Chapter 31
It’s almost sad waking up this morning without Sienna jumping on top of me, demanding that I get up.
Not that long ago, I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life in isolation, and now here I am, having withdrawals from sleeping alone.
It’s mindboggling how much has changed in such a short amount of time, and yet I’m almost positive I’ve never been happier.
It really does feel like a fresh start. Like everything that happened with Thane before now was just a nightmare, and I’ve woken up to a new reality. I sit up to rest against the headboard and see the portrait of me staring back. For a moment, I had forgotten all about it.
I toss the covers back and walk over, picking it up.
In the light of day, it’s even more impressive.
In fact, it almost doesn’t even look like a painting, it’s so detailed.
I glance around the room, looking for the perfect spot to put it, even though it feels kind of vain to have a painting of myself hanging in my room.
It’s just too beautiful not to be displayed.
Oo, maybe the bathroom.
I take a quick look around and decide the wall right next to the door is the perfect spot for it. It looks much more artsy in the bathroom than in the bedroom, where it feels a bit pretentious. I head downstairs, looking for Thane and Kole, but everywhere I check is empty.
“They’re not here.”
I scream and turn around to see Kieran scowling at me.
“You almost gave me a heart attack!”
“Good,” he says, passing by me like my presence is an inconvenience to him.
“You’re such a dick,” I spit back, folding my arms over my chest.
“And you’re such a human.” He says it like it’s supposed to be an insult, and maybe to his kind, it is.
“Can you just tell me where they are?”
“Out,” he answers dismissively.
“Fine,” I groan. “At least tell me where I can find a nail and hammer.”
“Planning on torturing someone?”
“What? No.” I shake my head. “I’m just trying to hang a painting.”
He speeds off, but before I can get too pissed about it, he returns with a toolbox.
“I would’ve liked you better if you had said yes.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want that now, would I?” I flash him a mocking smile, and he rolls his eyes before zipping past me.
Once I’ve got the picture hung, I make myself some breakfast and take a long, hot shower. It’s weird having the house to myself, but I kind of like it. It’s nice to have some alone time, and as the hours tick by, I realize just how much I’ve needed a little time to myself.
I spent most of the day tucked away in my reading nook or working on a puzzle, except for when I took a two-hour nap and woke up thinking I was late for school. A terrible way to wake up, but always a sign that I got some good sleep.
Kole finally showed up in time for dinner, and the annoyance I’d had with him last night was forgotten the moment he walked through the front door.
There’s still no sign of Thane, but Sophia should be here any minute, and the wait is giving me anxiety.
Ever since I found out Thane plans on sleeping with her, just the mention of her name has my blood boiling.
I shouldn’t even care, and really, I don’t, but the stupid bond keeps flaring up every time I think about the two of them together.
It’s like I don’t even have control of my thoughts and feelings sometimes.
Kole calls checkmate just as we hear a knock at the front door.
Before I’m even fully up from the floor, I hear her angelic voice fill the foyer.
Part of me wants to just slip up to my room and act like she’s not even here, but that would be rude.
Plus, if I’m being honest with myself, I’m more than a little curious to see what she’s like.
“Grey, this is Sophia,” Kole introduces, waving me over when I try to sneak a peek from the living room.
I knew she would be beautiful, but even my imagination had been lacking. I mean, she’s practically a damn supermodel with her long legs and luminous, deep brown skin. Her tightly coiled black curls bounce around her face as she makes her way over to greet me.
“So nice to meet you,” she says with a bright smile and an outstretched hand decorated with chunky gold rings.
“Likewise,” I offer, taking her hand in mine.
Her grip is tight, though I don’t think she means for it to be.
In fact, I get the impression she’s got a naturally powerful disposition, judging by the way she’s practically oozing strength and confidence.
Suddenly, I feel small and insignificant.
Just a weak human girl compared to the werewolf warrior standing before me.
It would make sense that she’s Thane’s type.
Hell, she’s probably everyone’s type.
“So, where is Mr. Alpha anyway?”
“He’ll be here soon,” Kole tells her, motioning us to the living room. “You know how it is.”
She laughs like he said something funny. “I certainly do.”
“How have things been?” Kole asks. “It’s been a minute since we’ve seen you.”
Sophia shrugs, plopping herself down on the couch like she’s right at home, and it makes me wonder if that’s just the kind of person she is, or if she’s been here before.
“Oh, it’s been…” She pauses, looking at me out of the corner of her eye. “Challenging.”
Kole nods with a knowing look. “Thane filled me in. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks,” she replies with a sad smile.
Whatever is going on, it’s clear no one wants to let me in on it, though I can’t imagine why. It’s not like I’m going to have an opinion or tell anyone about classified information.
Sophia nods to the chessboard sitting on the coffee table between us. “Did I interrupt your game?”
“No,” I sigh. “Kole just beat me for the twentieth time.”
She laughs, and it’s the kind of laugh that warms an entire room. “Well, don’t be too hard on yourself. He’s got years of practice on you.”
The sound of the front door opening draws our attention.
“We’re in here!” Kole shouts from where he’s sitting in his leather chair.
Thane appears, and Sophia jumps over the couch right into his arms. As she claims his mouth with hers, she wraps her perfectly toned legs around his waist while his hands grab a hold of her ass, setting my entire body alight with unhinged rage.
It feels like I’m going to combust right here in the living room, and my jaw falls open as I watch the two of them make out like they’re the only two people in the room.
I feel Kole’s eyes flash to me, and I quickly shut my mouth, doing my best to not appear bothered, despite feeling like there’s acid coating my skin.
The possessive nature of the mark is in full bloom now, and I have a feeling it’s only going to get worse the longer she’s here.
If I weren’t some weak human, I’d go right over there and rip her off of him, but I can’t.
Because I am a weak human, and because I have no good reason to do that.
Thane isn’t mine, and there’s no rational reason for me to be feeling this angry.
It’s just another side effect I’ll have to learn to deal with.
When they finally stop kissing, he puts her down and glances at me for only a split second. I haven’t seen him since I found the painting in my room, and it feels like I should acknowledge it, but definitely not right now.
A slight sense of relief washes over me for the few seconds they aren’t touching, but as soon as Thane sits down on the couch and she drapes her long legs over his, that relief evaporates just as quickly as it came.
“So, what did I miss?” Thane asks, dragging his fingertips along her smooth skin.
Fuck, it feels like every inch of me is on fire.
“Nothing,” Sophia answers. “I just got here.”
“I think I’m going to call it a night,” I say, as I stand up.
“It’s only seven o’clock,” Thane points out while giving me a look that says he can tell something is wrong.
“Yeah, it’s early,” Kole agrees, shooting over to stand in front of me. “Please don’t leave me alone with them. I’ll be a third wheel.”
He flashes me a pair of puppy dog eyes that are nearly impossible to say no to.
“Yeah, don’t go to bed yet,” Sophia chimes in. “I want to get to know the human girl that Thane just couldn’t resist keeping.”
Again, that heat flares in my veins.
“Fine,” I eventually agree. Kole sits back down with a shit-eating grin, and I toss him a sidelong glance.
“I say we all play a game,” Sophia suggests. “How about Never Have I Ever?”
Thane grunts, but Kole and Sophia seem to have already made their minds up.
“Fine.” Thane picks up Sophia’s legs and moves them off of him so that he can stand. “But I’m getting some bourbon first.”
“What’s your poison tonight, Grey?” Kole asks, standing up to assist his brother.
“Red wine, please.”
“You got it,” he says with a salute.
It’s times like these I appreciate their vampire speed, because they’re back with drinks before it can get awkward between Sophia and me.
“Alright, Kole. Start us off,” Sophia orders, taking a sip of beer.
Of course she would drink beer. Only cool girls drink beer.
“Hmm… never have I ever been bonded by a mark.”
“Cheap shot,” I mutter, as Thane and I put a finger down.
“It had to be done,” Kole teases with a shrug.
“Fine, I’ll go next,” I insist, keeping my eyes on Kole. “Never have I ever killed a human.”
“Well, shit. That was a good one,” Sophia admits, as the three of them put down a finger. “Okay, never have I ever drank someone’s blood.”
“I hate this game,” Thane huffs, having only two fingers left standing.
“Well, it’s your turn.” Sophia leans up and kisses him on the cheek. “Make it a good one.”
Thane’s eyes fall to her lips as the corner of his mouth curves up. “Never have I ever submitted to an Alpha.”
The three of us collectively moan, and Sophia throws a palm in his face. “Who invited this guy?” she says, drawing a laugh from all of us. “Oo, I have a good one!”
“Wait, what about taking turns?” Kole whines.
“Well, do you have any ideas?” Sophia asks, and Kole just shakes his head, slouching back down in his seat. “Alright then, never have I ever been attracted to a human.”
“Gee, thanks.” I roll my eyes, putting down a finger so that I have two left.
“Really, Kole?” Sophia nods to Thane. “He has the bond of the mark, but what’s your excuse?”
Kole rakes a hand through his hair, keeping his eyes locked on the floor.
“Well, at least tell us who she was,” Sophia presses.
Kole exhales a weighted breath. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Jeez, she must’ve done a real number on you,” Sophia quips, taking a sip of her beer. “At least she’s dead now.” Thane releases a low growl as his eyes dart to me. “Shit. Sorry, Grey. I didn’t mean—”
I shake my head with the wave of my hand. “It’s fine.”
“The brothers only have one left,” she says to me. “You got anything that can take one of them out?”
A wicked grin spreads across my face as I look at Thane. “Never have I ever had a human for a pet.”
Kole chokes on his bourbon, breaking out into a coughing fit, and Sophia falls back on the couch, laughing hysterically.
While the two of them fight for their lives, Thane and I remain locked on each other.
I half expect him to be seething from the comment, but instead, there’s almost a playful energy passing between us as he shakes his head, putting down his last finger.
I lean back, swirling the glass of wine in my hand, only offering him an innocent shrug.
That little gesture seems to be his breaking point, because a full-on smile spreads across his handsome face. Any sign of his Alpha asshole demeanor fades away, and for the first time since I’ve met him, it feels like I’m seeing the real Thane.
“I’ve had a long day, so I think it’s time for me to call it a night,” Sophia says, as she stands up and stretches her arms above her head.
What started out as a game of Never Have I Ever turned into three hours of drinking games and storytelling.
Finding out that Sophia has known the two of them for fifty-two years certainly explains why she’s so comfortable around them.
Even though I’ve had years to adjust to the idea that these people have lived long lives while barely aging, I still can’t fully wrap my head around it.
I mean, I can’t even imagine all that they’ve seen and experienced.
They say time moves differently for them, but shit.
The idea of living that long seems a bit terrifying.
“Shall we?” Sophia pulls Thane up from the couch.
“Goodnight, you two,” Kole says, as Sophia leads Thane away.
For a few hours, I was able to pretend that she was just some friend that had come to visit, but as I watch her guide Thane away by the hand, that bitter feeling comes creeping along again.
“You look jealous,” Kole says, eyeing me from behind his glass of bourbon.
“I’m not jealous!” I snap, unable to control the emotions ramping up inside me.
Kole sets his glass on the coffee table and walks over to me.
“Good,” he says, taking my wine glass and setting it down. “Because she’s got nothing on you.”
“Right.” I scoff. “She’s every man’s dream.”
“Not every man’s.”
I know he’s only saying that to make me feel better, but I don’t bother calling him out on it. Instead, I swallow the lump of envy in my throat and head to my room, hoping that tomorrow this feeling will be gone, and I can go back to not giving a damn about who Thane spends his time with.