Page 30 of Moon Bound

Aspen

My wolf stays close to Torsten’s leg as she pads across the synthetic rubber of the outdoor running track. There’s a group of vampires racing around it, tripping over each other at the sight of a white wolf crossing their path. More males use outdoor gym equipment, from high jump bars to metal power-towers, the faint beat from their headphones reaching my sensitive wolf ears as they run drills alone. Moving onwards, my wolf looks up at the rock-climbing wall looming above us. The moon is hidden from this angle which causing the wolf to whine as she dashes forward back into the light.

Glancing back, every male inside the gymnasium’s doorway stares on in fascination. I duck my large head, brushing against Torsten for comfort. I may have overstepped, crossing a line I knew better than to pass, but I can’t describe what came over me. My actions weren’t my own, controlled by the desire of another. I only hope I don’t find myself cast out for that infraction, because I truly have nowhere else to go.

Reaching the tree line adjacent to the castle, my wolf snaps at Torsten’s ankle playfully and bolts into the woodlands beyond. Enjoying the chance to stretch her legs, she speeds deeper into the dense forest, diverting from the path built into the dirt. Pouncing over a fallen trunk and maneuvering through the thick shrubs, narrowly avoiding thorns and holly bushes, she thunders onwards.

Adrenaline rushes through our veins, the fast pace of our joint heartbeat echoing loudly around her large rib cage. Woodland creatures scatter ahead, rushing to move out of the way from the snowy tornado flying towards them. Four paws assault the earth heavily, reverberating around the trunks like a stampede. Further ahead, my wolf latches onto the repetitive sound of water crashing noisily and sets the flowing waterfall in her sights.

Skidding to a stop at the lake's edge to watch as an aqua avalanche pounds viciously into the water, my wolf waits as Torsten speeds to a stop by my side, his hand finding a smooth patch by my wolf’s ear to stroke. A shiver runs through the beast on the exterior, a shot of passion zipping through me on the inside. She leans into his caress, rubbing her head against his shoulder. My wolf is completely smitten, him being the first male to tame and understand her.

After running the thick pad of her tongue across his face, she wades into the water and sinks into the murky depths. Once far beneath the surface, I drag her inside begrudgingly and put her back in the cage of my being. Breaching the water in my human form, I bob in the cool waves and smile slyly, only to find it’s no longer Torsten awaiting me at the edge of the bank. Instead, Jax stands tall, formidable, and curious. With my wolf no longer tainting my thoughts, the wash of anger I so recently felt toward him lessens, but it doesn’t disappear.

“Will you let me explain?” he asks, his voice low. The icy water makes me all too aware I’m completely naked, and none of that contributes to my resulting shiver.

“No.” I sink beneath the water once more. The moon's light reflects against the surface while I hide in the darkness, hoping Jax takes the hint. I can’t look at his icy blue eyes without appreciating their inverse effect on me. One that ignites a fire within that refuses to be doused. I want to prove a point, to live out a bitchy tantrum I didn’t get the chance to experience as a teen. Jaxon withheld a truth I should have been aware ofagain. A lesson needs to be learned.

A whole minute goes by, and my lungs begin to protest. I imagine Jax has stalked away, preferring to relent than let me drown myself. Swimming up to the surface, I take my first breath as a huge splash erupts at one side, then the other. Hands grab my thighs, dragging me back under. Lips seize mine from an unknown source, and I guess that’s the point. To prove my body will react regardless. Bitterness doesn’t exist in these inky depths as those sinful lips slide over mine. Heat burns at my core, the stolen kiss igniting a spark of fire within that I enjoy all too much. Hands grip my waist, spinning me swiftly and with ease. Another mouth claims mine. The fire begins to rage, consuming me until our united flame stokes a bond that remains unbroken.

Breaching the surface, I inhale through my nose as my mouth is held captive. Held flush against one solid body, the other is quick to cage me in. Hands roam everywhere. Sliding across my skin, aided by the water. One clamps over my eyes, barring the view from whoever seals a hand over my neck, tilting my chin aside and opening me up to him. My mouth parts, permitting full access. The lake steals the ability to use my senses, deciphering who is who, and since I’ve come this far, I relent in trying to.

Keeping me afloat, I pour everything through our physical connection, pushing my tongue into his mouth to battle against his. Whoever this is. The solid erection jutting into my thigh throbs, and my pussy is equally eager. With my legs wrapped around my assailant, I’m forced to grind myself against him shamelessly to relieve some friction. A second mouth places tender kisses along my shoulder, preventing me from looking at the dynamic I’ve found myself in.

Dragging me to the edge of the water bank, I’m lifted and sat on a rock. The hand over my eyes is forced to withdraw and slowly, I blink my eyes open. No surprise, Jaxon is floating between my open legs, my bared pussy exposed to the fan of his breath.

“Before you say anything, she’s my sister,” he rushes to say. My mouth had opened with an argument, and promptly clamps shut. “Twin, in fact. Sorcha was pulled from my mother’s lifeless body after I was delivered. The break of my parent’s moon bond destroyed my father, so Scorch and I were raised in the east wing by the other females. It’s why I’m given so many special privileges, and why I was trusted to be your protector. Lorcan trusts me to control myself.”

“Well…” I breathe, utterly lost for words. A part of me wants to curl up in embarrassment but Jaxon’s intense stare and my pride won’t allow me to. “You fucked that up.” A handsome smile breaks across his face as Torsten hangs back, chuckling—four words that summarize the entire situation perfectly.

“I sure did,” Jax agrees, his hands skimming my inner thighs. “Permit me to make it up to you?”

“I command it.” My chin pushes out. Jax’s responding look is nothing short of blissful satisfaction. Noting the serenity in his blue gaze, I don’t know how I could have doubted him—loyal, steadfast Jaxon. A flutter beats within my chest, butterflies growing in my stomach. More than just desire is at play here; I'm falling—free diving into a chasm of pale blue and pine leaves. I should feel scared, vulnerable. But instead, I know I’ll be safe, that Jax's strong muscled arms will break my fall and hold me close, protecting me from the outside world.

His hands shift higher, nearing my pussy as it throbs with need. A moan filters through the night air, and I still - vaguely aware through my mental fog that the noise didn't come from any of us. Jax looks back to Torsten, who shrugs, sharing the same thought. Another loud, lustful moan rings out from behind the waterfall beside us. I focus my hearing and only now pick up on the two heartbeats concealed within the depths, the sound of flesh pounding against flesh and scent of arousal thick enough to penetrate the cascade of water.

Looking into Jax's wide eyes, we burst into laughter as I slide back into the water and us him to stay afloat.

"Come on, let's head back," he says, still chuckling. “I have some groveling to do.”

“Some?” I snort. Leaving the couple to their hidden fuck-sesh, we emerge from the water, collecting the males’ discarded clothing. They dress as I allow my wolf to take back control and shift so I can re-enter the castle with my dignity covered.

Now at ease with Jax again, although I notice the way she lingers a millimeter closer to Torsten, we reenter the castle and pass through the gymnasium. Playfully snapping at Finnian when he tries to stroke my wolf again, I can tell he’s going to be an asshole most of the time, but I think I like him. In fact, I’m surprised by all the Vamps who offer me admiring smiles as my wolf strides past. This is me in my truest form and being accepted as such - there are not even words to describe how that feels.

We navigate the hallways towards the east wing, the moon beating through every open window to allow me to retain this form. Upon approaching my suite, a group of females enter the hallway, taking one look at the three of us, and flee in the opposite direction. I shift back to human form and shrug, pushing the door open and stopping in m tracks.

What the fuck am I looking at right now?

Chase is standing by the dining table, in a suit jacket and tie – no shirt, holding a red folder and a long, plastic ruler. I eye him suspiciously before stepping inside so we can close the door. Completely naked, I find myself surrounded by three males who so recently returned from the dead, an air of need transferring between them all. Chase briefly pauses in front of me as he glides by, green eyes flicking from mine to my lips before continuing past.

“Take a seat,Aspen,” he drawls my name seductively and rounds the dining room table.

“Should I put some clothes on?” I ask. It’s shifter nature to be comfortable in my own skin, but three-vs-one puts me in a vulnerable position I wasn’t anticipating. Yet.

“That would be wholly beside the point,” Chase smirks. His hair has reached shoulder length now, where it seems to have stopped. The brown locks are glossy, the scent of shampoo emanating from his recent shower. On the surface, it would be easy to presume he’s back to his usual, playful self. But I’m not naive enough to believe that. Behind his smile, a shadow of guilt twitches at the corner of his lips. Chase needs to feel forgiven, not that I needed another reason to let this scene play out.

Placing down his folder, Chase removes the blazer and places it over the back of the chair Jax has dropped into. All three have taken the opposite side of the table as I sit, folding my arms over my breasts. I roll my eyes internally as all three try to intimidate me with intense stares in varying colors, hunting for a weakness I refuse to show. I wouldn’t have survived this long if I were so easily broken.

Rolling my tongue over my teeth, I break the silence first, taking a wild guess. “You planning on whipping me into mate material? Is that what’s happening here?” All three fail in holding back a groan, fangs sinking into their bottom lips. I smile; it’s almost too easy to reverse the roles. Whilst regaining their composure, I reach forward, poking finger into the red cover of the folder and take a sneak peek. “This is full of blank paper?” I query, when the plastic ruler snaps down on the back of my hand in a flash. “Ow!” I whine, soothing my hand and frowning at Chase.