24. Need To

(Seth)

I woke up pretty early and decided to stay right where I was. I was completely sober now and felt just fine, especially with Liz's naked ass pressed firmly into my front.

The events of last night slowly flowed back into my mind and I groaned internally. I knew I needed to tell the whole pack about what happened, but I was going to put that off until a more reasonable hour. It's not like they would be angry about Mark finding out; I had to protect him and Liz. Any of them would have done the same in my place.

I peeked over Liz's shoulder so that I could see her beautiful sleeping face. I considered waking her, but she probably wouldn't like that and I didn't want to make her grumpy... even if it was adorable.

I suddenly wished that I could climb inside of her mind as she slept, poke around at her thoughts. We had been a couple off and on for three years now. Three years of love and chaos and passion, and I still sometimes caught myself feeling as if I didn't know her at all.

She never failed to surprise me. Never failed to take me to new heights. Being with her was staying right at the edge.

Even when she opened up to me, I knew there was more. I was only scratching the surface.

Things had been pretty amazing lately. For the first time since I had known her, I actually felt like it was possible she loved me as much as I loved her. Like she would fight for me if she needed to, because she kind of had.

The witch stuff was another tail spin. I had spent days feeling pissed off literally every second that I was home. I had really thought that I might end up hurting her, and that would have killed me. Even thinking it now was like a shot to my chest. How could I hurt this glorious creature that trusted me with her life, her heart, and everything in between?

Liz jerked in her sleep and started to whimper.

I touched her cheek gently with my fingertips. "Ssshhh, baby," I tried to soothe. "It's okay."

She woke up enough to roll over and latch her arms around my neck. Seconds passed before I felt the wetness of her tears on my chest.

"What's wrong?" I whispered, catching a tear on my finger.

"Bad dream," she pouted.

"You're safe."

"I know." She looked up at me with those big blue eyes, smiling through the tears. "You always keep me safe."

I felt a swell of pride. "Always," I promised.

One dainty hand glided down across my skin and her soft lips brushed my chest, sending shivers rolling along my spine. One kiss, one touch was all it took with her; I was immediately rearing to go.

I may not be able to understand Liz in some ways, but this wasn't one of them; I knew exactly what she wanted when we made love. She had never been opposed to guiding me in the beginning, and we'd been together more than enough times for me to not need a word from her anymore.

Just as the last little moans of my name rolled off her lips, I realized for the millionth time that there was no better place for me than all tangled up in her.

She laid there afterward, completely exhausted - sweaty, red faced and out of breath. Such a beautiful sight to behold. She started to laugh, then put her hand over her mouth as her eyes went wide. "Oh my god," she said. "I forgot Mark was here."

I laughed. "Think he's jealous?" I asked, because I knew that he was if he had been awake to hear any of it. He had it so bad for Liz and I was pretty sure that she was oblivious to that fact. It made me uncomfortable, but I was about ninety-nine percent positive that he wouldn't act on it. Not after last time.

"Ugh," she grumbled. "It's moving day."

"Yeah, it is." I was happy about that. It got really old listening to Josh and Ana humping like rabbits all the time. I wouldn't mind so much if they tried to keep it down a little... or if they were a little less kinky.

I gave my angel a kiss and stood up, pulling clothes out of a drawer and onto my body. "I'm going to pick up breakfast for everybody."

She smiled and my insides fluttered. "You're so sweet."

Mark was laying awake on the couch when I stopped to put my shoes on.

"Thanks for the show," he said, yawning.

"You missed all the visuals."

He laughed as he sat up and swung the blanket off of him. "I've seen enough of your naked ass, thanks."

"I'm heading to McDonald's. You want to come with?"

Korn started blaring when I turned the key in the ignition and I had to turn it down. I figured that after the events of last night, Mark and I were bound to have a talk as we rode together.

As soon as my toe touched the gas pedal, the questions started.

"What was that woman from last night?"

I cringed. I hadn't even thought of what I would say, and that wasn't the brightest move considering. "Man... I can't say. And not because I don't trust you or anything, I just can't be sure what's safe to tell you and what's not."

He considered quietly and then sighed. "Fair enough. So, how did Liz find out about everything?"

"I had to tell her," I answered.

"Was she freaked out?"

"Kind of..." I thought back to that day, a lifetime ago. "She was a lot more sketched out by the imprint."

His eyes bore into the side of my face. "Imprint?"

"Liz is my soulmate. It's just a different word for it."

I could smell the sweat he broke into. "Like... in a supernatural way?"

"Yep."

"Wow," he said, turning to look at the road in front of us. "What's that like?"

I was pulling up to order, so I had to wait to answer. We were left sitting at the window waiting on our huge order. "It's like... she's my other half. I'm in tune with her." I tried to find the words, but there weren't enough. "Basically my whole world revolves around her."

"That's crazy," he said with a shake of his head. "I can't even imagine."

I loaded his lap with food and set back towards my home. "It's actually really overwhelming in some ways. When I'm around her, I'm so lost in her. I can hear her heartbeat, every breathe she takes. I can read her moods through her physical responses, things she doesn't even realize. It's all consuming, but I never want it to stop."

"So, wait. What happened before when you guys broke up?"

I sighed. That period of time was a massive mark against me and always would be. "It was horrible. I was horrible. I don't think I'd survive it if she left me again."

"Wasn't she with Darrell?"

"She was, and that was my fault. I won't ever let anything like that happen again. If another man ever touches her now... I don't care what the circumstances are. Liz is mine." He knew I meant him. She might not notice the way he looks at her, but I certainly did. That was one fantasy he needed to forget.

"What if she didn't want to be with you anymore?" he asked, poorly disguising discomfort. "I mean, I'm not saying that would ever happen, but what if it did?"

I glanced at him. "If that happens, I feel really sorry for the guy that comes after me." I couldn't accept that a second time. Every bit of me was so wrapped around her; losing her was one thing, but someone else getting her instead? No way.

"Damn, dude. I thought Liz was the violent one."

I chuckled. "I guess we both are. You carry the drinks, I'll get the food." We started up the stairs, him ahead of me.

He turned around suddenly. "Josh is a wolf, too."

"Yep," I confirmed.

"And Ana..."

"Is his imprint."

He sighed. "You guys are lucky. I want a hot girl."

Liz appeared then in the doorway. "Who's a hot girl?"

"Y-... um," was Mark's genius response.

"He means to say that you are." And fuck was he right. I bent down to kiss her as we came through the door.

The next half hour or so was spent with everyone eating breakfast as I watched Mark and Liz interact. Mark basically melted when he was around her. Every wall came down and he was almost as lost in her eyes and her smile as I always was. I wondered if there was ever a chance that something could happen between them... and I figured it was possible. If she and I ever split, he was who she would go to. She loved him back in some way.

He was the new Darrell, except I actually liked him.

I finished eating and rose from my chair. "I'm going to start packing," I announced.

Liz stopped laughing at Mark and looked at me. "You okay, babe? You seem a little grouchy."

I smiled. "I'm fine. Really looking forward to nailing you in our new guest room later."

I winked at her smiling face and walked away, hoping that I was wrong about Mark.