Shadows of Truth and Deception (Levi • OC)

CHAPTER 37 - Impact

impact /ˈɪmpakt/ — have a strong effect on someone or something

     Who would've thought that one who had been training almost daily for more than ten years could still get sore muscles—and from an orgasm at that?

     When Levi gently nudged Reinae awake, she groaned loudly, her body immediately protesting to movement. She opened her eyes to see him sitting on the edge of the bed beside her, dressed impeccably in a black suit. He offered her a glass of water, and she wincingly took it.

     "Is this some new seduction tactic?" she asked, her voice raspy. Her gaze lingered on the suit, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Because if it is, it might just be working."

     Levi chuckled, taking her empty water glass and handing her a coffee. "Unfortunately, no. Erwin was called to Mitras for questioning. I am to accompany him."

     Reinae frowned. "You? But what about your squad?"

     He looked at her apologetically, and she immediately knew what his following words would be. "No," she whined, dramatically falling back on the pillow.

     "Just for a day, Nea."

     "You're really asking me to take over your squad after you demolished every cell in my body yesterday?" She wanted to slap the satisfied smirk from his face. "Everything hurts, Levi. I'm covered in bruises. They'll think I got tortured through the night or something."

     "You'll handle it," he said softly and dodged her half-hearted attempt to smack him. "The massage didn't help?"

     Reinae sulked, glaring at him from under her messy hair. "It did a little," she admitted quietly, appreciative of Levi spending an hour the previous night massaging the muscles that cramped during the intense orgasm he brought her to. Still, she was reluctant to take on seven kids for a whole day, but Levi's pleading look wasn't something she could say no to.

     "Fine," she groaned, covering her face with her forearms. "But I won't be nice. Or gentle."

     Levi gently grabbed her wrists, pulled her hands away from her face, and kissed her. When he backed away, he offered her one of those smiles that were so rare for him that she always wanted to snatch it off his face and store it somewhere hidden and safe.

     "I was counting on it," he said, standing up from the bed. "They're making breakfast in the kitchen right now—for you, too." She nodded, her face slightly flushed. Levi offered her one more small smile. "I'll be back by the evening."

     When she heard his horse's hooves galloping back to the center of Trost, she sighed and stood up. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, and it was enough for her to wince. How can he kiss me so lovingly when I look like a fucking underground rat? After a fierce battle with her hair and a mission to find clothes that hid the bruises on her neck, chest, and wrists, she took a deep breath and walked from her room.

     Her squad—minus Carter—was already sitting at the dining table, digging into scrambled eggs and toast prepared by Historia. They greeted her with sleepy smiles, and the kids, uncertain whether to smile or salute, ended up doing both. Reinae settled into an empty chair, and Historia placed a plate of food in front of her.

     "Thanks, Princess," Reinae said, digging into her food, her appetite suddenly ravenous.

     It wasn't long before she noticed the kids lined up next to the table, their expressions tense and expectant. She stifled a laugh—they looked like a pack of eager puppies awaiting her command.

     "Don't you have something to do?" she barked, causing them all to flinch.

     "Captain Levi told us we're only allowed to do what you tell us to," the buzzcut boy replied.