The First Mate

Chapter 3: Fracture

I looked across the shopping cart Xavier pushed, my mouth twisting.
He looked down at me, chuckling. "Don't even try it." He sang at me.
I pouted. "But...it's so much." I looked at the receipt I'd taken off Xavier after he'd paid at the last store of the four we'd been in, I'd rushed to follow and keep up, thinking there'd been a mistake.
But seeing all of the bags, filled with clothing, shoes, underwear and a whole bunch of other things like socks, hair ties, a hair towel, brushes, makeup, perfumes and more I hadn't realised he'd grabbed, I understood why it'd come out just under two thousand dollars.
I know he had a list, but I didn't think he'd buy every or so many of each item.
I sighed, putting the receipt into one of the bags and leaned into his chest as he raised his arm for me.
"Mad at me?" He chuckled, kissing the top of my head.
"I hope you bought snack." I grumbled in response. "I'll forgive you then."
We'd been shopping for nearly three hours, Xavier guiding me around and getting me to try certain things as we talked.
He beamed at me pridefully.
"Of course," he scoffed, reaching in to open one of the colourful paper bags stuffed near the front, it was filled with bagged sweets, candies and sodas.
"I thought you'd want some sugar after this. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I just picked." He kissed the top of my head again as I yawned, nodding in agreement.
"You're the best." I nuzzled his chest
Xavier was playful, but protective and rational.
His size was partly because he was a Bear Shifter and a Triad son. I had to ask him what that meant and more about Dane and Theo.
Realising I knew nothing of how Sparrow Falls functioned on any real level.
Xavier took me to a small cafe, ordering us some hot chocolate and a slice of cheesecake he fed to me while he spoke, his arm over me and pulling me against him.
All three of my mates were the sons of the current Triad, the three Clans who ruled over Sparrow Falls.
Theo being a Mountain Lion Shifter, meant he was more free to do as he pleased, acting withing the laws set by the Wolven Shifters.
Xavier had joked he was seen as the nicest of the three of them, usually being approached by younger Clan when they were too scared to face Dane or Xavier.
"I don't know why. Fucker is quick and lethal, his temper is shorter than Dane's. Even I don't mess with Theo when he's pissed."
I giggled around a mouthful of cheesecake. "Maybe they know he'd just kill them quicker than you or Dane." I nudged him making him chuckle.
He laughed. "You're probably right. Dane has a reputation of ruthlessness and I'm not known for dealing with petty bullshit. Get us mad, we're violent."
I paled a bit, Xavier's arm tightening when he noticed. "We'd never hurt you like that, baby."
I swallowed, nodding and looking up at him, seeing his searching for reason behind my fear.
"I know you won't." I smiled then. "Now, Dane is a Wolf then?"
He nodded and I sipped my hot chocolate, taking the fork and feeding him the last piece of cheesecake.
He'd chuckled, taking it and then kissed me before he continued.
As the future leader of the Triad and Pack, Dane was charged with duties of an Alpha amongst those that attended our school and under the age of twenty five.
Together, the three ran as the Triad, preparing for when they took over within the next year.
It was safe to say, there was a reason they were so dominating and commanding, why Annie and I submitted so easily to their nature, but felt safe with them.
Though, others regarded them with an edge of worry.
As we walked around the fully packed shopping centre, Shifters gave Xavier a wide birth, exposing their necks to him and greeting him in low voices.
He smiled politely and barely seemed to notice as he greeted them and we walked to the car on the third floor carpark.
He stole a heated kiss in the empty elevator while I was distracted eating a sour strip.
He pulled away, licking the sugar crystals that speckled his lips. "I'm very excited to get you back home." He purred at me.
I bit his bottom lip, my tongue flashing across it as he growled.
"Can't wait to pin me down, huh?" I winked and stepped out of the elevator as soon as it opened, smirking at him as I slipped from his grasp.
"You're very quick." He chuckled, pushing the cart after me as I skipped. "And energetic."
I giggled at him, nodding and spinning when I got to the car, waiting for him at the boot.
"Annie is very fast and playful," I shrugged. "I guess, I'm playful too, I just never really realised."
He opened the boot of the car, I reached for packages, only to have him snarl at me.
I squeaked as he wrapped his hands around my waist, lifting me and sat me on the edge of the car, putting the packet of sour strips in my hands.
"Eat, talk to me." He instructed, raising a warning brow.
Pulled out a strap, licking it into my mouth with smirk.
He rolled his eyes and continued to load the bags. "What kind of Shifter is Annie?"
I faltered. "A Wolf... I think."
His brows furrowed, his hands stopping for a moment as he dropped a bag in the back. "You're not sure? You didn't see her on your first Shift?"
My mouth twisted as I shrugged. "The night of my first Shift was..." I thought of how to word it nicely.
"Rose." Xavier glared at me, turning and raising a hand to press against the side of the car as he leaned down. "Tell me."
I shivered. "It was very painful, I don't remember much." I admitted
He leaned back slightly. "Where were your parents?"
My jaw clenched. "They're....dead."
His brows narrowed again. "So, who do you live with, who was with you for your Shift?"
"My guardians," I said simply, my voice tight.
"The same people who didn't give you underwear, or a phone, and let you run around in heavily warn shoes?" He growled and I paled at the anger. "They don't seem to be very good guardians."
I went to argue you, worried they'd somehow know I said anything.
"Don't lie to me, Rose." He said sternly. "You've been keeping secrets, we know it. Tell me the truth."
I swallowed my lies.
"They don't...." I faltered, stopping like the words were unable to be spoken.
"You're guardians don't what?"
His eyes darkened and fear shook me. "I-I don't want to tell you."
He gripped my chin. "Why?" His voice was low, anger and....hurt.
"I don't want you to be mad." I admitted, my eyes shutting unable to deal with the expression on his face.
"Open your eyes, Rose." He growled.
They shot open, meeting worried hazel eyes.
"What did they do, baby?" He asked, softly and his voice shook.
Sadness tightened my heart. "I'm a Pack slave." I admitted.
He straightened, his eyes changing to black. "Keep talking, Rose. I want to hear it."
He grabbed my chin when I tried to look away.
Annie pushed me. "My guardians are Wolf Shifters my parents use to buy drugs from. I was taken as payment."
"Your parents owed them money." He guessed. I nodded, sniffling.
"When they died," I swallowed the lump in my throat. "The Wolves came looking for their money. Instead, they found me."
His eyes tightened. "How old were you?"
"Five." My voice came out a broken whisper, I cleared my throat and knew I had to continue. "They branded me and kept me. I was a good slave, useful to them, until I Shifted at least." I swallowed the bile and sadness.
"Why did that change it?" He leaned in close, his thumb brushing away a tear that had escaped.
"They said Annie was wrong. That she was an abomination, a misshapen Wolf." My voice cracked and Xavier's eyes flashed, something in them shining and a slash of blue and green illuminated.
"What else, Rose." He said, his voice tight.
I shook at the memory that surfaced. "They beat me until my first Shift, I didn't feel it happen. But, then they saw her... they beat Annie." Crying broke at the thought of her screams. "I forced her to Shift back and refused to let them touch her, I didn't care what they did to me!" My voice pitched and Xavier grabbed me, hugging me. "I couldn't let them hurt Annie, she was so small compared to them!" I cried against his chest, Annie trying to soothe me.
"They Shifted to hurt her?" I shook from the anger in his voice.
I nodded. "After...they locked me in a cage. Taking my blood every few days and injecting me with something that made me sleep. Then they said we were leaving and when I woke up, I was bound in silver, in Sparrow Falls."
"You don't have silver burns." He raised my wrist, as if checking.
I shook my head. "It didn't work, they kept me sedated with wolfsbane but Annie got angry after the last dosing and bit one of them, so they used silver to try hurt her, force her out." I shudder at the memory. "When they realised it just takes her longer to heal..." I shrugged. "Thankfully, her healing is very quick, so the bruises and slashes only last a few hours. I was fine by the time I got to school."
"They beat you this morning?" He suddenly shouted, pulling back and looking at me while he held my shoulders. I shook for a moment, Annie calming me that he wasn't angry at me.
His hands on my shoulders were gentle and caring, the look in his eyes was hurt and devastation.
"I woke up here yesterday." I admitted. "The last few wolfbane injections have been really draining, I don't remember much, but Annie got mad and they..."
He growled, violent and angry.
I squeezed my eyes shut again, trembling. "I'm sorry!" I squeaked, raising my hands to my chest to protect me. "I can't go back, please. Don't make me." I suddenly pleaded, Annie growling at me for even thinking they would.
But I'd known cruelty of others.
I didn't know much else.
Not from them. Annie said firmly.
Xavier faltered, his hands loosening to cup my cheeks and saw the fear as my eyes opened at his gentle touch.
"Oh, sweetheart." His voice dropped to a soothing tone, deep and caring as he picked me up and sat me across his lap, holding me gently. "Of course we won't."
His lips pressed against my forehead. "Is that why you were so excited to meet us today? Why you said you didn't want to leave?"
I nodded against him. "I know it's selfish, but I felt the bonds and how safe you all made me feel..." I shook my head, a small cry escaping me. "I couldn't...I can't.."
He hushed me, cupping my cheek and raising my head. He kissed away the tears on my left cheek before going the right and doing the same.
"It's not selfish." He stroked my hair. "The Goddess knew you needed us. Don't for a second think you're selfish for accepting a gift from the Goddess. I sure as hell don't, Rose." He kissed my lips and I melted into him, letting his fierce but gentle hold absorb the sadness and pain.
Until only his love and touch filled me.
He pulled back, kissing the corner of my lips as my breathing and tears settled.
"Are you okay, baby?" He asked after a few minutes, rocking me slightly.
I opened my eyes, almost falling asleep on him.
"I'm okay." I nuzzled his chest, wrapping my arms around his thick neck and shoulders, hugging him.
"Shall we go home, Tiny?" He whispered as he squeezed me gently. The nickname warmed my heart.
I nodded. "Yes, let's go home. If we're late, the other two might make me use my new bell." I slipped out of his hold as he looked at me confused and curious.
I giggled, finding the small gift shop bag with the bell and whistle I'd found, throwing it at him. "Thank you for the presents."
His hand found the cute push up bra and panties set in referee stripped black and white.
Xavier growled in approval at the sight as I climbed into the passenger seat.
He finished loading the car and returned the cart, stopping when someone called his name.
I looked around, seeing it was a pretty girl around my age, with blonde hair, long legs and four lookalikes surrounding her.
They all wore the gym clothes from school.
The way she sauntered over to Xavier made Annie growl for a moment, ready to get out of the car, until she saw Xavier straightened.
His fist clenched in annoyance as she said something to him I couldn't hear over the giggling that surrounded them.
I did hear Xavier roar at her.
"Fuck off, Alison." He snapped.
She went to touch him, a seductive smirk on her face as she said something else.
He snarled and knocked her hand away harshly, making her yelp.
"Try it again!" He warned her, the group backed up a step. "See how long you live."
She went to protest, her face set in determination. He snapped at her face with his teeth, making her scream and fall back.
"You'd do well to remember what kind of man I am." He turned his back on her, seeing my tilted head as he climbed into the car.
"It's fine." He grumbled, starting the car.
"It's not, what was that about?" I asked, reaching over to grab his hand.
He put it onto my lap, squeezing both my hand and leg as he sighed.
He met my eyes and I saw the battle.
Anger and sadness.
"Alison is a...." He struggled for a moment.
Annie offered some words. "A cock hungry bitch for the big meaty bear?" I thought for a second. "Or does she want the whole spitroast experience?"
Xavier blinked at me before bursting into a heavy laughter that shook the car.
He squeezed my hand, bringing it to his still laughing lips. "You are not wrong on the second part, I was just thinking of a more elegant term." He chuckled.
I waved him off with the other hand. "Don't sully the good language."
He laughed again, putting the car into drive and taking off. "You are pure perfection, little Rosie. Not even a little jealous?"
I giggled and shrugged. "She didn't touch you, so I didn't have the need to rip her asshole through her throat, yet." He laughed at that, enjoying my admittance. "But, the Goddess knew you could handle some foul mouthery." I gave him a sideways look.
He raised a brow at me.
I raised one back. "Don't even try and come for me about my use of the English language, you're a chef and a sports teacher. You can probably barely spell tomato and jock-strap."
"Hey!" He protested, nudging my leg. "I can also spell reproductive system." He smiled proudly.
I let go of his hand, crossing my arms and shuffling in my seat to look at him. "Go on then, it is easy."
He gave me a look. "I am driving, highly inappropriate time, it does not seem wise." His voice dipped and my heart fluttered.
I rolled my eyes as we waited at a red light. "I said it was easy, not wise."
He nudged me, sharing a look with me as he replied. "Indeed." He chuckled.
I smiled brightly at him. "You like Stargate?" He nodded.
"I enjoy quoting it often, I'm glad you caught on." He laughed.
I beamed."What's your favourite race?"
"I'm an Asgard fan." He smiled back, stroking my cheek.
"Oh, good, if you said Tolen, we'd have a problem." I settled back into my seat.
He laughed, putting his hand on my leg. "We can watch it after we set up your side of the closet and you eat dinner."
I smiled, interlacing my fingers with his. "After we eat." I brought his hand up and kissed his knuckle. I caught my own scent and blushed, looking at him. "Um...could I shower too?"
He rose a teasing brow. "Together?"
I laughed, shoving his shoulder and rolling my eyes. "The bathroom doesn't really provide much privacy."
"Is that a problem? I have noticed you're quite shy. There's a spare shower in the gym and spare room you can use. If you're not comfortable with us seeing you."
I shrugged. "It's not that." I admitted. "I feel shy because I'm not use to the...positive affection and attention," I saw the wince on his face at my falter but added, "not because I don't want to or don't enjoy....."
"Showing off to your mates?" He offered.
I blushed, but nodded. "It was why I undressed, I wanted you to see me, even when I'm shy." I shrugged again, unsure if I was making any sense.
Xavier chuckled, turning down the road to the mountain driveway that snaked up to the house. "You wanted us to know you were willing to be brave, just for us."
I smiled up at him and nodded. "Exactly. But that doesn't mean I don't hog the shower."
He laughed. "Sure you do, Tiny." He kissed my forehead as we pulled into the garage.