Her Shadow Rogue Mate

Mother of Tricks

FENRYS’ POV

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I didn’t hesitate to throw my weight back into my upper body and arms, moving from laying on my back to balancing on my hands right above Briar’s head. Her hair fawned over the ground in different directions, her eyes widening as I lowered myself over her body, and she was staring, not doing anything as I hovered over her with a breath of a space between ours, my wrists straining to keep my weight. “Hello, Sunling. Feeling better now?” I grin, and her dark blue eyes flick between mine, searching for something, and before I could guess, her arm came up and she knocked my own out from under me, causing me to collapse right on top of her naked body.

I sit up in the following second, legs on either side of her, pinning her to the ground with my weight as I sit on her stomach.

“Seems like you wished to be touched after all,” I shrug, taunting her. Her eyes widen with hatred and shock, and she swings her arm, but after all the surprises, I’m ready. I grab her wrist right before her hand strikes my face, and I lean forward, keeping my weight shifted in my legs, and grab her other hand, pinning both of hers with one of mine to the ground above her.She lays below me, arms above her head, and it’s a struggle to not let my eyes roam down.

“You really shouldn’t piss over an angry man, Briar.” I grit out, glaring at her.

The hard expression on her face softens, but not in the happy kind. In the what the hell kind of way.

“How do you know my name?” She asks rather calmly, which is very and utterly confusing. I, a stranger, has her pinned down, and she’s calm. ‘That’s not good, is it?’ Helion asks. ‘The hell if I know,’ I retort. “You’re only realizing that I know your name now?” I tease, my heart suddenly feeling like a boulder plunged into water. “How. Do. You. Know. My. Name?” She grits out with a hint of anger laced in her voice.

Some emotion, finally.

“Because she talks about you.” I breathe, and I could see her eyes shudder as her heart drops. Her chest literally dents as if someone had removed her heart. Briar gulps very loudly, very hard— and all I do is sit on top of her, staring— waiting.

Her chin starts to tremble, “Where is she?” I almost caved. I almost told her, but I need her to come with me. I need information, and I’m guessing that will take more time to pry out of her.

“Come with me and find out for yourself.” I grin, daring her to follow a stranger home. She becomes utterly still as she thinks about my offer, probably conveying her options with her wolf.

After what feels like an eternity, she asks, “If I go with you…I’ll see my mother again?” Her eyes were teary now, glossy and my chest did this weird thing it hasn’t done in months, even years.

It feels like it crumbled. “Yes. You’ll see her.”

I’m going to hell— but I was already on my way there before today. Her chest rises, and falls, “Fine,” She grits out, sounding annoyed, but she looks rather confused.

I slowly let her hands go, pulling away and sitting upright with caution, and when she doesn’t move to strike me, I stand and offer her a hand. She stares at the palm of my hand like it might bite her, but then she lifts a shaky hand and takes it.

I pull her up, watching her watching me and when she’s standing on her feet, hair falling over her chest in waves, I yank her— hard and fast, pulling her to me. She stumbles, tripping over her own feet, her one free hand pressing against my chest and for a second— only a second, I wish that I was naked too, just to feel her touching the spot over my heart.

Looking down at her, I stare at her blankly, “Now tell me, Briar. Are you going to be good…” I spin her around, pulling her hands behind her back, twisting her arm so that she can’t go anywhere, but not enough to hurt, and I lean into her ear, inhaling that sweet honeysuckle scent, “…Or shall I tie you up for this trip?” I ask.

Briar’s shoulders rise and fall faster, “I’m good. I mean—“ She shakes her head, “I’ll be good,” She sounds so unsure, as if she couldn’t even trust herself.

I wanted to trust her, but how can I?

I might know a few things, but I don’t know her. I don’t know who she has become.

Sighing, my shoulders slump, “If only I could trust you.” I pull the rope from my pocket and start to tie her hands at her back, “Wait.” She jolts frantically, “Just wait…”She begs and I stop, and wait.

‘So domesticated,’ Helion chuckled. “Can I just get my dress and then you tie my hands at the front?” I freeze.

Right…she needs clothes. “Fine.”

I walk with her to get her dress, and wait as she puts it on. It’s all messy and wrong, but I say nothing, and then she holds out her hands. “Thanks.” She mutters when I tie them, “I mean, my shoulder does hurt a little from tossing you around like a feather.” She grins, and I just know that she’s trying to get under my skin.

I tighten the rope around her wrists, “If you tossed me around like a feather, your shoulder wouldn’t be hurting,” I tut. Briar sighs, “Fine, you’re just heavy.” She said with a hint of sass. I pull her closer, her face in my chest as I lean down and whisper against her ear, “If you don’t say that I’m muscular instead of heavy as a pig, I will tie your hands at your back.” I warn. Her jaw tightens, and I start to undo her knots when she panics and blurts, “Fine, you’re muscular, not heavy!” I pause, and stare down at her, “That was so heartless, perhaps you should try…”, “Please,” She grits out, clearly frustrated and on the brink of losing her mind.

I can’t help but chuckle and continue to tie her wrists.

She stares at my hands with disapproval, and I click my tongue, “Is someone having a bad night?” I tease, but she remains silent, and that’s answer enough. “Fine,” I sigh, finishing the knot.

Grabbing her arm, we walk down the trail, back to the Greenvale pack, and I just can’t help it— I can’t help but ruffle her feathers even more.

“You know, I’m pretty sure that your mom will be so disappointed in you for just crumbling for hearing about her.” I laugh, but it’s as hallow as my chest.