Better Places

Valen talks to the others before coming back and agreeing to the idea. Everyone in the camp begins to pack as Thane and I walk off to the side to discuss the best route. He watches them pack as he says "It's going to be hard moving this many people without being seen or drawing attention. We also have to worry about running into other Ghouls."

I nod my head in agreement and say "When I asked Valen about them, he told me these people were on the run from our City and others like ours. They're families trying to make a better life. We can't just leave them." Thane keeps his eyes on the people as he says "Mmm.." in agreement.

I bite my lip as I try to think of the best way but Thane suddenly asks "Will the people in the Oasis accept all of them? Will they accept us?" I blink in surprise before turning to look at him. I give him a small smile and sigh as I say "They'll accept all these people. As for us... I guess we'll find out."

Thane's eyes lock onto mine with a knowing look before saying "We'll find our place... Even if it's with just us. We'll find it." I give him a smirk and nudge his shoulder while saying "Of course" Thane smiles down at me but he suddenly looks up and freezes.

At first, he looks almost hostile but then he steps back, confusing me. I turn to see what he's looking at but instead, I'm tackled! Cali's scent hits me as she wraps her arms around me and squeezes me tightly.

"Valerie!! I knew you weren't dead! I knew it!" She cries out and hugs me closer. I look up to see Thane watching with a small amused smirk. He knew she was coming and instead of warning me, he steps out of the way!

She suddenly steps back and pulls back to look me over. Her eyes tear up as she says "You can't ever disappear again, got it!?" I slightly chuckle as I say "Yeah, I got it. It's good to see you again." She gives me a large smile that lights up her entire face before she turns to Thane and asks "Who's this hottie?"

I freeze for a split second before clearing my throat and saying "This... is Thane. He's my..." I falter, not knowing what to say. How do you say 'He's my world and I love him but we're just friends'?? Thane nods to Cali and says "Her man. Nice to meet you."

A blush threatens to take over my entire face as Cali's eyes grow large with surprise. She then turns to me and slaps the shit out of my shoulder before saying "Who knew you had it in you! Good job on picking this one! Kevin tried so hard to date you back then but I knew you could do so much better but the dude was seriously obsessed with you."

I rub my shoulder with an awkward look on my face but when I see Thane's eyes glide over to me, I quickly clear my throat and slap Cali back. She nearly falls over but she's quick to catch herself. She looks to me with utter confusion as I strain to smile and say "Let's leave the past in the past. No point in bring up people who are no longer around."

She rubs her arm with a pout and says "But he is around. Kevin's here too. He's with the scouting group. When we heard you were missing, he was one of the first to volunteer for the search party." I slowly lift a hand up to my mouth, rubbing my chin in disbelief as I mumble "Of course he is..."

I try to ignore the burning feeling on the side of my face but I end up caving. I bite my lip and slowly look up to find Thane giving me a questioning look. He's slightly smiling but it doesn't reach his eyes. I nervously scoff and say "It's nothing. He's nothing... Let's just focus on the task at hand, okay?"

Cali looks between us with a frown before an evil grin stretches across her pretty face. She gives me a knowing smirk and says "Sure... nothing. It's not like he was your first kiss or anything." My fake smile instantly disappears as I glare at her and say "Would you like to become one with the woods? I can make that happen."

She starts hysterically laughing before saying "That's the Valerie I know!" She takes off running and waves back while saying "I'll catch up with you later. I've got to help my Dad pack!" I scoff at her in disbelief and watch her run away with a shake of my head.

Thane's low voice instantly crushes my amusement when he says "First kiss, huh?" I slowly close my eyes and grit my teeth in annoyance before slowly turning around to look at Thane and say "That was like freshman year and nothing came out of it."

He arches a dark eyebrow at me before taking a slow step forward and asking "Did you two date?" I open my mouth and then instantly shut it as I shake my head "no". Thane slowly nods his head and comes to a stop right before me.

I want to step back but I know that would only make things worse. He looks down at me with a slight smirk before lifting his hand up and lightly touching my chin. His eyes stay locked onto mine as his thumb traces the underside of my bottom lip.

He lowers himself until we're at eye level and asks "How many times did you kiss him?" My eyes narrow in annoyance as I say "I... didn't kiss him at all. He kissed me, once." Thane's smirk grows as he asks "Who do these lips belong to now?"

My eyes dart to his lips before returning his smirk and saying "They belong to me but you can borrow them from time to time if you'd like." His low, amused chuckle causes my stomach to flip with desire as his free hand pulls me closer.

His eyes darken as he moves closer and whispers "From time to time? What if I want them all the time?" He lifts my chin up even further as I relax into him and say "They're yours for as long as you want them." He gives me a dark smile before whispering "Then they're mine."

He leans down, nearly kissing me when someone suddenly clears their throat. Thane and I both pause before both growling and turning to find my brother glaring at both of us with his hands on his hips with a disapproving look on his face.

My brother glares at us both but he glares at Thane a lot longer before saying "We're about ready. We leave in ten."