Song of the Chapter is "Work Song" by Hozier
Enjoy! :)
Chapter 18
Kiara POV
I lifted my head slightly to see Connor's sleeping face. His eyes mouth was set in a grim line, his jaw tense, looking like a menacing rogue even while he slept. Like he was always ready to fight. His arm was tightly secured around me protectively, and if he hadn't run his fingers gently through my hair for the past hour and a half I would've been scared of him.
I watched him curiously as he slept, wondering how someone could be on high alert twenty four- seven. I studied the way his chest rose and fell steadily with his breathing. It was the only way you could even tell the boy was breathing, he was so silent.
I brought my hand up to his face and traced his features, first starting at the top of his temple and trailing my fingers down to his strong jawline. My heart started to skip as I thought about how handsome he was. I pushed his feathery, light brown hair back lightly, which earned me a low, pleasure filled growl from my sleeping mate when my nails scratched his scalp.
After I was done marveling at him I buried my face in the crook of his neck, just breathing him in. I couldn't believe that he wanted to leave the pack grounds right after my father announced we were threatened by hunters. It just didn't make sense to me. Does he have no care at all for his well being? He said it himself that he used to hate who he was because he was tortured for it. Maybe he just didn't care about what happens to him. The thought made me shiver and push myself more into his embrace.
I couldn't lose him. Even knowing him for as short as I had, I knew that losing him would kill me. It wasn't just the mate bond; He was such a good person at heart and had the capacity to be so loving. I've experienced it first hand.
Finally, he started to stir, and suddenly shot up in the bed as if forgetting where he was. When he realized that he was curled around me in his room, his muscles relaxed. He yawned and I tried not to wince as his back muscles popped as he stretched. He really needed to get out of this room. No one should have to live here. It was cold, run down, and was probably growing mold. He would get sick if he stayed in here.
"I'm going to ask my dad if you can have a room on my floor," I said to him, causing him to give me a lazy smile. My heart sped up.
"I kind of like it in here. It's got character," he said as he slapped the rickety nightstand beside him, causing it to crumble to the ground.
I burst out laughing, scrunching my nose at the filthy place. "This room is a death trap."
He shrugged and intertwined my hand with his. "I'm just lucky your dad let me be in your life, despite my past. I don't care where I have to sleep at night."
I grinned and kissed him hard on the mouth, causing him to smile into it and bite my lip playfully. See? He could be so sweet when he wanted to.
When I pulled away, I messed up his hair roughly with my hands. "You have bed head," I teased him.
"I think you fixed it," he joked and ran his hand through his hair a couple times to tame it.
We sat there talking about nothing and kissing for what seemed like hours, until I finally had to bring it up.
"So, my dad's probably figured out some safe running routes by now if you wanted to go." I looked up at him from under my eyelashes, praying that he wouldn't decide to risk his life. Although the routes were safely designed, it was risky to leave the pack boundaries regardless.
He closed his eyes and his hand dropped from my waist. I frowned at the loss of contact. "I'm sorry about almost doing that to you."
"Why did you want to go so badly?" I choked out. I was afraid to hear his response.
When he opened his dark green eyes, they were hard. He was pushing me away. I grabbed his forearm and it tensed below my touch. "Don't shut me out, please," I begged. He still hadn't said a word, and I was losing my confidence fast. I just couldn't get through to him. Tears started to well in my eyes, and I scolded myself for crying again. I was supposed to be the Alpha's daughter. Strong. I said the one thing that had been repeated in my mind for the past couple of hours.
"I can't lose you," I muttered weakly.
His guarded eyes immediately sprang to life, and he crushed me to his chest. His heart was beating wildly, and I wrapped my legs around him, not wanting to let him go.
He kissed my forehead and placed his against mine. I didn't want to look at him; I was ashamed with all my crying. I just wanted to bury myself into his arms until I felt better. But he tipped my head up with his thumb and made me look into his eyes.
"You're not going to lose me," he said huskily. Does that mean he's not going?
"Promise?"
"I promise."
I smiled sadly and I felt relief wash over my body. I actually think my body sagged from the weight off my shoulders.
Connor POV
Hearing her so vulnerable made my chest burn. She looked so sad, like she had lost me already when she said those words. I wanted to show her that I'd always be there for her. Well, until I wouldn't.
This whole fucking plan has gotten so confusing. I really don't think I'm strong enough to go through with it. Not with her looking up at me with her wide blue-gray eyes, trusting me and thinking I'm the best fucking thing since sliced bread. She doesn't know me at all, what I could do to her, to her family. What I'm supposed to do.
I needed to talk to Nick so badly. First I'd punch him in the face for putting so much stress on my mate, then I'd ask him what the hell everyone was thinking when they decided to threaten the pack. I'm not in the loop with the hunters right now, and that scares me. I don't know their next move.
When Kiara said that she couldn't lose me, my heart actually got caught in my throat. I had to force myself not to tell her that I'd be fine; it's her I'm not sure I can handle losing.
"I'm sorry," I told her again, not knowing what else I could say. I wanted to tell her the truth, but I was too confused. She'd hate me for it, and I don't think I could handle seeing her face crumple in horror as she finally learned the truth.
She just shook her head and gave me a small smile, but it still made my breath falter and a stir in my jeans. She has such an affect on me and she doesn't even know it.
"I know I don't know everything about your life right now. When you're ready to tell me about your past, I'll be here," she said softly with her eyes half lidded. She was a fucking angel. And I was ruining her.
"But Connor," she arched an eyebrow, "you do know we have a gym you can train in, right? If you're so worried about your figure." She poked me in the stomach and laughed under her breath, lightening the mood. I couldn't help but smile at her.
"It's not the same," I said sheepishly. "It's better training on the land that you could potentially be fighting on."
She kissed me on the cheek lightly, her lips lingering there for a moment before she pulled away, making me grab her hips and press her firmly to me. I heard her moan quietly and I almost lost it.
"Why are you so certain there's going to be a fight?" she asked breathily, making me so turned on but also wary as hell.
"I just, I want to do everything in my power to protect you." It was true. I knew I was attached. Fuck, I was more than attached. I didn't care about anything going on in my life until I met her. It was like she was grounding me to the Goddamn Earth. But I was too much of a pussy to tell her that she was the reason I was so confused.
I couldn't talk about it anymore or else I'd tell her everything, so I pressed my lips against hers, tangling my hand in the back of her hair. She tugged on my bottom lip which drove me wild, and I trailed my other hand down to her stomach lightly. I used her slight gasp to slip my tongue in her mouth and almost moaned at the taste of her. Every time I kissed her seemed to get impossibly better.
We were getting pretty into it before we heard a knock on the door. I pulled away reluctantly and brushed my thumb over her cheek just in time for Adrian to walk in.
"Where have you guys been?" he questioned, giving me a glance. "Keek, your dads looking for you."
She rolled her eyes at him. "Stop being so dramatic. It's only been a couple of hours." I almost laughed at her nonchalant attitude. But I settled for a smirk at Adrian. He glared at me and looked at his watch.
"No, Kiara, it's been more than a couple of hours. You missed dinner and your parents thought you ran away again."
At that moment, my stomach decides to let out the most ferocious growl I've ever heard. Kiara looked at me and burst out laughing, and even Adrian cracked a smile.
I tickled her stomach, making her laugh even harder. "What can I say? I'm a growing boy who missed his dinner."
She wiped tears from her eyes and grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the bed. She walked to the door and I trailed my eyes down to her ass as I followed. "Then lets go get you some food. Can't have my man going hungry." She turned back and winked at me, and I instantly wanted to forget the damn food and throw her back on the bed and eat her up instead.
As we walked down the stairs, she turned to me. "I'm going to go talk to my dad first and see what he wants. Then we can order some takeout or something?" I nodded, and she stood on her toes to kiss me on the cheek, but settled for the bottom of my jaw because she was too small.
I picked her up and landed a kiss on her mouth. She smiled into it and wrapped her arms around my neck tightly. I couldn't help but squeeze her ass a little; I'd been wanting to do that since she walked out the door. She gasped into my mouth and I pulled her closer. When I put her down her eyes were unfocused, and I was glad to see I had as much as an effect on her like she had on me.
"I'll be back," she said breathily, and I watched her go into the Alpha's office, shutting the door quietly.
I walked out the door and sat on the porch steps with my head in my hands. I was in big fucking trouble, and I knew it. When Kiara found out what I'd been planning to do to her, she'd never forgive me. She'd hate me forever and I wasn't sure I could live with that. But I knew I also couldn't live with her dead. Just the thought had my fists balled in rage. How was I supposed to protect her from everything when the only thing that was trying to hurt her was... me?
Suddenly, I felt something small hit the side of my head hard. I looked up, but no one was around. Just the soft chirp of crickets in the dark bushes.
I felt it again, on the side of my neck. This time, I looked down to find a small pebble, no bigger than a button.
"What the-" I started but was cut short when another one hit my ear. I looked to my right to see a certain someone sporting a shit eating grin, hiding in the bushes.
"Nick?" I whispered fiercely. "Is that you? What the fuck are you doing here?"
"Hey, lover boy. Thought I'd check in."
___________________________________________________________________________________
Hi! Okay, first of all, I'm so sorry I haven't been updating. It's been a crazy summer and I honestly haven't found much inspiration.
But the fact that you guys keep commenting on my stories honestly gave me so much motivation to finish the chapter!! It really makes me so happy.
So what is going to happen? Why is Nick at the pack house? Why did the hunters decide to threaten the pack? What will Kiara think if she eventually finds out? Why is Connor so horny????? (lol that one was a joke)
I miss you all, thanks for reading and enjoying!!
xx