by Zana Wilder
I take my chance and scoop her up, ignoring Liz's exaggerated tutting. I carry Freya away, back to our rooms listening to her grumbling the whole way. I drop her gently on the bed before getting on my knees beside her, taking deep calming breaths of her scent.
“You're so sexy” I growl at her running my hands slowly up her legs.
“You're not out of trouble Aaron” Freya's voice hitches a little though, so I risk to rubbing my thumb across her soft inner thigh and she lets out a low moan.
Using one finger I trace her curves, gently following the folds of her skin, teasing, until I reach her centre. “We're better as a team beautiful, let me make it up to you..”
I hear her grumble turn into a sigh as I run my fingers over the already damp patch on her panties.
“That's a lot of making up mister” she grits out as I run a finger along the length of the panty elastic
I'll take that as consent. Pulling the panties away from her body I let go suddenly allowing the elastic to ping back onto her delicate skin, causing her to start slightly.
“I plan to take all day beautiful”
Slowly, teasingly I trace under the panties gradually getting closer to her slit. She squirms against me, the heat building. I run my finger across her clit causing her whole pussy to tighten. Fuck I love how responsive her body is to my touch.
I rub my thumb in slow circles over her clit, then lower my head and repeat the whole process with my tongue, enjoying hearing her little gasps and feeling her arching against me, already demanding more.
I lift her legs up around my neck to bury my face in her and she takes a hold of my hair. Her little tugs just serve to turn me on further. Just before she peaks I withdraw leaving her peering at me frowning
“Slowly baby, it'll be better for waiting I promise”
Her irritation excites me, I love seeing how much my mate wants me. I slide up the bed on top of her, keeping one of her legs over my shoulder, teasing her slit with my rock hard cock.
She moans and arches herself up toward me, running her hands over my abs, and teasingly down to the base of my dick. Freya cups my balls and starts to play with me.
“Uh uh little miss, this is my apology. It's my show today beautiful, remember?” With one hand I firmly take her wrists and pin them above her head. Reaching under the pillowcase I retrieve a pair of handcuffs. Her eyes widen a little as I fasten them around her delicate wrists. She gives a testing tug, but they hold firm and I grin slyly at her.
“All mine baby”
I run my hands, uninterrupted across her body, teasing her nipples, making them stand up before nipping one gently between my fingers. She gasps and as she does I slide my length fully inside her, letting out a growl. She feels so fucking tight against me. This woman was made for me.
I can't help myself, I pound faster and harder, almost to the point of coming before I quickly pull out panting. From the look of annoyance that flashes over Freya's face she was nearly there too. I grin to myself, before flicking her over, still handcuffed, onto her hands and knees.
She pushes her pussy hard against my cock so the tip slides in. I smack her bum sharply.
“My show beautiful, let me show you how sorry I am”
Feeling how her pussy tightened around my cock when I smacked her ass, I give the other butt check a smart smack leaving a brief red imprint. She moans and rocks against me.
I can't hold this much longer, I grab her fiery red hair in one hand and a hip in the other and slide myself all the way in as slowly as I can manage, before sliding out again, giving her hair little tugs, making her squeak.
The minx gives a subtle twist of her hips and I'm done, I ram hard into her faster and faster hearing her groans peaking alongside mine. We come together in a tangle of sweat and moans. Just as I hear her come and feel her clench around my cock I bite down hard on her mark and feel her spasm against me. Mine.
I look at my little bundle of fire snuggled into my chest sound asleep and I can't help feeling, despite everything that's happening, that I'm so fucking lucky to have her. Sighing to myself, I have to admit it's time for plan b. Freya is determined to go after Aurora.
I slip one of the handcuffs off her and quietly attach it to the bed frame, before pocketing the key and sneaking out from under her grasp and quickly out the room. Luckily she's out cold and doesn't stir a muscle. I feel proud our fucking tired her out so much. Although I've already handcuffed her to the bed, I lock the door to our rooms too.
Sometimes it's easier just to do, and then to ask for forgiveness later.
Chapter Forty-Four
Aaron's POV
Tavey, as beta, will take my hand-picked fighters and search for Aurora. They have strict instructions not to return until they've found her. Aurora's been like a little sister to Tavey growing up – I don't need to stress to him how important, and time-sensitive this is.
I blocked Freya's mind-link over two hours ago, after she started to barrage me with insults for locking her up, but I'm tempted to see how resigned she is now she knows the fighters are leaving without her. The guilt's gnawing at my stomach for imprisoning my mate. I unblock our link and wait for the insults to start again... but there's nothing.
I try to link her but the little madam has blocked me in return. I rub my temples ruefully, I might be sleeping on the sofa for a few nights after this. Bugger. A few seconds tick past and a small seed of doubt snakes into my mind. My sturdy handcuffs and a locked door would stop a wolf-shifter...but will they stop a witch? Now that the thought's fully formed a wash of panic spreads over me and I bolt for the pack house leaving a bewildered Tavey behind.
Reaching our door, I calm myself – it's shut. Trying the handle I'm relived to find it's still locked. Thank fuck! Wait. Why is there complete silence from the other side? She ought to have sensed me here by now, and definitely would have heard me rattle the handle. I know Freya, and I know how cross she is – there should be some retaliation from inside. I fumble with the key and fling open the door as quickly as I can.
The room is empty. No Freya. No note. Nothing. Just gone.
This can't be happening. My mate can't be running around out there, alone, searching for my sister. Not while the Coven is so active. Fuck! What the fuck have I done? If I'd let her go with Tavey at least she'd have had a bunch of fighters around her.
Although she's only Luna-in-waiting, she's already tied to the pack... I don't think she realises how important she is to them already. They can't loose her. I can't fucking loose her.
I send for Tavey and the fighters. I have to reverse the roles now – he'll have to stay here and run the pack while I search for Freya and Aurora. I can't stay on the estate while she's out there, unaccompanied. Even worse, there's no scent. The wily little witch has covered her scent – we've nothing to follow.
“I don't think she's alone” Tavey interrupts my ramblings “Lyell's gone too”
At least he'll protect Freya, although I still despise the thought of him anywhere near Aurora. I summon Morganna.
“Find her Morganna,” I spit out “Find your daughter before she puts herself in any more danger. She doesn't fucking understand how important she is to this pack, or how important she will be to the Watch”
We watch Morganna closely as she scrys and casts, trying frantically to find a trace of Freya. My stupid mate has covered her tracks too well – it's like I thought, she's a more powerful witch than her mother. I look hopefully at Tavey, thinking he might be able to help, but he shakes his head dejectedly.
“I'm no match for Freya's powers either Aaron”
“Fuck! What the fuck do we do? We need all the help we can get here. No scent. No Luna. No Aurora. Shit!” I slam my fist into the door-frame making it shudder
“Call Sam”
“Are you sure Aaron? We still don't know why she helped before. Vampire's always have a price” Tavey's cold words bring me down to earth with a thump.
He's right. I'm sure there will be
a price to pay – but for my Freya, I'll pay it. Whatever it is.
“Call her”
Chapter Forty-Five
Freya's POV
Aaron and I need a very long talk about boundaries and respect when I get back, after I kill him. For now I have to get Lyell and myself out of here, as fast and as silently as possible. Aaron will come after me, and we need enough of a head start to find Aurora and persuade her she doesn't need to do this alone.
Hiding our scents was relatively easy, although it won't last for long. It'll be enough to get us well away from the estate before they start to come back.
I feel a bit guilty for not telling Liz what I was doing, but I'm not a hundred percent sure she'd keep her mouth shut. Better that she can deny all knowledge truthfully, than have Aaron bully it out of her.
I sneak a sideways look at Lyell while he drives. His face is set and grim, and his knuckles are pure white as they clench the steering wheel. He's directly disobeying his alpha, and he's already been told the consequences of going near Aurora again. He has to believe she's his mate, otherwise why risk banishment.
I shudder a little thinking about Aaron's ominous hints to Lyell's past. Right now, I need to find Aurora, and Lyell might be the only one who can get her out of hiding.
Once we arrive in the city, Lyell makes us abandon the car in case Aaron tracks it. It hadn't even crossed my mind! We criss-cross through the streets on a mix of buses and trams until we get closer to his bolt-hole.
“I've never taken anyone from the pack here. This was for me, just in case.” He doesn't elaborate and I'm left wondering what the hell he'd imagined might happen. Maybe he had an inkling about Aurora, even before she came of age. Or maybe he based things on his past experience.
We scuttle inside his flat and I peer around, slightly surprised. It's clean and bright, and very cosy. Lots of throws litter the sofas, and bright shaggy rugs cover the floors. I admire a beautiful wooden bookcase lining one whole wall. Unthinking I run my fingers over the spines.
“Don't bother making yourself at home” Lyell growls “We need to get to work”
Aurora's been blocking me since she ran away, and once she left the estate the temporary link I'd set up between her and Lyell wasn't strong enough. I should be able to boost Lyell's range, but there's no telling if she'll listen to him more than me.
Hours later, we're still no further forward, and I'm exhausted. I'm pretty sure she's here but she's either choosing not to respond, or unable to. I hate to think it's the latter. She's somewhere in this city...I can fucking sense it. It's frustrating as hell, and worrying.
Glancing at Lyell, he looks like a broken man. I don't doubt how much he cares for Aurora when I see him like this. I only hope we find her before anyone else does, and he gets to spend his life proving it to Aaron. Actually, bugger Aaron, the only person he has to prove it to is Aurora.
We take a break and Lyell's making us something to eat from his tinned food supply when something hits me like a sledgehammer. It's like a mind-link but more artificial, more forceful. I feel bombarded by its weight. I can't move momentarily. I hear Lyell bumbling away in the kitchen – whatever it is he's unaware and unaffected.
I centre myself, and try to relax. Whatever this is, whoever it is, they're determined to contact me. Only once I'm slightly calmer can I relax enough to let it in and work out the message, if you can call it that. It's like a rude version of a calling card – it's telling me where Aurora is. Surely this has to be a trap? Nothing's this simple. Is it?
“Lyell!!!!”
Before I can think things through rationally, Lyell has us bundled out the door and into the nearest taxi speeding towards where I 'know' Aurora is. As we get closer I get more and more sense of Aurora.
Lyell knew the place the moment I described it – he spent time here after being expelled from his community. He explains it’s cloaked somehow from outside magic – meaning anyone who needs to hide away can do so, for a price, without risking detection.
“Vampires always have a price” he mutters darkly
“Vampires?! Why the hell would Aurora come to somewhere run by vampires?! How would she even know this place existed?” I demand.
Lyell looks momentarily sheepish.
“I might have told her about it once” he mutters before rapidly changing the subject “I don’t understand how you can break their cloaking though Luna, I’ve never heard anyone do it before. It’s why the place is used – rogues, exiles, anyone on the run... guaranteed to be hidden. Until you” He peers at me like I just grew two heads.
He just called me Luna... I know that's what I'll be, eventually. But fuck if it doesn't sound strange from Lyell. His apparent faith in me just cements my resolve to be the best fucking Luna this pack have had. But we don't have time for this now..
“She's here Lyell! Are we going in or what?”
I half expect that we'll have to sneak in but Lyell marches straight through the door. A stunningly beautiful young man with porcelain skin sits in an immaculate foyer. This is not what I expected. It's all spotless marble and high ceilings. I gaze around somewhat awed, brought back to earth by a smooth voice speaking conspiratorially with Lyell.
“Her first time here is it?” Lyell nods an affirmation and allows himself a small grin at my expense.
“I need to cash my favour Rex” he turns completely business-like.
I edge closer, peering at the man who could have walked straight out of a Vogue cover. There's something off about him. Without thinking I let my senses expand towards him before withdrawing in horror. He has no aura... there's nothing around him. It's just emptiness.
“The first part of the favour is not shopping your companion of using her majik on our ground” something cold enters Rex's voice and I shiver, blushing “She should count herself lucky, especially when it's directed at me”
“You what?!” Lyell rounds on me “No majik Freya!” Back to Freya now, what happened to Luna, I huff to myself, trying not to squirm.
“I... I'm sorry... it just … something felt weird and..”
“You will keep what you've found to yourself.” Rex dismisses me with an arched eyebrow and turns to Lyell “I will be glad to be out of your debt. What do you need?”
“My mate is here. I need to find her.” Lyell says “I'm not asking you to tell me where she is. I'm asking you to rent me a room for one day, and let the witch help me find her”
I see a flash of sadness across Rex's face before its gone, replaced by an inscrutable mask again “Your mate? Your mate... is dead. And your brain is scrambled. Maybe the better favour might be seeing our healer?”
Lyell shakes his head in exasperation. “Not Lily, Rex, I have a second-chance mate. Aurora Varg, but she's in danger. I won't allow her to come to harm because of me.”
I blink, I've never heard Lily's name before. She must have been Lyell's first fated-mate. I store the little nugget of information away.
Again I swear I almost catch emotion on Rex's face “Very well. It's breaking the Sanctuary's rules, and will cost my job if detected. If I'm expelled from here, and have to live out there, it will be obvious what a deficient being I am.” He gestures beyond the building “It seems a fitting repayment. That will be £200 please, Sir. I hope you find the room convenient.”
I gape as Lyell produces a card and pays without a word. He turns and stomps in the direction of our room. Just as I turn to follow him Rex is suddenly beside me, quicker than I've seen anything move, even a witch fast-flowing. He grabs my hand, and I have to fight all my instincts not to rip it out of his icy grasp.
“How powerful are you to use majik here?” he peers at me “tell me... tell me it's not completely gone? Please.”
I realise he's not probing for information about me, he's asking about his aura. I shake my head sadly but just as I pull gently away I feel something tickle and grab his hand again. Shutting my eyes I feel a silvery thread trailing away from him.
“Somethi
ng... something's still there. There's a thread?” I open my eyes and look at him confused.
His face lights up and I can't help marvelling at what a beautiful creature he is. Without a word of thanks he glides back behind the desk and starts to type, just as the door swings open.
Lyell half-drags me down the corridor growling quietly under his breath the whole way.
“Do not ever trust them Freya, even the ones that you have a past with, even the ones that are indebted to you.”
There's obviously a shit tonne more in Lyell's past that he doesn't talk about.
Once inside our room I'm again astonished by how regal it is. For £200 a night I'd expect something decent, but this is five stars in the Seychelles kind of decent. I catch Lyell glaring at me expectantly.
“Where is she, Luna?”
“Oh, now it's Luna again is it?” I snark
“I can't tell my Luna off. For that, you have to be my friend Freya” he grumbles.
I smile at the grizzly's admission he considers us friends. I doubt that came easily to him.
“Well then, Freya would like to know if majik is once again permissible?” I mock
“Just get on with it!” Lyell barks
Smiling to myself I settle in. I'm sure she's close. Once I clear my mind and centre myself I try reaching out to sense her. She's very close. I try activating the crudely fashioned mind-link we'd made for her, and bingo. The sneaky Rex gave us the room right next door!
Aurora feels all flustered, and distinctly cross at being found, so I quickly grab Lyell's hand and boost his link with her. I just hope he can calm her down enough that she doesn't take off.
Chapter Forty-Six
Aaron's POV
Samantha glides towards me, her lips the same distracting blood red as the first time we met. She is an exquisite looking woman, and she knows it. She catches me watching her and a small smile preys on her lips.