Forbidden Hunger by R.L. Kenderson

Six

Raven’s parents’house was peacefully quiet or eerily calm, depending on how she looked at it. It was nice that she wouldn’t have to bother anyone with her mating heat, but when she was used to living in a house full of people, the emptiness was kind of lonely. Even her parents weren’t around. They arranged a vacation every six months, so she could use their home when she went through her mating heat, and she knew she was lucky to have such a supportive family.

The first thing she did was check the food situation. They always stocked their refrigerator, freezer, and cupboards with food that was easy to make or heat, knowing that she wouldn’t be in the best shape to cook.

Next, she went to her old bedroom and set her bag down on the bed. Her mom always washed the sheets, so they would be fresh and ready for her even though she didn’t have to. And her dad always brought in the TV from their bedroom, so she would have something to occupy her mind.

Opening up her bag, she started to unpack. She’d brought clothes even though they were usually not used. She grew too hot, and clothing made her feel restricted.

Next, she set out her meds on the nightstand. She always brought sleeping pills, pain meds, and muscle relaxers. If she could bring Propofol and knock herself out for a few days, that would be ideal, but it wasn’t possible.

Hoping a shower would help wash off some of her resentment about not being able to go after Monica, she went to the bathroom. But that was as far as she made it before there was a knock at the front door.

Her parents lived at the end of a cul-de-sac with trees that lined the rear of their backyard. It let her parents shift and run around without anyone seeing them. However, they still lived close to other neighbors, one of whom had been having a party when she pulled up. Raven figured that someone had seen her car and wanted to invite her over. The whole street was way too friendly sometimes.

But when she opened the door, she was surprised to see Ranulf and Chase standing there with a pizza box.

“What are you two doing here?” she asked.

Chase lifted the box. “We brought pizza.”

“I can see that, but why did you come? Shouldn’t you be out, working?”

“Damien told us about Monica but said the cats have it handled. And he told us about you taking off. We came to check on you,” Ranulf explained.

A sliver of disappointment went through her, and she wasn’t quite sure why. Maybe because she didn’t want Chase or Ranulf to feel sorry for her.

“I’m fine,” she said. “I was mad, but I’m okay.” She shrugged. “Life, ya know. Sometimes, it gets in the way.”

Chase nodded. “Good, good. But how about you let us in?”

She stepped back, so they could come inside, and she closed the door. She should have known they wouldn’t leave.

Chase set the pizza down on the coffee table and sat down on the couch like he’d been there before. Ranulf sat down next to him.

“I’ll get you some plates,” Raven said and headed to the kitchen.

“Thanks,” Chase said to her back.

She opted for paper plates, so she didn’t have to worry about dishes, and when she came back, the two wolves both had their feet up and the television on. The couch they were on had two reclining seats with a built-in table in the middle. Her parents had bought it for themselves ages ago, but it looked like it had been built for the two males who had taken over the place.

Raven set the plates on the pizza box. “There you go.”

Ranulf looked up at her as he lowered his seat to grab some food. “Aren’t you going to eat with us?”

She didn’t really want the males to stay, but the pizza did smell good. “One piece.”

She took her own slice and sat down on the adjacent chair. She hoped if she humored them, they would take off soon. She wanted to shower and go to bed, and she didn’t feel like being a hostess right now. These last few hours were the only ones she had left before she felt miserable for the next couple of days.

She gave them a half hour before she interrupted the action movie they’d found to watch. Standing, she said, “I’m going to take a shower and head to bed.”

“Okay,” Chase said, keeping his eyes on the television.

“Have fun,” Ranulf said, also not looking at her.

She rolled her eyes and sighed but decided to leave them in the living room for now. It was easier to go and get ready for bed than to try to kick them out, especially when they didn’t seem to even notice as she left the room.

Taking her time, she lingered in a long shower and lotioned her body before slipping on her most comfortable pajamas. She flossed and brushed her teeth, and when she was finally done, she hoped the movie was over.

But when she walked into the living room, she found both Chase and Ranulf had fallen asleep in their recliners.

Now, what am I going to do?

They looked so peaceful, and they were her friends. It seemed awfully mean to wake them up and kick them out. And it probably wasn’t the safest for them to drive while drowsy. She might as well let them stay the night. She could kick them out in the morning.

Picking up the remote, she said, “It’s a good thing you two aren’t out patrolling tonight since you’re so tired.”

Neither moved, so she knew they were really out. Neither one of them would let a comment like that fly if they were only half-asleep.

She smiled and shook her head at the two males. They both had perfectly good beds at home, and they were going to sleep in chairs in her parents’ living room.

Raven picked up the half-eaten pizza and the plates. She took them to the kitchen, put the pizza in the fridge, threw away the used plates, and put away the clean ones.

Then, she went to her room, took a sleeping pill, crawled into bed, and stared up at the ceiling. Even though Ranulf and Chase had only come over as friends and had accidentally fallen asleep, a part of her liked knowing they were there and she wasn’t alone.

By this time tomorrow, things would be completely different, and for some reason, that made her a little sad.