4. Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

ANNEX'S POV

H er bright little blue eyes meet mine, widening as my lips stretch painfully against each cheek.

Fuck she was beautiful.

She rushes toward me, and within seconds, she's on me, her hands wrapping around me as my face finds that soft nook near her neck.

Her sweet scent takes over all my senses as I wrap myself tightly around her.

Those hours down there felt too long to be away from her. Time slowed with each second I was gone and not near her. It was the fastest I'd ever been brought back and I'm sure I'll suffer for it, but every bit of pain was worth being able to touch her again.

Her scent, touch, and voice were my heaven…my sanctuary, and my peace. I could embrace the madness that could take me, fight it, and push it back if it meant just one more day or one more moment in her arms.

My mate, my soul's other half… My Red.

My fingers brush across her neck and shoulders, pushing her hair back as I kiss the soft skin on her neck. The warmth there instantly heats my numb lips.

I was only existing before Red came along.

She's made every day worth living and warmer since she appeared, and every moment with her has been filled with a happiness I never thought I'd have.

Before, everything was dull and grey, a dark life filled only with blood and pain. If not for my brothers, I would have spiralled into a black abyss a long time ago.

But with Red…Now, everything didn't seem so horrible and dull. She's brought meaning into every day. She's given me a reason to want to live another day in this shitty world that just keeps taking.

I take another deep inhale, pulling every drop of her scent into me.

If this was what love or a mate bond felt like… I was done for .

Red could put a leash on me cause I was now permanently hers. Not that it was ever a question before.

A small chuckle leaves my lips at the thought.

She suddenly pulls back, her eyes narrowed.

"What the hell are you laughing at? Do you think this is funny?!" My little Red was pissed. Her cute little glare working overtime as she watches me. But how could I not smile?

"Do you know how worried I've been? How we all have?" She continues to rant as she glances back toward the guys around us. But my eyes can't leave her. They won't.

She's about to open her mouth again, another cute little order waiting to fall from those plump, rosy lips before I lean forward and pull her toward me. Her eyes slightly widen before quickly closing, her words lost as my lips meet hers in a heated kiss.

My hands brush through her hair as she leans further into me, a soft moan leaving her lips as my tongue twists and swirls against hers. Her hands grip my shoulders, her nails digging into my cold skin and making me feel alive again as they mark me.

Fuck , I wanted her to leave her mark on me permanently; her teeth biting my skin, her nails drawing blood…seems my dick was wide awake now too.

A grin tilts my lips as I pull her back with me, laying her on top of me as we continue to lick and explore every seam of each other. I pull her further down, dragging that sexy ass right where I want it as we become more lost in each other.

The kiss turns more fevered, her grip tighter as we each fight for dominance over the other. My Red knew just how I liked to play.

I didn't mind doing the whole ‘slow and soft' stuff for her, but this was more my style.

We hear a voice calling my name from behind us, followed by another clearing their throat.

I slowly pull away, but Red catches me as I do, a slight prickling pain following on my lips as I taste blood in my mouth.

She bit me…Red fucking bit me.

She licks her lip, a small drop of the crimson liquid joining her tongue as she gives me one of those hot little glares of hers.

A shiver works its way down my body and straight toward my dick.

If madness didn't take me, all this working up by Red and my blue balls would kill me first.

I was rock hard.

My dick could probably break through that shitty wall over there. Though it didn't look like it'd take much.

Where the hell were we anyway?

Red goes to stand, but I pull her back toward me, a small grin lacing her lips. The longer she stares at me, the more a look of relief slowly spreads in her gaze.

"Enough of this shit." Calls Creed as he rolls his eyes. Dickhead.

He can't give a newly resurrected guy a break?Or a few moments with his mate?

I have no complaints if my brothers want to watch and learn something, either—with Red's permission, of course.

"How are you feeling?" Creed's brows crease, a slight look of relief on his face.

He was always so prickly, a prick to everyone around him but just slightly softer to the family he chose and protected.

We were both his weakness as much as we were his strength. And he knew it.

"I'm just dandy." I try to pull myself up and stand, but small fucking black spots take over my sight, with my limbs feeling weak and giving way from underneath me as I move.

I stumble slightly, and Red moves to catch me, but Ezra and Mal move quicker than she does. As if I'd want their man-hands on me over her sexy fingers.

They prop me up as the dots clear in my eyes, and when they do, I finally get a good look around me, my thoughts instantly questioning where the fuck they had taken me.

This place looked like some haunted house or some kind of murder site. Perfect for dumping a body or maybe some light torture…but for taking care of someone unconscious?

I glance around the dark, dilapidated space; burnt and broken walls and pieces of furniture are left around, and trees and shrubbery are taking over almost everywhere you look.

Not exactly my scene, but I guess it was quiet, and there were a few interesting things catching my eye, such as an old weapons rack and some burnt armour pieces scattered under some ivy on the floor.

This old, broken building seemed like some kind of training or fighting ground, a place where weapons were held and used to spar or train.

A lot of blood was probably spilled here. Maybe they did choose the best place to put me.

"How did you find this place?" I ask, looking at the guys.

"Micai brought us here," Ezra answers, his eyes fixed like soft glue to the girl in question. "She comes here for some peace."

I glance at Red as a strange, annoying look takes over Ezra's face that has my hackles instantly rising.

This obviously had something to do with all the stupid morons and dickheads in this school. Clearly, they needed a bigger lesson about how they needed to treat our girl.

I'm gonna have to bloody the halls and burn down every classroom to make my point in this shitty academy.

You don't touch one of ours. Especially Red.

"I also used to train here." Red's little blue eyes meet mine, a playful grin tilting her lips. "But Ezra's invited me to your gym."

I glance around the old wreck of a space.

How the fuck did she ever manage to keep this from me?

The thoughts of her training here, sweating as she worked out in a place like this, holding some weapon in those small soft hands…I adjust the once again growing boner as I stare back at Red.

This was something I wasn't missing out on anymore.

I turn toward Ezra. "Good job."

My brother gives me a knowing grin, a gleam in his eye mirroring my own of what's to come when she joins us.

Creed scoffs. "I wonder what your idea of training is in the first place." He raises a dark brow. "The only thing I can see you properly taking seriously would be an eating contest."

An incredulous sound falls from Red's lips as they open, but the ass cuts her off. "Just don't get crumbs on my equipment."

It seems Creed's actual love language was being a dickhead. But he'd give in eventually. My Red would break him down.

"Don't worry, I won't get your precious equipment too sweaty." A sexy grin tilts her lips, her expression mocking Creed as he narrows his eyes.

She was fearless, alright, but I wasn't completely sold on whether she could handle someone a bit stronger than some sleazy creep.

My girl was definitely a force to be reckoned with, but could she handle a beast alone?

The thought has my brows pinching together as I slowly stand straighter. I didn't like the idea of her out here alone, either.

There was only one way to be sure if she could fight back, and if she couldn't, I could teach her how to.

Who better than someone who could show her the vital and weak points to hit, the spots to slash to make them bleed more, and the bones she'd need to break to make the pain last longer?

I take a steadier step toward her as she turns toward me, instantly feeling my presence.

"Then you can show me. No more training in dark places alone."

A dark grin forms on her lips. "Don't regret it when I use you as my personal punching bag and leave you black and blue."

I roll my shoulders, a huge smile stretching my cheeks with her words and the cute threat she's making.

"As long as those hands are on me, I'll happily accept every bruise and cut. Fuck, you can bite me too if you want." I run my tongue along my teeth, the thought of her plump lips on me making me hard again. "I can also bite back if you want."

A blush coats her cute cheeks as her grin becomes so fucking kissable.

I bend in closer, ready to make those damn lips mine, when suddenly a large bright light blasts from the direction of the academy, interrupting us. A loud voice follows it, echoing out in all directions.

"All students…Return to the academy…The beasts have been destroyed…Return immediately to the academy."

The voice didn't sound like any of the dickhead teachers I know.

"The principal," Ezra answers as if reading my thoughts.

"Makes sense it would be handled quicker if he made it back," Creed muses, looking in the direction of the academy before he takes a step in that direction. "They'll send someone out if we don't move. The Dean likes his rules followed." He stares back at me. "Will you be able to manage the trek?"

"Can't we just stay here for a bit longer?" I turn back toward Red. "Shit was getting interesting."

Creed rolls his eyes. "Seems you'll be fine. Let's move."

Mallyn bumps me on the shoulder as he passes me, a slight grin tilting his lips as he glances back. "Don't be so reckless."

Aw. He missed me.

Red comes beside me, handing me my blade before wrapping my hand in hers. I put it away as Ezra takes to her other side.

"Let's head down," she calls, tugging me and Ez with her.

"Fine," I sigh, squeezing her soft fingers. "But you're mine for the night."

A soft chuckle leaves her lips.

And forever.