Page 112 of Those That Are Lost

Antares kept me company the entire time, breaking down every little movement and word Atlas had made in here yesterday. His obsession was growing fast. I only hoped thatAtlas returned the attraction and once we came through the other side of this mission, they’d be able to hit it off.

A little after midday, we head down to the common room and grab some blood. We decide to head out to the veranda out the back of the property to drink it and find a few others of the pack out there enjoying the warmth of the sunny day.

The yard isn’t really a yard, it's not been kept up much at all. There’s evidence that flower beds once lined the property and that the space immediately behind the house was gardened but it's all overgrown, the wild grasses taken over. There are a few old deck chairs and a couple of wooden benches dotted about, which is where Tripp and a couple of the others are sitting. Thankfully, Ronan is absent today.

Adicious has emerged from his office, however, and is sat amongst his males. He calls me over as soon as we step out onto the decking. I signal for Antares to join Atlas, who is also out here but sitting away from the main group. I’m still in sight but want to give Antares time with Atlas, and I want to save him from any further comments on his heritage from Tripp and the others.

I go to sit on one of the empty chairs but Adicious surprises me by pulling me into his lap. I have to put my hand on his shoulder to avoid losing my balance entirely, and quickly force my body to relax so I don’t cringe away from his nearness.

“You are looking delicious today,” he says, stroking my bare arm.

“Thank you. I couldn’t resist this dress in the warm weather.” I give him a tight-lipped smile I hope is endearing.

He strokes my arm again, brushing over my wrist where the scar he left on me sits. And where my tattoo for Ty covers it over under the glamour I’m wearing. I want to stab him for touching me like this. His other hand he places over my thighs, it’s not restrictive but it feels like an iron grip.

Adicious has kept the physical touches to a minimum until now, for which I’ve been grateful. I take a mouthful of the blood I’m still holding, letting the thick liquid distract me from my current position. It's delicious as it slides down my throat and I immediately feel the flood of power as it hits my stomach.

“Did you not want to warm that up?” Adicious asks.

“Nah, I don’t mind it cold, especially on a warm day like this,” I tell him, leaving out the bit where I’m not drinking anything that I don’t have to suck through a sealed valve I’ve broken myself.

He swipes my hair off my shoulder and lowers his mouth to my skin. I deserve an award for not tensing as he inhales.

“Your scent is so potent. I can’t wait to taste you.”

You’ll get a surprise if you try, motherfucker,is what I think. Verbally, I hum a response as I pull on the blood packet again.

I drain the blood before leaning away to place it on the floor. I shift as I sit up, using the movement to pull my neck away from Adicious’s mouth.

“Is the whole pack going to be here tomorrow?” I ask with sweet curiosity.

“Not all, but most.”

“Some are still on the continent?”

“Yes.”

“Couldn’t they return now that I’m back?” I can’t help pushing him a little. After all, if Ty is dead, why should he have pack males out on the continent.

“They’re doing some other pack business.” He strokes my hair again, petting me like I’m a dog. “You don’t need to worry about it, you’ll get to meet them soon.”

“Is there anything I need to do before tomorrow?” I change the subject before he can get suspicious.

“No, show up on time, and wear something pretty.”

“Are we…” I pause as if nervous about the next question. It’s something that’s been on my mind. Whilst I know Ty will be intervening before anything can happen to me, I am curious as to how far Adicious wants to take this. “The mate bond, we won’t do that bit with the pack around, right?”

“They’ll need to see us bonded.” It’s a cryptic answer.

“But they’ll be able to tell afterwards. They don’t need to witness it.”

“Feeling shy?”

“I’m not into exhibitionism.” Unless it’s with my actual mate, but even this is too far for me. No shame to anyone who would enjoy that but being the centre of attention whilst getting fucked doesn’t appeal to me.

“Fine, maybe we can use a separate room, but I want them to hear you scream for me.”

He shocks me with reasonableness. I wasn’t expecting him to concede but apparently the tyrant can compromise.