Wolf Endangered (Willow's Forbidden Pack #2) - Avery Song Page 0,173

know that I'm grateful for your protectiveness."

Wrapping my fingers around his hand, I pulled him in for another kiss - this one longer and deeper. I broke the kiss to pull him into a hug, and we remained like that for a long time.

"Thank you, William," Dimitris whispered.

I smiled while I enjoyed our embrace.

"That's what a Beta is supposed to do," I whispered. "Now you have thirty minutes of cuddle time before I’ve got to jet."

Dimitris actually huffed and leaned back to arch an eyebrow at me.

"I don't cuddle."

"What kind of bullshit is that?" I questioned. "You've never cuddled someone?"

The way he stared at me actually had me gawking at him.

"You and Elizabitch never fucking cuddled? Did you two even fuck?"

He rolled his eyes, and it was his turn to tug my hand as he opened the door to the washroom and headed to the bed. He practically pulled me down with him on the bed and lay on his stomach against the pillow.

"No."

"No to what?" I inquired while staring at his position. "And that is not how you cuddle."

"Fuck off," he huffed and turned onto his side so his back faced me.

"That's not nice, Dimitris," I teased, and I could tell he was flustered by the way his ears literally began to turn red, just like the rest of his face that he was hiding from me.

"So did you and Elizabitch fuck?"

"Elliott and I did not."

"Wait, seriously?" I asked.

"He's not the intimate type."

"And you?"

He didn't answer, which got me chuckling and snuggling right against him as I slipped my arm around his waist.

"What are you doing?" he dryly declared. The poor man sounded like he was going to “yeet” me across the damn room.

"Cuddling," I huffed. "Now stay like that for five minutes and I guarantee, you'll fall asleep."

"What bullshit," he grumbled.

"Guess you're back to your usual self," I concluded. "You're always an ass when you're embarrassed."

"Go away," he huffed and tried to wiggle free, but I chuckled and purposely tugged his ear lobe. That made him stiffen up, and I chuckled again lowly.

"Have a sensitive spot, Dimi?"

"Do not call me Dimi."

"You can call me Willi?"

"No."

"What's our fandom name?" I inquired.

"Our what?"

"Fandom name. It's when your fans put half of one person's name with the end half of the other. Apparently, there's a poll going on as to which one to go with. Willtris or Dimitriam."

"You're not serious."

"I'm being legit. It's kind of amusing seeing our fans go to war over it."

"Hmph," he replied, but he slowly began to relax. "Are you feeling okay?"

"A bit tired, but nothing crazy. I'll take my meds before I leave," I assured him.

"Hmm," he replied and there was a long silence once more.

"Hey, Dimitris?"

There was no answer.

"Dimitris?"

I decided to listen to his breathing, noticing how it had slowed and how relaxed he was.

"Didn't take him long."

Oh. Bria.

"Good morning, William."

Holy fucking Moon. Wait a minute. You're male now?

"My gender morphs with yours. Surprised?"

Very. Are you okay?

"Perfectly fine. Are you going to make way to your meeting?"

It was a good idea, but I couldn't help but remain still as I watched Dimitris sleep.

Maybe in a few more minutes.

"That's a good call," he assured me as he lowered his head. "I'll be here."

We should figure out a male name for you then.

"Maybe."

My eyes returned to Dimitris, and they softened as I realized that I was slowly getting to learn about each of their pasts. It wouldn't be all at once, and I was sure it would take even longer to earn their loyalty to learn about these endangered species titles, but I wasn't in a rush to learn about each of them.

All of us kept secrets of ourselves and the horrendous pasts we’d dealt with. Even I held many that even Onyx knew nothing about. It was only a matter of time before each layer was peeled away, and we'd all be naked with our vulnerabilities known within our circle of Forbidden Fruit, but at least we'd have one another.

And together...we were a dangerous game to play.

~WILLOW~

* * *

"I'm just filling out the paperwork and waiting for my coffee delivery and we should be good," I announced as I uncrossed my legs just to cross them again with my left leg resting on the right.

"I'll get the cars checked and ready," Saint announced. "Neo's doing one more round of security checks with Jayce on cameras."

I paused in reading yet another contract in the pile of contracts to look at Saint. "I thought you were going to