Chapter 18 #4
"Do you really think I would do something that would make you hate me?" Theo shakes his head at me, wrapping his arms around my body. "I almost lost you. I'll let you make your own decisions, nothing is worth what could have happened." He gives Tobias a hard stare but the other man ignores him.
"I would do it," Tobias adds. "It needs to be done."
That is exactly my fear really. Theo has been scared straight, so to speak. But Tobias isn't willing to let that controlling nature of his slip away. How can I ever trust him? His impatience eats away at me like a living thing.
Theo continues to rub my back, his gaze on Tobias. "I won't let him, I promise. Not tonight in any case. Please, let me help heal you and it will not be used against you."
Tobias growls and doesn't add anything. But his anger echoes through our bond. He wants to yell at Theo to argue why I should be forced into it. But Theo continues to stare at him, pointedly. Tobias sighs. "I won't.”
"You won't, what? Kill me tonight?" I ask.
Tobias cringes at my words, but nods. I go to climb on the bed when Theo's arms snake around my waist, pulling me against him. The familiar sparks fly all over my body. I wonder if it will always feel like that, or if I will eventually become desensitized to them after a while. Would they have stopped if…? No, I can’t think about it.
Theo bites into his wrist and brings it to my lips.
I watch Tobias, and he watches me, waiting to see what I will do.
I hesitate until I feel Theo's lips next to my ear.
"I promised, didn't I? I meant it, love.
I won't let him change you, not tonight.
" His husky voice makes my stomach tighten before I open my mouth, waiting for the initial gross taste of his blood.
Only it never comes. His blood fills my mouth, and I moan before swallowing.
My wounds heal one by one, and once I have no pain, I pause, eyes on Tobias.
Tobias adjusted his pants, and I can tell he has a hard-on. Desire flicker through me and I wince. It’s their desire but I’m not exactly in shape to be able to meet it right now. He shifts toward me and I gasp, hiding my head in Theo's chest.
Theo's grip tightens on my waist, not letting me run. My heart beats against my chest, desperate to escape. Is it all a plot to get me still? Tobias's hands frame my cheeks, and I tremble at his touch. Is this it? Are they going to change me now and apologize later?
His thumb gently follows the curve of my bottom lip, his eyes dark and studying me.
But there is no hostility in the bond, no ulterior motive of taking my life away.
Just love. I reach for him, wrapping my arms around his neck.
Theo relaxes his hold on me and Tobias pulls me to him, wrapping my legs around his waist.
I giggle when his stubble brushed my cheek when he dipped his head to inhale my scent. He chuckles at my giggle, deliberately rubbing his chin up and down on the side of my neck. I squeak, cringing away from the affection, dropping my chin to escape his relentless tickle terror.
"Someone's ticklish," he chuckles with a kiss to the top of my head.
"We better get to bed. I have work in the morning," he states. I want to ask if I’m allowed to go, but he speaks before I can say anything.
"Just wait until your heat is gone. Can you promise me that?
I don't want any repeats of today, please. "
My mind drifts to the wolves, remembering the touch of the many fingers, pulling, clawing tearing at my flesh. I shiver. Although I just showered, it makes me feel dirty, like I can still feel them touching me.
Theo growls deep in his throat beside me, forcing me to glance his way.
He has to be in my mind again, snooping, watching me fall apart.
I want to yell at him, but I’m too tired to even approach the subject.
Tobias must notice as well. He gathers me into his arms, kissing my gently before tucking me into bed.
Sleep comes fast, but it is not a restful one.
I’m in the pitch black, not even my car to give me a source of where to go.
Golden eyes circle me, drawing closer from all angles.
Some are the wolves, and others belong to the naked men, lust glowing in their eyes.
They grab at me, claws and fangs seeking to rip me apart, and hands meaning to do so much worse. Their smell rolls over me.
I sat straight up in bed, a hand over my mouth to stop the rising bile. Sweat pours down my face. I shake so hard my teeth chatter, and worse of all, I’m alone. Neither Tobias nor Theo are in here with me.
I can't stand the dark a second longer. I turn on the lamp, letting it chase away the shadows that refuse to let me be. It’s still night outside; I must not have slept for long.
I scramble out of bed. I need water to sooth my suddenly dry throat.
I glance at the clock, curious where the two have gone.
I haven’t thought they'd leave me for a second after everything.
Three AM? They don't go to work or anything.
I open the door to get my drink and froze in the doorway. Downstairs there is arguing, and a lot of it. I creep to the stairs, peering down. I thought the matter was settled earlier. Why is there a blow up now?
"If we don't let her decide, she won't forgive us, Tobias.
Think about it, please. We can speak to the council to get her more time.
Let her come to this decision on her own.
I can't lose her, and neither can you," Theo pleads with him.
Tobias isn't happy. It is apparent he is agitated by his growl.
I hear Theo get up, and I creep down the stairs a little further and look over the railing before sitting down on the step.
Theo goes over to Tobias, placing his hands on the side of his face.
"Just give her more time, please for my sake. "
"Fine, but you can deal with your parents." Tobias is not happy but agrees. I relax, knowing this gives me more time. I go to get up and tell them I’m here when Theo leans his face closer and kisses Tobias. Tobias doesn't react at first, still angry. It’s kind of nice that I’m not the only one he pulls that on.
A flood of arousal rolls over me, Tobias isn't as unbothered as I'd thought.
He grabs Theo's shoulders, kissing him back forcefully and making Theo groan into the kiss.
Theo's hand crawls down between them, grabbing Tobias's cock and stroking it, making Tobias groan into his mouth.
Tobias gets a new wind and snatches Theo's shirt, almost ripping it in his eagerness.
Their lust threatens to pull me under. But I can't handle anything like this while those dreams still haunt me.
I close the door, giving them what privacy I can, and crawl into the bed, hugging one pillow, and maneuvering another between my legs for my thighs to clench around.
It takes far too much effort, but my exhausted body is dragged down into a deep dreamless sleep.