Angel Blackwood(115)
He eventually grabs my hand, helping me up as we head back to the house. I expect him to let go of it once we come out of the woods and are amongst the other pack members, but he doesn’t. He holds my hand tightly, pulling me closer to his side as if he’s staking his claim and making it known to the other male wolves who I belong to.
Only when we make it to my bedroom door does he let go.
“Goodnight, Angel,” he whispers, looking down at me.
“Night, Ty.”
****
After having a shower and dressing, I climb into bed and try linking to my parents. They’re quick to respond, telling me all is fine and they’re handling the situation; they don’t elaborate. A few moments later I try link to Talon.
“Talon. Talon, can you hear me?” I try reaching out for him. I think hard, thinking about him and his wolf. I eventually feel his mind allowing me entrance.
“Angel?” I let out a deep breath hearing his voice.
“I didn’t tell you I loved you when you left. I love you so much, Talon. Please be safe. I don’t know what I will do if anything happens to you.” I swallow the tears, hoping he doesn’t hear the worry in my voice. I want to be strong for him. I don’t need him concerned about me whilst trying to protect himself.
“Baby, you don’t know how much I needed to hear that. I’m sorry for the way I left. I knew if I had to see your sad face one minute longer, I would have stayed. I love you too, Angel,” he says. I can practically feel the love resonating from wherever he is.
“I have to go, baby. I’ll chat more in the morning,” Talon links.
“I love you. Be safe.”
I feel the connection break and the sense of unease immediately return. I think of Nixon and it only adds to my concern for my pack mates. I toss and turn for the next hour unable to fall asleep. I lay frozen when I hear the bathroom door being opened and closed. I turn when the bathroom door linking to my room opens sending light into my room.
“I can practically hear you tossing and turning through the walls.” He closes the door behind him then steps closer to my bed. Lifting the blankets up, he says, “Scoot, I’m coming in.”
I move away from his side of the bed, but not all the way to the other side. I want him near.
I face away from him and I’m so thankful that I am because I can’t help but smile when he curls his body around mine, my back to his chest. He asks me to lift my head so that my head rests on his arm whilst his other arms rests on my lower stomach leaving no gap between us.
“Everyone is going to be okay,” he whispers against the back of my hair.
“I know,” I whisper back.
“Tyler?”
“Yeah?” His voice is rough.
“Why don’t you use our bathroom anymore?”
It’s quiet for a few seconds before he responds, “I can’t, it smells like you.”
“Oh.” it hurts to hear that, but I don’t say anything out loud.
“It’s not what you think, Angel. It’s just… It’s hard for me to be around it sometimes,” he says.
I lay quietly looking at his hand in front of me. Slowly, I move my hand and lace my fingers with his. I feel his face moving closer to my hair and then hear him breathing in my scent. He squeezes my hand a little, then his thumb starts moving back and forth on my hand.
“I don’t like his hands on you,” he says. His voice sounding sleepy.
“I know,” I whisper, moving my head enough so that my lips can reach his arm. I give him a small kiss, breathing him in before resting my head back down and closing my eyes.
****
The next two days come and go. I spend most of my time with Axel if I’m not with Phoenix. Aside from climbing into my bed each night, I don’t really see much of Tyler during the day. I’ve been keeping in contact with Talon and my parents regularly. They haven’t told me much about what’s been going on and when I ask questions they’re quick to change the subject. The atmosphere around the pack house is tenser than usual, but I think it’s because the Alpha is not around. Jacob has been doing a great job of keeping control over the restless men who didn’t leave. I noticed this morning that security has doubled and I feel more eyes on me when I’m running in my wolf form.
It’s late and I’m walking home after eating dinner with Axel at Nixon’s place. I walk past a couple unfamiliar faces from Caspian’s pack. They’re sitting on the porch stairs leaving only a little opening for me to step through.
“Sorry. Excuse me,” I mutter, taking the stairs through the group of men.