16. Rainor
16
RAINOR
“ S ir! You forgot to label these,” the med tech said, looking down at the baggie of blood samples.
“Jane Doe,” I informed him. “This is strictly confidential. Any information collected from this sample is not to be reviewed. All information will be put into an envelope and hand delivered to me immediately. Is that understood?”
“Do you want it to be looked over for misreadings?” he asked me.
“No. As I said, as soon as the data processes, it is to be put into an envelope and given to me. No one is to look at the results. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir.” The gamma gave me an affirmative nod and took the vials into the back of the medical wing where the labs were. I had no worries about him not following my orders.
I took the elevator from the fourth floor and down to the fifth, opting for the underground tunnel system to walk back to the condos, instead of taking the car. I needed time to think, time to walk.
I passed wolves running to and from various locations. The tunnel system was created decades ago, before the city grew so large, now reaching out to various packs. It was a way of ensuring wolves could travel where they needed to go within the city without the eyes of humans.
But I didn’t shift for a few reasons. To start, I didn’t want to cause mass panic in the tunnels. One look at me, and shifters who had heard the stories or seen the havoc I wreaked with their own eyes took off screaming. Also, I didn’t want to cause any deaths tonight. But the final reason was currently driving me—I didn’t want the beast to run back to her .
The insistent need and pull to get to Lila was enough to drive a man mad. It was all the things the beast wanted to do to her, all the things he showed me he would do to her, that worried me. He was sick. At first, I thought I could help out during her heat, but it was very apparent that would never happen. Thinking about it now, it never could’ve worked with three males and one female.
Hearing that she didn’t feel the same pull to me that I felt towards her gave me hope that I could stay away.
Once I got home, I walked through the condo, turning on all the lights before going to the gas fireplace and flipping the switch. Once everything was turned on, I stood in the middle of the near-empty, modern living room. Except, it didn’t matter how many lights I turned on; it would never feel like this home was full. It didn’t matter how high I turned up the heat; it would never be the same heat that came off Lila. The only thing this home smelled like was bleach and smoke when, in reality, I wished it smelled of creamy sweet lemon.
Collecting the blankets and pillows from the master bedroom, I brought them over to the lockdown room and made a thick pile on the floor. I never left bed frames in this room, knowing they would be smashed into toothpicks when the beast came out.
Lock the doors . I sent the mental message to Kage, knowing he would be able to do so with the app on his phone. My phone purposefully didn’t have the same ability.
I could feel his confusion through our link. The beast doesn’t feel close.
Precaution. I’ll be watching the camera from here. After a pause, the telltale sound of the locks falling into place echoed through the empty room, through the vacant condo, and through my cold heart.
Lila
It started off as a twinge, a small feeling down low that, when I rubbed my thighs together just right, felt better. But soon, that wasn’t enough. Heat spread from my chest and across my skin, and when the pressure kept building, I slipped my hand down, pressing my fingers between my folds, though I wasn’t as skilled as Weylin or Kage. I played around, trying to find the right spot to hit, the one that caused me to scream out when they had found it, but still, relief was beyond my grasp.
Frustrated, I pulled back the covers and got out of bed. My legs wobbled as the sweet scent of pineapples teased my taste buds. Weylin was in the house, the sharp scent of spiced whiskey telling me Kage was as well. But my wolf cried out at the loss of my smoky beast.
My chin shook and tears pricked my eyes, but I held them back, needing to take care of one emotion at a time. I had to do this. I only had myself to take care of. It had to be me.
Reaching into the top drawer of my dresser, I pulled out my one and only vibrator. It was a cheap, small thing, but it had always gotten the job done in the past.
“Forgive me, Max,” I said as I slipped off my tank top and pants, the heat in the room intensifying.
As I crawled back on the bed, Max jumped off it, retreating to his bed on the floor. I nearly laughed as it appeared like he purposely lay down to look away from me, but the laugh was lost in my throat as the first cramp rolled through me.
I cried out against the spasm, gripping my lower abdomen. This was infinitely worse than before. I hadn’t experienced this pain before. The muscles in my legs locked tight as the cramp took hold.
“Lila.” I was startled at the sound of Weylin’s voice through the closed door. “Do you need help?”
“No!” I called out, the tears falling down my cheeks telling me a different story. I had to do this myself.
Quickly, I turned on the vibrator and set it to high. I desperately needed it. My legs locked together against the pain radiating right through my clit. I put the vibrator on my aching pussy, hoping it would help enough that my legs would relax, but instead, I cried at the onslaught of sensations. None of them were good. I hadn’t realized how sensitive I was.
I threw the vibrator across the room, the sound of it smashing against the wall and shattering causing me to sit up and stare at the pieces all over the floor.
As the pain continued, not easing in the slightest, my thoughts spiraled. I’d have to give in, fuck one of them, end up pregnant with mates who didn’t even care about me.
I didn’t know who I was, what I wanted in life, where I even belonged, and my pussy was currently throbbing with a need so strong, it was startling. My skin was so hot that sweat now covered my body.
“Lila.” Weylin spoke calmly, his deep, sultry voice beckoning me like a siren, only…I couldn’t.
More tears fell down my face. “I’m alone, and I will always be alone. I have no one.” No pack, no family, no close friends. I had my job and my dog. But I couldn’t rely on the permanency of either. How many times had Max gotten hurt on the job and I’d thought this would be my last goodbye to him? Too many.
Everything was hopeless, and this pain just might be the end of me.
“Baby, listen to me,” Weylin said. I leaned into his voice, my thighs squeezing impossibly tighter as I sat on the edge of the bed. “I want you to close your eyes and listen to the sound of my voice.”
At a complete loss, I did exactly as he told me to, and suddenly, the room grew very quiet, everything inside of me stilling as I waited for him to speak.
“Picture me there with you,” he said, just loud enough for me to hear through the door.
Weylin stood before me—rather, the image of Weylin—as I’d seen him in the locker room after the challenge. He’d stared at me with such adoration, like I had just done something that blew his mind. His dark blond hair had been a mess, his sweet blue eyes shining with all the things he wished he could do to me.
“As you touch yourself, it’s my hands. It’s my fingers trailing along your collarbone.” Though the pads of my fingers touched my sweat-soaked skin, it was Weylin trailing his fingers down my neck and ever so slowly across my collarbone. “My fingers moving lower to take your gorgeous tits into my palms.”
A gasp slipped from my lips as my hands brushed over my sensitive nipples. The low growl that came from the other side of the door shot a string of pleasure through my body, right to my clit. Weylin was pleased by this, and that, in itself, wreaked havoc on my heart.
“Give them a squeeze, baby.” I did, remembering the feeling of his hands on me. How my skin had lit up to under touch. I pinched and teased my nipples, picturing Weylin watching me with the unadulterated lust I heard in his voice. “Mmm, just…like…that.” His scent spread through the room, sending chills down my spine.
“Now, I want you to lie on your back and spread those beautiful legs for us.”
I moved back and lay against the pillows, letting my legs fall apart, despite the cramping. I wanted to do it for him.
“Wider.”
I took a deep breath, relaxing back into his voice, picturing Weylin crawling up from the bottom of the bed, stalking towards me.
“Perfect,” he hummed. “You’re such a good girl, listening to my commands.”
My wolf preened, batting her eyes and fluffing herself up. The praise had her begging to open the door, but I was frozen, enchanted by him and unable to move unless he told me to.
“Keep one hand on your breast, baby, but I want the other one to slowly slide down. Mmm, that’s right. Along your heavenly stomach, lower still. Now, keeping it slow and gentle, start at the top of your clit and run those fingers back and forth. Remember when my tongue was right where your fingers are now? Remember how I took you in my mouth? Fuuuuck, baby, every meal I’ve had since is nothing compared to having you coat my tongue.”
Slowly, the cramping in my belly began to ease, my legs falling further apart as my muscles relaxed even more. All that consumed my mind at this moment was how it felt to have Weylin licking and sucking on my clit.
A low grunt escaped Weylin, and I bit my lip, trying to hide the smile at the thought that, as much as he was working me up, I was getting to him too.
“Think you’re ready to take me now?” he asked.
“Yes,” I whispered, my fingers picking up the pace, adding more pressure right where it felt so good.
“I can’t hear you.”
“Yes!” I called out.
“Let’s start with one finger.” I did as I was told, slipping one finger into my silky pussy. “That’s my girl, now add one more.” I slipped a second finger in, finding a rhythm as I hooked them up. A low purr vibrated through my chest, filling the room. A thump hit the door, as if Weylin’s head had fallen against it. “Lila, you’re so perfect. Think you can take three?”
I skipped three and went to four, my pace quickening as I took in the sensation.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, you didn’t listen, but, baby, look how you stretch. Oh, you were made for us. That’s right, Lila, ride it out. I’m right here with you. How I wish it was me inside of you right now, that it was my cock stretching you, pulsing deep within you.”
“Weylin,” I moaned.
“I’m here. It’s my hands, baby, touching your magnificent body.” The growl that came from Weylin sent me over the edge, my pussy clenching around my fingers as my orgasm coated my hand. His growl vibrated the bedroom door.
My body cooled down quickly after the orgasm as my mind drifted back into my body. I should clean up, but I didn’t want to move. I wanted to curl up on my side and bury myself under the covers. Something was missing, though.
The sound of the toilet flushing, followed by the sink running, filled the air. I wiped away a stray tear. The orgasm had been amazing, but why did I feel so cold now?
“Baby, can I come in?” Weylin asked. The sound of his voice was enough to generate a blip of heat, but once he stopped talking, the heat went away.
I moved and got under the covers. “Yes,” I called out, listening to my wolf’s pleas.
Weylin walked in, closing the door behind him. He didn’t hesitate to crawl onto the bed, his nostrils flaring as he inhaled deeply. “Your scent has filled the entire house, but in here, it’s amazing.” He lay next to me as I tugged the covers up, hiding my face. “Don’t. You have no idea how fucking beautiful you are to me right now. Don’t be ashamed.”
Weylin pulled the covers down and reached for my hand. He touched my fingers to his lips, as if he was applying lipstick, then sucked them clean.
“I think another wave might be coming,” I admitted.
He smirked.
I rolled my eyes and tried to pull my hand away, but he held on to it. “You’re cold.”
“Yeah, I don’t know why.” My body started to shiver, however where Weylin touched me was pleasantly warm.
Weylin paused, his body stilling as he stared off into the distance.
“Who are you talking to?” I asked.
He blinked a couple of times before focusing back on me. “Rainor. He says it’s the cool-down period after a wave.” He stood, unclipping his belt and dropping his pants.
“What are you doing?”
“Skin-to-skin contact will warm you up. Apparently, this phase ensures our mate stays with us after procreating.” His smirk grew to a grin, then he pulled his shirt up over his head before slipping under the covers. “I promise, no penetration.”
I choked out a laugh, but the moment his warm hands touched my cold skin, I wiggled closer until I was nestled in his arms.
“Unless you want penetration, that is. I’m not taking it completely off the table,” he said. I placed my hands on his sides, and he jumped. “Goddammit, female, your hands are icicles!” But instead of pushing me away, he held me closer to him. I nuzzled my face into his scarred chest, and I had to admit, I had never been so comfortable in my life.
We lay in silence for so long, I was ready to drift back asleep, content in my Weylin cocoon.
“Did you mean what you said?” he asked. “About being alone?”
I shrugged. “I think the hormones intensified it, but…yes. I often feel alone.”
He nodded, and we fell back into silence.
Unable to resist, I eventually said, “Why do you ask?”
“The orphanage I grew up in was run by bad people.” I pulled back just enough to see him. “It was built for unclaimed shifter pups with rogue parents. I never knew my parents, I only knew that hellhole. Do you know what an omega is?”
I shook my head.
“That’s what I was there. The lowest of the ranks. As a pup, I didn’t want things to get out of control, so I spent my time trying to keep the peace. Because I didn’t partake in the chaos, I became a target for it.” He chuckled. “You won’t find many male shifters able to admit that they were once an omega, but I’m confident enough in my abilities.
“It’s not our rank that make us. It’s who we are in our heart’s power that creates us. When the link between Kage, Rainor, and I was created, I thought I had snapped and created imaginary friends. A family, so I wouldn’t be alone. Brothers. Kage told me about his pack, the one he and Rainor would one day lead, and eventually, they included me in that ranking as well. We grew used to being in one another’s minds, but I was careful to block them out during the beatings and fights. I didn’t want them to see me.
“The last beating I had ever endured, I was too weak to block Rainor out. I was ten years old when they said they would come for me, break me out of the prison I lived in. And they did—they kept their word.”
Weylin leaned in, pressing his lips to my forehead. “I wanted to tell you this because what you said…about having no one and being alone? I used to feel the same thing. I know we are rough around the edges and our dynamics are off, but we are pack, first, second, and only. We will be there for pack. We will protect. You will never be alone again, Lila.”
His words sat heavy in my heart. “What happened to them? At the orphanage. I hope karma got them in the end.”
“Yeah. It sort of did. I was weak by the time Kage’s father showed up. He killed the dean and then fed me his heart. To join the pack, he had me kill everyone there and consume their hearts.”
“Fed…wait.” I sat up, staring down at Weylin. “Consumed? As in you physically ate their hearts?”
“It’s how we gain another’s hearts power, Lila. I learned that Kage, Rainor, and I weren’t exactly brothers—more like collectable weapons for his father. And that some families…some families, you shouldn’t wish to be part of.” He gave a sad smile. “We are pack, though. First, second, and only. You are our mate, you are pack now. You will always be taken care of.”
A sick feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.
Weylin reached up, stroking my cheek with a tenderness I wouldn’t have expected from someone that ate hearts. “This is the reason I won’t claim you. If shifters knew you existed, if somehow claiming one another strengthens us, it’s not just our hearts with a price tag on them anymore. Others would be going after yours as well.” He tapped my chest.
Rainor
Let me out! the beast roared as he ran at top speed into the door. He had been going mad ever since we had seen Lila take care of herself.
I gave up. I gave up talking him out of it. I gave up trying to rein him in. I gave up giving a damn. I yelled at him over and over that we were separated because of him. Because of his lack of control, and that just pissed him off even further.
I’d only seen this blind rage a few times, and it was enough to wipe out whole packs.
She is mine. He threw himself at the wall, clawing at it until our claws broke, blood coating it like a scene from a horror film. I will take her, and I will destroy anyone that tries to stop me.
He ran at the wall, headfirst, and pain shot through my skull. He was going to cause us brain damage at this rate.
I’ll claim her.
He ran again. This time, his shoulder took the brunt of the hit.
I’ll take her.
He ran…and we staggered. But the beast had one last thought before he passed out.
I will consume her. And that was why I could never be with her. He wanted her so badly, all of her, I didn’t trust that he wouldn’t hurt her to take it. At this point, I got the impression that the beast would fall for Lila’s heart so deeply, he would end up consuming it. And that would be his delusional version of true love.