SWNOVELS Chapter 18
Morgan pov.
As I come to consciousness, I almost wish I didn't, wanting to stay curled up with Rain a little longer but my watch is buzzing so I slide my finger across the screen, seeing a routine check up of Teranian safety protocols flash across the projected screen. With a sigh I pull up my Callander and clear it for the next two weeks, putting myself on DND. At least I know there can't be a war while I'm helping Rain through his heat. With both Margot and Cade against the new expansion I can give myself a break from all Sinclair's insanity. I snuggle up against the wolf who's still breathing deeply, the soft rumble of his chest lulling me back to sleep.
When I wake up again it's because of sunlight warming my face, and I find myself on a small but comfortable bed. I look around the room as I sit up, a nightstand next to the bed and a dresser in the far-right corner next to the window. The room is clean, like no one lives in it, a far cry from the lived in space I fell asleep in last night. I check the time, frowning when I see it's almost ten in the morning. I rarely sleep this late, even on my week off. There are birds chirping outside somewhere and a cricket screaming but otherwise it's quiet and I take the time to sort out my thoughts. For all the panic and desperation, I felt last night there is nothing, but unsureness and awkwardness left. The peace I felt next to Rain is gone with him and I dread going out there to find him.
I breathe out a long breath before getting up from the bed and running my fingers through my hair. I carefully open the door and peek around it, being met by the living room I slept in last night and the kitchen just beyond that. The spaces are separated by a breakfast table that only houses one chair that Rain is currently sitting on, his back turned towards me. I study him for a bit, noticing the way he looks even bigger in this small space, but he looks more relaxed here than he ever did in my apartment. It makes me wonder why he ever came back to the Bio-Glaze when he visited his home the first time. I wouldn't have put up much of a fuss. I would have let him go, that's why I bought the contract from Hutting in the first place. So, he didn't need to go back to the Trading Grounds when either of wanted out of our contract. One we haven't even signed yet, and it's been two weeks.
"How long are you going to just stand there?" I frown, having briefly forgotten that this man has supernatural senses. When I don't answer him, he looks over his shoulder, face blank for the first time since I met him. "Why did you follow me here, Morgan?" I sigh and walk over to him, standing on the side of the table so I can look at those emotionless grey eyes, no matter how unnerving they are.
"I wanted to make sure you're alright. I didn't understand what was going on. I'm sorry for making you leave like that." We stare at each other for a minute and then he looks away, through the backdoor where I can see a butterfly fluttering by.
"I'm the one who should be sorry. I almost..." He shakes his head, pinching his eyes closed like the thought is too horrible to imagine. "I should have left when I felt my heat coming on." He admits, still not looking at me.
"Why didn't you tell me it was coming? Am I not supposed to help you though it?" He shakes his head, and I pretend I don't feel the rejection stabbing into my heart. "Oh, okay. Do you want me to leave then?" So much for my DND. I might take the time off anyway. Come up with a better plan to get Sinclair to back off.
"You're not supposed to help me through anything. It's not an obligation and I wouldn't expect that of you." I bite my lip and reach out to run a hand through his hair, smiling a little when he leans into my touch. "I don't want you to leave either." The relief that rushes through me is something for me to question later, right now, I'm just glad I won't be returning home without him.
"I want to help you." He takes my hand from his head and tugs me closer to him, so I bump against his legs. With careful movements he lifts me onto his lap, making me straddle him and brings my face down to slot his lips over mine, bringing his hands down to my ass and grinding me into him, taking control of our movements, unlike the first time in my kitchen.
"What the hell?" A shrill shriek breaks us apart and I look up, eyes wide when I see the dark-haired werewolf standing in the doorway of the kitchen
"River." Rain breathes, lifting me from him and placing himself between his sister and me.
"Is this how you get the money you send me? Sleeping with this human? I thought you were better than that Rain. I thought you said she was a good one." The young woman rants, getting a little redder in the face with every word she speaks. "She is a good one. She doesn't pay me to sleep with her." He growls but his sister doesn't seem to be hearing him, as she places her bag down and pulls out a coin pouch.
"I don't want your dirty money. Leave, just leave us alone. You humans ruin everything!" She throws the coins at my chest and the pouch falls before I can catch it, causing coins to fall all over the floor. I look at her with wide eyes as she advances towards me but before she can do so River lets out a growl, shifting into his wolf in the tiny space of the house, causing both his sister and I to fall back and stare at him in shock.
He raises his hackles, stepping down in a low crouch and growls at his sister, causing her to bare her neck at him. He growls at her a couple more times, deep ones that sound angry even to my ears before he straightens himself again and turn to me, nuzzling his face into my neck and then licking between my shoulder and neck on my right side first and then on my left before sitting down in front of me and glaring at his sister. I meet River's eyes and I'm sure my eyes are just as wide as hers and we're both wondering the exact same thing. What the fuck just happened?