15. Chapter Fourteen
I’m at Rhett’s house, sitting on the bench near the lake as he swims in his crocodile form. I take a swig of beer, fighting the urge to fall asleep because I’m so exhausted.
Rhett is pulling Mickey through the water, his tail wrapped around her so she can get some relief. She still hasn’t given birth. The poor woman is miserable. Rhett is dragging her around to give her body a rest. Her ankles are so swollen. Not that I would tell her that.
I care about my life, and I have no doubt Mickey would want to kill me but she wouldn’t be able to, so Rhett would do it.
“You still smell bad.” Creed takes the spot next to me, cracking open a beer. He has Storm, his feral fucking child, attached to a leash, letting him fly over the lake. The kid dives head-first into the water, zooms out, and throws fireballs in the sky. “And why is your tongue black?”
Creed continues drinking his beer, all while his own harness strapped to his chest is being tugged on.
“And you’re still a pain in my ass,” I reply, gulping another mouthful of beer. I shouldn’t be here. I have too much on my mind. “Why my tongue is black, is none of your business.”
“It’s what Demi told me earlier today. It’s why I’m here, unfortunately. She deserves some peace since she is pregnant again. Storm can be a handful sometimes. And why isn’t it my business? You’re walking around with a black tongue.
“I don’t know why it’s black, okay? I woke up with it like this. There are many questionable changes happening to me, and I have no answers.
“That sucks. Maybe you’re dying. Hey, if you are, I’ll put you out of your misery quickly. I won’t let you suffer. I’m nice like that.”
I roll my eyes. “Wow, thanks for having my back. You’re so thoughtful.”
“I know. I wish others could see that. I am a thoughtful person.”
Thoughtful as a fucking rock smashing a windshield.
I look out onto the lake and see Storm light a tree on fire.
Creed crushes his beer can, places it on the ground, and stands. His wings burst from his back, and he launches himself into the sky. “Don’t you dare keep blowing that fire, young man! Do you know what you will do to this ecosystem if you burn it down?” he yells, sounding completely different than I expected him to.
I’m not sure what I thought he would do, but I didn’t think he would actually sound like a parent. He’s so… Creed.
Luckily, the tree Storm lit on fire was growing out of the water. Creed uses his wings to wave the water onto the burning branches.
“No fireballs. We talked about this,” he warns. “And if I see another, I’m telling your mom to zip-tie your wings together so you can’t fly.”
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be here listening to conversations that should never exist.
Yet here I am.
I down the rest of my beer, plopping the can next to Creed’s on the ground. I’ll take them to the recycling bin when I head home. I bury my face in my hands, blowing out a stressful breath.
A loud growl has me tilting my head up to see Creed and Storm barreling toward the water like a cannonball. The splash is huge. Water sprays all over me, soaking my clothes, my hair, and my face.
And I can’t help but laugh.
My phone rings, blaring my sister’s ringtone from my pocket. I scramble to answer knowing this phone call is going to give me an update on Eli. Her name brightens the screen and with shaking fingers, I swipe to answer it.
“Will he be okay?” I ask without wasting any time.
Creed, Rhett, and Mickey are staring at me with concern. Storm is too little to understand so he continues being a menace to society.
“Sorry it took so long to call back. It’s been chaos. Elijah just got out of surgery.”
“Surgery?” I shout and stand at the same time. “What do you mean, surgery?”
“He’s okay, Fitz. He needed his appendix removed. He is okay. He is alive. He is still asleep. If he is up for it, I’ll have him call you later. We should be able to get there soon. He’ll need to rest the moment he walks into your house though.”
“Of course. I just want him safe and okay. He will heal? No complications during surgery?”
“No, no, nothing like that. Everything went as expected, Fitz.”
I pinch my eyes together to try and stop the onslaught of emotions. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if Eli had died. There would be a part of me that would never be able to heal.
“That’s a relief. I’ve been so fucking worried.” I fall onto the bench, plopping down hard on the old wood. “That’s good.” Rhett shifts into his human form, wrapping his arms around Mickey. He lifts up a thumb to signal if everything is okay.
I return the thumbs up and a big grin washes over his face.
“No word from Dad yet?” It’s the one issue that’s been eating away at me. I know he is waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
“Nothing yet. Maybe he didn’t mean the threat. He doesn’t usually think this far ahead. He attacks before he thinks. You know that.”
I shake my head in disagreement, staring out onto the lake where my friends are. “This was different. You’re going to have to believe me.”
“I’ll always believe you,” she yawns. “Sorry, I’m so exhausted.”
“It’s okay. You need to rest. Get some sleep while he is.”
“I’m going to. I’m not going to leave his side though. This entire experience made me age twenty years. I swear, Fitz. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so afraid as I was when they took him into surgery.”
“I wish I could have been there. Get some rest, okay? I’ll see you two soon.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Sis.”
Ending the call, I lean back onto the bench and stare up at the sky, releasing a giant breath until there isn’t any air left in my lungs.
“Everything okay?” Rhett calls out from the middle of the lake, rubbing Mickey’s stomach.
Life is wild.
All the emotions and ups and downs this invisible force brings are exhausted. Some days, I’m not sure how to ride this rollercoaster anymore. Some days, surrender seems so much sweeter than dying to survive. However, if I kept that mindset, I’d miss out on the good parts of life.
Like watching Storm light Creed’s face on fire. It doesn’t hurt Creed but it sure does make me feel so much better.
“I’m going to go. Let me know if those babies make an appearance,” I shout to Rhett.
Rhett kisses Mickey on the cheek, whispering something in her ear that makes her smile and nod.
What I’d give to have a love like that.
Mickey continues to float on her back while Rhett swims to shore to see me off. He’s naked when he steps onto shore. I can’t help it. I stare at his cock because it’s a fucking jellyfish and never in my entire life have I seen anything like that before.
He snaps his fingers. “My eyes are up here, Fitz.”
“Yeah, but your jellyfish cock glows neon blue and it’s down there.” I point. “You expect me not to look? How can I not look? It’s like telling somebody not to turn around when they see someone they don’t like. It only makes me want to look more.”
Rhett’s laughter bellows, snagging a folded-up towel lying peacefully on the grass. “I guess that’s understandable. Want to touch it?”
I rear back, wide-eyed, and excited but not sexually. Who else gets to touch a jellyfish peen? “For science?” I ask, maintaining the humor.
“Anything for Science.”
He stares at me.
I stare at him.
A quick second of me thinking about if I want to touch it has my hand twitching. We both toss our heads back with laughter.
“I’m not touching that damn thing. You’re out of your mind. Like I want to get shocked?”
“I’d kill you if you did!” Mickey shouts from the lake.
“Storm, don’t make me muzzle you. No biting!” Creed continues to battle with his son.
Rhett wraps his towel around his waist, tucking the corner in so it doesn’t fall off. “You need to tell me what else is going on with you, Fitz. I know when you’re hiding something.”
I rip off my baseball cap, thinking about what to say to him, and run my fingers through my hair, debating on the truth.
“Well, my nephew just got out of surgery—”
“—Not that.” He lifts his hand to stop me from talking. “I heard that conversation between you two when I was in the lake. I’m glad he is okay, but there is something else you aren’t being honest about. What is it?”
I sigh, raising my shirt to show him what I’ve been dealing with.
He’s silenced.
I lower my shirt, clearing my throat. The silence expands until it becomes heavy and awkward.
“That’s why you fucking stink,” he says as it dawns on him. “You have a stalker.”
I correct him. “No, no,” I shake my finger. “I have a monster who is nervous to reveal herself. There’s a difference.”
“Is there?” He smirks. “Because I still stalk Mickey, and Creed stalks Demi every day. I’m surprised he is here now that I think about it.” His brows pull together then turns his head to see Creed playing with Storm.
To me it looks more like fighting, but what do I know?
“Be careful, okay? We are dangerous, Fitz.”
“You’re no more dangerous than a regular human being, Rhett.”
“That’s not true and you know that. Don’t fool yourself.” He closes the distance between us with his giant crocodile feet. “If I wanted to, I could rip your head off from your body before you could speak your next word. I have nothing but primal urges and instincts. If anyone looks at Mickey, if a man’s eyes linger too long, I have blood on my hands. I’m not like Creed. He doesn’t care who he kills. I don’t either but it doesn’t mean I don’t wish things were different. It doesn’t mean I don’t wish to feel more human. Granted, I feel more than Creed does, but you need to be careful. I hope whoever this monster is, they are your fated mate and they aren’t here to hurt you, but it makes sense. The smell and the markings, they have claimed you. You don’t know who it is?”
“No clue,” I say. “And I don’t know if there is a monster. Maybe I’m losing my mind.”
“You aren’t. We are really great at evading if we don’t want to get caught. It’s only a matter of time. When is all this happening? Do you know?”
“I wake up like this,” I answer, lifting my shirt again to show how far the black mark travels. “It’s like lightning.”
“It’s probably happening while you sleep. I’m not sure what kind of a monster can do that. What are your dreams like?”
My cheeks redden immediately with embarrassment.
Rhett grins, flashing his fangs. “I see, well, that answers that. Try to find something in that dream that helps bring you back to reality. Wake up to see the truth, Fitz. You’ll have your answers. If you find out that your mind is gone, that’s okay, I love you enough to take care of you. You look exhausted so why don’t you go get some sleep.” He winks. “Keep me updated.”
I salute him with a finger. “Will do.”
“And stay away from the shop. I’ve closed it. You have other things to focus on. And to be honest, it’s still airing out. I’m not sure what your monster did but it fucking reeks.”
“Rhett! Come swim!” Mickey shouts.
I give Rhett a slap on the arm. “I’ll see you later. Have a good time. I’m going to go home and crash. I can barely keep my eyes open.” I sway on my feet, exhaustion hitting me like a brick wall. “I really need to go.”
Rhett steps in front of me to stop me. “You look like you have worked three days straight. Why don’t you take the spare room? I don’t feel comfortable with you driving.”
“I’m fine. It isn’t a far drive. Remember, I’m only across the lake. I’ll get the rest of my stuff later if you don’t mind.”
“We will leave it in your room for when you’re ready. No rush. This will always be your home, Fitz.”
I step in and give him a hug, slapping him on the back. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
He shoves me away, covering his mouth and nose.
“Oh, come on. It doesn’t smell that bad. You’re being dramatic.” I begin to walk away, my vision blurring with the need to sleep.
“It is for us paranormals! Anyone else’s scent is atrocious!” my best friend yells.
I happen to like that I smell like someone. I am obsessed with the fact that there is someone out there who wants me so badly that they mark me to warn everyone else away. I belong to someone.
I’ve never belonged to anyone. I’ve always been isolated and alone in a sense. I’ve always had to depend on myself. That’s how I was raised. By watching what my parents said and how they acted, I learned the only person I could trust in the world was me. No one else was going to support me. No one else would save me. And no one else would love me.
What is it like being loved?
Not friend love or parental love, whatever that’s like, but the all-consuming, rageful, will do anything for you, kind of love. The love that knows no bounds. The love that will kill everyone if it means my heart got to beat one more time. The type of love people heal from.
I want that.
I need to heal because I’m tired. I ache. I’m sore. My heart beats, sure, but my blood is tired of feeding a lonely soul. I’m battered. I’m damaged. All my pain is my own doing, I realize that. I’ve always been the life vest. This time it’s me who is drowning.
It’s me who needs to be saved.
By the time I’m climbing into the truck, I question how I got here for a second. I’m so tired. Maybe I should take the spare room in Rhett’s house. Even as the thought crosses my mind, I press the button to start the engine. A pull is tugging me home. It’s only a five-minute drive.
I can do it.
“Wake up. Fitz.” I scrub my eyes, yawning as the energy continues to be drained from me. “What the fuck is going on?” I’ve never experienced this kind of lethargy.
Putting the truck in drive, I sit up close to the steering wheel to look out the windshield. I need to be able to see where I’m going. My vision blurs. My eyes droop. The truck swerves off the road.
I yank the steering wheel the other way. The tires burn against the pavement, skidding across the black road as I try to get control. Not even the adrenaline is enough to awaken me.
I miss a tree by an inch, the branches and leaves scrape against the passenger side of the truck. Intense scratching, like nails on a chalkboard, has my ears ringing. The road, the trees, the sky, everything begins to swirl together as the need to sleep inches closer to being victor.
“Stay the fuck awake.” I slap myself in the face, the fresh sting on my cheek gives me a bolt of energy. Tingles spread down my neck, jumpstarting my body enough to get a clear head.
I can see the road.
And I am not fucking on it. I’m driving on the side of the road, kicking up grass and mud as my tires spin to gain traction.
I slap myself again. “Son of a bitch,” I yell, hitting the same cheek I did before. The fatigue is a villain trying to drag me down, but the pain is what is keeping me awake.
Getting enough clarity, I jerk the wheel to the left, the large truck bouncing from the uneven ground to get onto the road.
“Stay awake. Stay awake,” I chant, pinching the underskin of my arm. “Fuck, that hurt. I swear, if I see my mate, I’m going to spank her for doing this to me.”
The real question is, do I have a mate? Wouldn’t she be watching me right now? Following me? Looking in the rearview mirror, there isn’t another car behind me or in front of me.
I’m alone.
Where is she?
I’m worried that I’ve made all this up. What if I was the one who did this to my body? I need to set up a camera in my bedroom, then I’ll have all the proof I need for my theory.
Turning right onto the road that leads to my house, I stare at the sign that wasn’t there before.
Hollyhocks Rd.
Only one person could have done that.
Holly.
“Holy shit, you fucking idiot,” I whisper in realization.
It’s Holly. The monster I’ve been seeing when she is around is her. It has to be.
“This is fucking wild.” I practically bounce in my seat to get home while still fighting how tired I am.
It’s as if gravity is pushing me down to the ground and I’m fighting every fucking second of this force.
My house and Holly’s come to view. Her old yellow Volkswagen van sits in her driveway, proving she is home. Maybe she isn’t if she has wings… I still have a feather on my nightstand.
It isn’t from my pillow. It’s from her.
I’ve never been more sure about anything.
Pulling into my driveway, I’m not sure if I turn off the truck or not when I open the door. I don’t know if I shut the door either. I’m too tired. I’m swaying back and forth, stumbling towards my front door.
Losing my footing, I trip over myself, slamming my back against the faded red brick wall next to the door.
Deep breaths in and out.
I’m so tired. I scramble for my house key. The metal clinks together, the loud clinking has me covering my ears and the keys fall to the ground. Even the scratch against the concrete walkway against my keychain has me wanting to faint.
I can barely stand.
Sliding down the wall, the material of my Snapdragons Garage shirt tugs on the brick, no doubt ruining it.
I’m too tired to care. I’ll take a quick nap on my porch. Right here. Just a few minutes.
That’s…all…I’ll…need.
I’m standing in the middle of an empty store. There are mirrors all along the walls and the floors are slick polished concrete. There are long silver poles evenly spaced between one another. Surrounding the poles are thick mats. The lighting is dim and sultry. Circular red couches strategically surround every pole.
A soft slow beat begins to thump the speakers anchored to the wall.
“Sit down, Doe Eyes. Let me put on a show for you.” Holly’s voice cuts through the music, forcing me to move my legs.
I do as I’m told because I want to be her good boy.
The floor is cold against the pads of my feet as I walk over to the couch, plopping down on the red velvet cushions. The material is soft and warm against the palm of my hand.
A finger under my chin forces my head up. I’m staring into glowing amber irises while falling in love with her horns. Holly’s blue hair cascades down her shoulders, the left side of her head is freshly shaved and I fucking love it. I bite my lower lip, leaning forward to rob her of a kiss.
Her tail slithers over her shoulder and it shoves into my chest to push me back.
“Behave, Doe Eyes.”
The tail wraps around my throat, giving me a slight squeeze.
“Sit down. Keep your hands to yourself. And watch the show I put on for you. Can you do that for me?” she asks, taking a step onto the mat platform.
I nod in a daze.
She grins. “That’s my good boy.”
She’s wearing a sheer black top with emerald gems decorating the middle to cover her nipples. Her cleavage is pushed up, the dim lights shining on the tops of the swells. My mouth fucking waters. I want more.
The panties match, the emeralds glittering with wealth, and hiding the tight pussy I want to sink into it.
I rub a hand over my mouth while taking a deep breath to maintain control. I have to be good, or she won’t give me what I want. I’m her good boy and I have to behave as such.
“If I’m going to dance, I need something pretty to look at.” Holly snaps her fingers and my clothes disappear.
I’m sitting naked on the couch now. My reflection in the mirrors shows the state I’m in. My legs are slightly spread, giving me a view of my erect cock standing straight. I reach for my shaft for a quick touch when her wings stretch out in front of her and pin my arms on the couch.
“Don’t you dare touch yourself,” she growls. “I’ll touch you when I’m ready. I’ll make you come when I fucking want you to come.” Her shifted tentacled tongue swipes across my cheek, and I moan, wishing she would suck my cock. “And when I do, you’ll pump me full of every drop. Won’t you?” she croons, kissing the shell of my ear. “Are you going to breed me, Doe Eyes?” She hums, straddling my lap, and my cock jerks with a bead of precome dripping off the tip. “I need you to. I want you bound to me in every single way.”
I’m gasping for breath, my chest rising and falling in anticipated beats. “I want nothing more. Fuck me, Wildflower.” I reach for her thighs to pull her down on me when her wings slam me down.
She’s put me in my place.
And I fucking love it.
“I can’t breed that pretty little cunt if you won’t let me.”
A villainous laughter ignites her. “You’re so cute if you think you have any say in what I want to do and take from you.” Her lips find mine and they form together. The softness of her lips against mine feels like home.
I never want to be anywhere except with Holly, our bodies touching, and our lips connected. I push against her wings to be freed. My arms twitch to wrap around her and pull her close. She doubles down, pressing me harder onto the couch.
“Behave,” she warns in a flirtatious quip.
She’s a vision, and I can’t focus on anything other than her body so close to mine. “You make it so difficult to be good.” I inhale a deep breath, leaning forward for another kiss.
Right when our lips brush together, she presses her hand against my chest and shoves me back.
“Being good is supposed to be difficult, Doe Eyes.” She stands, wrapping her hand around the silver pole.
Her gaze lands on my straining cock. Precome drips freely at this point, creating a slick spot against my stomach. Holly’s nostrils flare, her tongue flicking out as if she wants to suck my cock. The suckers seem alive with how they move.
My fingers dig into the couch to find some damn self-control. A quake shivers my body as I watch her wrap her leg around the pole.
I like this dream.
I like this dream a lot.
“Fuck,” I curse in a harsh gasp when she flips upside down, spinning slow and steady to the beat of the music.
She hangs upside down, her ankles crossed over one another, and her tail disappears behind her back. The straps of her bra become loose, and with a sly grin, she flips again, her legs squeezing the pole how I wish she’d squeeze my face with her thighs while I plunge my tongue into her cunt.
Her tail wraps around the pole, her ankles still crossed, but we are face to face now. She slips the loose straps down her arms, dangling the bra in my face before tossing it into my face.
I pick it up, press it against my nose, and inhale her sweet scent. A spurt of come jets from my cock. I try to breathe through it and control the rest of my orgasm. “I want to be good. I want to be, Wildflower, but you’ve got me on edge. You smell so fucking good.” I moan, burying my nose into her bra again.
“So stop smelling me so you can be a good boy again because right now, I’m not convinced.”
I toss the bra over my head to show her how compliant I am. The music picks up pace and she begins to move, her hands roaming up her body. She cups her breasts, playing with the rods piercing her nipples. The chains that are usually attached to them aren’t there, and I miss them. I love tugging on them to watch her mouth part in pleasure.
I’m obsessed with this monster. I never want to wake up.
“Wake up, Fitz. It’s just a dream,” I hear Rhett’s voice whispering in the far distance of my mind.
I ignore it. There’s no way in hell I’m letting Rhett ruin Holly pole dancing for me.
“Fuck, Wildflower. You look good up there. I want to kiss every inch of your skin and make you come on my tongue.”
She flicks her tongue out, splitting it into multiple tentacles. They stretch from her mouth, the tips tickling my shins. Holly drops to her knees on the mat, her tits bouncing from the motion. Her dark purple nipples have me forgetting I’m not allowed to touch myself. I reach for my cock for a quick stroke but Holly is there, her wings pinning me to the couch once more.
“I said not to touch yourself.”
“I can’t help it,” I groan. “You make me ache, Wildflower. Please,” I beg, her tongue tentacles swimming up my thigh.
She licks a rope of come from my thigh. Her eyes roll to the back of her head and come drips from the suckers as she rolls my seed over her taste buds.
“I love how you taste,” she says, scooping a lone drop from my inner thigh into her mouth.
“What do—” I swallow, fighting for my fucking life to continue to be a good boy. “—What do I taste like?”
Each tentacle shifts as her tongue wraps around my cock one by one. The suction cup of the suckers has me arching my back. I slap my hand onto the couch and shout, “Fuck, Holly! Fuck!” I almost sob from the extreme grip her tongue alone gives. “Ah, God. Fuck. Holly.” I try to push away from her because it’s too much.
My attempt doesn’t work.
When I try to pull away, her tentacles stay in place. My cock tugs and the tight hold she has on me causes my orgasm to tense my cock.
“You have to stop. You have to—I’m too—I’m too close—”
“Wake up, Fitz.” Rhett’s voice is back, ruining my damn life.
I ignore him again.
She chokes me down the back of her throat, her tentacles still wrapped tight around me. When she sucks me into her mouth, her tentacles stroke at the same time. I’m seeing stars. I’m not sure how much longer I can hold on.
Holly hums around me, the vibrations making me cry out again. “Holly!” My hands grip her by the back of her head, grasping the roots of her hair.
No one has ever looked so good on their knees.
“Is my thick cock too much for you? Look how wide your lips are spread. I love knowing how close I am to splitting you open.” The intense suction has left circular marks behind that are similar to the ones on my torso.
“Wake up, Fitz. You need to wake up. Remember the conversation with Rhett.” The voice is my own this time and it causes my surroundings to sway.
Holly unwraps her tongue from my cock. “Focus on me, Doe Eyes.” She crawls into my lap and the silk touch of her body against mine solidifies how she is meant for me. “You need me.”
“I always need you, Wildflower. Every day that passes when I don’t get to dream of you, the more tired I become. Can’t I just stay here forever?”
She cups my face with her hands as she hovers above my cock. Reaching between us, I fist my cock, aiming it at her entrance as she lowers herself down on me.
“Wake. Up!” The plea is louder, creeping closer to my consciousness.
We both gasp when her warm wet channel grips me as tight as her tongue did. Those damn tentacles stroke from the inside, the suckers giving me light kisses while she begins to rock back and forth.
I don’t stand a chance.
“Wake up. It’s a dream. She’s in your bed right now. Wake the fuck up, you idiot!” I yell at myself.
That sounds familiar. I wanted to know who was doing this to me. Is she the reason I’m marked?
There’s only one way to find out.
I force myself to wake up.