Darcy Burke

Beyond the Marius Brothers 2

Darcy Burke In a world where humans and paranormals coexist in secret and where they are at war with soulless demons, vampires dream to be united with their mates. Darcy Burke is a strong and caring vampire warrior who lost his family long ago. After so many casual hookups, he bumps into a man who he longs to love and support for the rest of his life. Ayden Magee is a werewolf who has been stuck in his wolf form and is desperately trying to find a way to save his brothers. When Darcy helps him change back, Ayden sees the possibility of a future with this man, one filled with the tenderness and love he has been missing. Will Darcy and Ayden be able to save Ayden's brothers and build a lasting relationship together, or will their differences and their pasts be too much for them to conquer? Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves Length: 36,033words

DARCY BURKE Beyond the Marius Brothers 2

Joyee Flynn

EROTIC ROMANCE MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

DARCY BURKE Copyright © 2012 by Joyee Flynn E-book ISBN: 1-61926-627-X First E-book Publication: March 2012 Cover design by Jinger Heaston All cover art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of Darcy Burke by Joyee Flynn from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Joyee Flynn’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Flynn’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

AUTHOR’S NOTE When I wrote the first Marius Brothers, I had no clue how big the world would get. Then I had so much fun with the world, that I thought, why not Irish twins? So the O’Hagans were born. Now there are other minor characters who need their stories told...and that’s how one world ended up with three different series. To keep everything straight, I’ve added a few pages to my site, including a brief background on the world so it’s not repeated in every book, the chronological order of the books, character charts, and a list of who’s who. I hope this helps make sense of the madness that is my brain. www.joyeeflynn.com/themariusworld.htm

DARCY BURKE Beyond the Marius Brothers 2 JOYEE FLYNN Copyright © 2012

Chapter 1 “Brian, look, it be the man who fucked our mate,” the little redhead sneered at me as he stepped out of the greenhouse whose repair, I took note of, was almost finished. Okay, maybe he wasn’t little, but he was little compared to me. I was six-six and they were only five-ten. And really starting to annoy me. But at least I knew which one was which now. How the hell Zane could tell them apart was baffling to me. “Tell him to leave. Zane be taken now and he can’t have him,” Brian called out. I snarled, no longer willing to play nice. I’d tried to get along with them in the weeks they’d been mated to my friend. Now that I was assigned here to protect them, they pulled this crap the moment I see them…I was done. Brian stepped up next to his twin. I took in their faces, their identical looks of anger. “You know what,” I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in the air. “Fuck you both, okay? I’m a lot of things, but mate stealer and home wrecker aren’t two of them. You’re hurting Zane by trying to drive a wedge between us. I’m his friend! You’d think you’d just be happy that someone was there for him when he needed it whether it be sexual or not. We never dated. We just fucked when we were both lonely and needed someone. And not since he met you!”

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Their faces fell as my rant continued, and by the end of it, I was breathing heavily from agitation and they looked as if they were getting ready to be grounded. “He has a point,” Banning said with a grimace. “I know Zane isn’t happy that Darcy be avoiding coming here. His feelings were hurt thinking Darcy didn’t want to be his friend anymore now that he be mated.” “Aye, we thought ya just wanted him for sex,” Brian stated sheepishly, glancing from me down to his toes. “And how could ya not want our hot mate for ya self?” I took a deep breath before answering, understanding now that it was their insecurities they were projecting onto me and their behavior was not really a reflection of me. “Because mating is just as sacred to warriors as it is to your family. Trying to steal Zane would only hurt him, and I would never do that.” I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow at them. “And he’s really not my type. That’s why we never dated. A few quick fucks was all we’d ever been beyond friends.” “And sometimes sex just be sex,” Rory said as he walked out of the greenhouse and stepped up behind them, teasing them with his fake brogue. “Now leave the lad alone and ask why he be here.” “That’s starting to get annoying,” Brian grumbled good-naturedly as he elbowed his friend in the side. I glanced over their shoulders, noticing that the greenhouse looked like a whole new building instead of refurbished. The construction that the Mariuses, warriors, and everyone else in the community had done was great. Since Brian and Banning’s gift was the ability to affect plant life, producing supple fruit and vegetables, even in winter, a greenhouse was a good fit for them. I just wanted to be the one who tested all the grub before it was sent to the warriors. “And maybe give an apology for making me feel so unwelcome at my friend’s home,” I added, not willing to let this drop so quickly. I

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didn’t like interference in my friendships, and they’d treated me as if I’d done something wrong. Which I hated! “Aye, we’re sorry, Darcy,” Banning said earnestly and nodded. “We hope ya forgive us and start coming around. Our mate misses his friend, and we’d like the chance to get to know ya.” “Funny you should phrase it that way,” I replied with an evil grin. “With everything that’s gone down with the demons and Cyrus’s family, the warriors not on assignment are being farmed out to stay at civilian homes. We’re starting regular patrols and moving some of the smaller families into the bigger houses, consolidating covens, too.” “Yeah, we’re getting some new vampire friends moving into the Dragos estate next week. I guess they’re crafters and Isaac’s going to let them build a workshop on the property.” Rory looked ready to bust at the seams at the idea, hopping up and down and smiling more widely than usual. “Ya such an art whore.” Brian snickered, shaking his head. “Hey, I don’t have sex for the stuff,” he scoffed, turning his nose up in offense. “I appreciate the arts and things of beauty. It’s more jealousy. I’d love to be able to do what they can, but I have no talent.” “Interior decorating is a form of art in my opinion,” I said with a shrug. “I’ve seen how you’ve turned around Isaac’s house, Rory. I think being able to see a space and make it welcoming while beautiful is just as hard as seeing something to put on a canvas.” “Really?” he asked, his face heating up from the praise and turning a light shade of pink. I hadn’t always gotten along with Isaac, thinking he was a dick, but I was trying for Zane. And Isaac was different than he was a century ago… We all were. But I did really like his mate. If I was ever going to consider mate stealing, not that I would, it would be Rory. “Aye, what ya have planned for our house be a thing of beauty,” Banning answered as he wrapped his arm around his friend. “Ya have talent in a different way.”

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“Thanks.” He giggled, leaning into the half hug. “Anyways, I think things are going to start getting really interesting around here. Liven up some of the stuffy founding families.” “And get us some help around here.” Brian chuckled. “The warriors be clueless when it comes to how to be gentle with plants.” “Anyways,” I drawled, shaking my head and trying to get back on point. “Zane asked the coordinator to assign me here. I’ll be here when he’s at work, guarding you, and then I get a break when he gets home before we sleep. Are any of the guest rooms habitable yet?” “Not really,” Brian said with a wince as he glanced back in the direction of the house. “If ya don’t mind a night on the couch, we can do it first thing tomorrow when the workers get back. Ya going to have to bear with us.” “That’s not a problem.” I chuckled, having slept in way worse places. I was just glad we got past this awkwardness. It was then I saw a wolf slowly approaching from several hundred yards away. It was lifting its nose every so often as if sniffing down a trail. “The wolf acclimating here okay?” I wasn’t sure why I cared, but something about the wolf pulled at my heartstrings. I couldn’t imagine being trapped in an animal form. Even though I’d never seen him before, when Zane told me about him, I wanted to help. Not that I had any clue how to, but who wouldn’t want to help the little guy? “Yeah, he’s got lots of room to play and helps keep the vermin away,” Rory said with a smile before his face fell. “I don’t know how long he’s been stuck as a wolf, but it’s not good. Maybe some safety and friends can help him get out of it.” “He’s gorgeous,” I whispered as the wolf started running to us. “I’ve never seen one of his coloring.” While the twins had bright red hair, the wolf was more of a shimmering, deep auburn. The color and shine made me think of almost maroon satin sheets. Which was weird. Why would a wolf make me think of bed?

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“Wolves are different from most shifters in that they can be different colors,” Rory explained. “It shows type of wolf and pack of birth.” I saw him frown from the corner of my eye. “What’s going on that he’s racing toward us? I’ve never seen him do that.” That instantly put me on guard. Did the wolf sense danger? I glanced around, using my heightened warrior senses to scan the area. I was so busy doing that, but seeing absolutely nothing, that I’d missed the wolf’s approach… Until I felt a nose pushing at my groin. “Umm, thanks, but I don’t do fur.” I chuckled, taking a step back. “Mate. Alpha,” I heard quietly in my mind, like a breeze. Huh? The wolf plopped onto the grass on its back, exposing its stomach and neck to me in a submissive gesture. “I think he likes you.” Rory snickered. I smiled at him before kneeling down next to the wolf and focusing on him. I scratched the soft tufts of fur on his belly, laughing as his front paw thumped the air with his pleasure. “Yours.” I glanced at the others, wondering if they heard it, too. Then the wolf’s scent hit me. My eyes went wide as my fangs pushed out of my gums. “Shift back now, mate,” I ordered in a husky voice. The wolf shivered, and I felt energy trail up my arm as he did as I said. “My god,” Banning gasped. “We’ll leave you to it.” “To what?” Brian asked. “Just because he finally shifted back doesn’t mean he’s ready to be claimed.” “Your lack of faith in me needs to stop,” I growled, not even looking at him. The man under my hand shivered and gasped. “I’d never hurt my mate.” He opened his eyes, and it was my turn to gasp. The amber wolf eyes were gone, replaced by deep, dark, purple eyes, a color I’d never seen before. They made my own brown eyes seem dull in comparison. “Oh fuck, he’s a Kappa,” Rory groaned. “Darcy, you can’t claim him.”

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The wolf who was now a man snarled in Rory’s direction and I fully agreed. “He’s my mate. He’s mine.” When Rory started to speak again, I gazed up at him and saw fear. “I’m not going to take him right here, okay? We’ll talk later but just leave us for a bit.” “Fine, but be careful,” my friend said gently as they all backed away. “I don’t want either of you to get hurt.” I nodded and swallowed as my mate wiggled until my hand was between his legs. “Claim mate.” My eyes bugged out wide, feeling like they might leave my head. “That’s you. I can hear you,” I whispered, slightly scared. “Mate can always hear,” he said, giving me a soft smile. “Alpha claim mate.” “Rory said not yet, little wolfie,” I replied, gently moving my hand higher up his body. I didn’t want to lose the contact though that didn’t mean I wanted to tease either of us. “What’s a Kappa?” “Special wolf,” he replied mentally as his face fell. I had a feeling there was a lot more to that explanation than he was telling me. That was okay. We’d get to know each other as slowly as he needed after what he’d been through. I didn’t know what that was, but Rory said it had to be pretty bad if the wolf didn’t want to turn back to human or couldn’t. “You’re special to me, Kappa or not,” I purred, leaning over to sniff his unique scent. I shivered. He smelled like forest and waterfall. I took a long look at him, realizing his features were very boyish in a way and very young. “How old are you?” “Twenty. Old enough to claim.” I wouldn’t have guessed that old. It seemed the older I got, the younger everyone looked to me. And since I’d lived several centuries…everyone looked too young. “We need to just talk, little wolfie,” I groaned, his insistence killing my resolve. It didn’t help that the little whimpers of need he was making were going straight to my already hard and leaking cock. “I don’t even know your name.”

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“Ayden Magee.” Okay, that was one down, but why couldn’t he speak? He seemed to realize I meant my answer of no and wasn’t liking it. He rolled over and presented his ass to me as if making a glorious offering. The way he did it had moved my hand between his cheeks. Fuck! It was then that I noticed his hair, which was the same color his fur had been, was long. Like down to his calves long. Wow! In comparison, my blond hair was much, much shorter, only coming a few inches off of my scalp. “Baby, I’m not just going to fuck you here where anyone can see us. Rory said you’ve been through something really bad to make you stay in wolf form—” “You no want mate,” he cried in my head and started to pull away. “That’s not what I meant,” I said quickly, grabbing him around the waist to stop him. Unfortunately, or fortunately for Mr. Happy in my pants, it put my groin against his soft, firm ass. My mate looked underfed, and I wasn’t a fan of that either. Ribs were showing beneath his light skin, and I knew I’d be stuffing him all the time… With food. I meant food. My cock had other ideas though because when Ayden whimpered again, I realized I was rubbing myself against him. I immediately made myself stop. “Shit, sorry.” “No sorry. Not sorry. Alpha claim mate.” Fuck! I felt like a heel. I could feel his fear and sadness that I might not want him. But he’d been through something bad. I couldn’t take advantage of that. And why was he speaking funny in my head, almost as if he didn’t know much English? Why not out loud though? Distracted again, I didn’t snap out of it until I felt a tongue licking my stomach. I gasped and looked down. The little imp had pulled out my shirt and undid my pants while I’d been thinking. Wow. He was good. I hadn’t even seen him move. “Ayden,” I whispered, cupping his cheek as his hand moved into my boxer briefs. “We need to talk, baby. I won’t take advantage of you.”

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“Alpha protect Ayden. Save brothers. Claim. Offering ass for safety.” I froze. Pain like I’d never felt before blossomed inside my chest. “What? You’re willing to whore yourself out so I’d help you?” I felt my eyes narrow in disgust as my mate started to shake. “All Kappa good for is pleasure,” he whispered, shaking his head. “Mate means safety for me. Alpha would help brothers. Don’t like sex but for Alpha and mate I do it.” Again… Huh? I lost part of my anger, but he must have seen my confusion. “Sorry.” “For what?” I asked, seconds before I was pushed back to the ground and Ayden embedded his sharp teeth into my neck. I cried out at the sensation, blowing my load without even being touched. Then I cried out for another reason…pain. My mate’s pain. Images assaulted me, and I knew what was going on now. Ayden was a special wolf, a Kappa, who was different from other wolves because of his gifts. Kappas allured both men and women, even if they didn’t like men. They were like pure sex, and the orgasms had with a Kappa were something that words couldn’t describe. Unfortunately for Ayden, his pack were assholes, evil bastards. When Ayden came of age and could be used by the pack, he had refused to be the pack slut. While that made me proud of him, it pissed off the Alpha. The douche bag had taken Ayden’s brothers hostage, threatening to make them his whores if Ayden didn’t use his sexual powers for the pack. I wasn’t sure exactly what sexual powers were, but either way, the Alpha was taking away my mate’s choices. And while I didn’t understand everything that was involved in being a Kappa, it was clear that Ayden’s brothers hadn’t grown into their gifts yet. And fuck if I was going to let that happen. One night, Ayden tried to take his brothers and escape, figuring the road was better than the pack. Part of the pack, drunk, found out

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and took what Ayden wouldn’t give. I saw it all. I felt it. And when they were done, they left him, hurt, bloody, and in too much pain to move. His wolf took over, and he’d been trapped in his wolf body for a year. When it was over and I came back to myself, the nightmarish images over, I felt a soft tongue licking my neck. “I’ll help you,” I said immediately, feeling his fear of what had happened to his brothers. “I’ll do anything for you, Ayden. But I don’t want sex for my help.” He froze and lifted his head, his deep purple eyes staring at me questioningly. “What do you want then?” he asked, and I could hear his voice more clearly now. I had a feeling it was because he claimed me. Zane had told me Rory and Isaac could communicate mentally, too. “Nothing,” I answered gently with a smile. I reached up and cupped his cheek. “You’re my mate, Ayden. You don’t have to pay me for my help and I would never use you.” I bit my lip when I realized he was pulling away. He didn’t believe me. “Fine. I want you to make me a promise.” He eyed me over and nodded. “Promise me that you won’t ever offer yourself to me again in any way unless you want it. I won’t have you treating me like those men in your pack. I only want sex if you want it.” “You lie. I feel your hardness under my ass.” He snarled and I grabbed him roughly, rolling us over so he couldn’t escape. “Yes, I want you,” I said firmly, letting my desire lace my voice and gaze. “I want you so badly I feel as if I’m going to explode. But I don’t do rape, and if you don’t want it but offer it anyways because you think you have to, that’s as bad as rape to me. When you’re ready, when you want to have sex, I’ll fuck you and give you such pleasure that you will beg for more. But not until you want it.” His eyes filled with sadness and hopelessness. “I won’t want it. Sex equals pain and blood.”

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“No, little wolfie,” I whispered as I kissed his nose. “You didn’t have sex. You were raped and brutalized. Big difference. Sex is all about pleasure. And yes, there will be blood because you’re mated to a vampire, but not in a bad way like what you went through. Talk to Rory. He’ll tell you.” “Again?” I went to ask what, and then I saw in his mind that he liked when I kissed his nose. I smiled before kissing each cheek. He whimpered and squirmed under me. “Again? More?” “Only a few because I have some phone calls to make if we’re going to find your brothers.” His purple eyes lit up with shock and happiness, and I couldn’t resist. I brushed my lips against his, moaning at the taste of him. My mate tasted like campfire marshmallows and forest. Interesting… And addictive. When he gasped, I held myself back from plundering his mouth but slowly ran my tongue over his lips. His eyes went wide, and I could feel his desire poking my stomach. “Sex can be very good, my little wolfie.” “Yours. Alpha’s. Alpha saved me.” His eyes got teary as he smiled at me. “I think Rory saved you. And me. He brought you here so I could find you. Yes, you are mine, Ayden, and I don’t give a fuck if the pack thinks that you belong to them. I will fight every last one of them to protect you and keep you. We’ll have help. I’m a warrior with powerful friends.” “Yes. Alpha scent.” That seemed to impress him, which, come on, who doesn’t want to impress their mate? “I’ll be Alpha for you any day, my little wolfie,” I growled playfully as I licked along his collarbone. He gasped and squirmed, drawing my attention to his body. He really was small compared to me. Ayden couldn’t be more than five-four to my six-six. And I liked it. “Do you like what I’m doing to you?” “Yes. Again?”

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I did it as a thought hit me. He’d claimed me. Shouldn’t I get the same? “Can I claim you, little wolfie?” He froze and I wanted to smack myself. Of course he thought I meant sex. “Bite. Can I claim you with my bite. Bite only,” I quickly rambled. I honestly thought it had to be during sex for the bond to work, but Ayden seemed so out of sorts and lost, I figured if he saw how serious I was about being his mate, he’d be less scared. His body relaxed under mine, and I kept kissing his neck and shoulders. “You bit me after all.” “Alpha claim,” he sighed in my head and nodded. That was all I needed. I licked his neck one last time as I moved my hand over his groin so he wouldn’t hurt his precious cock against my jeans. I bit into his neck as I heard footsteps racing toward us. “No!” Rory shouted as I took my first drink, probably having come back to check on us. I’d kept my promise. We weren’t having sex. But I wanted Ayden to know he was mine. Holy shit! Ayden’s blood was amazing, unlike anything I’d ever tasted. Was it always like this with mates? I drank it down greedily, feeling almost feral with power. His blood felt like potent fire in my veins. “Stop. Dizzy,” Ayden whispered in my mind. I immediately pulled my fangs out and gasped. How much had I taken? I’d never lost control before. “How dizzy?” I immediately asked, licking the bite closed and trying not to moan in pleasure at his blood. “I’m sorry, my little wolfie. You just taste so fucking good. I’d never hurt you.” “Not hurt. Just hungry and tired.” He smiled at me and slapped his smaller hand playfully against my cheek. “Happy Alpha claim.” “I’m happy, too, my mate,” I whispered, a joy filling me like I’d never imagined. I had a mate. He was here, in my arms. He’d let me claim him. Sure, he had issues, but who didn’t. I had a mate. “You are so totally fucked,” Rory groaned, shaking his head. Huh? And then suddenly I had a feeling there was something I should

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have known first. Starting with why I was feeling horny and hot with burning desire. Shit. This couldn’t be good.

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Chapter 2 “Aye, he drank a lot more than Zane ever did,” Brian agreed, and I snarled. “Zane drank from my mate? When?” I demanded, thinking I needed to have a long talk with my friend. Why would he drink from my wolf? “No, I gave him some of my blood once without him knowing it,” Rory explained and raised an eyebrow. I didn’t understand until I looked down and realized I had moved Ayden’s hand under my boxer briefs and was humping his hand. “What’s happening to me?” I asked with a moan. “You drank shifter blood and a lot of it if Ayden’s reaction was anything to go by,” Rory said gently. I glanced down at my mate, who was staring up at me with wide, worried eyes. “What does that mean?” I repeated the question to Rory for both our sakes. He shared a glance with the twins, and we both growled in annoyance. “Zane fucked both of us all night long until he passed out after having a few small wine glasses of it. You took more than that,” Brian said, giving Ayden a worried glance. “Shifter blood is like liquid speed, Viagra, and testosterone all at once,” Rory explained. “Isaac only drinks from me when it’s near the full moon and we’re going to fuck for three days straight anyways.” “And you didn’t think to tell me that?” I shouted. My body was on fire and my prick was supersensitive. I was going to blow real soon. “I told you not to claim him until we talked,” he snarled. “Kappas are—”

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“I know what a Kappa is,” I cut him off. “Ayden showed me his memories and what it meant.” “He told you that Kappa wolves are believed to be descendants of Eros?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Um, no,” I moaned, closing my eyes in pleasure. I grunted and filled my mate’s hand with my release. But that didn’t seem to be enough because I kept humping him. When my vision cleared after such an intense release, I glanced down at my mate. “I didn’t know that.” He was worrying his plump bottom lip with his teeth as his nostrils flared. “Smells good.” I made the hardest decision of my life. “Get Ayden away from me.” He was naked, my mate, and hot as hell. And staring at me as if he wanted to take this further… But wasn’t ready yet. It was killing me not to sink my cock into his ass. “Darcy—” “Do it!” I begged, glancing at Rory. “I won’t hurt him or take him when he’s not ready.” “Darcy, you need him,” Rory said worriedly, glancing from me to Ayden. “Your blood is like horny juice to him. He’ll be hard and hurting all night.” “Then I’ll fucking masturbate,” I growled. I could tell, as it seemed Rory did, that Ayden didn’t understand what speed and Viagra were. I pushed myself onto my knees, only to find Ayden was faster and had wrapped himself around me. “Don’t. Don’t do this, Ayden. I feel like I’m losing my mind already, and I won’t risk hurting you. Not for all the pain in the world.” His eyes widened with awe and wonder. “That’s why it’s okay. You not hurt me.” “I can’t say I won’t right now,” I whispered, trying to pry him off of me. Damn, he was strong for such a little guy. “We have chains,” Brian said, rubbing his head. “One of us likes to be tied down sometimes anyways. We can restrain you, and that way you can’t hurt Ayden.”

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“Yes. Yes, do that. Help mate.” Ayden nodded furiously, glancing over to Rory. “Help him.” We all froze. Damn. Now I knew why he was speaking to me mentally. His voice sounded hoarse and harsh as if it was in pain from being used. Was speaking so different from wolf sounds that, after over a year of nonuse, it didn’t work right? But then again, the throat was full of muscles. Oh, fuck it… I needed to come. “I can’t think,” I whimpered as I grabbed his hips and started sliding his ass against my groin. It was still covered by my boxer briefs, but since Ayden had moved his hand when he’d become an accessory to my outfit, there was nothing in the way. “Oh fuck, Ayden. You feel like heaven, and I’m not even in you yet.” “Like. Like lots,” he moaned in my head, moving his hips with mine. I tilted my head and found his lips, giving him a full, passionate, and needy kiss. His inexperience was obvious, but his exuberance made up for lack of skill… Until he nicked his tongue on my fang. I gasped when I tasted his blood and immediately broke the kiss. “No more blood. Not until we get this under control.” He nodded his agreement, his eyes glazed with lust. He leaned over and licked behind my ear, a major hot spot for me, and it was all over. I cried out his name as I shot again in my shorts. Holy shit! I just kept coming, and I wanted more. When that orgasm passed, I realized I’d fallen back to the ground, taking Ayden with me. He was making happy sounds, almost like a purr but for wolves. And then I felt the wet spot on my stomach and smiled. I wasn’t the only one who’d enjoyed himself. I remembered we weren’t alone and frowned. No one got to see my mate in the throes of passion but me. I wrapped my arms around him securely and rolled to my feet. I gave the three of them a look, and Banning was the first to understand. He pulled off his gray T-shirt and handed it to me. “We not be seeing a thing. We turned away,” he said gently.

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“Thank you,” I replied, taking the shirt and draping it over my mate’s naked back. Something was better than nothing. “But you need to get used to it or over whatever hang-ups you have about nudity and public sex, Darcy,” Rory said nervously. I didn’t understand and raised an eyebrow. “Shifters aren’t like vampires. I could walk around naked all the time and it would never bother me. I wear clothes for Isaac. And wolves are even more free spirits from the shifters I’ve known. They like sex outdoors and anything that has an edge of danger, like getting caught someplace public.” He glanced down at where I was rubbing my mate against me again. “But we can talk about this later.” “Later’s good,” I grumbled, having had a hard time focusing on his words. I had already used Ayden’s cum to slick up a finger and was rubbing it over Ayden’s hole. “You have to tell me if you need me to stop.” “Like. Want to be connected to mate.” I could see the desire in his eyes when he looked at me. Sure, there was fear, like someone who’d been hurt before, but if I had to guess, I’d say mostly lust and a little of being scared. “They’re going to chain me down and we’re going to go slow, okay? I won’t hurt you.” I glanced at Brian, who nodded and led the way. I didn’t have to ask who out of their mating liked to be tied down. I knew it was Zane. It was rare, but we’d done it once when he just needed to let go of everything and feel. Personally, I’d never trusted someone enough to try it. But with the way I was feeling now… I trusted Ayden way more than I did myself. Brian led us through the house to their room, and I was so distracted from the need I was feeling that I couldn’t even take in the surroundings. I just blindly followed Brian, doing my best not to trip over various obstacles littering the floor. If I’d been of sounder mind, I might have felt bad about that, using Brian, Banning, and Zane’s room, since it was obvious to everyone what we were going in there to do.

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Fuck it. When I got into the room, I zeroed in on the king-size bed and set Ayden down on the soft-looking comforter and took off my clothes, making such quick work of removing my pants, T-shirt, and boxers that I could hear several pieces rip. After that was done, I gently moved Ayden to the side and quickly got in the middle of the bed, giving Banning a nod since he’d already gotten out the restraints. And they were chains. He shackled my wrists and locked the chains around the metal headboard. It was smart considering how strong we all were. I moaned as my cock starting leaking, thinking of Ayden spread out like this for me one day. Tied down and completely at my mercy for whatever I wanted. Nice! My mate’s nostrils flared and I realized he’d seen what I thought, too. I froze, not sure how he’d react. “Want me that much?” I nodded, moving my hips so he’d see my cock slap my stomach. “Well, well, well,” Rory purred, eyeing over my meat. “You’re a lucky wolf, Ayden. He’s even bigger than my hung mate.” “I so didn’t ever need to know that about Isaac,” I grumbled, gesturing with my head that they should leave. Ayden had other ideas it seemed… Like marking his territory. “Mine,” he growled in that harsh voice again. He grabbed my cock and licked the head of it while keeping eye contact with Rory. “Hey, I’m not mate snatching. I love Isaac with all my heart,” Rory said gently, holding his hands up in surrender. He gave Ayden kind eyes. “I was just trying to defuse the tension in the room with a joke. You know you’re my friend, Ayden.” Ayden’s glance darted to me, and I saw shame. “Rory save me. Take me home and feed me. Please tell Rory, I’m sorry.” I repeated what he said, and Rory just smiled. He skipped to the bed and gave Ayden a kiss on the cheek before whispering in his ear. “Jerk him off a few times before giving him head. By then some of

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the edge should be taken off and he can stretch you slowly.” He moved to the nightstand and pulled out a bottle of slick. “Your first time, right?” Ayden glanced at me and I nodded. Being raped didn’t count as having sex in my book. This was a whole different animal, and in every way important, Ayden was still a virgin. He’d chosen this time, and that’s what mattered. Then Ayden gave me a slight smile and nodded as well. “There will be pain, but after a few moments, it will turn into pleasure. Trust Darcy. He’s your mate and won’t hurt you.” Rory gave me a quick wink and was gone. I was gonna kiss the little guy later because Ayden looked a lot more relaxed then. I, on the other hand, was dying with need. “Please, little wolfie,” I begged, nodding to his hand on my cock. His eyes went wide as if just realizing that he was still holding on to me. Ayden immediately started stroking me cautiously. Which was good considering how swollen and sensitive I already was. “Oh fuck, Ayden. Just like that but a little faster.” He nodded and did what I wanted, and moments later, I blew. My mate watched with fascination and a little pride. Good. He’d done that to me, given me that pleasure, and I wanted him to understand that only he could have made me feel so good right then. “Kiss me,” I ordered when he let my cock go and my climax passed. “Come straddle me and kiss your mate.” Ayden smiled and crawled toward me. Everything about him screamed sex and seduction. Which was crazy because I knew he was inexperienced besides being raped. Maybe he really was some distant relative of Eros or something? He threw one leg over me and squirmed against my body as his lips lowered to mine. “Want mate inside of me.” “Yes,” I hissed against his mouth before delving my tongue inside of him. Then he moved away, and I whimpered from the loss. Ayden gave me a shy, but still very seductive, smile as he shimmied down

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my body so his ass was touching my cock. My eyes went wide as I realized something. “Wait.” I glanced at my hands, now shackled. “I can’t stretch you.” “Don’t need it.” He blushed as he moved to hold my cock up. “Yes, yes you do. And lube, lots of lube for your first time,” I rambled as he moved his body over my dick. Sure, my meat was slicked up with all my cum since I kept getting release, but that wasn’t the same. “Wait!” “Show Alpha.” He hummed as he took the head of my cock inside of him. He wiggled around a bit, no pain showing on his face, and then slowly started to slide down. “How?” I gasped, having a hard time of thinking at all with his tight hole wrapped around my cock. “Body knows mate,” Ayden answered with a shy smile. “Always ready for mate. Was scared to tell Alpha that at first.” Now he shook a bit but not from anticipation. “So I wasn’t in any danger of hurting you because I’m basically drunk on your blood and might not have prepared you properly.” He shook his head again, biting his lower lip. Then it dawned on me. “But you were still frightened and figured it wouldn’t be so scary if I was tied down.” Ayden nodded and then gave me a look that said he was clearly bracing for impact. “I’m not mad, little wolfie.” “What? Why not? I lied.” “Oh, baby,” I whispered, giving him a smile. “We just met, and after what your pack did to you, of course you’d be scared and not willing to trust. But you told me about it now and that’s all that matters. I’m not a fan of lying, but until we get to know each other better, you do what you feel is right to protect yourself. I’ll prove it to you that I’m worth trusting.” “Lucky to have you as mate,” he said in my mind, and even his mental voice was tight with emotion. “The feeling is mutual,” I purred, my cock twitching inside of him. Okay, it was a tender moment, hopefully the first of many in our

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mating. And it sucked that my dick had to cut it short by being impatient. But it hurt, this need to have sex and orgasm, when I tried to ignore it. I could see how Rory and Isaac had a long weekend of fun with it, but when riding this while just getting to know someone, it was almost torture. “Unlock Alpha?” “Whatever you want, little wolfie.” I wiggled my eyebrows at him. “I kinda like being at your mercy. You take me this time and I’ll show you some exciting loving that your wolf will like, too.” I gave him a mental image of what I had in mind and Ayden moaned, moving his hips. My mate started bouncing on my cock like a pro, twisting his hips every so often so I moved in at different angles. Yeah, he so was related to the love god. When we came, he leaned forward and sank his teeth into my neck. “Alpha mine!” “Yes!” I screamed, reveling in the fact that I was coming inside my mate for the first time, claiming him in the most basic ways. I moaned as my seed shot deep in him, coating his walls with my very essence. Maybe that would be gross to some, but to me, it was thrilling. Vampires were very possessive, and I knew others would now smell that Ayden had been claimed. When I came back down from my bliss, I could feel beads of sweat dripping down my temple from exertion, and I noticed Ayden’s gorgeous body was also glistening from his efforts. I was still hard and needy, but also free. He looked at me curiously as I slid my hands out of the shackles he’d unlocked. I gave him a big smile. “Ready for what I showed you?” I purred. Ayden licked his lips and nodded. “Do you see the difference between sex and what you went through?” “Like sex with mate. Want more and often.” “I can handle that,” I growled, pulling him off of me. I rolled us so he was bent over the bed, lying on his stomach. I rubbed the cheeks of

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his ass, moaning when I saw my cum leaking back out his tight ass. “Baby, you are so fucking gorgeous.” “Really?” he asked quietly, looking at me over his shoulder. “My little wolfie is the most breathtaking man I’ve ever seen,” I told him honestly. It was the truth. I’d never met anyone more beautiful than Ayden. “Show me, please.” He whimpered and wiggled under me. I could do that. I thrust back into him slowly, making sure he really could adjust for me always. “Oh fuck, Ayden,” I moaned as I started picking up the pace and fucking him harder. The sensations of his willing body set me ablaze, and my mouth started rambling out of control. I guess that was the speed part of his blood. “Who’s your daddy, little wolfie? Huh? Who’s your daddy? Am I your Alpha? I’m your Alpha daddy. That’s what Alphas are, right? Daddy of the pack? I’m your pack of one. I’ll be your Alpha daddy any day.” As my mouth kept flapping, I picked up the pace of my thrusts. I was lost in my ramble until I heard Ayden’s light laugh in my mind. “Alpha not the same as daddy. Explain to mate later.” “Okay good,” I grunted. “It was creeping me out to think of myself that way.” Hell, I’d say anything or be anything Ayden wanted or needed, but yeah, I wasn’t into daddy play. “I’m your Alpha. I’m your mate.” “Mate hot sex god.” He made the sexiest wolf whimpers and whines in pleasure. I moved my hand under his cock, not wanting to give it rug burn on the bedspread. I leaned over him and thrust my hips with all the energy I had. He cried out, filling my hand with his seed. As soon as he was taken care of, I felt free to find my own pleasure. I roared out his name, pumping more cum than I would have thought available in my body into his perfect ass. Right before I would have let my full weight fall onto him, I turned us onto our sides, holding my mate tightly. “Thank you, little

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wolfie. You’re perfect. So passionate and sexy. So beautiful and responsive.” “Thank you for showing me what sex is like between two people who care for each other,” he whispered in my mind. I realized the longer he was talking to me, the more coherent his sentences got. Probably wasn’t used to the mental link, and after not talking to anyone for almost a year and a half, everything was jumbled in there. He wiggled in my arms and I let him go. “What’s up? I was just going to get something to clean you up.” He growled a warning at me, not really threatening but showing he didn’t like the idea. “Don’t want you to wipe away your scent. I want everyone to smell you on me.” I shivered at the possessiveness in his tone. He wanted what I did. Maybe just not in the same way. I wanted him to walk around with a sign that said he was mine… Not show everyone we’d been fucking from the cum running down his ass. “Miss outside. Fuck mate out there next.” He darted out of the room before I even processed his words. “Ayden!” I called out as I leapt to my feet. “No sex in the dirt.” “You’ll have to catch me first then.” He laughed in my head. Damn, he was fast! By the time I got to the door of the room, he was already out of the house. I raced after him, ignoring the snickers of our friends as I ran into the kitchen and past them. Vampires had great senses, but unlike wolves, it was harder for us to trail someone by their smell for long. He didn’t go far, so I was able to follow him. “I should spank my little wolfie,” I growled when I caught up to him about forty feet from the house. It was hard to be mad though. Ayden had fanned his shining hair out under him, making it look like there was a satin blanket under him as he lay on the grass. “Anything my Alpha wants,” he purred in my mind. He lifted his legs straight up in the air, letting me see his firm ass and the slight red marks my thighs had left from taking him so hard. Then he did the

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splits so I saw his hole winking at me, overflowing with my seed. “Alpha like?” “Alpha love,” I moaned as my cock started leaking again. His eyes went wide as he started breathing with anticipation. “Fuck your little wolfie good then, Darcy. Show me who I belong to.” Oh, he was playing with fire, my little mate was. I practically dove onto him, thrusting into him. Ayden arched his back and howled in pleasure. I was just about to wrap his legs around my hips but he had other ideas. He moved his left leg like that but positioned his right one so his foot was resting against my shoulder. “My hot little wolfie is flexible.” “You have no idea how bendable I am. But I’ll show my Alpha anytime you want.” “Fuck, you are a dream come true,” I moaned, starting to move inside of him. “Hot, playful, sexy, funny. The whole package.” He smiled at me and sat up enough so he could reach my shoulders. He grabbed them tightly and lay back down. Holy shit! My mate was part pretzel. I leaned over him, folding his knee to his shoulder, which allowed me to go deeper into him than I ever thought possible. Ayden moaned, gasping for air as I slowly took him. My thrusts were hard and so were my kisses. My mate fucking loved it. I made sure to bite him this time to claim, but I only took a small sip to solidify the bond. When we came together again, I finally started to realize that clawing horny feeling was subsiding. Sure, I was still hard enough to pound nails, and I planned on pounding into my mate all night. But it wasn’t all-consuming, and I could think rationally again. I lifted Ayden up into my arms, keeping my cock in him so he bounced on it as we walked, and carried him back to the bedroom. “Alpha so strong,” he cooed. Part of me wanted to laugh. I knew he believed that, and maybe I was, but not because I could carry him. He couldn’t have been more than one hundred and ten pounds

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dripping wet. But I was glad we were both the type to compliment each other. It was nice that we both felt free to do so. By the time we were back in the room, I was randy and wanting again. I closed the door and took my mate against it. When we were done, I saw Ayden was wiggling funny as if sore. Of course he was. I wanted to smack myself. And when he yawned, I knew what I needed to do. “Let’s eat real quick and shower before taking a nap, baby,” I said gently, kissing him quickly. “I’m sure I’ll want more sex later, but I’m starving and could use some rest.” He eyed me over suspiciously and I gave a fake yawn. He nodded and I slid out of him. I pulled Banning’s shirt onto him, much to his dismay, and then yanked on my own boxer briefs. “I’ll make you a deal, Ayden. I’ll make sure we have sex once in a while outside where someone might catch us, if you start wearing clothes so I don’t feel the need to tear everyone’s eyes out that see my mate naked.” “A very fair trade. But wolves run hot so don’t expect jeans and sweaters.” “Shorts is fine with me.” I chuckled as we walked out of the room and toward the kitchen. “I just only want me ogling over your beautiful body.” “I like that you think I’m beautiful,” he said shyly. “I’ve never met a sexier, more godlike man than you, Darcy.” I couldn’t help but glance down at the clearly defined muscles of my chest and abs. “Then it seems we’re both very happy with the way fate turned out so far,” I replied huskily, looking back at my mate and staring deeply into his eyes. He nodded, and then we raided the fridge. After dinner, we showered together, and no matter what Ayden said, I wouldn’t take him again. I’d seen how red and swollen his hole was. Sure, he was a shifter and would heal in a few hours, but until then sex would hurt. He seemed to understand my dilemma and gave me a gloriously good blow job in the shower instead.

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We dried off and climbed into bed. I made sure he was on my left side since I was right-handed. Ayden was asleep the second he curled against me and his head hit the pillow. I, on the other hand, was wide awake and fucking hurting again. I lost count after ten times of jacking off. I whacked my meat until I had blisters on my hand and I suspected on my cock as well. It took hours and hours for me to finally get this out of my system. I made one decision that I knew I’d never break. I would never, ever drink so much blood from my mate ever again.

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Chapter 3 I woke up to another presence in the room besides Ayden. My eyes snapped open, and I saw Zane sitting in the chair at the side of the bed, his hands folded in his lap as he focused on me with a grin that looked like that cat that ate the canary. “So did we have fun last night?” He chuckled quietly, seeing Ayden was still asleep. I smiled widely at him but then started to frown. Holy shit! I bit my lip to keep in the screams of pain as I pulled back the sheet. “Holy fuck, Darcy,” Zane gasped, his eyes wide with horror. Yeah, I felt the same. I held up my hand, huge, nasty blisters all over it. “Why didn’t you let Ayden help you?” “I did, but after four times with him, he started hurting,” I answered with a whimper. “I couldn’t hurt him, Zane. I pretended to sleep and jacked off all night.” “We need to call Riley,” Zane said immediately and pulled out his cell from the pocket in his jeans. I turned my head when I heard a soft growl. Ayden was awake and, from the look on his face, the way his eyes had narrowed and jaw was clenched, I could tell I was in big trouble. “Baby—” “No!” He cut me off in my head. “I could have helped you. I’m your mate! I should have helped you. We could have had sex again after I rested a bit. I could have used my mouth, gotten the lube to make it easier, and jacked you off. You were hurting and needed me. Don’t you ever keep something like that from me again.”

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“Okay, I’m sorry,” I whispered, begging him with my eyes to forgive me. “I didn’t want to pressure you or risk hurting you.” His face softened and he nodded. “And while I appreciate that, don’t you think it hurts me to see you in this much pain? I’d do anything to help you, Darcy.” “Thank you.” I brushed my lips against his briefly. “I won’t ever keep anything from you again.” “Good.” “Riley said to get over to the Marius estate and he’ll help you before he goes to work,” Zane said as he flipped his phone closed. “Thanks. I need to talk to Desmond and Elena anyways,” I agreed as I gently sat up. “How am I supposed to get there? I’m not putting clothes over this nor should I drive.” “We drive ya there,” Brian said from the doorway, looking a little pale and visibly trying to keep himself from staring at my groin. Yeah, I felt the same. I’m sure the wounds looked nasty but I could assure them all… It hurt much worse than it looked. “I’ve got some silk pajama bottoms that shouldn’t hurt too much.” Zane dug through his drawers and pulled them out. I slowly slipped them on while Banning handed Ayden some sweats. He swam in them, but they’d work for now. He also came up with too-big flipflops, but they were better than going barefoot. “Holy mother fucker,” I gasped as the smooth fabric of the silk brushed my dick ever so slightly. I bit my lip and tied them up. I glanced at Brian, and I couldn’t even stop the tears burning in my eyes from the pain. “Drive fast. I have to pee.” “Aye, that be a problem,” he agreed, nodding his head. “I’ll back up the car.” “Thanks.” Ayden wrapped an arm around my waist and helped me waddle to the front door. I was sure we would all laugh about this tomorrow, or maybe in a week when the humiliation wore off. But for right now I didn’t care how silly I looked. It wasn’t fucking funny.

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I whimpered in pain as I moved into the car, feeling like a total pussy in front of my mate. He was counting on me to rescue his brothers and I couldn’t even handle a blistered cock? Okay, in my defense there are just some places blisters should never be… Ever. Brian drove like a demon as Banning sat in the passenger’s and tried to make small talk. I appreciated the effort, but it wasn’t working. “How’s my Alpha?” Ayden asked me, rubbing his hands over my arm in comfort. “You still are going to call me an Alpha after how I’m handling this?” I replied incredulously. “I think I lost the title, little wolfie.” “You still smell like Alpha,” he replied firmly, shaking his head. “You’re being very brave. I would be curled in a ball, crying my eyes out, begging to be put out of my misery.” “Yeah?” I knew he probably didn’t mean it and was trying to make me feel better. It did. “I will never lie to you, Darcy. I won’t fib to make you feel better because that’s still a lie to me. I know I’ve kept a few things hidden because I was scared and unsure I could trust you, but that’s over now.” His eyes shined up at me with so much hope and tenderness I forgot all about my injury. “I trust you with my life and I’m not scared anymore.” “I trust you, too, my little wolfie,” I whispered against his lips before brushing mine over his. He gave an adorable whimper but pulled back, knowing right now was not the time to give in to passion. We pulled up after passing through the giant gates of the Marius estate, and Brian was careful not to stop us with a jerk. I appreciated that. “Why don’t you let Brian and Banning take you to get some clothes while I go in there?” I asked Ayden quickly as they helped me out of the car. He might not feel comfortable being around all these people and discussing the rescue of his brothers. He gave me a slight growl and narrowed his eyes.

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“We can’t communicate with him,” Brian reminded me. I rubbed my forehead in frustration. Yeah, I was a dumbass, but I just didn’t want my mate to go through any unnecessary stress. “And I’m not fucking leaving you while some man touches your goods, which belong to me!” “I like when you get all possessive.” I chuckled. I winced as we climbed the half a dozen stairs up to the front of the giant mansion. Ouch! Brian and Banning said their good-byes since they had deliveries coming to the vineyard and had to get back. I thanked them and assured them we could get a ride back. The door was opened by their very friendly butler before we even knocked, and he led us into the kitchen. I moaned inside. Everyone in their family was there. Some were sitting at the table while others completed various tasks at the counters. But they all turned their eyes to me as I approached. “Hi, um, Riley said to come over,” I mumbled, my face heating up. I crossed my arms over my naked chest self-consciously. “Dear god, what happened to you?” Elena Marius asked as she jumped from her chair and walked over to me, her skirt swishing behind her as she did so. Right, like I ever wanted to explain this to a mom. “I—I didn’t, um, know about shifter blood, and, well, drank a lot of my mate’s when I claimed him. And well…” I held up my hand. Every man in the room winced, knowing what I was getting at. “Oh shit, man,” Stefan hissed. “I thought I went through a rough time when Patrick transitioned.” He was shaking his head as he hugged his mate. “Yeah, I just bit Stefan all over his body,” Patrick agreed. “There weren’t any blisters on our unmentionables.” “And I have to pee,” I whimpered as I sat down very carefully on one of the stools at the kitchen’s island. Again, all the guys hissed or flinched at the idea.

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“Well then, let’s get you fixed right up.” Riley chuckled as he moved over to me. Ayden grabbed his arm before Riley could touch me. “Mine,” he said in that harsh voice. Maybe Riley could figure out what was going on with his throat while we were here, too. Riley nodded and then looked at me, his face flushed with anger, his eyes narrowed. “You come to me about a bruised dick while your mate has a damaged voice box? Do you have any idea the pain he’s in? How could you be so selfish?” “I—I didn’t know,” I whispered, glancing between him and my mate. “We just met last night and he’s only spoken a few times. I thought it was because he was stuck in his wolf form for so long—” Ayden grabbed Riley’s arm and spun him around, growling. Then he grabbed a notepad and pen that was on the counter and started writing. I glanced over it. The handwriting was horrible and a few words were misspelled, but that could have been in his haste. Though I assumed it was probably from not having to write anything in well over a year. Don’t yell at my mate, he wrote. Darcy didn’t know and we’ve been a little busy. I was going to tell you since we were already seeing a doctor, but we have more pressing issues than my damn throat. Help my mate! “You still should have told me, Ayden,” I whispered, completely pissed at myself that I hadn’t guessed he was hurt. “I know you’re worried about your brothers, but when we go rescue them, you’re going to need to be able to talk.” I glanced at him then as I reached for his hand. He immediately took it and gave me a sad look. “And I can’t stand to know you’re in pain any more than you could see me like this.” “I’m sorry, Darcy. You are right, my Alpha.” He bared his throat to me, his eyes never leaving mine. “Um, if drinking his blood got you into this mess, I don’t think taking more is the best idea,” Micah said with a snicker.

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“You twit,” Victor groaned, rolling his eyes as he cuffed his younger brother upside the head. “It’s a wolf thing. It’s like an apology and a sign of submission to what Darcy said, showing that the wolf understands.” “Oh.” Micah rubbed his head and looked at Riley. “That’s an interesting thought for later.” “Yeah, maybe after I deal with my two patients.” The doc snorted and turned back to Ayden. “Fine, I understand that I don’t know everything that went down and I apologize for yelling at your mate.” Ayden gave him a bright smile that would have melted me right down to my toes if it had been pointed at me. I wanted more smiles from him. “What did I hear about rescuing brothers?” Desmond asked as he glanced between us. “Ask anything you want as soon as I’m done,” Riley said quickly, glancing over at Victor’s mate, Malachi. Oh shit! I’d forgotten his mate could feel other people’s pain. Well, that sucked for him! “Right, of course,” he agreed immediately. Riley stepped closer, almost between my legs, and rested one hand on my thigh and the other on my stomach. “This might hurt a bit given the sensitive tissue in question. But it should feel like a soothing hotness as with rapid healing.” “Okay, just please hurry and take care of Ayden.” He nodded and closed his eyes. He gasped as his eyes snapped back open. I guess whatever Riley’s healing gift was, he was able to see the full extent of my injuries without me having to remove my pants. “Fuck, Darcy. I think my sac just tried to crawl back into my body,” he mumbled. “Why did you do this to yourself?” He glanced at Ayden. “You have a willing, loving mate.” “Ayden isn’t experienced, and after four times, he was getting sore,” I whispered as he started healing me. Yeah, there was some slight burning pain, but mostly it was relief. “I couldn’t risk hurting him.”

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“And I’m going to spank you when this is all over for making that decision for me.” “Like how you didn’t tell me about your voice?” I threw right back. I gasped and moaned as my dick finally started to feel like mine again. Then the blisters on my hand healed, and I wanted to kneel at Riley’s feet and praise him. “Right, fair enough. You can spank me later, too, then,” Ayden conceded. “Be careful, little wolfie,” I growled, loving the idea of reddening his firm ass. “Riley just fixed me so that’s now an option.” “Ahh, mating horniness.” Elena snickered. I opened my eyes to see her shaking her head. Then I glanced over to Ayden, whose face was so bright red it almost matched some of the tones in his hair. “Thanks, doc,” I said, letting the relief show in my tone as he moved away from me. I was better than new now. Not even a single twinge of discomfort. “You’re welcome,” he replied, taking a large glass of blood from his mate. “The bathroom is just down the hall. Go take care of business while I recharge before looking at your mate.” “Are you okay to be alone?” I asked Ayden, realizing he might not want to be left with strangers. He gave me a smile and rolled his eyes. “I might not have met these people as a man but I’ve seen them all as a wolf when they come to the vineyard. They’re not going to hurt me. I’m fine. Go friggin pee.” He chuckled through my mind. Oh thank god. I really had to go. I gave him a quick kiss and raced down the hall. Two minutes later I was washing my hands and all around feeling great. I dried them off using a fluffy blue towel and went back into the kitchen and froze. Ayden was snarling and growling at Riley. “What happened?” I boomed, immediately running to my mate and pulling him behind me. “What did you do to scare him?”

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“Riley didn’t do anything,” Micah snarled and mirrored my actions with his own mate. Ayden pulled on my pants and I glanced back at him. “The doc needed to know why I could still growl with a damaged voice box. He wanted to see how I was doing it and then how my throat looks when I’m in my wolf skin so he doesn’t fix one thing and break another. I wasn’t upset, my loving Alpha.” “Oh,” I said sheepishly, my face heating with embarrassment. “Sorry, Riley. It’s just, well, I came in here and he was growling. I thought he got freaked out or something.” “No worries,” he replied with a smile as he pushed Micah away. “That’s a normal reaction for a mate who’s a warrior. You guys protect first and ask questions second. I should have waited until you were back so there was no confusion. I apologize for that. I’ve never had a chance to study a wolf shifter before and I find your mate fascinating. I mean, how can he still growl? Does he have a separate voice box that works with his wolf side while still in human form?” I glanced at Micah, raising an eyebrow as if to ask Is he serious? “Yeah, Riley is inquisitive to say the least.” Micah chuckled, shaking his head. “You have no idea, my love,” Riley said, rolling his eyes. “I don’t even tell you half my inner monologue.” He glanced back at Ayden then. “I’ll heal you no matter what your answer, but I wonder if you’ll let me run a full physical on you later. Rory let me since you guys’ blood is different and has amazing effects. I’m working on separating part of it so I can dilute it into the blood the warriors drink.” “Why, so we all hump each other all day?” I blurted out without thinking about what I was saying. “Um, no,” Riley answered, trying very hard not to laugh. “They’re faster than we are, even you guys as warriors. And they’re stronger, too.”

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“You are?” I gasped, my eyes going wide as I stared down at Ayden. He gave me a wink and was suddenly across the room. “Holy shit! I didn’t even see you move, just a flash of your hair.” “Some shifters aren’t as fast as others. Wolves are one of the fastest though I’d guess Rory and I were equally matched.” His face fell as his eyes brimmed with tears. “But I’m not fast in my pack, Darcy. How are you going to be able to fight them for my brothers… Or me? What if my old Alpha still—” “Hey, none of that,” I interrupted as I moved over to him quickly. I pulled him up into my arms, sighing as he immediately wrapped himself around me and rubbed his face against my neck. I knew what that was. He wanted his scent on me. See? Warriors weren’t just dumb brutes. We could watch the Discovery Channel, too. “I want my brothers but not at the risk of losing you. Does that make me a bad big brother?” “No, never, my little wolfie,” I said gently, running my hand over his smooth, silky hair. “You don’t want to sacrifice one person you care for to save another. That’s very honorable. Some would throw me to the wolves in hopes to save your brothers.” He lifted his head and raised an eyebrow at me. “Yes, the pun was intentional.” He rolled his eyes as he wiped them and I set him on his feet. “Let’s get your throat fixed and then we’ll talk with Desmond and Elena, okay? They are the big-shot friends I told you I had. We won’t abandon your brothers.” “Thank you,” he whispered in my mind and turned back to Riley. “Tell the doc he can take as many samples and examine me all he wants after we find my brothers.” I repeated it and noticed that Elena and Desmond exchanged a look. I gave them a nod that I saw and would explain later. “Okay then. I need you to shift so I can see how your voice box is in your other form,” Riley told him, turning away. “Ayden,” I growled as he started stripping.

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“Why is he getting naked?” Victor asked as he covered his mate’s eyes. “My clothes just don’t go up my ass when I change forms.” Ayden snickered, shaking his head. He gave me a wink and shifted as he started to pull off his sweatpants so no one saw more than a glance. I repeated what he said to Victor, who had the decency to look embarrassed as he uncovered his mate’s eyes. “I have to get used to your ease with being naked,” I said with a sigh, leaning over to scratch my now-furry mate behind the ears. “And maybe using our mental link to talk to me, too,” he replied quietly. “I didn’t know I could,” I whispered, trying it out. I laughed as he looked at me. If a wolf could smile, that was what he was doing now with his mouth open and his tongue hanging out slightly. His eyes were also sparkling. “You like how intimate this is, don’t you? Only us being able to hear what is said?” “Yes, it’s something only mates share.” He gave a happy yip and placed his font paws on my stomach. “Then I’ll use it more often.” If it made Ayden happy, I’d talk to him in his mind all the time. Riley stepped up to my mate then and Ayden got off of me, lying down on his side on the wood flooring. Riley knelt down and started to work. I couldn’t really tell what was going on anyways so I moved back to give him some space. “Why don’t you fill us in on what you know about your mate’s brothers,” Desmond suggested as he, Elena, and Victor moved closer to me. We all leaned against the kitchen island as I told them the little I knew. When I was done, I realized something, and with my normal foot in mouth syndrome, I blurted it out. “You’re the oldest and have mated. This is your estate now,” I said to Victor, my eyes wide. Since vampires could live forever, our laws differed in passing things down to our heirs. It was after they had

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mated and if they were over a hundred years old that they got their inheritance. “Interesting topic switch.” Victor chuckled, shaking his head as he massaged his neck for a second. “And no. When I got it, I signed it back over to my parents. In the event of their death, it will revert to me, but since I don’t ever see that happening, it will stay with them. This is our family home and all of us live here. It shouldn’t just be mine.” “Be grateful that you have that option,” I said sadly. Ayden’s head popped up and he stared at me, still in his wolf form. “Why are you so sad, my mate?” he asked gently, probably guessing what I was going to say. “My mother and father weren’t true mates,” I answered, the pain in my chest forming as it always did when I talked about it. “They got tired of waiting and married. Then, after I was born, my mother found her real mate. My father found out when she tried to leave to be with her mate and went on a rampage, killing them both. He turned demon and the warriors at the time had to hunt him down. I was only ten.” “I’m so sorry. My parents died, too. My old Alpha killed them when he realized I was a Kappa. Not every member of the family who has the gene becomes one. I guess it’s like your warrior families. But me and my siblings turned out that way.” “Your brothers are Kappas, too?” I asked, my eyes going wide. Oh, this was bad. And while I could tell that we weren’t done talking about what happened to my parents, this was more pressing. He nodded, tears forming in his wolf eyes. “Now you understand why I have to get them out of there. My brothers could be taking my place and being violated all the time.” “We’ll save them, Ayden.” I felt everyone but Riley’s eyes on me. I quickly explained what I knew about Kappa wolves, and I watched as Elena’s beautiful kelly-green eyes filled with tears, always such a loving, empathetic woman.

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“I’ll call the rest of the Council and get warriors assigned to this immediately. Your mate might be a wolf, and pack issues are not something we’d normally get involved in, but he’s mated to you and that makes this our problem to handle.” “Thank you,” I sighed with relief. I’d been nervous about that. It was within the Council’s right to deny us help since Ayden and his family were wolves. I knew the Mariuses would understand and see past that though. She stood on her toes and gave my cheek a kiss before grabbing her cell phone and leaving the room. “Okay, I’ve healed your voice box in this form. You can shift back,” Riley said with a smile, giving my mate a few pets on the head. He stood as everyone looked away, handing Ayden’s sweatpants out to him. I watched, fascinated at the shimmer of power that took place, and where there had been a wolf, now stood my mate. He quickly got dressed and pulled on Riley’s arm “Okay, let’s see how it worked,” Riley said as he turned back. He placed his hands on Ayden’s throat, and I felt the doc’s power. I’d seen a lot of gifts in my years, but Riley’s still always left me with a feeling of awe. “That should do it. Your throat will still be tender. I recommend a lot of tea and sugary drinks, but not carbonation, for the next week or so. Start off slowly when you’re using it. It’s like an underworked muscle and still sore. The rest of your body will heal itself.” “Thank you,” Ayden replied, his eyes going wide. “I can talk again.” “Yes you can,” I whispered. My cock got rock hard at the sound of his soft, musical voice. It was enchanting. Instantly I loved it and pulled him into my arms, kissing him passionately. “I take it you like the sound of my voice,” he moaned as I plundered his mouth. “You sound like an angel,” I admitted right before I pulled my lips off of his. “And I’m just happy that you’re healed and not in pain.

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Any voice would sound wonderful to me, knowing it doesn’t hurt you.” “But you’re glad this is how I sound, right? I mean, you like it? I don’t sound too much like a girl?” His cheeks heated up, and I knew that someone had told him that in the past. “You’re all man, little wolfie,” I growled, nipping his neck. “And I think your voice is enchanting.” “That’s part of being a Kappa,” he admitted with a shrug. “Our voice is supposed to sound like pure seduction.” “It does,” Micah agreed, clearing his throat. Riley shot him an evil look that had me chuckling. “I didn’t say I liked his voice over yours, baby. I was just saying I could see that being an accurate description.” Ayden tapped my arm so I would set him down. I did, raising an eyebrow when he left my arms and went over to Micah and Riley. He took each of their hands as he looked up at them. “See what I see and feel the freedom to ask for what you want.” Huh? I glanced around the room, realizing everyone was thinking the same thing. What the hell was my mate talking about?

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Chapter 4 “You want to do that?” Micah gasped as he stared at his mate. “I would never have thought that was something you wanted.” “We don’t have to,” Riley muttered, trying to pull away from both of them. “I want to,” Micah breathed, his eyes glazing over with lust. Riley froze and stared up at his mate with wide eyes. “I love the idea.” “I love yours as well,” he replied, his chest heaving with desire. “But we can’t do yours right now.” “We can do yours,” Micah growled and lifted Riley into his arms. Ayden stepped back with a bright smile on his face, getting out of the way. “Thank you, Ayden,” Riley said, his eyes shining with emotion. “I can’t thank you enough for this gift.” Micah echoed the sentiment and then raced off, carrying Riley in his arms as if he was the most precious thing in the world. We all stared at Ayden in shock. He started to squirm under the scrutiny as his face heated. “Whether I’m really a descendant of Eros like Rory said, I don’t know. My Alpha never mentioned it, and I’ve never heard that. But I know what a Kappa is to the pack. Not their whore as my Alpha thinks, but we are a healer of sorts as well. People come to us to help with heartbreak or mating issues.” “Micah and Riley have one of the most healthy matings I’ve ever seen,” Victor said slowly, his confusion still apparent. “Yes, they are truly in sync, but there is always something that one mate isn’t comfortable saying or asking for from the other,” Ayden explained, eyeing over Victor. It was almost funny to see the

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large warrior squirm under my small mate’s gaze. “I can see that when I’m around mates. I know what they want and need but are too afraid to ask for.” “What do you need that I’m not giving you?” Malachi asked, his face falling as hurt filled his eyes. “You know that you have only to ask and I would give you anything, Victor.” “Baby, it’s not like that,” Victor answered softly, his eyes wide as he pulled his mate into his arms. “You give me everything, always. There is no need you’re not fulfilling.” “Will you show me like you did for Micah and Riley?” Malachi asked Ayden instead of his mate. My mate shyly nodded and reached for both of their hands. “See what I see and feel the freedom to ask for what you want,” he repeated, his eyes fluttering. Both men gasped, their eyes going wide. “I wasn’t the only one too scared to ask to try something,” Victor purred, kissing his mate’s neck. “Yes.” “Really?” Malachi moaned, tilting his head to give Victor more room. “You’d be willing to try that?” “In a second,” Victor growled. “I love the idea.” He glanced down at my mate with a wide smile. “Thank you, Ayden. As soon as you make plans about how to rescue your brothers, have my parents call me. I want in. You have an amazing gift, and whether your brothers have the same or not, no one should be kept or used against their will.” “Thank you,” Ayden replied with a nod, stepping away from them. Malachi gave everyone a wave as he was tossed over Victor’s shoulder and they raced from the room. “Okay, us next,” Patrick exclaimed, his eyes wide as he took this all in. “He’s not a parlor trick,” I snapped, pulling my mate into my arms.

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“I—I’m s–sorry, Ayden,” Patrick stuttered, his eyes filling with tears. “I—I didn’t mean i–it like that. I know how hard it is to be the different one in the room.” Shit. I sucked. “I know you do,” I said gently, shaking my head. I remembered when I’d heard that he’d been half human and Riley had jump-started his transition. Hell, the guy hadn’t even known about vampires. “I’m sorry, Patrick. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. I know you’re a good guy. I just don’t want people pushing Ayden or coming to him like he’s some sideshow.” “Don’t be upset, my Alpha,” Ayden purred as he turned in my arms, running his hands up my chest. “This is my job in a pack. While these people aren’t wolves, they are your pack. The ones you turn to for help. And I’m your mate so that makes them my pack, too. They are your friends. Just as they turn to Riley for his healing help, this is what people come to me for. I help people understand their wants and desires, making sure mates have a healthy, loving, and yes, sexual, relationship.” “Will you help me?” Damian asked quietly, glancing at his mate, Cyrus. “Cyrus has been a big help in making me understand certain things, but I think there’s more I need to work on.” “Less than you’d think,” Ayden answered gently as he moved toward them. “Everyone is confused at some point about what they want. I was raped by members of my pack, and even with what I know and see in people’s minds, my fear had me equating sex with pain and blood. Darcy helped me. Everyone needs guidance now and then.” “I’m Damian by the way,” he said with a smile, holding out his hand. “This is my mate, Cyrus.” “Oh shit,” I groaned, smacking myself in the head. “I’m an ass.” “No you’re not.” Ayden giggled as he shook hands with Damian. “You were in pain and then worried about your mate. Names could

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wait.” Everyone quickly introduced themselves before Ayden did his thing again. “I—I, um, well, umm,” Cyrus stuttered, his eyes so big I thought they’d pop out of his head. “It’s alright,” Damian said gently, hugging his mate. “I was just curious.” “No, I mean, yes. I wasn’t saying no. I was just shocked. Yes, I want to try.” “Really?” Damian gasped, his smile spreading widely across his face. “You’d do that for me?” “I’d do anything for you, amante,” Cyrus whispered as they hugged. Then, in a flash, they were racing out of the room, shouting thanks over their shoulders. Weird. What was my mate showing them? “That will be the one thing I will never tell you, Darcy,” Ayden said quietly in my head. “It wouldn’t be fair of me. These people have trusted me and it’s private, like with a doctor.” “I’d never ask you to tell me, little wolf,” I replied, hoping he heard the honesty in my voice. “It was more how are you doing that and what are they seeing? Not what their needs are, but are they seeing inside of each other’s minds or are you speaking to them? I was curious as to the dynamics, not their secrets.” “Good,” he sighed with relief. “It’s like I can open a door to each of them for the other to see that one desire that we lock away in our brains. So yes, I let them in each other’s minds.” “Do you have that one desire?” I asked, completely inappropriately since we had other people around us. “Yes, we all do. But we just met. I think we’ll save getting into that until we know each other a little better.” He giggled, shaking his head. “Okay, I have to ask what I missed,” Elena said from the doorway that led into the dining room. “I caught snippets, and I know you’re a

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Kappa, but what just happened? And why are my sons racing out of the room with their mates?” “I’ll explain everything, but may I first ask what your Council said about my brothers?” Ayden asked quietly, glancing over at me as if asking me silently to see if he was being rude. “Oh! Of course, I’m so sorry,” Elena exclaimed as she stepped into the room and rested her hand on the back of one of the chairs surrounding the table. “They all agreed that we go in and get your brothers and bring them here to safety. They’re contacting some of your Elders to let them know what’s going on, but we’ve been given the green light whether your Elders agree or not. A team is being assembled and will be ready within the hour. My sons will be joining you as well. I just need to know where your pack is from.” “Just outside Richmond,” Ayden said excitedly, racing to Elena in a blur and hugging her. “Thank you so much, ma’am.” “Elena, my dear, sweet wolf,” she whispered, hugging him back with just as much enthusiasm. Ayden gasped, glancing at Desmond. “What?” “You asked me questions, and it’s easier just to show you what I’ve been doing if you’ll allow me.” “Of course,” she replied curiously, allowing herself to be led to her mate. Ayden took both their hands and repeated the words he’d used before. “Really?” “Well, yes,” Desmond muttered, glancing at the floor. “Given how many of our sons are mated to men—” He clamped his mouth shut so fast I wondered if he bit his tongue. I never thought I’d see the day when Desmond Marius blushed, but I was there to witness it. After what he admitted, I didn’t need a map to guess what he wanted to try. “We have time before the team gets here,” Elena purred. “I can’t have my mate’s needs go unfulfilled.” “Eww, gross,” several of the sons groaned.

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“Oh stuff it.” Elena chuckled. “I’ve heard more than I ever wanted to since you guys have started finding mates. And not all of you are anywhere near as quiet as you think you are when you get frisky outside of your own rooms.” She was trying to be stern, but the effect was lightened by the way the corner of her mouth was turned up in amusement, and she chuckled. “It’s Remus’s fault,” Noah babbled. “He likes the chance of maybe getting caught.” “That and sometimes our room is just too far away.” Remus chuckled, shaking his head. “We’ll be back in a bit,” Desmond announced, swooping Elena up into his arms. “So gross,” Gabriel grumbled. “Well, while everyone who’s mated gets lucky, Virgil and I will start pulling out gear from the armory we have downstairs.” “Don’t be sad. Your mate is out there,” Ayden said gently to both of them. “I’d know if your mate hadn’t been born yet or was dead.” “Can you tell us where they are?” Virgil asked, looking like a kid at Christmas. “Do you know where she is? My mate?” “No, I don’t. I’m sorry. I can only see that there is a bond waiting to be formed. That means that your mates are alive and waiting for you.” Ayden gave them both a soft smile. “Thank you. Sometimes it’s hard to keep hoping,” Gabriel replied as he leaned down and kissed Ayden’s hair. “You’re very special, Ayden.” “Yes he is,” I agreed with a slight growl. I knew Gabriel wasn’t being inappropriate, but I didn’t like another man showing my mate affection. Gabriel laughed as he and Virgil left. Ayden turned to the other two couples, raising an eyebrow. “Yes please,” Patrick said shyly, glancing over at me. “Of course. I didn’t understand before, Patrick. I was wrong to talk to you like that.”

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“It’s okay,” he replied with a shrug. “I tend to get excited and speak before I think.” “I do the same.” I chuckled, thinking about what I said to Victor. Ayden gave me a quick kiss and then repeated what he’d done before with Stefan and Patrick, then with Remus and Noah. Both couples thanked him and then raced from the room. Now we were standing in an empty kitchen, in a house that wasn’t ours. “So, you’re healed,” Ayden said seductively as he stepped closer to me, swaying his hips. “And we’ve got some time to kill. There has to be a flat surface around this massive house that’s not being used.” “I’d say so,” I groaned, lifting him into my arms. He let out a soft squeal as I raced through the kitchen and down the hall to the front sitting room. Not that I wanted us to get caught, but I felt awkward going around the Mariuses’ house and exploring for a spare room we could fuck in. I wanted to be able to hear when everyone came back so we didn’t delay the rescue. “How did I get so lucky?” “I was thinking the same thing,” he whispered, his eyes glazed over with lust. I lowered him to his feet. “I can see your desires as well, my Alpha.” “Oh,” I moaned, pulling off my silk sleep pants, tossing them over my head, and kicking the door closed behind us. “Pretzel?” “If you promise me something for later,” he agreed as he stripped. He showed me in my mind what he wanted. I grabbed my cock to keep from shooting. The little imp wanted me to spank him and do so many dirty things to him I almost came. “Yes,” I whispered as I pulled him into my arms, reveling at how his soft, naked skin felt against my body. “As soon as we have more time to do it right as you want.” “Thank you. I know I can tell you anything I want,” he said with a smile before pulling my head down to his. I moaned and lifted him onto the back of the couch. He immediately moved his left leg over my hip and wiggled his right one in between us so his heel was resting on my chest.

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“How do you do that?” I gasped as I looked down at him. For one, it was sexy as all get-out. Two, he didn’t look uncomfortable in the slightest. “Do you want to talk about how flexible I am or fuck me?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “The latter,” I growled, lining up my cock with his hole. “How do I do this? Do I have to wait for you to adjust?” “Push in just a little, and my body will secrete wetness, almost like a woman would, that allows you to not hurt me. After a moment, my body will realize what you want and adjust for you,” he whispered against my lips. “It only happens between true mates.” “I love that your body recognizes me like that,” I admitted, pushing so just the head of my cock was inside of him. “Not just because you’re always ready for me and I never have to worry about lube. It’s just so intimate. It makes me feel like we’ll always be in sync.” “We will,” he whispered as he used his leg to pull me closer. “My body craves you, Darcy. It knows you and wants to give you pleasure.” “I hope you want to give me more than just pleasure,” I said gently, worried he thought I might just want him for sex. “I give you my heart, Ayden. I want you to be happy and fulfilled, too.” “I am, more than I can put into words.” He moved me so I was fully inside of him as he attacked my mouth. I couldn’t get over how deep my cock could get inside of him when I was in this position. I groaned, loving that while he let me take charge, he didn’t just lie there like a limp rag. He knew what I wanted and needed as much I did for him. Ayden was perfect for me, and I didn’t just mean the sex. “I’m falling for you, little wolfie. You’re so kind and loving,” I whispered in his mind as I thrust in and out of his willing body. “You have such a big heart. I know what you did for them in the kitchen was embarrassing for you since you don’t know the Mariuses very

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well. But you did it anyways because you could. That is truly a selfless person.” “Yes, but it was also the only gift I could give them for helping both of us and now my brothers,” he admitted, his face heating up. “Still makes you a good person in my book. You didn’t have to do it and they still would have helped. Most would have just accepted the help and not tried to reciprocate. It makes you special in my book.” “Thank you.” Ayden moaned as I ground my hips against his ass when I thrust into him again. “Does my little wolfie like that?” I teased in his head. “As much as you like slamming that big meat into my tight ass until I scream. I love when you show me how strong you are and fuck me until I’m gasping and crying out your name.” “Fuck, Ayden,” I growled, picking up the pace. I had a feeling my mate knew how his dirty words affected me, which made it that much hotter. I moved my hands from around his waist and to his back, one upper and one lower, bracing his weight better so he didn’t fall. He made those wolf noises and little howls that drove me insane. All I could do was make love to his mouth as I did to his body and hold on for the ride of bliss my body gave me. Being with Ayden was like nothing I’d ever felt before. He set my whole body on fire, and I wanted nothing but him, and the rest of the world just melted away until he was all I saw. “Harder! Harder!” he screamed at the sounds of my thighs and hips smacking his firm ass. There was nothing more erotic than that skin-smacking-on-skin sound when with the right person. Ayden was definitely the right person for me. “Do it, little wolfie,” I moaned when I saw him eyeing up my throat. I knew he could reach from this position, but he needed to stake his claim. “Bite my chest. Leave a mark.” His nostrils flared with desire as he stared up at me. I nodded, assuring him that’s what I wanted. His teeth elongated, and he didn’t ask twice. I screamed out his name as he sank them into my flesh.

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Fuck! It set me off, and I fucked him that much harder and faster. I didn’t even think my hips could move like that. “Come now,” I ordered, knowing I couldn’t hold out any longer. Ayden lifted his head and howled as he came, his warm release shooting against our stomachs. The moment his tight channel started twitching, I followed him right over. I pumped my seed deep into him, moaning as his body accepted it, accepted me. I wanted this feeling to never end. “If it gets any better, we’re both going to keel over,” he panted in my mind. I glanced down at him and laughed. If it weren’t for my arms holding him up, he would have flopped back onto the couch. He looked sated and happy and perfect, his cheeks flushed and his glossy hair tousled and spread around him. “I’m willing to take the risk of death to experience that again,” I said with a chuckle as I helped him lower his leg down. “I would be, too,” Gabriel groaned. We both looked over and realized we weren’t alone. “I want my own wolfie.” “Mine,” I snarled, wrapping my arms around Ayden tighter. “I’m not poaching, dude.” He chuckled, tossing some clothes over near me. “I thought you wouldn’t want to go on a rescue mission in your jammies.” “Right, thanks,” I said, nodding to the door. “And just had to stay and watch?” “No, that was me being a dick and not willing to walk away from hot live porn when I walk into it,” he admitted sheepishly. Then he nodded just past us. “I wasn’t the only one, though.” I looked over and my mouth dropped open when Victor, Malachi, Riley, and Micah were all standing there. “Seriously? You all are pervs.” “Well yeah, but um, well, I’ve never seen anyone bend like that,” Riley admitted sheepishly. “It was like we knew we should leave, but how could we not watch? I mean, how did you do that?” Malachi asked Ayden.

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“I’ll show you later.” He giggled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Um, no you won’t,” I growled down at him. His eyes went wide and he immediately bared his throat at me. “As my Alpha wishes,” he whispered. “Fuck,” I gasped, feeling like a complete douche. “Baby, you don’t just have to blindly listen to me. I mean, I want you to, but I want you to understand why. I don’t want to take away your free will or something.” “I don’t understand,” he whispered, shaking. “You’re my Alpha.” “But I’m not your boss,” I said carefully. “I’m not the boss of you, Ayden. I’m your mate. I know you say I smell of Alpha and yeah, I’m a warrior and dominant guy, but that doesn’t make me the boss of you.” “So I can show them how I can do this?” he asked hesitantly, his eyes darting around as he kept his neck in that position. I realized what he needed. I leaned down and kissed his neck, letting him know I wasn’t upset with him. He sighed and visibly relaxed. “I assumed showing them would mean how you showed me how flexible you are. So no, I’m not okay with that and that was my immediate answer. But I know you would never cheat on me, so I realized that there’s another way for you to show them,” I said sheepishly. I was an idiot. I didn’t mean to jump to conclusions. “No, never, Darcy,” he whispered as he pulled my head down. The result was he bent over funny and my still-half-hard cock pushed all the way back into him, making me fully hard. “I want no one but you, my mate.” His lips burned against mine as I took him again. Fuck the audience. I didn’t give a shit. I saw in his mind what he wanted and gently lowered him down over the back of the couch. “Good, because this is mine,” I growled as I grabbed his cock and jerked him off. I smiled as I saw him shiver with lust. He liked me going all big Alpha on him. “Who do you belong to, little wolfie?”

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“You. My Alpha mate, Darcy,” he moaned, spreading his legs wider so they were on either side of my shoulders. “I belong to you. No one else pleases me or will touch me.” “Right answer.” I changed the angle and nailed his prostate over and over again until he exploded. I did as well, filling him up until it was leaking right back out. We both smiled, gasping for air as we looked at each other. “That was hot.” He giggled. “It really doesn’t bother you that we did this in front of five people?” I asked, but it wasn’t really a question, more of a realization. “That’s what made it so hot,” he admitted with a blush. “Wolves aren’t as private as you guys seem to be. Sure, it’s not like we just start fucking in the middle of dinner, but sex is a basic, primal need, like blood or food. Yes it’s intimate and should be done in private sometimes, but you just claimed me in the most basic ways for all these men to see. My wolf and I are thrilled you wanted to show me off and let them know who I belong to.” “Fuck, I want my own wolfie,” Gabriel grumbled and stormed from the room. “I love public sex.” “He might get his wish,” Ayden whispered to me, Victor’s and Micah’s heads snapping to look at him. My mate turned to them as I pulled him up and slid out of him. “I feel strangely toward him. I know he’s not my mate and it’s not attraction but more I know he will become important to me.” “Like he might be mated to someone in your family?” I asked, not sure what he was getting at. “I don’t know,” he answered, shaking his head. “That might explain it. Or maybe someone in my pack? I just know that somehow he will become someone that will be a figure in my life.” “Now we really need to save his brothers,” Victor said quietly. “What if one is Gabriel’s mate?” Shit. Fuck. Right, no pressure or anything. I mean, yeah, my mate’s brothers were important, and of course I wanted to save them.

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But if we got there and Gabriel smelled his mate and he was being hurt, the chaos that would ensue would be devastating. Maybe to the whole pack.

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Chapter 5 “Fuck off, Micah,” Riley shouted, starting to storm out of the small armory attached to his lab. I raised an eyebrow, wondering how this was going to go down. Ayden and I had cleaned up, and by the time we were done, everyone was gathering again. The teams were almost here. One was coming with us in the choppers. The other was actually a class of warriors in training. Isaac asked us to use this opportunity as a field exercise in how to run a protection detail. I might not have always liked the man, but it was smart and he was growing on me. Micah quickly grabbed his mate’s arm and spun him around. “Oh no, I’m not getting in trouble this time. Our daughter is here and you’re not field trained. The demons are after you, Riley! We don’t know what we’re walking into and I won’t risk you.” “You don’t know what you’re walking into but yet you’re going. I know how to fire a gun. There might be more than one injured wolf, and while Cyrus is a great medic, he’s not a doctor. We could waste valuable time to help them while you bring them back here.” “The difference is I’ve been trained and have been a warrior for centuries, baby,” Micah said gently, changing his tone when he saw Riley’s fear. “If you weren’t number one on the demons’ hit list, I’d understand your coming. But you are and there are too many unknown variables.” “We also need you to set up a place for Ayden’s brothers, Riley. We wouldn’t know how to do it in the way you might need,” Victor added smoothly.

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“Fine,” Riley said in defeat but then turned and poked Micah in the chest roughly. “But you get your ass back here in one fucking piece. Our daughter needs both of us. Shifters are fast, Micah. You’ve seen it with Rory and Ayden and both admit to not being very fast for their kind. I won’t lose my mate.” “I promise,” he replied and pulled him in for a knee-melting kiss. “Is that how you want us to handle when we disagree?” Ayden looked at me with confusion. “I know you said you didn’t want me blindly following you as I would my old Alpha, but I’m not sure how I should handle things then.” “Yes, but without the yelling.” I snickered, shaking my head. “We don’t have to fight or yell. They talked it out and came to an understanding. That’s what I want. The kiss afterwards would be nice though.” “Good to know.” He giggled, bumping his hip into me. Then he bit his lower lip and looked nervous. “I know some of the bullets are for demons since they glow, but do you guys know that regular bullets won’t work that well on us? Even if you can shoot us, because we’re so fast, it won’t do much damage.” “Silver?” I asked gently, noting the way he got nervous about the idea of his own kind getting shot. “Yeah, silver is deadly to us. It would work like a normal bullet to a human. If it’s taken out fast enough, it won’t kill anyone and we don’t normally tell people how it works. But I don’t want you not to know and lose and advantage even if it’s against my own pack. Your friends are risking their lives to help—” “I understand why you’re telling me this, little wolfie,” I replied as I gave him a quick kiss. “I have to tell the others.” “They won’t just go in and slaughter everyone, right?” he whispered, shifting from one foot to the other nervously. I understood. Vampires were always painted as ruthless, bloodthirsty beings, even between other paranormal groups, not just in human legend.

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“We don’t kill innocents and we don’t take hurting anyone but demons lightly,” I explained gently. “We’re not murderers, Ayden.” “I know that. I’m sorry, I’m just scared.” I pulled him into my arms, hugging him tightly as I kissed the top of his head. “I know you are and I understand why you ask. I’m just giving you the truthful answer. We won’t hurt anyone that doesn’t deserve it. If they threaten us or your brothers, then yes, we will take them out or injure them. But not without cause.” “Okay, good,” he sighed, leaning against me. My poor mate had been through so much that I just wanted this to all be over and start our lives together. I quickly told Victor what was going on, and he handed out the few silver bullets we had for sidearms. Silver didn’t just work on shifters but other beings as well. But we didn’t have much since most warriors and vampires only had issues with demons. Overall, we pretty much just stayed to our own races. It wasn’t normally a bigot thing. It was more we were all so busy trying to protect our own people and our existence from humans that there just wasn’t much crossover. “The choppers just landed,” Desmond informed us. Victor started barking out orders, and we wrapped up the prep work. I took Ayden’s hand in my free one, the other holding my automatic weapon, and led him out of the armory. Gabriel had loaned me a set of full tactical gear since we were about the same size. I felt better having dressed for the part. I wouldn’t have been as imposing in jammie pants. No way. Ayden looked around with a worried expression once we got to the outside terrace on the way to the helipad. He’d told me he’d never been in a chopper before and they scared him. I had a feeling that, in the scope of things, it was the least of our problems. He handled it well though, never bitching or freaking out. Once Isaac assured us his crew was in place along with Zane and a few senior warriors to protect the house and Riley, the pilots pulled out maps. Ayden showed them exactly where the pack lands were,

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and we loaded up. He was certain that the pack wouldn’t have left. They’d been there since before America became the United States. Yeah, they weren’t just going to bail because one wolf got away and might bring help. Granted, they couldn’t have known the help he’d bring, but after over a year of him being gone, I hoped they’d have let their guard down. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It didn’t take us long to get there, and we didn’t have to guess where to land or where the wolves would be. They were waiting. It looked like what was probably the entire pack, if the amount of houses we saw were any indication. They were waiting on the outskirts of their little town at what looked like a meeting ground or something. It was large and circular with some sort of contraption sitting in its center. “That’s the pack’s ceremonial gathering spot,” Ayden said to us through our headphones. That sounded about right. He sounded ready to shit a brick. I didn’t blame him. I didn’t like that they were waiting. We landed about fifty feet away and got out, the Mariuses and I flanking Ayden. The others took up positions behind us. The pilots stayed with choppers. We made our way there quickly, seeing no reason to hesitate when we obviously didn’t have the element of surprise. “Good, you brought back my Kappa,” a man said with a wide smile, exposing slightly yellowed teeth, as we got to the point where we were only a few feet away from the group. The man made me want to shiver. His gray eyes were cold and there was a ruthlessness that had me thinking he’d already be a demon if he had been a vampire instead of a wolf. “My mate isn’t coming back,” I replied firmly. Ayden whimpered, and I glanced to where he was looking. Yup. I’d seen that when we were moving over here—the contraption in the center of the meeting grounds. There were two men who looked just like my mate, having the same auburn hair, boyish looks, and purple eyes. Their hands were

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chained over their heads to some rack that looked like it wasn’t just there for them. It looked like a typical type of punishment the Alpha used. It didn’t help that they were naked, obviously having been whipped repeatedly, and barely conscious. “We don’t recognize matings outside of our own race,” the man sneered. He looked past me to Ayden. “You will be punished for bringing outsiders onto our lands, Kappa. And for running.” “My wolf took over, Alpha Paul,” my mate said quietly, his voice laced with fear. “I’m your Alpha now, remember?” I whispered to my mate, knowing full well the other man could hear me. “You owe him no allegiance or respect. You belong to me.” “No, he doesn’t,” Paul ground out between his teeth as he shook with anger. “When he refused to take on the role of our Kappa, I offered him a place as one of my mates.” “To be a part of your harem,” Ayden spat, his own anger overruling his fear. “That’s not being mated. Release my brothers. This is not the way Kappas are to be treated and you damn well know it.” “How dare you talk to me like that!” Paul roared and stepped closer. “You are to be my mate.” “Fine, if you release my brothers,” Ayden said quickly and darted away from me. “Release them and hurt none of these people and I will willingly submit to you.” “Ayden, no!” I shouted, my eyes going wide as I reached out to him. I didn’t see this one coming. “I’m sorry, my loving mate,” he whispered, shaking his head and taking another step away from me when I moved forward, my fingers outstretched so I could clasp them around his arm and pull him to me and to safety. “But they’re my brothers. I can’t have your friends getting hurt because of me or them.” Tears ran down his cheeks as he

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stared at me. “I would have loved you so much, Darcy. You’re the most wonderful man I’ve ever known.” “Baby, then trust me now,” I pleaded. “We have the Council’s support on this, okay? We will get your brothers and keep you safe. Please? I can’t lose you. We’ve mated and claimed each other. I could go insane and have to be put down. I’ve seen it with other vampires, especially because it’s not like you died. You’d be with someone else.” “I—I,” he stuttered, his eyes going wide. “It’s true,” Victor said gently and then gave Ayden a wink. “We won’t get hurt. We’ve got some tricks up our sleeves.” Just then Paul realized his chances at getting Ayden were slipping, and he moved faster than I’ve ever seen anything move in my life in an attempt to get him. “Damian, now.” “On it.” Damian closed his eyes and instantly Paul was frozen. “We can protect you, Ayden. Trust us. Don’t throw away your life when we can do this.” “I’m sorry,” Ayden cried out, falling to his knees. I scooped him up in my arms and held him as he shook. “I didn’t want to leave, I swear it. But when I saw my brothers, I just didn’t know what to do.” “I know, little wolfie. I know.” And I did. I didn’t have any siblings or family left, but I understood that bond. “You have to trust me.” “I do. I swear I do but I don’t want you hurt,” he gushed. As all this was going down, most of the warriors had flanked out around us, trying to back up the wolves that were obviously hostile. “No one has to get hurt or die here today,” Victor said loudly. “Our Council has spoken with yours and you were told to give us the Kappas.” I didn’t know that. Part of me wondered if he was bluffing. “We were warned,” Paul growled, still frozen in his spot. “Why do you think we were waiting?” “Wait, you went against a direct order from the Elders?” a man asked, going from hostile toward us to his Alpha. “You told us the

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Elders called to warn us that vampires were coming to take our lands.” He looked at my mate then, his eyes full of confusion. “Ayden, what is going on?” “I found my mate and asked for his help in rescuing my brothers. He talked to his Council and they called our Elders. I didn’t know the Elders gave their permission, but I know they don’t want your lands. Darcy is my true mate and my family is his by extension. The vampires have offered us sanctuary.” “Does that offer extend to anyone else?” a woman asked quietly. She was immediately backhanded by one of the men. The woman gasped and covered her face. Gabriel moved in a flash and so did Cyrus. Except, no one could see Cyrus since his gift was to cloud minds and become invisible to them. He became clear again when he lifted the wolf off of the ground by his throat. “Just give me reason, you fuck,” Cyrus growled as Gabriel picked the woman up off the ground. “Stronger doesn’t mean you get to pick on the weak.” “She’s my bitch to do with what I want,” he snarled, snapping his teeth viciously at Cyrus. “Are you his mate?” Gabriel asked, his glance darting to Victor. Mating was sacred, and if they were, I didn’t know if we could get involved in that. “No, I have not found my mate. Ben claimed me against my will,” she cried against Gabriel’s shoulder. “I bore his pup though. I can’t leave without him.” “Fuck,” Victor swore under his breath. “She and the pup come with us. Digger, call Desmond or Elena and tell them what’s going on. We’re going to need more transportation and fast. Does anyone else wish to seek sanctuary with us?” “You can’t do that,” Paul snarled. “Yes, we can,” Victor sneered. “Damian could hold all of you with his mind all day long. I’ve been given permission to rescue the

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Kappas and anyone I deem needing it. Your Elders will be informed of what you’ve done here and will punish you.” Gabriel stepped closer to us, moving back by the Kappas, and growled. “Micah, come take the woman.” “He’s not old enough to claim,” Ayden called out, realizing what was going on. “I don’t care. He’s still my mate and I will tend to him,” Gabriel replied, handing the poor sobbing woman to his brother. “Find her pup.” “Me!” a cute little boy called out and raced over to them. “That’s my mommy.” “Baby,” the woman cried. Micah lowered her onto her feet and she lifted him into her arms. Then he led her towards the choppers. “Everyone stand down,” the man who had spoken to Ayden earlier said. “Go home unless you want to take the vampires up on their offer. It’s over.” “We can take them,” the other man growled. “No, we can’t.” “You will die for your cowardice and betrayal, Tyler,” he threatened. Gabriel moved so fast, and the wolf hadn’t been paying attention. He knocked the guy out and kept walking to Ayden’s brothers. “Ferris, help me.” “On it,” our friend called out and jogged over. “Sydney and Michelle, find every woman and child here and make sure they don’t want to come with us.” I understood Victor’s reasoning. We were coming in armed and acting scary. They might not want to run to us for help but maybe two of our few female warriors could get through to them. “All the women and children, move over to the vampires and speak with them,” Tyler ordered, meeting Victor’s gaze. “I’ve got you, little one,” Gabriel whispered gently as he lowered Ayden’s brother and unshackled him.

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“We can’t leave Tyler here,” Ayden begged. “He’s one of the good ones, and the Alpha and his followers will rip him to shreds before the Elders will get involved.” I agreed. “We’ll get him out as well,” I promised. My mate looked relieved and then started bouncing from one foot to the other when his brothers were safe with Gabriel and Ferris. They brought them over, and Ayden wept for joy. “You left us,” the one in Gabriel’s arms said angrily. “I’m so sorry, Caven,” Ayden whispered, brushing the hair away from his brother’s face. “My wolf took over and I couldn’t shift back until my mate ordered me to. I was trapped. I went for help.” His voice was pleading. “He was so mad you were gone. You don’t know what he did to us,” Caven whimpered. “This isn’t our first whipping. How could you leave us?” “He came back. That’s all that matters,” I said gently, defending my mate. I understood he was angry, but this wasn’t Ayden’s fault. Caven’s angry glance turned to me. “You wouldn’t be so forgiving if you suffered what we went through,” he accused me. Maybe not. “He offered himself up for the same torture to save us,” the youngest brother said gently from Ferris’s arms. “It’s not him you’re mad at, Caven.” “No, you’re right. I’m sorry, Ayden,” Caven whispered before passing out from the pain and shock. “We’ve got two more choppers inbound for anyone we need to rescue,” Digger announced as he jogged over. “Victor,” Damian whispered, looking pained. Cyrus knocked out the guy he was holding on to and then did the same with Paul, taking a few extra shots for good measure. “Thank you.” “Shit, sorry, baby brother,” Victor swore as he caught Damian before he collapsed. With everything going on, we’d forgotten he was

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holding the Alpha and how draining it was to use our powers for that long. “I should have said something earlier,” Damian mumbled. He waved Cyrus away. “I’m fine. Help Ayden’s brothers. I’m just tired.” “Stefan, get Damian to the chopper with the wolves so he can get right home,” Victor said quickly. His brother jogged up and lifted Damian over his shoulder. Then they took off for the chopper. “What’s your name, little one?” Ferris asked Ayden’s brother. “Jalen,” he answered in a mumble. “Okay, get them back now,” Victor said as the youngest passed out as well. “Riley needs to tend to them. I can hear the other choppers.” He looked at Ayden and me then. “Go, we’ve got this.” “Don’t leave Tyler here. They’ll kill him for helping us,” I said quietly. “I know. He’s coming with if I have to drag him to safety myself,” Victor replied firmly. “Go help your mate and his brothers. Gabriel and Ferris will ride back with you.” “Thank you,” Ayden whispered as he pulled Victor down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I know this isn’t what you had planned for, but you’re a good man to help all these strangers.” “Just tell my mate you think that.” Victor chuckled, giving my mate a wink. He leaned in quietly and whispered the next part. “And show him how you bend like that. He really liked the idea of being able to do that.” “Just him?” I teased, laughing when Victor shrugged. “Thank you, Victor, for everything.” “Your mate led us to my brother’s mate,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s us that will be thanking you, Darcy. We would gladly help either way, but he might not ever have found Caven in a small wolf pack if not for you guys.” I wanted to say more, but Ayden looked ready to pass out with need to get to his brothers. I nodded to Victor and turned to get to the chopper. Everyone else was already loaded up and we hurried to join

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them. The second the door was closed, the pilot lifted off, speaking into his headset, probably to Riley, and warning them we were on the way. My focus turned to my mate, who was staring intently at Gabriel. “I like you, but you can’t claim my brother,” Ayden said to Gabriel as he reached to take his brother from our friend. “He’s not of age.” “I heard you, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help him or hold him,” Gabriel replied, his eyes begging not to be denied right then. “How old is he?” “Eighteen,” Ayden answered, sitting back and allowing his brother to stay where he was. “I know your laws say eighteen, but our laws are nineteen. Wolves believe that they should have a year of freedom before claiming their mates if they’ve found them. That way there are no issues later that they didn’t have the chance to experience life and maybe other people.” “I will give him whatever he needs and wait as long as he wants,” Gabriel said quietly, staring down affectionately at the man in his arms. “He’s the other half of me. I couldn’t hurt him any more than I could myself.” “Fair enough,” Ayden replied with a nod. “I just want you to understand, especially after what he’s been through, that this will not be easy for you, and I won’t stand by and watch him hurt or upset because you can’t handle this.” “I understand. But you need to understand that I am his mate and he will be staying with me.” He held up a hand when my mate blanched. “I won’t touch him or claim him until he’s of age or ready, but he will stay in the guest room of my suite. He’s my mate and that’s how it should be, with him close to me.” Ayden mulled that over for a moment, glancing over at me. “What do you think?” “I know Gabriel Marius to be a man of honor, his whole family is. Elena will help your brother and love him as one of her own. I

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suggest you leave it up to Caven. He’s of age and should be able to make the decision for himself. Maybe he won’t want to. Maybe he will. But we’ll be close by so you can check on him whenever you want.” “Thank you. I value your advice and guidance,” he whispered as he took my hand in his, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles. I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’ll always be there for you, little wolfie.” “I know you will,” he replied, love for me shining in his eyes. He glanced over at Gabriel then. “If Caven agrees to staying in your guest room, then I’m fine with it. But it has to be up to him.” “Of course,” Gabriel said, looking startled and kind of affronted. “I never meant he didn’t get a vote in this. I only meant if he was okay with it. His opinion’s the only one that matters to me.” “Good,” Ayden sighed. “Look, I’m not trying to offend you, Gabriel. You seem like a good guy. But I lost my brothers once and they’ve obviously been through hell.” “It’s understandable that you’re protective of them,” Gabriel finished for him with a soft smile. “I’d be the same way with my own brothers. I just want you to know that I will do whatever he needs and won’t push him in any way.” “Okay, then you have my blessing.” Ayden looked satisfied with Gabriel’s answers and relaxed, leaning his slender body against me. I was impressed at how fierce he was about his brothers and that their safety was more important than worrying about pissing off someone from a powerful family like Gabriel’s. It just made me fall a little bit more in love with my mate.

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Chapter 6 “I need their wounds cleaned,” Riley barked out back in the small examination room attached to his lab. We’d landed and brought Caven and Jalen right down to him. “If you can get them awake and strong enough to shift, their wolves will take care of the rest,” Ayden said from my arms as everyone raced around to help. “The shackles were silver, right?” “Yeah, they were burning their wrists,” Gabriel answered, his voice full of emotion as he stood, leaning against the far wall, and watched helplessly while Riley worked on his mate. “Heal that part of them and make sure the silver is gone, doc,” Ayden said carefully. “I appreciate any advice or insight, Ayden. Don’t be afraid to tell me these things,” Riley replied with a smile, his words setting my mate’s mind at ease. I could understand Ayden’s position. He wasn’t trying to be one of those know-it-all jerks who tried to tell the doctor how to do their jobs. But Riley admitted he didn’t know much about shifters, and obviously, Ayden did. “You did the right thing by telling him,” I told Ayden, agreeing with Riley. My mate relaxed back against me, and I tightened my arms around his chest. We were standing off to the side, allowing Riley and Cyrus the space they needed to treat Ayden’s brothers, but there was no way Ayden wouldn’t want to be there right then. And where he was, I was. “Riley, move,” Ayden shouted and leapt from my arms, pushing the doc out of the way. He got there just in time to block Riley from harm’s way. Harm being in the form of Caven’s wicked sharp teeth

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snapping in fear. “It’s okay, Caven. He’s a doctor. His gift is healing, and he’s going to help you so you can shift.” Ayden’s voice was soothing as he addressed his brother and brushed some hair out of Caven’s face. “Sorry,” Caven said sheepishly, his teeth going back to normal. “I smelled strangers and felt pain.” “Wolf survival instincts,” Riley replied with a wink. “Nothing to apologize for.” “Yes, he should,” Micah growled and pointed a finger at Caven. “You bite my mate and, Ayden’s brother or not, I will kick your ass all over the place.” “No you won’t,” Gabriel snarled. “You touch my mate and—” “You’ll kick his ass, we get it,” Ayden said, rolling his eyes. “Nothing happened, okay? We’ve got bigger fish to fry here, so chill the fuck out.” They both stared at my little mate, blinking in shock. “What happened to the sweet, passive wolf?” Micah asked, trying not to laugh. “Wolves are fiercely protective, so passive or not normally, when your argument is impeding the healing of my brothers, I’m going to jump in.” Ayden put his hands on his hips, and fixed Micah and then Gabriel with his gaze, giving attitude as if daring anyone to go against him. “Fair enough,” Gabriel and Micah said together, holding their hands out in surrender and taking a step back. “Doc, it’s all you,” my mate announced as he sauntered over to me and snuggled himself back into my arms. “That was hot, my little wolfie,” I purred in his ear while suggestively rubbing my erection over his lower back. “You can boss me around like that anytime you want.” “Really?” Ayden drawled as he looked at me over his shoulder. “That’s very interesting.”

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“As long as you don’t abuse your newfound power over your mate.” I chuckled. He gave me a wink that he understood what I was trying to do. Distract him. Riley was healing Caven, who was now awake, of course. But so was Jalen as Cyrus tried to remove any silver particles embedded in his wrists from the chains. I didn’t want Ayden standing there, having to watch this, especially since I knew he felt guilty about leaving his brothers. But I also knew wild horses wouldn’t have been able to drag him away just then. “Okay, all the silver’s gone here,” Riley said as he slumped back against the counter. “Can you shift now?” “No,” Caven whimpered. “I’m too tired.” I realized something and decided to ask my mate. “If Gabriel smells of Alpha, could he order your brother to shift like I did when we met?” “It’s worth a shot,” Ayden said excitedly. He moved over to the table and ran his fingers through Jalen’s hair. “Does Gabriel smell like Alpha to you?” Caven nodded slightly, shooting his mate a covert look. “Gabriel, I need you to order him to shift.” “What? No!” Gabriel gasped, his eyes going wide. “I won’t just boss my mate around.” “While that’s honorable and I feel better about you being the man mated to my brother, I’m asking you to do it to help him. He’s tired, hurt, scared, confused, and all of that makes it near-impossible to shift. Darcy helped me shift back when my wolf was feeling the same and took over.” “What if he won’t shift back again?” Gabriel asked hesitantly, glancing at his mate. “I don’t want to hurt him.” “He’ll come back. It’s very rare for a shifter to get stuck in animal form,” Ayden answered, taking a deep breath. “It takes a large trauma for it to happen.”

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“What did Paul do to you?” Caven asked, eyeing his brother over and looking worried. “What happened? You were supposed to sneak us out that night but you disappeared.” “They gang-raped me,” Ayden whispered, his eyes filling with tears. “When I wasn’t willing, Paul beat me until I couldn’t move and then eight men from the pack raped me over and over again.” “Fuck,” several people in the room growled. I felt bad that he had to admit that with an audience, but it was good that people knew. That his brothers knew so they’d forgive him for leaving. “My wolf took over when I came to and Tyler was trying to help me. I fled to get help but couldn’t change back.” Ayden hung his head sadly. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you,” Caven whispered as he held his brother’s hand. “I kept them from touching Jalen like that.” “At what price to you?” Ayden asked, and his brother hid his face in shame. “Hey, none of this is your fault, okay?” “No, it’s not that.” Ayden nodded his understanding after a moment, and I didn’t comprehend what just happened between them, but I had a feeling it was important. “That’s nothing to be ashamed of either.” Caven nodded at Ayden’s words and Gabriel shot me a confused glance. I only shrugged. Fuck if I knew what was going on. Ayden pulled Gabriel over and gave him a nod. I’d never seen the warrior so nervous before, but if the roles were reversed, I’d be ready to shit a brick. We didn’t know much about shifters, and forcing one to make the change sounded as if it could be painful. “Mate, shift now,” Gabriel ordered, touching Caven’s face gently. His mate gasped and I felt the shimmer of energy as he shifted. Moments later, a wolf of Ayden’s coloring was lying on the table. “You’re beautiful.” Gabriel smiled and stroked his mate’s muzzle. The wolf gave a happy yip and got off the table slowly, as if still hurting. He padded over to the door as Riley was just finishing with Jalen.

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“Can you shift?” Ayden asked his youngest brother. “Yeah, they didn’t get me as bad as Caven,” Jalen answered and shifted. He leapt off the other table and Ayden yanked off his clothes, shifting as he lowered his pants again. “I really never thought I’d have three wolves in my lab one day,” Riley said with a quiet chuckle, obviously exhausted. Micah sat down in a chair by the entrance and pulled his mate onto his lap. Riley leaned into Micah gratefully. “Open the door please,” Ayden said in my mind. “We’re going to run a little in the backyard and get reacquainted.” I quickly did as he asked, allowing them to trot past me before I followed. I felt Gabriel right behind us as we made our way to the stairs. The one wolf, Caven I guessed, was limping a little but kept up with his brothers fairly well. I heard a yelp from the kitchen when I got there, the wolves getting excited and having run in front of us. Then Elena laughed. “You three startled me!” “Tell her we’re sorry and we can’t open the back door with paws.” Ayden giggled. His voice sounded lighter and so happy that I found myself laughing as well. His brothers were safe, and I didn’t lose him in the process. I was overjoyed at the outcome and how excited he was to have his family back. “Yes, little wolfie,” I said and jogged over to the doors. I told Elena and she merely smiled, waving my apology off. “I just never thought I’d see three wolves in my kitchen.” “Riley said the same thing about his lab,” I replied, shaking my head. “Tell them to stay away from the helipad. We’ve got more coming in that took Victor up on his offer for sanctuary.” “Is he going to get in trouble for extending the offer to them? What did the wolf Elders say?” “That we could get the Kappas and they would be investigating that pack. I don’t give a crap if they don’t like what we did,” she

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answered firmly, her eyes going almost iridescent with anger. “They should have taken better care of their people. Victor told us what you found there, and there is no excuse for it. No one should have to live that way.” “I’m glad you’re on our side, Elena,” I said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “And I think you were the best person for the Council seat.” “Me, too,” she replied as she winked. “Go play with your mate and his brothers. We’ve got everything under control.” She didn’t have to tell me twice. Gabriel was already outside, standing out of the way and just watching. I went to stand by him, smiling as the three wolves jumped all over each other and teasingly nipped at each other’s ears, rolling around on the grass as they played. “The talking in my head thing is weird,” Gabriel admitted quietly, turning his head to glance at me. “But you get used to it, right?” “Yeah, I could hear Ayden before we claimed each other but then I could talk back after we did. It’s weird but it’s really intimate, too. He uses it a lot because he’s surrounded by new people, still scared I’m sure, and not really sure what to do or say with everything going on. I have a feeling Caven will be the same for a while.” “That makes sense,” Gabriel sighed, wiping his hands over his eyes as if he were tired. “I want to ask what went on downstairs. Something happened when Caven was talking to your mate.” “Yeah, I got the feeling it was important, too.” Then I decided just to ask. “Baby, what was going on when you told Caven not to feel ashamed? Gabriel’s asking me and I won’t tell him if you don’t want me to but I just need to know everything’s okay.” “Caven can tell Gabriel if he wants. That’s not for us to do.” He hesitated for a moment as if deciding whether he should tell me or not. “He liked having sex with all those men, Darcy. That’s what he was ashamed of. I’m sure there’s more to it, but that’s what I got from the look on his face. He didn’t hate everything he went through.”

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“And he didn’t want to talk about that in front of his mate.” I understood that. There was enough going on right then, and Caven didn’t know Gabriel well enough to discuss it yet. One of the wolves broke apart from the three and came racing at us. I knew it wasn’t Ayden, so I could only guess it was Caven. Sure enough, he leapt onto Gabriel and knocked him on his ass. “Hi to you, too.” Gabriel laughed as he petted the wolf. There was that shimmer again before there was a very naked Caven lying all over him. “Hello, big boy,” Caven purred. “I guess we should start practicing how to mate, huh?” “Caven, you’re naked!” Gabriel exclaimed, quickly sitting up and yanking off his shirt. “Yeah, it makes sex much easier that way.” Caven snickered. Gabriel put his shirt on his mate, which almost looked like a short, tight dress since it was a fitted tactical shirt. “We can’t have sex.” “No, you can’t claim me,” he replied, humping his hips against his mate’s. “We can fuck all day and night if we want. I know the laws.” “Let’s go inside and talk now that you’re feeling better,” Gabriel said gently, getting to his feet and helping Caven up. “No, no talking,” Caven growled. “If you want to fuck me, fine. But I’m not going to sit there and have a talk where you lay down the rules like I’m a child.” Before Gabriel could even reply, he stripped back off the shirt and shifted again. Then he picked up the shirt in his mouth and tore it to shreds before racing off. “Caven, wait!” Gabriel shouted, taking off after him. “Good luck,” I called after them, trying not to laugh. Gabriel gave me the finger over his shoulder, never slowing down. “He’s angry. He’s so angry,” Ayden said sadly. He and Jalen were done romping and were now lying all over each other as my wolf licked his brother’s ears in a tender cleaning the pup kind of way. I walked over to them and knelt down, not trying to impose on their time, but I felt as if my mate needed me.

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“How’s Jalen doing?” “Glad to be out, but I can feel his fear, and I know I don’t have the answers to his questions.” “What questions?” I wasn’t sure what we were talking about. “What happens next? Are we going to live with you? Are we staying here? Where do you live? What happens to us now? How do we—” “Breathe, little wolfie,” I said calmly as I knelt next to him, rubbing his fur. “You don’t have to worry about a thing. Either of you, okay? We’ll talk and work all this out, but I don’t want you to be scared anymore. Both of you and Caven are my family now and we’re going to be just fine.” Ayden shifted back, his eyes full of tears as he reached for my hand and pulled me down with them. “I love you, my Alpha mate.” “I love you, too, Ayden,” I whispered, burying my face in his hair. Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any better… It could. He loved me. And I was the luckiest man in the world. “And not just because you’re going to take care of us,” he said quietly as he took my face in his hands. “Because you want to. Because you have the biggest heart, Darcy, and you are the most amazing man.” “I know it’s not because of that, Ayden,” I replied, making sure he heard in my tone that I was serious. “You’re not like that. You wouldn’t just say the words and use someone. I think you have the biggest heart, my little wolfie. And I want to talk to you more about your abilities.” “As soon as my brother gets lost,” he purred, nuzzling my neck. “No, not those abilities.” I laughed, shaking my head. “Let’s get you guys some clothes and I’ll explain. And we need to find Caven.” “I left some of Patrick’s clothes on the terrace,” Elena called out the open door. “I figured he was about their size or the closest we have in the house.” “Thank you!” Ayden called back with a giggle.

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“You stay there and hide your goods behind Jalen,” I said firmly as I hopped to my feet. I ran over and grabbed the three pairs of jeans and shirts before jogging back. Ayden quickly got dressed, and I turned my back as Jalen shifted and did as well. I noticed then a really pissed-off Gabriel stomping toward us, carrying his naked mate over his shoulder. “The little shit bit me!” he shouted, shaking his head. “I say I want to get to know him before having sex and I didn’t trust myself not to claim him yet if we were intimate and he bit me!” He scowled and held up his hand, which had the markings from a bite wound that had recently healed. “Well, let’s get some clothes on him and then I think we need to have a family meeting,” I said as they got closer, trying not to laugh. “I did offer to kiss it and make it better,” Caven teased, wiggling on Gabriel’s shoulder. “Watch it, pup,” he growled and slapped his hip, carefully not touching his ass. “Oh, more, and to the right,” Caven moaned. Oh dear god, he was going to be a handful. “I like it rough.” I shook my head and wrapped my arms around Ayden. “Thank you for being the best mate ever.” “Caven’s always been a pain in the ass,” Jalen whispered, knowing full well his brother could hear. We all laughed, much to Caven’s dismay. Gabriel got his mate to put on some clothes at least, and we all went back into the house and into the kitchen. He stopped as we went to sit down at the table, looking uncomfortable. “What?” I asked. “You said a family meeting. I didn’t know if that included me since I can’t claim Caven yet,” he replied with a shrug as he stared pointedly at his feet. “Do you want it to include you?” Caven asked, just as hesitant and nervous as his mate was, all joking now gone.

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“Yes,” Gabriel answered as he looked at his mate. “More than anything, pup.” Caven just smiled and held out his hand to his mate. Gabriel sighed in relief and sat down next to him, making sure to wrap an arm around his shoulders so they were touching as much as possible. Elena glanced at her son and gave me a wink before she started to make herself scarce. “Actually, I’d like it if you’d stay, Elena. Maybe Desmond should be here, too? I think I’m going to need your help with something,” I said quickly before she could leave. Thank you, she mouthed and hit the intercom and called for her husband. I almost felt bad. I wasn’t doing it for her benefit… I really would need their help. We waited for Desmond, my mate shifting nervously in his seat until I took his hand in mine. Then he smiled at me and visibly relaxed. “Ayden raised some questions about what happens next now that he got his brothers back and we’ve mated,” I said slowly, trying to figure out how I wanted to word everything. “I need to tell you all something that no one knows and I don’t like getting around.” “Son, we know,” Desmond said gently, taking Elena’s hand. “We’re on the Council.” “Oh, right,” I whispered, shaking my head. Of course they knew. I looked at Ayden. “Before my father murdered my mother and her mate and turned demon, he was head of the West Coast Council.” I saw Gabriel’s eyes go wide. “What does that mean?” Jalen asked, my mate nodding in agreement. I opened my mouth and then closed it again, doing a great impression of a fish. “It means Darcy comes from a long line of vampires like our family,” Elena explained gently, giving me a wink. I could kiss the woman right then. “His parents both came from prestigious, oldmoney, founding-family vampires.”

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“Dude, are you rich?” Jalen whispered as a smile broke out on his face. “Um, yeah, very,” I answered with a shrug. “But you live at the warrior compound,” Gabriel blurted out. “I didn’t need more than a room,” I replied, shrugging again. “I had my family’s house demolished when I became of age and did my training way across the country, putting distance between myself and the memories of what happened. Money couldn’t bring my mother back or change how my father disgraced our family. I just wanted to serve my people and move on with my life. I named an heir to take over as head of the Council, the Councilman of the second oldest founding family on the West Coast.” “So what does that mean now?” Ayden asked, his eyebrows drawn together. “You’re saying we don’t have to worry about money? Where will we live? At the warrior compound with you?” “No, that’s no place for you guys,” I answered, shaking my head. “I’d like to buy us a home if you want.” Ayden and Jalen nodded while Caven glanced at Gabriel. “My mate said I could live with him in his guest room until I was old enough to claim,” he whispered, looking to Ayden. “Is that okay?” “If you want,” Ayden hedged, glancing at Gabriel before focusing on his brother again. “There’s no wrong answer after what you went through, Caven. You could stay here a little while and try it out, see if it’s what you want. No one would blame you if you weren’t ready or wanted to stick close to your brothers right now.” “Ayden’s right,” Gabriel said gently, hugging his mate tightly. “I won’t be upset or offended. Whatever you need to make things easier.” He paused for a second, staring down into Caven’s eyes. “I’d really like you to be close to me though. I know you’re too young to claim, but I want to get to know you better.” Elena and Desmond shared a confused look, and Ayden explained about the difference between the legal age of claiming for wolves.

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They nodded their understanding, but I could see the worry in their eyes. Yeah, I didn’t know if I could wait six months after meeting my mate to claim him when he was old enough for our laws. “Could I do both maybe?” Caven finally asked. “Stay here for now while you guys figure out where you’re going to live but still have a room with you? Maybe spend some of the days Gabriel’s working at your guys’ house?” “I think that would be great,” I answered quickly when I saw Ayden’s nervous gaze directed at me. “There’s no reason you can’t do both.” “Of course not,” Gabriel said with a smile. I knew it probably hurt him a little bit though logically he had to understand that Caven was in a difficult position, and while they were mates, he didn’t know Gabriel from Joe Nobody. “I don’t want to overstep, but I have a possible solution that would ease Gabriel’s mind if his mate spent some nights away from him,” Desmond said hesitantly. “You’re my brother’s father-in-law-to-be, Desmond,” Ayden replied with a smile. “There’s no overstepping with us. A pack isn’t normally like that. We believe very much in that it takes a village to raise a child and the advice of the pack Elders is to be listened to.” “Very wise, Ayden. Your parents must have been good people who would have been proud of the man you’ve become,” Elena said gently. “Thank you,” he whispered. Jalen’s eyes filled with tears, and since he was sitting next to her, she wrapped her arm around him. He leaned into her embrace as he wiped his eyes to catch the falling tears. “How long ago did you lose them?” “When Alpha Paul learned I was a Kappa,” Ayden answered, swallowing loudly. “We were all with our pack coloring, but when we hit puberty, the Kappa in us came out and our eyes changed color. They realized he’d want me for himself and tried to run with us.”

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“I’m sorry for your loss.” I knew Elena meant it with all her heart. She was one of those genuinely nice people who really cared for others. “Thank you,” my mate replied, clearing his throat. “What’s this solution you have?” “The founding vampire families in this area picked here because it’s always been rural farmland mostly,” Desmond explained. “The economy of the past ten years has hit them hard, and while we support local businesses, when some of the homes have been sold, the founding families take it upon themselves to buy the land so we don’t risk developers moving in. We own three other estates in the immediate area. One is a farm that’s falling apart, but the other two would need some renovations but are livable.” “You’d be willing to sell to us?” I asked hopefully, smiling when they did. “Can I speak with you in private a moment?” Ayden said quietly as he stood up. I nodded, not sure what I’d done wrong, but given his troubled look, I knew things were about to get complicated. Fuck.

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Chapter 7 “I’m sorry,” I said immediately once we were on the terrace alone. “For what?” he asked with a laugh. “For whatever I did wrong.” “You didn’t do anything wrong, Darcy,” he said gently, taking my hand in his. “I feel like I’m doing something wrong and taking advantage of you.” “How?” I gasped, shocked to my core. This so wasn’t where I thought the conversation would be heading. “You said you tore down your old house and have been happy in your room at the warrior compound. Then I come along with my problems and brothers that have nowhere to go and we have no home. And suddenly you have to provide for us because it’s not like we can get jobs, and it’s not fair, I can’t do this to you and take advantage of—” “Stop right there,” I growled, trying to keep calm. His eyes went wide and he immediately clamped his mouth shut. “I love you. We’ve mated and your family is mine. You are not some ward of mine or a burden. Don’t you think I’d want to give you a real home, a home of our own?” “Yes, and that I would understand, my Alpha,” he whispered, shaking his head. “But Desmond just said estate. Like the one they have.” He waved his arms around, gesturing to the grand mansion we were standing behind. “This isn’t some little cottage you bought for us to live in. I have nothing to give you or contribute. I have no skills—”

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“But that’s where you’re wrong,” I said gently, pulling him closer to me so I could cup his face in my hands. He stared up at me, his eyebrows drawn together. “What you did for the Mariuses was amazing. To me that’s better than any marriage counselor could do after dozens of sessions. What if that was your job? You could help our community as if you were in the pack. Riley can heal people’s bodies, so why can’t you heal relationships and their souls?” “You have that much faith in me that you’d trust me to do that?” he asked, his eyes shining with hope and a little bit of awe. “Baby, I have all the faith in the world in you,” I whispered against his lips. “You could help people and we could get Jalen a tutor so he can finish high school. I’m not suggesting you be my wife or anything, but I have no idea how to run a household or make a place a home. I was ten when my family fell apart. And it wasn’t a loving place before that. I need you to help me learn how to be a family and that’s more important than any amount of money or the fact that I can buy us the property.” “You make me feel so special, Darcy.” “You are special. I know every person in that house adores you and sees that you are the big heart behind your gift. Maybe we could even talk with Riley about you being a trauma counselor for our community.” “I’d love that,” he sighed, hugging me fiercely. “I’d love to make us a real home where Jalen and even Caven could feel safe. I just don’t know if I could handle a whole estate.” “Just because the house is big doesn’t mean that it needs to be as many people in it as this one. But then again, maybe we could have some of your pack help us out until they get back on their feet. They might be scared to stay with some of the vampires.” “That’s true,” he admitted. “Okay, let’s go look at the places as long as you swear to me you don’t think I’m abusing your generosity or your money. I didn’t know you had any when I told you I love you.”

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“I know,” I whispered in his ear. “I swear to you that I don’t think you have a single selfish motive in any of this. You’re too kind of a soul, and the fact that you brought this up just proves it to me. You’re my mate, Ayden. What’s mine is yours, okay?” “Okay.” His smile was so wide I was ready for it to jump off his face because it ran out of room. I gave him one more quick kiss before we headed back inside. Riley and Micah were now sitting at the table, both looking exhausted. “I don’t mean to interrupt but I had a question,” Riley said before taking another drink of blood. He was looking at Ayden, who nodded for him to go ahead. “Victor told me you could heal people’s hearts. Is that just heartbreak or can you help people emotionally?” “Wow, that’s almost creepy,” I replied, shaking my head. “We were just talking on the terrace about seeing if you could use a trauma counselor.” “So you can do that?” Riley asked with about as much excitement as he could muster given he was tired. “I did some research in a few older books I have about wolves and Kappas while I was waiting for you guys to get back from the pack lands. And it said you guys are considered healers in your packs but not of the physical. I wasn’t sure what that meant.” “I can show you if you want,” Ayden said quietly. Riley nodded and Ayden sat next to him, taking his hands in his. Both were quiet for a moment before Riley started whimpering. “What is he doing?” Micah asked me, looking scared and worried. I shook my head, having no clue as well. After a few minutes, they both opened their eyes and Riley looked almost frightened. “Now think about those memories again and tell me what’s changed,” Ayden whispered gently. “Everything’s duller and there’s no more physical pain in my chest or head,” Riley replied, awe in his voice. “How did you do that?”

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“I helped your mind and emotions to work together to process what happened to you. Normally one or the other is engaged when reliving a trauma, but by my making you focus both at once, it helps both come to terms.” “I don’t understand,” Micah said, and I could see he was trying to keep calm. “Riley was making distressed sounds and looked like he was in pain.” “I was,” Riley admitted, smiling at Ayden. “He took me back to that day when my family was slaughtered, but instead of seeing it as a scared child, I was able to see it as I am now. Rather than feeling the fear and anguish of a five-year-old, I can think of it now as an adult.” “So he helped you?” Micah still looked as confused as I was. “Yes, immensely,” Riley agreed, leaning against his mate. “It still hurts to think of the loss of my family, but that debilitating fear and rage I feel when I think of what happened to them isn’t overwhelming me anymore.” “You’ve had a long time to come to terms with what’s happened,” Ayden said gently. “So believe it or not that was relatively easy. If I worked with you a few more times, that fear and rage would lessen. You’ve processed your trauma better than most would, but for someone who has just experienced something, what I do can be painful while they’re reliving it.” “At what cost to you?” Elena asked. “I don’t take the emotions onto myself if that’s what you’re asking,” he answered slowly as if thinking on how to word what he was saying. “It’s more like when someone tells you what they’ve been through, the empathy you feel and the emotions it stirs inside of you is draining.” “So you saw exactly what I did?” Riley worried at the idea. “Ayden already told me when he looked into your minds earlier before the rescue that he wouldn’t even tell me what he saw. He feels he’s bound to the rules of a healer just as you are,” I said, realizing what made Riley nervous.

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“They aren’t my secrets or traumas to tell,” Ayden agreed. “But yes, I was right there with you. If it got to be too much I could pull you out. I can control how much you relive and guide you if necessary.” “Holy fucking shit,” Riley gasped. “Riley! Language,” Elena chastised with a snicker. “Sorry, it’s just that’s one of the most amazing gifts I’ve ever even heard of, much less seen. And after the astounding thing he did for me and Micah earlier, I can’t get over that there’s more to being a Kappa.” He looked at Ayden as if he was a miracle sitting in front of him. “You could help so many in ways no one ever could.” “That’s what we were discussing outside,” I replied as I wrapped an arm around my mate. “We might not be set up like his pack, but we are a community, and he wants to use his gifts to help.” “You realize their gifts make them targets,” Gabriel said as he glanced at Caven with a worried look. “We’d need to protect them.” “We were also thinking that maybe some of the wolves who sought sanctuary from you guys could stay with us until they decide what comes next for them.” Ayden smiled at the idea. I know he thought that would solve the protection problem, but it wouldn’t. “Right, but most of those people are victims, not warriors.” I was glad Gabriel said it, though I’d been thinking the same thing. “We can reassign Darcy and a few others to protection detail,” Desmond said. “This house is filled with warriors so Caven would be safe when he’s here. But I agree. Your pack can’t be the only group who’d want to misuse your gifts.” “Then maybe we shouldn’t tell anyone,” Jalen whispered as he started to shake. “I can’t even do it yet.” “No, we won’t hide what we are,” Ayden said firmly as he took his youngest brother’s hand. “We were given these abilities for a reason, Jalen. To help people. Could you walk away and let people suffer knowing they could be helped?”

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“No, but I don’t want you hurt either,” he answered as his eyes filled up with tears. “Haven’t we all been through enough already?” “Yes, but giving up and hiding away would be the same as rolling over and letting Paul win. I refuse to let him control my life one day longer.” “You are amazing,” I said with awe. I couldn’t get over how strong my little mate was. He could put the most built and trained warrior to shame with his bravery. “You were proud of me for helping,” he replied with a shrug. “I like helping people, and I like having you look at me that way.” “I’d look at you like that no matter what you decide, little wolfie. You know that. This is all you.” “You give me the strength to move on and not give up,” Ayden said as his cheeks heated up. I pulled him off his chair and onto my lap, snuggling him closely to me. “You do the same for me. You’ve given me hope I’ve never felt before and a second chance to feel the real love of a family. I’m behind you no matter what you want to do, Ayden.” “I love you,” he whispered as he rubbed his scent on me. “Love you, too.” God, did I love him. The brave soul that was my mate was the most amazing man in the world to me. I glanced over at Riley. “So what happens now?” “We get you guys settled and let everyone know we now have a trauma and mating counselor,” he answered after a moment. “We set it up through the clinic so not everyone just knows who he is right off the bat. People won’t want to tell who he is after they meet any more than they’ll want him saying who came to see him. I think if we let people know that running their mouths could pose a danger to him, then they’ll understand.” “I don’t really have training as a counselor though, Riley,” Ayden said quietly. “Your gift makes you better qualified than any schooling possible,” he replied with a smile. “There might be a few people who

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won’t want your help because you’re young and a wolf, but I face the same crap every day because I went to human schooling. People get over it.” “Okay, so first we go look at these houses around here then,” I said, looking at Desmond. I specifically didn’t say estate, hoping he understood why. He nodded that he’d caught my drift. “Good, because we’ve got twenty wolves that we have no idea where to put, and Tyler said he wants to speak with Ayden,” Victor said from the doorway. “I’ve got them at the warrior compound for now, but they’re scared.” “How much did you hear?” Ayden asked, raising an eyebrow. “Enough to know you just agreed to take on a whole shitload of work, little guy. This is one screwed-up community of vampires who’ve seen more than their minds are probably able to handle,” he answered, shaking his head. “But we’ll protect you. We protect our own.” “As long as I teach your mate how I can fold into a pretzel,” Ayden teased. “A pretzel?” Desmond asked, his eyebrows shooting up to his hairline. Victor and I exchanged a look before we burst out laughing. Gabriel and Ayden joined right in, and I couldn’t help but feel good about the decisions we’d made. We weren’t alone in all of this, and if we could still joke around, then life was good. **** The first place was no good. It was bigger than the Mariuses’ house but falling apart. Technically it was habitable, but it would have taken a lot of work to make it a comfortable home. Desmond said there had been talk about just tearing the place down and building a small community of houses for some of the smaller covens that were about to be displaced. With the threat of the demons increasing, some of our freedoms would need to be reined in for safety.

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Like some families living on their own amongst humans. It was sad, but if it kept more of us alive, then well worth the cost. When we pulled up to the second house and I saw the matching looks of excitement on Ayden’s, Caven’s, and Jalen’s faces…I knew we were home. They practically leapt out of the car before Desmond put it in park. “Oh my god, it’s huge,” Jalen gushed as the three of them ran in a blur up the steps of the porch and to the front door. “Could I have my own wing? I’m so not picking a room next to you guys. Our hearing is way too good and I’m not listening to you guys having sex all the time. Plus, I might want to have sex, too.” “No, not until you’re thirty,” I said as I joined them. I already adored Jalen like a little brother, and the idea of him having carnal relations was just… Gross. “How old are you anyways?” “How old are you?” he shot back, crossing his arms over his chest. “A little over fifteen hundred,” I answered with a smirk. “I’m sorry, how old?” Ayden asked, looking a little pale. “I’ll be one thousand, five hundred and twenty in a few months,” I said slowly, realizing the shock this was causing my mate. “You’re—I’m. You,” he stuttered before his eyes rolled up into his head. Shit. I dove to grab him in time before he slumped to the doorstep. “I’m going to be seventeen in a few months,” Jalen said quietly as he looked at me funny. “Wolves don’t live as long as you guys do. Sure, we live about five times as long as humans but, just, damn, you’re old.” “Um, yeah, I guess,” I mumbled self-consciously. “How old are you?” Caven asked Gabriel, taking a step away from him. “I just turned five hundred and fifty.”

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“I’m mated to an old man,” he whispered as his eyes widened and he started to hyperventilate. “I bet you’ve fucked way more people than I have.” “Language, Caven,” Elena said gently, looking worried. “And just how many people have you been with?” Gabriel growled as he moved to hover over his mate, their distinct height difference becoming apparent. “None,” he gasped as he sank to his knees. “Of your business.” Nothing could have shocked me more than what happened next. “You asshole,” Jalen snarled and shoved Gabriel away. He knelt by Caven and wrapped his arms around his brother. “He’s freaking out and you’re getting pissy with him. He kept people’s attention on him, offering himself so they’d stay away from me since I didn’t have a parent or guardian to protect me.” “I’m sorry,” Gabriel whispered. His face held shame and grief at his earlier words. “Shove it,” Jalen shot back before focusing on Caven and speaking softly to him. “You idiot,” Elena growled as she came toward us and cuffed her son upside the head. Then she moved to the brothers and hugged them tightly. “It’s okay. I know this is all a huge adjustment for you both. Being with someone so much older can be scary but there are perks, too.” Caven nodded as his breathing calmed down. It took a few moments before he was able to speak again. “Like what?” “Well, mating a vampire will make you immortal as well,” Elena answered calmly. “I’m immortal?” Ayden gasped, his eyes going wide. I hadn’t even realized he was back with us… But not for long. His eyes rolled right back up into his head as he went limp in my arms. “Shit. Shit. Shit,” I growled. This was not going how I’d planned. “I don’t care how old you are. You need to understand that I had a past before you,” Caven said angrily to Gabriel. “You’ve had one, so

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don’t you dare judge me for what I did to protect my brother or just because I wanted to. I’m a lot fucking younger than you, but I’m not a child. I haven’t been since the day my parents were murdered. So get off your high horse and see me as a man or fuck off.” “I agree so I won’t say anything about the swearing,” Elena mumbled as they stood. I couldn’t have agreed more with Caven. “I’m sorry, pup,” Gabriel said softly as he reached for his mate. Caven took a step back, shaking his head in anger. “I wasn’t judging, just jealous. The idea of another man touching you makes me see red. I’ll work on controlling it better, but cut me some slack, okay? I can’t claim you. You aren’t mine yet. Do you understand how hard that is for me?” “Yeah, and it’s a barrel of giggling monkeys for me,” Caven snapped. “Especially since you’ve decided we won’t be intimate or basically touch until I’m of age. You just decided that for both of us.” “Because I don’t trust myself not to claim you if we’re together!” Gabriel shouted, throwing up his hands in the air before storming off, running down the porch steps, and continuing toward the back of the house. I heard sniffles and glanced down. “Oh, little wolfie,” I whispered when I realized he was crying. “This wasn’t how I wanted to find our home.” He pushed out of my arms and landed on his feet, moving over to his brothers and taking their hands. “We don’t belong here.” “Here where?” I asked, my heart sinking into my stomach. “With another kind,” he answered and started walking toward the steps, his body facing the road, which was in the direction opposite the one Gabriel had gone off. “This isn’t right. We don’t fit in with vampires.” “Ayden, no,” I whimpered. “Why not?” “Because you’re fifteen hundred fucking years older than me and made me immortal without even telling me,” he roared, pissed in a way I’d never seen him before. “Did you even stop to think of the implications of that?”

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“No, it’s just who I am,” I answered, completely confused. “Yes, it’s who you are,” he growled and let go of his brothers’ hands, stomping over to me. “And while you and your kind are immortal, you just changed me forever. I’ll have to watch my brothers die while I live. Even if Caven and Gabriel fix things, then we’ll both have to watch Jalen die of old age. Did you even fucking think about that? You should have told me before you claimed me.” “If I remember correctly, you just bit me without even asking or saying anything,” I shouted right back. “I never got mad or yelled at you because we’re mates. Would you really deny me or our bond? Would you walk away from fate whether it made you immortal or not?” “No, but that doesn’t change the fact that you should have told me,” he said more calmly but still pissed off. “When? When would I have told you? When I was dealing with the effects of drinking your blood that I didn’t know about? Or when I was going to the Council members I knew for help to save your brothers? Maybe while I was trying to plan our future so you and your brothers felt safe,” I shouted, my anger and hurt spiraling out of control. “You want to leave? Fucking go ahead. This is the second time you’ve threatened it in the two days we’ve known each other. If I’ve treated you so badly, then walk.” “Hey!” Jalen yelled, and I turned to face him and right into his fist. “Don’t talk to Ayden like that. You have no idea what he’s been through and what it was like growing up in that pack. He just got us back and now Caven’s mated to a dick and you’re being an ass. And he’s scared that they’re going to lose me again one day and won’t be able to save me this time. We’re wolves amongst a ton of vamps and after our own kind treated us like shit.” “Don’t push me, kid,” I growled, trying to sidestep him. “You don’t deserve him,” Jalen replied harshly as he spat on the ground by my feet. He turned on his heel back to his brothers, and I kept walking.

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“Come on, guys,” Desmond said gently. I glanced back at him and he shot me the dirtiest look I’d ever seen. “I’ll take you to Rory’s, okay? I know he’d love to have you stay there.” My heart sank at the words. Did I really just end my mating? “It’s not that we don’t appreciate what you’ve done, Desmond,” Ayden replied, and my feet became heavy as I heard the tears in his voice. “It’s just Gabriel’s your son and we need to stay somewhere that’s more neutral.” “I understand,” Desmond agreed. I had just rounded the house and gotten out of their view as I heard the car doors open and close. Hot tears burned down my cheeks as I leaned against the bricks. They just pulled away when Gabriel came racing from behind the house. “What’s going on?” “They left,” I whispered, my heart shattering. “Ayden freaked and started to walk away and then I fucked up worse than you did and they’re going to stay at Rory’s.” “I don’t understand the big deal,” he shouted, pulling on his hair in anguish. “So we’re old compared to them. Why is that such an issue? We are and now they will live forever. Who cares about a few hundred years when you have forever?” “You fucking idiots,” Elena shouted as she came around the side of the house. Whoa! I actually took a step away from her. I’d never seen her like this. Her eyes were bright, bright fucking green, and long tendrils of her brown hair were swirling around her head as if they suddenly had a mind of their own. I could practically feel the power coming off her. “Oh shit,” Gabriel groaned as we both started stepping away. That made me even more worried. She lifted her arms and cut off our escape by surrounding us in ice. I could feel the cold emanating from the ice wall even if it wasn’t on our skin but in a small circle that trapped us. We could still see over the walls since she didn’t cover our heads. “Mother!”

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“Don’t Mother me,” she growled. “Those men are scared after having been trapped in their own pack. Do you think they’ve gotten a chance to spend much time with other species? Obviously they didn’t even know we could get that old. Don’t you think that they’re lashing out in fear? Caven and Jalen were just rescued from being tortured and god knows what else. Ayden was trapped in his wolf form for over a year. “And yet you’re both making it all about you. Ayden was willing to trade himself for his brothers and to keep our people safe. That is not the same as trying to walk away from your mating.” “I know,” I whispered, my shoulders slumping in defeat. “I just got angry because he acted like I was trying to keep things from him and screw up his life. I’ve been racing around to make him happy and it just hurt.” “Yes, but it came from a place of fear,” she said somewhat gently, her voice much calmer now and her eyes fading from that terrifying green color back to their normal hue. “I think there is a much simpler solution if you both would pull your heads out of your asses.” “Like what?” Gabriel asked, leaning against the ice wall, shaking his head in defeat. “Like fate will have Jalen mated to a vampire as well,” she answered, throwing up her hands in frustration. “You think fate, who gives us our perfect match, won’t take care of that little problem? You think it would mate two of three brothers to vampires only? That’s just cruel, and I’ve never known fate not to take everything into consideration. Even if it didn’t, it’s not like we don’t have a vampire genius in the family who’s a doctor! “Right, he can help Patrick but Jalen is up shit’s creek. This is news to them and they’re scared, but the boy is sixteen. This isn’t something we have to worry about right now. They’re just learning about it now after all they’ve been through. Of course they’re going to freak out!” “So what do we do?” I asked.

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“You buy this house they so obviously love,” she answered with a sigh. “And Gabriel, you offer to live here with them for a while so Caven can adjust but not be away from his family. Then you both bring flowers and grovel your asses off until they both forgive you. And don’t forget Jalen since you upset him, too.” “He’s the one who punched me.” I pouted as she released us from our ice prison. “Yeah, because that even hurt you.” Elena put a hand on her hip and rolled her eyes. “It did. The little shit packs quite a punch,” I replied. “My mate bit me,” Gabriel grumbled. “So sad for you idiots. Your mates were crying.” Yeah, she had a point there. Making our mates cry trumped physical pain. “Let’s go shopping,” I said with a weary sigh, rubbing my hands over my face. “See, all you guys needed was a swift kick in the ass.” Elena chuckled as she led the way to the second car. The two of us trailed after her like kids who were grounded. It was a fairly accurate description for the way I was feeling right then.

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Chapter 8 We bought over half the flower shop, including stuffed animals and gifts they had there. Hell, we barely fit it all in Elena’s SUV. By the time we showed up at the Dragos estate, I was a nervous wreck. What if Ayden wouldn’t forgive me? What if I’d said too much and pushed too far? Elena had talked to Desmond about a selling price while we shopped, and I was going to sign the papers and transfer the money to them tomorrow. Now if I could just figure out a way to get my mate to live in the house with me I’d agreed to buy for us. Gabriel and I got out of the vehicle and carried as many gifts as we could as we walked to the front door. And then of course we didn’t have a hand to knock. We shared a look and then he gently kicked the door a few times instead. Rory yanked the door open, giving us an evil look if I’ve ever seen one. It was especially surprising to see such venom coming from him when his face normally wore expressions of happiness. “Ass. Holes.” “Yeah, we know,” I agreed. That seemed to satisfy him along with everything we’d brought. He stepped aside and let us pass. Then he led the way to the dining room. “They won’t eat and Ayden won’t even talk,” Rory said so quietly that I doubted any of the Magee brothers could hear us. Sure enough, Jalen and Caven were sitting at the table with tons of food loaded on their plates, pushing it all around. They had to be hungry after all they went through. We’d only grabbed a sandwich at

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Elena’s before we went house hunting. Ayden, on the other hand…My heart broke even more when I saw him. He was sitting in one of the chairs that he’d turned to face the windows, staring out them, but, judging from the look of absolute misery on his face, probably not seeing anything. He looked so despondent and lost that I wanted to rip out my own heart and offer it to him on a platter as I begged for forgiveness. “Ayden?” I said quietly as I moved towards him. Nothing. “Little wolfie, can we talk?” Still nothing, and now I was really starting to worry. I set down what I’d carried in and knelt in front of him. “I’m so sorry, baby. Will you talk to me?” He just kept staring past me as if not even realizing I was there. It was almost creepy. I didn’t know what else to do, so I leaned forward and brushed my lips over his. “Ayden?” His attention snapped to me, and he threw his arms around me, tackling me to the floor. “I’m sorry, my wonderful Alpha. I’m so fucking sorry.” “Oh, little wolfie,” I whispered, burying my face in his soft hair. “It’s me who’s sorry. I was such an ass.” “No, you were totally right. I was being an ungrateful ass. I was just so scared and upset that we should be happy that we liked the house and yet there’s still so much to resolve and I panicked. I just felt like the lone wolf around strangers and I reacted in fear, trying to protect my brothers. But I did it wrong. I should have turned to you instead of turning away.” “Thank you,” I replied, tears burning my eyes. “I handled it badly, too. I was just so hurt, like you thought I was intentionally keeping things from you when I’ve been trying so hard—” “I know you have,” he blubbered as he kissed my face. “You’re amazing, Darcy. Take me back. Please? I’d die if I lost you now that I found you.”

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I couldn’t help it. I started laughing. Ayden lifted his head and stared down at me. I calmed down when I saw he was scared. “I came here to beg for your forgiveness and here you’re asking me not to leave. Ayden, I’m not going anywhere. There’s nothing for me in life without you.” “Oh thank god,” he whimpered before mashing his lips down to mine. “I love you, Darcy.” “Love you, too, little wolfie.” We traded several soft kisses before I rolled to my feet, my mate wrapped around me as if scared I’d leave him if he let go. I felt the same. I didn’t ever want Ayden to leave my arms again. Even if it wasn’t logical, it was what I wanted. “I brought you some I’m sorry gifts.” “I don’t have anything for you,” he said quietly, giving me a small frown. “All I want is you.” He smiled that bright smile that could melt even Elena’s ice walls if he’d been there earlier. “We’re signing paperwork tomorrow for the house if you still want it.” “Really? After I acted like a spoiled brat, you still asked them to sell?” “Baby, you were scared. This is new and there are going to be issues, but that doesn’t make you a brat. I didn’t handle things any better and threw fuel on the fire. Instead of trying to help, I stormed away like a jerk. I still want the house if you do. I want to make it our home.” “Yes!” He squealed and jumped up and down in my arms. “Yes! I want you. I want us to have a home. Yes, I love that house.” “Do you want to see the inside first?” I chuckled, realizing none of us had even gone inside. “We should do that, right?” He giggled, biting his lower lip. “I honestly don’t care if we live in a shack, Darcy. I just want us to be mates and together.”

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“Me, too.” It warmed my heart to hear him say that. It echoed exactly how I felt. “But yeah, we should go look at it again and get past the door this time.” “Such a smart mate.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to my ear. “And maybe christen it with some make-up sex.” “Yeah, that sounds good,” I moaned. I glanced over at Elena. “Can we—” She tossed me the keys to her car. “I got things here. Go see your house.” We both gave her air-kisses and I raced to the door, freezing after about ten steps. I turned to Jalen. “Thanks for the punch. You were right and I’m sorry I spoke to you like that.” “It’s cool. We’ve all been through the wringer the past few days and emotions run high so everything gets blown up,” he replied with a shrug. “And I explained to my brothers that fate wouldn’t leave me high and dry. My mate will be a vampire, too. Maybe that Sydney chick. She’s really hot and I didn’t get a chance to smell her.” “Are you sure you’re sixteen?” I asked as I wrinkled up my nose in thought. The kid had figured this all out before the adults had? Well, not Elena but the rest of us. “Almost seventeen,” he said and stuck his tongue out at me. “And I’m still having my room far away from you guys’.” “Deal.” I laughed and carried Ayden out the door and to Elena’s car. We hopped in and I threw it in drive after turning it on. “So he likes Sydney, huh?” “No, I think he very much likes Ferris but is young and confused.” Ayden gave a one-shoulder shrug that I saw out of the corner of my eye as I drove. “Doesn’t matter to me if he’s gay or straight. He was pretty young when our parents died, and while they taught us it doesn’t matter who we love, Alpha Paul was a bigot.” “Wait, what?” I gaped at him. “He wanted you as his mate.”

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“Oh yeah, but he said it was only because he needed to keep me happy so we could use my power. He says real wolves aren’t fags,” Ayden said bitterly. “Just when I didn’t think that guy could be any more of a psycho.” “Yeah, he’s a total fucktard. But after Jalen’s seen the shit Caven and I had to put up with, he’s scared to be a Kappa and a target, so I think he believes if he’s not gay things will go easier for him.” “He’ll get over that in this community.” I chuckled as I pulled into the drive of our new house. “I swear the amount of gay men we have around here is starting to tip the scales so we’re not really even a minority. I know there are a few lesbian mates, too. The old prejudices are going out the window.” “Wouldn’t that be nice if that was everywhere?” “Yeah, but we can’t force people’s opinion, just show them that we love each other and there’s nothing wrong with that.” “I know, but I can’t help but worry about Jalen,” he said as I stopped the car. We climbed out and he met me around front, taking my hand. “Being a Kappa is hard and I just want him to be able to find his way.” “He will,” I replied, raising his hand to my lips. “We’ll be there for him, whatever he needs.” “Yeah, we will.” He gave me that smile again, looking relieved and happy again. “And I agree with his theory about fate. It wouldn’t screw him like that and leave him to be the only one not ending up immortal.” “Me, too. Elena has the same theory, which she told us after trapping us in an ice circle.” “Come again?” he asked as he froze mid-step up the stairs and turned his head to look at me, a shocked expression on his face. “That’s her gift. She can call ice and trapped Gabriel and I in a shoulder-high circle of it when we started to back away when she was pissed. That woman is fierce. She handed us both our asses.” “I really like her.” He giggled. “What’s your gift?”

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“Feel like snow?” I asked with a smirk. He raised an eyebrow and nodded. I closed my eyes and focused, calling on the weather. The temperature dropped suddenly, and when I opened my eyes, there were huge flakes of snow falling. “Oh, that is awesome,” Ayden gasped as he twirled on the steps before hopping down to the ground and letting the snow fall around him. “I can control precipitation in a mile radius. I can do rain or a thunderstorm, hail, and snow. The older and stronger I get, the larger area I can affect. It’s not all that effective in battle more than just to scare the enemy, like I could hit them with lightning. That would be cool though and I’ve been working on that. My aim sucks though.” “You are amazing.” He giggled before throwing himself into my arms. I caught him just in time and twirled him around. “We can have snow in July if we get too hot and need a change.” “It takes a lot of energy to make snow in July but sure, we can do it here and there.” I couldn’t help but smile at his exuberance. It made me feel about ten feet tall. “I was more thinking if there’s another drought this year that I could help the vineyard and bring rain if they needed it.” “Oh, right, the vineyard,” he whispered quietly, his face falling. “I know you made up with Brian and Banning, and I don’t care that you were intimate with Zane before we met.” He stared into my eyes and took a deep breath. “But they talked as if you guys were in love when they met Zane. Were you? Do you love him? I know it’s not my business or—” “Yes, it is your business,” I said firmly as I moved one hand to cup his cheek. “But no. I never loved Zane more than a friend. We were both lonely and good friends that sometimes had sex. It wasn’t even like we dated. It was more we were hanging out when neither of us were on missions and didn’t want to go back to our own beds alone yet again. Sometimes I just needed to feel someone even if it wasn’t

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more than just that. And we do care about each other but nothing like what I feel for you.” “So it’s not like you wished he was your mate?” He nibbled on his lower lip nervously and looked down at the ground. “No, not even once,” I admitted honestly. “Zane isn’t my type.” I wiggled my eyebrows at him. “My type is more those smaller, rambunctious, very pretty twinks who growl during sex.” “Met many of those?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as his mouth twitched as if wanting to smile. “Nope. Only one and he’s the love of my life and the best lay I’ve ever had.” “I am?” His eyes went wide in shock, but I could see the pride there as well. “Little wolfie, you’re an animal in bed. I have no doubt our sex life will never ever get boring.” “Good to know,” he growled and then gave a wolf yip. “Let’s go see our house.” “Yeah, I can’t wait to pick which room is ours.” I chuckled as I lowered him to his feet. We walked up the stairs and over the threshold holding hands, side by side just as we should be. Ayden gasped as we walked into the foyer. It was huge with dual staircases and a large chandelier. The ten-foot bay windows on either side of the door cast in so much light we didn’t even need to see if the electricity was turned on yet. It reflected off the chandelier, and light ran around the walls as if it was raining reflections all inside the house. It would need work, but it was exactly the grand house my mate deserved. There were some poles missing in the banisters, and the wood needed to be refinished. The carpets were for shit, torn and stained, so those would have to go. The walls would need to be painted and maybe a few of the stairs replaced. A few slats of glass were missing from the chandelier and would need to be custom ordered. I winced

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when I saw the dozens and dozens of tiny light bulbs in it. I was so not climbing a huge ladder and replacing all those. And there was no furniture, of course. There were double doors to the right and left along with a hallway through the middle of the stairs that kept us on the first floor. I went with the ones on the right since they were closer. I pulled him into the front room and was immediately assaulted with images of what we could do in front of the massive fireplace. “I could do a cartwheel in the damn thing.” Ayden giggled as he dragged me over there. This room would need work as well. The fireplace needed a few stones replaced. The windows leaked so badly it felt like there was a breeze going through the room. I glanced down and saw the floors were chipped and peeling. Nothing seemed unstable but would need major cosmetic work and light rehab. We moved on to the dining room, laughing when it was bigger than the large one we’d just been in at the Dragos estate. I turned to Ayden and smiled. “Can you see it?” “What this place could be?” he asked, and I nodded. “Oh yeah. We might not ever use half the rooms, but a house with this much character and obvious history needs to be loved and taken care of.” “I couldn’t agree more. We should ask Rory for his help. He turned the Dragos estate from a cold, dark place into a warm home that shines.” “I can’t imagine that house cold, but I guess that was before I met him. Today was my first time in there and I didn’t pay much attention because I was distracted, but what I saw was gorgeous.” “Yeah, the little fireball is talented.” “Let’s check out the kitchen. I know Tyler is a carpenter. He built most of the houses for the pack. I bet he could teach everyone what to do. It might be nice for the wolves to have a project while they’re adapting.” “Maybe we should call him and have him come join us,” I suggested, not wanting to take away from our moment, but I liked the

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idea of the wolves helping us. It would make them feel like they were contributing and part of the community after what they’d been through. “I think that’s a great idea,” he agreed with a bright smile and a wink as if guessing my thoughts. “We should get started right away.” I let Ayden pull me toward the kitchen as I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket. I didn’t know Tyler’s number, but I guessed Ferris would be close by since Victor had gone back home. “How are your mate’s brothers?” he asked as way of greeting. I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to relieve the tension building there at the topic. “Better. Adjusting slowly but they’re going to be okay.” I was still nervous as to what was going on with Gabriel and Caven. I knew Elena would keep them in line, but Caven was family now, so how could I not worry? “Good. Your mate seems like a good guy, and after the shit they’ve been through, I was worried it would scar them too much.” I didn’t want to admit that I was still worried about that as well, but time would only tell. “Hey, is the wolf Tyler around? Ayden and I are looking at a house we’re going to buy from Desmond and Elena Marius and he said the guy was a carpenter. You mind giving him a ride out here so he can give us some ideas?” “Sure, man,” Ferris answered immediately. “You sound happy, Darcy.” “Yeah, I am.” Hell, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops that I was and in love. “I’m glad. You deserve it. I got a question for you, too.” “Shoot.” “Victor Marius was talking about having some of the warriors assigned to protection detail for your mate and his brothers. That true?” “Yeah, we found out the full scope of their powers, and it’s important that they have guards, but we don’t want everyone knowing

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that.” Yeah, that wasn’t another issue of concern that could keep me up at night. “No worries. We know how to keep our mouths shut. We’ve been friends a long time, Darcy.” “Yeah, we have.” Ferris was one of my closest buddies and always there for me. “I’d be honored to help protect your family if you want me to, brother.” “I would. I was going to ask Desmond if you could be one of the warriors assigned. I’d trust their lives with you, Ferris. You know that.” “Yeah, I just wanted to see before I told Victor I was in.” He chuckled. “The youngest one is hot and I didn’t know if you’d trust me around him.” “Keep your hands to yourself until he’s of age,” I growled playfully, knowing he was just being a shit. “Jailbait doesn’t interest me. You know my type.” Yeah, I did. Ferris was more into artistic, creative types since he was the exact opposite. “Okay, see you in a bit. I can play with the wolf I’m driving though, right? He’s fine.” “He’s an adult. Have at him, bro.” We said our good-byes and hung up. “There’s something you need to know about Tyler,” Ayden said quietly as we toured the kitchen before moving on to the ballroom. “Oh?” I asked, trying not to shiver at his tone. This wasn’t going to be good. “He’s the reason Alpha Paul didn’t just force me right after I turned eighteen and was legal. Not for mating but for sex and to be his bitch. Tyler saved me. He was a pack enforcer but would offer himself up for whatever the Alpha wanted. He used to call me the pathetic virgin so Paul would think I couldn’t please him like Tyler could. I knew it was a ploy. I used to tend to Tyler when it was over,

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begging him to stop, but he said he couldn’t beat Paul in a fight, and this was the only way he could help us.” “Fuck,” I swore and pulled Ayden into my arms. “And I respected the guy for the way he helped us when we went to your pack. Now I could just kiss the guy for saving my little wolfie.” “I just wanted you to understand why he and I are pretty close. I’m also going to need to help him, Darcy. A lot. I didn’t want you to think it was anything more than that.” “I’m glad you told me and I understand. I’ll help in any way I can.” “Talk to him,” he said quietly, staring up at me with such earnestness in his eyes I knew I would do whatever he wanted. “He’s shut off a part of himself and blows me off when I’ve offered to help. He thinks after being Alpha Paul’s bottom bitch, as he calls it, he doesn’t deserve redemption or help. We need to change his mind.” “We will,” I promised, leaning over to give him a kiss. “I actually know the perfect people to help. Zane and Isaac. I’ll talk to him and we’ll get Tyler to see that just because he chose a path that he thought was best to help doesn’t make him the villain. Everyone can come back from the edge and live a full life if they choose to.” “Thank you,” he sighed in relief. We moved on to the second floor and were just finishing up the north wing when we heard Ferris call out our names. I threw Ayden over my shoulder and carried him down the stairs, smiling as he laughed like a loon. “Hey, Tyler,” I said with a smile, extending my hand after setting Ayden down. He looked at it a moment and then shook with me. “Ayden says you’re quite the builder. We’ve decided to buy this place for us and his brothers, and we were wondering if the wolves that came with us would like to live here as well.” “Why would you do that?” Tyler eyed me suspiciously. “Because he’s my mate and he understands that those from our pack might feel more comfortable with us instead of strangers,”

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Ayden answered as he stepped in front of me as if to protect me. “Tyler, Darcy’s a good man. He’s setting up security to protect me and my brothers now that he knows what a Kappa is. He got his Council to rescue them the day after we met.” “You love him?” Tyler asked after a moment. “Yeah, with all my heart,” he answered with a goofy smile I knew I mirrored. “You know my issues with vamps, right? Forgive me for not trusting them,” Tyler said quietly, glancing my way for a second before focusing back on Ayden. “No, you never let me help you,” Ayden answered, his eyebrows drawn together in confusion. “When I was about your age, I was running to town for supplies for the pack and some vampires nabbed me. They knew what our blood could do for them and the effects it had. I was their blood whore for two years before some other vamps came and killed them. Then they sent me back to Paul, and he wasn’t going to let me back in at first, saying I was just a bloodsuckers’ whore. I had to fight my way into the job of enforcer just to stay with our pack.” “Jesus, Tyler,” Ayden gasped. “How did I not know this?” “You were ten at the time,” he answered with a shrug. “Most didn’t know what was going on and why I’d been gone. I didn’t want to talk about it and was just glad I had somewhere to go after what happened.” “Can I ask you something?” I asked hesitantly, waiting until Tyler nodded before I continued. “The vamps that had you, did they look like us?” “No, they were slimy, red eyes and shit,” he answered, shaking his head. “I didn’t even know you guys could go out in the light because they couldn’t. When you showed up in the middle of the day to supposedly take our lands, I thought Paul had gotten the message wrong and you couldn’t be vamps.”

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“We are but what was holding you weren’t,” I said gently, giving him a sad smile. “They used to be before they basically sold their souls for power. Where you just were, the warrior compound, our sole purpose is to keep our people safe and fight demons like the ones who took you. I know it doesn’t make what happened to you any easier, but I just wanted you to understand that you weren’t surrounded by the same beings who took you.” “Okay, I can get that,” he replied after a moment, sighing heavily. “And if Ayden loves you, then you’ve gotta be a good guy. Just give me some time to adjust, okay? I was willing to take my chances with Paul and his goons rather than come here. That Victor guy basically dragged me kicking and screaming.” “Um, that’s my fault,” Ayden admitted nervously. “I made him promise he wouldn’t leave you there. Paul would have killed you.” “Probably, but that was still better than becoming a blood whore they used when my blood made them horny monsters. Well, that’s what I was afraid might happen, but you were with them so I was willing to let our people come. I just didn’t know if I could.” “But you did and you’re going to see that things will get better. I promise,” Ayden said as he hugged his friend. Tyler gave him a quick hug back before stepping away. “So will you help us? Do you think the wolves will want to stay together?” “Yeah, I think it would be nice for them to feel like they had a home until they decide what’s next or if they just want to stay here. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done,” he said, glancing around. “But it’s livable while we tackle a few rooms at a time.” “Good, then we have a plan,” I said excitedly as I shook the man’s hand again. “We sign the paperwork tomorrow. I say we house everyone in one wing while rehabbing the other one. We can get temporary beds in here and give everyone something to do while they work out their new lives.”

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“I’m in.” Tyler agreed with a slight smile, making him look years younger. It was a good beginning for all of us. And it made Ayden happy, which was just the icing on the proverbial cake.

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Chapter 9 We spent the night back at the Dragos estate while Tyler went to the warrior compound. I got a chance to talk to Isaac about the wolf, and he promised to befriend him and talk to him. If that didn’t work, we decided to sick Elena on him. No one told that woman no. In the morning, Ayden and I met with Desmond and Elena at their house along with our attorneys and signed the paperwork. My little mate didn’t want to sign his name to the deed of the house, saying it was my money that bought it so it wasn’t fair he got half of it. “Baby, I don’t mean to sound like an unbending ass but this is a deal breaker for me,” I said gently. “If you don’t sign and it’s not our house, I don’t want it. I want you and your brothers protected in case something ever happens to me and so you don’t ever feel as if you’re living at my house. It’s both of ours.” “Yes, my Alpha,” he said with a warm smile and took the pen. “I have to ask, what’s with calling Darcy Alpha?” Elena chuckled, shaking her head. “He smells of Alpha to me,” he replied with a shrug. “Most of your sons do as well. Whether or not a wolf is the Alpha of the pack, several have the Alpha gene and were born to lead and be the strongest. Darcy is an Alpha. I knew it the moment I smelled him from across the vineyard and realized he was my mate.” “You could smell him that far away?” Desmond’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “Wow. That’s amazing. I smell like Alpha, right? I mean, I am head of the family.” “Umm,” Ayden muttered as his face went pale.

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“You can be honest, son.” Desmond chuckled, showing no anger. “I’m just curious.” “There can be only one Alpha in a mating. Two would be disastrous,” Ayden rambled, trying quickly to explain. “So you might have smelled like it before you mated. I can’t know that. But, no, you don’t smell of Alpha. You smell strong, very powerful, but you’re not the Alpha here.” “I could have told you that.” He chuckled, looking at his mate. “Are you saying I’m the Alpha? I smell of Alpha?” Elena asked, her perfectly manicured eyebrow rising. “Yes. You reek of Alpha, Elena. You have one of the strongest Alpha and power scents I’ve ever come across,” Ayden admitted as he blushed. “Don’t be mad.” “Honey, telling me what you smell wouldn’t ever upset us.” She chuckled, shaking her head. “I’m not asking which of us you think is stronger. It’s a scent and not really an opinion. There’s nothing to get mad about.” “Okay good,” Ayden sighed in relief as we finished the paperwork. “I’m really the Alpha of this family, huh?” Elena glanced at Desmond, biting her lip before busting out into peals of laughter. “My love, I’ve always known who the boss of this family was,” Desmond said as he took her hand in his and raised it to his lips. “You gave us seven wonderful children, raised them, taught them, molded them into the men they are. This house has always been a welcoming home for more than just our family. If that doesn’t scream Alpha and goddess divine, I’m not sure what does.” “Oh, he’s good,” Ayden whispered as he leaned in toward me. “Can you take lessons from him on how to speak and love on his mate?” “Only if you teach me this yoga or whatever Riley and Malachi are so excited about,” Elena mock whispered as she winked. I was

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shocked that they had been talking about it in front of their mother-inlaw. “I’m the Alpha. I hear everything.” “Deal.” Ayden giggled. “Do I get a say in this?” I asked, Desmond nodding his agreement. “No,” they said together. I knew when I was outmaneuvered and simply agreed. An hour later we were pulling up in front of our new house. I gasped and glanced at Ayden as we hopped out of the car. “How did you swing this?” he asked me with wide eyes. “This wasn’t me!” I answered, glancing at Elena and Desmond. They both shook their heads. “It was us,” Brian said as he walked over with his twin and Zane. “We talked to Tyler and said the Dumpsters the crew on our vineyard were using were finally emptied and we be done with them. We got a demo team working under Tyler’s supervision. The warriors might not be the best at planting or taking care of plants but they be damn good at destruction and manual labor.” “Aye, they were all excited to come help tear up floorboards, move in furniture, and scrape off paint.” Banning chuckled, shaking his head. “Thank you!” Ayden exclaimed and launched himself at the two. I went over and hugged Zane. “Missed you,” Zane said quietly as he sighed and held me tight. “Me, too,” I replied. “Sorry I won’t be protecting your little twin shit mates.” “Aye, we deserve that,” Brian mumbled. “We be sorry that we were such jealous bastards.” “Apology accepted.” I chuckled and released my friend. “Ayden and I discussed my past with Zane as well.” He raised an eyebrow and I rolled my eyes. “He heard Brian and Banning talking when he was in wolf form and worried we’d been in love.” “I told you guys we weren’t,” Zane sighed, pulling his mates into his arms.

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“Aye, ya weren’t. But how could we know what Darcy felt?” Brian replied, looking nervously at his mate as if worried Zane would get mad at their gossiping. “We think ya be the best thing since sliced bread. How could we not think he’d feel the same and want ya back?” “Because I love Zane as a friend only.” I laughed, moving Ayden so his back was leaning against me. “He’s not even my type. I explained all this to Ayden as well. I’m into a gorgeous little wolf whose name is Ayden only.” “Okay, are we done with this now and can we stop driving a wedge between me and my friend?” Zane asked his mates with a huff. “I didn’t even know this was going on or that you were making him feel unwelcome. I’ve been upset that one of my closest friends has been avoiding me since I mated.” “Aye, we be done and we’re sorry,” Banning answered. “We didn’t mean to upset anyone. Just with the rocky start we had and that ya ran to him the day we came back…” He trailed off and spread his arms out to the sides as if to say what were we supposed to think? “Well, that’s all over now,” I said quickly when I saw Zane getting upset. They made it seem like they didn’t trust him, but from an outside perspective, I knew that wasn’t the case. They hadn’t trusted me that I wouldn’t try to mate poach. Then again, that would have upset Zane, too, because he knew I was a moral man. “Your brothers are mated to Caleb, who’s practically one of the Mariuses’ sons. Ayden’s brother is Gabriel’s mate. Rory is friends with Ayden and Isaac is Zane’s best friend—” “Are you getting to a point soon?” Ayden asked quietly. “I want to see what they’ve got done in the house.” Zane and I shared a look as we laughed. “Yes, now that we’re all in this together and sharing mutual family and our lives are intertwined, it’s time to put the shit of the past behind and move forward. I accept your apology, we’re all good, and let’s let it go.” “Yeah, fine, good,” Zane agreed. “Let’s go see what they’ve done to your house.”

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Brian and Banning both shot me grateful looks, and I knew I just made new allies. They’d been twits, but they weren’t malicious or anything. Enough was enough. They apologized and we all had other stuff on our plates. The little stuff just needed to be let go of. “Wait, why is there a moving truck?” I asked as we got to the front porch. I hadn’t seen it at first since the Dumpsters were blocking the way. “I get my own woom!” the boy squealed as he came racing out of the house, naked, and launched himself into Ayden’s arms. “Mommy says I get my own woom, Ayden!” Well, it sounded more like “Aidon,” but we knew what he meant. “Yes, you do but you have to start wearing clothes, Mikey.” He chuckled and glanced over to his mother that came running after the boy. “He’s not dealing well with the clothes thing, huh, Susan?” “Wolves don’t have a problem with nudity, but I swear my son was born a streaker. He refuses to wear them! I just get him dressed and two minutes later he’s naked again.” She had her lecturing voice, but I could see she was trying hard not to laugh at the little boy. “Okay, here’s the deal, Mikey,” Ayden said patiently. “We’re going to have to fix up the house for a while, so that means there will be things lying around that could hurt you. If you promise to at least start wearing shorts and sneakers, my mate and I will help you decorate your new room any way you want. But if I see you racing around naked again like this, the deal is off.” He thought about it a few moments. “Can I get a Batman bed? I saw one that was like a car.” “Yes,” I agreed immediately. “We can do your whole room like the Batcave if you promise no more streaking.” “Can I be naked when everyone else is and running around as wolves?” Man, he was a sharp little bugger, making sure all his bases were covered.

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“Deal,” Ayden agreed. “But only in the backyard where no one can see you and after construction is over.” He held out his hand to Mikey. Mikey giggled and shook his hand. “See? I told you things would work out as soon as we got away from Daddy, Mommy. The vampires with the cool fangs will keep us safe.” “So it would seem.” Susan chuckled, giving my mate a wink as she took her son back. We watched them walk back inside, laughing at the little guy’s antics. “Okay, so the moving truck?” I asked again. “That would be my fault,” Rory said as we stepped into the foyer. “I hadn’t donated all the furniture we got rid of yet because, well, I got distracted with helping at the vineyard. So, until everything is fixed in here and you order the furniture you want, I had all the extra mattresses and basics brought over here.” “Do we even have to be here to do anything?” I laughed as my mate rolled his eyes. It seemed all our friends had everything covered. “Hey, I need to know what kind of appliances you guys want for the kitchen,” Tyler called out. “See, we’re needed in the kitchen.” Ayden chuckled. I shook my head as I slipped my hand into his. Everyone was happy, excited, and ready to get to work and build our futures. Fuck the past. We were going to look forward and to everything that was yet to come. We had a plan.

THE END WWW.JOYEEFLYNN.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joyee Flynn grew up in Chicago living in the same house all her life until she left for college. Though she has a great life, she loves to get lost in fantasy that only books could bring. Her wide interest in reading was reflected in her writings. Currently Joyee lives with her dog, Marius, named after a vampire from Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire series. She dreams of one day living out in Montana, enough land to have a few horses, and find a couple of cowboys of her own. A lover of men, Joyee’s all about them in any form in her books. Vampire, werewolf, military, doesn’t matter at all as long as they are hot, hard, and sex fiends!

Also by Joyee Flynn Classic ManLove Marius Brothers 1: Micah Classic ManLove Marius Brothers 2: Remus Classic ManLove Marius Brothers 3: Stefan Classic ManLove Marius Brothers 4: Victor Classic ManLove Marius Brothers 5: Damian Ménage Amour ManLove: The O’Hagan Way 1: A Dillon Sandwich Ménage Amour ManLove: The O’Hagan Way 2: A Caleb Footlong Ménage Amour ManLove: The O’Hagan Way 3: A Zane Po’ Boy Classic ManLove Beyond the Marius Brothers 1: Isaac Dragos

For all other titles, please visit www.bookstrand.com/joyee-flynn

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