Stupid Mistletoe

Who Needs Christmas? 3

Stupid Mistletoe Twelve elves left the North Pole to be free of all things Christmas and have been living together for decades. All this time they have gone without their mates, but when the first of the twelve finds his, the others have hope that fate will bring them theirs. Idiot is an elf whose hatred of mistletoe and the North Pole has started to transfer into a loathing of the monotony his life contains. It is during this depression that he happens to encounter Shely. Shely Carmichael is a man battling with the recent loss of his son and feelings of dissatisfaction with his position in the navy. The appearance of Idiot seems a promising remedy for his emotional wounds. Will Idiot and Shely be able to put all of their problems aside and enjoy the gift fate bestowed when it brought them together? Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Contemporary, Paranormal Length: 35,239 words

STUPID MISTLETOE Who Needs Christmas? 3

Joyee Flynn

EROTIC ROMANCE MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

STUPID MISTLETOE Copyright © 2011 by Joyee Flynn E-book ISBN: 1-61034-901-6 First E-book Publication: December 2011 Cover design by Jinger Heaston All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 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 Stupid Mistletoe 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

DEDICATION To Kelley: Thanks for everything…the page isn’t long enough to list all you do but I appreciate it more than I can ever tell you without getting completely mushy!

STUPID MISTLETOE Who Needs Christmas? 3 JOYEE FLYNN Copyright © 2011

Chapter 1 “Stupid fucking mistletoe,” I sneered as a man and my friends started chuckling around me. I glanced at them and put on my best offended face. “You guys hate Christmas just as much, and who dresses up as mistletoe for Halloween? That’s so stupid!” “I give him a nine for creativity.” Surprise snickered and winked at me. “I mean, it had to take him hours to get that shit all stringed up on him, and I can’t imagine the piece in the crack of his ass feels good.” “I still think I should turn his mistletoe into poison ivy.” I sat back against the booth with a huff. “You want to tell us what’s really going on, Idiot?” Chiquita asked. He was annoyingly good at gauging other people’s feelings. “I feel like I’m stuck in Groundhog Day,” I blurted out without meaning to. Shit! I saw several jaws drop, and I knew I needed to get out of there. I didn’t do heart-to-heart talks or feelings. It’s not like I looked down on them or people who were comfortable discussing their feelings. Quite the opposite actually. I wish I could discuss them. It just wasn’t in me. I always felt like something was wrong with me when I did.

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I practically dove out of the booth and mumbled something about hitting the head as I walked very quickly away from them. I’m sure I’d still get twenty questions when I got back, but for now, I could at least think about what I’d said. Because it was true, and I hadn’t even realized it was what I felt until I said it. Damn. Glancing back at my friends, I saw several concerned looks being sent my way. I loved my friends. They were the greatest. They were the brothers that I chose, and I’d give my left fucking nut for any of them. I just didn’t know how to talk to them sometimes. How did I tell the people I loved that my life bored me and I wondered what the purpose of it was all the time? It wasn’t like I was thinking of suicide or anything. I just didn’t get why I was here. And my life bored me. Even tonight for example. We were at our favorite club, Leather No Lace, and it was a huge Halloween party, and I felt like I’d just done this. It was the same shit, different day. Even the people. They were all the same even though the faces changed. It was always some big guy getting in my face that I should be his sub and pissed when I wasn’t a bottom. It was the same one-night stand that most times was sexually satisfying but left me feeling more alone in the end. And I was tired of it all. I wanted something more, new, and exciting for once. I mean, the fight earlier that day Cave had with one of the werewolves was seriously the highlight of my month. Even the games and tournaments we were always a part of were getting redundant. Always the same opponents, the same objectives, and okay, the games changed, but really…how many differences can there be in shooting games? Even the storyboards started to blend. Now there are combat games that shoot zombies. Shooting zombies are supposed to be in zombie games. Maybe I needed a hobby? Everyone else had one, and they seemed happy.

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I seriously considered that as I walked to one of the bathrooms on the main floor. I was listing through options in my head when I went inside and froze. Now there was a face that wasn’t like all the others, a gorgeous man I’d consider keeping for more than one night. Unfortunately he was buttoning up his pants as he stared at the floor in shame. There were also several guys cleaning up. “A hundred bucks to fuck my sub,” one guy said when he caught me staring. I’d guess he was the ringleader here because he was smiling too widely. “You’re serious?” I asked as his words cut through my lustful thoughts about the man. I quickly called out to my friend Flower using our telepathy. He was normally the best at getting messages even when he’d shut his gift off. We didn’t have a clue why that was. Maybe he was a sensitive or something? “I need help in the bathroom behind the main bar on the first level. Bring security. Some guy is trying to sell me his sub’s ass.” “Seriously?” I could hear the disgust in my friend’s tone. “They need to start screening people better before letting them join. I’m getting tired of the assholes they’re allowing in.” He cut the connection, and I focused on said asshole in front of me. “Yeah, hundred bucks or go piss somewhere else,” he sneered at me. I glanced from him to the sub and noticed something…The sub looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but there. Not cool. I ignored everyone else and walked right up to him. His strawberry-blond hair shined in the hard bathroom lights, even though it was in a short flattop. The muscles all over his tall body were defined but not creepy-ripped with veins bulging out. And I wanted to run my tongue over the barbed wire tat on his right arm. His dark blue eyes stared at me questioningly. “Are you next?” he asked hesitantly in his deep voice. But I saw the spark of lust in his eyes at the idea, too. Interesting.

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“You call them sir,” the asshole shouted and bitch slapped the pretty man. That was it! “Touch him again and I’ll serve your nuts to you,” I snarled over my shoulder, not even bothering to look at him. I was focused on the man in front of me. “Did you agree to this? Is this what you want?” “I–I agreed to it,” he mumbled and gazed toward the floor. I cupped his cheek and raised his head up so he had to look at me. “I agreed to be his sub this weekend, but I didn’t know this was what being a sub meant. Today’s my last day.” “You’re done when I say you’re done!” That asshole was getting on my nerves. I spun around and punched him with a perfect uppercut, and he went down like a sack of flour. Then I turned back to the man who was staring at me with wide midnight-blue eyes. “This is not what being a sub is about,” I whispered and leaned in closer. I was like a moth to a flame with this guy, and I wanted more. “Tell me you don’t want this, and I’ll put a stop to it.” “He said he’d have my membership revoked if I backed out of our deal,” he said and bit his lip. “I wanted to try and see if being a sub was right for me. I just didn’t know that meant anyone he wanted to fuck me could. I didn’t want that.” “I don’t share my subs,” I replied, practically purring. “Tell me that you give your contract to me, and I promise you I’ll take care of all of this. You won’t lose your membership, I swear it. If one Dom is mistreating a sub, then another Dom can step in and take the contract if the sub agrees. You’d just have to start over with me.” So that was technically true, but normally the Dom finished the contract, but I wanted this man for more than just tonight. It was a small, teeny fib. “What happens if you do the same to me?” he asked and started biting that plump lip again. I wanted to lick it and make him stop before he bit too hard. “You won’t let others have me or hurt me?” “Never, baby.” Then I had an idea. “My brother’s partner is a policeman. He lives with us, too. I promise to introduce you to him,

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and if I do anything you don’t like, I won’t stop you from talking to him if you need to. How about I promise no restraints?” “You won’t make me lick your shoes either, right? Because that was horrible.” I wanted to cry at the pain in his eyes. What had that fucker done to him? “I treat my subs like gods,” I said, and it was the truth. “I expect trust and them to submit to me, but I don’t disrespect them or want a dog.” He thought about it for a moment and then nodded. “Yes, I give you my contract.” “Get the fuck away from him,” I snarled at the man who was moving towards my new sub. “I want my money back then,” the guy whined. “Money?” someone said from the doorway. I smiled as I saw Flower and several of the club’s security guys. “That asshole signed a contract, beat his sub, let others fuck him when that wasn’t in the contract, and threatened to get his membership revoked when he tried to say no. Oh, and yeah, he’s been offering him up for a hundred dollars a pop.” “Holy shit,” the first security guy said as he turned to the man in my arms. “Do you need medical attention? How can we fix this?” I stood and helped my new man to his feet and with his clothes. “Pull all these guys’ memberships and warn the other clubs in the area what they did.” “Hey,” one of the jerks who’d paid whined. Like I gave a fuck. “You’re lucky we’re not pressing charges,” I growled and got in his face. “You were caught soliciting, which is illegal.” “Right, no big deal,” he replied and backed off, holding his hands up in surrender. “What’s your name, baby?” I asked my sub as I wrapped an arm around him. He was shaking as he looked from one person to another.

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“Sheldon Carmichael,” he whispered to me so no one else could hear. “My friends call me Shely. Tonight or that I was here can’t get out. I work up at Great Lakes.” I didn’t know whether to moan in happiness that he was a man in uniform or groan at how that complicated things. I gave him a reassuring smile and a kiss on the cheek. “I need you to wipe their minds,” I said to Flower through our gift with a sigh. “I seem to have landed a man in uniform. We need that contract to disappear and all knowledge of him gone. But I still want these assholes out of the club and blacklisted.” “Consider it done, brother,” he replied and gave me a wink. I gave him an appreciative nod and ushered Shely out of the bathroom. “Take one of the cars, the rest of us not hooking up can teleport home.” “Why am I doing all of this for a stranger?” I asked of myself but also through our link. I mean, it wasn’t like I was a bad person who would let shit go down in front of me, but I didn’t keep men for a few days or go through this kind of trouble. “You’ll figure it out,” he answered cryptically with a chuckle. Okaay then! “Are we just allowed to leave?” Shely asked as he leaned into me. Gods, he smelled good! “My friend is taking care of it. I don’t want you to worry about a thing.” He nodded as we walked out of the club. I led him to our car and we got inside. He was quiet on the drive but still looked nervous, so I reached over and took his hand in mine. “Thank you for helping me. What’s your name?” “Yeah, that would be smart to give you.” I snickered and wanted to smack myself. Honestly, I was surprised he’d agreed to come with me not having known at least that about me yet. I gave him the human name we all made up so as to not raise too many questions, like we always did when dealing with non-elves. “Paul Smith. Do you have to work tomorrow or anything?”

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“No, I’m on leave.” He sighed as he rubbed his thumb over my hand. It seemed to be a subconscious gesture of needing comfort, and I wondered if he even knew he was doing it. “I’m supposed to renew my contract with the Navy, and I said no. My Captain gave me a twoweek leave to think about it and make sure I really wanted to get out. So I had the bright idea to see what else there was in life and maybe openly explore my sexuality. You saw how that turned out.” “Does that mean you don’t want to try this?” I was holding my breath, waiting for his answer. The more time I spent with him, the more time I wanted. The idea of him saying no and leaving was killing me. “I want you,” he whispered so quietly I barely heard him. “You’re gorgeous, and I’m definitely attracted to you. I’m just scared I’m being stupid again.” I raised his hand to my lips and kissed it gently. “It’s a valid fear, and all I ask is that you give me the chance to show you I won’t do anything you don’t like.” “I don’t know why, but I trust you with every fiber of my being. It’s just like the little voice in the back of my mind saying I’m desperate for affection and being led astray.” He paused for a moment, and I finally let go of the wall I’d put up around my mind and listened to his thoughts. “He’s already much nicer than the other guy. Why go through all the trouble he is to help me to turn around and pull the same crap? I just wanted to know what it would feel like to let go for once and not be scared to openly be who I am. I wanted to have some fun and have someone show me a good time. I thought being a sub for a weekend would take the decisions out of my hands.” “So what happens now?” he asked hesitantly as we pulled onto my street. “Now I take care of you,” I purred and turned into our driveway. I lowered the window and swiped my keycard to gain entry.

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“Nice house,” he said with a whistle and then got serious. “What does taking care of me mean?” “Since it’s late and you’ve been through a lot, it means I’d like to pamper you. I want you to allow me and let me worry about everything you need. We can relax and go to bed soon since it’s late. Tomorrow we’ll have some fun and see what you like to do sexually and maybe push those limits a bit as you submit to me.” “I thought I was supposed to pamper you, being the sub?” Shely looked confused and a little in awe at our large pre-Civil War mansion. “Like any relationship, we take care of each other,” I explained gently as I parked, then shut off the car before we got out. I met him around the front of it and took his hand in mine. “But I’m not into the whole Dom-sub thing formally. I like a man who will submit to me but has a brain of his own. I’m a dominant person and like to be in charge, but I’m not a tyrant.” He glanced at me skeptically but didn’t say anything as I let him in the side door to the kitchen. After I was a good host and got us something to drink, we went upstairs to my room, and I drew him a nice bubble bath. “Why are you doing this?” he asked as I set his wine on the lip of my large garden tub. Then I started taking his clothes off slowly, running my hands over his firm muscles. Fuck, his abs alone were the most toned, defined ones I’d ever seen. I wanted to spend hours just touching him in all the right places. “Because you need it,” I answered seductively. Shely’s head fell back on his shoulders, and he moaned at my touch. I had a feeling it had been a very, very long time since someone had treated him like this. Once he was naked, I helped him into the tub, not missing how he hissed at the hot water against his skin. I wanted to kill those fuckers for abusing him this way.

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I quickly got rid of my own clothes but stopped when I was naked by the tub when I saw he was staring. He swallowed loudly as he looked over my cock, which of course swelled at the attention. “You like what you see?” I reached down and palmed my ten inches and took a step towards him. He nodded and licked his lips. Hey, I might be a short guy at five-six, but being an elf had its perks, and I wasn’t even increasing my size. “Tease me, Shely. Show me you want me.” “I do want you,” he whispered as he raised his eyes to mine. “You’re amazing. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.” “Show me,” I said more firmly as I ran my fingers through his short hair with my free hand. He took just the head of my cock and sucked on me hard, as if trying to pull my cum right out. “Very good, baby. I like your enthusiasm.” He moaned and took just a little bit more, bobbing his head. After a few minutes, it was either time to stop or fuck him senseless. Since this was about him, I opted for moving away. “D–Did I do something wrong?” He looked worried, his eyebrows drawn together as he frowned. I quickly got into the tub with him and moved to straddle his lap. “Not at all,” I whispered against his lips as I took his face in my hands. “I just wanted to feel these sweet lips against mine finally.” “Yes please,” he whimpered, and that was enough of a green light for me. I brushed my mouth to his a few times before taking a few longer kisses. When I felt him relax, I pushed my tongue forward and he let me in with a moan. Shely moved his hand to my sides, around my lower back, and then up to my shoulders so he embraced me completely. I wanted so much to take him right then, and I knew he’d say yes. But I didn’t want to push him after what he’d been through. And I didn’t want him to feel pain, only pleasure. Horse had taught me how to use my magic to heal a sore ass as I would stretch a partner. After

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his bath, I’d make sure to take care of his tenderness when he was asleep. “I’m going to wash tonight off of you, and we can start our contract fresh with no lingering issues. Okay?” “You’re not going to fuck me?” he asked, shock written in his wide eyes. “Not tonight,” I answered gently as I moved off of his lap and reached for the soap. He looked confused but didn’t argue as I washed every inch of his body as if he was the most special thing on earth. Once he was clean and his hair washed, I pulled the drain and we got out. I took my time drying him off, touching every inch of him that I could as we traded soft kisses. “I could do three days of this,” he said with a smile as I led him to my bed. I squeezed his hand and pulled back the covers. “I’ve never slept with a man. I mean simply sleep with them overnight.” “This is all about trying new things, isn’t it?” He nodded and slid into bed. I followed him in and lay on my back, pulling his much larger body to mine. We lay there wrapped around each other, and in no time at all, his breathing evened out, letting me know he’d fallen asleep. What was it about this man that made me think of a future with him? How had he been able to tug at the strings of my heart so quickly? I didn’t know, but if the sex was hot on top of the rest, I wasn’t sure I’d let him go when my three days was up. I had a feeling Shely was a keeper.

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Chapter 2 I’d taken care of Shely’s soreness the night before, and when I got up, I stretched him magically. He’d moaned in his sleep as I moved down his body and stared at how magnificent he was after I’d pulled off the covers. Every inch of him was defined, muscular yumminess. I ran my fingers over his hard cock and sac in an attempt to not only keep his arousal up but bring him out of his sleep. “Wake up, baby. I think it’s time we play,” I said gently as I leaned over his groin. I licked the fat red head of his cock a few times and was delighted when he started leaking pre-cum. He tasted divine! Shely whimpered and pulled his knees to his chest. I glanced up at him and saw his eyes hooded with desire. “Good morning.” “Hi,” he said shyly and started to lower his legs. I placed my hands over his to keep them where they’d been and rubbed my cock against his hole. “Fuck, that feels good.” “Is that a yes that I can have you?” “Yes! I’m yours, Paul. Fuck me,” he begged as he stared into my eyes. “I want you to show me everything.” “I’ll do my best,” I purred and thrust into him. I bottomed out in one shot and leaned over his body. “Wrap your legs around my upper back.” He did as I asked and groaned in pleasure. “You’re in me even deeper. How did I sleep through you stretching me?” Telling him I did it magically wasn’t an option, so I decided to give a half truth. “I know what I’m doing.” I pulled back out slowly and snapped my hips hard. “See?”

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“Yes, you do,” he gasped and started thrashing on the bed. I moved so my face was right in front of his and took my time opening his body up for mine. “You’re so fucking tight, Shely. It’s amazing.” “You’re amazing.” His tone said he wasn’t kidding, even though I wanted to laugh just a little at the cheesy line. I kissed him passionately as I started taking him faster, making sure I included teeth this time. I had wanted to nibble on his plump lips, and I wasn’t going to let this chance pass me by. “Oh god, Paul!” My heart soared as my fangs popped out as I realized the missing piece of the puzzle that was Shely. He was my mate. That’s why I was so drawn to him. That’s why I instantly wanted him away from those other men and to make him mine. This new knowledge shattered my control, and I started pounding into him with everything I had. “Who do you belong to, Shely?” I growled and nuzzled my face in his neck, taking a deep breath of his intoxicating smell. “You, Paul,” he moaned and wrapped his arms around me along with his legs. “Idiot,” I grunted and fucked him harder and faster than any human could move. “My real name is Idiot, Shely. Paul Smith is just my human name.” “Okay, I’m Idiot’s.” He snickered and then went serious. “Wait, human name? What does that make you?” “Your mate.” I hissed and flashed him my fangs. He gasped and maybe went to say more, but I was quicker and struck, biting the right side of his neck. Shely screamed my name as he instantly came, filling the space between us with his seed. I’d never heard a more blissful sound than his yell right then as he unloaded more than just his cum on me. I had a feeling he was opening his soul to me. I held off my orgasm, wanting to keep going and rock his world so maybe the fangs didn’t completely freak him out.

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He gasped for air when he was spent and released me as he lowered his legs. Shely stared at me intently and swallowed loudly. “W–We didn’t u–use a condom. I–I’ve never gone bareback b– before.” “That’s what you’re focused on?” I didn’t know whether to laugh or be relieved. “I’m not human, Shely. I can’t give you anything or catch a disease from you.” “Okay, now the big one. What are you?” “I’m yours,” I purred and leaned in to nuzzle his neck. He flinched, and I moved away so fast and pulled out of him. I was pissed, and though I knew it was irrational, I let it out. I flashed my fangs at him so he didn’t miss them. “Now you’re scared of me! Have I not treated you a hundred times better than those humans? Did I do anything to make you think my intentions are evil or I’d hurt you?” “No,” he whispered and scooted to sit up against the headboard. He pulled his knees to his chest and covered himself with the sheet. Then I heard in his mind the real problem. “I don’t care if he’s a vampire or an alien, but what is this about being mates? God, I might need to work on my priorities. I just don’t want to be someone’s possession.” “You’re not my possession,” I said in shock, of course forgetting he hadn’t said it out loud. “You’re my mate, and that makes us equals. Being mated to an elf is way different than a human marriage. I will never cheat on you, betray you, or hurt you. I can’t or it would literally kill me for not appreciating the gift fate gave me.” “Please slow down.” He was shaking now, so I nodded and retracted my fangs. “I can’t think, Paul—Idiot, whatever your name is.” “Idiot, my chosen name is Idiot,” I said gently as I moved to him slowly. “Fuck, I need to get out of here! The best sex of my life shouldn’t be enough to deal with this.”

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“Please don’t go until I’ve explained,” I begged and decided to take drastic measures. I flipped him over so he was on his hands and knees in a flash, moved behind him, and pushed into him. “This is more than the awesome sex.” “If it was so good, how come you didn’t finish?” I could hear the hurt in his voice as if he failed me. “Because I wanted to fuck you senseless and do things to your glorious body that you’ve never had done before,” I answered hoarsely as I leaned over him. I kissed his shoulder and thrust hard. “Tell me this doesn’t feel right, Shely.” “I can’t,” he moaned and pushed his ass back against my hips. “I’m still scared.” “Don’t let fear make us lose what could be the best thing that ever happened to us. Let’s take it slow, okay?” “How?” “Ask me one big question, and then let me please you while you process it. Then we’ll do that again and again until you’ve dealt with everything and understand.” I wanted to tie him down until he promised not to run, but since I’d said no restraints, it didn’t seem like the smartest move to help make him trust me. “I’ll try,” he whimpered beautifully, and I pounded into him several times, nailing his prostate to show I liked his compliance. “What is a mate to an elf?” “It means you’re the other half of my soul,” I whispered in his ear as I ran my hands down his sides, bracing my weight on him. “Fate gives us a soul mate that is perfect for us in every way. You’re the yin to my yang, Shely. Didn’t I show up when you needed me most to take care of you? I don’t have a doubt in my mind that fate set it up that way so you’d accept what I am more easily.” “You make it sounds so nice, so simple.” He rotated his hips as if egging me on. “It can be. Would you like me to list the reasons being mated to an elf would be awesome?”

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“As long as we’re fucking at the same time.” He moaned and practically bucked me off of him. “You said you’d fuck me senseless.” “As my mate wishes,” I growled and grabbed his hips as I started slamming into him. “I’m a purely magical being, so I can do things for you no human can.” “Like what?” I was hoping he’d ask that. I adjusted the size of my cock so it was bigger, and he screamed in pleasure. “Oh fuck. You were huge before!” “You want me to go back to that size?” “No! Fuck me hard enough I can’t walk or run away from this,” Shely begged, and I heard in his mind that he meant it. He didn’t want to leave, but that little voice in the back of his head was screaming I was lying and to run. So I did as my mate asked. “Harder! Give it to me as hard as you can.” “Pushy bottom,” I grunted and did as he wished. “No human could take you like this, Shely. And it’s not just about what I can do for you in bed. A mate to an elf is sacred. I will do anything for you, your needs always coming first.” “Sounds nice,” he panted and then tilted his neck. “Something’s seriously wrong with me that I liked him biting me like that.” “No it’s not, baby,” I replied and licked his shoulder. “It just shows that this is right. We’re right.” “You can hear my thoughts, can’t you?” “Only what you’re thinking at that exact moment if I’m listening,” I answered hesitantly. Some people get really pissed when you invade their privacy. “Are you happy with the mate fate gave you? I’m so messed up that I feel like I gave you a fixer-upper project.” Since I was old enough and had strong enough magic, I could push thoughts into his head, which worked since I was having trouble talking with how much energy I was exerting from fucking him. “I

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couldn’t have asked for a sexier, sweeter, more wonderful mate than you. I’m thrilled down to my toes fate brought us together.” “Show me?” I could do that. And I was so relieved that he wasn’t throwing a hissy fit that I was in his head. I let my fangs pop back out and bit him. He yelled until he was hoarse as I roared out my release. I kept drinking him down as I rode out my orgasm. Honestly the idea of drinking blood grossed me out, but he tasted like liquid chocolate with a hint of caramel, and I was already hooked. When we were both spent, we fell onto our sides in a heap. I held him close to me and licked his bite closed as I touched him lovingly, scared he’d freak out. He didn’t, to my amazement. He snuggled back against me, and I pulled the sheet over us. “This is nice,” he whispered. “It could always be like this, baby,” I replied, taking a chance. “Are we married now?” He rolled over to face me, and I saw he wasn’t completely panicking at the idea. “No, there’s a ritual that’s performed to join our souls. I started the process by biting you, but I’d never claim you without your permission or talking first.” “I’m so confused, Idiot!” Then his eyes filled with tears. “And I hate calling you Idiot! I feel like I keep insulting you, because you’re not a moron.” “Shhh, baby,” I cooed and pulled him closer, completely wrapping around each other as I buried his face in my neck. “Don’t be sad, Shely. It kills me inside if you’re sad. I know this is a lot, but we’ll go slow and work everything out, okay? I know you were going through some stuff before all of this, but maybe meeting me is a good thing, and I can help.” “Maybe.” He sniffled, his body shaking slightly. “I just feel like such a mess. I can’t seem to figure out which way is up anymore, and I just want to say fuck it and walk away from everything!”

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“How about we get cleaned up, I’ll make us some breakfast, and we can talk?” “You really will put me first, won’t you?” he asked, and I had a feeling he meant to say it to himself more than really address me. “Don’t you want to do the same for me?” Yeah, we were just shooting questions back and forth, but whatever. “You are my first priority always, Shely, and that means your happiness as well.” “Thank you, and yes, I do,” he whispered against my lips. We touched each other softly, needing the contact as we simply kissed. Nothing else. No tongue or pushing for more, just comforting and learning each other. It was the most amazing thing because I’d never shared something so simple that meant so much with another person in my life. We quickly showered, and I used my magic to make sure his ass didn’t hurt after the pounding I’d given him. Okay, so we quickly cleaned up, but I might have given him a blow job to keep him relaxed when I could tell he had too much on his mind. Then I led him down to the kitchen after materializing some comfortable clothes for him to lounge in. He definitely wasn’t going to fit into mine. For one, they’d be little short shorts or capri pants on him. That or he’d just tear them, pulling the clothes on as if he was the Incredible Hulk. I mean he had almost a foot and a hundred pounds on me. That’s why the nice clothing companies made different sizes after all. “I have to ask you something, and I really don’t want you to hate me for asking,” he said as he sat down at the kitchen counter and I grabbed us coffee. “My life is an open book to you,” I replied and smiled at him over my shoulder. When I saw the distraught look on his face, it left my lips. “What is it?” “Can you bring people back from the dead?” he blurted out and winced as if he thought I’d attack him. “It’s just you said you had magic, and I had to know.”

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“No, I’m sorry. I can’t,” I answered, shaking my head as I set two mugs down and sat on the stool across from him. “Will you tell me why you asked?” “My son died several months ago,” he whispered as tears ran down his face. “When I was eighteen, I was still figuring out if I was gay and got my high school girlfriend pregnant by accident. I had already enlisted in the Navy, but I still wanted to do the right thing and marry her. She refused, her parents supported her, and she had the baby.” “Oh, Shely,” I gasped and covered his hands with mine. “No, honey. I can’t bring him back.” “I figured you couldn’t, but I had to ask.” He nodded and stared down at his coffee. “I barely knew Brian even though I sent child support. I was on active duty, and we were always in one war or another, so it’s not like I had a nine-to-five where I could see him on weekends. Alice was always great though, sending me pictures of him no matter where I was. She knew I was gay, I think before I did, so it was no surprise to her when I figured it out. “I accepted a transfer last year to the Great Lakes base to be closer to them, thinking every boy needed his father especially in his teenage years. But he didn’t know I was gay. I guess she let something slip, and he put the pieces together. He was upset, and since he was sixteen and had his license, he took the keys to her car to go for a drive or get away. Brian got in a car accident and was instantly killed.” “Shit,” I hissed and moved around the counter to sit next to him. I put my arms around him and he hugged me back. “Anyone would be confused and have no idea which way is up after losing a child, Shely.” “She blames me,” he sobbed in my shirt and squeezed me tighter. “She’s suing me for damages because she says I caused his death.” “Okay, I hate to bash the mother of your son, but she’s being a bitch. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s hers! She shouldn’t have let an upset teenager drive in that mindset.”

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“I don’t blame her though! Sometimes shit just happens and it’s no one’s fault other than the driver who caused the accident. Brian didn’t cause the accident. Some asshole ran a red light, and he wouldn’t have been able to do anything different even if he hadn’t been upset.” “Are you talking about Brian Heald?” Brendan, Horse’s mate, asked from the doorway. I stared daggers at him and my friend standing behind him for imposing right then. He nodded as if he understood but took a step forward with his hands held up in surrender. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I might be able to help.” “Yes,” Shely whispered as he turned his head on my shoulder to face them. “Heald is Alice’s last name, and since we were never married, Brian didn’t take mine.” “I was called to the scene of that accident,” Bren said gently as he and Horse sat down at the counter with us. “You’re right, it wasn’t his fault, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could have done to avoid the accident. The street curved right before the light, and he would never have seen the car coming that blew the light going eighty. The guy was drunk on top of it, and both drivers were killed instantly.” “I didn’t know the other guy was drunk.” My mate let me go and sat up, wiping his eyes. “You’re the cop Idiot mentioned last night. I’m Shely Carmichael.” “Bren Griaule, and this is my mate, Horse,” he said as they shook hands. “I want to know what’s up with you guys’ names later,” Shely said and almost managed a smile. He shook Horse’s hand as well before turning back to me. “Right after Brian died, I got the notice that it was time for me to either retire from the Navy or sign another contract. I never thought about life outside of the Navy before all this, but suddenly it seemed so clear that I was missing so much of life by the Navy being my life.”

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“So you decided to get out?” I asked gently as Horse got up and brought over some pastries. None of us could cook worth shit so we always had takeout in the house. “I thought that’s what I wanted, but the Navy’s all I know. But then I wonder what else is out there and what would it be like to just be openly gay? But then I can’t seem to decide, and I wanted to try and be someone’s sub for a weekend to show me what it would be like. But that turned out like crap until I met you. But I just don’t know where I’m going anymore, and it scares the shit out of me.” “Could Bren do something to help with the lawsuit at least?” Horse asked before shoving a bear claw in his mouth. “I could give a statement for your attorney,” he said with a nod. “I don’t have one yet,” Shely replied sheepishly. “I was just served Thursday. I figured if I might lose everything I’ve saved and be blamed for my son’s death because he found out I was gay, I might as well explore it.” Well, fuck. This was a sour pickle if I’d ever seen one! “I’ll find you an attorney,” I said gently and wrapped an arm around him again. “We have one, but he doesn’t handle these kinds of cases. I can help you with that, but I can’t tell you what to do about the Navy since I have no idea what you’d be leaving.” “You don’t have—” he started to say, shaking his head. “I want to. You’re my mate, and if you need something, I want to provide it for you. At least let me help in this area.” “I’d give in.” Bren chuckled and shook his head. “I find it’s better to say yes than try to argue with Horse. Elves are all about providing everything and anything for their mates. It’s hard to get used to but nice at the same time.” “Okay,” Shely whispered after a moment. “Thank you, Idiot. Now if I could just figure out what to do about the Navy. I’m not even sure what job I would want.” “Umm, well, we’re rich.” Horse snickered, and I rolled my eyes. Subtle. “As Idiot’s mate, half of his money and holdings are yours by

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our laws. You’d never have to work another day in your life, Shely. And since we’re immortal, and you are after he claims you, that’s a long time.” And that’s when my mate officially hit his limit. He started to hyperventilate, his eyes fluttering seconds before he passed out. I caught him in time before he went crashing to the floor and swooped him up into my arms. “You should have been the one named Idiot,” I grumbled at my friend. “I hadn’t gotten to the immortal part yet.” “Shit, sorry, man,” Horse said as his cheeks heated up, looking properly chastised. “I didn’t mean to drop that bomb, but I figured he knew we had money when he saw the house. It might help him decide if he knows he doesn’t have to right this second. I mean, he’s got options now he wouldn’t have if he wasn’t your mate.” “Giving up control in bed is one thing, but do you think an officer of the Navy would ever allow me to be his sugar daddy?” I asked, glancing from my mate to my friend. He shrugged, and I didn’t have a better answer. All I knew was that Shely needed lots of love that I had no doubt I’d be glad to provide to help heal his heart.

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Chapter 3 “So I’m immortal now?” Shely croaked out several hours later in our bed. I’d brought him up there after he passed out, and Horse had followed me with some nourishment for when he woke up. Ever since then, I’d been doing some research online. “After we claim each other, yes,” I answered as I moved the computer off my lap and held my mate. “We didn’t get to that part yet, sorry.” “No it’s okay. I’ve just been on information overload today, and I think that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.” He scooted closer, and I took that as a good sign. “I don’t want your money, Idiot. I’d be scared that you’d worry that’s why I said yes to being your mate.” “Oh, babe, I can read your mind, remember? I wouldn’t ever think that of you.” I teased tenderly and kissed his cheek. I got the desired response as he chuckled softly. “I am sorry about your son. I wish I knew how to help you.” “You are,” he whispered and nuzzled his face in my neck. “I’ve been so numb besides feeling grief that I was worried I was dying on the inside, but you make me feel, Idiot. I finally feel like I might have a future again when all I’ve been doing is treading water and trying to keep my head afloat.” “I had a thought while you were out,” I said gently after a few moments. “What if we took you getting a job and money troubles out of the equation? You can figure that part out later when you want to, if you want to. But for right now if working wasn’t a factor—would you want to stay in the Navy?”

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“No,” he sighed and hugged me tighter. “I’ve put in my time. I’ve been in for almost twenty years, and I feel like I’ve missed my own life sometimes. Losing Brian made me realize I want more out of life. I liked the teaching part of my job since I transferred to Great Lakes but not enough to put up with all the shit.” He paused for a moment, and I heard him talking loudly in his head, knowing full well I’d hear it. “And now I have you.” “I factor into your decision?” “I think you should if we’re mates. I’m not saying I’m jumping right on board with the whole thing, but the way I feel about you, I can’t deny, is more than regular attraction. I was dreaming about leaving you if I got called to a ship or another base, and it felt as if my heart was ripped in two. I don’t think I could survive being gone from you for months or years at a time.” I gasped in shock. I’d never thought about that! Holy shit, that could be really, really bad. Elves were incredibly possessive of their mates and needed them close. “I wouldn’t survive that, to be honest,” I whispered and felt like shit to have to pressure him. “Or I would if we didn’t claim each other, but I wouldn’t like it, but if we did claim each other and you left me for that long, I’d die.” Damn, I knew I was rambling, but I was trying to remember the rules of mating, or I guessed guidelines. “Button! I need you in my room, please, before I have a nervous breakdown!” “Well, I was just about to go number two—” “Hold it and get in here!” I rolled my eyes at his responses. I loved all my friends and treated them like brothers, but like family, some tested your patience more. Button was so smart it wasn’t even funny, but it seemed the gods didn’t give him much else. He didn’t have any moral gauge sometimes. He never had any tact or even understood it. He was one of those really book-smart people that most shook their head at how dense they were in real life.

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“I really wasn’t kidding that I have to go, Idiot,” Button grumbled as he ’ported into my room. “Holy fuck!” Shely screamed and scrambled away from my friend. Shit! I hadn’t thought about that. “It’s okay, baby. Button’s one of my friends, but he just didn’t think to use the door,” I growled. “You said get in here right away,” Button exclaimed and threw his hands in the air. Okay, he did have a point there. “Do you want me for something or not?” “Yes, I’m sorry. You’re right. I just didn’t get to tell Shely yet that we could teleport or that I called you in here.” “Well, that was stupid of you.” He snickered as Shely finally seemed as if he was breathing again. “Okay, so you all can teleport. Good to know,” my mate said slowly and took several deep gulps of air. “Yeah, a heads-up next time would be swell.” “I’ll make it up to you later,” I purred and rubbed my cock against his hip. “I am sorry. I got flustered at what you said and called for help.” “And Button here can help us decide if I should stay in the Navy?” Shely looked at me as if I’d lost it. “No, not that.” I shook my head and moved so my friend could see me, ignoring the fact I was naked. “You memorized the rules of mating, right? You’ve read the elders’ book? Why don’t we have one here?” “We do, it’s in my room,” Button answered, rolling his eyes. “I swear no one listens to me. Yes, I’ve memorized it, I have a photographic memory. So you called me here to play reference guide?” “Uh, yeah, sorry,” I said sheepishly. “Shely was talking about how if he got sent overseas or transferred to one of the Navy’s ships, we wouldn’t see each other for months at a time, and I panicked.”

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“That’s not possible,” Button replied and shook his head as if chastising us. “Bonded and claimed mates may not be apart for more than a week without serious permanent effects, including, but not limited to, loss of magical abilities, your bond permanently dissipating, and death to the elf. Bonded but not claimed mates may be away from each other for a month before the same list applies.” “What are we?” Shely asked quickly before I could let this information sink in. Fuck! “No, don’t tell,” I shouted as Button answered, “Bonded not claimed.” “Don’t tell me?” Shely growled and pushed me away. Shit. I so sucked. “So you weren’t going to tell me what could happen to you if I did stay in the Navy?” “Can I go potty now?” Button asked, looking annoyed and oblivious to the fight brewing. “Yes!” we both shouted, and he ’ported right out of there. “I would have told you, but I wouldn’t have blurted all this out as Button did,” I said gently as I moved towards him. When we both jumped up and he shoved me, we ended up with the corner of the bed between us, Shely at the foot of it. I knelt on the bed and ran my hands up his massive chest. “I won’t keep things from you, but don’t you think you have enough on your plate right now? Would guilt about me help anything?” “After what I’ve lost, I wouldn’t chance this for anything,” he whispered as he took my face in his hands. “I’m scared, but I want this, us. And if there’s a chance I could get called away from my base and it would hurt you, I won’t risk that. I need you, Idiot.” “I’m all yours,” I purred and rubbed against him as we kissed. He had clothes on since I didn’t take them off after he fainted, but I was naked, and the friction was divine. “You never ate breakfast. I can hear your stomach, and I won’t have my mate being hungry.” I could put aside my own desires to take care of my mate.

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“I know what I’d like,” he growled and dropped to his knees faster than I thought a human could move. He took the head of my cock in his mouth and instantly I was on my butt on the bed. Shely spread my legs as wide as they would go comfortably, and I leaned back to brace my weight on my hands. Within moments I learned two things. Shely wasn’t experienced at sucking dick. And his enthusiasm more than made up for it. When he gagged on me again, I moved his hand to the base of my dick. “Pump as you suck, and don’t take in so much. Some guys are all about the deep-throating, and while I like it, there are other things I like, too.” “Tell me, please,” he begged as he stroked my cock and fondled my sac. “I want to be everything you need, Idiot, so you never regret you got me as a mate.” I let that last comment go since my mate was fragile after the loss he’d just experienced. I didn’t want him to ever doubt my desire for him and joy that he was my mate, but sometimes words won’t help a situation. “Dip your tongue in the slit and squeeze my sac,” I ordered in my best Dom voice. He shivered and did it without hesitation. “Good, boy. Now suck on just the head as hard as you can while pumping me nice and fast. Go back and forth between those two things, and I’ll be a very happy elf and give you lots of cum to swallow.” He moaned and went to it, the vibrations sending very nice feelings to my nerve endings. I moved my legs over his shoulder and thrust my hips in total abandon. I wanted his ass in a way I never wanted anyone before. Without even realizing I was going to do it, I teleported us to the sofa in the play room. Shely was oblivious and kept on me like I was his favorite snack. “Swallow every drop or I’ll spank you!” I cried out and then shot down his throat. He drank me greedily. I noticed a bunch of my perv friends were watching Shadow in the corner of the room fuck some guy. Perfect.

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Shely stared up at me as my dick slipped from his mouth, still hard. “Shouldn’t you have gone soft after coming if I did it right?” “Welcome to being mated to an elf,” I purred and lowered my legs. “I’m going to make you forget all your worries for a while, Shely. You’re going to be a good mate and listen to me without question again, and I’ll take you to the moon. Do you submit to me?” “Yes,” he hissed and yanked off his shirt. When his pants came off as well, I led him over to one of Flower’s inventions. “Lie down,” I ordered and pointed to the swing. Shely nodded and did so on his stomach. “All I need to know is if you like a little pain with your pleasure.” “Some, but not like whippings.” He moaned as I rubbed his firm ass. I quickly moved around the room and collected what we’d need before putting it all on the table. I slicked up a slim dildo and attached it to the fucking machine. It was a long mechanical arm that was attached to a motor and a wheel so he’d feel as if someone was really taking him. I pushed it in his ass none too gently, and he cried out. Then I put a cock constraint on him. It was leather that hooked around his sac and the base of his dick to keep him from coming. His cries got attention, and a few of my friends came over to watch the show. “Look how they stare at you,” I whispered in his ear. “They want to touch you, Shely. They’re jealous of how gorgeous you are, but they can’t have you.” “They can’t?” he asked hesitantly. “You really aren’t going to share me?” “Never,” I growled and turned on the machine. “You belong to me. Say it!” “I’m yours, Idiot. Only you can have me.” “Good boy,” I cooed and used the remote control to put the machine on a higher setting. Once the small toy had stretched him out some, I stopped it, and then exchanged the dildo for a larger one. We

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repeated this process for a while until Shely was mindless with need, thrashing around as best as he could in the swing. “Please, Idiot. Please, I need it so badly. I’ve been good, right? Please let me come,” he begged, and it was the sexiest thing when he did it. “Will you be mine forever, Shely?” I asked and pulled the cheeks of his ass apart so the machine had better access and could go deeper. He cried out and tried to move back to meet the toy. But this time he was on a dildo larger than my dick was, and I watched in awe as his flesh stretched to take it. “Yes! I won’t run! We’ll be together forever if that’s what you want,” he screamed and whimpered. “What do you want, baby?” I moved around to kneel in front of him so our faces were touching. “Tell me what my mate wants, and I’ll give it to him.” “I want you, and I want to come,” he pleaded. I used my magic to take off the cock restraint and reached down to stroke him. “Come for me, Shely. Coat my hand with your seed, so I can lick it off,” I said in his ear with a purr. His back bowed as he screamed wordlessly and climaxed so hard his body looked almost as if he was convulsing. “Such a pretty sight. I could watch you come for hours, baby.” It took a few moments for him to ride it out before he slumped in the swing, completely spent. I turned him over and picked him up effortlessly. He shivered in my arms as I carried him over to the couch. He licked his lips several times and tried to get enough air to speak. It took him a while, but he got there eventually. “Okay, you can keep me,” he said with a smile and twinkle in his dark blue eyes. “Baby, that’s not even the best I have planned for you,” I cooed as I ran my hands down his flat, ripped abs. “You should see the other contraptions we have here. But that better not be the only reason you want us to be mates.”

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“It was the best fucking orgasm of my life because it was with you, you idiot.” His eyes flashed dark blue, almost green in anger as he pushed away from me. “I wouldn’t say yes, even teasingly, to us being together for the rest of our lives because you’re kinky and blow my mind. It was the whole thing. Seeing I needed to be distracted and wanting to do it for me. Knowing I wanted to try new things and picking something that was definitely new but not scary.” “I believe you,” I said gently as I pulled him back toward me and straddled his lap. “You’re not the only one scared here, Shely. I have a lot to offer with my magic and money, but I need to know that’s not all you want and that you want me, too, in the deal.” “You’re the one who keeps talking about all you can do for me and give me, Idiot. I could give a shit about your money or magic. I’m attracted to you. I love your deep brown eyes and the way your hair sticks up every which way like we just had a great romp in bed. Your soft skin that calls to me and I just need to touch. Okay, so some of the magic stuff is really cool, but I wouldn’t stay just for that. If you’re worried that’s why I’ll want to be your mate, then why bring it up all the time?” “Because I’m afraid you won’t want just me, Idiot, the elf, without all the extras. I’m scared I’m not enough to deserve you,” I whispered and lowered my head in shame. I knew it wasn’t sexy to be insecure, but no one can help how they feel. And out of my family and friends, I always felt like the least important one in the room. “Tell him how you got your name, brother,” Cave said from behind us. “He’ll understand then.” “No,” I whimpered and shook my head before staring at him over my shoulder. My friend’s eyes were kind as he nodded that I had to tell him. It was a funny story on the surface, and I had no problem telling people like Bren when I knew him knowing didn’t matter. But telling Shely was different. I didn’t want him to feel the way my family did.

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“You said being mated was like being married, right?” Shely asked as he turned my face back to him. I nodded, not sure where he was going with the question but willing to let him explain. “You don’t keep things from your spouse no matter how hard they are to talk about. You told me you were an open book to me, Idiot, and I believed you. You wouldn’t want me to lose trust in you or what you’ve told me so far. I’ve shared my woes with you.” “That’s fair,” I whispered and hugged him. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, needing the comfort. “Elves name themselves when they turn five and are baptized into our world and given their magic.” “So you named yourself Idiot?” I could hear the confusion in his voice, no accusation or laughing, more plain curiosity. “My older brothers were part evil, I think, and they used to make me eat mistletoe or put it in things I didn’t know it was in. Then they called me Idiot all the time. I didn’t know it was a mean word since I was like five. Or maybe I did and chose to ignore it, I don’t know. But I wanted them to like me and stop being mean, so when the time came I picked Idiot. My brothers all laughed, and my parents were mortified.” “Didn’t they ask what you were going to pick?” “No, I don’t think they really cared as long as I didn’t pick that, it seemed. I was the baby of the family, and they were all involved in helping Santa. I swear they didn’t even notice I was there. That’s why my brothers were always around and feeding me fucking mistletoe. They were the ones taking care of me. It was like my own family didn’t want me.” “I want you,” Shely said gently but firmly as he ran his hands up and down my back. “And not because you can stretch me with magic, though that is cool. And it’s not your money or big house, Idiot. I want you. You’re sweet, and kind, and a fucking tiger in the sack. The chemistry between us tells me so much about how our lives could be.” “How can you know that after one day?” “How can you?” he answered right back. That was an easy one.

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“Because I believe in fate, and trust in it.” “So do I.” He chuckled. “You jumped in at the club when you didn’t even know I was yours, and that tells me you have a heart of gold. Why wouldn’t I want to spend the rest of my life with someone that good?” “Thank you.” I sighed in relief. “Are you nice and relaxed now, because I have to tell you what I was researching online earlier?” “Yup! What’s the next issue we have to deal with?” “I found you a lawyer and set up an appointment we have to get ready for soon. Bren had a copy of your son’s accident report sent over so he knows what’s going on before we get there.” “You did that for me?” he whispered and started shaking. “I’d do anything for you, Shely.” He nodded that he understood, too choked up for words. I didn’t want to go see the attorney. I didn’t want to deal with the real world yet. I wanted to stay right there in his arms and have lots more hot sex and fun. Sometimes being an adult sucked ass.

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Chapter 4 An hour later, we were all cleaned up and walking into the office of Daran Sullivan, attorney at law. He worked for some snazzy law firm that cost an arm and a leg to hire. But for my mate, it was worth it. Shely had been through enough and needed the best help money could buy. We waited in a stuffy-looking lobby while some receptionist who talked ten miles a minute answered sixty phone calls on her headset while offering us a latte. And this would be why I stayed at home as often as possible. “I can’t afford this,” Shely hissed as he took in the setting. “This isn’t your fight, Paul.” “And if I’d said that to you?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. I didn’t want to pick a fight here, but he needed to know that his battles were mine as well. At least he remembered to use my human name. “I’d kick your ass into next week,” he answered with a sigh. I smiled and slid my hand into his. A man came out and introduced himself as Mr. Sullivan’s assistant. We followed him to the attorney, and I was struck by how gorgeous the man was. We made some more introductions and shook hands as I dipped into his mind. “Fucking partners! First they have the balls to come right out and tell me I missed the last promotion because I was gay, and now they’re pissed because I’m accepting gay clients. I’d love to sue their asses, but they know as well I as do how those cases go, and no one would touch me after it.” Interesting.

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“I’ve reviewed your case, Mr. Carmichael, and the police report you had sent over, and honestly I can’t believe any lawyer would have filed this suit. In other words, some asshole is preying on your son’s mother. There’s not a judge in this world who would side with her on this.” “Well, that’s good that I don’t have to worry, but what do we do about it?” “I want to set up a meeting and pretend we want to settle out of court,” he answered with a gentle smile. “And I want you to take Alice aside while I distract her attorney and tell her what I said. I can’t contact her directly, and I could lose my license for doing that. But I also don’t want to drag this out and waste both sides’ money.” “A lawyer with morals,” I mused, pleasantly surprised. “Do you handle any other type of law, Mr. Sullivan?” “Yes, I worked at a business law firm for a while until I thought if I had to handle one more tax evasion case, I’d claw my eyes out.” He looked shocked that he’d just admitted all of that, but I was using my magic to set him at ease. “Why do you ask?” “My brothers and I have a personal attorney who handles all of our business dealings and holdings. We stay out of it as much as possible, and we keep him busy enough to have only us as clients. But I assure you we have an accountant and pay our taxes. Our current attorney is retiring soon and informed us we needed to start looking for a replacement that he’d bring up to speed on everything. You’re obviously qualified, smart, decent, and don’t have a problem with gay men.” “No, not in the slightest.” He snorted and his eyes went wide. “I mean, I am one. Shit! Did someone slip truth serum in my coffee today? I apologize, I’m normally much more collected than this.” “It’s understandable, given how upset you were when we walked in here,” I said softly, and I saw the questioning looks Shely was giving me out of the corner of my eye.

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“You’re either a really good judge of people or I need to stop playing poker on weekends,” Daran, the attorney, replied, looking a little shaken. “I’d go with the first.” I chuckled and left him alone. I got what I wanted to know from his brain and didn’t want to freak him out anymore. “I have a gift at reading people. It’s almost as if their body language actually talks to me.” “Neat trick.” We stared at each other for a moment until Shely cleared his throat. “I’d like to set the meeting up for later this week if that works with your schedules?” “Yes, the sooner the better,” I replied and glanced at my mate. I could see his answer was yes as well from the relief on his face that this would be over soon. “Please let us know if there’s anything else we can do to move things along. I don’t want to take up any more of your time.” “Wow, you guys are easy. I figured you’d ask me tons of questions like I would if the situation was reversed.” He looked a little shell-shocked as we shook hands. “I did my homework on you, Mr. Sullivan. You are an excellent attorney and we wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have the utmost faith in you.” “I appreciate that,” he said with a smile. I could hear in his mind that he hoped that if my brothers were as easy to deal with as I was, I’d been serious in my needing a new attorney. He was willing to take a pay cut to be happy and deal with clients who weren’t out to screw the world over. I liked him. And, even more, I was drawn to him in a way. No, that wasn’t right. I had a need to bring him to our house. I didn’t want him, but it was as if I knew in my gut that he belonged at home. I wondered if maybe one of my friends knew him or something. “Care to explain?” Shely asked, annoyance in his tone. I glanced at him, wondering what I’d done wrong, and noticed we were out in

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the parking garage by my car already. Well, I’d been lost in a thought just a tad. “Sorry,” I mumbled as my cheeks heated up in embarrassment and I unlocked the car. We climbed in, and I pulled out of the spot, heading for home when I finally answered him. “Something about Mr. Sullivan makes me want to take him home and introduce him to my brothers. It’s a weird feeling, but I’m starting to wonder if he’s one of their mates? But how would I know that?” “Idiot, I already know you’re amazing in ways that aren’t possible. Who’s to say that you don’t have some inner radar to find a mate of your friends, like you knew I was your mate?” “You take all this in so easily,” I said in a tone of awe. He hadn’t tried to run or put up a fight like my friends’ mates. Shely just went with the flow. “After losing my son, I’m learning to take a lot on faith and stop trying to control things that can’t be controlled. Only an incredibly egotistical or incredibly stupid person thinks they know everything that’s out there in the world. The rest of us know we don’t know shit. So am I surprised that there are elves living among us? Yup. Do I think it’s so unbelievable I’m going to crawl into a ball? Nope. “Why would god, or whoever’s upstairs, make so many races of humans if we were going to be the only thing in this world? I don’t pretend to know his plan or think I know it as if I’m on his level. I’ve seen a lot in the service in times of war, some amazing and some disheartening. Nothing falls in my impossible bucket anymore.” “Is it wrong that I’m totally turned on by how smart you are?” I asked with a smirk. My pants were feeling a little snug as well. “Nope.” He chuckled and slid his hand over my thigh as if to check. “I’m just glad your eye wasn’t wandering already. You looked at him so strangely, I couldn’t help but wonder if you were shopping for my replacement.” “You’re not replaceable to me,” I growled and put his hand over my groin. “This is yours. I am yours. No one and nothing changes

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that.” I turned at the next light to go the opposite way of home, making a split-second decision. “What’s going on?” he asked as I got on I-94 to take us to the 294 expressway. “You want me to claim you and wipe away all doubts this is forever?” I replied, my tone a little harsh, and part of me felt like a schmuck for being impatient with him. He nodded and kept his hand where it was, massaging my cock through my suit pants. “Then you know what you have to do.” It took him a moment, but he froze, and then a wide smile broke out on his lips. “Let’s go resign from the Navy.” “Just like that?” I was shocked, I wasn’t sure my little tantrum would have this outcome. But if he was going to doubt my commitment to this, then he needed to understand it was him that had to take this first step. “I’m supposed to already be out. I submitted my paperwork and everything.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal. “When I went to turn in all my active duty stuff, my Captain said he’d delay my getting out officially and take two weeks to get my head cleared out to make sure I was doing the right thing. Because, once I do this, I can’t just change my mind without a huge clusterfuck to get back in.” “And this is what you want? We don’t have to do this today, Shely.” “I want to. If it means we’ll go home tonight and you’ll claim me, I don’t want to wait.” “A man of action,” I purred and thrust up into his hand. “I like it.” “I’ve been all over the place with what’s happened and understandably confused about almost everything. But I’m not about you, and I’ve never needed much time to make a decision. I know my mind, and the Navy is my past, you’re my present and future.” “Show me,” I ordered and unzipped my slacks. He groaned and leaned over to take me into his mouth. There was nothing like road head, but also, it would distract him from worrying over what he was

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about to do. Already my mate was getting better at sucking me off, and in no time, I blew with a loud moan. “You’re so beautiful when you come, Idiot,” he whispered with a reverent tone as he tucked me back into my pants. “And you have the most perfect cock I’ve ever seen.” “I was thinking the same think about your mouth,” I said as I wiped a drip of my cum off his lips. He quickly licked my finger and my flattening dick started to harden right back up. But I also didn’t want to go on base with a hard-on. Shely walked me through how everything was going to go down. I drove up to the gates of the base, and he showed his military identification. They let us right through and he gave me a quick tour as we headed to his Captain’s office. “I can wait in the car,” I offered as I parked where he told me to. “You can’t, actually.” He chuckled as he got out. I followed his lead and did the same. “We’re not allowed to leave the civvies alone we bring on base. You must be escorted at all times.” “Mmm, when you say escort I have so many dirty ideas that I don’t think you meant.” “You can show me them all later,” Shely whispered. I went to take his hand, but he pulled away and shook his head. “I can’t here. Don’t be upset, but no one really knows I’m gay, and it’s not readily accepted in the military.” “Right, sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” “No need to be sorry,” he said with a smile. “You were trying to show your support, and I appreciate that. It just would draw too much attention, and I don’t want that for us right now. I just want to get in, do this, clean out my quarters, and get home.” “Do you have a car here?” “It’s actually at the club.” Shely snickered and shook his head. “You’ve kept me so busy I totally forgot about it.” “We’ll get it tomorrow,” I said, making a mental note to call the owner and make sure he knew not to have my mate’s car towed.

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“Thanks.” We walked down another corridor, and I couldn’t help feeling a little like a mouse in a maze. The bland white walls were screaming for some color, and part of me wanted to break out some spray paint and go wild. “Lieutenant Carmichael,” a sailor said as he jumped to his feet and stood at attention. He saluted my man, and as Shely did the same back, I got inappropriately turned on and had the visual of dropping to my knees. Wow! When had I ever wanted to submit to someone like that and got turned on by someone being powerful? But then again, Shely wasn’t just anyone. “I need to see Captain Ellis, Seaman.” I wasn’t ready for that rank being said aloud and snickered like a child but quickly covered it up with a cough. Shely gave me a smirk that let me know he was onto me. Oh well, there were worse things to get busted on. “Right away, sir.” The kid, who couldn’t have been more than nineteen, turned and knocked on the door behind him and went inside. He came back out moments later and gave Shely a nod. “He’ll see you now, sir. Your friend can wait here. I’ll watch him.” “Watch me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “It means he’ll be responsible for keeping the unknown civilian in line on a military base, which is my job as you’re my guest, while I meet with the Captain.” “Alright,” I said as I plopped down in the nearest chair. “Watch away, Seaman.” I kept the flirting or laughter out of my voice, but I did spread my arms out and wiggle my eyebrows at him. Shely bit his lip to keep from laughing as the kid turned about thirteen shades of red. I shooed Shely away when he hesitated. “I won’t corrupt the kid, I promise.” “Please,” the kid drawled and rolled his eyes. “You can’t be more than three years older than me.” “He’s older than I am,” Shely said firmly. The kid snapped back to attention, his relaxed attitude gone in a flash. “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”

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“Stop harassing my staff, Lieutenant Carmichael,” a loud voice called out from behind the Captain’s door. I guessed it was Captain Ellis. I wasn’t a genius, but well, it kind of fit. Shely smiled at me over his shoulder and went into the office. “Damn! Shely looks as good in a suit as he does in his dress whites. Wonder if he’s here to play? But we’ve never done it during work hours before.” “Oh hell no,” I grumbled under my breath. My mate was going to get one hell of a spanking for leaving out the fact that he was lovers with his Captain. And then I wondered if I’d had the conversation with Shely that I could hear much better than any human. Did he know I was listening in? Well, he knew I could read their thoughts, and he didn’t tell me not to… “Captain Ellis,” my man said formally. Good start. It was times like now I wish I had X-ray vision. It would have been way better for me to see how they reacted to each other than guessing from the tone of their voices. “Shely, you look well.” Okay, he didn’t jump my mate, but I could hear the heat in his voice directed at my man. But then again, he didn’t know about me. Would that have changed his attitude if he did know? “Thank you, sir. I’ve come to tell you I won’t need the rest of my leave to make my decision. Please put through the paperwork for my retirement. I want out.” “Shely, don’t do this,” Ellis said with a sigh. “I know you’re upset about Brian’s death—” “It’s more than that, Will,” my mate replied firmly. “I’ve met someone, and there’s shit going on with Alice, and I just want more than the Navy. Losing the son I barely knew just made me see that. I grieve for him because he was my son but more because I missed knowing him. Do you know how that makes me feel? I don’t miss him because I didn’t know him. I don’t want to make the same mistake with Paul and put the Navy before him.”

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“The guy you brought here?” Will sounded pleasantly surprised. Oh this should be fun. Sure enough, I heard him walking towards the door. “Will, don’t do this,” Shely pleaded. I guess he ignored my mate when the door swung open. “Get in here,” he practically growled at me. I tried not to laugh, I swear I did, but I’m pretty sure a snicker passed my lips. I raised an eyebrow and didn’t even flinch. He narrowed his eyes at me and put more authority in his tone. “I said get your ass in my office.” “I heard you. I’m not deaf, I assure you,” I said and batted my eyelashes at him. “You’re disobeying my order then!” “You’re implying you have the right to order me around.” I chuckled. Fine, I didn’t try very hard that time. “Unless stepping foot onto this base automatically made me a grunt enlisted in the Navy, I don’t have to do a goddamn thing you say. And I think you should kindly remember that and that I’m a guest here. A well-connected guest in Chicagoland. Now if you pull your head out of your ass and invite me into your office, I’ll gladly oblige you.” I saw the kid’s mouth drop open out of the corner of my eye as the pen he’d been holding fell from his hand. Shely was standing in my view behind Ellis, shaking his head in disbelief, but I saw the smirk on his face as well. “Why you little—” Ellis snarled and reached for me. I easily batted his hand away and stood. “Try it and you’ll be eating your testicles out of a straw in under ten seconds.” I flashed lights in my eyes almost like a storm of power only he could see and spoke so he alone heard me. “Choose wisely, Will. Shely is mine, and if you threaten him or us, I will finish you with a blink of my eye.” “What are you?” he whispered just as quietly. “Someone you’d be wise not to fuck with. Now let’s take this in your motherfucking office, you dumbass.” He nodded and stepped

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aside, gesturing me into his office. It was nice, almost cozy and comfortable, which was surprising after the endless halls of drab and white to get there. “You can leave for the night, Seaman,” he said as if in a daze. “Yes, sir.” The kid booked it before I even walked into his office. It was fine. He wouldn’t remember our little dominance display. I’d already dipped in his mind and erased it by the time he left the building. “Hello, my mate,” I purred and smacked Shely on the ass. Oh yeah, I was good and pissed. “Forget to tell me your Captain was your lover?” “You haven’t told me everyone you’ve fucked,” he growled and pushed my hand away. “True, and it’s a long list, but we weren’t going to visit any of them today. Now were we?” “Ouch, Idiot,” he whispered, and I softened my tone. “You should have told me. I wouldn’t have cared, but I don’t like this kind of surprise.” “You’re right. I’m sorry.” “Trouble in paradise already?” Will snickered as he leaned his hip against his desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “And you want to give up your career for this twink?” Oh, so that’s how it was! Fine, I could play hardball with the big boys. I spun around to face him. “Jealous? You want to whip them out, Will? I promise I’ll win.” “Doubt that,” he scoffed, looking offended. “And jealous of what?” “I have what you want,” I sneered. “I have Shely, and he wants me. Want me to show you right now how I please him?” “Idiot, you’re not helping,” Shely groaned. “He’s gotta already know you’re not human from that little power flash earlier.” Whoops! I thought only the good Captain saw that. He must have glanced at me and I missed it.

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“Then why hide it,” I said and let my ears change back to their normal pointy tips. I also adjusted my size to almost seven feet, careful to do the same to my clothes so they didn’t rip. I let my magic and power crackle over my skin as I took a step towards Will. I was totally overreacting, I knew that, but this man wanted my mate for his own. That would so not be fucking happening! “Shely is mine.” “What are you?” he asked again, and I decided to answer him. If he freaked, I could always wipe his memory. “I’m a centuries-old elf, and Shely is my mate. You want what is mine, and I will end you before you even get close to him. You feel me?” “Take it down a notch, honey,” Shely said gently and took my hand in his. “I want you, okay? That’s why we’re here. Will and I were just friends who used to scratch each other’s itch. It wasn’t anything real. I want to be with you.” “Fine,” I snarled, pleased when Captain Ellis flinched. I shifted back, hiding my ears again and everything. Shely pulled me back against his chest and hugged me to him tightly. “Sign or send the papers or whatever you need to do. My mate will be getting his things and leaving to come home with me. He’s given you his decision.” “Shely, if he’s hurting you, I don’t care what he is, we can stop him,” Will said gently, and for a second, I liked the guy. At least he was a loyal friend and commanding officer. I’d practically threatened to kill him if he interfered and he was doing it anyways out of fear for his friend. Bold words, but they could get him killed.

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Chapter 5 “No, Will, I’m fine.” Shely chuckled and leaned down to kiss my cheek. “My little elf can be scary but never with me. He’s shown me nothing but love and treated me like a god, spoiling me at every turn.” “It’s how elves show that we appreciate our mates,” I purred and turned in his arms. “I have a lot more spoiling planned for my gorgeous mate when we get home. I promised you a night you’d never forget, remember?” “You did,” he whispered against my lips. I stood up on my toes to instigate the kiss he was teasing me with. Instantly I didn’t care if Will or the whole Navy was here, I wanted my mate. His Captain had threatened my position as Shely’s mate, but I’d won out. Now I wanted to claim my prize. I reached around and grabbed his ass as I plundered his mouth, rubbing his cock against my stomach. “We can’t here.” “Get out. I want to fuck my mate,” I growled over my shoulder at Ellis. “Or watch, I don’t care, but I’m getting in his ass in about thirty seconds.” “No, we can’t, Idiot,” Shely whispered and pulled away from me. “Will could lose his rank and get tossed in the brig for something like that. You’re not used to the rules we live by, but this isn’t like an executive’s office in the private sector. We can’t just play in it because everyone’s gone for the day.” “Fine,” I huffed and rubbed his cock through his pants one more time for good measure. “But then let’s hurry because the instant we’re off this base, I’m pulling to the side of the road and fucking you senseless on the hood of my car.”

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“Yes, honey,” he purred. “I had the same fantasy when I saw your classic Mustang. Will you ride me nice and hard?” “Whatever my mate wants,” I answered with a wink before turning back to Ellis. “Okay, chop-chop. What do we need to do here?” “You hurt him, and I’ll gut you,” Will answered after a moment’s thought. “We weren’t really ever together, but Shely and I have been friends for years. He’s been through enough, and you fuck with him, powerful elf or not, and I will hunt you down and end you.” “Understood,” I said with a half bow. “I knew that the moment you asked him if he was okay even though I threatened to kill you for interfering with our mating. I have no problem taking care and treating my mate as he deserves, but I won’t stand for someone trying to take my place. As long as you get that we’re good.” “Deal,” he replied and stuck out his hand. “You see why I had to make sure you were the right person for him after all he’d been through.” “I do, and I can hear in your thoughts that I passed your test.” I smiled wickedly, letting him know I saw right through his charade. “Holy shit,” Ellis exclaimed, his eyes going wide. “Anything you can’t do?” “Do I get a vote here?” Shely huffed behind me. “I feel as if I was sold in marriage for a goat or something.” “No, baby,” I said with a giggle. “I got you because I have a bigger dick than the Captain here and showed I could protect you as much as spoil you.” “I still don’t know about that bigger dick thing,” Ellis grumbled, eyeing me over. I unzipped my pants and went to pull mine out when Shely stopped me. “He’s ten inches and fat enough that I can barely close my hand around it,” my mate said firmly as he closed my pants back up. I smiled up at him as he wrapped his arms around me again. Okay, I

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could behave when he was loving on me like this. “And he not only tastes like heaven, but he knows how to use every inch.” “That might be more than I needed to know.” Ellis huffed, looking put out and practically pouting. “You asked.” I snickered and then got serious. “Let Shely go, Captain Ellis. I promise to make him happy and give him everything he’s ever wanted. He came to this decision before meeting me. This isn’t my choice, it’s his.” “Fine,” he sighed and ran his fingers through his short hair. “I just liked having him close to keep an eye on him after Brian died. Plus he’s a fine instructor and officer. Professionally, I didn’t want to lose him either. But if you’re sure, Shely…” “Yeah, I’m positive.” “Okay, I’ll send up the paperwork. You’re still on leave technically until it all gets approved and filed, so I’ll let you know when that happens. You can take whatever you want out of your quarters, but it’s yours, and you can’t just turn in the keys and be done. I’ll call you next week when I know more and what else you need to do.” “Thank you, Captain,” I said and shook his hand. He grumbled and shooed us away. But I saw the look of longing he gave us when we left. “I want someone to look at me like that guy does Shely.” I felt for him when I heard that. Didn’t we all? And now that I had it, I knew I’d never, ever take him or what we had for granted. We walked back to my car and Shely gave me a lecherous grin as we got in, and I started it up. I knew what that was all about without even reading his thoughts. “I know a place off base that’s secluded and no one would hear me scream your name.” “Show me the way,” I purred. Hell, I’d follow Shely anywhere. ****

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We did end up fucking as I’d said, and it turned out to be one of his fantasies, so I was thrilled I was the one to fulfill it. Then I took him out to a fancy dinner since we were all dressed up already. We had a great date and then of course ended up at my house. Which my mate now called home, and it warmed my heart that he referred to it as such. When we got there, I got a few of my friends together and we all teleported to Shely’s tiny apartment on base. It was a lame studio with four white walls, nothing personalized, and very much looked like it probably did when the builders finished it. He was amazed how quickly we packed his necessities and ’ported right back home with them. Well, we were too horny to do it while we we’d been on base, and this was faster anyways! “Are you ready for me to claim you, my mate?” I asked when we were all done. “And willing,” he answered with a smile. My friends were bouncing with excitement, not only because they were pervs and would get to watch us have sex. But Shely would be part of our family now and another one of their brothers would be truly mated. I ’ported us downstairs into the play room, my friends all doing the same. Okay, so we could have walked just fine, but I was like a kid about to ride my first roller coaster, and I wanted it now. Plus, some little voice in the back of my head kept saying to hurry up and claim Shely before he wised up and ran from me and what I was. Self-esteem issues? Me? Nahhh. “I want to ride you,” I whispered in his ear as I laid him down on one of the padded tables. He smiled widely and nodded. I magically removed our clothes and stretched myself for him in a flash. “Slow down, Idiot. I’m not going to change my mind,” he said gently as I scrambled to straddle his hips. I sighed as I leaned over and plastered my body to him.

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“What if you do? What if I’m not enough for you or can’t make you happy?” I asked, voicing my greatest fear. “Oh, honey, I think I’ve known from the moment I met you that you’re it for me. I don’t want anyone else.” He kissed my shoulder tenderly as we hugged each other fiercely. “Make me yours forever, my mate.” “Music to my ears,” I purred and sat back up. Shely grabbed the base of his rock-hard cock, and I gulped nervously. He was a very big boy, and I’d never been breached before. “Is this is your first time?” he asked, always so intuitive. “I wanted to wait for my mate,” I answered with a nod. “I stretched myself, but it’s still going to hurt, right?” “There will be some burning that you might like, but once we start moving, it should turn only to pleasure. We can wait and do it another time, slowly if you want.” “No,” I said, shaking my head as I lowered myself down onto his cock. “I want this now, with you, and our claiming.” “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he bottomed out inside of me. Shely ran his rough hands lovingly over my slim hips as if reminding me he was there to comfort me. It didn’t hurt really. Nothing like I’d read about or heard people say, so I assumed magically stretching myself made sure my body could handle him. “Weird,” I gasped as I swirled my hips around. “It feels weird.” “Good or bad weird?” “I’m not sure yet,” I answered with eyebrows drawn in concentration. “I like the slight burn, but it’s like my body is saying you’re not supposed to be in me there since I’ve never done it before.” “That sounds about right.” He chuckled and massaged my sac. “Move up and down me instead of just wiggling around. That’s what will fly you to the moon.” I nodded and did what he said. Holy. Fucking. Shit! I groaned like a cheap whore and finally got why people wanted this. For me it had

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always been a control issue, but I was still in charge riding him. “We’re so doing this a lot.” “Whatever you want, my love,” Shely whispered, ignoring our audience. “Really?” I gasped and lost my rhythm enough that I would have fallen off of him if he wasn’t holding my hips. “You’re my love, Idiot. I’m falling fast for you or I wouldn’t want us to do this. I know you feel the same too, and we’ll get where we can say the words, but I just don’t want to rush it.” “Okay!” I exclaimed as I started pumping my hips harder and faster. I didn’t really mean to shout it, but when Shely’s cock nailed my prostate, being quiet wasn’t really an option. I glanced over at Horse, who would tell Shely the words, to say, “Do it.” We’d already gone over the ritual, so I knew Shely wouldn’t be lost as to what was going on. I kissed his neck and sank in my fangs. “I, Sheldon Carmichael, give you my very life essence and blood freely,” Horse said as I drank down my mate’s sweet, sweet blood. He paused and Shely repeated it as he panted with lust. The biting and drinking from him got him off…really, really off. “My life, my heart, and my soul now belong to you and have never been claimed before. I swear on my life that there will never be any other for me and you will always come first. I accept you as my mate and pray to the gods that our binding be blessed so that I may live to love you forever.” As soon as he was done, I came with the force of a freight train. I’d been close to peaking, but as he said forever my body just erupted, coming so powerfully it was almost as if I was convulsing. I lifted my head and screamed Shely’s name to the heavens as I covered us both with my seed. “Gorgeous,” he whispered in awe right before I slumped over him. I magically cut my neck for him and brought his lips to it. I moaned as he drank from me, my barely flagging dick perking right

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back up. I kept my upper half still as I moved only my hips and ass to keep pleasing my mate. “I, Idiot, give you my very life essence and blood freely. My life, my heart, and my soul now belong to you and have never been claimed before. I swear on my life that there will never be any other for me and you will always come first. I accept you as my mate and pray to the gods that our binding be blessed so that I may live to love you forever.” Shely gasped and then we both cried out, shaking violently as he wrapped his arms around me even tighter. We both climaxed like geysers as our souls brushed against each other and did a do-si-do back and forth between our bodies. Our hearts skipped a beat and then started in the same time, aligning us in every way. I mashed my mouth down to his, taking what was mine and claiming him as he did the same right back. Unfortunately, we were always panting and we had to part quickly for much-needed air. I smiled at the knowledge our mating was blessed by the gods since we were able to bind our souls as we did. When it was over, we kept shaking with large aftershocks from the intensity of our orgasms. “Blink twice if you’re okay, Shely?” Horse asked and checked his pulse. My mate chuckled and gave a thumbs-up gesture. “Idiot?” “That was so fucking awesome,” I moaned. Shely gave a grunt of agreement, and I licked his bite closed. “Fuck, that was as good as the other claimings,” Flower groaned. I lifted my head enough to see most of my friends had their spent dicks in their hands and big smiles on their faces. Button and Maze were on their knees from the intensity of it. “I love a good magic release!” “Alright, all the pervs leave now.” Shely snickered. They all muttered their congratulations and made themselves scarce. If their peaks were half as good as ours was, I wasn’t sure how they were even walking yet. “Want to go again?”

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“I’ve turned you into a nympho.” I giggled and rolled off of him. He smiled wickedly at me and nodded. “Who am I to deny my mate?” “I want you to fuck me into next week until neither of us can walk.” What does someone say to that? I was smart enough to respond the only way a mated man should. “Hell yeah!” I helped him off the table and let him choose what we did next. Color me shocked when he went right over to the “spanking area!” Flower had tricked out a church kneeler with padding and restraints along with a gap on the bottom wood to suit anyone’s needs. “Are you reading my mind?” he asked hesitantly as I finished locking his wrists up. “No, I turn it off when I’m at home normally. It’s considered bad form for magical beings to read each other’s thoughts, so it’s like I block that part of me when around my friends.” “Can you listen for a moment?” I raised an eyebrow at his naked back and smirked. It seemed my mate wanted something he couldn’t put into words. “What does my mate want?” I purred as I molded my body to his. My cock was leaking lots of pre-cum at the idea of something kinky, and I spread it around his lower back. “Treat me like you bought me? I’ve always fantasized about being a dirty whore,” he moaned in his mind. “I’m not saying whip me or make me bleed, but I want it really, really rough. Can I be your slave boy today?” “Oh fuck,” I groaned and grabbed the base of my cock so I didn’t blow. My mate so rocked it wasn’t even funny. “Yeah, we could do that. Starting now.”

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Chapter 6 “Please don’t hurt me,” Shely whimpered, immediately getting into character. “I’ll do whatever my new master wants!” “I’ll hurt you if I want to, whore,” I sneered and smacked his ass hard. He gasped and tried not to show he liked it. This was going to be soooo much fun! I stuck my fingers in the tub of slick I’d opened up, and without warning, shoved three right in his exposed, pink hole. He cried out as his back bowed. “Oh, I think my new slave is a wanton little slut. Aren’t you?” “No, I’m a good boy,” he moaned as he pushed his ass back on my hand. “I’m not a whore!” “You’re my whore,” I growled and fucked him with my fingers as I picked up the flogger someone had left on the table. I started spanking him hard with it. “Does my boy want to come?” “Yes,” he hissed and jumped when I slapped him with the toy again. “Please, master? I’ll do anything you want.” “You’ll do it whether I let you come or not!” I pulled my fingers free and walked over to the wall of toys. I grabbed a large butt plug and quickly pushed it into his ass. Then, before he could even get used to the size of it, I slapped the flogger against it. “Admit you’re a dirty slut.” “No! I’m a good boy,” Shely cried out again. “Please don’t breach my ass! I’ve never been with a man before. My last owner was a woman, and we never even had sex. She just liked me to use my hands on her.” “So you’ve never sucked cock?”

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“No, that’s gross,” he whimpered. Okay, so we weren’t giving Academy Award worthy performances, but I could tell we were both enjoying this. “I don’t want to suck cock.” “I think you do,” I purred in his ear as I reached down and stroked his hard dick. “I think you’ve been dying for a master who could show you all the joys of a big, hard, fat cock in your ass.” “No,” Shely whispered, and I squeezed him hard as I smacked the plug. “Tell me the truth, whore!” I didn’t give him time to answer, slapping his ass over and over again with the flogger after I’d let go of his dick. His gorgeous, round butt was bright pink from the attention. I moved behind him and stroked his tight sac with the toy as I wiggled the one in his ass. “Beg me to come like the slut you are and maybe I’ll let you. I own you now, boy.” “Okay!” He screamed when I pushed the plug firmly and squeezed his balls. “I want it! I want your cock in every way. I want to suck you after you’ve fucked me. I want to come on your cock and have you abuse me until I can’t walk.” “Such a good dirty whore,” I cooed and pulled out the plug. I quickly slammed my cock into him and then used my magic to adjust my size. He cried out in pleasure, humping his hips back against me. “You want more?” “Yes,” he hissed, and I slapped both sides of his ass hard at the same time. “Please? Please stretch me further than I’ve ever been before.” “Right answer.” I grabbed his hips, made my cock bigger, and started fucking him with everything I had. It didn’t take long until I knew Shely was right on the edge. “Come for your master, you dirty slut.” “Idiot!” He roared and shot his load all over the kneeler. Holy fuck! I’d never seen him come so hard or for so long. This really was one of his fantasies! His ass gripped me like a vice, and it took every ounce of self-control I had not to come in his tight ass. When he was

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spent, gasping for air, I pulled out of him and walked around to his head. “Suck your master,” I ordered and slapped my still-enormous dick against his lips. He opened wide for me and greedily took me into his mouth. Shely moaned as he tried to take more, but given my current size, he could barely get his mouth open wide enough. I shrank it just a bit so it was more accommodating. He smiled and winked at me, showing he was grateful. Then he gave me a champion blow job. I screamed his name as I came, shooting down his throat as he milked every last drop from me. My knees almost gave out from the force of my orgasm, and when I was spent, I sank to the floor. “Can we do that again sometime, my love?” Shely purred and smiled down at me. He looked like the cat that ate the canary, but I wasn’t done with him yet! “Shut up, whore,” I growled, and his eyes went wide, glazing over with lust. “We’re not done until I say we’re done.” “But my ass hurts,” he whimpered, getting right back into character. “You said you wouldn’t abuse me.” “You fucking loved it, you slut.” I quickly undid his restraints and dragged him over to Flower’s best invention. It was a mechanical saddle that almost worked like a bull ride that some country bars had. But I was pretty sure none of theirs had it with an interchangeable dildo or shackles hanging from the ceiling. When Shely saw where I was taking him, he groaned in pleasure, and his cock perked right back up. “Slut.” I giggled, breaking out of my role for a moment. “Only with you, Idiot.” He grabbed my chin and pulled me to him, mashing his lips down to mine. We made out for a few minutes, lovingly kissing and touching each other as we took a few steps towards the contraption. “You’re the best mate ever.” “I was thinking the same thing about you, baby,” I purred as I pushed him towards the saddle. I explained how he got up on it and switched and put one of the largest dildos we had on it.

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“Are you sure that’s going to fit?” he asked, his voice laced with concern as his eyes shined with lust. “I do need to be able to walk tomorrow.” “I’d never hurt you, Shely. And even if this is pushing it a little and you’re sore, I can make you better.” “Then bring it on,” he groaned and lowered himself onto it. I snickered at his exuberance and ordered him to raise his hands above his head. “No! No more tying me down.” “Do as I say, slave,” I snarled, and he was quick to comply. I quickly locked him in with my magic and started the machine off on the middle setting instead of low. It rocked back and forth and twirled around as if he was really riding a bull. Shely hollered in delight, his mouth never closing as he threw his head back in abandon. “Such a good slut.” “Yes! Yes, I’m your slut,” he cried out. “More. Give me more!” “As my whore wishes,” I purred and turned the machine up two levels. Now it was really going fast, and before I could even tell Shely he could come, he screamed out my name. His cock sprayed his seed everywhere, all over the saddle, his firm abs, and even reaching as far as his face. Wow! He really, really liked the game. That worked for me because I really, really loved seeing him in complete abandon and not having a care in the world bother him right then. If I had to fuck his pain and past out of him, I would gladly do it. Not that I really thought that would work, especially getting over the loss of a child, but it was worth a shot and brought a smile to his face. When he was spent, I quickly turned the contraption off and unlocked his wrists. My mate groaned as his body went pliant like jelly, and he slid off the saddle. I caught him easily and ’ported us to our room. I laid him down on the bed and quickly ran him a nice hot bubble bath. He was still gasping for air when I went back for him and carried him into the tub, getting in with him.

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“Was it as good for you?” he asked with a groan. I hugged him tightly as he leaned back against my chest in my big garden tub. “It’s always amazing with you, Shely. Watching you get off like that, trying something new, was the sexiest fucking thing I’d ever seen. I’ll play your master any day, baby.” “Best mate ever,” he purred and turned enough to kiss my chest. Glad we were on the same page about how we felt about each other. **** The next morning we were meeting Alice, the mother of Shely’s son, her attorney, and ours, Daran Sullivan. My mate was freaking out at seeing his ex-girlfriend after what had happened. Apparently they’d not seen each other since the funeral several months ago, and she hadn’t been all over him then about Brian’s death being his fault. He assumed it was simply shock, but from my experience, people lashed out more the moment tragedy strikes. Which was why I found this bit of information curious. “Hi, I wanted to talk to you real quick before we go in the conference room,” Daran said quietly and ushered us into his office. I raised an eyebrow and cursed when I heard his thoughts. “Did you know Ms. Heald has a live-in boyfriend?” “Yeah, Karl, but I didn’t know they moved in together.” Shely groaned. “He’s here? I guess she needed the moral support.” “And she’s been on prescription something,” Daran replied, annoyance in his tone. “At least I hope someone qualified prescribed whatever she’s on.” “Alice isn’t one to take pills for practically anything,” Shely said slowly as if processing this new bit of information. “Well, I wanted to warn you before we went in there.” We nodded that we understood, and he led us into the conference room. It was hard not to gasp at the sight before us. Saying Alice was on some drug was an understatement as she seemed more comatose than awake. I

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got that she was grieving and in lots of pain…but damn, woman! At least run a brush through your hair. “Alice?” Shely whispered, and I heard from his thoughts that something was really wrong since he knew she’d never be caught dead going out in public looking like that. What I’d seen in his mind was a vibrant, well-put-together woman who took pride in her appearance. The funny thing was I didn’t hear shit in her mind, just static. What the fuck? “Please do not address my client directly, Lieutenant Carmichael,” her attorney sneered. Oh, so that’s how we were going to play this game. Good, then I wouldn’t have to play the sweet and innocent partner if they were mean to Shely. “And you are?” I asked, raising an eyebrow and looking him over as if he was something I’d stepped in. Pretty damn accurate assessment actually. He smelled funky. “You first,” he practically snarled at me. I felt a flare of power. BINGO! He wasn’t human, and I’d guess the other guy wasn’t either, from the way they smelled. And it wasn’t normal magic I was smelling, it was evil magic. “Paul Smith, Shely’s partner,” I answered sweetly, batting my eyelashes at him. “Oh, another fag.” Karl snorted and threw his hands in the air. Well, the assumption was that this was Karl since he didn’t have the manners to introduce himself. Or I wasn’t worth the effort. Either way, rude. “Great, you want to kill a teenager, too? Maybe that’s how you have fun on the weekends?” “Control your client’s boyfriend,” Daran snapped at the other attorney before I could say anything. Fuck this shit. Shely started to shake, and I wanted us to get out of here for his sake. Me? I was always up with bitch smacking some homophobe, but this wasn’t the time or place.

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“What have you done to Alice?” Shely asked, getting pissed off when she didn’t even flinch at any of this. “She never had a problem with me being gay. What’s wrong with her?” “Ms. Heald is taking sedatives from her doctor due to her tragic loss,” her attorney said easily. “I’ve been authorized to speak on her behalf along with Mr. Franks, my brother.” Hello, I felt like singing. Yeah, they were totally using this poor woman. But how? Why couldn’t I figure out what they were doing to her or what they were? “I’ll agree to that as soon as I hear it from her,” Shely replied and moved in front of her. “Alice? Are you in there, sweetie?” That’s when I realized something odd…I didn’t smell any medicine in Alice’s system. She smelled like clean, healthy human to me. Odd, to say the least. I smelled a couple days’ funkiness, but drugs of any kind left a human smelling bitter almost. “Don’t call me sweetie, you abomination,” she barked, having snapped out of it. But I didn’t hear that in her mind, hers still had static. Karl’s, on the other hand, was thinking what she’d said. I felt a shudder go through me when I realized what that meant and the scent I’d been smelling but couldn’t place. Witch. Karl and his brother were witches. Fuck, fuck, fuck! This was bad, really, really bad. Witches were the lowest of low in the supernatural world. They were the ultimate con artists and cared nothing for anyone but themselves and their own power. I wouldn’t be surprised if Karl had a hand in Brian’s death. I’d bet he’d been sponging off Alice or something and Brian had a problem with that, so Karl arranged for an accident with his magic. A horrible idea? Hell yes, but I wouldn’t have put it past a witch for it to be a hundred percent true. “Excuse me for a moment,” I said to everyone in the room. “You don’t need me right now, and I swear my coffee’s running right through me.”

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Daran and Shely looked at me with wide eyes while the other attorney gave me a dismissive wave. I winked at Shely, and he calmed down, understanding something else was going on, and I wasn’t just abandoning him in his time of need. I quickly walked out of the room and all the way back to the reception area. I knew there was a closer bathroom, but I wanted to be far away so no one overheard my call. As soon as I was locked inside, I quickly dialed Horse and then dialed Cave on conference. I’d need both of them right now. “Is it going that good already?” Horse asked, sympathy in his voice. “What’s up, Idiot?” Cave said at the same time. “Alice’s boyfriend and his brother are witches,” I answered and they both groaned. “She’s like a zombie with static in her brain. Cave, can you call Peter?” “Why, do we want the wolves involved?” he asked, sounding almost like he was pouting. But that was why I wanted Cave on this call. He was tight with the wolves’ Alpha. Okay, if you call Peter wanting to fuck my friend six ways a day being tight. But we had a run-in with the pack last week, and they’d be very accommodating when it came to helping us. “We can kick some witch ass on our own!” “Because the wolves would be very grateful.” I felt an evil smile spread across my face, knowing full well what they’d do to the witches. “You know when they eat them the pack would absorb their power. We can’t use it, so let our allies have it instead of it going to waste.” “Idiot, they’ve got to be very powerful if they’re actually controlling a human like that,” Horse said cautiously. “We’d need to get them away from humans before we move in on them. Also, we need to be prepared if there’s a coven of witches in Chicago.” He paused, and I could practically hear that big brain of his working. “Offer to pay them a settlement and get them back to the house. You

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could say you checked and our accountant was already here and could wire the funds.” “You’re a genius,” I cooed. He really was. If ever any of us were in a pickle, Horse would have a plan before anyone could ever panic. Of course, since we knew that…we never panicked. “Bren normally says I’m an evil genius.” He chuckled. “Cave will text you as soon as we know Peter and some of his wolves can come for sure.” “For two powerful witches? He’ll drop anything he’s doing.” I was pretty confident in that. The magic and juice they’d absorb would ramp up the entire pack for years before they used it or it wore off. Any other Alpha would have been a fool to challenge Peter then. “Either way, let’s cover all our bases.” “Yes, boss,” we both replied to Horse before hanging up. He was the oldest of us and really was our leader. Hey, werewolves have an Alpha and we had Horse. It worked for us especially since most elves weren’t very aggressive until our friends or mates were threatened. I hightailed it back to the conference room and wasn’t surprised when I heard shouting all the way down the hall. Fun times. “You come in here with your little butt boy—” Karl said with disdain as I walked into the room, before I cut him off. “I’d watch that because this butt boy is willing to offer you a settlement.” “We’re listening,” Mr. Franks, the attorney, said as he held out a hand to his brother to keep him quiet. Damn, I could see the dollar signs practically flashing in his eyes. “Paul!” Shely exclaimed and got to his feet. “No! I refuse to settle. For one, I didn’t do anything wrong. Two, they’re doing something to Alice, and I won’t stand for it!” “Honey, I don’t want this to interfere with your career,” I said gently. He gave me a curious look since I’d mentioned his career and he’d retired. That’s what I’d been going for.

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As much as I wanted to push my thoughts into his mind, I couldn’t risk that the witches would hear us. Then I remembered I had told Shely about the wolves and the Alpha’s name. “Peter is at home working with Rick and Bob on our finances. I called to make sure that I could draw money from the family trust, and they said they’d be waiting for us since they need to sign the papers, too.” Shely’s eyes went wide with comprehension, and I was glad that his back was to everyone else. I nodded, pleading with my eyes that he would trust me. “You always know what’s best.” He sighed for everyone else and gave me a wink. “We want five million dollars,” Mr. Franks said quickly. Asshole. “You’ll get two and a half and be grateful I’m not patient enough to go through court. Your case doesn’t have a rat’s ass of a chance to win, but I refuse to let Shely go through any more pain than he already has.” Then I turned my lip up at them in disgust. “Assuming you can take a fag’s money.” “I’ll swallow my beliefs for the benefit of my client.” How Mr. Franks said that with a straight face was beyond me. Daran snickered and covered it up with a pretend cough. Yeah, I was with him. Gag me. “Fine, if you’ll follow us back to our estate, your lawyers can draw up papers while my accountant does his thing.” “Bring them here,” Karl said firmly, but his eyes said he was nervous. In a flash his bravado was back, and he cleared his throat as if trying to get his emotions under control. I wanted to give my best evil laugh and tell him what we had in store for him. But nothing like killing the surprise…especially when the surprise was they were going to be killed. “No,” I replied with a slight whine. “I’m not waiting any longer, and it will take forever to get all my eleven brothers here to sign the papers for the trust. You want the money, then you’ll make it easy on

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my family, or we’ll just see you in court where we all know you’ll lose.” “We won’t—” Karl started to argue, but his brother took charge. “Done.” He gave Karl a glare that spoke volumes on who was in charge. I’d bet Mr. Franks set up the whole con and Karl was simply the meat to lure Alice. Because Mr. Franks sure wasn’t anywhere close to Alice’s league. Or what I guessed what was her league when she was all cleaned up. “Mr. Sullivan, I’d like to discuss a few things with you in the car,” I said, batting my eyelashes at him. “Our driver can bring you back to your office later.” Not that we had a driver, but well, someone could drive him or teleport him or something. It wasn’t a major detail to focus on right then. “Of course,” he said, not even flinching to indicate he knew something was up. My phone vibrated as we were wrapping up, giving them our address in case they got lost following us. Cave sent me a message that they not only talked to the wolves but teleported two dozen to our property already and were waiting. Sweet! I texted him back saying we were on our way and told them how long we would be as we walked out to our cars. No one said a word until we were all safely inside and on our way. “What the fuck just happened in there?” Daran asked, breaking the silence. “I need you to take a lot on faith in the next ten minutes, Mr. Sullivan,” I said firmly, meeting his eyes in the rearview mirror. “I’m listening.” He was calm, but his face paled. Damn. I wonder if he’d faint when I told him everything.

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Chapter 7 “There’s more in this world than you know, and I’m one of them,” I explained as I started to fill Daran in and navigated onto the expressway. “I’m one of the good guys though. The Franks brothers are not.” “I could have told you that.” He snickered. “What are you and what are they?” “I’m an elf,” I answered as I let my ears go back to their normal pointed tips and turned my head so he could see them. “The Franks are witches.” “You mean like dance-naked-under-the-full-moon Wiccans?” “No,” I growled, annoyed at the way Hollywood portrayed supernatural beings. “I’m not talking some poser chicks dressing up in black and making fucking feathers float. Witches are dangerous, conniving, immoral, soulless bastards and bitches who care nothing for anyone but themselves and their power. These two are strong enough to control Alice without even blinking an eye.” “Why take them to your house then?” he asked, not even seeming freaked out by what I just dumped on him. He was keeping his head above the crazy water and focusing. Good man. “Because I have eleven friends I live with that are all elves and our mansion is on enough land that no one will hear their screams when the werewolves we called over rip them to shreds.” “And you’re going to hide two bodies how?” “The werewolves will eat them and absorb their power,” I answered bluntly. Okay, so I wasn’t the best at sugarcoating things, but we were running out of time for questions as we got closer.

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“And you’re bringing me into this why?” There was a little panic in his voice then. I was kinda wondering when that would show up. But, then again, I was pretty sure anyone would worry when I mentioned the werewolves would be eating people today. Whoopsies! “How suspicious would it have looked if we didn’t have our attorney with us?” I asked, wanting to roll my eyes, but he wasn’t screaming or anything, so I could cut him a little slack. “Umm, what do you do with people who find out what you are?” Now he sounded scared. “Depends on the person, but worst case we wipe your memory, and it’s like nothing happened. No harm, no foul, no brain damage.” I shrugged, trying my best for lighthearted and not threatening. Even though the situation was tense, I could see Shely trying not to laugh at my antics from the corner of my eye. “You are either really the good guys, or you’re a very good liar,” he said quietly. “I was born in the North Pole,” I replied, trying not to laugh at what I was going to say next. “How bad could I be?” “Fair enough.” Look at that, it worked! I whipped into our drive and swiped my keycard. When the gates opened, I raced up to the house and parked on the side. Ten of my friends were gathered out front, but where was Surprise? “He met his mate the same night you did and is handling something with the mate,” Button said as if answering my unspoken question. “Is he okay?” I asked, shocked I didn’t know my brother had found his other half. “No, but it’s nothing we can help with yet,” he answered and shook his head. I planned on getting a full report later. “The wolves are hiding in the trees and will pounce as soon as they’re out of their car, and we teleport it out of the way so they can’t get away in it.” “You can teleport, too?” Daran asked, his eyes going wide.

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“Well hello, handsome,” Why purred and moved towards the man. “Hands off our attorney,” I growled. “No, he can touch me all he wants,” Daran whispered and moved towards my friend like a moth to a flame. Lightbulb! That’s why I got the feeling Daran belonged at our home when I met him. This should be interesting. “At least wait until the bad guys are gone.” Horse snickered. He opened the gate for our visitors, who just pulled up, with the remote in his hand. “It’s showtime, kids. As soon as we can we get Alice away from the witches.” “Got it,” we all said as I pushed my mate behind me. Why did the same for Daran as Cave did for Justice. Bren must have been at work. Damn, he would have liked to see this. The witches pulled up, parked, and got out of the car looking a little leery. The gate closed behind them and I smiled at the first part of the trap being set. Alice followed them with stiff, robotic movements. “We weren’t expecting everyone to meet us outside,” Karl said with a tone of panic. Yeah, he should be. Dumbass. Interesting how money overruled common sense all too often. “Nonsense,” Horse replied with a wide, friendly smile. “We were all coming home from our respective jobs to help out our brother and his partner and thought we’d be proper hosts. Besides it’s such a lovely day out, and there are too few left before winter really hits.” “Very true,” Mr. Franks said and extended his hand. Seems he realized who the boss of our group was. Asshole. Either he was too dense to see trouble in front of him and Karl was the smart one, or Karl was just a worrywart and his brother had learned to ignore him. “You must be Alice.” Horse greeted her warmly and shot a look at Flower and Box who were closest to the car. The second he touched her hand he teleported her on the other side of the front yard as they made the car move around the house.

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“Fuck! What are you?” Mr. Franks snarled and ripped off his jacket, getting ready to fight. “Elves,” I answered in a singsong voice. “And we’re not alone.” “Oh Peter!” Cave yelled with a wicked smile. “Elves aren’t real,” Karl whimpered, not sounding very sure of himself. “Of course they are, you moron!” Franks yelled at his brother. It was almost a shame that he’d be dead before I learned his first name. That was just going to eat me up inside. Not! The wolves came racing out of hiding at lightning speed. Only Peter shifted back when they circled the witches. “Hello, boys! Nice of you to drop in and let the locals know you were in town. What con are we running today, hmmm?” “Fuck you, wolf,” Karl sneered and started to crackle with energy. “Oh goodie!” Cave exclaimed and clapped his hands together. “They’re not going down without a fight!” “We’re going to talk about your tendencies to fight later, my mate,” Justice grumbled as he pulled Daran and Shely towards the house. “Best to step back when they start whipping out their magic.” “We are centuries old,” Franks said confidently. “We can take on a pack of wolves and some fag elves.” “No, you can’t,” Horse growled as he popped up right in front of them. He landed a clean right hook to Franks and I launched myself at Karl. “Fuck with my mate, will you?” I snarled in his face. I wanted him to hurt, so I didn’t just knock him out. I grabbed his hair and pounded his head against the concrete. “No one fucks with my mate. You hear me?” “Yeah, I hear you.” He brought his hands up to my chest and shot me with energy. “And fuck you!” I went flying but landed on my feet which I was sure he wasn’t expecting. His jaw dropped open as I sashayed back toward him. “Try

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again, dumbass. That doesn’t work on elves. We’re pure magic and power. I’m like a sponge for that shit.” “Oh shit,” he whimpered at the same time Franks started laughing. “And you didn’t think we were the only witches in town. Did you?” “You’ll never get help here in time,” I growled. “Our magic protects anyone but us from teleporting or using any magic on our land to get on or off the property.” “That doesn’t include the street,” he practically sang at me. Fuck! “We’ve got company!” Horse shouted from the front gates. In a flash he teleported himself and Alice onto the front porch with the other humans we cared about. “Watch her!” Then he raced towards us. I barely noticed it because I, like everyone else, I assumed, was watching the very big portal opening about ten feet away from our gate. Fuck, fuck, fuck me sideways! I didn’t let them see that this worried me as I turned back to the brothers. “Unless you’ve got a hundred witches coming through that thing, you will still die.” Peter didn’t hesitate either and gave his orders. “Eat this fucker.” The wolves didn’t hesitate. They launched onto Karl and did just that while he was still alive. Okay, yeah, that was gross. Couldn’t they have at least killed him first so he wasn’t screaming and then gurgling? But I guess that was part of the draw to animals even if werewolves. Yuck. “Karl!” His brother screamed and dropped to his knees in defeat. “We haven’t hurt anyone. Nothing we’ve done is worth dying for!” I felt a twinge of guilt on that one. He was right. Fraud wasn’t a death crime in my book. “Tell that to the orphanage you were a counselor at,” Peter snarled in his face. I’d never seen the Alpha quite so pissed. Franks’s face paled and I knew this would be good. “How did you find out about that?”

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“I do my homework, fucker. I didn’t have much time, but I got a few of your greatest hits in crimes. The only thing worse than a conniving witch is a conniving witch who’s a pedophile! And if you try and tell me that she said she was legal or some bullshit, I’ll eat your balls while you’re alive.” “Was it just him or Karl, too?” Alice asked quietly. Wow! I guess killing Karl broke the spell and she rejoined us. “And did they like young boys?” “I’m not a fag,” Franks sneered. “Yeah, because that’s worse than touching little girls, you pervert!” Peter screamed in his face before answering Alice. “No, it wasn’t Karl, though he had a list of heinous crimes of his own but never boys.” She nodded and squared her shoulders before approaching her soon-to-be-dead attorney. “Did you or Karl have anything to do with the death of my boy?” She looked at Shely kindly. “Our boy, Brian.” “He wasn’t supposed to be the one driving the car,” Franks whimpered pathetically, glancing around as if anyone there would actually help him. “You were, and I was your attorney so I could change your will and we’d have your trust fund.” “Yeah, because that’s so much better,” I drawled and then dove to catch Shely before he crumpled to the ground. Alice wasn’t in any better form, but Horse grabbed her in time. “I didn’t mean to hurt the kid.” “Just all the other ones,” Peter said in disgust. And then it became apparent that we’d been stupid and Franks was buying time to save his ass. Peter was shot square in the chest with a large energy bolt. He immediately shifted and shook his head like a dog getting water or sleep off of his body. Peter took a few shaky steps forward, but he wasn’t going down. The rest of us might though. I cursed as twelve witches floated over the gate and rushed towards us. There were a few hundred yards

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between them and us, but it wouldn’t take them long at the speed they were moving. “I fucking love a good fight,” Cave said with way too much glee in his voice. “Ready?” “Let’s do this.” Horse growled, and we took off to meet them head-on. Normally most of us would have adjusted our size to be bigger and badder as Cave did when fighting the wolf challenge last week. But this wasn’t going to be about strength…it was power. And energy blasts, so being a smaller target worked to our advantage. “Get the wolves to circle behind them,” I said in Peter’s mind. “We can take the energy bolts without effect and you guys can’t.” “Yes, sexy little elf,” he purred. Damn that man just wanted to say he fucked an elf. I swear he was stupid and let his dick rule him sometimes. Being with us intimately could strip him of his wolf. No sex was worth that. They turned direction as if deciding to flee and leave us to our fate with the witches who now outnumbered us. “Never trust dogs,” one woman cackled before she shot an energy bolt at me. I absorbed it and barely staggered before sending it right back to her, thinking she should crumble. And fuck if she didn’t. “Oh, I want to know how to do that!” Cave exclaimed as he leaped over her now liquid body…still alive. Yucky! “How did you liquefy her bones?” “Fuck if I know, dude.” I snickered and blocked another power blast. The witches stopped advancing after what I did, and one started to turn tail. And ran right into the wolves. Well, that was two down. Just as we got within twenty feet of them, we crashed into a wall. I fell back on my ass with half of my friends to see a large ice wall had been erected by the witches. “Fuck this shit,” Maze snarled from behind me and set himself on fire. He put on some speed as he grew to over nine feet, flying past us on the ground, and barreled right through it. Then he very smartly dropped to the ground since he was a large target and shrunk back to

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normal size. The others were already past him since the barrier was down. Those of us who’d crashed into it were back on our feet and moving. One witch shot something at Champ, but I couldn’t tell what at first. He went down like a sack, wrapped in thick chains. He growled in frustration and fought the restraints. Horse jumped over to him, touched one of the chains, and they instantly turned to ash. Nice! I saw the other witches started doing the same to my other friends, and knew I’d had my fill. If they figured out a way to restrain us, they might be able to make it past the wolves that were having trouble getting close to them and get to the humans…and my mate! A few of the bitches, I mean witches, on the outskirts of the group were launching constant energy blasts that were like grenades going off in front of the wolves. “Fuck this,” I snarled and ’ported so I was standing right by one who was focused on one of my friends. I used my magic to turn my hand into claws and reached right into her chest. I tore out her stillbeating heart and flung it over towards the wolves. I heard some happy, happy yips and assumed they were having the snack. Sweet. My friends who weren’t fighting off chains and restraints got the idea, and we were able to take down four that way. Six down, six to go! The remaining witches shot into the air like a fucking bottle rocket. Except they couldn’t fly off the constraints of the property simply fifteen feet in the air out of reach. “Maybe we should rethink learning how to use guns,” Shadow groaned as he stood up now that his chains were ash. I looked at him as if he was mad. But then again, he was the youngest of us, and I could see all this use of magic was starting to wear on him whereas it energized me. Not physically, because I could feel the magical use weighing on me as well, but I felt pumped up. “If we had a semiautomatic, we’d be done with this shit.”

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“Oh, learn the fun of a good tussle, young one.” Cave snickered, and then his eyes started sparkling. “Remind me to thank Surprise later!” Before I could ask what he meant, he pulled a giant lasso out of thin air and roped one of the witches down to the ground. A few of the wolves gave happy yips and went in for dinner. I get it shouldn’t have grossed me out since animals ate meat rare. And I understood that this was the animal side of them getting power and not letting things go to waste. And it didn’t leave us with bodies to clean up and hide. But I still felt the need to toss my cookies in the bushes. On the plus side, Cave’s idea gave us all the way to get the last five, and my twisted friends and I made it a competition. I wondered if it would become the newest fad in game shows. Who can find the craziest thing to launch at a witch and restrain them? And then the witches learned after the first one went down and were flying around like fucking bees trying to dodge us. Box threw chains but they were too heavy to go far. Horse tried plastic wrap, though it only got someone’s feet. Flower tried a wooden box. “Seriously, Champ?” I laughed with a few others when he used a python that dropped right to the ground. “Oh shut up! It would have squeezed her to death if it had worked,” he yelled with a pout. Points for creativity. I got one with a metal dog cage. It landed right by Horse, who opened it up for the wolves. Four left! Button nailed the next one with a wave of water that ruined the chick’s concentration, and she fell right amongst some more wolves. Score. Oh, I liked Shadow’s! He used a vine with thorns on it so the guy was screaming and bleeding when he hit the ground. “All right, enough playing,” Horse growled and launched a whirlwind of air that got the last two down. The wolves were having a

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field day now that we were done. Time to take care of Franks and then hug my mate. We turned to head back to the house and realized our very, very big mistake. We’d left Franks alone. “You let me go and he lives,” Franks snarled with a knife to my mate’s throat. “I can’t move,” Shely whispered, his eyes wide with fear. Yeah, Franks wasn’t as dumb as he looked because any Navy Lieutenant worthy of wearing the uniform would have been able to get out of that hold and disarm the guy. So Franks was using magic to freeze my mate. Fuck!

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Chapter 8 “I thought the wolves were guarding him.” Horse groaned. I think we all assumed someone else was handling him. “Champ, at his feet,” I hissed at him as we all moved slowly towards the madman holding my mate. My friend glanced at me for a second in confusion and then realized what I meant. Without even moving his arms, he wrapped two boa constrictors around Franks’s legs as I teleported there. I quickly punched the asshole in the face, grabbed my mate in a flash, and ’ported us right back to my friends. It also broke the spell because Shely hugged me to him. “We need to work on you guys’ battle strategy,” he whispered in my ear, but I could still hear the relief in his voice. “You never leave one of the captured unarmed because they don’t stay captured long.” “Yeah, we thought the wolves had him,” I replied as I held him tightly. Franks was screaming on the ground as the snakes started squeezing the life out of him. “Champ, let him go,” Peter said after having shifted back. My friend had the snakes disappearing as quickly as they showed up. The Alpha lifted Franks up by the hair and tossed the man amongst his wolves. “Eat that son of a bitch, and make him suffer.” “No!” Franks screamed but none of us were listening. “Let’s get them inside,” I said gently as I swooped my mate up into my arms. He probably didn’t need it though he was reeling a bit, but mostly I just wanted him in my arms. Horse nodded and did the same with Alice, who didn’t seem as if she could walk on her own. We brought them into the main living

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room and Cave came running over moments later with a glass of water for each of them. We could still hear the wolves outside feasting, but it was a pack thing. We didn’t have to be there for it. They’d take care of the bones or whatever else was left. Though I did make a mental note to run the sprinklers if we didn’t have rain that night so we wouldn’t have dried blood all over our lawn. “I never, ever blamed you, Shely,” Alice whispered after a few moments and a sip of water. “And you need to know that Brian didn’t care that you were gay. He was upset that he didn’t know you well enough that you would have been honest with him. He was a teenager. He would have gotten over it. I wanted to tell you that at the funeral, but it was like I couldn’t.” “You were dealing with two powerful witches who targeted you, Alice,” Horse said gently. “They take down supernaturals with power of their own all the time. None of this was your fault.” “But it was, and now Brian’s dead because of me,” she sobbed and Horse quickly grabbed her water before it fell. “Oh, Alice,” Shely said softly and moved over to the couch she was on to hug her. “I don’t blame you, sweetheart. It was them, only them. It was all their fault. You couldn’t have known what they were or that they did something to your car. What happened was horrible, but we can’t change that and blaming yourself will do nothing but ruin your life.” “Thank you.” She mopped up her face and then looked down at herself. “On top of everything, those fuckers let me go out in public like this. That’s just adding insult to injury.” “You’re going to be just fine.” Shely chuckled. He glanced at me with a sad smile on his face. “Thank you, my love. If it wasn’t for you and your friends, I would have lost not only Brian but Alice as well.” “We were happy to help, mate to our brother,” Cave said with a nod when I was too choked up to speak. “Can I ask what you all are and if those were really werewolves I saw out there?” Alice asked after a few moments. Oh boy. This was

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going to be an interesting conversation. I shot Horse a look, asking what we should do. “Don’t,” Shely whispered and looked directly at me. “Please don’t do what you’re thinking, Idiot.” “You sure you want her to remember all of this?” Alice was the one who answered me. “Yes, I’d rather know than not and wonder or have fake memories, if that’s what you’re implying. It will hurt knowing the man I was dating was responsible for Brian’s death, but I already wondered if it was really an accident. I know the police said there was nothing he could have done to avoid the accident, but he was also speeding. Brian didn’t speed. He was very cautious about driving because one of his friends was hurt in an accident.” “As you wish,” I said with a sigh. “You need to know first and foremost that if you tell anyone about us—” “You’ll shut me up permanently,” she said with a quiver of fear in her voice. “I get it.” “No!” I exclaimed, my eyes going wide as a few of my friends chuckled. “I was going to say that you’ll be putting us in danger! Do you know what normal humans would do if they found out elves were real? They’d study us worse than E.T. or some shit and we’d have to go back to the North Pole to hide. We don’t want that.” “Oh, sorry.” Alice snickered as she blushed. “No, I won’t tell for nothing other than it would help Shely.” “Yeah, I’d die inside if I ever lost Idiot.” “Would you be nice and quit calling him that?” she chastised and smacked him in the chest. “You look at him with love and then are mean to him!” “No, Idiot is really my name,” I said, trying my damndest not to laugh. “Okay, start from the beginning,” she said with a sigh and held out her hands in a typical give it to me gesture. So we did. And Daran

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as well, who was still being eyed over by Why like he was lunch. This was going to be interesting. We all explained as much as we thought they could handle. It took a while. Shadow and Button played host and brought drinks and sandwiches to our guests. I saw Horse cringe seconds before Bren came bursting through the door into the living room. “Why the fuck are there a few dozen howling, naked people on the front lawn covered in blood?” he asked with a snarl. “Ohh, you’re so sleeping on the floor tonight,” Cave teased. “Don’t worry, love,” Justice purred and then his face went dark with anger. “You’ll be right there with him, Mr. Loves to fight and risk his life!” I glanced over at my mate who shrugged. “You saved mine and Alice’s asses a few times over today. You’re getting several blow jobs, my ass as much as you like, and sleeping with me wrapped around you for comfort. Those witches would have killed us if you guys hadn’t stopped them.” “Best mate ever,” I said with a wicked smile, wiggling my eyebrows at him. “Yeah, he has a good point,” Justice grumbled and pulled Cave onto his lap. “I agree you did the right thing, but stop being so excited when you get to fight and risk your life.” “Love, we can’t die unless the elders in the Council intercede.” Cave chuckled and snuggled against his mate. “Worst case we explode and re-form right where we’d been. We were never in any danger other than them getting past us to you guys.” “Fine, you’re forgiven,” Justice sighed. “There’s witches, too?” Bren asked, his mouth hanging open with shock. “I just got used to elves and werewolves.” “Welcome to our day.” Alice snickered and rolled her eyes. Yeah, this would be another fun conversation. ****

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“You think she’ll be okay?” Shely asked when we were in bed snuggling hours later. After we explained everything to Bren, got the wolves to go home and ride out their new power, and settled Alice in one of the guest rooms, my mate and I were ready to crash. Oh, and we showered, too. Both of us were pretty nasty after the fight and gore. “I think she’ll adapt to the news, and now that those assholes aren’t messing with her, she’ll grieve. I want to say the right thing and comfort you, but I don’t know if anyone’s ever okay after losing a child. I don’t think she’s going to have a nervous breakdown or anything though.” “We need to work on your ability to console someone.” He snickered and kissed my neck. “I need to feel you, Idiot.” “I’m right here,” I teased gently, knowing what he needed. “Make love to me,” Shely whispered as he rolled us over so I was sprawled over him. “We’ve never gone slow and made love. And now that I know I’m in love with you, I want my mate to make sweet love to me.” “I love you, too,” I said tenderly. His smile was worth the awkwardness I felt admitting that to him. I tossed off the sheet and melded my body to his as I kissed him passionately. Shely moaned and sucked my tongue as I plundered his mouth. When air became necessary again, I shimmied down his body, smiling when he spread his legs wide for me. I licked the apex of his thighs where they met his groin. I also realized while we’d played and I’d given him head, I’d yet to taste my mate in every way. That was about to be rectified…pun intended. Shely whimpered beautifully and spread his legs wide, placing his feet by his ass. I liked that since if he’d pulled his knees to his chest, I wouldn’t have been able to see his face even propped up on the pillows as he was. I moved my tongue around the base of his leaking

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cock and then did the same thing to his sac. Sitting back on my heels, I purred in delight. “Beautiful,” I whispered as I stared at his groin covered in my saliva, all his goods exposed to me. I shivered when his tight little starburst twitched under my gaze. “You want me there?” I pointed to where I was dying to go, too, smiling wickedly when he groaned and nodded. “Love me, Idiot.” “I do. I love you so much, Shely,” I replied, getting choked up with emotion. I could have lost him today, even if it was illogical. For a split second, I saw my world without Shely when Franks had that knife to his throat. It was then I realized without a doubt that I loved my mate with all my heart. It still was a foreign concept to me to blurt out my feelings, be completely open, and be vulnerable with another person. I’d have to get used to it, but for right now, I could distract my mate enough that I didn’t feel in the spotlight. I dove right in, licking his pink, wrinkled skin as I pulled the cheeks of his ass further apart. He tasted of lingering soap and something that was completely Shely. Delicious. I’d found me new favorite treat. I laved attention on him, opening his body for me. Running my tongue around the outside of it, I then moved my tongue across him. He made the prettiest mewling noises that I planned on hearing over and over again. Then I ran it around the edges, pushing it inside my sweet mate when he loosened enough for me. “Oh sweet hell!” I couldn’t agree with my mate more. I pierced him with my tongue over and over again and then started nibbling on his flesh when he was ready. Shely went wild under me, and I knew I’d found a hot spot for my mate. “No one’s ever eaten my ass before.” “I like that I’m the first, Shely,” I purred, letting the vibrations do wonderful things to my body. When it was time, I made the lube

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appear in my hand. Mmm, cherry flavor. Then I slicked up a couple of fingers and slid them in as I kept up what I’d been doing. “Please, Idiot!” He cried out as my fingers ran over his prostate. “Take me. I need you inside of me more than I need air.” “Whatever my mate wants,” I cooed and pulled my fingers out of him. Between my spit and the lube, Shely was more than slicked up for me. I lifted his legs over my shoulders and slid into him slowly. “Fuck, you feel just as wonderful every time.” “I love you, Idiot,” he whispered as I leaned over him slightly. Why did he keep saying that? I glanced down at his face, confusion written on mine, and when I saw the soft smile he was giving me, I understood. He knew it was hard for me to believe someone would love me just for me. After everything with my family, leaving the North Pole because I didn’t belong, living centuries with a name like Idiot, my mate saw through my secret. I didn’t believe I was lovable. “I love you!” he exclaimed as I thrust into him again, a little harder this time. I lowered his legs and he wrapped them around my hips. He pulled me down until our noses were touching. I never slowed my hips, taking him in the way we both needed. “I love you for being sweet to me and putting me first always. I love you for caring enough to be nice to Alice and wanting to help her. I love you for the way you look out for your friends and treat them like brothers.” “Stop,” I whispered, tears burning in my eyes. “I love you for being so kinky at times and showing me every passion there is. I love you for being able to show me your tender side and making love to me when we needed it. I love you for wanting to claim me as soon as you got to know me and not pushing me to leave the Navy until you knew it was what I wanted, too. I love you for you, all of you, Idiot.” “Please, no more,” I begged as the first tears fell.

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“Not until you understand that I love you with my whole heart and my entire soul! There is nothing wrong with you that you can’t be loved.” “But no one else—” “Fuck everyone else,” he growled and started thrusting his hips hard to meet mine. “Do you love me?” “Of course.” “Do you trust me?” “You know I do,” I answered quietly, knowing where this was going. “Then believe me when I tell you that you’re worthy of love and I love you.” “I love you, too,” I whispered and some dam I didn’t know was even there broke inside of me. I cried wordlessly, burying my face in his neck as we moved together as only two people in love could. With more than our bodies, with our very souls. “Bite me,” Shely hissed as we got close to peaking. My fangs automatically popped out, and I sank them into his soft flesh. He cried out, clinging to me tighter as he filled the space between us with his warm cum. When his ass clamped down on my cock, demanding my release, I gave in. I filled him full of my very essence as I drank his down. “Thank you,” I gasped when we were spent and I was licking my marks closed. “I didn’t even know that was inside of me.” “I know,” he said gently as he petted my hair and ran his other hand down my back. “I saw the doubt in your eyes when I said it the first time. I’m sorry I forced you to see it and it hurt for you to deal with, but I just couldn’t let it go.” “No, I’m glad you did,” I replied honestly. And I was. I obviously needed to let that all out and accept the gift he was giving me. It was long overdue that I dealt with some of the shit in my past, and I knew that no one but Shely would ever have been able to get through to me. But that’s what being someone’s mate was all about. He could do things for me and to me no one else could.

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Chapter 9 The next morning Shely got a call that the paperwork went through on his discharge, and as of Monday, he was no longer in the Navy. His whispered tones told me either he was in shock or he was regretting his decision. I wrapped my arms around him and realized my mate needed some R and R or retail therapy. Then it hit me. I was on a quest of my own. “Did you know Horse paints? Cave uses swimming to unwind, Flower makes his inventions, and everyone in this house has a hobby they love. But me…and now you. Unless you have one?” “No, no I don’t really have a hobby,” he answered slowly as his brow creased. “I like to read, but I’ve never had much time for a real hobby. “What does this have to do with the call I just got?” “Not a damn thing.” I chuckled and kissed his cheek. “That’s the point.” “Don’t you want to know what’s going on?” Shely sounded even more confused now. “I get the general idea, but it sounds like you need time to process, and I suggest until then we go play!” “I don’t really feel like sex, Idiot,” he said sheepishly. “There are other ways to play.” I laughed like a loon and stood, pulling him with me. “As much as I think I could change your mind about the sex, let’s just go have some fun. I want to find a hobby so I’m not constantly following you around all day until you get annoyed with me. We play in the gaming tournaments, and I read, too, but I want something that I’ve a passion for.”

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He seemed to think about what I said for a minute and then nodded with a soft smile. “I have always wanted to go to Old Orchard Mall.” “I was thinking more Hobby Lobby or Michaels, but we can do that too. Oh, I do love FAO Schwarz! We have to let Button know because he’d kill me if we went and he wasn’t invited. But we can take separate cars of course so it’s not like he’s a third wheel. Maybe some of the others can come, too!” “Has anyone ever told you that your excitement is contagious?” He chuckled as we pulled on shoes. “No, they just always told me to shut up and I was an Idiot,” I answered before thinking. “We’ve never done that,” Shadow growled from the open doorway to my room. “Why am I feeling like you’ve been hiding how insecure you really are about your name?” “I dunno,” I said quietly with a shrug. “I don’t have a cool name like Shadow. It’s no big deal.” Shely pointed to his head, looking at my friend. I knew I wasn’t supposed to see it, but I did, so I listened in, too. “I think he just realized it too, Shadow. I’m working on convincing him how worthy he is of love and good friends.” “You’re a worthy mate of my friend, Sheldon Carmichael. I thank the gods you came into his life.” Shely smiled and Shadow dropped it, which I was grateful for. “You want to come with us to do some shopping and have fun?” “Adult store?” Shadow asked my mate as we left my room and headed downstairs. “I’m always game for that.” “We were thinking of finding hobbies now that Shely’s retired,” I said with a snicker. Good to know they were all as big of pervs as I was. It ended up a bunch of my friends wanted to come, so we made it an outing. Shely and I took my car while Button, Shadow, Bren, Horse, Box, Champ, and Maze took a separate SUV. When we got to

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Old Orchard, we started at Starbucks, knowing we’d need the caffeine. Then we checked out several stores where each of my friends picked out a great mating gift for us. Shely kept asking them to put the expensive items back, but there was no way they were going to listen. As I looked around, I couldn’t find anything for my own mate to celebrate our union. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. “I want to set up a scholarship fund for Brian,” I blurted out to Horse and Bren when Shely was on the other side of a store and couldn’t hear me. “At his high school for a kid wanting to go into college.” “I think that’s a great idea, Idiot,” Horse said with a wide smile. Bren was nodding his head in agreement as he hugged his mate close. “I think Shely and Alice would be thrilled.” “Not too much or weird?” “Probably too much but perfect. Your mate doesn’t seem used to accepting gifts.” Bren gave a snicker and pointed to Shely. He was fighting off my friends who were trying to dress him in some designer clothes. “It’s like they have a new Ken doll or something.” “Save him please?” “You got it, buddy,” he said with a smile, stopping to kiss my hair before going to rescue my mate. “You’ve got a wonderful mate, brother.” Horse shined with the praise, and I knew I’d said the right thing. “So do you,” he replied and looped his arm with mine. “We’re very lucky men. Is he as hot in bed as I saw when you claimed him?” “Oh yeah,” I groaned, thinking of my mate’s wanton behavior at times. “And so adventurous that it will never get boring between us.” “Listen to you two gossiping about your sex lives like a couple of teenagers.” Shely chuckled as we joined everyone. “Okay, so what’s next?” “I say we get our donations early this year,” Horse said, winking at Button. No matter how old the guy got, he’d still bounce around at

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the idea of going to a toy store. As we headed in the direction, Horse explained for the mates what we meant. “We donate a truckload of toys every year to Toys for Tots. We have an account at FAO Schwarz set up for it and they donate them for us.” “And we get to have the fun of picking out tons of cool toys!” Button added as he practically skipped around us as we all walked. “I can’t wait to see what’s out new this year. I have to say, I always find the inventions humans come up with amazing. I mean LEGOs might be the best thing ever.” “I assumed you guys actually came up with most of the toys out there,” Bren said with a raised eyebrow. “Or not you, you guys, but elves in general. I mean, don’t the elves who work at Santa’s shop design toys?” I glanced around at my friends for a moment before we all broke out into peals of laughter. It was so bad we couldn’t walk, grabbing our sides as we cackled like morons right there in the middle of the outdoor mall. “I thought it was a logical assumption,” Shely told Bren with a shrug as we started to calm down. Horse kissed his blushing mate on the cheek and explained while we calmed down. “We’re not normal elves,” he said with a gentle tone. “Don’t forget I have three brothers named Merry and a sister named Holly.” “I’ve got four sisters name Joy.” Shadow snickered. “Most elves aren’t all that inventive or go outside of the box on their thinking. They like customs and rituals. If it was up to them, every boy would get a baseball bat and every girl a doll or some shit for Christmas. They don’t design what they build. The ones who need more out of life, like us, leave.” “Damn.” Bren chuckled and gave his mate a wink. “I really did always picture elves in some workroom somewhere plotting out the next big game of the season. Even now I had an image of a group of hot elves, like my mate, making some new Xbox game.”

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“I’ll X your box for thinking about other elves besides me,” Horse growled playfully and goosed Bren. “How does that one work?” I asked, trying to put that phrase though my dirty mind and coming up blank. “We’ll figure out something.” Bren purred, and then everyone changed their tone as we walked into the toy store with the kiddies. No scarring and scaring little munchkins with our dirty minds. Wait until they were of age at least. We spent at least a good hour picking out every cool toy imaginable to donate. It wasn’t until I saw Shely standing in front of a display crying that I realized my great plan to distract him hadn’t worked. Oh, he was distracted from retiring from the Navy but not everything else going on his life. “Babe?” I whispered as I wrapped an arm around him tenderly. “I’m sorry,” he sniffled and wiped his eyes. “I’ve been having lots of fun, but then when I saw this, I just couldn’t help think of Brian.” He gestured to the stacked boxes for Kinect, the interactive system of Xbox’s. “I was planning on getting this for him for Christmas.” “Oh, Shely,” I said gently and hugged him, not caring who saw us. My mate needed my comfort, and if someone didn’t like it, I’d remove the pole from their ass later. “I’m sorry, my love. I know it’s hard.” “It’s weird though,” he replied, not releasing me. “It’s like I’m fine, but then I see something random like this and suddenly I break down. I can’t imagine how Alice is even surviving right now since Brian had lived with her. She’s got to see him everywhere she looks in that house. How does she even get out of bed in the morning?” “I’m sure it’s just one step and one day at a time,” I answered, not sure that’s how she did it, but it sounded like a plan. “Elves don’t ever go through grief like you are. Our children or families don’t ever die unless they’ve been bad and the Council decrees it so. That and I’ve never had a child to even imagine losing, so I seriously have no clue

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what you’re going through, Shely. But I do know you’re still standing after it, which makes you stronger than some.” “Thank you.” He breathed against my neck. “I’m going to find the head and splash some water on my face.” “Okay, baby,” I said gently and patted his arms as we broke apart. “We’ll be right here.” “You always will be.” His smile was sad, but it was a smile, so I had hope Shely would be all right eventually. I watched him walk away with a sigh, wishing I could take away his pain. “You can’t do it, you know,” Horse said as he moved up next to me. “I know,” I whispered, wanting to cry myself. “It would just be so much easier if he didn’t remember even having Brian.” “Yes, but it would be a big enough betrayal for you to lose your magic, Idiot. You’d die without it, and then he’d have to go through that as well and then remember what your magic made him forget.” “I know. I’d never do it, but I can’t help thinking it as an option.” “That just makes you an elf, brother, not a bad person. I was obviously thinking the same thing if I knew you were. But don’t even ask it of any of us.” “You know I wouldn’t!” I exclaimed, taken aback he’d even suggest it. “I do know that,” he said firmly. “But if Bren was in that much pain, I’d hope one of you would help him if I couldn’t. Just not like that. It’s wrong.” “I agree, and I won’t. He’s entitled to his grief, and I’d never take the memories of his son even if they hurt him. I just want to do something to help him remember the good in life. Feel like he’s really living inside again.” “I think you do that for him, Idiot. Don’t sell yourself short. He’s happy to have met you and be with you, but he needs time to grieve for his loss.” We were quiet a moment, and then I swear I could

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almost hear the idea popping into his head. “We need a party. Parties always make people feel better. We’ll do it elf-style.” “Nice,” I hissed and bumped fists with him. “Think we could swing it for tonight? I’d really like him to blow off some steam after yesterday.” “I’m all over it like white on rice.” He chuckled as he pulled out his phone. “We want the wolves since they were part of the victory. No fairies though.” “No, I fucking hate that pixie dust shit,” I groaned and then shivered even thinking about it. And people thought sand was bad! Yeah, they’d never had to scrub themselves of that crap. “But I’m calling the trolls.” He snickered. “They get crazy, stupid drunk.” “Yeah but they stay in the yard. Remember when we let them in the house last time?” We both rolled our eyes thinking of the disaster that was. Trolls weren’t little guys by any means. They were more like giants, not the brightest, and incredibly clumsy. It cost several grand to replace the gaming equipment when a few drunk ones tried to play our system last party. “The cats can come if they pick a damn form,” Horse mumbled as his fingers flew over the keys to text out invites. “Oh hell yes,” I growled. Werecats, unlike werewolves, could not only change into big cats like Peter and them did into wolves. They also could change their sex. And they had fun grossing us all out switching from man to woman in front of people. I guess it was their way of survival since cats tended not to be straight or gay but happy either and all ways. The theory behind it being that one of the cats could change into a woman, get pregnant, have the baby, and change back when it was done. So it didn’t matter who they mated. They’d still have more little werecats. But like with all neat tricks, people liked showing them off. “I’ll let everyone else know. As long as you keep your mate out of the house, we should be fine,” Horse said with a wink.

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“What are you two plotting here?” Bren asked as he came over with Shely, who looked much better. “Nothing,” we answered together before Horse pulled on his mate’s arm. “I was just saying we needed to leave the lovebirds alone after this store so they can spend some quality time together.” “We’re still lovebirds, too, honey.” Bren chuckled and shook his head as Horse dragged him towards the register. “Unless you guys only have a few weeks’ honeymoon periods after mating.” “Try a few decades.” I snickered. “At least,” Horse purred and grabbed Bren’s ass. We both knew we meant centuries, but that’s not something we could just holler across the store since it was packed, and we didn’t know who was listening. But centuries was more accurate. Elves lived forever and had money, so work didn’t get in the way unless we wanted it to. So why couldn’t our honeymooning phase last centuries? Exactly, no reason. “What were you two really plotting?” Shely asked as I pulled him out of the store, waving at our friends as we went. “I was explaining why we were busting out of here and going to spend some quiet time looking into hobbies,” I explained as we got by the car. “I didn’t want you to feel you were on display when you were upset.” “You’re so sweet,” he cooed, and then I felt a little guilty for my fib. But it was more or less the truth. I just didn’t add in the surprise part because that would have ruined it. As we drove to Hobby Lobby, I realized that Shely was starting to relax. It made me smile that he was because after everything he'd been through, relaxing sounded like a good plan for him. It didn't take long to get there, and when we did, we got a parking spot right by the door. Shely slid his hand in mine as we walked inside and got a cart. It seemed like such a simple thing, running an errand together, but I knew for us it was so much more. This is what

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was supposed to be normal. And since we've had nothing but chaos from the moment we met, we had everything but. “Is it a cliché that the naval officer wants to build boats?” he asked sheepishly, not meeting my gaze. “Maybe it's a lame kind of hobby, but I thought it would be a good starting point, something I've always wanted to do.” “To each his own,” I answered with a shrug. “I have absolutely no interest in that, but we don't have to have the same hobby. I was thinking of making candles. I've always liked the scents, and I like when my room smells nice from burning them. I just thought it was something different since we don't have anybody who does crafts really in the house. So if your hobby idea’s cliché, then mine's just girly. But it's not about anybody else, it's about us.” “I don't think it's girly. I think it's romantic in a way since it's our room, and you’d be making some nice.” He smiled at me, and suddenly I didn't feel so bad about my choice. Then again I have friends that painted, did glassblowing, mosaics, and just about any other hobby that could still be considered crafts. Just, for some reason, candle making seemed more along the lines of crocheting than a manly hobby. But my friends weren’t judgmental, so I didn’t know why I was even worrying about it. And gods knew they were understanding and wanted us to be happy. Otherwise they wouldn’t be planning a party for us right then. “Can I make a request of my mate?” “Of course,” I answered with a bright smile. “I love the fact that you support me in this! To be honest, right before we met, I wondered what the purpose of my life was. It was always something missing, something I can’t put my finger on but left my heart empty. Now I know it was you that was missing, Shely. You give my life meaning. Maybe this isn’t the right time to say it, but I needed to say it. You needed to know it's not just love I feel, you saved me.”

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“Saved you from what?” he asked, his eyebrows drawn together in confusion. “From a boring life without purpose or love. I know my friends love me and I feel the same way. I've always wanted somebody to look at me the way you look at me and make me feel inside that I was the most important person to them. You give me that. And, as silly as it sounds, the least I can give you is a vote in what candle scents we get.” “Works for me.” He chuckled and then gave me a wink to let me know he understood the importance of what I said. I wasn't the best at telling my feelings. Sometimes they came out in a ramble or blurting them out in the middle of a hobby store. But what could I say? I was a work in progress just like everybody else I ever met. Nobody is ever perfect throughout life, but the goal is to make sure that every day you're a little bit better than the day before. After we picked up some painting supplies and some models for Shely to put together, we moved over on to my hobby. He found me a great starter kit with a bunch of different molten options in case I didn't like one or the other. It was stupid, but we really got into the colors in the scents and the designs. It ended up he wanted to make sure that I got a lilac scent because it was his favorite. I would have given Shely my heart if he needed one, so choosing lilac was no big. When we were done, the supplies cost less than a hundred dollars, and we were thrilled at the prospect of having something fun, relaxing, enjoyable. Even if we weren't doing the same project, we could still be in the same room together. And if we went home and hated it…so fucking what? It gave us a step in the right direction, which is what we really were looking for. And as much as I wanted everything to be about Shely, he’d need time away from me. And I'm pretty sure it might be unhealthy for your only hobby to be your mate.

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Chapter 10 I decided to take Shely on a romantic late lunch since we had time to kill before the party was to start. Okay, so maybe romantic wasn't the right word but fun was more what I had in mind. He let me take him to Fuddruckers, and it was late enough that we weren't bothered by the lunch rush. But as our luck always seemed to have it, the outing wasn't uneventful. Damn. “Hello, Paul,” someone said from behind us. I cringed when I realized who it was. “Hey, Eric, what's up?” I asked casually, hoping he wouldn't make a scene. But I really should have known better. “You found a new toy, I see,” Eric sneered as he eyed Shely over as he would yesterday's garbage. “I would've been more than willing to play if you came and found me.” “I'm not a fucking toy,” Shely growled. I sighed and wanted to bang my head against the wall. All we were supposed to do was have a nice, relaxing lunch until the party. Now some new drama popped up, and it was upsetting my mate when the whole goal was to keep him happy today. “And I know I could do more for Paul than you ever fucking could.” “And I'm just surprised I actually remember your name.” I chuckled and took a bite of my burger. Maybe it was harsh, but the guy was being a dick, and I didn’t want Shely to think this guy ever meant anything to me. Because Eric sooo didn't. He was some random one-night stand from the club who couldn’t deal with his own sexuality and practically begged me to pay him afterwards.

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He was the ultimate pretend bottom looking for a sugar daddy. And I knew, even when I took him home, that he was the type that looked down on smaller Doms. But he was broke and lazy and wanted a free pass in life. “I remember you calling it out very often the night we spent together,” he said evenly, trying to control his anger. I wasn't fooled though, and I could tell Shely wasn't either. “Really? You remember anything with how drunk you were? I'm shocked since you were calling me the wrong name most of the night. Then you left and acted like I would pay you for your services.” “I'm not a whore, and I don't appreciate you implying that I acted as if I was one!” he exclaimed. That got us a few stares from the people in the restaurant. It made me want to laugh that he couldn’t even control himself. He’d never make it as somebody's official boy toy if he couldn’t keep his emotions under wrap. He caught himself, masking his face and smoothing it out as though we hadn't affected him. Eric smiled brightly at me and rubbed himself suggestively. “I remember you being very happy with the services I provided you,” he said seductively. But really just made himself look like an ass. “Oh yeah, I was so happy that I didn't call on you again.” I snickered and pointed at Shely. “This is my partner and my husbandto-be. You ever look at him with disdain again or insult him as you have, and I will feed you your balls before you take your next breath. We crystal fucking clear?” “Of course,” he said with a smile. “Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials then. I'd love an invite to the wedding. You had some very yummy friends, if I remember correctly. I'm sure one of them would be able to appreciate the man I am.” “I'm sure they would,” Shely replied, and I could see that he was trying not to laugh. “I'm sure they know exactly the type of man you

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are. Which is why I highly doubt any of Paul's friends would ever give you the time of day.” “Easy for you to act all high and mighty now that you're marrying the golden goose! Do you have any idea how much money they all have? I mean you've been to the house obviously and seen the spread they got. Just because you're marrying into money doesn't make you worthy of judging me.” “Don't you get it?” He snickered and then shook his head sadly at the idiot in front of us. “I could give a rat’s ass about his money. I don't need Paul's support, or anyone else, I can do it on my own. That's a man worthy of Paul or any of his friends, not some leech who wants to feed off of them.” “And that would be why Shely's going to be my husband and you will be nothing but a very, very distant memory. Not even a pleasurable one.” I smiled innocently at him and batted my eyelashes for effect. “Be that as it may, we both know you're not a one-man kind of guy. I give it a month before you’re cheating on him. No one with your appetite to constantly have a different bed partner could keep someone for the rest of their life.” I was ready to tear into the guy when Shely shocked the shit out of me. “Everyone hops around until they find the right person. Paul just knows his mind and didn't waste time on the wrong person. But I got skills your pathetic ass never could have. I’m a real man who knows how to please Paul. I suggest you get the fuck out of my face before you find out exactly how a real man handles some jag off like you hitting on my partner.” “Bravo!” I exclaimed and gave him air-kisses. Eric took one more look at us, snarled, and stormed off like a priss. We both watched them go, but then Shely turned towards me with a disturbed look. “I would never cheat on you, baby. I hope by now you would really know that,” I said gently as I took his hand in mine. I gazed right into his eyes, hopefully showing him how much I meant it.

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“I believe you,” he replied quietly, still looking nervous as he glanced down at our hands. “I just worry I won’t be enough for you. You had so many years, decades even, to experience the best the world has to offer. What can I possibly give you to keep you interested for all of eternity?” “You, Shely. You're more than enough, and that's all I want, all I'll ever want. I understand your doubts now, but that will come to change. As fast as we’re moving with all that's happened, it seems like we’re in step ten of our relationship as opposed to a few days in. I saw Horse and Bren go through the same thing. But you’d never know they've only been together a few weeks. Security in a relationship takes time. We'll get there, I know we will.” “In my heart I know you're right, but there's this voice in the back of my head that says I'll never be enough. That you leave me whether we're mates or not and I'll be left with nothing.” “All I ask is that you give me the chance to prove you otherwise.” I held my breath as I waited for him to reply. He raised our joined hands, kissing mine, and nodding his agreement. “Then I'm the happiest damn man in the world.” “See, now that's what I was going to say.” He chuckled, and we went back to our lunch. Once we were done there, we made a few more stops, and while he was busy, I was e-mailing back and forth with our new attorney Daran about setting up a scholarship. One of the main reasons I liked the guy was he was honest. He admitted it was something he had never done before but promised to ask for help from one of the other attorneys in his firm and have it ready for tonight. Then as much as I didn't want to, I talked Shely into going up to Great Lakes to finish filling out some more paperwork he needed to. He wasn't frowning this time, seeming calm about the whole thing. And while the whole goal of the outing was to keep him happy, it was something that needed to be done and bought us more time.

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We pulled the driveway at eight o'clock like Horse had told me to. I knew their magic was hiding the other cars and part of me cringed that I'd end up plowing into somebody. In hindsight I’m pretty sure they had most people park around back. The house was dark and quiet, and there was no way anyone could tell that there were probably hundreds of people inside. Shely looked at me with a raised eyebrow as we went into the front door since thus far we’d gone in through the kitchen. “Surprise!” dozens of partygoers exclaimed as we walked into the foyer. Shelley dropped the bags he was holding, his jaw falling open in shock. I was glad my mate was as young as he was because if he had been any older, I think the surprise might've given him a heart attack. “You sneak.” He snickered as he turned towards me. “I was wondering why it was so important for you to run all these errands today, and I knew you were trying to distract me, but I didn't know you were also buying time. I can’t believe you did all this for me.” “Well, for us really.” I chuckled and went into his open arms. He hugged me tightly and kissed my neck, getting a shiver from me. “I can’t be happy if you’re upset, and since we had a mating and I fully plan on calling you my husband in public, we needed a reception!” “I love you.” He breathed in my ear. I could hear the warring emotions in his voice, but happy was there so I was good with the others as well. Whatever they were. “I love you too, baby.” I gave him another squeeze before we parted and I smiled when Shely slid his hand into mine. I ’ported our bags upstairs so they wouldn’t be in the way and led my mate into the media room. “Holy shit!” Shely gasped and I couldn’t help but giggle. Yeah, a paranormal party must be a shocker for a human. “Why is everyone naked?”

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“Shifters and most supernatural beings don’t really care about nudity. It makes it easier if we need to shift or something instead of always tearing up clothes.” “So we’re not supposed to stare at the hot ones, right?” It was a genuine question, one that wasn’t meant to make me jealous…but it did. “Stare at whomever you fucking like,” I snarled and turned on my heel. I stormed over to the bar, already having worked myself up into a nice hissy fit. “Give me five Jager Bombs.” The bartender, who was a wolf, didn’t even raise an eyebrow as he mixed them up for me since all of us there not human had quite a tolerance for booze. I was on my third one when Shely wrapped his arms around me from behind. “As sexy as it is when you get all jealous, I wasn’t trying to make you. I was really just asking a question because in the movies you’re not supposed to notice when shifters are naked.” “Yeah, well, you said hot ones,” I grumbled and tossed back another shot. “You want to go check out your options, then go right ahead.” “Idiot,” he purred and moved his hands lower. “Please forgive me, my love. I didn’t mean it like that, and just because I might check someone else out, that doesn’t mean I want anyone else or think they’re as good-looking as my gorgeous mate.” “Prove it,” I said with a pout. Okay, so I was being a baby, I knew that. But I had my friends go to all this trouble to set up this party, I’d been doing everything I could to make my mate happy today, and at the first sign of hot, naked guys, he’s got a wandering eye. “Gladly,” Shely moaned and dropped to his knees. I drank my last shot as he opened my fly and pulled out my cock. He stared up at me as he licked the head of it. “You’re the only one I want ever, Idiot.” “Okay,” I gasped as he swallowed me down. His skills were improving rapidly.

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“That’s one hell of a thank-you for a party.” Peter chuckled behind me as he went to the bar. I waved him off with my middle finger and focused on the pleasure my mate was giving me. “So good, Shely,” I groaned. “Always so perfect with you.” He hummed his approval and sucked on me harder. It didn’t take me long until I was shooting down his throat. He drank me down and licked me clean with loud, seductive slurps. “Me next!” one stupid werecat called out. “Fuck off,” I snarled and pulled my mate up on his feet. “He is mine!” My fangs came out, and I sank them into Shely’s neck. He cried out my name, rubbing his cock against my side as he came. I used my magic to get rid of our clothes as I drank down his sweet blood. I wanted everyone to see his seed marking my body. “Don’t close it,” he groaned when he was spent and I was retracting my fangs. “I want everyone to see your bite on me.” “Right answer,” I purred as I ran my hands over his firm ass. “You know we’re going to have hot sex in front of everyone later, right?” “Shit, that’s hot!” His cock started to perk right back up against my stomach, letting me know it wanted the attention. “You can fuck me stupid all night so everyone knows who I belong to. Does this mean you forgive my thoughtless comment?” “I do,” I answered and stood on my toes to kiss him. He brushed his lips over mine, and I sighed. Our first fight was over and it wasn’t a big one. “I get jealous, and maybe that’s wrong, but you mean too much to me not to. I’d tattoo you were mine all over you if you’d let me.” “Can you use that magic of yours to do it temporarily?” he asked, lust shining in his eyes. “I can.” I snickered and did just that. I put a large washable tat on his butt cheeks saying Idiot’s Ass. “Go look in the mirror.” He turned towards the back wall behind the bar with a mirror and chuckled. “Nice!”

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“It’s a shame,” that same werecat purred. “I do like hot humans.” “Yeah, too bad for you,” I growled, letting my magic flow over me so the shifter could feel my power. “Yummy,” he said, licking his lips. Shely saw this might go downhill fast and pulled me away. “I want to see everything of my party.” I nodded and ignored the werecat. Shely was practically bouncing with excitement as we toured the house. My friends had outdone themselves. That was for sure. There were six bars set up, a DJ booth and speakers throughout the house, along with tables covered in food of all kinds, decorations, and the finale on the terrace. Gelatin wrestling. We headed towards the play room after sharing a laugh at the two sexy female wolves wrestling in front of some of their pack. From what we saw, the men watching were really, really excited at the entertainment. I froze when I saw who was lying on one of the tables with her legs in the air. “Alice?” Shely asked and dragged me over there. “Hi!” She moaned as her suitor pounded into her. “It seems I’m a werewolf’s mate.” Shely was smiling, but I wasn’t convinced everything was on the up-and-up. Men, and even women, were known to say anything to get what they wanted. I waved Peter over and pointed to the couple going at it like rabbits. “Seriously?” “Yes, Gavin came to me first thing when he realized Alice was his mate. Horse gave his blessing, as the closest thing to her pack leader, as well once Gavin bit her and officially claimed her. Besides, in my pack making false claims of a mate is a death offense. We take that shit seriously.” “I trust you,” I said solemnly, and I did. We shook hands and then Peter did with Shely as well. We left the newly mated couple to their fun, and I could hear in Shely’s thoughts how pleased he was that Alice would have someone

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now when she needed a shoulder most. Plus, if her werewolf was half as good to her as I was to Shely, then she was lucky to have found him and her past troubles were over. “You’re very much forgiven now,” I said gently as I pushed him up against the wall, away from most eyes. Before he could ask what I meant, I pulled his head down to mine and practically climbed up his body as I kissed him. “If everyone could please meet in the main room by the DJ stand, the ceremony is about to begin,” someone announced over the speakers and I reluctantly let my mate go. “What did I do to deserve that kind of kiss?” Shely panted as I pulled away. “Because whatever it was, I want to do it again!” “I heard your thoughts about how lucky Alice was if her wolf is even remotely as good to her as I am to you. I’m sorry I doubted your loyalty to me. I know better, I really do, and you can spank me if you want later.” “You said it yourself earlier, Idiot,” he whispered as he cupped my cheek. “This is new to both of us, and I understand why you got jealous. And it was hot. We’ll learn to trust each other and know that we’d never stray.” “You’re the best mate ever,” I purred and stroked his cock. “But we’ve got to get into the other room.” “What ceremony are they talking about?” he asked as I pulled him along with me. “Since we don’t have commitment ceremonies or weddings really unless we need to do so for appearances with humans, we do something else. It’s fun, don’t worry.” “Okay,” Shely drawled and I could just about feel his confusion. We made our way through the crowd and ended up in front of the DJ table with Horse, Cave, and their mates. I had a moment’s pause to feel bad that Surprise wasn’t there with his mate. But it was their drama, and it wasn’t for us to get involved with…yet.

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“We are gathered here today to join these men in holy mating,” Peter boomed once he got everyone to quiet down. “For those of you that have seen our ceremonies before, you know what to do. And for you others, just be quiet.” Most of the room chuckled as Peter turned to Horse first. My friend had a bright smile on his face and a naked mate next to him. Then again, no one was wearing clothes. “Do you, elf man, take your sweet piece of ass Bren to be your husband for all of eternity?” “I do,” my friend purred, leering at his man. “Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish him always?” Again Horse agreed. “Will you put out whenever he wants, give him wild sex for the rest of your years, and present that tight little ass of yours for him to use as he wishes?” Shely gasped, his eyes going wide at the turn the ceremony was taking. I couldn’t help but smile. “I do,” Horse said and moved in front of Bren. He bent over, grabbing his ankles, and fully exposed himself to his mate. “Bren, if you’d be so kind as to slam that piece of meat in your mate, we can get to your vows.” “Um, okay,” Bren replied nervously as he glanced at us. Cave and I gave him a supportive nod that this was really how it went. “Never a dull moment with you guys.” He lined up his dick and pushed it into my friend. Then Peter moved on to Cave before coming to me. I almost felt bad for Bren and Horse, who had to wait until we were all done before moving on to the next part. “Now, good-looking humans that have their cocks buried in elf ass,” Peter purred as he eyed us all over. “Instead of answering ‘I do’ for these next vows, your agreement will be to thrust instead, pleasing your mate, and binding your agreement. Do you understand?” Instantly I felt Shely slam into me again. Nice he figured that out quickly.

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“I’ll go quickly, so don’t wait for me to pause before agreeing, simply pound into your mate each time you’re an affirmative.” Peter chuckled, knowing full well the point was for us to get fucked. “Do you promise to honor your mate? To love them? To be faithful forever? To be what any kinky little elf needs?” “He’s going faster than I can thrust with you so tight,” Shely grunted, agreeing with everything Peter said. “That’s the joke.” I snickered and then moaned when he slapped my ass. “Do it again.” “Kinky little elf.” He chuckled as he did as I wanted. “Do you swear never to eat cookies in the bed and leave crumbs?” Peter asked with a smirk. “Promise to never forget an anniversary? Give great head? Sleep in the nude? Keep those flat abs and not get fat?” I wanted to laugh at how he was never seeming to run out of vows so we’d still be fucking. But I was having way too much fun getting fucked by my mate. “Never leave dirty dishes in the sink? Not shower alone? Never flash your cocks for money?” And on and on he went. Cave was the first to come with Justice. “And we have a winner!” Peter exclaimed. I didn’t really care because Shely was thrusting erratically and dug his short nails in my hips. That was all it took, the knowledge he was getting closer, to throw me into my own climax. My mate followed me right over the edge with Bren and Horse trailing behind. “What did we win?” Justice gasped as they slumped to the floor while my mate was still shooting in my ass. “We get to wrestle in the gelatin next.” Cave giggled and moved so he was straddling his mate. “I’m going to pin you down and fuck you good in the goo.” “Okay,” Justice groaned and flopped back to the floor. “Give me a minute to recover.” “Aww, the pup needs more time before taking a fat cock up the ass?” Peter taunted in a baby-talk voice. It was so hysterical and

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inappropriate, Shely and I started laughing as we finished and fell to the floor. “What do we get for second place?” Shely asked with a wink. “Well Horse and Bren get to direct the wrestling for holding out the longest. Second place is they pick which contraption we use in the play room instead of making us wrestle in front of everyone.” “Do all you guys ever do is have sex?” a young wolf asked as he stroked himself. “Because if it’s a yes, then sign me up to live here!” “Elves can’t fuck wolves,” Peter grumbled and cuffed the twentysomething pup upside the head. “I’d still get to watch,” he said with a pout. “Maybe play with their castoffs.” “We do do more than have sex.” Horse snickered. “We do?” Bren asked, his eyes shining with mirth. “That’s news to me.” “Just for that,” Horse growled, his fangs popping out. He bit his mate and Bren cried out, coming again as he rode the bliss. Shely burst into peals of laughter, happier than I’d ever seen him and completely sated…for now. Give my horny mate a half an hour and he’d be begging to go again. I was the fucking luckiest elf ever! It was the perfect night and everything my mate needed. Later I gave him the paperwork for the scholarship fund set up in Brian’s name. My mate wept tears of gratitude, so at least I know he liked it, and tears for all he’d lost and suffered. And I held him, promising I was right there for him…as I always would be.

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Epilogue: Cave “What the fuck?” I exclaimed as Justice came out of the bathroom. He said he had a surprise planned for me and hot sex was going to be involved, but I never expected this. “I’m out of here.” “No, you’re not,” he said firmly and moved in front of our bedroom door, jingling as he moved. He was wearing a red robe lined with stupid little jingle bells…the ones whose sound drove me insane along with all other bells. “I took a lot of time setting this up and you will at least make an attempt to enjoy it or no sex for a week.” “Yeah, right,” I scoffed and took a step back from him, staring him right in the eyes. “There’s no way you could go seven days without begging for my cock pounding in your ass.” “No, you’re right, I couldn’t,” he said with a sigh and then broke out his best weapon. His plump lip came out in a pout as he gave me big puppy-dog eyes. “But you’d hurt my feelings for not even appreciating what I did.” “Justice,” I whined and sat back on the bed. “Low blow, baby.” “Maybe, but I promise if you’ll give this a chance you’ll like it,” he said with a purr and sashayed over towards me. He turned on his iPod on the nightstand and church bells came on in the background. Oh, for fuck’s sake! Then he straddled my lap, still standing, and undid his robe. Now I was groaning for an entirely different reason. My gorgeous, very toned, very hot mate was tricked out in jingle bells. He had on bracelets and anklets of them. But the best part was the nipple clamps he had on with bells on the end and a cock ring over

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his hard-on with them as well. He shook his dick at me, jingling away as the robe slid off his shoulders. “I’m in charge tonight, my mate,” he growled and ran his fingers over the clamps. It was something we’d not tried out yet and I instantly got rock hard. “Do you like?” I couldn’t answer at first so I cleared my throat and swallowed loudly a few times. “Very much. May I touch?” “You may,” Justice purred and sat down on my lap. He’d made me get naked while waiting for him so his cock, complete with ring, rubbed against mine. I ran my fingers around the clamps and my sexy mate moaned, throwing his head back in complete abandon. “Do you like bells now?” “Maybe,” I answered, knowing full well I did if they were on him. “I could do without the church bells in the background.” “You’ll like them when you fuck me stupid with them on. Every time you think of them after tonight you’ll think of the hot sex we’re going to have. And you won’t hate them anymore.” “Thank you, baby,” I said tenderly, meaning it and appreciating what he was doing. Before he could say anything, I licked one of his clamped nipples while tugging on the other one. Justice went wild, humping his hips against mine and making the hottest mewling sounds. “Okay, enough foreplay. Fuck me, Cave. Fuck me until I can’t walk and we both pass out!” “I was having fun with my surprise,” I said, trying to laugh at his impatience. He grabbed my head roughly between his hands and mashed his mouth down to mine. “I’ll wear it again. Now fuck me with that big cock!” “Yes, baby,” I growled and flipped him onto the bed, following him down. And then I used my magic to stretch him as I pushed his legs apart and crawled in between them. He propped himself up on

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some pillows, watching me intently as I threw his legs over my shoulders and impaled him on my cock. “I love you, Cave. No more hating bells or Christmas or you get no more ass.” “I’ll need a few more desensitizing therapies, but I’m sure that can be arranged. But okay, I won’t hate Christmas or the damn bells as long as you’re at my side.” “Good,” he said as he squeezed the muscles of his ass around me. “Now jingle my bells and fuck me stupid.” “My pleasure,” I growled and did just that. I fucking loved my mate and his kinky, sweet side that was wrapped all into one hot package.

THE END WWW.JOYEEFLYNN.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joyee Flynn grew up in Chicago living in the same house all her life until she went 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 Siren Classic ManLove: Who Need Christmas? 1: Screw Santa Siren Classic ManLove: Who Need Christmas? 2: Hell’s Bells

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

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com