#may85

[pedroscurls]

hehe i love a good cliffhanger 🙂‍↕️ thank you for reading!

training partners (pt. 10)

summary: with your trainer's help this last week, you slowly find your way back to yourself again... and you finally have the courage to tell hugh more details about your relationship with jack and it only makes him angrier. pairing: hugh jackman x fem!reader warnings: angst - mentions of toxic relationship, verbal / physical abuse (not with hugh!). implied age gap (hugh is 55, reader is in late 20s-early 30s), no use of y/n. word count: 2.4k a/n: anyway, we're getting into the reader's backstory with jack, so it's going to be a bit dark... and consider this the first argument between reader and hugh... gonna be a tough next couple of chapters, but trust me when i say there will be a happy ending at the end of all of this! as always, this is purely fictional! i mean no disrespect to hugh jackman. prev part.

You’d taken today off to drop your trainer off at the airport. This last week had gone too fast and while it was emotionally and mentally exhausting, it was just what you needed to remind yourself just how far you’d come. There’s still something lingering in the pit of your stomach, the anxiety that you’ll need to have a conversation with Hugh about everything that’s happened with you and Jack. He knows bits and pieces that you’ve shared before, but he doesn’t know the full picture.��

“You gonna be okay?” she asks. 

“I think so,” you nod. “I can’t let Jack run my life anymore.”

Your trainer pulls you into a hug, holding you tight. “You’re a good person,” she whispers. “And you never should have gone through what you did. He should have never put you through that.” 

You can feel tears stinging your eyes as you wrap your arms around her as well. She had been a godsend and so important in your journey in finding yourself again. She empowered you, motivated you, and helped you see just how worthy you are. 

When she pulls away, she smiles in your direction. “Hugh loves you,” she points out. “Allow yourself to be loved because you’re worthy of it. You’re enough.” 

You nod, wiping any fallen tears from your cheeks. “I just don’t want to disappoint him… What if he realizes that I’m not what he thought I’d be, that maybe all the pain I’m still working through isn’t worth it?”

She rolls her eyes playfully. “You don’t see the way he looks at you, do you?”  

You share your head. 

“Well, that man looks at you like you can do no wrong. Like you’re the only person that matters. Trust me, you are worth it.” 

“Part of me is also nervous… To talk to Hugh and tell him everything. He knows bits and pieces, but…”

“He’ll understand,” she replies. 

“And if he doesn’t?”

“He will.” 

You sigh and then pull her in for another hug. “Thank you for coming here, for being there for me. Again.” 

She lets out a quiet laugh and gives you a tight squeeze before she pulls away. “If Hugh wants to invite me back, let me know. I’d be happy to visit again,” she winks. 

“I’ll let him know. Get home safe.” 

“Remember how far you’ve come, okay?” she says. “And if Jack crosses any lines, it might be time to get the authorities involved.”

You nod in agreement. “I know… I just don’t want it to get to that point.” 

“Let’s hope it doesn’t.” 

—

Later that night, you’re sitting out on the balcony of the hotel room with a notebook on your lap. You had tried to write some talking points to go over when Hugh gets home. You know he’s going to be tired, but you know that if you don’t have this conversation with him, you may never will. 

You know he’s on his way back to the hotel and your heart races faster and faster. You can feel the anxiety course through your veins and even with the notes you had written down, you still don’t feel all that confident. It’s not the fact that you have to tell Hugh what happened, but it’s the fact that you’d have to relive everything that Jack had put you through. 

When you hear the hotel room door open, you stand up and turn to look over your shoulder and make eye contact with Hugh. He looks tired, but at the sight of you, his eyes light up and a broad smile lines his lips. This must be what your trainer was referring to… about the way he looks at you. It eases your nerves, calms you down and keeps you grounded because with Hugh, you have always felt safe. 

He steps out into the balcony with you and pulls you into his arms, leaning down to kiss your forehead. “Hi, baby. Missed you on set today.” 

You smile to yourself and shut your notebook, setting it on the chair you were sitting on and away from his line of view. “I missed you too.” You wrap your arms around his shoulders, hands playing with the hair at his nape. “How was filming?”

“It was good. Movie’s coming along.” Hugh holds you closer to him, eyes falling shut as he holds you in his arms. This was what he was looking forward to all day. Being with you. He knows that this last week had helped a great deal, having your personal trainer here had helped immensely. You weren’t so much on edge anymore and it felt like things were going back to normal. Before Jack entered the picture. “And how was your day? You get home safe after dropping her off?” 

“Oh yeah,” you nod. “It was nice having her here. Thank you for doing that, baby. You really didn’t need to and–”

“I know,” he says quietly. “But I wanted to. I knew she would help… in ways that I couldn’t.” 

“I love you,” you smile. “I’m really lucky.” 

“I love you too, baby.” He pecks your lips and then slowly pulls away. “I’m gonna take a quick shower and maybe we can order in for dinner?” 

“Wait, Hugh…” 

“Yeah?”

“After your shower, can we talk?” 

Hugh’s brow furrows, biting the inside of his cheek as his hands move to rest on your hips. “What about?” 

“Just…” you bite your lower lip. “It’s nothing bad. I just–” 

Hugh tilts his head to the side. He can sense your worry, your anxiety, so he just nods and leans in to peck your lips lightly. “Okay, baby. We’ll talk after my shower.” As he turns to walk back into the room, you reach out for him and pull him back into a tight hug. Your face buries into his chest, arms tightening around his frame as you hold onto him for a few seconds longer. 

“You sure you’re okay?” he whispers. 

“I will be.” 

—

Hugh’s shower doesn’t last that long. He tries not to overthink about what you wanted to talk about, but he can’t help the tug he feels in the pit of his stomach. Now he’s worried, he’s concerned. He quickly changes into a pair of black sweatpants and a Global Citizen t-shirt. He dries his damp hair with a towel and steps back out into the room, seeing you still outside on the balcony. You’re writing in your notebook again and he knows that you only write when you have something on your mind, something that you can’t shake. 

Quietly, he steps out with you and smiles in your direction. Hugh watches you close your notebook, setting it on the small table. He doesn’t let you get up, instead, he scoops you into his arms and then sits in the same chair with you on his lap. 

“Okay, let’s talk, baby,” he says, leaning in to kiss your cheek as he drapes an arm over your legs. Hugh tries not to make it seem like he’s nervous and he isn’t even sure if you take notice because he can see that your mind has drifted, and can feel the tension in your shoulder blades. 

“Jack–”

“What?” 

You take a deep breath and move an arm around his shoulders. “I need to tell you about– about Jack.”

“Baby, you don’t have to–”

“I need to, Hugh.” 

He can see the tears in your eyes and a piece of his heart breaks at the sight. Hugh cups your cheek and gently brushes his thumb across your skin, leaning in to kiss the tip of your nose. “Okay,” he says softly. “I’m here. I’m listening.”

You nod and bite your lower lip. “So, we were together for three years…” 

“That I knew.” 

“The– The abuse, the manipulation, everything happened so fast. I didn’t even realize what was happening until I realized it was too late.” 

Hugh tightens his jaw. He feels anger bubbling within him, but he opts to remain quiet, to keep a neutral look on his face. He knows that you need this, that you need to tell him and he can’t react because he fears that if he does, you’re going to pull away and he knows how important this is that you’re telling him. 

“I had gotten used to his insults… so much so that I started to believe him.” you’re about to get off his lap, about to pull away from him, but he keeps a firm hold on you. When you look into his eyes, all you can see is the concern in his features and the subtle desire to take your pain away. 

“Oh baby…” Hugh whispers quietly. 

“I’m weak and I’m not brave,” you continue. “And that’s because of Jack. I should have left at the first sign of his verbal abuse, but I always–” you can feel your breath catch in your throat. “I always justified his actions. Always felt like it was my fault, that he was acting the way he was and saying the things he’d say because of me. Because I was making things difficult for him.” 

Hugh tightens his jaw when you look away from him, the anger simmering in the pit of his stomach. 

“And I believed him. I thought– I thought I could give all of my love to him and he’d see how much I cared for him, how much I was willing to do anything for him. Because I did,” you say with a disappointed tone. “I did love him and when he broke up with me – he broke up with me –” you shake your head. “It was my fault. It was always my fault. Mine.” 

“Baby, no…” Hugh shakes his head and cups your cheek, his gaze locked onto yours. 

“I couldn’t even break up with him, Hugh. All of the nasty things he’s said to me and I couldn’t–” you shake your head and stand up from his lap before he can pull you back. “I was heartbroken when Jack broke up with me because he made me believe that no one would ever love me… that I wasn’t worthy of love and I fucking believed him.”

Hugh’s foot taps against the floor incessantly. He wants to reach out for you, but he always wants to find Jack and cause him just the same amount of pain – if not more. But then, he hears the words leave your lips and he jumps up from his chair. 

“He hit me once.”

“What?” 

“Hugh…”

“No no, he what?” 

You bite your lower lip and stare up at him. You can see the anger clear in his features and you gently reach out for him, but he just shakes his head. He’s fuming, hands shaking at his sides at your admission. You know this was going to happen, had even expected this reaction, but seeing it firsthand is entirely different. You don’t know how you can even calm him down. 

“I got angry because he had made me make him dinner after a long fucking day at work and–” you sigh. “After that, I learned how to fight because I knew that if he put his hands on me again, I’d fight back and–” 

“Wait, he hit you? Put his hands on you?”

“Hugh…”

“No, baby.” Tears are now pooling at his eyes. “He doesn’t get to do that, do you hear me? He has no fucking right–”

“Hugh!” you raise your voice, staring up at him. “I’m not telling you this to make you angry. I’m telling you this so you can understand why he had so much control over me, why I reacted the way I did when I saw him that one night at dinner, why it’s so fucking hard for me to see how worthy I am of this, of you.” 

Hugh shakes his head. He’s trying – truly, he’s trying so fucking hard to understand (and there’s a big part of him that does), but all he can see is this man putting his hands on you, putting thoughts and words into your mind that aren’t true. 

“Give me his number. The number he called you from a couple of weeks ago,” Hugh says. 

“No.”

“Baby, he can’t just get away with thinking that what he did to you was okay. He can’t get away with still making you feel the way that you do.”

“What are you going to do? Go and beat him up?” you ask, shaking your head. “Hugh, you’d get arrested! It’d be all over the media and–”

“I don’t care!” Hugh yells – it’s the first time that he’s ever raised his voice at you and when he sees you take a step back, it brings him back to reality. “I’m sorry,” he sighs. “I didn’t mean to raise my voice. I just– I can’t fathom this man walking around thinking like he did no wrong, baby.” 

“Nothing you do will help him see that, Hugh.”

“No? Well he hasn’t dealt with someone like me and–”

“Just stop!” 

Hugh furrows a brow. “Baby–”

“No, Hugh…” you cross your arms over your chest, wanting so badly to just get away from this all, away from Jack, away from Hugh. “I don’t need you to save me… I don’t need you to go back to my past and make things better. I just need you to understand the shit I went through is what made me who I am today. And I’m still healing… I’m still working on it, and I just–” your breath catches in your throat once more. “You’ve been so patient with me, so understanding that I figured I’d at least tell you everything because… because I will have moments where it’ll be hard for me to snap out of it.”

“I know, and I appreciate you telling me all of this, baby–” Hugh sighs. “But I can’t just sit here and not do anything about it.”

“You know what,” you tell him, opening the sliding door to walk back into the hotel room. “I’m gonna go for a walk. I can’t be here right now. This wasn’t how I thought this conversation would go.”

“Baby, no–” Hugh walks after you, watching you pull on a jacket and slip on your shoes as you grab your bag. “Please, just stay. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not mad at you,” you tell him quietly. “I just need some space right now.”

“I love you,” Hugh whispers. 

“I know,” you reply, grabbing the hotel key card and setting it in your bag. “I love you too, Hugh, but I just need to be alone right now. We both need to calm down before we say something we’re both going to regret.” 

You don’t give him a chance to respond because just as his mouth opens to say something, you’re already out the door. 

---

taglist (if links don't work, i'm sorry!): @corvusmorte - @dragonqueen89 - @whimsiwitchy - @kellyxo1

@wolviehugh - @moonxknightx - @sullyselena - @angelofthorr - @spectorrrhgf

@needz1nk - @fandomxo00 - @godlypresley - @kythefangirl25 - @callsignyourmom

@sue8724 - @squishyfruitloop - @sylviavf - @emotrash1 - @dissentientss

@sir-thisisadndserver - @absolutepie - @millajay - @itsallyscorner - @haytchee

@wolverigrl - @its-in-the-woods - @d3ad2you - @definitely-not-chill - @khxna

[may85]

🧺Laundry Day🧺

🫶Part of a Domesticated Bliss Series🫶

It was the simplest yet strangest thing to Drover. The domestic life that he never thought he'd have again.

"No man hires me. No man fires me,"

It was his mantra. He applied it to all aspects of his world... So color him surprised when you came into his life. Like the wet it happened fast, the love blossoming each and every day.

He'd been tending to one of the newer horses when he saw you come out the back door of the house with a laundry basket of wet clothes that needed to be hung.

He left the horse to graze as he made his way to you. It was there that he took his time admiring you as you grabbed one of his shirts from the basket and shook it out.

The light blue dress that you wore, clung to your body as the wind blew, giving Drover the perfect silhouette of your back side as you turned.

He smiled as you stood on your tiptoes to reach the clothes pin. A soft chuckle escaped him when you cursed, not quite able to grasp the pin.

You gasped and slightly jumped when he gripped your waist, "Here love, let me help, yeah?"

The smile you gave him made him realize just how lucky he was to have you, "Thanks Jack,"

He handed you the the pin, "I can't have my girl hurting herself, no can I?"

You rolled your eyes and laughed, "I almost had it,"

"Course ya did, Darlin'. Course ya did,"

With a click of your tongue, you deftly hung the shirt at the seams so not to wrinkle. Drover had yet to let go of your waist. He just couldn't bring himself to.

The feel of your warmth through the material of your dress, the softness of your flesh filling his hand grounded him. He thanked whatever being in the universe for putting you in his path.

He must've zoned out watching you because you seemed perplexed, your brow pinched as you waved your hand in front of his face.

Drover blinked rapidly, "Sorry Love,"

"You okay?"

He cupped your cheek, his thumb smoothing over the apple as he smiled, "I'm more than okay,"

You grasped his wrist and tilted your head in his palm, "You sure? You seem a mi-"

Drover was quick to swoop in, his lips tasting yours in the slowest of kisses. He savored each and every gentle pull of your lips. His other hand rested at the small of your back, pulling you close.

The kiss consumed you both, the only thing making you both separate was the need to breathe. You cleared your throat, "Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?"

He ran his middle finger across your forehead catching a stray strand of hair where he put it behind your ear, "Just because,"

His eyes glanced at your lips as you bit the plump flesh with a slight grin, "Well, by all means, you can kiss me like that anytime,"

He chuckled, resting his forehead against yours, "Oh I plan on to Darlin'. Every day, for the rest of my life,"

It took some time for the rest of the clothes to be hung, but in between kisses and soft caresses, Drover helped you empty the basket.

The domestic life. Who would've thought?

§~§~§~§~§~§

Do you have a domesticated bliss request for The Drover or a different Hugh Jackman character? Send them in!

[nekoannie-chan]

Masterlist of reblogged authors during 2023 L-M

This is the list of the writers that I reblogged during this year 2023 in alphabetical order. Unfortunately, some blogs no longer exist, so they were not included.

@lavykitty

@lazydoodlesandfanfic

@leahsflwer

@lemonnsss

@levans44

@leviathanhomecooking

@lilacliquors

@lillian-gallows

@lis-likes-fics

@little-miss-dilf-lover 

@lives-in-midgard

@loomiskemp

@lostalioth

@love-bitesx

@lukas-matsson

@lunarbuck

@luveline

@m0chaminx

@m1kasawps

@madeforstarker

@madscape

@majesties-palace

@margoshansons

@margowritesthings

@marvelcriminalhow

@marvelettesassemblenow

@marvellousimagines

@marvelouslytrekking

@marvelsmylife

@marvel-wlw

@maxxix66

@may85

@maycat-19-142

@mdemontespan1667 

@messedupfan

@messylustt

@midnightswithdearkatytspb

@mischiefsemimanaged

@mjolnirswriststrap

@mkfushiguro

@mochie85

@moim0i

@moodybluemoon

@moolit-imagines

@moosereblogsfics

@mrsarnasdelicious

@mrs-maximoff-kenner

@multifandomworldsposts

@multific

@multiversefanfics

[readingandwritingandreading]

Some Hearts ~ Part 4

My Blurb: Happy Friday! I know this is moving slow but things are going to be picking up soon!

Disclaimer:  Alas, I own nothing but my ideas. I do not give permission for my writing to be shared anywhere without my consent. 

Summary: Reacher never needed anyone, he was a lone wolf and preferred it that way. But when he finds his mate beaten and bruised one night, she and the rest of the 110th show Reacher the benefits of being in a pack. Fated Mates, Shifter AU

Pairing: Jack Reacher x OFC Morgan Stone

Warnings: There are some darker things in this fic. Morgan is a rape and abuse survivor. Nothing is explicitly detailed but be advised. Your media consumption is your responsibility. This is a fated mates, wolf shifter AU and will contain claming, biting, mating and other wolf pack related things. 

Tagging: @pioched | @ashes-writing | @titty-teetee2 | @may85

Add yourself to my taglist HERE

Read First: Some Hearts Masterlist

Also Check Out: Main Masterlist

Reacher’s Cabin, Rock Hill Village

Moseley had been gone no more than ten minutes when Charlie made her way down the stairs. She made her way to the kitchen sniffing the air “Is that their chicken pot pie? Maybe I need to break my arm.” she laughed ignoring the anxious glances he cast towards the loft. “She’s fine. She’ll be down soon, she just needed a minute. It’s been a big day and the shower wore her out.” 

“I can bring the food upstairs.” Reacher eyed the table where he had set up the food, drinks, utensils and plates. “I’ll carry her down here.” He headed towards the stairs but stopped when Charlie jumped into his path. 

“Reacher, from what we know, she has spent the last couple weeks on the run from some men who didn’t care about her, who actively hurt her. She’s going to need a minute to realize you aren’t like them.” She gave him a pointed look before pulling on her jacket. “If you guys need anything, you know we’re all here to help.” 

Reacher nodded, “Thank you Charlie. It is appreciated.” She smiled, closing the door behind her and heading to her car. He locked the door, watching her car disappear until the sound of creaking wood had him turning to see Morgan coming down the stairs. His breath caught as he took her in. Her hair was braided over one shoulder, leaving a small damp mark on the large shirt…his shirt…she was wearing. It hit right above her knees leaving a gap of skin visible that disappeared under a pair of long gray socks. Looking her over he watched a blush creep up her neck and onto her face. He approached the stairs slowly until he reached the bottom step putting them nearly eye to eye. 

“I hope it’s ok, Charlie brought it in. Said it would be easier with my arm.” He was so preoccupied looking at her, it took him a minute to realize she meant the shirt. 

Clearing his throat, he held out his hand to help her down the last couple stairs. “Whatever makes your recovery easier is fine with me. You should be comfortable.” She gave him a shy smile before tentatively placing her hand in his. He heard her sharp intake of breath at the same time a comforting burst of warmth erupted where their hands connected. 

He loosened his grip, making sure she could pull away if she wanted but she merely stared at their hands. “Will that always happen?” She whispered, raising her eyes to meet his.

“I don’t know.” He answered, gently urging her towards the table. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A dull whirring sound pulled me from my slumber. The sun shone brightly through the window causing me to glare at the interruption to my sleep. The gray wolf had appeared again, chasing away the shadows chasing me and allowing me a peaceful and uninterrupted rest. The whirring sound happened again, pulling me out of the bed towards the window. My view faced the front yard, not giving me a view of whatever was causing the sound. Struggling into a pair of sweats with my good arm I headed downstairs, peaking into Jack’s room on the way. It was empty and his bed was neatly made. I had a fuzzy recollection of hearing the shower turn on after he had walked me to my room after dinner.

I smiled at the thought. Dinner had been…lovely, almost like a date. He told me about how his mother was the most stubborn woman in the world, refusing to tell them about the cancer that eventually took her life. “She made me who I am.” He had said, looking out the window almost reverently as he thought of her. 

Turning towards the kitchen and also finding it empty I frowned, thinking about the other things he had told me. How he formed the 110th, losing both his parents and then his brother. The only family he had left was this pack. And you, the little voice in my head whispered but I shook it away heading towards the back door when I heard the whirring again. 

Stepping onto the back deck my mouth fell open at the site before me. Jack was measuring a plank of wood and making marks on it with a pencil before double checking the measurement. Even with the cooler weather there was still sweat soaking through the gray shirt he was wearing, causing it to cling to the muscles of his back. He turned slightly, giving me a tantalizing view of his arms straining against the sleeves of the shirt. Heat unfurled in my lower stomach and I felt my nipples harden. I must have made a sound because he looked up from where he was positioning the plank on the saw, grinning when he saw me. 

“I hope I didn’t wake you, the house is pretty well insulated and your room faces the other direction.” He stood, dusting his hands off and approaching me, concern growing on his face when I didn’t answer. “Are you feeling ok?”

“Oh…what? Yes…” Get it together Morgan, I forced my eyes away from his muscles, hoping my face wasn’t as red as it felt. “I’m fine. What are you building?”

He studied me for a minute before answering my question, “I was working on a shed to store winter supplies on this side of the pack. But if you want, I can make some adjustments and make it into a livable space for myself while you get everything straightened out and stay in the house.” 

My mouth dropped open again as I absorbed his words. He was going to build a shed to live in while I lived in the house…HIS house? When did the Moon Goddess start making men like this? And where had they been when I needed them? He was still watching me carefully so I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, if he was being honest, I could be also. “You don't have to do that...I'd feel...better with you in the house.” And then I fled back inside without a backwards glance. 

I reached the kitchen island and took a breath, thankful that Jack hadn’t followed me. Tapping my fingers on the counter I decided to cook breakfast. There was no sign that Jack had cooked anything yet and doing something I loved would calm my nerves.Searching the cabinets I found the ingredients for pancakes along with bacon and eggs. He seemed like a simple breakfast guy so I started cooking. 

Putting the eggs and bacon in the oven to keep warm, I was about to attempt flipping a pancake with my good arm when his voice thundered behind me. “What are you doing?” Startled, I dropped the pan, pancake went one way and the pan headed towards my feet. Before it even hit the floor I found myself sitting on the counter, Jack’s arms tight around me. 

“I…I'm so sorry. I like to cook and I thought I could make you breakfast. I'm sorry, I should have asked first.” I curled inward, making myself as small a target as I could. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jack cursed himself and the men who had hurt her when he realized she was shaking in his arms. Her head was down and her arms hugged her middle, cringing away from his arms banded around her. He sighed and backed up, giving her some room. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled. I don’t care if you cook.” She nodded her head jerkily but didn’t look at him so he continued. “I was surprised and concerned about you injuring yourself.” He tilted his head so he could catch her eye before adding, “You are welcome to do whatever you want here.”

She watched him warily, studying his face before nodding and relaxing. “My father never let me cook even though I like doing it. He said it was beneath the daughter of the pack alpha. That we had servants and maids for a reason.” 

“Who taught you to cook?” He asked, picking the pan off the floor and putting it back on the stove. 

“Ironically the head cook, she took pity on me. Dad kept me secluded when he realized I couldn’t shift so I was alone in the house alot.” Morgan smiled softly. 

“What about your mom?” It was a risk asking but Jack wanted to know everything about her. He had been honest about himself last night hoping it would break down some of her barriers but he regretted asking when the smile fell from her face. 

“There were complications with my birth. Mom didn’t make it but I did. She was dad’s fated mate, I always guessed that was why he never seemed to care for me.” she shrugged, trying to hide the pain in her eyes by hopping off the counter he had put her on and opening the oven. “I made bacon and eggs if you’re hungry.” 

He let her change the subject but filed it away to look into later. “That sounds great. Make a list of whatever else you need to cook with and we can get it when we go to the store.” He grabbed some plates and took them to the table. 

“The store? We’re going into the village?” She sounded slightly panicked at the prospect. 

“We need to get you some shoes and the rest of the pack probably knows you are out of the hospital by now.” He pointed to her socked feet with the spoon he was using to put eggs on the plates. 

She looked at her feet before adding bacon to their plates. “Ya, Charlie said she didn’t have any in my size. Why does it matter that I’m out of the hospital?”

Sitting down in the chair beside hers he smirked. “If the rest of the pack doesn’t meet you soon there’s going to be a lot more than Mosely showing up at the door.”

He felt the shift in her mood before he looked up at the nervous expression on her face. “Are they…” she swallowed, before continuing. “Are they mad I'm here?” 

“No, they are nosy like family and they want to see the unfortunate soul who got fated to me.” He grinned at her, causing her to relax. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rock Hill Village, New York

Jack parked the truck in front of a two story building that I eyed warily. “What’s this place?”

“The Rock Hill Village packhouse and bar. The general store is next door. We will get you some shoes and go from there. Stay put.” He added before hopping out and rounding to my side of the truck. Opening my door his gaze fell to my socked feet and he frowned. “You can walk if you want, it’s not far. Or I could carry you.” 

I bit my lip as I considered the two options before reminding myself that Jack had been nothing but kind to me so far. “Umm…if you don’t mind, the gravel looks…” He scooped me up before I could finish the sentence, closing the truck door with his foot and starting towards the store. “Thank you.” I whispered, immediately overcome with the warmth that radiated between our bodies. 

Before he could respond the door of the store opened revealing an older woman beaming from ear to ear. “Reacher! It’s a pleasure to see you dear and with such a lovely companion.” 

Jack leaned down and let her press a kiss to his cheek. “Mrs. Moseley, always a pleasure. This is Morgan. Morgan, this is Mrs. Moseley.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you, thank you for sending the food last night.” I replied, attempting to sit straighter in Jack’s arms. He strode inside the building and set me down gently, his hand remaining on my back. 

“Oh it was nothing, I would have come myself but this old hip doesn’t like those storms.” She slapped her right hip before continuing. “Although I heard it brought us you.” She smiled. “I suppose we will forgive it this time. Now what can I help you two with?” 

“Morgan needs some shoes and we need a few groceries.” Jack pulled the list I had made while we ate breakfast out of his pocket. 

“We have some women’s boots over near the window. I assume you are going to show her around the village.” Mrs. Moseley stared at Jack with a raised eyebrow. 

“Yes ma'am,” he nodded, making me bite my lip to keep from laughing. 

“Good boy,” she reached and patted his cheek. “You two go get some boots then have your tour. I’ll get the list ready for you when you are finished. She shooed us away and Jack steered me towards a wall with a selection of boots. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Morgan looked exhausted as they climbed the steps to the packhouse. She had met what felt like every member of the pack with a smile. Asking questions about who brings the mail to the post office, and how often visitors come to the inn. She had greeted Charlie’s mate Paul at the bank with an excited handshake and thanks for stealing her the night before. She had giggled at the banter between Reacher and Guy when they stopped by the gas station/repair shop that he managed. 

Lily O’Donnel had greeted her with a hug at the school while she watched her mate David get pelted with dodgeballs. A growl from Reacher kept him from hugging her also. He just rolled his eyes and shook her hand instead. 

“Are you doing ok? We can go home.” Reacher stepped in front of her as they reached the door, studying her face intently. 

“I’m ok. I want to meet the rest. Everyone has been so nice.” she smiled up at him, reaching for his hand and gesturing to the door. She had quickly grown comfortable with touching him and didn’t flinch when he touched her back or arm to lead her around the village. 

Everyone in the bar turned when they entered the room and Morgan pressed into his side again. Something she had done throughout the day when meeting some of the male members of the pack.. He’d be lying if it didn’t make his wolf proud that she sought safety with them. 

“I know he’s got an ugly mug but we don’t have to all stare. Were you all raised by wolves?” Sanchez laughed as he approached, breaking the awkwardness in the room. Reacher shook his hand before introducing him to Morgan. After that came his mate Milena, Orozco, Dixon, Finlay, Franz and his mate Angela and several other members of the pack.

Morgan took it all in stride, unaware of the way Reacher watched her with a smile as Neagley showed her around the packhouse. “You look like an idiot.” his gaze was pulled from his mate to eye Orozco.

“You know, other people would say it’s nice to see me so happy. Or that I have a beautiful smile.” he retorted. 

“Give him a break man, you haven’t met your mate yet. You don’t know what it’s like.” Sanchez pointed his beer bottle at Orozco, clapping Reacher on the back in solidarity. “Your whole life changes when they appear.” 

“It really does.” Reacher took a drink of his beer, turning to watch Morgan laughing easily with some of the other women. 

[may85]

Send me a prompt and one of the characters below! :

💙Logan/Wolverine💛

🖤Van Helsing💚

🤎Drover/Jack Clancy🤍

— subtle physical affection prompts 𓆩♡𓆪

i hope everyone is having a great new year so far! enjoy :D

pushing strands of their hair out of their face

brushing the dust of their clothes

wiping off a food stain near their lips (bonus: you lick it off your fingers)

briefly tracing the lines of their palms

patiently helping them put their shoes on

teasingly playing with the string of their hoodie

nose boops

comparing hand sizes

accidentally grazing their hands as both of you are reaching for the same object

gentle massages for their shoulders

delicately putting your hand on their back

playful stabs with your fingers onto the side of their waist

ever so light forehead pecks

[band--psycho]

New Challenge 2023

I hope everyone is doing well! 💛

I'm very excited to announce that I will be hosting a new writing challenge; it's an idea I've had for a while and I'm super excited to share it with you.

The challenge is, a writing challenge based off of moodbaords sent to me!

In this challenge you will send in moodboards to me and if you wish a small summary of what you want the story to be about and the genre of it.

I know moodboards can take quite a bit of time to create so I will be extremely grateful to anyone who wishes to take part!

I will be posting at least one story based off of a moodboard every Monday (not including tomorrow 8th May) so that I can have time to write them and without being overwhelmed.

If you're interested in taking part, just have a quick look at the rules and character list below:

Rules:

Each moodboard must consist of at least seven pictures.

These pictures should include the character you want to be involved in the story along with their relationship with the oc (reader), the quotes that you want used in the story and of the scene you want me to write about.

If you want to provide any specifics-e.g a small summary of what you want the story to be about, then please include this in your ask.

You can send in as many moodboards as you like, there is no limit at present.

Here are some examples from stories I'm currently working on:

Characters:

Jax Teller

Chibs Telford

Harvey Specter

Natasha Romanoff

Loki Laueyson

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Draco Malfoy

Sirius Black (Marauders or HP era)

Remus Lupin (Marauder or HP era)

James Potter

Vander

Klaus Mikaelson

Negan

Anthony Bridgerton

Benedict Bridgerton

Steve Harrington

Thorin Oakenshield

If there is a specific character that you want to create a moodboard for that is not on this list but is apart of a fandom on my masterlist, then just send me a message!

Tagging:

@xacatalepsyx @withmyteeth @little-diable @rebelwrites @yn-ymn-yln @munsinner @lady-writes-flanagan @deathbecomesnerds @wild-rose-35 @malfoys-demigod @barbersjoy @conretewings @chibsytelford @beeroses @xbreezymeadowsx @rayslittlekitten @girl-next-door-writes @darthwheezely @book-dragon03 @gwen-ever @elvish-sky @may85 @thaliastregona @impala1967dwinchester @theonewithallthemilkshakes @rl92 @backstagewiththemadness

If you are tagged and don't want to take part that's absolutely fine! There is no pressure at all!

Thank you all for the support 💛

[usafphantom2]

F-14A-161869-VF11-MAY85 by Michel Klaveren

[starryevermore]

This past weekend I was baby sitting for a friend (we also work at the same school and I clean her house) so I finally got to watch Red Sea Diving Resort and dear gawd was it glorious to watch Ari 🤤 Man do I have some ideas rolling around in my noggin! I can't wait to read more about Sweetpea and Ari. *squeee!* 💜🥰

ari is such a dreamboat oml 🤤 i don't remember a single thing about the red sea diving resort bc i was too busy ogling at him 😍 i can't wait to share more about sweetpea and ari!

[avanatural]

@may85 🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰

That Simple

Part 9

Series summary: Beau goes to Y/N, a new friend of his, for some dating advice. Is the charming new Sheriff gonna get the date that he’s hoping for?  

Pairing: Beau Arlen x female Reader

Category: Fluff, angst, smut, 18+

Word count: 4k

Chapter warnings: Mentions of blood and stab wounds, mentions of kidnapping and homicide, explicit sexual content, penetrative sex, unprotected sex (Wrap it up!), hurt!sex, cursing

A/N: This chapter contains smut! Do not proceed if you’re under the age of 18! Otherwise, I hope you enjoy! Wanna be added to my Beau tag list? Send me an ask! ❤️

Part 8 | Series Masterlist | Beau Arlen Masterlist

Main Masterlist

“Oh, fuck,” Y/N cussed to herself, pinning some fabric between her fingers. She straightened out her dress and assessed the damage. There was a huge stain of bleach on the black-and-white checkered material. Great. She hadn’t heard from Beau all day, and everything else was going to hell, too.

Keep reading

[bleufrost]

Then I am begging you to write a Hellboy drabble, plllleeeasssee!? Maybe something Christmasy if you feel up to it? 😍🥰

a/n: less christmasy than I wanted but I hope the love makes up for that! thank you for the request ❤️

There was a loud crash followed by the signature swearing and grumbling of the big, red devil you had come to love. Shaking your head, you brace yourself for the scene that awaits you when you enter the door. 

Shiny tinsel and delicately wrapped garland hung from the walls around the room. In the center stood proud a ten foot tree that you had begged Red to help you put up when the season began. There were presents placed sporadically under the tree and stockings strewn up over the mantle of the warm fireplace. Amidst it all was the source of the crash; Red sat pouting in a small mountain of shattered ornaments and bulbs, in his palm he held yet another small ornament (or at least the pieces that once made up an ornament.)

“Babe, what happened?” You can’t stop the giggle from leaving your mouth no matter how hard you try.

“These stupid little balls are way too easy to break. Have you seen my hands? They’re huge, there’s no way I’m getting this done.” Hellboy huffs angrily, throwing the small pieces of broken plastic to the ground. He turns away from you and you giggle once more before making your way over to him. Part of you was screaming to poke fun at the big guy, but a bigger and far more sensitive part of you knew that sometimes Red really did need to be reassured that he wasn’t just the big and scary monster that everyone thought him out to be.

“Hey Red, do you want me to find something else for you to do while I clean up a little?” Red scoffs and moves just that little bit further away from you. He doesn’t make any move to react further, so you take the opportunity to close the space between you two.

“What’s wrong, HB?” You run your hands up and down his arms, slowly pulling him closer to you and shutting out the cold distance between you and him. 

Red lets you draw him in, you both know that he could stand his ground if he really wants to, you couldn’t physically force him to move an inch; but emotionally you would always be able to draw him closer. “I break things. Couldn’t even put up some damn ornaments without crushing them. Worst part is, I wasn’t even trying to do it.” Red dips his head down in shame, giving you the perfect angle to run your fingers softly through his black hair. He leans into your touch like a big kitty cat.

“Red, you were born to be hard. There is nothing gentle about a god born in hell.” Red laughs cynically and looks you in the eye. “Not really making me feel any better here, babe.” You laugh and continue to run your fingers through his scalp.

“Let me finish! You weren’t born to be soft, but you’ve learned to be. Maybe things fall apart or break when you’re not trying to keep them intact, but the fact that you’ve made the effort to learn to keep them together proves that you yourself are gentle. Not everyone in your position would have denied who they were meant to be in order to become who they want to be.” Red noticeably softens as you speak. The fire within his eyes is completely extinguished and his hand comes up to cup your face. His touch is the most gentle thing you have ever felt.

“I love you.” He takes a moment to look into your eyes and dips down to place a warm kiss on your lips. When he pulls back, the lights from the tree twinkle in his eyes and you know that there is no one in this world or the next who can compare to the compassion and kindness that Red holds within the palm of his hand. His compassion was by far the strongest thing about him, and you couldn't want for anything more.

[jdmorganz]

When Joel says he was embarrassed about what he had to trade for the coffee, I can't help but to think... "What would you doooohooo for a Klondike bar!?" 😂🤣

I mean...my mind went completely south when he said that. My brain went perverted lol. Let’s be honest, in my opinion at least, Joel is a hottie, so who knows what someone asked him for. I’m just saying lol 

[thedragonkween]

How about Reader and Arthur are out towards the mountains when a small pack of wolves attack. Arthur kills them all, but he and the reader were taken by surprise when a wolf jumps the reader, biting her forearm. Before any serious damage is done, Arthur kills the wolf? Fluffy goodness ensues. 🤔🤪🤗

“So, the first thing you wanna do, is stay low.”

You mirror Arthur’s movements as he slowly crouches down behind the trunk of a fallen tree, shotgun in hand and ready to fire at the oblivious buck ahead. 

“Make sure the wind don’t pick up your scent. Now,” he continues, turning to look at you and motioning to your own weapon, “focus. Hold firm, breathe, and then fire. Should be hard to miss”. 

You listen carefully as he instructs you, wincing when the snow creaks under your weight as you adjust your aim. Everything is still. It’s not snowing anymore and the wind is not too harsh, making it the perfect time for a hunting lesson. The glistening, fresh layer of snow made tracking game all the much easier and so came your blessing, on four legs and with a pair of outstanding antlers. 

The animal, still peacefully sipping from the freezing waters of the lake, is in your sight. Taking Arthur’s advice, you exhale and press your finger on the cold trigger. The deer startles at the sound of the gun firing, but it’s too late: the bullet hits him on the shoulder and he can only limp a few steps away before Arthur finishes him with a shot at the head. Always the good shot, that man. 

You rise to your feet excitedly, unable to contain your beaming smile. “I did it! Didn’t I?” 

From beside you, Arthurs chuckles, and that sound alone warms you more and better than any fire ever could. “Not bad, princess. Guess you really are more useful with a gun in your hands than washing dishes.” He walk past you and gets closer to the deer, for which you’re grateful. He has no business seeing the embarrassing blush that spread on your cheeks at that lovely little pet name. 

It’s stupid and childish, this crush of yours. You know far too well how guarded that heart of his is, yet Arthur didn’t exactly make it hard to fall for a man like him. Try as he might, the scary outlaw facade he wanted to have shattered with every sweet pat on Jack’s head, or with every hushed word of encouragement to his horse. 

He’s a collection of little controversies that draw you in, and just as you think you’ve finally solved the riddle that is this man, he manages to surprise you again and again. 

He’s just begun to show you how to skin the deer when you hear the first howl. 

Arthur curses loudly. “Get behind me!” 

You’re just about to argue that you can do without his protection, but then the three, hungry wolves appear from the trees and you don’t have the time to think as the first attacks. It growls and snaps his jaws at you, but Arthur is quick and shoots it square between the eyes. 

The other two howl at the loss of their companion and pounce just as you aim your smaller revolver and shoot, successfully taking out another wolf. The third doesn’t stand a chance, and soon its carcass joins the other two on the blood stained snow. 

Arthur turns towards you, his gruff voice laced with worry as he asks if you’re alright. 

You nod, putting your weapon back in its holster. “They must’ve smelled that deer.” 

“Well, let’s not-shit!” There is an instant where you look dumbfoundedly at him as he calls your name, and then you’re face down on the ground as a fourth wolf jumps you. 

You don’t have time to react as its claws dig on your back, trapping you beneath its weight and the snow. Your pained yelp is muffled as its fangs find the flesh of your shoulder, white hot pain exploding behind your eyelids at its attempt to rip your arm off. 

You never welcomed the sound of a firing gun more than you do in that moment, and you guess that Arthur has yet again managed to kill the animal without hurting you as its weight sinks down on your back. 

Arthur is quick to get the wolf off of you, and you wince in pain as he help you get up. “Jesus…”, he says softly upon inspecting your wound. 

“Is it that bad?” you ask, groaning at your attempt to move your joint. It hurts like hell and your face and hair are soaked from the snow. This will probably put you out of commission for a while. Fortunately, the thick coat you wear prevented you from direct contact with the animal’s jaws and so from the threat of rabies, too. Yet, as you feel Arthur’s rough hands delicately peel the torn clothing away from your skin to take a better look at the bite, you wish you were attacked by wolves more often.

“Let’s get you back to camp, before any more of ‘hese bastards show up”, and just like that he opens his blue coat and rips part of the shirt he wears underneath, wrapping it around and under your shoulder as delicately as he can. You let him, welcoming his warmth as it seeps into your skin thanks to his closeness to you.

Despite the pain, the ride back to camp makes you feel safe and protected, sitting in front of Arthur on his horse as you bring the spoils of war to your little mismatched family. 

[may85]

To Know You Pt1

Summary: Logan is being sent back to stop a mutant from wiping everyone and everything off the planet. He encounters a young Reader in the midst and finally understands her better.

Character: Logan Howlett x Reader

Movie: X-Men

Warnings: None at the moment

Word Count: 609

Photo/GIF credits go to the original maker/owner

You came into the sick bay, carrying a blanket for Logan. You knew Jean had hospital sheets, but you wanted your man to have something that would ground him if things were to get difficult.

Logan lay back on the table, staring at the ceiling until you came into his view. He smiled, opening his hand to you, needing to feel your soft skin.

“Hey Sweetheart,” he said, giving your hand a squeeze.

You leaned over, pecking his lips, “Hey Handsome. I brought you this blanket,”

As you slipped your hand from his, he placed his on your waist as you covered him. Your brow was pinched, knowing that this wasn't going to be pleasant for him.

He'd been taken back into time thanks to Kitty to deliver a message to a young Xavier about a year ago and is now needed to go back once more. This time to stop a young mutant from erasing everyone and everything from existence. 

He squeezed your hip and tried to reassure you, “I'll be fine,”

You cleared your throat and blinked away burning in your eyes. It was all you could do to not cry. This was a dangerous mission.

Fumbling with the blanket to make sure his bare toes were covered you softly replied, “I know… doesn't make this any easier though,”

Logan sat up and cupped your cheek, “I'm coming back to you, Y/N. Nothing is going to keep me away. You hear me?”

His thumb ran over the apple of your cheek as you nodded, “Loud and clear,”

Jean cleared her throat and handed you some electrodes, “Put these on his chest and hook up the wires. Match the colors to pads,”

You nodded, “Lay back hun,”

Logan did as you asked and sighed. He watched you intently as you did as Jean asked. Once the last electrode was on, he gripped your hand, bringing it to his mouth for a soft kiss.

“Be here when I get back?” He asked.

“Of course you goon,” you smiled.

Xavier and Kitty came into the bay, ready to get things rolling.

With his eyes focused only on you, Logan pulled you down to him, “Gimmie one more kiss, sweetheart. For good luck,”

The kiss was soft and thankfully he kept it PG so not to embarrass you in front of Xavier. Like with everyone else, the Professor was like a family member to you… and family meant everything.

“Y/N, Logan. Are we ready?” Xavier asked 

You shook your head no as you and Logan verbally replied, “Yes,”

Xavier, Logan, Kitty and Jean all softly laughed at your antics.

“My dear, Y/N. Everything will be fine,” the Professor patted your arm.

You nodded, biting your lip as you looked at Logan. His eyes on you.

Kitty sat at the head of Logan and popped her fingers before placing them at his temples, “Ready when y'all are,”

You backed away, knowing that the first initial shock will have Logan's claws out. Xavier sat by the side of Kitty and began to speak softly, his voice soothing and very low. You couldn't make out what he was saying.

Logan watched you until his eyes fully closed and his breathing evened out. As Kitty focused her powers, his body jerked, his claws coming out. His body was taught, the veins nearly popping.

You stood there, nearly reaching out until Jean stopped you, “Y/N… look,”

As she nodded towards Logan, you saw his body relax and his claws slowly sink back into his skin.

“We're in,” Kitty said.

“And now we wait,” Professor Xavier said.

Waiting was always the hardest part…

Requests for Logan, Van Helsing and The Drover are OPEN!

[erinelizabethh]

Are you still taking Deacon St John requests?

SO this is late. I’m sorry to be a disappointment yet again, but things aren’t going too well for me right now so my writing… is not good lol so it’s a huge possibility I won’t be taking requests at all right now. I am very, very sorry for the inconvenience; I thought at first I could handle it but shit happens. Thank you for asking :) 

[beefybuckrrito]

Hehe so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading and sharing 💖

Keep Warm

Pairing: Ari Levinson x f!reader

Word count: 3.9k (lmaoooo sry)

Warnings: 18+ minors DNI, unprotected sex, we love a keeping warm trope, size kink if you squint

Author's note: this is for the Happy Hoelidays 2021 challenge by the wonderful @drabblewithfrannybarnes, @stargazingfangirl18, and @navybrat817! This was my first "challenge" and I had a lot of fun putting this together! Big thank you to @mjolnir-steve for beta-ing, giving me some great ideas, and putting up with me when I was too busy being thirsty for Ari to actually write sometimes 😂 comments, feedback, and reblogs are always welcome! I hope you enjoy~

After a long flight and an only slightly shorter drive did you finally see the cabin at the end of the road. The official start to your break, a drink in front of the fireplace, was just a few minutes away. The lowering sun made the sky a pretty orange as it stretched out behind the mountains, a few dark clouds creeping in from the distance. It was going to snow later and you wanted to make sure everyone was settled before it started. You figured you would be the last of the crew to arrive, so you were a bit surprised when you pulled up next to the only other car in the driveway. Maybe some people carpooled? You had no clue what anyone drove anymore, it had been well over five years since you had seen anyone who agreed to this little holiday gathering cooked up by Nat and Clint. Holidays were never really your thing, but it was a good excuse to get away from work and take a real vacation to catch up with some friends. Just as you were pulling your suitcase out of the trunk of your rental, you felt your phone vibrate in your pocket, finally catching a signal.

Natty: Hey babes! So a slight change of plans... Clint and I ended up missing our flight and due to the storm headed that way we’re not going to be able to make it for another day or so. But don’t worry! We’re coming. You’ll just have to hang with Ari until then ;) x

Shit. What a great way to start your vacation, alone in a house with the guy you hardcore crushed on in college who barely knew you existed. You took a deep breath and quickly replied.

T: I think I can handle myself for 24 hours 😒 You kids have a safe flight! x

You shook your head at yourself for suddenly being so nervous and made your way up the steps. A lot can happen in five years. Maybe he’s married now, or at least in a relationship? Well, you were going to find out soon enough and you knocked on the door. 

“I was starting to think you all forgot about this week! Finally I’m not the only one he‒ oh hey, Teacup.” Ari's boisterous greeting softened once he realized it wasn’t his old roommates. You were absolutely not expecting to hear that nickname again. One pottery class in college and you were gifting people mugs and tea sets left and right because you couldn’t afford any other presents for birthdays that year. You don’t remember if he had ever referred to you by that before, or at all, really. Your heart pounded in your chest and you cleared your throat before returning his smile. 

“Hey, Ari. Long time, no see. You hear from Nat and Clint? They missed their flight and are gonna be a day or two late with that snow coming.” You fiddled with the bottom of your coat as you looked up at him. His hair was long and luscious as ever, maybe even a bit longer, but now he had a thick beard to match it. It was a very good look for him, to say the least.

“Of course they did. Steve said Buck decided to drive the whole way, so they’re coming in later, too.” He rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Guess it’s just you and me for now. Go get unpacked and I’ll throw some more wood on the fire.” He stepped back into the cabin to allow you entrance and headed for the living room. 

The beautiful wooden structure looked like the holiday section of the craft store had thrown up all over it, surely courtesy of Nat’s sister who lived nearby. You made your way upstairs to the bedrooms and ventured into the room at the end of the hallway. After unpacking and changing out of your travel clothes, you came down the stairs to see Ari splayed out on the couch, ever the king of manspreading. You entered the living room and perched on a cushy chair next to the couch, taking in the full festive atmosphere. “Yelena really did a number on this place, didn’t she? The cheerful little elf.” You chuckled and smoothed out the blanket draped over the arm of your chair.

“Still not a fan of the holidays, then?” Ari sat up a bit and tilted his head while looking at you. “I remember you being our resident grinch once the decorations started going up.” Was his gaze really on you for as long as it felt like it was? You needed a drink.

“Nope. It’s why I came out here to see you guys, actually. To get away from my roommate turning the place into a winter wonderland while her parents came to visit. Guess I didn’t escape after all.” You stood from your seat and padded over to the well-stocked bar Clint had promised everyone. “Can I get you something?”

“Oh, so you didn’t come because you missed all of us? I’m hurt, Teacup!” Ari laughed and clutched his chest, feigning pain. “I’m just excited to be back home for the holidays, to see you guys. Getting all nostalgic over us doing the holidays our way.” He watched you cross the room. It had been a while since he had last seen you, but you looked good as ever. The sweater you wore hung loose, falling off a shoulder and stopped just above your ass which was delightfully on display thanks to your choice of leggings. The little fuzzy socks on your feet just made you look even cuter. “If your taste is still the same as it was back in the day, I'll have what you’re having. And served with one of those pretty smiles, please.” 

He flashed you a big, goofy grin as you rolled your eyes and handed him a glass, the smile you were trying to fight tugging at the corner of your mouth. Is he really flirting with you right now? “I’ll call this one ‘Oh the Who-manity’ to be seasonally appropriate.” This was easily the most attention he had ever given you at one time. You took a large swig of your drink, the alcohol burning the back of your throat and helping to clear your head. He was always a flirt, typically with other girls, but he was probably just being friendly since it had been so long.

“So you haven’t seen the others since we graduated, either?” You took a reasonably-sized sip this time and sat on the opposite end of the couch, turning to face him.

Ari shook his head and ran a hand through his hair before mirroring your position, “I haven’t. Been too busy with all of the diving stuff. This is my first break in a while. It'll be great to see everyone.” He raised his glass towards you. “It’s good to see you.” He smiled as you leaned forward to clink yours against it. 

“You, too.” You peered into your beverage for a moment, swirling the liquid around and doing your best to not get lost in those stupidly pretty blue eyes in front of you. “So you’ve been doing all of your diving in wonderful warm places and you decided your vacation is going to a place where it’s about to snow?” you teased and gestured to a window. The sun had almost disappeared from the sky but illuminated it just enough to show snowflakes dancing in the air.

“Believe it or not, I do miss seeing some snow. But I will have to get used to trying to keep warm again.” He winked and adjusted the collar of his flannel. Sure, he joked about being cold, but you were already warming him up just fine. There was never really an opportunity for the two of you to be alone all those years ago. You met because you were friends with his roommates, so you were always there to see them when you were over, but now he really had a chance to look at you. He’d always found you attractive, but seeing you so relaxed, glowing in the light of the fireplace, confirmed his suspicion that he would do just about anything to see you under or on top of him. He had a funny feeling you wouldn’t exactly say no to him, either.

Your belly felt warm at that wink. “I’m sure you’ll manage.” You inwardly cringed, hoping he didn’t think you were trying to deflect him or anything. He used to make you so nervous, you just didn’t know what to do with yourself. 

“I could, but it would be a lot more fun with some company.” The tension between you was palpable at this point, and your heart hammered in your chest. He was just ridiculously handsome - the thick hair and beard, those blue eyes sparkling with mischief, the broad shoulders and chest that made his flannel shirt pull taut. You were dying to get your hands on him, but you just couldn’t. It was too overwhelming right now. 

“I’ve been traveling all day, so I think I’m going to call it an early night.” You downed the remainder of your drink and stood up into a big stretch, raising your arms above your head. “Good night, Ari. Stay warm.” You threw him a wink over your shoulder as you headed to your room.

Your entire body was still on fire by the time you had finished getting ready, so you changed into just an oversized t-shirt for sleep. Pulling yourself under the thick blankets, you groaned at the thought of what you and Ari could be doing right now. Were you chickening out? Were you teasing him? Probably a bit of both, in reality. Heavy footsteps came up the stairs soon after you settled into bed and you heard a door click shut close by. You must have picked the room next to his. Exhausted from the combination of a long day of travel and the stress and horniness of being alone with your college crush who had become extra flirty, you quickly nodded off into dreaming about all the places that glorious beard could go, swearing you could hear soft moaning. 

The bright sunlight poured through the window, uncomfortably bright even through your closed eyelids. The more awake you became, you realized how cold your nose was. Your body was still toasty warm under the heavy blankets but the air around you was much colder than it had been last night. Did the heat go out? Was that music what you thought it was? The high you were riding from last night was quashed the second the cold air hit you when you slipped out from under the covers, the cheery music blasting from downstairs not helping your mood, either. You stepped into a pair of joggers and fuzzy slippers and pulled a hoodie over your thin t-shirt. You padded downstairs in desperate need of caffeine. 

“Good morning! The heat is out and there’s at least two feet of snow outside, isn’t it the most wonderful time of the year?” Ari sang along to the song playing on the turntable in the living room. He was wearing a different flannel shirt today, dark jeans, and his hair was a little tousled from sleep. 

You groaned and made your way over to the coffeemaker, pouring yourself a cup from the half-full pot. “It’s freezing and you’ve decided to further hurt me with this music. That’s mean, Levinson.” You fixed the coffee to your liking and cradled it in your hands to warm your digits. 

“Tis the season to be jolly, T. You’re not doing a very good job.” He adjusted one of the hanging decorations and grinned at you. 

“I would be a lot more jolly if I were warm.” You grumbled into your mug, watching the steam swirl around in the cold air. “Aren’t you cold?” 

“I managed to keep myself warm just fine, like you said to. Plenty of nice thoughts to help me out.” He winked and gestured over to the fireplace. “Yelena said someone will come by to take a look at the furnace, but they’ll have to wait until the roads are cleared which will probably take a while since we’re so far out. At least we have the fireplace.” 

“Are you really getting back at me for calling it an early night and not helping you keep warm?” You narrowed your eyes at him and scurried over to the living room, yanking a throw blanket off the couch and plopping yourself right down on the floor in front of the flames. “I am only leaving this spot for food and drink.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just suddenly feeling very festive!” Ari chuckled and flipped the record, beginning a new set of joyous songs, much to your dismay. “And it looks like you’re the one who could use some warming up now. Anything I can do to help?” He took another sip of his coffee and sat down beside you. How was he not freezing right now? Then you thought back to him being one of those guys who would wear shorts until the first snow of the year. 

You grumbled at his cheery and innocent act and downed the rest of your coffee. Opening the blanket cocoon you had wrapped around yourself, you gestured for him to join you in it. You regretted backing out of things last night. You needed to get over yourself. Ari quickly pulled the blanket off of you, causing you to yelp at the cold air rushing over you. He swung the blanket around his shoulders like a cape and sat behind you, wrapping his arms and the blanket around you and pulling you against him. 

“Now, isn’t this better?” He murmured into your shoulder and stretched his legs on either side of you, effectively surrounding you with his warmth. It felt nice to have you in his arms like this, never having held you before. He was worried he had come on too strong last night and didn’t want to scare you off, but you kept flirting back, so he tried going a goofy and playful route today. 

Your heart skipped a beat as you felt yourself getting wrapped up in his embrace. “Much better. If you wanted to cuddle so badly, you could have just asked instead of torturing me with these festivities.” You shifted back and forth to get more comfortable and wiggle yourself closer to his warmth.

Ari stifled a groan as he felt your hips inch up his inner thighs, his cock starting to harden at your proximity, and he instinctively wrapped his arms tighter around your middle. “Well, I think you did a fine job teasing me last night and I had to get you back a bit.” He rocked back and forth with you, pushing his hips against your ass as much as he could from that angle.”You want to know what I thought about to keep myself warm last night?”

You couldn’t believe this was happening. It was one thing to be flirting a little and making jokes but to be wrapped up in Ari’s arms with him ready to tell you his dirty thoughts was an entirely different game and that ball of nerves and arousal rolled around your belly again. “I’d love to.”

“You see, I was torn between imagining you bent over the arm of that chair while I pounded as many orgasms out of you as you could take,” he nudged his nose against the side of your neck, letting his warm breath ghost over your skin, “or having you slowly ride me on the couch in front of the fire and edge yourself for as long as possible.” He hummed and ground his now fully erect hardness against you, his lips skimming the shell of your ear. “What do you think about that, Teacup?”

"I think you should get your ass onto the couch right now." You said breathlessly, your arousal beating out your nervousness. The chuckle that Ari let out made his beard tickle the skin on the side of your neck. You hummed at the chaste kiss he placed just behind your ear before standing up. Once he was situated on the couch, you climbed atop his meaty thighs and pressed yourself as close to him as possible. His cerulean irises were thin rings around his blown pupils and you never wanted him to stop looking at you like that. You thrust your hands into his thick hair, something you had been dying to do since you met him, and crushed your lips together.

"So you're more feisty now? I like it, T.'' Ari mumbled against your mouth as he slid his hands up your shirt and hoodie to softly squeeze your sides. He licked at your lips searching for entrance that you quickly granted. Your skin felt so soft under his rough hands, and the way you rolled your body against his was addictive.

Your body felt alight under Ari's hands, just him smoothing them up and down your back and sides was driving you crazy. You grasped at the bottom of your hoodie and pulled it over your head, taking your t-shirt with it and leaving your chest bare to him. Before you could register how cool the air was against your breasts, his warm hands cupped them, rolling your already sensitive nipples between his fingers. "Oh, Ari…" You ground yourself down harder against the bulge in his sweatpants and continued to card your hands through his hair, gently scratching your nails against his scalp.

"Already love your sounds, T. Can't wait to hear 'em all." He broke the kiss to dip his head down and pull a nipple into his mouth. You purred in delight and your grip briefly tightened on his hair, causing him to moan. 

As he lavished your breast in attention with his mouth, you did your best to unbutton his flannel shirt, revealing his deliciously well-built torso. You ran your fingers through his chest hair and squeezed his massive pecs, relishing in the deep moan you pulled from him. "You've got some nice sounds yourself." You dipped your head down to run your tongue along the shell of his ear.

Without warning, he stood up, causing you to emit a surprised squeak as you wrapped your legs around his waist. He held you tight against him as he reached beneath you to hook a finger into the waistband of his pants and pull them down along with his underwear. You felt his cock spring up and hit your clothed ass and you moaned, gripping onto him tighter with your legs. "If you keep me wrapped up like this, I can't get those pants off…" Without another word, you released your legs and let him slowly slide you down his body. The second your feet touched the floor, you shimmied out of your joggers and panties. You both took a minute just to look at each other, your eyes trailing over every curve and angle. He always looked good to you, but having him naked, hard, and soon to be inside you was something else entirely. You weren't even sure all of him was going to fit, but you'd be damned if you weren't going to try. Ari collected your hand and led you forward and he sat back on the couch, pulling you back onto his lap.

You wasted no time in dragging your nearly dripping core back and forth over his cock, moaning at the sensation. As you slid back, Ari pressed his length against your belly, picturing how deep he'd be seated inside you. "Think you can take it all, T? I bet it'll be a real snug fit."

As much as you wanted to take the time to explore each other's bodies, you didn't want to wait any longer. You sat up a bit, hovering just above him as he teased his thick head through your soaked folds. You braced your hands on his big shoulders and slowly sunk yourself down on his length, mewling as he stretched you out. 

"Ari…" You stilled once you were fully seated in his lap, his thick cock making you feel fuller than you ever had before. Your hands slid from his shoulders to his chest, your fingertips digging into plush muscle. After a moment of adjusting, you gently rolled your hips forward, eliciting moans from both of you.

"See? I knew you could take it. So tight and perfect. Like you were made for me." Ari found your hips and kneaded the soft flesh of your ass with his large hands. "You feel so fuckin' good, T."

His words just made you needier and you finally raised your hips and slammed yourself down on him. "Love how you feel, Ari. So big." You bounced yourself on his cock, your fingers gripping his pecs tighter as you watched his head roll back with pleasure. As much as you wanted to bring his dream to life and edge yourself, you were already so close, each time he entered you his head rubbed against your g spot just right. Your walls squeezed him as you drove yourself closer to your peak. 

"Love how your pussy is just pulling me in, so wet and tight." Ari slipped a hand around to your front, palm pressing just above your pubic bone and thumb lazily rolling over your clit. "I can feel you're close. It's okay, darlin'. You can come. I've been dreaming about seeing this for so long I'm not gonna make you wait."

Just a few more strokes of his thumb over your clit threw you over the edge. You keened, your head falling back as wave after wave of pleasure rolled through you and you clenched around his cock repeatedly. "Oh fuck, Ari. God, you feel so good." You ground your hips down against him, wanting to make the pleasure of your release last longer. 

"Fuck, darlin', this pussy is so perfect." Ari grunted as he snapped his hips up into you, enjoying the fact he could lift you off the couch with his force. "Gonna need you to keep me warm every night we're here." 

"This cock feels so good, baby. I'll keep you warm." You moaned, reaching behind you to gently fondle his balls with your fingertips. "Need to watch you come apart and fill me up, Ari. Wanna be full of you all week." You pinched his nipple with your free hand and hummed in delight as he gripped your hips tighter as he drove into you. Just a few more thrusts and Ari was shouting your name, his bruising grip pulling you down on him so he could spill himself as deep in you as possible. You collapsed against him, your chests moving together with labored breath.

After a moment, he gently rolled you onto your back, both of you groaning as he slid himself out of you. You watched him stand and cross the room, your eyes dancing over the wide expanse of his back and down to his equally muscular ass and legs. He quickly returned with a warm washcloth to clean you up and pressed a sweet kiss to your lips. "How's that for keeping you warm, T?"

Tag list: @barnesafterglow, @sweetdreamsbuck, @bucky-bucky-bucky-bucky, @christywantspizza, @midnightf, @justile, @tincanfics

[readingandwritingandreading]

Some Hearts ~ Part 5

My Blurb: I have returned! I am feeling much better and to make it up to you this one is the longest chapter I have ever written. I hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer:  Alas, I own nothing but my ideas. I do not give permission for my writing to be shared anywhere without my consent. 

Summary: Reacher never needed anyone, he was a lone wolf and preferred it that way. But when he finds his mate beaten and bruised one night, she and the rest of the 110th show Reacher the benefits of being in a pack. Fated Mates, Shifter AU

Pairing: Jack Reacher x OFC Morgan Stone

Warnings: There are some darker things in this fic. Morgan is a rape and abuse survivor. Nothing is explicitly detailed but be advised. Your media consumption is your responsibility. This is a fated mates, wolf shifter AU and will contain claming, biting, mating and other wolf pack related things. 

Tagging: @pioched | @ashes-writing | @titty-teetee2 | @may85 | @msripleybennet | @lemmons1998 | @tonadavis264-blog | @screechingdreamercollectorsblog

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Rock Hill Village, New York

The next few days followed the same pattern. Jack was already up and working on projects by the time I made my way down stairs. He joined me in the kitchen while I made breakfast and we talked while we ate. We cleaned up, drove into the village and usually ended the day at the pack house before returning home. It was…comfortable and safe. 

The third day I convinced him that I was feeling good enough to walk into town instead of him driving. That’s how I found myself staring at the covered windows of the building that sat between the school and road to Jack’s cabin. Dixon had come out of her cabin to discuss training some of the younger members when she saw us walking by and I gravitated towards the building. 

“It’s technically the pack library.” Lily O’Donnell’s voice sounded from my left and I jumped, hand immediately going to my chest. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” 

“Oh, it’s ok. I was a little lost in my snooping.” I smiled and waved at Jack who had turned immediately at my sudden fear. “Why do you say technically?” I turned my attention back to Lilly who sent Jack a wave also.

“David & I inherited it when we started the school but between that and the kids we don’t have time to maintain or organize it and no one else in the pack has taken it on yet.” She shrugged. “Maybe someday.” Jack approached then, his hand finding the small of my back, sending the familiar wave of warmth through me.

“Reacher” she nodded to him. “Dixon recruiting you for training today?” 

He nodded, “Bobby’s mate went into labor this morning.” 

“I didn’t think she was going to make it much longer.” Lilly grinned. “I better get going. It was good to see you, Morgan.” 

“You as well.” I waved before turning to Jack, a question that had been bothering me bubbling to the surface. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Always.” he answered without hesitation, surveying the village square as we walked.

“I don’t want to overstep. I just…” I bit my lip, memories of my curiosity getting me in trouble when I was younger flooding through me. 

“Morgan,” he stopped, turning me to face him. “You can ask me anything and I will always answer you honestly.”

“Do you have a specific job? I noticed almost everyone else does.” I blurted out before I lost my nerve. 

“This is the longest I've ever stayed on the pack lands since I left the military.” He pulled me to a bench by the statue of the Moon Goddess. "After we left the military, most of the 110th came here and started the pack but I couldn’t help but wander after a lifetime of being an army brat. I was thirty-six years old, a citizen of a country I had barely seen, and there were places to go, and there were things to do. There were cities, and there was countryside. There were mountains, and there were valleys. There were rivers. There were museums, and music, and motels, and clubs, and diners, and bars, and buses. There were battlefields and birthplaces, and legends, and roads. There was company if I wanted it, and there was solitude if I didn’t. Then three weeks ago I found myself getting off the bus on the highway five miles from here. Neagley runs a tight ship, everyone earns their place so I stepped in whenever they needed someone. Sometimes training, mostly security. I was on duty two weeks later when you set off one of the south sensors.”

I stared at him in shock as his words sunk in. The comments about his cabin, the lack of personal items and other little moments all came crashing together. “You’re not going to stay?” The words came out as a coldness wrapped its way around my heart and I became aware of how attached I had already become to the friendly little village. 

“I told you I would be honest,” he heaved out a sigh, running his hand through his hair. “I don’t know, I never planned on finding you. I couldn’t imagine I had a fated mate out there. It was a fairytale that some of my friends had but wasn’t in the cards for me. I’m still getting my head around the fact that you are here.” I forced the threatening tears down when he gently used my chin to force me to look at him. “I won’t make a decision without you. We’re a team now.” 

I searched his face before nodding, bolstered by the sincerity in his words and gaze. “It’s nice to be a teammate and not just a pawn for once. Thank you Jack.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek, smiling inwardly at the hint of shock in his expression when I pulled away. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A lingering warmth remained in the spot Morgan’s lips had touched him, even a couple hours after it happened and he sparred with the trainees. Dixon was a good trainer and all of her students excelled in learning how to use their wolves in a fight should the need arise. The focus today, however, was fighting without their wolf, something that Morgan seemed to be watching closely. Reacher had offered to take her somewhere she would be comfortable while he helped Dixon but after their talk she seemed to need the closeness, assuring him she wanted to watch.  

He could see her on the other side of the training area, watching Dixon show another smaller female how to use her speed against a bigger opponent. He walked over to her as the class wound down, an idea forming in his head. She had no power in her old life. He had seen the way it soothed her that he considered her his equal. Roscoe had no leads on why she couldn't shift and without her wolf she was at huge disadvantage against other shifters.

“Do you want to learn?” Reacher asked, stretching his hand towards her. She hesitated for a minute before determination crossed over her face and she nodded, grabbing his hand and letting him lead her away from the other students. “You heard Dixon telling them about speed?”

She nodded, stiffening slightly as he positioned her body. “Make yourself a smaller target and you're harder to hit.”

“And there’s no shame in running if you can.” he added, circling around to face her. “I’m going to try and grab you, try and avoid me.” Morgan nodded, taking a deep breath and watching him carefully. He waited a few seconds before pouncing towards her, catching her easily when she darted to the right. “You gave yourself away. You turned right and then hesitated. Once you make a decision, act, don’t hesitate.” 

They practiced for another couple hours before he noticed her wincing and rubbing at the cast on her arm. He was impressed with her determination. She was a quick learner and had mostly overcome the hesitation that gave her away managing to avoid him two times. “We better call it for today. Roscoe will have my hide if you hurt your arm more.” 

Morgan chuckled before sinking to the grass. “Thank you for teaching me. My father never would have allowed me to learn with my…handicap. He just surrounded me with bodyguards or kept me locked away in the house.”

“Everyone should know how to defend themselves. I will protect you until my last breath, but you need to know how to at least get away if someone attacks you.” Reacher sat down on the grass beside her looking towards the river that she had fallen into. 

She looked in that direction as well and smiled when she saw two wolves splashing out of the water, an black and tan one chasing a smaller brown one. The smaller one nipped playfully at the bigger one's snout before turning and running into the tree line at top speed. The bigger one howled and then followed. “Who was that?” Morgan laughed, following their path as they disappeared. 

“Sanchez & Melina. Their bonding ceremony is next week.” Reacher replied. 

“Can I see your wolf?” Reacher looked over to find Morgan staring at him apprehensively. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I held my breath as Jack studied my face and then nodded slightly. His shift was smooth and well practiced. One second I was sitting next to a large man and the next I was sitting next to a large wolf. I reached out and ran my hand through the blue gray fur of his chest. In human form Jack towered over me and his wolf did as well. In our sitting positions my head came to his shoulder. Standing I let my hand drift to the fur around his ears pulling back when he nuzzled my hand with his snout. “I’m sorry, I guess I should have asked before just petting you.” 

Wolf Jack moved into a standing position and made a growling sound before nudging my hand again until it rested on top of his head. When I scratched his tail began to wag and I giggled. “I feel like I’ve seen this wolf before.” Wolf Jack cocked his head as I thought, moving to stroke his neck and back. 

“Is Reacher wagging his tail?” An astonished shout came from several feet away and I squeaked in surprise when I found myself firmly behind Jack as he growled in the direction of the voice. Oscar Finlay appeared a moment later. “Down boy, I was just coming to let you know food’s almost ready at the pack house.” 

Jack suddenly shifted, as fluidly as before, blocking my view of Finlay. Peeking my head around him I waved. “What’s happening at the pack house?”

“Our monthly pack meeting, everyone eats there and we go over anything we need to.” Finlay filled in. “And we are definitely going to need to go over Reacher’s tail wagging.” He chuckled when Jack shot him a glare. 

I patted Jack’s arm before sliding it down to intertwine my hand with his. “Am I allowed to go? I’ve never gotten to be involved in pack activities.” 

I asked the question to Finlay but Reacher squeezed my hand and responded. “If you want to go, you can.” 

Finlay nodded, grinning at our intertwined hands. “I’ll see you there.”

Jack led us into the pack house half an hour later, winding us through the crowd and to a couple empty chairs at one of the trestle tables that had been setup in rows throughout the room. “Stay here, I'll grab some food.”

Charlie quickly joined me, dropping into an empty chair and greeting me with a hug. “Paul will be here in a minute, he’s dropping the girls off upstairs. They always have a movie set up for the kids up there while the adults handle business. I heard you did some training with Reacher today. You didn’t hurt your arm did you?” 

“He’s trying to teach me to be able to escape. I only managed to out maneuver him twice in three hours of practice. He made us stop when my arm started aching.” I smiled. 

“Twice is pretty good. Reacher is exceptionally trained, maybe more so than Alpha Neagley. Plus you’re his mate. He’s naturally more attuned to you.” she shrugged. 

I nodded, “I hadn’t thought of that.” 

Paul joined us then, placing their plates on the table.  “I couldn’t tell if Reacher was getting plates for both of you or just him, but I’m glad to be in front of him in line. I don’t know how he stays in that kind of shape but eats like that.”

“Genetics.” Jack’s voice sounded from behind me before four towering plates of food appeared in front of our seats. He placed an empty one in front of me before continuing. “I wasn’t sure what you’d want so take the first pick and I can eat whatever’s left.”

Neagley appeared at the front of the room where a podium was set up. The crowd quieted immediately, everyone found their seats and I watched in amazement at the respect the pack had for their leader. Reacher nudged me as it continued, pointedly looking at the pile of food in front of us. Rolling my eyes I grabbed some chicken and a few other items before picking up my fork and digging in. 

Near the end of the meeting Neagley announced Sanchez and Melina’s ceremony and the room came alive with applause and whistles while Sanchez pumped his arm in the air and Melina blushed at his side.

Turning to Charlie I got her attention before asking, “If I order a dress for the ceremony would it get here in time? I just realized I don’t have anything and I hate to keep hogging your wardrobe.” 

“We’re going into Utica in a couple days, why don’t you come with us?” Charlie offered. “I have to pick up our medicine shipment. Angela, Franz’s mate, is also coming. She has to pick up some supplies for the inn.” 

“That would be great.” I turned to Jack who was putting the last piece of chicken from my plate in his mouth. “What do you think?”

“You do need some more clothes and a coat,” he shrugged. 

“It’s settled then!” Charlie waved down Dixon who joined them. “Morgan is going to join us on our trip to Utica. She needs some more clothes.” 

“I hope that’s ok.” I offered. “I’m living out of Charlie’s wardrobe at the moment.” 

“Not a problem at all little wolf, it will be a girls trip.” Neagley planted herself on the table beside Dixon. 

“Wait, girls trip. I’m going with Morgan.” Jack looked between the women.

“I don’t think so big guy, I need you to take over training for Dixon while we’re gone.” Neagley put her hand up when he went to argue.

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Reacher’s Cabin, Rock Hill Village, New York

Neagley gave him a look he knew from their time in the service. One that said she wasn’t discussing the topic anymore, he was not going on this trip. “She will be with Dixon and me the whole time. You know she’s safe with us. We have Charlie if her arm acts up.”

“Nothing can happen to her, Neagley.” It was more of a plea than an agreement but she still nodded. They turned as Morgan came down the steps to meet them at the SUV. “Stay with Dixon or Neagley,” he reached into his pocket and handed her his card. “Get whatever clothes or other stuff you need. And a coat, it’s going to get colder.” 

Morgan put her hand up to stop him, “I have enough of my own to get a dress and a couple things I need. I’m not spending any more of your money.”

Before he could reply Neagley stepped in and swiped the card from his hand. “I have no problem spending more of your money. Thanks for lunch. Come on little wolf.” 

Jack gently grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him. “Morgan, get what you need. He kissed her forehead before adding, “Stay with the group. Please, mon reve.”

Morgan nodded, giving him a quick hug before hurrying into the backseat beside Angela. 

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Utica, New York

“Are you sure this is ok for the ceremony?” I asked, twirling in the mirror. 

Angela turned from where she was handing Dixon a different top to try on. “You look lovely! Have you ever been to a bonding ceremony?”

“Angela.” Charlie snapped and Neagley shook her head but I put my hand up.

“It’s ok. I have only been to my own and I didn’t get much of a say in it.” I shrugged. “I wasn’t allowed to attend many events.” 

“I’m sorry Morgan, I didn’t think before I spoke.” Angela was ringing her hands together. “When you and Reacher have one you will be able to choose whatever you want.” 

A hush fell over the group as they all looked at me and my heart plummeted. “Oh, um. I don’t know…we’ve never really talked about it…and I…I can’t shift. Excuse me, I should change.” Hurrying back into the dressing room I pulled the dress off and hung it over the door. “Get it together Morgan” I whispered to myself, fighting to keep the tears that had sprung to my eyes from falling. I hadn’t considered that a bonding ceremony would be expected. Did Jack want one? I was a defective wolf. Did I want to go through that again? Knowing how my one to KJ had gone. It had been a miserable few hours in a dress that was too tight and not in my style at all. And then that night…I shuddered, biting my lip hard and covering my mouth to mask the sob that tried to escape. 

By the time I pulled myself together and left the changing room the other women had made their purchases and were waiting by the register. “Did one of you grab the dress off the door? I think i’ll just get that today.” 

“Already taken care of, went ahead and got you a few more things also.” Dixon held up four large bags.

“Big guy wanted us to make sure you were taken care of since we wouldn’t let him be here. That was the only way we were leaving the village without him tailing us and I still double checked on the way here.” Neagley shrugged, flashing Jack’s credit card. 

Charlie stopped me from replying with a hard look. “Morgan, Reacher has plenty of money. He hardly buys anything with his pension and Paul started making investments for him after an incident a few years back.”

“He also cares about you.” Angela smiled shyly. “My comment was foolish before. I wasn’t thinking. But you have to know how much he cares for you. Reacher never lets people in but I see, we all see the way he looks at you.” 

I wiped a tear that slipped out giving the group a watery smile. “I’m really glad I stumbled into this village. You are all wonderful.” I pulled Jack’s card out of Neagley’s hand. “Who’s ready for lunch?” 

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Margrave, Northern Georgia

‘Alpha, there’s something you both need to see.” The Kliner packs new head of security appeared in the doorway with an envelope and a tablet. Kliner waved him in, sitting in the big chair behind his desk, leaving KJ to stand beside him. He placed the envelope on the desk and opened it revealing several pictures of Morgan. 

“Where was this and how long ago?” KJ grabbed a photo, studying it closely. 

“Face recognition flagged it ten minutes ago in Utica, New York sir.” the guard answered, reading off the tablet. 

KJ cursed, slamming the photo back onto the desk. “How the fuck did she get to Utica, load up the cars, we leave in one hour.” 

“Wait.” Kliner said calmly but everyone in the room froze. “Who is she with?” He looked over the photos at the other women sitting at the restaurant. 

“We’re running facial recognition on them now Alpha.” he glanced between Alpha and son. 

“We don’t make a move until we know what we’re going into.” He put his hand up to stop KJ’s outburst. “Your stupid decisions regarding Morgan Stone are what got us into this situation.” He turned back to the guard. “Notify her father we have a lead and I want to know the minute we find out who is sheltering her. 

*Italicized section is a direct copy from The Affair by Lee Child