Hideout

Lily Pendleton

We ran.

Through the halls, past the guards, into the forest that surrounded the academy. The moonlight cut through the trees, silver and cold, lighting our path. Kael's hand was locked around mine, his grip fierce, his breathing ragged.

I didn't know where we were going. I didn't care.

We crashed through branches, stumbled over roots, until we found it—an old hunting cabin, half-hidden in the trees. The door creaked open. Kael pulled me inside and slammed it shut.

We stood there, panting, our chests heaving.

"Fuck," he said. "That was close."

I couldn't speak. My throat was raw from the howl. My hand was still bleeding. I was shaking so hard I thought I'd fall apart.

Kael saw it. He grabbed my wrist, pulled me to him, and wrapped his arms around me.

"You're okay," he whispered. "You're safe. I've got you."

I pressed my face into his chest. His heart was pounding against my cheek. His scent—cedar, smoke, him—filled my lungs and steadied me.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't know. I didn't know I—"

"Shh," he said. "You don't have to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."

I looked up at him. His silver eyes were soft, tender. Nothing like the cold playboy everyone saw.

"I'm a Mute Omega," I said. My voice was raw, barely a whisper. "That means I'm—"

"Dangerous," he said. "Yeah. I heard."

I flinched.

He cupped my face. "But not to me. Never to me."

I felt tears prick my eyes. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because," he said, "my wolf went crazy the second it smelled you. Not because you're dangerous. Because you're mine."

He kissed me—soft, slow, tasting like salt and warmth. I melted into him.

Then he pulled back, grabbed my bleeding hand, and inspected the cut. "We need to clean this."

He found a first-aid kit in the cabin's dusty cupboard. He sat me on an old couch, knelt in front of me, and carefully cleaned the wound.

His touch was gentle. So gentle. The same hands that had broken a backboard were now bandaging me like I was glass.

"You're good at this," I whispered.

He laughed. "I had a lot of practice. Hockey injuries. My own stupid fights." He looked up at me. "But I've never taken care of anyone like this before."

"Like what?"

"Like you matter."

My chest tightened. "Kael..."

He finished the bandage, kissed my knuckles, and looked at me with those stormy eyes.

"Stay with me tonight," he said. "Damon knows this place. He'll come when it's safe. But I'm not letting you out of my sight until then."

I nodded. "Okay."

He helped me stand. The cabin was small—one room, a fireplace, a bed in the corner. Old but warm.

"You take the bed," he said. "I'll take the floor."

"No," I said. "Let’s sleep together."

He stared at me. "Lily..."

"I don't want to be alone," I said. "Please."

His jaw tightened. He looked at me like he was fighting a war inside himself.

"You don't know what you're asking," he said. "If I get in that bed with you, I'm not going to be able to keep my hands off you."

My heart raced. "I don't want you to."

He froze. "What?"

I stepped toward him. My voice was steady, even though my hands were shaking.

"I've been silent for three years," I said. "I've been invisible. I've been nothing. But you look at me like I'm everything. And I don't want to be just friends. I don't want to be just a secret."

I reached up and touched his chest. His muscles tensed under my palm.

"I want you, Kael. I want to feel something real."

He let out a shaky breath. "Lily, if we do this—if I touch you the way I want to—I won't be able to stop."

"Then don't stop."

His eyes flared. And then he kissed me like he was drowning and I was air.

His hands grabbed my waist and lifted me. I wrapped my legs around him, and he carried me to the bed, laying me down gently.

He hovered over me, breathing hard.

"Last chance to say no," he said.

I grabbed his hoodie and pulled him down.

"No," I whispered. "Never."

He kissed me again—deep, hungry, devouring. His hands roamed my body—over my hips, under my sweater, gripping my breast then my thighs. I gasped into his mouth.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he muttered against my neck. "Do you know that? Do you know what you do to me?"

I shook my head.

"Let me show you," he said.

He pulled off my sweater. Then his. Skin against skin. His chest was hard, warm, covered in scars. I traced one with my finger, and he shivered.

"Kael," I whispered.

He kissed down my neck, over my collarbone, to my chest where my nipoles stood erect as an invitation. His mouth found my nipple, hot and wet, teeth grazing. I arched into him.

"Tell me what you want," he said he one hand fondling my breast.

"You. I want you."

He groaned. His hand slipped between my thighs, slowly moving toward my wet cunt.pressing, teasing. I gasped.

"Is this okay?" he asked, barely restrained.

"Yes. God, yes."

He kissed me, then he pushed one of his fingers into my already wet hole.he was working on me slowly, I learning my body towards him. clutched his shoulders, my nails digging in.

"You're so tight," he whispered. "So fucking ready for me."

Then without waiting for my response he added another digit.

“Urgggghh…I gave out a shark Moan

"Kael, please—"

"I know, baby. I know."

He shifted over me. I felt him—hard, hot, pressing against me,against my pussy lips and started running slowly through them .My breath caught.

"Look at me," he said.

I did. His silver eyes burned.tears of pleasure blurred my vision.

"This is the last time I'll ask," he said. "Are you sure?"

I kissed him.

"Make me yours," I whispered.

He pushed inside me.he was huge against my small opening stretching me to the limit.

It hurt—sharp, bright—but I didn't cry out. I held him, my nails raking down his back. He stilled, letting me adjust.

"Fuck, Lily," he breathed. "You feel so good."

"Move," I said. "Please."

He did. Slow at first, then deeper. His mouth found mine, swallowing my moans. His hips rolled against me, building a rhythm that made my head spin.

"Look at you," he growled. "Taking me so perfectly."

I couldn't speak. I could only feel—his body, his heat, his claim.

He reached between us and touched me. I shattered.

I cried out, my body clenching around him. He followed, shuddering, groaning my name as he spilled into me.

He collapsed beside me, pulling me into his arms. We lay there, sweaty, trembling, hearts pounding together.

"Fuck," he whispered. "That was—"

"Perfect," I finished.

He kissed my forehead. "You're perfect."

I smiled. For the first time in three years, I felt whole.

---

We woke to knocking.

Damon's voice came from outside. "Lily? Kael? You in there?"

Kael groaned. "Your brother has the worst timing."

I laughed—a real laugh—and pulled my sweater on.

Damon opened the door. He took one look at us—disheveled, tangled, smelling like each other—and his face went through about seventeen emotions.

Then he sighed.

"I hate both of you," he said. "But we have bigger problems. The council declared you rogue, Lily. They want you captured. And Marcus is offering a reward for your return."

My blood went cold.

"Which means," Damon continued, "every wolf in the country is coming for you."

Kael grabbed my hand.

"Then we run," he said. "Together."

Damon looked at us. Then he nodded.

"I'll help. But you owe me."

Kael grinned. "I'll owe you forever."

Damon rolled his eyes. "You fucking better."