She bit her lip. “What if he picks someone else?”
The golden gleam returned to Trayis’s eyes. “He’d have to go far away and pretend whoever he fucked was you to be able to achieve sexual release. Even that would be tough to do, since any other woman’s scent would put him off. He knows for certain now that you’re his mate, if he had the urge to bite you. I’m not letting him leave the clan. You’ll end up with Wen tearing off your clothes and claiming you. Count on it.” He left her room, closing the door quietly behind him.
She stayed seated in the chair and sighed. She hoped Trayis was right about all of it. That things would work out and Wen would claim her. A warm sensation settled in her stomach, thinking about having girl babies with Wen. Real hope that she might be able to build a life with the VampLycan she loved flared.
“Please let this work out,” she whispered.
* * * * *
Wen knocked on his parents’ door. Their lights were on, despite the late hour. He was certain they’d waited up for him. As an elder, his father would be aware of his comings and goings. The door jerked open and the smell of food filled the air. His father smiled. “Finally. I’ve never eaten this late in my life. Get in here. Did you rip that Vampire apart?”
“Yes. Horton is no longer.” He stepped inside and spotted his mother.
She came out of the kitchen with her hands on her hips. “The roast is probably dry. I thought you’d be home hours ago. Come in and take a seat at the table.”
He sighed, doing her bidding.
An unfamiliar scent hit him and he growled, his gaze darting to the hallway that led to the bedrooms. A tall woman stalked out of the darkness. She was a beauty, with long black hair, a dress that hugged her body in all the right places, and a flirtatious smile on her lips.
His father took a seat at the head of the table. “Come join us, Quilla. This is the son we told you so much about.”
The VampLycan woman took a seat across from Wen, smiling. “Hello.”
She had a deep, throaty voice, and her dark gaze raked over his chest and face, her approval obvious. “You are as handsome as they promised. Your parents have told me all about your accomplishments.”
Wen wasn’t surprised. They did this to him almost every damn time he returned home from a mission. “I apologize to you for their deception. I’m not looking for a mate.”
The woman didn’t appear surprised. “They mentioned you are resistant.”
He tensed more, not liking her reaction. Most of the women they brought to him had been under the impression he was lonely and ready to settle down. “To say the least. They shouldn’t have brought you here. What clan are you from?”
“Crocker’s, and yes, I’ve heard the experiences other women have had, who your parents have invited to meet you. I’m different. I enjoy my independence.” She winked. “I don’t want to change clans but I’m not opposed to having a child. I’m seventy-two years old. I’d like to have one while I’m still young enough to enjoy them. I’ve never found my true mate. I might consider settling for you if we get along well.”
“Don’t look at me to be the sperm donor. I’d never settle for a loveless mating.”
“Wen!” his father snarled.
His mother came storming into the room holding a large serving dish. She slammed it on the table. “We found you a breeder, and you will fuck her until she’s with child!”
He seethed. “No.”
His father snarled again and glared at him, his eyes turning black. “You will give us that grandchild your mother wants. Do your duty!”
“We’ve already decided custody arrangements,” his mother added. “You won’t be bothered. Just breed her until she’s pregnant. Then your duty to me will be done.” She spun, going into the kitchen to gather more prepared food. “Start tonight, Wen. Don’t disappoint me. Quilla will go home with you.”
His claws grew from his fingers, his rage increasing. They made it sound as if he would have no part in raising this child they demanded. He slowly stood. “No!”
His father shot out of his chair. “Your mother has spoken! It has been decided. You refuse to take a mate, so we are meeting you halfway. Breed her!”
Wen felt hair sprouting along his skin and face, his fangs elongating. “I said no! You want a child so bad? You breed your mate and let her birth you another son!”
Glass crashed in the kitchen and his mother ran out, gasping. “Wen!”
He turned his gaze on her. “You heard me. I’m done. No more women, no more parading them in front of me, and no breeders. I decide who I mate, and when I have a child, it is mine to raise. Not yours.”
“Gerbin would do it for us!” Tears filled his mother’s eyes.
“I’m not him!” Wen roared. “He’s dead!”
His father instantly attacked, and pain shot up Wen’s ribs.
He acted on instinct, shoving his father back. They were evenly matched in size, but Wen had a lot more fighting experience. He struck out, ripping into his father’s arms, doing damage to muscle.
His mother screamed and Wen jumped back. His father appeared stunned as he sank the floor, blood running down both injured arms, which hung limply at his sides.
His mother rushed to her mate, throwing her body over his, and turned black eyes on Wen. Hair sprouted along her features, her fangs flashing as her mouth elongated. She was shifting.
“Don’t make me incapacitate you too, Mother. Make no mistake—I will if you come at me.” It tore him up, seeing his parents that way, knowing they must hate him at that moment. No child should ever injure their own father or threaten their mother. No child should ever be forced to.
Sadness came next. “I’m not Gerbin,” he rasped. “I will never be my brother, and no child can ever replace him. Not mine and not one you might have together. He’s gone forever. Accept that! Finally deal with it.”
He glanced at Quilla. She had leapt out of the way of the fighting, standing in the living room. “Go home. Find another sperm donor for your child. I wish you luck with that.”
He walked to the front door, half expecting his mother to attack his back. She didn’t.
Wen fled, slamming the door behind him. He made it about ten feet from the bottom of the porch before motion from his left brought him to a halt.
Tymber grimly regarded him from where he leaned against the house, arms crossed over his chest. He would have been able to hear everything if he’d been there for a while.
His friend spoke first. “You had no choice. I’m glad you finally stood up to them. Go home. I’ll stay here to make sure your father doesn’t need a healer. I can hear your parents talking. He still lives.”
Wen opened his mouth but then realized he didn’t know what to say. His family life had been strained before, and now it was destroyed. His parents would never forgive him, but then, he wasn’t so sure he could forgive them either.
He locked himself inside his cabin and took a shower. His father’s blood on his hands made him feel sick. Tears came as he stood under the spray. He wanted Gerri but it would never be safe to bring her to the clan. His parents would be spiteful for certain now. They wouldn’t just harm her because she was human, but to get revenge for his defiance.
He had done the right thing though. It was clear they’d planned to mold his child the way they had him in the years since his brother had died. He’d never allow that to happen.
The only way he could claim Gerri as his mate was to leave the clan and break his allegiance to Trayis. Honor vs. his heart. It was the worst decision a VampLycan could have to make. “Fuck.”
Chapter Sixteen
Gerri missed Micah’s skills in the worst way as the bush pilot swept down from the sky at an alarming speed. She grabbed at the seat belt for dear life, expecting them to crash at any moment. Her eyes were tightly closed, refusing to witness the impact. The wheels hit the ground, they bounced back into the air, and her stomach seemed to hit the roof. The wheels landed again but this
time they weren’t thrown back into the air. The engines droned louder.
The crazy pilot laughed. “I knew I could do it.”
Gerri peeked an eye open, realizing they were slowing. It was an old road they’d landed on, two lanes in an area cleared of trees. She hoped a car or truck didn’t show up ahead of them to cause a head-on collision. The plane came to a stop and she opened her other eye.
Trayis turned to the pilot next to him, his eyes glowing. He lifted his hand, reached back to Gerri, and shielded her from seeing him. She sighed and held still.
“You did well with this emergency landing. The plane is no longer experiencing engine troubles. We shall get out, you’ll go deliver your supplies, and not remember having any passengers or where you’ve been with us.” Trayis paused. “And you have a strong desire to take more lessons from an instructor. I realize you have your license but do it. You wish to be an even better pilot.”
“I do,” the pilot stated.
Trayis pulled his hand away from Gerri’s face and he rolled his brown eyes when she looked at him. He mouthed one word. “Scary.”
She glanced at the pilot. He was smiling, seemingly in his own little world, staring out the front of the plane. She nodded, looking at Trayis again. “No shit,” she breathed.
Trayis opened the door and helped her out. Her backpack wasn’t stored in the side compartment but instead sat on the seat next to her. She slid on the straps and followed Trayis away from the road. The plane began to roll forward.
“Where did you find that guy?”
“I just grabbed him from the airport. He was going on a supply run to some resort in this area. My mistake.”
The plane took off down the road and Gerri looked both ways. “So is someone picking us up?” She watched the small plane lift off the road, climbing into the sky.
“Yes. This isn’t a public road.” He pulled out his cell phone, calling someone. “We’re here. You know what to do.” He hung up. “It should be about twenty minutes.”
“Why are we so far from your territory, since that pilot won’t remember where he dropped us anyway?”
“This was the longest straightaway and where the road is the least damaged by winters. It used to run to a tiny town that died out five years ago.”
“Not the one that the Vampires took out?”
“No. There was a hunting lodge some humans opened, even put in some tourist stores, a restaurant, and a gas station. Some corporation thought they could make a bundle so they built it. It was too close to our territory.”
“What does that mean?”
He grinned. “Let’s just say we made sure their guests never found game and wouldn’t be returning. The first month they were open, we got groups of trespassers on our border. I refused to allow our clan to be shot at by idiots. They didn’t turn a profit in the two years it was open and we bought it from them at a discounted price.”
She was amused. “That’s kind of evil but brilliant.”
“I do what I must for the protection of my clan. They should have opened one of those nature lover retreats. Instead they brought guns.” He shook his head. “Mistake.”
Gerri took off her backpack and stretched. She was tired of sitting after two flights. Not that she could complain about the first one. “Do you always fly first class when you travel on human transportation?”
He chuckled. “I don’t fit into coach.”
She glanced at his big body and realized he was right. “I didn’t know you ever left Alaska.”
“I go visit my brother every five or ten years. He can’t come to me.”
“Why not?”
“He’s mated, with two sons. His need to keep his family safe won’t allow him to be apart from them. He’d never trust humans to fly his mate or children this distance. It’s easiest to use their airlines when available, plus a hell of a lot cheaper. Do you know what it costs to hire a private jet?”
“No clue.”
“It’s outrageous.”
She let the matter drop. “Were you visiting him when I got there?”
He met her gaze and held it. “No. I came just for you. I’ll visit with my brother again soon.”
“You could have just called and asked me to come.”
He grinned. “That was a conversation we needed to have face to face. I doubt you’d be here otherwise.”
She glanced away. He was probably right.
“It will work out, Gerri.”
She stared at him, remembering her whispered words the night before after he’d left her room. He must have heard them. “I hope so.”
“You’d be miserable without Wen. This way, regardless of the difficulties the next few days or weeks may bring, he’ll be close. Instincts won’t be denied. You’re back where you belong.” He reached up and tapped his temple. “Think like a VampLycan. You’re clan.”
She wasn’t a VampLycan though. She kept that to herself. He was more than aware.
Trayis backed away. “I’ll be right back. I have to take a leak.”
“Me too. I’ll meet you back here in a few.” She crossed the street and went in the opposite direction. The scents and sounds from the trees made her smile as she found a spot to squat to relieve her bladder. There were no traffic noises, no car alarms, no sirens. Just birds and the rustling of the wind through the treetops.
Trayis waited for her back at the side of the road. He sniffed, motioning for her to come closer. “Bears are in the area. Stick close.”
“Yeah. I’m home.”
He chuckled. “You won’t be taking any strolls alone and we cleared the area around our homes after you were attacked. Some things have changed.”
“Good to know.”
A short time passed before a black SUV with tinted windows pulled up, stopping next to them. She couldn’t make out the driver until he opened the door. She instantly recognized him. He hadn’t changed at all, which shouldn’t have surprised her. VampLycans didn’t age the way humans did. It could have been days since she’d last seen him instead of fifteen years.
“Hi, Yern.”
He rounded the SUV and stared at her. His gaze lowered to her chest. “You’ve got boobs.”
She glanced down at the tank top she wore, noticing that it did reveal some cleavage. She grinned and looked up at him. “I do.”
Trayis sighed. “That’s the first thing you’ve got to say to your clansman after all these years? Tell me again why you’re an enforcer?”
Yern laughed. “But she’s got boobs. Big ones. She used to be flat as a board.”
Trayis rolled his eyes heavenward and shook his head. “Why me?”
Yern came toward her and opened his arms. “Give me a hug.”
She met him halfway and gasped when the big guy grabbed her and lifted her right off her feet. He gave her a bear hug, almost crushing her.
“Gently,” Trayis snapped. “Don’t break her.”
Yern eased his hold a tiny bit. “It’s good to have you home. We resume lessons tomorrow, Gerri. I doubt those stupid humans taught you any survival skills.” He put her down then cupped her face, leaning down to study her features.
“Looking for wrinkles?” They had always teased each other.
He cracked a smile. “You look good, baby. Just more mature. I like the differences.” His gaze lowered. “Especially the boobs.”
Yern suddenly snarled, jerking away and releasing her. Trayis had a grip on the back of his neck. “Wen would kill you, so don’t even think about it.”
“I’m not flirting with her. She knows.”
“It’s okay,” Gerri laughed. “It’s an old joke between us.”
Trayis let him go and scowled. “I don’t think Wen would find that kind of talk funny.”
Yern rubbed his neck. “Ouch. I used to tell her if she was ever attacked by a male to flash her boobs at him, but she didn’t have any.” He smiled. “Now she does.” His gaze turned to Gerri and he put his hands in front of his chest, making a motion as
if to tear open his shirt. He winked. “Would totally work now.”
“You think that would actually stop a man from killing her?”
Yern nodded at Trayis. “He’d want to fuck her instead, and he’d lower his guard by trying to get her clothes off. That’s when she could kill him. Gerri’s always been small. She has to outthink her opponent since she doesn’t have claws.”
“Spoken like an unmated man. Just take us home. I’m tired. I know Gerri is too.” Trayis opened the passenger door and sat. “Get in.”
Gerri climbed in the back after grabbing her backpack. They left the road for a dirt trail after a few miles. She had to put on her belt to avoid being tossed around since there were lots of potholes and uneven ground. That was one thing she hadn’t missed about her old home. VampLycans didn’t make it easy to travel around their territory.
Yern kept glancing at her in the rearview mirror and smiling. “It’s good to have you back, baby.”
“Stop calling her that,” Trayis sighed. “Wen will get angry.”
“He knows we call her that. She was so little and cute. Still is.” Yern paused. “So does the wind still blow in Wen’s direction? You smell like him.” His gaze caught hers in the mirror again. “I take it that you’re still feel attracted to him as much as you used to?”
“Yes.”
“They are mates. He just hasn’t claimed her yet,” Trayis added.
“Dumbass,” Yern muttered. “I know his parents are mental after what they suffered but coddling them hasn’t helped any. I told him as much dozens of times. We’re VampLycans, not humans.” His gaze met Gerri’s again. “No offense.”
“None taken.”
“You don’t act like a human. Never did. You’re just a short, non-shifting VampLycan who smells human. Only right now, you smell like Wen. Guess I should have guessed you were his, even if you haven’t exchanged blood yet, since you’re obviously letting him between your thighs. Bet he was happy as shit about that. It was no secret how desperately he wanted you as a youth. You’d walk by and he’d get a hard-on. Please tell me he lasted more than ten seconds. That man wanted you so bad, he might have shot off before he even unzipped if you were naked.”