14. Maxton

14

MAXTON

M y back ached from being in bed too long with Oria. When Ryder woke up, he had an easy exit, but she needed more rest and if suffering for a few more hours let her sleep more, I was ok with that. I ran a hand through her blonde locks, content to just be near her.

How long had I dreamed of doing this exact thing with her? When I had awakened earlier, I didn't want to open up my eyes for fear that everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours was a lie. I almost asked Ryder to pinch me, but didn't want to seem too sappy.

Oria made a little noise as she rubbed against me. The feel of her breasts brushing up against my side and her hips rolling had me imagining what she would look like riding me. My body responded immediately to another sigh from her and a roll of her hips.

Gods, please help me. I wanted to go slow with her, but my body wasn't letting me think right. I held out for two hundred years without having sex, I could go a few weeks without it… right?"

My chest burned as I rubbed it. Was it our bond trying to surface, it had to be because there was no other explanation for what I was feeling. Was she feeling it too? Gods, I hope this was our bond coming. I didn't need a bond to know she was mine, but it would make all these years' worth it, if I could feel it once more.

Oria moved against me again, her hand traveled down my abdomen. I was helpless against the rush of desire that hit me, making me want to forget about courting her and just make her mine.

I cleared my throat, hoping to wake her up. It was torture keeping my request. Why had I decided to do it?

"Max?" Oria's groggy voice brought me out of my inner debate.

"Yeah, Sol," I said, looking down at her sleepy face.

She scrunched her face when she tried opening her eyes, pushing her face into my chest.

"What time is it?"

"I don't know, but I guess it's right before midday." I grinned at her adorable expression as she got used to the sunlight.

She moaned, rolling onto her back, looking over at the side Ryder had occupied.

"Of course he wouldn't be here resting," she murmured, looking back at me.

My stomach rumbled, making her smile.

"Come on, big guy, let's go eat," she said, stretching as she stood up.

The pants she was wearing were molded to her like a second skin that I should have been used to seeing on her, but they showed everything. One thing I missed was being able to lust after her and not get hard. That was the only good thing about being a cat.

I took a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. When did controlling myself become so hard? It was as if I was a teenager all over again and the breeze would make me hard.

"I love to see you struggle," she said with a smirk, as I stood up and these idiotic pants made everything noticeable. "I also love gray sweatpants."

I wanted to roll my eyes, but if she liked them then I needed a dozen of them.

Where does one get gray sweatpants?

"I'll ask where I can buy more," I chuckled.

"Please do." She stood on her tippy toes, and I leaned down for a peck on the lips. "I'll give you a proper kiss after I brush my teeth."

She ran out of the room when I growled. Her laughter filled the halls, making me feel content. I went down the stairs, hoping there was food. When I smelled bacon, my stomach rumbled.

I headed to the small bathroom to do my business and rinse my mouth out with stuff that burned.

"Morning," I said, walking into the kitchen, seeing Ryder cooking.

"Good morning," the twins said from the sofa in the living room.

"Hungry?" Ryder asked.

"Always," I said, sitting on the high chair, worried it might not hold my weight.

"Good morning," Oria said, as she took the last few steps of the stairs.

I stood up immediately, giving her my seat.

"Good morning, Sunshine."

"Good morning, Blondie."

Her cheeks flushed when she saw the twins. I keep waiting for jealousy to set in, but nothing but contentment for her filled my emotions. She sat down, keeping her eyes down, but I tilted her chin up to appreciate that blush.

"Red looks good on you, Sol," I said, kissing her nose.

"I love it on you too," she said, rubbing my cock before kissing me.

My face instantly heated up as she kissed me like she had in every dirty fantasy I had ever had of her. I groaned, feeling myself crave her more.

"Damn, Max, let the poor girl breathe," one of the twins shouted.

"I don't need air if I'm kissing Maxton," she said, against my lips, making my heart grow.

"Keep saying things like that and I might not be a gentleman anymore," I said, standing in between her legs, cupping her face and nipping her lip.

"I don't need a gentleman, Max. I'm fine spreading these legs for you and seeing how much I can make you moan," she purred.

I growled, wanting that and so much more. My body and mind were at war.

"But we can wait," she whispered. "Woo me, Maxton."

"You're making this hard, Sol," I whispered. "There's nothing I want more than to sink into that tight heat. I want you to scream my name till you're begging me to let you come, as I bring you to the edge over and over again."

She shivered in my arms. Her sweet scent permeated the air.

"But we will do it when the time's right because there is so much more than just our bodies. I fell in love with you because of the person you are," I said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I never stood a chance, bond or no bond. I think I've always been yours."

I kissed her softly as her blush returned. I clenched my hands to keep from throwing her over my shoulder. Why did I have to say I wanted to wait?

I felt everyone's gaze on us, but I went towards the stove to get her a plate to distract myself. Ryder studied me as he helped me gather a plate for her.

"I'm glad it's working out; you deserve your happily ever after," he said in a low voice.

"We all could have one, if you just let yourself be happy," I said, wishing he would move past his previous girl.

"I know and I think I'm ready for that." He gave me a small smile.

I don't know why, but I always liked Ryder, even though he was mean to our girl; I knew it was from a place of hurt. I almost felt bad that the woman he loved died, but mating Oria was not the answer to his sorrows and I'm glad he didn't jump into their relationship too quickly.

I clapped his shoulder, turning around to give a plate of food to Oria. She looked at us with warmth in her gaze, like she approved of our friendship.

"Here you go, Sol," I said, setting the plate of food in front of her.

Ryder passed me some utensils and I grabbed a napkin off the counter. I opened the fridge, got out a water and opened it for her too.

"Thank you," she said, leaning up for a kiss.

I gave her a peck on the nose, not trusting myself to kiss her again.

"Eat, Sol," I said, nodding at her food.

"I'll wait for you," she said.

"Nope, eat." I put the fork in her hand.

She rolled her eyes at me.

"Thank you, Max and Ryder," she said, before digging in.

I know I really didn't do anything but plate her food, but I felt a sense of pride for providing food for her.

"Here, man, eat up." Ryder handed me a plate and I dug in immediately.

I didn't know what half the things on the plate were, but they tasted good anyway. If what Addie said yesterday was true, we all needed to keep our strength up. We ate in silence and after we picked up the kitchen, the tension in the room grew.

Oria had no idea what to do, which had made her so scared yesterday. I know being locked away somewhere scared her. It made my skin crawl having to be somewhere secluded again, but if it kept her safe, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Oria went to sit between the twins, she looked stiff when one of them started talking to her. Her shoulders were almost to her ears, her hands were twisting into her shirt.

"We need to figure out what you want to do, Oria," Ryder said, sitting on a chair.

I sat at the other one even though it was a little small for me.

"Can we give her some time?" Soren asked defensively.

"Time is of the essence," I said. "I know this is a hard decision, but if what Addie says is true, we need to act now."

"So, what, we just lock her in another tower? Make her hide?" Soren snapped.

"It's not our choice," Ryder said calmly. "It's only hers."

We all looked at Oria who looked ready to throw up.

"She can't make this choice. Don't put the weight of the world on her shoulders," Soren said angrily.

"Sor," Gray said in a stern tone.

Soren glared at his brother. "Don't Sor me."

"Fighting about this isn't helping her," I said, looking at Oria.

Everyone stopped talking and looked at Oria.

"I just don't think it's fair, that our options consist of locking you away," Soren stood up, running his hand through his hair. "I told you we would keep you free and I don't want to go back on that promise." He paced in front of the fireplace. "Can we trust Addie's judgment?"

Soren looked at Ryder.

"I think we can." He nodded.

"So, we find a piece of land to hide on?" Soren was getting angrier.

"What if we find an island? Could we buy one?" Gray looked at Ryder. "Maybe we know someone who has an island? Maybe a small island close to the mainland?'

"I think an island is a better idea than just picking a random spot where anyone can walk up to the barrier," I said, really liking the island. "It would be easier to protect and if it's big enough, maybe it won't be so bad."

Oria and I locked eyes. The fear was evident in her hazel gaze.

"We don't have to use it," Gray said, as his brother glared at him.

"She said she would give it to us and we could use it anywhere," Gray explained.

"So?" Soren snapped at him.

"So, it doesn't mean we have to use it right away." Gray looked at Oria. "We can take her up on her offer and use it in case of an emergency."

"We don't have to use it," Oria nodded. "It would be our safety net."

"Exactly," Gray agreed.

"I think that sounds like a great idea," I said, looking at everyone to gauge how they were feeling. "It's better we prepare for every possibility."

"It's a smart choice; we don't know how this is going to go," Ryder sighed. "It seems every time we think we are ahead, something happens. We need to start thinking of every possibility."

"I agree," I said, looking over at Soren.

He glanced at all of us before settling his gaze on Oria. Jealousy sparked in me that they could speak to each other through their bond. My jaw clenched tight as I looked away.

"If you could keep the rest of us in the conversations, that would be great," Ryder snapped.

"Jealous, Ryder, that you haven't mated her?" Soren chuckled.

"Soren, now is not the time," Gray said with frustration. "We just want to get this sorted so we can move forward."

"I am jealous, but this isn't about me. It's about her safety and how all of this affects her," he growled. "Look, I get you don't want to put her in another tower, but…"

"It's a possibility, Soren," Oria spoke up with a faint blush on her cheeks.

Soren pursed his lips.

"We all hate the idea of locking her away again, so instead of arguing about it, we need to find a solution," I said, pushing down my jealousy. "We need to keep her safe and that's the only thing we need to worry about."

"Fine," Soren grumbled. "I don't want her going back into hiding."

"We have to do whatever we can to make sure she is safe even if that means hiding her while we figure out a game plan," Gray said, as he looked at his twin.

Soren growled and nodded.

"OK, I'll contact Addie. I think we might have another day or two here, and then we need to get moving," Ryder said. "We need to find a more permanent location for the time being. While we wait, we need to plan. What is our end game?"

He looked at Oria. She sat there looking vulnerable, lost and every bit the inexperienced woman she was.

"What do you mean?"

"Laima needs to be dealt with, but…" Ryder's voice trailed off.

I suspected we all wanted to kill her, but how would Oria feel about it?

"Do you want to kill her or imprison her?" Soren finished Ryder's sentence.

I couldn't help but smirk at his bluntness. There really was no way to say it gently.

"I assumed killing her was the only option," she said, looking at each of us.

"I think that's the only way we know you will be free forever," I said, leaning my elbows on the tops of my thighs.

She nodded. "Ok, let's do that."

She got up and left the room, we were left in stunned silence.

"Maybe we should have broached that subject on a different day." Gray looked towards the stairs concerned.

"I don't think there was a better way for us to say it," I said, straining to hear her.

"You didn't have to be so blunt," Gray snapped.

"What else was I supposed to say?" Soren raised his voice, a hint of fear tinging it.

"Soren," Ryder snapped.

"Fuck this, I'm going to run the perimeter." Soren stormed out.

"Sor," Gray called out, following him.

"He's just hurting, Gray," I said. "He's scared."

"I know, we all are," he said, before leaving.

Ryder and I stayed in silence.

"Go check on our girl," he said, getting up. "I gotta call Addie and get this whole thing rolling."

I smirked.

I liked the sound of "our girl" and no one would take her from us, not her mother, not my brother, not even the gods themselves would succeed.