Trayis (VLG Series Book 11)

by Laurann Dohner

Her knees nearly buckled under her. That duty and privilege fell to a head enforcer.

  Trayis was also using his alpha’s first name instead of title. They had to be very close, like Arlis and Martin. Her alpha and his head enforcer were best friends.

  Her stomach rolled. She’d suspected Trayis might be an enforcer, but he was second in charge of his clan.

  “I understand, Wen. I’ll head back tomorrow.” He listened again before speaking. “Have Tymber send me the flight information he books for Shay and I. We can leave in the afternoon. Just tell him not to stick us with some crazy bush pilot like the last time. I don’t want Shay to become afraid at any point on our trip.” He paused again to hear whatever Wen said, and then he laughed. “Thanks. See you soon.”

  Trayis ended the call and closed his eyes, tilting his head back and taking some deep breaths.

  “You were giving him advice.”

  His eyes flew open and he turned his head, meeting her gaze. “Shit. Did my phone call wake you?”

  “You’re head enforcer,” she blurted. “We can’t do this. I won’t do this to you.” She spun, rushing back into the bedroom to get dressed.

  “Goddamn it,” Trayis snarled.

  She heard him coming as she bent to pick up her discarded dress. His arm snaked around her waist and he lifted her off her feet. Then he had her pinned under him on the bed. She stared into his eyes, panting.

  “Shay, stop.”

  “You were giving your alpha advice!” Panic filled her. “I’m so far beneath you it’s not funny!”

  Trayis pinned her tighter, holding her wrists, and he arched one of his eyebrows. “You are beneath me only because I’m on top of you. Watch this.” He rolled, taking her with him, until she lay sprawled over his body. “Now I’m beneath you.” A sexy smile curved his lips and amusement sparked in his eyes.

  Shay’s frustration peaked. “You’re making jokes? There’s nothing funny about this!”

  He released her wrists and cupped her ass, giving it a squeeze. “I already told you. VampLycans aren’t like packs, Shay. You have to stop thinking the way you do. No one will challenge you over being with me. You’re under no obligation to prove a damn thing. Besides, it wouldn’t matter if you were the toughest Lycan bitch in this pack. It wouldn’t make a difference to me.”

  She stopped struggling, waiting for him to explain.

  “You’ve seen me shifted. Our women can do the same, of course. But my entire clan is aware a Lycan in a fight with a VampLycan wouldn’t be fair. We’ve got too many advantages. Nor do women challenge each other over men in my clan, like in some Lycan packs. But even in your pack—correct me if I’m wrong—the male can halt it from happening. I know Arlis would forbid anyone from challenging Ginny. Am I wrong?”

  “No.”

  He sighed. “That call? It was about a female troublemaker in our clan who likes to fuck different men just to get them fighting against each other. That’s the only problem we currently face. A bored narcissist who loves to pit males against each other by using sex to pump up her ego. Her name is Mya, and she finds that bullshit entertaining. So do a few of her friends. They’re like those rude bitches who approached us at the picnic. They have nothing better to do with their time than start shit. All we can do is hope they find mates to end their games or keep punishing them until they learn to stop.”

  She bit her lip, and then braced her hands on his chest, straddling his waist as she sat up. “Have you ever been with this Mya?”

  He grimaced. “No. Before you ask, I haven’t touched her friends, either. I made a mistake once by getting sexually involved with a woman from my clan. She wanted us to become mates but I didn’t feel that way about her. It was just convenient sex for me. She took it too far when she began acting as if she had the right to issue orders to other clan members. I set her straight and ended it immediately.” He stroked her skin. “I’m not saying this to make you feel jealousy. Just a history lesson. She wasn’t in love with me either. It was about my status.”

  Shay hated that he knew she’d feel the green-eyed monster, hearing about him with someone else. “You said VampLycans aren’t like Werewolves, but you just admitted she wanted to be your mate without love. She was willing to settle. It was your position she was after and the respect that would go with it.”

  He smiled. “I think that’s a woman thing, regardless of what species they are. Some women are more into power than love.”

  “So are men.”

  “True. Point being, it was a mistake I made and learned from. I stopped seeing her and she left to go live with another clan once she realized I wouldn’t change my mind. You won’t have to deal with any of my past lovers, Shay. If anyone says otherwise, know it’s a lie. Mya tried to pull that shit with Wen and Gerri. She implied Wen used to be her lover. Not true. She just wanted to hurt his mate.”

  “Because Gerri’s human?”

  Trayis snorted. “No. It pissed Mya off when Wen wouldn’t allow her into his bed. She said that shit to his mate to get back at him, probably hoping Gerri would leave him. Mya can be vindictive, and she holds a grudge. And we’ve got more available men than women in our clan. Mya fully takes advantage of that. It’s why mates are so damn important, regardless of their race. Our men shouldn’t have to deal with a few cruel women who’re willing to use sex to play with their emotions in some fucked-up head game.”

  Shay thought about the Bitch Trio. They’d happily lie to cause mates to fight if they held a grudge against someone. It was something petty and cruel they’d do just out of spite. “How did your alpha react when you told him about me?” She carefully studied his eyes to gauge his sincerity. “Be honest—and tell me his exact words.”

  Trayis held her gaze, and then he rolled once again, pinning her back under him. He adjusted his body until he could use his elbows to keep his weight from crushing her, and he cupped her head in his large hands. He leaned in until only inches separated their faces.

  “Remain calm. I’m not allowing you to run from me.”

  Dread pitted in her stomach. His alpha was upset. She knew it. She lifted her hands, placing them on his shoulders, just wanting to touch his warm skin. “He’s disappointed?”

  “No. Wen isn’t the leader of my clan, doll.” He took a deep breath, locking gazes with her. “I am.”

  Those two words…

  They devastated her.

  She kept repeating what them over and over in her mind. I am.

  Trayis frowned, watching her closely with narrowed eyes. “Breathe, doll. In and out.”

  She realized she must have been holding her breath at that point and sucked air into her starving lungs. Then her heart began to pound—and pure panic set in.

  “Don’t,” Trayis rasped. “I’m not letting you bolt. You’re mine. My position doesn’t matter. This is why I didn’t want to tell you, Shay. I knew you’d overreact. There’s no reason to. Clans aren’t the same as Lycan packs.”

  Shay’s mind worked past the shock and she began to think clearer. “This can’t work, Trayis.”

  “Bullshit.”

  She gave him a look of pure disbelief.

  “Don’t look at me like that.” He arched one eyebrow. “I mean it, Shay. This can and will work between us.”

  “You’re the alpha of your clan and I’m the lowest member of my pack!”

  “Get the hell over it.” He looked angry for a split second but then his features calmed. “You’re the only one who gives a damn about that. No one else will. My clan will be happy that I’ve found my mate. Hell, Wen is having someone clean my cabin and stock it with food just for you. I tended to almost live at the office, so I ate there all the time. Not anymore. We’ll make our cabin a home together. You’re going to be great for me, Shay. I can’t wait to take you to Alaska. We’ll be happy together.”

  She wasn’t sure how to convince him how wrong he was.

  Trayis gently eased his hold on her and adjusted his body but he kept her pinned beneath
him. “It’s going to work out fine, Shay. I’m taking you home. Once we get there, you’ll understand better. My brother’s pack has done a number on your head with that low-status bullshit. It infuriates me. They’ve put you down so much that you can’t see your own worth. Well, I do, doll. You’re incredible, compassionate, sweet as hell, and I refuse to let you go.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. She was falling in love with Trayis, probably was already there, and the last thing she wanted was to give him up. But it just couldn’t work out for them in the long run. They were too different.

  He stabbed his fingers into her hair, trapping her head between his hands, and leaned in closer. “It’ll be fine, Shay. Can you trust me?”

  “I want to.” That was the truth.

  “Then have some faith in me. All your worries are for nothing.”

  “What about the other clans? Even if your people are loyal enough to forgive you for choosing me, will it cause a territory war?”

  He scowled. “You mean like that dickhead Frank thinking less of my brother for mating to Ginny and trying to start shit? No. Since Decker was killed, the clans have completely united. We’re not into warring for land. I keep telling you, doll, we aren’t like the packs. Hell, for the first time in what feels like forever, we’re even completely at peace with the GarLycans.”

  “You were at war with them?” That news surprised her.

  “Not at war. We just had some tensions, but those have all been put to rest. Lord Aveoth is the GarLycan leader. He’s a good, honorable man. You’ll get to meet him and his mate, Jillian. They visit sometimes. She’s mostly human, with some VampLycan blood.” He played with her hair. “She can’t shift either, from what I’ve been told, and she grew up believing she was completely human. She had to go through the crash course of finding out humans weren’t the only people on this planet. No one gives a damn, Shay.” He suddenly grinned. “It’s going to be fine. Will you trust me?”

  She desperately wanted to. “I can try.”

  He brushed a kiss over her lips. “Don’t run from me, doll. I won’t let you. And we need to leave tomorrow. Wen is fed up with filling in for me, thanks to Mya. In the morning, I want you to pack your bags. You’re going to love Alaska…and my clan is going to love you. Will you come with me?”

  She stared into his eyes and found herself nodding. “I want to be with you.”

  He looked immensely happy. “Now, stop thinking for a while and allow me make love to you again.” He took possession of her lips.

  Chapter Twelve

  Shay zipped up her last bag. She was really going to leave her home, go with Trayis to Alaska, and begin a new life with him.

  Tears flooded her eyes. It was almost too good to be true that he wanted her as his mate. The only downside was leaving everything familiar to her.

  “Don’t you dare. You start bawling and I’ll do it, too,” Marcia warned. “I’m so fucking happy for you but at the same time, Alaska seems so far away.”

  “Trayis said you and Kale are welcome to visit anytime you want. I’ll be coming back to see you and the family. And we’ll talk on the phone.”

  “You mean when you’re home and you actually hear your cell phone ring?” Marcia smirked. “Maybe your mate will force you to start carrying it on you all the times. That would be something new.”

  “Shit.” Shay rushed over to the counter and unplugged the charger from the wall and grabbed her cell. She unzipped the bag and shoved them both inside.

  Marcia laughed. “Even with a mate, you haven’t changed.”

  “We’re not mated yet.”

  That had her friend’s eyes narrowing. “Why is that?”

  “Trayis wants me to be certain before we seal the bond. He said once we get to Alaska and I meet his clan, all my reservations should be gone. I’m still really worried his clan will reject me and maybe give him trouble for choosing me. He says they won’t, though.”

  The suspicious look left Marcia’s features and she smiled. “That’s sweet. And I can’t believe he’s a clan leader!” She stood from the couch and grinned. “You have a few hours before Trayis picks you up. Do you know what we should do, now that you’re packed?”

  “Go spend more time with your parents and Rod?”

  “We did that thing this morning, after you called to tell me Trayis is whisking you off to Alaska to be his mate.” Marcia got a glint in her eye. “Let’s go find the Bitch Trio and announce the news in person. Imagine their faces!” Pure glee sounded in her voice. “After all the years of shit they gave you, it’s going to be epic! Trayis, the super-hot VampLycan—who it turns out is also a clan leader—picked you to become his mate. Those bitches will be green this time instead of blue. No dye in their hot tub required!”

  Shay smiled but shook her head. “I’m not that petty.”

  “I am. You know I’m going to rub that shit in their overdone faces every chance I get. I’ll take videos and stuff to send you.” She paused before admitting, “They showed up at our cabin last night to talk to Kale.”

  Shay’s mouth dropped open. “What? Why?”

  Marcia’s hands fisted. “To cause shit. He answered the door, since I was unpacking my stuff at the time, after he helped me move into his place. Barbie was going on about how she just knew he’d never mate someone as ‘manly’ as I am, and they’d come to see if he was okay, after hearing such vicious and cruel rumors about him. I tried to get around him to rip off her lips, but he held me back. Then Lucinda said something about him protecting them from me, and how that proved they meant more to him than I did. Then the cunt totally went there and flat-out stated she’d bedded him before.”

  “They really are horrible.”

  “I know. Kale pretended like he couldn’t remember ever doing her, and he told them he just didn’t want to waste his night cleaning up their body parts or burning bloody trash. Then he snarled and told them to never insult his mate again, or he’d let me rip them to shreds. They fled pretty quickly after that. I love him so much.”

  Shay walked over to her and gave her a hug. “I’m happy for you.”

  Marcia squeezed her back. “I’m happy for you, too. Just sad that you’re leaving. Who knew our little pact to go after the men we wanted at that party would end this way? We got them, but we’re losing each other.”

  “We’re not losing each other. You know how much I love you. Distance isn’t going to change that.”

  They broke apart when Marcia’s phone beeped. She checked her cell. “I have to go. My class isn’t behaving for Valley. They want to use her as a punching bag. I totally understand that. She’s annoying as shit at times, but big sis has honored the favor she owed me by babysitting my students. Stop by to say goodbye before you leave! We’re practicing at the creek meadow today.”

  Shay nodded. “I will.”

  “So, want to take bets on who gets pregnant first?” She suddenly grinned. “Never mind. It’s going to be you.” Her gaze dropped to Shay’s stomach. “Any chance of that already being a possibility?”

  Shay shook her head. “We’ve been using condoms.”

  “You won’t when Trayis officially claims you. I guess we’ll find out if the assholes were right and you get knocked up right off the bat.” Marcia grinned. “I better be the second person you tell right after your mate.”

  “You got it,” Shay promised. Tears filled her eyes.

  Marcia grabbed her and yanked her close again in a hug. “I’m going to miss you—but this is amazing. You worried you’d never find a mate or have kids. Trayis looks virile as hell. He’ll probably give you a bunch of kids, since you can’t control your ovaries. I’m thinking at least two dozen.”

  Shay laughed and lightly punched her as she broke away. “Not funny.”

  Marcia chuckled. “Very funny, actually. I’ve got to go. Valley is way better at handling cranky elders than troublesome little girls. They’re all future hellions. I’m going to make sure this pack gets a female enforcer one day. It�
�s my mission in life. Don’t forget to stop by to say goodbye!”

  “I won’t.”

  Shay watched her best friend leave before she turned, climbing up into the loft to make sure she didn’t forget anything. The good thing about having such a small home was not owning many possessions. She’d packed two duffle bags full of her things. Trayis had told her that would be fine.

  She’d already visited her family earlier that morning to break the news that she was leaving with Trayis, and that he’d asked her to be his mate. Her foster parents had been overjoyed at the news but sad to see her go. Ellis, her uncle, had returned to his home, but Sylvia and Dean had promised to take him in if it didn’t go well with his parents. Trayis had assured her that Arlis would accept him into the pack without a qualm.

  Guilt hit her over leaving when Ellis’s future was up in the air, but they could return if needed. Trayis had even offered to accept her uncle into his clan. Either way, the kid would be looked after.

  Trayis continually amazed her with his generosity. It made her feel certain in her choice to leave with him.

  She smiled, putting fresh sheets on the bed in case someone else wanted to move into her place once she was gone. The clock on the tiny nightstand read just after eleven o’clock. Trayis would return at noon to pick up her and her bags. They would visit his brother and then drive to the airport.

  She felt nervous about flying on a plane for the first time, but Trayis would be with her every step of the way. He said they’d have to take a few flights to reach his home, and his clan had booked them first-class tickets on the trip to Anchorage. From there, it would be on a smaller plane to reach his territory. He really did live in a remote area.

  She was halfway down the ladder when someone knocked on the door. She jumped the rest of the way and strode to it, yanking it open with a grin on her face, assuming Trayis must be early.

  It wasn’t him standing on her porch, though. It was Tegan.

  The sight of him came as a shock. His hair wasn’t brushed, his clothes were dirty, and his eyes were bloodshot. Part of his face was swollen and bruised. It was clear he’d taken a beating. One arm was bandaged in a few places, probably from broken bones. Both of his hands were wrapped, too, some of his fingers held immobile by the bandages.