Chapter 6  Sanctuary 

The flight to Colorado seemed shorter as my mind tried to comprehend what was going on in Noah's odd thought process. The plane landed with thoughts of Noah and Dagon being buddy buddy concerning me. I wondered why, if Dagon intended to mark me before Noah. Raina told me to grab some of my bags as she and Eric headed toward the plane's exit with their arms full of my things.

"Thought this was just a short getaway but you packed like it's permanent," Eric exclaimed. I shrugged and hoisted the bag up on my shoulder. 

We loaded the rental car and Raina mentioned that my mom had called a cleaning service and that the house should be clean when we arrive.

"She also had the pantry stocked and freezer so you'll have food," she exclaimed. I nodded and climbed in the back next to my bags. I stared out the window as Eric headed out onto the highway and we traveled toward the thick forest. My mother's property was located on the outskirts of a national forest. Thirty acres with a cabin built in the same layout as our home in Siberia. There were also two barns and a lodge for pack members if a wolf pack were to be created. I smiled as we turned up the gravel drive. A calmness settled over me and I felt this was my grounding place. 

"I think you're right. I feel at ease whenever I am here," Adira mumbled softly and I smiled because it felt like I was truly home. Raina handed me her cell phone and told me it was mine while I was there. I looked down at it and thanked her.

"All your contacts are in there already and it won't lose its signal," she added and I nodded, sliding it into my back pocket. I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes over the crisp fresh scent of pine lingering in the fresh air. I rushed to the front door, smiling at the wrap-around porch, took the key from its hiding place, and opened the door. What I wasn't expecting was Dagon and Noah to be sitting together on the couch in the living room grinning at me like we were long-lost friends. Their red eyes indicate that they're more than friendly feelings toward me. I dropped the bags from my hands and turned to head back outside. I glared at Raina and she looked away in guilt.

"You knew they were coming here?" I accused her and she sighed.

"Your father informed me that Noah insisted on rebuilding your friendship and Dagon offered to help him," she said sincerely and I shook my head.

"Dagon plans on claiming me and Noah, who the hell knows," I lifted my hands in frustration and added, "my peaceful sanctuary is gone." My aunt wrapped her arm around my waist and whispered to me.

"Take advantage of the perfect situation, no other female distractions.  Make that idiot realize who you truly are. A mate is everything to a demon and maybe he's got a surprise for you as well." I eyed her questionably and glanced back at the house. I asked my wolf if she sensed another within Noah and she answered that she couldn't tell. I exhaled harshly and mumbled that if the two were staying they were earning their keep as I stomped back towards my house. I entered with a newfound determination in my soul. I glared at both men with hands on my narrow hips.

"What happened to your hole, Brenda?" I asked Noah candidly. He swallowed nervously and opened his mouth to answer but I interrupted him with my curiosity over his and the other demon's newfound friendship.

"Are you both fucking each other?" I asked bluntly and Dagon stood quickly and growled," hell no!" Noah chuckled and shook his head.

"I'm not that much like Mortas, sweetheart. I still only fancy females," he clarified and I repeated my first question about Brenda. Noah stood and sauntered in front of me and tilted his head as he looked down at me. I watched his clear blue eyes turn to a bright red. My eyes narrowed at him.

"She wanted to be my girlfriend, Raven. Can you believe that? The nerve of her," he mumbled sourly and I pinched the bridge of my nose over his indifference. I was turned around and hugged tightly by Dagon who planted his lips on mine and kissed me romantically. I pushed him back and shook my head.

"Don't do that. We had a great night of sex but that doesn't give you the right to kiss me whenever you like Dagon," I scolded and he apologized for his behavior telling me it looked like I needed to relax. I accepted his apology with a grin and glanced over at Noah to see that he was on his cell phone looking bored. I knew it was one of his girlfriends wondering where he was. He hung up and I frowned.

"You can leave for vegas if you're being beckoned, don't stay on my account, Noah," I snapped at him. His eyes narrowed at me and at Dagon and laughed.

"No chance in hell, sweetheart. I'm not leaving here while he stays." Dagon shook his head and eyed Noah.

"Just kiss her my guy and it will all become crystal clear for you," he said sincerely and I cringed internally at the horrid look Noah gave him and then me.

"Gross dude, that'd be like kissing my sister," he winced while I closed my eyes over my conundrum. I exhaled deeply and collected myself.

"If you're planning on staying you'll need to contribute by working around here. There's livestock that needs to be fed, and eggs to collect among other chores that help this place run efficiently. Do either of you know anything about farming?" I asked without expecting much of a reply. I was suspicious when they both nodded. I gestured to Noah to explain everything he knew. He smiled and told me that his former best friend grew up on a farm and he learned much from being a spectator. I chewed on my lip thinking that he probably had learned much. I turned to Dagon asking the same and he informed me he grew up on a cattle ranch in Texas before he became a demon due to poor judgment at a card table. I cocked my brow and asked when that was and he answered sixteen hundred and I whistled. 

"He's an old demon, oh both of them have wolves like your dad," my wolf decided to inform me. I looked hard at both of them and rolled my eyes as I headed back outside to tell my aunt and uncle they could come in. Noah skipped across the carpet and pulled me by the hand before I could open the door. I looked at him and he exhaled.

"Please still be my friend, my sweet, beautiful  Raven, I won't drink from you anymore if it's that much of an issue;" he said with big sad eyes. Damn him I couldn't stay angry at him. 

"Fine…friend," I mumbled softly with my arms spread wide. He laughed and scooped me up and twirled me around the living room with Dagon chuckling at our silliness. I smiled and told him I needed to let Raina and Eric know it was safe to enter. Noah sat me down to my feet and told me thanks for taking him back. I chuckled softly and told him no problem. We left outside together and I was surprised by the group of werewolves that my mother had hired. I recognized Timothy, my father's beta's brother. When he saw me he smiled at both Noah and me, knowing us both since we were little. I blushed after he asked if we were becoming the new Alpha and Luna of my mother's land. I laughed softly and Noah looked very confused as he ran his fingers through his hair. Timothy introduced all the workers to us and the few females that were hired stared openly at both Dagon and Noah making me over possessive of the pair.

"We should run our wolves later. I'm sure the newbies would enjoy it," Timothy suggested as he gestured towards the two standing on the porch. I glanced over at the pair and nodded since I was curious about Noah's wolf. I heard giggles and overheard one of the ladies make a comment about what was wrong with me that my mate hadn't marked me. My eyes narrowed and I approached the woman. 

"The status of my mate and I shouldn't concern you and if it does I suggest you find work 

elsewhere," I growled in a low and firm manner making all the females shudder. I'm certain flames were dancing in my eyes because Dagon placed Noah's hand on my back and I relaxed instantly.

"Your bond is strong with Noah, he really is a blind fool not to sense it," Adira growled softly and I sighed in irritation. I asked her if she was familiar with his new wolf and she informed me that the beast was withdrawn and not at all sociable. Figures he'd have an emo wolf I thought as I told the workers to continue the great work and headed back inside because I needed to blow off some steam in the exercise room. Timothy ran after me and apologized for the women's behavior.

"They're not used to a female carrying a fire wolf, Raven. You're a unique female and should carry yourself proudly," he said sincerely. I smiled and told him thanks and ałso mentioned that I would pass on letting my wolf run this night.

"Perhaps after I've settled I can run with you all," I said softly and he told me that it was fine. I told him goodnight as I entered the house with Dagon and Noah following closely behind.

I glanced over at my shadows and told them to pick their rooms as I went downstairs to lift some weights. I started down to the lower finished basement when I was lifted and carried down the stairs by an overzealous Noah. I squealed when he tripped on the last step and wrapped myself around his body. He was falling backward and instantly stopped midway. Both our eyes widened when we saw Dagon holding on to Noah's arm saving us both from hitting the floor hard. Dagon pulled him back so he was back on his feet. I slid down his side and avoided looking at him as I rubbed down on him erotically. 

"Thanks for saving us both, Dagon," Noah said softly and Dagon laughed and told him no big deal. I headed to the weights and started my lifts. Noah said he'd spot me and basically critiqued every little thing I did. It grew annoyed quickly over his ridiculousness. I dropped the bar telling him I was finished.

"I'm going to head up, shower and sleep. I'm taking the master," I said firmly and Noah asked if he could sleep next to me like old times. I looked at him like he was insane which I believed he was and told him no. He looked disappointed and I ran upstairs to avoid his pouting. I grabbed my nightgown from one of my bags and jumped into the shower. Relaxing under the hot spray, I didn't hear my bedroom door open. After finishing up I headed into the bedroom and paused before turning off the overhead light and looking at the huge black wolf laying on the bed. 

"Are you Noah?" I questioned the beast. The tail began to wag but I wasn't convinced. 

"Noah's wolf should have flames like you, right?" I asked my wolf openly and she told me yes. I shook my head and gestured to Dagon to get his butt out of my room. I opened the door and noticed his pile of clothes. I grunted as I lifted the pile and opened the door to shoo him out. I noticed that Noah was watching as The black wolf trotted out and paused momentarily to lick my exposed thigh. I heard him say hussy and shut his door. I growled bitterly and tossed Dagon's clothes out into the hallway and slammed my door closed. I'm sure Noah will think I slept with Dagon again and at the moment I didn't have the energy to care.