Now, the feel of her tiny body and smooth curves pressing against my pelt was the equivalent of hearing the morning rain. Even now, as I shifted away from her, I did not want to move, but I needed to get back to the house, and then I would come back. I had agreed to attend this meeting with Remi. I was supposed to be meeting a special guest. The thought still infuriated me, but now, there was something else I wanted to speak with him about, and while Shey slept peacefully, I had remained awake, thinking.
I was in love with this woman.
This woman, was my mate.
No, I didn’t believe in the fated mate bullshit... or at least I thought I hadn’t; but now, after having spent so much time with her, there was no way I could deny that she was... different. Shit, my wolf had been hounding me, trying to convince me of this from the moment we had seen her standing at the front door of the mansion, but now, I could not deny it.
Maybe it was her story. Hearing it made me want to murder Gerald and whoever else had caused her so much pain. And then there was her energy. Yes, it was angry and closed, but it was also sexy and compelling, and it was calling out to me. Every second in her presence wore me down; but if Shenique was my mate, I had no idea what that meant, other than the things my wolf was insisting, and I knew she was not ready for any of that.
I did not know what to do, but there was one person I was certain did.
Suddenly, I had a strange understanding about my brother’s behavior. I would move heaven and earth for Shenique. If I could stay with her forever, I would attempt to do this. I now knew of my brother’s plight, and suddenly, the plan to administer Loveless was not as appealing as it once had been. Worse, now that I had seen Loveless for myself, with its formidable aura, I was skeptical. I was not skeptical that Loveless would work – there was no doubt in my mind that it would. I was skeptical about my feelings towards my brother.
I should speak with Remi, I considered. I had been angry, and jealous, and impatient, but that needed to change. I should tell him that I had found my mate and seek his wisdom and guidance. He was my fratello. Surely, if I told him about Shenique, he would be thrilled.
I blinked a few times and my wolf stretched its legs before inhaling the scent of the female nestled firmly against us. Then, I shifted so that I was standing, but Shenique was still curled on the floor. The sight of her did things to me. Finally, she was peaceful, even in sleep.
She is our mate, the wolf purred.
You might be right, I agreed with it.
I am always right, it barked back. What are we going to do about this?
Now, I was fully transformed. I hunched over, teeth gritted as I waited for the intense discomfort to subside. Gently, I took Shenique into my arms and carried her to the bed. I tucked her under the covers before marching over to the dresser and pulling out new clothes.
We must claim her, the animal insisted.
None of us are ready for that, I said, and of course, he was dissatisfied. I knew this because my cock was rock hard. I had not entered Shenique but one time, in the bathtub, and it was not enough.
Her pussy was a drug. One hit was not satisfactory. In fact, if I could have my way, I would stay buried inside of her all day.
Fully dressed, I eased to the bed and kissed her. My lips lingered on her glowing skin like a magnet.
To my delight, she stirred. “Vinny.”
The way she called me by this name, I was sure I would combust into pure flames of lust and desire.
“Yes, Carina?”
“You’re back.” She peeked her eyes opened and smiled at me.
“I never left,” I whispered. I brushed my fingers across her cheek.
“Are you... still punishing me?” Her hazel eyes were barely open, yet they twinkled.
I chuckled. If she continued to speak to me in this way, there would be no bath crystals to blame this time. “You know that I could never punish you, but I need to go to the mansion. My brother wishes to have a meeting with me. He says there is someone I must see, but I will return.”
“Are you gonna be okay?” Concern made the corners of her eyes crinkle.
“I will be fine,” I said, but the truth was, I was unsure. But it did not matter what Remi might say or who I would meet. The hours I had spent with Shenique had reinvented me. There was nothing that could take me off this mountain.
Shenique stalled, but reached up towards me.
I bent down to her, and we met in the middle with a dizzying kiss.
She touched my jaw and I covered her hand with mine. “Hurry back,” she requested.
“I will.”
BY THE TIME I ARRIVED at the mansion, the sun was just cresting above the hills. Despite this, it was still dim and lights were burning in a few of the windows, including Remi’s. Now I thought about Sasha, and the way she had my brother running to and fro, like a chicken with its head cut off. If I had the privilege of impregnating my mate, I was sure I would be doing the same.
I pushed through the front door and passed through the foyer. It was only five o’clock in the morning, but already, the house was busy. Pots and pans clanked in the kitchen, and two tailors hurried up the steps towards the bedrooms. Servants dipped their heads respectfully as they rushed by, and I headed for the staircase.
Arriving at Remi’s quarters, I stood at the door, once again considering the conversation I wanted to have with him, but when a scent that was both strange and familiar arrested me, I stiffened. The hair on my arms raised.
“Fratello,” I called out.
There was no response.
My nose twitched. There was an overpowering smell of cheap cologne that I did not recognize. I gritted my teeth and shoved the door open.
“Remi, are you here?” I demanded. “What of the meeting we are supposed to have?” I searched the room, and when I saw a tall black man standing in the corner of the room, I turned rigid.
Remi was nowhere in sight.
The black man turned around, and our eyes locked. I gasped when I noticed the fierce glow behind them. And that fucking cologne...
My eyes narrowed, and my wolf jerked to the surface, forcing claws from my fingertips.
“Who the fuck are you?” I demanded in a menacing whisper.
The man smiled, but it was uncertain. The smell of his trepidation ascended into my nostrils and I stepped forward.
‘Relax,’ he advised in my head.
I jerked. How the fuck did he...
“What pack are you from?” I demanded further. “How are you able to communicate with me telepathically? I do not know you.”
The man raised his hands and advanced, but when fur broke out on my arms, he paused, even though his canines had already started to descend. ‘You do not know me, but that is why I am here. Remi invited me and – ”
‘How do you know my fucking brother?’
The man eased forward. ‘I was hoping he would have been here to kick-off this clearly-awkward conversation but...’ He looked around the room and shrugged.
This man talked a lot, and I did not like it. And his American accent did little to reduce my impending rage. My canines shot out.
He held his hands up higher. “Chill, bro,” he suggested backing up. “Shit, I thought Remi was a hothead when I met him in Miami, but you take the fucking cake!”
“Who the fuck are you?” I asked him one more time. “And if you do not answer, I will – ”
“My name is Roman,” he responded quickly, “and I met Remi in Miami when he came to find his mate. I’m here for the meeting.”
“What?” I snarled.
“I’m your brother,” he alleged. “Remi was supposed to tell you.” He spread his arms open, as if I was supposed to run into them.
What the fuck did he just say?
My lips curled back and with no restraint, my wolf erupted into existence. Without another word, I lunged at the intruder.
“Oh shit!” he yelled. Instantly, his own wolf materialized, but it was too late. I crashe
d into its sleek, black body and slammed it against the carpet.
‘Bro, take it easy!’ he pleaded.
‘I am not your fucking bro!’ I roared. I clamped my teeth over his chest, and he howled in agony as I ripped a chunk out of it. The black wolf threw me to the ground and reversed the position. It hovered over me, eyes ablaze. Our jaws fastened and saliva slammed against the walls, but I broke free. I gripped the black wolf’s rear leg between my jaws and dragged it to the center of the room, until it was sprawled amongst the shredded jeans and shirts. Our growls rattled the walls, and suddenly, Remi appeared at the door.
“Vince!” he bellowed.
The black wolf froze and I released it, huffing like I would never catch my breath. My brother had effectively ended the brawl, but his presence only fueled my rage.
“Shift,” Remi roared, “both of you, do it now.”
The black wolf obeyed on command, but I did not move. Instead, I sat back on my haunches and glared at my brother.
Remi stomped into my face. “Vince, do not dare to defy me any more than you already have,” he whispered through his teeth.
I growled, but transformed into my naked human skin. “What the fuck is this?” I whispered, pointing at the stranger. “This man is saying that he is our blood relative, our brother.”
“That’s because he is,” Remi snapped, and my neck whipped backward.
Two staff members marched inside with housecoats and gave them to Remi before quickly disappearing. Without hesitation, he threw one at me, but I pitched it to the ground.
“What do you mean he is?” I mocked him. “How do you know this?”
Remi’s jaw tightened, but the glow in his eyes dimmed. “I met him when I was in Miami,” he muttered.
“He told me that part,” I hastened him, twirling my hand. “Why the fuck would he be our...” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words. Just thinking about it produced streams of rage to flow through my veins. I had come to speak with my brother about something personal, yet I was finding myself in the middle of a fucked-up family reunion. I turned to look at the man, who was shrugging into his housecoat. His eyes were pinned on me.
Remi grunted and marched past, until he was standing between me and the bastard stranger. We had both gotten good chunks out of each other in the scuffle, but already they were healing. Dried blood stained his dark skin, and the scratch on my face was still stinging.
“So this is the person you wanted me to meet?”
“Yes,” Remi answered.
My jaw clenched. “And you thought it would be a good idea? You have known him for weeks, and only now are you telling me about it?”
“Not telling you, showing you,” Roman added.
Both Remi and I glared at him.
He dipped his head and fell back.
Remi spoke to me, his eyes still on Roman. “It doesn’t matter what you say or think, Vince. Roman is our brother, and you should accept him, as I have.” His tone was aggressive.
“Accept him?” I chortled, scrubbing my stiff jaw. “Just like I’m supposed to accept your fucking mate? How the hell could it be possible?” I questioned him further. “I don’t need to remind you of what happened to our family. We were both there when they were murdered.”
Remi was huffing, but he was trying to stay calm. “You do not need to remind me,” he agreed, “but what happened to our family does not minimize the truth.” He cast his eyes to Roman. “Our father is not as great a man as we thought he was.”
“What?”
“His mother was... involved with our father, behind our mother’s back,” he revealed. “Roman is the product of their indiscretions.” He paused, as if he was trying to be more convincing. “As I said, I have accepted him as my brother, and you should do the same.”
My eyes narrowed and I took an appalled step in my brother’s direction. “I should do the same...” I parroted in disbelief. “Since when do you get to tell me what I should and should not do?”
“Since I became the fucking alpha of this family,” he bellowed.
“Anthony Moretti is the alpha of this family,” I countered.
“And he’s on vacation, so I’m next in fucking line,” he shot back. “I’ve had enough of your rebellious behavior, Vince. Ever since I returned to Tuscany with Sasha, you have been a different person.”
I grunted. “It is funny you are saying this,” I muttered. “Ever since your fucking mate has been here, it is you who has changed.”
Remi’s eyes thinned. “Do not reference my mate in this way,” he warned me.
I glared back and my lips curled. “Don’t tell me what to do,” I reminded him. “Fuck you, fuck Sasha, and fuck this bastard!”
Remi’s jaw was tight and his next move, sudden. He gripped me by the neck, and his claws grazed my burning skin.
Instantly, fur broke out over my throat, and my eyes burned hot.
“Do not ever disrespect my mate again,” he warned me in a low growl, “or I swear to God, I will kill you.”
My teeth gritted, canines shooting from my mouth. I snatched Remi’s wrist and ripped his hand off me, but not before his claws swiped my skin. Blood collected at the surface of the laceration. I touched and observed it as it coated my fingers. Within seconds, the wound was closing over, but the damage would be long-lasting.
I glared at my brother, unable to believe he had put his fucking claws on me. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined him to do such a thing, but it had happened, and there was no way I would ever forget. Or forgive.
The bastard stranger cleared his throat and dipped his eyes to the floor.
“I get it now,” I muttered.
“You do not get anything,” Remi responded, tone cold. “You do not understand that things change, people change. We are not pups anymore. I have found my woman and I am moving on. At the rate you are going, you will never find a mate and you will be stuck right where you are. You will be just like our father was.”
My chest caved and I jerked back, bruised by more than just my brother’s claws. My Adam’s Apple bobbed.
Suddenly, the bastard stranger’s lips smacked open and he pointed towards the door. “I’m gonna go and... check on Sasha while the two of you... hash this thing out,” he said slowly.
I growled and Remi pinched the bridge of his nose.
Without saying anything more, Roman limped out of the door.
The minute my brother and I were alone, I fixed my burning eyes back on him. “Do you really mean that?” I whispered. The words slid from between my teeth. “Do you really believe that I will never find a female; that I’ll be whatever you believe our father was?”
“Absolutely, especially if you continue with this wretched behavior,” Remi lobbed at me.
“What behavior?”
“This immature, selfish, and self-serving bullshit behavior you are demonstrating, day in, day out,” he answered marching forward. “You only think of yourself, Vince, and that is no way to behave when you have a female to take care of. You should listen to yourself sometime. You sound like a whining bitch. You are the one who encouraged me to find my mate, and now you are the one who is complaining that I have.”
“You would have found her, whether I encouraged you or not,” I spat, “but it does not matter. Not anymore.”
Remi frowned.
I stood back and raked my hand over my face. To think, I had come to the mansion excited to share with him the news of possibly finding my own mate. I had gotten over my anger and jealousy. They had been irrational, I told myself.
But now, the truth was before me.
My brother was a completely different man. He was unrecognizable. Not only had he shirked his responsibilities, he had also severed our brotherly bond. I had lost all respect for him. I did not need him anymore. There was only one person I needed, and she was at the cottage.
I gripped the robe off the floor and dragged it across my back, before stomping towards the exit.
“Where the fuck are you going?” Remi demanded. “This conversation is not finished!”
“Fuck you,” I muttered shoving past him. “I have heard enough. You do not think I am good enough to have a mate, but I will prove you wrong, and you will be sorry when I do.”
I stomped out of the parlor, not looking back. When I got into the hallway, the bastard, Roman, was standing there. He jumped away from the door, and it was obvious he had been listening to the entire conversation.
I pushed past him, making my way down the hallway.
“Yo, Vince, maybe we should talk,” he suggested.
He had to be fucking crazy. I did not wish to talk to my brother, so talking to him was nowhere in the cards.
“Get away from me,” I grunted. “You are not welcome here.”
He followed me, and my body shook with rage. “Listen, I’m real sorry about what happened with Remi. He can be a hothead. Trust me, I learned that much in Miami, but maybe you and I can sit down and get to know one another. I didn’t come here to start a ruckus.”
“That is exactly what you have done,” I informed him.
Roman sighed, ignoring my jabs. “This conversation is overdue man,” he insisted. “Maybe if you calmed down and just took a second to hear me out – ”
“For you it is overdue,” I responded jabbing my finger in his face. “For me, it is completely trivial. You do not understand. I do not give a fuck about the fact that you are my brother. Shit, I did not even know you existed until fucking Remi brought you home like a lost dog. Understand, there is nothing for us to talk about. As far as I’m concerned, both you and Remi can go to hell.”
Roman’s lips pinched.
“Now move out of my way, or I will finish the job I started in that bedroom.”
Without saying anything, Roman stepped to the side. I shoved past him, but he called out after me.
“You can’t avoid this conversation forever, Vince. I’ll get my audience.”
Eighteen
Vince
‘Enough’
Loveless: A BWWM Wolf Shifter Romance (The Alpha Series Book 2) Page 13