Twenty minutes later, his voice was hoarse from relating every threat and punishment he could think of. He blinked furiously when Lodar told him Riley and his son would be fine. He looked at his friend’s exhausted face and tried to thank him, but his throat was too tight to get the words out. He felt the dampness on his cheeks, and for once, didn’t care that his men could also see it. He was going to have to punish Riley for this too. He had never cried in his life, and now she had made him do it twice in as many days.
"You can’t punish me," Riley murmured huskily, her eyes still closed. "Your dad said you had to give me whatever I wanted. By the way, I spent a fortune of your credits at the market."
Vox’s head jerked down to stare at his mate’s beautiful, flushed face. "You did? What did you buy?" he asked in a husky voice.
Riley’s brilliant, baby blue eyes open to stare up at him. "I bought the most beautiful oversized purse you’ve ever seen and the most god-awful jacket. You aren’t allowed to kill this one. I love it."
Vox’s relieved laughter echoed as he threw back his head and shouted with joy before he gently drew Riley up into his arms. "You can buy whatever handbag and hideous jacket you want. I promise not to destroy it."
Riley’s eyes softened. "Can we go home now? I don’t like this place."
"Yes, my mate. We can go home now," Vox promised.
Epilogue
"Where’s my goddamn gun!" Pearl snarled. "I’m going to fill his ass with lead if he doesn’t get it down here! Forget the salt. You damn creatures just lick that shit up, even if it’s in your own ass."
Viper clenched his fists tightly at his side and counted to twenty backward. It was one of the few things that helped prevent him from putting his hands around Riley and Tina’s grandmother’s neck. Even so, it was still very, very tempting.
"He will be here for the ceremony," Viper growled out. "And I did not lick my own ass."
Pearl looked at Viper with an expression that clearly said she didn’t believe him. Tina stood to the side, refusing to look at him, which was even more infuriating. He would have thought saving her life would have made her more receptive to him, but no! She kept a wall of ice so thick between them, he really did feel like his dick might freeze off. If it hadn’t been for that one night…
Viper cursed again when Pearl asked for her shotgun. "I am not giving you that damn gun! You are dangerous enough without it," he snapped.
"Don’t you dare talk to my poor, defenseless grandmother like that!" Tina said, glaring at Viper in anger. "If she wants her shotgun, you should give it to her. It is her property after all," Tina pointed out in a frigid voice.
"Yes—the one she keeps pointing at me every opportunity she gets," Viper snarled back. "Let her fill your ass with rock salt and see if you like it!"
Pearl chortled at the thought. "I bet he would volunteer to lick it off, Tina girl. Want to see if he will?"
Tina blushed a bright red and glared at her grandmother before sniffing and turning her back on both of them. "You’re right, she doesn’t need her shotgun," she muttered under her breath.
Aryeh, Rosario, and Illana chuckled as they watched Viper run his hands through his hair in aggravation. All of them stopped and turned when they heard the music of the wedding march begin. Vox rushed down the aisle to stand next to his brothers who were lined up, chuckling under their breath.
"Did you get it?" Walkyr asked quietly.
"Yes, she really, really wanted it," Gable added.
"She said she wouldn’t marriage you without it," Qadir added with a huge grin. It had been his turn to come up with something for Vox to hunt down, and he had made sure it hadn’t been easy.
"Guall’s balls," Pallu muttered, trying to keep a straight face. "If Riley doesn’t kill you, her grandmother will. You are late for your own marriage ceremony."
The four brothers laughed as they glanced at Pearl who was standing waiting for her granddaughter to walk down the aisle on Bob and Fred’s arms. They had never seen anything like the slender older woman with white spiked hair. She was wearing more leather than all four of them put together. Pallu looked at his brother Viper who was staring—still—at the petite dark-haired female on the other side of Pearl. Viper was the only one who wasn’t celebrating. Pallu’s eyes widened as he saw the brief look of sadness in his brother’s eyes as he gazed at the little human female before he covered it. There was more to the story than just Viper returning with Riley’s family.
All eyes moved to the back of the room as Riley appeared dressed in a flowing white lace gown covered in tiny blue stones the color of her eyes. She glowed with happiness as she walked down the aisle toward Vox, who was smiling just as broadly. The swollen roundness of her stomach stuck out in front of her. Bob and Fred walked slowly as the music continued to play. Once they reached Vox, Bob and Fred held out each of her hands to him.
Vox growled loudly before he grinned. "I do. We marriaged now. I want to go back to our living quarters."
Riley’s face creased into a frown, and she stamped her foot. "Oh no, you don’t! You are not getting out of this. I want it done right," she growled back before turning to Titus. "Titus, get your ass up here and say the things I told you to write down. This big ox is going to agree with every one of those vows, or I want my Taser and pepper spray back."
"I’ve got a new Taser, Riley, if you need it," Pearl volunteered, pulling it from the waistband of her black leather pants.
"Oh gods, no, you don’t! I thought I took all of those damn devices from you," Viper roared, reaching for Pearl.
"Don’t you manhandle my poor, elderly grandmother, you jerk," Tina erupted in fury, grabbing the Taser before Viper could and pressing it against his chest in warning. "Now get back in line so Riley can have her wedding."
"Make me," Viper snarled menacingly.
"Okay," Tina said and pressed the button.
Viper jerked as the shock hit him, stumbling backward before collapsing onto the floor in a quivering jerking mass of twitching nerves. His loud curses filled the small chamber they had converted for the wedding. All four of his younger brothers stood around him with their mouths hanging open, trying not to laugh.
"Oh, to hell with it," Riley said in resignation. "I do. Let’s go to the reception. Maybe it will go better than the wedding," she muttered over the noise of all the brothers suddenly asking Tina and Pearl about Tasers.
"How about we skip the reception and get to the wedding night?" Vox asked with a hopeful grin. "I have something for you."
"What did you get me this time?" Riley asked, rolling her eyes and chuckling.
Vox reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, squeaking animal. "A mouse!"
In a matter of seconds, a huge, very pregnant white tiger was knocking over chairs and tables as she chased the poor Sarafin replica of a mouse around the room. She wasn’t alone, though. Soon Pearl, Tina, Bob, Fred, their mates, and a handful of other guests were the only ones left in their two-legged form. The other cat-shifters had joined in the fun, thinking it was part of the marriage ceremony to chase the mouse.
"Well, hell, I think that was the best damn wedding I’ve ever attended. I’m glad that boy chose my Riley girl. He’ll keep her on her toes." Pearl chuckled. "Now, is anyone up for some grub?"
To be continued… Viper’s Defiant Mate.
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About S. E. Smith
S. E. Smith is a USA TODAY and #1 International Amazon Bestselling author who has always been a romantic and a dreamer. An avid writer, she has spent years writing, although it has usually been technical papers for college. Now, she spends her evenings and weekends writing and her nights dreaming up new stories. An affirmed "geek," she spends her days working on computers and other peripherals. She enjoys camping and traveling when she is not out on a date with her favorite romantic guy.
Other Books by S. E. Smith
Paranormal and Science Fiction short stories and novellas
For the Love of Tia (Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 4.1)
A Dragonlings’ Easter (Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1)
A Warrior’s Heart (Marastin Dow Warriors Book 1.1)
Rescuing Mattie (Lords of Kassis: Book 3.1)
Science Fiction/Paranormal Novels
Cosmos’ Gateway Series
Tink’s Neverland (Cosmo’s Gateway: Book 1)
Hannah’s Warrior (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 2)
Tansy’s Titan (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 3)
Cosmos’ Promise (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 4)
Curizan Warrior
Ha’ven’s Song (Curizan Warrior: Book 1)
Dragon Lords of Valdier
Abducting Abby (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 1)
Capturing Cara (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 2)
Tracking Trisha (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 3)
Ambushing Ariel (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4)
Cornering Carmen (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 5)
Paul’s Pursuit (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 6)
Twin Dragons (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 7)
Lords of Kassis Series
River’s Run (Lords of Kassis: Book 1)
Star’s Storm (Lords of Kassis: Book 2)
Jo’s Journey (Lords of Kassis: Book 3)
Magic, New Mexico Series
Touch of Frost (Magic, New Mexico Book 1)
Sarafin Warriors
Choosing Riley (Sarafin Warriors: Book 1)
The Alliance Series
Hunter’s Claim (The Alliance: Book 1)
Razor’s Traitorous Heart (The Alliance: Book 2)
Zion Warriors Series
Gracie’s Touch (Zion Warriors: Book 1)
Krac’s Firebrand (Zion Warriors: Book 2)
Paranormal and Time Travel Novels
Spirit Pass Series
Indiana Wild (Spirit Pass: Book 1)
Heaven Sent Series
Lily’s Cowboys (Heaven Sent: Book 1)
Touching Rune (Heaven Sent: Book 2)
Excerpts of S. E. Smith Books
If you would like to read more S. E. Smith stories, she recommends Abducting Abby, the first in her Dragon Lords of Valdier Series
Or if you prefer a Paranormal or Time Travel with a twist, you can check out Lily’s Cowboys or Indiana Wild...
Touch of Frost
S. E. Smith
Excerpt
Frost stood in the doorway of the dwelling staring in shock at the female. He blinked several times to clear his eyes. Nothing else seemed to register in his mind except that she was glowing… with the bright, soft light of the early morning sun reflecting across a fresh snowfall. The brilliant colors swirling around her settled on her skin like the first touch of frost against the petals of the snow flowers.
He watched the patterns settle around her. As the twinkling faded, the delicate patterns caressed her skin dancing for him. Patterns only he could see. Patterns showing that she was his chosen one.
Time suddenly fast forwarded as he realized that she was in mortal danger. Panic and fear, two emotions that he refused to acknowledge, ricocheted through him as he caught the glint of cold metal and Taar’s massive form behind her.
"Taar!" Frost yelled, throwing his right hand up. "Freeze."
The dark brown eyes of the female jerked up to his in shock. Her lips parted to form a small, delectable circle as she stared back at him. He barely registered that she had her arms wrapped protectively around the body of the golden-haired mammal. He did look twice when the tiny creature suddenly let go of the tip of Taar’s tail and grinned up at him.
"Move," Frost snarled as he continued to shoot bursts of ice outward toward Taar.
A confused frown crossed the lovely face of the female as she tilted sideways away from where the icy stream was pulsing. She gasped as she saw the ice-covered mask of the lizard behind her. She stumbled against a chair that had fallen. The movement, combined with the extra weight in her arms, caused her to move backwards instead of toward him. At the same time, Taar’s enraged roar and the sound of shattering ice echoed through the room.
"What is going on? Who are you?" The female shouted in exasperation. "Larry, let… me… go!"
Frost clenched his fingers into a tight fist as Taar wrapped one of his hands in the female’s long dark brown hair while the other raised the sharp blade to her throat. The sound of the Learian’s loud hisses rubbed against his senses like sand against glass.
"Star Ranger!" Taar hissed, ignoring the sharp stinging in his tail and the pulsing shocks burning the palm of his hand where he gripped the female. "I should have known that Passion would send you. This is going to make my escape even sweeter knowing I’ve killed yet another one of you."
"Let her go, Taar," Frost responded in a cold, hard voice. "This is between you and I."
"Not any longer," Taar sneered. "This one is going to die."
Frost’s mind worked frantically at a way to get the female away from Taar. Fear and rage burned inside him as the blade in Taar’s fisted claw rested against the pale skin of the female. He fingered the explosives in his other hand. They would stun Taar briefly, but they might kill the woman.
His eyes moved to the slender figure that had become very still. The look of uncertainty and confusion was still in her eyes, but there was something else as well, as if she was trying to understand what they were saying. Her eyes locked with his and he saw she was studying him with a frown. He rolled the small explosives in his left hand. Her eyes moved to his hand before rising to look at him again, this time with disapproval. She gave a tiny shake of her head.
Frost couldn’t hold back his growl of frustration. The stupid female had no idea of the danger she was in! Stiffening his shoulders, he slipped the explosives into the pocket of his trousers. The likelihood of him surviving a hand-to-hand combat with the Learian was slim, but he had no choice. He could not let Taar kill his female.
"Fight me," Frost demanded in desperation. "Hand to hand, no weapons, just you and me."
Taar’s bark of harsh laughter resounded through the room at Frost’s challenge. Frost took a step forward when Taar jerked on the female’s hair instead, pulling her back a step and drawing a cry of pain from her. His hands instinctively tried to reach for her before his mouth dropped open as she suddenly turned around in fury and pressed one hand against Taar’s chest. The blade Taar held against her throat vanished into a puff of smoke as she twirled to face the Learian.
He fell back a step when her voice rose in a commanding tone. He didn’t understand a word she was saying, but whatever it was had a profound effect on Taar. The Learian’s eyes widened in shock before he began to shimmer. One second the huge reptilian species stood in front of the female, the next he was gone.
Frost stood frozen in disbelief watching as the woman lowered the golden mammal in her arms to the floor before she grabbed a small, clear container off the floor. With another series of mumbled words, the contents of the container disappeared. When she finally stood straight again, she was holding the container between the palms of her hands with a look of disgust on her face. Inside was a miniature replica of Taar, now only about five inches high.
His throat worked up and down as the female turned her heated gaze on him. He started to stumble backwards when she took a step toward him, her eyes
glittering in determination. His vision blurred as she waved her hand at him. Panic gripped him as the world began to grow around him. He tried to turn on his heel, but found he was unable to move as trillions of sparkling lights danced around him for several long, eternal seconds.
His eyes closed as he fought with his frozen muscles, trying to get them to obey him. When he opened his eyes, the golden mammal was looking at him, nose to nose. He grimaced when a pink tongue swept out to lick the fur covering his face.
Fur! I don’t have… Frost thought for a brief moment before his eyes lit on the reflection in the smoky glass of what looked like a cooking device. With a tentative hop forward, he gazed at his reflection. I… I… His brain rebelled at the same time as he felt a firm, but gentle hand, grab him by the back of his neck and lift him. I have long ears! He thought before his mind shut down and he slipped into an exhausted slumber as soothing words washed over him.
Hunter’s Claim
S. E. Smith
Excerpt
Jesse rolled stiffly to her knees before using the side wall to help her stand. She had been frozen in one spot for almost three hours before the lights in the other room had finally gone out. She bit back a groan as her stiff muscles protested. She wasn’t sure if the three men and one woman were ever going to settle down. The one huge guy had come out every thirty minutes to climb into the back of the van before leaving again.
She bent to pick up her backpack before releasing a sigh of resignation. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t just leave the alien to die. She had listened to the others talk about what they were going to do to him. She would just as soon shove her dad’s hunting knife into his heart if he had one then leave him to those crazy lunatics.
Straightening up once again, she drew in a deep breath behind the black scarf covering most of her face. She would release him. Well, she would release most of him if she could and leave him the means to finish the task while she ran like hell. She ran her hand over the universal key set her dad had shown her how to use. It would be a huge loss but she wouldn’t have much choice.
Captured Boxed Set: 9 Alpha Bad-Boys Who Will Capture Your Heart Page 108