. She stops a few feet away from them and holds out her shaky arms. Her lips are moving, but we aren’t close enough to hear what she’s saying.
Her hands tremble as she holds them out for Oscar, and the big Elite slowly takes his braid from Oscar’s hands, smiling softly at him and then lifts him from his embrace. He places him gently into Katy’s awaiting arms and says something that has Katy ducking her head and cradling her son close. He reaches out slowly, and Katy tenses as her eyes scrunch shut. Jerrod pauses, hand still held out, before he ruffles Oscar’s hair, and he turns and leaves.
Katy waits until he’s a few steps away from them before she lifts her head again with eyes open, watching him go. Rubbing her head against her sons, she waits until Jerrod is out of sight before she walks off. Pride fills me from her actions. She was brave, put her fears aside and went up to an Elite. To a male. To get her son.
Being a mother can make you do things you never thought you were able to. It makes you more than the skin that holds and binds you together, makes you powerful enough to overcome your own mind.
“None of my Elites would hurt anyone, Rhea,” Darius says suddenly, and I jolt, turning my head to look back up at him. He squeezes my chin gently, the action so at odds with the words he left me with the day before. “We don’t harm our own unless there is a cause to. We hunt creatures, not people.”
“I have no idea what you guys are capable of, Darius,” I tell him honestly, my eyes bouncing between his. “But I know what my pack is and isn’t capable of, and that was a big deal for Katy.”
“He wouldn’t have hurt her or the pup,” he stresses, his eyes turning hard at the thought of it. “I won’t allow it.”
I shake my head as much as I can with his hand still gipping my chin. “I don’t know that. I don’t trust any of you.” It’s why the pack is never on their own, always with someone, and why me and the guys are watching the Elites closely. “But I’m glad you stopped me from intervening, that was good for her. Hopefully it gives her a little more confidence and a little less fear.”
He studies me for a moment, probably wondering if any of my words are true, before he ducks his head, his lips a touch away from mine. I take in a small breath when his eyes drop to my mouth before coming back up to mine. I swallow at the heat in them, and he moves his hand from my chin, gliding it across my jaw and down until he reaches the back of my neck. Goosebumps appear all over my body and his eyes track those that are visible.
“A little fear is good, Rhea, depending on the circumstances,” he rumbles, and the sound makes my stomach clench.
His gaze travels down to my now heaving breast straining against my t-shirt, and a small sound escapes me that has his eyes snapping up to mine. He presses himself closer to me, that grip on my neck a solid force as he holds me still against him. He dips his head to the side of my throat and inhales deeply, a small, growling sound leaving his lips as I shiver. His tongue moves over my skin from the crook of my neck up to below my ear, and I damn near melt against him.
Runa comes close to the surface, a rumbling sound leaving her, and then I feel another wolf brushing up against me. Darius’ wolf. Praise and contentment flow through me as his wolf rubs up against us through our touch. My eyes close at this strange and new feeling, relishing in it and the way my body feels like it’s floating.
Darius kisses along my jaw, and I hum at the feel of his lips, enjoying his attention on me. Then suddenly he rips himself away. My eyes spring open, giving myself a few seconds for my brain to catch up as I stare at Darius’ confused eyes. My eyes lower to the obvious erection pressing against his pants then back to his face as my brows furrow.
I open my mouth to ask him what the fuck that was, when another voice enters the gathering. “What’s for dinner? I’m starving,” Damian says as he walks between the benches and takes a seat near the fire. He ruffles his brown hair before holding his hands out, warming himself even though it’s not cold.
I clear my throat and shuffle on my feet as he looks between me and Darius. “Stew,” I say, running my hands down the tops of my thighs, not missing the way Darius tracks the movement. “It will be ready a little later. I’m just waiting for the water to boil first.” I point to the pot.
“Uh-huh.” Damian mumbles, giving Darius the stink eye.
“Right. Well, I’m just going to go and do some… stuff until then,” I eventually get out, and turn to leave, my cheeks on fire.
Fucking Gods. Could that have been any more awkward? Damian must have seen us being so close, and Darius attacking my skin with his mouth.
Why am I drawn into Darius’ aura? Why do I let him put his mouth on me? Again.
Gods, what is happening to me?
Twenty Four
Rhea
“Thefemaleswhoarebeginning their heat are all in the cabin and have taken their tonics to prevent any unwanted pregnancies,” Josh tells me as I continue piling wood up in the storage shed.
It was time again for us to prepare to make sure those in heat are as safe and comfortable as possible. We have the routine running like clockwork after so many years of doing it, but I still get anxious. You really never know what can happen during this time.
“Good. I already sorted a change in jobs this morning to make up for the females and the few males that will be unavailable.” Grabbing more wood from outside the shed, I haul more into my arms and take it inside. It’s nearly summer, and we mostly use these months to stock up for the winter season. I know it’s a long way off yet, but I want to be prepared early, especially if I’m not here. “Are you just going to stand and watch?” I ask Josh, coming back outside to stare at him leaning against the shed.
He scratches his chin, looking thoughtful for a moment. “I think I’ve done enough today. You know how females get when their heat is due. I’ve had my ear chewed off for hours this morning about what they need. I told them they had their hands,” he shrugs, and my mouth drops open, barely managing to resist the grin that wants to break free. He’s kidding, but I go with it anyway.
