Jericho

Rapid

He stared for a moment more, amber eyes flashing gold constantly, his face slightly hardening when I didn't move. 

My heart had stopped, the heat rushing around my body doing enough for my already hot blood. Jericho's hands tightened around my arms, a slight digging in of his fingers. 

"You love...me?" I didn't realize tears were dampening my cheeks, each trail a testament of the times I needed love. Jericho's eyes ran gold again, his cut face softening. "Each and every moment I have been with you" 

This man, this very man, would ensure an early death. His hands moved to my back, pulling me forward gently. His breath was hot on my face, warming me up. I pulled him close and nuzzled my nose into his corded neck. 

"I love you Jericho. I don't love you because you love me, I love you because you're you" 

Jericho stiffened, his large muscles bunching until I felt his arms band around me, the iron or his grip making me feel secure and safe. His hair was beautiful, thick and naturally waved, the colour of deepest ebony. This was my mate. 

And he was fast becoming my life. 

We stayed in the same position for hours, content and feeling a deep satisfaction that only came from  the  bond we shared so strongly. 

*****************************************************

When I woke it was a struggle extracting myself from the tree trunks that were Jericho's arms. He growled lowly, an endearing sound that filled me with warmth. I could get used to this. 

A knock came to the door, disturbing Jericho and waking him fully. We both walked to the door, both wary. After yesterday's outburst, I didn't expect to be welcomed or to even have the opportunity to keep staying in this pack. I threw on a tank top and changed my sweats into a pair of shorts from my bag, leaning into Jericho when he wrapped a heavy arm around my waist. 

I opened the door, growling as soon as I saw who it was. Kale stood with his arms folded, not looking guilty at all. I growled low, Jericho's hand stroking down my side to keep me calm. I mentally sighed. 

"What?" I snapped, edging Jericho out of the doorway as I stood with my arms folded. Kale gritted his teeth then sighed, opening his mouth to speak. 

"The Pack does not want you here. You are a danger to everyone and they do not feel safe" He ground out, cerulean eyes gleaming. Jericho moved closer behind me, body flush with mine as he wrapped those arms around me, he just couldn't stay away. I felt the same. 

I turned my head to Jericho, frowning when I saw the clenching of his jaw. "Jericho, I have to leave. "

His grip tightened, a mute answer. "I'm leaving with her." Kale stepped back, shock written all over his face. "You can't leave. You have to defend the pack" Kale stated, switching his gaze to me, seemingly pleading for me to help him. Right. 

Butterflies and warmth stemmed from Jericho's words, and I didn't suppress the smile that bloomed on my face. "I'm going with her. I don't care that you need someone to defend the pack, you have warriors for that." 

Jericho stepped around me, shielding me from Kale's growing furious face. "I think with the way you and your pack has treated me for years I have made up more than enough for you taking me in. I am leaving with my mate, and we will go in peace. But remember. I made a promise not to hurt this pack, she didn't. " 

I let my canines lengthen threateningly, eyes flashing behind him. Even though I had to go on my tip toes to be seen. 

Kale growled, the members walking around stopping and looking to us. If they dared touch him, they would taste my fangs. And my more than eager other form. 

Jericho shut the door, breathing heavily with his eyes closed. My poor mate. "I'm so proud of you Jericho" I whispered, bringing his face down to mine, the calm rippling through his muscled body at my touch. "Are you sure you want to leave with me?" 

Jericho's gaze snapped up, a desperation on his features that made my heart clench tightly. "Of course. You think I would mark you then leave you? Never. I will never leave you Vayne. Ever" People said that, but time had proved over and over again that they were lying. 

Whether it be their fault or not. But with Jericho, I believed. His eyes were intense on mine, palms running up and down my arms. 

I pulled him in for a slow, drawn out kiss, the kind that curled your toes and made heat crawl through your body. The kiss songs are made out of. 

"Lets get packing then" 

********************************************

It didn't take long to pack since in all reality, since we were both people that didn't need a lot for travel. We both carried backpacks, each with two sets of clothes and water. We both had money stored in less than conspicuous banks that were specifically built for us or sensitive matters. 

Jericho pulled a more than large hoodie over my head, nodding in satisfaction before pulling one over his head. I shook my head and chuckled, pecking him on the cheek before grabbing my bag and slinging it over one shoulder. 

Jericho turned around in his apartment slowly, taking in his apartment slowly before closing his eyes and exhaling. "Let's go." This house and pack was his life- but also his cage. I felt something stir within my chest when his amber eyes lighted on mine. He grabbed my hand and we ran out the back door, looking to get out of pack land as quick as we could. 

It was slightly cold, but Jericho's hoodie warmed me through. It took about an hour for us to completely cross pack land, through acres of dense forest and gushing waters.
It was no wonder rogues constantly tried to take the land.

Jericho kept in front of me, hand always wrapped tightly around mine, eyes bright and alert to any danger that could befall us. If anything, we were a danger to them. Jericho had the male wolf edge that made him extremely wary and intensively possessive- not that he wasn't already, but it usually happened after a marking.
Female lions were the same. I watched my best friend kill a woman for touching her new mate- it was expected, accepted and known. I squeezed Jericho's hand, pulling him back and sliding my arms around his waist.
"I love you" I murmured into his back, smiling when I felt him shudder beneath my grip. He turned me around, tilting my head up to his. " I love you too"

And even though my family couldn't meet him, this was my own slice of heaven.