Zodiac Aligned

21

Kaden nodded slowly, his eyes filled with pain and understanding. “Yeah, you're probably right. It’s terrible not being able to trust my own mind. I've started questioning everything I've said and done over the last few months. So much of it was me, I freely admit that, but how much? Even worse, how would I know if they were in my head again? How would I stop them if they were?"

I could see the turmoil on his face, and I wanted to take his pain away, but I knew that wasn't something I could do. "The moonstone necklace will protect you as long as you're wearing it," I said, hoping that would bring him some peace, but I sensed it wouldn't be enough. A necklace was too easy to remove or overpower. I couldn't imagine how awful it would be knowing that the Sun Witches had gotten in my head or that they could do it again so easily. A trip to visit my mother was definitely in our future—she'd taught me how to shield my mind, and I knew she could help Kaden too.

But until then... I chewed on my lip for a few seconds, wondering what would happen if I told Kaden what I was thinking. We were being honest with each other though, and if Kaden was willing to really make an effort to change, maybe he would listen to me.

“There’s one other person we know who is going through the same thing as you," I said slowly. "Maybe you should talk to him."

Kaden's back stiffened the moment he realized who I meant. "No."

“Just think about it,” I said quickly before he could shut me down. "You two have both gone through a terrible ordeal, and though I'm always willing to listen, I'll never be able to fully understand what it was like for you. What it's like now, knowing the truth. But Jordan can."

"I can barely stand to be in the same room as that cocky Leo," Kaden growled.

I sighed, unable to hide my disappointment. "Don't forget you're on the same side now. If you actually talked to each other, you might finally see who the real enemy is.”

Kaden grunted, his expression stubborn. "I'm not actively trying to kill Jordan anymore. That's the best I can do."

"I guess that's better than nothing." Maybe Kaden would change his mind later, once he'd thought about the situation more. I couldn't expect him to change overnight, especially when he'd only learned about all of this earlier today. But that was also why we couldn't be together, at least, not yet. Until he got past his anger, hatred, and jealousy, there wouldn't be enough room in his heart for me.

"I should probably get to bed," I said, as I rose to my feet. "It's been a long day, and we all have a lot to think about."

Kaden trailed me to the door, but he stopped me before I could open it. "Ayla, wait."

"What is it?" I asked, noticing the concern in his voice.

“The full moon is in a week or so, and you're packless. You’ll go into heat again.”

Oh s**t. With everything else going on, I hadn’t really had time to think about the implications of being packless for the next full moon. The memories of my first full moon with Kaden hit me so hard it made me gasp, while desire raced through my blood. It was doused almost instantly by terror at the thought of being near Jordan during the full moon instead.

"f**k," I whispered.

"Exactly. If you won’t join the Ophiuchus pack again, you should have Wesley give you the Cancer pack mark. Or hell, get Jordan to give you the Leo one. They don't go into heat 'til much later in the year. You'd be safe until we find a way to break the mate bonds.”

He must be really worried, if he was suggesting I become a Leo, of all things. But joining one of those packs wasn't an option. I was an Ophiuchus in my heart, but letting Kaden put the pack mark back on me felt too much like forgetting that he'd been the one who had taken it away. And if he made me an Ophiuchus again, did that make me his alpha female again too? Did I even want that?

I closed my eyes and swallowed hard. "I'll figure something out."

"I know you will." He rested one hand on my shoulder. "But I'm here if you need me."

I found myself staring up at him, thinking of how he'd helped me the last time I was in heat. He hadn't let any other male get close to me then, and I knew he would be even more possessive now. "You would help me again?"

His hands settled around my waist and he pulled me closer. "Would I make sure no other man touched you? Would I f**k you all night to ease the need inside you? Would I make you come so many times you never had a single doubt in your mind that you were mine?" His lips brushed my ear. "Yes. A thousand times, yes."

Then his mouth was on mine, and mine was on his. I wasn't sure who'd started the kiss, only that we'd both succumbed to it without hesitation, and once it had started, it wasn't a thing that could easily be stopped. My body had ached for his touch for so long, and his familiar scent and taste made me melt against him. With a satisfied noise, his hands slid to my back, up to my shoulders, and my neck. He dug his hands into my hair, winding it around his fingers as he deepened the kiss even more.

The pleasure shocked me out of whatever spell I’d been put under, and I pulled away with a gasp. We stared at each other, our pulses racing at the same speed, and I touched my lips, still tasting him on them. I wanted to walk away, and I wanted to stay, and I was so torn between the two options that I couldn't move at all.

Kaden surprised me by opening the door for me. "Like I said, I'm here if you need me. Sleep well, Ayla."