Page 2 of Habibi: Always and Forever

Amber, the heir to the Albe coven, who is only less intimidating since I first met her but only because I’ve met her mom.

Both women share sharp, broad features– from their chins and noses.

They have the same narrow brown eyes, the cool dark color matching their skintone.

But Madame Albe always looks at you like she’s just about to figure out what you’ve done wrong.

Amber’s gaze is much softer, like how she looks at me right now.

“My bad,” she says. “I should have locked it when I came in.”

I lift a brow. “You have a key?”

“She doesn’t need one,” Taylor mutters, a bit testy. He grabs the tea pot, pouring out four cups instead of three. I join everyone at the table.

Amber shrugs her shoulders, bashful. “You said I was always welcome.”

It clicks then. “You broke in?”

“Did you see anything broken downstairs? I used a spell. Tested a spell, really.”

Amber says this right as Taylor is about to sip his tea, but stops short. “You practiced on my house?”

“Sorry– seriously I am. One of the other heirs gave me shit for not knowing it the other day.” She looks into her own cup of tea, grumbling, “I guess he got to me.”

“Look, it’s fine, because I trust you and your coven. But next time, knock.”

Without thinking, I ask, “If you messed up the spell, what would have happened?”

“Thank you Reagan.” Taylor looks at Amber with a raised brow “What would have happened if the spell failed?”

“I would have owed you a new door lock but it’s a basic spell and–” She stops, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

“Is that what normally happens when spells fail? They destroy things? How do spells even–”

“Alright we don’t need to keep teasing.” He gives Amber a nod. “So long as it doesn’t happen again.”

Amber nods in agreement before looking my way. “I know you all take security seriously. I appreciate it, especially right now.”

Daphne pipes up. “Did something happen, dear?”

I chew the inside of my cheek, debating if I should be honest. Everyone here knows Lance. They know what he’s been through and know that he still struggles sometimes. We all worry about him, and that’s exactly why I hesitate.

Except I’m the one who really needs some help right now. “Lance has been having nightmares.”

Daphne’s voice drips with concern, “For how long?”

“Two months?” I pay back the past couple weeks, recalling the first night he woke up screaming. It was pouring rain, a spring shower like I’ve never seen. A nice welcome to the midwestern storm season.

“Before or after the Minerva incident?”

“ Taylor! ” Daphne chides.

“Excuse me, I don’t see why we need to circle the issue like cattle dogs. It’s a pretty obvious trigger to consider.”

Taylor is right to bring it up, but noticing Amber goes stiff at even the mention of Minerva, I get why Daphne scolded him.

Amber and Minvera were close– closer than Lance ever was to Minvera.

I get the sense that the two of them were like sisters.

Meanwhile Lance and Minerva are siblings only by blood with not much else connecting them.

Lance cares about Minverva anyway. I love his big heart, I just wish it’s size didn’t burden him. “They started after Minerva…” I hesitate, not sure I want to broach the issue this early in the morning.

Daphne shakes her head. “Poor boy, he knows it’s not his fault, doesn’t he?”

“I don’t think that’s the issue, dear.” Taylor tells her. “I feel for him. Family is hard even in the best circumstances.”

My family isn’t hard. I love my parents and my sister easily. Sure they don’t know I’m a werewolf– but I did come out to them as bi. They took it really well and have been dying to meet Lance. I keep putting it off, our lives are way too complicated right now to throw my human family into the mix.

I stay quiet for the rest of morning tea, too busy chasing my thoughts. When Amber gets up to leave, I stand as well. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

“Afraid I’ll fall down the stairs?” We stare at each other in silence. Amber gives Taylor and Daphne a nod. “Thank you for the tea.”

Somehow it’s easier to blurt out all my thoughts on the sidewalk. Maybe because word vomiting in Taylor’s nice kitchen would be rude. “Do you think magic could help Lance? Like a spell? He’s not really keen on magic but I know you’re really legit. Like is there a tea or a salve or–”

Amber raises a hand. “Chill. Seriously.” She shoves both hands into her black oversized cargo pants. “You can’t talk magic out in the open.”

“I know.”

She lifts a brow, tilting her head ever so slightly.

“I just need to help Lance.”

“I hear you. Lance is welcome by the shop anytime but that’s gotta be his decision.”

Her expression softens. She purses her lips and I wonder what it is she’s holding back.

I know I’m not a witch but I’m dating one, doesn’t that make me like an honorary coven member?

Not that Lance is part of Amber’s coven.

Though maybe he is. I’ve got no clue how that works but the Albe Coven appears to be the coven Lance should have had growing up; welcoming and wholesome.

Amber finally builds up the courage to speak, or maybe like me she needed time to formulate her thoughts. “He’s not the only one hurting. I hope you get what I mean.”

“I do.” I assure her, but I doubt I understand the full scope of her words.

—-

I wake up before Lance. He’s muttering in his sleep, soft pleas of no accented by whimpers.

He shivers despite the comforter covering his shoulders.

I watch him, helpless and not sure what to do.

It’s too much to bear and I reach over to touch his chest. It’s enough to stir him awake, sitting up in bed like he’s possessed.

“Lance–” I jump up after him, wrapping my arms around him protectively while he catches his breath. It takes a moment for him to process what’s going on, but when it passes he starts bawling.

“Lance, honey, it’s okay.” My voice breaks at the end.

“It’s not fair–” he sniffles. “I just want it to stop.”

“I know.” I stroke his hair. “I know, baby. Nothing– no one is going to hurt you.” I kiss the mate's bite on his shoulder. Goosebumps tickle my lip as I pull away. “I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

“Reagan,” his bottom lip quivers in the dark. “Reagan, I need you– please.”

I tell him again, “I’m here. I need to show him, but I say it anyway. “I’m here…” I slide a hand down his stomach, stopping on top of his belly button. “Take deep breaths with me.”

I inhale slowly through my nose. Lance matches me and I feel his chest rise and fall.

“That’s good…” I praise. “Keep breathing nice and slow for me.”

My other hand rests over his heart, waiting for his heartbeat to steady. Tears fall down his cheek. I wipe them away before kissing both of his cheeks.

“Reagan,” Lance cries. He starts to say more but I cut him off.

“I have you.” I pull us back down to the mattress, laying Lance beside me in bed. Our foreheads touching, I make sure his focus is on me. “I know what you need, Lance. You’ve always needed my cock.” I press my hips into his. “Always begging for it like the desperate slut you are.”

Lance kisses me hard. I grab his chin, keeping him firm against my lips for a few moments before pushing him back– still gripping his face so he knows who's in control. That’s really what he needs right now, to give himself completely.

His half hard cock presses against my hip. “Since you’re so needy I won’t make you beg.” I pull down his briefs, his cock bouncing against his thigh. I touch the underside of his cock, dragging my finger from the base of his shaft to the head.

Lance takes a long, shaky breath. I palm the head of his cock and he goes stiff, shutting his eyes tight. “Keep your eyes open,” I growl. Lance pries his eyes open. “I want my pretty whore to watch me work.”

Lance lifts his hips, his thigh pressing against my crotch. Fuck me I’m worked up now too– like I should be surprised by how Lance affects me. Even now with his cheeks squished between my fingers and his cock in my hands, a simple flutter of his lashes has me melting.

“Help me with these clothes.”

Lance pulls down my sweatpants and briefs just enough to free my own cock. I shift my body so our hips are aligned, arching my back so our lengths brush one another. Lance lets out an airy gasp and I release his face, needing one hand to steady myself as I take both our cocks in my hand.

I jerk us nice and slow, half hoping these waves of pleasure will be enough to lull him back to sleep. Except now his eyes are wide open, fixated on my face. I can hear myself panting. Hear how I’m coming undone despite being the one in control.

“Lance, baby, see what you do to me?”

“Yes.” He starts grinding his hips like when he rides me.

Is he trying to give me ideas? I wouldn’t put it past him. To try and quell his ever growing desire I kiss him again. Waiting for him to groan in my mouth before I stroke faster. Lance gasps and I bite his bottom lip to keep his lips pressed to mine.

I know he’s close when he lifts up his shirt. Stomach as pale and soft as moonlight. A perfect canvas for the mess we’re about to make. Shit– if I’m not careful I’ll finish before he does, which is not the point of all of this. We can chase my own pleasure later… maybe when the sun comes up.

I manage to push the neckline of his shirt aside with my nose, exposing enough of his shoulder to reveal the mating bite. Lance says it’s cheating to make him finish from my bite. He’s probably right but that’s the one bit of satisfaction I refuse to give him.

I bite down. Lance cries out and I worry he’ll wake the surrounding apartments.

My own hips jerk, balls tightening before I release.

His cock twitches in my hands. When I lift my head, Lance has his hand clamped over his mouth.

Sitting up, I admire his stomach, globs of cum sliding down towards his hips.

“You want me to clean you up?”

Lance nods, hand still firm over his mouth.

“Keep quiet, okay?” I say before leaning down. I drag my tongue up his stomach. As expected, Lance muffles a yelp. I can’t help but chuckle to myself as I clean up both our messes. Lance squirms under my tongue and I have to grab his hips with both my hands to keep him steady.

Once his stomach is bare I wrap my arms around him and rest my head, glancing up at him. His hand is still over his mouth and his eyes are half hooded, with lust or exhaustion I’m not sure. Probably a bit of both.

I reach for his hand, gently prying it away from his face.

Kissing each fingertip I pepper little words of encouragement between each peck.

“Rest.” My lips find his thumb. “Close your eyes…” Then his pointer finger.

“Sleep for me.” I kiss his middle and ring finger.

“I want you well rested.” Finally I reach his pinkie.

Lance grumbles. “You’re distracting…” His eyes are closed, breathing slow.

I crawl up his body, giving him one last kiss on the forehead before rolling over onto my pillow. My vision blurs, my body eager to follow my own advice, but I can’t let myself fall asleep. Not till Lance curls up beside me, his mouth slightly open as he sleeps soundly. Hopefully till morning.

I close my eyes but my brain is wide awake. Should we talk about this? Maybe I can mention Amber casually… suggest the apartment could really use some new crystals to brighten up the place. I worry if I’m too honest he’ll run away. But if he realizes I want him to use magic, he might feel betrayed.

Amber is right. Lance has to decide how he’s going to handle these nightmares. All the anguish I feel on his behalf pales when compared to his pain. If I can’t feel for him, but I can hold him while he finds his peace. That's enough.