by Sabrina Rue
Ashamed, Desiree bowed her head. “I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ve kept it to your childhood. Before your mother’s death.” Shaking her head, she whispered, “It was still wrong.”
Harmony laughed and it made her look up. “Do you honestly think I wouldn’t have taken a shortcut if I could have? Everyone would and they’re lying if they say otherwise.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Are you fucking kidding? No, I’m not mad, Desiree. I want you to learn to fight, to defend yourself first and foremost. What you’ve done makes it possible for you to protect others as well. Like your mom.” She winked. “You upped your value as my Second.”
“It-it was your skills.”
“Incorrect. You’ve accessed my father’s training. My skills are a different matter entirely. As are yours. There are only three empaths born every century to Were kind and they’re scattered across the globe. They must be trained to fight and you will train them. Soak it all up and then share it with them.”
Tilting her head, Harmony added, “What I want to know is why. Why have you suddenly fixated on becoming a fighter, Desiree? After twenty years of gentleness, of being a nurturer, why have you suddenly decided to attain the skills of a warrior?”
Folding her hands in front of her, Desiree cleared her throat and said softly, “I met my Mate.”
Harmony stilled. “Come with me.”
Walking rapidly across the yard, she opened the door of her office, waited for Desiree to enter, and locked it behind them.
“How many times have you met him?”
“Twice. He comes here when I go out late at night to run in Change.” Desiree inhaled deeply. “Each time, he makes a blood vow not to harm me...” Harmony gasped and Desiree held up her hand. “I know the reason. I need the vow.”
Her Alpha stared at her for more than a minute. Then her smile spread slowly across her face. “His blood is making you stronger.”
Pressing her lips together, Desiree nodded. “He is...very old. One of the oldest of his kind. His blood, his memories...”
“He doesn’t block you from his memories?”
Lifting her gaze, she shook her head. “H-he knows you, your sister. His blood made you stronger, your twin, your brother. Even your youngest sister.”
Harmony whispered, “Your Mate is Titus?”
“The godfather of the Kassis bloodline. The man who trained your father before he trained you and Hope.” Her expression was gentle. “He has many fond memories with your family.” Holding out her hand, she asked, “May I show you?”
Harmony blinked. “Desiree?”
“He makes me so fucking strong, Alpha. He shows me with a single touch many things I never would have learned if I lived centuries isolated among my people.”
Taking her hand, Harmony gave a soft gasp, her eyes closing as Desiree walked her through the ancient Daemon’s memories with her family.
Before sickness, sadness, fear, and death.
Showed her Titus’s genuine affection for the Kassis twins. Slade and Journey, healthy and in love, laughing around their formal dining table with their guest, their friend, the being who made them stronger than they ever could have been as humans, half-breeds, or Weres.
Tears slipped over Harmony’s cheeks as she saw her family whole again, at peace. Before disease claimed her mother and the ache of the loss destroyed her father.
Harmony’s eyes opened, the green brighter with her tears. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Alpha.” Their hands dropped away. “The last time he saw your family, Phoebe was a toddler. He needed to place himself in stasis. So many years of life without his Mate...he feared psychosis. For ten years, he slept in the dimension layered over our own, unaware of the happenings to all of you. Nothing to one such as him. So much time to those not of Daemon kind.”
“I-I wondered why he didn’t search for us, help us.” Harmony wiped her face. “I understand now.”
“He believed your father’s Second finally getting a child of his own would temper the jealousy Titus saw brewing in Gregor. Jealousy your father didn’t take seriously until it was too late.”
Walking to the window of her office, Harmony stared out over the compound. “Why do you wish to be a fighter, Desiree?” Looking over her shoulder, she added, “Tell me the truth.”
“I…want him.” She took a deep breath. “I-I also...fear him.” Swallowing hard, she tried to explain. “When I was a very small child, I almost fell. Jax caught me in time. No one knew I was an empath and his memories flooded my mind. What h-happened to his old Pack...it sometimes haunts me. So much blood, screaming.”
“Titus is against everything the Purists stand for, Desiree. He’d never hurt you even if you weren’t his Mate. It’s why he helped my father. Why he trained us. Why he gave us his blood to make us stronger.”
“I know but I need to be stronger, Harmony,” she confessed softly. “I must be more, I must know more. Not just in fighting but in history.”
Frowning, her Alpha Female asked, “Do you worry that you have nothing in common with Titus?”
“I’m young by human standards. In comparison to a Daemon of ten millennia, I’m not even an infant. While he is biologically drawn to me and chemicals dictate his need for me, a conversation with someone of my age and inexperience will be like talking to a pet.”
Raking her fingers through her hair in agitation, she added, “I want to learn all that I can, expand my mind and strengthen my body. He offered to wait for me and I told him I would go to him in a year.”
“How many Heats have you endured?”
“The one that will come in the next few months will be my third. It’s another reason I wished to wait to complete our Mating. As difficult as Were infants can be to deliver, I cannot imagine that Daemon babies are less extreme on the body.”
Crossing her arms, Harmony nodded. “You and I will train an additional three days each week. No more hiding what you’re picking up from me. I need to be able to see where you’re weak so we can focus there.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“I’ll speak to Ryker and Talon about the eldest members of Pack. You need to take as much from them as possible. Talon’s Second has connections to more of the Others. I’ll ask Phoenix to get us some face time with them.”
“Thank you, Harmony.”
“You’re welcome but you probably shouldn’t thank me yet.” She grinned. “You want to learn and I’m going to teach you. It’s going to hurt. A lot.”
The woman never pulled her punches or her truth. Desiree prepared herself for physical pain.
It would be worth it.
CHAPTER FOUR
As she landed in the clearing, Desiree huffed at Titus standing as far away from her as he could. She left Change and took her time slipping into the robe, tying it, smoothing the delicate fabric.
Turning to him, she nicked her palm and held it out with a smile. “Hello, Titus.”
“Desiree.” Clasping his hands behind his back, he told her quietly, “I can’t trust myself to touch you. Being close enough to scent you already stretches my control beyond bearing.”
Thinking about how young and inexperienced she must seem to her Mate made her forget how much influence she held over him. It made her body tingle.
She stared into his silver eyes, considering.
Among her kind, Were males were easy to trigger to sex or violence. The Wolves that existed inside them were rough, dominant, and powerful. Males were physically stronger and unafraid to use that strength to get their way in Pack.
Were females were another matter entirely.
They were prone to games of wit, using subtlety and cunning to get what they wanted. Stronger than humans, females were usually no match against the males among them in feats of strength.
Other than Harmony, Desiree had never witnessed a female best a full-blooded male, even their fighters, in a physical confrontation.
Absorbing moments e
ven from young Harmony had taught her more about combat than she knew was possible but it also taught her a playfulness that had never been part of Desiree’s personality.
There was no doubt she had things to accomplish before she took her place as Titus’s Mate.
A year seemed painfully long. She didn’t know if she’d be able to endure it when every moment of her sleep was already filled with thoughts of him, every waking hour found her returning to consider their visits.
Licking the blood from her palm, she folded her hands in front of her. “I see. You plan to visit but not get within touching distance of me?”
“I will take your choices from you, Desiree.”
She walked slowly toward him. “You think so?”
“I’m not strong enough…”
Several more steps and she smiled. “I disagree. I bet you’re even stronger than you realize. After all, I can’t imagine there are many beings powerful enough to actually test you.”
“Desiree…”
She clicked her teeth as she approached. “A benefit of being one of the oldest of your kind. Unmatched power and impenetrable control.”
Stopping in front of him, she ran her hands up his torso over the jacket of his suit.
His eyes were bright, his teeth extended, a low growl vibrated from his chest. She could feel the way his body shuddered as he fought to control his instincts.
Titus didn’t unclasp his hands so she slid hers up to cup either side of his neck. She purred at the intense heat of him.
Tugging him down, he came in small increments. When they were eye to eye, she tugged her lower lip between her teeth.
“Hello, Titus.”
“Mate,” he managed roughly.
“I’m going to kiss you and you’re going to let me.” His eyes widened and glowed impossibly brighter. “Casual touch is hard for someone like me. It’s always been carefully guarded against. Touching you, having you touch me, is all I can think about.”
Raking her fingers through his hair, she sighed. “It’s like the finest silk. My mother told me once that silver was a better match with my hair and eyes than gold.” Winking, she added, “I have to agree with her.”
Then she pressed her lips to his and delivered several small kisses. Licking his lower lip, the sound emanating from his chest grew louder.
“Kiss me, Titus.”
Suddenly in his arms, weightless, uncertain where she was, he held her tight as he ravaged her with his lips and teeth and tongue. It seemed that he touched every inch of skin but she didn’t know how it was possible.
Arms and legs wrapped tightly around his body, she took the opportunity to touch him while they kissed.
Nothing mattered but the feel of his mouth on hers. She held him as hard as she could while she sucked his tongue each time it moved past her lips.
Leaning back, she realized they were no longer in the forest. She didn’t think they were even on Earth.
The colors surrounding them were brilliant, fractured like an explosion of glass, passing without form or substance over her skin.
Lifting one hand, she moved her fingers through the colorful mist and watched it swirl.
Looking fully at Titus, she inhaled sharply at the sheer magnificence of him. His hair lifted away from his head, moving slowly as if they were underwater.
The glow of his eyes was brighter than the brightest star on the darkest night. Sharp and deadly canines glinted bright white and she imagined them sinking into her skin, leaving his Mark behind.
Moaning softly, she stroked her fingers over his face and whispered raggedly, “Your beauty is a fantastic agony, Titus.”
“As is yours, my Desiree.”
Passably pretty but never considered an exceptional beauty among their kind, she stared into his eyes and saw the depth of his adoration. His emotions flowed into her hand and she felt his love.
To Titus, she was perfect.
It moved her and tears slipped over her cheek. He gathered them, holding them in a fist. When he opened it, diamonds glittered on his palm.
In awe, she murmured, “How?”
“There’s an abundance of minerals that permeate the water, soil, and air around you. What may be lacking in your environment exists in your bodies. Much like my kinds’ home world, we can sort through them, gather what is needed, and make something solid.”
“Incredible but…where are we?” she asked curiously.
“Between.” It felt as if he gave her a hug from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. “Not fully in your world and not fully in the dimension where I live.”
He poured the diamonds into the pocket of his suit. “I hope every diamond created from your tears is the result of beauty, joy, and love.”
“Happy tears,” she told him softly.
“Yes.”
There were other questions to ask but she kissed him instead. She wondered idly if time passed in the same way in such a place but decided it didn’t matter.
She held the powerful Daemon who was her Mate and made love to his mouth as Titus taught her.
“Now…”
“I cannot allow myself, love. I’d never be capable of taking you without leaving my Mark on your flesh. Once I do so, I won’t be parted from you.”
He trailed his lips along her jaw and down the column of her throat. She dropped her head back to give him more access. Her fingers moved constantly through his hair, clenching and unclenching the silken strands.
“I must first make introductions to your family, to your Pack, and let them see the male who will sink his teeth into your body and claim all that you are. To do less would be a sign of disrespect and not the way to begin our life together.”
She released a small whimper. “More?”
“As much as I can bear, you spectacular creature.”
His mouth claimed hers yet again and she moaned as he held her harder, a strong hand squeezing her ass, her side, her breast.
While he explored her, she touched as much of him as she could reach. Gripped strong shoulders and outlined defined arms through his clothes.
“Too many layers,” she moaned.
They made a rapid turn and she realized they weren’t on a solid surface. They were…floating?
No time to care because Titus’s upper body was bared to her. Growling low in her throat, she felt her canines extend fully, her claws tip her fingers.
Leaning back, she snapped her teeth. “Mine.”
“Yes, my love.”
Her Wolf fought her for control. “T-Titus…”
Desiree crossed her ankles at his back, her arms around his shoulders, and sank her teeth into the flesh between his shoulder and neck.
He roared as his blood exploded over her tongue and flamed through her senses. She drank him down, took him inside herself. Only when her mind whispered did she release him, lick the wound, and watch it close.
“Mine. You will drink from me now.”
Dragging her wrist across her fang, she held it to his mouth. He latched on instantly and she watched as Titus’s full power glowed through his eyes.
“Yes, Mate. Soon, you will Mark me. Inside and out.”
His skin grew hotter, his hair wild as a sort of wind whipped around them, the colors on the current swirling. One hand held her wrist to his mouth and the other braced her low back.
The heat, the hardness of his cock pressing against the most sensitive part of her made her moan in need.
He didn’t look away as he pulled his teeth from her and licked over the wound. She could tell it was closing faster than anything possible with her Were abilities.
His fingers slid through her hair and clutched a fistful at the base of her skull. “If your pussy is a fraction as delicious as your blood, I’ll have my face buried between your legs at every opportunity.”
Fully dominant, her Wolf growled, “You will give me everything. You will own me and I will own you.”
Her hand moved down his torso, seeking access to
the throbbing cock between his legs.
“Yes, little Wolf. It isn’t time for you to have what you want. For now, you must give Desiree full control.” He kissed her lips and murmured, “Relinquish.”
Gasping, her upper body arching against him, she took several deep breaths with her eyes closed.
When she opened them, they were back in the clearing and Titus stared at her intently. He held her easily, one hand around her back and the other cupping her head.
“Titus.”
“Desiree.”
“My Wolf…she listens to you.” She blinked, trying to clear her head and gather her thoughts. “How? Not even an Alpha can subdue our Wolves so easily.”
“Only the oldest of us can speak to the Daemon blood that flows through Were kind.” He stroked his thumb along her jaw. “Your eyes glow bright, your heart races. How do you feel, my Mate?”
“Strong. Aching for you.”
“I ache, hunger, for you as well.” Titus smiled. “I promise I will make you stronger still.”
Walking to the large log along one side of the clearing, he sat with her straddling his lap. The robe offered little coverage sitting as she was. Staring down at her naked mound pressed against the bulge in his pants, he released a sound that resembled a whimper.
Then he dragged her closer.
“To distract myself from driving my cock inside you, I’m going to direct you to specific information. Do you trust me?” She nodded. “Keep touching me.”
She murmured, “As if I could stop…”
Releasing a warm laugh, he pushed a flood of history into her brain that settled deep and became part of her. As if she’d lived through the moments he shared, standing at his side.
Since his first footstep on Earth’s soil, Titus had observed the progression of humans, the dabbling of witches with power they underestimated, and the split between his Daemon brethren.
He showed her the creation of the Others, some species she didn’t even know existed. Titus’s initial concern that turned into fascination. Their growths, some extinctions, successes, and failures.
She witnessed the initial birth of the Purists and his efforts with other fighters to thwart their destructive path of species annihilation.