The feeling of him so hard inside me and the sounds of his pleasure make my orgasm even more intense, and I fall against him, shuddering and gasping as the sensations crash through me, a cascade of joy fed by a great pulsing rush deep within, where the ache is finally satisfied and released.
For now.
I lay on Brad’s chest for a moment, barely aware of where I am, focused only on his breath and the warmth of his skin. As our bodies cool and my afterglow fades, I slip down beside him, feeling his arms gently wrap around me and cradle me against his chest.
Sleep creeps up, a comforting darkness that soothes me and allows me to truly rest for the first time in months.
Maybe I can allow myself to accept this, that I am safe. That I am home.
***
Several hours later, I’m awoken by Brad lightly getting out of bed. There is a slight tint of color against the walls. Dawn is very near, but not quite broken through yet.
“Where are you going?” I mutter. “What’s happening?”
“Just a patrol,” he says, leaning back over the bed to kiss me. “I won’t be too long. You rest. I’ll bring back some donuts or something, okay?”
“Okay,” I mumble, wrapping the blanket back around me. “See you soon.”
When I open my eyes a few hours later, I’m surprised to see the room full of bright light. Concerned, I grab my phone, seeing that Brad left a text a short time ago that he’d be gone just a little longer. There are also messages from Grace and Scarlett, letting me know they want to visit today.
Wouldn’t mind a few more hours in bed, but better get a move on now.
A wave of dizziness passes over me when I sit up, and I put my hand on my belly, wondering how something so smallcould affect me so much. I still feel bad for not immediately telling Brad. I’m excited to tell him, but nervous as well.
What if he thinks I let this happen to trap him so he can’t leave me again? What if that is more true than I’d like to admit?
Before my self-examination can get too dark, I hurry to get dressed and make some coffee and tea before the girls get here, making it to the couch right before they knock on the door.
“Alisha!” Grace says, coming in first and hugging me. “I’m so sorry. Truly, I hope I didn’t upset you—”
“It’s okay,” I answer, hugging her back. “I understand why you did it, and I couldn’t keep hiding from Brad. You were right, I really had to deal with it. I feel much better now.”
When Grace lets go, Scarlett is right there with her own hug.
“I’m sorry, too,” she says. “I didn’t realize I was stepping over the line. You shouldn’t have found out that way.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I reply. “You didn’t know. It’s really on Brad—and he’s apologized. We fully talked it out.”
Did we, though?
“I brought muffins,” Grace says, holding up a paper bag. “Shall we sit?”
“Yes,” I agree, feeling lightheaded already. I make an effort to walk straight as we head down the hall, not wanting to give away my condition.
After Grace hands out muffins, there are a few moments of silence as all of us tuck in. Once the sugar rushes through my system, my mind starts to tick over the inconsistencies in people’s stories, and I really begin to feel I’ve been left out of the loop on something.
“Hey,” I say. “Brad had to leave really early this morning, some kind of emergency. More than once, you guys have seemed to be referring to something I don’t know about, and you keep telling me how dangerous it is outside of town. And the military presence being here—surely, they wouldn’t be here at all if it was just pack politics.”
Grace looks at Scarlett, who just widens her eyes and shrugs. Grace sighs and looks back at me.
“I should have talked to you about this, especially after your nightmares. I thought that if you didn’t know, it might pass you by, but obviously, the ancient forces in this town have connected to you somehow.”
“Ancient forces?” I repeat. “Now you’re really freaking me out!”
Whatever I was expecting, it wasn’t this.
“Well, it is freaky,” Scarlett says. “No two ways about it. It’s not easy to explain, and the situation has been quiet. Brad was probably hoping he didn’t need to tell you.”
