Marked for the hound
book 2 in the Marked for series
"Gideon." His name on Avery's lips as she was moved bodily on top of the beast's lap sent shivers down his spine. It looked so wrong as he moved to the side of them, but it felt so right to see their bodies joined. As Xavier lifted her slight body up, Gideon could see where he entered her, his shaft gr ears.
"He's changing, no!" Gideon yelled at Xavier as he approached, his hand out to comfort Avery. "Don't touch her, not yet. Caspian is changing, there is nothing we can do but comfort him. Avery, you mustn't touch Xavier or me, do you understand?" Gideon picked up Caspian's head and laid it in his lap, the tremors had started and he knew he had to help.
"Okay." Avery didn't know what to do or say as she watched Gideon pry open Caspian's elongated mouth and reach in, pulling out his tongue and holding it there. "What's happening, Gid?" she all but sobbed. Just seconds ago she had bonded with her true mate, moments before that she had chosen two others, and now, she sat helplessly, with Caspian's cum dripping from her as he contorted on the floor. Tears sprang to her eyes as Caspian's body twisted and broke, howls of pain and fear breaking free from the bravest being she had ever met. She had seen him lose limbs, be crushed by a stone demon; she has witnessed his skin peeled off by tormentors and never once had he called out.
"Xavier, take Avery to the lake, clean her up. Do not touch her, Beast. Find some garments. Morning dawns, we must rest." Gideon clamped his arms down on his captain's writhing body as the first change came over him. Xavier picked himself up off the ground and Avery followed. He wasn't allowed to touch her, to comfort her. He was at a loss at what to do or say. In silence, they waded into the water, cleaning themselves mechanically. Caspian no longer called out, the only sounds that could be heard were those of his bones breaking and his skin ripping in the dark night.
"You have wings," Xavier uttered for lack of something better to say.
"Yes, I'm mated now. That means I am able to fly," Avery replied emotionlessly. Her whole life she had wanted to fly, but now the thought didn't appeal to her. All she wanted to do was curl up beside Caspian and take away his pain. Gideon didn't seem too worried about his life long friend, but Avery couldn't shake the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach.
"The first time I changed it was like that," Xavier told her as he clamped his hands by his sides, the urge to touch her was near overwhelming. "It hurt, a lot, but then it got better. Now it doesn't hurt at all." Avery took little comfort from Xavier's words as she stared out into the night. The moon's rays bounced off the ripples in the lake from their bodies. Avery wondered if she could fly to the moon. If she could, she would give it to Caspian.
"Let's move out, guys," Gideon called to Avery and Xavier as he settled Caspian's body over his shoulder. The moon was descending below the horizon, it was almost time.