“So, I wouldn’t need to move out or anything, if either of you got bored with me?” Peri so didn’t want to leave, not just the room but either of them.
“No, and no, wouldn’t happen. We’re crazy about you, baby, you’ll be stuck with us for a very long time.” Gabe was still smiling, he looked really happy!
“Oh, but what about me? I mean, I’m only a Witch, I age like normal humans, neither of you do!” Peri felt her heart ache. The thought of growing old and dying and leaving these two made her feel sick.
“No, Peri, that wouldn’t happen either. There are several ways and reasons. Do you want to know them?” Josef asked quietly.
Peri nodded, so he went on. “Firstly, when a Wolf mates they are joined, his mate takes part of his power for healing, aging, stuff like that. For a Vampire, once bonded...oh, first you need to know what happens don’t you? So with Gabe he will mark you – bite you – you are supposed to return this. I’m sure in the throngs of passion it won’t be a problem for you. So that’s the Wolf part covered. Now, Peri, you know what I am? I am a Vampire. Do I eat food?” Josef waited, watching her eyes, the knowledge dawning in them.
“Oh, no. So, blood, you want mine?” Peri had known he was a Vampire, but had never seen him have anything other than alcohol or coffee.
“Yes, blood. At the bond I would feed from you, our bond would then start to grow, cement itself, we would be very close, Peri. You would then be able to feel me. Not actually hear thoughts, as such, but definitely feel my moods, my feelings, my arousal! Then I would take some of your blood every day or two at the most. I would also give you a small amount of mine, just every so often, too few to even mention. As you are not a Wolf, and probably wouldn’t relish drinking even a little of my blood, it is easy enough to add to food, a steak, for instance. My blood is very powerful. You won’t age, you would stay young, youthful, and healthy.” Josef finished and watched for any sign that he had scared her or that she didn’t want this, any of this.
“Well, that sounds okay, but how do you both know I’m your mate? I’m just worried that in a month or a year, one or both of you will realize that you don’t want me.” Peri’s voice broke at the end, her feelings running wild.
“Peri baby, a Wolf only ever meets one proper mate, and it’s the Wolf part that knows first. My Wolf knew that first night, from the second my senses smelled your scent. You are definitely my mate.” Gabe’s voice was thick, as he spoke, the emotion clear for Peri to hear.
Josef nodded. “It is even rarer for a Vampire, we don’t tend to find a mate. However, when we do, we know it. Our powers tell us it is so and mine has also told me. You are mine, Peri, my mate. Don’t ever think we won’t want you, we will always want you. For this – the three of us – it is so rare, I have never heard about it before. Mainly because if it did happen, the Wolf and Vampire would fight to the death for the right to their mate. As it happens, Gabe and I have been together a long time and are used to sharing a woman. It will be no hardship for us. Trust me, if there are any hiccups, we’ll sort them out. All you need to know is we both want you as our mate, and all you have to do is decide if that’s what you want.”
Peri looked from one to the other. She had no knowledge of all this mating stuff. She could only go on what she knew, and what she knew was that she wanted both of these men.
Josef grabbed her and kissed her deeply. His powers telling him what she had decided.
“I take that as a yes?” Gabe snorted.
Chapter 10
After the decision was made, Peri felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. A very heavy weight.
She felt light, giddy, and as happy as she had ever felt in her miserable life. She was safe and secure, loved, and happy, nothing could spoil it. Nothing.
A long shower followed, in which both men showed her it was for more than getting clean.
Now she was wrapped up in a warm robe, sitting on a sofa, as Josef worked in his office and Gabe was playing some game or other on his iPad.
She was desperate for a look. She had seen people with them before, but had never used one. Not the internet or anything like it. Her eyes were following him, as he fiddled about and finally cursed.
“That’s me killed again. I just can’t get past that level!” Gabe looked angry, but Peri thought it was just frustration. She laughed at his face and he blushed.
“Sorry, I get carried away, when I’m playing my games. Just shout at me, if I play them too often. Would you like to do something or talk?” Gabe’s cheeky smile was back, and she realized what he meant by ‘do something.’
“Talk. Tell me some stories about you and Josef. You’ve been together a long time, haven’t you?” Peri wanted to know all she could about these two amazing males.
“Yes. You know how we met. Well, he took me in and got a doctor in, one that specialized in Supernaturals, kept me in his own place. I was young and angry and, hell, just a bit wild! Josef tempered that in me, showed me how not to fly off the handle at the least thing. He changed my life, Peri, I’m sure I’d be dead if it weren’t for him. He’s a good man, and the way he’s changed since you...it’s fucking amazing. I feel so good that you make him happy. My Wolf wouldn’t have been happy, but, Peri, if you had indicated you liked just him, I would’ve bowed out. Maybe not gracefully, but I would’ve done it – for him. The fact that he is disgustingly rich only enhances his appeal.” Gabe had added that last sentence as he became aware that Josef was standing listening.
Peri shrieked “Gabe!” Then she heard the laughter from behind her. Josef had heard. She was sure Gabe had done that just to annoy him.
“Yes, Peri, as Gabe so politely put it, I have plenty of money. After living for a few centuries, you realize the changes in society, in technology, so any smart Vamp gets in on the ground. On anything new, I would invest, sometimes huge sums of money. It paid off, technology is the biggest earner by far for me. I have shares in just about everything from the internet, computers, banking, weapons, power supplies, and I have a large portfolio of businesses, including several hotels here in Vegas. This one was one of my first investments and since it’s been remodeled and upgraded, I decided to move in. I had this place specially commissioned. I have more properties all over the globe, and Peri, we’re going to have fun visiting every single one.”
Peri’s eyes were wide with wonder. What a life these two had led, so far removed from her own it was astounding. She worried about embarrassing herself or Josef. God, she would die if she embarrassed him.
“Don’t worry, Peri, with the kind of money I have, I could walk around naked and snorting coke and everyone would pretend they hadn’t seen it. Do not have any worries, my little Witch. The only one that embarrasses me is that crazy Wolf over there!” Josef had felt her fear and although he understood it, he could not let it fester. She could do as she damn well pleased, and he would rip anyone’s throat out that made her feel anything but the princess she was.
Josef walked away towards his own room, and as he entered, he realized he wouldn’t be spending a lot of time here. His clothes and things were all meticulously arranged and he would now look on this as merely his room with his possessions in it. This was no longer his bedroom. The thought had a profound effect on him and for the first time in centuries, he felt at peace.
Peri was nothing short of a miracle. She came into his life and changed his very soul. A soul that up until a few days ago was black. Now, well, he knew he still had a ways to go, but he was feeling more and more of his humanity seeping back into his being. Yes, Peri was his miracle.
Josef moved towards his huge dressing area, almost as large as his bedroom itself, and walked in and to the back. He had a collection of luggage there. He picked up a case and a small carry on and took them back through to the living area. Peri was laughing at something Gabe had said and the sound had his lips moving into a smile.
“Peri, here’s some lu
ggage, you can pack for our trip. Don’t pack too much, as we’ll go shopping, when we get there. You don’t have nearly enough clothes and you definitely need some new workout items.” Josef placed the cases near her, no, their bedroom door and watched her face light up.
“Oh my God, is that Louis Vuitton? Josef, you have Vuitton luggage!” Peri jumped up and ran over, feeling the expensive case with her hands.
Gabe groaned. “Peri, you know that even looks erotic to me. Shit, I’m going to have to keep a tight rein on myself.”
Josef snorted, although he had thought the same thing, he had managed to control himself.
Peri looked around with a shocked expression. “Erotic? Are you mad? I’m just feeling this designer case.”
The look on Gabe’s face told Peri he hadn’t been joking or mad, and his eyes were hooded again. Dear lord, he looked so hot when he did that.
“Peri, if you don’t stop those thoughts, we will never get ready.” Josef had a stern look on his face, trying hard not to pull her to his body and kiss her.
“Oh, sorry, I’ll go and pack.” Peri grabbed the luggage and flew into the bedroom, a slight flush on her face.
“Josef, what am I gonna do? Every little thing she does has me wanting to throw her down on a bed!” Gabe was squirming in his seat and Josef knew he was trying to get rid of the erection in his jeans.
“I know, Gabe, I feel the same, however, I seem to have more control than you, Wolf.” Josef’s tone was slightly admonishing. They couldn’t just take her whenever they pleased.
“Okay, old man, I’ll try harder, but shit, she is so gorgeous and adorable. I’m going for a shower – a cold one!” The Wolf got up and moved quickly to his own room.
Peri was so excited, she could hardly contain herself. A trip to San Fran to see Daiki, she couldn’t believe it. She had missed her old tutor and dearly wanted to see him and let him know she was safe. She knew he worried about her.
God, what would he say when she appeared with a Vampire and a Wolf in tow.
Peri packed lightly, she was an expert at that. She wanted to go shopping in a normal store, not designer. She wasn’t very comfortable with the price of designer clothes. Folk were on the street starving and one t-shirt could feed a family for a month.
She probably needed new clothes, but she was determined to go to a department store that had lots of cheaper options.
“Really?” Josef’s voice startled her, and she jumped. He was so silent, he could creep up on her. Her senses must be relaxed, as normally nobody could do that.
“Uhm, well, yeah. Josef, I know what you said about your money and stuff, but I really don’t want to spend a small fortune on a pair of jeans or a t-shirt. I know what that kind of money can do for homeless people and it’s just not me. If we’re going out somewhere special or to some posh place, then by all means, I’ll let you dress me in what you think is best. I wouldn’t want to let you down on those occasions, but the rest...no, ordinary clothes from an ordinary shop are more than sufficient. Jeez, it’s a novelty to do even that. Most of my stuff I would get at thrift stores or charity places.” Peri realized that every item of clothing she had owned had been at least second-hand, sometimes third or fourth.
Josef looked at Peri with a weird expression. “What?” She asked, and he shook his head.
“Peri, I want to give you the world. Clothes are the least of what I want to get you. However, I respect your morals and wishes. If that’s what you want, then that’s what you’ll get. I do, however, want the right to spoil you every now and then.”
Josef did the little lip-lift smile and Peri’s stomach clenched. He looked so handsome, when he did that, a slight smile and it changed his entire face.
Josef raised an eyebrow.
“This is so unfair! You get to know everything I think about you, and I don’t get to know what you’re thinking.” Peri was more than a little put out that Josef knew her every thought, wish, feeling.
“When we bond, it won’t be so bad. You’ll get a sense of my feelings and emotions. Peri, even if you can’t feel me just now, you need to understand how much you mean to me. You have literally changed me. I can’t begin to describe how much you mean to me, little Witch. Do not ever doubt that. Not ever, Peri.” Josef’s eyes had closed ever so slightly, and Peri knew without a shadow of doubt he was aroused.
“Okay, Josef, I’m glad, cause you make me feel the same. In such a short time I feel like I’m home. This is where I’m meant to be, I know that, as sure as I know you and Gabe care for me. All the physical stuff is just a little scary. Good, no, bloody fantastic, but scary, too. When I feel all those sensations, I know I’m not in control! I’ve always had to have control, Josef, to stay safe. Giving that up, it’s not easy for me.” Peri was now looking down at the floor, a little blush on her face.
“I know, Peri, I do. You need to trust us, though. We won’t harm you, we only want to give you all the pleasure we can. Trust me, we get as much out of it as you. Once you’re more comfortable with the basics, we’ll move on to other things. Things I can’t wait to do, but I know we need to move slowly with you and we’ll do that. Please don’t feel anxious about any of it. To both Gabe and I – no means no.”
Josef’s head was full of what he wanted to do with Peri, but some of it was pretty far out there. He would not scare his little Witch off.
“Okay, Josef, I trust you, I know deep inside you won’t hurt me. My spell told me that the first night. I think we should decide about that bonding thing, about when we should do it.” Peri thought she would feel a little bit more secure, once that had been done. She was still scared they would send her away.
“No, we won’t, but the bonding, well, that needs to be done when we have at least a couple of days with nothing else on.” Josef thought on where they would spend those two days.
Peri frowned. “Why?”
Josef tried not to laugh. “Because well, we’ll be in bed. A bonding is a very sexual thing, Peri. For at least two days, we’ll be...how shall I put it...otherwise engaged.”
Peri’s eyes widened at the thought of spending two full days in bed with these two. God, they’ll kill her, her heart won’t stand it.
“Don’t exaggerate, Peri. The bonding, not to be too blunt, but it will be you keeping us there. In bed, I mean.” Josef saw another blush creep onto her face, and he so wanted to move closer, take her into his arms, kiss her till she was senseless.
“Oh, I see. Well, maybe after I’ve seen Daiki?” Peri’s thoughts were a jumble in her head, as she pondered Josef’s words. She didn’t know what to think of what he had said, other than she was excited and scared in equal measures.
“Yes, after you’ve seen your friend. The travel arrangements are organized and we’ll be leaving in a couple of hours. I’ll leave you to finish packing.” Josef took one last look at his mate and turned to leave. Walking out of the room was hard, about the same as his hardness in his trousers.
“Gabe, pack, we’ll be leaving in a couple of hours.” Josef moved to his own room and took a few deep breaths to get himself under control. As soon as he felt as if he wasn’t about to turn around and rush back to Peri, he moved to his dressing area again and started to pack. He even put in a pair of jeans and some t-shirts together with his suits and shirts.
As he was packing, Liam called. “Yes, Liam?” Josef answered in his usual cool tone.
“Just to say, Daiki, I’ve got a full report here. He seems to be a good citizen. Pays his taxes on time, no police record, no tickets, has his business teaching martial arts, several, in fact. He lives alone. His wife died many years ago and he hasn’t remarried. No children, gives money to the homeless every month. Other than that, he lives a quiet life. No alarm bells with him, Josef.” Liam stopped, in case his boss wanted to ask any questions. Silence greeted him for more than a minute.
Josef processed what Liam had said. He guessed Daiki started
giving money to the homeless after he had met Peri.
“Okay, anything else to do with Peri?” Josef wanted to know if Liam had came up with anything new.
“Uhm, no. Still can’t figure out where her parents are. Maybe they’ve changed their names or something. There’s definitely no paper trail for them. Our guys did catch a Vamp sniffing around near your place, he’s been dealt with. Nothing else so far. Security is in place for the trip. I’ve already sent some of our guys on ahead, there will be some to meet you at the airport, and some are already at the hotel making it secure. A Witch is with them and placing wards and shields up. We’re set to go, Josef. I’ll meet you at the plane.” Liam always liked traveling with Josef. He loved the private jet.
“Okay good, see you later then. Oh, I take it the Vampire was eliminated?” Josef knew this would probably be the case, but wanted to make sure.
“Yes, after we got some information, however, it wasn’t anything that could help. Only that he had been told about the bounty on Peri and a rumor she was here. Other than that, nothing. I did the interrogation myself, trust me, that Vamp wasn't holding back anything,” Liam advised.
“Fine, bye.” Josef hung up and felt a bit better that Liam already had guys in San Fran. His employees were well-trained and compensated well. However, the little bit of fear of both Liam’s powers and his own always did well at keeping them alert and on point. They all knew if they let anybody through or anything happened, then the consequences would be dire.
Josef finished packing and moved back through to the main area, placing his case near the front door. Peri walked out just as he turned around and his heart leaped at the sight of her.
She had changed clothes and was wearing a simple sheath dress in a dark green color, which set off her hair magnificently. She had pulled her hair up into a kind of messy knot and there were strands that were loose around her face. A simple pair of flat pumps and simple makeup completed the look.
The Witch, The Wolf and The Vampire Series Boxed Set Page 11