Chapter 163
I Understand
Cyrus
“Do you want anything else to eat,” I ask bet, hoping my tone reflects my genuine desire to care for her. Damn, I never thought the mating bond would change me so much, but here I am, trying to fatten my she–wolf. Fireball has the hottest body I have ever seen. Fit and tone everywhere, nus for days and a handful or mositiful depends on how you want to look at it….and now I have an erection.
I hear “Mom, put your shirt on,” and I know that Larry’s mom is on one of her drunken rolls tonight. She can get down and she has been known to chase after alphas half her age.
“No, I don’t want anything else to cal.” I clear our plates, and she surprises me by following me to the bins. I guess it is walking time, I hope I don’t screw this up, I take a deep breath and tuin, taking her wrist and rubbing my thumb on the back of it as I leave the festivities behind us and start leading her through the trees.
“Where are we going?” Raven questions but doesn’t slow her steps so, I continue leading her.
I want to show you something. Stop being so paranoid. We both know you could disable me long enough to get away if you wanted to. I would catch you, though p>
We get through the tree line and come upon the waterfall behind the pack. This place is quiet. It could relax Raven enough to open up or terrify her enough to clam up because she doesn’t want to feel her emotions anymore. I know how that feels, Fireball just doesn’t know that yet.
“There is no place you could go nowhere you could hide from me, Fireball. Try it sometime. You’ll love what happens when I catch you p>
We stand next to each other, admiring the beauty of the waterfall and enjoying the serene feelings and sounds the water offers. The sun is setting, and it brightens Fireball’s red curls. Her skin lights up and I can’t help bat admire her beauty before turning back to the fall. Damn, I’m getting soft. I love it.
“I have known Thune since we were pups. The pack was as large as it is now, so there were a lot of kids to play with, but Thane was the alpha’s son and everyone wanted to be his friend, but he chose me. My life was much different than his. On the outside, it looked like everything was fine, but behind closed doors, it wasn’t p>
I pick up a rock and toss it into the waterfall. Raven remains quiet next to me.
“My parents were amazing. My life was great until my father died when I was six fighting rogues at the border. My mother was fine at first, normal grieving, but then she started slowly deteriorating. Turns out, she was mate – sick, which nobody picked up on until it was too late. It’s rare, but it happens. She was good at hiding it for the first few years. I think even if it wasn’t mate sickness, it would have still happened. They
loved each other too much p>
I threw another rock in, turn my head, and see her deep blue eyes intently watching me, barreling into my soul as I lay it all out for her
“ She started taking care of me less and less. I started wandering over to Thane’s house more. We would play and train with his dad all evening and I would get a hot meal. The visits started increasing and they started noticing my hygiene declining. Young alphas don’t care about bathing. My clothes were deteriorating. They noticed how I ate and how I would hoard fond. I wasn’t old enough to train with the hunting teams and didn’t have a dad who could teach me. Our wolves have instincts, but they don’t have them well at 6 or 7 years old p>
Raven 1
ryes are glassy, but I keep going. Hearing my story will help her to understand her mate better.
“ She started making bad decisions, caring less about herself. She quit caring about me completely, I think. My mother got involved with bad shifters in other packs that worked for a corrupter alpha p>
Thane’s dad talked with my mom after he saw the bruises on me from her boyfriend. My mom was dating this low–life shifter in another pack and sometimes she would drag me with her to see him. He was one of those types who thought she wolves should be thumped into submission and that went for her children too. I think she choose tons of shilters in an attempt to fill the hole my dad left. Anyway, she gave me up to Thane parents and they raised me. Sometimes I would stay with Thane’s grandparents for a while and then go back and visit so it kept our friendship spontaneous and alive. Or so we thought. We were young dumb pups p>
I hear faint laughter and see Raven wiping away a tear.
“My mom came back around, and I tried living with her again, but the longer she was in that house, where my dad’s scent lingered and his stuff remained, the sicker and lonelier she got. Her boyfriend dumped her ass, and she started drinking all the time. She never let her woll out and she got sick and then she did. I found her dead and went back to Thane’s. ”
1/2
“I told you this because I know first–hand that the mating bond is so strong that you would die for your mate. My mom got sick and died because she loved her mate too much Raven. She couldn’t handle living without him, and I wasn’t enough”
“Don’t say that, Cyrus. Haven steps closer to me and puts her hand on my
shoulder.
“I didn’t tell you this for pity either Fireball. I told you this because it isn’t fair that I know where your paranoia, fear, and trust issues come from, but you don’t know where my fear of abandonment, paranoia, and rage comes from. I want you to understand that I understand your fear of rejection and fear of the bond, but I refuse to be a product of my environment p>
I put my hand over her hand as I continued to stare at the water. I don’t want to move. I don’t want to spook her. My only goal is for her to understand me better and maybe get some lip action.
I turned my head to look at her, “You have all of me now Fireball. There isn’t a single shifter here that knows that story in its entirety other ti Thane, and now you p>
“What do you want Fireball?” I ask her as her red, wild curls sway in the breeze.
“I want to keep my heart intact,” Raven whispers as a tear threatens to slide down her cheek.
That is impossible Fireball p>
than
“Why?” Raven asks, her hand sliding down my arm
and I quickly grab it and turn toward her.
“Because I am going to consume it,” and 1 crash my lips down on hers:
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.