by Sarah Louise
I stood up and whispered my thanks to the earth for bringing me to this spot for Duke’s final resting place. I felt a surge of magic spark within me and growing right over his grave was a thicket of honey suckle, his absolute favorite. I smiled up at the waning moon,
Thank you, my Goddess, I thought to Selene
Do you think she hears me? I asked Tala.
If she didn’t, do you think you would have truly found such a perfect spot? The Goddess cannot control all, but she can bring us small comforts through the worst of our grief, Tala replied.
I am ready to claim them all, I told her.
Maybe not all at once, you only have so many holes, and there are four of them left, she sarcastically responded.
Cheeky wolf, I teased back.
Perhaps after the death of your father wasn’t the best time to think of claiming your mates. But now that I had the closure of burying him, the blood lust of the kill was riding me hard. I knew Duke would understand and encourage me. I needed to gather my strength. I’m sure there would be flashes of grief over time, but I couldn’t let it deter me from this path, from honoring his memory. I turned to walk back down the hill, and saw my mates waiting at the edge of the forest. I made my way down to them.
“This isn’t the best time, blood lust and grief are both riding me hard, that coupled with the need to complete the mate bonds is driving a lot of instincts. I need to complete this with all of you, but I want each bonding to be individual. We can play hide the pickle together later,” I said.
“Are you sure now is the best time to be thinking of this, you just buried your father,” Liam asked.
“Aye, which is why I need the distraction even more so. I need to focus on something other than this. On gathering my strength and my path moving forward. I’ll grieve when I’ve done what I can to honor his memory,” I told him. “I know Nicolae best out of the remaining four of you, if you don’t object, I will complete the bond with him now. Then I can get to know the rest of you better and complete our bonds as we make our way to the High Council. Does anyone object?” I stared each of them in the eye, asserting my dominance, none of them could resist the urge to lower letting them all know I was truly in charge of our pack dynamic. They all nodded their heads in agreement with our plans.
“I have a space we can fly to away from everyone, if you don’t object princess?” Nicolae asked.
“The only thing I object to is being called princess,” I told him.
“The others and I will head back to the house and inform my pack of our plans. I will transfer leadership officially and pack our things. We will be ready to travel when you come back love,” Anakin told me. I walked over to him and gave him a kiss on the lips.
“Thank you,” I told him, “and thank all of you for being here for me when I needed you the most.” I walked up to Liam, Jacobi, and Gunnar and gave each of them a quick peck on the lips before walking back to Nicolae.
“I’m ready when you are,” I told him. The other men already turned to head back. Nicolae stripped down and quickly changed into his fiery dragon form. I folded all of his clothes, except his shirt, and tucked them under my arm. His shirt I put on, it hit my mid-thigh. I didn’t want to be flying about the countryside naked as a jaybird. That wasn’t on the bucket list. I crawled up on top of Nicolae using his spikes as hand and foot holds and settled into the junction where his neck bends. There were two spikes close together that I wedged myself between and held onto the spike in front of me for extra safety. If this was going to be a thing I’d have to get him to make me a saddle. As thrilling as this was, I was equally terrified that I was going to slip right off and fall to my death.
Nicolae bunched the muscles in his back legs, flung his wings out, and took a huge jump. Flapping his wings to gain height before catching an air current and gliding towards one of the larger mountains around the forest valley. It didn’t take us long with Nicolae’s fast pace to reach a hidden little cave within the top of the tallest mountain in the range. He glided onto a landing point outside the cave stopping and laying down so I could slide my way down with some help of the hand holds, so I didn’t fall on my ass. He changed back into his human form and I handed him his boxers and jeans, keeping my eyes averted.
“Doesn’t it defeat the purpose if I get dressed mali vuk?” he asked.
“I like to unwrap my presents thank you very much,” I responded. He took his bottoms from me and quickly put them on. If only I hadn’t stolen his shirt, maybe I’d have some brain power left to think; because watching the muscles in his back bunch as he stretched his arms over his head turned my brain to mush. His pants catching on the curve of his beautiful ass, Tala and I couldn’t help ourselves. I launched myself onto his back, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his chest. I shifted my teeth just slightly and with a growl I bit Nicolae at the tendon on his trapezius muscle, drawing blood and claiming him as ours. As soon as I let go of his shoulder, he had me flipped around and thrown up against the rocky side. He ripped his shirt in half from my body and immediately bit down on me in the same spot as I did him, but on the opposite shoulder that Anakin had claimed. Since these were our mating marks, they wouldn’t fade, but heal into a silvery scar that let the rest of the world know I was taken. When my blood hit Nicolae’s tongue I felt Tala run forward into his mind and I felt the fire and heat of his dragon sear through my brain. His dragon was powerful and old. Almost as old as Tala. These two together would be dangerous, add in Anakin’s cougar, and we were already quite formidable. I couldn’t imagine how strong we all would be after I had bonded to all my mates. Nicolae licked my wound clean and backed up from where he had me against the outside of the cave rock wall.
“Well, that was unexpected. Would you like to see inside now?” he asked. I giggled and grabbed his hand, gesturing him to move forward into the cave. Honestly, I think I would probably follow any of these men anywhere, but I couldn’t tell them that or it would go straight to their heads.
Chapter 14
We walked into the cave together, hand in hand. There were several twists and turns that forked off from the original entrance cavern. I’d have never been able to navigate my way through this without Nicolae’s help. I could tell we were getting close when I could smell a natural Sulphur spring, we made one more turn and there was a large entry way covered by leather. Nicolae separated it down the middle and beckoned me to come in.
“Welcome to the dragon’s lair, princess.”
“At least it’s not a tower,” I chuckled at him following him in. Inside was something I would have never dreamed of, what they said about dragons hoarding wealth seemed to be proved true. Everywhere I turned there was another piece of priceless artwork, furniture. Jewelry, and fabric everywhere I looked.
“Oh, my Goddess Nicolae, you’re a hoarder, of wealthy things, but still a hoarder!”
“It’s a dragon thing!”
“Sure, pull the species card!”
“You won’t be saying that when I can keep us living comfortably for the rest of our lives and you bedecked in jewels,” he replied. I walked up and put my arms around his waist, looking him in the eye.
“I don’t need jewels or a fancy lifestyle, Nic, I just need you.” I reached up and brought my lips to his, gently pressing them together. He slanted our mouths increasing the pressure as I ran my fingers through his shaggy dark hair, scraping my fingers against the scalp. Nic dug his fingers into my ass, kneading the flesh there.
“God, I love your ass,” he whispered. I smiled against his kisses and raked my fingers down his chest.
“Then prove it,” I taunted him.
Nicolae smirked at me and quickly ran his fingers through my slit checking my wetness. I was soaking wet and ready for his gorgeous and long cock. He then flipped me around and bent me down over a baroque end table. His hand in the middle of my back keeping me exactly where he wanted me. He kicked my legs open, spreading me wide and teased me with his finger until I was on
the edge of orgasm. He then moved some of my juices farther back, swirling them around my asshole. With that Nicolae entered me in one fast thrust. I tried to arch my back and push back against him but his hand on my back prevented me from moving still. He thrust in and out of me relentlessly until I was back on the edge of orgasm, and right as I started to come he stuck his finger in my ass and I saw stars behind my eyes. I screamed his name and I clamped around his thrusting cock. He gave a few harder thrusts and then he was letting out his yell as he filled me with his seed. I could feel our combined fluids drip down my legs as I laid on the end table completely exhausted. Nicolae withdrew and walked away only to return a second later with a warm washcloth and cleaned me up.
“That was amazing,” I said, still leaning over the end table, gathering my strength because I wasn’t quite ready to move my legs. “If sex is going to be this good with all of you I’m going to end up pregnant for the rest of my life.” That thought gave me pause, I’d had unprotected sex with Anakin and now Nicolae. I knew they needed to come inside me for the mating to be complete, but the magic of the mating wouldn’t stop a pregnancy. If anything, it would encourage the body to start one. This was not the time in my life to be having a child. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to ever be a mom. It wasn’t like I had a role model. Mine abandoned me in a tree. By now I had gotten up and moved to sit on one of Nic’s overly stuffed and entirely too comfortable chairs and wrapped my naked body in the fuzzy blanket that had been thrown over the back of the arm.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” Nic asked.
“How I’m not ready to be a mother,” I answered honestly.
“Are you ovulating?” He took in a deep breath. “You do not smell like you are ovulating.”
“I don’t know, my cycle was never regular. We didn’t get enough food and nutrition for it to come monthly like normal.”
“Then I wouldn’t worry about it for now,” he came up behind me and started massaging my shoulders, “after you finish mating with everyone we can look at birth control options until you are ready.”
“Really? You would be willing to wait for me?”
“Of course, mali vuk, now would you like to check out the hot springs?”
“You said the magic words! Lead on mass hoarder!” Nic just chuckled and scooped me up from the chair, blanket and all. I wound my arms around his neck and nuzzled against the now healed bite mark I’d left earlier.
“Mmm, keep that up mali vuk and you’re going to find yourself up against a wall again.”
“I mean, I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to that, but after the hot springs! My inner thigh muscles need some lovin’! And not the ride you like a pony again lovin’ but the rub me in hot water and give me a massage if you really love me.” Realizing I was rambling I hid my face under part of the blanket causing Nic to laugh loudly.
“You are a trip mali vuk, life with you will never be boring.” We turned a corner and stepped into a sumptuous sauna looking room. The rock had been sanded and polished to a shine with jewels interspaced throughout diamond cut grooves.
“I’ve died and gone to heaven,” I said as Nic put me down by the edge of the pool leading to the hot spring. The water bubbled up like a natural jacuzzi.
“I thought that was when I fucked you boneless,” he said as he took the blanket I had been covered in and folded it on one of the benches on the side of the room that had been carved out of the rock. I dipped my toe into the water to gage the temperature and it was that perfect level of heat that would melt the knots in your muscles away. I went ahead and waded in, not waiting on Nic to join me.
“This pool is huge, I bet even your dragon would fit in here,” I called out. I heard Nic give a nervous laugh so I turned around watching him blush as he waded in after me.
“Oh my god, that is adorable, how often does he come in here to soak?” I laughed teasing Nic.
It is perfectly natural to want to soak one’s muscles after a long flying session. Nothing to make fun of your mate for at all. I heard a rumbling voice slither across my mind, meaning Nic’s dragon was the one who had spoke to me.
“Nothing wrong with it at all,” I replied out loud.
“Oh, so you heard the old ninny did you? I was wondering how long it would take him to talk to you. He is worse than Anakin’s cougar with the way he likes to nap about in my mind,” Tala growled through my mind and by the tiny jump Nic gave he heard that too.
“She didn’t like you insulting her mate,” I laughed.
“I’m her mate too,” he grumbled.
“Awe come here my big bad fire-breathing mate,” I held my hands out welcoming him into my arms. He waded over to me allowing me to wind my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist.
“This is just supposed to be for helping you relax, not round two mila vuk.”
“I think round two would definitely help me relax,” I said as I rubbed my core against his hardening length.
“No, mila vuk, you need to conserve your strength, I won’t be selfish tonight.”
“Tease,” I told him as I pumped his cock once and then swam away, diving underneath the water, then coming back up and floating in the soothing water.
“Come here mila vuk, let me take care of you,” he called out. I swam over to Nic where he was sitting on a ledge crafted in the edge of the pool by the shelf of soaps and shampoos. I settled between his legs and he started massaging shampoo into my long black locks. It felt amazing, he rinsed and repeated with conditioner, then washed my body all over with the most amazing smelling body wash. It was like a feminine version of his own natural scent. At this point I was so relaxed I was falling asleep in his arms. Between the massages and heat after the epic sex it was a miracle I wasn’t completely unconscious. Nic had done an amazing job of distracting me and it was that thought right there that sobered my mood. How could I continue to enjoy myself like this, wasting time relaxing and acting like I was on a spa vacation when just hours earlier I’d killed someone for the first time and laid my father to rest.
“I can tell by the look on your face, and I can feel your unease, it seems like playtime is over and it’s time to get back to the rest of your pack and start making some more solid plans,” Nic stated.
“You’re right. I’m sorry it couldn’t last longer. This was exactly what I needed though and now I am a little more centered and able to handle the grief a little better. But I won’t rest until I get to the bottom of this and eradicate these rogues. I will fulfill my destiny, this prophecy.”
“Then let’s get to it mila vuk.”
Chapter 15
We arrived back at Anakin’s house within the next hour, Nicolae had been kind enough to let me borrow one of his shirts and a pair of his boxers so I wouldn’t have to make the ride back naked. Liam met us out on the front lawn.
“So how did you like the dragon's lair pretty lady?” Liam asked.
“It was amazing! Did you know he was a hoarder?” I fake whispered back. Nicolae’s dragon rumbled, blowing smoke out of his nose. I walked back over to him.
“Don’t worry big guy,” I patted him on the nose. “I accept you and your hoarding ways just as you are,” I said then kissed him on the nose. Nic chose that moment to change back into human form.
“I’m not a hoarder,” he grumbled and walked towards the front door of the house. I let him walk ahead and linked arms with Liam, giving him a wink and following Nic into the house dragging a smirking Liam with me.
“I’m headed for a nap!” Nic called out as he headed up the stairs.
“Do you want to nap as well?” Liam asked me.
“Actually, I’m more hungry than anything else. I could use something to eat. What about you? Where are the rest of the guys?” I replied.
“Well I’m here to be the welcoming committee for you. Jacobi is patrolling in his hawk form. Anakin is officially transferring leadership to his Beta so he can focus on our new pack. Gunnar is out by the lake m
editating, tying to search the threads of time to see what he can about this cult of Ra and the God himself so we are better prepared,” Liam said.
“Good that gives us time to get to know one another,” I smiled at him, still linked to his arm. He unhooked his arm from me and moved to the fridge and began pulling sandwich fixings out.
“Why would you want to get to know me next? I’m not a predator like your other mates. I’m just a fox, the lowest ranking of them. I should be who you get to know last,” he said as his hands absently put together four BLT’s. Two for each of us.
“You realize my Dad was a fox right? Obviously, he was my adopted father but still. I was raised with the ‘prey’, raised to believe that I would be too. Predator, prey, it makes no difference to me. We are who we are and each of our animals are all special. No matter their distinction, we all have our place.”
Liam looked at me hard. His eyes swimming with emotions I couldn’t yet decipher.