Page 92 of Shrouded in the Dark

Axel held his controller in his right hand and pulled me into his lap with his left arm. He rested his chin on top of my head as we started to play.

I was in the lead playing as Yoshi when my eyes drifted shut. I was finally able to relax with him being with me, so I fell asleep.

Chapter 21

Becca

When the first rays of sun peeked through the curtains, I snuck out of the bed, leaving Jasper curled around Seth. My heart filled just looking at them before my animal reminded me the reason I got out of bed.

Breakfast. I wanted to make breakfast for the guys. I grabbed a pair of shorts and shirt from the dresser that I scrambled into once I closed the door behind me.

As I ran my fingers through my hair, I quietly made my way downstairs. My foot froze in midair as I came face to shirtless chest with Wyn in the kitchen.

“Wyn.” I touched his arm. “Hi.” The memory of our first meeting flashed through my mind. He’d been kind to me, even though his uncle and aunt hadn’t even bothered to care about their daughter, much less a stranger.

He held a cup of coffee. “Good morning.” He took a sip. “You’re up early.”

I stepped around him, ignoring how my animal purred wanting to rub against him.

“I thought I could make breakfast for everyone.” The fridge was one of those fancy built in the wall ones. It was over filled with food. I could probably make anything I could think of. “Are you hungry?”

Wyn came to stand next to me, resting his hip on the counter. “I could eat something.” The rough drawl hinted at something other than actual food.

My cheeks turned red as I looked at him from the corner of my eye.

“Food, Wyn. Not me.” I cleared my throat.

He took another drink of his coffee, as a grin appeared. “That’s what I was talking about. You have a naughty mind, Becca.” He set down his mug and grabbed two packets of bacon over my shoulder. “Why don’t I help you? We can talk.” He pulled out a griddle from under the oven.

I watched him move for a few moments before grabbing a carton of eggs. “Okay. Let’s cook together.”

He was just as big as Axel, and like with Axel, I felt at ease working with him. We didn’t speak as the smell of bacon started to fill the kitchen. I cracked the eggs into a bowl to make them scrambled with cheese since that would be the fastest way to cook them.

“When you mentioned training me,” I threw the eggshells into the trash can. “What kind of training did you mean?”

Wyn had a large tattoo that ran from the side of his left neck and down his back. It was really distracting, especially since the image of licking every curve of the tattoo kept invading my mind. I wasn’t sure if it was me or my animal. Quite possibly both of us.

He turned, catching me staring at him. He flashed another grin filled with teeth. It gave predator vibes. I wanted to run at the same time as jump on him for the ride of my life.

When did this ‘heat’ thing stop? I scrubbed my face with both of my hands as I tried to focus. I was not some sex-starved teenager. Even if these guys were mine.

“As far as training you, I can help you learn to control your shifts. You will be in charge of what form you shift into, not your animal. It won’t be easy, I can feel how strong she is, but you’re no push over, are you?” Wyn grabbed a piece of bacon and bit into it.

“Before,” I glanced at my hands. “I would have had an anxiety attack even thinking about this. Now, I’m excited.” I looked up at him. “Is she going to change everything about me?” It scared me a little thinking about how I may not be the same person anymore.

Wyn put down the fork he’d been using on the bacon. He placed his hands on my shoulders, squeezing gently. “You are still the same person you were before. That doesn’t change. What has changed is that you now have the power of your animal behind you. She protects you, gives you her strength.” His fingers brushed my cheek. “I was drawn to you when we first met. That was before you’d gained your animal partner. I’m not worried about you changing. If you’re worried about your anxiety, she’ll stop helping hold it at bay, if you ask her.”

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes so I could focus on her. She appeared in my mind’s eye in the wolf form. She stared at me, calmly, as I stared at her.

“It’s true? You’ve been holding back my anxiety and panic attacks?”

She nodded, a feeling of love washed over me. She pressed her muzzle into my chest as I stroked her ears. She couldn’t control being in heat around our mates. That was biological, but she could offer her strength to me until I could handle it on my own.

“Thanks.” I pressed a kiss to the top of her nose before opening my eyes again. Wyn still stood in front of me, one hand on my shoulder. “I’m okay.”

And I was.

“I think I understand a bit better now.” I placed my hands over Wyn’s on my shoulder. “She’s not just a separate entity. We wouldn’t be able to live apart. She is me and I am she. She’ll protect me while I protect her.”