I keep increasing my pace, causing the others to do the same. “Darling, everything ok? What are you doing?” Will asks me. Well, at least they aren’t stupid and know I’m in a mood. When I don’t answer, he tries again, “Cecily, please don’t shut me out. I’ve spent too long on the outside looking in. I know you’re upset about something. Why don’t you just tell me what it is so we can work it out.”
Fuck, why does he have to be so reasonable? A huff of air escapes me, my wolf version of a sigh. “I hate when it’s just assumed I should be protected and not consulted in my own safety. I’m not some weak bitch who needs men to be the muscle around her.”
“Ah, shit, sorry, Darling. I know it seemed that way. We can definitely do better at involving you in those conversations in the future. I thought you would’ve been used to it, having grown up with guards constantly escorting you places, but you’re right. We got swept up in needing to keep the most precious person in our life safe. I know more than the rest how devastating it is to be separated from you. I’ll make sure none of us do something like that again. Ok? Forgive us?” he pleads with me.
“Hmm... I’ll think about it.” My voice has a mischievous tone to it, which I meant to hide from him. Hopefully, he won’t catch on to it.
Well, those were famous last thoughts because his next words are, “You’re planning something, aren’t you?” He may have been present for some of my ranting moments of pranks I would pull on people if I had a body while I was in soul form.
“Whaaat? Meeee? Nah!”My words are loaded with sarcasm. I still need to figure out what I want to do. An idea pops in mind, not my best, but it’ll do for now, seeing as we’re running toward home.
I send a burst of ice to each of their paws causing them to freeze to the ground, then I use my magic to speed past them. The ice won’t hold for long, but it will give me enough time to get out of their sight. When I’m far enough away, I shift into a squirrel and hunt around for some nuts. I spot a couple at the base of a tree and scoop them up as I continue running up the trunk and find a branch to sit on. Now it’s just a waiting game.
I barely find my balance on the branch before my first victim—I mean mate—comes along. My aim is true, and I’m scurrying off to find some more nuts before the two I chuck at him even hit his forehead. Marcus gives a startled yelp and pauses to search around in the tree branches. The others catch up to him and they all sniff around, trying to find my trail since I’m not in sight.
Seeing an opportunity, I shift into a cardinal, and take flight over to a mockingbird close by. I just watched it swallow a grasshopper, and I happen to know small birds like this one shit every fifteen minutes. Maybe with a little luck, I can help direct the landing spot of its next missile. With a little maneuvering, I pick a fight with the territorial bird and get it to follow me over to a branch located directly above Derrick’s head.
PMS, huh? Ah, yes! The Fates must shine down on me, because the moment the bird decides to leave me alone, it drops a nice wet, white stream onto Derrick’s head. Klaus sees the mess and jumps away from Derrick, frantically trying to see if any of the mess landed on him as well. He ends up chasing his tail around trying to get a look at his back.
“Darling, what are you up to? I know this is you.” Will is staring directly at me.
“Isn’t it obvious, my knight? Just having a little fun!” I coo back at him. Flapping my wings, I take flight once again and circle back around, until I approach Alex from the rear. Landing on his back, I walk up between his shoulder blades. My feet are light, and I manage to make it without him noticing my added weight.
Alex is glancing around, trying to find me like the rest of them. Once I’m in the perfect spot, I let out a loud whistle right in his ear. He jumps a good four feet right into the air, narrowly avoiding hitting a low branch above him. Alex—frightened—just might be my new favorite thing. Giggles are trapped within me, and I don’t really want to hold them back, so I shift into my human form to expel the laughter.
I’m left sitting on the ground as I laugh so hard tears fill my eyes. Maybe a good laugh is all I needed to dispel my irritation with them. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I take a deep breath, trying to stop the giggles still rolling up from deep within me. Once I can see, I realize all five of my mates are staring at me with stern faces, lined up in front of me. Ok, four of them show stern expressions, but Will looks mildly amused. The others, though, don’t seem happy with me.
“Oh, come on! It was funny! Did you see the look on Alex’s face? Priceless!” Unfortunately, they don’t seem to agree with me.
“We’re still too close to Silas for joking around, Sunshine. You made us all panic when we lost sight of you. We weren’t sure if it was a trap which froze our paws or not…” At least Klaus still called me by my nickname; he can’t be THAT upset with me.
“I’m not defenseless, you know. I can use my magic to detect all close-by shifters. Those who currently have their magic along with those who lost it. If anyone was near, I would know it.” My lip sticks out in a small pout at the rain they’re dropping on my parade.
“You can do that?” Marcus asks, after shifting into his human form, since we don’t have the bond yet allowing him to speak into my mind.
“Uhh... Yeah. So can you, I could teach you if you want.” I shrug my shoulders. “There’s a lot I’ve been trained to do when traveling to ensure safety, and then a whole slew of other things for when we’re in towns and at home. All you had to do was involve me in the planning for getting us home and I would’ve told you.” A bit of fire enters my voice again and Marcus looks properly chagrined.
With a grimace, Marcus apologizes, “Shit, Babe. I’m so sorry, I should’ve thought to include you. It’s ignorant of me to overlook the fact that you would’ve been trained on this stuff, seeing as how you were always training to become Queen every time we got a glimpse of you.”
“Count me in on that apology, Angel. I know you’re a badass and can take care of yourself,” Alex quips after shifting into human form as well.
Derrick’s voice comes through our minds. “You got a bird to shit on my head!” He comes across as being pouty, with his head drooped low and tail between his legs.
“I have three letters for you, Derrick. P. M. S. Sound familiar?” His head whips up, gaping at me with wide eyes.
“Which one of you assholes told her I said that?” he snarls.
I quickly cover my lips with my hand before he can see the laugh I’m trying to hold back. “You did, Derrick. You included me on the link when you told everyone else. Maybe next time, you’ll think twice before saying shit about me.” He slinks over to me and gives a quick lick to my cheek before trying to cozy up to me. “Ew! No! You still have poo on your head! Get away before you get it on me.”
Shoving him away does nothing. When I try, he just comes right back, getting closer and closer to smearing the white goo on me. “Come on, Precious. Just a bit of quid pro quo.” Squealing, I get up and shift into my wolf form, running away from him before I fall victim to becoming his napkin. My magic makes quick work of cleaning up the mess, but he still chases after me. And just like that, we’re back on the trail toward our home.
Chapter 7
Derrick
We’re just about to arrive at the castle, and I believe I’ve finally gained Cecily’s forgiveness for my crass comment. Now she will nudge my shoulder back when I bump her in a playful manner. She even returns my quick kisses when I lick her snout.
I’m not sure how I became so lucky to have been given such an amazing mate. I love my Precious more than anything in this world, or any other. Even if she wasn’t destined for me, I would want to protect her with my life. I look forward to the day Silas is behind us, and the threat he holds against our people is wiped away from existence.
