An Evening Run
Jayce
Something’s troubling her, and I’m not sure what Ahren said to her, but I saw the colour drain from her face.
“There’s got to be a link, or some kind of hint; we might just need to go through what information we have regarding all the gods. They – a goddess – assisted Set in creating the drakaths. Why doesn’t it say who?” she asks, suddenly sounding almost frustrated.
“These are records kept by Andronikos. He, at the end of the day, wasn’t a god. It’s obvious he didn’t know everything, but what he did know, he kept journals on it.”
“I know, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. These tomes have helped us so much.” She looks at me apologetically.
“It’s understandable to be frustrated,” I remark quietly, raking my fingers through my hair. It’s fucked up.
“I think I just need to clear my head a little,” she sighs as she nibbles at her food.
I want to know what Ahren said to her. I mean, I remember the words; I could just try to write them down and figure it out, but it was clear he didn’t want me to know or didn’t think I needed to. I should respect that.
“We can go for a run later,” I suggest, taking a gulp of my cola.
“Sure, that would help,” she replies, her heart racing. I ignore it even though I know I just invited her for a run together.
“Don’t get any ideas; we’re just having to stay close thanks to these hallucinations,” I add coldly.
“I know,” she says. I resist frowning, realising she meant that, and why do I fucking feel guilty that she does?
I don’t care.
My wolf growls in disapproval.
I do not care.
It’s pretty late when we finally give the books a rest. Ahren had her stuff delivered, and it felt kind of weird seeing her things being brought to the Westwood Mansion. Once upon a time, that was what I had expected and hoped for.
“Where are you two headed?” Grandad asks as he catches us by the front door.
“Going for a run; we’ve been studying the tomes all day,” I say.
He nods. “Well, be careful.”
I nod; it’s hard going for a run out here. Although things have been put back together, the memories of what happened here… It’s hard.
We start off walking, and after a few minutes we’re jogging side by side. My legs feel like lead, but I keep up a steady pace. We’re silent, and I don’t mind it; it’s easier.
The moon is hidden by the clouds, a crisp breeze rustles through the tree branches, and the smell of fresh earth is pleasant.
The urge to shift is strong, wanting to be out here.
To run. But if I shift, I’m not sure I can trust giving my wolf that control right now, not when she’s right here, and he wants her.
“We’re missing something,” she blurts out, and I realise she’s still hung up over the situation. I probably would too if the drakaths weren’t screaming down my neck. It’s getting to be a lot now.
“We might just need to view it from another angle,” I reply, keeping my attention ahead.
She has her hair up in a messy bun, a few strands framing her face, and it brings back memories I don’t want to revisit. So fucking near, and yet I refuse to let her in. I hate that the more time I spend with her, the harder it is to hate her.
We don’t go in any specific direction, simply jogging through the trees. We pass the clearing where Mom’s statue stands; my eyes flicker to it. It’s incredible, and it’s kept in perfect condition.
It’s a place Dad visits often.
“It looks just like her,” Sienna says softly, and I realise we’ve slowed down.
“Yeah, Heaven did a good job,” I admit quietly.
“She is remarkable with her magic.”
I glance at her, seeing the sorrow in her eyes as she stares at the statue. I look away, my own heart clenching painfully.
“Yeah, she is. But so are you. I felt your control back then when you were trying to eliminate the drakath’s essence from me. Your chaos magic really is chaotic. It felt like a storm wanting to be unleashed, and yet you channelled it with utmost precision.”
“Is that a compliment?” she asks with a playful smile.
“Just facts,” I state arrogantly.
She smiles as she crosses her arms. “Well, thank you. That coming from you does mean a lot.”
“As I said, it isn’t a compliment,” I say now, looking at her.
“I beg to differ. I mean, that’s the second time you’ve said it, meaning you were clearly impressed,” she says with a teasing smile as she winks at me.
“I don’t remember saying it before,” I say as I begin to walk again, casting a final glance at Mom’s statue. I remember something she said about Sienna, about forgiveness… because life is fucking short.
No. I’m not going down that path.
Sienna’s heart begins to hammer, and she turns away.
“Sienna?” I ask, narrowing my eyes. What happened?
She lets out a shaky breath before she turns to me, obviously trying to clear her head. She swallows, brushing her hair off her forehead as she looks anywhere but at me.
“Umm… I just thought of something.” She slows slightly beside me, her brows pulling together in thought. “Helios said I’m the daughter of three gods – Selene, Hecate, and Kek. But he never mentioned Nyx…”
That’s not exactly what happened, but if that’s how she wants to frame it, I won’t argue.
“Nyx isn’t a god,” I reply, keeping pace beside her. “Ahren said she’s a primordial. Maybe that’s why.” I glance ahead through the trees. “There’s no mention of Kek in the Book of Gods either.”
“Maybe he has a different name?” she suggests, her lips pulling into a thoughtful pout as she runs.
“Maybe,” I murmur. “Unless the name comes from an earlier time, before the gods we know now.”
We jog side by side through the forest, the occasional crunch of old branches snapping beneath our feet. The cool scent of damp earth and leaves fills the air as we move through the trees, the quiet rhythm of our steps settling between us.
“Well, let’s look at mythology. Nyx was a primordial force, and from her were born Hypnos, Thanatos, Eris, Nemesis, Apate, Momus, Oizys, Moros, the Keres, and the Moirai. I don’t even know what’s myth and what’s true from these.”
I whistle, impressed. “Someone knows their Greek mythology. Leo put you up to that?”
“Actually, no. I’ve always loved Greek mythology since I saw the movie Hercules. I mean, he was incredibly handsome.” She smiles before she glances at me. “In the Gods’ Realm, you reminded me of him. And to think Hercules was the son of Zeus, and you are the one who is touched by Zeus. I like it.”
I scoff. “Hercules has nothing on me.”
“I agree,” she says softly. Our eyes meet for a fleeting second before I look ahead as we head towards the woods.
“The outfits were fucking weird, although I think Ares got it worse,” I remark, trying to get rid of the tension that’s settled between us. She giggles.
“He looked handsome,” she says, and I hate how I feel a sharp sliver of jealousy at that. I don’t even know why, when I know I’m the only fucking one she loves.
“In your opinion, and that means nothing,” I say icily.
I can feel her watching me, but she doesn’t argue.
“So, from those born of Nyx, do any stand out to you?” I ask after a moment. “Anyone who could be Kek?”
“Well…” She frowns slightly as she jogs beside me. “Eris… Nemesis… I don’t know. None of them really fit.” She exhales in frustration, then suddenly stops. “Wait, what if- ahh!”
She grabs my arm as she doubles over.
I’m about to ask if she’s alright, but the question dies in my throat.
A scent hits me. Delicious, addictive, and intoxicating.
It crashes into my senses so violently that every other thought vanishes. The drakaths vanish entirely, and all I can think of is her, her heat, her arousal hitting me like a fucking narcotic.
I inhale deeply, my eyes blazing blue, and a low growl erupts from my chest, my nostrils flaring as pleasure surges through me, rushing straight to my cock.
My eyes burn as something primal snaps awake inside me, and I feel myself harden.
All I want is her. No, I fucking need her.
My gaze drops to her, every instinct sharpening, focusing on her parted lips, the way her breasts are outlined against her top, the way I know exactly what her pussy looks like beneath those pants.
She’s in fucking heat, and I want to fucking take her right here. I step forward, ready to rip her clothes off, bend her over and fuck her until she’s ruined.
I freeze, shock slamming through me at my train of thought.
I stagger back, forcing myself to put distance between us.
She whimpers as she falls to the ground, curling up as she hugs herself. Her glamour drops, and I avert my gaze, knowing it’ll be the end of me.
I need to get out of here, but I can’t leave her here, not when every single unmated wolf will be able to sniff her out.
“Fuck, Sienna,” I growl roughly as I step towards her.
Focus, I warn myself, as my wolf’s opinion makes itself known.
Heat is for mating, so why shouldn’t I claim her? Why shouldn’t I fuck her? She’s mine.
No. She. Fucking. Isn’t.
Why?
I hate that question that I ask myself, or my wolf asks me. I don’t fucking know. But either way, it is a question I don’t want to face. Not when I know what I’m trying to hide.
“I-I’m sorry… I’ll be ok,” she whimpers through laboured breathing; her cheeks flushed, her red eyes burning into mine with a desire that probably matches my own.
“Let’s get you back,” I say, my own heart hammering, knowing how fucking hard this will be. But no matter how much my wolf is tearing at my self-control to come out, I can’t let him.
I could never do that to her… I won’t.
My power surges as I push my wolf into submission, and I crouch beside her, lifting her tiny body into my arms. She moans softly as she curls into me, her fists pressed against her own chest as if she’s trying to control herself.
I break into a run; the sooner I return to the mansion, the better. Grandma can help her. There’s only Dad and Grandad there; she’ll be safe. I’ll leave-
“Jayce…” Her arms slide around my neck, her body pressing against mine as she moans, grazing her lips against my neck. But it’s her next words that make me freeze.
“Fuck me.”