Chapter 5 #5
Before they could answer, a bell rang as a light above flashed green, the doors staying closed despite me being able to sense someone waiting for them to open.
Tore’s chest rumbled as he wrapped his arms around me tighter than before, keeping them at my waist instead of my ribs.
Caedmon muttered a curse, standing up and jogging over towards the doors as both Julian and Dakota watched his actions.
Caedmon pressed a panel, and the door opened to reveal someone new.
The man was very clearly a fenrir wolf, based on the blast of energy I received, but unlike these men, I found myself feeling the normal caution and slight uncomfortable anxiety associated with the type of wolf and men in general.
I curled back into Tore. Well, tried to, but the man literally lifted me off his lap as he positioned himself in front of me, his massive frame blocking me from the view of the other man.
Did they not want to be seen with me? Why did that hurt so much?
Julian murmured something to Tore as Dakota sat back, looking back at me while Tore kept his gaze forward on the newcomer.
I knew that Dakota seemed relaxed, or was trying to portray that, but his wolf was circling mine through our tight connection, looking agitated as mine continued to just roll on her back like he was playing.
What the heck was she doing? Honestly, she was a bit embarrassing. I was tempted to move from where I was behind Tore, but he seemed very tense and I didn’t want to upset him.
“Hey buddy.” The man seemed friendly enough, his voice upbeat. “Here is your bag. Are you sure you didn’t need anything else? We can help move some shit down?”
“Nah, not yet.” Caedmon’s voice was relaxed, but I could feel his energy. It was very much the opposite, currently.
Was this man a threat? My brow dipped, wondering if I needed to protect them from him. That thought had me blinking in confusion… where were these odd thoughts coming from?
Before the man could say anything else, my nose twitched as his scent finally reached me.
It wasn’t a bad scent, but it was for sure not my favorite.
I let out a small, sharp sneeze as the room went quiet.
I looked up at Tore, who was watching me in concern, his thumb rubbing over my nose as I offered him a small smile…
but then my smile dipped as I considered that he would be mad at me.
I froze at that concept as he let out a soft rumble, kissing my forehead gently.
My hand slid up his chest again, resting on his heart, a sense of connection surging through us.
“Gentlemen,” the new man greeted the others before he hesitated. “I didn’t realize you guys had a guest over, are you meeting up with… people, now?”
His question was innocent enough, but there was an edge of caution and confusion that made Tore’s eyes flash dark.
“No.” Caedmon’s voice was smooth and dark.
“Right.”
In a quick movement I saw over Tore’s shoulder, the man stepped to the side, and his gaze met mine. His expression blanked before his face broke into a massive smile.
“No fucking way,” he chuckled. “And here I thought you just got tired of us, Caedmon. You all found your fucking m—”
“Don’t,” Caedmon grunted, shaking his head. The man frowned and looked at him before moving his eyes back over to me.
“You have to stop looking at her, Aaren. It’s going to cause a fucking problem.” Dakota inhaled sharply as I watched the group of them with interest and confusion.
Who had they found? They found me. But how did that affect what he was saying?
“Of course. I’m going to go.” The man put up his hands and offered me a smile. “Wonderful to meet you, and once these assholes calm down, hopefully we can talk more—”
“Now.” Julian’s voice was hard and cold, making me frown as I tried to peek over to see his expression. Tore pulled me against him, though, not allowing me to move. I ran my hand over his chest in a soothing motion, a near purr breaking from him.
“Damn.” Aaren chuckled. “Alright, I’m going.”
The elevator closed, and I stepped away from Tore and looked at all of them. My nose twitched as I frowned. “It smells like him in here now.”
My words unintentionally lessened the tension as Caedmon chuckled. He dropped his bag on the floor before looking at Dakota, the two of them sharing a look I didn’t fully understand. The first ran a hand through his hair and let out an exhale, suddenly seeming a million miles away.
“We need to get her settled. We can’t stay in this room all night,” Caedmon said as Dakota shook his head and looked up at me, his eyes warming.
“Do you have your ID yet?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “Well, a slip to go take a picture for it.”
“We can pick up her real ID tomorrow. She still needs bedding for tonight,” Julian pointed out, pressing another mini pizza bagel to my lips.
I made a surprised noise, taking a bite and letting out a soft sound at the taste.
Julian’s eyes tracked the movement as he offered me a searing look that had my face turning pink again.
I wasn’t imagining these looks, right? No one had ever looked at me like that… or if they had, I hadn’t liked it.
“And some warmer clothes,” Tore scowled as I offered him an eyebrow raise.
“Effie, you want to grab a warmer jacket before we leave?” Caedmon offered. My throat felt thick as my cheeks flared with color. How did I explain to him that I didn’t have another jacket? Maybe I could ask Julian to borrow his again…
“Where are we going?” I asked, feeling a string of excitement and trying to distract from the small predicament I found myself in. I think Caedmon may have known what I was up to, because a soft, low rumble broke from his throat that had me looking over at him.
“Shopping,” Tore explained, pulling my attention back. His lips pressed into a sudden smile. “Come with me, I have a coat for you.”
I loved the idea of being wrapped in his scent.
“Fucking ridiculous,” Caedmon muttered so low I don’t think he meant for anyone to hear it, but I happily followed the large, warrior-like man. I still had a very valid question on my mind, though…
Had they found their mate yet?