Anywhere

Struggling against the blanket of heat that was now suffocating me, I tried to push it off, but it wouldn’t budge. It had the opposite effect. It pulled me in and squeezed. Grumbling, I fight sleep, which is hard because I’m drained. I’m not getting anymore shut eye when I’m sweating my ass off. The first thing I see is a wall of pure muscle and my throat is dry and my nipples pebble as I recalled everything that happened last night.

Instead of being bathed in sunlight, a barrier was on top of the glass and blocked it out. This kept the rays from coming in through the ceiling. Except for the double doors on the other side of the room. Even in his sleeping state, his cock is thick and long against my belly. My lips spread in a wolfish grin as I think of waking him up with my mouth, but my stomach growled, reminding me there are more important things than sex. Food.

“Andrius…” My voice is raspy with sleep and I suspect from all the moaning I did last night. He doesn’t answer, doesn’t move. I made a second attempt at escaping, and this time, he didn’t stop me. Rolling until I get to the edge, I sit up and push off quickly and as quietly as possible. I peered back at him and when I confirmed he was still asleep, my shoulders sagged in relief. As much as I wanted to go down and rifle through the kitchen, the double doors called to me.

Tiptoeing over, I gently pushed them open and peeked outside. Was I really going to go outside naked? Yes, yes, I was. I was so high up, the chances of anyone seeing me were slim. Taking my first step, I was blinded momentarily before my eyes adjusted. I sucked in a sharp breath as I look around. I’d thought what I had seen was beautiful, but now, this was beautiful. In awe, I walked until my hands roamed over the smooth, black railing. When the gates opened, the road to the packhouse was the only thing I’d seen. I hadn’t realized Bleeding Moon was this big. Hundreds if not thousands of houses, shops, streets stretched endlessly.

And Andrius was in charge of taking care of every soul here? Just the thought made me lightheaded. How did he manage? Whoever came to visit would have to make it past the guards at the gate and then would either have to go through or pass the packhouse in order to get to the main town. I knew he was an alpha, but seeing his territory, and the outer wall that surrounds it off in the distance, sure puts things into perspective.

Arms cage me in and his hard back leaned against me as he placed a hand on either side of me on the railing. I melt into his embrace and for a moment; we stand there staring out at the place he called home. I’m reminded of his argument with Levi about where we’d live. I could never ask him to leave this place. Andrius is an alpha—a king. He wouldn’t abandon his people and I’d never ask that of him.

“What’re you thinking so hard about?”

Andrius’ husky voice was lower, rougher with sleep. It sent a shiver down my body. Pivoting so my back was against the railing, I tilted my head back and stared up. Our bodies touched, merged in all the right places. Ignoring the urge to wrap my arms around his neck, I placed both hands on top of his behind me.

“Will you and Levi be alright?”

“Why wouldn’t we?” he arched a brow.

“Natural born enemies? You guys were fighting over where we’re going to live? Or the part you shared with me last night?” I didn’t want to say it. He lowered himself until we were eye to eye.

“Don’t be shy. Say it.” The words were a light whisper, but the way his eyes darkened told me otherwise. This alpha was good. And he knew it.

“How am I supposed to believe you guys will be okay when he left you… for me?”

There. I said it.

“That’s something we’ll work through. And if we can’t? Then he’ll have to make it up to me, won’t he?” I wasn’t expecting his teasing tone. I wanted to ask him about the ideas he had, but there were more important things to point out.

“It’s a relief to know you want to work through things. I… I want to give this thing between us a try,” I murmured.

“A try?” Andrius chuckled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Little mouse, you aren’t going anywhere.” His voice was still light, but the message was clear. And I liked it. He nipped at my bottom lip and I moaned before I returned the kiss.

“I mean this in the nicest way possible, but we both need to brush our teeth,” he laughed in between kisses.

I broke out in a fit of giggles, and we pulled apart. My shoulders shook, and a tear rolled down my cheek. My eyes widen as Andrius’ eyes cloud over. He’s linking someone. I swipe at the tear and try not to be quiet. When his gaze clears, he has an expression I can’t read.

“The meeting will take place this Friday.”

“Oh… with her?” I asked.

“I’m should have taken care of this earlier. She’ll only be in the packhouse for the meeting, but I’ll make sure she knows it’s over.”

Andrius pressed his forehead to mine, and we both breathed in each other’s scent.

“Let’s get clean,” he muttered. I couldn’t hold back my laughter as he grabbed my hand and pulled me to his side. His arm wrapped around my waist and I leaned into him as we walked back inside. Leaving the doors open, we made our way to the bathroom when a knock at the door caught our attention.

“Who..?” I started.

“My beta,” Andrius sighed.

“Didn’t you guys just link?”

Andrius released me. Darting to the closet, he grabbed one of his shirts out and tossed it to me. My cheeks flamed, and I quickly pulled it on. He brushed a feather light kiss to my lips and stood behind me. His hand down my arm and gripped my thigh possessively.

“Come in,” Andrius called out.

“Finally,” the man on the other side growled.

“But tread carefully,” Andrius warned.

The handle clicked, and the door swung open.