Those In The Forest

Part 92: Reagan

"LOVE BIRDS! TIME TO GET UP! WE GOT SOME THINGS WE NEED TO DISCUSS!" Avah's voice rang through our room. Her constant banging at the door angered me to no end.

          I was comfortable in my mate's arms, but I wanted to stay here a bit longer—forever if I could. It had been so long since they had held me, and I'm not sure they ever truly held me like they did last night.

          Like every squeeze was supposed to help all the pain escape, and in a way, it was.

          They all talked about how listening to a mate's heartbeat when sleeping was extremely therapeutic. Before I was one of them, I didn't fully understand what they meant, but after breaking down in their arms, it was calming to sit in silence and hear all four of their steady heartbeats.

          I heard my mates grumble, Avah's banging getting louder and louder. I was surprised they didn't just barge in like they usually do.

          I quickly sniffed the room and realized exactly why they were staying behind the door.

           "Seeing that we will have to replace your bedding again, you might want to stay on our good side. I heard your heartbeats shifting. I know you're awake. Be downstairs in five minutes." Lennox fussed.

          Fussed was a good word for what she was doing. I listened to them walk away from the door and downstairs, where Karina and Celia were in the living room.

          Karina was back from taking Bryce home. I need to ask her about that whenever we get downstairs.

          Sighing, I finally opened my eyes. Rose was looking at me with new, fresh eyes. In the beginning, I was kind of embarrassed. I mean, I broke down crying after cumming. That wasn't the most dignified time to cry.

          But they didn't shame me for it, and they didn't even make me feel embarrassed. Instead, they let me feel my feelings, and I was extremely grateful for that.

          Iris groaned from behind me. Her stomach growled, and that told me we slept into the next day. I didn't have any nightmares. I don't remember exactly what I dreamed about, but I knew it didn't put me in a cold sweat.

          "She's going to come back if we don't get up," Ivy grumbled sleepily.

          I cracked a smile. "I doubt that. I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to see our bare ass in this bed."

          Hazel chuckled. "I'm betting she would just drag us out of bed."

           "I can hear you, you assholes!" Lennox yelled. "Three minutes now!"

          Grumbling, I shifted out of their arms and tried to escape the bed. "We better go before she tears us a new one."

          Before I could get out of bed, Hazel grabbed my wrist. She had a comforting look on her face, soft and patient, and her eyes were soft. "Are you okay?" she asked carefully.

          I thought for a moment before answering. "Yeah, I'll be okay," I said, holding her hand in mine. It was so warm, so grounding. I don't think I will ever be able to be away from them again in my life. Which isn't healthy, but I really don't give a fuck.

          I saw Rose and Ivy share a look before smiling at me.

         I dropped Hazel's hand. "Let's go and get this over with. I really need a shower after yesterday." I smirked at them. Getting out of bed, I didn't bother putting on any clothes. "I do hope for a part two later, though." I winked at them before walking out.

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We were all sitting on the couches, my mates and I on the largest one.

          Karina was sitting on the loveseat, Celia lying against the armrest, her legs in Karina's lap. Avah was sitting in the loveseat opposite our Elders, Lennox's head in Avah's lap.

          I was lying across all of my mate's bodies. It was uncomfortable for like a split second until we suggested ourselves. On any other day, I would have just sat usually, but I needed all of their touches, no matter what the touch was.

          "Alright, first thing first," Karina started. "You two slept for twelve hours. That's insane. I'm actually positive you are all starving. You will be fed after this." Iris's growling belly proved her statement right. It didn't even feel like we slept that long. She cleared her throat. "Secondly, Reagan, I got Byrce to the bus stop. She said she would get a new phone and call you as soon as she could, so be on the lookout for that."

          I nodded my head. "Out of curiosity, did she say anything inappropriate to you?" I asked, knowing my best friend and how she had no filter.

          A grin appeared on Karina's face. "She asked if I knew any single Werewolves. Man or woman, she apparently isn't picky. However, she said werewolf women are really hot, and she would rather have a woman. Seems kind of picky to me." Karina said, laughing.

         I pursed my lips. "Sorry." I apologized for my friend.

          Karina waved a hand, dismissing my apology. "No need to be sorry. Made our trip fun. I couldn't respond to her of course, but that didn't stop her from talking."

          I nodded my head, pinching the bridge of my nose. "That sounds about right for her," I said, smiling. 

           Something shifted in Karina's eyes. "Dean came to see us," she said quietly. "He wants to do the exchange today. I need to know if you are ready to see him again. I need to know if you want to... kill him." she said tensely. "You have every right to want him dead, and we will one hundred percent back you up, do everything in our power to make you feel like your decision is not bad. Just tell me, Reagan. Whatever you need, we'll do it." she reassured me.

          Hazel placed her hand on my calf. It was such a slight touch, such a reassuring touch. They all placed a soft touch on my body, keeping me sane.

          "Would you all view me differently if I said I wanted to?" I asked carefully.

          "Of course not," Lennox answered quickly.

          "Okay, what if I didn't want to kill him but just wanted him to pay for what he did to me? Did to us."

          I would be lying if I said I hadn't thought about killing him. Inflicting the same pain and torture, he did to me to him. I want him to pay, and I want to be the one to make him pay, but I also just want him dead. It's such a conflicting feeling.

          "Whatever you choose, we will support it." Celia smiled at me. "We wouldn't think less of you with any decision you made." 

           I thought for a moment. "I want him to pay," I said tensely. "A quick death is too merciful for him. I need him to suffer. Just like I did."

          "What are you saying, Reagan?" Ivy asked carefully.

          "I want to hurt him like he did me. I want to make him beg for me to kill him." I growled, the noised feeling more and more natural when it came out of me. 

A/N: we're getting closer and closer to the story wrapping up