Return to Wisteria (Book Three of the Wisteria Chronicles)

CHAPTER 28~Beast~

August 

      I clenched my fist, about to swing on him when Grace ran past Nova. Grace jumped into Colton's arms. They held onto each other tightly, smothering each other with soft kisses. Nova watched them with longing in her eyes. Autumn nudged her shoulder, “Don't worry, you'll find your mate soon.” Nova gave her a small smile, her eyes locked on mine. 

      “It's a good thing that you waited for your mate or this would have been awkward.” Hudson joked, slapping Colton on the back. The group laughed as we watched Colton turn beet red. “Alright, alright. Let's give them some privacy. Come help them set up the games.” Summer clapped.  

           Everyone went their separate ways, the conversation cheery. Nova ignored me and dragged her equipment towards the shore. I have followed her, not knowing what to say. Nova began to lay out her pieces, it looked like she was setting up a giant game of chess. I help set up the black pieces on my side of the board. “Can we play a match?” I asked her. “Sure.” she answered without looking up.  

          We took turns moving our pieces around the board. “I wanted to apologize for last time. I chose my words poorly and I didn't mean to offend you.” I apologize to her. Nova’s hand hesitated above her rook, “You were in ass.” she stated bluntly. “I also wanted to thank you for not telling anyone. I think we should keep it this way until we figure out what we're gonna do.” I added. 

        Nova scoffed, “What's there to figure out, August? We are mates. I am your Luna. You treating me like I'm not is not only disrespectful to me but to our pack.” Her words were hard to swallow. “I-I just need a little time.” my voice weak. Nova shook her head in disappointment, her attention on the game.  

      “If you're going to pretend like you don't have a mate, then so will I.” she replied, knocking over my king. “Checkmate.” she said coldly. She walked away from me, heading towards Autumn who had started to call the girls inside to get changed. I frowned, what the hell did that mean?  

       The guys called me over to help finish cooking. The girls came out 20 minutes later sporting their swimsuits. Nova was wearing a black oversized t-shirt, her white hair up into two afro-puffs. I tried not to stare at her neck. The spot where my mark would lay glistened in the sunlight.  

        Grace called the pack in and we gathered around to eat. Nova sat as far away from me as she could. I couldn't stop staring at her, goddess she was beautiful. My pride was slightly hurt that she didn't try to steal glances my way. How could she be enjoying herself when I was in turmoil? 

         She threw her head back as she laughed at Hudson's joke. I clenched my fist, unable to take my eyes off of her. “Do you wanna go for a swim?” Hudson asked. Nova nodded enthusiastically and jumped to her feet. “We’ll join you! It’s finally time to have a chicken fight tournament!” Grace giggled, dragging Colton towards the water.  

    “Come on, Auggie.” Summer nudged me. I grumbled as I walked over with them. “Nova, are you going to go swimming in your shirt?” Autumn asked, her head barely peeking out of the water. Nova made eye contact with me as she lifted her shirt up slowly. Pharaoh howled at the sight of her white bikini made with the tiniest straps possible.  

    The white fabric against her dark skin made her look exotic, her white eyes gleaming. “Can you hold this?” she tossed her shirt at me and walked towards the dock. f**k. “Nova, can we talk?” I tried not to whine, following after her. “No.” she quipped. She started to run, her large breasts jumping made me want to fall to my knees. 

     “Hey Hudson, do you want to be my partner for the chicken fight?” she asked sweetly. Hudson stared down at her chest, “S-Sure.” “Nova.” I growled in warning. She ignored me and motioned for Hudson to bend down. “Don't drop me.” she giggled, positioning her hands on his back.  

      A fierce howl erupted from my chest. Nova was lifting her leg to swing over his shoulder, his hand holding up her thigh. I ran over to them, my grip tight as I pulled Nova back. “August, what the f**k?” Hudson hissed. I growled back, ready to fight. Everyone gathered around us, their faces confused.  

      “Why are you freaking out? We are just playing a game.” Samuel tried to calm us down, stepping between us. Nova looked disappointed when I said nothing. “You're a coward, August.  You can’t even tell them why you're acting like this.” Nova said with disgust. She turned her back on me, heading towards the house. You better fix this, Pharaoh growled.   

    “She's... Nova's my mate.” I squawked awkwardly; Nova stopped walking. “WHAT?!” They screamed. They tightened the circle, demanding more information. I pushed my way past them and grabbed Nova's hand. She yanked it away, trying to storm off in the other direction. She let out a startled yelp when I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder.  

       She slapped my back, her legs kicking wildly. “Auggie, put me down!” she squealed. “We'll see you later.” I addressed the group, making my way back to the pack house. "You have no right to do this! PUT ME DOWN!” Nova screamed. I held on tightly, her powerful kicks almost made me drop her. I grimaced as I took a knee to the ribs. There was no way I could make it upstairs. I detoured to the nearest room and slammed the door shut.  

Nova 

        August placed my feet on the ground and locked the door. How dare he manhandle me?! I opened my mouth ready to curse him to hell, my threats suddenly falling short. I held my breath as I took in August’s appearance. He was pacing back and forth, his eyes wild and his chest heaving. He held his fists tight, the whites of his knuckles visible. He had his jaw clench, a fat vein that connected to his neck ticked.  

    I slowly smiled; the beast was finally here. I didn’t expect him to freak out when I asked Hudson to be my partner. I only chose him because my other option was August and I didn’t want to talk to him. In a weird way this all worked out for me; I’ll apologize to Hudson later. I crossed my arms, trying to figure out how to control this situation. 

    August’s head snapped, his wild gaze on my chest. Bingo. “I’m going to ask this one more time.” I said, turning my back to him. I watched him through the mirror, making sure to hold eye contact. I untied my bikini top, the strings unravelling fast. August’s eyes darkened when my breast popped free. I untied one side of my bottoms then hovered over the other.  

   I shivered under his gaze, “Do you still see me as a sister?” My voice was thicker than I expected. I needed to keep myself in check but he was making me feel hot. “No.” he growled slowly; a wave of pleasure made my stomach quiver. I unraveled my bottoms and let them fall to the floor. “Do you want to f**k me?” I whispered. “Yes.” he growled again. 

     “Come get me.” I whispered again. Something feral flashed across August’s eye. He was behind me in an instant, his large legs spreading my thighs. I moaned as his large hands roamed my body, immediately overwhelmed with sensation. I turned my head to search for his mouth. August answered my silent request and claimed my lips, his sweet pine scent filling my head.  

     His expert fingers disappeared between my thighs to caress my slick folds. August had me so hypnotized that I didn’t notice him take off his shorts. His hard length was hot against my flush body. He broke our kiss to watch me as he rubbed himself against my clit. I was starting to lose myself; the pleasure was addicting. He bent me across the sink counter and positioned himself at my entrance.  

   I tried not to panic. This was going to hurt and if he sees me in pain, sensible August will come back. I grabbed his wrist and looked at him through the mirror. “Go Slow.” I ordered. With both hands on my hips, August slowly filled me. His wild eyes started to clear as he met resistance. I needed to stay in control of this. With my free hand I pulled his face down for a kiss and pushed back, smothering my cry with his lips.  

      August pulled away; his eyes clear. “Nova, are-” I moved my hips again, the pain fading. August tightened his hold on my hips, taking control. His thrusts were slow and even, a fierce fire building in my core. He watched me with his serious eyes, the beast lurking close by. I wanted more. What was the point of having a beast if you never let it run free? 

   I dug my nails into his wrists, “f**k me, August.” I giggled, watching the beast break free. August lifted my leg onto the counter and bent me down further. His large hand grabbed the back of my neck to keep my head down while his other hand held my leg steady. He pulled out and thrust in hard. I held on to the counter, trying to catch my breath as he pounded into me.  

    My climax hit so hard my toes cramped and my soul promptly left my body. I screamed his name and invented new curse words. My legs shook like there was an earthquake, I was too weak to keep myself up. August smirked triumphantly at me in the mirror, his thrusts slowing.  

     I willed my body to cooperate and clenched my walls around him. “f**k!” he yelped, his controlled strokes becoming erratic. He pumped a few more times before finding his release. He leaned on top of me, his breath hot in my ear. I didn’t complain since he had turned me into jello.  “My Luna ceremony will be the day before the festival.” my voice sounded raw. August held my hips and dragged me down to the floor. “Ok.” he groaned in defeat.   

Archer 

     Autumn pouted as she watched me put my clothes on. “I hate that you can’t stay.” she said, her bottom lips poking out. I buttoned my jeans, “I do too.” Autumn bit her lip, her brows furrowed. I put on my shirt then helped her get dressed. Every morning we would meet at our spot on the other side of the lake.  

      It was surreal being on Wisteria Forest territory. Seeing the place get rebuilt and left a strange feeling in my chest, one that I couldn’t relieve. “What are you thinking so hard about, baby?” I asked, massaging the creased lines that had formed between her eyebrows. “Why won’t you join the pack? You’re an original member and Summer would welcome you back with open arms.” her eyes were hopeful. 

   “You know I can’t. Aiden is the only other family that I have and I can’t abandon him.” I said, my heart tightening. Autumn’s face fell, her eyes watering. I pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead. "He can’t run away forever, Archer. How were we supposed to live our lives and start a family if you’re not here?” she asked quietly. 

     Goddess, I hated denying her but this was one thing I couldn’t give her. “I don’t have a good answer for you, baby. But I won’t abandon him.” I answered. Autumn tiptoed and gave me a kiss, “Ok, but this conversation isn’t over.” I chuckled softly, “Ok. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I gave her another kiss and waited until she disappeared. I warped back to our campsite, thinking about her offer. 

     I was lost in my own world when Aiden and Ethan approached me with grim faces. “What happened?” I asked. “We were approached by another pack.” Ethan said. I frowned, “Again? What do they want?” “They want us to leave, just like the others.” Ethan answered. “Why? We’ve done nothing wrong.” I stated.  

        “They see us as a threat!” Aiden exploded. These past couple of weeks our camp has expanded, with almost two hundred refugees. We’ve been approached by the packs in the surrounding area, asking us to leave. They were still on high alert from the previous attacks but none of them offered to help. “Instead of helping us, they think we are going to attack them. They f*****g forget that these people are victims!” Aiden fumed. 

    I thought about Autumn’s offer to join the pack. I shook my head, Aiden would never accept Summer’s help. “For now, we need to relocate. We need to do it in small groups so that we don't raise the alarm. There’s an unclaimed piece of land that’s nearby where we can stay until we find something permanent.” I offered. Aiden nodded, “Alright, let's get going.” 

    We spent the rest of the night relocating the camp. I barely slept but I didn’t care. I dragged my feet to our meeting spot. I smiled and watched the sun rise in the distance. I couldn’t wait to see Autumn; I was almost there. I heard a twig snap. I stopped to listen, there was someone behind me and it wasn’t Autumn.