Chapter 138: Chapter 32

COLE

I’m exhausted, and I’ve only gone through half of the prisoners. Of the eighteen I looked at, fifteen of them were corrupted. I get to do this all over again tomorrow.

“Dad, Chris. Get extra guards in here. We don’t need anyone trying to escape,” Max says.

Geoff nods. “I’m going to go check on Loni and my son.”

He leaves, and we all follow behind. Four guards immediately take our place in the dungeon.

Freya looks me over as soon as we get to the pack house. She helps me to a chair, then places both hands on my head and gives me some healing energy.

“That was a lot of work,” she comments.

“Yeah, it was. I’ve never done so many at once,” I tell her.

She releases my head then sits beside Geoff at the large table in the pack house.

“It takes a lot more power to take a life than to just subdue one. Not to mention the emotions associated with that task. How are you holding up?” Freya asks.

Emily sets a cup of coffee in front of me.

“Thank you. Emotionally, I’m not affected. It’s the Goddess that decides, not me. I’m just doing her work.”

I sip my coffee and relax even more.

“That’s incredible. After we took over the pack, we had a terrible time of it. Virgil brought Realta to help us with the executions. She didn’t hold anything back. She even tortured a few.” Geoff shakes his head and shudders.

“I can’t imagine.”

Thinking of that dainty little woman torturing someone is so at odds, but her powers could make pretty convincing tools. Dara has those same tools. Shit, where is she? I didn’t even notice that she’s gone.

“Em, where is Dara?”

“She said she found a pup to bless in another territory.”

How does that work, I wonder? At the Daugherty Pack, she just showed up.

Freya serves dinner and I dive in. I hope Dara returns soon. I wonder how Lexi is faring with the whole mom situation.

~Mom, how is Lexi doing?~

~Finish up at the Castleton Pack then pick up Ethan. You guys are flying out as soon as you get back. You’ll be staying at the Drake pack.~

~Uh… okay, but is Lexi all right?~

~She’s fine, but Danielle isn’t going to last much longer. Ethan needs to say his goodbyes.~

I close my eyes.

~Shit. Thanks, mom. I’ll be there the day after tomorrow. I still have eighteen prisoners to assess.~

~Sounds good.~

I finish eating then take a long hot shower. Dara is on my bed when I get out.

“You forgot about me, Colton.”

“I’m sorry, my sky Angel. I had a pretty tiring day. You didn’t tell me you were leaving. You found another pup to bless?”

“You were very busy so I informed Emily of where I would be. I did find a pup to bless. I found her where Alexis is staying.”

My mouth drops open.

“You visited Lexi?”

“I did just tell you that.” She stands from the bed.

“I will leave you to go to bed. Goodnight, Colton.”

She quickly walks out the door and I don’t even get a kiss. I shake my head.

“Goodnight, Dara.”

DARA

The beach is empty so I try Ian’s room at the pack house. He answers with a towel wrapped around his waist and his hair is wet, hanging down just past his shoulders. He is surprised to see me.

“Dara. Are you all right?” He lifts my chin to look into my eyes.

I like the way he looks when his hair is wet and he has drops of water on his skin.

“I am all right. I just feel lonely. I was forgotten and I do not like the way it feels.”

Ian pulls me into his embrace. My arms wrap around his firm body.

“I don’t know how anyone could forget you. You bring so much light into this dark world. I know I think of you constantly.”

His words bring me comfort and I smile up at him.

“Thank you, Ian. I think of you often. I would like to tell you something that I neglected to tell you earlier.”

“Should I sit down?” he asks with a voice of concern.

“If you would like.” He lets out a small breath then sits on his small couch.

He reaches out to take both of my hands.

“What is it that you want to tell me?”

I am nervous to tell him, knowing how he feels about his gift. However, I do not want to keep it a secret. I want him to help her if she needs him. His thumbs rub over my knuckles in a soothing fashion.

“I found a pup to bless. I gifted her with fire.”

I wait for him to be angry, but he just remains quiet. I swallow. Then he finally speaks.

“Is that it? Are you worried I would be mad at you?”

I slowly nod my head. His head tilts slightly to the side.

“No, Dara. It’s your purpose to bless pups. I just hope this pup is not treated as I was. If you need my help, just say the word.”

My body relaxes and I let out a held breath.

“Thank you, Ian. I informed her family that she needs to learn control right away. She already has her wolf. I was two days late.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine. Where are you headed next?”

I sit beside Ian.

“I do not know. I do not think I would like to stay with Colton tonight. I cannot describe how I felt being forgotten by him. It is such an odd sensation.”

He wraps his arm around me, and I find comfort in him.

“I understand exactly how you feel. You should never be made to feel this way.”

“Would it be inappropriate to stay here tonight?”

Ian’s lips turn up.

“I told you you’re always welcome with me.”

Ian stands up, then kisses the top of my head.

“I’m going to get some shorts on. Would you like a T-shirt to wear?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Ian nods, then disappears into his closet. He comes out wearing a pair of black shorts with a shirt in his hand.

“If you want a shower you’re welcome to use it.”

I tilt my head.

“I have never needed a shower. However, I have heard they are enjoyable.”

Ian’s lip tilts up.

“Let’s fix that. If you ever do decide to become mortal, you’ll need to know how to stay clean.”

I hear the water turn on. Then he pulls me from the couch and into his bathroom. The air has already begun to fill with steam.

“A hot shower can feel so soothing. I don’t have any feminine smelling soaps though.”

“It is fine. I like your smell.”

Ian smiles and runs a hand through his hair.

“I do not know what to do,” I inform him while pointing to the shower.

“Oh, um, well, you have to undress.”

I raise my arms so he can remove my clothes. He softly chuckles, then lifts my dress over my head. He has never purposely looked at my body; even now, his eyes stay on my face.

“Now go ahead and stand under the water and when you’re ready, you wash with this one.” He points out different bottles. “This is to clean your hair and this one is to make your hair smooth.”

“Will you show me? I do not know what to do. We have been naked together before.”

Ian clears his throat. “We have. Uh, go, go ahead and, and stand under the water. I’ll join you in just a second.”

The water runs over my body and the combination of the temperature and pressure feels incredible. I hum, then tilt my head back under the stream so the water can soak through my hair. I enjoy the way this feels just as much as floating in the ocean.

Ian steps in. “Turn around and I’ll wash your hair.”

I do as instructed and Ian takes a second before he begins working the soap into my hair.

“Close your eyes,” he whispers.

His fingers massage my scalp and it feels so good that I moan in pleasure. His fingers work through the length of my hair, then he guides me to turn back around and he tilts my head under the water. He continues to work my hair until all the soap is gone and my hair starts to stick to my rear.

“And again.” He turns me back around to face the water. I enjoy the way it feels cascading over my skin. It’s almost sensual.

He slides his hands down to squeeze out the water, then begins to rub the creamy soap in. His breath is warm against the wetness of my skin and my body reacts with a pleasurable sensation.

“Is this one a second soap?”

“No, this one is conditioner. It helps keep your hair from tangling and drying out.” He begins to work the conditioner in. “I love your hair. It’s so beautiful.”

He takes longer combing through all of my hair twice more.

“Thank you. I think yours is quite beautiful as well. Do you do this for your hair?”

He turns me around and the water rinses the cream away.

“Yeah. I like to be able to run a comb through it. It’s a lot harder without the conditioner. Feel.”

He pulls my hair over one shoulder, then glides my fingers through it.

“It does feel nice. However, my hair usually feels this way. I do enjoy the way it feels when you put it in my hair. That felt very nice.”

Ian softly chuckles.

“Yes, your hair is always smooth and silky. I’m glad you like this. I’ll step out so you can wash if you like.”

I look up to his face.

“You do not have to leave.”

“Yes, I do. I’m having a hard time keeping my hands off of you.”

I do not understand his meaning. His hands were just touching my hair.

“Dara. I see you’re confused. What I mean is that I’m very attracted to you and I’m getting turned on by being in here with you. I can smell that you’re aroused.”

“Is aroused the same as turned on?”

Ian nods.

“Yes. It’s a more appropriate term.”

“I would consent. You and I are both aroused and I trust you to be gentle.”

Ian closes his eyes and shakes his head.

“I can’t, Dara. Not while you have a mate. Goddess, I want to. I want to pleasure you, feel you, touch you, and lay with you forever, but I can’t do it.”

Ian turns off the water, then wraps a towel around his waist. He holds another towel out for me, so I step inside of it. He wraps it around me and secures it by folding the top down two times.

“Must I leave?”

Ian shakes his head.

“No, never. But we should at least dry off and get some clothes on.”

Ian slips his shorts back on, then removes the towel. I run my hands over my hair, then down over my body to remove all of the water. Ian slips his shirt over my head, then releases the towel as the shirt falls to my thighs.

“Incredible. Your hair is completely dry.”

I have no response as that was what he suggested we do.

“Now what?”

“Do you like movies?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I have never watched one.”

“I’ll make popcorn and we can watch movies until you get bored of them or I fall asleep, whichever happens first.”

I take a seat on his small couch and he gets started in the kitchen.