Part Forty-Five

“Sierra,” I grumbled as my hand traced over her stomach and down her side.

“What?” she whispered.

“Why aren’t you wearing any clothes?” I asked her, my hand moving over her thigh.

“Body heat remember,” she said and goosebumps raised over her skin where I was touching her.

“You’re killing me,” I said under my breath as she pressed her ass against me and moved slightly.

“Someone’s not complaining,” she said.

“If you don’t stop moving against me like that…” I said as she did it again and laughed softly.

I flipped her over onto her back and pressed my knees in between her legs as I hovered on top of her. I could see her clearly and she placed her hands over her breasts to cover herself up. I pinned her hands on either side of her head and kissed her.

She kissed me back and wriggled her hands loose, they instantly went to my boxers pushing them down. I pressed myself against her and I could feel she was just as aroused as I was. No words were needed because she pulled me closer yet again and that was all I needed in the form of consent.

We moved together, a light sheen of sweat coating our skins as we touched and kissed and explored each other’s bodies. Her orgasm triggered mine and we were left breathless and sweating as I rolled off of her and we lay side by side breathing heavily.

We fell asleep like that, her face just under my chin with my one leg over both of hers. Her scent was more prominent and I could feel it settle all the doubt I had. I realized that night that I loved her, loved everything about her, even her sarcasm. That’s how we spent the next eight days, barely leaving the confines of the mattress.

I woke up but kept my eyes closed as I felt Sierra’s body snug against mine. I was half on top of her, covering most of her body with mine. I opened my eyes gingerly and jumped slightly at the face looking directly at me.

“Fuck Jett,” I said as I turned onto my back.

“Good morning love birds,” he said as he pushed himself off the mattress and sat down on the couch.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked him.

“Can we open a window, all I smell is sex,” he said as I threw my pillow at his head and his laughter woke Sierra.

“Go to the kitchen, so we can get dressed,” I said to him as Sierra opened her eyes and pulled the covers over her head when she saw him.

“You forget, I walked in on you both the last time,” he said loudly as I heard the stove go on and then the tap open.

“What?” Sierra shrieked from under the covers.

“He’s gone,” I said as I stood up and got dressed, searching for my boxers that had somehow landed on the other side of the couch.

She sat up and pulled her clothes on under the covers and I threw my shoe at Kane who opened one eye as he growled at me.

“You could have woken me,” I said to him.

“Why? It’s just Jett,” he said lazily and yawned.

“Do you two snuggle bunnies want coffee?” Jett yelled from the kitchen.

“Yes,” I said loud enough for him to hear.

“Where’s my bra?” Sierra asked me as she pulled her pants on.

I found it stuck in between the cushions of the couch and handed it to her. There was no more shyness between us since we’ve spent the majority of the week naked, rather it felt like we’d been together for ages.

I kissed the top of her head as she pulled her shirt on and zipped her jacket up all the way. The house was still cold and I hoped the power would come on soon, especially if the roads were clear enough for Jett to get here.

He was lounging against the counter in the kitchen and our two cups were standing on the island counter. Sierra sat down and pulled the cup closer to her blowing on the steam. Jett winked at me and nodded his head.

“Do you have something in your eye?” I asked him as he rolled them and sighed.

“Maybe the image of you naked is haunting him,” Sierra said and Jett laughed.

“Been there too many times, buttercup,” Jett said.

“Why are you here?” I asked him and he glanced at the clock on the wall.

“Just came to check if you two lovebirds were still alive, no cell signal yet, I’ve been trying to call,” he said.

“As you can see, we’re perfectly fine,” I said.

“Oh yes you are, fine that is,” he said and winked at Sierra.

“That he is,” she said as I looked at them.

“Are the roads fully open?” I asked him instead as they shared a look between them.

“I drove behind a snow plough for an hour,” he said.

“Jett stop talking shit, why are you here?” I asked him, beginning to feel uneasy.

“Geez man, how about, great to see you Jett. The least you could do is make me breakfast,” he said.

“Aww come here Jett,” Sierra said as she stood up and pulled him into a hug.

He grabbed her and rested his head on her shoulder as he gave me a victory smile while running his hands over her back. I glared at him as he stuck his tongue out at me.

“Stop touching her like that,” I growled at him.

“But we share everything, our bromance is still alive, even after all these years,” Jett said as Sierra pulled away from him.

Jett glanced at the clock again and I looked over at it. It was ten to nine and his eyes darted to mine. That heavy feeling settled on my heart as he lowered his gaze. This wasn’t just a random visit but something was preventing him from talking.

“Jett…” I started to say when I suddenly clutched my chest.

“I’m sorry Griff,” I heard Jett say as he reached for me.

My vision blurred and my legs buckled. I hit my head on the counter and I could smell my own blood as I went down to the floor. The searing pain in my soul was overwhelming and I couldn’t breathe, my lungs felt restricted and I gasped loudly as I tried to take a breath.

“Griffin?” Sierra’s face hovered above mine as blood ran into my left eye.

The emotions were flooding me, I could feel myself standing on the brink of a precipice, looking down into complete darkness, suffocating me. My eyes wanted to close and my soul wanted to be consumed by the darkness but I fought it, struggling to keep myself upright.

Kane roared loudly as he staggered towards me and his emotions took a hold of me. I could feel myself losing him as he drifted further away from me. I could see him in my mind’s eye, just out of reach until finally that bond snapped and I couldn’t feel him at all. He was gone.

I was in and out of consciousness but I could hear Jett and Sierra. She was wiping my face and my head throbbed but I could also feel it heal. A multitude of voices rang through my head, concern, grief, anger, I just wanted it to stop and I groaned out loud as I clutched my head.

“Griffin?” Sierra’s voice pulled me back and I opened my eyes.

I was laying on the couch and I sat upright as my head swam. I took a deep breath and pushed myself up as Jett backed away from me. He had his hands up as Sierra stood right in front of me, peering into my eyes.

“Griff, I swear…” Jett began to say as I stalked towards him.

“Fuck you, Jett,” I growled.

“Griffin!” he yelled as I pushed him backwards and his back made contact with the wall.

“You should’ve told me, Jett, I could’ve stopped it,” I said to him calmly.

“Alpha’s orders, Griff, I couldn’t,” he said.

“Griffin stop!” Sierra yelled as my hand went around his throat.

Jett didn’t fight back, he just looked at me and I squeezed tighter as Sierra’s hand gripped my wrist. I wanted to kill him, I wanted him to hurt, I wanted him to die. My eyes were switching colours and I knew that I was holding on by a thread.

“Griffin, please,” Sierra said as she looked at me.

“Make your peace, Jett,” I said as my eyes darkened and I felt my claws elongate and pierce his neck.

“Griffin! If you kill him I’ll never forgive you!” Sierra yelled and my grip on him loosened instantly.

Jett started coughing as his face returned to its normal color and I looked at him. I had no idea why he would do this to me, he was my brother, but he let me down and I felt betrayed by him. I turned my back on him and went upstairs to my bedroom.

“Griffin, what’s going on?” Sierra asked as she followed me into my room.

“Pack your stuff, we’re going to Newport,” I said to her.

“Will you just stop and talk to me?” she asked me.

“Ask your precious fucking Jett what he did,” I snapped at her.

She left my room after looking at me for a while and I started packing. I had no idea when I’d be able to come back here and I grabbed my laptop and hard drives as I stuffed everything into two duffel bags. Kane was quiet as he followed me through the house, stalking up and down, giving a low growl every now and then.

Sierra’s bag was packed and standing by the front door when I joined them in the living room, Jett looking at me warily. He didn’t say a word as he watched me and I left my bag by the door and headed to the outside building to switch the generator off.

“Let’s go,” I said as I stepped outside and stood next to Jett’s truck.

I had to use a lot of energy to open a portal big enough for Jett to drive his truck through although I should’ve just left him in Greenville to drive back. The territory was eerily quiet as I walked through the trees having put Sierra in the truck with Jett.

“Gather the clowder,” I said through the link to Jett.

Everything had changed, a change I hadn’t wanted. I had never wanted this. I could still feel the anger swirling around in me and Kane’s bloodlust was intensified so much that even I had the urge to kill someone.

An hour later I stood on the first floor landing with the clowder members gathered below me. Sierra stood slightly behind me as I looked down at the warriors, Enforcers and clowder members. I could see it on all their faces.

Their faces mirrored what I felt but I could also feel them all. Now was not the time to wallow in despair, now was the time to take action, to go to war, no matter the consequences. I knew Jett wasn’t to blame, an Alpha command was one that you couldn’t go against even if you wanted to. Kane was standing next to me, silently giving me the courage I needed.