Ch 15

Warning creepy shitty man ahead and violence!

"I'm back!"

Flint proudly announced his presence in the chamber as happiness bubbled wildly in his chest. He smile widely unable to control his erratic heartbeat, feeling as though his sickness has only gotten worse. Avery's gaze landed on him and the threads he carried. He almost felt the bubbles inside of him burst, too excited for her attention and her need of him.

"Is there anything else you need?"

He waited anxiously, hoping to make her happy again with another gift of his. She did accept it rather excitedly, though in his eyes it was due to being how thoughtful the gift was. Too bad the idea came from his baby brother, too bad he took the credit, and took bad that he didn't realize the worry in her eyes. For him everything was rosy after her thanks.

"They are lovely, thank you Flint!"

'Not as lovely as you.'

He couldn't help but revel in his most recent memory. Though she was no longer on her cycle the lingering sweetness intoxicated the air. Or was it just how she will always smell? Her natural addicting scent. It didn't matter anymore, after all he can find out now that they are courting.

"Wow, you got back fast," Avery commented as she stood from her spot on the floor carrying Branch in her arms. "Did you miss anything?"

Flint blinked and blush violently, unable to cool his face.

"Of course I did."

'This is perfect!'

He silently screamed at himself as he daydreamed about the future. She would be there in the home cooking a meal after a long day of work. After I announced my entrance she would run into my arms with her star-filled eyes. Her soft lips would spread into a smile waiting for me own as she asks how my day had been. And like now, we would have a child floating around in the air complaining about how gross they where being. It would be like heaven.

Avery glanced at him worriedly, wondering why he was suddenly a different shade. Branch on the other hand gaged at the sudden lovey-dovey aura that his brother basically bombed the chamber with.

"Oh, then you should go back for whatever you missed then." Avery creased her brows as she worried about her plan.

Flint cleared his throat, feeling the heat on his face getting worse as he slowly fell back to reality. "Ah-I mean no I didn't, just missed you."

"Huh-!? I uh..."

Now it was Avery's turn to go red. Her eyes darted around as she was caught off guard.

'Why is he like this!?'

The poor girl turned on her heel and rushed back to the spot surrounded by different sized stones. "Thank you for getting these for me." She hummed away her embarrassment with thanks as she got to work on the jewelry.

Flint observed her reactions tenderly, not believing how strong the urge was to make her that lovely shade of red again. He got closer to the girl with quick steps until he was close enough to sit beside her. He looked over her shoulder curiosity as her skilled hands wove the thread around the sparkling rock he found. Unsurely he rested his chin on her shoulder as he asked a question.

"Is this why you like rocks? What is 'jelly' used for? Is it another tool?"

The girl flinched at the contact and his bombardment of questions. As Flints breath tickled her bare neck she jolted away from him before rubbing the area gingerly. Her face heated again at the action and only worsened at his innocent looking eyes.

'He's a lot like him....'

"Firstly, it's jewelry not 'jelly'." She huffed curtly trying to cool her heated face, not liking her own thoughts. "And second don't do that all of a sudden, you scared me."

"Is that why your face is red?" The beastmen questioned as he tilted his head. No matter how innocent the question sounded he truly meant to tease her.

'Just breathe, remember what Milori told you. Be confident.'

"No...I just don't like being touched like that. C-could you not do that please?"

"Oh," Flint nodded vigorously. "O-of course!"

'Gah-I love doing that! She looks so pretty!' Flint kept his chuckles as quiet as he could. 'But I guess I'm moving too fast for her...it's fine.'

"I can still watch you though, right?"

She nodded.

He hummed with joy as he asked her more and more questions as time passed the two by before she finished with all of her pieces of jewelry. Necklaces where the final products, all holding different amounts of dangling stones of different sizes. They glittered enchantingly under the light of the campfire, Flint looking expressively captivated by her craft. It was simple but it was something he couldn't help but wanting.

"Here this one's for you!" She smiled as she handed him the necklace. "You put it on over your head like this!" She demonstrated with her own necklace with a short hang, the threads covered the markings on the stone in near entirety. His on the other hand hung low and had the thread cage the stones with a net-like pattern. Without much thought he brought the girl into a tight hug.

"I love it! It's so pretty!" He squeezed her while sheet out a surprised yelp.

"Too. Tight." She choked slapping his shoulder as a way to escape his caging hold.

He laughed and loosened his hold, though not letting her go as he stood to spin her around. She could feel his wild heart thumping against his chest, eagerly trying to escape. She struggled in his hold not liking how weightless she suddenly felt.

"Woah! Too much! Watch what you're doing!" She yelled not noticing those who have entered into the chamber unannounced. "How are you so energetic!?"

"I don't know, I've always been like this." He answered matter-of-factly. "Why?"

"Flint."

The beastmen in question quickly lost his smile as the voice spat his name in warning. His wide eyes landed on his mother standing there with a dangerous grin on her face. To her side stood her mate while her other three children stood adjacent to her as a looming figure stood in the doorway. Flint quickly and carefully placed Avery's feet back onto the ground as he stood hip-to-hip with her. Under Cadaver's violet eyes Flint felt smaller than what he was. Though in this moment he didn't have the nerve to back down from the older male, even if his aura was threatening. Instead he stood taller and has his hands on the girl's shoulders as a way to calm her quaking. Avery's eyes where wide in intimidation as her hand clenched against the hanging stone that was now hanging off her neck.

With Avery in one arm Flint used the other to greet his leader. "Greetings to you Leader. May I ask your business."

Brynn looked like she was about to murder her son with the glare. His other family relatives did the same, wishing for once he could control his tone.

"G-Greetings Leader Cadaver." Avery anxiously took a bow of her own.

He eyed the duo as the room watched his actions warily. It was still, the air tasting sour under the damped atmosphere. Cadaver invited himself into the chamber as the family members quickly prepared a seat for him. Avery made sure to clear away her jewelry, placing them inside a basket she had made herself during her captivity. Brynn prepared for the meal they were to have with him as the males cleaned any remaining mess in the way. Cadaver kept his head held high and unbothered by the cleaning crews actions.

"I heard you wanted to leave the caverns," Cadavers blunt words caused Avery to nearly drop the basket she was carrying to her corner. "I wish to talk to you about that matter."

Slowly she turned to face him. "Y-yes sir, I did want to leave," Sweat formed on her palms as her heart beat rapidly. "I've been told of many interesting places on the surface."

Cadaver hummed at her response watching as she quickly placed the container down so she can hold the stone hanging from her neck.

"I understand."

He waved the girl over an she complied reluctantly. She stood a few paces away from him which he frowned at. "Why don't you sit? I don't want your legs to get tired." The girl took a seat on one of the furs near the fire and still a distance away from him. The frown of his face didn't move, making some of the family members question if they were truly safe.

"B-Before anything else, can I say something?" Avery avoided his gaze as she fidgeted with the necklace again. Cadaver nodded and gestured for her to continue. "I am very grateful for what you have done for me," she weakly smiled leaving Cadaver in shock as the others ogled at her. "If it wasn't for you I would have not met Brynn or her amazing family."

Embarrassment and resentment lingered in her mind as she continued. "That's why I made this, a thank you if you will. I know it is not much but..." She revealed a necklace similar to her own in design. The dark void like stone drew Cadaver in curiously as he felt a ping in his heart at the gesture. As his last remaining suspicions lingered a glaze covered his glassy eyes. For a moment he saw himself in her, a lonely outcast that had finally found a home within Bryan's family. Maybe it was his own loneliness that let his guard down for a moment as she handed him the gift. In his grasp it felt light and delicate, reminding him of the very creator of this craft. Looking at her in this moment all he could see is her happiness that she has found, the fact that she never did try to run away on her own even after being dragged to the darkness, and the reality that was the male she now lets court her. Surely that last fact should make him feel righteous in bringing her to Brynn in the first place, but a small part of him had finally grown a voice. A pit had formed as a bitter taste rested on his tongue the moment he smelled the literal love in the air between the new couple. His instincts told him it was wrong, her being here was wrong, Flint touching her was definitely unacceptable.

She should have been with him.

It all made sense now.

She was his from the beginning. From the moment she appeared in the forest she was his. It was why he felt the need to spare her and bring her into the colony. Why he sent surveillance of her every move. For himself to go so far as to seek her company. It wasn't out of boredom or curiosity, it was out of love.

His love.

And only his.

It's what made sense. After all this time he finally can have a happy ending and she can too.

"Cadaver s-sir?"

Her voice carried him back to the moment at hand. His violet eyes lingered over her face as she turned herself away.

"I'm sorry, that's all I wanted to say."

She felt sick to her stomach at her own actions.

'stupid. Why do you think this plan would work?'

"Avery..." He whispered under his breath "you are allowed to leave the caves now, but under one condition,"

'Holy-Yes! That worked!? Wait... condition?'

"What condition sir?" She chewed on the inside of her cheek hoping that it wouldn't end poorly for her.

"If you go up to the surface you must be accompanied by me, no one else may take you."

Brynn felt her eye twitch as her mate raised his head in concern. Both exchanged a glance, standing as Brynn quickly approached her leader as her mate tried to calm her.  The brothers did the same, three sharing the same thought as they looked over at Cadaver with suppressed fear.

"Leader Cadaver, do you feel our care has not been adequate for Avery?" Brynn anxiously questioned as she held a polite smile.

Cadavers lips thinned in a line not appreciating the interruption. "It has been satisfactory, I just wish to carry out this task myself." His gaze scrutinized the woman in question watching as her own eyes narrowed slightly. Cliff held her shoulder trying to act as her anchor knowing that her thoughts, if ever expressed, would only harm her. Not long after did Flint find himself at Avery's side once Cadaver brought his focus back to the girl. Anger boiling under Cadaver's calm surface as Flint nelt down to hold her. Avery flicked her eyes between the family and Cadaver, having her instincts scream at her not to agree.

'Something is not right.'

She didn't like the way he looked at her nor the tension that seemed to exude from him. Eyeing the family nervously she tried to answer his proposal.

"Did I...why do you want to escort me? I don't want to distract you from your important job. Brynn told-"

"It is because I am the strongest and can protect you," Cadaver quickly interjected not liking the mer idea of her rejection. "I realize now if you are to go to the surface, they will not be enough." He softened his words as she flinched away from the low growl that escaped him as he spoke. "You may not realize this but you are going to encounter danger from males who are week to your cycle."

"But hasn't it ended? It should be over."

Quickly fear added itself to the tension in the air as all remained quiet under her words. Cadaver shot his eyes over to Brynn menacingly, the girl was not supposed to know until he allowed it.

"What makes you so sure?" His low mumble was all that echoed through the chamber. "You have not been here long since it has started, maybe you have been mislead." Menacing undertones dripped from his tongue.

"Call it i-instinct?"

Cadaver was not convinced as a small voice egged on his seeds of doubt. The beastman made a mental note for later to correct any insubordination that he suspected.

"My proposal is the only one that will be offered if you ever wish to see the surface," he felt himself losing control at the doubt cracking his judgement. "I'm also considering moving you under my care-"

"BUT I'M HER GUARDIAN!?-" Brynn cried out in outrage quickly regretting her words soon after as Cadaver stood up from where he sat. In a blink of an eye he was infront of her as his shadow blocked the light of the fire. Cliff held her close to him in a tight hug as Cadavers glare sharped upon her to the point it could have killed her there.

"I think that is enough from you, don't you agree Brynn?" Malice dripped from low and casual sounding words as his eyes glowed wickedly.

"Forgive her, sir. She is just speaking in place as a mother," A deep gravely voice unsettled the chamber as unfamiliarity shook Avery to her core. Cliff stood his ground as he stared into the younger male's eyes. It was eerie how much Cadaver looked like his old friend in this moment. Cliff couldn't regret his words however, his leader crossed a line. "A privilege you gave to her not long ago."

Cadaver for once felt flustered the elder male's gaze, not use to such defiance from his biggest supporter. The condescending tone nearly pushed him over the edge as he saw the rage and disappointment in Cliff's eyes. But Cadaver was no child, he should not be treated as such. Without much more thought Cadaver snapped his hand around Cliff's neck and rushed his hanging body to the nearest wall.

"I am the leader, I decide what is safe for all in the colony." Cadaver seethed. Avery shrieked at the suddenness of the attack quickly being caged behind Flints protective arms as branch quickly went to hide somewhere out of sight. Moss dashed to his mother's side and held her back from approaching the assaulted male as she shouted for her mates' release. Brook stood between Cadaver and the rest of the family protectively, shifting some of his body to reveal sharp claws and teeth. Glaring at the males Cadaver couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh. It started low, a few chuckles escaped him before it spiraled into madness. Cadaver tossed Cliff aside not caring to watch as his body almost crushed Branch in his hiding place. Cadaver lunged at Brook quickly incapacitating him before moving on to Moss, ripping him from his mother before doing the same to Flint. Brynn rushed to shield her boy from harm as she threw herself between Cadaver's claws as she whaled for him to stop. Avery backed herself in a corner and away from the violence. She hid behind a water basen holding her hands over her mouth as a way not to be found.

The flashes flooded her mind as violently as each crashing sound rang out in the chamber. Echoing moments from her past resurfaced as she began to spiral. Over her she imagined a shadowy looming figure raising their fist in the air before the phantom pain stung her over and over. Memories of that faithful encounter that made her lose her wolf companions. Flashes of their battered bodies shook her as her body continued to quiver. Branch had also found the hiding spot behind the basin, chosing to shelter himself between her feet right before she hunched herself over. Branch couldn't help but shake in fear as well at the sight of Avery's fear and the pain he felt in his wing. But regardless of what either felt it did not stop the danger.

"Avery please come here."

Frost seemed to follow every step Cadaver took near the basin as rage shimmered in his eyes. He could see her head from his height shivering and shielding the rest of her hiding body. When the girl didn't react to his words his frowned worsened as he creased his brows.

"Avery," he growled his warning. "stop acting like a pup. I'm not going to hurt you, come here."

Again the girl remained in place. He now stood above her quivering form wrinkles seeming to be permanently setting on his face. Rolling his eyes he lifted her hunched form easily after roughly gripping her sides. She yelped in pain at the harsh jabbing his fingers caused. He didn't flinch at the sound at all, instead it encouraged his efforts to the point he cradled her in his arms like a basket. It was only then she started to lash out. Her body rolled, kicked, and screamed as she desperately tried to claw her way out. But her efforts where rendered futile as one swift wack against her jaw. She was out cold and he allowed her head to rest limply against his chest as he adjusted her how sedated body. He sent a glare to all in the room that tried to get in his way as he sauntered his way to the exit.

"I hope your loyalty remains, regardless of the outcome today. I will overlook this folly for your sake."

His threat reached only one and it was the woman who had her boldness stripped of her and her family. She laid on the stone as she tried to regain her breath after being held in a choke hold for so long.

'I hope to Goddess Hel that karma swallows you whole.'

Brynn cursed Cadaver in her mind as the last straw had set her off once and for all.

No one separated a mother from her child.

No one.

________

Hey just want to say thank you for reading, it really means a lot to know you are enjoying my story. Love reading all your comments and seeing votes. It helps keep me motivated with writing at times.

With love,

Your Professor Jelly.