Chapter Thirty-One
Atlas
My wings folded as I touched down outside the cabin, cradling Kassie against my chest. A warmth spread through me unlike anything I'd felt since drinking from the waters.
Whatever came before that, those memories I'd buried deep, seemed to matter less with her in my arms. She never pressed me about that time, as if understanding some doors were better left closed.
She never pushed me to cross that river, to venture into those shadowed memories that I could hardly remember. As if she sensed that what lay on the other bank I'd worked hard to escape.
Kassie kicked her feet playfully as I carried her across my territory. The sprigs of grass tickled between my talons as we reached the door.
“The honeymoon is where we spend some time together, all alone,” she said, twirling a tuft of my hair around her finger near my neck. “And do naughty things together until we know every inch of each other’s body.”
I swallowed heavily and already found myself becoming aroused. Who was I really kidding, though? My dick was already hard. The only reason it hadn’t slipped out of my slit was because I had her plump ass right in front of it.
My soul didn’t care; my perfect match cared for me the way I was.
I hesitated at the door. "I must warn you.
.." My voice trailed off as I pushed the door open. Like all monsters’ homes in the forest, we never bothered with locks.
After all, what idiot would trespass where creatures like me made their homes?
Any intruder would quickly become prey. Our claws and fangs ensured that.
A terrible thought came to mind. My female did not have my strength. No human did. Not in this forest. She couldn’t defend herself.
Locks! I needed to get locks. Giant, huge monster locks.
Any monster could overpower her easily. I could overpower her easily, pin her down and rut her until she submitted to me.
Woah! I just derailed there for a second.
Lucien’s scent overpowered the doorway. It lingered near the door, remnants of him still clinging to the cabin. “Your things have already been cleaned out of your home and brought here.”
Kassie gasped and gazed around the living room. Her bookcases, boxes of books and belongings, and her computer had all been packed with care and placed in the corner of the room, ready to be set up. All we had to do was unpack everything and arrange it the way she wanted.
“I could even add on to the cabin, give you a bigger space all your own. And don’t worry, I asked about the internet speed, and it’s fast. I don’t know the fancy words.”
Kassie’s mouth opened several times, and I began to panic. “Is this not right? Are you upset?” I rushed toward her things, eager to show her that nothing was damaged. “Is this not what you want?” My panic grew. “I know we’ve moved faster than human relationships, but…”
This is it. I fucked up. She’s going to want to move back in with Harlow.
I knew I shouldn’t have just assumed, but the mayor was pushing it.
I didn’t want the fox shifter trying to take her either.
It was my selfishness that moved her in.
I needed her here, where I could keep her safe, where I could have her with me at all times.
Kassie was mine, a part of me, and I couldn’t let someone try to take her from me. She was part of my soul.
Kassie closed her eyes, and a faint smile graced her lips. Her hand cupped my cheek. “If you keep flapping your wings, we are going to start flying in our house.”
I stood there, heart hammering against my ribs, certain she was about to tell me I'd crossed a line, until her words finally registered.
She said our house.
Kassie pressed her face into the crook of my neck, her warm breath tickling my skin. A contented sound rumbled from deep in my chest, something between a purr and a sigh.
Kassie's fingers trailed up my chest, her touch leaving fire in its wake.
"That worried look on your face is cute, but can't be good for you.
" Her eyes darkened as they met mine. "All that tension building up inside you.
.." She leaned closer, her lips nearly brushing my ear.
"Maybe I should help my match relax, properly. "
Night, consume me.
Just as our lips were about to meet, my tongue darting out in anticipation, someone pounded frantically at the door. My wings bristled, and a growl rumbled in my throat as I snapped my tiny fangs in frustration.
“At least they knocked,” Kassie said. “And I’m clothed.”
I set her down gently, my talons lingering against her skin. "For now," I growled, voice low enough for only her to hear. "Once I deal with whoever's interrupting us, I plan to properly celebrate our honeymoon."
Kassie bit her lip. “Just don’t rip my dress. While I don’t normally wear white, I’m kind of fond of it. Makes my bosoms look great.”
Bosoms?
She patted her breasts and then squeezed them.
Ahh, bosoms. There are so many words for breasts.
Kassie then wiggled back and forth, watching the dress swish around her knees. I could see its imperfections, but in my animalistic state, my only concern had been keeping her warm, and I have never made a piece of clothing in my life.
Hell, I didn’t even know I could make silk, but if my match wanted more clothing made from me, I’d do anything she wanted.
I licked my lips, savoring the thought of creating something just for her.
"I'll weave you more dresses, then." The familiar tingle spread across my jaw as silk gathered from under my jaw.
I wiped it away with the back of my hand, fighting the instinct to draw my claws across my glands.
Kassie's eyes widened as she leaned closer, fascinated by the process.
“Are you trying to…”
The knock came again, this time even more frantic. “Either answer the door or I will open it myself, no matter what state you both are in!”
Kassie made a face. “Why is Gideon here?”
That mayor will be the death of me.
I called out, "Come in!" while drawing Kassie protectively against my chest. The mayor had to duck his unusually large frame through the doorway before straightening to his full height and approaching us with measured steps.
Gideon's gaze fell on Kassie. "What a pleasure to find you here.
" His lips stretched into something that resembled a smile.
"I see the matching was successful. We'll arrange a proper celebration soon.
But first,"—he straightened his already perfect posture—"there are urgent matters requiring our attention. "
Wow, thanks, I only worked my ass off to get Kassie. But yeah, sure, we can talk about business.
The mayor's eyes narrowed. "We've located where the fox shifter has been hiding, right under our noses, in the apartment next to my own.
This TeaBagTitan character has been among us for quite some time.
" As he spoke, his elongated fingers curled inward, the sound of shifting bone audible as joints popped beneath his pale skin.
“So cool,” Kassie murmured as she watched the bone snap back into place.
I thought I might be sick.
Kassie shook her head and stared up at the mayor. “Wait, what do you mean ‘fox shifter’? What about Titan? How do you know about that name? Did Harlow tell you?”
The mayor formed his lips into a thin line, which appeared even scarier than the big teeth.
“I’m guessing Atlas hasn’t told you yet?”
My wings fluttered with agitation as a shrill sound escaped my throat. "I've had other priorities to attend to, as you might have noticed!"
“We’ve been rutting,” Kassie said plainly. “He can’t help it, and we are matched now, see?” She pointed to her neck proudly.
My anger faded, and I stood up straight. Hell, yeah! I did that.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything about it yet, Kassie, I—”
Kassie raised her palm, cutting me off. "Hold up.
We've been a little preoccupied," she said, her eyes darting briefly to me.
"But I need details. Are you saying this fox shifter—who happens to be Titan—has been living right under our noses?
" Her finger jabbed downward for emphasis.
She cocked her head at the mayor, one eyebrow arched.
"And somehow he slipped past your radar all this time? "
He scoffed in annoyance.
The mayor's jaw tightened. "Indeed. Fox shifters compensate for their physical limitations through divine gifts of deception. This one has been cloaking himself from detection, while simultaneously exploiting his appearance to swindle unsuspecting victims through digital platforms."
Kassie curled her lip in disgust. “How gross. I hope Harlow didn’t take it too hard. She liked looking at his bod, on no-shirt night, when he played games.”
The mayor snarled and reached out to grab Kassie. I moved in front of her, taking the brunt of the hit.
Kassie fell backward and gasped. “What the fuck?!”
The mayor's features twisted into something inhuman as his teeth stretched into needle-like points. His normally cloudy complexion rippled with quicksilver currents, a living mirror trying to reflect my deepest fears back at me, threatening to pull me into its depths.
His fingers encircled my throat, yanking me forward until our faces were inches apart. "Do you see?" he hissed, his voice a cold whisper against my skin. "Do you see? Look at me!"
The Slenderman wanted me to look into his face—to see myself reflected in the nightmare.
When Slendermen have you, it feels so real that you become part of it, believing the nightmare itself is reality.
When you finally wake from the dream, you still think it’s true, trapped in a world that doesn’t exist, until you eventually die from madness.
I gripped his wrists and strained against his hold. The mayor might be one of Arcana Falls' most formidable magical beings, but I wasn't defenseless… not by a long shot.
“Cover your ears, Kassie!”