by Fel Fern
“You hurt or feeling any discomfort?” Mac asked, looking far too serious for Pat’s liking.
Since Mac looked concerned, Pat took several seconds to assess himself. “Just roughed up a little, but I don’t feel any internal bleeding or anything like that. Roger reminded me of a kid throwing a tantrum. I don’t think he knew what he was doing,” he said.
“Baby vamp,” Mac said with disgust. “Come on. Let’s take a quick shower before I tend to those bruises.”
“Okay.” Pat wanted to feel clean, too. He shuddered, still remembering Roger’s slimy fingers on his neck. Mac hugged him fiercely then, and he leaned into his mate’s embrace.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” Mac muttered.
“None of us could have anticipated Roger doing something like that,” he said, sensing the hurt in his bear. “Besides, I’ll heal, and you know, we have an awesome future to look forward to.”
“There’s that,” Mac said lightly. This was the bear he loved and knew.
Love. The word hit him like a sledgehammer. Yes, he loved Mac.
“What was that?” Mac asked as they both undressed.
He kicked off his clothes and smiled up at his mate. After everything they’d been through today, telling Mac the truth wouldn’t hurt. He could have died today, and the same applied to Mac. Mac shrugged off the attack of the hired vampires as if it were nothing, but Pat had seen the blood on his mate. Mac’s accelerated healing started to kick in though, which made him relieved.
“I love you,” he said simply, his heartbeat calm, confident.
Mac stared at him a few seconds, then walked up to him, kissed him rough and hard on the lips. “I fucking love you, too, baby.”
“Take me, Mac. Please. I want your mark on me,” he insisted.
Mac ran a possessive hand on the side of his neck, making him shudder in anticipation.
“I’ve never wanted anything more in my entire life,” Pat said.
“It’s going to hurt,” Mac finally said, looking into his eyes, his pupils bright yellow. “I planned on using sex and biting you when you climax, to soften the pain, but you’re in no position for that.”
He gripped Mac’s arm. “Please.”
Mac swore. “My bear’s so close to the surface. I might end up hurting you.”
“I trust you,” he said. “Always did. You’ll never hurt me.”
“Get in the shower,” Mac said, words accompanied by a growl. He went, heart hammering as Mac exited the bathroom and returned with the lube. The werebear joined him in the shower, turning the taps on, letting the water cleanse their bodies.
“I’m so sorry it took me so long,” he said, rising on tiptoe to kiss his mate on the lips.
“You’re forgiven. Just make it up to me with a few blow jobs,” Mac said, claiming his lips.
He lost himself in the press of Mac’s big warm body, in Mac’s demanding, scorching kiss, which left him panting afterward. Mac gently turned him by the shoulder. He pressed his palms against the tiles spread his legs for Mac.
His werebear planted kisses down the nape of his back, the tips of his shoulders, his big hands stroking him with the same tenderness. Mac caressed his nipples, his belly, stroked his inner thighs, before closing one hand over his hardening dick.
“God, that feels so good,” he whispered as Mac began to work his dick with leisurely strokes.
“Tell me when you’re hurting,” Mac told him.
“Okay. Keep going.”
“For tonight, your wish is my command, baby.”
Mac’s words warmed his heart. He thrust his ass at Mac, making the werebear laugh. He heard the lube being uncapped. Mac used his other hand to apply the slick liquid into his ass. Moaning, he fucked himself on Mac’s fingers.
“Eager, aren’t we?”
“You bet,” he answered, slightly out of breath.
“I want to hear you beg.”
“Please,” he uttered. “Fuck me, baby. Make me yours. Your mate.”
“Mine.”
Fuck, but that single proprietary word sounded impossibly sweet and wonderful from Mac’s lips. Finally, Pat thought as Mac dispensed with the lube. Mac slid inside him, slowly, steadily, definitely considerate of the state of his body. Pat groaned, loving how their bodies and souls connected on the most intimate level. Finally, Mac buried himself balls deep inside Pat.
Mac didn’t stop working his dick, continued to time it with his thrusts. The pressure built inside of him as Mac pounded in and out him, strokes slow and leisurely. The slow build up frustrated him a little, but soon enough, he relaxed around Mac’s dick. So good, he thought.
Mac shifted angles, hit his prostate. He cried out as Mac picked up the pace. His balls tightened against his body.
“I’m close,” he admitted.
“Good. Come for me, baby. Let me hear your release,” Mac ordered, then without warning, struck the side of his neck. At the same time, Mac gave his aching dick a squeeze. The pressure in him broke. His vision blurred and he emptied his balls, spraying his seed all over the tiles. Pat became distinctly aware of a slight pain on his neck. Mac buried his fangs past skin, hitting bone. He cried out, but it didn’t hurt as much as he thought.
Mac reached orgasm, too, filling his ass with warmth, teeth still in his neck. Mac pulled away after, and his heart hadn’t calmed down. His mate pulled his prick out and Pat leaned against him, mind still floating in a sea of haze.
“Is it done?” he whispered. Even as Pat spoke, he sensed something in the air changing. When Mac gently turned him, he swore he could almost see the fierce grizzly that resided in the same skin as his mate. He let out a breath. “Your bear, baby. It’s so gorgeous. Savage and beautiful.”
Mac smiled, nipped at his lip. “Come on, let’s finish up. I want to bandage your neck and take care of your other wounds before we go to bed.”
Unable to speak, he only nodded. Contentment filled him. Languidness took over his body. He wanted his head to hit the pillow and Mac curled protectively against him. He smiled, feeling slightly drunk. Was this what excessive happiness felt like? It felt good, he decided, letting Mac continue to fuss over him.
Chapter Eleven
Mac looked over his mate and nodded at his work. “Let’s get some food in you then go to bed.”
“Bed?” Pat asked, sounding half asleep.
“Yeah. You’ve been through hell, and tomorrow, we’ll probably meet with the local vampire king. We both need our strength,” Mac said in that firm tone that Pat ought to be familiar by now.
“Can we cuddle instead, I'm too tired to eat?” Pat asked, rubbing at his eye.
“Of course,” Mac said, flashing him a bit of fang.
Pat giggled. Oh boy. His human certainly needed rest. Nonetheless, Mac would never forget the sweet way Pat had begged for his mate mark a moment ago. Mac gently nudged his mate to his feet and led him by the hand back to the bedroom. The bear inside him felt settled, satisfied now that their mate was theirs, in every sense of the word.
He helped Pat change into a clean and comfy shirt and boxers, then slipped under the comforter. Mac put on a pair of boxers and joined Pat, who automatically settled next to him, a perfect fit. Mac wasn’t surprised when Pat’s soft snores soon filled the room.
Mac couldn’t sleep, not yet. His phone beeped on the table next to the bed. He extracted one hand from Pat, amused his little mate mumbled a complaint, then took a sneak peek at the text.
Rick: Delivered the asshole vamp to Isaac. He’s agreed to talk to all of us tomorrow night.
Mac quickly sent a thank you to Rick and set the phone down. Pat’s chest rose and fell. He hadn’t woken him by accident. Good. So many things had happened to today, Mac mused, both good and bad.
Roger had been an isolated incident. At least, he hoped that was true. Rick hadn’t texted him again or went into detail about what went on between Isaac and him. Never mind. Mac would ask his brother tomorrow. They’d decide how to tackle t
heir meeting with the vampire king. He didn’t expect many problems.
The Red Mountains was a small place. Paranormal residents bumped into each other plenty of times, and all his interactions with Isaac and his vampires had been pleasant enough. Well, Mac didn’t want to think about vampires now. He studied his mate’s sleeping form. Like this, Pat looked childlike, peaceful.
It still gutted Mac that Pat had to go through that, but Pat was right. There was nothing they could do about the past. He was looking forward tomorrow though, to the future, which included the one man who completed him, who loved him without question.
Mac drifted off to sleep, smile on his lips.
* * * *
“Are you sure I don’t need to come?” Pat asked, still fretting even when Mac gave him a pointed look.
Oh, he knew he’d already asked that question a couple of times today, but he couldn’t help but be a little worried. Mac spent the entire morning and afternoon with him, insisting he needed to be there in case something else happened. Knowing how protective dominant shifter males could be, he let Mac fuss over him.
Besides, who knew being snarled at could make him feel special?
Instead of dismissing his idea, Mac asked, “You really want to visit a vampire coven house?”
“Will it be dangerous?”
Mac looked thoughtful. “No, they’ve given us guest rights, meaning anyone who harms us will have to answer to Isaac.”
“I want to go with you then.”
Mac sighed. “Fine.”
“Really?”
“Don’t make me change my mind.”
At that, he bolted to the bathroom to change into jeans and presentable green button-down shirt. When he exited the bath, he feared Mac might have left him, but no, his bear waited by the door. Mac looked damn good, even in a simple shirt and faded jeans.
His bear broke into a smile, seeing him. “Ready?”
He nodded.
Fifteen minutes later, they were in Rick’s truck. Rick only grunted when Mac said he would be joining them.
“Connor?” he asked, leaning forward between the seats.
Rick had taken the wheel, and Mac sat next to Rick up front.
“He said he’ll let Mac and me handle this,” Rick answered, much to his surprise. Pat had the impression Rick didn’t like him much, but Danny told him Rick came off that way all the time, the exact definition of a grumpy bear.
Rick had come through for them last night though, had comforted Danny when Connor was hurt and helped rope and deliver Roger to Isaac. Mac’s brother cared about his family and the men his brothers mated, Pat could see that now.
“We won’t be long,” Mac said. “Isaac will probably have other matters to attend to. This is all just a formality.”
Pat bit his lip. “If you’re sure.”
Rick drove to the main town area, entered the priciest neighborhood in town. Pat wasn’t surprised when Rick parked the truck in front of the most lavish property in the street. They got out, and Pat discovered three vampires already waiting for him.
He could tell they were vampires from their pale skin and red eyes now. One of the vampires dressed in a black suit frowned as he eyed them. “We were expecting the three O’Riley brothers,” he said.
“My mate Pat is standing in for Connor,” Mac said, emphasizing the word ‘mate’ with a flash of fangs. A warning maybe? Pat thought warily. Still, he knew how unsettled Mac had been by yesterday’s attack, so he didn’t push or say anything.
“Very well. Follow me please,” the vampire said, leading them inside the grounds.
They passed the driveway and entered the huge Victorian-style mansion. Pat glimpsed more vampires, relieved when Mac brought him close and wrapped one steel-banded arm around his shoulders. Their host led them inside what looked like a sitting room. A tall handsome man in a midnight blue suit rose to greet them.
Not a man, he realized, a vampire. This must be Isaac.
“Mac, Rick, it’s a pleasure to see you two again. Who’s this?” the vampire king asked, studying him intently.
Mac rubbed the bandaged mark on his neck. “My mate Pat. Connor can’t come.”
“I see. It’s wonderful to meet you, Pat,” the vampire king said, gesturing to the seats, his movements elegant.
They sat.
“Something to drink?” Isaac asked.
“We’d like to keep things short,” Rick said abruptly.
“I’m sure you’re a busy guy,” Mac added.
Isaac nodded. Pat couldn’t read any expression on the vampire king’s face. “Thank you for bringing Roger back to us. Turning him has been one of my regrets. He kept voicing how he planned on moving out of town, so I decided he would be harmless.”
“Harmless?” Mac scoffed. “He fucking hired mercenaries and tried to kill my mate.”
No change in that pale face. “I have apologized to your brother, but I will do so again. The coven was not involved in any of Roger’s decisions, but I took full responsibility for my offspring,” Isaac said, sounding tired to Pat’s ears.
“Took care of? As in past tense?” he asked.
Mac squeezed his knee, a warning. Mac had told him in the truck that while Isaac was civil, vampires were still immortals with plenty of pride.
“Yes, Roger is no longer with us.”
He blinked at those words, then sucked in a breath. The two werebears didn’t look the least bit surprised.
Isaac continued, “Would you like proof?”
“No proof necessary. I think that’s all we need to discuss, right Mac?” Rick asked, rising to his feet.
Mac followed and so did Pat. He was relieved the meeting seemed over, because he didn’t want to spend another second in this house. Despite being the only human there, he could feel numerous eyes on them. The vampires had excellent hearing, too. It felt like being in a nest of vipers.
“Before that, I need reassurance we’re good, Isaac. There’s nothing between us,” Mac stated.
“Of course. Roger was an anomaly. I’ve seen my share of wars and territorial fights between other covens and paranormals. I think we all agree peace is the better alternative,” Isaac said. The vampire extended a hand to him, surprising the hell out of Pat. Mac tensed, but since it was rude to refuse, he shook the vampire king’s corpse-cold hand.
He shivered, breaking off quickly.
“Cherish your mate, bear,” Isaac said.
Mac bristled, but Pat didn’t think it was a threat. The vampire in the black suit escorted them back out. Once they were in the truck and far from the coven house, Pat said, “I think he wished us good luck, baby.”
Mac laughed. “Who can tell when it comes to vampires?”
“First, a crazy stalker, and now vampires,” Rick grumbled under his breath. “Having mates is tough.”
“Hey, just you wait,” Mac said. “It’ll be your turn soon. Drop us off by the park.”
“Do we have plans?” Pat asked his mate, not hiding the eagerness in his voice.
Even from the back, he was sure Rick rolled his eyes. Once they both got out of the car, he looked at the man he loved, his soul mate.
“We going on a date?” he asked Mac, who laughed, linking their hands together.
“Definitely. No solid plans, but we’ll wing it.”
“That’s just like you.”
“Well, you complaining?” Mac teased.
“Nope. I love it when you’re spontaneous. It’s infectious.”
“Damn right, baby.”
Smiling, he leaned against his mate and looked up. The sky was a startling shade of blue. They were going to be all right, he thought. He hadn’t realized he said those words until Mac spoke.
“We’ll be better than all right, baby.”
THE END
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