Morning Butterfly, Wear these. I want to pull them to one side and eat your pussy tonight before I tear them off with my teeth. I want them covered in your juices and smelling of you. Don’t disobey. You won’t like your punishment…
Great, that ache between my legs just got worse. Grinning like an idiot, I slipped on the lacy undies and dressed in my soft jeans, a t-shirt with the words ‘Not everyone likes me, but not everyone matters’plastered across the front. Too right, nor did I give a fuck what anyone thought. Except I did. I cared more than I wanted to admit. I always had. That’s why I’d never been able to tell my sister about what our father had done. And why I still felt so guilty and ashamed of my behaviour when life had become too much to handle.
I scrubbed my face with my hands before sitting at the dressing table. I’d admitted to myself long ago that I was an addict, but I was determined to stay sober from now on. I knew it wouldn't always be easy, even as a shifter, but with the guidance of our pack therapist, I had put together a support network. Becca had helped me understand that I needed help that Stone couldn’t always offer, nor should I rely solely on him. It was unfair to both of us, so I’d already been in touch with a group inScotland and had been talking with a sponsor for when I went home with Stone very soon.
Swallowing hard, I contemplated my looks in the mirror. I’d stopped bothering with makeup a long time ago, but now that I was back and socialising with others, I wanted to look my best, and a little makeup had always helped boost my confidence. It had been a mask for me in the past, especially as a teenager. Now, instead of covering bruises and bite marks, it was to help me feel my best while I mended bridges with my pack. And there were lots to mend. Even if I wasn’t returning to the role of SBI agent, my family and pack mattered far more than I’d ever allowed myself to acknowledge.
Staring back at me from the mirror was a woman I’d never seen before. My brown eyes looked clear and bright, and my hair was back to a healthy thickness now that I’d stopped drinking and was eating properly. My skin was glowing with health, and I’d put enough weight back on to have some curves. I looked…happy. I sent a pulse of love down the bond to Stone and felt his amusement but also a returned warmth.
Seconds later, my phone pinged.
Stoney-boy:U okay, Butterfly?
I grinned as my fingers flew over the screen.No. My pussy’s sore.
Stoney-boy:Good. Then u won’t forget about me while I’m not there.
Me:U’d better keep your promise to kiss it better…
Stoney-boy:Did u wear my panties?
Me:Yours?
Stoney-boy:Yep, they're touching your pussy which makes them mine. I want them back.
Me:Come & get them…
Stoney-boy: ??
I grinned, my stomach fizzing at the smug emoji. It made me wonder when he’d return to claim his prize. But that was his intention, to make me wonder. Still smiling, I put my phone down and applied a small amount of makeup. A little gold to my lids, a dash of kohl to line my eyes, and some mascara to make them pop. I sat back and smiled, happy with the result.
With one last fluff of my long, wavy hair, I headed to the door, impatient to meet my sister and niece for breakfast.
Over the past two weeks, I’d spent time repairing my relationship with Ava more than anyone else. I knew I still needed to process all my messed up thoughts about my excuse for a father. Becca was helping with that and counselled me every other day until I’d felt strong enough to talk to Ava about what had happened. When that dam broke, Ava and I talked for hours and shed so many tears that Rawson had stormed in, demanding to know what was going on. Ava had kissed him and told him it wasn’t her story to tell. Rawson had glared at me, but whatever he’d seen had softened his growly attitude. He’d merely kissed his mate and left us to talk. Hours later, I’d felt lighter than I had in years.
I was almost ready to accept it was time to go home to the shifter compound in Scotland. Though compound wasn’t quite the right term. It was a castle on an estate that had separate houses, a school, small shops, a gym and pool, and even a community bar. It was right on the coast and was as secure as anywhere could be for the King of Shifters, his Queen and his children, not to mention his council and brothers and any other shifters he had taken into his fold. It was overwhelming to think about returning, but knowing Stone would be by my side filled me with confidence.
This was the first time we’d been forced to be apart for more than a few hours since we’d mated. I didn’t know how long he’d be gone, but I was sure Connor wouldn’t make himstay beyond what was vital. I hated the separation but knew I’d have to get used to it. Stone was still a Shadow Sentinel, a warrior, and a blood brother to the King of Shifters. He would always be in demand, especially as the vampire war escalated. I knew he was one of the strongest shifters in existence, yet my chest constricted at the thought of him out there on dangerous missions. Knowing how volatile and unpredictable those situations were didn’t help.
My fingers gripped my hairbrush, my knuckles turning white until reassurance pulsed through my chest. It was instinct to rub the spot that connected us. It was okay. Stone was mine, Iwas his, and he would always return. I wouldn’t allow the fact that we were at war to get to me.
I headed downstairs with a smile on my face, ready to tackle the day. I wanted to see if Ava could help me with something. It was just an idea, but one that had taken root.
“Hey, girl, how ya feeling?”
I squealed at the sound of my friend's voice. Blue laughed as I barrelled into her and hugged her so hard she squeaked out a plea to be released. Her sleep had come while I’d been at the cottage with Stone, so I hadn't seen her since.
“I’m good. Really good.”
“You look fucking amazing. Getting a Fae dickdown regularly is doing wonders for you.” Blue looked me up and down and quirked a brow.
A snort of laughter escaped me. “Dickdown? You have such a way with words.”
She flicked her slightly longer hair over her shoulder. “I know. It’s a skill. I hope you make him work for it, though.”
My grin made my cheeks ache. “Of course.”
A little baby cry stole our attention. Ava smiled as she rocked Faith, rubbing her back until there was a god-almighty belch.
