94. The Verdict

94. The Verdict
Cindy

When I glanced up with half-closed eyes, Antonio was watching us. 

He had his right hand buried under water. I had a clear view of it moving up and down despite the steam. He observed us with a hunger in his eyes that could make an Alpha yield. 

I returned almost as much as I was given. Antonio held my hips firmly. My legs wrapped around his waist. He entered me slowly, but with precision. I let out a moan. It was perfect, just what I needed. He filled me up to the brim, waiting impatiently as I caught my breath.

“Move,” I breathed out.

Antonio complied. He kept going without a hint of stopping. His thrusts were smooth and passionate. It’s as if we were slices of butter melted into each other.

Reiss bit my ear. Glen traced the length of my neck with the tip of his tongue. I pulled Reiss closer and let his lips consume me. 

It’s as if the earlier events of the day didn’t matter. My mind was clear. There were no barriers keeping me from them. I smiled through the moans. I could see this being my future, and boy, did I like the sound of that.
______

A towel held my hair in place while also helping to dry it. I listened to Glen’s breathing as he played with the loose strands of hair. Antonio had fallen asleep butt naked behind Glen. Reiss had left the bed to go to the bathroom.

“I don’t think we should live at my father’s place,” he said suddenly. I gazed at him. 

“At Beta Williams?”

“No, Colt’s. I know he’s going to want us to live there because he expects us to follow in his footsteps. But I don’t want to, you know? I love my pack, but I don’t want to love them the same way that he does. I want to have my own place without everyone watching me, especially him. Plenty of people were already comparing me to my dad, but now more pressure will be placed on me as the future leader. Maybe I should do what Reiss did and build a place a little distance away.”

I settled onto his chest and closed my eyes. “For me, it doesn’t really matter. Can I tell you something?”

Glen nodded. “Of course.”

“I… didn’t really feel like I was a part of the pack. Don’t get me wrong, I made a lot of friends there, and a lot of people have never treated me as anything less than family. Well, except for some people.”

He stiffened. His voice got deep. “Just tell me the names and I’ll take care of it.”

I slapped his chest. “Don’t be silly. I’m over it. However, even if they didn’t say anything, I still can’t shake off the feeling that I can’t be compared to everyone else. I can’t grow fur or use my heightened senses to hunt down prey under a full moon. Do you know how jealous of you I was when we were kids and you had your first shift and I didn’t? I’m less than a year older than you, and yet I was way behind my peers. I cried about it for days. You, Claudia, and my parents made me feel better.”

His hold on me tightened. I chuckled. 

“Like I said, I’m over it. I don’t really care where I go next as long as I can feel like I belong. But I do have another condition.”

We stared into each other’s eyes. “Tell me. As soon as I gain even a bit more power, I’ll make it possible.”

I smiled. “I want to live with all four of us. I want to wake up in the morning and eat the breakfast Antonio leaves on the table before he goes on a work trip. I want to stand at the door in a bathroom with a cup of coffee and watch Reiss train you. I want to make you all dinner after work and watch you enjoy it while telling me about your day. With only your socks on.”

Glen chuckled. He kissed the top of my head. “So you are attracted to me. I’m happy.”

“Well, you have been my crush for years now. What were you thinking? That I liked you for your personality?”

I laughed right after. “I’m kidding, but yes. I’m attracted to everything about you, Glen.”

He kissed me, an action I happily returned. 
_______

I woke up when there was movement on the bed. My vision was groggy. There were footsteps. I lifted my head and looked around. Antonio was still here, but the space where Reiss slept was empty. 

Resisting the urge to fall back asleep, I pushed myself off Glen’s chest and gently inched off the bed.

I found Reiss standing on the balcony. Spotting a satin robe, I used it to cover myself. 

The flowing curtains partially blocked the sight of his body. A nearby hoot caused me to jolt. Right there on the railing was an owl the shade of a full moon. In its little beak was an envelope with a pattern embedded in the seal. I recognized that emblem, it belonged to the Council.

Reiss thanked the bird as it hooted and flew off. Then he flipped open the envelope. I observed as his eyes scanned its contents. Did we receive a verdict this early? I have a bad feeling.

Reiss’ eyes narrowed. His hold on the letter caused its sides to crumble.

It was then I revealed myself to him. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer right away, but his face told me everything I needed to know. Reiss exhaled through his nose. He folded the letter back into its original form. “I was hoping I wouldn’t wake you up.”

“Don’t worry about that.” I drew closer and caressed his arm. “Just tell me, what did they say?”

I could tell he was hesitating.

“They turned their backs on us, didn’t they?” I asked. 

Reiss reopened the letter. Thanks to that, I could see the contents for myself.