Page 21 of Snow’s Charming (Hope Runs Deep #7)

The Longest Night Ever

I lay in bed, staring at the alarm clock, wishing I could sleep when I closed my eyes. But every time I did, I felt a pull within me. It was a burn so electric that my body was humming with desire.

Every fiber of my being was crying out to Sylus.

That need grew as each minute passed. A need to pull his chest flush against mine.

The want to plant ardent kisses on his bare chest while I was licking and sucking my way up his body overwhelmed me.

And, as if that wasn’t the worst of it, the need to fist his hair and press my lower body to his.

That alone had me careening over the edge of ecstasy.

Zhang said this would be difficult, but I never imagined this intensity.

I had no idea how to stop this ache except to opt for a freezing shower. I ran into the bathroom, stripped, turned the knob to the coldest setting, and hopped in. The water pelted around me, but it did little to lower the temperature of my scorching skin .

“Fuck!”

I screamed and whimpered as I shut off the water and toweled off.

I didn’t bother putting on clothes because of my fever.

Even the covers were too much for my inflamed skin.

Turning on the ceiling fan gave me hope it would cool me down.

However, I wasn’t out of the shower for more than a minute, and beads of sweat were already forming on my upper lip, forehead, and the cleavage between my chest.

Feverish with the blazing need to have Sylus near me, I let out a breath to calm myself.

Then I sat up and downed the rest of the whiskey in my tumbler, hoping that would calm me a little more.

I was glad I pinched the bottle because it would be a long, long night, but I had little hope that the alcohol would dull this need.

Now that I was a werewolf, I couldn’t get drunk.

That was most definitely a buzzkill for sure.

I’d finished the rest of the bottle with one three-fingered pour because there wasn’t much left in it.

It did little to calm me enough to fall asleep.

The damned werewolf’s rapid healing powers really, really sucked right now.

Sure, my superpower is fast healing in a battle, but I so hated this part of it.

Couldn’t my superpower include dog naps? Because I really needed to sleep so I could forget about making out with Sylus. The only thing that ever helped me in the past was warm milk. So, I pulled on a robe and headed out into the hallway toward the kitchen .

It was strange not to see Raine in the hallway. He’d said he was taking the first watch, but I thought nothing of it as I padded through the hallway. Once I reached the kitchen, I flicked on the light and came face to face with Sylus.

Every part of my body rekindled into red, fiery flames. Only this time, because he was right there, my body surged into an inferno. I ran to him, jumped into his arms, and wrapped my legs around his waist. His erection was prevalent.

“Oh, princess, I miss you so damned much, but we can’t do this.” He said to me as he pressed soft kisses on my collarbone.

“I know, but I can’t help myself. My mind, body, and soul are on fire.” I said as I fisted his hair.

“Shit! She’s in heat. Zhang, they are in the kitchen! Help me get them off of each other.”

Raine got between us and palmed our shoulders, trying to place some distance between us. My wolf took over as I turned to Raine and let out a guttural growl.

“Leave us alone, Raine!”

My hand turned into a white paw. I was about to strike Raine when a gust of blue-lighted energy whizzed between me and Sylus. The force instantly pulled us apart.

Zhang had entered the room with his arms outstretched on opposite sides of the room. I could only assume he was the reason for keeping me from Sylus .

“No! I need Sylus!” I said.

Bear and my father ran to my side, pinning me in place. Raine and Joker were holding Sylus back from me on the other side of the room.

“Zhang, this is far worse than we thought. Sesi is in heat.”

Zhang stroked his beard, deep in thought.

“It makes sense, Baseline. She’s just turned 21 and hasn’t marked her mate.

Her wolf is trying to surface and rectify the situation.

This is unfortunate for us all, but none of us is getting any sleep tonight.

We need to head out to Raven now. We can’t wait.

” His eyes darted between me and Sylus. “Let’s take two cars, perhaps?

These two can’t be together on the road trip.

Sylus, you will travel with your father, Chary, and Joker. I’ll travel with Sesi and her father.”

“Are you sure that’s enough firepower against the Nuri witches?”

“Yes, Bear. We will be fine. I’m more worried about all of you facing the witches. You will need the firepower as well. That is why it is best if Raine stays behind with you. ”

I sucked in a breath and pressed a hand to my chest. My thoughts of wanting Sylus cooled as if someone dumped a bucket of ice water on me. I knew we had to meet this Raven person, but I thought we’d all go together. Leaving the brigade to deal with the Nuri witches didn’t sit well with me.

Not that I’d do well fighting for them. I wasn’t their Luna yet, and frankly, I was more of a liability for the pack. Frankly, Sylus was also a liability too. We needed to break this curse.

“I’d feel better if Morgan and Skye were here helping the pack, but Alec and I decided he should stay and protect them both. They are in their last trimesters and can’t do much in a fight. We weren’t sure if they’d take this opportunity to snatch them.”

“Ara, Teagan, and Kiku are en route as we speak,” Zhang said. “I just got their text. They should be here within the hour.”

“Perfect! There’s nothing like strengthening the odds with some of my witch blood at my disposal. It will make me that much more powerful to protect the pack. Zhang, have I told you lately how brilliant you are?”

Raine clapped a hand on Zhang’s shoulder.

“No need.”

“Right. You probably had a vision or two about this happening.” Raine said with a chuckle.

I just finished packing an overnight bag in record time and dumped it on the floor next to Zhang’s and Joker’s by the door. My veins crackled as my stomach twisted in anticipation of this trip.

“So let me get this straight. I’m like a dog now? Like—because of the whole being in heat thing?”

“No. You are a half werewolf shifter and half human.” Zhang replied as if that made all the sense in the world, but it really didn’t. I let out a frustrated sigh.

“Dogs go in heat, Zhang,” I said as I crossed my arms.

“Again, you are a werewolf and a human.”

“A werewolf in heat—sounds like a bitch.” Said Joker with a chuckle as he placed his bag near mine.

“Way too soon, Joker. Way. Too Soon.”

I glared at him. Joker meant well, and I appreciated his attempt at lightening my mood, but the puns and Dad Jokes were grating on me because of my lack of sleep, caffeine, and this whole “going into heat” business.

“Zhang, how can we fix this thing between me and Sylus? At least momentarily. I’m sure it won’t be easy prying us away from each other at rest stops.

You can’t use your magic in front of the humans.

Sylus taught me that as my first paranormal lesson the night I found my wolf.

I know we can’t use our powers in front of them because we risk exposure and their lives.

I do not want to hurt anyone with my wolf. ”

Zhang’s brows furrowed, and he crossed his arms before responding.

“What exactly are you suggesting? Because there is only so much I can do. My purpose is to remain neutral among all the magicals. The gods and goddesses gave me the gift of being the only sorcerer on Earth to aid everyone in need. I can’t favor the wolves, even if that means helping you with this whole in-heat business. ”

“Is there a way to spay me and neuter Sylus magically speaking, of course, and only until we get to Raven’s?”

He smiled. It was a genuine one that my father gave me often in praise.

“Raine and I came up with something before we headed here. I’ve got bracelets made of clear quartz crystals and bloodstones.

And for you, Sesi, I have an herbal sachet of yarrow, lady’s mantle, and raspberry.

Wear this around your neck. That should keep you calm.

Well, until we get to Raven’s, of course. ”

I nodded, but every fiber of my core was telling me that Zhang wasn’t telling me everything. And I wasn’t so sure I appreciated it. If my wolf let out because I was an adult—shouldn’t they be treating me as such, too?

“Snip, snip,” Joker said as he nudged my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh.

“Yeah, funny, Joker.”

I let out another breath to calm my squeezing heart. This trip would not be fun by any stretch of the imagination.