16. Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
Lex
Nyx leads us inside the white house, grabbing my hand as she directs us up a large staircase. I try to ignore the uncomfortable feeling erupting inside of me that she knows her way around, my other hand curling into a fist.
Maverick trails behind us, and without checking, I can already sense that he's watching her back as she ascends the staircase.
When we reach a large bedroom, it's easy to tell that Nyx has slept in here. Her scent still lingers around the room, but thankfully, it's the only one present. Well, at least I know that sleaze hasn't put his hand on her—in here.
With the door closed behind us, she finally lets her walls down, letting out a huge, shaky breath as she paces the black carpet.
"I don't even know where to begin," she says softly, halting, eyes shooting to me then Maverick. I can tell she feels guilty, but this isn't her fault. As much as I'm furious about this new development, I know that we can't control things like that. I'm focused on the fact that she is dealing with this, how she must feel. And relieved that she is safe and with me.
From what Maverick has told me Cade wasn't there the night she was taken. We would have recognized him immediately. Nyx would have been kidnapped, brought back here, and then discovered the mate bond. In no circumstance or universe is that okay.
Despite the shock to the system when we realized downstairs what had transpired, the only reason I wasn't ripping Cade's organs out through his dick hole was because she seemed physically okay. Seeing her standing next to him, the look of relief and happiness on her face when we came into view, calmed the murderous thunder that clapped through my head.
"We start at the beginning," Maverick offers. "Who took you that night? I want names."
Nyx gives him a sad smile, shaking her head. She doesn't offer any names but it's clear she knows who. "It's irrelevant. But we need to figure out a plan."
"The plan is we kill them and leave," Maverick says simply.
"I agree," I chime in, watching as Nyx laughs softly at our protective manner.
"Guys," she whines. "We have enough war and death surrounding us without adding to it."
I shrug. "They took what wasn't theirs."
Maverick nods in agreement. "I don't care what their motives may be. It's a level of disrespect that as alpha, we cannot let go."
Nyx steps forward, making my breath catch in my throat as she nears. The temptation to pull her into me is overwhelming.
"He's given me some information," she states. "Essentially, they weren't the hunters we have been looking out for, nor were they the ones to kill Tyler…" she trails off, a pained expression crossing her face.
"Once again, I think we kill them and leave," Maverick snaps, annoyed. "Two wrongs don't make a right."
She looks over at him, slowly choosing her next words carefully. "He's my mate," she says quietly. "We need to figure out what that means."
Next to me, Maverick stiffens. I have no idea where his head is at these days, but he made his previous opinion well known.
"We will," I insist. "But we need to know—are you okay?"
As she shrugs, clearly at war with herself, I feel my resolve break, and I move forward, pulling her against my chest. She melts against me, peering up with big eyes. "I'm in heat."
The two of us freeze, staring at her in disbelief. Of course, the urge to be on her, in her, and around her is high, but it's not the same intense pulling sensation that we experienced last time.
Judging by Maverick's face, he's equally as perplexed as me. Nyx notices, pointing her index finger toward the ground.
"Marie has masked it and given me some medicine that she gives the women here to lessen the symptoms."
I nod, not understanding completely what she means by that. But the more I focus on it, the stronger I pick up on her pheromones. Still, none of us are vigorously fucking, losing control.
"Who is Marie?" Maverick asks.
"She's a witch," Nyx answers. "That's why I wasn't able to mind link you. She had put up some kind of magical boundary to stop me from shifting or reaching out."
She glances down, watching as his hands curl into fists. Stepping forward, she grabs one, clutching it tightly.
I'm surprised when Maverick uncurls it, letting his fingers thread with hers. "We heard you a little bit."
Nyx nods, a strange look on her face which I make a note to bring up later.
"I'm glad that I was able to at least get some information to Alpha Daxton. I'm so happy you're here."
Walking over to the bed, I sit on the end of it, leaning forward to rest my elbows on my knees. She stays next to Maverick, holding his hand as she watches me.
"Wyatt had a suspicion that you were here. We ran through the possibilities, and he found your highlighted notes in the books," I say.
I'm so proud of her. I hope she knows that. While Wyatt's detective skills came in handy, it was her research that ultimately helped us find her. We were already going to head this way when she communicated with Daxton, and it just goes to show how much of a great Luna she's going to be. Her strong, tenacious personality is the backbone of our lives, and even though she's now discovered another mate, I have no doubt that she's destined for great things.
Nyx gives Maverick's hand a squeeze before she lets it go, walking toward me. She doesn't stop, climbing onto my lap as her arms circle around my neck. Instinctively, I grab her waist, relieved to have her close to me.
"I discovered some other things…" she starts, before telling us of the connection between the Goddess Ophelia and the New Moon Pack. When she mentions multiple mates, and how Cade believes her to be a descendent, I find myself nodding. It makes sense, and I have no idea why none of us saw it sooner. The similarities, the information from the witch and lone wolf, the ominous glow after the attack in the woods… it all fits into place.
"I still think this is a situation we don't need to be a part of," Maverick grumbles.
She glances over her shoulder at him, body tensing slightly beneath my grip. "I want you, Maverick. I don't want you to go back home and just forget about me."
I frown as I listen to her words, cautious, but make sure not to interrupt this moment. The whole notion that Maverick was going to leave and never return is new to me—albeit not surprising. But apparently, the time apart has given Nyx space to think, and there's an odd-placed feeling of pride as I listen to her strong words—fighting for what she wants.
It's clear that it was another burden she was shouldering, along with the death of her friend.
Maverick lets out a sigh, and my eyebrows shoot up in surprise when I see him frown, defeated—but the defeat is internal, his own battle.
"I don't want that either," he replies lowly. "You're a pain in the ass, but you're my pain in the ass. "
"Ours," I interject, unable to control myself.
His demeanor quickly changes, giving me a typical asshole glare—but behind it, I see the resignation and acceptance.
"Whatever," he snaps back, gaze immediately softening again when he finds her face. "We'll work out a plan when you are back in Shadow Creek."
Nyx turns to me, fresh tears of relief pooling in her eyes. She quickly leans forward, pressing her lips to mine, before sliding off my lap. Crossing the room in three short strides, she collides into Maverick's body, arms grabbing the back of his head to bring his face to hers. They share a kiss, and I wait patiently, giving them this moment.
It's been a long time coming, and finally, we can move forward.
Except we now need to deal with another alpha coming into the mix.
As much as I want to tell Cade to fuck off, I'm weary of the fact that this has happened for a reason. So, for Nyx's sake, I'm trying to keep an open mind against my natural judgment. However, it's clear that Maverick isn't on the same page.
I wait for them to break apart, but they continue to lock lips, pressing against each other like they need it more than oxygen.
Standing up, I smirk, walking over. Coming up behind Nyx, I place my hands on her waist. She pulls back from the kiss, peering over her shoulder with swollen lips and a questioning gaze.
"You're making me jealous," I say playfully, lightly digging my fingers into her battered clothes—the same clothes I last saw her in. You'd think it would make me angry, but surprisingly, it helps make the moment real, making it feel like less time has passed.
Spinning her around, she lets out a soft gasp when I push her back into Maverick's chest. I quickly cover her mouth, grazing her soft lips with mine. She kisses me back while Maverick runs his hands over her hips, squeezing her thighs.
The usual impulse to ravage her because of her heat isn't there, but there's still a huge fucking need to reclaim her. And apparently, my counterpart feels the same.
Maverick leans down, trailing his mouth along her neck as her head falls back. I grin, watching as her eyes close with need, nearly forgetting about the kiss except for her hands that run up my chest.
I grab her chin, prompting her to reopen her eyes. She stares at me through a haze, and I let out a groan when her hips push forward to balance her stance as she leans back into Maverick.
"Lex," she whispers, locking eyes with me. "I need you to touch me."
Well, when she asks like that, her words filled with need… how can I say no?
My hand snatches her by the nape of her neck, pulling her forward so our mouths find each other again. This time, our kiss is more heated, desperate. I push my tongue past her lips, stroking hers as Maverick grabs the bottom of her shirt, lifting it up. I pull back just long enough for him to drag it over her head, then I'm straight back onto her.
Hands push between Nyx and I, cupping her breasts as I steal her ability to breathe properly. Maverick yanks her back from me, spinning her around as he removes her sports bra. Their lips connect now, and I return the favor, sneaking my hands in between their bodies to cover her breasts with my palms. As I brush over her nipples, she lets out a throaty moan into Maverick's mouth, who growls in response.
"Bring her over to the bed," I direct. He nods, leaning down to grab the back of her thighs. Picking her up, Nyx wraps her legs around his waist, holding on until he drops her onto the mattress.
I shove Maverick out of the way before he can lean down, hovering over her as I cover one of her pink nipples with my mouth. Flicking the hardened peak with my tongue, my hands blindly reach for her pants, sliding them over her hips and down her thighs.
Kissing down her body, I notice smudges of dirt, but I don't care. All I can focus on is the unwavering need to feel her.
Maverick moves onto the mattress, leaning down to kiss her heatedly. "We should destroy that prick's furniture," he growls against her mouth, not letting her respond as he clutches her throat in his hand.
I laugh against her hips, pleased when goosebumps appear on her skin as I glide my hand over her thighs toward her tight, wet cunt. I press my thumb against her clit, circling it as her hips jerk at the sensation.
Moving lower, I slowly slide my middle finger into her warmth, my eyes darkening as she clenches around me. As I pull out, I add another finger, her whole body shivering while Maverick muffles her moans.
"That's it, Red," I murmur. "Strangle my fingers. I want to feel you clench around me."
My pace grows faster, loving the way she shakes under me as the palm of my hand slaps her clit with each thrust. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Maverick groping her breasts, tugging on her nipple as he twists it gently between the pads of his fingers.
Nyx falls apart quickly, crying out as her hips buck against me. The rush of warmth sends me feral, and I stand, quickly discarding my clothes in record time. Gripping my cock, I press the head against her entrance, rubbing it through her arousal before slamming inside of her.
"Fuck," I growl, her walls clenching and spasming around me. For a second, I lose my vision, blinded by the pleasure that fills me.
I stay still, giving myself a moment to compose, but she lifts her hips, seeking relief. I snap instantly, pulling back before smashing my cock in her so hard that I break their lips apart. But instead of grouching at me, Maverick tightens his grip on her throat, using the pressure to hold her into place as he pins her to the bed.
My hands find their home on her hips, holding them tight as I rail her. The sound of our skin slapping together is music to my ears, and before long, I feel Nyx tightening around me, urgent cries spilling from her before she falls over the edge seconds later.
As I follow, chasing my own high, I feel the head of my cock swell, joining us together as I shoot my release into her.
Nyx's back arches off the bed, her neck still pressed into the mattress by Maverick, but her hand blindly searches for me. I entwine our fingers, closing my eyes as I wait for our bodies to drift back down from the high.
Pulling out, I walk around to the other side of the bed. Maverick steps back from his place, releasing his hold on her as I push my lips to hers.
She's breathing heavily against me, my cock already twitching for round two, but before I can do anything, Maverick grabs her hips, flipping her over onto her stomach.
Nyx lets out a surprised squeak, and when I glance over, Maverick is already naked, kicking her legs apart as he grips his cock and guides it toward her entrance.
Wasting no time, he pushes inside, burying himself in the warmth. Nyx moans loudly, hands fisting the blanket beneath her. I smile, brushing the hair off her back and face as I drop to my knees so I'm at her eye level.
"Does he feel good, Red?" I ask, my voice gravelly.
She nods, eyes clenched tightly shut. "Yes."
"I don't know what's going to happen, but this is your reminder that you're ours," I whisper. Maverick slams into her forcefully, emphasizing my point.
"I'm yours," she murmurs, words breathy as they become laced with moans.
"Fucking ours," Maverick reiterates with a growl, grabbing her hips and pulling her backwards.
Her hands release the blanket as she's ripped back, her body being impaled on his cock.
"Yes!" she yells, and I'm mesmerized as she suddenly finds her bearings, mimicking the rhythm as she pushes her hips back to match his movements.
I reach over and grab her jaw, turning her head to face me. "You're so perfect," I murmur. "Literally created just for us."
Nyx nods, a soft whimper escaping her lips as Maverick fucks her harder.
"Are you going to come for him? Just like you came for me?" I ask, my eyes watching her with excitement.
She nods again, and I stroke her cheek. "Then do it," I order, her face tensing up with a look of concentration.
And then, she cries out, losing her rhythm as her body shakes, arms threatening to buckle. A look of blissful pleasure washes over her face as Maverick growls low in his throat behind her. He stills, eyes closing as he reaches his climax with her.
Standing up, I let them take a moment to catch their breaths, opening the second door to check my suspicions are correct. I'm pleased to find a bathroom, equipped with a shower, and I step inside. Turning the faucet on, I adjust the temperature, waiting for the hot water to come through. When it's right, I head back over to the bed, Nyx glancing up at me with half-hooded, drowsy eyes.
"I've got the shower on for you," I say, smiling.
At my words, her eyes light up, the drowsiness vanishing. She reaches for Maverick, wrapping her fingers around his forearm. "Come with me," she pleads, glancing back at me. "Both of you."
I nod, happy when Maverick also agrees. Together, the three of us climb into the shower, helping her balance on shaky legs as we get clean before heading back downstairs to deal with reality.