Chapter 16

Krewe had set me up in a room for the night next to his. He provided me with a t-shirt of his to sleep in, and Liz gave me a bunch of options for the next day. My aunt and uncle believed my story, and I was happy to stay.

Krewe and I had kept our distance the rest of the evening, and I had made an effort to avoid Max as well. Krewe had asked to keep things under wrap until tomorrow when we would speak with Max and Liz. I agreed to his plan.

I slipped into the t-shirt, only keeping my panties on underneath. It was a thinner material in white. So it was a bit risqué. However, no one would see me. Until there was a knock at my door.

I opened the door and peeked out.

"Oh, hey, Max! What can I do for you?"

He stood there with no shirt on and only his pajama trousers.

"Just wanted to make sure you were settling in okay for the night."

He looked shy but amazing! He just didn't compare to Krewe the more I let my feelings take over.

"I am, thanks! I was just about to lay down."

"Oh, alright. Well, I hope you sleep well."

"Thanks. I'll see you in the morning."

"Yeah, see you then," he turned and walked away slowly with his head down. I felt bad, but I'm sure he would understand.

I watched as he made his way down the hall and into his room. I was shutting the door closed when it came to a halt. There stood Krewe. He was only wearing his boxer briefs, and it made my heart race seeing him like that. The difference my body felt at seeing the two was noticeable in this moment. I felt a sexual desire for both, but there was an undeniable pull to jump Krewe. With Max, I just wanted to make sure he was okay. Nuture him more than act on anything.

"Are you settling in?"

"Yes, I was just about to lay down. Did you want to come in for a chat?"

"Sure."

I opened the door and realized I had no bra on with a sheer shirt on. I covered my chest with my arms and made my way to the bed to sit. Krewe followed behind after closing the door.

"So what's up?"

"I just wanted to make sure you had everything you needed for the night. I've also been thinking about telling Max and Liz the mate thing. I think we still need to keep it under wraps."

"Why? Do you not like me?"

My heart sunk, and I could hear a whimper come out of Evelyn.

"Please don't think that. I just don't want to put you in any sort of danger."

"What kind of danger?"

"If your aunt and uncle were keeping you hidden with that pendant, they must know more as to why. What if they were trying to keep you safe?"

"Or what if their behind everything?" I said, shocking myself.

"Have they ever given you a reason not to believe them?"

"No, they've cared for me as if I was their own. They've never been able to have children."

"Then it has to be a security reason."

"Would it be because of my parents?"

"It could? We have to find out more."

"So, in the meantime, we have to fake this? Won't lying to them hurt them more in the long run. "

"Well, you don't have to see Max," Krewe lifted a brow.

I threw a pillow at him, laughing.

"He will know something is up."

"Tell him you would feel better after you break up with the human."

"I really should break up with him. We're practically over anyway."

"Why are you with him if you know he cheats on you?"

"I was with Shawn for a bit after him, and Cassandra broke up. But once she was ready to take him back, then he went running, and I hooked up with Tom. It's your classic football player and cheerleader combo. He is an ass and he cheats, but he can be really kind and protective."

"And what about that other guy you hang out with?"

"Ceasar? He's my best friend. Me and him just get each other. Out of anyone I have ever known, he has made me feel the most normal. I've never really fit in, just pretended to. After hanging out with you guys, I have actually felt like I belong somewhere finally. I've never felt this free and happy before. After I shifted the other day, it was the first night in years that I had actually been able to sleep."

"It was your wolf being so pent up. It makes sense," Krewe got up from the end of the bed and came to sit closer to me. "I'm glad I'm able to give you that sense of belonging. I want you to be happy. I really want to help you, Sawyer."

He placed a strand of my hair behind my ear. I looked beside me and felt the pull. He leaned in and kissed me. I took his head in my hands and pulled him in to deepen the kiss. The electricity that ran through my body was a high I didn't want to let go of. He softly pushed my body down with his as he laid on top of me. Never breaking our kiss. His hand roamed down my side till it reached the hem of the shirt. He then lifted it and slid his hand underneath, touching my bare skin. He kissed my neck, and before it went any further, I pushed him off as I sat up.

"What's wrong?"

"I've never gone that far before," I said shyly, "probably why Tom cheats."

"Sawyer, I'm sorry. We can take it as slow as you want. I didn't mean to scare you."

"No, it felt good. I just don't know what to do."

Krewe smiled, "we can continue another night. How about we just lay here together?"

"I would like that."

I laid back down and turned to my side while Krewe spooned me from behind. I fit perfectly in his body. He radiated heat, and before I knew it, I was drifting off to sleep.