Chapter 32

I sat on the floor, leaning on the couch. My mates were watching TV, but I had my eyes closed. We’d been working on control the last few months since mating, and I took every chance I could get to practice.

We’d braced for the end of the world to start any day after we mated. But months had gone by without attacks or visions. We’d been lulled into a waiting pattern. There was nothing we could do without leads, and the last two months had been more peaceful and quieter than my mates had ever seen it.

Part of me was grateful. The calm had given me and my mates time to adjust to the bond and our increased power. A few weeks ago, Frode had proclaimed that he thought I was ready to go with them on the next trip for a rogue, but one had never been assigned to us.

Controlling my magic, it seemed was much harder than learning combat and physical control. While I had made large improvement in control my body and shifting, my magic was still wild and sporadic. Hence, I sat trying to read my mates while they watched TV.

While I couldn’t trigger a vision, reading auras and emotions of people could trigger one. I’d gotten pretty good at that, but my mates hadn’t triggered anything. Nor had the packs that were spread through the territory. For a challenge, we’d been working on my breaking through mental shields that hid their emotions. Rune was easily distracted and didn’t stand a chance, but the others were harder.

I focused on reaching my senses out to Erik who was the closest to me. We’d discovered that part of my magic was manipulating senses, much like Sten. However, where he could enhance or lessen an emotion that was being felt, I could create one.

Thinking back to what Erik had done last night I conjured the image in my mind. The others had been out on a patrol, and it was just us alone in the cabin after dinner. We’d gone to bed, knowing the other would be late. I thought we’d just go to sleep, but he had other plans.

I’d been laying on my side, and I felt him crawl into bed behind me. His solid arm wrapped around me, and I snuggled deeper into his warmth. That’s where the innocent cuddling had ended. His hand skated up my stomach and cupped my breast before kneading it. His fingers pinching my nipple.

I groaned and pressed back into him, his hard length finding place between us against my ass. Arching my back, I pressed into him, and he met me. His hand left my breast and moved lower.

A growl pulled me from my thoughts. My eyes snapped open and turned to face Erik. I assumed that’s who had growled, but I was wrong. Erik’s heavy gaze was one me, and his hand was cupping himself in his jeans.

But Frode, Rune and Sten’s attention was also on us. Someone had paused the movie making the room silent. My face heated.

“What are you up to, little one?” Frode asked, his tone more stern than curious.

“Nothing.” My face couldn’t possibly get any more red.

“Sure as hell didn’t feel like nothing.” Rune growled from his chair, shifting to adjust himself in his pants.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to portray it that far. I was just trying to get past Erik’s shields.” I muttered, picking at the rug.

“Looks like you succeeded, and then forgot what you were doing and kept going.” Sten grumbled as he stood. “I’m off to read something boring.” He said, turning and adjusting his pants before walking to the office.

“I didn’t mean to get everyone excited.”

“Well, maybe for your next distraction, don’t pick something….so distracting.” Frode chuckled and resumed the movie.

“Come here, kitten.” Erik growled, patting his leg.

“No, I think I’m good here.” I said, shifting slightly further away.

I was much to tired and sore to do anything today.

“I didn’t ask.” He leaned forward like he was going to grab me.

Suddenly I wasn’t sitting on the floor on the couch. Instead, I was standing by the door. No, not standing, being held upright. A scream I didn’t recognize as my own until after it ended filled the air. There were unfamiliar voices shouting and chaos filled the cabin.

The couch was flipped over, and the coffee table was split. The chair was ripped, and the scent of blood was thick and heavy in the air. A sting on my neck made me aware of a knife being held to my throat. A warm trickle down my neck told me that I’d been scratched by the sharp blade.

“We’ll come, just don’t hurt her.” Sten said as he stood and moved toward the man waiting for him.

“No, Sten, stay.” I pleaded; tears ran steadily down my cheeks. “Rune, don’t leave me.” I fought against the hold I was in.

“Stop fighting, or they won’t make it to the door, bitch.” The knife pressed against my throat tightly.

Where was Erik? Where was Frode? My eyes darted around the destruction of our home. I stiffened when I saw the back of a head, their hair pulled tightly back in a bun. Frode. I reached my magic across the room but was overwhelmed by anger and fear. I blocked out what I could and pushed further, but there was nothing else. Pain blossomed in my chest.

My breathing became heavy, and my chest heaved as I tried to stop a sob. If he was dead the bond would be broken. Sten and Rune wouldn’t be standing and worried about me. Grief would be mixed in the turmoil of emotions in the room. He was still alive.

“Outside, both of you.” The rough voice behind me said.

Recognition dawned on me. I knew that voice. He was the hunter from my apartment and the vision. We’d been attacked, and now we were being split up. Frode was injured and I had no idea where Erik was. My gut turned and I couldn't keep the nausea at bay, and my stomach emptied itself on the clean carpet. My eyes closed as my heaving stopped.

Wait, clean carpet. The hands that were holding me were comforting ones not harsh ones. Pine and soap filled my senses, Frode. Frode was holding me, he wasn't on the floor. My eyes flashed open, and my mates stared down at me, all my mates. Concern filled their expressions, but they were silent. My closed again in relief. We had time to stop this, I had time still to save my mates.