Uncaged

Chapter 14

Clover was an animal. Obviously, that goes without saying. But when she was in control, the difference between her and Nikki was startling. Nikki, for all that we had rushed, had been sensual and loving and tender, she had teased and tempted me until I couldn't take it anymore. With Clover, it was heat and passion and sex, like an assault on my libido that couldn't be contained. They were both amazing, and when they constantly shifted from one to the other, I couldn't restrain myself. We'd spent the night alternating between pleasuring each other, and then snuggling and talking to learn more about one another. But the last round of pleasure may have been just too much for me.

"You're so funny!" Nikki giggled as I lay back on the bed, my body worn out as she crawled her way up from between my legs. "I was listening to your mind, and it goes all silly and jumbled when you have your orgasms!" She straddled me, though gently, and looked down at me happily.

"I bet it is doing the same thing now." I mumbled, wondering if my brain could even form a thought at this point. Oh, wait, it just did. "Hey! I just noticed, where I bit you is a tattoo! Is that normal?" Instead of a pink mark, there was now the image of a crescent moon over an open castle portcullis.

"Yes, it is normal. You have a tattoo too. It shows how we're connected," she replied with a grin.

I turned my head to look, but as anyone who has tried to look at their neck without a mirror can tell you, that isn't possible. "What is it?"

"It's a crescent moon with a silver key superimposed on it. You're giving me my freedom," she answered simply.

"And I would do so gladly, over and over." I smiled back up at her.

"Speaking of freedom, I just realized that we have to sneak you out of the house soon," Nikki said sadly as she curled her body into mine.

"I know, and I'm sorry. But I'm coming back for you. Oh, and I forgot!" I leaned over and found my jacket in the pile of clothes near the bed and gave her the wrapped phone.

Her face lit up happily when she saw the present, and she looked up at me, not sure if she could open it. When I nodded, she eagerly opened the paper, and squealed at the sight of the phone. "I can call you?"

"Yeah, I put my number in the phone, you can call or text me. We don't have a great phone plan, but it was the best I could do," I apologized.

"No! It's amazing! I love it! I hate only seeing you when you mow, and now we can talk all the time!"

"Yes, and we'll make a plan to get you away from that asshole," I promised her.

"You remember how to get out of the house?" she asked, the concern evident on her face.

"I do. Hide in the coat closet, wait for your dad to go get donuts, slip out and then head to my car," I assured her. I was just grateful that it was Christmas break, and I could sleep for a while when I crawled home. Hopefully Nikki could do the same. "I'll see you soon, I promise!"

"I know, you mow in a few days," she frowned.

"I mean in person, not through a window."

"How?" she wondered.

"I'm not too sure Nikki. But I can't stand the thought of you here alone and waiting on that asshole to come get you. The marking might have helped, but I doubt it will stop him." I didn't trust that guy at all, and I had little doubt if he was already planning on coming with his pack, that they had other ideas to take her as well.

Nikki threw herself at me after that, kissing me deeply in what I knew was going to be a goodbye kiss. Or hopefully, a see you soon kiss. I wasn't letting her go. Not to her dad, not to Phillips, not to anyone else. There were tears in her eyes when I broke away, but I sensed they were happy. Perhaps she was happy about the mark, or in finally meeting me, or she was in my mind reading it and feeling my conviction.

"All of the above," she giggled. "Now go, be safe and come back for me." She pushed me lightly on the chest, and I nodded in agreement.

My pile of clothes was still there, and I quickly threw them on. Once dressed, I leaned down and kissed her gently. "I'll see you soon Nikki, my mate. Lock the door after me!"

"My mate, my love!" she whispered to me as I left.

I locked the door after me, and then slipped downstairs. Finding the coat closet, I slipped inside to make sure I'd be ready when her father left. It wasn't a long wait, as he was very punctual. Evidently, the donuts must be delivered every Christmas Eve morning! Once he was gone, I waited a few minutes, and then slipped out the front door as well, and jogged down the street to my car. I noticed that Jane's car was still out front and hoped that her and Jasmine had as nice a night as Nikki and I did.

The donuts sounded like a really good idea, and I was betting that none of my younger siblings had any of them recently, so I swung in and got a dozen assorted ones from Donut King. No coconut though, that has no business being consumed by humans. When I arrived at the house, I was glad to see that my dad's car was in the driveway. I knew he'd be going to work in a bit, but I had hoped he would still be here when I arrived.

When I unlocked the front door and went in, he was the only one up. He was puttering around the kitchen making himself some coffee for his long day ahead. I opened the box of donuts and waved them in front of him. "Want one? Or three?"

"Hell yeah. You have great timing," he said gratefully, stealing a jelly donut and taking a big bite. "I didn't think I'd have time to eat before I had to go."

"Hey, can you take tonight off? I have something big, and I'd really like you here for it," I asked. I was hoping he'd take it seriously, as neither of us ever missed work unless it was an emergency.

"Something big, huh? Can I get a hint?" He asked, his eyebrows arched up onto his forehead.

"I don't want to get anyone's hopes up. But this could be huge for everyone if it works." I promised. I couldn't just say hey dad I'm going to have a friendly werewolf bite mom, that should be okay, right?

He studied me carefully, hoping for more of a hint, but I wasn't giving any. Finally, he sighed in defeat. "Yeah, I can do that. I picked up a lot of extra shifts already, so I could use the night off. Home for Christmas Eve, its been a while."

"Great! It will be nice to have you here for the night anyway." I speared a couple of chocolate glazed donuts and then got the electric kettle on for some tea. I munched happily, and once the water was boiling, poured it into some caffeine-free tea. As soon as I was done with this, I was crashing, and didn't want anything to delay it. While the tea was steeping in my mug, I felt my phone buzz, my first text from Nikki!

Nikki – I'm going to nap Lucas, but I hope you made it home safe. Thanks for last night. I can't wait for many more!

Lucas – Have a good sleep, Nikki. I'm going to sleep too. I have a lot of plans for us! I know I'll be dreaming of you too my lovely mate.

Light footprints on the stairs let me know Fran was up, and she walked like a zombie over to me before giving me a hug. "Morning," she mumbled before seeing the donuts. "Oh man, donuts!"

Leaving her to the destruction of whatever she was going to eat, I went upstairs with my mug of tea and knocked on the door for my brothers. "Donuts are downstairs!" I called out, before continuing to my room to relax and crash for a bit.

I sipped the tea, thinking about some options for the night. Making my decision, I sent the video from Nikki's room to my e mail for safekeeping, and then lay down. I fell asleep to memories of holding Nikki in her bed, her head in the crook of my shoulder after one of our many love making sessions. She had been so used to being locked in that room, that to her it was normal. But that was the first thing we had to end. It couldn't be normal anymore. I was going to make her reappear.

Feeling that was a good plan, I finally drifted off to sleep, knowing I'd see Nikki again soon.