Chapter 139: Chapter 33

COLE

“Dara? Are you here?” I knock on her room at the pack house.

The door opens and she waits for me to speak.

“Good morning. I want to apologize for yesterday. I do think about you and you are important to me. I care about you. I was just really tired. Freya had to give me some of her healing energy.”

“I understand. Your work is difficult.”

I reach up to hold her soft cheek. She closes her eyes and her head gets heavier in my hand.

“Will you stay with me today? I need you. I missed you last night.”

Her eyes open and she nods.

“I will stay. You will need my help once you are finished.”

I place a soft kiss on her lips then take her hand to escort her to breakfast.

“So what did you do last night?” I ask to make conversation.

“I watched movies with Ian. We had popcorn. I had never watched movies with popcorn before.”

His name on her lips irritates the hell out of me, but I know neither of them have many friends.

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

She smiles at me, finally.

“I did. Ian is entertaining. We watched comedies, although I did not understand some of it. Ian explains why some things are funny. I have learned a lot from him.”

“Oh. Do you two hang out often?” I’m trying not to be territorial and jealous, but she’s my mate and he is a single male.

“We do. He is the one that taught me how to float, even though I can control the water.”

I know damn well most wolves don’t swim with swimsuits.

“Colton, your grip is tight on my hand,” she tells me, and I force myself to loosen my grip.

“Sorry. What else do you do with Ian?” I ask a little more forcefully.

“He is my friend. We do many things together. I found that I like milkshakes and cheeseburgers. The beach is my favorite place to be, especially when I am feeling alone. Ian has taught me many things about a mortal life. If I choose to give up my mortality, I will need to learn how to live like a mortal. I do not think you have time to help me so I learn from Ian.”

“Floating isn’t exactly a necessity to being mortal. I had no idea that you want to learn to do things that mortals do. I’ll teach you anything you want to know, just please stop floating with him. I don’t want him seeing my mate naked. I understand that you two are friends and I can’t stop you from hanging out with him.”

“He never looks when I am naked,” Dara comments, and a growl escapes me.

“Colton. Do not growl at me.”

“I’m sorry, but as my mate you should not be naked with anyone but me.”

“I am only your mate if you choose me to be, Colton. Do not forget you have yet to make your choice.”

The revelation is like a knife to the gut.

I feel like I’m taking too long and my mates are becoming impatient.

I need to make my decision and soon.

I’m too torn to speak, so we join the Castleton Pack for breakfast.

I show Dara how to butter the toast, and she smiles up at me.

I kiss her temple, then we finish breakfast.

The prisoners become wild and aggressive as soon as the outside gate is open.

Dara walks to the middle of the room, and with her blue glowing palms, the prisoners all drop to their knees in pain.

I step up to the first cell.

“Open it up.”

Twelve more bodies lay dead by the end of the day.

Dara helps to give me energy between prisoners, and as soon as I close the last cell, I’m ready to get the hell out of here.

I take Dara’s hand, and we leave the dungeon without a word.

Max shakes my hand, and I thank him for his hospitality.

“We’re going to head out. Congratulations on your pup.”

I give my regards to everyone, then grab my things, and we head home.

I show Dara all of the knobs and dials in the truck and what they do.

She finds some music that she likes and smiles up at me.

I hold her hand the rest of the ride home.

Dorothy’s is still pretty full when we pull in late in the evening.

“What flavor milkshake is your favorite?” I ask Dara as we sit in an empty booth.

“I like strawberry and vanilla. Chocolate was good also, but I prefer the other flavors.”

“Have you tried a banana split yet?” I ask her.

She shakes her head and I smirk.

I’m happy that I get to share one with her.

We order and I hold her hand as we talk about anything that pops into our minds.

She’s starting to understand more about mortality.

“Would you give up your immortality?” I ask over our banana split.

“I will if I believe my love is returned,” she says, then looks at me with clear emerald eyes.

I drop my head. I’m at a loss for words.

I clear my throat.

“I do love you, Dara. You’re my mate. I’m drawn to you and I want to make you happy.”

“I want a love like my sister has. I am giving up eternity. I want to know without a doubt that my sacrifice is not for a one-sided love. You have two mates that you must choose between, that is not very convincing.”

“Yeah… I guess that would leave you questioning.”

Dara and I change our topic to more pleasant things.

Once we finish our dessert, I escort her back to my truck.

“Dara, I know you don’t require sleep, but would you like to stay with me tonight?”

“Will you be turned on by my presence?” she asks.

I’m caught off guard, but I answer the best I can.

“You always turn me on, but we don’t have to do anything.”

Her lips thin out as she thinks.

“That would be all right.”

I can’t help but smile as we drive to my place.

Dara makes herself comfortable on the couch and I show her how to work the remotes so she can choose what to watch.

I can see that she likes it when she learns something new.

I’m filled with joy every time she figures something out.

“Dara, do you know how to read?”

Her green eyes are so innocent when she answers me.

“Not in English. I can read hieroglyphics.”

“That’s pretty impressive. Would you like to learn? I’ll teach you.”

Dara turns off the TV and turns to me to begin.

I chuckle but pull out some paper.

After midnight I begin yawning, but Dara learns incredibly fast.

She only has to be shown once and she understands everything.

I guess it helps that she’s a Goddess.

Her nose is buried in a transcript when I kiss her cheek.

“I need to get some sleep. You’re welcome to read whatever you want. Goodnight, Sky angel.”

“Goodnight, Colton. Thank you for teaching me.”

She doesn’t look up, but she did thank me. That’s good enough. Overall, I think we had a great day together.

I feel the bed dip down, then soft lips connect with my mouth. I open my eyes to Dara. I hum, then wrap my arms around her and pull her closer so she’s straddling my lap.

“Hi,” I say between kisses.

“Good morning.” Her breasts press against me, and she kisses me more deeply.

I roll us over so I’m now kissing her. “What has you so affectionate this morning?”

I run my fingers down her hip and under her dress.

“I read a book about a damsel and now I am turned on… or… what was the appropriate word Ian used… Aroused.”

I growl at the mention of another male’s name. “Why are you talking about being aroused with Ian?”

Dara rolls her eyes like my mom does. “Ian and I talk about many things.”

“And does he get you aroused?” I ask, ready to rip his head off.

“Of course he does. He’s very attractive.”

Any wolf would say no. Dara can’t help but be honest, and fuck, it pisses me off.

I jerk up from the bed to pace my room. I feel caged and I’m boiling with anger. She sits up and follows my movements with her eyes.

“Dara. You’re my mate. You’re not to be aroused by another male. How far have you gone with him?” My voice is menacing and intimidating, at least it would be to anyone else.

“I do not know what you mean. However, I am no longer aroused which is very disappointing. I very much enjoyed it when you pleasured me before.”

“I mean has he kissed you, Dara? Has he touched you? Have you touched him?” I growl out each question.

“Of course.”

I spin on her and pin her to the bed under me, seething in anger. “What?” My question is almost a threat.

“You kiss and touch Alexis. It is no different, except that Ian has only kissed me once for a quick moment. I have seen you do far more with her.”

“She is my mate! Ian is just a rogue bastard that’s trying to get into your pants,” I yell in her face.

“Ian is not a rogue. He is a gentleman, based on what I have read.”

“A gentleman? Dara, you can’t be serious. He’s a loser that’s too afraid to find his second chance mate so he sneaks in behind my back to seduce a gullible woman into thinking she’s special.”

Dara’s eyes narrow and her palms glow blue. I can barely breathe as she rolls me off of her.

“Gullible I may be. However, I am not naïve enough to trust your jealous rant. I am not flattered by your jealousy. I am revolted by your behavior. You need to make your choice before one of us makes it for you. Alexis and I both have minds of our own. Do not think it is only you that has any say in this.”

I sink to my knees on the ground. Then she releases her power and I slump down, catching my breath. I look up and Dara is gone.

I swipe my hand through my hair. I need to choose and fast. Dara has never used her power against me before. Fuck, she’s powerful.

That’s what I get for forgetting that she’s not just a woman, but a Goddess. She could’ve done much worse to me. I’m glad she wasn’t more pissed at me.

I drag myself up to the bed and pass out into the pillows.