Chapter 29

SWYN

I lie in bed, the weight of everything that just happened settling comfortably around me like a warm blanket. I thought I'd feel regret or guilt, but I just…don't.

The sheets are tangled around my legs, and I can still feel the lingering heat of Kel beside me. I turn my head, catching a glimpse of his relaxed expression, a small smile playing on his lips as he drifts in and out of sleep.

But just as I start to lose myself in the moment, a low rumble of thunder shakes the air, jolting me back to reality.

The wind picks up, whipping around outside with a ferocity that makes the motel creak.

I sit up slightly, pulling the covers closer around me, a sudden chill creeping over me that has nothing to do with the temperature.

A sharp knock on the door pierces the quiet, and my heart skips a beat. I look at Kel, but he stirs only slightly. The knocking comes again, more insistent this time. A sense of dread pools in my stomach, like something ominous is about to unfold.

Kel groans, finally roused by the persistent sound, and pushes himself up.

"I'll get it," he mutters, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he swings his legs over the side of the bed.

I cover myself with the sheets, suddenly conscious of how exposed I am.

The soft fabric provides little comfort against the growing storm outside.

Kel strides to the door, and I can't help but steal a glance at him—his broad shoulders, the way his hair falls into his eyes, the delicious monochrome ink that snakes its way down his back. But the moment is cut short as he opens the door, and my heart plummets.

Ri stands there, his face thunderous, eyes locked on me with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. The anger in his gaze flares, almost palpable, like the storm brewing outside.

I can't help but shrink back against the pillows, the covers clinging to me like a protective shield.

"What the hell?" Ri snaps, his voice low and dangerous, cutting through the tension in the air.

"Ri," Kel starts, but before he can finish, Ri storms inside, his presence filling the room with an electric charge.

"Do you think this is a fucking joke?" Ri's gaze is still fixed on me, and I feel exposed under his scrutiny. The air in the room thickens as he steps closer, his fists clenched at his sides.

"A storm is coming in, and it's not just any storm. You need to get dressed and come with me. Now."

I glance out of the window, the dark clouds rolling in like an angry tide. Sure enough, streaks of lightning illuminate the sky, revealing the torrents of rain racing towards us.

My heart races in sync with the rumble of thunder echoing in the distance.

This isn't just a normal storm.

Kel steps between us, trying to diffuse the tension. "We were just?—"

"Having a good time?" Ri interrupts, his voice sharp. "While the rest of us are trying to protect the town from storm damage? I hope you're finished with your little vacation."

My cheeks flush as I grip the sheets tighter, the remnants of our earlier intimacy now overshadowed by Ri's anger.

"Ri—" I close my mouth as soon as I've opened it, immediately regretting my decision to speak. How on earth would I placate him? With the clichéd ‘it's not what it looks like'?

"Please."

"Don't." He cuts me off, turning his gaze back to me, the anger in his expression softening just a fraction as concern creeps in. "I don't want you out here when things get worse. We need to get moving."

With a deep breath, I push the sheets off, revealing the sleep shorts and cami I threw on after Kel and I had... well, after everything that just happened.

"I can help," I say, my voice steadying as I meet Ri's gaze. "We can all help."

Kel's eyes flicker between us, and I can sense his unease, but he nods in agreement. "Yeah, Ri. We should stick together. If the storm's as bad as you say, we need all hands on deck."

Ri's expression remains stoic, but I can see the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. "Fine," he relents, crossing his arms over his chest. "But hurry. We don't have much time."

As I scramble out of bed and reach for my clothes, I can't shake the feeling that this storm is more than just a natural phenomenon. Something darker looms in the distance, just as threatening as the storm clouds rolling in.

As I return from the bathroom fully dressed, Ri's eyes are on me, assessing, calculating. My skin heats under his gaze and desire pools low in my belly.

I have no business being attracted to him right now, so I take a steadying breath, willing myself to push through the awkwardness that lingers in the air.

We may be facing a storm outside, but it's the storm brewing between us that unsettles me the most.

"Let's go," I say, trying to keep my voice firm as I pull my jacket on over my shirt, glancing at both brothers. "Together."

Together. It's a simple word, but it feels heavy with promise and uncertainty.

We move to the door and the wind howls outside. I can't help but glance back at Kel, feeling the warmth of our earlier connection flicker just beneath the surface.

But now isn't the time to dwell on that. We have a storm to face, both outside and within ourselves.

As we step out into the storm's embrace, the wind whips around us, and the rain comes down even heavier, splattering against the pavement. I can't help but glance back at Kel, who gives me a reassuring nod, his expression a mix of determination and concern. We're all in this together.

"It's just the diner now, everything else is taken care of, more or less," Ri shouts, his voice cutting through the noise of the gathering storm.

"The roof's old, and we don't want it to cave in. Sol's already over there."

We sprint across the parking lot, our feet splashing in the growing puddles as the rain pelts down like stones. The diner looms ahead, its neon sign flickering under the onslaught of the storm.

Inside, the familiar smell of coffee and greasy food greets us, but the atmosphere is tense. A few locals mill about, eyes wide with concern as they huddle together, waiting for the worst to pass.

"Grab whatever you can find to reinforce the windows!" Ri shouts, his voice barely carrying over the roar of the wind and the thundering rain on the diner's roof.

I watch as he storms towards the back, already on the move. Kel follows close behind him, and I hesitate for a second before running after them.

Inside the storage room, we rummage through piles of tools and random supplies, looking for anything sturdy enough to secure the windows. This is completely new territory for me.

Back home, the worst a storm would ever do is upend a few trampolines. But here…well, there's real fear in people's eyes and I don't like it. I'll do whatever I can to help.

I pull out a couple of wooden planks, passing them to Kel as we head back into the diner.

Liv, one of the diner's owners, stands near the counter, wringing her hands nervously. "Thank you, boys! And you too, Swyn," she says, her voice shaking, but her eyes still holding warmth. "You're lifesavers."

I give her a small, tight-lipped smile, my mind already racing with thoughts of the storm outside. The pressure in the air is thick, almost suffocating, and something dark is brewing in the clouds.

Should I tell them?

"Keep going," Ri orders as he moves to the next window. I follow, helping Kel nail the planks into place as the rain drums harder on the roof, louder and more urgent.

Every moment feels like the storm is building, about to unleash something vicious.

We secure the last window, and just as Ri steps closer to the door, I catch a movement outside—a small, limping figure. My heart leaps into my throat. It's an animal, barely visible through the downpour, staggering in the growing puddles.

Without thinking, I bolt for the door.

"Swyn!" Ri yells, but I'm already out, the rain slapping against my skin in cold, sharp bursts. My feet splash through the muddy puddles as I run toward the creature.

It's a dog, tiny, drenched and trembling, favouring one leg as it tries to escape the torrent of water streaming down from the sky.

I kneel beside it, gently reaching out, "Hey there, easy now. I've got you."

Before I can fully assess the dog's condition, I hear heavy footsteps behind me. Ri.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" His voice is sharp, cutting through the squall like a blade. I glance over my shoulder, and his face is a tempest in itself—anger, fear, and something deeper flashing in his eyes.

"I had to help it!" I yell back, gripping the dog, shielding it from the rain as best I can.

Really hope this isn't going to turn out to be another naked shifter.

"You could've been hurt!" Ri's words come out in a snarl, his frustration palpable. But as he steps closer, his gaze softens, and he looks down at the dog.

His jaw tightens as the anger in his eyes gives way to something else.

"Dammit, Swyn…"

For a second, I think he's about to tear into me again, but then, with a suddenness that catches me off guard, he grabs the back of my neck, pulling me into him.

Before I can react, his mouth is on mine, fierce and demanding, the small dog squished between us.

The kiss is electric, fueled by the storm raging around us and the tension that's been simmering for too long. It's a release—of fear, anger, desire.

Time freezes. The wind howls, but I barely hear it. His fingers tighten on my neck, his lips claiming mine with an intensity that sends a shockwave through my entire body.

I kiss him back, one hand instinctively clutching his soaked shirt, holding on like he's the only thing keeping me anchored, while the other cradles the puppy between us.

But then, as if the storm itself is reminding us where we are, a sharp crack of thunder breaks the moment. We pull apart, both of us breathless, the world crashing back in.

The rain comes down harder now, and as we catch our breath, we look up. In the distance, storm clouds boil angrily over Spells Hollow, the wind whipping through the trees like a warning.

This isn't a natural storm, I think again. Do the others know it too?

"Ri! Swyn!" Kel's voice cuts through the storm. He and Sol sprint towards us, worry etched on their faces.

"Everyone's safe inside," Sol says quickly, his eyes darting between us, the tension unmistakable. "We've done all we can. We need to get back. The storm's getting worse."

Ri and I exchange a look—everything that passed between us is still hanging in the air, heavy and unresolved. His jaw clenches, but he nods at the dog, now curled up against my breast, trembling.

"Get it inside. Let's go."

As we head back toward the motel, the wind picks up even more, whipping the rain sideways. I've never experienced anything like it before. It's terrifying. But invigorating too. Cleansing.

Like by accepting my fate with Ri through our kiss, I can finally let go of the baggage I've carried with me my whole life.

You have to be ready to love.

I am.

The air is thick with anticipation, the storm's fury not yet spent. I can feel Ri's presence beside me, closer than usual, the heat of his body despite the chill. The kiss lingers in my mind, fueling the growing tension between us.

Every glance, every breath seems loaded with something more.

When will it snap?

As the four of us burst back into the safety of the motel, dripping and cold, Mavis is already waiting, her arms crossed and her sharp eyes glaring at us.

"What the fuck happened to you lot? Why do you look like you lost a fight with a garbage truck, got tumble-dried on high and mugged by the weather? You're making a damn mess all over my nice clean floors!"

"Erm, there's a storm outside, you crazy old bat," Ri snaps, shaking off rain like a pissed-off dog.

"Really?" Mavis raises an eyebrow, completely unfazed. "Assumed all that racket was you beating one off again. You really need to get laid. And I want a different room. I'm sick of sharing a wall with you. With any luck the storm will tear this shit hole down and you can make me a granny flat out the back."

Ri scoffs, curling his lip disdainfully. "Only thing we'll be making for you is a grave if this storm tears the place down."

Mavis smirks, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Nah, darling. You'll have to dig your own grave first, seeing as you'll die from blue balls before the storm hits."

"At least I won't have to listen to you bitching and moaning anymore," Ri fires back, unamused. "Or risk my life every time I eat one of your meals ."

"Sure, darling. Keep telling yourself that. Now hurry up and reinforce my damn window before the wind blows me out of here like Dorothy."

"Wouldn't that be a dream," Ri mutters under his breath, glancing at me with an exasperated look.

I try to stifle a laugh, but Mavis catches it, wagging a finger at me. "Don't you start, missy. You'll be next on my list if you don't keep that pretty boy in line."

Which one? I snicker.

The dog in my arms whimpers, and I glance at Ri. His eyes meet mine for a moment, softening just a fraction. There's a silent understanding between us, something unspoken but undeniable.

"Pretty boy?" Ri barks a laugh. "Now I know you're losing it."

"I know what I see," Mavis snaps back, turning to storm off in the direction of her room, but not before muttering, "And what I see is you idiots about to let this whole place blow over while you argue."

Kel steps in before Ri can fire off another retort. "C'mon, let's just get her window secured before she comes back for round two. We could all do with getting out of these wet things too."

Ri glares after Mavis. "One day, I swear…"

As the wind howls outside, and the rain pounds against the boarded-up windows, I can't help but steal a glance at Ri. His expression is hard, focused, but every so often, his gaze flicks to mine—heated, unresolved.

The storm may be outside, but there's something brewing between us that feels just as dangerous, just as inevitable. And I'm not sure we'll be able to stop it.

"Yeah, yeah," Sol chuckles, clapping him on the back. "We know you love her really. Let's go, pretty boy ."