G.L. had always known him too well. “I returned home to discover a naked VampLycan waiting for me in my bed. My father wanted me to take a mate, and he began sending them to my house to test matings. He tried to order me to fuck and bite them, even if I didn’t have the urge.”
Her mouth parted and he saw jealousy glint in her eyes. He more than understood. “I was furious. He informed me that with Gerbin gone, he and my mother expected a grandchild immediately. They feared something would happen to me too. I had to put locks on my cabin to keep him out, so he couldn’t let more women in. Trayis eventually gave me land farther from theirs after a few years of that bullshit happening every few months, so I built another cabin. One tougher to break into, so my father couldn’t allow women inside to wait for my return.”
She lowered her gaze to his chest. “Did you test matings with those women?”
“No. I threw them out.”
“I’m glad Trayis helped you.”
He snorted. “It wasn’t just for my sanity; it was pissing off other clans my father had reached out to, looking for unmated women to come meet me. They were insulted when I threw their clothes at them, ordered them to get dressed, and shoved them out of my home. Trayis ordered my father to stop.”
“Did he?”
He shrugged. “In a way. He stopped breaking into my home before the women arrived to give them the impression they’d be welcomed when I returned. He’ll probably have one staying with family when I return from this mission to push at me. I’ll get invited to dinner and a woman will be there. My parents do that shit every time I go on a mission.”
“That must be rough.”
He studied her and smiled. “I’ve never fucked them, G.L. Not once. I knew it would be pointless because I’m not even attracted to them.” His humor fled. “I also don’t trust anyone who my father sets me up with. They want that grandchild too damn much and I’m sure those women are smart enough to know they’re being used, and they’re allowing it. Hell, they’re willing to birth a child with me knowing I don’t want it.”
“But it’s not like you could get a VampLycan pregnant unless you mate to one.”
“That’s not true.”
She looked surprised.
“We’re part Lycan. I deal with a lot of them since I go on missions often for the clan. In some cases, they can bypass the mating requirement if their numbers are so low they’re facing extinction as a pack.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Mind-over-matter kind of thing. A Lycan can force her ovaries to work, force herself to ovulate to get pregnant if she’s motivated enough, even if she’s not mated. We’re all aware of what happened to poor Bran.”
“Who?”
“Bran. He used to be a member of our clan until one of Decker’s women set her mind to fool him into getting pregnant. She masked the scent of her ovulation and had sex with him. He didn’t even know he had a son until after Veso was born. He left our clan to care for his son, since she didn’t want to raise him, but she refused to allow Bran to bring Veso to our clan.”
“I never heard anything about that.”
“We don’t like to discuss it, but since it happened to Bran, every male is given that talk now once they hit adolescence, to avoid a repeat.”
“Was there a talk about humans?”
He grinned. “You bet there was. My father lectured me often about how you couldn’t control your body, so I wasn’t allowed to touch you. He didn’t like the way I spent so much time with you. As soon as I started getting boners, he pulled me aside.”
“I bet he did. Why did that woman do that to this Bran?”
“Because she was with Decker’s clan. Some of them have no honor. Decker wanted stronger bloodlines and sent her after Bran. Veso is strong. He refused to become an enforcer for Decker but he’s agreed to be one of Lorn’s, now that he’s taken over.”
“I’ve missed a lot while I’ve been gone. I can’t believe Decker no longer leads his clan.”
“It’s been great all around. Now if only Lord Aveoth could find the bastard so he can’t give us more trouble. He’s hiding with the Vampire Council.”
“Why do you think the council is even bothering to offer him sanctuary?”
“Are you kidding? To have a VampLycan and a group of his enforcers in their debt?”
“Got it. Power. Greed.” She paused. “But they already rule all the nests.”
“Word is that not all Vampire nests like the council.”
“You mean rogues.”
“No. Some nests are decent ones, but they don’t want to be under the thumb of the council anymore. The council keeps the peace, from what we know about it, but it’s also are run by a bunch of outdated thinkers. They forbid Vamps from being too friendly with humans or other races.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
He hesitated. “One of the clans has become friendly with a master. I’m not allowed to share too much information but Trayis requested permission to talk to this guy, since we’re dealing with the fallout of Decker going to the Vampire Council. He wanted as much intel about them as possible. This master said the council are a bunch of elitists who think they’re too good for all other races. Mich—” He cleared his throat. “This master is more of a modern thinker. He wants peace between everyone. The council wouldn’t be thrilled if they knew he allowed Lycan packs to roam in his territory, or that he doesn’t treat humans as if they’re cows. He has a rule that none of his are allowed to feed off them. They only use bagged blood in his nest and pay humans to donate it. The council would frown on that.”
“Because humans are cattle to Vamps.”
“The council seems to believe that. There are nests who want them disbanded so they don’t have to fear censure if their modern practices ever comes to light.”
“Would this master be punished if the council found out he lets Werewolves into his territory and pays for human blood so no one is bitten?”
Wen nodded. “They’d think he was unfit to lead his nest. They’d sanction his death.”
“Yeah. I can see why the council might need to be disbanded.”
“That’s for another day. One nest at a time.” He straightened up. “I need to see how many are guarding us during the day. I won’t go far. Lock the door when I leave and scream if anyone comes at you. I’ll stay within hearing distance.”
She clung to him when he tried to rise.
He hesitated, peering into her eyes. “What is it?”
“You changed the subject, I noticed. Why were you so upset when I woke up?”
He couldn’t help but smile. G.L. did know him too well. “I’m fine. I told you. It was just dreams.”
“But?”
“I don’t want to let you go…and I realized what’s going to happen when it’s time for us to part.”
“Some VampLycan is going to try to bed you.”
“That won’t happen. It’s just that when I’m with you, I try hard to forget about reality. That dream made me realize nothing will be able to change.”
“As in, your parents will never let me stay with you.”
“Yes.” He sighed. “I must recon, G.L.”
She let him go that time, releasing his hand. “I know. Mission first. Go. I’ll stay on alert.”
He stood and walked to the door. Gerri was on his heels. He unlocked the door and sniffed, picking up the strong scent of Lycan. He eased out into the hallway without looking back. The door gently closed and he heard the locks slip back into place.
Chapter Nine
Gerri glanced around the chain restaurant. “I’m shocked they let us leave.”
“We have eyes on us,” he muttered, glancing around. “Two Lycans just entered. They followed us all the way here.”
“I figured.”
The waiter dropped off their food and Gerri dug in, starving. She swallowed her mouthful and then caught Wen’s eye. “Can they hear us?” She mouthed the words.
He smil
ed. “You look lovely tonight, sweetheart.”
She’d take that for a yes. “Thank you for the meal.”
“It’s my honor to care for my mate.”
She really wished that title actually belonged to her.
Hunger kept her focused on the food in front of her, so their lack of conversation for the next twenty minutes wasn’t a problem. They didn’t dare eat anything in the apartment or whatever the pack brought them. She knew the only reason they’d been allowed to leave was because Wen had argued with Joel. He’d been blunt. He wouldn’t risk them being drugged. He’d demanded they be allowed to leave to get their own food.
Wen paid the bill and they left. Two men along the counter rose to their feet. She glanced at them. They were muscular, rough-looking thugs, and she didn’t need a special sense of smell to tell her those were the two Lycans.
Wen kept hold of her hand as they returned to the building. The sun had gone down while they ate. It wasn’t a surprise when they entered the front door to find Horton and one of his Vamps waiting.
“In my office, now,” Horton snapped.
She allowed Wen to maneuver her to keep his body between her and the others. He seated her and took the chair next to her.
Horton dropped into his chair behind the desk, glaring at Wen. “You have a problem with my hospitality?”
“I was raised with Decker. I don’t trust anyone. It’s safer that way.”
Horton frowned. “Why do you say that?”
“Decker would give bad food to his so-called guests to sicken and weaken them. I’d be easier to handle if you did the same. I can survive almost anything you feed me but my mate can’t. That’s why I insisted we be allowed to go out before dusk. Lycans can’t control the minds of humans in the eating establishment we just visited.”
Horton visibly relaxed. “You’re a paranoid bastard.”
“It’s why we’re still alive.”
“I can respect that. You aren’t stupid, are you?”
Wen growled. “No. I’m not.”
“Fine. I told Joel to allow you to eat wherever you want. You’ll have guards. To keep you safe, of course.”
Wen arched his eyebrows. “If you say so.”
“I don’t control all the Werewolves in this city. We’re now friends. I want to keep you and your mate safe.”
Gerri watched the two men, keeping her mouth shut. Horton was a manipulative creep. He hadn’t ordered Joel to let them go. He’d been sleeping when they’d left, but she noticed how he’d worded that to make it sound as if he’d had a say in the matter. Those Lycans weren’t following them for their safety either. They were being watched.
She wondered what Horton’s next move would be. It didn’t take long to find out.
“Did you think about what I asked? I need to know how to get Decker’s enforcers to turn against him. Tell me how to do that.”
“Tell me where I can live with my mate without fear of Lycans or Vamps attacking her,” Wen countered.
Horton scowled. “I’m making you a list of areas in the United States where there are no nests or reported packs. It takes time. You have the answers I need now. Tell me what I want to know.”
“Give me money then. Something in exchange.” Wen let his fingernails grow into claws. “So far, all you’ve given us is a place to stay. I could have provided that for my mate without you.”
Horton hissed and Gerri tensed in her chair, half expecting the crazy Vamp to lunge over his desk at Wen. Instead, the Vamp seemed to calm down after a few seconds. She relaxed too.
“Fine.” Horton bent down and opened a desk drawer. He tossed a package to Wen.
Wen caught it, opened the flap, and peered inside. He frowned, glaring at the nest master. “This can’t be more than a few thousand dollars.”
“Call it a down payment. There’s plenty more where that came from.”
Wen passed it over to Gerri to hold but he kept his attention on the Vamp. “Decker is paranoid and doesn’t trust anyone, even his own enforcers. Is there any way you can get Vamps who are near his enforcers to do things for you?”
Horton nodded. “Yes.”
“Have them talk to Decker’s enforcers about something stupid and innocent, like the weather, but have them do it where Decker can see them together yet not hear what’s being said. He’ll ask his enforcers what they were talking about. He won’t believe their answer, instead he’ll assume Vamps are trying to sway his enforcers away from him.”
Gerri caught on faster than Horton, and added, “Decker will think his enforcers are lying to him. Why would Vamps approach his men just to say it’s a beautiful night? He’s too paranoid and won’t believe it’s that innocent.”
Wen flashed her a smile. “He’ll think they’re becoming disloyal and try to kill them.” He stared at Horton. “It’s what he does.”
“That sounds too simple.” Horton didn’t look convinced.
“That’s the beauty of it,” Wen murmured. “What would happen if you saw your Lycan pack talking to another master a few times and they told you the discussion was about the weather?”
Anger glinted in Horton’s eyes. “They are betraying bastards. That wouldn’t be the case.”
“See? Decker thinks that way about everyone, including his own. It’s the only reason he survived being clan leader for as long as he did.”
“It’s a good plan because it’s so simple,” Gerri stated.
Horton narrowed his gaze at her. “I didn’t ask you.”
She sealed her lips. He didn’t like humans. Message received.
“Don’t speak to my mate with that tone.” Wen stood and snarled at Horton. “We’re going upstairs.” He held out his hand.
Gerri took it and they left the office. The Lycans and Vamps waiting outside allowed them passage to the stairs. They didn’t speak until they were back inside the apartment and Wen had checked out the space to make sure no one had been inside while they’d been gone. She stashed the money in her backpack, not wanting to leave it laying around for someone to steal. Wen returned to her.
He pulled her into a tight hug. “Soon,” he whispered.
“You want to see if he can actually do damage to Decker. I get it. It would be nice if they all turned on each other.” She smiled and rubbed her cheek against his.
“I’m also curious about where he’ll finally say we should go. As if there’s such a place that anyone could ever be safe from VampLycans.” He gripped her arms and pulled her away from him, a smile on his lips. “The North Pole?”
“I like Santa, and I bet elves are cute. I’d so live there with you. We could get jobs making toys.”
He suddenly lifted her off her feet, striding forward until her back bumped against the wall, and took possession of her mouth. She gasped and his tongue delved between her lips. His kiss left her breathless and instantly turned her on. He had that effect on her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged his waist with her spread thighs.
He shifted his hips, rubbing his stiff cock trapped inside his pants against the center seam of her jeans. She moaned against his tongue as he tormented her clit. She resented their clothing, wishing they were naked and he was inside her.
He suddenly broke the kiss, his eyes glowing when she stared into them.
“I want you,” she admitted.
“It’s such a bad idea. We need to stop.” Frustration showed on his handsome face and his eye color darkened to black.
“Easy, honeybun.” She knew that endearment had amused him before and she needed him to calm a bit. It really could hurt him to go that far over into his Lycan side without shifting. “Why can’t we do this? We can be quiet.”
“Because there are two dozen Lycans in this fucking place and you smell incredible when you’re turned on. They’d pick up the scent no matter how quiet we are. It would make some of them hornier than shit and they’d break in here to try to get at you. I’d fucking kill them, and we don’t want a bloodbath yet.”
“Shower.” She jerked her head toward the bathroom. “We can shove our clothes against the bottom of the door. There’s a fan in there. We can lock our scent in that one room. And I saw chemicals under the sink.”
His eyes glowed again. “You’re so smart.” He kept hold of her and carried her into the bathroom, using his foot to kick it closed. Then he put her down. “Strip.”
She didn’t need to be told twice. She bent, tore off her shoes, and worked on her pants next. He disrobed faster than she did and shoved his clothes against the bottom of the door. He bent over, yanking open the cupboard under the sink, and brought out a spray bottle of shower cleaner, resting it on the counter.
Gerri loved the sight of his beefy bare ass. He had the best body. All muscles and sexy skin. He stepped around her, turning on the water as she finished undressing. She thought they’d go into the shower but Wen had other ideas as he gripped her hips. She got ahold of his biceps and then he lifted her off her feet. Her back hit the bathroom door, his mouth on hers a second later.
She wrapped around him, clinging to him as he kissed her. It had been hell to sleep next to him without being able to do more than cuddle. Their time was short and she wanted him. The sex was incredible, and the memories would have to last her a lifetime.
He entered her in one fast thrust. She gasped, tearing her mouth from his. He was big, she’d been ready, but it still came as a surprise.
“Sorry,” he groaned, burying his face against her throat to leave wet, hungry kisses along her skin. “Fuck, G.L. Did I hurt you? You’re so damn tight and small.”
“No. Next time go a little slower on the entry.”
He chuckled. “You are very wet.”
“No shit. You make me that way. Move. I’m ready.”
He rolled his hips, pinning her tighter against the door. She ran her hands up his arms to get a firm grip on his shoulder with one hand, wrapping her other arm around his neck. He withdrew a little, then thrust up. Gerri moaned his name.
“Shush,” he growled. “We don’t want them to hear you.”
Right. She forgot everything when Wen was inside her. She lowered her face and pressed it against the top of his shoulder. He fucked her hard. The door creaked a little but she managed to smother the sounds she was making. He moved faster, angled his hips to drive up into her a little deeper, and she was lost. The climax built until it tore through her and she wanted to scream. She bit him instead, sinking her teeth into his skin along the top of his shoulder.