He dabbed the washcloth on each of her cheeks, behind her ears and her forehead before the both of them were satisfied. Lars reached over, pulling her dress over her head.
“Are you going to explain what’s going on? Why all the men seem to be in a hyper-sexual state and why all of a sudden you decided to mark me?” Gage helped her off the counter and pulled the dress all the way down before answering her.
“When my great grandfather built this place for our family, he didn’t realize that using Fae magic would have an effect on certain species.” Gage reached for his pants and stepped into them. “In other words, every time a male is out in the air, it acts like a sexual aphrodisiac, but Lars and I had already decided earlier we were going to mark you. This is going to be our home, Tamara.”
For the first time since they had rushed her into the room, Tamara glanced around her and was stunned at its beauty. The walls were stone, but smooth, but what had her frowning was the wall facing the king-sized bed. It was covered in some kind of mirror.
“Gage, do I want to know what that is?” She glared at him as she nodded to the wall.
Lars laughed and Gage snarled. “Damn, I forgot about that. It’s kind of a two-way mirror. Other side is where others can watch.”
He stepped up to her and sniffed the air. “You like the thought of others watching, don’t you?” Gage reached up and pinched her nipples, before placing his finger under her chin and tipping her head up. “We’ll be safe and happy here. Plus, as my sister-in-law said, you’ll never have to worry about getting enough, sweetie,” Gage teased, kissing her lips lightly.
“Now let’s go, everyone should be in the hall by now.” He hooked his arm around her as Lars opened the door for them.
Before they could exit, Lars leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Oh the things we are going to do to you,” he promised, squeezing her ass cheek first then giving it a hard smack, urging her forward.
Lars followed behind them as Gage nodded to different people in the hall.
She was sticky and horny all over again. Gage was right. This place sure did have every male around happy, if their pants were any indication.
“What the…” Tamara rubbed her ass and glared over her shoulder at Lars.
“Stop staring, it’s rude and you have enough to keep you happy,” Lars ordered. “Or do we need to stop and take care of you here?”
The last part of his sentence had her rubbing her thighs together, while Tamara shook her head. “No.” It was a whisper, but still an answer.
“I think you protest too much. Don’t forget we can smell your scent. It’s a sweet treat for the both of us, but you’re lucky we don’t have time to stop right now,” Gage said and squeezed her tighter to his side as they stepped into an enormous underground cavern.
There below them had to be hundreds of people, talking and mingling all around. There was a long line of tables off to the right that were filled with food and a bar at the end of the tables. “Wow, this is amazing,” she mumbled, then frowned when she noticed a few strange women up on balconies looking down into the crowd.
Each of them had long blonde hair, fair skin and Tamara could have sworn they had… “They’re Fae women. When people heard about what happened to our men when they were building this place, Maxim and his father brought in many of their females to ease the males here who didn’t have a mate. One of the reasons why our clan has grown larger is that many of their kind seek the rough handling, that our kind give out when in a sexual frenzy.”
She snorted. “You weren’t rough, and wait a minute…” Tamara turned her eyes on him. “You don’t have any children running around somewhere do you?” She glared at him, trying to put more space between them.
He had the nerve to laugh and yanked her body against him. “Wait till tonight, my little woman, and no. There are no little Gage’s or daughter’s running around. If there was, the child would have been raised by us. It was one of the stipulations that was placed on this place. If a female Fae got pregnant by one of our men, the child would be raised here among our kind. Later, if that child wanted to return to where the mother was, they could,” Gage looked up and nodded to his brother who was waving them over to a set of tables on the other side of the room, which sat on some kind of stage.
“Come, my family is waiting for us.” Gage led her through the crowd with Lars close behind her. At times, she could have sworn he was pressed up against her back. A few times she thought for sure Gage or Lars were going to rip a few of the men apart when they came too close to her sniffing.
One crazed man actually did get his nose busted when he tried to bury his face into her chest. Not to mention that he had his cock out and was trying to rub it on her.
Gage had taken one punch, pointed to one of the Fae women above them and she was there next to the man on the ground. “Come on stud, let’s go have some fun,” she winked at Tamara before the two of them disappeared.
“That is another reason why they are here. Some of these are fools and wait too long to take a female and can’t even think straight,” Gage snarled as he pulled her up onto the stage. His brother stood and glared down at the rough crowd.
“They’re more aggressive tonight it seems. I had one who even tried to latch onto Ana,” Herick snarled and the room seemed to quiet down some as they all turned to their Alpha.
Before Tamara was seated next to Ana, Herick let out a howl that had her jumping and almost falling to the floor if it hadn’t been for Lars’ quick reflexes.
“Easy, baby, he’s just getting the meeting under control,” Lars whispered into her ear and made sure she was seated before taking his place next to Gage in front of the tables.
She leaned over to Ana. “Is it always like this?” Ana shook her head.
“I think they know something is going to change. We weren’t due for another meeting for another two weeks. So when there is one called, it usually means change or something bad has happened.”
“Well, that’s great,” Tamara sighed.
“Not to worry, everyone here knows Gage and respects him. One of the reasons Gage left was that the pack could tell Gage was just as much Alpha as his brother. This will work out, you’ll see,” Ana reassured her.
Chapter Eleven
The room quieted down to where she could actually hear.
“I would like to thank you all for coming on such a short notice,” Herick said, “and I have to give a big thank you to the women for once again making sure there is plenty of food and warm bodies available to all.”
It seemed every man agreed, howling and yelling their appreciation. Lars had never seen such a sight before as Herick quieted the room with a wave of his hand.
“As most of you have heard, my mate’s father is not doing well and he’s asked me to take over as Alpha for their pack.” No one said a word as they waited. “I’ve decided to take him up on his offer…” Herick held up his hand as the room broke out in a bunch of snarls and denials.
“Enough!” He snarled and the room quieted some. “Do you really think I’d leave without a plan?” he pointed to his brother. “All of you know Gage and his partner Lars. They will be stepping up to the plate and taking over. In the next few weeks I want every male to make themselves available to these men. Over the next few days we will need all of you to help with the threat against my new sister-in-law, their mate, Tamara.”
Lars had known that Herick had insisted on helping with Baal and refused to leave until this issue was over, but to ask the pack for help humbled him. He looked over his shoulder to see Tamara’s face had turned a nice shade of pink and she was shaking her head.
He knew she would object to anyone helping them, enough people had been killed and both he and Gage knew she blamed herself, but they would change that soon. Lars took a deep breath and inhaled his and Gage’s scent drifted to him.
Pleased with himself, Lars turned to see that Gage was now addressing the crowd. When Gage turned to Lars, he knew it was his
turn to step up. Moving to Gage’s side, Lars looked out at the crowd and began speaking.
“I would first like to thank Gage’s family for accepting me so long ago. Now, as Gage’s partner I can promise I will always hold the pack above all else, because I know firsthand what it feels like to be shut out and it won’t happen here. We’ll be there for anyone needing help.” The crowd stomped their feet and gave a shout out, acknowledging their acceptance of him.
Both men turned and opened a space between them waiting for Tamara. Her eyes got big, but she stood and made her way to them. Standing between them, Tamara smiled up at both of them.
“This, gentlemen, is our woman, your new Alpha female, Tamara. She has served in the service as a registered nurse for our kind for the past five years, proving that her heart is as big as she is.” Gage stopped and stared out at the audience. “Let it be known now, she carries our children and any threat to her will be dealt with swiftly. She does not carry one, but at least two, maybe three, in her womb.”
Gasps filled the cavern and then shouts of congratulations. “You didn’t have to tell them that,” Tamara hissed at Gage. He turned giving her that look that was meant to intimidate, but Tamara wasn’t having it. “Don’t even start…I just…well what happens if something.” Gage was in front of her, hugging her.
“Shh, nothing is going happen to our children they are protected nicely in your womb,” he reassured her.
“I just don’t want to disappoint you,” she said as she jerked and peeked around Gage, moaning. “Damn, they heard everything, didn’t they?”
He laughed and stood back. Even he couldn’t help but laugh at her. He leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “You’ll learn eventually.” Knowing everyone had heard her, but it was a good thing for them to see her vulnerability.
Looking out over the crowd, Lars could see the compassion in their people’s eyes, but Lars could also feel the sudden shift of protectiveness of their woman from the group. He rubbed her back as Gage went on. “As the plans unfold for the next week we will inform everyone around us what needs to be done. Until this threat to our woman is gone, I’m asking all of you to be on alert. Even though we are protected here, please be careful. If anyone has dealt or heard of anything that might help us deal with Baal, please let us know. All information will be greatly appreciated.” Gage stepped back and allowed his brother to finish.
Both of them escorted Tamara back to her seat, sitting next to her. “You did well, Tamara. Already the pack members are making arrangements to protect their future queen.” Lars took a drink of his water the lady put in front of them.
She fidgeted with the fork on the table. “You know I’m going to have to start planning this party, he won’t wait long. I was thinking it might be best if I have it someplace else other than your grandfather’s hotel. It just wouldn’t be right. I was thinking maybe the Saginaw Civic Center. I’ve been there twice and I think it would be easy for security.”
Gage leaned over and placed his hand over hers. “Tamara, you need to relax and stop worrying. We’ll think of something, but you’re not leaving this place. I won’t risk you or our children and that is final.”
He moaned knowing Gage’s choice of words set Tamara on edge. “What Gage meant…”
“I know what he meant!” Tamara stood and looked at Ana. “Why don’t you introduce me to those women you were talking about, because if I stay here I’m going to personally cut someone’s balls off and stuff them in his mouth.” But before she could move, Gage yanked her into his arms and bent her over the table.
“You are mine and I will not risk your life. Do you understand?” His hand rested around her neck holding her in a submissive hold.
Tears filled her eyes and her lip quivered. “He’ll keep killing innocent people, Gage. I have to help, but for now, I’ll do it from here,” she offered and waited for him to release her.
“Gage, it’s a start, plus she won’t be out of our sight for the next week,” Lars added staring at her.
“Fine, but you’ll have pack business to deal with too. Are you going to drop everything you’re doing to follow me?” Lars knew she didn’t mean it to sound as a challenge, but it did, and others around them stopped and stared.
He jumped out of the way as Gage flipped her around to where her stomach was on the table. Her dress was pushed up exposing her ass. “Gage, think of what you are about to do?” Lars quietly said and inched forward, but Gage snarled and glared over his shoulder at him.
“She dares to challenge me in front of my pack,” he snarled and separated her legs.
He had no choice if Gage did this to Tamara now she would never forgive him. Lars stepped in between them, facing and forcing Gage to move back. “Don’t move Tamara,” he ordered all the while he watched Gage.
“You know now is not the time to establish your dominance. She’s hurt and needs our love, Gage.” He slowly moved into Gage’s personal space but his gaze never leaving his lover’s. Lars ran his hands up and down Gages arms. “That’s it, Gage, take deep breaths. Think of all that our woman has lost in the past twenty-four hours. Right now she needs to be held in your arms and protected.” He used their personal link not wanting to remind Tamara of all that she had lost.
“You’ve lost too,” Gage sighed before he kissed Lars hard and quick. “Thank you.”
Nodding, Lars stepped aside and watched as Gage pulled up a chair, sitting behind Tamara. “Come here, baby,” Gage whispered and pulled her up onto his lap. “I’m sorry. This is all new to you and I should have more patience.” He accepted the blanket from Ana and tucked it around her.
“Look out over the crowd Tamara. See how they listen to my brother.” Gage looked down at her and she nodded. “You would think that all their attention is drawn to him, but watch.” He picked up an apple from the bowl of fruit on the table.
“See the man holding onto a woman with one hand and a beer in the other. He has red hair and is wearing that bright red shirt.” Lars stood behind them and listened to them when she nodded again. “Watch.: Gage let loose the apple. Throwing it straight at the man in question.
In a flash, the man pushed the woman back and snatched the apple out of the air. The man laughed and took a bite of the apple before winking at her. “Our woman will always will come first. Even if it looks like I’m busy, I will always have one eye on you as does Lars. Do you understand?”
She scooted up and looked at him, then out at the crowd. “In other words, you wouldn’t have to stop what you were doing? You’d know where I was.” Tamara sucked in a breath. “The whole pack’s going to be watching.”
The expression on her face was comical at best. Lars laughed and relaxed, sitting down again.. “You’re going to be their queen. Of course they’re going to know where you are. Right now every person in this room is watching Ana, making sure she is safe while the Alpha conducts his business.” Lars grabbed the other apple and took a bite of it.
“I just ask you stay in the same room. I want…” Gage shook his head. “No, that isn’t right. I need to know you’re close. Can you do that for us?” Gage asked, tilting her head back.
“Yes, and I’m sorry about earlier. I really didn’t mean for it to come out as a challenge.” She rubbed her cheek against his hand as he placed one hand on each of her cheeks.
“I know now, thanks to Lars.” He kissed her softly and tapped her nose. “Go on. Ana is waiting for you, but Tamara please call us you need us.”
Ana placed her hand on Gage’s shoulder. “I would never place your mate and your children in danger. If the bitches even flinch, I’ll step in.”
The Alpha hearing his females promise, turned and gave her a look that even sent a chill down Gage's spine. Ana laughed and took Tamara’s hand, helping her up. “Don’t give me that look. Save it for those you intimidate,” she teased, drawing out a growl from her husband.
“Ana!” was all he said, but she only smiled at him.
“Relax
, we’re just going to walk around so I can introduce her to some of the females.” Both of them stepped off the stairs and headed to what looked like the kitchen. Lars and Gage both knew how deadly a female wolf could get when feeling threatened and so did Herick.
“Who?” Herick asked Gage confusing him for a minute.
“Orlando,” Gage said.
“Should have known, good choice,” his brother acknowledged.
Before Lars could ask what was going on, the man who Lars threw the apple at jumped onto the platform and kneeled in front of Gage. “It would be my honor to guard your woman.” Without waiting, Orlando moved down the stairs Tamara had just gone down.
“He will be with her always, unless we are there or his replacement comes. We need to pick three others for her, but I’ve known Orlando since school and he’s the best at what he does,” Gage informed Lars as he turned to him.
“And what does he do best?” Lars asked, taking another bite of his apple.
“Kill.” One word, but it was powerful enough that Lars knew Tamara would be safe. Turning, he watched as six men came up in front of their table and kneeled, which he really didn’t like.
He looked to Gage, who shrugged. “It’s always been the way of the pack to show your respect to the Alpha leaders. Please pull up chairs and sit.” Gage nodded to the stack of chairs off to the side.
Once everyone was seated, Gage introduced five of Herick’s security team. “You five are staying here, then?” Gage asked as Herick came up behind them.
“I’m only taking our personal guards when we leave. As soon as I feel comfortable with the pack there, and can trust those there, I’ll give those men a choice if they want to stay or not. I won’t drag whole families unless they want to make the change,” his brother said and took a seat next to Gage. “These men are the best we have for intelligence. Each of them also has Fae blood in them,” Herick looked at Gage, then at Lars. “This Baal can’t penetrate anyone with Fae blood.” He pointed to his head.
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