The Power Of The Bite (7 page)

Covering his teeth, because the urge to bite right there was riding Dax hard, he sucked upwards in a deliberate move, then keeping the cock firmly in his mouth, he let it ride down his tongue until his chin nudged Zane’s heavy balls. Another suck upwards and this time it was the slightly mushroomed head that got all the attention. Zane wasn’t cut, and as Dax hadn’t had the pleasure of exploring foreskin before, he decided now was a good time to do it. Nibbling at the flesh he wiggled his tongue into every crevice he could find, sucking up the juices that were flowing freely. God, Zane tasted so fucking good. His own need to come was the only thing moving Dax on – he could have worshipped the cock in his mouth for hours.

Reaching out blindly, Dax found the lube, managing to knock the tube then grab at it, fortunately not letting it drop. That would have been too embarrassing. Moving his head in a steady rhythm Dax used the sticky liquid to coat the relevant fingers and wriggled his hands between Zane’s legs coaxing them apart. Zane must have got the hint because the man lifted his legs, exposing himself, and Dax moaned around Zane’s cock. After all Dax had put Zane through, the man had never once refused him.

Dax could do this. He’d prepped guys hundreds of times before. But never had it been so important to get it right and do it thoroughly. Using a lot more lube than he usually bothered with, Dax stretched and widened Zane’s hole, relaxing him, opening him up, making sure as he thrust his fingers deep inside of his man that he not only found Zane’s prostate, he paid homage to it.

“I promise that’s enough. I’m ready,” Zane pleaded. “Give me your cock baby, please.”

Dax wiped off his hand on his own more-than-ready cock and lined up, pushing in steadily as Zane’s body accepted him easily. When he felt his balls slap Zane’s ass, he leaned over his man, looking into those freaky red eyes, Zane’s hands strong on his hips.

“Wow. Look how beautiful you are.” Dax wasn’t going to feel embarrassed at his outburst. He had never taken a lover face to face, not even Zane. But this, cradled between Zane’s thighs, laying across his body and staring at a face that was formed with him in mind, Dax fell in love. It was that quick, that simple, and it was that love that stopped him from punching into Zane’s body like a jack hammer. Instead he rolled his hips, kept his strokes smooth and almost gentle. Savoring Zane’s warmth, his scent. Even the way Zane bit his bottom lip to stop his noises was cute, but so unnecessary.

“I want to hear you,” Dax said, his voice rough with lust. “Let me hear you, let me know I’m pleasing you, let me know how much you want this, want me inside of you, claiming you all over again.”

Zane whimpered, then moaned, and then grunted as Dax’s cock caught that special place inside of him. Those noises proved to be Dax’s undoing. He wanted more of them and he moved faster, still keeping things smooth, but fuck he wanted so much – wanted to hear Zane’s pleasure – wanted the whole world to know that it was him that was wringing those delicious noises from Zane’s lips. Him, and by the Fates, it would be only him from now on.

His wolf incensed at the possibility of another touching what was his, pushed forward and this time Dax wasn’t quick enough. As Dax moved faster, and put more force into his thrusts, Zane cupped his knees with hands, bringing his legs up, giving Dax more room to move. Dax took the invitation and ran with it. Gods, it was glorious. Dax fell into a sexual trance. But unlike his times with others, when Dax just floated, paying little to no attention to which ever random man he was fucking, this time Dax was acutely aware of Zane’s every breath, every gasp, his moans and his grunts. Zane’s mouth was open as his breath came faster, the knuckles on his hands were white where he gripped his knees, and there was a puddle on Zane’s crunched abs from his leaking cock.

Dax didn’t miss one single detail. The way Zane tossed his head from side to side, those red eyes that looked deep into Dax seeking his soul. It was all so amazing and Dax knew that if were to die that night, he would honestly die a happy man. He was in love, and while it was definitely not the time to mention it, Dax could feel it in his heart, and that was enough. Feeling his balls tingle, Dax dropped down on his arms, nosing over Zane’s scar. One lick and then Dax bit, sharp, sure and in exactly the same place as every time before.

Under him, Zane roared and Dax could feel the evidence of his mate’s release hitting his stomach even as his coated Zane’s insides. His thrusts stuttered and then stopped as he held himself perfectly still, his teeth still in Zane’s neck and his cock pushed as far into his mate as he could go. Fuck, he never wanted to move again.

But of course he had to. Dax felt his arms start to tremble with the effort of keeping him from squashing his mate. He disengaged his teeth carefully and licked over the wound. There was nothing Zane was going to be able to do to hide his mark tonight and Dax felt a smirk of pride. The sight of Zane’s fangs fully extended reminded him there was one more thing he had to do to make this complete. Rolling to the side, keeping his cock right where it was, Dax tugged Zane towards his neck.

“Feed my lover, take all you need.” Zane buried his head in Dax’s neck, and Dax felt the faint pricks that proceeded the sucking that would follow. He closed his eyes and smiled, thinking about the love he felt for his man. Wonder what Zane would make of that? What does love taste like to a vampire?  Maybe later he would ask.

Chapter Eight

Zane felt as if his stomach had been taken over by a flutter of butterflies as he and Dax drove to Dax’s club - Van and Broz sitting in the SUV’s back seat. He’d been to the club more than a dozen times before. It was a great place to go when his job really wound him up, and once he’d first laid eyes on Dax he found it hard not to keep going back on a nightly basis. Tonight was going to be different, however. He wasn’t going in to chat with his fellow vampires and a couple of human friends. He wasn’t going to be sitting watching his mate sit with his own friends being fawned over and flirted with while he did nothing about it. Tonight he was going to be sitting with the next presumed Alpha of the Portrain pack, as his claimed mate.

Broz and Van had talked long and hard about whether or not going out was a good idea. Most of Dax’s patrons were humans with no knowledge of the paranormal world, and everyone had to make sure it stayed that way. Out of Dax’s pack, probably only about twenty or thirty members were in the club at any one time if that, mostly to flock around Dax. But when it was all said and done, it was a normal nightclub, and as the owner, Dax did have every right to be there, no matter what was going on with the pack. And it was that argument, plus Dax wanting the chance to talk to Cole, that won over Broz and Van. But that didn’t mean that Zane or Dax would be unprotected. Ewan and his mate Foyle, with Royce and Seb were in a similar SUV behind them.

Dax pulled into his designated parking spot and hopped out of the wagon, indicating that Royce should park in the spot labelled ‘VIP’. Dax tugged at his borrowed muscle shirt and fidgeted with his jeans. “I seriously need some of my own clothes,” he said, as Zane got out of the vehicle a lot more slowly. “We’ll head up to my apartment here, have a drink and then go on downstairs and see what’s happening.”

Thank God. That’ll give me at least another ten minutes to get my head on straight
, Zane thought as he followed Dax through a side door, opened with a specific electronic code, and up some stairs. Another code later and Dax led them into what was a small, but well-appointed apartment space.

“Help yourself to drinks at the bar.” Dax waved at the corner of the living area. “I’m just going to get changed.”

Zane fought the urge to follow Dax into the bedroom. For some reason just having his mate out of his sight for more than ten seconds was enough to have him feeling edgy and uncertain. The wolf shifter wasn’t showing any visible signs of nerves and unless he was drinking from him, Zane didn’t really know what the man was thinking. He settled for taking the scotch Broz handed to him instead. If he went into Dax’s bedroom they’d never make it downstairs.

“You okay?” Broz asked sitting on the couch beside him, the other men fanning around the room.

“Just don’t know what we’re walking into,” Zane confided. Broz, being ex-military like himself, would know exactly what Zane was worried about.

“Not a lot can happen in the club itself. Too many humans around.” Broz flexed his muscles and grinned. “Of course, afterwards in the parking lot could be interesting.”

“Are we doing the right thing?” Zane couldn’t stop worrying about his mate. If anyone hurt Dax he’d forget his years of training and go on a rampage not seen among vampires for centuries. A vampire in the full throes of rage was the stuff of nightmare and legend in the human world, and Zane would unleash it on the whole town of Portrain if he thought it would keep Dax safe.

“You have to be at the pack tomorrow night and so does your mate. Seems to me, this is as good a time as any to check out if your mate has any support, and where any problems might lie. ‘Cos you have to admit that gossip spreads around that pack like wildfire, and if there are any persons looking to make trouble for your mate before the Alpha challenge, then you can guarantee they’ll be here tonight. Away from Nathanial and the rest of the pack. Dax will be pleased. I saw Cole’s wagon in the parking lot, so he’s here.”

Zane wasn’t surprised that Broz knew which vehicle was Cole’s. The man had a free two hours before they all met up again, and he would have used that time to his advantage. Dax came out of the bedroom, his eyes immediately seeking Zane’s and Zane smiled. His mate was one hot man and always would be, thanks to being claimed by a vampire. He wondered idly if his mate now knew that he would never age another day and that he would be as near immortal as Zane was himself. But that was a topic for some other time. Dax’s tight black jeans, and a sharp emerald green button down shirt, were enough to set Zane’s cock throbbing. The boots and Dax’s loose hair framed around his face just added to the appeal.

“I’ve arranged for a set menu to be served at my table in about fifteen minutes. Are we all ready to go?” Dax said, coming over to Zane’s side and taking his hand.

“You’re the boss,” Broz said cheerfully, pulling Van under his arm. Ewan chuckled at something Foyle had said, and Royce took the time to give Seb a hearty kiss before they all left the apartment. It seems his friends were prepared to treat this evening as just another night on the town.

When Dax and Zane appeared at the foot of the stairs, the noise level went down for a moment as many of the wolves in the room went silent. Zane noted about a dozen of them, all familiar faces, which was a good thing. Dax seemed hell bent on ignoring the fact that the night was any different from any other. Holding onto Zane’s hand, he made his way across the room, stopping at a few tables, introducing Zane as his partner, wishing people a pleasant evening. In other words, acting like he always did in his own club – the perfect host.

As they neared Dax's booth, Zane saw that Cole had set up shop on the table next to it. At least the guy had respected the large reserved sign that always sat on Dax’s table. Some twink was plastered over Cole like he was the best thing since sliced bread, and two other large wolves were sharing the table. Dax gave them a wave and a smile, but didn’t say anything to Cole as he slid into the booth, pulling Zane beside him. Broz and Van sat next to Zane, while Royce and Seb went in after Dax. Ewan and Foyle grabbed two empty chairs from another table, and plonked them down in front of the booth effectively caging them all in.

Nico came running over with his order pad the moment they were seated.

“Mr. Portrain, I didn’t think you would be in tonight,” Nico said, giving a nervous look around the room.

“Why would that be, Nico?” Dax said pleasantly. “This is my club and last time I checked it was still the best place in town to get a decent meal.”

“I heard you had to go out of town on some business,” Nico said. Even Zane could tell the man was shitting his pants. He flicked a look at Cole who was watching the whole scene play out with a gleam in his eye.

“My business decided to keep me here at home,” Dax said, giving nothing away. “Have you met my life partner, Detective Macintosh? I’m sure you’ve seen him around the club a few times? And these are his friends.”

Nico nodded his head and blushed, and Zane wondered if that had anything to do with the fact that the little puppy had been crushing on him since he first came to town. But all Nico said was, “so, what can I get you gentlemen to drink?”

All of the vampires ordered scotch or whiskey, while Dax asked for a bottle of his private stash which turned out to be a locally brewed beer. Zane picked up the bottle when it was delivered, surprised by the label. It was from the only local brewery in town. A small place that catered to specific tastes and hardcore beer drinkers.

“You get this brewed specially for you, the club, or is this one of their normal range?”

“Just for me and my close friends,” Dax said, apparently pleased with Zane’s interest. “I’m not a big wine or spirit drinker, but the guys at the Portrain brewery are friends of mine and they helped me go through the development process until I could come up with something I really enjoy. Take a sip.”

Zane took a cautious swig, swirled the liquid in his mouth for a moment before spitting it back into the bottle, hoping no one would notice. He went to put the bottle back down on the table, but as he did his hand slipped and the bottle fell over, beer pouring all over the table and hitting Ewan and Foyle.

“Shit, Zane. Watch what you’re doing next time.” Foyle scowled trying to brush the dampness out of his pants, before getting out of his chair and pulling Ewan along with him as they both disappeared towards the restrooms.

“No harm done,” Dax said quickly. He waved at Nico to come over.

“Can you grab a cloth and clean this up please, and bring me another bottle at the same time?” He said to the nervous bartender.

“Unopened this time,” Zane added firmly. Nico looked at him, his eyes wide with shock. “Unopened,” Zane repeated in a deeper tone. Nico looked like the lump in his throat was going to strangle him but he nodded, flashing a quick look at Cole’s table again before scurrying back to the bar. Within minutes the table was clean, and an unopened bottle of the brew was placed in front of Dax.

“You’re not usually that clumsy Zane,” Broz said quietly in his ear.

“Joys of being with my partner. He’s a stud, wore me out, must have got the shakes,” Zane replied casually, looking at Cole who couldn’t take his eyes off their group despite the best efforts of the twink at his side. He leaned back on his seat, and put his arm across the top of the booth, pleased when Dax cuddled into him, his back firm against Zane’s chest.

“How’s your fresh beer, hon,” he said, making an effort at casual conversation.

“Tastes just as good as it always does. Did you want to try it again?” Dax said quietly, a worried look in his eye. Zane smiled and took the drink, swilling it around his mouth before swallowing. He lifted the bottle to Cole in salute, before passing it back to Dax.

“Tastes so much better without the wolfsbane.” He heard Dax gasp but fortunately the arrival of food stopped any further discussion on the topic. A wolf’s hearing was acute, and even with the noise of the people enjoying themselves around them, Cole in particular would still be able to hear everything going on at the table. Zane watched Dax cautiously sniff his food before eating it and was quietly pleased that his mate was being careful.

From the outside, anyone looking at Dax’s booth would see a group of men, clearly couples, out having a good time. The food and drink were flowing, the men were chatting about hassles at work, funny incidents they wanted to share, and the occasional ribald joke. Zane made sure that he kept touching Dax the whole time. Nothing overtly sexual, but he would stroke Dax’s hair, fed him some food from his plate and when Dax had finished eating, he tucked his mate back against his chest. He knew he was playing into a wolf shifter’s idea of how a mate would behave, and Dax seemed to enjoy his attention.

Through it all, Cole watched them and Zane wished he knew enough about the other shifter to know what the man was thinking. He was certainly overly interested in what was going on at Dax’s table. So much so the little twink had given up in disgust, and Cole’s other two friends were propping up the bar.

“You guys should go dance,” Zane said during a lull in the conversation. “Let me and my partner enjoy some alone time, if you know what I mean.”

“Yeah, we know exactly what you mean,” Broz said, with a show of good humor. “Just yell out if you need anything.” Unlike Zane, who’d been watching Cole like a hawk, Broz and Van, and then the others all ignored the other wolf as they clambered out of their seats and headed for the dance floor. Although it was still early, there were more than a few couples already getting their groove on and with Broz and his friends showing an interest, the crowd on the dance floor swelled.

As soon as the others were gone, Cole stood up and covered the short distance between the tables in just a few steps. Swinging himself down into one of the single chairs he smiled at Dax, ignoring Zane completely.

“Thought you would have left town by now.”

Dax shrugged. “Was certainly my intention, but Father said he wanted me to stick around for a bit. I’m not silly enough to go against my father.”

Cole frowned, but just as suddenly it cleared. “You haven’t told him about your new life partner, then?”

Patting Zane’s chest, Dax smiled. “I didn’t have to, seems someone did it for me, which was a bit of a shame. I’d have preferred that the news came from me. But I was happy to confirm it for him, including Zane’s designation.”  While anyone listening might wonder at the use of the word, Zane was well aware that the word designation could easily be swapped out for another one – species – at least in a conversation between paranormals.

Cole looked more discomforted than ever, but he was making an effort to hide it. “You’ve heard about the meeting tomorrow night then,” he said.

“Yes. Father told me about it. Zane and I have been told we simply must attend. Pretty much ordered too actually, but then you know how Father is. Hates to be challenged on anything.”

Now Cole really did look upset and if Zane didn’t know how strong a wolf’s constitution could be, he’d have thought the man was going to throw up.

“I’d heard word your father was thinking of stepping down from his position. I wanted to throw my hat in the ring for consideration.”

This time Dax’s smile was pure evil. “You’re quite right. He’s definitely ready to stand down, wants to spend some quality time with his wife. Unfortunately I’m almost certain he’s not considering your application favorably however. In fact, he insisted that I make sure you don’t win the position by whatever means possible.”