Sanibel Sizzle - Vampire Werewolf Menage (39 page)

24

“
C
ould you try and not stare at my female in that particular way.” Ciaran spoke to Afanas.  “All working limbs are required.  I would hate if my beast were to tear them from their sockets when I need you to fight.”

As if Afanas knew it was a waste of his time staring at Rebecca, as well as a risk to his life, he turned his back to her. “Do you feel we can manage an attack under this full moon?”

Ciaran stared at the stars.  “Unfortunately, there’s no one else
mating
besides the queen. What better way to divert a werewolf’s aggression than fighting to the death, or to whet its appetite hunting an imprisoned female of its kind.  And as we’re under the best lunar pull I’ve seen in decades, we’re at our most powerful.”

“When we save the females, will they be held for rights to mate?”

“Never,” Ciaran scoffed at his Beta.  “They will choose the life they lead after I’m certain they are physically and mentally fit.”

Afanas didn’t hide his anger and said, “Even if they wanted to leave our miasma and reenter the human world?”

“Especially then, I want their happiness, but I cannot release feral females.  We’ll see.”

“With as few females as we have, Alpha, is that decision so wise?”

Ciaran reminded himself that Afanas was new to his position.  At that, he decided not to remove his head.  “It matters not, Beta.” He strove for patience. “They’ve been imprisoned, and
they
will choose the way of their lives
. Even if they are living outside of the pack, I will not declare them rogue
.  My word is final with this.  There is no gauntlet to be had, no challenge to be met.  Are you reading me?”

Afanas looked less than impressed.  “We save them from the Habaline
Shifters. Send them out if
they desire it so and sit on our thumbs when the same assholes swoop in and recapture them.”

Ciaran said sarcastically, “Not if we kill the
bad guys
first.” The Alpha
emitted a very wolf-like noise. “Am I dead yet?”

“No,” Afanas backed up.

“As I recall the law, that means I am still Alpha.”

“Yes, you are.”

“It does not matter that we have been friends for centuries; it is not a wise move to be a smartass under my rule.”

He dared to ask, “Why did you choose me as Rebecca’s personal guard when you knew I harbored deep feelings for her?”

“Ah, there it is rearing its ugly head.  What better protection is there than someone who cares too much?”

And by that, Afanas shook his head in a mute declaration.

“You are annoying me.  Perhaps you should skip the meal and run ahead.  Your hackles are up, and I would hate to teach you a lesson in front of all.  This is my first full moon as Alpha and also my wedding night.”  Cocking his head, Ciaran listened as the forest was awakening with nocturnal creatures fraught with anticipation.  Ciaran was one of them.  He knew, and his mates knew, that this night would unite them for eternity.  And the Beta wouldn’t ruin it for the three. “I will summon you before I head out with my troops.”

“As you deem it so, it is already done.”  Afanas stalked away into the night.

Ciaran took a plate from a nearby table.  The feast was sumptuous.  Carved meats, boiled eggs, grilled fish and Rebecca’s favorite gingerbread centered a spread he hadn’t the time to admire.  Grabbing a few items, he thanked those serving and closed the distance between his mates.

“Don’t be scared, Becca.” Lying on a blanket scattered across the grass, Blade and Rebecca were stargazing with their heads pressed together.

“How can I not be? What those creatures have done…it’s the vilest form of rape.”

“We both know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

Silence.

“I have better control of my werewolf now.  Ciaran helped me out in that department.  I’m good to keep it at mid-trans tonight even if we run.” 

Ciaran sat down slowly, placing a plate of food near her head before curling his body around hers.  “You’re resting on my tartan.”

“He, who wears jeans, is littered in ink and very interesting piercings owns a tartan?” Rebecca scoffed, waving her hand in the air.  “This is some old blanket I picked out of your closet.”

“Our closet,” Blade amended, reaching for a turkey leg from Ciaran’s plate.
“Bite it, baby.” He dangled a piece of turkey
over her lips while wagging his tawny eyebrows.  She opened her mouth and he pushed the smoky meat through, rolling his thumb over her tongue. 

“That’s heaven,” she groaned, as Ciaran licked his mark on her shoulder. 

“Me, lass,” he inquired while venturing down her breastbone, “or the food?”

“Wait a minute.” She gripped
his black silk
y hair
, loving the way the strands wrapped her fingers.  “How many women have you taken on this plaid?”

“Tonight will be the first.” Pushing her neckline to the side, he wrapped his lips around her nipple and suckled.  Drawing her breast to the back of his throat, he shook it in his mout
h.
His free hand was clenching and unclenching on her other breast. She trembled when canines scraped her nipple, teasing the hard point.  Widening her eyes when Blade cupped her sex, she noted two yellow eyes
positioned
high in a far tree.

Not human.

Not werewolf.

Not animal.

Already in tune to her, Ciaran asked, “What is it, Rebecca?  What disturbs you so?”

They were gone.  At an attempt to process what she saw, she dismissed it as an owl.  “I’m paranoid.  You have this place locked down with wards…I’m just skittish tonight.”

“You’re safe with us, baby.  But if you don’t feel that
you are, you need to talk
about it.”  Blade brought his palm to cup her cheek.  “You saw something.”

“I think it was an owl.”

“There’s no thinking, baby. You
know
.” He moved his hand down, massaging the tension from her nape. “You’re born of a
Were
beast’s blood and have its power of inherent discernment.  What did you see?”

She grew cold.  “Eyes that didn’t belong to anything I know.”

The three heard the creatures stalling under the moonlight.  “The animals are aware.” Ciaran gave Blade a chilling glare.  “Stay with Rebecca.”

“On it.”

He misted.

“Why can’t he budge on my misting?  I want this spell off me!” She sat up in frustration, glowering at the forest.  “The only good that’s come of it is that I’ve lost a few pounds
from walking around the grounds
.”

“Be
cca, don’t lose weight.” He was aggravated, baring his teeth
. “I want every inch of you to stay right where it is. My perfect mate, you are mine.”  Long canines slid over his bottom lip.  Electric blue eyes void of anything human stared back.  “Play with me.” A soft rumble left his chest.

“Are you still in there, Blade?” Rebecca’s mouth went dry.  “So big and beautiful is my male.”

“I want to see your wet pussy
gleaming
in the moonlight.” Blade pushed his head under her dress. 

Yep
, Ciaran was right about the dresses making it easier.  “Everyone’s roaming around,” she complained, tugging at his spiky hair.
“
O
ooo
h
.”

Blade eased away with Rebecca’s skirt catching his head, tousling his hair.  With lips glistening of her arousal, he said, “Come for me, Becca.  Let me eat you for dinner.” Thrusting two thick fingers inside her, she
rounded
off the plaid just as a throat cleared. 

“Sorry to interrupt, lass.  But I found your owl.  He’s a rather large species.” Ciaran was standing next to a flushed Mike Carter.

When Rebecca’s gaze found Mike, her skin shimmered, canines erupted.  “A night
for miracles, it seems shitheads
can rise from ashes.” And then Steve Palazzo misted in beside Ciaran.  “You,” she hissed, “I remember you!”

Blade spun over Rebecca, placing her beneath his body while growling at the newcomers.  “Get the fuck away from what’s mine,” Blade warned, “now!”

Ciaran tilted his head towards the castle.  “You two go in the house.  I’m taking a bit of time for my wedding night and then we’ll leave.”

“
We’ll
leave?” Blade stood, pulling Rebecca with him. 
She asked,
“What’s going on? That was…your dead cousin.”

Ciaran filled them in with the short version of Mike’s story and added, “Tatum is well and back with your brother, lass.”

Relieved as she was for her brother, she stammered, “So you’re putting your trust in those two?”

“You both will place your trust in me and this will work between us forever.” Ciaran let out a tired breath. 

Blade agreed.  “Come on, Becca.  We don’t know everything that goes on around here and maybe that’s a good thing, the more help the better.  As long as it’s trustworthy, that is.”

“I will tell you everything,” Ciaran promised, “when it’s over.  I give you my word.  Now,” he explained, gesturing around, “is not the time to discuss it.” Searching his pocket, he produced the little black box Rebecca was dying to get her hands on. Straightening, he walked to Rebecca as a powerful ancient who ruled the full moon long before many of the pack members took their first breaths of life.  “This is for you, my exquisite queen.” A brilliant emerald ring
slipped over finger, an outsized
square surrounded by flawless diamonds.  “It doesn’t compare to those eyes of yours, but it reminded me of you, nonetheless.  It was my Grandmother’s and now it’s yours.”  Ciaran ran his hands up
her arms, cupped her face and kissed her gently.

“It’s stunning.” Words wouldn’t suffice.  A family heirloom, from a family he basically didn’t have any longer, was priceless where the heart was concerned. “Thank you.”

Blade hugged her from behind.  “When this is over, Ciaran and I will commission a wedding band to match the ring.” He breathed against her ear, “One that’s worthy of you.”

“I could get used to this.” She stared
adoringly
at her ring. A relieved growl left Ciaran’s chest, causing Blade to laugh and Rebecca to stiffen.  Not once had she heard
that
kind of growl.

“You must get used to that, beautiful.  The Alpha is yours.” He kissed her nose, bringing her tight against his hammering heart. 

Happy excitement lit the night. “This is definitely a night for lovers,” she murmured, leaning back on Blade.

“You have no idea,” Blade whispered, “the things you do to me, Becca.  You own every square inch of me, physically and spiritually, as well as my beast.  I’d die for you.  Many times over, you and Ciaran, I’d die for you both without a second thought.”

“The Alpha, well,” Ciaran added, his eyes lightening before her. “He’d kill for you first, die for you second.”

“I’ll skip the killing and dying part,” Rebecca laughed lightly.

“I would love to put a babe on you before I go.” Resting his large palm on her stomach, Ciaran circled
it slowly, stoking her recently forgotten
heat. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”

She moaned, in the full moon with the Alpha present; nature called, and her body answered. “How did you do that?”

“You’re still fertile.  I can smell it.”  He continued to circle her.

“Dirty trick, you don’t play fair.”

“No, lass, I’ve never played fair.” Ciaran agreed. “But I always get what I
want,
and I’ll make you crazy with
want
.”

“I don’t know much about official mati
ng, but I do know there are tons
of rules regarding the conception of the next Alpha.”

“They’re mostly for mixed bloods uniting with a pure blood Alpha.” Blade clarified.

“As of late, rules and vows have brought trouble between us.” Ciaran rubbed his chin over her hair, and then stared down at her
with fascination.
“We can follow the rules another day.  Maybe this night will grant us the next Alpha or
possibly
another wee lass
to spoil rotten. But I won’t press this with you.”

Blade kissed the side of her neck.  “Baby, Ciaran and I have already discussed this, but it’s your decision.  God forbid he doesn’t come back tonight.” Blade didn’t finish that thought.  The
implication
was clear. 

She never thought about a baby so soon, but she felt as though she never wanted anything more.  “Then make love with me tonight and give me a baby.”  She climbed Ciaran’s torso, grinding her aching middle over his hard ridge and cutting his answering chuckle short.  Happiness washed his face and she’d put it there. He popped his jaw, pushing a hand against her bottom, further grinding her sex on his clothed erection.  “On top of that, we’ll have a little satisfaction before you go.”