A Griffin's Voice: Finding Her Path

Chapter 10

A Date with Archer

Archer’s P.o.V.

After we get back to the castle, I drag my angel of a mate to my room and close the door behind her. I watch as she looks around my room in awe. I can see the wonder and excitement in her eyes as she looks at it for the first time. “Well, Angel, what do you think of my room?”

“It is so red and gray……It is absolutely stunning.” She turns and looks at me. “Is red your favorite color?”

“Yeah, it is. I love pale red the most though. Would you please sit with me on the couch for a few minutes? I would love to watch you open the presents that I have for you.”

I watch a smile light up her face as she goes and sits down on the couch. I have her the first of two boxes. I smile as she opens in hoping that she likes it. My smile grows even bigger as the stares at the preserved blue rose with the necklace. “Archer……this is so pretty……There are no words for this.”

I chuckle and hand her the other box. I watch as she opens the box to reveal a teal blue Brandi Bralette Bikini top and a Sporty Skirted Bikini bottom. “Dean told me that you like teal blue when I asked. I had these rush delivered. I am sorry if they aren’t the exact right teal blue, but I tried.”

“They are both perfect, Archer. Thank you.” I lean into him and sigh happily. I realize that they really do love me and want to spoil me. Archer tried his best to find something he knew that I would love. “Can I guess that the swimsuit has something to do with our date today?”

I chuckle at her question. “Yeah, we are going to a private beach for the day. I have a picnic all packed up. We are doing something special at 7 tonight with the others and your brother. So, I plan to come back around 5 tonight that way we have time to shower off. I am hoping that this is fine with you, otherwise we can do something else.”

“This is perfect, Archer. I would love to have a beach day with you. We can build a sandcastle or swim or maybe walk around some of the lake.”

I smile lovingly at this female. I will do anything to make her happy, even if that means going hiking. I nudge her playfully. “Orion would love to spend an hour or so with you as well.”

“Mystery wants to do that as well.” She grins up at me with soft, gentle eyes. I reach out and stroke her cheek with my thumb softly. I watch as she blushes. “Are you ready to head out?”

I nod and take her hand as I help her stand up. I walk down to the garage with my arm wrapped around her waist. I open the door to my Bugatti La Voiture Noire and help her inside. I lean down and buckle her up. Afterwards, I shut her door softly and walk to the driver’s side. I get in, buckle up, and start the car.

I pull out of the garage and start driving towards Lost Lake. “What kind of car? Dean mentioned that you all have expensive cars. They all look like they would be fast as well.”

“It’s a Bugatti La Voiture Noire. You are correct about the expensive and fast part. We have expensive tastes and can indulge ourselves since we have the money to back it up. It is nice and all, but I promise that none of us will drive fast with you in the vehicle. We don’t want to hurt you at all,” I chuckle softly as I speak.

“What about when we all ride together?”

“We also have a big three row SUV that we bought when we found out being offered the opportunity to mate with you. Don’t worry, Angel. I promise that you will never have far from us if you don’t want to be. We will be with you whenever you ask, even if that means you want to sit through meetings with us. You are always welcome too.”

Fawn’s P.o.V.

I smile at the offer. It means the world to me that he is acting like he sees me as his equal. “Does that mean I will never be back burnered and that you see me as your equal?”

“Of course, Angel!”

“What about the others?”

“I know for a fact that Seth and Carter look at it the same way, because they are the ones that made me think this way. Dean and Avalon will always mean well, but they really would rather you not be with us in a more dangerous situation. They want to protect you from everything in the world if possible, even if that means not treating you as their equal all of the time.”

“I would never intentionally put myself in danger and I hope that in those times that you guys disagree with something that we can talk. I don’t want to be unreasonable, but I do require that all five of you always look at me like your equals. I never want to be pushed aside and told that I am a female and that this is a male’s job.”

“I promise you, Angel, that it will never happen like that. If Dean or Avalon ever started to act like that, then Carter, Seth, and I would intervene immediately. Especially Seth. He will always stand at your side and stand up for your rights.” I can easily hear the honesty in his voice, and I know that he is being honest and truthful with me.

“Thank you, Archer.” I notice that we are pulling into a beach parking lot. It only took about half an hour to get here. I get out after Archer comes around and offers me his hand. He walks me out to an area that he already has set up.

It is beautiful and perfect for a beach date. Pails of different sizes and shovels. A massive blanket spread out on the sand. Towels. Chairs on the other side of the firepit. A picnic basket near the fire. I smile and wrap my arms around him as I look up. “Archer, this is beautiful and absolutely perfect for a beach day. Thank you so much for putting all of this work into this.”

“Anything for you, My Angel. I will do anything for you. I am glad you like it. Now, how about we change into these swimsuits and then you can choose what we do first.”

I giggle and notice a bathroom close by us. I walk over and go in. I change quickly into the new swimsuit. After I get done, Archer changes. I am standing in front of the lake and looking out at the crashing waves of the massive lake. I can’t even see the other side of it.

I squeal in surprise as arms wrap around my waist, pick me up, and spin me. I can hear Archer laughing behind me as I squeal. He gently sets me down and rests his chin on the top of my head. “Well, Angel……What would you like to do first?”

“Can we go in the water for a bit before we eat?”

I hear him chuckle in response before he picks me up bridal style. I stare up into his eyes lovingly. I touch his cheek gently before I lean up and kiss him softly.

Archer’s P.o.V.

I pick her up bridal style as I look down at her. I can easily see the love shining in her eyes. I feel her hand touch my cheek and a moment later her lips are pressed gently into mine as she kisses me. I instantly respond to the kiss and take control over it. I kiss her harder and with more aggression than she started with.

I carry her into the water and adjust her while we kiss. I have her straddle my hips as I take us deeper until it is at my shoulders. I hold her tightly to me. I break away from her after a few minutes and look down at her as we both gasp for our breaths. “Was it okay for me to take over the kiss and change it?”

“Yes.”

“Is it okay how I am holding you?”

“I love it, Archer.” I smirk as Orion gives me a wicked idea. I move my hips against her once, twice, and a third time. My smirk grows bigger as she moans softly. “Archer!”

“Relax, Angel. I won’t do anything more than rub against you a little bit. We want Seth to be your first time. He is the gentlest and most aware of us. He is also the most romantic. He wanted so badly to be your first kiss, and we were all certain he was going to be. Since he wasn’t we decided that he gets to take your virginity whenever you’re ready to fully accept us as your mates.”

“Archer, I have a question for you.”

I look down at her and raise my eyebrows. “Yes?”

“Can the six of us maybe watch a movie in private without Fox tonight? I want to……have some alone time with all five of you.”

My smirk grows even bigger and cockier. “You do realize exactly what will happen, right?”

“I want to have a little fun with all five of you. Just no mating yet. I refuse to be mated until I am ready to accept you five officially as my mates.”

“I think we can make that happen tonight, but let’s see how today and tonight goes first. Fox and you might want to talk a little bit about today.”

She blushes bright red. “You all know that he and I are discussing you all then?”

I chuckle softly. “We figured you two would. You seem so close and seem to have such a strong bond. We figured that if he doesn’t approve of us and doesn’t like us that we will have no chance with you. It is one reason that we are trying so hard with Fox as well as you. We want to win you both over.”

She giggles and nods her head in agreement. You wouldn’t have had a chance, yeah. Sorry, Archer.”

“It is fine, Angel. We are completely fine with it. We love Fox as much as we love you. Everything will work out just the way it is meant to be.”

She smiles at me and kisses me again. I spend the next hour in the water kissing her gently. I look at her after an hour. “Angel, do you want to eat now? I can build us a bonfire so that we can roast hotdogs and have smores.”

“Yes, please!” She bounces up and down in excitement. I get her closer to shore so that she can touch the bottom. At that point I release her and go to get the wood ready for a fire. She giggles as she follows me.

She tries to help me, but I keep yelling at her not too. “Angel, stop trying to help me. This date is all about you and I don’t want you lifting a finger. I want you to relax.”

“But I want to help you, Archer.” I roll my eyes at her and sigh as she keeps helping me set up the fire. I smile as I watch her get everything out of the picnic basket, setting it all up for us. Goddess, I love her.

Mystery’s P.o.V.

I lay bored in the back of my humans mind. I watch out of my human’s eyes as she and Archer eat and joke around. I scowl wanting to spend some time with Archer and Orion, too. Fawn!

Yes, Mystery?

Stop hogging the time on the date with Archer. I want to get to know him myself and I want to meet Orion. Please, Fawn.

Oh! I am so sorry, Mystery! I didn’t even think about it. I promise after we eat that I will shift or just give you full control over our human form.

Either way is fine with me. Just make it quick! I want time with them just as much as you do.

I understand, Mystery. I promise it will be soon. I huff softly and lay my head back down as I go back to my own thoughts while I wait.

I know what I did and said to her was rude, but I just don’t feel like I have really been listened to much in days. Not since the ship. We have barely spoken since that first meeting. I want our old bond back, but I don’t want to bother my girl with my thoughts either. It would be so much easier to be a human rather than just a spirit.

Archer’s P.o.V.

After we eat, Fawn shifts into her griffin form. I am sitting next to Mystery right now just petting her feathers softly. “Mystery, your feathers and fur are just so soft. Thank you for giving me this time with you. I am really grateful.” Mystery calmly dips her head to me. “I am going to let Orion out for a bit. After a bit, let Fawn have control back. Orion is wanting some one on one time with her as well.”

Orion’s P.o.V.

I watched my human spent an hour with Mystery and then I got an hour with her. Now, I am enjoying cuddles and pets from my sweet mate, Fawn. She is just sitting next to me petting me and prattling on about the boys and her life.

Archer is listening closely to everything she says so that he can make her even happier. He wants to make sure they aren’t doing anything wrong. He wants to make sure that none of them ever say anything to hurt or trigger her. I grumble as I feel Archer urging me to give him back control. I sigh as I do.

Archer’s P.o.V.

I look down at my mate as we sit side by side with her leaning into me as we watch the water. “What is your favorite animal?”

“Ummmmmm……probably a horse. I have always wanted to learn to ride but never have been allowed to. My parents always say it was a stupid and useless animal since we are shifters.”

I smile knowing that Carter’s date is going to make her even happier now. “What is your favorite scent?”

“Probably roses.”

My smile grows knowing that the roses Seth plans on getting will be even more amazing. “What about……your favorite type of outdoor activity? And you can’t say training.”

She giggles at me. “Does shopping count since it can be done outdoors?”

I chuckle at her and look down at my sweet angel. “I suppose so.” Even Avalon will make her day tomorrow with the shopping idea. Goddess, we have all chosen just the right things to do with our girl.

I look down at my phone and see that it is 5:15. I sigh and stand up. “Time to go, Angel. We need to get back, so you can shower before we go out with Fox and the others.”

I help her up and we walk back to the car. “What are we doing tonight?”

I chuckle and poke her nose as she gets into the car. “I am not telling you, Angel. It is a surprise.” I close the door and go around. I get into the care and start it before driving off. “Angel, come to my room to shower. I have everything you will need from Bath and Body Works. I got you a scent called Moonlight Path. I am hoping that you like it.”

“I bet I will, Archer. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, Angel. Ask me anything.”

“Dean mentioned you each got me a different scent. He got me Into the Night and you got me Moonlight Path. What did the other three get?”

“I won’t tell you who got what, but I will tell you what the other three scents are. In the Stars. Magic in the Air. Twilight Woods. Dark Kiss. One in a Million. Mad About You. Hello Beautiful. Beautiful Day. A Thousand Wishes.”

“Ummmmm……Archer, that is more than three……That’s nine more scents……”

“Angel, we have nine more dates planned, including the last three solo dates.”

“What do you mean, Archer?”

“Three more solo dates. We have a date together for all six of us. And then a date in each of our territories. Granted we are planning on inviting Fox to each of those, but still it is a date in our eyes.

Seth’s P.o.V.

All of us are waiting at the door to head out for the painting class tonight. Archer and Fawn had gotten home an hour ago to shower. We are planning on walking down to The Factory of Impressions.

Finally, they descend the steps just as Major pulls me into a conversation. Orion was just bragging to us all about his date. Apparently, it went really well. They even made out a bit.

Major! Why do you have to tell me this?

I have a reason, Seth. Just listen.

Okay. Sorry.

It’s okay, Seth. Anyways, Fawn wants to spend alone time with all five of you humans tonight. And I think she wants to have a little fun, or at least that is what it sounded like to Orion.

I walk along beside everyone as this sinks in. Oh, my Goddess! Alone time with my sweet princess! This is going to be the best night ever!

Fawn’s P.o.V.

We get to The Factory of Impressions and I realize instantly that we are doing a painting class. I smile in excitement. We walk in and Archer walks up to the desk. “Reservation for Dawson.”

“Yes. How many?”

“Seven.”

The female nods and gets us all set up for the lesson. “Tonight, we will be learning to paint a forest silhouette.”

For the next two hours, we all joke and tell stories while we paint the forest silhouette. At nine, we leave and head back to the castle just content and happy. I part with Fox at our room, with the promise to be back in two hours or so after a movie. And thankfully, he doesn’t argue.