Chapter 14

I swear my house has become a revolving door lately. I thought to myself as I finished whipping off the counter. Kilian still was not home yet, and I was beginning to worry. The girls managed to talk Lex into a new training schedule, he gave them one day a week off somehow. They were working him pretty well, but he remained firm. I thought he told me he was not going to have them train on the weekends, but they decided to only fight for Sundays.

          I set up a cot in my office temporarily for Flo. Being around her put any worries I had to rest. She was going to fit in great around here. She was more than happy to discuss teenage girl topics with Freya and Helga. Ingrid was quiet through the night but that isn’t odd. Sylvi and Luke had picked up Mason and dropped off dinner for everyone. Kilian was stuck and was not going to make it back in time to cook dinner. Freya was upset but said he could make it up the next day. Flo took the opportunity to offer a movie date on the couch and it was forgotten.

          My phone started vibrating in my pocket as I continued to rub the same spot on the counter lost in my thoughts.

          “You are so lucky that our amazing new friend saved you from Freya’s anger for missing dinner.” I answered the phone giggling.

          “I know, I hate disappointing her. It couldn’t be helped. Why don’t you tell our guest she can take my room for the evening and I will slide into the cot in the office whenever I get back, it still may be a while, I would hate to have the good bed go to waste.” He offered.

          “That is nice of you, I will let her know and get it set up, luckily I changed the sheets earlier today.” I agreed.

          “I just wanted to check in with you, I am glad everything is going well. Tell Lex to sweep twice before bed please. I love you, see you soon.” He didn’t wait for me to answer before ending the call.

          I walked into the living room and saw Lex sitting in the recliner and I hopped into his lap. He sounded like a balloon letting all his air out. I laughed before making my face serious.

          “Why did Kilian just tell me to tell you to ‘sweep twice before bed’?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

          “He must be paranoid about something, he knows I run the perimeter before I call it a night, he must want me to be sure.” He said his thought out-loud.

          “I would be willing to help Alpha.” Flo spoke up from the couch she was sharing with Freya. “I want to feel like I am pulling my weight around here. I want to protect just as much as the male warriors.” She explained so he could not argue.

          “Give me another 10 days and I will be running with you guys.” I tried to make it a joke. I was frustrated, I wanted to be able to shift now. I had never before experienced my family not explaining the wolf blood in our veins, like if they didn’t talk about it, it didn’t exist.

          “Princess, be patient, even then none of us will be comfortable with you patrolling the borders alone.” He stated the fact to help me realize ability to shift or not, I was always going to be more of the protected, rather than the protector. That was before I had children of my own, it awoke a new type of beast within me.

          I nodded my head at him and turned back to Florence, “Kilian said he wants you to take that room for the night. He will crash in the office when he returns. Please do not protest, I assure you, you will not win.” I felt the need to warn her when seeing her facial expression.

          “Message received.” She said pressing her lips together.

          “Where did Randolph disappear to?” I asked looking around.

          “He is catching some sleep; he must have the same feeling as Kil.” Lex answered me. “He said he was going to get in a couple hours then head out to add manpower tonight.” He elaborated.

          “I am glad I do not sense whatever has all of your panties in a wad.”

          We all finished watching the movie, Venom, that was playing. Freya walked zig zags down the hall headed for her room. I showed Flo where Kilian’s room was and let her know the sheets were fresh. She really was a sweetheart. I checked on the rest of the house before heading to the porch. There was so much going on and I needed to just be alone and relax.

          I walked over to the plant that was surrounded by rocks and lifted the one that looked different. It was a heavy plastic material for a hide a key. I popped the bottom open and pulled out the joint that I had stashed in there. I walked over to the center of the front lawn and plopped myself down on the ground. The grass was beginning to moisten it was around 60 degrees outside and the air had a wonderful crisp smell to it.

          I laid on my back staring up at the cloudy sky. I was trying to blow some type of shape with the smoke like a dork before being consumed by my thoughts. I needed to mentally make a list of things I need to be tracking.

·        Creepy relative

·        3 bodyguards living in my basement to protect my 3 daughters

·        A camp on the property that I have never been to housing god knows how many people.

·        Still living with my husband and my new-old mate.

·        I have less than 10 days before I shifted for the first time, and possibly don’t succeed, or worse, don’t survive.

·        Oh and this destiny thing that I have no idea what, how, when, or where.

I took another drag and breathed out slowly. “Don’t forget your ability to hear me, my daughter.” Her voice rang through my head sending a chill down my side. Well when you put it that way…

          “I have never been one to ask for hints, but please, anything?” I asked out loud but softly.

          “Astrid, you have all of the answers, you just need to find them. Do not focus on what you can not control. It is a waste of energy. You will have most of your answers soon, be patient daughter.” Her voice was the most amazing music I have ever heard.

          “That actually helped more than you know.” I said out loud knowing that she was no longer present.

          “You going to share that or just hide in plane site?” Kilian said as he walked up. “I haven’t a clue why you are jumping, you should have seen me pull in a minute ago.” He pointed to the Yukon that was parked in front of the garage.

          “Sorry I wasn’t paying attention…” I said as I lifted my hand to pass the joint to him. I was still laying on my back with my knees up staring up he had stopped close to my head and was staring straight down at me. He looked me over for a moment and decided to take spot with his head next to mine, mirroring my position.

          “I know everything is going to be okay. I know we will work through this and be great friends, but it is hard to process it all happening like a light switch turning off.” I kissed his cheek. “I am glad that you were selfish and didn’t leave, turns out I am selfish too.” I said looking back towards the sky.

          Kilian was up first and grabbed my hands pulling me from the ground. He made a comment about the traffic on his way back. I informed him that his request was honored, and he is going to be in the office. He seemed okay with it. We said goodnight once we reached the garage. I was finally feeling relaxed, to relaxed, my body suddenly was on fire and needed Lex’s touch. I started rushing up the stairs and tripped on the top two.

          “Are you really drunk again?” Lex said as I caught myself on the door.

          “Nope, not at all, just stoned tonight. My liver can thank me later!” I said as I was taking my shirt off and unbuttoning my pants. I was not wasting any time. I was going to finally have the time to enjoy myself with this god of a man and I planned to take him to the clouds with me.

          Lex didn’t miss a beat, as soon as he saw what I was doing he was approaching me, he didn’t have a shirt on to begin with, he didn’t remove his shorts on his way over and I pouted. He bit my lip while grabbing me by my thighs and wrapping them around his waist, he was walking towards the bed when I put my lips to his neck and bit him harder than usual.

          “Don’t tease me.” He said after a loud growl erupted from his chest.

          “I wouldn’t dare.” I whispered in his ear before using the same pressure to bit higher up on his neck.

          He immediately turned and had my back to the wall. The bed was to far away and neither of us had the time. My hands were sliding all over his body trying to pull him in closer. He had one hand behind my back keeping me supported while the other reached my clit and applied pressure.

          “Now who is teasing who?” I said between rapid breaths.

          Lex nipped the spot on the back of my lower neck, and I moaned in pleasure. His hand began exploring my depths. I reached down and began stroking his shaft in my hand. It was already throbbing, and I knew exactly how to help it. I pulled him to my entrance and used my hips to force him in. He didn’t hold back his growl when he felt it. He grabbed my back, my legs still wrapped around him, he walked over to the chair and sat down with me straddling him.

          “Words will never describe what I feel for you.” My face was held in his hands and he was looking deep into my soul. He brought my lips back to his and kissed me as if it was our first time.

My whole body came to the attention of the kiss. He slowly thrusted his hips moving his kiss from my lips, across my cheek, down my neck to the base. He used his hands to pull my hair to the side and hovered just above my skin. His breath was electrifying. My skin felt like it would rise to him if he did not close the distance.

          He lightly licked my skin before biting down. I had been marked by him many times before, but this was different. My eyes shot open from the wave of pleasure that coursed throughout my body. My moan was part growl, the power that was released shook the area so hard the car alarms went off. There was a bright light coming from Lex and I, we were as bright as the full moon.

Instincts took over as he released me from his bite. My head rolled back in pleasure before I bent down and forced my teeth into the flesh on his chest above his heart. His blood was hot and caused a drug like effect to wash over me. If that were what drugs did to people, I could finally understand. The white light that was shining from us had turned to a bright blue then deepening as it disappeared.

“What the HELL is going on?” Kilian screamed from the entry way.

I was coming out of my daze and I tried to follow his voice. My eyes saw a furious, red-in-the-face, Kilian. Behind him were Tristian, Flo, and Randolph. Shane was barley in view, but you could tell he was forcing other people from entering the area. I think his comment were along the lines of, everyone is fine, give them privacy.

I looked back over realizing my current position with Lex still under me both of us naked. Flo walked over closer and tossed me a blanket while her eyes stayed diverted.

“Thank you” I murmured to her. Lex grabbed his basketball shorts quick and threw them on as I wrapped the blanket around me.

“By all means, please everyone come in and take a seat. It is not like you should knock or anything.” I stated slightly irritated that this was happening. I understand the concern, but come on, anyone that was at the bottom of the stairs could tell nothing was against our will.

Some of them mumbled sorry as they stepped in from the door. I was glad to see that Tristian and Shane had left once they realized everyone was okay. Flo, Kilian, and Randolph remained. Randolph had a smirk on his face like we were the nightly reality show. Kilian hadn’t moved yet. Flo pulled a chair out at the table, she didn’t seem to be interested in the explanation, more there for support.

“I am not sure what you want me to say. I didn’t know I could shake the ground like that. Is everyone okay?” I asked pleading with my eyes.

“We will talk about your earthquake next, what was that light? We couldn’t see you guys until it disappeared. We could only hear Lex’s growl. He shook the walls, but nothing compared to the whole property shaking before that. We had no idea what to think.” He was clearly concerned, angry, hurt and confused.

“What?” I whispered it, trying to understand the words.

“The answers will come in pieces daughter.” The words rang through my head. I am glad the goddess was getting a kick out of my awkward sexual intrusions.

“It’s beginning…” I said, not knowing the words before they left my lips.

“What is beginning? This has never happened before princess.” Lex finally spoke.

“Our purpose is coming. When we marked each other, we completed the bond in this lifetime. That light was our power awakening, it was never our time before. This will be the lifetime we complete our destiny. Our powers will not be complete until I shift but we are almost there. Once I complete the shift, we will not be able to hide. It is going to send a surge of energy everywhere. Anyone who knows of the prophecy will be coming.” I stopped and they were all now staring right at me like I had grown a horn out of my head.

I blinked looking at Kilian and noticed he was blurry, I looked over at lex who was closer and noticed he was as well. I tried blinking my eyes a few times before I took a back seat watching someone else drive my body like their own.

“I do not have long my children so please listen closely.” The beautiful voice that was moving past my lips was not my own. It was the goddess. She apparently decided asking permission to drive would be a waste of time, who am I kidding, it would have been.

“These next events are over 3000 years in the making. I know you will succeed. Kilian, usually I can create bonds differently, but we are tight on time. I would like you and Florence to sit down and get to know each other a bit, I believe you two can have a love like Astrid’s. I have given you the ability to choose Kilian. If you would like to become a wolf and take Florence as a second chance mate, I only ask one thing in return. Please vow to protect Astrid and your 3 daughters as you have to this day.” She paused and Kilian nodded taking no time to think about it but now staring at Flo with new eyes. I don’t think he noticed her before because of the blinding light but she was now looking back at him with the same eyes.

“Florence, I am sorry for the hand you were delt, you are a strong warrior, amazing mother, and you did not deserve to be a victim of the darkness inside others. Please think about my gift before making your decision. You can even ask your new bestie.” She said as she took my thumb and pointed to me, or herself. I am still not sure how this was working.

“Randolph, the warrior protector of the wolf. You have always protected and served Alexander with honor and pride. You helped him grow into the person that he needed to be. Never think I forgot about you in life. You are the best warrior to have ever lived, please protect her always. I ask you to dedicate your life, body, and soul to protecting her. I swear to you, she will always be worthy of it.

Randolph stepped forward towards me, he went down on his knee and was still oddly tall. “Goddess you did not need to ask. I have dreamed of protecting her my entire life, I will never allow anything to distract me from protecting her.” He reached up to take my hand that was not holding the towel and placed his forehead to it.

“I am aware of your dedication to Astrid, the only other living soul that can compare is Alexander. She smiled towards him before taking my other hand from holding the blanket and grabbing his arms to stand him up. The blanket dropped to the ground and I was completely naked 3 inches from the 7-foot-tall warrior who just dedicated his life to me.

He instantly wrapped his arms around me to provide cover. I am not sure who he was trying to cover me from since the two men in the room had seen me naked multiple times. A growl escaped from Lex’s chest and Kilian released a laugh. Her singing voice laughed softly bending down to pick up the blanket.

“Breath Alexander, his instincts are to protect and shield her, what better way to do that then with his body?” She smirked at him and raised a brow.

“All of you be ready, as long as you remain together, you will succeed. Not all of you will live, there is always a balance.” She said before I felt my conscious rush to the surface of my body.

My legs began to give out, in a moment I was swept up bridal style trying to blink my vision back into view. I saw sandy brown hair and blue eyes. His short beard around his face had different colors of blonde, brown, and red mixed throughout. I could smell salt water; the ocean was radiating from his skin and I inhaled leaning in closer.

Lex cleared his throat and snapped us out of our trance. It was the first time I had gotten that close to Randolph and I was woozy. He stepped over to the bed and sat me down as Lex grabbed a bottle of water.

“I am going to head back to bed, I am sure we will talk over breakfast. Why don’t you stay in and get some rest? I will take care of everything for you and be up with your food when I am done.” She smiled at me and I nodded agreeing.

“I am going to, yeah, I have a thing.” Kilian said watching Florence leave the room. I smiled wide at him, happy the goddess was quick with my request.