32. Oria

We landed on the ground less graceful than I'd like, but I didn't care. I quickly looked over at Soren seeing him passed out. His color was a little grayish, but nothing that looked alarming. When I used my magic to see his injuries, intense hunger hit me.

Shit.

I'd forgotten that they needed blood. How long had it been since they had fed? How often did they need to? Would I be able to feed them?

My abdomen clenched in arousal thinking of giving them a piece of me.

The memory of Soren's bite made me go into a spiral of the possibilities until Ryder yelled at me.

"Save him, please," Ryder begged me, with Loki at his side.

I wasn't near Gray when he got hit, but I wasn't expecting this level of damage. Gray's body looked like it had been cut with large knives. Four deep cuts slashed his abdomen, showing bone and I think I could see an organ.

Panic clawed at me, but I tried to stay focused. I knelt beside him, panicking for a second before closing my eyes. My body immediately hummed with my magic, recognizing my mate. I didn't have to direct my magic anywhere. I just had to be its conduit to heal my mate.

His body slowly stitched itself together as he barely hung on to his life. I pushed even more power onto him, needing to pull him out of the danger zone. Once I felt like he wasn't on death"s door, I pulled my power thinking, this was going to take longer than I expected, and I didn't know if we were safe.

I panted from the exertion.

Ryder was kneeling right in front of me with a tired looking Soren. They looked at me with worried expressions.

"He's fine for now, but we need to get him somewhere so I can heal him and not be disturbed or worried," I said, feeling uneasy with their intense expressions.

"You truly are magnificent, Oria." Ryder"s deep voice brought me intense satisfaction.

"Blondie, I"m in awe of you," Soren said. "I don't deserve you and I am not worthy of a woman like you, but I know that every day you will feel my appreciation for saving my brother."

"He's my mate." I looked down at Gray, pushing a strand of hair off his forehead. "I would do anything for you. I can't lose you when I only just got you."

Loki brushed up against me and I hugged him to my chest. I almost lost him too.

"Did anyone think it was weird that he didn't want Loki to come with us?" Soren stared at Loki.

"I could hear fear in his voice." Ryder added.

"I don't understand why, unless Loki is some important cat that is set to bring the end of times," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Maybe he's a human trapped in a cat"s body," Soren chuckled. "I swear he has human qualities."

"Are you some evil demon trapped in a cat"s body?" I chuckled against his fur.

He batted my cheek like he disapproved of my statement.

"We need to get somewhere safe." Ryder said, getting up.

"Where the hell are we?" Soren grumbled.

"We are by Dairy Godmother's," Ryder said, getting up.

"Dairy Godmother's?" I was confused as Soren helped me up.

Why did that sound like something I wanted no part of?

"We should have gone to the Grumpy Cat," Soren said, pulling me close. "I don't think Dairy Godmother's is the place we want to take her to, cause… you know."

Soren's cheeks turned pink, his embarrassment was amusing.

"That is too far away," Ryder said, lifting Gray in his arms with ease. "She's free now, might as well rip the Band-Aid off now. She'll have to get used to scantily clad women."

"What about Duckleberry Fin?" Soren suggested.

"What the hell are all these places?" I asked, getting worried my first taste of freedom was going to be too free for me.

"Hideouts for questionable people," Ryder said, walking past us. "Dairy Godmother's will have to do for now while we regroup. I don"t think Gray has it in him for another trip. We only have a few potions left and we need to be smart about this."

Soren and I followed them, as I looked around, trying not to hyperventilate from looking at everything and anything.

I was finally free.

It wasn't the freedom I had hoped for, but I guess beggars couldn't be choosers, and I'd have to get used to scantily clad women. I just had to hold out for the days Tay wasn't trying to screw me over and Mother wasn't looking for me.

Tay admitted so much. A part of me wondered if he did this because he knew he could play my heartstrings or that I'd feel sorry for him. I still couldn't believe he threw Loki away, but I wanted to know why?

"Blondie, you need to stick close to either one of us. We also need to find you a jacket so we can hide that beautiful blonde hair," Soren said, breaking my thoughts. "It's too bright and way too memorable."

"We should dye it," Ryder called out.

"Excuse me?" I scowled.

"We need to be inconspicuous and your hair screams, ‘look at me'," Ryder called out.

"I don't want to dye my hair," I said, running my hands through it.

"Maybe we can get her some glamor. I'm sure someone at Dairy's can conjure one up for us," Soren said, as we stepped out to a clearing with a huge three-story wooden lodge. "No one will suspect it wasn't for us."

A sign with a woman in a very low-cut shirt was leaning, almost spilling her breasts out with Dairy Godmother's written above her.

"Wait here. I'll get us a room and we can figure something out while we all get some food and rest," Ryder said, handing Gray to Soren. "It's probably best if you stay out of sight."

"Come on, Blondie. We can hang out on the side," Soren said, carrying his brother.

"I have an invisibility charm," I said, following him.

"Activate it," he said, as he leaned against the wall.

I pulled out the necklace I had brought with me. My nervousness grew tenfold hoping that this necklace worked as I took a charm off of it. I said the incantation to activate it.

The tingle of magic saturated the air as I got closer to Soren, making sure he was covered too.

"Are you ok?" I asked, still feeling the remnants of his hunger.

"I'm good, tired, but glad that Gray is going to be ok," he said. "I should ask you how you are doing?"

"I… I'm excited to be free, but also worried and…" I didn't know how to explain how I was feeling. "A weight has been lifted off my shoulders and replaced with something else, but now I feel hope. Being locked away each year made my hope nonexistent."

"I know being here isn't ideal and I'm sorry we are here. But one day Blondie, I swear, I'll shoulder all your burdens and then you will truly be free."

His love poured through the connection, and I hated that I couldn't hug or kiss him. Gray groaned, moving his head back and forth, his face scrunched up in pain.

"He's going to need to feed, and I left the bag during our scuffle," Soren said, looking more worried.

"You also need to feed," I stated, as Soren looked at me with surprise. "I… I can feel your hunger."

He studied me for a moment.

"I didn't know you could feel that through the bond, but yes, we need to feed," he said, scanning the area.

"And who do you feed from?" I tried to keep the jealousy out of my voice but failed miserably.

My cheeks grew red, and I wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

Why was this so hard?

"Do you want it to be you?" He smirked.

"I mean, isn't that my job?" I shrugged.

"Job? You think being my mate is a job?" He looked confused with hurt in his eyes.

"No!" I shouted, flinching when I realized I was being too loud. "I just meant like, isn't that what a mate does, provide for their mate."

"Blondie, you?—"

A door opened, interrupting Soren. Ryder looked out the door for us and when he spotted us, he waved us over.

Soren wasted no time walking to him, leaving me to catch up, feeling guilty I called being a mate a job.

"Don't talk, look or leave with anyone," Ryder said, looking at me. "We are passing the bar and going up to our rooms. Got it?"

I nodded, getting nervous.

"Come on, let"s go."

Ryder walked back into the building. I followed him with Soren pulling up the rear. It was very dark until my eyes adjusted to the lack of light. A woman was standing on what looked to be a table, rolling her hips and she definitely was scantily clad. I should have averted my eyes, but she was mesmerizing as she swayed to the music. She was moving her body in such a way that all the men around her were practically drooling.

I didn't realize I had stopped until a man came up to me.

"Damn, girl, is your name Wi-Fi?" he slurred his words. "Because I'm feeling a connection!"

"Uh, no. My name is not Wi-Fi," I said, confused.

"Get lost, drunk," Soren snarled.

The man scowled before walking away.

"Is he looking for someone named Wi-Fi Connection?"

Soren laughed. "Something like that, Blondie. Now, go catch up to Ryder before another man comes up to you and I have to rip someone"s heart out."

"You say the most romantic things, Soren." I tried not to giggle, but it was a little romantic.

Jogging to catch up with Ryder, I was yanked to the side. A hand covered my mouth and Ryder brought one finger up to his mouth to silence me. Loki hissed, stopping immediately when he saw Ryder. A group of rowdy men came down the stairs.

"Soren!" One of the men yelled.

"Hey guys," he replied.

"Is Gray ok?" one of them asked.

"Yeah, he got worn out by Fun Bags," Soren chuckled.

"She's loads of fun, next time Chesticles might be easier on him," another guy laughed.

Chesticles? Fun Bags? Where the hell had they taken me?

"I'll let him know," Soren said. "He's a heavy fucker, so I gotta get him up to our room to sleep it off. Bye guys."

The men said goodbye to Soren as they all went their separate ways. Ryder picked me up, running me up the stairs and into a room quickly. He set me down quietly as another set of footsteps walked past our room.

Loki was squished in between us and I debated getting rid of him so I could get closer to Ryder. His honey eyes bore into me. I craved his touch, his broody glare and the lust that I felt tingling across my body.

Loki hissed at Ryder.

"Loki!" I admonished.

"You little shit, I'll remember that when you need to eat," Ryder whispered and glared at Loki, but I saw the softness in his eyes.

Fuck, he liked my cat and that made my heart flip.

"We should have gone somewhere else," Soren grumbled, as he walked into the room, putting Gray on the bed.

"I'll be back," Ryder ran out of the room.

I knew I shouldn't feel gutted, but for a moment it felt like we could have been on the same page.

"Give him time," Soren said, his voice full of worry like he didn't believe what he just said.

"I better finish," I said, putting Loki down, walking to Gray.

I knew he wanted to say something, but I ignored him, hoping he would get the hint. My reaction was unwarranted. I knew where we stood together, but it didn't lessen the blow. Taking a deep breath, I climbed on the bed to continue healing Gray. Soren's gaze felt heavy, full of things he wanted to say.

"Ori—"

"Probably not the best idea to use my name," I said quickly.

"Blondie," he sighed.

"I'm ok, really." I looked up at him, reigning in my emotions.

"It's ok to not be ok. Your feelings are completely valid and while I don't know how it feels to be in your situation." He walked up to bed, "I would be gutted if you dismissed me."

I clenched my jaw, hoping my tears wouldn't fall.

"I'm going to go see about a glamor charm and see if I can get you some food." He leaned over, kissing my forehead. "I love you, Blondie."

I didn't say anything for fear that I might start crying, but I pushed my love towards the bond we shared so he could feel it.

"That's the best feeling in the world," he said, walking away with Loki following him who was probably hungry too.

I watched him close the door, my shoulders slumping, feeling exhausted from the last twenty-four hours.

"I'll love you enough for both of us," Gray"s voice startled me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. He's an idiot if he thinks he can stay away from you."

I wiped the tears that had fallen.

"How are you feeling?" I laid a hand over his abdomen feeling for his injuries.

"Better than I should be feeling," he groaned, trying to get up. "Did you heal me, Sunshine? It feels like you did, like you"re running through my veins."

"You were on death"s door," I said, pushing him back. "You need to rest."

"I need to feed," he said, his cheeks blooming red. "Where are we?"

"Dairy Godmother's," I said, helping him get up.

"You're joking, right?" He looked at me in shock.

"Why the hell did they bring you here? Did you go through the front door?"

"No, the back, but I did see some scantily clad women," I said, earning a laugh from Gray.

"I'm glad you are taking this so well," he said, throwing his legs over the edge of the bed.

"Gray, I think you need to sit down," I said, when he wobbled, falling back onto the bed.

"I need to feed, Sunshine," he groaned.

That"s when I felt his need for blood.

"Use me," I said, standing in front of him.

His eyes snapped up at me. "I… I don't think that is a good idea."

"Why not?" I snapped, feeling the sting of rejection again.

"Look, I?—"

I held up my hand. "Never mind, I don"t want to hear it."

I clenched my jaw, feeling pathetic again. Was I not good enough?

"Sunshine." He reached for me.

I turned my back to him.

"You should feed before it gets to be too much," I said, walking to what I hoped was the bathroom.

"Sunshine, it"s not like that, I just?—"

I ignored him, opening the door to a closet.

Dammit.

I looked at the other door across the room, hating that I would have to pass by him. Stealing my expression, I tried to look bored. When he grabbed me, I let out a surprised squeak.

"I don't want to hurt you," he growled, holding my back to his front, his hand turning my head so he had a clear view of my neck. "I"m so hungry right now, I'm afraid blood loss will make me lose control."

His body shuddered.

"You smell so good, Sunshine," he said against my neck, his nose running up and down.

"I don't want you to use someone else, use me," I said, rubbing myself against him.

"Oh, Sunshine," he purred. "Now you are stuck with me."

"Always," I whispered.

He ran his teeth along my neck.

"If we do this, I'm making you mine," he growled, grinding against me.

"I'm always yours," I whimpered, my body flushed and all I wanted was for him to sink his teeth into me and make me his.

"Don't move," he commanded.

My body shivered in anticipation. This wasn't my quiet, thoughtful Gray and I loved this side of him. He trailed a hand down my torso before hitting the band of my yoga pants, slipping his hand underneath stopping right before he touched my pussy.

I whined when he made no move to touch me.

"Patience," he snapped.

"I need you," I said breathlessly, rubbing my ass against his hard cock.

He snarled into my ear, holding onto my throat tighter.

"Be patient." His voice had changed.

It was dark and dangerous making the hair on my neck stand up. My body was in fight or flight mode. My brain didn't know what to do, but I stayed still hoping I hadn't made a mistake by wanting to feed my mate.

"I smell your fear," he purred. "It makes me hard."

His hand traveled down until he got to my clit, rubbing it softly, stopping suddenly.

"I'm not scared, you would never hurt your mate," I said, rolling my hips against him. "Use me."

I knew I was playing with fire, but he snarled in my ear before turning me around. He bent me over the bed, pulling my leggings down, devouring my pussy.

The sounds he drew from me were incoherent and, at one point, I don't think I was speaking English. My body shuddered from the intense pleasure shooting through my body.

"Gray," I whimpered when he sucked on my clit hard enough to make me see stars.

"Come for me, Sunshine. I have so many more orgasms to give you," he growled at me.

He grazed my tight hole, jolting me forwards, but he held my hips in place. He sucked my clit as he slowly thrusted a finger in me. Pushing past the tight ring of muscle, making me gasp from the sensations. He licked up my pussy, fucking me with his tongue as he fucked my ass with his finger.

My legs trembled and I tried to pull away from the intensity of my pleasure. He kissed my pussy until he swirled my clit with his tongue, pushing his finger further into me.

He kissed my inner thigh and I felt his teeth graze my skin.

"Give me your pleasure," he snarled, sucking on my clit and fucking me faster.

My body bowed before I was thrown off the cliff of euphoria. Wave after wave, my body tensed up as he continued to fuck and suck me. My legs gave out from the intensity, and he caught me with ease, flipping me onto my back.

Gray didn't give me time to recover, thrusting into my pussy. He leaned over me, his body flush with my own and his hips snapped back and forth hard.

"Shit!" I screamed when he started fucking me at a punishing pace.

He didn't even take off his clothes, only pulling his pants down enough to fuck me. I chanted his name, digging my nails into his shoulder as he rested his face against my neck. His teeth would skim my skin with each thrust, and I tensed thinking this was the time it would happen.

"Tell me you want me to bite you, tell me you're mine," he growled.

"Please bite me, make—" I cried out when he changed the angle, hitting that pleasure spot that made my eyes go cross-eyed. "Make me yours."

I moaned again, feeling another orgasm coming at me with more intensity than the first. Fear passed through me that I wouldn't survive this fucking, when spots danced along my vision. The ecstasy was so intense I couldn't see or hear for a moment.

"Amor Aeternus," Gray said reverently, over and over again.

He captured my lips as I tasted a coppery tanginess on my tongue. Gray tasted different from Soren who was a little more sweet. He pulled away, stilling for a moment. His mouth was smeared with blood. Then he flipped us over until he was sitting, and I was straddling him.

"Gray," I groaned, rolling my hips against him.

"My eternal love." He shuddered against me before biting me on the neck.

He roared as he released deep inside of me, biting me and sending me into another orgasm. Instead of just biting, he sucked on me, and each pull made me feel like a live current was running through my body. I ran my hands into his hair, pulling myself closer to him still rolling my hips as he drank from me.

He tightened his hold on me as he kept drinking from me. I pulled at his hair when he snarled, pulling away from me.

"Mine," he snapped, licking my bite, sending tingles throughout my body. "In every lifetime."

"Always yours," I said, running my hands in his hair.

We stayed connected for a few moments as the bond settled. It felt similar to Soren's, but I could feel their differences like night and day. There were like two sides of the same coin, together they made each other whole.

"Shit, Sunshine are you ok?" He pulled away from me, looking over me.

"More than ok," I murmured, feeling tired.

"I didn't mean to?—"

"I'm ok," I said, kissing him softly.

My eyes grew heavy as he pulled me off of him, setting me on the bed. He kissed my temple as sleep tried to pull me under.

"Thank you, goddesses and gods for giving me a mate, a perfect mate. She's everything I didn't know I needed, changing me for the better and giving me happiness I only dreamed of. I'm home."

He kissed my temple again as sleep finally won and we fell into a deep slumber.