Weddings Bells Times Four (22 page)

“You are ours now, bonded to us. Others will touch you, but no one will mark you with their seed except us.” Edward said as someone pinched her nipples and clit at the same time. “Come for Lucas, squeeze his cocks and drain him,” Edward ordered.

The room seemed to move, it grew darker as she heard Lucas’s roar and felt his warm seed pour into her body. Her strength gone, Beth took a deep breath and closed her eyes, all of a sudden so tired.

Edward leaned down and kissed his Little Witch’s nose while she slept in Edward’s arms, as he made his way back to their quarters. “I feel like I’ve run miles. My legs are weak, but for the first time in years, I feel complete.” Dred said behind them.

“That is part of the old ritual. Not only did we mark her with our seed, but we gave her our strength and endurance. We have completed the circle no one should be able to break it. I might not be mated to the three of you, but you are now part of my immediate family. If you are hurt, I will be there for you.” Lucas said.

For the first time since his awaking, Lucas was relaxed as he walked next to them. “I noticed you said should? You think there is a chance someone could separate us from her?”

“I have no idea what or who is working with this uprising, but I know it’s not human. This thing or whatever it is knows me personally, knew I was fighting with the shadows and was counting on this to join their cause. If it knows so much about me, it could also be aware about the old ways and how to break our circle of protection that we have given her.”

Behind them, Dred snarled. “By any chance would making the announcement about your bonding send any of their men running? We could really use any advantage we can get.”

The guards stepped aside as they went down into their personal living space. “It might frighten a few, but I refuse to take our personal life out to the public. Plus, it would undermine Edward's ruling and I won’t have that. No, I still think keeping me in the background would serve better. I’d like to start a rumor going.” The four of them walked to the bathroom where they would clean and dress her.

“I have to agree. I think the less they know about you, the better.” He waited as Dred stripped out of his clothes and stepped into the garden tub, before handing over Beth. “How are your powers since rising?”

Smiling, Lucas stepped into the water, moaning. “My powers are fine, they never falter, but before I went to my resting place, I knew there were those that would try and take over so I kind of hinted that my gifts were diminishing.”

Not wasting any time, Edward stripped out of his clothes and sank into the Jasmine water where the four of them washed their moaning mate. “She’ll wake here soon.” Edward placed a kiss on the top of her head and allowed Lucas to hold her as they waited for her to wake up.

“I think you are right. We should allow this rumor to run, maybe even add to it by saying your energy level is low. Maybe you used it all up waking. The less they know, the better, but we need someone inside.”

Rock stood and moved to get out. “I could do it. Say that I was thrown out of our family since I wasn’t powerful enough?”

“No!” Beth growled and tried to jump up, but she slipped and would have fallen if Lucas hadn’t caught her. “You will not leave me!” Big tears rolled down her cheeks and her lower lip trembled. “Please, Rock, plus we’re getting married, remember.”

“I have to agree with Beth, plus I believe we all need to be close to each other. We start to split up now, it makes us weak. No it has to be someone we haven’t seen in a while. Someone that has been out of the picture…” Edward stood and stepped out of the tub. He held out his hand to Beth and she took it, stepping into his arms.

“We’re not leaving you. You’ll have that wedding. Now let’s get dressed and go to this bonfire. Then I think we all need to rest.” Edward took the towel Dred handed him and they proceeded to dry her body.

“I hate to mention this and, Avril will most likely hate me, but what about his father, Governor Broward?” He could have a reason after demoting Avril to my personal assistant. Even though I hope he’s happy being with me. He is a General and I’m sure they would love to enlist his help.”

He stood and stared down at her. “You amaze me each time you open your mouth.” He wiggled his eyebrows and she laughed, slapping his arm.

“Stop that! Nothing is going on tonight. I need to rest.” His Little Witch made her way into their bedroom and moved to the closet.

“You know something, the General would be perfect. He’s been retired now for how long?” Dred asked following her into the closet and lifted a long sleeve sweater dress up for her.

He leaned against the doorframe and watched her shake her head. “No, I want my jeans tonight and my favorite sweater.” She bent down and grabbed a red-black sweater and a pair of worn jeans with her black cowboy boots. “Don’t forget to get your guitar.”

She squeezed past him, but not before kissing his chest and looking up at him. “You know I haven’t seen you in jeans yet? You always wear dark dress pants.”

“Really, well we’ll have to take care of that,” Edward said and reached behind him, grabbing a pair of jeans out of thin air. “How are these?” He held them up and she rolled his eyes.

“It figures you don’t own any.” She rolled her eyes and stepped into the room. “Now Lucas I could understand, but you, no.” Beth threw her cowboy boots on the bed along with her clothes, before turning to him. “I need panties tonight, Edward.”

He shook his head. “No you don’t. You can wear the jeans, but I want you bare underneath.” Edward yanked her into his arms and squeezed her butt cheeks. “I want to be able to slid my hand into your jeans and touch your bare skin. I love the feel of your skin against mine, it’s so soft and warm. You always smell so good. Get dressed before I take you here and now.” Edward spun her around and slapped her bare ass.

“Hey!” She rubbed her butt and grabbed her jeans. “You’re going to tell me about the ceremony earlier. I mean I enjoyed it, but it was so intense.” Lucas reached for her shirt and stood in front of her.

“It’s an old ceremony. It sealed our family unit, giving you and all of us an extra source of protection.” He tugged the shirt over her head, trapping her arms. “In a way, it was also us marking you. Our scent is now over every inch of your skin. Anyone who came within a few feet of you would recognize our scent.”

“In other words, the four wanted to make sure any male that came near me knew I was spoken for. No matter what your age, all men are alike.” She poked her hands through the sweater and kissed Lucas’ chin while standing on her tippy toes. “But that’s okay. I kind of like the he-man act. Now let’s go. I want smores, a big fire and lots of songs!”

“You four go ahead, I’ll meet you out there. Right now I want to speak with the General. Your idea has merit, but if we are going to do this, we need to be very careful. With everyone at the bonfire, it would be a perfect time for me to speak with him.”

Lucas nodded. “They’ll be watching and listening though so you might want to write down what you want to say and start a fight there tonight. The only question is do we inform this Avril?”

“Of course we do.” She popped a boot on and started to walk to the door where Deception and the other creature waited. Before getting to the door, Beth glanced over her shoulder. “I have a blood bond with Avril, he knows what I know.”

“You what?” Edward was on her in a flash. Her back up against the wall he lifted her up to stare into her face. “Why and when?”

“Edward, you’re hurting my arms.” she whispered and waited till he lowered her down.

“I’m sorry, but you know better than to allow anyone a blood connection,” Edward stepped back and glared down at her. “Do you know what they could do to you if they take Avril?” He ran his hand through his hair.

“Now that she carries my blood, no one will be allowed to penetrate her thoughts but us. There are a few good things about being committed to me, but you right to be furious.” Lucas looked at the sofa, then at him. “I believe a good spanking is in order here and then we should have a talk with this man. He shouldn’t have allowed the blood link.”

Her eyes widened as he turned to sit on the sofa. “Come here, Little Witch, and drop the jeans.” Edward sat down and patted his knee.

She shook her head and backed up. “Edward, he’s my friend now, I had to know I could trust him,” Beth’s lower lip trembled.

“Beth…” He didn’t say anymore just waited as he watched the play of emotions cross her face. Her mind was a whirl of sexual arousal while at the same time scared, but he did nothing to ease those emotions. She had to come to him and trust him.

Step by step, Beth inched forward till she was standing before him. Taking a deep breath, she unfastened her pants and lowered them to her knees before she placed herself over his lap, ass up. “I’m sorry, Edward, I needed to trust him.”

He ran his hand over her round butt cheeks. “But yet to do this, you broke my trust. You went against my wishes. Do you know how disappointed I am right now?” He brought his hand down hard on her ass and she jumped, but he held her in place.

“We love you, Little Witch. We make decisions that ensure your safety and those around us.” Two more hard slaps to her cheeks. “If something happened to you, we would not survive. Think of the chaos that would ensue. Hundreds would be killed all because you didn’t listen.” Four more slaps to her ass before he lifted her off his lap and pulled up her pants.

Tears rolled down her cheeks and her lip trembled. “I’m sorry. I just wanted you to see Avril could be trusted. He’s been so good to me, been there when I need to talk to someone.” She stepped back when he stood.

“Ask us first, Little Witch, with everything going on around us, it’s important that you listen. We still have a spy in our ranks and the thought of them getting their hands on you turns my blood to ice.” Edward pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. “Now, dry your tears and go have a good time. I’ll meet you there in a few.” He kissed the top of her head and released her into Lucas’s arms.

Dred and Rock followed them out of their room as he went to the desk to write the note. They would also have to take Avril into their confidence, but Edward already knew Avril could be trusted or their alien friend Raymond and the
Yeehaw’s
wouldn’t have allowed him down here.

Pulling out the paper, Edward knew he would also have to speak with Avril before meeting his family and Beth would not be happy with the outcome.

***

There had to be at least 200 people outside around the bonfire. Claire met them as soon as they appeared near the fire. “What’s wrong? Your eyes are all puffy. Did Dred hurt you?” She gave her brother a glare and Beth smiled, shaking her head.

“No, Dred didn’t do anything. I did something I shouldn’t have and have a sore ass to show for it.” She rubbed her butt and sat down on a log next to Claire as Dred, Rock, and Lucas stood behind her.

“Man I hate that, believe me I’ve had a few of those, but what hurts worse is the disappointment you hear in their voice,” Claire said and Beth nodded feeling the tears close to the surface.

“Well, I know something that will cheer you up.” Claire handed her a stick and two marshmallows. “I got our own stash too.” She held up the chocolate bars and Graham crackers.

Both of them moved closer to the fire and stuck their sticks into the heat. “Thanks Claire, I need this,” she said noticing Dred sitting down behind her with his guitar in his hand. “Looks like we’re going to get some music too.” Beth’s gaze met Dred’s. The song he started with made her eyes water again.

“Boy, he must have it bad, he’s never sang a song to anyone,” Claire said as they both took their marshmallows and smashed them on their smores while listening to Dred’s voice.

She shivered as Beth took a bite of her creation. Dred’s eyes were now that of the wolf’s as he finished the song to her.

“Do you sing?” Claire asked, dragging her attention away from Dred.

“I used to sing when my parents were still alive. Mom would play the piano and we’d sing, but it was a long time ago,” she said visualizing the picture in her head. “A very long time ago.”

“Sing us a song. It will help, make you feel closer to her,” Claire requested, pulling her back to Dred. “Tell him what song.”

“All I know are songs my mother sang to me.” Beth looked down at the ground. “Danny Boy and no laughing,” Beth looked at Claire who shook her head.

She took a deep breath and sat down next to Dred as he started to play her mother’s favorite song. Old memories rose up as Beth started to sing, her mother smiling at her as her father sat in his chair and watched both of them.

Her words faltered for a second and tears filled her eyes. “
I will see you soon my Queen.”
The words filtered in her head. Beth looked down at the ground and finished her song. The minute the last word was out she was walking away from everyone. Oh, she could hear Claire yelling for her, but Beth was furious and hurt.

He’d taken one of people she could talk to, the one who was helping her with her wedding, away from her. Avril would sleep for the next three months and there was nothing she could do about it. Edward’s sentence had been carried out without a word to her and how it would affect her. Not looking where she was going, Beth ran straight into a solid wall of muscle.

“Sorry, excuse me,” she said before looking up into Edward’s gaze. “Let me go.” Beth hissed. “Don’t touch me or say a word to me. I’m…UGGG.” She went to slug him, Beth was so furious and mad, but he ducked, bending at the waist, his shoulder connecting with her stomach as he lifted her off the ground.

“Put me down now, Edward!” She slapped his ass and tried to get down, but he wouldn’t release her as he made his way into the forest where he placed her onto a fallen tree.

Crossing his arms, Edward glared at her. None of her other mates had followed, but she didn’t care. “How could you? Don’t you know he was the one planning our wedding? I know nothing and you took the only one I could talk to. God, how could you?”