by Tigertalez
Paul looked at him. “Will he drink my blood?”
Seamus tensed. “I’m sitting right here, you know.”
Alphy answered. “Most vampires are held to strict codes, as are shifters, for mostly the same reasons. They do need blood to sustain them, but they need regular food as well, and they don’t have any troubles going out in the sun. Some actually love the sun.”
Ryker raised his hand, again. “Except me, redheads burn. That, and I don’t get out much because I’m always exploring the ‘net.”
Alphy didn’t think that helped any, but he smelled amusement coming from his mate. He looked at her and could tell she was suppressing a giggle. He looked over at Paul, who seemed to have relaxed a little as well, and actually gave Ryker a small smile.
“But if you need blood, then how do you get it?” Paul asked nervously.
Alphy knew questions were a good thing. It meant the fear has been replaced by curiosity. Knowledge was power, and it was the light that chased away the darkness of ignorance. He listened to Ryker happily answer.
“Oh, we have a couple of ways. Usually, in a coven, we have donors. Those are humans that know what we are, and don’t mind the benefits of donating to us. It’s extremely pleasurable. They aren’t held there against their will, and they are well cared for. At worst case, we get blood from a bank.” Ryker shivered. “Blah, but it’s disgusting, only used when absolutely necessary.”
“But, you said donor, so they don’t die? Do they turn into vampires?” Paul was showing he was getting more intrigued.
“Oh no, that’s all myth. You have to be born a vampire to be one. We don’t need to drain a whole body. We just need a little bit, and as I said, it is very pleasurable.”
“But how will you get your blood while you’re living here? I don’t want to offend you, but I’m not keen on anyone drinking my blood.”
Ryker was never affected by such statements, but his brother, however, was visibly uncomfortable. Ryker waved his hand as if he had just brushed something aside. “You will be fine, as only rogue vampires would ever take without consent.”
Paul visibly relaxed.
Gale asked, “So you and Seamus are vampires?”
Ryker cheerfully answered, “Yup.” He smiled broadly and dramatically, bringing up both hands and pointing at his fangs from each side of his face.
“Is anyone else a vampire? Or some other kind of paranormal? What kinds of paranormal are there?” she asked.
Alphy thought this might be a good time to introduce his mate a little more to his friends. “Enzo and Kace are wolves, Slate is a lion, and Phoenix is a falcon.”
Paul interrupted, “Cool!”
Alphy continued. “And Matteo is an anaconda.”
This time Alphy’s brother was the one to interrupt with an exclamation. “Awesome! Hey bro, you never said you were friends with a snake. That’s totally awesome. Can I see you shift?”
Alphy shook his head. “As for other paranormals, we’ll discuss that later.”
“Subject change question.” Ryker turned to Alphy and waited for him to nod his head before he continued. “Is this the alpha house, or is that somewhere else? Or are you planning on building an alpha house?”
Alphy looked over at Betty. He didn’t know the answer to that, and even though his bear growled and snapped at him with the idea of moving, he had to remember this was Betty’s home.
She got the hint that he wanted her to answer that. “This has always been the alpha house, and now that we have an alpha again, I won’t change it. If you all help me, there’s a place where I would like to build my own little cabin.”
“With the alpha’s consent, I can help with that, Betty. I’m a building contractor,” answered Kace.
Alphy didn’t let anyone sense his immense relief as he turned to Kace. “Thank you, Kace. I was hoping you would put your skills to use here. We’re going to need more living space with everyone here for anyone who wants their own private place. Betty,” he turned to her, “I was hoping you could point out where those other houses are, so we can possibly rebuild there.”
She nodded her response, and everyone began to talk about what kind of home they wanted, and who would get their home built next, after Betty’s.
Seamus got Alphy’s attention. “Alphy, are we keeping the garage apartment as the medical office for the pack?”
Everyone seemed to quiet down and listen to what Alphy had to say. “I wanted that apartment for Enzo or Nix, but if you wanted it…”
“No, no. I was hoping for something a bit more available. The stairs to that apartment aren’t ideal for taking the injured.”
Kace grumbled, “Not to mention crowded with all that equipment.”
Seamus ignored the wolf shifter and kept his attentions on Alphy for his answer.
“I think it would be nice to build something specifically for your needs then. We can keep it close to the alpha house maybe?” Alphy tried to think about what was needed.
Kace had gotten a pad and pen and was writing notes down on everyone’s homes, so he started writing the preferences Sea had for the doctor’s office. It sounded like it was going to be more like a mini-hospital.
Kace looked up. “Uh, Alphy, unless you have the funds for all of this, we’ll need to figure out a budget.”
Betty interrupted, “The pack has plenty of money, so you can get anything you want.”
Alphy raised a brow at her. She didn’t seem at all concerned. “Betty?”
She lightly shrugged one shoulder. “I kept the pack account open and have only used my own money all these years. I’ve got enough of it from inheritances, loads more than I could ever spend. So the pack account has been gathering interest all this time. I check it every year so they know the owners of it are still active. Last I saw, which was six months ago, it had enough to make the queen envious.”
Everyone around the room was struck into silence. Most shifters, because they lived for so long, could usually accumulate a lot, so by the time they were in their mid-two hundreds, they were comfortable or well off. Alphy was still very young, but he had a small amount from the few lives he already lived, and adding in his inheritance from his parents, he could say he was a small millionaire. He had expected to be the one to have to pay for everything.
“Uh, Betty, how much was it?”
“It just reached ten figures.” She said it matter-of-factly, as if it were no big deal, but even in the shifter world, that was more money than most other shifters, or packs even.
Gale spoke up. “I guess Seamus gets his hospital then.”
Ryker’s hand shot up, and he started bouncing in his chair. Alphy appreciated the distraction from the awkwardness the shocking news had given them. “Yes, Rye.”
“Then can I get some new equipment? I could use my own office, too. And I have some great ideas on security systems, so can I get those, too?”
Alphy liked the idea about a security system. “You know what, Rye? I’d like you to work with Matteo and Kace, to make a security room complete with your own office and a panic room.” He looked Matteo. “I want the best security we can afford.”
Matteo nodded.
“Ok, does anyone need help moving their stuff?”
Alphy wasn’t surprised at how little Kace had. He was from a big family so didn’t start out with a lot, and he was so family oriented that he had refused to settle down wherever he moved until he had his own family, which he clearly considered Alphy to be. Matteo had never made friends with the packs he was a part of, so all he had was his bag that he brought. Alphy was shocked to learn Matteo had already given his current alpha notice of transfer before he flew out. It was a lot more trust and loyalty than he would have believed he had earned, and it touched him greatly.
Alphy was saddened to hear how little Ryker really had. He knew the little vamp loved his family, but he just didn’t fit in with them. He just had his computers and a box of personal effects and a bag of clothes, so he had brought
everything else well.
Everyone else made a note to contact someone or other, to have their stuff moved. Alphy reminded himself he would have to do the same. Alpha Berry had offered to send it.
“All right, final order of business. Ryker, I need you to find out everything you can on this alpha who is a threat to us.” He went on to tell everyone details. He let Tom and Paul tell their stories, and then Alphy added his altercation with the enforcers outside the hotel. He could tell his new pack was furious about everything done to Paul and the new threat to Gale. Alphy really couldn’t describe how proud and happy he was to see this new pack form and come together to rally behind each other.
Phoenix was sent to scout, and the rest started on their very long list of things to do.
Alphy was very excited over the new pack. They called it the Kaska pack. His bear gave a happy groan of approval.
Chapter Nine
Gale could only hold onto Alphy as he carried her up to their room. She appreciated his patience through her breakdown and panic attack. Vampires? Wow! That is a big bite to swallow ... er, maybe not to be used with that expression, ever. She was very glad she had been in Alphy’s lap with his arms protectively around her when she’d heard that.
Alphy used his foot to close the door behind them and proceeded to carry her to their bed. She expected him to toss her down and ravish her, but instead, he gently laid her on the bed and followed her down, covering her with his body.
He buried his nose in her neck and took a deep breath. She felt his sculpted chest push into her twin mounds as his lungs expanded, and at the same time a solid hardness rubbed in between her thighs. He groaned as he exhaled, his breath tickling her neck.
Electric zings shot down to her core as he ghosted his lips across her skin on an imaginary trail up her neck and over her jaw until he reached her open and panting mouth, and then he sucked and suckled her bottom lip just a little. Gale ground her hips into his hardened mass. That seemed to break his control because he tilted his head and drove his tongue into her mouth.
Gale felt one of his hands roaming up her thigh, over her stomach, settling around her breast. He gave it a gentle squeeze and rubbed at her nipple until it hardened. He pulled his mouth off, laying his forehead against hers, so they breathed each other’s air as they both panted.
Gliding her fingers over the planes of his muscles, Gale thrilled at the feel of his strength. He pulled back and sat on his heels, wedging his knees under her thighs, bringing them up to bracket around his waist. She watched him strip off his shirt. Then fanning his fingers wide on her thighs, he piloted them up her body, under her shirt and exposed her torso. When he leaned over her exposed chest, hot wet heat seeped through her peaks as he kissed her exposed breasts through the fabric of her bra while his hands finished removing her shirt.
Gale ran her fingers through his hair and held on as he assaulted her body with his lips and tongue. Roving hands slid under her back and grabbed her bra strap and pulled, ripping it off. He tossed it aside and inhaled a nipple and part of her breast into his mouth.
“Hey,” she panted. “You gotta stop killing my bras.” She spoke between gasps and moans. “They did nothing to you.”
“Mm.” The vibrations from his hum shot through her, but it was cut short when he popped off her nipple. “Yes, they did,” he argued. His kissing trajectory was on a course for her other breast. “They’re in between me and my mate.” He quickly sucked in her perky nub and popped off. “And nothing,” he licked around the areola, “gets,” he nipped lightly, “in between,” he sucked in one nipple while skilled fingers his tweaked her other, “an alpha,” he blew cold air over the moistened skinand ground his cock against her entrance, “and his mate.”
Gale tried to remain coherent. “I don’t have that many bras.” She gasped when his hand cupped her pussy.
“Then order more.” He unsnapped his pants and pushed down the zipper, releasing his fervent cock, then reached up and unbuttoned her pants. He leaned back and worked her pants off her legs then threw them aside. He rubbed his hands in circles on her thighs. “Let’s add to that shopping list.” He grabbed her undies and ripped them off. She was too mesmerized by his muscles bunching to register what he did until he dove down between her legs and sucked in her nub.
Gale gave a startled squeak, arched her back, and automatically closed her thighs, but Alphy’s shoulders kept them from boxing his ears. She writhed under the onslaught of sexual euphoria. Her hands didn’t know where to go, so she grabbed the comforter and fisted it.
“Hold on to your tits, honey-bear. Squeeze them.” Her heightened nerves sent zings through her from the buffet of breath from his words. She quickly obeyed, spreading her hands over each sensitive breast and squeezed them like he had earlier. Alphy’s eyes watched, and the growl of approval vibrated against her slickened pink pussy as he continued his oral ministrations. In her heightened pleasure, Gale couldn’t stop her shouts, which escaped with every exhale.
A knock on the door interrupted them. Alphy continued his mission, but Gale kept her voice down, which brought a growl from her mate, causing more pleasant tingles that pushed her closer to her release.
The knock on the door interrupted again. “Alphy,” came a southern drawl. “I really hate to interrupt. I personally like breathing, but that alpha who’s after Gale and her family is on the phone.” Gale whined considerably when Alphy pulled away, but the accented voice through the door didn’t stop talking. “Perhaps you can just kill him instead of me? It would solve everyone’s problems.”
Gale, seeing her mate kneeling on the bed and wiping his mouth, gave a painful groan. “What happened to ‘no one gets between an alpha and his mate’? Can’t you just let him wait? I’m so close.”
The angry looking Alphy suddenly threw his head back and laughed. He leaned forward and gave her a slight succulent kiss, then hopped off the bed. “That is very true, honey-bear. He won’t like this phone call, but I’d better answer it.” He finished fastening his pants and leaned forward to plant another kiss on her lips and started heading out the door. His hand stopped on the handle, and he looked back. “Don’t touch yourself, love. I’ll be back soon enough, and I promise to make it up to you.” He winked at her then turned and walked out the door, making sure to close it behind him.
Gale huffed out an irritated breath. If Alphy didn’t kill that guy soon, she just might do it for him.
****
Alphy had decades in the military perfecting his control over his emotions, so he didn’t take his frustrations out on Kace, nor was he going to let the other alpha hear anything that would indicate he was at all perturbed. However, he wasn’t going to let the alpha walk all over him either.
There was a room downstairs that was supposed to be the alpha’s office, but right now it served as Ryker’s room and office. Nix and Slate were out patrolling, but Enzo, Kace, and Matteo joined Alphy as he entered the room. Ryker was sitting down with his cell held a little ways from his ear, and using the other hand to click his mouse on something or other. He looked up when Alphy stepped in.
“Oh good, you can talk to him. For some reason he doesn’t like me.” Ryker gave him a knowing look, and Alphy nearly lost his composure to outright laugh. He knew Ryker liked to antagonize bigots a little bit, and no doubt he’d let the alpha know right away that he was a gay man, or at least over emphasized his tones to let that speak it for him.
Alphy took the phone. “This is Alpha Ralph of the Kaska pack.”
“Finally! You certainly took your sweet time.”
Knowing the alpha’s ears would easily pick up even a quiet sigh, Alphy kept his breath calm and steady. “I came as soon as I was told. I am not to blame for your impatience, nor am I at your beck and call. Now who is this, and why have you called?”
The other alpha sputtered in, no doubt, outrage. “I am Alpha David Falk, and you should speak to me with respect. I’ve called to tell you I have a complaint sent in to the council a
bout you. It will no doubt bring you all sorts of trouble and get you removed as alpha. Now, if you just return the Elkin family to me, I will consider dropping the complaint.”
Alphy almost couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped. “So with false accusations, you went and tattled on me like a first grader would to a teacher? I thought you were an alpha. You’re just a bully who hides behind the equally cowardly thugs you call enforcers. There is nothing for me to be afraid of.”
Alphy heard the frustration in the other alpha’s voice. “I am an alpha, and you are only some backwater hick piss-ant wanna-be.” David spat into the phone. “I’ll have you removed, and I will have that family back here.”
“If you want me removed, then come challenge me. That is the only way you will get them. They asked for sanctuary, and I have given it to them. The council won’t do shit. They’ll tell you to either challenge me or get over it.”
“Other alphas won’t stand for it, so you won’t just be fighting me. You’ll be fighting every alpha.”
“Please go ahead and underestimate me. It’s interesting to me that you don’t deny the accusations.” Alphy would bet that Rye was recording this call, not that the council or any other alpha worried him, but it would make things easier if he could have this guy hang himself. So he continued, “I will very much enjoy watching what those who supported you will do when they find out that you were in the wrong, or if they knew, what they do when they end up going down when you do. Now, either come here and challenge me, or you can go fuck yourself.”
Alphy hit end, and the sounds of the sputtering and cursing alpha cut off. He handed the phone back to Ryker. “Was that recorded?”
“Psh, of course. I’ve got a brain. So what next?”
“Look into the complaint with the council. I want to know if they run any differently up here. Let me know what they think they are going to do about it, if anything. The council is really more based for when a sleuth or pack or whatever, is suddenly left without an alpha or if there is a public threat or endangerment from humans. It’s not really all that worried about some squabble.”