Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

G ently turning the pages of my ancestor journals, I contemplate Hel's words. What secrets do I hold?

Kirk sits in an oversized chair in the living room, searching in the other book. Eerily still, Fell sits on a throw pillow, legs crossed. Breathing controlled, eyes closed, and body relaxed, he's a tiny generator, gathering energy in loose black pants and a white t-shirt.

Posted on the couch beside me, Bo scrolls through his phone, gathering information on what's happening back home while Cadoc does a walk around the perimeter. After our mental trip, the groups pulled in tight.

The clock is ticking down and we're no closer to finding the amulet or discovering answers to the questions plaguing us.

"The common theme of Fenrir's family is punishment for something out of their control," Bo speaks thoughtfully.

"Hel said something similar. They sent her to the underworld because they feared what she was capable of. The gods treated Fenrir abysmally because of a prophecy, and his brother, J?rmungandr had the same experience."

I roll my eyes. "There were no predictions heralding my birth. And I'm the least powerful member of the pack."

"I'm not so sure that's true. No weakling could wield the gifts Fenrir gives," Bo corrects.

You were being protected. My mother's words echo in my mind.

"No one could've seen that coming, though, right?" I look at all of them.

Cadoc steps inside, shutting the door behind him. "The fellowship did. If we have you, it stands to assume they have a dark version." Damned wolf hearing.

"The burned man," I guess, thinking of our strange connection. "Maybe Fenrir's blood is why we're linked?"

"It makes sense." Kirk closes the book. "Do you think you could tap into the link again?"

I bite the inside of my cheek and travel the pathways created in my mind.

Deep in the dark spaces where my nightmares live, I sense the odd link. Inky and slimy like worms in sodden soil, it feels wrong.

Grimacing, I give a curt nod.

"If she sees him, does he see her?" Bo toys with the sleeve of his Henley.

"Yes." Chill bumps rise on my flesh. I wrap my arms around my waist.

"Then we need to sever it," Kirk responds instantly.

"How?" I'm ready to be free of the sleeper cell inside my brain.

"We can override it if you trust us enough." Kirk peers up at me through his lashes. His cautious tone raises red flags.

"What would you have to do?"

"Rip that bastard out." Bo yanks his hand back, balling it into a fist.

The four of them nod, and I realize they're communicating through our link. They're coming together as a clan. I study their intense connections and feel their sincerity.

"We can't have him rooting around in your head, creeping about when we're not paying attention." Kirk meets my gaze.

"I know you're right. But this is meddling with my mind." The trust required is lightyears from our tentative truces.

"It's a weak link we can't afford to ignore," Bo presses.

I snap. "Easy to say when it's not your ass on the line."

"What happens to you affects all of us," Bo replies calmly.

"And yet, it's not your innermost thoughts that'll be laid bare."

I turn to look at the others. "Have any of you ever attempted this before?"

Cadoc clears his throat. "I have. Being an enforcer requires more than physical strength. We'll go in, target the affected area, and get out."

"I'll monitor you the entire time," Kirk assures me.

Nothing is sacred or private. Drained, I drop my head. I traded my individuality for everyone else's survival. Like Fenrir, I'm shackled by the needs of the greater good. "Fine. How do you plan to do this?"

"I'll prepare the room. We want you to be comfortable," Cadoc says. I have to trust in his past experience.

I snort. "Too late."

"Easy, brat. None of us likes this."

Choking back the vitriol that wants to fly from my mouth, I nod.

"If there were another way, we'd explore that option." Fell's apologetic expression stirs my ire.

I turn away from him, desperate to put space between me and his knowing gaze.

Fell grabs my hand. "Ylva."

I pull out of his hold. "I can't." Treading water, I'm holding myself together by a thread.

"You're not alone in this." Fell kneels in front of me, gripping my thighs.

"Please, stop." Closing my eyes, I press the palms of my hands into my eyelids.

"I'll never stop when it comes to your well-being." Fell lowers my hand and kisses the inside of my palm. "Stop trying to carry everything. This is a shitty situation. I hate how much you're being forced to do. It's okay to be pissed about that. When this is all behind us, I'll make it up to you. I'll never leave your side again, Ylva."

"Don't promise?—"

"This is a vow, a pledge to you and our clan. Nothing has meaning without you. I've walked around half a man. My mind was locked into a compulsion, but my heart." He shakes his head. "My soul knew I was missing a vital piece of my being. Coming out of the spell is like stepping into the sunlight. I never noticed how much it twisted me. It changed my personality and dulled my senses."

"Fell." I cup his face.

"No one will separate us again, Ylva."

Energy swells and a pale blue light swirls up my arm. I feel every ounce of his love as the bind rune forms on my chest. He's sworn himself to me. The lingering anger I feel for his abandonment disintegrates further. He's offering me his heart on a platter.

"I never stopped loving you," he whispers.

I lean forward and capture his lips, tasting the truth and passion. Our tongues slide together and the crack down the center of my heart heals a little more.

The jingle of my phone pulls us apart. Bo hands it to me from the side table. I can't decipher the strange look he gives me.

Kez's name is across the screen. I bring the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

"I saw a shifter—in the main house, Ylva. That's not a thing that happens here."

"Hello to you too." I snicker.

"I'm sorry. I'm freaking out. I saw him change." Her voice shakes.

"It's okay. Did he see you?"

"No. There was something unnatural about the way he moves. A heaviness that tinged the air."

Fell moves to sit beside me with a deep frown.

"I don't understand, Kez. You made a deal with the pack to spy on me. Why is this interaction surprising?"

"I did what I was told. They informed me the summer after high school graduation. I- I never met anyone. I relayed everything to my master."

Master? The word sickens me.

"Something is happening here." Her voice shakes. "And I'm scared."

"Where are you, Kez?"

"The basement. I'm supposed to be doing laundry. The machine covers the sound of my voice," she whispers.

"Are you safe?"

She laughs, bitterly. "No one but the Borns are safe here."

"Can't you come with us? We'll meet you somewhere."

"No." She grows quiet. "I have my reasons for staying. I just needed someone to know what's going on in case I disappear."

"Don't say that."

"If they discover I'm still talking to you, it's going to be bad. But this is too important to ignore. I won't sit back again. With you, I learned what life could be if things had been different. That means something to me."

"Don't give up. What can you tell me about the shifter?"

"I won't. I'm going to fight like you. His transformation was choppy, and his final form was," she says before pausing, "well, off."

"Can you explain what you mean by that?" I try to put a picture to her vague description.

"It was malformed after he finally completed the change. It was like he was confused. You know the cartoons where they take a potion, and the animal parts keep changing, but they don't match? What would cause that?"

Kirk steps closer. "True shifters are rare, but not impossible."

"True shifters?" Kez questions.

"Shifter with no true form. They can decide what they want to be," I explain.

"Why the hell would one be here?" Her voice rises an octave.

"That's a good question. Can you keep your eyes open?"

A loud buzz sounds. "I'll gather as much information as I can."

"I'll do the same on my end."

We disconnect, and I view my mates' faces. "Thoughts?"

"Finding a true shifter isn't an easy feat. If the vamps managed it, I'm worried about what else they're up to," Kirk admits.

Cadoc's footfalls on the stairs draw our attention. "The room's ready."

Standing, I walk up the stairs with my heart in my throat. I step inside the room and Cadoc presses me against the wall.

"We're going to make sure you're nice and relaxed before we start this, brat."

His warmth seeps into my body, and I massage his broad shoulders. Dipping, he takes my mouth. Controlling the kiss, he devours me.

I suckle his tongue. Cadoc groans, nudging my thighs apart with his knee. He pushes his thick thigh between my legs, and I growl in the back of my throat as I tilt my hips.

Flexing his muscles, he gives me more friction. My hips rock as I glide up and down his leg.

"Can you come for him, sweet girl?" Kirk whispers in my ear. His warm breath moves, strands of my hair tickling my face.

Cadoc pulls away. "Answer him, brat." Gripping my hips, he grinds me into his thigh.

"Yes." I flex my thighs as my pussy quivers.

"Ruin his pants for me, princess." Bo watches me between slitted eyes.

Panting, I chase my orgasm as they urge me on. Trembling, my belly clenches and I shake as I explode, ruining my underwear and his pants.

"Fuck." Cadoc grips my hips hard. "You're stunning when you find your pleasure." Cadoc nips my lip and steps away.

"Arms up, sweet girl." Kirk peels my shirt over my head.

Fell unbuttons my pants. Together, they strip me down.

Kirk leads me to the bed as the others remove their clothing. "Lay down, sweet girl. Let me make you feel good."

I climb onto the center of the bed, and he spreads my legs wide. Kissing my pussy, he parts my lips and takes a long lick. My hips come off the bed.

"He's just getting started, brat."

Bo chuckles wickedly. Their feedback amps up my arousal. I feel their eyes on me. Licking my lips, I peer over to watch them stroke their lengths.

Kirk dives between my thighs, and I close my eyes, unable to think about anything other than his talented tongue, circling my entrance. Lazily, he flicks my clit, and eases two fingers into my wet pussy. Curling his digits in a come-hither motion, he teases the spot that has my legs shaking.

He hums and I thrust down on his fingers. He chuckles. The vibration pushes me closer to the edge. Moving his head from side to side, he laves my swollen bundle of nerves.

"Please, Kirk." I place my hands on the sides of his head as I chase his tongue. "I need more."

Pushing my thighs back, he explores deeper.

"Yes. Right there." Undulating, I throw my head back as the pleasure crests over me. Crying out, I gush into his mouth as my body quakes.

Kirk kisses his way up my body, pressing his full lips to mine as I come back down to earth. Sharing my flavor, he kisses me deeply before he moves away.

"Flip over, brat. You're far too lucid still."

I scramble up and rise on all fours, offering myself up. Peering over my shoulder, I lick my lips.

"Look at my mate, giving herself to me, so sweetly." Kirks voice rumbles in his chest. Kneeling on the bed, he runs his thick length between my lips. "You ready for me to remind you who you belong to, brat?"

"Myself."

His eyes narrow and flicker to yellow.

I snicker.

"Little tease, always pushing buttons." He parts my cheeks and runs his thumb across my puckered hole. I gasp and he pushes into my core.

"Oh."

"That's it, let me in,"

I press my face to the bed and widen my stance. I whimper, wiggling my ass.

Cadoc slaps my rear. I moan.

"Like that, do you minx?" Easing out, he drives in, and I cry out. His nails lengthen and he grazes my flesh as our bodies slap together.

Pain and pleasure blend beautifully as the she-wolf fully submits. "Harder, Cadoc." He tilts his hips, and I scream. "Yes. Please don't stop."

"Never." He pounds inside me, and I roll my hips, matching his strokes. My eyes flutter closed as the bright bubble inside me pops. Shrieking, I clamp down around him.

Driving home, he fills me to the brim as I collapse forward, and he rolls us to the side.

"Don't get too comfortable, princess." Bo winks. Cadoc eases out and I whimper.

"I hope he got you ready to take my knot."

I lick my lips, feeling insatiable as my center flexes. The she-wolf wants every piece of our mates I can get.

"On your knees." Bo climbs onto the bed beside me. Kneeling behind me, he drives into me roughly. I raise up, pushing my ass back against him.

I fist the blankets, rocking with him. Fisting my hair, he pulls my body to his. I wrap my arms around his neck as our bodies slide together.

"You're so sexy riding my cock." He kisses me violently and I clench around him. Our mouths come together sloppily. I cry into his mouth as he slaps my pussy. He presses his lips to my ear. "We've got an audience."

I turn my head and meet Fell's blazing eyes. He works his stiff cock. My mouth waters at the flushed mushroom-shaped head.

"You want him in your mouth, princess?"

"Yes," I moan.

"All you have to do is take my knot." He punctuates the words with thrusts. The swelling stretches me.

I welcome the slight burn. "So full."

"You can take it."

"Let him in, so I can fill those pretty lips, Ylva." Fell grips his shaft harder.

Bo pushes against my opening with his knot.

I whimper, trembling in anticipation and a hint of fear. He pushes and my body resists before it yields, and he pops into place. My eyes slam shut as I find my pleasure and he rockets a stream of heat deep inside me.

Riding the wave of bliss, I'm boneless.

"Now, Cadoc."

Spent, I can hardly open my eyelids. They ease into my mind like butter gliding across a hot griddle.

"Relax, brat. We've got you."

Bo sucks the skin on my neck, and I whimper.

"Focus on me, princess." Reaching between my legs, he rubs my clit.

I rock against his knot, shuddering as a jolt of pleasure flows through me.

"That's it. The only thing you need to worry about is that knot splitting you in two."

Squeezing around Bo, I arch my back. A spiderweb-like, light sensation in my brain signals Cadoc's pressure.

"You don't have to worry about what he's doing." Fell caresses my lips with his dripping cock.

Parting my lips, I take him deep as I find a rhythm with Bo. Gagging as he taps the back of my throat. My eyes water.

"You look so damn good taking them both," Kirk croons.

I'm aware of Cadoc in my mind, dismantling my defensive wall, but I can't bring myself to care. Sucking his cock, I draw a guttural moan from Fell. Bo pinches my clit. I groan around Fells' dick.

"You're not in control tonight, princess." He bites my shoulder, and Cadoc pushes through my mental wall.

Driving forward, Fell's balls press to my lips. Relaxing my muscles to take him down. I choke as he floods my mouth. He pulls back and I gasp as Kirk and Bo join Cadoc in my brain.

"Relax." Fell taps my lips. I swirl my tongue around his tip, tasting the white droplets that have escaped.

"Focus on us," Bo growls as he tilts my hips and delves deeper. My body trembles.

"I'm going to help." Fell pours his energy into our link, cooling the heat in my body and easing the intense pressure in my skull.

I sense the four walls they construct around the dark link. Each man controls their portion of the barrier. Cut off, the dark bond pulses with an unsettling emotion. He knows we're tampering with it.

"Brace yourself. He's gathering his power," Fell commands.

I wince, anticipating pain. My mates raise a powerful shield. The burned man's anger is a fire waiting to ravage.

"Whatever you plan to do. Hurry," Bo grunts. He pulses in me, and I shiver as my belly swells with his seed.

"All that matters is us right now, princess. Don't worry about what they're doing." He strokes my clit, building me up once more.

"Harder," I rasp.

Bo chuckles. He presses firmer. "Give me one more."

I whip my head back from side to side. "I can't." My fingers clutch the sheets.

"Yes, you can. Give us one last big one." His sensual purr skitters down my spine.

"Come on, brat. We need that energy." Cadoc's deep voice is cajoling.

Fell sucks my breast into his mouth and I shatter.

"That's our girl," Kirk praises me. I feel them manipulating my energy, rolling it into a ball. My nerves lights up like I shoved my finger into a socket. They send the wave of power down the link like a battering ram.

Slamming into the connection, it explodes. A silent scream is ripped from my throat. Nerve endings explode, and for a moment, I see the darkness surrounding him. Wrapped around him like a smoky snake, it strikes.

It hits the wall of protection and rebounds. Coiling on itself, it weaves from side to side, seeking a weakness.

Hit him again! Caddoc demands.

We send another wave of power toward him. A dark cloud rolls toward us. The two energies clash. A white light sears us, and we're thrown back. A giant crack forms in the link. It flickers and dims.

Knocked back into my body, I groan as Bo slips free.

"Princess?"

"I'm okay. Just feel like a bus hit me."

"Me too," Fell croaks.

Cadoc and Kirk agree.

"Did we fix it?" Kirk sounds hopeful.

Fractured and smoking, the links are no longer easily accessible. Gnarled and blackened, a few loose threads cling together.

"Mostly."

They all groan.

"The effort it would take to use it will serve as a warning. There's no getting in stealthily," Kirk says breathlessly.

"It'll have to do for the moment," Cadoc sounds exhausted.

The boys have rearranged the room. Pushing two beds together, we sleep in a pack pile. I'm grateful to sleep surrounded by them. Their warmth and co-mingled scent lulls me to sleep.