Page 68 of Soaring in Flames (Reborn 2)
Chapter 18
Maya
“Istill don’t understand,” I frowned, taking a sip of my coffee that was in a large travel mug. “Humans don’t like our relationship because it is different than theirs. But it doesn’t affect them at all. So why do they care?”
Ledger chuckled, “Because humans are fickle.”
“Fickle,” I let the word slide off my tongue, “I like that word.”
“I like pretty much anything that comes out of your mouth,” Anani grunted, rolling his head on my shoulder.
They were a bit grumpy today. I knew they didn’t want me to be here. Well, to be going where they were, but as far as I was concerned, this was far more my problem than theirs. I mean really, my father and no doubt Lorn, would not be bothering my mates or the local pack if it wasn’t for me. I just felt like it was the responsible thing to do, to be here in person, to at least see the two of them.
Whether or not I planned on staying for the ‘interrogation’ element was up in the air, personally I would prefer not. Although there was a small dark flame in the center of my chest, that I now recognized as my magic, that encouraged me to stay. Encouraged me to watch them suffer.
I ran my hands through Bella’s fur. No. I didn’t want her to have to see that. Plus, apparently we had to head to Los Angeles today, so I felt like going for this initial bit was a good idea. I don’t think I could relax or leave town until I confirmed that they were locked up.
In the back of the SUV our bags had already been packed up and I had a feeling we would be going straight to the jet, possibly not coming back until after visiting the Dreki realm. Which was why I had brought Bella, my grin growing thinking about them trying to convince me to leave her during this meeting. It didn’t work, if that wasn’t obvious.
They hadn’t explained why, but I felt like now that I had shifted it was extremely important to them that we go and see the doctor that had specific knowledge about phoenixes. I nibbled my lip thoughtfully. What if they said something was wrong with me? That I wasn’t even normal for a phoenix? Honestly, that was a far bigger issue to me than the protection aspect Marco was talking about. My skin shivered slightly at how sore I was still, but it was a good type of sore. I loved it. I loved him.
I suppose the concept of kids one day didn’t bother me because wasn’t that what mates did, mated? I brought Bella against my chest, pleased at the concept of our future family.
So yes, there had been no way Bella and I were going to sit idly by until they were ready to leave. These weremymates,myfather being difficult, andmybully causing trouble. Almost as if in agreement, Bella made a soft meow that had me smiling. I knew I would have to put her in my purse once we arrived,unfortunately.I wasn’t clear why she couldn’t just climb up onto my shoulder, but apparently wolves weren’t so buddy buddy with cats. Something I didn’t fully understand.
As we drove towards a section of town I’d yet to explore, the foliage grew thicker and the skies rumbled despite no rain breaking through. Which was good because the outfit I had worn wasn’t very rain friendly. It was cute though.
I’d worn a pair of dark jeans with lace up purple boots and a matching sweater, with a cream colored puffy vest. My hair had been placed in a loose braid and I may or may not have put on a really pretty pink lace bra and matching boyshorts. You know...just in case. What? You couldn’t blame me completely. I wanted a repeat of yesterday ten times over...with all of my mates...
Ledger’s thumb began to rub over my skin gently from where he was holding my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. Which was good because I would totally distract them if I told them just what I was thinking about. I was starting to realize that the things I said had a massive effect on the guys. Sometimes I didn’t even mean to turn them on and I totally did. It was like freakin’ magic. I was totally going to test it out, preferably often.
My eyes flickered to Atlas where he sat in the front driving, not seeming to have minded that the twins had squished me into a seat together. My massive dragon mate’s eyes met mine through the mirror and I blushed, feeling caught staring at him. Except instead of his normal charming smile, his eyes were heated and intense. Honestly, he looked very worked up compared to normal.
Without another word, I placed Bella in my purse and unbuckled my seat belt. I sat the purse on the bench and in a quick movement climbed over the row to sit in the passenger seat next to Atlas, despite the twins making sounds of frustration. My dragon’s lip twitched in amusement as I turned to face him slightly, examining his expression. I was finding that I had learned their expressions for more than expected, allowing me to know when exactly they felt different than normal.
I sensed it even this morning when I woke up, my back to Atlas’s chest and head buried in Ledger’s warm scent that emanated from his muscular tattooed chest. Anani had his arms wrapped around my legs, seeming to have fallen asleep there without having even changed for bed, his shoes still on. I couldn’t have imagined that it had been very comfortable, then again most of them looked like they had all but passed out when we got home.
Honestly, I wasn’t completely sure what happened last night after I fell asleep. I knew what had happened before, but after shifting back into human form, I had been absolutely exhausted. As of this morning, all four of us could probably guess the others seemed very tense and stressed. I would have blamed it on who we were meeting at Jordan’s pack lands, but I had a feeling it had nothing to do with that.
I frowned slightly, feeling as though my father and my history were causing problems for my mates. Now we were even involving Jordan’s family. I felt like an awful friend. Slight panic overwhelmed me as I clasped my hands together not willing to let the natural insecurity run over me.
On a positive note, we were going to see where Jordan lived. My eyes widened as we neared massive bronze gates that were easily two times the size of Altas, possibly more. Surrounding the gates, as they swung inward, were large men and tall women that seemed to move with an almost unnatural grace. Honestly, they all looked a bit like Jordan. I could see the curiosity in their gazes as we waited for them to wave us in so that we could drive up the brick pathway. The end of which sat a massive brick and ivy house that I had to assume was where Jordan and her family lived.
“Hey, Atlas?” I asked quietly as he intertwined his fingers tighter with mine. “Are you okay?”
Atlas tilted his head curiously as we waited on them. I had to fight the urge to look around at the massive mansion and the properties that I could see dotting the land behind it. Man, this place was absolutely massive. Did all wolf packs live like this? All together? Honestly, that was pretty cool. A shiver rolled over my skin thinking about my father and his apparent ‘coven.’ They had all lived together also...
I just couldn’t get over the fact that not only had he known I was a shifter but he also had magic! I scowled trying to not get caught up on how I felt about the man, knowing that it only made me more upset and didn't affect him in the least.
“I’m never okay when you are in possible danger,” he noted softly, kissing my hand before pulling forward through the gates. “It scares the shit out of me, angel. You literally walked out of the house and failed to trigger any of the alarms. I have no idea how you managed to do that. I don’t like not understanding what happened. I make it my job to understand shit like that and focus on the security of our family.”
I think it was the most I had heard the man talk about something that wasn’t light hearted. I swallowed nervously while tightening my grip on his warm, rough, large hand.
I blushed slightly, “I don’t know either but I hope it never happens again. I love that you worry about me so much, Atlas. It’s sweet. I’ve never had someone worry about me like that, before all of you came along.”
Atlas' normal, heated smile flipped onto his lips as my breathing caught at how beautiful he was. “That’s me, Angel. Sweet.”
“You are,” I whispered trying to be as honest as possible despite feeling a bit embarrassed, “you always say the sweetest things and you always put me first.”
