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“Fuck indeed,” the elder says.
Things just got even more complicated.
FIVE
Ann
Time has passed,but the tension in the cave is still at an all-time high. Onyx allowed me to check over his injuries, which were thankfully not so bad, but he treated me like a random healer rather than someone he's kissed. Someone he's touched. Skimming my hands along his arms, back, and chest only made the torturous feeling between my thighs increase. Every so often, I'd steal a glance at Dusk. But he didn't look back at me. He just laid beside the fire, with a clear erection that made my mouth feel dry.
"You're looking much better," I tell Onyx.
His gaze falls on me, but all I can read in his eyes is disappointment before he pulls away from me and struggles back into his shirt. Then, he goes to clean his weapons, seemingly ignoring me, and yet, I know he isn't. I know neither of them have forgotten I'm here, even if they might wish they had.
We're all exhausted. Battles aren't easy, but we haven't had much of a break lately either, so it makes the feeling of pure exhaustion take on a whole new meaning. The sun has risen, which is usually time to sleep for us, so I feel like everyone is just holding their breath, trying to decide what Rayne and I will do.
The thing is, I don't know. But I do know I'm not going anywhere, at least any time soon. Unless Rayne needs me to,trulyneeds me to in order to stay in this body. But not unless it’s a life or death situation. Deep down I realize that Rayne coming back should have changed everything for me, and maybe it would have a few weeks ago, but now, now it feels like the most bitter-sweet gift I've ever received. My love, my fated mate is back.
But my shadow beasts, they're important to me too. Too important to walk away from, no matter how much Rayne might want me to.
When Rayne strides back into the cave, my gaze snaps to him. He stands in the doorway, radiating that regal energy he always seems to radiate, even in a different body. But then, Rayne has never had anyone look down on him. Not anywhere. Being the only son from a powerful family, he was treated like a prince among our people. Meeting him at the academy was like meeting a celebrity in real life. Realizing he was my mate was like winning the lottery.
Yet, it surprises me a bit that even here, far from our home and people, he still enters every room, or in this case, cave, like he owns it. It's sexy in a way, but also stressful, because there's no way the shadow beasts are going to appreciate his confidence.
And when Dusk's eyes open and he sees Rayne at the entrance to the cave, I know I'm right. Dusk's eyes narrow and he huffs out a breath, winces for his trouble, and then huffs another. It's like the man can assert his alpha presence with a huff alone, which is oddly impressive. Each movement he makes, even the way he glares at Rayne, screams thatno one is tougher than Dusk. That’s the message he’s trying to convey anyway.
After a moment, Rayne shoots him a glare right back. He crosses his big arms in front of his chest, stretching the brown leather clothes he wears. My gaze moves over him, and then up, realizing for the first time that his light brown hair is wet.He must have taken a bath in the river.Somehow, it's hard to imagine Rayne bathing in a river.
"So, where dowesleep?" he asks, and I know his question is directed at me, but his words are meant to be a blow to the shadow beasts.
And they are.
Dusk scoffs. They don’t exchange any more words. Mostly it’s posturing—a series of grunts and angry stares.
Finally, I break the awkward silence. "There are bed rolls over there if you want to grab one and put it by the fire."
He tears his gaze from the other man and gives me a hesitant smile. "Any place in particular you want us to lay?"
Us. We.These are all things he's saying to make a point that I'll be sleeping with him today, and I want to scream at him. To tell him this is not the place to piss all over me and claim me as his own. We have enough shit to deal with.
"Just lay it anywhere."
He notices the edge to my voice and lifts a brow, but I don't explain. I don't need to. He knows exactly what I'm doing and exactly why I'm doing it.
"Ann," Dusk says, rolling a bit to look at me, then patting his bedroll. "Should we get some sleep? It was a long night."
"She's not sleeping with you," Rayne says, venom in his voice.
"She's not sleeping with you," Dusk throws right back at him.
“And who is going to stop her from sleeping with me?You?” Rayne looks at Dusk like he's looking at a spider he could kill with a flick of his hands. I almost remind him that killing someone with his mind doesn't work against shadow beasts, but I'm sure he remembers. Maybe he's already tried his abilities since he came back.
Dusk slowly climbs to his feet, and I match his movements as the big shadow beast crosses the cave to stand in front of Rayne. "Try me."
Rayne steps a little closer, chest puffed out, eyes dark and flashing with anger. "But you're injured. It wouldn't be a fair fight."
“And you're a dead man in a borrowed body. I think I'll do just fine." Dusk's light blue eyes scream insults his mouth never forms.
"Guys." I'm not quite between them, but I'm moving closer, trying to decide just how to handle all of this. I've never had men fighting over me before. I've never had anyone outside of Rayne even give me a second glance. "Let's just cool down." The words sound lame, even to my own ears, but I can't help it. "We're all just tired and overwhelmed."
