I held the car door open for Lexi, and as she settled into the passenger seat, a sense of giddy euphoria overcame me. I couldn't help but laugh softly to myself as I closed the door and made my way around the car. I knew I probably wouldn't "get the girl"—her connection with Clay was palpable, even to my dulled senses. But the sheer relief of her not looking at me like some evil being was enough to lighten my steps. "So, do you want to stop for some coffee? There's a drive-through on the way," I said as I jumped into the driver's seat. I trailed off when I noticed her eyes were glued to the center console. I followed her gaze, and my heart sank. "Shit," I muttered under my breath, hastily brushing the white powder off. I watched as it disappeared into nothing on the floorboards. But as I glanced up, my eyes met hers, and I saw them flicker to the glove compartment. It was still open, displaying the small plastic bag that left no room for the imagination. There was no brushing that
The second I saw them walking up together, a visceral sensation coursed through me, a feeling I'd never known. Every nerve ending in my body had been ignited, a volatile mixture of incredulity, fury, and something more complex. Jealousy? Betrayal? It was a heady brew, and it made me sick. I literally had to clench my fists to keep them from trembling.My eyes glowed, an involuntary response to heightened emotion. The person I was talking to sensed the abrupt shift in my demeanor and took the cue to leave when I coughed and closed my eyes. I couldn't let them see what was bubbling just below the surface; it was too raw, too untamed. Too dangerous for the human world.I led Lexi and Luke to the vault—the only appropriate place for this meeting. It was soundproof, which meant whatever confrontation was about to unfold wouldn't be overheard. Plus, the artwork and artifacts in this space were of such significant value that they served as a sobering reminder. Tread carefully. No sudden mov
Clay's jaw clenched as he muttered, "Give me a minute to wrap things up here, and we'll go home." I followed him out and watched him, a storm of emotions brewing behind his eyes, as he began to organize some paperwork on his desk. His hands worked swiftly, each movement measured and controlled. It was like he was channeling his turbulent emotions into each minor decision in front of him. We walked out to his car in heavy silence. As we drove, Clay's grip on the steering wheel was white-knuckled, starkly contrasting with the relaxed demeanor he usually had behind the wheel. "Can we stop by my dorm? I need to grab a few things," I asked softly, my voice tinged with caution. "Sure," he nodded, making a detour toward the university campus. I packed a bag quickly, scribbling a note to Moro about an impromptu trip with Clay for the next week or so. I deliberately left out any mention of Luke. Clay waited patiently in the car, and when I returned, we resumed our journey in silence. Aft
Lying on the couch in the dark, the weight of my choices settled around me like a suffocating fog. This was necessary, I told myself. It was essential because my life had spiraled into something unrecognizable, hollowed out by what I thought would give me an edge. The path ahead was a steep uphill climb, and damn, I dreaded every step.And Lexi. Why did her entrance into my life stir something dormant in me? It wasn't just me. I'd watched Clay around her, and it was like she could make us want to be better men with one word or look. I never thought Clay and I would find a scrap of common ground again. I didn't deserve this chance, but here I was, getting it anyway. An opportunity not just for redemption but for something resembling a real life.Sleep wouldn't come, my thoughts too loud, my skin tingling with the urge for another hit. I sat up and turned on the gaming console to distract myself, muting the sound to not disturb Clay and Lexi.Just as I was getting into the rhythm of the
I woke up to the sound of grunts, clinking weights, and the muffled impact of feet against the floor. For a second, I was disoriented. Then I remembered: Luke was here, and they'd planned to work out in the living room to avoid disturbing the neighbors. Curiosity got the best of me, and I padded to the doorway, still in my nightgown. The sight that met my eyes was nothing short of primal. Clay's muscles flexed with beads of sweat glistening on his forehead as he pushed through the burn. Every lift was precise and controlled, and his eyes were ablaze with an almost electrifying ferocity. He was in a deep lunge, his muscles rippling through his t-shirt as he lowered himself, steadying a dumbbell in each hand. Luke was beside him, following suit, his form slightly shaky but determined. Their synchronization was almost poetic—a dance of strength and willpower. Sweat made their shirts cling to their torsos, highlighting every muscle in vivid detail. The sight was electrifying, and my
The sizzle of eggs and bacon filled the small kitchen as I focused on the task at hand. Cooking had always been a therapeutic activity, a way to shut out the chaos and concentrate on something simple and tangible. I plated the food and carried it to the living room. "Here you go," I said, setting a plate in front of Lexi and another in front of Luke before settling onto the couch with my own.I took a few bites before I noticed Luke poking at his food. My eyes narrowed. He needed to eat, especially given the ordeal he was about to go through. A low growl escaped my throat before I could stop it. "Eat it," I commanded, my voice laced with an urgency that surprised even me.Lexi and Luke looked up, caught off guard by the forcefulness in my tone. I could see Lexi's eyes wide with curiosity, but I held Luke's gaze. The atmosphere was tense with numerous unasked questions, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for the harshness in my voice.Slowly, Luke picked up his fork and took
I'll admit, I had forgotten how invigorating a good workout could feel. It was like every fiber of my body was alight with renewed energy. But watching Clay move, I couldn't help but wonder: how the hell did he manage to keep up this kind of intensity without the aid of substances anymore? And then came breakfast. The moment he set that plate of food in front of me, the first wave of nausea hit. The aroma of the eggs and bacon, which would generally be appealing, twisted my insides like a wet rag. I couldn't help but think, did he do this on purpose? Was this some convoluted coercion to remind me of my weakened state? Every bite was a struggle. My body begged me to stop, but my mind screamed louder, urging me to hold it together, to not give Clay the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. Anger bubbled within me with each mouthful, stewing and festering as if fed by the food I was forcing down. Then we transitioned to video games, but it was far from the distraction I needed. Each mist
The tension was almost tangible as we drove down the winding road in Lexi's spacious SUV. I knew the upcoming confrontation with my father was inevitable, and the thought weighed heavily on my mind. I'd seen my dad lose control more times than I'd care to admit, but the hope that Lexi's presence might have a calming effect on him clung to me like a lifeline.Luke shifted uncomfortably in his seat, breaking my chain of thought. "Is there any way to dodge your dad today?"I chuckled, shaking my head. "You know better, Luke. Dodging my dad is like trying to dodge rain in a thunderstorm. You're gonna get wet. It's just a matter of how much."As I drove, my eyes wandered to the rearview mirror often. Lexi had insisted Luke and I sit up front, which left her sprawled in the back seat, staring out the sunroof at the sky. The serene expression on her face fascinated me, and I couldn't help but wonder how she was handling all of this—me, Luke, the pending visit to pack land, everything."What
Our front yard was a scene of pure, unadulterated joy, with Reni and Lachlan, our beautiful 5-year-old twins, and their cousin Finn chasing each other around, their laughter and shouts filling the air with the vibrant energy of childhood. I found solace on the porch swing, enjoying the afternoon sun, while Moro, now a permanent fixture on our land as my advisor and friend, sat beside me. Moro's life had taken a beautiful turn; she was dating Devlin, sharing a life with him in more ways than one.Both Moro and I were weeks away from giving birth, our bellies round and full of life. Devlin emerged from the woods and greeted Moro with a kiss that spoke volumes of their shared affection. He glanced my way, assuring me that Luke and Clay would join us shortly.True to his word, Clay and Luke approached, already wearing shorts. Our attempts to maintain a semblance of modesty in front of the kids were somewhat amusing yet necessary. The dry boxes they kept on the edge of the woods for such o
In the quiet of our home, the absence of the familiar bustle and noise felt almost surreal. As Clay gently lifted Lachlan from his car seat, his voice broke the silence. "I'm just going to give him a bottle," he said softly.I nodded, a smile touching my lips. "It's all frozen, man." I thought about Lexi and how diligently she'd been pumping since leaving the hospital. She'd been a force of nature, feeding the twins or pumping tirelessly. We'd even bought a new freezer just to store all the milk she'd accumulated. Her determination was something I admired deeply.We tiptoed to the bedroom, careful not to disturb the tranquility. Lexi lay there, sleeping soundly, clutching our pillows close. The sight tugged at my heartstrings. "She was so tired," I whispered.Gently, I lay down behind her, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, while Clay positioned himself in front with Lachlan cradled in his arms. Lexi's eyes fluttered open, and a smile lit up her face as she saw our baby boy.
Sitting in the NICU, our baby boy's warmth against my bare chest provided a strange sense of solace amid the beeps and hums of the machines. I glanced at Luke, our little girl nestled in his arms, her frailty marked by the wires and tubes assisting her breath. Despite her struggle, there was a certain resilience in her tiny frame. On the other hand, the boy made his presence known through his cries, only pacified in moments of sleep or cradled in our arms. The NICU staff, recognizing our unique situation, had granted us unrestricted access, a small mercy in this rough time. Lexi had stayed behind this visit, exhaustion finally claiming her. The look in her eyes when she thought one of the babies would not get as much attention because she wasn't there made her hyper-vigilant. The three of us couldn't go together, so we switched off, her the constant as one stayed home. Luke finally put his foot down, saying he was getting fragile herself. She only conceded to rest after I promise
In the sudden chaos of the night, with Lexi's water breaking unexpectedly, my world tilted on its axis. She sat up abruptly in bed, urgency in her voice, "Oh shit, Luke, Clay, wake up, wake up now!" We both jerked awake, disoriented. "What's wrong?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes, trying to process her words. "I'm sitting in fluid. I think my water broke..." Rushing to the hospital felt like a blur. Doctors swarmed around Lexi, their movements precise, their decisions swift. They decided on a c-section, taking out both babies at just over 32 weeks. Panic clawed at my throat, the reality of the situation pressing down on me like a physical weight. In the sterile confines of the hospital prep room, Clay, whom the hospital staff believed was my brother, helped me don the medical gown required for the surgery room. I paused, leaning my forehead against the cool window, a wave of emotion overwhelming me. Tears streamed down my face as I admitted, "I don't think I can do it, Clay. I don't thi
Six months had flown by, and I was sitting on the floor with my pregnancy pillow wrapped around me. It was a quiet morning, just the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains. I shifted and stretched in every possible way, trying to coax the baby - or babies, to be precise - to ease their foot or elbow from my ribcage.Under my breath, I pleaded with them, my voice a mix of discomfort and affection. The movements inside me were relentless, a constant reminder of the life growing within.Luke, stirred by my soft murmurs, slowly crawled down from the bed to join me on the floor. He stretched, a lazy yawn escaping him, then leaned over to kiss my round belly. "Stop torturing your mama," he whispered into my belly button, his voice soft and playful, sending ripples of laughter through me.He gently massaged my belly, tracing the visible lines of tiny feet and elbows gliding across my skin. The babies seemed to respond to his touch, their movements becoming more pronounced.I could
At that moment, with Lexi beneath me, everything felt amplified and intensified beyond my usual senses. My body responded with a fierce urgency, a primal need to ravage her. Every kiss, every bite of her lip, every roll of my hips was a testament to a desire that was more than just physical. It was as if an ancient, primal force had awoken within me, urging me to solidify our connection. I had to remind myself constantly – she was human. My strength, enhanced by the mate bond, could quickly become overwhelming. The last thing I wanted was to hurt her, to let this raw, untamed part of me cross a line. Lexi, lost in the intensity of the moment, seemed to be riding the same wave of passion. Her moans, her surrender to the sensations, spurred me on, yet the cloud of doubt loomed heavier with each passing second. Carefully, so as not to startle her, I eased myself up, maintaining our kiss until the very last moment. My grip on Clay's arm reminded me of the balance I needed to maintain.
As I stood there, watching Luke and Lexi, a profound sense of certainty washed over me. It was more than just witnessing two people in love; it was the palpable sensation of Fate weaving its intricate tapestry. There was no denying it – they were meant to bring a new life into this world. It felt like every star in the sky, every whisper of the wind, was conspiring to guide them toward this destiny.For me, the realization that I wasn't the first to embark on this journey of fatherhood brought a surprising sense of relief. I pondered why this was, delving into the depths of my thoughts. Was it the enormity of the responsibility that daunted me? Or perhaps the fear of confronting my own potential as a father.Yet, as I observed them, another far more profound reason dawned on me. It was the desire to see Luke transcend his past, to break free from the chains of his troubled upbringing. I wanted this for him – to prove that he was not a mere product of his genetics, but a man shaped by
The shift in the room was noticeable as Clay finished updating the drawing of our tattoos. It symbolized our unity, of everything we had become together. Of everything we had to go through to be together. He flopped down beside us, pulling me onto his lap with a gentle tug. His kiss was a silent promise, a reaffirmation of our bond.The thought of having a baby seemed both daunting and incredibly right. I couldn't explain the pull I felt, a deep, instinctive urge that seemed to transcend my human understanding. A part of me worried about the potential complications of one of them being the biological father before the other, but I kept those thoughts to myself for now.Lost in Clay's kiss, I reached out instinctively and grasped Luke's hand. The moment our hands touched, the sexual tension that had once existed between Luke and Clay surged back with an intensity that took us all by surprise.Luke recoiled, almost as if he'd been shocked. "Holy shit," he exclaimed, jumping back.Clay g
Something deep and primal within me stirred as Lexi's lips met mine. It wasn't just the rush of hormones or the inexplicable workings of magic – it was something more profound, more intimate. This was the enchanting kind of magic that comes with love, a deep connection, and the unspoken desire to nurture that connection further.Having kids was a concept I had never seriously entertained. Kids who grow up in rough homes like I did often fear the possibility of passing on those horrible experiences to their own offspring. I was no exception to that, but as Lexi kissed me, every fiber of my being seemed to awaken to a new reality. It was time – time to think about an heir.This realization hit me with such force that I felt compelled to voice it aloud.To my astonishment, neither Clay nor Lexi reacted with the same shock I felt. They seemed almost calm, accepting of the idea.I also felt this powerful urge to tend to Lexi's mark. A part of it was because of the tingling sensation overt