by A. E. Via
Now it was time to stop basking in their new connection and rejoin the rest of the world.
The loud thud of Macauley’s boots as he walked down the stairs cut through the silence and amped up his hunger. Adres was standing in front of the large window in the kitchen, looking out over the bustling compound. Word of their pairing had circulated fast, and Adres was nervous about how Macauley’s pack would receive him after what he’d done. Just because his mate and his siblings had understood and forgiven him… didn’t mean that everyone else would. Macauley’s headstrong betas, Bundy and Anna, still continued to eye him suspiciously around their alpha.
He released a long sigh as Macauley pressed his chest against his back and wrapped his arms around him. His warmth soaked through Adres’s jacket and into his skin as he peppered soft kisses along the side of his neck.
“Are you about to start baying at the moon?” Macauley chuckled.
Adres was also getting used to Macauley’s wry sense of humor. Ever since Adres had explained that he didn’t prefer to laugh or smile, his cherished had made it his personal mission to get him to do just that.
Adres sucked his teeth. “Clever.”
“Are you ready to leave, grumpy? I wanted to walk the grounds for a bit before we go to see Justice and Wick.”
“As ready as I am going to be.”
Macauley flicked his tongue behind Adres’s ear, making him shudder. He tilted his head to allow for more, despite his weak protest that they needed to continue to be cautious. “Macauley, stop it. La naiba, Macauley. We’re supposed to be careful but you continue to test my willpower.”
“I can’t help it; I like it when you curse at me.” Macauley’s deep timbre was back. When he’d been able to use his vocal cords again, the first thing he’d said to Adres was “It wasn’t your fault,” and he also fussed that Adres better never jump out of his window and into the sun again. “I understand a lot more of your language now. Keep talking.”
Adres groaned as Macauley pushed his bulge against his ass, his knees going weak as warm hands caressed his chest.
“You look nice tonight.”
“Thank you. And you—” Adres glanced over his shoulder at Macauley’s tattered sweater and his typical denims with the threadbare kneecaps. “—look like you always do. Comfortable.”
Macauley laughed so loud it tickled Adres’s eardrum. He turned him around and draped his arms over Adres’s shoulder as he stared down on him. It made him want to smooth his hair back or dust away imaginary lint on his shawl when Macauley gazed at him for so long. When he looked at Adres as if he was responsible for the moon that lit the sky.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that.”
“Do what?” Macauley snuck his hands under Adres’s cover and unbuttoned a couple of clasps on his jacket.
Adres’s eyelids fell slowly as Macauley grazed his calloused thumb over his left nipple. He bit his bottom lip to keep the wanton moan from escaping his throat. How the hell was Macauley finding all of these erotic hot buttons Adres knew nothing about? Macauley watched his reaction, his breath fanning over his lips. And it made him think about kissing. Macauley removed his hands and placed them on Adres’s hips and walked them backwards until his ass hit the countertop. He dragged his hands up his chest and gripped his neck as Adres’s head fell back and to the side.
Macauley growled low inside as he dipped his head and sucked hungrily on Adres’s throat. He no longer cared about how he sounded, not when Macauley seemed to enjoy the more vocal he got. “Your submission makes me want to be inside of you again. I can feel your light, and I’m not even trying to. All that goodness in there just waiting for me.”
“Macauley, please.” What was Adres even begging for?
“I can only imagine how it’ll feel when I penetrate you.”
“Futu-i.”
“That’s right. When I fuck you and claim you,” Macauley whispered, then sucked harder, his hips thrusting as if showing Adres just how he was going to take him. Slow and deep. “You’ll keep begging for more.”
“Yes.”
“And I’ll give you all that you need.”
Macauley worked his way to Adres’s lips, and he parted them, allowing his cherished to take one of those soul-searching kisses he liked so much. By the time he pulled away, Adres was ridiculously hard, and his ass was pulsing around phantom fingers as he hitched his leg onto Macauley’s hip.
“Damn, look at you.” Macauley gripped his ass and drove him forward, grinding their hardness’ together.
“It is not my fault.” Adres shuddered as his cock leaked down his thigh. He was a man who accepted responsibility for his actions, but he was sure Macauley was doing something to him that made his head foggy and only allowed him to center his thoughts on one thing.
Mate!
“You can’t blame me, either. It’s a full moon tomorrow night. This is how we get during this time.” Macauley licked his lips. “It’s really sexy if you know how to enjoy it.”
“And I see that you do. You have been insatiable the last couple days. I haven’t seen such shamelessness since I visited the Vila Mimosa in Rio.”
Macauley frowned. “Isn’t that like a red-light district for sex tourists?”
“Precisely.”
“And what the hell were you doing there?”
Adres shrugged. “I had a taste for Brazilian.”
Macauley gripped the back of Adres’s neck, which should not have turned him on as much as it did. “I hope you savored it… because it was the last time you were going to have it.”
That is fine with me, young wolf.
Macauley was more than ready to show off his impressive mate. The pack was beyond excited when Justice had first mated with Wick. And not to mention that he was the only vampire the Mother had allowed to shift into an animal. But not just any animal—a Siberian tiger. And when Aleksei had mated with the Lord High, well, no one had thought a man or vampire could be so ethereally beautiful and as charming as Belleron Liatos. But in Macauley’s mind—and no one would be able to convince him otherwise—his mate was by far the best.
A Titan! A descendant of the west wind.
And by gods was Adres beautiful. Scars and all. Macauley saw them as displays—tattoos—of his strength and courage. He possessed magic that they all thought was gone along with the old world.
He attempted to grasp Adres’s hand as they made their way through the main compound and towards the war room, but he wouldn’t let him. “I want to hold your hand.”
Adres frowned as they walked shoulder to shoulder. “Is that what you are trying to do? I thought I was walking too closely. Why would you need to hold my hand? I am walking just fine… or do you need assistance?”
Macauley laughed again. “Um, no. I wasn’t offering you assistance.” Macauley made air quotes with his fingers when he said “assistance.” “It’s a form of affection.”
“A very public display of affection.” Adres glanced around at the eyes that were on them.
His pack was just curious and no doubt relieved to see him out and recovered.
“I know vampires are kind of private, but I’ve always wanted to… ya know.” Macauley waved away his words. “Never mind, forget it—”
“Mac. It’s really good to see you,” Michelle said on her way past, scenting him as she did. He was sure she could smell that he was still unmated. She gave Adres a snide glare before she ate up Macauley’s chest with her hazel eyes. After all, she was a beta, and the full moon was only hours away. “And looking fine too.”
Ordinarily Macauley would’ve been making arrangements to meet her tomorrow night, but that wasn’t happening. And from her actions, she didn’t appear to appreciate being replaced.
“Yes. I agree. Let us hold hands.” Adres ran his palm down Macauley’s forearm until he got to his hand and wove their fingers together.
Macauley beamed as the ohhs and awws echoed near them. Macauley used his other hand to touch the diamonds along the
wide cuff of Adres’s black sleeve. “I just want everyone to know that you’re mine, Adres. And even though we had a little situation happen last week, I want people to know that we’re okay.”
“I understand. And I think I like holding your hand. It’s cold out here, and you are quite warm,” Adres said truthfully.
Macauley smiled and kept them moving. Great timing, Michelle. He didn’t mind seeing Adres’s jealous side.
Macauley talked as they wound their way through the beaten path along the mountain towards the war room. “You still think we should be apart tomorrow night?”
“I do. Especially with how you have behaved recently.”
“You mean how we behaved, right?” Macauley clarified.
Damn, Adres was in deep waters… and he’d never learned how to swim. Macauley’s youthful grin could get Adres to do anything he desired of him. How would he ever look into those playful blue eyes and say no? “I beg your pardon.” Adres frowned.
“I think it was you that started rubbing and touching me last night while we were watching the movie.”
“I was bored to death. I tried to explain to you that I do not watch television, but you insisted. That movie was overexaggerated and full of mistruths.”
“It was Terminator 2.” Macauley shook his head as if Adres was the crazy one. “It’s sci-fi action. It’s supposed to be over-the-top, ya know. For entertainment purposes.”
“Then they failed, because I was hardly entertained,” Adres said drily. And ridiculously horny.
“You weren’t bored. You were hot in the ass.”
Adres almost tripped over his own feet. What kind of backwoods, off-the-grid expression was that? Hot in the… what? “I was no such thing.”
Macauley laughed at him. “Sure. Let’s just say you were an innocent lamb all weak and this big bad wolf kept trying to take advantage of you. Whatever helps you sleep during the day, Adres.”
He’d never thought of himself as a delicate lamb, but the thought of Macauley chasing and dominating him didn’t sound all that bad. Adres wondered if the lightness in his chest and the fluttering in his stomach was him feeling happy. Maybe that was too strong a word. Perhaps content.
“Where do you usually go on the full moon?” Adres asked.
Macauley shifted, no longer looking in his direction. “Um. I do a lot of things. Mostly, I—”
Adres gave his cherished a sideways glance, knowing he was unable to lie as he started to backpedal his thoughts.
“I go to… like… places. Not places. Nothing in particular, every single time. I just enjoy the night.”
“Very well, then.” Adres also knew that Macauley wasn’t the kind of man who would dishonor his mate and be with someone else, especially not after the connection they’d made. But Adres was beginning to see all of the problems that not being mated presented. What if that sphinx finds Macauley tomorrow night, when he is at his most…? “When is your brother expected to return? Has he sent word?”
Macauley roared with hilarity, causing some animals to scurry away. So loudly that Adres was getting annoyed. “Is the air thinner up here in these mountains? You laugh when there is nothing humorous to laugh about.”
“I just like the way you talk, Adres, that’s all. Don’t mind me. But to answer your question, yes. Taleb called on his cell phone this morning.” Macauley mumbled under his breath, “He didn’t send ‘word’, this isn’t the eighteenth century.”
“You want to know what I do to men who mock me?” Adres paused.
Macauley slowed and turned to him with an amused smirk. “Oh, do tell.”
Ordinarily he’d have slit the man’s throat, but clearly that was not an option. Adres was about to call forth his energy, but he couldn’t even do that. He could not bring harm to his beloved, ever. Adres let his hand fall to his side.
“You couldn’t… right.” Macauley came forward and pulled him to his chest. “It’s okay, handsome. I can’t hurt you, either. You don’t have to worry about where I’ll be tomorrow night.” Macauley kissed him on his forehead, and Adres didn’t think he’d ever felt anything so romantic. “I’ll be alone… and thinking of you.”
“Are you really that uncontrollable on a full moon?” Adres asked, not wanting Macauley to release him.
Macauley’s sneer could’ve rivaled Hades. “I wouldn’t use that word. Because even in my animal form, I’m in control at all times. I’m not like Aleksei where my wolf can act independently.”
Unless someone is trying to kill you.
“But I don’t try to control it. I just let whatever happens, happen naturally.”
“Of course.” Adres nodded.
“Hey.” Macauley tugged him closer, and Adres wrapped his arms around his waist and pressed his face to his hot throat. Gods, why does he always have to smell so good? “You have nothing to worry about. Just because we’re not mated yet doesn’t mean I’m gonna try to get in one last rut on a heated beta. That’s not how this works. I couldn’t do anything with Michelle even if I tried. I know that and so does she.” Macauley took his hand. “Come on, we better get to the war room. I’m sure they’re waiting for us now. Are you going to tell Wick about your plan to help with the starving covens?”
“You think I should?” Adres asked. It was one of the first times he’d sought out another’s advice. But he trusted Macauley and all of his righteousness.
“I do. It’s a good idea. No, actually, it’s a great idea,” Macauley encouraged, making Adres feel better about his proposal. “You know you have my full support, and my betas said they’ll be ready to back you up.”
Adres couldn’t believe he was nervous. He’d commanded his own war counsel, that was his brothers, for hundreds of years. Surely, he could face the king and the Alpha Zenith with no issues. Justice was fair and even more honorable then Macauley. He would not let a race go extinct when he had the power to stop it.
“Let’s go, then.”
As soon as Adres walked into the war room with Macauley, hand in hand, the rambunctious conversation that’d been going on came to an immediate halt as silence descended. The Lord Protector was the first to stand and bow in Adres’s direction, as did the king’s legion and guards posted along the wall.
“Welcome, my Lord,” Ramon said reverently. “It is a blessing to see you and your cherished looking well.”
“We are well. Thank you, Ramon.” Macauley didn’t release his hand until they were seated at the long table.
Surprisingly there was an extra chair beside Macauley’s, and Adres was also shocked to see Henry sitting in Taleb’s chair.
“Do not ask me what I am doing here, my Lord.” Henry shrugged as he glanced around, appearing intimidated by his surroundings. “Taleb asked me to be here in his place, so I am.”
“It is nice to see a friendly face,” Adres responded. And it was. Henry wasn’t a politician, and neither was Adres.
“Likewise, my Lord.” Henry beamed, his pretty smile brightening the dark room.
Wick stood to speak. He wore his usual black-on-black suit with a midnight-black silk necktie. And though he looked striking and regal as always, Adres could see the hurt and sorrow beneath the fatigue. “It is good to have you both here for this very important meeting.”
Justice eased his hand inside Wick’s as he continued, his voice sounding thick with emotion. “We meet together tonight for a bigger purpose than what this room was originally intended. We have convened to strategize on search and rescue my brothers… not war. Justice and I recently returned from visiting Azriel and Asa in New Orleans and determined that it was imperative to hold an emergency meeting.”
Adres and Macauley locked eyes.
“The covens on the east coast and as far south as Louisiana and Mississippi are in dire straits. There was no exaggeration. Vampires are dying, blood banks are depleted. Crime has run rampant and unchecked for months, and I take full responsibility.” Wick cast his eyes down. “I was so concerned with connecting the species toge
ther that I… I…”
“It’s going to be okay, Wick. We’ll get them help. I promise.” Justice consoled his mate in front of everyone.
Adres couldn’t take his eyes off them. He wanted all they had and more.
“The new laws hit our kind harder than the shifters. Vampires are being falsely persecuted for a majority of the crimes plaguing the larger cities,” Ramon chimed in. “I think we need to send in reinforcements to regulate. I propose a united task force of shifters and vampires.”
Wick seemed to weigh that suggestion before he shook his head. “I don’t want to meet my people’s aggression and disappointment in me with force. If I send my officers, it could be misconceived as a threat or a challenge.”
Farica smiled sweetly at the Lord Protector. “It’s a good start, Ramon, but we should leave the law enforcement to the local authorities for now. I believe that if the vampires are not starving, the assumptions will stop flying that the rise in crime is because of them and their desperation.”
“My mate has come up with a great solution,” Macauley blurted with confidence, completely catching Adres off guard. He gaped at his cherished, hoping he could read his thoughts, but he smiled and popped Adres on the hip for him to stand and present. “Go ahead and tell ’em about it, baby.”
What in the— You inconsiderate wolf! Do not call me a baby! Adres didn’t know if his face looked as hot as it felt, but he’d never been so humiliated. Was Macauley ever going to let him save face in front of his pack? He got to his feet as a few of the shifters covered their laughs behind their fists. Hell, even the vampire soldiers appeared to be struggling to keep their faces impassive.
“We are all ears, Lord Adres.” One of Wick’s intelligence officers sat forward with his pen poised over his legal pad.
Adres gave a shallow bow towards Wick before he began to speak. “It is no secret what happened between Macauley and I last week. I drank from him before we were properly mated, and it… His voice caught in his throat at the mere mention of almost killing his own beloved. He wasn’t sure the shame would ever fully subside, but he had to own it. “I drank a little over three liters while I was in my slumber, leaving him near death.”