Chapter 9 #3
“We are in a dream realm,” he whispered, looking around. “What I don’t understand is why or how. Why did you call me here?”
“I didn’t call you here,” I promised, my throat closing up. “I don’t even know who you are.”
Although I very much wanted to.
His gaze jumped between mine before he muttered something under his breath, an orange spark jumping from his fingers as the space around us suddenly cleared of smoke.
I frowned, realizing that we were in a large, dark room that reminded me of a bedroom, with a crackling fireplace nearby.
My fingers twitched, wanting to touch his suit, but instead I turned, looking around.
“How do we get out?” I asked quietly.
Suddenly, a warm, hard chest appeared behind me.
Fingers brushed over my shoulders, and I looked up into the sight line of the handsome stranger.
I let out a soft hum of pleasure as his fingers wrapped around my throat gently.
I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, the dream faltered and everything seemed to fade…
When I woke up again, I found myself laid out on the couch, a heavy arm wrapped around me.
I inhaled sharply, feeling my memories of the dream fading with the scent of tobacco and citrus.
I felt an acute sense of loss at the man in my dreams but managed to shake it as I looked around with heavy eyes.
Everyone was gone from the room, with the exception of the warm, large body behind me.
I turned over and blushed, finding Tore sleeping comfortably behind me, nearly eclipsing my form.
I snuggled into his arms and buried my nose against his throat, but I found myself suddenly very alert.
After a few moments, I realized I wasn’t going to get any more sleep, unfortunately.
Something was bothering me, and my wolf wouldn’t stop pacing.
She pawed inside my chest, causing me to finally turn out of Tore’s grasp. Immediately, I was looking out the window wall and noticing that the snowstorm had truly rolled in. Heavy snow was falling, and I could hear winds howling across the lake and slapping the glass walls of our building.
Was everyone sleeping? Frowning, I found myself torn, because while I wanted to go back to sleep eventually, I didn’t like the idea of no one being up to watch out for everyone else.
What if something happened? I mean, that sounded ridiculous, because what would happen?
But my wolf was walking around, very alert and looking upset by the fact that we were laying down.
She wanted the others to sleep but not us?
I had no idea what was going on with her, but I knew without a doubt that I needed to get up.
Letting out a small puff of air, I slipped from Tore’s arms, wishing I could remember what movie we had been watching.
Or even when I had fallen asleep. My stomach rumbled softly as I walked towards the kitchen, looking through the space, feeling better now that I could see that everyone was safe.
In fact, I could hear the soft, even breathing of the other three men behind their doors.
For whatever reason, before I reached the kitchen, my eyes darted to Caedmon’s room, remembering how empty it was.
Was he lonely? Did he have a blanket? Was he sleeping peacefully?
If his room was as bare as mine had been, he probably didn’t have a blanket, and he would need that.
I scowled at the snow, blaming it for him being potentially cold, as I slipped back into my own room quickly.
I pulled my large blanket from my bed and walked through the darkness towards his door, careful not to wake up Tore.
Although, I didn’t think that was likely, because he had looked exhausted earlier.
Gently knocking on Caedmon’s door, it pushed open and I winced, realizing that I was somewhat invading his privacy, considering he was asleep.
Nervously, I crossed the threshold and stepped inside.
I couldn’t see much of the room, but the heavy comforter kept me warm in the somewhat chilled space.
Did he not have heat on? No, he clearly did, but just on a lower temperature than my own room.
I frowned, not liking that at all. That foreign sense of protectiveness came out full force as I found Caedmon stretched out on his sheeted mattress, completely dressed.
No blanket, no pillow, just a folded sweater underneath his head and shoes at the end of the bed.
His breathing was calm, and I had a feeling that if I touched him, he would wake immediately.
Frowning, I decided to risk it and set the blanket on top of him.
A slight scowl dipped on his face, but he seemed to relax under the weight of the blanket.
I smiled, loving that, as I finally slipped down onto the carpeted floor and curled up in a ball next to the radiator.
I honestly hadn’t expected to fall asleep. At some point, my eyes must have closed, because when I woke up next, my body felt stiff and sore. I immediately snapped my eyes open as very early dawn light filled the space, causing me to look around.
My breathing caught, finding a pair of green eyes watching me with an unreadable expression. Caedmon was sitting in front of me, his head tilted as he examined how I reacted to him. I had to admit, I didn’t have much of a reaction at all. Rather the opposite, considering how sleepy I was.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” I whispered. “I actually meant to stay up to keep an eye on everything.”
He blinked, seeming to process my words before his gaze flickered up to his bed, where my comforter laid spread out.
I swallowed nervously. “You looked cold, and I know you didn’t have a lot with you, since you were moving back in…
so I wanted to make sure you were warm. Which probably sounds stupid.
Of course, you could have grabbed a blanket if you wanted to—”
Caedmon moved forward, making me tense only slightly, as his arms wrapped around me.
I melted into him as he lifted me up and placed me in his bed.
He crawled under the covers with me, turning onto his side so that we were facing one another but not touching fully.
I could feel the cold dorm wall behind me, and his hands hesitated over my waist before pulling away from me completely, as if he wasn’t positive he wanted to touch me.
I laid on my side as I studied the truly vulnerable expression on his face.
“Why?” The statement was quiet, his voice filled with pain and a self-loathing that I didn’t expect.
I would claim I was reading too much into it, but there was a natural connection between Caedmon and me.
One that existed with the other three as well, that had me knowing I was somewhat correct despite not fully comprehending the origin of the emotion.
“Why what?” I clarified, a small tremble going through my body. It should have been weird being in bed with him, but instead, it felt natural. A concept that scared me more, in some ways.
A dip in his brow appeared as he pulled the comforter over us, tucking it around me slightly before retracting his hands once again.
The action had me gently reaching forward to lay my own on his chest, despite the possible rejection that I risked.
I didn’t think Caedmon was opposed to touching me, but he seemed scared, which didn’t fit his confident personality that seemed to surround him like a defensive barrier.
His gaze moved down to my hand, and I felt relief when he didn’t push me away or reject my touch.
It didn’t explain the disappointment I felt when he didn’t pull me closer, but I also didn’t look into it too much.
I was already confused about my feelings revolving around these men; it would be better to stick to his question at hand.
“Why did you bring the blanket in here? Why did you put it on me? Why did you come into my room in the first place?” His questions were whispered.
There was fear edging his voice, and I wondered if he was worried about what I would say.
Of my answer. I had never had someone value or care about my answers as much as he seemed to, and the notion was overwhelming.
I let out a shy, nervous sound. “I didn’t mean to pry, Caedmon. I was worried you would be cold. I assumed you didn’t have a lot with you, but you’re right, I should have knocked. Or asked. I’m sorry, this was a stupid idea. Do you want me to leave? I can leave—”
My doubts were suddenly eased as his large arms wrapped around me, pulling my body up and against his as he buried his nose against my throat, making me turn bright red.
His cheek pressed against the hoodie I wore, and I nearly let out a wince at the pain his grip caused on the bruising across my ribs from earlier.
It was worth it though. The pain was worth it for this moment.
I must have not been as good as I thought at hiding it, though, because suddenly he was pulling back, looking down at me with hard green eyes. His voice was soft and edged with a lethality that hadn’t existed a moment ago. “Did I hurt you? Why did you just wince?”
“Not you,” I promised as my eyes darted down to his chest. “My ribs are bruised, Caedmon.” My breath and voice were stilted as I was rolled onto my back, his large frame over mine as his hands ran up my waist and pushed the hoodie up to expose my ribs.
I hoped he didn’t lift it higher, because it would be very apparent that I wasn’t wearing a bra, and more so how much his touch was affecting me.
A roll of heat flushed my skin as my nipples tightened.
He barely noticed though, his breathing rough as an authentic fury flashed in his vibrant eyes at what he was seeing.
“Who the fuck did this?” His voice was shaky, and shadows crossed his face. Shadows that contained more secrets than I knew what to do with. I fought the urge to lift my hand to his face, not knowing how it would be taken as he looked up at me, clearly waiting for an answer.
“On my way home from the store, a few nights before I left. I hadn’t even gotten the letter yet. I was walking past one of the bars in pack territory, and some of the usuals that hang out there tried to harass me.” My vision blurred as my breathing hitched, imagining the rough hands on me.
“When I said no, when I said I didn’t want them like that, they hit me. Hard. Luckily, the barback stopped them and I made it home, but they are fenrir wolves and I heal a lot slower than them… so there are those, and then probably some new ones from tonight. Guy wasn’t exactly gentle.”
Was that honest enough?
I kept talking nervously. “They are almost healed, though—”
“They are not almost fucking healed,” Caedmon said through clenched teeth. I saw something flare behind his gaze as he pulled down my hoodie and closed his eyes, as if trying to shake himself. I stayed as still as possible, both fascinated and terrified of his reaction.
When he finally sank back against the bed on his side, looking down at me, it was with a completely blank expression. One that was absolutely far too controlled. I may have not known Caedmon well, but I knew this wasn’t normal for him.
“I really am better than before,” I offered softly as he grabbed my wrist, pushing up the sleeve of my hoodie, looking upset once again. “I promise, Caedmon.”
A shudder seemed to run over him before he pulled me closer by the hips, tucking me under his chin as he let out a soft, controlled exhale. His murmur was a demand, despite the volume of it. “Promise me, Effie.”
“Promise you?”
“If anyone ever hurts you again, ever, you will tell me.”
“I promise,” I answered after a moment, hoping I could keep that promise.
Silence filled the space between us comfortably as my breathing relaxed, his firm, hard body making me feel safe. Yet sleep evaded me as the sound of wind howled from outside, warning me of the potential danger.
“You should sleep.” His voice was rough, and I knew he hadn’t fallen back asleep either. I wonder if he felt the same concern as I did.
“My wolf won’t let me, especially because of the storm,” I whispered.
He let out a soft hum. “Protective.”
Was that why?
“That’s our job, Effie. You need sleep to heal. I promise I’ll stay up.”
My wolf seemed to settle at that notion. “Okay.” I nodded and pressed my head into his chest. “You smell so good.”
He chuckled softly, and I found myself falling asleep, curled into him. Today had been absolutely exhausting. Somehow, I didn’t think tomorrow would be any better.