by Erin R Flynn
“How very jealous of a man to act over a woman he’s not officially involved with, especially when that man spent so many centuries looking down on men who let women change them.”
To say Enzo’s tone was amused was an understatement.
“Poking people wasn’t on the table, Enzo,” I reminded him.
“This is personal, not because he’s yours,” Enzo replied. “While I’ve always respected Carter and his handling of Apollo’s security, we are oil and water.”
“Let me assist,” Carter muttered as he rubbed my back. “I get what you’re saying but I know Dubois and the players. I would be a good liaison and help given Murray will be watching you closely.”
“I agree,” Enzo admitted. “And I wish to bring in a team.” He chuckled when Carter flinched. “No, not who you are thinking. A team more like yours.”
It was my turn to flinch, glancing at Enzo over my shoulder. “You mean a group of your ancients you sired that you want to give their freedom to but can’t outright as it makes you look weak or whatever.” I sighed when he didn’t answer, knowing that was answer enough. “Do they want territories?”
“No, on that I am most certain.” He cleared his throat as he stood, handing me back my top but then sliding it on me when Carter set me on my feet. “There are two schools of thought as to the ‘experiment’ you have here of a coven of ancients tied to the head of a region but also tied to a shifter of an area and the government, all who do not want a region of their own.”
“Three,” Carter corrected.
“Yes, you are right,” Enzo accepted. “First, that it’s a ploy and one of the ancients will of course take over.”
“Second, that we should be handled and handled now as ancients are best sprinkled about when not under a member of the council to be controlled,” Carter added.
“Third, that this was the answer many never thought of.” Enzo nodded when I gave him a shocked look. “Removed from the system as I believe you say. They don’t want to lead but following those who fear them leads to being oppressed. You have a different option and many think it’s worth protecting and doing right.”
“Yeah, but I’m the one keeping them behaved and while I’m more powerful, that difference isn’t as much as I’d like if we’re adding more. Even the weakest can win the fight when they have the numbers,” I worried.
“Agreed, which is why I will vouch for them and nothing is decided,” he replied with an easy shrug. “They do not fully believe it is how it is. While most would think of course the ancients would take over, others—mostly ancients—also believe we’re not being fully honest or your image is bullshit, only for the humans and government.”
I frowned. “And what do they think I really am?”
“A monster worse than me,” he answered, smiling brightly when my mouth fell open. “How else could you have accrued this sort of power and more so fast?” He shrugged again. “Remember, while humans believe in angels more often than demons, people are judgmental and distrusting by nature.”
“Fair enough.” Mostly because that was me. Maybe not the judgmental part but distrusting? Oh yeah.
“Brian,” Carter announced, glancing at Enzo.
“No one but Dain knows and we need to keep it that way. Figure out how,” I told him. I went for the door but then paused, kissing Carter’s cheek. “I trust you. With everything. You help me with tons. I’m dying inside I pulled you guys in and it might go to shit and fast. Don’t expect me to add to it.”
“Okay,” he agreed.
Enzo made himself scarce and Carter sat at the counter as if everything there had been his. I let out a slow breath before opening the door as Brian arrived.
“Hey, hi, sorry,” he muttered, clearing his throat. His eyes were a bit puffy; we healed fast—even that stuff—but still, I could tell. “So I wanted to show you something. Partly because it will make you laugh but also I wanted you to see that while I’m an idiot on lots, I do think about you and what would make you happy. A lot.”
I nodded, not sure what else to say and curious what was in the large box from Amazon. I moved aside and let him in.
“So you know how Topher is really into all of his animal outfits?”
“Yeah, he understands on some level we’re more than human. He gets animal images off of us.”
“Right, but you said he’s totally into pandas. He loves that panda outfit more than anything.”
“He does. The elephant is a close second, but he’s totally into pandas.”
He nodded to Carter and set the box on the counter as I closed the door. “I know we’re not doing holiday cards, like the picture ones, but I thought maybe we could do some cute ones for my parents and yours.”
“Okay, we get this is your first step in groveling, but Christmas will be over by the time you’re done so spit it out.”
“It’s more of a visual,” Brian grumbled, gesturing for me to turn around.
Was he for real? I sighed, doing it just to get on with my day and too tired to argue or think too hard. I was dying to turn around when I heard Carter burst out laughing.
“Ready,” Brian announced a few minutes later, his voice muffled.
Yeah, that would be because of the panda costume he was wearing. For real. The full person mascot one, not even with the head going in the mouth but the ones I wondered how horrible it was to see out of.
“Seriously?” I snickered before a giggle slipped out. An actual giggle and then the laughter just came out. The six-six hardass division chief of the FBI was in a full panda costume.
Oh. My. Gawd. It was ridiculous.
“I had to contact them with my measurements even if from Amazon because I was too tall,” he said with the head on, waving his hands. “It’s not bad in here. I mean, I wouldn’t want to walk stairs or in the summer. My wolf doesn’t like it.”
“Yeah, you won’t like weird things like crime scene gloves and other stuff that’s too confining.” I burst out laughing all over again. “You really did this for Topher?”
The big head nodded. “I got a panada costume for you too. Um, it looked bigger in the picture.”
“Sure it did,” Carter drawled, tossing it over to me.
Yeah, sure it did. It wasn’t nearly as sexy as the costumes they wore at the club but it definitely wasn’t a bulky goofy one as his.
“In the picture the skirt went midthigh,” he defended. “The model must have been shorter.”
“Most women are shorter than me,” I reminded him but forgave it as a lot of models weren’t. I held it up to my body. It wasn’t bad, really, but it was miniskirt length but a flared skirt with a white fuzzy border instead that saved it. I let out a slow breath and nodded. “We can take pictures with Topher and give them to family. That doesn’t make it okay but I don’t want him knowing there are problems with us.”
“I love you, Sera.”
I chuckled. “I don’t know if that makes it weird that you said it while wearing that or somehow better as I don’t want to punch you with that head on.”
“You can punch me.”
“I’m your Alpha, that was already an option,” I snapped, clearing my throat when Carter gave me a shocked look. “I’m going to go get Topher so he can at least see you in that thing.”
“I’m sorry, babe.”
“I believe you,” I whispered as I headed for the door. “I just wish I believed you wouldn’t do it again as you don’t seem to learn from your mistakes.”
Harsh but true. I would have never thought he’d pull this shit again after how I reacted to him promoting Agent Franks without asking me. And that was before we were officially together, simply messing around. How could he think I wouldn’t be upset?
Men.
Topher was up and Maya said she would take a shower if I had him. She hesitated when I said Brian was there, swallowing down what she probably wanted to say.
“Carter and Dain are there as well,” I promised. “Brian knows it will be at least
a few months. He might need to see Topher more but they are not to be alone, and no holding him until after his first shift.”
“I’m glad you agree that best,” she sighed, giving me a tired smile.
“Where do your family live?” I asked, realizing we hadn’t discussed her taking off for the holidays.
“In Europe.” She chuckled when she probably caught onto my feelings. “Fairies do not celebrate Christmas but New Year’s is normally an event with family. I spoke with Dain about a weekend trip to see mine but he told me about this new threat. With your permission I would like to speak with Queen Laila about two fairy guards who focused on nothing besides Topher whereas others may be distracted by other things.”
I glanced down at Topher and nodded. The building was completely secured and even upgraded by Carter and Noah after I bought it. It was FBI office sort of secure but Topher still had to go out in winter to the doctor or whatever and guards would be smart.
Yeah, really smart.
I went back to my apartment and for a moment I was lighter. When Topher squealed in joy at the dancing goofy panda that was Brian, I couldn’t help but smile. I even went back and changed him into his panda outfit—glad it was clean—and then put on the costume for me. It was still embarrassing and I was sure I looked like a twit but Topher was thrilled.
And so was Brian. I gave him a glance that everything wasn’t okay or fixed and the look in his eyes told me he truly understood that. But he was still taking the win I let us do that.
Okay, I could see that as a win.
“I told Maya she could contact Queen Laila about guards for Topher,” I told Carter and Dain when he arrived. “It was her suggestion.”
“You’re really that scared this guy will harm Topher?” Brian whispered.
“Harm him physically? No,” I answered, shaking my head when he looked relieved. “But do not put it past him to take blood as my DNA is on file. He would absolutely take blood to try and disprove my story or find skeletons.”
“He seems like the type to terrorize you to knock you off your game and tenderize you for the final punch,” Carter muttered. “Like send you a selfie he took with Topher to show he could get to him.”
“Yes, that is exactly the sort of thing he would do,” I agreed. “Nothing overt or risk him breaking the law but everything that the threat is implied. But I don’t want you to think he’s above breaking the rules. He gets off on that and in plain sight like sexually assaulting me during training.” I shook my head. “Honestly, what I got from his mind, I don’t know he’s not above the rest.
“His mind is darker than I remember. I’m more powerful but… It was dark.” I quickly changed what I was thinking of when Topher gave a whimper. I hadn’t realized he’d grabbed my finger and was touching me. I smiled at him and thought of happy and us dancing and playing so he settled. “He is the ultimate Saruman, walking around as the white wizard, but really he’ll burn us all for power and what he wants.”
It was the truth but I needed a break from the conversation for a bit.
And to not be around Brian. I was glad when he left after it was time to put Topher down for a nap. He had other people who could help him at the moment and right then it couldn’t be me.
No matter how much I still loved him.
11
“Is Carter staying?” I asked when everything was signed and magically locked in.
“Wait, first, Nina says she will be in her shop early tomorrow getting holiday orders together for a big delivery day,” Dain said to Enzo. “Then would be a good time for you to stop in per your agreement?”
He nodded, giving me an amused glance. “After what happened with Igor, she made it clear that any of us coming into her territory and risking those under her protection better make sure to drop in and state our intentions.”
“I thought she was under pack protection?” I asked, glancing at Dain.
“Yes, but you’re under the coven’s protection and they’re under the pack’s,” Carter said, giving a half shrug. “That’s how alliances work. She’s someone the council acknowledges.”
Enzo snorted. “Anyone with a brain does.” He gave Dain a nod. “I would be honored. That gives me a chance to speak with her on disguises and help as I cannot be part of this as me.” He looked at me then. “I assume Nina is in your confidence?”
“Yeah, she’s fine,” I agreed. “I’m not going to get into it with the other supe leaders but I need to warn them.”
“Noah already did,” Carter told me. “He made it very clear to them that they needed to warn their people and not listen to any bullshit coming from Murray. They will report any contact or threats or even implications. Murray’s used to playing with humans. We’re not and we can sense more than he’d assume.”
“You’d think,” I muttered, knowing how hard it was to get a reading when knocked off your game. “So are you staying?”
“Why doesn’t he prepare you in the shower?” Enzo offered with a smirk. “If your husband and I are to share you, I don’t want you in any discomfort.” I blinked at him, unsure of how to phrase what I was thinking. “Yes, my penis will be in your anus as your husband fornicates with you for your reconciling.”
Okay then. I maybe should have clarified what he meant by “involved” but I wasn’t against it. I nodded, wondering why he would have Carter prepare me then? Like an offering? “Get those agreements to Alena and make sure Eva is read in.”
“Of course,” Dain agreed. “I will also let Noah and the others know we have secured a big gun for the plan but it will take time.”
I thanked him and offered Enzo the guest room for him to put his stuff in if he wanted, assuming he’d brought luggage or something. I went with Carter to my bathroom, thinking I’d had a shower that morning so why was I showering again? Because it was anal sex? I mean, I wasn’t against that but it was all very… Something.
“Why do I feel like the pig being dressed up for the feast?” I asked Carter under my breath once we were in the shower with the water covering some of the sound.
“How much do you know about traditional fairy matings with noble bloodlines?”
“Absolutely nothing,” I sighed.
“It used to be a custom that when a woman was accepted into a family by mating, the head of the bloodline was to be involved, accepting the woman who would now be one of his and take his name, live in his house, as much as the husband and mate.”
I couldn’t cover the need to gag fast enough. “So dad got in on the wedding night sex? Gross.”
“Dad or grandfather or much older as they don’t die of old age,” Carter chuckled. “Yeah, it’s something some ancients do with their covens. It’s in excuse to taste the goods or whatever without cheating but it’s… Most of them were forced into matings like Dain’s sister was to be. It’s all the same as rape in my mind. Enzo doesn’t mean it that way but it’s a dig that Dain’s father would never be part of your life.”
I snorted. Dain hated his dad. I understood the layers now but still, I couldn’t see Dain caring all that much and he would have hated that tradition. If I knew anything, I knew that. I doubted he would ever have let a woman he wanted endure that even if it hadn’t been me or if he wasn’t disowned.
“Why have you prepare me? That seems like something too?”
“Yes, he’s basically saying I have the ranking of your lady’s maid or handmaiden instead of right hand to the Alpha and Queen of the Midwest. You are princess of the Dorcus clan and he’s downgrading me from right hand to a councilman to your servant.”
“Let him play the games,” I muttered, worried it would upset him.
The wry look he gave me said clearly he couldn’t give a flying fuck and not to think on it again. I didn’t after he kissed me. He washed me, smacking my hands away when I tried to do it or even wash him. Then he knelt behind me and got me “ready” in the absolute best way. My whole body was mushy by then and I wanted to have sex with him.
A
nd then a nap.
He wrapped me in a towel and another for my hair before carrying me out to my bedroom. He bowed with me in his arms. “My Lord, I present the new addition to your bloodlines.”
I snickered, shaking my head at him. He couldn’t just let it go after all but at least Dain and Enzo found it amusing, which was why he did it. He didn’t start actual trouble but he was as big of a smart ass as I was.
He tossed me on the bed, taking the towel with him so I landed naked with the towel in my hair half on. I shot him a look that promised retribution and he only snorted. Yeah, he liked when I did anything as it got him time on my schedule.
Enzo and Dain were naked on the bed before I blinked, already having most of their clothes off. Apparently they were ready for the fun.
Which got me wound up fast.
Enzo moved behind me, having me kneel and then sit on my feet to start. He scooted closer and then had my legs slide on either side of his. I gasped as his fingers teased my ass.
“You are still new to this, yes?”
“I’m not sure where the line is from new to experienced but let’s go with I don’t have a ton of experience,” I offered.
Carter snorted again, sitting comfortably on the loveseat I had in my room. “We’re working on that. She doesn’t like it rough there as she does vaginally.”
“Not sure that’s something we should be telling people,” I muttered, shocked I hadn’t realized that. Well, Carter really paid attention, so I understood why he knew but it seemed like something I maybe should have realized first?
Add it to the list then.
Enzo took his advice and slowly worked his dick in me, giving me a moment when I hissed at the burn. What he had was nice, bigger than average, but not a monster like a few others I had sex with did… And I was grateful for that right then.
“Come, reclaim your wife,” Enzo said to Dain when he was fully in me, teasing my breasts as he ran his fangs over my skin. I shivered. “You like being bitten?”
“Not for food but yeah, it’s—only during sex.”