Page 26 of Rising Darkness

Setting me down, he pulled his shirt over his head and helped slide it over my head and arms. The fabric brushed my thighs and covered everything necessary. It didn’t escape me that he could have conjured a shirt, but he wanted me to wear his. To be surrounded by his scent. It made me feel safe and brought security when I so desperately needed it.

Jolon glared at Tye. “I’m going to kill you,” he stated, the vow dark and deadly.

“Get in line,” Dason growled, pushing his sleeves up, ready to pummel the shit out of my new mate.

Tye tried to slip from the bed to stand beside me, but the moment he moved, Dason’s magick flared and shot across the room, buzzing past Tye’s head. It missed by mere inches.

“Don’t even think about it.” Dason readied another blast.

“Dase,” I scolded. “Stop.”

“You’re defending him?” He looked incredulous.

“So much has happened. Let me explain.”

Dason stalked closer. “I don’t know what he could possibly say that would make what he did okay. He kidnapped you, Lorn.” He shoved a finger toward Tye. “He stole you right out from under us. I don’t give a shit if he is your mate. He needs to pay for that.”

“He’s right, Lorn.” Jolon’s silver magick burned hot in his hands.

“Y-You know he’s my mate?”

“The tavia glass went missing which meant he had to have penetrated our wards. The only ones keyed to it are your mates. We also paid a little visit to Mama Dunne. It’s a long story. We couldn’t see his face, but the tats match. If that wasn’t enough to guess, the fact that you’re in bed with him would have been a clue.” Jolon softened a fraction. “You’d never sleep with someone who wasn’t destined to be yours.”

“It’s okay, sweetness.” My alphas stiffened at Tye’s pet name, glaring daggers at him. “If I was in their shoes, I’d be just as pissed.” Tye held his hands out. “I knew retribution was coming.”

Jolon directed his magick to wrap around Tye’s wrists, handcuffing him.

“He’d go willingly,” I retorted angrily. Tye had spent too much time as his father’s prisoner to be shackled any longer. By anything or anyone. Especially by my mates, who I hoped would one day consider him family.

“It’s too late for that,” Jolon stated, but there was an edge of sadness that told me he hated to do anything that made me upset. He glanced past me to Sy. “Meet us at home. Give us a minute and we’ll make sure the living room shades are down so it’s safe for Lorn. You should be able to portal directly inside.”

My gentle giant nodded once, and Dason and Jolon disappeared in a swirl of magick. The conjured bed and fire Tye had created faded, leaving us in the growing darkness as the sun set outside.

“Lorn?” Chayton called as he and the others rushed into the cave now that there was room.

“Chayton.” His name came out breathless, and I went to him.

Scooping me up, he cocooned me in his arms.

“Great Spirits, you scared me…again,” he admitted, inhaling a deep hit of my scent to calm himself. “You’ve got to stop doing that. My heart can’t take it.”

“It’s like deja vu. I’ll never get used to it,” Kota whispered, and when Chayton set me down, I went to him. Without hesitation, he pulled me into his body and circled his arms around me tightly. I soaked up the affection Kota gave, using it as a balm to ease the worries taking up residence in my chest.

“Sharing is caring, brother,” Axel teased to lighten the mood, and sidled up behind me, crushing me between him and his brother. I giggled, but I secretly loved being between them.

“I can explain everything,” I said, feeling like a broken record. But I wanted them to know I was okay, and that I had answers for us.

“We’ll sort this out, baby,” Axel promised, his breath warming the back of my neck. “But we’re all pretty shaken.”

“Let’s get back to the house and get you cleaned up,” Chayton ordered.

Syler agreed by stealing me from the twins and holding me bridal style while Axel created a portal.

The familiar scents and warmth of our home settled over me. Strong hands stayed on me as Syler set me down and made sure I was steady. I gazed around to see all my mates in one place, including Tye, and laughed out a noise that sounded suspiciously like a cry, so emotionally spent, I wasn’t sure which feeling to settle into.

Seven men tensed and moved toward me in unison. “I’m okay,” I promised.

Determined to take care of me, Chayton disappeared to the kitchen and immediately started making me something to eat while Kota pulled me toward the couch and made me sit down. He checked me over for injuries, healing every scrap and bruise. When he was done, the grime coating my skin was all that was left, but I could take care of that later. Right now, I had six mates who needed to be brought up to speed.

---