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“Okay then all-seeing one,” Wilder rolled his eyes, “what do you suggest we do now?”
Knox shrugged, not bothered by Wilder’s attitude. “We do what we normally would have after a Hunter attack. There was so much chaos that no one saw Kalani’s death, and we got her out in time before she shifted. So, Maeve and Kalani will go back and help with the injured. Wilder will go talk to Gunther about the attack plan moving forward. Madden will growl in a corner about how he wants to murder everyone, and I’ll go speak with the Council and Zachariah, as is expected.”
Raising her hand as if Knox was a professor, Halley spoke up. “And what about me and Eli? Are we just supposed to sit here?”
Knox nodded in agreement, and I smiled. After everything that’s happened today, I wouldn’t mind some time just the two of us.
“We don’t need you around the Council right now Halley, not if what I think is true. And after healing so many of our people, everyone will understand that your power is exhausted, and you need rest. Eli, being the kind guy he is, will understandably stay here with you to make sure you’re okay.”
My smile stretched, hoping that was how Halley viewed me as well. The type of guy that would protect and care for her, no matter the cost.
“Once things go back to normal, we’ll meet back up here to discuss more. Sound good?” Knox asked and everyone nodded their agreement. Shaking off everything that happened in the past few hours, the five others left the room, leaving me and my girl alone.
? ? ?
Halley and I were lying on the couch, her head on my chest while I ran my palms up and down her back. After everyone left, it seemed as if the life bled out of her, and the exhaustion set in. As much her being in my arms comforted me, I couldn’t take the silence for too long. I wanted to know what happened after I took Kalani inside. How she was feeling about all this news. And I wanted to know about her actual childhood, the one with her mom, not the one she had made up. I wanted to know everything there was to know about this girl. But I knew we could get into all that later, so I started simply. “How are you feeling?”
Halley lifted her head, resting her chin on my chest, so she could look at me.
“Honestly?” She deeply sighed. “I feel as though my whole world has changed yet again. And I’m not sure if I can handle that.”
Her eyebrows scrunched as she admitted this, and I knew how difficult it was for her to utter those words. Halley rarely let her shield down, shoving through this new life with strength as her armor. And I couldn’t help but feel grateful she trusted me enough to allow me to see the woman underneath the mask.
“You may not think you can handle it, but I know you can. And you’re not alone Halley, you have Kalani and Maeve. Even Knox and Madden, maybe even Wilder. And you’ll always have me. Always. You know that right?”
Halley nodded, vulnerability in her expression, but quiet sat between us for several seconds, before she responded, refusing to meet my gaze.
“And if I lose any of you? If you die, because of me,forme? I’ve already lost the most important person in my life, trying to protect me, I thought I lost Kalani. I refuse to lose anyone else. Not when I can prevent it.”
Lifting her chin with my fingers, I made sure she was looking at me with my next words.
“Even if you ran, you couldn’t prevent this. If Knox is right, then our whole world is about to crumble. Fuck, if he’s right, then our whole world has already crumbled, and we’ve been living in the destruction. If you run, you won’t be protecting us from the Hunters or the Council. The only thing you’ll be doing is tearing my heart out. And I can’t allow that to happen.”
Chapter Nine
Halley
Eli’s words struck me in the heart, and I felt tears welling in my eyes. The feeling felt foreign, something I hadn’t allowed myself to do since Mom’s death. But the reminder of her, the feeling of losing Kalani, and now the care shining through Eli and his words, was enough to make a person break.
Wiping the tears that silently fell down my cheeks, Eli whispered. “Don’t cry Halley. This may be foreign to you, but you have people here that care about you. People that would do anything for you. Let us be there for you when you’re not strong enough to stand alone.”
More tears came as Eli spoke and I couldn’t stop the pull in my heart, the one that led me to his lips. The familiar softness of his lips settled my despair and I melted into him. Our mouths moved in tandem, slow and exploring, before Eli pushed further, opening my mouth with his own, tongue caressing mine. I moaned into his mouth, feelings of lust and infatuation pushing away any exhaustion I may have felt. Sleep could wait, this moment couldn’t. My moan seemed to have snapped something in Eli’s calm façade and before I could take my next breath, I found myself flipped over, pressed into the cushions under Eli’s weight.
Spreading my legs to allow room for him, I moaned again when I felt his length pressing against me, hard and ready for more. Running my hands through his shoulder length locks, I tugged gently, earning myself a groan in return. Taking advantage in the break of our mouths, Eli moved his tongue over my neck, gently nipping as he lowered. Moving to the hem of my shirt, I realized how dirty we both were, covered in grime and dried blood. Gently pushing him away, Eli started to ask what was wrong, when I shifted, lifting my shirt over my head. An appreciative glint sparked in his eyes, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Our clothes are a little dirty. Mind taking yours off as well?” I questioned coyly and Eli returned my smile, his blinding, releasing a little bit of sunshine onto this bleak day.
“Don’t have to ask me twice,” he spoke before ripping his shirt off as well and I was stunned speechless at the cut lines of his chest and stomach.
I knew Eli was fit, even under his clothes, I could see the tight muscles, but undressed, the man was stunning. A smattering of blonde hair, identical to his long hair, covered his firm chest and my eyes wandered greedily down his body, appreciating his firm abs. Another thin trail of hair led downwards, cut off by his pants and I gulped, taking in the thick bulge pressing against the material.
Not wanting to wait any longer to feel his body pressed against mine, I pulled him down, fusing our mouths together once more. I got caught up in the deep groans mixing with my breathy moans, lost to the feeling of Eli’s soft hands trailing over my curves. Pushing into his chest, my nipples aching for touch, I urged him to take this further. I wanted this with him. Wanted to explore each other’s bodies until we were breathless and throbbing for more.
Eli’s need matching my own, I arched my back when his hands fell to my breasts, kneading them before rolling my nipples between his fingers, sending a wave of arousal to my core. As Eli continued the attention on my chest, I broke from the kiss, needing to taste his skin. Moving my mouth towards his neck, I inhaled deeply, the smell of pine and lust greeting me, before I began trailing open mouthed kisses along his neck and the underside of his jaw. When I gently bit, Eli growled and I smiled against his neck, pleased with his reaction.
Pulling away, Eli stared down at me, heat burning me up from the inside out, before pulling my bra down and taking my nipple into his mouth. With each suck, my hips thrust against him, trying to find the friction to appease the fire in my core. Alternating between each breast, Eli snaked his hand between us and deftly unbuttoned my pants, slipping his fingers beneath my panties and meeting my slick center.
“Fuck Halley, you’re soaked.” Eli groaned out and all I could do was nod in agreement, my mind and body focused on Eli and Eli alone.
