Carnal Pt. 16

All Thistle could hear was the crunch of broken glass. She heard it as she walked in through her shattered front door. Heard it as she called the police and when she answered question after question. She heard it as she showed them what was stolen and she heard it when she pondered why. The art she had put her heart into, the equipment that was her life blood. Gone, all gone.

She felt hollow as the cops left. She was going through the motions, not thinking just moving. She swept up the terrorizing glass while avoiding her true fear. How would she survive? All those thoughts lead to the same route so she avoided it. She couldn't afford new equipment with her current loans. Insurance may help some but she would be boarded up by the time they did. Angry patrons would be demanding refunds for failed deadlines. Her dream was dead.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she took it out without thought. Archer was texting about meeting Melody at Carnal and going out for dinner. She couldn't imagine eating or what she would even say. How would she tell them what had happened? Could she maintain her relationships as her life fell apart? She doubted it. Broke and single just like how she had been when she started this dream.

Thistle 7:15am: I can't.

It was all she could manage. She knew it was out of character and that he would worry. But all she could focus on was sweeping up this damned glass. She wasn't surprised when she heard footsteps enter her shop though. She was just glad there was no glass for them to crunch on.

"What happened, Thistle?" His voice was heavy, cautious. Not confident. Good. She would have hated hearing confidence. Archer the know-it-all walking in as her world fell to ruin. It wasn't a fair accusation even if just in her mind but she made it anyway.

"Don't know." She responded. "Security system smashed. Art and equipment taken. Cops think it was junkies looking for some quick cash. They hang around here sometimes so it makes sense." Her voice matched her mood too well. Hollow and emotionless.

She felt a hand on her shoulder but she still couldn't be the person he expected her to be. Most people would sob now. Throw themselves into their partner's chest and cry. That's what normal people did, right? But she stepped away, letting his hand fall.

"I don't need to be comforted, Archer. I just need to figure this out. To get through this."

"Ok." He replied. "You know me and Mel are here for you though?"

"Yeah." She knew that somewhere inside her. But accepting and knowing were two different things.

There was silence. A painful lonely silence only the dead should know. But Archer spoke, bringing life back to the dead gallery.

"They took out the security system?"

His voice had changed. Gone was the concerned boyfriend. This was calculating and cold. She had rarely heard this one. She turned to look at him so she could see his eyes, the steel in them. She saw hope. Only for a second then it fluttered away. Despair was quick to return but for a second hope had been stronger.

"Yeah."

"And what did they take again? Art and equipment?"

"All my bigger pieces and anything not too big to carry."

He gave a nod but his eyes weren't on her. They were figuring out the mystery in front of him.

"Right. I can tell you don't need me here. But stop by soon and please contact me if you need anything. Want me to tell Mels?"

"Please."

"Of course." He stepped forward and took her hands in his, his dwarfing hers. She met his eyes again and this time she didn't pull away.

"Just remember you got two people who love you. You don't have to go through this alone. Hell, you got a whole pack now who would burn the city down if you asked. You never have to face the evil of this world alone again, my love."

"Yeah, thanks." She sounded cold, unmoved. But his words did mean something. Not alone. For so many years in this city that had been her lot, to be alone. Now though, she had so much. She needed to remember that. Use it to battle the despair consuming her.

Archer kissed the top of her head and left. The next few hours were a blur. She dove into the finances, determined now to find her path out of this. If she needed to beg for extensions or plead with banks, she would do it. She had cleaned the mess and it was time to start rebuilding.

She remembered when she first got her gallery. She had called it her sacred place. It had been so clean and new. Years of her presence had changed it to be truly hers. It was messy and chaotic but it was her. Now someone had tried to rip that part away. She was not letting that happen, no matter what it took.

She was saved from her own head by a knock at her door. She got up from the table in the back expecting Archer or Melody. But neither of them stood there. Through the shattered glass she saw Milo, with a face that seemed unsure if to smile or look sad.

"Milo, you can come in. It's not like that's even a door anymore." She said leaning on the front counter. She hadn't expected to see the auburn wolf and while she was in a better mindset she didn't want company yet. But Milo didn't deserve her anger.

"Right, sorry." He replied, opening the door to walk in instead of stepping through. A gesture that was comical to watch. "I didn't want to disturb you if you wanted to be alone."

It really was impossible to be mad at Milo. Always careful and kind. How he got into bouncer work was a mystery to her.

"Thank you, Milo. But why are you here?"

"Oh, right. Boss sent me over." He gestured to a pickup truck parked out front with a trailer. "Replacement equipment. Rental he said unless you want it. He wanted to make sure you got exactly what you like."

"He bought me new gear?" She shouldn't have been surprised. This was Archer, who had always thrown his money around. But yet she was. No one had ever helped her out to this level. She couldn't decide if she was mad or blown away.

"Yeah." Milo offered, bringing her back. "Told me to tell you that you can come to Carnal and chat about it. That and the request he has."

"What request is that?" There was the catch. Gifts with strings. How it always is.

"To take me on as an apprentice." Milo said, looking rather sheepish for a wolf.

"What!?"

Archer was forcing himself into her work. She could forgive him for the gift with strings but this? This was a fucking line he shouldn't have crossed.

Milo looked very much like the messenger that was expecting to be shot. "I've been looking for day work, as you know. And I do like creating. Plus, I can add extra eyes and security." He was rambling, the poor guy was so nervous.

"Milo." She replied, trying to keep calm. "I'm nowhere near qualified for an apprentice. And Archer shouldn't be sticking his nose in my work."

"He isn't. Told me to make the offer but you can say no."

He was learning, Archer was actually learning to be a better boyfriend. She had to give him that.

"Do you even have any experience?"

"A few art classes in college."

College art classes tended to be shit unless at a proper art school but it was something. And Milo was doing his best sad puppy eyes. Worse still she knew they weren't a tactic. Milo could never be that cunning.

"Do you even want to do this?"

He gave a nod. "I've always liked working with my hands and I'm up for the challenge. Plus, to protect the Luna? How could I not want to?"

"Fuck." It was her only response. Those last words stuck in her mind. Protect her? There was something bigger Archer was worried about. Guess she had no choice but to go see him and find out what.

"Follow me." She turned to head into the back and could hear Milo scrambling to follow. The room felt wrong without her equipment scattered about. At least with Archer's rentals she could recreate that feeling.

"Put the stuff in here and don't you dare set it up without me." She walked over to a workbench and pulled out some pencils and a blank sketchbook.

"After that, do some drawings. Anything you want. I'll look at them when I get back from Carnal and decide if I accept you as an apprentice." He didn't need to know she was already planning to say yes. Apprentices needed a touch of fear as much as she needed the hope he had brought.

"Yes ma'am. But um there is a door too. Can I install that?" He meekly said.

"I told you never to call me ma'am. And yes, install that then draw. I'll be back."

"Got it." And with that she was off.

Carnal was open once more but as always, she was there before the fun kicked off. Not that she wanted fun today. The bar staff were setting up and she offered them a wave to be polite. A group was also huddled in a booth. When they looked over, she recognized Sam and Erik among them. A quick nod and she darted up the stairs. No fun today or thinking about that night weeks ago.

Roy seemed to know she was in a mood so he offered no greetings and just opened the door. But when she walked in all her anger vanished, surprise filling her instead. Right in the center of the office was her art, her stolen art. All eight large pieces and the dozens of smaller ones.

She stared before turning to see Archer and Melody on the couches watching her. It must have been a serious talk they were having as Melody was sitting up.

"How?" That was all she could manage to ask.

"They were in a dumpster a few blocks away." Archer answered calmly. "They weren't stolen to sell it seems."

"What do you mean?" She had some pieces of the puzzle Archer was showing but not enough to see the big picture yet.

He patted the couch and she walked over sitting next to Melody so she would be able to look directly at him.

"The job sounded too well done for druggies. So, I searched around with my resources. Finding these guys gave me a clearer picture. Someone wants to hurt you. And it's my guess that they want to do that to get to me."

He said it in such a calm manner yet, she felt her world crashing down around her.

"They came after me to get to you?" She asked in disbelief. Was this was her life now? How had she gone from fledgling artist to being a target?

"I'm sorry." Archer said, his tone changing to carry sympathy in his words. "If this is too much then- "

"Can it." She cut him off, giving him a glare. "You're not giving me an out."

Melody let out a snort. "Told you she would do that. But love, I'm worried too. Have you seen anyone or anything lately that seemed odd."

Thistle raked through her memories, her hand doing the same through her hair as if it would help. "Just a creepy guy in a hoodie months ago. They came in with a group of students. Never spoke just felt weird."

"The day you had the hammer?" Archer asked, perking up.

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you tell me then?"

"Because shit is weird in the art world. I told my parents my collar was an artist thing and they didn't question it." She thumbed at the metal around her neck which she barely noticed these days.

"Most have been awkward." Melody joked but it landed flat, Archer giving her a glare before speaking.

"Anything else? Even a hint of paranoia?"

"Just thought I caught a guy watching me outside Carnal once or twice. Can't be sure as it is a sex club and you often have me dress the part. That and a wolf at that bar we went to after the party. He gave me a look like he knew me. But pretty sure that was in my head."

Archer let out a huff. "I'll look into it. For now, the focus should be your safety. I know you won't give up your shop but your apartment is another matter. I could break into there in seconds. So, I think that it's time you move in with me."

"What?!" She didn't mean to yell but she couldn't hold it back. She jumped to her feet giving Archer a death stare as she lowered her voice.

"Excuse me?"

"My apartment is more secure by design. You can stay in another room if it helps and I'll never bother you there."

"But yet you can keep me under lock and key. Never let me out to live the life I want. Is that it?"

His eyes squinted at that, the only sign of emotion under the cold calculating front.

"I never claimed that. Come and go as you wish. I'll just feel better knowing when you are at your most vulnerable that you're safe."

"Sure, and that's why you sent Milo to work for me too. I'm fast asleep at work. Fuck, can I even say no to him or to living with you?"

"You've been complaining about how busy you are running the gallery and creating. And he was eager. I saw it as a win-win. And of course you can say no. I'll not be happy but I'll live and adjust. I'm not trying to control you. I know better than that now."

The tension was still simmering and Archer took a break to breathe. She watched his shoulders slouch as he tried calming himself.

"I'm not making a choice for you, I promised to communicate better and that's what I'm doing. If I break my promise, you can tear me a new one but we need to discuss this. It's too serious to ignore."

"Fuck, Archer." She conceded tossing herself back onto the couch in a huff. "Had to use the communication card."

She looked over to Melody who was being uncharacteristically quiet.

"Moving in with you is not an option, just for the middle finger to him?"

Melody's half smile gave away her answer before she spoke. "Sorry, love. I'm team Archer for this one. I may have agreed to move in too actually."

What?" That got Thistle's attention to get up from her slump.

"Lease is almost up and we were roommates a while back. Plus, I'm dating him as much as you so I may be a target as well. Mostly though I love the idea of us all being a cute couple living together."

"Urgh." She looked over at Archer. "Would you still want this if I only shared a bed with Mels?"

It was grasping at straws but that was all she had. Archer was controlling but this wasn't that. He was scared. Besides, she had been considering bringing up living together, just not yet.

Archer looked like he was about to answer but Melody beat him to it.

"Since he'll say something boring like whatever keeps you safe, I'll interject. You know me, Thistle. I'm a total cuddle bug in bed. If there is a chance to sleep in a cuddle puddle, I'm making it happen. Fuck, you know I snuck into your place all the time just to cuddle at night. Even before we were dating."

Archer nodded to that. "She used to do the same to me when we were roommates. Glad it's a universal experience."

Thistle just rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Mel. Was really thinking this whole poly thing would be me and you against Archer." Her voice was rich in sarcasm.

Melody just shrugged. "Sorry not sorry."

"So, are you saying yes?" Archer cut in, seemingly not having as much fun.

"Yeah, yeah. You know if you had asked like a normal boyfriend I would have said yes, right?"

"Oh."

"Yeah, idiot. I sleep over at your place a ton, apparently to Melody's dismay. And it makes sense. I just wish I didn't feel forced into it. It gives me the ick. Can we at least turn it into one of your stupid games so I can get sex out of it. Really could use some angry sex right now to get out of my own head."

Archer's stern demeanor broke with a toothy grin. "I can do that and I have the perfect idea in mind. Come on, let's go for a drive."

He didn't wait for a response leaving Melody and Thistle looking at each other.

"Have fun. I'll be here not being part of Archer's twisted games." Melody teased, getting a middle finger in response before Thistle chased after Archer.

Archer was playing coy on the car ride. 'I don't know' and 'you'll see' were his main responses. So, she decided he deserved a well-earned silent treatment. She started playing on her phone instead. Of course it was all an act. She was dying to know his game. She did shoot Milo a message telling him to go home at five. There would be days with late nights but not today. She could judge him tomorrow.

Around thirty minutes passed before Archer pulled down a rough dirt road. It led to a clearing of sorts surrounded by nature, and only nature.

"Here we are. And you can clearly see why I couldn't tell you where we were going." He said, giving her a look that screamed smug.

She ignored it looking out the windows. "I always wondered."

"Wondered what?"

"If you would execute me in the woods one day. Figured you wanted kids first though. To traumatize them of course."

"Dramatic." He replied getting out of the car as she giggled to herself. Despite the start of the day, she was enjoying this. She needed the release.

He walked around the car offering a hand. "It's a good thing you're not dressed nice today."

"Why?" She asked, taking the bait. "And where are we?"

"A land preserve I own. And you'll be running through it."

"Two questions. First, why do you own it? Second, why am I running through it? Actually, never mind the first part." She had a feeling she didn't want to know that answer.

"You wanted a game. I call this a hunt. You get five minutes to run into there. Then I chase. If I don't catch you in thirty minutes you win."

"Umm what?" Was he being serious? He couldn't be serious.

"Didn't you want a game to lose at?" He teased, with of course his signature smirk.

"Yeah but this..." She trailed off as she thought about it. "Fuck it, why not. What do you want if you catch me?"

"No more complaints at all about moving in." His answer was quick, already planned.

"And what do I get?"

"Pick your prize." He answered.

She had to think about that. Not for lack of options but the opposite. What one to pick? But then the perfect one came to her.

"I got a charity auction event coming up. One of my pieces will be in it. You come not as my boyfriend but as a bidder. Talk my piece up and hopefully drive up the price."

His right eyebrow cocked. "Cheating at an auction? Truly scandalous behavior."

"It's a charity auction... and perhaps some good press. Do you agree or not?"

"Sure." He dug into his pocket and fished out a silver bracelet. "Here, put this on."

She took it but held it away from her like it could explode. "What does it do? Because last time we did a game like this I remember you cheating with a toy."

"It's a tracker." He stated but he must have seen her disbelief at the audacity so he carried on.

"For people back home just in case. I can't see it but I can contact you on it when times up. I won't need to do that though. I'll have found you well before then."

"Fuck off. Like hell you will." She shot back, putting the bracelet on.

Archer closed in on her, hands snatching her wrists. His face centimeters away, "Please, pet. You know you want to be caught. Pinned against a tree, clothes torn off. You want me to fuck you right here and now I bet. Because that is who you are. A perverted little slut that craves sex."

"I..." How the fuck could she respond to that. Most women would say with a slap but she knew it was all true. Still rude as fuck but more for calling her out rather than insulting her.

"Five minutes starting now." Archer announced bringing her back.

"What... shit." Archer had tricked her yet again with one of his fucking mind games. She wanted to cuss him out but had no time. So, she gave him her best dirty look and bolted into the tree line.

"What do I do?" She thought, her mind still reeling. She was seriously off her game.

"Do I hide? No, he can follow my footsteps. But there's leaves, can he track through them? Is there water I can cross? No, that's for smell you idiot."

It was like any of the limited survival knowledge she had was gone. Even movie knowledge was locked off to her. Archer's mind games had worked perfectly for him.

She decided that once out of sight of the car to run around to the other side. Archer had seen the direction she had gone. If she changed that it could buy her time. So, she did that, made a semi-circle then booked it deeper. She just had to hope she didn't run into any snakes or spiders in her blind hurry.

She noted any plans to hide were off the table. There was no undergrowth or even roots to smuggle herself into. No if she was to win this, she needed to distance herself from Archer fast. Burn up those minutes.

A noise made her yelp as her bracelet came to life. "Five minutes are up." Archer's fuckboy voice said. "See you soon, pet."

She paused, perked her ears up. There were bird songs and a few other animal noises. But no heavy footsteps. That was good. It meant she had the distance she needed. If she kept moving, tracking her wouldn't matter. She only needed thirty minutes, she could do that.

She picked a direction and booked it. Every once and a while she would stop and listen. But there was nothing. How big was this area? Feet, acres? Was it possible she had over thought how hard this would be? That Archer had given himself a nearly impossible task. An easy win to feel better? No. That wasn't Archer. Or was it because he had changed so much of late?

"Hello, my sweet little pet." Archer's sickeningly prideful voice rang out. She turned sharp to her side to see him and that sight was simply stunning.

Archer looked positively feral. He was without shoes and more importantly a shirt. All those muscles on display and those scars. He had made her love scars. And there were fresh cuts too, scattered in between. And the smugness. She wasn't sure if there was a time she had wanted him more than right now.

"That was easy, pet. You wanted to get caught, didn't you?" He teased.

She knew that it was over. But she wasn't done yet. She needed to run, make a fight out of this. Or she would have to deal with his gloating for months.

"Why are you shirtless?" She asked curious but also trying to distract.

"You would be too if you didn't want to snag and snap every branch you got caught on. Really pet- "

She booked it then, the opposite direction of him. It felt pointless and that was confirmed as he took time to fucking laugh. Then he was off, she could see him catching up parallel to her. Then seconds later he was in front of her, cutting off her escape. Forcing her to skid to a halt.

Strong hands grabbed her shirt, pulling her in. She wasn't sure how it happened but her hand swung out, smacking him across the face. It must have surprised him as well as he let go, stepping back. But when he looked at her, there was hellfire in those eyes. Her stomach did a flip as her core lit up. She stumbled as she tried to run, really not wanting to get away anymore.

She was too slow. He grabbed her shirt again, even as she tried to claw at his hand. He forced her back, her back hitting a tree. He let out a deep growl, every nerve in her body shaking from it.

"You little brat." He snarled. And for some stupid reason she growled back. Her claws still going for his hands.

He let go of her shirt, snatching her hands, pinning them above her head. His free hand grabbed her neck, claws digging into the soft flesh.

"Give up."

"Fuck you." He wasn't smiling anymore, just angry. If it was anyone else, she would be terrified right now. But with him her core just ached for him to keep going.

"You're being a little shit. And I'm not putting up with it. I'll have what is mine."

"Haven't seen you take it." She shot back.

His hand left her throat, letting her get a deep breath in. Then he went after her top as he always did. Another cute one ruined by lust. For once she didn't care about it. The fabric was hot and needed to be gone. All her clothes did.

"If you're going to act like a slut then you should look like one."

She was lost in the heat, the craze of this moment. She spat at him and a hand slapped across her face in return. She could tell he held back but it still stung. But it also drove her even more wild. Rough was definitely her preference.

The hand went to her skirt and the poor thing had no chance. He wanted her naked, he always did. To expose her to him and the woods. Like the perv he was.

"I told you, I'm getting what's mine." His voice had dropped, becoming gravel in her ear.

"I'm not yours."

His snarl was fucking gorgeous. She was lifted into the air, back against the tree. Her teeth bit into her lip, drawing blood. Yeah, it seemed like they both knew the truth. He was hers and she was his. But she wasn't saying that today.

"Any smartass words before you're screaming my name?"

She stared at him right in his pissed off eyes and smiled. "Fuck you." That was all she said.

He had freed his erect cock by the time she said that and her pussy was drenched. He let go of her hands to support her ass more. Then without ceremony he slammed into her. Her hands shot to his back, clawing at him. He seemed to grow even more determined.

She could feel the bark rubbing against her back through what remained of her top. But she didn't care. Archer was buried fully in her, splinters could wait.

The close proximity meant he couldn't do his deep thrusts. So, he was forced into short fast thrusts. Like a horny teenager unsure how to fuck. No, not like that. A teenager couldn't roll their hips like he did. Angle her to hit the right spots that made her claw his back more.

"Say my name and lose." He got out, his thrusts not even slowing.

She didn't answer. Instead, she lunged down and bit into his shoulder to suppress any notion of doing that. He didn't make a noise, just lunged forward at her, his cock going deeper as he did. His own teeth sank deep into her shoulder. She could feel them through skin. She couldn't feel the pain. Just the rawness of him rutting her in the woods.

But then everything was moving. She was in the air again, the cock out of her. She was spun around, her face pressed against the tree, waist bent. Then he was back in her with one incredible thrust, fucking her from behind now. Unable to claw him, her nails dug into the bark. But she couldn't hide her whimpers anymore.

"There's my pet. If you want to act like a feral mutt, I'll fuck you like one." He was trying his best with the dirty talk but his voice was so breathy. He was as feral as her. As lost in this as her.

It was time to lose.

"Archer, please." She got out between whimpers. "Make me cum, please make me cum, Master."

He pushed her further into the tree. Her breasts now rubbing against the bark as he pounded into her. It would definitely hurt later but the pain was so wonderful. It contrasted with each pleasure filled thrust, like sweet and sour.

She was lost in her own pleasure, not even registering him getting close. Not until she felt the burst of cum bury inside her. The sudden filled feeling was the catalyst she needed. She screamed as she came like the wild animal she was. Her legs weren't supporting her anymore. Only Archer kept her up. His hands on her hips, cock in her cum dripping pussy.

She felt it go down her thighs, no idea if it was his or hers. But she wasn't worried about that. She couldn't stop shaking, panting. The orgasm had consumed her to only leave her as adrenaline flowed out of her veins. She went from the height of ecstasy to one hell of a drop off.

But she was okay. The emptiness of her pussy as Archer pulled out, seemed to tell her that. That after everything today she would be okay. That she had her amazing partners and was still on the path up. She would always be there with them.

He helped ease the weight of her wobbling legs by lifting her and flipping her to face him once more. He didn't seem to care that she was smearing cum against his stomach. Claws in his back were replaced by wrapped legs and arms. She stayed there, filling up the last of what she needed. Then she let go, looking at her man.

He looked like everything she needed. The feral parts, but the sweet protective man too. She hadn't lied when she said she would have moved in with him anyway. With him all he had to do was just ask. She loved this man. She loved Melody. She loved the possibilities their future held together. Endless and wild.

"Thanks for being in my life." She whispered, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Always."

Author Note:

Once more I would like to reach out and thank all my readers. I realize I have been going at a slower pace so thank you for those who have stuck with me. Just recently I was going through a rough writing spell and an email from someone nearly brought me to tears. It has helped so much so thank you once more for all the support on this experimental story that has grown into all these chapters.