Chapter 17
"Where are you off to so fast?" Kaston tried keeping up with my pace to the parking lot.
"Arlo's." I kept it short. I didn't want to let the Caruso's know that Arlo was going to leave town tomorrow after training. It would just give Cain more incentive to chase me. Kas nodded and furrowed his brows for a small moment.
"What's that face about?" I chuckled.
"My brother told me about Layla." He confessed. I slowed my pace, giving him my attention. Although I didn't much like Cain I was glad he let his brothers know why his infatuation with me came from a place of pain. Maybe they'd convince him to back off.
"He really likes you Thea. He's soft with you." Kas turned to me as we made it to my truck. I sighed. It seemed I was wrong.
"I'd be more than happy to be his friend. After Arlo and I make it official at the end of summer." I gave him my unfiltered honest answer.
"I'm choosing to step away from this situation. I just thought I'd let you know that Cain isn't so bad." He turned to his car and left before I could respond. Why did I suddenly feel like the bad guy for not choosing Cain over my own mate? It made zero sense. My phone rang as I started my car.
"Hey mom, I'm gonna head over to Tilly's." I put her on speaker as I backed out of my spot.
"No Thea, your grandfather is in town. You're coming home. I was calling to ask if you'd pick up tomato paste." She sounded busy as if she was bustling through the kitchen. I sighed.
"I can be gone an hour tops, then I'll come home with your paste." I tried bargaining.
"Thea, listen to your mother." Sam interrupted. I rolled my eyes, I must have been on speaker.
"Fine." I replied bitterly.
"I love you!" Mom hollered. I hung up out of anger. She usually got an 'I love you' back but I was livid with the fact that I couldn't even spend one evening with Arlo before he leaves.
~~~~
"You seem grumpy little T." Grandpa eyed me from across the table as I pushed my noodles around. Time away from Arlo felt like wasted time. My love for him was beginning to get unhealthy.
"She's upset because I made her stay home
tonight." My mom gave me a lifted brow, as if to tell me I was being disrespectful.
"You can hang with Till tomorrow." Sam whispered before giving my arm a light squeeze. I nodded and tried agreeing without showing my disappointment.
"So tomorrow's your last training for a bit?" Mom asked from across the table. This perked my grandfathers interest.
"Yeah, Arlo's leaving for a couple days with Ivy." I let them know that Arlo had already informed me.
"Why's he leaving?" Grandpa asked.
"We've been investigating Deacon's death dad. Arlo and his sister have been a big help." My mom spoke up, leaving out the part about trying to break my blood list with Augustus.
"What's to investigate?" His eyes flashed between my mom and Sam.
"Marion has been saying things. And we just want to make sure we put down the right person." Sam responded. My grandfathers eyes settled in Sam's menacing glare. I nudged Sam to get him to stop glaring.
Dinner was quiet and awkward. Dixon begged to sleep with mom and Sam tonight. Mom caved and went to tuck him into their bed. I thought about staying downstairs to be the buffer between my grandfather and Sam but I myself wanted to lay down.
Just as I was about to put my headphones in I heard whispered yelling. I tuned into them downstairs as it continued.
"Leave John. Tonight. My family doesn't need this. Not now." Sam was calm but the grit in his voice was terrifying.
"You're doing absolutely nothing to protect your family." Grandpa spat.
"And you are? Did you protect Thea? Is she a happy healthy teenager because of you John?" Sam raised his voice. I popped up from my bed and opened my door. Mom
Came running down the hall hearing their hollering.
"What the hell Sam." She spoke as we saw Sam towering over grandpa, his fist wrapped in the fabric of his sweater. I always forgot how terrifying Samuel could be. He was a pretty calm person, so his wolf rarely made an appearance, but when he did it was a statement. Sam let grandpa go, sending him stumbling back.
"I'm sorry." He spoke more to my mom than anything.
"I'm leaving." Grandpa went upstairs to get his things. Mom scuffed and followed him up.
"What was that about?" I asked. Sam shook his head and turned to escape to the patio.
"Grandpa doesn't like you for reasons you haven't explained." I tried calling him out. Sam turned back to me as his wolfs rage filled his eyes.
"No Althea. It is me that doesn't like your grandfather. For reasons I don't need to explain." He was angry, but not at me.
"Then keep your secrets. Just make sure Dixon and I are long gone before it tears you and mom apart." I gave him a glare before turning upstairs.
I half expected him to come in and explain himself or at least say goodnight. But as I heard grandpa leave, I knew he had some
explaining to do with mom.
I let them have their privacy as I popped in my head phones. I didn't know how well it went but it didn't take them long to go to bed. I felt bad about what I had said, I didn't want them having problems. A ping sounded off. My heart raced seeing Arlo's name light my screen.
'How was school?'
I chuckled at his pointless message. He was probably wondering why I didn't show tonight. I bit at my nail as I checked the time. 10:30pm wasn't too late. I got out of bed, pulling on a pair of black sweats with a matching cropped hoodie. I checked my face briefly before throwing my hair in a low pony.
Tiptoeing down the stairs I cringed as I unlocked the door. I wanted to see Arlo, I wanted time with him before he left and I didn't care if it got me in trouble. My phone pinged again while I was driving.
'Sleeping?'
His message made me chuckle again. It showed he too missed me. As soon as I parked my truck I went running through his front yard, to his porch. His door swung open, revealing him in his fitted sweats as well. I grinned like a little girl when I saw the shocked look on his face.
"Thea." He breathed. I jumped into him, feeling the electricity ignite between us. He held me tight and shut the door, pressing me aggressively against the wall. I went to kiss him but he pulled away quickly.
"It's past your bedtime." He whispered with a smirk.
"Does that mean you're going to send me home?" I asked seductively, leaning my face into his just to feel his breath fan my heated cheeks.
"Not a fucking chance." He slammed his lips into mine. I whimpered at the aggressive affection he was giving me. Every time we kissed it seemed to feel more and more heated. I craved more of him, all of him.
He carried me upstairs with ease. Never breaking our kiss as he shut and locked his bedroom door behind us. I pulled at my hoodie as he helped tug it over my head, only breaking our panting mouths for a moment. He laid me down, pulling off my shoes and letting them fall to the floor with a thud. I lifted my hips as his rough fingers linked the bands of my pants and underwear, pulling them off of me in one swift motion.
"My sweet girl." He whispered, staring down at my naked body. I wiggled under his hot gaze. He held his hand out for me and I took it, letting him pull me up. I was face to face with his abdomen as I sat on the edge of the bed. He lifted my chin with his fingers, making me stare up at him. His gaze was so lust filled. Sliding his hand to the back of my
head, he pulled the tie from my hair, letting it fall over my shoulders. He threw it to the nightstand and pulled his own shirt over his head.
I felt bold, bold enough to slowly reach for his pants. He watched me closely as I pulled them down. My breath hitched as I came face to face with the bulge in his underwear. He was already hard. I bit my lip wanting to know what he tasted like. I let my hand softly run down the warm contours of his chest. There was a trail of hair that formed down his toned stomach and disappeared into his briefs. I bit my lip letting my breath fall erratically as my fingers felt over his large shaft through the thin fabric.
"Thea." Arlo groaned as his cock twitched under my touch. I kept my hand on him as I looked up at him. His gaze was golden and bright. His wolfs eyes trailed every detail of my body. I went to link my fingers into his briefs but he placed his hands over mine.
"No." He breathed. His wolf was trying to warn me, it was common for males to control.
"Please." I licked my lips as the scent of his precum filled the air. He wanted me, why couldn't he just let me give him his release?
"Don't do that." He growled. I stood, still keeping my gaze down. Sliding a finger into his briefs I slowly tugged.
"Thea." He breathed.
"I want to taste you Beta Henson." I whispered. He groaned at the tone in my pleading voice.
"It's one thing for me to touch you. But you touching me feels wrong." He admitted, grabbing my wrist. I looked up at him, he looked different with his wolfs golden eyes. More frightening than usual.
"This feels wrong?" I asked, feeling my other hand to his stiff warm erection. He shook, letting an audible moan leave his mouth.
"Thea stop." He whispered. He didn't have the willpower to stop me. I laid a kiss on his creamy skin.
"But I don't want to." I moaned against him. Why is it that he could touch me however he wanted and I couldn't do the same?
~~~~
Arlo's POV
She used my distracted state to push me down to the bed. Before I could sit up she crawled on top of me. Straddling me with her perfect thighs. I lifted my head to catch a glimpse of her sweet core but she placed her hands on my chest, forcing me back down. This was the Alpha in her. She loved being dominated but this part of her seemed to shine through whenever I wasn't giving her what she wanted.
My eyes fell upon her rosy cheeks, admiring the shine in her bright eyes as she settled her wet core to my abdomen. Her warmth pooled onto my stomach as her hair fell over her shoulders.
"You're so beautiful." I breathed. She took that little lip between her teeth in an innocent smile. So innocent. My gaze fell from her soft features down to her full breasts, I wanted to kiss them, I wanted to pin her and taste every inch of her warm skin. I loved seeing her on top of me like this, but I liked feeling her body wither under mine even more.
As my stare fell further, I took in the soft skin on her tummy. I watched the tone in her stomach tighten as she rolled her hips, grinding that perky clit against me. She released a shaky breath and fell forward slightly. It was then that I felt how truly wet she was.
"th- that feels good." She whispered. I smiled at her sudden loss in control. Feeling my hands up her thighs, I held her hips, forcing her to roll her hips again. Her nails dug into my chest as her eyes fluttered shut. I moved her again, causing a smile to tug at her lips.
"Ride me Althea." I told her, releasing my grip and sliding my hands to her waist, feeling over her smooth stomach. She ran a hand through her hair, moving it from her face as she began to rub that slippery clit against me.
"Fuck." She breathed, finally gaining a confident rhythm as she humped me. She moved her hands from my chest and sat up straight, placing her hands at her waist over mine for balance. My gaze fell to her wet entrance. I wanted her to ride my face like this.
"Good girl." I praised her as she realeased a honeyed moan. I loved her sounds. They made my cock throb in pain. I wanted to bury myself deep inside her, feel the warmth in her tummy.
"Arlo." She whimpered as her hips rolled erratically.
"Yes sweetheart." I groaned, watching her loose all sense to her pleasure. Her face looked so lust filled that for a moment I thought she'd cry.
"I'm gonna cum." She was already cumming as she said this. Her legs quivered around me as she threw her head back, holding onto my forearms while the climax tore through her. I watched in amazement. Whenever she came I saw her vulnerability. I saw how much she trusted me. Her arousal pooled onto my skin as she caught her breath.
I flipped us, placing her fatigued body on her back and pulling her down spreading her thighs. I wasted no time laying my mouth over her sweet core. She whined and tried closing her thighs. I growled against her and held her legs open. Forcing her to let me taste her.
"Oh god." She cried as I lapped up the mess she had made, dragging my tongue through her folds up to her clit. She ran her fingers through my hair and fisted my locks as she arched her back.
"Cum again Thea." I begged her through mind link. She whimpered a response and rolled her beautiful hips into me. I loved that her wolf obeyed such simple commands. I moaned against her wet core as her noises became erratic and her body began to shake. She panted as I kissed my way up her tired body.
"You're crazy." She breathed while I kissed just below her ear. I lifted my face to see a smile gracing her lips.
"Leaving you is going to be tough." I whispered. She felt her delicate hands to my shoulders, raising her head to catch my lips with hers.
"Then don't leave." It sounded as if she were asking me. That wasn't an option. Now that I knew someone else had a hand in Deacon's death I wasn't going to stop.
"Just do me a favor and steer clear of Cain. He's been pretty quiet lately and I can't help but think he's up to something." I tucked her hair behind her ear, seeing the elated emotion inside her diminish.
"He's the last thing I want to talk about right now." She felt her hands to my bare chest, enjoying the spark between us. Was I wrong to have her like this? Deacon would have had my head if he were alive.
"Can I sleep here?" She asked sweetly. I gave her a raised brow. As much as I wanted to have her in my bed all night, I knew that meant lying to her mom.
"Where does your mom and Sam think you are?" I asked, sitting up. I made my way to the bathroom for a wet rag to clean my stomach. Thea seemed as if she wanted to avoid my question.
"Well, at home. In bed." She stood as well, fiddling her fingers together. I sighed.
"You snuck out?" I asked in a pinched tone. She reluctantly nodded before closing herself in the bathroom.
"I mean, everyone was asleep. And I get up for training before anyone wakes up. So I don't think they'd even notice I'm gone." She hollered through the door as she started the shower. I shook my head in disappointment. It's not like what I'm doing with her is any worse. Maybe it was a good thing I was leaving tomorrow. Things were getting intense between Thea and I. If we keep this up I don't think I'll make it to her birthday.
I was getting into bed when she came out in her towel. Her hair laid wet over her shoulders and clung to her damp skin. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as my erection came back.
"Can I borrow a shirt?" She asked hesitantly. I nodded, keeping my gaze low. She dried and changed while I turned my head.
"Can I ask you something?" She whispered, crawling under the duvet. I glanced over to her fresh face, she was so cute in my shirt. I nodded.
"What did my dad say to you in limbo?" She laid down and turned toward me. I did the same, getting comfortable, facing her adorable curled up form.
"He wanted to kill me." I spoke honestly. Her eyes widened.
"He was upset with me for reasons he himself couldn't explain. He was mad I helped take care of you, he was mad I left you, he was mad I was your mate." I told her. She remained silent. I ran my hand through her damp hair as I continued.
"He let me go when he realized his anger toward me came from a place of envy." I paused, remembering the sorrow in his eyes. The first and only time I've seen Deacon so openly sad.
"He wanted to be the one to take you to school, to play with you at the park, to make breakfast and do your hair. He was worried I had tainted those moments because I was your mate. For a while he felt like I was just waiting for you to become a woman so I could claim you. But I wasn't. I enjoyed being there for little you. Sometimes I wanted your growing to slow down. You felt like family Thea." I grazed my knuckles along her cheek. She blushed and scooted closer.
"You lost him too." Her whispered was soft.
"I think people forget that." She leaned forward to lay a kiss on my cheek. She was the first to acknowledge my own sorrow for losing my friend.
"He let me live on one condition." Her brows furrowed.
"I keep my hands to myself until you're 18." I admitted. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Do you think he's mad?" She asked in a serious tone. I watched as she curled her lips, trying to hide her laughter. She thought this was funny.
"Yes Thea, he is most definitely mad." I deadpanned. She slapped her hand over her mouth as her shoulders shook with her giggles.
"I don't know why I think it's funny. It shouldn't be funny." She spoke between laughs. I myself could hold back the smile on my face watching her.
"Enough, it's time for bed." I pulled her to my chest. She playfully shoved me away.
"Carful Arlo. I'm not 18." She spoke sarcastically.
"God you are such a child." I rolled my eyes.
"Exactly my point." She chuckled and snuggled into my chest, letting our warmth mingle. She wrapped her arm around me and made sure her body was snug tight.
"I love you." She whispered. I smiled and turned my face, placing a kiss on her head.
"I love you too Thea."
~~~~
Althea's POV
I wove through the trees finally feeling the mossy earth beneath my paws. Two warm days was all it took to melt most the forest floor. Nature always seemed to intrigue me.
Arlo picked up his speed and pulled ahead of me. I internally smirked as I also sped up. I could see him glancing my way out of his peripheral, probably surprised I could keep up with him. Inhaling deeply I pushed forward, my legs kicking up speed. I was gonna show him how fast I truly was.
He sped up as well, stirring up the earth beside me. It wasn't long until I pulled ahead of him, jumping over a fallen tree to cut in front of him. I kicked harder, creating distance between us.
"Can't keep up old man?" I mind linked him. His wolf growled in return.
"Don't taunt the mouth behind you kid." He threatened. I chuckled, jumping over a thick bushel of plants. Alro's wolf was louder than mine. I could hear every paw that hit the ground.
He nipped at my ankle, slowing me down. He made his chuckle heard through our link. Cheater. I felt him sever our link as he finally slowed down.
"What's wrong?" I asked, seeing the dissociated look in his eye.
"Sam wants us back. Ivy's at the house waiting." He turned toward the house. I nuzzled my head under his neck, slowing his pace. He sighed and licked my nose.
"I won't be gone long Thea." He promised.
"I know, it doesn't take much for me to miss you." I admitted. His eyes lit up with a glimmer telling me he was smiling. We took our time making our way back to the house. There was dread in my chest knowing he'd be gone for a couple days. I was nervous he'd get hurt looking for answers, as well as trying to break my link Augustus, who has been awfully quiet lately. I blocked his number hoping it would stop him from tapping into me. And it seemed to have worked so far.
I stepped behind a tree, shifting and changing back into my clothes. Arlo did the same, but instead of nearing the house, he came to me. Pressing me to the tree before pulling at my neck to lay his mouth over mine. I moaned and tugged at his waist, wanting him snug against me.
"Busy yourself with school and training. I don't want you stumbling into another situation with that Caruso." He whispered. I chuckled as I melted into his blue eyes. He was finally embracing his territorial side. It seemed as if I was more and more his as each day passed.
"I'm serious Althea." His gaze turned stern. I nodded.
"I know. I promise to be on my best behavior. However, next week is spring break." I let a sly smile pull at my lips. He shook his head at my playfulness.
"I love you." He whispered, leaning into me for another kiss. I slid my tongue into him, wanting to cherish this moment as much as I could. He groaned and pulled away.
"Sam's calling again." He sighed. He linked his fingers through mine as we walked toward the house. My wolf whined as he released my hand when the house came into view. I was already sick and tired of hiding my love for him.
When we got inside the air felt tense in the house. I made my way to the living room to see Ivy leaning against a wall with her arms crossed, her gaze burned the back of Sam's head as he sat waiting for us.
"You have spiritual anger surrounding you." She spoke towards Sam as he stood up, looking relieved to see us back. Sam gave Ivy a weird look and ignored her comment. She still wouldn't take her eyes off of him. She was bold to be so cold towards an Alpha in his own home.
"I have the plane ready for you both." Sam spoke as he eyed our close proximity. I took a step forward realizing Arlo was almost touching me he was so close.
"Thank you. I just need to stop home and then we're headed out." Arlo responded.
"Good, keep me updated on what you find. And keep clear of the undead. I'd rather we not start a war with other species." He grabbed his keys before shooting Ivy an unnerving glance.
"Don't be late to school Thea." He smiled as he made his way to me, pressing a kiss to my head. I nodded and wished him a good day before he left. Ivy waited until she heard his car start before she pushed herself from the wall.
"Your fathers energy surrounds him in the darkest of ways." She chuckled before she finally eyed us both. I brushed off her comment. The last thing I wanted to hear about was my fathers hatred for Sam. It gave me conflicted feelings.
"And you two seem closer than ever." She raised a brow and smirked.
"Ivy." Arlo warned her to leave it alone. She shrugged and pulled me into a hug. She was such a touchy girl.
"I promise I will keep your mate safe." She whispered. Although her statement was playful it did bring me relief knowing he had her to watch out for him. I chuckled as she pulled away.
"Stay out of trouble." Arlo whispered, looking as if he wanted to take me in his arms again for another kiss. He eyed Ivy in his peripheral and thought against it.
"I will." I promised. It was hard watching him leave. He threw me one last glance, letting his wolfs golden glow pierce his water colored orbs before closing the door. The weight of reality weighed down on my shoulders. Life no longer felt lite. The clouds were a dull grey, I could have sworn I felt the heat of the sun earlier.
~~~~
"We're lame." Tilly spoke up, throwing a tennis ball in the air out of boredom. I sat on the floor checking my phone for the millionth time to see if Arlo had reached out. He didn't. I was beginning to despise my phones wallpaper just because I had to look at it instead of a text from him.
"What if we go to the Havasu cabin?" Kas spoke up. Tilly sat upright with a glimmer in her eye.
"Spring break in Havasu? No family, just us?" She glanced down at me on the floor as if she were asking if we could go.
"Why are you looking at me like that? It's not my cabin." I shrugged. She rolled her eyes.
"Yeah but you won't go if You know who is there." She looked over to Kas to confirm wether he'd be there or not.
"It'd just be us. Everyone's pretty busy this spring break." He assured. I thought about it and almost said no. I wanted to be here just incase Arlo came back. But I couldn't live my life like that. Plus it has been days and no ones heard a word. I needed distraction before my mind could wander into the dark places.
"We should do it." I agreed. Tilly jumped up and did a spin.
"Tallulah! Enough jumping, I'm on the phone." Her mom shouted from downstairs. Her aggressive dance turned to a quiet one.
"Help me pick out outfits." She grabbed me to drag me to her closet but I quickly pulled away feeling a shock jolt my arm where she had touched me.
"Ow, you shocked me." I rubbed my arm while she flashed me an apologetic look. Damn that really hurt. She's no longer allowed to dance on carpet.
~~~~
"No drinking, no boating at night, and don't go into other peoples cabins, and don't let other people into our cabin." Delaney pestered Kaston through the phone.
"Yes I know." He huffed.
"Don't catch a tone with me." She raised her voice. I tried holding in my chuckle.
"I'm not, you're yelling at me as if I've already done something wrong." He defended. Kaston was Delaneys baby, she toted him around everywhere when he was younger. Growing up, Tilly and I would call her his girlfriend. We stopped when that joke got inappropriate.
"I just want you to be safe. I love you baby, call me when you land." She cooed through the phone. Tilly made kissy faces at Kas while he quickly said I love you back before hanging up.
"You're so immature." Kas spat toward Till. She chuckled.
"I love you baby." She mocked in a squeaky voice.
"Get on the plane before I uninvite you." He snapped. He chased her up the metal stairs onto the jet. I chuckled and turned to Sam who had dropped us off.
"Do I need to give the safety talk too?" He joked with a raised brow. I shook my head and hugged him. Mom wanted to drop us off but she was out on her second hike this week, writing her second review. She was busying herself. I'm sure it hurt her to bring up dad so much lately.
"Has Arlo said anything?" I asked as I pulled away from Sam. He shook his head and sighed.
"No, I'm hoping he hasn't run off again. Though it wouldn't surprise me." He spoke under his breath. I narrowed my eyes.
"He wouldn't do that." I snapped a little harder than I anticipated. Sam shot me a furrowed stare.
"To mom, he wouldn't leave her high and dry in the middle of this investigation." I recovered. He nodded slowly, still gazing at me questioningly.
"Maybe he's just busy." He reassured. I nodded.
"I'll be here Friday at five to pick you guys up. Have fun, be safe." He smiled. I went to walk up the stairs but turned back, seeing him standing there, waiting patiently till the door would close.
"Love you!" I hollered at him. He chuckled and waved.
"I love you too Thea!" He hollered back. A warmth washed over me. Sam was a good dad. He never failed to make me feel like I was a part of him even though I wasn't.
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Thanks for reading!