by Macy Blake
"Nick, please."
He couldn't resist the call. Anything Jedrek wanted was his. And what he wanted was Nick. He grabbed the lube and slicked himself up, never taking his eyes from Jedrek's. Just that much, that simple, penetrating look, was more intimate than anything they'd done before. He saw it all in Jedrek's eyes, his future in the fire.
Nick ran his hands slowly up Jedrek's thighs before moving up further. He held himself in position, cock poised at Jedrek's entrance.
Jedrek reached between them and guided Nick's cock to his hole. He pushed, slowly, his cock sliding through Jedrek's fingers and into his body. And still, he looked. Chased the flames of desire even as they burned brighter. Even as he moved deeper and sealed them together, so far into Jedrek that he could feel his heartbeat. He leaned closer, began to move his hips. Jedrek's breath caught, and something in his eyes changed.
"What is it?" Nick asked. His voice barely there, so locked into his mate that he didn't dare break the spell they were under.
Jedrek tugged him closer until they were pressed chest to chest and their breaths intermingled. "Don't be stupid," Jedrek repeated once more.
He sounded so desperate, so worried. Outside of his brothers, Nick hadn't had anyone worry for him, be scared for him. Hell, he didn't even have anyone who worried whether or not he ate his vegetables.
"What?" Jedrek asked.
"Are you going to make me eat broccoli?"
The look he got was priceless. Then Jedrek laughed, wrapped his legs more tightly around Nick's waist, and squeezed. Every inch of Nick felt cradled, adored. Nick sighed and tucked his face into Jedrek's neck. He slowly moved, sliding his cock out and in again, drawing a surprised gasp from his mate.
"I'll make you eat broccoli. Or I won't. Whatever you want. As long as you don't stop."
Nick thrust harder, driving deeper into Jedrek while nipping at his neck. He inhaled Jedrek's scent, loved the sweetness of them merging together, their scents so combined that he couldn't separate them. "I hate broccoli," Nick gasped.
Jedrek's hole clenched around him and he began to move as well, his hips pushing back, meeting each thrust. "Then I won't make you."
He made the promise as he arched his neck to the side, baring it to Nick's hungry gaze. He bit down, unable to resist, and Jedrek clenched him tighter, held him closer.
"Fuck me," Jedrek demanded.
Nick growled and bit down harder. Jedrek cried out and rubbed his cock frantically against Nick's abs as he continued thrusting into him. His body heated, screaming for release. But not until his mate was satisfied. Not until his mate knew his intentions were pure and true.
And Jedrek, of course he knew. He held Nick's head, encouraged him to keep his teeth in Jedrek's neck. He owned him. Nick may be the one with teeth in Jedrek's neck, but every piece of Nick was his. And that moment, that realization, that he'd given this hellhound all of him, was enough to send him over the edge. He tried to fight back, tried to change his angle and make it better but Jedrek wouldn't let him. He squeezed his legs and Nick lost his mind. He came, all thoughts going to his cock and filling his mate with his seed, his scent marking him, claiming him. Jed was his. No others. Never.
Jedrek yelled, tightening around him until Nick couldn't move his cock. He fucked him though his release, waiting until he unclenched before raising his head. The flames were still there, burning bright. Jedrek tugged him to the side, moving Nick around until he was in his usual spot, using Jedrek as his body pillow. He laid his head on Jedrek's shoulder and closed his eyes.
He could feel the nervous tension still there, bubbling beneath the surface, but he couldn't pretend he wasn't nervous as well. But he had plenty to fight for, and no matter what the magic brought, he wasn't going to let Jedrek go. He had a pack now, a life, and even if he had no idea how it had happened, even if rationally he should be more lost than ever, he'd never been more grounded. He wasn't going to lose control or fly apart at the seams. He couldn't. He had a mate depending on him, and people could say a lot of things about Nick, but he'd never been accused of being stupid. He had too much shit to figure out, and he found himself looking forward to doing it with his big lug of a hellhound at his side.
Nick
It was strange going back to that same circle of stones where they’d arrived. It was stranger that he was wearing a weird long white robe. He looked like fucking Princess Leia. If only he had a blaster and those weird donut hair buns. At least he could be sure it wasn’t because he was some sacrificial virgin. One, he and Jedrek alone had made sure he was nice and impure. So, so impure. Two, Keziah and the rest of the coven were wearing the same white robes. Apparently it was important to the ritual. He knew jack shit about rituals.
The wards keeping people out were as strong as ever at the circle. Keziah explained that’s why he wanted to do the spell there. It was well-warded and outside of their home. If things went badly, whatever they unleashed would be contained. Leandra and the kids were just inside the wards. She looked about as happy as Jedrek did with his decision. Even though no one had said anything, Leandra had probably figured out that he was taking her place. She wasn’t an idiot.
“We are not having a moment right now. You hear me?” Nick complained.
“What? You expect me to declare my undying love or something?”
Nick grunted.
She grinned. “Kick their ass.”
“That’s my plan. Here. Hold my beer.”
He didn’t have a beer, but she got the joke and grinned back at him.
“It’s probably best if you take the kids back.”
“Probably.”
“You aren’t going to listen to me, are you?”
“Nope. You might need us. Your pack may be small, but we’re mighty.”
Nick grinned and ran his fingers over Ariella’s cheek. She had pudding all over it. The little monster. “That we are. If there’s trouble—”
“I’ll get them out of danger, but we’ll help if we can.”
Nick grunted. “Back in a few.”
He went to the circle of rocks and scowled. It looked like a scene out of some chick flick horror movie combo. Flower petals and candles yet circle of rocks in the middle of dark woods with strange robe-wearing witches. “Seriously?”
Keziah grinned. “Shut up and get in the circle.”
“You should at least buy me dinner first.”
“I made you breakfast. And gave you my sausage ball recipe.”
“Fair point.”
Still, Nick hovered nervously outside the rocks.
Jedrek stepped up behind him, wrapping his arms around Nick’s waist. Warm breath ghosted over his neck and he closed his eyes.
“I’ll be right here,” Jedrek promised.
“Yeah.”
Nick opened his eyes. Zaire hovered on the opposite side of the circle, clearly as nervous as Nick. But also as determined. She nodded her head, and somehow that was what he needed. He stepped forward into the circle, leaving the safety of Jedrek’s arms, and faced Keziah.
“You sure you know what you’re doing?”
“No clue. But I trust my magic.”
Good enough for him. He turned to Calder next. The ice had started to melt with the water elemental, but he still didn’t completely trust Nick. Nick liked that about him.
“You ready?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Next, Rowan, who looked nervous. “It’s not too late to say you aren’t ready.”
“I’m ready,” Rowan said. “Just a little scared. Is stage fright a thing when magic is concerned?”
“I’d say just imagine me naked, but well, you’ve already seen that.”
“I can still imagine it,” Rowan teased.
Some of the nervous tension eased. Rowan pulled in a breath and smiled, so Nick made the final turn.
Emmett stood tall, but Nick could sense his unease. “You up for this?”
“I’m fine.”
“No
t what I asked,” Nick snarled. “Are. You. Up. For. This?”
Emmett scowled. “Yes.”
“Good. When this is over, you and I are having a little chat. And you’re not going to like what I have to say.”
“I don’t like you,” Emmett snapped. “But I’m going to help you anyway.”
Nick turned one last time, facing Keziah again.
They stared at each other for a long moment.
“I won’t let you down,” Keziah whispered.
“Never doubted it for a second. Let’s get this party started.”
Keziah nodded and raised his arms. The coven joined hands, forming a circle around Nick. And Nick, he turned his attention to Jedrek, standing stoic and true on the other side of the rocks. So close Nick could almost touch him, but a world away. None of that mattered, though. All he needed to see was Jedrek’s eyes. Fire and smoke. His mate was so ticked off. It was beautiful to see. He was ready for answers, too. The only reason Nick was getting away with this nonsense was because they all wanted answers. Jedrek had a few scores to settle with the asshats who’d hurt Ben and Henry. He wanted to tear a few new holes in the ones who gave Jack and Emily nightmares. He wanted blood for the pieces of shit who had Natasha desperate to know how to protect herself from danger. And he wanted to kill them for forcing six-year-old Ollie to escape through a hole in the roof and run into the night to find help, to save them all from certain death. Yeah, Jedrek was pissed alright. And now, because of them, Nick was in danger. Nick grinned, even as he felt the magic swirling around him as the coven chanted. His mate was stunningly beautiful when he was pissed off.
Jedrek met his gaze, cocked one eyebrow. Then he grinned back. Feral. Dangerous. Deadly.
The lion stirred. Magic poked at him and he snarled.
Nick tried to keep the other side of him calm. Steady. Control. Breathe.
Jedrek sucked in a long breath, then let it out. Nick mimicked him.
The magic jabbed against him. The lion snarled again.
Danger. Threat. Attack.
Nick breathed.
The magic intensified. Stabbing into him.
Nick flinched.
The lion roared.
Just breathe.
Jedrek’s eyes deepened, embers so hot they’d almost changed to white. Fascinating. Beautiful. Mate.
The lion swatted against him, batting the magic away, but Nick held. Breathed. And when it stabbed again, the lion bled.
Nick gasped, pain deep in his side.
Jedrek stepped forward, but Nick held up his hand. Claws formed, then receded.
The magic stabbed him again, and the lion howled his rage. He’d fight this. Fight it to the death.
Nick breathed.
The lion bled. So much blood. And Nick realized what had to happen. He thought about what he’d learned from Leandra, the stories the other kids had told. The way their magic was so tangled up inside. The way his had been dark, so dark when Mama Thea found him that she’d thought it best to lock it away to keep him safe.
It wasn’t natural. He wasn’t supposed to have this beast in him. It wasn’t his. He met Jedrek’s gaze, his eyes golden. For the last time. He dropped to his knees, no longer able to hold himself up. The lion fought, but he didn’t stand a chance. Not against the coven. The most powerful coven. The only thing stronger than him. Something dripped down Nick’s face, and he broke eye contact with Jedrek for the first time. Blood dotted the white robes.
Jedrek roared.
Nick lifted his head, meeting his mate’s gaze once more.
Steady. Breathe. Jedrek.
Jedrek ran forward, but he couldn’t penetrate the wards.
He tasted the blood now and wiped his mouth.
“Nick!”
He smiled. He probably was a gruesome mess. Leandra appeared at Jedrek’s shoulders. Her eyes blazed yellow. The cubs’ did, too. Nick’s own faded. He drooped to the side.
“Got it,” Rowan shouted.
Nick really needed a nap.
“Holy shit. Nick!”
Keziah dropped to his knees beside him, and the rest of the coven joined him a moment later. He felt their hands on him, but he kept his eyes on his pack. No, not his anymore. They couldn’t be. A cool rush of magic washed over him, soothing the ache. The stabbing had receded with the lion, but Nick wouldn’t pretend it didn’t hurt. He had a gaping hole inside him now, but it wasn’t one anyone could see. Hell, he shouldn’t even care. He’d spent the last fourteen years not even understanding what he was. He was back to that now. But he wasn’t giving them up. Not Jedrek. Never. And not Leandra and the kids either. They needed a family. Someone to count on. And Nick was reliable. He was good at being family. His brothers would back him up on that. So what if he wasn’t their alpha anymore. He didn’t want to be an alpha anyway. It was fine.
The coven continued to work their magic, and the pain left completely. Nick wiped his face once more, surprised to find it wet with tears. “Well, shit.”
“Let me in,” Jedrek demanded. “Now.”
Keziah lowered the wards and Jedrek was at his side a moment later. Leandra knelt too, lowering the kids to the ground. Ariella patted his hair, Lionel kicked him in the shoulder. The little stinker. Nick growled… except it really wasn’t a growl anymore.
Leandra sniffed and lowered her head to his. Jedrek had his hand, squeezed it too tight, but Nick didn't care. He needed the connection.
“Did it work?” Nick asked.
“Yeah. I found it.” Rowan turned to Emmett, who had closed his eyes. They seemed to share something, one of those magic things Nick didn’t know shit about, but Emmett opened them again a second later. “I see it. I know where to go.”
“Damn straight you do. Jedrek, open one of those flamey circle things. Let’s go kick some ass.”
Jedrek scowled at him. “You’re hurt.”
“No, I’m not. I’m fine.”
Jedrek growled.
“Lion?” Ariella asked.
“No, little bit. I’m not a lion anymore. But I’m still your Nick.”
“Nick! Nick!” Lionel grabbed his hair and used it as a lever to climb onto Nick’s head.
Leandra gasped out a sob, but Nick reached for her hand. “I’m glad it was me and not you.”
“Dammit, Nick.”
“Totally worth it. If we catch these sons of bitches, then I have zero regrets.”
“We can,” Emmett said. “We need to go, though.”
“Not we,” Zaire said. “You four aren’t going anywhere. Stay in the circle. Close it up. I taught you better than this. Jedrek, get your mate.”
“We can help,” Keziah said.
“No, you can’t. And before you argue, I’m not being a bitch, son. I’m speaking the truth. You did your part. Now we’re going to do ours and call the alpha of the hellhounds and bring him in. If he needs you, he’ll decide that. That’s our job. That is the duty of the awen and the coven.”
Nick pulled Lionel off his head and passed him back to Leandra. “Well, I’m coming.”
Jedrek growled.
“Snarl all you want, big guy. But I deserve this. I started this fight, and I’m going to be there when it’s finished.”
Nick didn’t fight it when Jedrek pulled him up. He led him out of the circle then pulled Nick close. He breathed, but his breath caught. “I know. I smell different. But I’m still yours. Right?”
“Mine,” Jedrek rumbled.
Nick let out a sigh of relief. He’d been a smidge worried.
He heard the familiar whoosh as a portal opened. He lifted his head, smiled at his mate, and then turned to face the alpha. Solomon stepped through with Calli at his side. They both stared.
“Guess what we found?” Nick said.
Solomon stared him down, frowning with unease. “What happened to you?”
“They needed magic to find the bastards we’re looking for. I gave ‘em mine.”
Calli gasped. “What?”
Nick shr
ugged. “I hadn’t used it for a long time. I’m glad I got to see what it was like for a while. But it had to be done. Now, can we go kick some ass?”
“Nick—”
“Jedrek, I will not fuck you for a month if the next words out of your mouth are anything but let’s go.”
Jedrek growled and pulled him close.
Solomon turned to Keziah, who had managed to close the circle. He hovered near his coven, the four of them sticking close. “Keziah?”
“I can show you,” Emmett said. He grabbed Keziah’s hand, and Solomon touched Keziah’s head.
Solomon’s eyes blazed, and then settled again before he grinned ferally. “Let’s go get ourselves a witch.”
He opened another portal. Nick and Jedrek stepped forward. Jedrek tugged him in for a kiss, then grabbed Nick’s hand in his. “Stay behind me.”
“Sure.”
Jedrek growled but pulled him along anyway. They reappeared outside a nice little cottage in the woods. It could have been out of a fairy tale. An old lady opened the door and stepped outside. She glared at them, but Solomon stepped forward, eyes blazing, and her face fell. “I didn’t think you’d find us.”
“Yeah,” Solomon said. “But we did. Where is she?”
Nick had a sneaking suspicion he knew exactly which she hid inside. Mrs. Foote. He wanted to tear her throat out with his teeth. Except he couldn’t do that anymore. Maybe Jedrek would do it for him.
“Here.”
Nick could have passed her on the street a million times and never recognized her. But he knew that voice. Cold and deadly. But the outside didn’t match what he remembered at all. She’d not been old, then. And it hadn’t been that long. But she was a crone now, wrinkled and hunched. She even walked with a cane. She looked… fragile.
“And here I thought you’d never find me.”
“Gwen!” The other lady didn’t seem impressed by Gwen— Mrs. Foote’s— snarly attitude. Nick couldn’t say he was either. He was surprised she had a name. Which, you know, of all things to be surprised about, was pretty stupid. The others seemed more upset by her tone.