The Sixes

chapter 4

Briana

I decide to go to our room, the weight of nervousness and anxiety still pressing heavily on my chest. I haven't seen Kaden since he chased me down like a madman. Faint voices echo from a distance, possibly coming from the stairs leading up to the third floor.

I quickly turn off the light and dive into bed, no time to close the door. Pulling the blanket over my face, I curl into a small ball, much like a child hiding from the monster in the closet.

If I can't see him, he can't see me. With one eye alone, I peep out from under the cover and attempt to spy on the hallway.

I squint my eyes towards the dimly lit hallway, lying motionless , every muscle taut with anticipation. My senses sharpen even further as I focus intently on my surroundings. My ears twitch slightly, zeroing in on the faintest of sounds.  Even the slightest rustle of fabric or the softest whisper of breath coming from the other rooms don't escape my heightened hearing. 

The scent in the air changes as I pick up the familiar, strangely comforting redolence of Kaden. My nostrils flare, drawing in the scent more deeply, my keen sense of smell distinguishing it from the myriad other scents that fill the old building.

My eyes, glowing faintly in the darkness, scan the shadows. Someone says goodnight to Kaden, I think it's Zeke, but I can't be sure. 

I catch the almost imperceptible sound of footsteps, a rhythm I'm sure I'll have memorized in no time, echoing softly from the end of the hallway. Each step seems to resonate within me, the bond I feel amplifying my awareness of his presence. I wonder if he feels it too.

I'm fairly confident that he does. 

Closing my eyes tightly, I curl into a smaller ball. I feel like I have someone restraining me, preventing my chest from opening up. My senses are overwhelmed with dizziness and I find it difficult to concentrate as my breath gets stuck in my throat.

I hear the door creak close, and the soft padding of feet as the he enters the room. He moves with a grace that belies his size, his presence filling the space with a palpable energy. As he approaches the bed, I can feel the mattress dip slightly under his weight. I breathe in his familiar scent —earthy and warm.

Nervousness radiates from him in waves, his muscles tense, his breathing shallow and controlled.

He hesitates for a moment, as if sensing my unease, then slowly climbs into the bed beside me. The warmth of his body seeps through the blankets, and I can feel the slight movements as he settles in, careful not to touch me. My nerves are taut, every instinct on high alert, yet I remain perfectly still, eyes closed, breathing steady.

Time stretches out, each second an eternity. I can sense his awareness of me next to him, the silent communication of two beings bound by shared experiences and instincts. The proximity is both comforting and terrifying, a mix of vulnerability and trust that neither of us fully understand yet.

"I'm sorry for scaring you." his voice comes out deep, slighly crackling as he tries to talk soft enough to calm my nerves.

"I-It's okay." It's as if my wolf can't bear to be mad at him.

Finally, he lets out a slow, deep breath, his body relaxing next to mine. The tension in the air eases slightly, and I dare to breathe a little more naturally. Though fear still lingers, a tiny spark of reassurance flickers within me. We may be different, our wolves filled with uncertainty, but in this moment, sharing the same bed, there is a fragile sense of connection, and I finally let myself drift off.

Kaden 

As I gradually wake up, the warmth and softness of the beautiful rupunzel nestled against me brings me a profound sense of comfort and peace. The rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing syncs with mine, creating a serene mellifluous thump. I feel the steady beat of her heart, a gentle reminder of our connection. Her scent, familiar and soothing, fills my senses, grounding me in the present moment.

A deep sense of protectiveness washes over me, my instincts keenly aware of the preciousness of this bond. I savor the closeness, the feel of her body fitting perfectly against mine. Her body is pressed up against my side, her head on the crease of my arm, cheek on my bisep. Her legs are intertwined with mine, her one arm pulled closely between my ribs and her body, the other wrapped around my waist, snuggling into my heat.

That is, till she wakes up and inevitibly scotch the moment.

Without opening my eyes, I keep focus on her sleeping heartbeat, and let my hand wander, gently caressing her soft skin. My fingers trace the curve of her shoulder, down her arm, and across her back. Each touch is tender and deliberate, a silent expression of my ,what I hope is love, and devotion to her. I feel the familiar electric connection between us, growing stronger with every caress.

I pull her closer with my arm situated under her head, giving me enough access to delve that hand in her hair, still wandering my other hand over her body. 

Her heartbeat changes rythm. Mine stops.

She shifts her body, her barely-even-there pajama shorts cladded leg wraps around my torso as she rolls completely onto my body, wrapping both arms around my body. Nuzzled into me. Her heartbeat steadies again as she falls back into her deep slumber. It's her wolf wanting mine, and her owner is going to freak the fuck out when she wakes up.

That's future Kadens problem. Cause good heavens this feels serendipitous.

I trace a finger lightly down her arm, my touch feather-soft, barely disturbing the tiny hairs that stood on end. Her skin is warm and smooth, inviting under my fingertips. 

My hand moves to her shoulder, where I let it rest for a moment, savoring the sensation. Her skin is like silk, soft and pliant, and I marvel at the contrast between her delicate frame and the build of mine. I lean in slightly, brushing my lips against her head in a barely-there kiss.

From her shoulder, my hand wanders down her back, tracing the curve of her spine. She stirs slightly, a soft murmur escaping her lips, but she doesn't wake up. I continue my journey, my hand moving lower, following the gentle slope of her waist and the curve of her hip. My fingers trace lazy patterns on her hip, my thumb brushing against the soft skin just above the waistband of her pajama pants, where her shirt had drifted up. 

My mind chastises me, I'm threading on thin ice right now. Knowing this, and ignoring it, I move my hand to her abdomen, resting it there for a moment, feeling the gentle warmth of her body beneath my palm. The steady rhythm of her breathing a solace to my soul, a reminder of the simple, beautiful things in this messed up world we call our lives.

I let my hand travel upwards again, brushing the side of her breast with the back of my fingers, a touch so light it's almost imperceptible. She sighs in her sleep, a contented sound that makes me smile. 

My hand returns to her arm, tracing the length of it once more, this time intertwining my fingers with hers on my chest. I hold her hand gently, my thumb stroking the back of it in slow, soothing circles. 

That lasted all of two fucking soconds, because the next moment, a searing pain shoots through my chest, pulling me from my sleepy state. It feels as though a hot iron is being pressed against my skin, a sharp, burning sensation radiating from the point of impact as I dart my eyes down.  With eyes wide open, I stare down at repunzel girl in shock and pain.

Her eyes widen in horror as she realized what she's done. She releases her grip, her teeth leaving deep indentations in the flesh of my lower left peck.

This bitch it crazy.