17. Chapter Sixteen
I’m wildly in love with a monster DNA experiment and she’s better than any dream.
I’m in the kitchen, dancing on my feet to no music. I’ve never felt lighter or happier in my entire life. I knew dreams existed, I did, but they don’t for me. I had made peace with that.
Then, Holly happened.
I finally have my dream.
I plop the pan on the stove, pour a dash of olive oil in there, and turn the knob to get the metal hot. The coffee beeps signaling that it is done.
“Perfect. Perfect,” I say to myself when I flip the bacon.
“You are far from a morning person. I should know. I’ve watched you wake up in the grouchiest of moods.”
I crack an egg on the side of the pan and give her a wink before the egg begins to sizzle. “I think all I needed was a reason to start getting up in the mornings, Wildflower.” I put the lid on the pan to cover the egg, so it cooks perfectly.
She’s standing on the side of the island, arms crossed as if she’s cold. I groan when I see her in my shirt. All of that silky lavender skin is bright against the stark black of the Snapdragons Garage shirt she has on. It falls to her knees and the sleeves fall off her shoulders.
“Goddamn. I’ve never seen that shirt look so fucking good before.”
She blushes, her cheeks turning a darker shade of purple. “I love your shirts. They are so cozy, and they smell like you. I can’t help myself.”
She tugs the collar to her nose and inhales. “Home.”
I tug her to me and cup her delicate face in my hands, knowing she’s far from fragile. “Home, Wildflower. We’re finally home.” I kiss her deeply, my hands roaming down her wings. She’s cut holes for them in this shirt.
That’s fine. I’ll buy her all the Snapdragons Garage shirts we have if she wants.
I can’t help myself, I get a handful of her ass and squeeze. Memories from last night flood my mind, and I remember grabbing her ass as I slid in to the hilt.
“Fuck, you look so fucking good.” I cup the back of her head and pull her into a kiss.
Picking her up, I sit her on the counter. We knock over a few bowls, but I don’t care. Our mouths move together as I lift the shirt to her hips.
“No underwear. You filthy fucking girl,” I growl, spreading her legs apart so I can see her gorgeous cunt.
She’s wet.
I scoot her to the edge of the counter and drop to my knees. Her legs wrap around my neck, and I waste no time diving in. I suck her clit into my mouth, commanding a loud roar from my mate as she tosses her head back. Her fingers roam through my hair, gripping at the roots when I insert two fingers into her dripping wet cunt.
It’s the first time I can feel the suckers with my hands. Her tentacles reach out for me, wrapping around my neck like they did yesterday. They tighten around my throat, cutting off my ability to breathe ever so slightly.
I reach down with my free hand and grab my cock, stroking myself while I finger fuck her. The suckers are soft, warm, and wet. Sizes vary between them too; every round edge feels different than the other. It’s as if my tongue is getting massaged.
Her cries have me tugging on my cock faster, wanting to join her in bliss when she rips my head back by the roots of my hair.
“Don’t you dare come if you want to be a good boy. I don’t want you to waste a drop. You need to be inside me when you do.”
I groan into her cunt, releasing my grip on my aching cock. Spreading her legs, I finger fuck her faster while sucking on her clit harder.
“Fitz. Oh, fuck. Oh, God. You’re—I’m—” she cries out into the kitchen and the first squirt of her ink spills into my mouth.
She’s sweet like blackberries. God, I could spend hours on my knees for her and never get tired of drinking her down.
I rip my mouth away as she continues to pulse, spilling ink everywhere. Gripping my cock, I line myself up and drive inside her as she orgasms. The ink claim on my arm begins to move too, slithering and waving like a snake. All the way down to my cock, the mark moves faster while her orgasm continues.
Wrapping my arms around her, I bring us to the floor and place her on her back.
“Oh, God, Fitz. I can’t stop. Oh, I can’t stop.” She cups her tits roughly, kneading them with more pressure than usual. She plucks her nipples through her shirt, her voice becoming horse with how loud she is screaming.
Ink leaks all around my cock and onto the floor. Her tentacles wrap around my base again, forcing me to ram inside her. Her cries become even louder somehow, another strong intense wave of pleasure draping over her.
“Fuck, Holly. You feel so good. You’re clamping around me—” I gasp with how good she feels as she comes. “What’s happening? Why do I feel like I can’t get deep enough?” I pump into her so hard and fast; she slides along the floor.
I wrap a hand around her shoulder to keep her in place. Her tentacles pull me in with every stroke I give. The sensations are all too much. I curl over her, capturing her lips to swallow her cries.
Another knot is formed at the base of my cock. The next strokes become more difficult. Using all the force I have, I ram into her, locking us together.
I bend down, burying my face in her neck, “Holly. Ah-damn it—” I groan into her ear as I come. “You feel so fucking good. You’re doing such a good job taking me right now. You’re being such a good girl.” I moan as another orgasm is pulled from my body. “You’re taking every fucking drop, Wildflower. I wish you could see how beautiful you look right now. You’re spread so wide. You barely take my thick cock.”
She whimpers, rolling her hips up and down. I can see the edges of the tentacles. They are tight around my cock, and they will not allow me to leave her body. Not that I want to. My favorite place is being inside her.
Her orgasms become slower and further in between as she continues to make me come ever so often. I’m not sure how long we lay there locked together, having back-to-back orgasms.
All I know is the eggs are burnt and there’s smoke filling the house, but I don’t fucking care.
I collapse when the tentacles finally let me go. “I don’t know what came over me seeing you in my shirt but holy fuck, I can’t wait to do that again.”
She snickers, then yawns. “I’m exhausted. I think…I think that might have been me needing your—”
“—Come?” I puff out my chest, a little too proud at that moment.
“Yes. Would you be mad if I went back to bed?” She almost seems drugged. She’s slurring her words and unable to keep her eyes open.
She can’t wait for me to answer. Holly falls asleep on the kitchen floor. This hasn’t happened before, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and think that maybe this is part of the pregnancy process for her?
I stand and reach for the burner to turn it off so the pan doesn’t catch fire. Bending down, I pick her up in my arms, walking through the ink all over the floor. I don’t care. I hope it sinks into the wood and stains.
Climbing the stairs, I hold her head to my chest and place her on the bed.
“Whatever is happening to you, just know I’m here, okay?” I fluff the pillow behind her and kiss her cheek.
I head to the bathroom, snag a cloth, and wet it with warm water. Squeezing the excess out, I hurry back to take care of Holly. I’m not going to let her sleep with ink running down her thighs.
Parting her legs, I clean the marks from her inner thighs. I love how soft and supple the skin is here. It’s flawless and a tad shade lighter than the rest of her body.
I reach between her legs and clean her there too. She gasps and one of her tentacles sneaks out, slapping me on the arm.
“Okay, sorry. Didn’t mean to overstep.” I think the tentacles might have a mind of their own.
Covering her with the blanket, I kiss her forehead. I never want to leave this moment. This place. By her side. I know a lot of people would be mad about what she has done. For most, they would need time to wrap their heads around the situation, but not me.
Why would I be mad when this is exactly what I want? Sure, she fucked me in my sleep but I’ll be honest, I can’t wait for her to do it again. I look forward to it. Her abilities are so fucking attractive. I would lock myself in this house for her to have her way with me until she decided to allow me outside if that’s what she wanted.
If she wants a good boy, I’ll be the best fucking boy she has ever had.
She’ll never have a reason to leave because I’m going to give her millions of reasons to stay.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I stand, tiptoeing out of the bedroom, then close the door to not bother her.
Fishing my phone out of my pocket, Rhett’s name flashes across the screen.
“Hey, man. Is it time?” I take the steps downstairs slowly so as to not make a lot of noise. “Is Mickey in labor?”
“No. These kids are stressing me out and they aren’t even here yet. She’s sleeping right now but I can’t leave her side. I’m calling to ask for a favor.”
“Anything.” The scent of burnt eggs has me crinkling my nose and smoke hangs thick in the air. I need to crack a window.
Rhett is talking but I’m not listening because I walk into the kitchen and see the mess Holly and I made with ink smeared on the countertop. It drips onto the floor. The spot in front of the oven is where most of the mess is. I also need to get cleaned up since it’s all over me but I’m not ready to rinse Holly’s scent away just yet.
“Fitz, did you hear me?”
I snap out of my appreciative gaze. “What? No. Sorry, man. I got distracted.” I crack the window above the sink to air out some of the smoke. I’m able to see Holly’s house next door and see two figures walk around her car.
They remind me of the two men I came across on the road leaving urgent care. I keep an eye on them while listening to Rhett.
“Wait, do you have a mate?” he asks.
I grin. “I do. She’s amazing. I’m not sure how I pulled myself out of the dream but I did. I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“I can’t wait to meet her, Fitz. No one else deserves love more than you. I’m happy for you. Tell me about her?”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. She reminds me of Creed and you. She’s wild like Creed but has a clearer head and is able to think things through, like you. Holly is beautiful. She has lavender skin, horns, wings, a siren voice, and the ability to invade my dreams because she’s part succubus. She’s strong, Rhett, and protective. I love her. It’s crazy but—”
“—It isn’t crazy. That is how it is supposed to be with fated mates. Love is immediate. I really am happy for you, Fitz. You’ve taken care of everyone else for so long. I’ve always wanted this for you. For someone to take care of you.”
I clear my throat, not wanting to get too emotional. “Thanks, Rhett. That means a lot. “Okay, what did you need me to do before you make me emotional?” I chuckle, wiping under my eye.
I can’t help it. I wear my heart on my sleeves.
“I need you to go to the shop for me. Remember not to work. I really need you to bring me the order book. I have a few phone calls I need to make.”
“I can do it, Rhett. Don’t sweat it. I’ll call them.”
“No, please.” He drops his voice to a whisper. “If I don’t find something else to do besides hover over Mickey, she might kill me.”
Laughter barks out of me as I pour coffee into a thermos, spilling a little on the counter.
Eh, I’m not worried about it. It can be added to the mess for all I care.
“No, problem. Give me around an hour?” Peeking out the window again, the two men are still in her driveway, talking to one another with animated hands.
They are arguing.
“That’s fine. Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“Sure,” I check out of the conversation, watching these two people at Holly’s house. I don’t want to wake her but I’m worried. “I’ll call you later.” I hang up the phone, tossing it on the counter.
“People are wild. Fucking around on someone’s property. You’ve got to be kidding me,” I grumble under my breath.
My phone vibrates on the table, and it is Rhett calling me again, but I ignore it. I need to see what these two men are up to. When my phone stops ringing, it starts again, and this time it’s my sister’s name on the screen.
No way in hell am I ignoring that.
I answer it as I walk into the living room. “Hey, Sis. How is my nephew?”
“I’m fine, Uncle Fitz. Really.” Elijah’s deep voice takes me by surprise.
“Hey, Eli. It’s good to hear your voice. Are you feeling okay?” I open the lid to the ottoman, snagging my gun, and tucking it in my waistband.
“I feel a lot better. Tired. Mom said we are coming to live with you because of Grandpa?”
“Yeah, you guys are coming to live with me. I know that messes up your classes, but we will figure it out.”
“Actually, the rest of the year I’m doing classes online. The school has been really great about the surgery and they are working with me. I can’t wait to come live with you.”
I’m excited too. I’ve missed out on his life since moving away. I’m a little nervous to introduce him to my friends and Holly. Hopefully, it rains so that the spell Caden and his witch friend cast works on them.
What if they have mates too?
“I’m excited too, Eli. You’re going to have to catch me up on your life when you get here. When will you two be on your way?” I march to the kitchen window again, peeking out to see them walking around her house now.
“A few days. They said it could take up to a week for me to be discharged. I spiked a fever last night, so they are keeping an eye on me.”
“Do you still have a fever?” I’m worried. He has never been sick like this before.
“No. I’m fine. I got up and walked around. I feel fine, but they won’t let me leave yet. I’m bored. I just want to come see you.”
“Focus on getting better and you’ll be here before you know it. Maybe I can get you a part-time job at the shop? I know it isn’t much but—”
“—That would be awesome! I’d love to work with you, Uncle Fitz. I’ve missed you, you know. It isn’t the same without you.”
I smile, my heart twisting with how much I miss him. “I couldn’t agree more. We’re all better when we are together. Stronger too.”
“Grandpa is serious this time?” His voice becomes hard with anger. “I won’t let him touch Mom.”
“I won’t either. I won’t let him get to you either.”
“The doctor just walked in. I have to go. I’ll call you later, okay? I love you.”
I’m the luckiest fucking guy on this planet. Not many men his age are so in tune with their emotions. I always told him growing up that it’s okay for men to show how they feel. It’s healthier to express our feelings so we don’t bottle them up and become bitter, angry, and resentful.
“I love you too, Kiddo. Text me what the doc says.”
“Will do.”
He hangs up the phone, and I blow out a stressful breath, tucking my phone into my pocket. I’m happy Heather and Elijah aren’t here right now. I don’t want them to see what’s going on or why I have a gun tucked in the back of my waistband.
Snagging my baseball cap from the hook, I put it on backward, unlock the door, and step outside.
It’s a warmer day than usual. It’s why Rhett, Mickey, and Creed were swimming yesterday. I think it’s the last warm weather front we will have until the snow comes because the nights are turning frigid.
I step out from the porch, leaning against the beam and crossing my arms. The two men are pacing next to her car, talking to each other but I can’t tell what they are saying.
Stepping onto my front lawn, I make myself known. “Hey, there. How are you doing?”
They turn to look at me and both have bright yellow eyes. Their cheeks have feathers, and they try to hide themselves by keeping their heads down.
I can see them.
“We need to know where the girl is who lives here.”
I can’t tell which one speaks but it doesn’t matter. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen her.”
“You haven’t seen her? She lives next door,” he sneers, taking a step forward.
His friend stops him from getting closer by grabbing his shoulder.
“Just because she is my neighbor doesn’t mean anything. I’m barely home as it is. Maybe I can leave her a message for you.”
“I think you’re lying. You reek of the scent we found in the woods.”
I have no idea what they are talking about, but I do feel caught. I forgot about her scent. Of course they can smell her.
“That was our van. I want to know where the fuck the money is.”
Holly hasn’t told me the entire truth about how she got here. I don’t know anything about the van or money.
“I’m sorry, fellas. I have no clue about the van or money. I’ll let her know your concerns though.”
“How about you stop the bullshit? Either you give her to us or I’m going to kill you and burn everything in this house and your house down.” Smoke drifts from his nose, reminding me of Creed.
He’s part dragon. I wonder if this guy is too.
“There’s no need for the hostility guys. I’m only trying to help you.”
In a blur, they are both standing in front of me.
Oh, shit.
They are part vampire like Creed and Rhett. If I’m not careful, I don’t stand a fucking chance. I can’t hide the slight fear stuttering in my heart. I’m fucking human. Anyone who says they wouldn’t be scared in this situation is a fucking liar. Unless they have the ability to match these two standing in front of me.
“I smell her on you. Did she tell you what she did to our mate?”
My heart falls out of my chest when I hear those words. I continue to play stupid. “I don’t know what you’re talking about guys. I really don’t. I don’t know who you are looking for.”
He pulls down his hood and snakes his hand out so fast, I don’t have time to defend myself. His nails lengthen, the sharp points threatening to sink into my jugular. I’m afraid to swallow. His claws might rip my skin open with a simple movement.
“I smell her all over you. Not only do you know her, you’re claimed. She’s your mate.”
“A mate for a mate, Rolo?” The other guy finally speaks up. “I think that’s fair.”
“You know what? I think you’re right. And then, I’m going to take your mate,” he snarls in my face. “After I’ve killed you. And I’m going to torture her for what she did.”
My eyes narrow at him. “Good luck with that. She is going to chew you up and spit you out.”
He growls, picks me up by my throat, and then throws me across my lawn. My back slams against the tree in my yard. Pain ripples down my spine and I grunt when I hit the ground.
The gun falls from my waistband and onto the grass behind me. I stay where I am so I can at least have access to a weapon. I’m not sure if bullets will kill them but I have to try to slow them down.
I pat the ground behind me, searching for the Glock. Every second feels like a century. They use their advanced speed and right as I wrap my fingers around the barrel, lift the gun, pull the hammer back, and aim, glass shatters from up above me.
Pieces fall onto my head, a larger shard skewing my forearm.
“Fuck!” I shout, having to drop my weapon.
Holly lands in front of me, wings spread like a guardian angel. Her wingspan is impressive. Fully stretched wide, they must be the largest wings I have ever seen. Her feathers shine in the rare light beaming from the sky.
“You made a mistake threatening my mate,” Holly hisses.
“We will leave you alone if you give us the money you stole from us.”
“You mean the money you stole first?” Holly asks, morphing into the human I met her as. “Does this help you have this conversation?”
I still see her beast just like I did before, only it’s more like a shadow. I understand now. She was trying to disguise herself around me. I wasn’t losing my mind. I was seeing her for her only I didn’t know it at the time.
“I can take her form because I killed her. I will forever be able to take her form.”
Both men are stunned, sadness hueing their violent eyes as they stare at her.
“She was kind,” Holly says. “She was so sweet complimenting me, but I had just crawled out of a fucking grave and all I had was my mate’s scent pulling me here. I had to get to him, and she got in my way. I killed her. I took your money. And I don’t plan on giving it back. How did you find me, anyway?”
“GPS tracker on the van, you stupid bitch.”
I clamp my teeth together when I yank the piece of glass out of my arm. Blood flows freely, dripping onto the grass. I have to support my wrist with my uninjured arm as I lift the gun, aiming it at one of the men.
I pull the trigger, a loud crack echoing for miles. Jake will be called soon. There’s no mistaking what that was. The bullet slams into his chest, right where his heart is, and while it doesn’t kill him, it surprises him.
“No one calls her a stupid bitch.” I struggle to stand, lifting the gun again.
Holly’s voice changes, a soothing tone that must be her siren voice. It doesn’t work on me but the two men relax, staring at her as if they are in a trance. She changes into her normal form, and I like it so much more than her disguise.
I knew there was something special about her when I met her.
“What are you doing?” I question with a bit of impatience. “Kill them.”
“I need answers only they can give. I’m sorry for not telling you about this.” Regret is etched into her face as her brows tense before she looks away from me to our company. “I notice you’re DNA experiments. Where did you come from? I was sure I was the only one?”
“Another creature killed everyone and set the prisoners free.”
“He’s talking about Creed,” I inform her. “That’s what Creed did.”
“So you didn’t come from the facility I did? Did you travel to that campsite in the woods?”
The two new DNA experiments nod.
It dawns on me that there wasn’t one testing facility but two.
“What did your scientists look like?”
“One had glasses, another had one eye, the other—”
Holly lifts her hand to silence them, and they listen.
“That’s not possible. I had the same scientists. They couldn’t have been in two places at once,” she talks to herself more than she talks to me.
“Unless the scientists rotated, Wildflower. It’s possible.”
“I think I was the only one from where they kept me. I never heard anyone else. What if I’m wrong and they are still trapped? What if there are more like me?”
“Then we will go check.” I cover the wound on my arm with my hand to stop the bleeding. “But we need to deal with them.” I point to the two men who are very subservient to her siren voice. “And your van. We need a new license plate. I didn’t realize you were a criminal,” I smirk. “Kind of hot.”
She smirks at me before pulling her wings back until they are nearly flat, then flaps them to create wind. Holly aims her head down, horns straight, and she jets through the air, stabbing her horns through one threat. She flies higher, ripping the body from her horns and detaching his head from his body.
Blood rains from the sky before she drops the carcass and swoops down, snagging the other by her talons. He screams from her tight hold on his shoulders and as he is screaming, she twists his head off too. His cries for help become lifeless gurgles as she finally rips his head from his shoulders.
Holly lands, dropping the head next to his body, and wipes her hands on my shirt she’s wearing. Her feathers are covered in blood.
“No one threatens my mate.” She kicks their dead bodies and then walks towards me.
I should be terrified.
I’m not. I’m ready to fuck her on top of their bodies if she wants.
When she’s close enough, I snag her by the back of the neck and haul her in for a kiss.
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.”
The unknown voice has us stopping mid-kiss. Holly spins around to protect me and I look over the top of her head to see a skeleton figure standing next to the bodies.
“Lorcan?” Holly asks in surprise and disbelief.
Lorcan. I know that name. Rhett and Creed told me about him and The Four Horsemen. Lorcan is a Void, a reaper who works for Death.
“Girl, what the fuck is this? You escape and cause chaos? You’ve always kept me busy.”
Holly squeals, running to give him a big hug, and I wish a bullet could kill him. I don’t like him touching what’s mine.
“You’re leaving a mess just like Creed and Rhett. I’m here to take their souls but The Four Horsemen will come for answers. You know you just can’t go around killing people.” Lorcan places his hands on his hips. “I’m going to have to ask my boss for a raise. You monster DNA experiments keep me busy. Do you think it’s easy to have this job? I like to relax too, you know. I’ve got to go. We will get together soon.” He snaps his fingers, disappearing with the bodies, and leaving us alone.
A few seconds of silence ticks by to soak in what just happened.
I finally speak. “So you killed a woman, stole her van, and the money they robbed from a bank?”
“Yes.”
“And you bought this house with that money?”
“Some of it. Nothing is in the house. It isn’t even furnished. I only bought it to be close to you.”
“God, you are fucking crazy, and I love it,” I growl, pulling her into another kiss. “Before I was interrupted, I was on my way to the shop for Rhett. I’m going to take your van and make sure there’s no mistake it’s yours and not the woman you killed. I know you’re tired. Why don’t you stay and nap? I’ll be back.”
“I’ll come with you. I don’t feel okay leaving you alone. Keys are under the pot on the porch to the van.”
“It’s probably best if we shower first. We both have blood all over us.”
Her eyes sparkle with mischief, and she launches herself in the air, slipping into the window she broke.
“Cheater!” I shout after her, running through the door and then up the steps.
I should be more bothered by what happened. I’ve learned one thing in all the time I’ve been on my own.
Evil deserves to die, and I refuse to shed one tear over their deaths.