Althena Book 2

117. Esmeray

Lila and I snorkel for a long time. The water here is crystal clear. Colorful fish dart around us. The coral seems to dance in the gentle current. We follow a sea turtle for a while. Then the boys make us get out for dinner.

"I could do that forever. It's so pretty here." Lila glances around. "Where is Clayton?"

Mike rolls his eyes. "Him and Conner ran off with the sea bobs and scuba gear. They'll show up eventually."

I lay my head on Monte's shoulder. It's still shocking that he's mine.

He kisses my head. "You tired?"

"No. Swimming was fun. Want to scuba dive with me?"

"Next time. We're losing the light fast."

Drogon sets some steaks in the middle of the table. "Dig in."

We get about half done and Clayton and Conner join us. They're soaking wet. "We found a shipwreck."

"I want to see." I jump up.

Conner shakes his head. "It'll have to wait, baby. We saw it, then had to leave. It's getting too dark to get closer. I'll remember where it is."

"You better not go without me." I plop down.

"And me. I want to see that." Monte grabs another steak.

"We'll need to watch over that as well. Never know what's in a ship at the bottom of the ocean." Mike grabs his phone.

I wiggle. "Treasure."

"Or explosives." Drogon chuckles.

"I'm running a search for ships lost at sea around here. Were there any markings on it?"

"Couldn't get close enough to check."

We talk about treasures through dinner. Then Monte and I walk hand in hand on the beach. We enjoy the sunset and sand on our toes. The sounds of the waves crashing fill the air.

We watch the last bit of the sunset snuggled up under a tree in a grassy spot. It feels like we're lost in our own little world. I couldn't ask for anything more perfect. I snuggle in beside him and cuddle.

He wraps his arms around me and squeezes. "You smell so good, baby." His lips brush against mine, and he gives me a sweet kiss. But he deepens it quickly.

I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. His hands hold me in place as I leave a trail of gentle bites and kisses on his neck.

His hands tighten in my hair, and he pulls my lips to his. His lips press harder against mine.

A moan sneaks out of my mouth as I shiver against him. I need to feel his skin. I slip my hand under his shirt and rub his side.

He cradles my face in his hand and rubs my jaw with his thumb. "You are beautiful, baby." Then he helps me stand up. "We should probably get back before it gets too dark."

I scratch my head before I take his hand, and we walk back to the boat.

I don't get this at all.

He pulls out a chair for me at the table. "Anything come back on the search?"

Mike checks his phone. "Nothing yet. Hopefully, we can get close enough to see markings tomorrow."

I cross my arms. "I need a shower. I'm still salty. Which room is yours, Mike?"

His eyebrow pops up and he stares at me.

Drogon puts his arm around me. "I'll show you where mine is. I think he forgot."

"Thank you."

As he leads me away, he kisses my cheek. "I have a hot tub too. Lots of jets."

The next day, the boys go to work, and I go to therapy with Monte. This is all his idea.

Monte wears a suit and I wear shorts and a t-shirt. This is fine.

"Welcome, Althena and Monte."

"Thank you, Doctor."

I scratch my head. Why the f**k is he so formal with his doctor? I cry and eat cookies with mine.

"Have a seat. I've been made aware that you hurt yourself, Althena?"

I shake my head at the fancy man. "You're not my therapist." He has lots of books. A couch. Few chairs. He sits behind a desk. "Do you have cookies?"

"No."

"Play sand?"

"No. I don't have toys."

I sit back and get comfortable. It is a nice couch. "What do you do?"

"We talk. Adults come here because that's what they want to do. What is your favorite thing about your therapist?"

"The sand box."

"Sandplay therapy. I have heard of it. A child psychiatrist can use that as a tool. Do you have a second favorite thing?"

"We eat cookies. She has big bean bag chairs too."

He chuckles. "I couldn't imagine my clients getting out of bean bag chairs. But we can get some cookies." He pushes a button on his phone. "Cally, can you get some cookies for us?"

"Of course. What kind?"

"Whatever is at the bakery."

I yell over him. "WITH SUGAR IN THEM."

She laughs and disconnects.

"I guess sugar-free cookies aren't that great. So, Monte tells me you are his mate. How do you feel about that?"

"You're not my therapist. Fix him."

"Is he broken?"

"Kind of."

"Can you give me an example?"

I glance at Monte, and he's staring at me. "NO. I can't think of any."

Monte kisses my cheek. "Please talk here. Whatever you want to say. I won't be mad."

This feels more like a trap than anything. I shake my head.

"I was also told you have multiple mates. 5 of them?" The man flips some papers around.

"Yep. Mike, Conner, Drogon, Monte, and Cyrus."

"How are things with them? Are they different?"

"Very different. Cyrus is fancy. He likes fancy things. Conner is a thrill seeker. He's also my monster. Drogon needs the most time with me. Well, they can all be needy. Mike is Mike. He's strong and stable. He doesn't need much, but he'll do anything for me."

"How is Monte?"

"I don't know yet. It's very new. But he acts like a king already. Smart. Good in chaos. Keeps me safe."

"Are all the boys like that?"

"Conner is the maker of chaos."

Monte laughs. "Conner, Clayton, and Chris. They do enjoy the drama."

"Young ones usually will."

"I got some cookies and milk." A woman sits them on the coffee table.

"Thank you." I scoot closer to Monte, so I can reach them. Then I shove one in my mouth. "They are good."

"I'm glad you like them. Some of them have chocolate." She leaves and shuts the door.

Nobody says anything, so I reach for another cookie.

"So, how is Monte broken?" The man does something on his computer.

I look for a chocolate chip cookie. "He doesn't like to touch me." I find it and shove it in my mouth. "He did before. But now we're mates, and he doesn't want to anymore."

"Were you sleeping together before you figured it out?"

I swallow hard. "No. Not that. We would kiss and stuff."

"He doesn't kiss you now?"

"We still kiss." I find a frosted cookie. "No more stuff." I shove a big bite in before he can ask me anything else.

Monte rubs my back. "Things got heated between us a few times."

"I understand. Things are not getting heated since you found out you're mates?" I nod at him. "Why is that, Monte?"

"I don't want her to feel like she has to do anything. It doesn't matter what the test says, she can take as long as she wants."

The man holds his hand up at me, so I get another cookie. The milk is good too.

Monte continues after a minute. "I was so stupid. I know she has to have issues with everything. And how am I supposed to touch her? She's perfect."

"Althena?"

Oh, now the doctor wants me to talk. My mouth is full. I grab Monte's hand and put it on my boob while I chew fast. Then I drink some milk while they laugh.

The therapist rubs his eyes. "Well, I guess she explained how you touch her. What kind of issues do you have, Althena?"

"Oh... My therapist said I have abandonment issues, anxiety, codependency, risky behaviors..."

He cuts me off. "No. What issues do you have with Monte?"

I think about it for a minute. "I can't think of any."

"How do you feel that he was with multiple people before you?"

"Well, I don't like it." I grab another cookie. "It's not like it matters though. As long as he's not with anyone else now, I'm fine."

"Ok. Monte, you're backing up in the relationship. Things used to get heated between you, they're not anymore. This is going to make her feel rejected. You need to communicate more. Do you need more time before things get physical?"

He lays his head back and rubs his eyes. "No."

I sit him up and hand him a cookie. "You need this."

"What are you afraid of?"

He puts the cookie in his mouth. "I never liked anyone I was with before. What if I see her differently after? And she's so perfect."

The therapist nods. "He sees you as an angel. Perfection. Halo and wings and all. Someone sent straight from the heavens. If you get physical, he's afraid he'll see you as something different."

That gives me an idea.

"Oh no."

"What?" Monte looks from the doctor to me so fast. "What are you thinking?"

"Sexy demon outfit. I can get some horns too."

Monte smirks and pulls me against his side. I love his arm around me.

"That might do something." The doctor chuckles. "Monte, have you kissed a girl you like before?"

"Only Thena."

"Aww." I hug him so tightly.

"Did it change the way you see her?"

"She's more perfect now." He pushes my hair behind my ear.

"Try to look at the physical stuff like it's a first for him, Thena. It's going to take a little extra time, but he cares deeply about you. He's not rejecting you."

I plop my head on his shoulder. "We can go slow."

"I think that is the right thing to do. Go on a date this week. Spend some time together. Don't worry about the physical stuff right this second. And I will see you next week. Can you come in with him once a week?"

"Yea, that's fine." I giggle, grab 2 cookies, and run out.

From there we go to my therapist. I show Monte the sand box. She has me decorate the box from when I found out about Monte. So, I can show him better. Then we go to Drogon's office.

Katen is talking to my boys, Chris, and Clayton. "I'm keeping everyone filled in. I successfully got the computer restored to a date when Deriston owned it. I've been unable to find the key though. I recorded some of the symbols and sent them to my college professor. He's worked with computers for years. I want to see if he's ever seen the code before." She shrugs her shoulders. "It's a start. Other than that, you can look around for a computer program. It could be on a memory stick or another computer he owned."

"Can you crack the code?" Mike has a paper in front of him.

"It looks really advanced. I'm trying some different things. Running it through some different programs. Asking the professor. I'm trying. But I don't think so. I've never seen anything like this."

The phone dings. "Sir, Esmeray Demir is here to see you."

Katen turns bright white, stands up, then falls unconscious.

"We're gonna need a minute." I run to Katen.

"I've heard of her." Clayton stands up to help me.