23. Lila
23
LILA
I was fucking beaming. I didn’t know where this energy was coming from—I wasn’t sure why excitement coursed through me, sending me off the edge—but I knew I had to run.
I ran so fast on all four paws, the pads were the only thing touching the ground, and just barely, at that. I wanted as little scent to be left behind as possible. I knew these guys now. It wasn’t like when I’d had to run from them for my life; I knew what they were capable of, I knew more of their skills, and I was going to make this as difficult for them as possible.
The wind whipping through my fur, kicking up the dirt, jumping off rocks and tree limbs where I could, I blasted through the conservation forest. Cartway Park was still locked down, so I knew it would be safe to run through without being seen. I was speed, I was lighting, I was undetectable, and I felt it with everything inside my soul.
Lightning, eh? Weylin’s voice echoed in my head.
Shit.
Pack link, angel. Your excitement causes you to project quite loudly. We will have to work on that. Rainor sounded further away.
You’ve split up , I concluded. It was amazing that, even though their voices were in my mind, I could make out the difference in distance. Rainor was much further away from me than Weylin, though I couldn’t tell how far it was exactly. Wait… Kagey Pagey, where are you?
Weylin laughed through the link, and he must have also tripped up, because there was a bit of cursing before he said, Give him a good chase, babe. He likes it.
I slowed to a standstill, my ears twitching, picking up any sound around me. Squirrels in a tree, a leaf falling to the ground. My eyes skimmed my surroundings, focusing far and wide. Nothing.
Where is he? Weylin?
Just whatever you do, don’t blink. Well, that wasn’t helpful.
Rainor?
Use your senses. I rolled my wolfy eyes. What did he think I was doing?
I took a few tentative sniffs of the air and froze. Rich, spicy whiskey. How? How was he this close to me so soon? I’d had a four-minute lead. I took a few steps, sniffed, turned, and took a few more, sniffed, turned, and took a few more. I repeated this to get a sense of what direction he was coming from. His scent was strong in the west, but the wind was blowing. How did that change it?
I waited for the others to chime in and tell me, but they were silent. My hackles stood on end, my wolf knowing something was eerily off. I glanced around but still saw nothing. He was getting close, though.
How the hell was a massive black wolf able to quietly and stealthily sneak up on someone in the middle of broad daylight?
I looked up to the trees, scanning the branches, before looking back down, and that was when I saw him.
Kage was low to the ground, his predator eyes locked on me as he almost lay alongside a fallen tree. I knew there was no use in running away from him, so I figured I’d try to throw him off.
I ran towards him.
Kage stood, ready for my attack as I jumped on his back. He shook out his shoulder, a light movement for him, but my momentum sent me flying.
For a little alpha, you have much to learn .
I don’t want to learn, I want to play. I ran at him again, teeth bared and ready to bite. Kage bared his teeth and nipped at me first, catching me in the leg.
Son of a — I laughed. It hurt but it was fun. My wolf took off again, into the woods. Can’t catch me, slowpoke , I yelled.
He chuckled. Kage chuckled! Victory would be mine!!!
Goddamn it! I halted, staring at the wolf before me. Kage’s head was down low, his eyes tracking my every move, his ears perked up and listening. How?
The forest isn’t linear. Stop running in a straight line , he said . You make this too easy.
There was no use in attacking Kage; I couldn’t overpower him. There was no point in outrunning him; he was a freaking ghost, popping in and out of nowhere. So, I did something my wolf promised would help. I walked up to him, showing no threat, showing no fear.
I ran my nose into his fur, breathing in the heady spiced rum scent that was all him. The scent I used to loathe every time I ran the territory line, the scent I cursed whenever I caught it in the neutral zone, the scent I fought so hard against in the beginning. I bumped into him, rubbing my body alongside his and transferring his scent to me and, hopefully, my scent onto him. Because I wanted him.
I wanted everything Kage, and even though I’d told them to leave, I couldn’t stand not having his scent around me. Filling me. Covering me. I knew the heat was over, but I couldn’t get over their touches. I couldn’t get over the warmth they filled me with. Just being in their presence settled something within me I hadn’t realized was restless.
So, this would be my last goodbye.
I walked around him, bumping my shoulder against his other hip, dipping my head under his leg. Kage lifted his back paw slightly while my tongue darted out, tasting him, giving him affection in a way my wolf told me was normal. I brought my head out, running it along his side until I got to his face.
Kage was panting, his teeth bared as he heavily took in my scent. I knew the pheromones that were coming off me were strong—I could practically taste them in the air—but I blamed it on him. I blamed it on his scent, I blamed it on his ability to chase and hunt me without me even noticing, I blamed it on the enticing way he held his wolf body that screamed power and control. Kage had me hot and bothered, and I had a feeling, even without the heat, I could be just as worked up.
I licked at his teeth, submitting to him, and then he snapped.
His teeth sank into my neck, and I let out a yelp of surprise. I wasn’t prepared, but my wolf was. Kage pushed me down by my neck, and my hind legs remained locked, my white tail flipped over my back and to the side, ready for him.
With a low growl, he adjusted his bite and body until he was positioned over top of me with his front paws on either side. Kage’s weight pinned me down, his teeth on the verge of drawing blood but not quite.
The sounds he made called to something deep within me, and with one thrust, he entered me. His dick swelling within me, each pull out became more difficult, tugging at me, and we became locked together. Sex in human form was nothing like sex in wolf form. Where stimulation to my clit would send me over the edge, Kage’s teeth in my neck, his weight pushing down, his scent encompassing me, and the deep growls vibrating through his chest and into my back while he buried himself deep inside of me was more invigorating than anything I had ever felt before.
The moment he came inside of me, I could feel it, the deep pulsing sending me over the edge. I went to move, but he was still locked within me, and it was almost painful to pull away.
Wait , he said, easing up on his bite as he began licking my neck. We are tied.
Claimed? I asked, worried.
No. He continued licking me until I felt both of our bodies relax, and then he backed away.
A howl ripped through the woods, and I knew exactly who it was. The beast .
Kage didn’t waste any time taking off. I followed, attempting to keep up with him, but it was nearly impossible. He moved like liquid, barely making a sound. As soon as I lost sight, I tried to follow my nose but was interrupted by a sweet and tangy scent.
Weylin didn’t hide his arrival in the slightest. He ran right for me, tackling me to the ground and causing us to roll. I was laughing within, my tail softly wagging in excitement. But then I remembered.
The beast , I said to Weylin.
Is behaving for now , he promised.
Well, then. I rolled off of Weylin and ran. Didn’t anyone tell you not to run from a wolf? I could hear the smile in his voice. Weylin ran with me, neck and neck, before pushing into my shoulder, sending us rolling again.
I needed more Weylin in my life. I had a lot of fun with him, and even if I was unsure about the others, I knew Weylin was there for me all the way. Whether I asked for space or needed his touch and scent, he would oblige. His company was something I cherished, his voice was seductive, and I was sure I would cry the day his scent disappeared from the house.
He pinned me onto my back, and I looked up into excited eyes.
What are you thinking of? he asked.
You can’t hear?
I feel a sadness I don’t like. His cool, wet nose nuzzled into me until he nipped at my neck. Whatever it is, I can fix it .
I rubbed my face into his neck, breathing in as much of him as I could. Then I flipped over, pushing him away with my paws before jumping upright. I flicked my tail into his face, presenting myself to him, and I could feel his excitement filter down and through me, his happiness.
You can’t fix everything , I told him
Weylin snarled, jumping onto my back. I bent for him, my tail curving up and to the side. His teeth sank into my neck, and if my vocal cords could allow for the moan to escape, I would have filled the forest with the sound. Instead, I let out a low howl.
I will fix it , Weylin said, mounting me and pushing into me. God, there was something about the way their cocks swelled inside of me that lit up everything within me. I will fix you. No matter what is going on. No matter what happens. I will be here. I will never abandon you.
He nipped at my ear, his weight forcing me down further as he locked inside of me, tying us together. His growl built louder and louder. When his teeth sank back into my neck, my eyes rolled to the back of my skull while his hot liquid filled me up completely.
Like Kage had done, Weylin’s tongue came out and ran along my neck, as if he was trying to fix the area he had been biting. Unlike Kage, Weylin was gentle and tender. I could feel his chest expand as he breathed in my scent, the rumble in his chest filling me with a warmth I had only ever felt from him. Weylin was my safe space.
Once the pressure began to ease up, he pulled himself out, but instead of walking away, his nose wandered down there, followed by his tongue. I stayed still as he cleaned me up; it was almost relaxing.
Incoming , Kage said.
Weylin stood at attention, putting himself between me and the massive ball of angry black feral rage barreling his way through the trees.
I had no doubt that the beast could take down trees simply by running them over. The amount of fury and red pulsing behind those eyes astounded me. But it didn’t scare me.
She’s mine. His voice echoed in my thoughts, sending a chill along my back. Weylin looked ready to go head-to-head with him.
Don’t , I said.
He will hurt you . Weylin’s voice was firm, as if he already knew what was to come.
He won’t. I trust myself. I trusted in my ability to stop the beast. I needed them to trust in me.
Weylin didn’t budge, but before the beast could attack him, I leaped out in front, snarling and baring my teeth, going head-to-head with him. The beast snapped at me, drawing blood, but I snapped back just as hard.
Angel, I can’t pull him back. Rainor’s voice was distant, but I could hear the concern in it.
When will you guys learn? I don’t want you to hold him back .
I could feel the moment the beast realized it was me he was sparring with. His nostrils flared, saliva dripped down his sharp savage canines, and his fur stood on end, making him appear larger than even Kage.
He attacked me again, and this time, I allowed him. Gripping my neck with his teeth, the beast shook me down into submission before mounting me, piercing me aggressively with his shaft.
My wolf cried out at the intrusion, against the pain, but we made no move to run away. We took him, as he was, and we didn’t try to dilute him.
Weylin stepped in front of me, licking at my face, while Kage stood just behind him. His eyes were locked on the beast while he snarled and snapped a warning.
There was pain while the beast was rutting inside of me, because that’s what it was—completely animalistic rutting. A display of dominance and possessiveness. And yet, I still found pleasure in it. In the way he swelled within me far beyond what I thought I could take, how he tied into me, and the way Weylin eased me during the pain, how Kage stood in warning, ready to attack, should something happen. Everything about this situation lit a fire deep inside of me, and, even though the pain was there, I never wanted it to end.
The beast came in me with a savage growl, his teeth piercing further into my skin. I yelped, causing Kage to surge forward and take the beast by the neck. I was afraid he would shake him or pull him off, and the only reason I was afraid was because he was still swollen inside of me.
But Kage didn’t. With the weight of the beast on top of me, Kage pinned him to me until, very slowly, the beast relaxed his grip on my neck. Weylin laid his nose alongside mine, silently comforting me.
I moved forward as soon as I felt the swelling go down, and Kage immediately pulled the beast back and pinned him down, thrashing as he was.
I turned to face him.
No. Weylin’s voice was a command, a tone I had never heard from him before.
I understood what he wanted, I could see the blood that dripped from the wound now coating my white fur. But I had to let the beast know that I wouldn’t stand for it. I respectfully stayed close to Weylin while I talked. Leave , I demanded of the beast.
I could feel his hesitation.
When he is wolf, I am in control . The beast struggled under Kage’s weight.
You lost control, now give it back to Rainor , I ordered.
Just like that, the large wolf beneath Kage stilled his struggles. Kage let go and took a couple of steps back, his nose sniffing the situation before him in disbelief.
What in the fuck? Weylin said, stepping closer.
Rainor stood up, and I knew the black wolf before me was Rain because his body was completely relaxed. His eyes, though still red, were calm and calculating. His fur relaxed. He stared down at his paws for the longest time before looking up at the three of us.
How? Rainor whispered. It was a question that he asked me often, and at this point, I still didn’t know what he meant. I’d just…pushed. It was easy.
I think I need to head back. The wounds in my neck were beginning to pulse with heat, my healing not taking over quick enough.
Let’s go , Kage said.
We began running back to the house. I knew my way home, but I was tired, weakness coming over me.
Running might be causing more blood loss , Rainor said.
In the next instant, Kage shifted. He walked over to me, moving towards me, as if to take me up in his arms. My wolf form was much larger than my human form, heavier too. I fought against him and shifted. My transitions were getting better—not as quick as Kage and the others—but faster than they’d been before.
The injuries in my human form must’ve looked worse because Kage’s eyes narrowed while Weylin huffed. Rainor tucked his head, ashamed. I could feel the blood dripping down my chest, however I could also feel the tightening of my skin as it worked on healing itself.
Kage scooped me up into his arms, and I laid my head against his chest. I closed my eyes, knowing I would be safe as he carried me out of the woods while the other two walked on either side of us.
Someone kept tripping, breaking branches beneath their feet, sloshing up the fallen leaves with each uncoordinated step. “Is Rainor okay?” I asked, suddenly worried. Had he been injured?
“Yes,” Kage said. “It’s new to him.”
I frowned. “What is?”
“Being in his wolf. The beast has always taken over his wolf. You’ve given him control back, for the first time in his life.”
I turned my head, so I could see Rainor. He was extremely sloppy as he walked, disorganized and unsure. Now and then, he tilted his head up, taking deep breaths. His eyes were wide as he gazed at everything around him, his eyes flickering in every direction possible. But most of all…he looked happy. Then his eyes met mine, and though I couldn’t hear the words, I could feel the emotions filter from him into my heart.
The answer to the unspoken question he asked me right now was… I didn’t know. I didn’t know how I did it, only that it felt natural, and the more I did it, the easier it became.
Kage didn’t slow his steps or hesitate as we entered the house. Not even as Max jumped up, trying to sniff me and figure out what was going on.
“I’m fine,” I reassured Max.
Kage took me right into the bathroom, standing me on my feet while he turned on the shower and adjusted the water. I almost expected him to get in with me, like he had before, but he didn’t. Once everything was to his satisfaction, he stepped out of the way while Rainor came in, helping me into the stall.
The hot water falling over my wounds felt nice. It didn’t sting, a sign that the skin was already beginning to close over.
Rainor pressed his lips tightly in a thin line, his eyes almost unreadable as he stared at my neck.
“I’m fine,” I said. “Already, the pain is going away. It just needed more time to heal. It was a little deeper than my body could keep up with.”
He ignored me, reaching for the soap and lathering it up in his hands before he began running them over every inch of my body. I remained silent as he took care of me, cleaning me not once but twice. His fingers even dipped between my legs and gently washed. After that, he directed me under the water, wetting my hair before he turned me around so my back was to him.
I closed my eyes, lost in the feel of his fingers in my hair, massaging the shampoo in, his fingertips working the tension out of my scalp. I was nearly putty by the time he turned me back under the spray of water, rinsing out my hair. He repeated the process with conditioner, taking his time to massage it into each strand of hair on my head.
Once he was finished, he turned the water off. I went to step out of the shower, but Rainor stopped me. He remained silent, grabbing a towel that had been laid out on the vanity and drying me off.
“Rain, you don’t have to—”
“I do.” He cut me off. “You may not understand it, but in the shifter world, this is important.”
I felt guilty. He likely thought he had really injured me, and yeah, it hurt in the moment, but I was almost, if not fully, healed by now. Once I was dried, he dressed me before tugging on a pair of Weylin’s sweatpants. Then he pulled out the hair dryer and began drying my hair. After all the tender care, I was a large pile of mush, more relaxed than I had ever been in my life.
I was ready to go lie down on the couch and veg out for a while, but walking wasn’t allowed, either. Rainor picked me up in his arms, one under my legs, the other around my back, and carried me out to the living room. Weylin or Kage must’ve been cooking because it smelled amazing out here.
Rainor sat down with me on his lap, then grabbed a throw blanket that had been sitting on the other end of the couch. He wrapped it around us, his arms going around me and holding me close.
Weylin walked over, holding a bowl of some sort of rice dish and handed it to Rain. Rainor took a spoonful and held it to my lips.
“Wait, wait, wait.” I smiled, unburying my hand from the blanket and pushing the spoon away from me slightly. “I’m not hurt, at all. I’m fully healed. The beast didn’t injure me that much. This is a bit of an overreaction.”
“I’m not doing this because of what the beast did, not because of the injury,” he said.
“Then, why?” I asked, puzzled.
“He’s doing it because it’s the utmost form of respect, of care, of love,” Weylin said, walking back to the kitchen like he hadn’t just dropped the “L” word on me.
“Taking care of you is the highest form of thanks I could ever give. What you did for me… I will never be able to repay you,” Rainor said.
I felt like I was missing the magnitude of this, the significance of his being in his wolf form. But it was apparent this was a normal shifter custom, so I let it go. I let him feed me and treat me like a queen while Weylin grabbed himself some food and sat next to us, turning on the TV and finding a movie, like this was the most normal thing in the world. Eventually, Kage walked in from outside and grabbed some food before sitting with us.