Two chapters in one day. I haven't done this in a long time. It feels kind of weird, lol. Enjoy!
~Tori~
As soon as Jade was dressed and I stretched out properly, we were ready to head back home. I got dressed on the way as we slowly located the various articles of my clothes. I felt like I could run infinitely, fight the strongest opponent, maybe even fly. I was on cloud nine and truly happy now that I reached that moment of pure bliss. I no longer felt that unforgiving and unyielding need that sat unsatisfied for so long. I felt great and the wolf was content, silent. It made me clearheaded and able to focus. I squeezed Jade's cool hand in mine, glancing over at her to smile brightly. She grinned back, chuckling at me before nudging me with her shoulder.
"I didn't think you had it in you. The beast has been unleashed," she teased playfully, laughing again. I had never heard or seen Jade this laid back, so I was further enjoying the moment, knowing my mate was as happy as me.
"Shut up," I responded, nudging her back.
"You totally showed me who's boss. Maybe I shouldn't call you my pup anymore," she pointed out. I personally liked when she called me that. It was cute and endearing, a truly sweet thing for her to come up with on her own.
"No, I like when you call me that," I replied, biting my lip shyly.
"I like calling you that too, to be honest," she mumbled, glancing down at her admittance. If she was able to I wouldn't be surprised if that comment made her blush. I giggled and tugged her closer to me so I could kiss her temple.
"We need to hurry home before my mother or father find out we left," I told her.
"Nah, we can blame Trina for kicking us out," she replied, unperturbed and in no hurry to get back. I shot her a skeptical glance.
"What, it's true. She was denying you physical pleasure just because she didn't want to have to hear it, so she kicked us out," she stated simply. I blushed a little at how easily she said it but I had to agree with her.
"You could probably keep us out of trouble with my father all on your own anyway," I told her with a smile.
"What do you mean?" she responded, oblivious to her obvious charm.
"Jade, you and my father get along so well. A few jokes here, a few there, and he'll let it go easily. I mean, he doesn't have to know that St. Claire's hidey-hole is just past our spot…" I began to explain but left the sentence hanging when realization hit. We both slowed to a stop before looking back the way we came at the same time.
"Bad idea, Vega," Jade cautioned me gruffly, dropping my hand in favor of gripping my upper arm firmly.
"But..." I attempted, knowing it wouldn't work. How was it that we always seemed to conflict with each other at just the right times? When she was ready to fight I was looking to be safe and stay out of it. When I felt the need to fight she was ready to keep me from running off.
"No," she stated, pulling me in the correct direction after cutting me off. I sighed and followed her without much complaint. We returned home through my window and I fell back on my bed with a big sigh, my legs hanging off the side while my arms were spread out.
"Tired?" Jade questioned, walking over to stand between my legs and lean over me, her hands digging into the bed just above either side of my shoulders, her body dangerously close to mine.
"Yeah," I replied simply with a sigh.
"Good, 'cause I'm not," she informed me, a crooked smile bringing about my own sly smile.
"I'll be sure to take advantage of that whenever possible," I mumbled, dragging her down by her shirt to kiss her softly.
"As long as you know," she replied, kissing my forehead before pushing off the bed and backing away.
"Are you hungry? I am. I kinda lost some blood," she remarked, wandering away to head for the door.
"Sorry," I replied awkwardly. She laughed and turned to look at me.
"Come on Vic. There's no need to apologize. Now, let's go get something to eat and hang with your family," she suggested. I climbed over the bed and leaped off to land next to Jade, a big smile spreading across my face.
"Vic, huh? I like that too. You have more nicknames for me than I have for you. It's so cute," I realized suddenly. She gave me a bemused smile before shaking her head.
"Why is everything so cute or adorable to you? Whatever. You know what, that's just because I don't like nicknames for myself so I make up for it by giving you more," she dismissed. An excuse if I ever saw one.
"Sure," I pestered her, poking her side. If I didn't know better I would say she liked using the nicknames. It was a sign of endearment. She smacked my hand away before attacking my sides again in retaliation.
"No, Jade, stop! You're so unfair!" I gasped, trying to fend her off. She trapped me against the wall by the door, continuing her assault, when Trina came in.
"Oh good, you guys aren't trying to swallow each other. Or worse," she bluntly stated when she saw us. My laughter died down as soon as Jade stopped, her hands resting at my waist.
"Why would we when we already got to do that and so much more not too long ago?" Jade replied, making Trina gape at her before stuffing her fingers in her ears.
"I can't hear you!" she exclaimed loudly as she turned away to leave. I hid my laughter behind my hand while Jade just shook her head at my sister's immature antics.
"I love messing with her," she confided in me.
"I can see that. Come on. I have a feeling she came in to call us down to dinner," I responded, taking her hand in mine and leading her past Trina. She stopped plugging her ears to follow, striding past us, her nose wrinkled. Jade chuckled at her expression but said nothing about it. We all came downstairs to see my mother and father sitting at the table.
"Hey, why are you home so early?" I spoke up upon entering. They both looked up, giving Jade and I a knowing yet discouraging half smile.
"Trina kicked us out," I blurted out, already catching on that they knew we had left. Jade rolled her eyes and then glared at me.
"You can stare all you want. I know that they know," I snapped at her. Her eyebrows smoothed over and she shrugged.
"Trina told us. She felt really guilty for it after. She should, seeing as you two could have run into trouble," my father lectured.
"Is that true, Trina?" I asked her, touched. Trina rarely threw herself under the bus to help out another so it meant a lot that she basically told on herself.
"Well…yeah," she answered quietly, taking a seat across from our mother.
"I trust you kept a lookout and had a good time," my father spoke next. Jade snickered at my side.
"I couldn't keep my eyes off her," she stated, looking over at me with a smoldering gaze, a soft smile on her face. I smiled back, loving the warmth she sent my way, leaving no room for embarrassment when I heard the amorous tone she used.
"Too sickly sweet," Trina complained, making gagging sounds. Jade leveled a glare at her.
"Trina, stop," my mother chastised lightly.
"That's good to hear. Now, I'm not going to lecture you on the importance of staying home and leaving only for school. I just hope you listen better next time, and instead, tell you that by tomorrow St. Claire will be apprehended," my father announced.
"What? You sent out the patrols already?" I asked him in disbelief.
"Not yet, just posted very close by," he corrected.
"That won't tip him off? I mean, not to question your choices sir, but won't it be suspicious to take that route?" Jade asked curiously.
"Maybe, but we surrounded the place so if he tries to take shelter there, or run back this way should he already be in there, we'll have him. I've been informed that the tunnel does indeed exist below that shack out in the woods. It leads to the nearby town," he explained.
"That dinky little pit stop out there?" Jade spoke up, unimpressed. My father only nodded a confirmation.
"And this is tomorrow?" I questioned him. Why so sudden and soon? Something in my gut warned me of danger. It didn't feel right. I frowned, my emotions tipping Jade off as she sensed how I felt loud and clear with a subtle shift in posture.
"Yes, the sooner the better," my father reasoned. I nodded numbly, trying to come to terms with the foreboding feeling churning in my gut.
"Could this somehow be a poor choice…sir?" Jade spoke for me, understanding my unease and taking it upon herself to figure out what was happening. I was grateful she stepped in up until my father rose to advance on us.
"Jade, I feel we must take into account that St. Claire has been causing trouble for far too long now. He must be brought in so that his future plans, whatever that may be, are brought to an end. This is the best choice," he told my mate decisively. My mother stood to place a hand on his shoulder. Worry etched her face and it was then I knew she felt the same way I did. What did it mean? I glanced at Trina who sat with a puzzled yet troubled frown dragging down the corners of her mouth.
"Father, I can't place it but, this decision isn't a wise one. I can feel it," I pleaded with him.
"We have numbers. We know where he's hiding and we'll catch him unaware. Tori, this is the best time," he replied, resting his hands on my shoulders. The warmth of them calmed me only slightly. I nodded, having no other choice but to agree.
"Ok, father," I responded quietly. He nodded and patted my shoulder before turning away.
"I suggest we have some well-deserved quality family time. We haven't been able to properly see one another since this whole mess began," he commented, his smile back in place lightening the room's dark mood.
"I'll gather something together," my mother pitched in. Trina stood to follow her into the kitchen, oddly quiet for her.
"Um…David? I was wondering if Tori and I could sit out back for some air," Jade requested of my father. I hadn't noticed just how much the situation affected me until she spoke up. My father glanced from me to Jade before nodding. I felt Jade's cool grip on my wrist as she dragged me outside. As soon as I inhaled the fresh air I didn't feel so repressed.
"Thank you," I mumbled to her.
"No problem. I could practically feel a dark cloud raining on our parade," she commented, trying to lighten the mood.
"I know. I just…I don't know what's causing it. This feels wrong," I told her, my hands clenching into fists at my side.
"I understand," she muttered, pulling me into her so that I could rest my chin on her shoulder, my arms around her neck while her arms wound around my waist.
"Relax," she whispered in my ear, her support soothing my tense frame. I sighed heavily with a deep breath and did as I was told.
"Let's just spend some time with your family and forget all about this. Just for tonight, ok?" she suggested.
"Ok," I agreed.
"Good, now let's go back inside," she told me, pulling away to offer a soft smile. I returned it the best I could and let her lead me into the house. We all sat down to dinner, my father and Jade providing the humor that allowed the rest of us to relax. After, we popped in something to watch, preferably a werewolf and vampire thriller, so we could laugh about how humans portrayed our kind. It was obvious some of it was truths that may or may not have been a coincidence, but it was possible. I believed there were humans out there who knew we truly existed but they were either too scared of being shunned to point it out, or we somehow had a hand in "convincing" them it was nothing to make a big deal about. Jade and I retired to my room after two movies. I sat in my desk chair and pushed away from it so I could spin a little while I contemplated. Jade was the last one in the room so she shut the door and stayed back leaning on it while she watched me with crossed arms.
"Very entertaining, Vega," she told me in her usual deadpan I hadn't heard directed at me for some time. I laughed and spun again, my train of thought put on hold.
"It is. You wanna try it?" I replied, smiling at the subtle rise of her brow. The piercing glinted in the light, drawing my eye to it. I always seemed to forget that piece of jewelry along with Jade's tattoo. I stood and walked towards her to stand toe to toe with her, my hand lifting as a gesture to give me her hand. She rolled her eyes but did so. I snagged her by the wrist and dragged her to the chair. I was about to make her take a seat when she suddenly tugged me away from it. I struggled before gravity overcame us and we tumbled to the ground.
"Don't be difficult, Jade! Just try it!" I encouraged her, choking the words out before the laughter began. I was beginning to squirm when she proceeded to tickle me yet again.
"Shhh, don't fight it. Don't fight it," she told me calmly, her dexterous fingers still forcing out bursts of laughter from me. I slapped at her hands desperately but she wouldn't stop.
"Jade!" I gasped out, finally getting a hold of one of her hands.
"Yes?" she questioned, pretending like she was doing nothing whatsoever.
"Please," I begged, knowing she couldn't resist begging. She faltered only a second but started up again.
"Please, what?" she responded, a sly smirk curling her lips. I let out another series of tired laughs before answering.
"Please stop tickling me," I pleaded, feeling like I was running out of air. Tears were already rolling down my cheeks from how hard I was laughing. Almost immediately her hands stopped. She pulled away to sit back on her heels.
"Better?" she inquired, her smirk an indicator she enjoyed torturing me.
"Yes," I replied, taking in a big breath and letting it out. She chuckled and held out a helpful hand when she stood. I gripped it and she pulled me up.
"You need to get some sleep now young lady," she teased, leaning in to brush my nose with hers.
"Aww, but I'm not tired," I complained, making sure to whine extra. She let her frown appear for half a second before she caught on and then her smirk was back.
"Yes you are. Don't make me use force," she told me, backing me towards my bed with her hands on my waist. I giggled and allowed her to push me back onto the bed so that I laid down spread across the blankets.
"There, now make room pup," she commanded, climbing on the bed next to me and poking me in the side. The action shook a giggle out of me but I did as I was told. As soon as Jade was settled I reached over to shut off the lights and then snuggled up next to her, a grin working its way onto my lips. It always felt so great to be close to Jade. Her arms wound around me, prompting me to hold onto her tighter.
"Now go to sleep," she mumbled, letting out a sigh. I nodded and tucked my head under her chin, seeking out her familiar and unique scent. I tried not to let my mind wander back to the danger ahead, but it did, and the thought alone dragged an unintentional whine from me. Without a word, Jade began running her cool fingers through my hair. Her touch was gentle and comforting, silencing my whines as my mind began to ease. Jade began humming a familiar tune, her tranquil and soothing voice further guiding me to sleep. I felt my body relax, my thoughts drift, my breathing even out. The last thing I heard was Jade whispering her love for me in my ear. I hoped I at least managed a smile before I finally fell asleep.