Chapter 63 Reaper 40

Chapter 63 Reaper 40
“Bethany…” Reaper's lips on her bare shoulder made her open her eyes sleepily, instinctively she pushed back against him. Loving how the warmth of his body enveloped her naked form. Waking up next to him every morning was a dream come true. He made a sound low in his throat, and she could feel him grow and swell against her. She pushed back a little harder.

“Naughty girl.” He nipped her shoulder playfully, his hands snaking around her to cup her bare breast. His finger tracing over the mark he had made there.

It was his favourite thing to do. Trace the mark he had bitten down on her flesh. As if trying to memorize it and the way it felt. Like it would disappear.

“Mhmmm,” she answered, grinding her bare ass against him.

“We need to get up, naughty girl.” But he didn’t move his hand, he kept it firm on her breast. Massaging the fleshy globe softly, his breath hot on her neck.

“It's not even seven.” She glanced at the clock. Seven am on a Saturday. There was no work today, and she had been looking forward to a lay in. The days after Rory had unexpectedly given birth had gone quickly. Mainly because Bethany hadn’t had a moment to herself. Taking on all of Rory’s jobs as well as her own, meant she came home exhausted.  Who knew that office work was so demanding.

Still, she was never too tired for Reaper. Never.

And an early Saturday morning booty call sounded like heaven.

“We do? Right now?” She turned in his arms, her voice breathy. Not caring that she probably looked like a troll with her hair sticking up in every direction, and had breath like a dragon… not that Requiem's breath ever smelt bad. So maybe that wasn’t the best analogy. “Are you sure?” She reached for him, knowing he was ready. She didn’t have to touch him to know that he was thick and swollen. He always was when it came to her.

“Bethany, you're killing me.” He stilled her hand, pulling it away from him and kissing her fingertips lightly. “But yes, we need to get up, my parents will be here in less than an hour and then…”

Bethany shivered. How had she forgotten? This time she wouldn’t succumb to her panic though. These were his parents. They were never the reason she ran. They had always been good to her back when they were teenagers, and they seemed genuinely excited to see her again. And to meet Liv.

And then of course they were going to see Rory and Roman, and their perfect bundle of joy. That part of the day Bethany couldn’t wait for.

Baby snuggles. It had been a long time since she had been able to hold and cuddle with a newborn, helping to bring one into the world was a special honour.

It was those thoughts that kept her heart calm as she slipped out of bed and into the shower, a smile playing on her lips as she could hear Reaper and Liv in the kitchen.

Singing.

Badly.

Still it was their little morning routine, she was amazed how easily he had slipped right into their lives. Like he belonged there.

“You look gorgeous.” Reaper's eyes sparkled as he looked up from the pan, where the smell of bacon filled the small kitchen. Then he always said she looked gorgeous. He told her how beautiful she was at least three times a day. 

“You always say that.” She gave a little twirl and curtsy. Holding out a pretend skirt and making him laugh. “That’s because you always do.” He kissed her. “I’m going to jump in the shower, don’t let the bacon burn.”

She rolled her eyes up at him. You burn the bacon one time and you never hear the end of it.

She kissed her daughter and went to take her place at the stove. Humming softly to herself.

“I like Reaper being here.”

Bethany paused, spatula hovering above the bacon. “I do as well.”

“Will he come with us when we leave again?”

What kind of life had she given her daughter? She frowned. A life where as soon as they got settled, they moved again. A life on the run. Liv was expecting them to move again.

“I like it here mum, can’t we stay? I have friends in school and everything.”

Guilt washed over Bethany. “We aren’t going anywhere baby girl, this is home.”

“We might move soon.” Reaper stepped back, barefoot, with his hair dripping down his face. “But not far, just to a bigger house. I’ve been looking for something suitable for my big princess and all the little brothers and sisters she is going to have.” He ruffled Liv's hair.

Bethany paled. Brothers and sisters? Was he planning on knocking her up? Not that the thought hadn’t crossed her mind. She was especially broody after helping Rory give birth to her son. But not yet.

Definitely not yet.

The knock on the door made her freeze.

They were early. She took a deep breath, straightening her shoulders. “I’ll get it,” her voice was too happy. Overly happy.

“You will?” Reaper's face was concerned, but he stepped back anyway as she swept past him. Only a few steps behind her.

“Hi!” Bethany plastered her widest smile on her face. Reminding herself that his parents were never the enemy, as she opened the door. Instantly the wind was knocked out of her.

“Oh Rose!” Reaper's mother crushed her. For such a thin woman, she was deceptively strong.

She patted the older woman's back, as she felt her own back click.

Reaper was chuckling behind them, Liv firmly in his arms. “Alright then mum, that’s enough of that. You are going to crack her ribs.”

There was a breathy laugh. And Bethany found herself being held out at arms-length. “Oh, you are even more beautiful than you were when you were a teenager.” Eyes exactly the same shade as her son’s swept over Bethany’s casual jeans and pale blue checked shirt. “And you look so well, my boy is treating you right, isn’t he?”

Bethany stifled a laugh. “He is treating me just fine, thank you Mrs…..”

“Anita, you call me Anita or mum.” Green eyes were shining. “And this must be Olivia!” She gave a little wave. “Hi sweetie, I’m Reaper’s Mum.”

“Hi, I’m Olivia.” She held out her small plump hand.

“Oh, she’s so polite!”

“It's great to see you again Rose... or should I call you Bethany now?” Reaper's dad gave her a cursory hug, seeming not to know where he should put his hands.

“Either is fine Mr…” Bethany stepped aside, her eyes falling on the couple behind Reaper’s parents.

“Eric, please.” He cast a glance behind him, frowning. “I thought it would be a good time for us all to talk”

“Dad.” Reaper was striding forward, a scowl, on his face. “This isn’t what we agreed.”

Bethany smiled, “It’s fine, your dad is right, it's time we put the past behind us.”

“Please make yourselves at home.” Bethany hated how her voice sounded. So unsure. Cowed almost. “I’m going to make some tea.” And turn the bacon off, she added silently. She could smell it burning from the front door. And if she could smell it then so could they. With their heightened shifter senses.

What a great impression she was making. She needed to get herself under control, a few moments alone should do it.

“Dad what the hell…” She could hear Reaper's angry whisper through the kitchen door. “How dare you ambush my mate like that!”

“Son…”

She stepped out. She wouldn’t be the reason Reaper fell out with his parents. “It’s okay”

“No, it’s not, they…” His green eyes flashed as the couple sat on the sofa.

“Reaper, it's fine, I am fine.” She kissed him softly on the cheek, leading him to a seat. It would be a lot easier to stay calm if he was. The feel of his hand in hers was grounding.  Keeping her calm.

“Bethany…” Anita lent forward. “I want to apologize.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“Still, we should have helped you, we should have been there for you and Olivia.” Tears shone in her eyes. “Maybe if we had, you wouldn’t have left, and Reaper wouldn’t have spent all these years without you.”

“It wasn’t you.” Reaper's voice was bitter. “It was them, their threats.”

Eric’s eyes flashed, a line appearing on the face that was just an older version of his son’s. Topped with sandy blonde hair. Reaper obviously got his dark hair from his mother, but he was the double of his dad.

“Threats? What threat?” He lowered his eyes. “What haven’t you told me?”

“I…I…” Ollie's mum clutched at her hands, eyes never lifting. She wasn’t so scary in front of her Alpha, Bethany mused silently. She almost felt sorry for her.

Almost.

“What threats did you make?” There was the sound of thunder over the ocean in his voice, and Olivia looked up alarmed.

“What threats came out of your mouth that caused my son's mate to run? That caused her to be so afraid of us, when she should have thought of us as family?”

“Ollie…”

“Do not use Ollie's death as an excuse!” Anita’s voice was as firm as her husbands. “Ollie loved Bethany, he would be disgusted with you.” She reached out a hand, wrapping it around Bethany’s. Her skin is cool.

“We just wanted the child to be with its people…”

“You knew she was pregnant?” Anita’s voice had risen several pitches. “You knew and you didn’t tell anyone?”

Anita’s voice was angry, but it was Eric’s that caused goosebumps to wash over Bethany’s arms.

“You threatened to take her, didn’t you? You threatened to take the child.” He wasn’t shouting, he didn’t need to. “Get out, get out of my son's home. I will deal with you another day when there isn’t a child in the room.”

“Alpha…”

“I said GET OUT!”