Chapter 168
60/40
I spilled my guts to Raven. I laid myself out before her and just when we were having a breakthrough, the motherfucker had to strike. Inside job? Outside job? Who knows, but I am out for blood. Raven and I had plans on sniffing out the powder used in the bomb since I still had the piece on me but driving away and hearing Thane scream my name through the bond wasn’t an alpha screaming for his beta. It was a brother screaming for help.
The scene that unfolded was terrifying to watch but fuels me to keep going. Every single shifter involved will die slowly and agonizingly so. There are a few hours left before daylight and Raven, and I are driving back to the apartment tired and too rattled to speak.
Her head is against the window, and I know that she is hurting. Hurting for her friends she won’t admit she made, the one she lost and whatever clse she is ruminating on that won’t help her ang.
I clear my throat to speak up and try to pull her out of her own head, plus I just need to hear her voice. “Do you think I have a purr box?” I ask and she lifts her head off the window and turns to me with an expression that reads, “is he an idiot? Yes and no babe. Yes and no.
“A what? ”
“A purr box. You know, whatever holds the sound that Thane was doing back there p>
“It sounds weird when you say it like that.” Fireball yawns then continues to look at me like she is over the conversation itself.
“Fine. A rumble box. It was more of a rumble anyway. That sounds more alpha p>
“You’ve never made that sound before?” Fireball rests her head back on the headrest, her eyes getting heavy.
art for me.” I wiggle my eyebrows up and down at her and she lets out a very small laugh and a smile which isn’t
H
“I’ll rumble for you, and you purr
I reach for her arm Đź the console, needing to be close to her and she turns her head and looks down at it trying to decide whether to leave it or chew it off I presume.
“Take it and I break it.” She starts to pull it away, calling my bluff but my grip and the whatever she sees in my eyes stops her.
“Look at you, being a good girl for daddy.” I give her a sly grin and stare into those beautiful, scowling eyes.
“I’m going to rip your throat out.” Fireball’s threat doesn’t have its usual heat behind it and her normal rage doesn’t manifest on her stunning
features.
“Come on Fireball, play with me p>
“I’m too tired p>
“Then go to sleep. I’ll be here in the morning. I rub my thumb over the back of her arm as we drive to the ceremony site so I can do my investigating with this piece.
“Me too,” she trails off as her eyes are getting heavier. Her statement puts a smile on my face. I bring her arm up and place a soft kiss on the back of her wrist. This little touch settles the aching bond within us, and I know without it, she may not have been able to relax enough to sleep.
I decided to head to the apartment instead of the ceremony site. Raven’s asleep and it will be there in a few hours anyway. Pulling into the lot, Raven doesn’t stir as I get out of the car and head around to her side. My bones are tired but apparently not as tired as Raven because her entire lace is smashed up against the glass with a line of drool forming around her bottom lip.
I pull my phone out and take a photo that will get me knifed and then decide better go back to the driver’s side and pull her through the car because what kind of mate would open the door and let their partner fall out into the parking lot.
I thought about it for fun.
Then I decided not to.
I got things to do before dying-
1/1
I climb into the car and try to stir Raven awake by gently shaking her, but it isn’t working.
She groans and swats her hand in the air. I let out a sigh and climb back out of the car and around to her door again but when I get there she turns and curls up into her seat with her entire back against the window and door.
Wonderful. I groan and head back over to the driver side and climb in. Exhaustion mixed with little patience causes me to grab Fireball under the arms and start pulling her out of the car. It is about as easy as wrestling an octopus.
“What the bell is wrong with you.? She finally yells out after her incoherent ranting and smacking at me.
Once I get her out, I bend down and hoist her over my shoulder. She’s madder than a hornet, but I could care less. I saved her from hitting the
pavement.
“Put me down p>
“I just saved you from getting concussed from the pavement. By the way, you’re welcome p>
“Concussed? Is that even a word?” Fireball gives up holding herself up into the air and hangs s over my shoulder, holding onto the top of my pants for support instead, I could answer her, but I’m not sure myself. It sounded good though.
“I can walk you know p>
“Put me down p>
“How many more flights p>
“Fuck off Cyrus. ”
“She finishes her love poem just in time for our door to come into view. I could give her some long speech or proclamation of my love, but I’m dirty, and tired. I kick the door open and close it with my boot and head over to the bed and dump my fireball on top of it.
She doesn’t squeal,
but she sure scowls as I unlace her boots and take them off, along with my own. We both need showers, but they can wait.
“You’re not sleeping with me.” Raven says but I climb on top of the bed and lay down anyway. What is she going to do? Pick me up and move
ΠΕΡ
“After tonight’s events, I’m not sleeping anywhere else Raven.” I roll to my side and wrap my y arm around her waist. She immediately tenses, but I pull her against me anyway.
“What are you doing?” Raven whispers, board straight and just as stiff,
“Spooning”
“Why p>
“Because I’m the b
big spoon p>
“What is spooning?” Her soft voice is serious, and I realize that her past douchebag probably never cuddled my girl. Good but I’m still going to take his hands ofl.
I pull her against me tighter and move her body until we are lined up perfectly and kiss her un the cheek before laying my head back down on the pillow. My heart is racing. I’m 60% sure she is too tired to whoop my ass but that 40% of me is scared she will whoop and then run
The Purr Box Has A New Landlord
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.