GASP
AmiaWithout Liz I don’t know if I could have made it through high school. She has been there to pick up the pieces more times than I can count. She’s seen what I’ve let her see but she’s never questioned me or demanded to know what happened. I know she would listen to me but I love that she doesn’t try to pry. This morning when I got to school she swooped in like the superwoman bad ass best friend she has always been.There’s nothing like crossing the quad like you’re on some covert mission. Today Liz managed to make me feel protected and sneaky at the same time. I had about twenty minutes before my first period and I needed her magic bag of makeup. I hadn’t even said why. She met me at the front of the school. It was as if she knew. She didn’t look at me just threw her jacket over me.Every breath hurt with each inhale of air. She pushed the gym bathroom door open and dragged me along with her. When we got to the benches by the lockers she pushed me down and sat beside me. My should
Amia The second bell announced the start of the school day. I ignored Levi when he walked in five minutes late. I avoided lifting my chin and looking at him. I didn’t miss the way he froze by my table. I could feel his gaze as it traveled over my downcast face. I didn’t want to admit it but Levi knew me better than almost everyone at this school. I could feel his gaze on the side of my face like every morning. I focused on class and followed along with the teacher. Classed past by in a blur and before I knew it the hour was up and it was time for second period. My stomach flip flopped knowing that I would be separated from Liz now. She waited for me as I gathered up my stuff. I got to my feet, threw my backpack over my shoulder, and followed Liz toward the door. I grabbed Liz’s hand and held it tightly. She squeezed my hand. I tried to keep my eyes in front of me but I could feel Levi’s warmth at my back as we shuffled out. “Hey Levi!” Liz said cheerfully. “Morning Liz,” Levi said
“What? What are you saying?” I demanded. “I’m asking you if you want me to get rid of your little problem,” Levi said. “I know what you’re saying I just don’t know why you’re saying that to me.” “Don’t you tho?” Levi asked. “No, I don’t. I don’t know why you would say this to me, L. I don’t have a problem,” I lied. “Right. That’s why you’re crying in a dark room,” Levi joked. “You think you’re so fucking funny, don’t you, L? Who’s fault is it again that I’m in this dark room to begin with?” I asked. I swiped at my tears and crossed my arms. Levi smiled down at me and I wanted to punch him. “I’m not the one who made you cry, Amia. And who brought you into this room isn’t the one who is responsible for those tears. Now tell me. What did he do to you?” Levi asked again. His tone was gentle and gave me a false sense of security. I knew better than to hope for someone to come to my rescue. I wasn’t going to start now. “I-I don’t know what you mean, Levi. I don’t know what you’re ask
After Levi watched me walk to my seat he left without so much as another word. There were a few stares from the girls in the class, but I was feeling so weird with his absence that I ignored them. I felt as if something was off or missing and I had the need to run after him. It was the sound of the tick-tick-ticking of the hand moving on the clock as time passed that ground me and kept me in my seat. Class was a blur and I missed out on a majority if not the remainder of class. The events that had transpired in the few minutes we spent in the empty classroom took up most of my attention. As crazy as I felt for thinking I saw Levi with red eyes, I know what I saw. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being in a trance. My cheeks warm as I recall the neediness I had felt. The need to please him, the desperation to do everything and anything to please him caused a shiver to run down my spine. In that moment I knew I would have done literally anything. It was that thought that scared me the m
AmiaThe rain comes down harder, but it’s as if time stands still. Everything freezes and everyone that had been behind us in the quad and in front of us in the parking lots disappeared. Sweat ran down my neck despite the cool rain that quickly soaked my clothes. I gripped Liz’s arm tightly as I called on courage I wasn’t sure I had. The only sound was the pounding of blood in my ears and the pitter-patter-pit of rain as it came down on the roofs of the cars and bounced against the concrete floor.When I turn around to find who was behind us, I feel her physically relax by my side. My eyes instantly lock on Levi and all of the air is expelled from my lungs. Relief washes over me with the rain and drips from my hair. I had been trying to brace myself to face Dylan, but now that I knew it wasn’t him, I knew how not ready I really was.After what happened last night, I know I need to make some changes, but I’m not ready to think about it yet. I’m not ready to deal with it today. Levi ste
AmiaI spent the drive to the coffee shop hovered in front of the air vent trying to warm up. As much as I tried to get Liz to ride shotgun with Levi, she refused. Insisted she had to sit in the back seat. It was clear she wanted me and Levi to talk, but I had nothing to say. I kept my eyes trained on the dash as he drove. I could feel Levi’s gaze on the side of my face, hell, I could feel Liz watching us from the back seats. Still, I refused to look at him or try my hand at small talk. It wasn’t until he pulled into a parking spot across from the coffee shop and he hopped out that I raised my eyes from the dash.“That was awkward as fuck,” Liz murmured.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said as I unbuckled my seat belt.“You know damn well what I meant,” Liz hissed.I eyed her in the rear view mirror and laughed. She was giving me a you know I’m right look. I reached for my handle when the door swung open. Levi stood outside holding not only my door open, but Liz’s.Well, t
Seconds, minutes felt like hours as I waited there with my hands wrapped around a hot white chocolate mocha I hadn’t yet picked up. The heat from the clay cup warmed my hands and a shiver ran down my back. I fought the urge to turn around whenever the door opened. The need to look over my shoulder to see if I recognized anyone was strong. I stared out of the window until I felt someones gaze on the side of my face. I tensed but refused to look. I waited until I saw them approach out of the corner of my eye.I took a deep breath and turned to look up at the person who stood by the table. It wasn’t the waitress and it wasn’t anyone I knew. My eyes glided up his body and searched his features. I didn’t know who it was and I definitely didn’t recognize him. He was tall, even taller than mom. His shoulders were wide and his arms bulky. Despite wanting to claim this man was a stranger to me, I couldn’t help but want to admit that there was something about him that called to me.He had dirty
Amia What the hell does he even know?! “If I’d done my part what?” Calum asked. “Just answer the questions,” I said. “I was told that you had a happy life here, your mom’s… partner was good to you, held a stable job and you had a lot of friends. I didn’t leave you… I gave you the space to grow up in a normal home. I did come back for you. I did come check on you. I came to get you years ago, but was told it wouldn’t be in your best interest to go back with me. She said she didn’t want you to feel less than enough with my mate. Your mother worried you would be looked down upon, she feared my mate would.. attack you. Even though I told her that wouldn’t happen, she was insistent. I left because she promised I could meet you when you came of age,” he explained. “Is that supposed to make everything better? That reason, that one reason is what kept you away all these years? Was I not worth fight for? Was I not worth checking on? Was I not even on your mind that you didn’t think to come
Without meaning to, my jaw dropped. Whatever I thought Isabella was going to ask for, it definitely hadn’t been that. The werewolves needed blood—werewolf blood. I was trying to figure out ways, legal ways, to get her what she needed, but I was coming up blank. I don’t know any werewolves here, and I highly doubt any members of the pack would volunteer to let a vampire; because that’s how they see her, feed from them.Yet, the hesitancy staring back at me mixed with the trust she just showed snapped me out of my stupor. The news was a surprise, but we were talking—she was communicating. It could have been a lot worse. First, we needed to treat her like a member of the pack, not a criminal. From what Andrius had shared with me, she’d committed no crime and shouldn’t be chained.“Andrius?” I asked, turning my head to look at him.“Yes, my Mistress?”
The silence stretched between us, but I couldn’t back down. Even though I knew he was bigger and stronger than me. I held his piercing gray eyes and moved back. Needing to add distance between us, not because I was afraid of him, but because I couldn’t let his proximity distract me. He didn’t stop me, but his hand was firm on my hip.Maybe I was harsh in calling him a hypocrite, but it was true, and I wouldn’t apologize for it. I would call him out on his bullshit. We were together. Yes, we were new, but I wouldn’t pretend to keep him happy. I wasn’t that woman anymore. It didn’t matter if he was my mate. Andrius would hear me. Without giving him a chance to respond, I snapped again.“You’ve got a real chance here to make them see vampires differently. Instead of taking it, you’ve kept her locked up underground. She’s one of your own, and yet, no one bats an eye
“I don’t, but that’s not what’s I’m worried about right now. Why is there blood on your collar?” Levi glanced between the two of us. I crossed my arms in front of my chest and stared into his brown eyes. I was being hostile without reason but I couldn’t help it. This uncomfortable feeling was quickly festering inside of me and if I didn’t just come out with it it would bubble up. My best friend tilted his head to the side, his eyes lit up, and a bloody knowing smile pulled the corners of his lips.“Are you jealous?” His tone was light and I swear I heard a laugh in there.“I’m sure whatever poor soul he’s just torn apart deserved everything he got,” Andrius murmured in my ear.“Levi didn’t answer the question.” I wasn’t laughing and I wouldn’t. Not until I got an answer. Was I being illogical? Maybe, but I’ve never known Levi to kill anyone. Yes, even after what he did to Dylan. ‘Who did he feed from?’ blared on repeat in my head. I chewed on my lip and Levi’s gaze dropped to the nerv
Danny’s words were reassuring. Duke had an effect on me, but up to this point, it wasn’t uncomfortable. There was something here, between us. I wasn’t completely sure what it was, but I welcomed it. Andrius cleared his throat and I turned to face him. I giggled when I noted the side eye he was giving Duke. It made me happy knowing he had people he could be himself with. I loved that whatever was between me and Duke didn’t cause problems. None that I could see yet, anyway. The little jealousy between them wasn’t anywhere between the hate love vibes that Andrius and Levi had, but I’ve quickly realized that I love being between two men. I giggle to myself and Andrius raises an eyebrow at me.“Duke is right. The pack’s opinion matters, but what we say is the end of it.” Andrius’ teasing gaze had turned as serious as his words.“You said most will listen. Does that mean… he will be in danger within these walls?” I didn’t like the idea of Levi being in danger, or having to live a life of it
Andrius huffed and I couldn’t help but smile. I’ve never had a group of people I could hang out with, and definitely not one that were willing to fight over my time. I had Liz, but I didn’t have Levi until recently. Adding more people—long term people gave me that sickly warm feeling in my chest and I blinked quickly to stop myself from tearing up. I’d been so worried they wouldn’t like me.“I don’t have anything… too serious until Friday,” Andrius grumbled before he lifted his cup of orange juice to his lips. I was reminded of the meeting with his appointed chosen mate and her dad. That means no one will know who I am until after he clears that up. That should make me feel weird, feel small, but I only sit straighter in my seat. I’m glad I’m here. I wanted everyone to know I’m the woman by his side. Everyone at the table knew about her, but now I’m sitting by Andrius. Did th
After Duke left, I took more time looking through the multiple dresses Levi packed in a pack for me, only to end up with black leggings and a red v-neck that hugged my curves. I normally wore loose fitting clothes—they were like armor. But I wanted them to like me. Thank you, L. With my arm looped in Andrius’, he led me downstairs. At the thought of meeting those closest to him, I was a mix of both excitement and nerves. They were pack. Family. I had grown up outside of my own, but we were so low on the chain and lived far from the packhouse it almost felt like we were rogues sometimes.“They’ll love you.” Andrius must have noticed my worry.“And if they don’t?” My voice was a whisper as my feet touched the landing.“Then Duke can kill them for you.” He chuckled by my side, and I playfully slapped him. We walked through the main area, post the couches, and tables. I caught the aroma of a delicious meal and my mouth watered at the same time my stomach growled. Heads turned as we steppe
AmiaAndrius gave no explanation about his visit and I wasn’t sure what to make of this. I had no problem meeting his best friend. I mean, he had to be if he’d chosen him as his right-hand man, right? What confused me was Andrius letting him in despite what I’m wearing, or the lack of clothing I was wearing, and despite where we were. This is supposed to be our room. At that realization goosebumps spread down my arms. The math wasn’t mathing and I was starting to wonder if his friend was more than a friend.That would complicate things.Every hair stood on end as his beta stepped into the room. My eyes dropped to the tactical boots and then my brows raised as they swept up, up, up the army green pants to the thoroughly filled out black t-shirt. He was dressed like a soldier, not a beta. At least, not the way I envisioned a beta to dress, but all thought disappeared as he the rest of him appeared. My lips parted as our gaze locked.Holy hell.Baby blues burned holes into mine. There wa
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 mo
Our breathing mixed with the potent smell of sex filled the room. Andrius didn’t rush to get off and walk over to the bathroom. No, he was a still force above me. He had a vice grip around his cock. His eyes roamed over every inch of me he had marked. Trembles wracked my body as I quivered with pleasure. Beneath his gaze, I felt exposed yet adored. Nothing like the way I’d felt trapped beneath Dylan. Not much time had passed, but Goddess, it felt like I’d made so much progress. I could think of my shitty ex and not completely cave in on myself.Even now, with my stomach rolled squished, my pussy bared, and my hair most likely a tangled mess behind me, none of it mattered. Andrius’ hungry gaze confirmed my thoughts. He could continue looking at me that way, and I’d hold whatever disadvantageous position he put me in.“Mine,” Andrius growled.“Yours,” I confirm