Permission to love - The Rogue Pack

Chapter 20

Sam finally opened her eyes as they reached the foot of the Alps. Tay was the first to notice, and immediately moved closer to her, squeezing her hand gently in comfort. They knew that she had probably fallen unconscious at a terrifying and painful time and would have no idea where she was, was probably petrified at what might be awaiting her.

They had been holding their hand the entire time they had been unconscious, in the hopes that it might comfort her subconscious mind, and help her relax. Tay had always thought that being safe and relaxed was crucial to allow healing. But they also knew that adrenaline masked pain, so as soon as Sam felt relaxed she would begin to feel pain, and they hoped that their hand might be a comfort in her pain. Might help alleviate whatever torture she was experiencing. But also, touching Sam was somehow comforting to Tay. They felt at peace for the first time in years. Holding Sam's hand, they felt as if they had been travelling their whole life and were finally home.

Sam blinked her eyes a couple of times, adjusting them to the sudden light. The sun had risen while they had been driving, and the light glared through the windows of the van. Finally, accustomed to the brightness, Sam turned her eyes to Tay. The light made her eyes shine, and Tay found themselves transfixed, staring into the honeyed warmth. Sam offered them a weak smile, curling her fingers around the hand that comforted her, recognising its comfort. Their hand was about the same size as her own, yet she still felt a sense of protectiveness as her fingers encircled theirs. She then turned her head, taking in Aiden's sleeping form next to her.

Aiden had fallen asleep along the road, his exhaustion finally catching up with him. Behind his eyelids, his eyes flitted restlessly, but his body was still, his leg resting softly against Sam's side. Even sleeping, he was unwilling to let her go, wanted to be touching her constantly.

Yet in Sam's mind, he wasn't close enough. She shifted slightly, hoping to be closer to his leg, hoping to be able to get close enough to feel his warmth through her clothes. But as soon as she moved, a searing pain shot up from her abdomen and she couldn't help but hiss through her teeth.

Aiden's eyes flew open almost immediately as if every sense had been acutely tuned to her. His green eyes combed her body, worry clear in his eyes, one of his hands reaching out to grasp hold of Sam's free hand.

That's when he noticed that Tay was still clutching her other hand.

"Hands off." He growled low in his throat, possessiveness clear in his tone. Tay trembled slightly at his words but their hand remained clutched in Sam's.

Aiden's growl escalated, causing everyone in the van to turn their eyes on him. Yet still, Tay refused to move.

Liam's eyes flashed worriedly between Tay and Aiden. He would always protect his brother in a fight, but couldn't understand why Aiden would be challenging a young wolf. Surely he wouldn't think of hurting them. They were so young and fragile, and as far as he could see, their only mistake had been to touch Sam's hand. And I mean come on, Sam's a hot chick. If this Tay is into her, then so be it. Sam is more than capable of choosing who gets to touch her.

Aiden's eyes locked with Tay's purple orbs, staring them down. But Tay wasn't budging. In fact, they released a growl of their own. He's touching MY mate. He has no right to growl at me like that.

The tension was palpable in the van as the two wolves stared each other down, barely a metre apart. Only Sam's body separated them, and despite Aiden's obvious advantage due to his size, Tay refused to back down.

"Ahhhh..." A sudden noise from Sam caused both wolves to immediately break their staring contest as they looked down in concern at Sam who was trying to sit up, obviously hurting herself in the process. She gripped Tay and Aiden's hands harder, using them to help lever herself into a sitting position.

"I think I probably have some explaining to do." As she spoke, she let out a chuckle even though her words were laced in pain.

Confusion evident in their eyes, Tay immediately rushed to help, helping Sam lean against the wall of the van so that she didn't have to support herself with her injured abdominal muscles.

"I assume you two know each other?" In response, Sam received a curt nod from both.

***

It was probably the most awkward conversation Sam had ever had. I mean how exactly does one tell their best friend that yes, you're my mate, but so is this other wolf that I only met the other day. And yes, wolf I have just met, you are my mate, but so if my best friend who I have been fantasising about for years?

As she'd predicted, her revelation was met with a stunned silence. Aiden had stared at her for a long time, eyes filled with uncertainty and understanding, whilst Tay had immediately turned away, attempting to pull her hand away from Sam's. But Sam hadn't let them. She'd gently grasped the fingers, softly running her thumb up and down the back of their hand.

How she wished she could read what they were thinking, what both of them were thinking. But she knew they needed a minute. She'd had the past few days to mull it over, to think about how she felt, to respond in private. They deserved their time of uncertainty, they deserved to make their minds up about how they felt.

She could only hope that they would each choose to accept the other. Because what was she going to do if they forced her to choose only one of her mates? She wasn't sure she would have the strength to let either of them go, they each completed her in such different ways. Aiden made her happy. He was light and fun, and with him she felt safe and accepted. Not to mention that he aroused a sexual animal within her that she was barely able to contain. Whereas with Tay she felt dominant and protective, she wanted to hold them in her arms, to keep them safe from any danger. 

She wasn't sure she was ready to say goodbye to either of those parts of her.

Goddess, please don't make me choose. I'm not sure I would survive that.

A/n: I just realised that I never wrote a section where Tay explains that she is gender neutral to the rest of the gang. Do you think the story needs one?