The Alphas' Bliss (23 page)

Devin

I
stood over the dead body of my former Beta. I’d ripped his throat out with my fangs and I didn’t feel an ounce of remorse. I lifted my head and howled into the night. My wolves answered my call from five miles away.

Josh and the rest of my enforcers were there in the field with me. They hadn’t interfered in the fight, all standing their ground. If I’d lost, Josh or one of the others would have finished the job for me. Conrad wouldn’t have been allowed to live after all he’d done.

Josh walked up to me, head lowered in submission. “Go to your mate, Alpha, we’ll take care of things here,” he held a set of clothes and boots out to me.

I shifted back to my human form looking down at myself. I was covered in blood. I couldn’t go to Bliss like this.

“There’s a stream behind the cabin. It’ll be cold as fuck, but at least you’ll be clean,” Brock said pointing to the cabin. Just then his cell rang and he turned to answer it. I took the clothes from Josh with a thank you and headed for the stream.

I made quick work of washing off and shaking myself dry. I dressed then went back around to the front of the cabin. “I want it torn down and burnt,” I told Josh. He nodded in acceptance.

“Devin, they took Bliss back to the estate, instead of your clinic. Are you ready to head out?” Brock informed me with a frown.

I nodded following him to the idling SUV. Bradley was behind the wheel. As I climbed in back I asked, “Why did they bring her home instead of the wolf clinic?”

“I’m not sure. Lucy just said Bliss asked to be taken home. So she gave her a painkiller and they are en route. We shouldn’t be too far behind them.”

My gut tightened. How was this going to affect Bliss? Would she ever want to be near wolves again? Would she still want me? Conrad had confessed, during the fight, that he’d been the one to try to kill Bliss all those years ago. It was long before he’d ever joined my pack. We’d known each other as youngsters, being from neighboring packs, so when he came looking for a pack to call home, I’d readily accepted him. I should have questioned more of what he’d done for his previous alpha.

I reached out to Bliss via our bond but got nothing back. If they’d given her a painkiller she was probably out cold. I hadn’t gotten a good look at Bliss before I attacked Conrad, but knowing that he’d used the cattle prod on her infuriated me all over again.

I reached for Micha wanting reassurance that my mate was okay. “
Micha, how is she?”

“I’m not sure Devin. She’s covered in bites, bruises, cuts and burns from that fucking cattle prod. She told me he hurt her, that she tried to fight but he was too strong. She said he wouldn’t stop. I’m hoping to god that he didn’t rape her. I can smell him all over her.”

“If he was truly mated to Stephanie, he couldn’t have raped her Micha. Once we mate, we can't get it up for anyone else.”
I tried reassuring him and myself. Would he have done all this if he hadn’t been truly mated to Stephanie? I just didn’t know.

“Doesn’t mean he couldn’t have raped her in other ways. Lucy will give her a full examination when we get home. She didn’t want to stay at the Ranch, she wanted to come home.”

“I should arrive soon after you. Bradley’s breaking every speed limit law there is.”
I got the impression of a smile from Micha.

“Good. We’ll see you soon.”

I sat in the backseat with my hands curled into fists. I wanted to kill Conrad all over again. His death had been too quick. I should have made him suffer for what he’d done to my mate.

If she asked me to give up being Alpha over the packs I would. If it meant she’d feel safe and be happy, I’d gladly turn it over to one of the other Alphas. She meant everything to me and I’d give up everything for her. Wolves had taken her family from her and had been a source of endless pain for her the past few weeks. I couldn’t blame her if she never wanted to see another wolf again as long as she lived. I just hoped she didn’t lump me in with all the other wolves. I’d die without her. I felt my heart breaking already.

“Devin
.” The call was weak, no more than a whisper in my head.

“Baby. I’m here. Are you okay?”

“Why are you so sad?”

“I’m afraid.
I told her honestly.

“Of what?”

“That you won’t want me anymore after what’s happened.”

“I love you, you silly wolf. Of course I want you.”
The connection broke but it didn’t matter. She loved me. I sat there with a goofy ass grin on my face.

“She loves me!” I told the twins. They turned and looked at me like I was nuts.

Brock shook his head. “Devin, dude, she killed to protect you. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”

Micha

I
paced the hall outside the exam room where Lucy was with Bliss. Gideon, Warrick, Raif, Kai, Dante, Reardon, and Brass were all leaning against the wall outside Bliss’ room. Everyone’s head turned toward the main entrance when the door slid open. Devin walked through followed by the twins.

Devin came right to me. “Anything yet?” he asked.

I shook my head, resuming my pacing. He buried his hands in his jeans, taking residence against the wall with the others.

An hour later the door opened and Lucy walked out. She looked at everyone standing in the hall and cleared her throat.

“She’s going to be fine. Lots of superficial cuts, bruises, and light burns. She’ll be as right as rain in about a week. She’s out for now but you guys can visit with her tomorrow. I need to talk to Micha and Devin for a minute alone, please.”

Everyone nodded and one by one squeezed Devin and my shoulder before making their way down the hall toward the main house. When I didn’t see any of their broad backs anymore, I turned to Lucy.

“Whatever it is, tell us,” I demanded.

“She wasn’t raped, but she was molested. She has some internal bruising but she’ll heal fairly quickly from those. The bites are the worse of her injuries. She has six total and one of them required stitches. It’s on the inside of her right thigh. She told me when he bit her she bucked against him trying to dislodge him. He ripped her skin with his fangs. She’ll need to feed soon and every few hours for the next couple of days.” Lucy took a breath then continued, “Please tell me the son of a bitch who did this is dead?” Lucy asked angrily.

Devin nodded. “I tore his throat out.”

“Good. That’s good,” Lucy said with a smile. “She’s sleeping right now, but you are welcome to sit with her. When she wakes, make sure she feeds.”

“We will doc. I promise. Thank you for taking care of her.” I pulled Lucy into a tight hug. Devin did the same as soon as I released her.

“My mate is going to growl at me,” she said playfully hugging us in return.

“Tell him to get over it,” Devin said laughingly.

“Call me if she needs anything. I will come check on her in an hour,” Lucy said, heading for her office.

Devin and I entered her room going straight to her bedside. She was asleep but her eyebrows were scrunched up like she was having a bad dream. We each took a hand in our own, kissing our mating marks. She sighed in her sleep and relaxed. Devin dug into his pocket, removing a set of wolf fangs. He opened Bliss’ palm and placed them there, closing her fingers around them.

I nodded, agreeing with his action. She’d know upon waking that Conrad was dead and would never come after her again.

Bliss

I
once again woke up in the clinic, with my mates on each side of me sleeping in uncomfortable chairs. My right hand was interlocked with Micha’s but my left hand was closed into a fist. I opened it to find two gleaming white curved fangs. Tears welled up and fell silently down my cheeks. I had no doubt who they’d once belonged too. I was safe, for now. I let out a sigh of relief.

“No tears baby,” Devin said softly, wiping my tears away.

I looked up at his handsome face and noticed a few light bruises along his jawline and near his eye. “Thank you for this,” I said raising my hand with the fangs.

He nodded, then leaned in and placed a soft kiss on my lips. “I love you,” he whispered.

I smiled happily. “I love you too. So much.”

“Thank god!” Devin exclaimed waking Micha. I laughed, wincing as it caused my sore body to ache.

“Hi sweetheart,” Micha said lifting my hand to his lips. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay,” I responded. I didn’t want to tell them I felt like I’d been run over by a Mack truck, twice. They’d fret and call Lucy in demanding she give me painkillers.

“Right. Like I’m going to believe that,” Micha said teasingly. “Do you want pain medicine?”

“No pain meds. They knock me out and I just woke up,” I complained.

“Stubborn girl.” Micha kissed my hand again. “If you start hurting too much, you tell us okay?”

I smiled. “I will, I promise.”

“You need to feed. Doctor’s orders,” Devin said pulling his shirt off. He sat on the bed near my hip and waited. At the word feed my fangs had dropped. I was starving. Devin saw me hesitating so he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer to his body. “Take what you need baby.”

Still I hesitated. I didn’t want to hurt him or take too much. Devin sighed, reached up and ran his extended nail along the vein in his throat, drawing the blood to the surface. “Damn you,” I said before sinking my fangs in. He tasted so good and I could feel my strength coming back with every swallow. Devin held me close while I drank till I had my fill. When I pulled away, gently closing the small wounds I’d made, he smiled down at me with love in his eyes. It made my heart swell.

“I love you,” I told him sincerely, cupping his whiskered jaw.

“I love you baby, so much,” he replied, kissing me gently, softly, just a press of our lips together.

Micha sat on the other side of me, taking my hand in his. He brought it to his lips, kissing my palm. “Talk to us baby, tell us what happened,” he said softly.

I started from the beginning and replayed my abduction. When I broke into tears over my parents, they wiped and kissed my tears away. When I shuttered and told them how he’d touched me, hurt me and threatened me with rape, they growled and promised me he was dead and would never hurt me again.

I told them about the pack Conrad had come from, how it was my father’s pack and the Alpha was my grandfather who had ordered the death of my mother and me. Devin told me that my grandfather had died some years ago in a fight for the Alpha position. The pack was now ruled by a fair Alpha and I had nothing more to worry over. No one else from that pack would be hunting for me.

“What of the wolves that were working with Stephanie and Conrad?” I asked nervously. Would I have to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life?

“We are still actively hunting them but we think they’ve left the territory. Until we know for sure though, you will not be left alone again,” Devin said gruffly.

I nodded in understanding. I wasn’t a fool. I’d rather have chaperones than be at the mercy of some rogue wolf pack out to finish the job they’d been hired to do. I stifled a yawn, leaning back to rest my head.

Micha grinned. “I think our girl needs a nap,” he brushed my hair back softly, then ran his thumb over my cheek. “Sleep baby. We’ll be right here when you wake up.”

I smiled, taking his hand in my own and kissing his palm, much like he does to me. “I love you Micha.”

He smiled, showing me his fangs. “I love you baby. You are my soul,” he said softly leaning in to place a kiss on my lips.

“Sleep,” Devin instructed taking hold of my hand. Micha took my other in his and that’s how I fell asleep. Being held by both my mates.

* * * *

Tonight was the claiming ceremony. In just a few short minutes I’d be bound to both Micha, King of the Vampires and Devin, Lead Alpha of the Wolves. I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn’t believe it was me. All my wounds were now healed and were but a memory. There was nothing marring my alabaster skin.

My neck was clear of any accessories since both Micha and Devin would be biting me during the ceremony. I was a lot nervous but truly excited at finally being bound to the males I loved.

I’d chosen the red dress that I hadn’t had a chance to try on during my visit to the boutique. My mates had arranged for Jennifer to come to the estate with all the dresses for me to choose one. I’d fallen in love with how I looked the minute I put the red dress on. It was silky soft, strapless with a corset type bodice, and fell to my feet in a bell shape. It hugged my curves and emphasized my bust. My mates would like that. They would also love the undergarments I wore. I smiled mischievously at myself in the mirror.

As I put the last pin in my hair to hold it up off my neck, there was a knock on my door. I knew it was Brass coming to escort me downstairs. I slipped on my heels then went to the door. Brass wore a tux and looked like the heartbreaker he was.

“You look beautiful sister-mine,” he said kissing my cheek.

“You don’t look so bad yourself brother,” I said fixing his bowtie.

“I’ll be glad when the music starts and I can take off this jacket and bowtie,” he said pulling at the sleeves. I shook my head at him.

“Are you ready to do this thing?” he asked seriously.

I smiled happily. “Yes, yes I am. More than ready.”

Brass held his arm out and I tucked mine through his. He led me through the sitting room, then through the double doors. The staircase had been decorated with lilies and red roses. Down below I saw the variety of wolves and vampires that had been invited to the claiming ceremony milling around. Soft music played in the background unobtrusively.

A bell rang the minute my foot hit the first step and a hush came over the crowd. Everyone turned and looked at Brass and I. Brass squeezed my hand in support. I saw Micha and Devin come to the base of the stairs with the Vampire Elder who would perform the mating ceremony.

Brass carefully led me down the stairs till we reached Micha and Devin. He released me and shook their hands, before placing my hands in each of theirs. He then pulled a blood red silk ribbon from his pocket and wind it around our wrists.

The Elder began to speak when Brass stepped to the side. “We are gathered here this evening to witness the mating of the King, Micha from the house of Treyvane, and Alpha Devin Richardson to Bliss, from the house of Garrett.

“Do you Bliss, take these males as your mates for all of eternity? Do you pledge to love, honor and cherish them above all others?”

I looked to Micha then to Devin, tears gathering in my eyes. “I do for all of eternity.”

Both sighed in relief, and Brass let a small laugh escape. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Do you King Micha, from the house of Treyvane, take Bliss as your mate for all eternity? Do you pledge to love, honor, cherish and protect her until your last dying breath?”

Micha smiled at me, his blue eyes shining bright. “I do, for all of eternity.”

Lastly, it was Devin’s turn. “Do you Alpha Devin Richardson, take Bliss as your mate for all eternity? Do you pledge to love, honor cherish and protect her until your last dying breath?”

“With everything in me, I do. I certainly fucking do!” Devin declared. The room erupted in laughter and tears of joy fell down my cheeks.

“I proclaim this as a great mating! May your lives be full and forever happy.” The Elder pronounced clapping his hands once. He pulled the red ribbon from our wrist and cut it into three pieces. He handed each of us a length of the ribbon. I’d have to ask my mates the significance of the ribbon later.

“You may take your mate’s blood,” The Elder said solemnly.

Devin and Micha turned to face me. “Are you ready for this sweetheart?” Micha asked wiping my tears away.

“We’ll be gentle baby, I promise,” Devin said kissing my wrist.

I smiled at them. I loved them with everything in me and I was so ready to be claimed. “Yes, a million times, yes.”

They struck simultaneously. They didn’t hesitate or give me time to change my mind. Micha bit into the right side of my neck, puncturing my vein while Devin buried his fangs into my left shoulder. They both only took enough blood for a claiming, licking my wounds closed. I’d have the marks of their claiming for a few hours and I’d wear them proudly.

They pulled away, looking at me with so much love in their eyes it made my heart pound. “I love you both so very much,” I told them.

They smiled happily and each pulled me into an earth shattering kiss that left me panting and wanting. I couldn’t wait to get them upstairs and show them what was under my dress.

“That’s a dangerous thought Mate,” Micha murmured nuzzling my ear.

“Dangerous indeed,” Devin concurred nibbling on my fingers.

I smiled sweetly at them. “My mates will have to be patient. We have guests to entertain,” I said sultrily.

Micha looked at Devin and Devin nodded. “Screw the guests!” Micha declared, picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder. I yelped. He then took the stairs two at time with Devin right behind him.

“Enjoy the party folks!” Devin turned and called out, catching back up to us. I couldn’t help but laugh.

And, so…this is how our lives together would begin…