Return to Wisteria (Book Three of the Wisteria Chronicles)

CHAPTER 11~Trust Me~

Autumn 

   What the hell just happened? Aiden was suddenly rejecting Summer then warped away. Summer turned to stare at us with wide eyes, her movements slow as she collapsed. I couldn’t help the screams that escaped my lips as August caught her. She coughed up blood but she remained unresponsive. “Someone get a doctor!” I screamed, tears rolling down my cheeks. Jeffery paled, “He was injured during the attack.”  

    I wailed, “Auggie, what do we do?!” August lifted Summer up and started walking inside. “I need a phone.” he said gruffly. Alpha Michael rushed over to clear off a table. August laid Summer down gently, brushing back her tangled hair. Michael handed his phone over August. I grabbed Summer’s hand and wiped away the blood on her chin. “Who are you calling?” I asked him. 

   August held the phone to his ear and waited. “Mom. We need help. It’s Summer, she’s been rejected. And, and I don’t know what to do mom. S-She’s hurt.” August sobbed. Michael gave me a sympathetic look as he handed me a shirt. I murmured a wobbly thank you as I slipped it on. “Ok, ok, I love you too.” August said then disconnected. He pulled up a chair and grabbed Summer’s other hand. 

     “I don’t know how to help her.” August cried. I’ve never seen him like this and I didn’t know how to help either. Today has been a big cluster f**k. We earned the happy ending after the battle, why was it ending like this? A gust of wind filled the room leaving Mom and Auntie Bee in its wake. “MOM!” August and I shouted, running towards her open arms. We tried to talk to her at once, our sentences coming out broken. 

    Mom shushed us, saying she will handle everything. She walked over to Summer, letting her tears drop onto her cheeks as she kissed her forehead. “Let’s go home.” Mom whispered. Auntie Bee grabbed Mom’s hand, “Come on kids.” I turned and grabbed Ziva’s hand. She was snuggled on the chairs next to Summer’s table; she had managed to sleep through all of the commotion. August grabbed me and held Phoebe then she warped us back to Crescent Woods. 

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    Summer has been asleep for five days. Dr. Chambers explained that Summer’s body went through a severe shock because of the rejection and the wounds she sustained from the fight. She told us that she was lucky to have survived and that she would wake up when her body was ready. 

   Dad made August call the Council to report our absence; Vincent was livid. When August explained the extent of the damage that was done at Spring Creek, the higher ups sent members down to survey the wreckage. August has been back and forth assisting them. The Council reported 85 dead rogues and zero casualties from the Spring Creek residents.  

        News of the attack had spread quickly; the supernatural world was stunned but thankful towards the Council for their courageous efforts. Naturally, they accepted the praise, saying that we were sent with permission. Vincent quickly forgot his fury and accepted all of the credit, bragging that his students were heroes. Thaddeus had made it very clear that the only reason why we weren’t being punished was because our actions gained public attention. He promised to keep a closer eye on us from now on. 

     I smooth my thumb across Summer’s hand. I haven’t found the courage to leave her side. My eyes started to water up for the 100th time today. It was so hard to watch my fearless sister attached to all of these machines. How could Aiden do this to her? He knew rejecting her could’ve killed her. I can’t get his face out of my head. He gave her such a cold look, his words piercing as sharp as a knife. My sister was in a hospital bed but he stood tall while he ripped her heart out.  

    And Archer, thinking of him made my head hurt. I hated how quickly I let him claim my heart. When I wasn’t thinking of Summer, I was thinking of him. His mischievous smile and his sweet citrus sugar scent plagued me every time I closed my eyes. His rushed kiss had left me desperate for more. But his words had chilled me to the bone. He knew what Aiden had planned and did nothing to stop it. I couldn’t trust him; he broke my heart. 

        “You should get some rest, baby. You’ve been at it for days.” Mom said, her warm hand rubbed my back. I shook my head, “No, I don’t want to leave her.” Mom sighed as she sat don’t on the opposite side of Summer. She looked weary; her hazel eyes sad. Goddess only knew how she felt. “Our family has spent over twenty years searching for the Summons twins. By some beautiful twist of fate, they were mated to you. They were meant to come home. I don’t know why they did this, but I’m still waiting for them.” She confessed. 

      “Why do you still have faith after what Aiden did?” I demanded. Mom’s eyes began to glisten, a small smile on her lips. “I don’t know, love. But my heart is telling me not to give up, neither should you.” she said. I hiccupped; I didn’t want her to give me hope. I wanted to hate them; I couldn’t trust them. They’ve already proved how dangerous they were, I was tired of being hurt.  

     “I think I’ll take that break now.” my tone bitchier than I intended. Mom gave me a sad look as she nodded her head. I kissed Summer’s cheek then left. I stormed outside out of the hospital, its walls suddenly claustrophobic. I had the sudden urge to run, my feet taking me to the safety of the forest. I paused for a moment to strip, Duchess howling to be free. She quickly took over our body, her paws crushing the soft earth.  

      Duchess tore through the forest, trying to forget our pain by pushing past our limits. She came to an abrupt stop; the smell of citrus was strong. We scanned our surroundings looking for Archer. “Autumn, please shift back so we can talk.” his voice echoed. Duchess growled, looked around wildly. He must be using magic, coward. “Please.” his voice was laced in sorrow. I slowly shifted back, my guard up. 

     Archer came out of hiding, taking cautious steps towards me. My treacherous heart flattered as my hungry eyes drank him in. Goddess why was he so perfect? “That’s close enough.” I growled. His stormy blue eyes peered into my soul, “I just want to talk.” I steeled myself, “Did you know Aiden was going to reject my sister?” Archer’s face was full of remorse, “Yes.” I shook my head, “Then we have nothing to talk about.” I turned my back on him and started to walk away. 

     “Don’t, don’t leave me, Autumn.” he pleaded. I continued to walk, my heart breaking. “Please. You and Aiden are all that I have.” I could hear the tears in his voice. I spun around to face him, “You could’ve had all of us! But you betrayed us instead.” Fat tears fell from Archer's eyes, this was killing me too. I began to cry, “Why did he do it?” Archer shook his head, “It’s not my business to tell.” 

   “Then I’m leaving.” I declared. “Wait, Autumn, please!” he yelled, reaching out for me. His sudden movements made me flinch. Archer looked offended, “Why are you suddenly afraid? I would never hurt you.” I scoffed, “Yeah, that’s what he said too.” Archer’s face darkened in understanding; his anger palpable. “Who is he?!” he growled. “It doesn’t matter now.” I said turning around to leave. 

       “You smell like vanilla. Every time you cross my mind, you bring me peace. Hearing your voice fills this gaping hole in my chest. You smell like home and it scares me because I’ve never had one.” he confessed; I began to sob. “I’m scared, Autumn. You make me feel like I belong somewhere. Please don’t turn your back on me.” he closed the distance between us, placing a warm hand on my shoulder. 

    I let him turn me around and pull my body close. “You’re so soft, Autumn.” he said, running his large hands across my back. He planted soft kisses at the base of my neck, hovering over my marking spot. He gently nibbled at the soft flesh, making me moan. His attention travelled further up, finally capturing my lips. His kiss was demanding and urgent. I could taste our tears and our hope; it felt like I was drowning. 

   His hands were setting my body on fire as they roamed around, touching all of the curves I had to offer. Breaking our kiss, Archer took off his jacket and removed the rest of his clothes. He tore his shirt off and pulled me in again. He reclaimed my mouth, his kiss becoming frantic. Our bodies sank to the ground, Archer guided me to straddle him. He held my hips as I rocked against his length, coating him in my essence.  

    Archer moaned as he positioned himself at my entrance. I cried out as he slowly entered me, I felt full and complete. I wrapped my hands around his neck and deepened our kiss. Archer’s grip became firm as he moved my hips up and down. We moaned together, our kiss becoming desperate. My back arched as my climax took over, blurring my vision with its intensity. 

       Archer’s hold was almost painful as he slammed our bodies together. My legs were weak and shaking. I couldn’t catch my breath but refused to release our kiss. Archer began to roar, his thrust wild and unsynchronized. He wrapped his arms tightly around me as he found his release. It was hard to concentrate over the loud sounds of our breathing, our bodies radiating steam in the cold winter air.  

    “Home.” Archer whispered in my ear. I started to cry, he felt like home too. “I know things are bad right now but please trust me. I already love you so much Autumn.” he murmured. I shook my head and stood up on shaky legs. Archer followed me; his eyes scared. Goddess, what have I done? I was a hypocrite. Aiden almost killed Summer but here I was sleeping with his brother. “Don’t push me away.” Archer pleaded. I took a step back, the guilt of my actions made me want to vomit. 

     I heard footsteps behind me. Aiden came forward with his same cold gaze. How dare he stand there while my sister laid in a hospital bed! My feet were moving before I knew it. I ran up to him and started to swing. His eyes widened as my fist made contact with his face. I struck him in pure fury, how dare he! “Autumn, stop!” Archer shouted, trying to peel me away. I struggled against his hold, I just wanted blood. “WHY DID YOU REJECT HER?!” I screamed. 

    Aiden stood still, holding his side. He licked his busted lip, as he glared at me. “How could you do this to her? All she did was wait for you. All she wanted was to love you.” I wailed. Archer pulled me further away as I sobbed in his arms. “We’ve been here for too long, let’s go Archer.” was his reply before warping away. I was a hysterical mess but Archer held me close, not caring that I was cursing him and his brother.  

      “Trust me, Autumn.” he said as he let me go then warped away. I was left alone with my guilt and shame. Duchess took over and raced back towards the hospital. We stopped to pick up our clothes then I ran the rest of the way. I needed to talk to Summer, I didn’t care if she was still asleep. I was helpless against the mate bond and I betrayed her. I ran down the hall where I saw August standing outside her door.  

    “There you are.” he said, his voice sounded tired and worn. “Come on.” he said gruffly, opening the door. Oh Goddess, was something wrong?! My fear guided my actions, pushing August to the side as I barged in. I cried out in disbelief. “Hey, sis.” Summer said with a wide smile.