Sour Souls The Morningstar Series Book 6
Sour Souls Chapter 14

I woke up the next morning to the sound of birds chirping in the air. I'm laying on the most comfortable bed. Maybe a bit hard, but so warm. I snuggled into it more.

A loud snore coming from my bed had my eyes snapping open.

I'm not laying on a bed at all. No, I'm laying on top of my mate. My face flamed as I tried to move off of Ares. I managed to slid off the side of him. All for Ares to roll over, wrap his arm around my waist, and pull me into his chest. Instinctively, my hands came up to rest on his chest. His bare chest. Oh my Goddess.

I looked down at Ares bare body, and gulped. How can one person have so much muscle? And how can muscle be so comfortable?

He's our mate, of course he is comfortable. Honi told me.

I scoffed at her.

You should have kept laying on him. She said.

I scoffed again. Easy for you to say.

Honi gave me a wolfish laugh.

How am I supposed to get out his hold without waking him? I asked her.

You don't. Honi said.

But I have to pee. I said.

Okay, here's what you do.. kiss him awake. She told me.

Honi. I scolded with an eye roll.

That's my advice. You don't like it? Then stay there. She said before retreating to the back of my mind.

Traitor.

I looked up at Ares sleeping face. His full lips are slightly parted. Sometimes snores come out, but otherwise he is a peaceful sleeper. My eyes trailed across all of his features.

Ares has a very strong jaw. Stubble is lining it, along with his cheeks. His wavy black locks are hanging in his closed eyes. Reflexively, I reached up to push his hair from his eyes.

The moment I my fingers skimmed against his skin, a large hand wrapped around my wrist. I froze. Ares dark blue eyes snapped open to look into my hazel ones.

"Uh.." I said awkwardly.

Shit, I've been caught red handed.

"You're awake." Ares voice came out raspy.

Great, because he didn't already sound sexy enough.

"Uhm.." I mumbled.

Ares brought my hand to his lips. He kissed my palm making me blush. Then he placed my arm around his neck.

Memories of how I acted last night hit me. I had a nightmare about them all touching me. This time I couldn't make them stop. It was terrible.

When I finally woke up, I connected eyes with my mate. My body had relaxed instantly. It was in that moment that I realized just how safe Ares makes me feel. The last thing I remember, is clinging to him before I feel back asleep. We are not talking about it though, that's for sure.

"How are you feeling?" Ares asked me.

"Uhm.. I have to pee." I said lamely.

Ares blessed me with a small smile. That's the first time I've seen him smile. It's so nice. It nearly took my breath away.

My mate leaned in to press a kiss to my forehead. Tingles shot down my entire body from his kiss. I almost sighed at the peace, but I held it back.

Then Ares unwrapped his body from mine. He rolled onto his back, and I got up from the bed. It wasn't until I stood that I realized how bad I had to pee.

Once I had taken care of my buisness, I looked at myself in the mirror. Is it just me, or do I look better today? Healthier?

Must have been all of that food I ate, along with a good nights sleep.

I walked back out of the bathroom, to replace Ares shuffling around in a bag. He's still shirtless, and my eyes traveled down his body. Damn, that's all supposed to be for me?

I know that I got locked away at a young age, but I wasn't so young that I don't know what sex is. I know that mates are supposed to be attracted to each other, but Ares.. Not even a blind person wouldn't be attracted to him. "You're staring." Ares said without looking at me.

I frowned, and looked away, ignoring the fact that my cheeks are flaming.

"I was not staring." I lied.

"Sleeping for three days straight did not make you a better liar Emilia." Ares said in a bored tone.

"Well, I don- Wait.. Did you just say that I've been asleep for three days?" I asked shocked.

Ares looked up to meet my eyes.

Gods, is he always going to look at me with that much intensity?

"Yes." He stated.

I just stared at him with my mouth open.

"How could you let me sleep for that long?" I asked sounding a bit upset.

Ares frowned at me.

"Emilia, it's obvious that you haven't been sleeping in that fucking dungeon I found you in. Your body needed the rest. I would have let you sleep for three straight weeks if you needed it." He told me. "What about my brother? And us leaving? Your team?" I asked.

Ares went back to rummaging around in his bag.

"My sister has been handling everything." He said.

I crossed my arms.

"Here I thought you were in charge." I said.

"I am in charge." Ares replied.

I rolled my eyes.

"Yet your sister is handling everything." I said snarkily.

Ares looked up to meet my eyes again.

"I wasn't going to leave you after that nightmare you had." He stated.

My eyes went wide.

"You.. stayed with me the entire time?" I asked.

Ares nodded. He threw some clothes over his bare shoulder. Then he walked over to where I am. My body stiffened. Not out of fear like usual, this is different. It's... excitement? "Of course I did." Ares stated simply.

My body started to heat the longer that Ares looks down at me. The intensity behind his eyes is almost too much. Tingles are running through my body, and he's not even touching me.

Is this what it's like to be horny?

"We need to shower, it's still early. After we shower, and you eat, I will take you to Granny's." He said softly.

"Really?" I asked excitedly.

Ares nodded with a small smile on his full lips.

"Wait, we don't have to shower together do we?" I ask skeptical.

"Well, I won't force you to, but... the faster we are with all of this, the faster you can get to your friends." Ares said lowly.

That damn voice.

I want to say yes. Not just to get to Granny's faster, but because I want to see more of Ares. I want to be around him. As close to him as I can be. I want to soak up the safe way he makes me feel, but...

I don't want Ares to see the scars on my body. I don't want him to see the damage that others have inflicted on me. He might not want me anymore. I don't want to see the look of pity in his eyes, or anger over what has happened to his mate. I don't want to feel weak, or look weak to him.

"You shower fir-"

"No, you go first." Ares interrupted me. "Kee brought you some more clothes. Here." He said as he shoved some clothes to me.

I looked at them, and then back up to my mate.

"Thank you." I mumbled.

"I'll get some food here while you shower." He said.

Ares kissed the top of my head, and pushed me into the bathroom. He shut the door behind me, and I blew out a breath. I turned to set the clothes on the sink counter.

You should have showered with him. Honi said.

And risk him seeing all of my scars? No thank you. I said back.

He is our mate, he will love us no matter what. Honi said.

I don't want him to look at me with pity Honi. I don't want to be weak. I said.

Honi whined in my head, but otherwise stayed silent.

I started the shower, and stripped out of my clothes. My eyes lingered on the bathtub for a moment. Maybe when we get to where ever Ares is taking me, I can take a bath.

I turned back to the mirror. I still think I look healthier than I did yesterday, er, a few days ago I guess. Still, scars liter my body, my ribs are still poking out as well, I still look weak.

How long will it take for me to look normal? How long will I have to hide from Ares? Will he grow impatient one day?

I remember learning about mates in school. By the time I hit 13 we learned about sex education. I know what it's like for wolves when they meet their mates. If I were normal, Ares and I would be marked, and mated by now.

Does it bother him that he can't have me right away? Will Ares be patient with me? Or will he be like those other wolves I heard about? The ones that force their mates before they're ready.

No. I don't know Ares at all, but he wouldn't do that. I just know it. He might not be a patient man, but he would never hurt me, never force me to do something that I don't want.

There was a quick knock to the door. Before I could say anything it opened up. My mate stuck his head through the door, and his eyes met mine.

My face flamed, and I scrambled to cover myself. I snatched the shirt I had just stripped out of to cover my body up. Then I glared up at my mate. "What the hell Ares? Get out!" I shouted.

I tried to push the door shut right on his face, but I couldn't. Ares kicked the door open easily. I backed up as he stepped into the small room. Ares back me up until I met the counter. "Go away." I tried to keep my voice strong.

Ares eyes are traveling down my body. He had to of saw my scars. Great. Now I just want him to leave. I can't even look into his eyes. I'm sure his are full of pity, or disgust.

A firm hand gripped my chin. My head is tilted up. I glared into Ares eyes. Only, I didn't see what I thought I would there.

Where I thought there would be pity, or digust. I found only anger, and determination. I don't understand.

"Go away." I said much softer this time.

"You will learn eventually Emilia, I am not going anywhere." Ares stated.

I furrowed my brow at him.

"You.. I.. But.." I took a deep breath. "I understand if you want to reject me Ares." I stated.

His grip on my chin tightened.

"I just told you that I'm not going anywhere pet." He stated.

I frowned.

"But.. I'm.. broken." I said.

It's true. Any other man would have rejected me on the spot. I come with too much baggage, too much trauma.

"You are not broken." Ares words stopped my sprial.

I stared up into his deep blue eyes.

"I'm not sure why you think you can scare me off so easily Emilia, but you can't. You are mine. My gift from the Moon Goddess. Just like I am for you. I will not throw you away because of your past." He said.

I scoffed softly. "I'm no gift." I said.

Though, I'm not sure how I feel about Ares words. He sounds so stern, so.. cold. Yet, his words are so sweet, so touching. Still, he can't be serious.

"You are the most precious gift to me pet." He said.

Ares pushed his body into me, pushing me back into the counter more.

"You are the strongest person I have ever met. No matter how much this pack has torn you down, you get right back up for more." He said.

Ares other hand trailed down the side of my bare body. Goosebumps rose across my skin as he touches me. Tingles spread across my body.

"These scars are proof of your strength. You should wear them proudly." He said.

My jaw dropped as I stared up at him. Honi snickered in my head. That was the exact opposite of what I thought he would say. My mate thinks too highly of me. I am not strong.

"You.. That wasn't the reaction I thought you would have to seeing them." I admitted.

"Don't get me wrong Emilia, I am angry. Beyond angry. I want to tear down this entire pack for letting this happen to you. But I am more proud than I am angry." He told me. "No matter what they did to you, they never broke your spirit." I smiled up at Ares. "You're like my hero." I said honestly.

Ares shook his head, and leaned in closer to me. I held my breath at this new closeness. I can even feel his breath fan my lips. There's a depth in my mates eyes that has my stomach flipping.

"I am no hero Emilia. A hero would sacrifice you for the greater good."

Then his grip on my chin tightened more.

"I would burn down the entire world just to see you smile." Ares stated firmly.

I gulped at the intensity of his words.

"I am a Morningstar Emilia, do not forget that." Ares said, and then took a step back from me, letting me go completely.

I missed Ares touch immediately. He held up a black item of clothing for me. I took it as I raised a brow at him.

"Kee brought you clothes, but I would appriecate it if you still wore my shirt." He said.

I pouted. "But your shirts are so big on me, they're like dresses." I complained.

"I don't care." Ares said before turning, and leaving me in the bathroom alone.

I grumbled under my breath as I got in the shower. The whole time I washed myself I thought about Ares words. There was so much intensity in his eyes. This is not what I expected from him at all. What did you expect? He's our mate. Honi said.

That doesn't mean anything for me. I said.

It does. Our mate told you himself that this pack has been lying to you. Honi said.

What if he changes his mind? I asked her.

He won't. She said confidently.

But- I tried.

No buts. Look at what just happened between the two of you. He said our scars are beautiful. Honi said.

I rolled my eyes.

That is not what he said. I told her.

He said that we should be proud of them. Maybe we should listen to him. She said.

I sighed.

How am I supposed to wear them proudly for the world to see? I asked her.

We start small. Honi said.

What do you mean? I asked intrigued now.

We let our mate see us naked. She said.

I rolled my eyes at her.

You can never be serious. I told her.

I am serious. Honi argued.

I'm not ready to have sex yet. I argued back.

Nobody said we had to have sex. I just said to let him see you naked. Honi said innocently.

I chewed on my bottom lip as I thought about what she said.

Should I? Maybe I should walk back into the room in just my towel? Would Ares like that?

I shook my head.

No, not happening. Not yet anyways. I said.

Honi grumbled at me, but left it alone.

I finished my shower, and stepped out. I wrapped the towel around my body, and looked at the clothes Kee gave me. There is a pair of black leggings, that I hope fit me. I sifted through the pile until I lifed up a small black lacey piece of fabric. Is this... a thong?

I am not wearing a thong.

Good, go with nothing at all. I bet our mate would love that. Honi said.

I chewed on my bottom lip.

I'm wearing it. I argued.

Honi shrugged. If he knows that you're wearing it.. he's gonna love that too. She said.

I groaned.

Ignoring my horny wolf, I slipped into the thong. It actually isn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be. Then I pulled on the black leggings.

I looked at the pile to see a sort of bra. It's not like any bra I used to have. This one has no wires, but is padded. It's shaped a bit differently too. Almost longer than a normal bra. It's black, and lacey, matching my thong. And there are no clasps.

I pulled it over my head, and pulled it down. It fits really well actually. Even my boobs look pretty good in it.

Maybe you should walk out like this. My wolf said.

Honi. I scolded.

Baby steps. She replied.

I chewed on my lip before shaking my head.

I looked down at the shirt that Ares gave me. I don't want to wear this. It's comfortable to wear to bed, but to walk around the pack all day in this? I'm going to look like an idiot. More of an idiot than they already think I am. Then an idea hit me.

Oh no. Honi said.

I extended my claws of one hand. Then I cut the shirt until I was satisfied. Smiling smugly, I slipped the shirt over my head. It looks almost like a normal T-shirt now. Only a bit shorter, but my legging come up high enough that I'm not showing any skin. Other than my arms, where the scars are minimal.

He might be mad you cut his shirt up. Honi said.

Then I'll tell him what he told me, 'I don't care. I mocked my mate.

Before Honi could say anything else, I walked out of the bathroom. The smell of food hit me like a train. My mouth watered.

There are trays of food sitting on the small coffee table in the room. A large pitcher of water, and another of orange jucie sitting next to it. I looked around to see Ares staring out the window on the phone.

"Mom, no, don't do that." He said.

Pause.

"Because Mom, she isn't going to want all of that."

Another pause.

"Mom I didn't say that, all I'm saying is that it's going to be an adjustment for her."

Pause.

"No one tells Bexley." Ares growled out.

Who's Bexley?

Ares body stiffened. "I liked them all, and if I didn't, I will be."

Pause.

"I'm hoping to be home by tonight. We might stop to rest though. Depends on how Emilia feels."

Pause.

"I will offer it to them. Yes. Alright."

A short pause.

"I love you too, bye."

Ares hung up the phone, and turned around. His eyes scanned down my body. He narrowed them at his shirt.

I thought Ares would say something about what I did to his shirt, but all he did was shake his head.

"Eat. I'm going to shower. Then people want to see you."