by V L Moon
“If they’re in the meeting with you, they want to fight. Arial would not make the mistake of bringing you pacifists.”
“I trust his judgement if not his sanity. Jorn says he and that demon of his added some serious smoke to the Smokies.”
Laziel smirked. “You owe me a truckload of apple Jolly Ranchers. I told you the demon would make quick work of those defenses.”
A soft knock sounded at the door. “There’s the bat signal. Back in a bit.”
Once clear of his private quarters, Malachi strode through the halls of the enclave with Kimberly on one side and Saul on the other. They each spouted information at him. The Nephilim sent to the wolf enclaves were settling in with little issue. The vampires, on the other hand, were having a hard time accepting old enemies into their safe areas.
“Jaku called and said the enclave in North Africa has settled down. Elder Kirabo visited the shifters there and studied their interactions with the Nephilim. When he returned home, he set an example for his people. He took two of the older Nephilim into his home, made them a part of his household.”
“Any injuries or deaths?”
“None. There were some fights, but Kirabo has it all settled.”
“We have everything set up for Elder DeRhys’ ceremony. All of the arrangements for the other Elders have been made. I just have to coordinate with Saul to set up the extra security you requested.”
“Destahny will be with us. I want two guards at every door and two at every entrance to the ballroom. Relief guards should be on standby.” He looked at Saul. “Use the Nephilim. Partner each one with a vampire. I want the attendees to see them. I’m serious about ending this war and establishing peace.”
“But Destahny…”
“What better way to show my trust than to have my daughter protected by them? Besides, Laziel and I both will be in attendance as will Arial, Bastian, Roman and Tobias.”
“Jorn will be in attendance as well,” Kimberly inserted. “He’s traveling with Roman and Tobias and bringing his younger son and his niece.”
“Good. Most of the Nephilim know him and will be more comfortable.”
Malachi stopped at the door to the gymnasium. He held up one hand when both vampires took a breath. “And the wedding plans? You two have all of that worked out to take place before the ceremony?”
Kimberly flushed scarlet while Saul grinned. “We’ll have Bastian’s Crescente di Ordinare Cerimonia, your ceremony and then the big gala event. Now, I have a few hundred Nephilim to terrify.”
“Sire, they’re already terrified. Maybe if you just…tone it down.”
Malachi growled. “They chose my enclave. They chose to serve my house and to fulfill my expectations. Taking it easy will only give them a false understanding of life here with me. I’m sure Onoskelis told them of me and my reputation; I don’t want to disappoint them.” He flashed fang at his Captain of the Guard. “Ms. Stroner, finalize the wedding details.”
The door swung open. A few hundred pairs of eyes locked on him. Malachi strolled into the room. Wings and feet shifted. A few throats cleared.
“Let’s be clear from the start. I know what you’ve been through. I have full reports on each and every one of you. It fucking sucked, but now, you’re free. Time to move on. If you expect coddling and nose wiping, you’re in the wrong fucking enclave. What you’ve heard about me, it’s all true and probably watered down. I fight, I fuck and I rule my vampires with a steel plated fist. My temper is nasty; I advise you to avoid fueling it at all costs. Your life may very well depend on it.
“As for why you’re here, all of you are on a sixty day trial. Whether you stay in this enclave after that time is up to you. You will train daily with either myself, Saul or Laziel. It will be brutal and bloody. We will not take it easy on you. If you complain, you’re out. I don’t have time for whiners. My daughter lives in this enclave. My mate lives in this enclave. I will have only the best assigned for their protection.”
The room remained silent. Malachi paced to the left of the gathered fighters. “I will not hold back when I spar whether it’s by hand, dagger, sword or other and you better not either. I expect you to give one hundred percent all day, every day. I do not tolerate slackers. Training will not be limited to the gym or to any time frame. When you are in my enclave, you are always on duty. Threats and enemies don’t come with warnings or prior notice.”
He paced back to the right. “I assume since you are here in my enclave you want to fight. I respect that. However, no one here is required to fight. If at any point, you decide you do not wish to fight, notify Saul. Positions within the enclave will be assigned as they are available. You will be required to keep current on self-defense skills.
“I will not abide liars, thievery, laziness or pot stirring. I will not have unnecessary drama in my court or in my home. Do not attempt ass kissing, brown nosing or sucking up. If Laziel doesn’t incinerate you where you stand, I’ll kick your ass. It’s all very simple. If you want to succeed here, you will do so by your actions and your ability to fight and defend. Your integrity and loyalty must be absolute.
“Any disrespect to my family, my staff or my enclave will be dealt with efficiently and immediately. Likewise, if you are tormented, abused or in any other way mistreated, report it. The vampires here abide by the same rules as I am laying out for you. Everyone is equal.”
Malachi returned to stand before the door. He faced the assembled males and females. “Any questions?” None of them moved a muscle. “Tonight, you train with Saul. Pay attention. Tomorrow night, I will take over. I will expect to see progress.” Malachi studied the crowd for a moment. Saul’s and Laziel’s words refused to be ignored. He huffed out a frustrated breath.
“It took a lot of courage to seek your freedom. I will stand beside you and fight with you. I won’t let you down. That is my promise to you.”
Malachi exited the gym. A fierce cheer followed him out into the hall. He hoped they still felt that way after he finished with them the following night.
~*~*~*~
Chapter Fifty-Seven
~*~*~*~
Thunder Bay, Ontario
A hand slid possessively up the back of his leather clad thigh to cup his ass. Harnessing a shudder of revulsion, Shaver stepped to the left avoiding the hand as it circled around to the front. Red lips pouted up at him.
“Aww, a shy wolf. How refreshing.” The female vampire licked her lips. Her black eyes glittered in the strobe lights of the dance floor. Shaver forced a smile and set her blood spiked red wine on the table.
“Enjoy mistress.” He knew she had no problem hearing him over the blare of the club beat. With a polite nod, he turned to go. The vampiress blocked his path with fangs and assets in full view. The barely there micro mini perfectly matched the bright, painted on lipstick. A thin bustier little more than pasties on a string struggled to make her outfit legal.
“I think I will,” she purred edging closer. Her eyes roamed over his face, and then fell to his pulse point. Her tongue appeared to moisten her lips. Pheromones hit him hard. She wanted blood and sex and not necessarily in that order. Unfortunately, her preferred target held absolutely no interest in what she offered despite his body’s instant reaction to the lust rolling off of her in waves.
“I’m honored by your attention, mistress; however, I have others waiting for their orders. If you’ll excuse me.” Shaver tried to maneuver around her, but the crowded dance floor afforded him little room. Instead, the writhing bodies shoved them closer together. The female took full advantage. Her greedy hands landed on the bare skin exposed between his leather pants and the matching leather vest. Quicker than a striking rattler, her palms slid up his naked chest and shoved the vest off of his shoulders.
“Oh my, your flesh is so warm.” Shaver tried hard not to shudder as her cold fingers inched up his neck. She sidled closer intent on her seduction. “And a scar, how dashing.” Her thumb hovered over the mark under Shaver’s eye. Customer o
r not, Shaver had reached his limit. Spinning away from the vampire’s clutches, he pushed roughly through the crowd.
Desperate for privacy, Shaver shoved his way into the Den’s restroom and glanced around. Empty. Thank the Creator. For several seconds, he leaned against the closed door, shoulders slumped. Weariness overtook him. Nearly two weeks had passed since his fight with Khad.
Fourteen nights of evading Alexa’s questions; two weeks of running mile after mile every night after work hoping to exhaust himself so he could sleep. A fortnight of Damian’s eyes on him and too many miserable nights of missing Khadlyn at his side. He missed his best friend, hated the distance between them, but he knew he’d done the right thing by standing aside as Khad left.
Crossing to the mirror, he studied his reflection. Despondent eyes atop gaunt cheeks gazed back at him. And there, under his left eye, the pink scar shone even in the dim light of the bathroom. Shaver brushed tentative fingers over the mark. Khad’s mark. A glaring reminder of his own stupidity. His mind flipped backwards, and guilt washed over him. He’d deserved Khad’s anger and the vicious blow the other wolf had delivered. His best friend had been defending family.
Shaver’s cheeks heated. He’d been so quick to judge Khad, so determined to deny his jealousy and believe the worst. He was a fool. Usually levelheaded, he’d let his emotions overrule his tongue and attacked an innocent already traumatized by monsters.
Shaver continued to rub the wound. A harsh sigh escaped. He owed Sage an apology. It wasn’t her fault things changed so quickly. She’d been seeking help, desperate and alone. Khad was her family. He’d caught her watching him, her dual colored eyes sad. Ashamed of his assumptions and cruel words, he’d avoided her afraid she would be able to read the past and more afraid she would see his unrequited love for her family member.
Bracing his hands on the porcelain sink, Shaver dropped his head evading his reflection. With his eyes closed, the rest of the memory rushed in. With amazing clarity, he recalled Khad’s brief but sizzling kiss after the argument about Sage. His body responded immediately, remembering the molten fire of Khad’s lips pressed against his own. It had been everything Shaver expected, everything he wanted. Masterful, delicious, electrifying and it had ended way too quickly. Shocked and confused, Shaver had watched helplessly as Khad disappeared.
For many nights after, Shaver had lain awake, lips tingling while he’d pondered the kiss and what it meant. Hope’s tiny roots unfurled in his heart. He tried to bolster his courage and talk himself into declaring his feelings, but the tension between them only increased. He should have been happy for Khad. He had found his family; he had a second chance few ever received. He needed to make it count.
But, with the talk of Khad’s departure and the preparations undertaken to return Khad to his rightful home, Shaver had lost the sliver of hope he’d harbored. Finally while running full out along the lakeshore, he faced reality. The kiss hadn’t meant anything to Khad, just a means to shut him up. Resolutely, Shaver had shoved down the pain of his shattered dreams and kept his word. That night and the ones that followed, he opened the bar for Alexa as promised and ignored the worried glances from those who knew him. Things only spiraled downward when Khad left.
The outside door slammed open disgorging two inebriated wolves. Shaver snapped out of his reverie and straightened. Fuck! He was on shift and standing in the bathroom crying in the sink. Disgusted with himself, he tossed the two a crooked smile and strode out the door with the sound of retching ringing in his ears. Across the dance floor, the female vampire winked at him. Shaver blew out a frustrated breath. He needed to be out of the bar, but that would require passing right by the fanged female.
He did the only thing he could; he retreated to the back of the bar. Sliding deep into the secluded privacy booth, he pulled the thick velvet curtain. Darkness engulfed him. He shot a text to Damian that he was taking a break. He needed relief from the tension banding his shoulders and the pressure pounding in his loins. With the vampire’s pheromones playing havoc with his senses and the fiery reminder of Khad’s kiss, Shaver’s body was strung tight.
The snick of his zipper echoed in his sensitive ears. Wiggling his hips just enough to lower the waistband of his leathers, Shaver reclined against the black leather cushion one foot on the floor and the other propped on the empty seat. His sex lay hard and engorged against his abs hidden from view by the table’s edge. It throbbed in time with his heartbeat. With a curse, he closed his fingers around the aching length.
He squeezed slightly, applying just the amount of pressure he liked. His palm slid toward the base and then up to the tip. His eyes closed. His head fell back against the seat. On the next slow glide up, he squeezed the head of his cock between his thumb and forefinger. Savagely, he clenched his fist around the knob. The bite of pain made him grunt. In his mind, he pictured Khadlyn, tall, blond and sexy as hell.
His hips rocked against the seat, thrusting his cock hard into his fist. He moaned softly increasing his rhythm. Lying down fully, Shaver reached down and grasped his balls, rolling the globes between his fingers. His palm continued to glide up and down his cock pausing every so often to massage the sensitive tip. His toes curled inside his boots as pressure built. His sac tightened as his climax drew nearer. Releasing his balls, he licked his palm and switched hands.
His saliva slickened palm slid easier up and down his shaft. He increased the pressure on his cock and fisted his balls. His hand rode faster and faster. Hips arched off the seat; he bowed his back. The orgasm erupted from his balls and raced along the length of his cock. Semen splattered hot over his chest and abs and still he milked himself. When he began to soften, he stopped stroking and settled back against the leather. His eyes closed tiredly. Was he really reduced to getting himself off in a booth while a crowd partied right outside? What the hell was he thinking?
~*~*~*~
Several hours later, Shaver stood just outside his Dad’s workshop. The early morning light gave a surreal appearance to the surrounding forest. He lifted a hand to knock and then let it fall. He hadn’t called to let his parents know he was coming over because he’d made the decision last minute. He’d walked into their pack bedroom and just could not face another night in that bed without Khad. So, he’d tucked his tail and run back home. He needed to suck it up and get his ass back to the mainland. He was taking a huge risk coming into Trenton’s territory.
“You going to stand out there all day? Come on in, son.” His father’s deep baritone carried clearly through the crisp air. Too late to run. Shaver sighed and pasted on a smile before swinging the door open.
“This is a nice surprise. What brings you to the island?”
“Hey, Dad. Just needed to get away for a bit. Hectic night at the club.” Crossing the small area, he propped a hip against the worn work bench. His gaze drifted over the pieces spread out over the surface. “What are you making?”
“Cradle. Mrs. Mederios’s boy is expecting…well, his mate is. She’s excited, her first grandbaby.” Gaelon ran his hand over the curve of wood feeling for splinters. “Your mother is over there now. I’m sure they are huddled together sharing stories about you two.” The absolute adoration his father held for his mother sparkled in his voice. Shaver’s heart sank. His mother would never know that joy; he would never give them a grandchild.
“I’m in love with Khad.” The words flew from Shaver’s mouth before he could stop them. Well fuck where had that come from? Shaver’s shoulders tensed when his father turned off the power to his lathe. He’d made up his mind on the way over to tell his parents, but he sure as fuck hadn’t meant to be so blunt. He watched apprehensively as his father’s hands came to rest side by side on the work table. He inhaled trying to get some inkling of what his father was thinking. He was not prepared for the response he received.
A smile. His father turned around with a magnificent grin on his face. Shaver stared, completely floored, and stood immobile as his father crossed the room to wind
his arms around him in a tight hug.
“Wondered when you were going to get around to telling me.” Gaelon loosened his hold and stepped back, leaving his hands to rest on Shaver’s shoulders. Stunned, Shaver swallowed. Acceptance shone in his father’s eyes, the same as it always had. Tears threatened. Shaver blinked trying to stop them from falling.
“You knew?” Huskiness edged his voice, and Shaver swallowed again trying to dislodge the lump in his throat. “Does Mom know?”
“Yes, son. We both know. We’ve known for a long time. We’ve been waiting for you to tell us so that we can properly welcome Khadlyn into the family.” Shaver broke eye contact, his throat working. Despair threatened to break his control.
“Thanks, Dad, it means a lot that you understand.” Shaver’s voice vibrated with the emotion spiraling through him. “But, umm, Khad doesn’t…he doesn’t know.” He attempted a shrug, but barely managed to move his shoulders beneath the weight of his father’s hands.
“I never told him. He’s always wanted, no, he needed to be accepted by the pack, and a…,” Shaver stopped the word lodged against that damned obstacle in his throat.
“Gay wolf boyfriend wouldn’t help?” The word fell from his father’s lips easily, surprising Shaver. His eyes snapped back to meet the warm brown of his father’s gaze. Pure unconditional love radiated out to him. Shaver couldn’t hold back the whine of pain. He nodded unable to speak. Strong, supportive arms that had held him since childhood brought Shaver into a comforting embrace.
“And, now he’s gone. His family, his real family, found him.” A soft sob fought through his clenched teeth. “He went with them back to Virginia, and now he’s in Rome. I may never see him again.”