Resented

by Amelia Rademaker

  Ezekiel was glad that she’d made that distinction.

  “We’re trying to get them out of the territory but Ivy and the Black Bird Coven are going to have to find out how to do that first,” Ezra said. He looked at Ivy, “Until we know they’re gone, we’re going to stay with Ivy.”

  She smiled at Cassidy, “It’s cramped but think of it as practice for college.”

  Ezekiel snorted, “This is bigger than a college dorm.”

  Ezra shot him a look then turned back to the girls. “Tomorrow Ezekiel, Ivy, and I are going to meet with the Black Bird Coven and get started on kicking these witches out of our territory.” He pointed at Cassidy, “You’re not going to school until this is over. Neither is Evie. Ezekiel is going to drive you over to her house tomorrow morning. He’ll make sure that their house has a salt circle inside it and then, you’re not leaving their house until we come and pick you up. Okay?”

  “Okay, but you better text me,” Cassidy shot back.

  One side of Ezra’s mouth quirked up, “Of course, but you better not be passing along information to your friends. We’re already telling you more than you should know.”

  Cassidy smirked, “Cool.” Suddenly, her face dropped. “Will you guys be safe?”

  Ivy jumped in before either of them could answer. “We’ll be together. Even if something happens, there will be three of us. If someone tried to hurt one of us, the other two will jump in. They’ll be lucky if they walk away.”

  Cassidy held her eyes for a second then sighed in relief, “Give ‘em hell?”

  “Fuck ‘em up,” Ivy countered.

  “How come she gets to say the f-word but I don’t?” Cassidy asked.

  “Her house, her rules,” Ezekiel shrugged. “Now, let’s get to bed. I’m exhausted.”

  “Come on, Cassidy, I’ll show you where everything is,” Ivy gestured for Cassidy to follow.

  Ezra and Ezekiel hung back while they went down the hall.

  “Well, that went better than expected,” Ezekiel whispered once he knew Cassidy couldn’t hear them.

  “You mean the fact that Cassidy didn’t kick up a fit about skipping school?” Ezra asked sarcastically.

  “I mean them getting along. I thought it would be awkward at least,” he admitted.

  Ezra’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the bathroom door. “I swear something is up.”

  Ezekiel hit him. “You just feel guilty.”

  Ezra’s head dropped. “Yeah, you’re right. I built this up in my head: telling her we wanted to be her mates, introducing her to Cassidy, everything. I convinced myself that it would go wrong. Now, I realize we were miserable for nothing.”

  Ezekiel stood up and put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up. I was braced for the worst tonight.”

  Ezra nodded, “Sure.”

  “Hey,” he shook him, “we’ve got a second chance. We can make different choices now.”

  Ezra met his eyes, “We’ve got to keep her safe tomorrow.”

  Ezekiel let out a heavy breath, “She was right. We’re going to make sure we’re together so we can keep her safe. Nothing’s getting past the two of us.”

  Ezra’s eyes flashed animalistically, “Nothing.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Ivy sat on the couch and looked over the photos of the maps she’d taken at the library. She checked them against the topographical map she had found online. She flipped between them.

  “What are we looking for?” Ezra asked over her shoulder.

  “A ravine or dip in the land,” she answered distracted.

  “Are there any other characteristics we can use to narrow that down?”

  “It was in the middle of the woods.”

  Ezra hummed and took the phone from her and started flipping through the photos. Ivy snorted but didn’t complain. She wanted whatever help she could get.

  After a minute of watching him go back and forth, she stood up and started gathering together the things she’d need for the locating spell. She used a towel to wrap the journal. She had decided not to do a nullifying spell just in case it lost its ability to direct them to the altar. She put it inside her leather tool pouch.

  Ivy was walking back to the front of the apartment when she heard her phone ring. Ezra held it out for her. She glanced at it briefly seeing that it was Anne.

  “Hey, Anne what’s up?”

  “Hey,” Anne drew out hesitantly. Immediately, both Ivy and Ezra were on alert.

  “What’s wrong?” She asked.

  “No, no, nothing.”

  Ivy pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m not a shifter and even I know you’re lying.”

  Anne sighed but dropped her customer voice, “I was just calling to make sure that you weren’t planning on coming in today.”

  “No, I-” she paused because she heard a commotion in the background. “What was that? What’s going on?”

  “Just a few extra people at the shop,” Anne deflected.

  Ezra growled and stood up. He came over and leaned in closer. He held his hand out. Ivy shook her head refusing to give him the phone.

  “What’s really going on, Anne?” Ivy was proud of the snarl in her voice.

  “Fine, there are a few angry people outside the store. I don’t think they’re happy about the salt thing. They’re not causing problems but you should avoid Chic Chick today,” Anne sounded defeated.

  Ivy leaned against the breakfast bar. “I’m so sorry, Anne. I totally get it if you need to fire me.” It would make her sad but she didn’t want to hurt Anne’s livelihood.

  Anne made a rude noise. “I’m not doing that. Then I’d have to hire Grace again and she would talk my ear off about Jack. Again.” Ivy gave a half-hearted laugh. “Besides, the old biddies will get tired soon. Then I can get a break while they take a nap. Just,” she sighed, “don’t be tempted to come in and help.”

  “Alright, Anne. Don’t be afraid to kick them out if you need to.” Ivy said goodbye and hung up.

  “I’m ripping Pearl apart the next time I see her,” Ezra promised. “The crotchety old bitch deserves it.”

  “You heard her over the phone?” Ivy was impressed.

  “Her and her little posse of bitches,” he snarled. His chest heaved. His hands fisted at his sides as he started to pace. “Where does she get off talking about my mate like that?”

  Ivy was mesmerized by his anger. She crossed her arms and watched as he got more and more worked up. “What did she say?”

  “Enough that she’s going to get a visit from me and Zeke late one night.”

  “Woah, I don’t have to warn Ben that you guys are planning murder, do I?”

  He snorted, “We wouldn’t have to kill her. Just scare the living shit out of her. Maybe take a bite or two. Enough that she wouldn’t show her ugly mug around town.” He lifted his lip, showing teeth. “We still haven’t had a reckoning for the shit she pulled at the store last time.”

  Ivy was glad that she and Cassidy had talked last night. The instant the guys had been out of ear shot Cassidy had asked if she had told them about what had happened. Once they realized neither of them had spilled the beans, they promised never to tell Ezekiel or Ezra about what had happened.

  She decided to step in before Ezra got too worked up. “Ra, it’s all right. Pearl’s a royal bitch. The whole town has to deal with her. This isn’t new, so let’s just ignore her.”

  “Not happening, Ivy. No one talks about my family like that. The bitch’s goodwill has finally run out.”

  Ivy felt her heart melt, “You think of me as family?”

  That stopped him short. He turned to her, looking a little confused, “Well, yeah. Family is the people you love, and I love you.”

  She felt a stupid smile spread across her face. “You love me?”

  Now Ezra was facing her. “I know you and Ezekiel talked last night but we haven’t had a chance to…discuss our feelings.” Ezra fidgeted. She could tell that he was uncomforta
ble. It made her smile wider.

  “So, what are your feelings?” She couldn’t help needling him a little bit. Ezra was usually so confident.

  Ezra’s shoulders dropped, all of the tension leaving his body. “I knew the moment I laid eyes on you that you were the one for me. That I wanted to be your mate and I wanted you to be mine. Every day we spent together I woke up amazed that you were mine. I love your humor. I love your intelligence. I love you.”

  His eyes hit the floor. “I’ll never forgive myself for being a coward and walking away. There was a lot going on in my head and I should have talked to you about it. My decision made us all miserable.” He looked up. There was so much conviction and love in his eyes that Ivy’s heart shuttered. “Life is miserable without you. There’s no happiness. There’s no humor. There’s no love. You’re my heart, Ivy Stevens. I love you so much. If you give me a second chance, I will spend every day showing you how much.”

  She took an involuntary step forward. Her hand rested over his heart. She could feel rumbling running through her chest.

  “I really like that we’re being honest with each other. I’m glad we’re hiding not anything and that we’re talking more openly. Now I can say this; I love you too. I loved being together with you and Ezekiel. If you promise me that you’ll come and talk to me the next time you get caught up in your own head, I promise to give you another chance.”

  Ezra’s eyes never left hers. He nodded almost hypnotized, “I promise.”

  “I’m glad we’re getting back together. I missed you, even though you were a complete ass.”

  He broke into a grin. “I’m happy to hear that because I can be an ass sometimes.” His gaze dropped to her lips. “I’m going to kiss you now. If that’s okay.”

  Suddenly, her heart started to pound, “I was hoping you would.”

  Ezra didn’t waste another second. He gripped her chin and tilted her head up. Slowly, he bent to take her lips.

  The kiss was gentle. She felt him sigh, utterly satisfied. His arm wrapped around her waist. Their bodies pressed together.

  Ezra’s tongue teased her mouth. Her hand reflexively tightened in his shirt. She grabbed his shoulder needing to be closer. Ezra growled and fisted her hair.

  He bit her lip gently. Ivy gasped a strangled groan. They broke apart, breathing heavily.

  Ezra’s eyes closed with a shuttered breath. “You smell so good.” When he opened his eyes, they were gold. “Ivy, I’m going to bend you over this couch and fuck you hard.”

  Ivy’s pussy flooded. Her thighs clenched involuntarily. She bit her lip and whimpered.

  Ezra inhaled, a wolfish grin spreading across his face. “You like that?” He ground his pelvis against her. His hard cock pressed into her wet center.

  She rubbed against him. Her nipples tightened at the friction. She couldn’t stop the needy sounds escaping her mouth.

  Ezra grabbed her hips and turned her around. Ivy squeaked as the room spun. He pressed a hand between her shoulders, bending her over. His massive palm cupped her ass through her leggings. She pushed back into him.

  “I fucking dream about this ass,” he growled. She felt him kneel behind her. He pressed his face into her heat. “I fucking fantasized about this pussy and the things I would do to it.”

  Ivy looked behind her. Ezra’s eyes were fixated on her center. He grabbed her pants and tugged down until everything was around her ankles. She gasped at the sudden move.

  Ezra tapped the inside of her legs. She instinctually spread them. He let out a desperate groan from deep in his chest.

  His hands grabbed her ass and spread her wide. Ivy’s forehead hit the couch unable to do anything but feel. Her nails dug into the fabric as her back arched.

  “That’s right, little witch. Present that sweet cunt for me.” The praise made her shiver. “I’m going to eat my fill. Let’s see if I can make you scream.”

  Ivy was breathing in shuttered breaths. She felt him move behind her. His hot, moist breath on her wet pussy had her whimpering.

  At the first touch of his molten tongue, Ivy froze. He licked a wet path along her swollen pussy. His fingers gently parted her until she was completely bared to him. She felt a bead of wetness trail down her entrance towards her clit.

  “Fuck, I love watching you drip for me.” His tongue gently lapped it up. Ivy screeched as he touched her clit. She felt his chuckle vibrate through her most sensitive parts.

  Ezra nuzzled her until his lips surrounded her entrance. He flicked her clit, making her spine jump. Soon, Ivy’s legs were trembling. She bit the couch to keep her embarrassing noises from alerting the entire complex what he was doing to her.

  His tongue flicked inside her and she screamed. The sound drove Ezra wild. He started sucking and lapping and nibbling. He growled and moaned. Ivy pressed against him, desperate for more.

  Suddenly, he was gone. Ivy felt the cold air hit her heated center just as she heard the buckled on his belt release. Ivy turned around to see him shove his jeans down and rip his shirt over his head.

  She didn’t get a chance to see anything other than golden skin. Ezra stood her up and flipped her around as soon as his clothes hit the floor. She desperately kicked off her leggings.

  “How much do you like your shirt and bra?” He asked. “Because if they’re not off in two seconds I’m ripping them off.”

  Ivy pulled her shirt over her head. She reached behind her tugged the clasp on her bra. Ezra reached and pulled it off.

  He bent and lifted her up, bringing her breast to his mouth. She wanted to hide her face as all her wetness began dripping over his abs. Ezra growled at the feeling.

  He sucked a nipple into his mouth and flicked the swollen peak. Ivy’s hand fisted in his hair drawing him closer. He bit down gently. Ivy panted. He growled into her flesh. Ivy arched into him.

  Ezra spun them around. Her ass hit the cold surface of the breakfast bar. He stepped back. He took in her body. Ivy spread her legs. Ezra’s hand dropped to his cock.

  She sighed at the sight. He was thick. He was impossibly hard, angry veins pressing against the strained skin. She panted as a drop of precum formed on his head. He caught it with his thumb and spread it across his cock.

  Ivy watched him stroke himself. Her hand drifted between her legs. Her clit pulsed. She tapped it, hard, making her legs twitch. Ezra’s eyes became lidded as he watched her play with herself.

  “Ezra, I need you inside of me,” she pleaded.

  His eyes met hers. He looked half feral. His chest heaved, sweat clinging to him. It made Ivy bite her lip.

  He stepped up and rubbed the shining head of his cock between her soaked folds. Ivy’s eyes fluttered closed. He pressed his length against her, wetting himself. Ivy lifted her hips, urging him to rub her clit.

  Ezra’s hand pressed his head into her entrance. “Eyes on me,” he commanded.

  Ivy couldn’t help but comply. He met her heated gaze as he slowly pressed into her. She panted as he stretched her deliciously. Ezra’s lip lifted in a silent snarl.

  The both groaned as he hit her back wall. Ivy’s head fell forward. She was so full. It felt so good. He was so hot inside of her.

  “So good, need more,” she groaned.

  Ezra started shallow fucking her. He never pulled out completely. He rocked against her at a pace that drover her insane.

  “More, more, more,” she chanted with each thrust.

  Ezra wrapped his arms around her back. He pressed their bodies together. The hair on his chest made her rub herself against him.

  “Teeth on my shoulder, little witch,” he whispered into her ear. “I’m going to fuck you hard and fast.”

  He drew all the way out then slammed home. Ivy’s latched onto his shoulder with a snap. The next thrust had her screaming around the flesh in her mouth.

  Ezra’s pace was brutal. His arms were like a vice around her. Every time he hilted himself, the air was forced from her lungs.

  Ivy felt her pussy clenche
d around him. Her muscles started to tighten. She was so close. Her hand slipped between them and started circling her clit.

  Ezra’s thrusts became wild. He pounded into her, sending lightning bolts throughout her body. He pulled her hair, driving her mad. Ivy pressed her clit.

  Ivy’s orgasm hit her like a bomb. Her pussy spasmed, making her toes curl. Her fingernails dug into Ezra’s back. She let go of his shoulder and screamed.

  Ezra thrust hard and howled. Honest to goddess, howled. She felt his cock pulse, sending heat and cum flooding through her. Her eyes flew open. She hung limply to him, loving the aftershocks.

  Ezra nuzzled her damp hair. She hummed. He pulled back and gave her a besotted smile.

  “You’re amazing,” he sighed as he gave her a soft kiss.

  “You’re pretty amazing yourself,” she said with a smile.

  He looked down at their bodies. “I’m going to want to do this again. Soon and often.”

  She put both hands on his chest and gently pushed back. “It’ll have to wait. We’ve got some stuff to do first. Firstly, we’ve got to get clean.”

  Ezra picked her up and set her on the ground. They kissed slowly before he pulled back with an exhale. “Would it be rude to show up smelling like each other? Cause I’m loving my scent on your skin.”

  Ivy rolled her eyes, “Off to the shower.”

  He bit the air and pretended to chase her. Ivy shrieked and ran. She laughed as she heard him running after her.

  They were stepping out of the shower when she heard the door open. She wasn’t too worried about it. Before Ezekiel had left, she had given him a key and a special ward stone. It allowed him to enter without needing magic.

  She heard him inhale and start chuckling, “Looks like I just missed the fun.”

  Ivy and Ezra shook their heads, but smiled at each other. Ezra went to get his clothes from the living room while Ivy crossed the hall to get dressed.

  Ezekiel leaned on the doorframe of her room. He sent her a salacious grin. “This is a pretty good consolation prize. I’m in love with your body by the way.”