Fang Chronicles: Zenya's Story

by McClain, D'Elen

  He kissed her neck, and then used his teeth to nip before using his tongue to take away the sting. Their breathing grew ragged and he felt her body respond and the quivering begin again. He wasn’t slow. He wasn’t nice. His movements grew almost frantic as he buried himself again and again in the moist center between her thighs.

  She screamed her release and his teeth sank into curve of her neck. When he released his jaw, his growl became a shout of completion.

  They were mated… forever.

  The world slowly came back into focus. He rolled to his back, bringing her over him. The scent of their beasts flowed throughout the room. He ran his fingers through the wet strands of her hair. His wolf rested while his human mind cataloged her touch, her scent, and the sound of her breathing. His dick stiffened again.

  He knew his clan felt their passion and the thought made him smile. No telling what would come out of Talya’s mouth the next time he saw her. The young she-cat would be the death of him, but now his mate could help, too.

  Her body wiggled and he groaned.

  “Don’t do that or I’ll not be responsible for my actions.”

  “The last thing I want is a responsible alpha in bed.”

  “Minx.”

  “No, I’m just a pussy cat.”

  Their positions changed in a blink. He had her on her stomach and his knees between her spread legs with an easy twist. His hands snaked under her upper body, finding her breasts, lifted and then pulled her back.

  She cried out when his length drove forward and found the heat between her thighs once more. His hands moved down to her hips, holding her still as he drove in again and again.

  “You are mine.” He said, before his final plunge took them both over the edge once more.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  “We need to find Amy and Marcus.”

  “Why?”

  “You are not sleeping in their house again. You will sleep with me, in my bed, in my pack’s cabin.”

  She hid a goofy grin. “Do I have a say?”

  “No.”

  “You know you’re bossy.” She smirked.

  “Yes.” Every bit of self-assurance he possessed came through in that one word.

  She rolled her eyes. “It’s the whole alpha thing.”

  “Probably.”

  “Definitely.” He kissed her smiling lips.

  They shifted before leaving the cabin. He sniffed her body from head to tail, loving his smell on her.

  “Don’t be naughty.”

  Her thoughts entered his mind and his wolf gave a sigh of completeness.

  “You have no idea what naughty is.”

  She leapt six feet forward and took off.

  They ran under trees, across dry leaves and pine needles, through a thicket, and across open patches of grassland.

  Her cat’s muscles rippled beneath short golden fur. His bulkier body and muscle flowed in seamless strength, his gray coat ruffling in the slight breeze.

  One hundred yards from the main house, he tackled her and the two rolled over each other. She landed on top and her claws extended and sank into his fur and then against the flesh below; retract, extend, retract.

  It was such feline behavior and it turned him on. He nipped the leg closest to his snout. “I surrender.”

  “You tackled me.”

  “And look at the result.”

  He let his body flow to man. She stayed in cat form long enough to bare her claws again.

  “That’s damned sexy.”

  A human female body fell on top of him. “You want naughty?”

  “Only for me.”

  “Uh hum.” Two vampires stood over them.

  Nicolas looked over Zenya’s shoulder. “You have us at a disadvantage.”

  “Yes, quite. Meet us at the house where we’ll have clothes waiting,” Marcus didn’t wait for a response before he and Amy blinked away.

  “I think I’m in trouble with my liege.”

  “She’s no longer your liege and I’m your mate. You can only be in trouble with me.”

  “Yes, your alphaness.”

  “You seem so meek and shy with everyone else. Why do I deserve your sharp tongue?”

  Teeth sank into his shoulder and her mark proved it wasn’t only her tongue that was sharp.

  “You’ll pay for that later.”

  “I hope so.”

  His sigh made her laugh.

  Amy waited when they entered the house. She handed them both clothes. “I know weres don’t mind nakedness, but I think you need to be dressed for our discussion.”

  “Anything you say.” Nicolas kept his voice as pleasant as possible, but Amy didn’t miss the slight edge to his words.

  They changed clothes, and then walked back into the room.

  “Do you have something to say?” Amy looked directly into Nicolas’s strong alpha gaze.

  “We’re mated, Zenya is moving out, and she has a new clan leader.”

  “Amy, I’m sorry.” Zenya’s words came out before Nicolas finished his statement.

  Amy looked back and forth between the two of them; one defiant and one worried.

  Marcus’s arms came around Amy from behind, and he pulled her back into his chest.

  “I think you’ve been outplayed, my love.”

  “I can’t even demand a wedding and a shotgun won’t do enough damage.”

  “Amy, I love you. I’m sorry.” Zenya’s tears fell.

  “Don’t be sorry dear, I’m only mad that your mate took so long. I’d hoped you would be mated before you ever arrived here.”

  Marcus chuckled and loosened his arms.

  Amy walked forward and drew the she-cat in for a hug. “Congratulations, Zenya. He doesn’t deserve you, but he’s not all bad.”

  “I don’t deserve him.”

  “I think I’ll agree with Amy on this one,” Nicolas said. His arms replaced Amy’s when the vampire stepped back.

  “What about the babies?” Zenya asked.

  “What about them? Do you think you’ll get out of their lives so easily?” Amy smiled.

  “You’re the only one who they obey unconditionally.” Marcus sounded almost exasperated.

  Nicolas felt Zenya unwind and sink deeper into his embrace. His chin came down and rested on her head. He turned slightly and kissed her tears. She relaxed further.

  “Thank you. I will be part of their lives as long as you let me.”

  “Forever is a long time” Marcus smiled softly at the cat who added so much joy to the cubs lives.

  “Forever is perfect.”

  “When you left tonight we packed your bag. You need sleep and I’m hoping your mate realizes that.” Amy pulled a mean frown, but then smiled again.

  “Yes, her mate is aware she needs sleep. I’ll have her back when the twins wake up.”

  Amy looked at Zenya. “Stella will get them up and fed. The two of you can work out a schedule tomorrow, but your wolf-sitting duties are cut in half or less if you need the time. Stella can coral them as good as anyone but you. They’ll want you for story-time if it works in your new schedule. Being the mate to the alpha comes with its own work. We’ll take you anytime you need to get away.”

  “You’ve obviously noticed our teenaged hellion, Talya?” Nicolas couldn’t control his grin.

  “No one deserves that raging bundle of hormones.”

  “I’m letting Zenya take over her care.”

  Zenya looked over her shoulder. “Only if you’re hiring ten bodyguards and a lion tamer.”

  “They’re yours.”

  “I was afraid of that.”

  After Zenya gave the vampires a final hug, they shed their clothes, shifted, and ran into the night.

  “I have a room waiting back at the large cabin or we can spend this first night alone in the small cabin.”

  “I want to sleep near my new pack.”

  “Done.”

  Nicolas quietly opened the door and the two entered the house, naked and in h
uman form.

  The entire clan waited expectantly.

  “It took you long enough to come home.” This comment came from a smiling Troy.

  “If you think we’re answering questions, you’re mistaken. Everyone go to bed and we’ll talk in the morning.”

  “You’re no fun.”

  “I’m glad you think so. Talya, meet your new babysitter. Zenya is my mate and if she comes to me with stories of the hell child I’ve put in her charge of you’ll pay dearly. I want my mate happy and settled. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, alpha.” The reply would have worked if her eyes didn’t have bedevilment shining from their depths.

  Nicolas pulled Zenya’s hand. making her trail behind him. He received a wink from Vorlyk when they walked past. He opened the door of his new room. He didn’t have much, but his pack had moved everything inside. He turned off the light and guided his mate to the bed.

  “I know you’ll have trouble resisting my body, but I command you to sleep.” He let alpha power flow behind his words. “Oomph. That hurt, he rubbed his arm where she not so gently punched him.”

  “I have no plans to obey your commands tonight, alpha.”

  “I was so hoping you might feel that way.”

  Giggles turned to groans and groans to passionate cries. The newly mated pair slept little.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  “Wake up, sleepyhead.”

  A low feminine growl came from beneath the covers.

  “Madayah cooked breakfast and I need food to keep up my strength.”

  Two green eyes peered from beneath the blanket. “There’s nothing wrong with your strength.”

  “You say that now, but I’ve been listening to my stomach growl for an hour and I need food.”

  “You could have gone to the kitchen without me.”

  “And face my pack alone? Not happening, your highness.”

  “Just what do you think they’ll do?”

  “They’ll make sexual jokes, talk about my manhood, and demand the step-by-step story of how you romanced me.”

  Giggles were his answer, and he hoped he could wake up every day for the rest of his life to that sound.

  They entered the kitchen hand-in-hand.

  “Look who finally found their way out of bed.”

  “He looks weak to me.”

  “I think he’s lost twenty pounds, and she looks exhausted.”

  “That’s enough.” Nicolas wouldn’t let them continue.

  Everyone laughed, and then Talya’s voice sounded in Zenya’s head, “Is he as sexy in bed as he is out of it?”

  Zenya turned to the young she-cat and spoke out loud, “Do you want your mouth washed out with soap?”

  “Talya, what did I tell you last night?” Nicolas’s exasperation was apparent, but he smiled at the quiet words that whispered inside his head.

  “It’s okay, love. I’ll handle this.”

  “Be my guest… love.”

  “Talya, you have breakfast cleanup duty for the week. And, before giving a smartass reply, lunch and dinner can be easily added.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” She pretended to be contrite.

  “Yes Zenya, she corrected.”

  “Yes Zenya.” The young she-cat repeated.

  They sat down and a happy Madayah served breakfast. The blueberry pancakes and thick slices of ham tasted wonderful.

  “Is everyone ready to show me your skills today?”

  “We’re ready, alpha. What time do you want us at the gym?”

  “It will take an hour for Talya to complete her punishment and for our food to settle. We’ll head that way then.”

  Chairs pushed back, and everyone walked to Zenya and either hugged her or, in the case of the male wolves, shook her hand. Even with this small amount of contact, low growls emanated from Nicolas. The men kept a wary eye on their alpha. Surprisingly, even Esta gave Zenya a hug, though she didn’t acknowledge Nicolas.

  Talya began clearing the table and Zenya reached for a pile of plates.

  “I thought this was my punishment?”

  “Being mated to the alpha means I can help if I want. Your punishment is also my punishment.”

  “Well that’s no fun for you.”

  “Or you.”

  “It’s really not a bad punishment. I don’t mind doing my share and it’s nice to be treated like I have two arms.”

  “Well now you have three.”

  A soft kiss landed on Zenya’s cheek before Nicolas walked from the room.

  The women traveled to the kitchen with their load.

  “Do you feel differently now that you’re mated?”

  “I feel wonderful.”

  “Do you think a man would ever want to mate with me?”

  “Why wouldn’t one?”

  Talya held up the stub of her arm. Zenya placed her hand above the old injury and looked closely at the healed skin. “You are more than your arm Talya. You’re beautiful, smart, and incredibly loveable. Don’t ever sell yourself short. Judge the man by his actions and not his looks. If he’s the one, he’ll judge you the same way.”

  “I don’t know.” Her voice held the yearning of every young woman and the dream for the perfect man to love.

  “Thank goodness you don’t need to worry about it for a few years.”

  “Not you, too. I’m already a woman.”

  “Not in our clan. You are a young lady on the verge of womanhood and we will protect your honor and kill any man who crosses the line.”

  The she-cat looked straight into Zenya’s eyes. “Many men have already crossed the line.”

  “My line, too, but never again. My mate will kill them.”

  “I can live with that.”

  “Good, because you really have no choice. We will hunt you down and put you in a feral cage if you even think about leaving us.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Now, let’s finish your punishment so we can go and kick some wolf butt.”

  “I’m with you, girlfriend.”

  Zenya tried not to laugh at the teenage vernacular, but she failed. “Where did you hear that?”

  “I have my ways.”

  ***

  The temperature in the gym was at least 85 degrees. The ceiling fans turned, but they rested high in the air out of the way of leaping wolves and offered little relief. Zenya looked up and realized they weren’t high enough for the cats, but she didn’t say anything.

  Everyone turned to the alpha.

  “Sheeba. What is your greatest asset when it comes to fighting?”

  “I don’t know, alpha.” Her voice trembled.

  “Can anyone else answer the question?”

  Her fellow she-cats defended their blind sister with determination.

  “She has amazing hearing.”

  “She picks up a trail and follows it even after the rest of us give up.”

  “She remembers where everything is placed if no one moves it.”

  “She has the best singing voice in the world.”

  This stopped the conversation and all eyes turned to the youngest she-cat.

  “What are your strengths Talya?”

  “She talks too much.” Nikka said into the startled ears of her fellow pack mates.

  Esta surprised everyone when she began laughing. “She’ll have no trouble talking our enemy to death,” she said between breaths.

  “Ha ha. Funny.” Talya sulked.

  “Actually, you’re all missing the point. Do she-cats fight?”

  “No.” Each voice was succinct.

  “That’s your biggest asset. They don’t expect you to fight back. They think you’ll take their attack hiding behind the nearest piece of furniture.”

  “Then they’re in for a surprise.” This came from Madayah. “I can wield a mean frying pan.”

  Nicolas looked at the women. “A frying pan will work. I want to teach you to fight dirty.” He looked at Zenya, then back at the women. “I’ve seen wh
at she-cat claws can do.”

  “Oh please, alpha, tell us more.”

  For the first time since walking into the gym, Zenya spoke up. “Talya, if you want to remain in here, shut your mouth.”

  “Yes, Zenya.” Talya looked down.

  Nicolas continued like nothing occurred. “Many items around you can be used as weapons. Your voice to communicate with the rest of us, a frying pan.” He smiled. “And, a twenty-pound barbell. When the enemy comes for a fight we’ll be giving them one. Each of you will learn to fire a gun. I know it’s not normal for us to use weapons, but you’re going to learn. Our wolves who fight overseas attend extensive weapons training and they’ll be teaching you.”

  “What about vampires?” Esta asked.

  “Vampires kill vampires. We’ll try with our last breath, but we will also depend on our liege to protect us.”

  “When do we start?” Esta looked determined.

  “Right now. Reece, I want you in the ring with Esta.”

  “She’s your second.”

  “Are you afraid of getting hurt, pretty boy?” Esta sneered.

  Hard wolf eyes looked her way. “I’m afraid of making you cry.”

  “If you do, I’ll kiss your ass.”

  “Only if I can lower my pants first.”

  Zenya looked at Nicolas but he only smiled. The she-cat slowly removed her clothes, not taking her eyes from her opponent.

  “The only rules are you can’t kill each other. We’ll call Vorlyk if an injury is serious.”

  The two adversaries climbed into the ring. Everyone spread out around the elevated ten-foot square, cordoned off area.

  Reece beckoned with his finger. “Here kitty kitty.”

  One hundred and twenty pounds of mountain lion leapt across the ring.

  Reece was fast. He spun away and pushed her, using her own momentum to his advantage. It was the last advantage he got. She turned, extended her claws, and raked a quarter-inch furrow of skin from his rib cage.

  Reece wasted no time shifting to wolf—he bared his sharp fangs and growled his displeasure.

  Esta’s human body materialized. “What’s wrong, pretty boy? Does the pussy cat have claws?”

  Reece attacked. The fight was over in seconds with razor sharp teeth at his throat. He shifted and stared into green cat eyes. His hand tapped the mat.