Page 50 of Shrouded in the Dark

You’re so full of it, Axel. Tell us what it is about Felicity that you love so much? She has no pull to any of us. Don’t you find that just a little strange that you’re experiencing a human emotion for her when your animal doesn’t?

Axel growled softly before stopping in his tracks to face Jasper.You were fine with it before you met Becca.

I stopped, my tail flicked in annoyance. We didn’t have time for this.

We wanted you happy. Obviously, we should have just been honest. We don’t like her or feel any kind of attraction toward her. AT ALL. Not even for a one night stand.

Axel’s shock, followed quickly by the feeling of betrayal flooded our mind link.

ENOUGH. This is not the time to discuss this, Jasper.I snapped out as I swung my face into Jasper's.Focus on the job at hand.I moved to stand in front of Axel.We will talk about this when we finish.

I didn’t wait for any reply since I knew they wouldn’t contradict my orders as I went back to searching for the damn rogue.

It was a long night as we searched, covering miles of forest. His scent just disappeared abruptly at about five miles from where we’d found it. We searched for over an hour, even went so far as to climb into trees to see if he’d been smart enough to use them to disappear with, but it had just vanished.

Let’s head back.My fur stood on end as anger filled me. We had been on his trail and lost him. My tiger snarled in outrage.

We’ll go over the map to see the areas we’ve gone over. We’ll try to narrow it down further. We’ll sleep a few hours. We’re going to have to start going out during the day in shifts starting tomorrow. No one goes out alone.

The trip back to Becca’s home was silent as we all mulled over our own thoughts.

Chapter 11

Becca

I’d slept in a lot later than normal. It was nearing eleven when I’d dragged my butt out of bed. Yesterday must have taken a lot more out of me mentally than I’d realized. I had to admit, though, it was the first night that I’d truly been able to relax into sleep within seconds after my head hit the pillow.

Today was a special one. It was the anniversary of Dad’s death. It was always bittersweet, but at least this year, I could do what I wanted in honor of his memory at one of his favorite places. I’d been planning it for the past six months when I’d found out that I’d have the cabin to myself this time.

Cody was in the kitchen, swinging his hips to and fro at the stove with earbuds in his ears. He was such a silly, sweet guy. The prank he pulled yesterday was just like him, but I still thought he’d been about to kiss me. He’d chickened out. I don’t know if it was because he was shy or what. I just knew that I was really starting to like these guys in a romantic way.

I’d fallen asleep faster than planned last night. I hadn’t done any research into multiple partners. It was on my to do list today.

A wicked idea popped in my head as I moved into the kitchen when Cody didn’t make any sign that he’d seen or heard me.

He was still moving his hips to whatever song he was listening to as he was cooking something that smelled heavenly in a frying pan. It was time to be the one to tease him first.

I was going to be bold! No anxiety or social awkwardness would stop me! At least that’s what I kept repeatedly telling myself as I moved toward him.

My arms wrapped around his middle while I pushed my cold hands under his shirt as my hips matched his movements. An internal shiver shook me as my hands felt his hard muscles. Cody stopped for a millisecond before he continued his movements. He looked over his shoulder down at me with a big smile as he pulled out one of the earbuds.

“Well, well. My fair maiden decided to join the world of the living. I hope you're hungry! The guys are sleeping still, too.” His right hand held a spatula. His left hand went to hold my hands to his stomach firmly. “Mmm. Such cold hands. Were you trying to sneak up on me?” He bumped his butt back into my stomach playfully.

“It didn’t work. Did it?” We were still moving to whatever beat he was listening to.

“Not at all. But you get points for trying!” Cody sang out merrily. “I hope you like fajitas. Not the breakfast of champions, but it is the lunch of winners.”

“Lunch of winners?” I had to tug my hands a few times to get him to let go of them. “I’ll take it. What can I do to help?

“You can sit your pretty butt on a stool and watch me.” He faced me. My eyes roamed down his chest. He was wearing a very tight tank top that said, ‘I know I’m pretty. My best asset is up here’. There was an arrow that pointed downward instead of up. It had my lips twitching as I fought not to smile.

“That’s a terrible shirt.”

“What? How can you not like my shirt? It’s so accurate!” He put the spatula down on a napkin on the counter as he hooked his thumbs on his sweatpants. “Don’t you want to see it?”

“Oh. My. God.” I slapped my hand over my eyes as he started to pull his pants down. The urge to peek was overwhelming.

“Come on. You know you want to.” Cody’s voice had smoothed out as it danced across my body. He sounded closer as well.