“Let’s get you to bed. I need to visit the hall and assess what needs to be done.”
“I can come, Elias. I’d like to help.” Mila stifled a yawn.
“You need to rest. Come. Let me get you settled.”
They were just walking inside when a massive rumble shook the ground around them. He pulled Mila to him. She gazed up with wide eyes.
“Is the facility destroyed now?”
Elias stroked her face with gentle reassurance. “Yes. It’s the end of that godforsaken place. Now, come on, honey. You need to rest.”
* * *
Elias ran a hand across his forehead. Working out the logistics of how to assist the victims rescued from Scott Tech was going to be a tough one. Fortunately, several other Supernat communities had offered their support. It was decided that the most traumatised should be moved away from the area. Being this close to where their torture had taken place would not be conducive to a speedy recovery. The physical scars were going to be much easier to handle than the emotional ones. Someone placed a hand in his. Petra.
“Go home to your mate, Elias. Your place is with her now.”
“Thank you, Petra. I think I will. So,” he said, glancing over to where Luna and Rhys were deep in conversation, “is there something going on there?”
Petra chuckled. “Hmm, Rhys is keen. My daughter, on the other hand, is playing hard to get. She doesn’t trust when it comes to relationships, so we should just watch this space for now.”
Elias’s attention turned to where Evan stood, leaning against a tree. He watched while Sven spoke with Solange. He’d seen that possessive expression many times in the past… the look of a male hungry for his mate.
“She’s trying to deny it, you know.”
Elias murmured his understanding to Petra. “I know. Until I saw Mila the first time, I never understood that kind of strong emotion. The longer the denial, the more powerful the pull. Does that make sense?”
Petra nodded. “Solange is confused by her emotions, but she will come around eventually. By the way, Luna and I have decided to stay for longer. Tia has room for us in her home.”
That surprised Elias. “Wonderful news, but I imagined you wanted to get back to your coven and community.”
“I discussed it with Luna earlier. We sense our place will be here for the foreseeable future. The fates obviously have plans for us. And with the ‘demon problem’…” She left the rest unsaid.
“Understood. You will be welcome to stay as long as you like. I know Mila will be happy with the arrangement.”
“Talking about Mila, you should get back to her.”
Elias nodded his agreement and headed home.
* * *
Mila stretched and yawned, feeling refreshed after her rest.
“Hey, sleepyhead.”
Her eyes fell on Elias, who was sitting on a chair by her side of the bed.
“Hi. How long have you been there?”
He got up and sat on the edge of the bed, stroking her hair away from her face. “Long enough.”
“What’s happening with everyone?” She sat up in bed.
“The victims will be staying at various Supernat communities. Better that they’re not in the area where they experienced the trauma. Oh, and there’s great news for you.”
“What?”
He grinned and kissed her cheek. “Petra and Luna are staying here for quite a while. Well, at Tia’s place.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. I’m so happy they’re staying around. Um, any developments between Evan and Solange?”
Elias sighed. “Evan watches her like a hawk. Not certain she’s comfortable with that.”
“They’ll work it out, I’m sure. We managed it. I’ll speak to her tomorrow. She won’t realise she has a mate, or why Evan is watching her like he does. Has he tried to make a move on her?”
Elias shook his head and chuckled. “Unlike me, who told you that you were mine.”
Mila’s cheeks warmed up at the memory. “You ought to speak to him, too, before he does something like that. Solange will probably singe him in some very sensitive places otherwise.”
“Okay. You can talk to her while I explain it all to Evan.”
Silence fell between them. Mila adored the way he eyed her. A heady mix of love and lust. His nostrils flared, and a giggle bubbled up inside her. He could smell her arousal.
“You should have woken me earlier, Elias. We could have had some fun.”
A deep rumble emanated from him, which hit her deep in her belly. Mila pulled back the covers and moved over, patting the vacant space recently filled by her.
“Well, come on. I’ve heard pregnant women get cranky when they’re not looked after by their partners.” She winked and trailed her tongue over her bottom lip.
Elias stripped in record time and jumped in beside her, covering her face in hot wet kisses. His body blanketed hers and he entered her in one swift movement. She gasped with pleasure. Momentarily he stilled.
“Elias, don’t look so concerned. You haven’t hurt me. I hadn’t realised how much I missed your lovemaking until now.”
“Far be it for me to upset my feisty mate. I’d better see to your needs.”
He kissed her mouth thoroughly and they moved in time, bringing each other to the height of euphoria. And as they came apart, their eyes locked, filled will love and the promise of a happy and long future together.
About the Author
Toya writes in paranormal and contemporary romance genres. A very important moment for her was giving a reader closure after surviving domestic abuse. It was after reading her Romance/Thriller, Flame, about a domestic abuse survivor, that she sent Toya a thank you message, and she’s never forgotten it. “If it means I have helped one person, then I’m blessed.”
Writing has been her passion since a very early age. Sadly, it wasn’t until the death of her mum, who was also her best friend and biggest supporter, in 2009 that she started to take it seriously. Her mother’s wish was to see her published, which didn’t occur until 2014. Each book she publishes is dedicated to her.
When not writing, or reading her main hobbies are; cinema, theatre, live bands, gardening, keeping fit, Formula One racing, darts and spending time with friends. She lives in Suffolk with her husband, grown up son and Masai the cat.
Her mantra is “One Life, Live It.”
www.toyarichardson.co.uk
Toya’s Treasures is a new reader’s group, she’d love to see you there.
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Wild Desire (The Protectors Book 1) Page 20