Page 68 of Tethered to the World
“You watched me in the shower this morning, didn’t you?” Xander tightened his grip when she squirmed, his cock throbbing as he remembered how the phantom touch of her nearly dropped him to his knees with the biggest orgasm of his life.
“That was real?” A blush burned her cheeks—not from embarrassment, but fascination, and he swallowed hard against the increasingly powerful urge to lean back and let her ride him.
“It’s called casting. In fact, it’s how we know this is not a mistake. The connection only forms between true mates, and it will continue to grow stronger. You should be able to open the link and connect to all of us or just one of us, or close it down if you need privacy.” Fuck it, he jerked her closer, letting her feel his hardness between her legs, loving her little gasp of hunger, nearly spilling his seed at the sound. “Now, I want you to get up. We’re going to go to the arena, and I’m going to turn you into a killer, so when your family comes for you, they’ll get what they deserve—death by your hands.”
Chapter Seventeen
Everyone decided to walk over to the arena together. The guys fell into formation around her, scowling at anyone who looked at her too long. Training lasted for three hours. Xander taught her different maneuvers, while Mason would pick her up and literally toss her to teach her how to fall. Logan showed her how to fight dirty, while Camden gave her step-by-step instructions on how to break out of different holds.
By the time they called a halt, she was sweaty and aching pleasantly, pleased by her progress. As the guys walked off the field, she yanked the ponytail holder out of her hair. “I’ve been thinking…my uncle gave me a number of drugs. While some of them might have muted my abilities, none have ever given me a boost. What makes these drugs different?”
“We need a sample.” Camden eyed her speculatively. “No drug should be able to enhance a shifter’s ability the way you described.”
“But Xander and I both saw the effects on others at the party, so it wasn’t just me. It was almost like they were infected with something.” She ran her fingers through her hair, then smiled when she caught Mason and Logan watching in complete fascination.
“But you managed to stop the drug, managed to control yourself.” Xander rubbed his jaw as he observed her critically. “The others at the party didn’t have that control. They gave themselves over to their darker side without a fight.”
“It’s because she’s an alpha.” Camden glanced up from where he was rubbing down with a towel. “Even drugged, her other nature would never leave her vulnerable.”
Annora glanced between them. “So where does that leave us?”
Camden sighed, looping the towel around his neck. “I’ll find a sample.”
“I’m going to find Vicki.” Mason rumbled, his lavender eyes darkening.
Xander shot a glance at Logan. “We’ll stay with Annora and help her learn the extent of her abilities.”
Dread burned through her at the thought of them anywhere near the afterworld. She cast pleading eyes toward Mason, but he only leaned over and kissed her forehead. “You can do this.”
Then he was gone.
Camden brushed the backs of his fingers along her jaw, then his face hardened, and he growled at the other two. “Protect her with your life.”
“Of course.” Logan sounded annoyed that Camden would doubt him.
“My word.” Xander just bowed his head, like he was taking an oath.
Camden cast her one last, lingering look, almost as if he regretted leaving her for even a second, then disappeared into the tunnels without a backward glance. After a quick cleanup, she was heading out of the locker room when Loulou bounded into view.
“I thought I might find you here.” She pushed the edge of her toe around on the cement, subdued, almost shy for a second, before she took a deep breath. “Did you mean it? Do you want to hang out and get a coffee or something?”
Although she desperately wanted to agree, Annora knew the guys would never let her get away with avoiding practice. “I have plans this afternoon.”
“Oh, of course.” Loulou’s face fell before she could cover it, her eyes dropped, the bright smile dimming slightly. “I—”
“But I should be free after supper if that will work.”
Loulou’s head snapped up, her mouth forming an ‘o’ of surprise, before she began to nod like a bobblehead. Then she thrust out her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Give me your phone.”
Annora checked her pockets, then fished around in her bag before pulling out the device Logan bought for her. She didn’t even have time to hand it over before it disappeared from her fingers.
After a few seconds, Loulou thrust it back. “There. Now you have my number.”
Loulou hesitated for a few seconds, her wide eyes just slightly too big, making her look so damned innocent that Annora couldn’t help smiling. “I’ll text you when I’m finished with practice.”
“Great!” Loulou beamed again, then turned on her heel and bounded away like she was skipping, her hair streaming behind her. That’s when she spotted Lionel waiting in the distance. The rabbit threw herself at the young man, and he hugged her close. He nodded to Annora, a small smile crinkling the corners of his eyes before he pulled Loulou away, smiling down at the little rabbit while she prattled away a hundred miles an hour.
“That was kind of you.”
