Haven't Seen The Light In A While

Chapter Thirty-Three

Melody
The heat was suffocating—blistering through every inch of me. I could hardly think. I could hardly breathe. My nails dug into the mattress as I writhed, panting, my hips twitching toward any pressure I could find, slick wetting the sheets beneath me. My body was desperate for something I didn't want to need, something I hated needing.

But more than that, I needed—

"Odin," I gasped, a broken, desperate sound torn from my throat. "I need Odin. Where is he?"

The bond felt quiet. Distant. Like he'd closed himself off. Or maybe I was just too far gone to feel it.

I dragged myself out of the tangled sheets, limbs trembling violently, and collapsed halfway to the door, crawling the rest of the way. My hand gripped the knob, fingers fumbling with the lock until I finally managed to twist it.

The soft click of the door unlocking and opening echoed too loudly in the silence.

"G–give me Odin," I croaked, barely able to lift my head. "Please. I need him. Give me Odin."

My voice cracked as another wave of heat surged through me. My body was on fire, but my heart ached worse. I didn't want anyone else.

Just Odin. The one I pushed away due to my strange new Alpha jealousy.

"Please," I sobbed, curling against the doorway as the tears came hot and heavy. "Please bring him to me..."

My three mates stood in the doorway, shifting awkwardly. Each pair of their eyes carried the same heavy emotions: sadness and pity.

"He's... he's too scared to be near you right now," Vince said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "He isn't going to come here, Mel."

My lungs stalled. The fire beneath my skin still roared, but now it was matched by something colder, maybe regret or shame. The ache in my chest was worse than the one between my legs.

My vision blurred as I reached out blindly, my hand catching the foot of whoever was closest. I didn't even look to see who. I clung to it like I might drown without the anchor.

"I... I need to be the one to..." My throat burned. The rest of the words stuck there, choking me. I couldn't say it. I couldn't admit how badly I'd fucked this up. That this was my fault. I can't control my newfound power. The only person who could make this stop didn't feel safe with me right now.

Rory raised his eyebrows slowly. His eyes didn't widen like the others'. Then his expression softened with something like a realization.

He stepped forward, crouching beside me, and asked gently, "That's what you mean, right? You need to be the one to... do it."

I blinked, whining and nodding weakly.

My body flared with heat, slick growing heavier between my legs at the thought of taking, of reclaiming something.

Sam and Vince exchanged glances, clearly lost. Sam tilted his head. "Do what?"

Rory didn't even look at them when he answered. "Bottom for him. Like Odin does."

Rory's voice was steady, calm. "That's what he's asking for. He needs to be the one in control. Right, Mel?"

My lips parted, but no words came. I felt myself trembling, and I nodded desperately.

"Yes," I croaked out, throat raw. "Please."

Rory didn't hesitate. "Okay, baby. I'll help you through this."

Rory slid his arm around me, lifting me carefully from the floor. My legs barely worked beneath me, too shaky, too hot. I melted against him, my face pressing into his neck as I panted and whimpered, needing more than I could explain.