Page 18 of Those That Are Lost (Hidden Vampires #2)

AURORA

I ’m walking into a room full of wolf shifters. Even though my life has careened into the unbelievable in eighteen months since the accident, I couldn't have predicted this in my wildest fantasies.

Butterflies fill my stomach as I fiddle with the neckline of the polo jumper in the absence of my necklace.

Nothing the wolves have said or done has hinted in the slightest that they are going to be aggressive towards us but I can’t help the apprehension of being around so many supernatural beings at once. A bonded pack of them.

I try to force the colour of sandblasted walls and the clanking of chains from my mind but they won’t go back into the dark recesses where I’ve shoved them.

The shallowness of my breathing, as well as my general twitchiness, has alerted Ty to my rising panic.

He places a gentle hand to my lower back.

I wish it wasn’t so reassuring to have his presence near, to have his hands on me. I hate myself a little for how quickly I’ve grown addicted to him again, to needing him to feel grounded.

I’d thought my defences these last few months had been forged in steel. Don’t get me wrong, I know I have issues, the frequent breakdowns proved that, but I was able to cope without leaning on anyone. Cope-ish. Sometimes. Sort of.

Anyway, it's only taken him a couple of weeks to prove me completely wrong. To show me just how much I was suffocating without him.

That in itself is terrifying. If I open myself to him fully again, take this thing between us even further, and it gets snatched away again, I won’t survive.

The emotion in my chest surges as I let the fear remind me that I must keep my distance.

My heart aches to just let it fall freely and unencumbered.

It wants nothing more than to repeat what happened the night Ty reappeared in my life.

To take it further, to feel as much of his skin on as much of mine as is physically possible.

To get lost in his scent, his touch, the words I know he’d whisper if I let him.

I almost groan as I feel the pads of his fingers gently rub little circles on that space between my spine and my hip. Even through the jumper I’m wearing, I feel the spark, the heat.

Last night has made everything that much harder but my resolve was none-existent.

“Hey, we’re just about to sit down,” Ash greets us, putting bowls of steaming food onto the middle of the oval dining table set up in front of the kitchen area. “Grab some seats.”

Ty steers me over to it and pulls out a chair for me. He takes the one next to me.

“Help yourselves to wine or water if you want any,” Ash calls over his shoulder, now ladling what looks like mash potatoes into a large serving dish.

There’s already thick buttered slabs of bread on the table in front of us, and a huge pan of what looks like some sort of stew.

The unappealing smell of pepper and gravy wafts into my nostrils, making me want to gag a little.

“I’m good thanks,” Ty replies. “Do you want a drink?” he asks me.

I shake my head, glancing to my left when I feel Ty’s eyes linger on me.

You okay? He mouths, cocking his head.

Taking a deep breath, I nod my head. The butterflies are back in full force.

A moment later the sounds of the front door slamming open, and several loud voices, makes me jump.

Ty’s hand comes to my thigh, it's instantly reassuring.

“Evening bro, this smells delicious.” A tall male with red cheeks from the cold strides into the room. Three more follow him, another two males and a female. Without being told, I know they’re all siblings. They all have the same eyes and very similar shades of rich gunmetal grey hair.

Chairs scrape and cutlery jangles as they take their seats and two of them immediately start reaching for the food.

“It really is you.” The oldest looking male assesses Ty.

When I say oldest, he doesn’t look much over twenty-five.

From what I know, however, wolves age much slower once they reach adulthood, so he could be well over a hundred considering they live a couple thousand years like the rest of the supernaturals.

“In the flesh, Colton.” Ty dips his head in greeting.

“Didn’t you say there were three of them?” the female interjects, looking at Ash as he takes his own seat.

Henry walks into the room at that moment, slowing as all the wolves pause to look at him.

“Hi.” He gives them a warm smile. “Sorry if I’m late. Your showers are too nice to rush.”

“No bother, grab a seat.” The oldest one, Colton, gestures at one of the remaining empty chairs.

Theodora joins us then from the other entrance, followed by another two male wolves. The fact one of them pulls out a chair for her, and the quick glance they share as she accepts the gesture, I can tell they’re mates before I catch their scent.

The final one, who looks considerably different with olive skin and russet hair, walks straight over to one of the males.

They smile in greeting before kissing as the russet haired one takes the chair the clearly saved for him by his mate.

They have very similar scents too, confirming my assumption.

“Has anyone done introductions?” Theodora asks. The younger grey wolves all pause in grabbing food to look guiltily at each other. Theodora tuts. “I thought we’d raised you better than this.”

“Sorry, Mom,” Ash replies, “I should’ve.”

“You were busy getting the food ready.” She glares at the rest of the table.

“Ty, it's great to see you again,” Theodora’s mate says. “And you must be Aurora, and Henry?”

We both greet him. I offer a shy smile. Whilst radiating power, he’s gently spoken and smiling warmly at us.

“Sorry about this lot, wolves are terrible when they’re hungry. I’m Eetu, by the way.” He chuckles.

“Indeed,” Theodora adds, before going round the table. “You’ve met Ash. Next to him is Colton, our eldest.” She gestures at the oldest looking of the siblings, who Ty had named. “Then there’s Millie and Rawson, our youngest twins.”

They both look younger than me, barely adults and still lanky. There is that extra bit of similarity in their appearance, the gestures they make are almost identical.

“Then there’s Kai and his mate Raff.” Another grey headed male and the russet coloured one. “And finally, Rune, Kai’s twin.”

Wow, this is a lot of kids. And two sets of twins.

“I’m sure you’ll meet Joey soon too, he’s our other brother,” Ash adds.

Gosh, seven siblings.

“Where is Joey?” Eetu inquires.

“Him and Altair had that surprise date planned for Neo tonight.”

“Ah, yes.” Eetu nods. “They picked a good night for it, the sky’s completely clear.”

“We should go out after dinner, light a fire, and watch the sky too,” Millie jumps in.

Plans get made quicker than I can follow them.

“The northern aurora is promised to be strong tonight,” Eetu explains for us. “Joey’s mate Neo loves it, so he and Altair, that’s their other mate, have surprised him with a hike to one of the best viewing spots.”

“Have you ever seen the lights, Aurora? It's your namesake after all,” Theodora asks me as she’s busy buttering a chunk of bread.

“Actually, no. My dad said they named me because they loved the magic of them, and always tried to watch them on live streams. They said if they named their daughter after them, it would give them an excuse to visit here one day to see them in real life,” I explain, a sudden pain of sadness coating my insides.

“Well then, you must see them,” she responds.

“I didn’t know that.” Ty turns to me.

“You knew I wanted to come here,” I reply.

“Yes, but not why. I’m sorry they’re not here with you.” His hand gives my thigh a gentle squeeze.

“Me too.”

As the wolves continue eating, multiple conversations break out between the siblings and their parents.

They engage with us like we’ve been part of their pack for years, it's a little disconcerting but I find myself warming to them, speaking more.

The youngest twins seem most interested and want to hear my stories of university and travel.

Henry gets chatting to Kai and Raff. It turns out Raff is a sand wolf, originating from the eastern borders of West Scotia. He found refuge here after the war with several members of his pack.

Ty, on my other side, fills Theodora and Eetu in on the last several months. I tune out most of it, not wanting to hear the bits that I get to relive most nights anyway.

Once the meal is done, the oldest—Colton, if I’ve remembered correctly—pardons himself, explaining that his mate is pregnant and waiting on him.

He’s taking some leftovers for her and apologises that she couldn’t make the actual dinner because she’s in the sickness phase.

As he leaves, the rest start gathering the now nearly empty plates and pans and begin the task of joint cleanup.

It initially looks like chaos but the family works like a well-oiled machine.

Ty offers our help but it's refused.

After finishing his contribution, the young male twin bounces back to the table, lands on the chair next to Ty, and holds out his wrist.

“Can I go first?” he asks with excitement shining in his eyes. My own bulge out of my head a little. Even with Ty explaining that the wolves would be cool about, it seeing one volunteering his wrist is mind boggling.

Ty releases a chuckle. “Ever been bitten by a vampire?” He doesn’t move to take Rawson’s exposed veins.

My throat itches at the sight of them being waved around under our noses.

“No, but Ash says you can get high from it, like an adrenaline rush. I want to feel it.”

Now I’m smiling at his enthusiasm.

Eetu wanders back over, drying his hands on a dishtowel before flinging it onto his shoulder. “Your brothers may have exaggerated a bit, I’m afraid,” he tells his son.

“Still, I want to try it! Please?” Rawson waves his arm at Ty again. “Unless one of you two would prefer me?”

Saliva fills my mouth, my fangs extending instantly at the offer.

Ty, somehow sensing my reaction, takes Rawson’s wrist in his own hand. “I’ll bite you, but I think Rory should go first.”

I bristle at the insinuation but shake it off because I’m suddenly ravenous. If it means I’ll get blood quicker, then fine.

“Here, Aurora can have mine,” Ash calls over.

He places the last dish away and walks to our table, pushing his sleeve up.

I inhale, locking onto his scent. None of the wolves are as delicious as the humans but their blood promises a sweetness of magic which I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued by.

Turning in my seat to stand, I feel too wired to stay seated.

Do you think he’d let me bite his neck if I asked?

A hand lands on my hip to halt me.

“Only take a few mouthfuls, Red,” Ty speaks softly to me.

I glare down at him. “I’ve survived the last few months. Thanks, but I know what I’m doing,” I bite out.

He releases his hold.

I turn back to face Ash, but he’s looking past me to Ty. “Maybe I’m Henry’s dinner instead. Raff or Kai, one of you want to be Rory’s?”

He steps back from me, leaving me confused. I look back down at Ty who gives me a cock of his head and a lopsided grin. What just happened?

Before I can give it much thought, Kai steps in front of me, wrist held out.

“Help yourself,” he drawls.

I don’t need any more encouragement. Bringing his wrist to my lips and without any hesitation, I sink my fangs deep into the veins.

Sweet, hot blood bursts into my mouth. I feel Kai flex his hand but before relaxing, allowing me to pull on the wound. I savour the few mouthfuls I take before releasing my teeth from his skin and licking the puncture wounds closed.

Stepping back, he inspects the already closed area.

“Thank you.” I say as my body heats from the rush.

“You’re welcome, neat job.” He gives me a nodding smile as he shows me his wrist. His mate steps up behind him, wrapping him in a hug from behind. I can feel the surge of protectiveness rolling off Raff.

“All okay?” he asks in a quiet voice, but not low enough for me not to pick up on it.

“I’m fine, as you knew I would be,” Kai chuckles. He turns, placing a kiss on his partner's cheek.

Raff gives him a curious few sniffs before he’s satisfied, laying his own lips on Kai’s neck.

I turn away from the intimate moment, something clicking in my brain. Did Ty not want me biting an unmated male? Was he jealous?

I look to him to see him finish drinking from Rawson, who immediately leaps up and starts yipping—not literally as he isn’t in wolf form—to his twin, showing her his wrist. There’s nothing to see but he still stares at it in awe.

He’s acting like this is the most exciting thing he’s ever done.

A smile finds its way back onto my face as I watch him with fascination.

The twins soon bound off, shouting something about their classmates being outside and wanting to share Rawson’s experience.

“I apologise for my son, he’s exuberant about everything. Thankfully, he has his sister to keep him in check.” Theodora stands, shaking her head.

“He’s fine. It's been a long time since I’ve been offered blood with any enthusiasm,” Ty tells her.

“That all stopped with the end of the war.” There’s a beat of knowing silence from several people in the room.

One I can’t comprehend but feel the emotional impact of anyway.

“I may have laced that bite with a very tiniest bit of venom by the way, so Rawson might feel a little high for a while,” Ty deadpans.

Both shifter Alphas give Ty the same look, telling him he shouldn’t have done that but from their postures I don’t think they’re actually angry with him.

It’s more exacerbated, which I’m sure they’ve both felt many times whilst raising all these wolves.

I can imagine the pranks they pulled on each other.

“Great, he’ll probably demand you bite him every damn day that you’re here now,” Ash whines as Henry’s finishes drinking too.

Ty just laughs.

“Come on, let's go outside and enjoy the evening.” Eetu ushers us out into the night.