*“Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine.” ― Lord Byron*
***Kiya***
A strip of warmth slipped between the curtains from the window, stretching across my cheek. The sun demanded me to wake up, for it was a brand-new day. Jokes on it, however, because I was already awake. My ears twitched as they picked up faint clatter coming from the kitchen and dining room downstairs along with voices from the pack members outside. Rumble against pavement echoed beneath the hum of the air conditioner, soft but muffled, arising from the trainers and trainees breaking into their morning run.
It was a start of a normal day for the pack. Yet, it didn’t feel like it to me.
The thoughts I thought I put to rest last night sprung up from their burials and wreaked havoc across my mind. Even if I wanted to sleep in, I couldn’t. Not when peace felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford.
Neron retreated inside of his mind last night, his consciousness fading into the background in order to stop his father from taking over his body. Today was my first morning without him. It was a drastic choice, for sure, but I understood why it needed to be done. But that didn’t quell the anger boiling in my blood cells. Jonathan had put a wedge in between us or, at least, tried to.
My lips fell into a frown, the dryness apparent on the skin. My boyfriend wasn’t gone, yet it felt like Jonathan took him from me again. He forced his son to separate himself from me because he couldn’t understand the concept of leaving people alone. I bet Jonathan was cackling at my predicament from wherever he was underground, amused that I couldn’t touch him. Amused that he has gotten the leg up.
He has been quiet, minus infiltrating Neron’s head, and I didn’t like that. I knew that man too well. I once considered Jonathan my family. Nowadays, I cringe whenever I recalled a time when I’d refer to him as my uncle. Now, he was just a slimy bastard who didn’t know how to stay dead.
A twinge of chill entered my heart as my thoughts shifted gears to the absent alpha. How was Neron doing in his mind? Is he well? Did Jonathan try to attack while I was asleep? I clutched the hem of the black blanket tight in my fingers. He was facing his father alone, and I didn’t know how to help him.
Phoebe, Asim, Violetta, and I had planned to meet via video call again to continue to discuss the hex-breaking ritual we’ll conduct. If I remembered correctly, Phoebe said she’d hunt for the herbs and candles we need for it with Asim. I had to call off early last night because I was so tired. My exhaustion wasn’t just from researching all day, but also from dealing with this crap. I just wanted a moment of quiet where I could be with Neron without the heavy rain cloud of danger waiting to strike us with lightning.
I scrunched up my face. Geez, when did I become this whiny?
“**Kiki, have you had a chance to rest after the cave incident**?” Artemis asked me. Closing my eyes, I saw her hoisting herself on her paws, releasing a mix of a yawn and a howl from her muzzle.
“*Uh, no*? *Honestly, I was either worrying about Jonathan or orgasming from the rose toy*. *There really wasn’t much of a chance in between*.”
“**You need to rest, even if it’s just for an hour**. **Even heroes need time to rejuvenate**.”
“*I can’t*. *There is so much that needs to be done*. *Resting would be time wasted*.”
“**Neron wouldn’t want you to stretch yourself thin**.”
I huffed softly through my nose. “*I’m aware, but it doesn’t seem right*.* Not when he has to fight his dad alone in the recesses of his consciousness*. *He’s counting on me to do my part to help him.*”
“**How much help would you be if you’re running purely on cortisol**? **I don’t think he would mind if you took a small break, right**?”
I pulled my bottom lip into my teeth, giving in some thought. In the end, I shook my head. “*No, I can’t*. *Not until he’s free from the curse*. *I have to take care of business, Art*. *You understand, right*?”
“**I do, but it doesn’t mean I like it, Kiki**.”
Of course, she wouldn’t. I know Artemis was looking out for me, but I wasn’t a good listener.
Shuffling in bed, I stretched my arms above my head. What’s on the agenda today besides the video call? I need to shower, eat breakfast, feed my cats, check on my girls, and…I think that’s it?
Speaking of showering, there was a new bottle of body wash I wanted to use.
However, when I tried to scoot out of bed, a thick arm quickly circled my waist and yanked me backward. I slammed into a wall of muscle with a yelp with my head landing back on the silk covering of my pillow. Before my protests could leave my mouth, a hot barrage of open-mouth kisses stretched from my carotid pulse, over my neck, to the tip of my shoulder. My body sank into a pleasant heat with tiny frissons of pleasure zipping to my navel. I crossed my legs. The arm around my waist shifted, its hand now pinching my belly and the underside of my breasts through my sheer pink pajama top.
I sighed and leaned my head back, opening more of my neck to my relentless pursuer. He slipped his fingers under my pajama top and tickled my flesh. Giggling, I patted his forearm, ghosting my fingers over his pulsating veins. “Good morning, Onyx.”
“Good morning to you, my angel.” His rough morning voice rumbled against the shell of my ear. *Goddess, he needs to keep talking*. My wolf-mate darted his tongue across my ear lobe before pulling it into his teeth. My body jolted when he wrapped his lips around the lobe and suckled, chuckling once he released it. “Stay in bed, my queen. It’s still so early.”
“Funny. Neron is usually the first one up and out running with the soldiers.”
“Just because he likes to get up at the ass crack of dawn, doesn’t mean I do too.” Onyx retorted, now massaging my belly with the pads of his fingers. Artemis’ loud purring echoed from my chest. He cracked a wide grin, no doubt hearing her. “And this is a time where no one can bother us unless they want a death wish. It’s just you and me in this lovely bed with your pretty ass pressed against me.”
“Because you pulled me back in like a piece of rope,” I smirked.
“You’re not fighting me, though.” Onyx adjusted himself behind me, lowering his hand from my belly to my hip, pressing me hard against his flush. Heat tickled my cheeks when I felt the hardening outline of his dick against my ass. Artemis purred louder. “And it sounds like Artemis won’t be fighting me either.”
“How are you turned on this early?”
“I believe the term is ‘morning wood’. And you turn me on. You’re my light switch with two lovely legs and a pair of sweet titties.”
I arched an eyebrow, unable to shake off my smile. “Do you kiss your mother with that dirty mouth?”
“Nope. She’d whoop my ass to Canada. But I do and will kiss you with it.”
Onyx raised a hand to my chin, turned my head, and consumed me with a hard and powerful kiss. A gasp parted my lips, and he slipped his tongue inside, swirling and dominating my mouth like a pirate pillaging an island for treasure. He growled into my lips, and I guzzled it. Artemis sprung out of her cage. She was as greedy as I was. She melded into my muscle and blood as she kissed Onyx with me, my experience becoming hers. Her arousal marked trails of pure fire and lightning throughout my body, my body trembling under the sheer power of desire.
There were two things I’ve noticed about Neron’s and Onyx’s kisses.
Neron’s kisses started gentle, slowly building up with passion and lust, consuming both of us at the same time. His kisses told a story of love and adoration, singing their praise of me through the movement of our lips and the mingling of our breaths. Neron made sure I felt wanted and desired before pulling me deeper into the abyss of lust, pulling Artemis along with me.
Onyx’s kisses were fiery right off the bat, passionate and possessive. His kisses told a synopsis of his unbridled libido and raging desire, yet the love he had for Artemis, and me, burned as bright as the North Star, guiding him to the treasure he wanted the most; my heart. Onyx took what he wanted but knew when to not cross a boundary.
Two major differences between the man and the wolf. And I wanted them both just the same.
I shifted on my back, still fused into the kiss. Onyx swung his legs on either side of my hips and took hold of my hips while I threw my arms around his neck. He deepened the kiss impossibly further, crushing my need to breathe air. All I could breathe in was him and his aromatic, primal scent taking the reins of my control. A growl left my lips, not my own, and Onyx guzzled it down like a thirsty beast. Artemis was into this as much as I was, and that mixture was intoxicating.
For so long, it was Onyx and Artemis, and Neron and me, respectively. Human to human and wolf to wolf. Now, it was my wolf and me to the primal alpha, claiming us through his mouth. I couldn’t help but wonder what’d happen if all four of us worked in perfect unison in our intimacy.
I was spending time with Onyx. How would Artemis spend her time with Neron once this curse business was gone? Excitement zipped through me, and I kissed Onyx harder. I wanted all of us together as one whenever and wherever it’ll happen.
Onyx’s crotch lined up with mine. His hands grasped at every part of my exposed skin, and I tasted him more than myself. I was gone. *Gone*.
I raised a hand to grip his hair, but my fingers met with a barrier. A barrier made of *silk*?
What the hell?
I grabbed a fistful of the silk, and my eyes flew open. Onyx broke off the kiss and greeted me with a smile full of amusement and glee. Artemis howled in laughter, and I tried to stifle my own when my eyes took in Onyx’s new ‘appearance’.
The bright-ass yellow on top of his head was uncanny.
“…Onyx?”
“Yes, my love?”
“Why are you wearing my bonnet?”
The damn thing had a mind of its own on some nights, slipping off and having a party at the bottom of the bed. Neron usually slipped it back on my head before I woke up. I did not expect Onyx, of all people—er, wolves, to actually *put it on himself*.
His lips curled into a smug grin. “It matches my eyes!”
The fucking bonnet was bright gold decorated with pink sunflowers! *Pink sunflowers*!
I stammered, mostly because I was trying hard not to laugh. “W-what possessed you to wear it? Did you take it off my head while I was asleep?”
“Nope, it slipped off. I was going to put it back on, but it felt so soft, and I thought, ‘hey, why don’t I try this on to see what the fuss is about’?” Onyx straightened his back and patted the bonnet with his hands. “I slept like a baby! It’s the softest thing I’ve ever felt. Well, besides your pretty peach. Nothing can top those thick cheeks.”
“**He’s always like this**. **Sweet as candy one, but a goddamned pervert the next**.” Artemis commented. I swear I could *feel* her tail wagging. “**Just how I love him**. **Have fun, Kiki**!”
Ignoring the heat on my cheeks, I propped myself on my elbows. My hair, braided in two cornrows, flopped against my shoulder blades. “Onyx, give it back!”
He snatched the yellow silk off his hair and clutched it to his chest. His hair tumbled down his shoulders in waves. “No way! It’s mine now!” Suddenly, he pressed it against his nose and took a huge, audible whiff. “Mmm, mmm, mmm! It smells like cocoa butter and heaven!”
“I paid good money for that!” I complained, reaching up to take it. Onyx grunted and hopped off my legs and off the bed, standing near the closet while cradling my sleeping silk cap to his chest like a baby. “Onyx! You’re really going to steal my bonnet like how you stole my underwear?”
“It was the first time I ever made Artemis come. I had to keep a memento.”
“That was my favorite pair!”
“It’s my favorite pair, now.”
“Onyx…” I warned, crossing my arms.
My wolf-mate took it a step too far. He widened his eyes and quivered his bottom lip. Goddamnit, my *heart* couldn’t take that cuteness! “Pleeeease, can I keep this one?”
“No! It’s one of my favorites!” I threw my hands in the air, unable to hide my smile. “I’ll buy you one and have it custom made!”
“No, I want this one.” He pouted, sticking his tongue out at me. “This is mine now. What are you going to do about it, tiny tot?”
Some girlfriends steal hoodies.
Some boyfriends steal wigs.
My wolf boyfriend liked to steal my bonnets and underwear. What’s next? My hair ties?!
“You did not just call me tiny tot.”
“But you are tiny. I can see the top of your head from here!”
*Oh, he’s going down*!
Bolting toward him, I leaped for my bonnet, but was outmatched when Onyx raised his arm above his head. I hopped like a rabbit to take my cap back, but like the amused little shit he was, he laughed at my struggle. Then I started laughing too, slapping his bare chest with my palms.
“That’s not fair!”
“All is fair in love and war, my queen.”
“So, just because you’re a foot taller than me, you think you’re better than me?”
Onyx arched an eyebrow. “In some aspects, yes.” He sniffed the bonnet again. “Oh, I smell rosemary, too! And is that peppermint, too?”
Now, he’s making fun of me. He’ll rue the day!
I back up from him, showing him my surrender. Onyx took the bait and lowered his arm. In seconds, I jumped on the bed and gained the agility of a tree frog. With a battle cry, I leaped off the mattress toward him, where I secured my arms around his neck and my legs locked around his waist. My wolf-mate looked astonished with his jaw dropped and eyes wide, raising his arm up with my bright-ass bonnet.
“Oh no! An angry koala has attacked me! I’m dying!”
“All is fair in love and war, big puppy!” I threw his tired words back at him. I reached up with my hand and grasped his wrist to pull it down. “I got you now!”
“No, you didn’t!” Onyx countered my attack by throwing the bonnet behind him. The yellow thing hit the closet door with a dull thud. Suddenly, the hand Onyx held up went to cup my ass as he carried me to the bed as we both laughed our merry way. He landed on the mattress with a slight spring, adjusting my feet so that they rested comfortably on the bedsheets behind him. The wolf’s molten golds held my eyes, filled with glittering sweetness reserved for me. He cupped my cheek and caressed the seam of my lips with his thumb.
“There it is.” He said with triumph.
Confused, I cocked my head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“A smile. I wanted you to smile.” Onyx blew out a soft sigh as he reached behind me and toyed with the weaving of one of my jumbo braids. “I felt your sadness and anger this morning, and I didn’t like that. You’re forbidden to wake up sad or angry beside me. I want you to be happy always, just like right now.”
“Onyx…” *Such a sweet puppy*. This bonnet ruse was his way of making me happy. I felt lighter, like some of the weight was taken off my shoulders. He did this for me. I leaned in and kissed his lips to show my gratitude, nuzzling my nose with his. Onyx growl thundered between us, inhaling deeply through his nose as his hands massaged circles on my waist. “Thank you. I forgot you can feel my emotions.”
“It’s part of the mate bond, angel. You can’t hide how you’re feeling from me.”
“I guess I can’t. You’re too sharp with the senses.”
“I have to be.” He gave me a wink and smooched the tip of my nose. “What made you upset this morning?”
“Just…” I sighed through my lips, bringing my hands to his biceps. “…this whole shitty situation, I guess.”
“This sucks ass, I know. But it isn’t forever.” Onyx explained, kissing my nose again. “Neron and I want you and Artemis safe above all else. When his dad took over him a few days ago, it scared the shit out of him. He thought it was proof that he’s becoming the old him.”
“But he isn’t.”
“That’s what I told him, but fear has a funny way of making logic seem like an illusion.”
“He’s doing all of this to protect me.”
“Yes.”
“Is…” I blinked, pressing my fingers against his skin. “Is he alright, though?”
Onyx grinned and nodded, raising a hand to cup my cheek. “Neron is doing well. He wanted me to let you know that. He misses you.”
My heart fluttered in its cage. “I miss him too, and I’m glad he’s okay.”
“He’s a big boy. He’ll be alright.” Onyx winked at me.
“You know Onyx…” Resting my arms on his shoulders, my hands toyed with his hair. “I like this. Us, like this.”
“She likes me! She really likes me!” He cheered, squeezing my waist. “I like this too. You know, if you ever need me to toss the big boy in the backseat, just let me know. I’ve been told I keep great company.”
Artemis scoffed in my head. “**Yeah, with his cock in my mouth and then some**.”
“*Artemis*!”
I opened my mouth to say more until my stomach mimicked a bear’s growl. My wolf boyfriend smirked, and I slapped a palm against my face. “It seems like our fun has worked up your appetite.”
“That and the fact I can smell waffles and syrup.” I sniffed. “Oh, and bacon too. Aren’t you hungry?”
A glint flashed in his eyes as his arms tightened around my body. “I’m famished, actually.”
“Great! We should get to the kitchen before the kids eat everything.”
I tried to move, but Onyx held me still. When I tried to lift my hips, he pushed me back down on his lap. Heat burned my cheeks yet again. “Uh…Onyx? I thought we were going to get breakfast.”
“I never said I wanted waffles, my sweet.”
“Oh? Well, what do you want?”
“A rare delicacy.”
“…Should you tell Luli to find it?”
“Luli cannot get this delicacy in stores. I told you, it’s rare.”
“So, what is this delicacy?”
“The name is known to very few because it’s so sacred. But I know I can tell you because you are my heart. It is called Sweet Pussy à la mode.”
“Sweet WHAT?”
Suddenly, I was thrown onto the mattress. My body bounced. Onyx leaped on top of me and gripped the hem of the pajama pants. They were off with one swift tug. I didn’t wear any underwear to bed, so Onyx had a full view of my bare navel and pussy. He inhaled my arousal deep and groaned loudly, pressing his forehead against my chest. “Kiya, will you grant me permission to dine on the sweet ambrosia that is nestled in between your smooth, beautiful legs before we are to enter the world beyond our bedroom?”
This man—no, this *beast*. I wanted to laugh in glee, but I knew Onyx was serious. He was asking me for consent before he went ahead. There was that tug in my heart, spreading across my chest and lungs. It thumped powerfully, waiting for my response. My hand weaved its way into Onyx’s hair and massaged his scalp.
This feeling…I liked it. I *loved* it.
Goddess, I—
“**Goddess, I love him**.” Artemis declared suddenly while panting with excitement. “**His words can put Shakespeare to shame**. **Fair warning, Kiya, do be prepared to not walk for a bit**. **Onyx can be very…needy**.”
I spread my legs, allowing for more of my arousal to waft between us. Onyx damn near fell apart with how his body shuttered and quaked. Smiling, I used both my hands to hold either side of his face and lifted it to meet his eyes. His gold was almost gone, replaced with blown wide black pupils.
“*Then I might as well give him what he needs*.”
“Yes, you may, my wolf.”
I leaned my head back on the pillow and allowed my body and mind to be blitzed by bolts of pleasure arising from Onyx’s skillful tongue against my weeping pussy and hot entrance.
I’ve long forgotten breakfast after the third orgasm.