Chapter 1 #3
After another moment, I slipped off my chair and he pulled me into his lap, my head tucked under his chin as he held me closer than he ever had before. I wouldn’t lie… I may have nuzzled into him and scented him a bit, feeling possessive over this moment together. Heck, over him in general.
“Mon ange,” he said, his voice rough, “I don’t care what I have to do to keep from seeing you in a hospital bed ever again, but I will fucking do it. I can’t…” Caedmon trailed off, and I nuzzled further into him, wanting him to continue but not wanting to push him.
“Can’t what?” I finally asked, my voice soft, only existing in the space between the two of us.
A rattling sound came from his chest, and I felt him tense as if he was fighting the urge to do something or say something.
Or maybe he was just feeling that much anxiety over it…
Either way, it made me pull back to look up into his gaze.
What I saw there was an expression that he tried to shutter and failed horribly.
It was dark, that much was very obvious, but it was more than that.
It was almost desperation that seemed to be clawing forward from inside of him, demanding attention.
I wanted to soothe that, soothe him, but I had no idea how.
“Will you sleep in my bed tonight?”
His question was filled with a gravity that had me nodding immediately. I liked sleeping in his bed, and while I didn’t understand how it was connected to how he had been acting just now, I knew my answer was important.
“As much as I love watching Caedmon try to articulate his emotions and fail horribly…” Julian’s voice had me looking over to the door, smiling naturally at just seeing him… Before scowling at what he was saying.
“Hey.” I frowned, running my hand over Caedmon’s chest in what I hoped was a comforting way. “He was expressing them fine. Don’t be mean.”
Caedmon let out an almost wounded sound that had me looking over in concern, finding him staring at me with a wide-eyed, almost freaked-out look.
Apparently the moment was enough that he felt the need to leave, gently squeezing my hand before standing and storming past Julian, who was now fully grinning at the reaction he’d incited in Caedmon.
I offered a confused look as Julian offered me a cheeky smile.
“Sorry, preciosa, can’t let the guy think he can go slamming doors and locking us away from you.
” His voice was light, but I could see a darkness in his gaze.
I swayed back slightly as he was suddenly in front of me, any lightness in his demeanor completely gone.
When he pulled me into a hug, I melted against him, letting out a long exhale.
I would have pushed the Caedmon thing, especially not making fun of him, but hugs from Julian were pure pleasure and completely distracting.
Especially when his fingers ran over my bite mark, pulsing desire and contentment through my system.
Everything about Julian was right. It felt natural, and I couldn’t help but bathe in the reaction he inspired.
Then again, everything about Julian seemed to inspire a reaction in me, from his golden skin to golden brown eyes.
He was classically handsome with dark hair that was nearly navy, and dimples that had me wanting to trace them with my fingertips.
There was a darker edge to Julian though, one that had to do with his magic and was nearly as surprising as his tongue ring that I could now confirm he had.
I blinked up at him when he pulled back and spoke quietly, his face no longer filled with humor. “No more ice caps, okay? If you want to go on a walk, I’m coming with you. Always.”
“So bossy,” I teased, feeling a bit nervous at how he was looking at me. I felt a bit of relief when his smile formed again.
His eyes stayed dark, though, as he grasped my jaw in a featherlight touch. “Promise me, Effie.”
There was that tone of voice again, the one that urged me to submit.
Did he realize that he was doing it? Was it on purpose?
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that ability.
The idea of being around someone that could order a response from me should have been more uncomfortable than the reality of it with him.
“I promise, Julian.”
“Good girl.” His praise had me feeling on cloud nine as I savored his touch on me.
“You want to come out into the main room?” he asked after a moment. I nodded but then paused and looked towards the bathroom and down at what I was wearing.
“I need a minute to shower and stuff,” I decided. He nodded and kissed my nose before leaving me and closing my door. I exhaled and ran a hand over my face, confused how my life had changed so fast.
Hadn’t it been three days ago that I’d met these men?
I mean, it was only Wednesday. Barely any time had passed, yet I felt like they were burying themselves into a part of me that was now forged permanently, branding my subconscious.
It was overwhelming, and I had to fight the urge to flee.
That’s what I did when faced with a new circumstance, either flee or freeze. I never fought.
Something my wolf hated.
As I walked into the bathroom, I turned on the shower and undressed, staring at my frame in the mirror. Not for the first time, I had to force myself to not be critical. To not view myself through the lens of the women who insulted me in the Whitepaw Pack back home.
Too short.
Too curvy.
Too colorful.
Too everything that wasn’t the ideal fenrir woman.
I swallowed, wanting to believe I was worthy of this opportunity to change my life, even if it had been afforded to me for reasons that…
Well, ones I didn’t want to think about right now.
I had no idea how the men would react when I told them about what the president said.
Would they think I was unworthy because I hadn’t come to their university because of school but to be bred? Feeling vomit well in my throat, I stepped into the shower and tried to prepare myself for the conversation to be had and everything it could mean for my mates and me.