Freya's Mates

by Stacey Espino

  "I'm confused. Okay?"

  Gideon took a cleansing breath. "Just give me a chance to help you. Let me show you there's more to life than running away from everything."

  What did she have to lose? Worst case scenario, the lion could force her into a mating, but somehow she knew he wouldn't. As much as she'd love to be able to give Darius her love bite, it was impossible. What would it feel like to sink her fangs into the lion's thick neck? Her pussy began to pulse once she opened herself up to the idea. Still, she wouldn't make it easy for him.

  "Fine. Can we talk in the morning, though? I haven't slept properly in days." It was the truth. Plus she needed time to reflect, to consider the array of emotions bombarding her. She missed her sisters. Running away from Carna had been the hardest thing in the world to do, but she did it out of love. Carna had found her calling, and Freya didn't want to get in her way.

  "You can stay here for now." He nodded to the small bed in the corner. "But after we talk in the morning, I'll make sure you have some place nicer to stay."

  She didn’t argue, only nodded her head in agreement.

  "Good. Rest up now, my little wolf." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering long enough for her to feel his heat brand her. She closed her eyes and savored the brief intimacy, secretly craving him to force her to the bed and fuck her raw. Her hormones were as much out of whack as her emotions. It would be so nice to just surrender and let someone else take care of her, to accept the love of a worthy male. But in doing so, she'd be letting down her sister, giving up the good fight.

  As soon as Gideon closed the door behind him, she crashed on the twin-sized bed, pulling the blankets against her for comfort. It beat sleeping on concrete floors in old sheds, but it wasn't home. There was no home. The childhood palace she'd grew up in was an illusion of paradise, one she never wanted to return to now that her eyes had been opened. But she had nowhere to go, no roots, no companionship, not even her sisters. Gideon was right. How long could she keep running? What was the point if there was no end to it all?

  Chapter Four

  Vincent had eyed the door to the private room on numerous occasions. The cleaning crew was busy sweeping and mopping, pushing chairs along the concrete floor and chattering amongst themselves. He remained behind the bar, mindlessly cleaning up his station and ensuring they were fully stocked for tonight when they opened the doors to the public. Why couldn't he stop thinking about that woman? Even without being told by Gideon, he'd have known she was a shifter, a wolf even. She was strong and feisty for a female, and for the first time in his life, he felt a bonding connection. He'd almost forgotten what it was like to feel anything, but she managed to awaken him. Was it the mating call? Vincent wasn't sure, but decided it was close enough for him. His cock hardened just imagining sinking his teeth into her soft flesh to administer the love bite.

  Gideon had given the staff strict orders not to enter the room where Freya slept. Darius had protested, but after an hour of arguing with the boss, he left for the night. Gideon had a couple bouncers do an all-nighter to ensure she didn't take off when he was away. Vincent didn't like that she was being treated like a prisoner, but he had little say. This wasn't his bar and he owed his loyalty to Gideon.

  He approached the door, carrying a glass of lemonade and a bowl of mixed nuts. There wasn't much in the way of food to offer at this time of day, but he had to bring something along if he wanted to get past Brady.

  "You can't go in there, Vin. You know it," said Brady. He looked ready to crash, his eyes heavy, but had to wait for Gideon to show up before he could head home to sleep.

  "She's gotta eat, right? It's already past noon."

  Brady shrugged, giving the near-vacant interior of the club a once over. "Hurry up. It's my ass if he shows up and finds you in there."

  Gideon wasn't one to settle down. Freya was just his new toy, exciting for a time, but nothing long term. Vincent, on the other hand, was ready for a commitment. It sounded crazy even to him. He'd always been a loner, uncomfortable around other shifters because of his difference. He was ready to give up on finding a true mate, believing he'd end up settling for one of the humans he lived amongst. It would be nice to know the unconditional love of a woman. Unfortunately, Freya hadn't shown any obvious signs of attraction for him that he could identify.

  He slipped into the room. Without windows, the space was dark, but thanks to his cougar vision, he could see Freya asleep on the bed. He crept over, not wanting to wake her, yet still wanting to get a closer look as she slept.

  "I'm awake," she said. When she shifted to look in his direction, her greenish eyes glowed inhumanly.

  "Sorry." He flicked on the light and sat on the edge of the bed with his offering. Freya eased herself into a sitting position, running a hand through the thick blonde hair that he couldn't stop thinking about. She eyed the bowl of nuts. "Hungry?"

  After nodding, she reached for the food. There was nothing lady-like about the way she ate. She took handfuls at a time until the small bowl was empty. He could appreciate a woman who didn't starve herself and didn’t care what others thought.

  "I remember you. You're the one who turned me in." She mock scowled, brushing crumbs from her mouth.

  "I wasn't sure who you were then. Now I know."

  "Oh?"

  "I didn't realize you were a shifter..." He paused, trying to convince himself not to be a pussy and tell her the truth. "Or my mate."

  Her scowl morphed into a blank slate. He couldn’t read her. Fuck his disability! Right now he wanted to be able to know exactly how she felt. Was she angry, scared, or happy? Did she feel even a tinge of desire for him?

  "I know. I'm a stranger—one who didn't exactly start off on the right foot with you, either." She remained silent. He didn't have much time before Gideon returned. Before she gave into the lion's seduction, which she would, he wanted her to at least know how he felt. "Am I totally off base? Do you feel anything for me? I'm really not good at any of this."

  Despite being an outcast for most of his life, Vincent still believed in fate, believed that when he found his mate, he'd know it. Even without all his senses, his cougar knew she was the one. It clawed within him, demanding he claim her. Could he be wrong?

  "I'm not your mate, cougar. You're just attracted to my blood, not me." She swung her legs around to sit beside him, exhaling in a sigh. For once, she wasn't angry.

  "How do you know? It's not just my beast that knows. There's something about you that calls to me."

  She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "Look. I can tell you're being sincere. Haven't you heard about me and my sisters? Didn't Gideon tell you who I am?"

  He shook his head. The only thing Gideon told him was her wolf status, nothing more.

  "I'm Freya Demori of the royal family. I've been in hiding most of my adult life. Last week I was found. They brought me to this city to collect my sister, Carna. The threat's passed now, but my sister's gone and I still have no clue where I am. That's basically how I ended up in this situation."

  A royal? Gods his senses were more fucked up than he realized. "That's really interesting and everything, but I could give a shit about your royal blood."

  "You expect me to believe that?"

  He scoffed. She had no idea. "Trust me. If I say you're my mate, it has nothing to do with your infamous blood."

  "I have no mate. Nor do I want one." She slipped off the bed and began to pace, that feral streak reemerging. If she bolted for the door and disappeared, Gideon would blame him. More than that, he'd lose her and any chance of developing something between them.

  "If you're holding out for Gideon, don't hold your breath, sweetheart." He stood to leave. There would be no begging. Maybe his senses were wrong—he could never trust them before. If she continued to refuse him, deny him a chance of having a family, of fulfilling fate, he'd walk away with his dignity. She began to argue, to tell him she wanted no part of any man, but he slammed the door shut, effecti
vely cutting her off.

  ****

  Her fur began to tickle just beneath her skin as her wolf fought to be free. The nerve of that cougar! Who did he think he was? She thought her troubles were doubled having two men vying for her attention, now it was tripled. But, despite her ragged nerves, she was aware of something different. She'd dealt with lust-crazed men, shifters that only wanted to use her for her pedigree, and henchmen her mother sicked on her. Freya sensed no underhanded motives from these men. There was lust, but that was natural, and she felt the same thing for all three—including the human.

  She hated how complicated her life had become in such a short time period. If only she'd found Carna unmated, they could have fled the city together. They could have searched for Delia and the three of them could have lived out their days together. Would that be enough? Surely one of them would desire more at some point. The lure of mating was natural, undeniable. Even now, she was tempted to just sink her teeth into all of them: Darius, Gideon, and Vincent. She'd just have to hope they lived up to their claims of wanting her for who she was, not what she was. Freya didn't have that kind of courage though. To give in, just to be used, would destroy her. It was better to keep up her guards and save being hurt. Then why did she pray to the gods for Vincent to walk back into the room? Why did she have the urge to beg for his love?

  With no energy left to fight or reflect, she threw herself onto the mattress and cried. It had been so long since she allowed herself to cry. Those first years alone, without her sisters, she'd cried herself to sleep most nights. But as time passed, she grew numb. Now she reveled in her status of stone cold bitch. It was safer that way. But also exhausting.

  "Don't cry." The male voice soothed her like a gentle breeze. Rather than flinch or leap to attention, she stayed put, savoring the feel of Vincent's hand rubbing soft circles over her back. Her energy to keep fighting seemed to drain away along with her tears. "I'm sorry for upsetting you. I'm an idiot."

  She shook her head. "It's not your fault."

  "Roll over." He urged her to her back with a gentle nudge. "Tell me what's going on. Drop the act for two minutes and tell me what's really bothering you." He stopped and took a deep breath, opening his mouth to speak a couple times, but stopping himself. "Freya, I'm not the man I appear to be. I'm not good at guessing games; you have to talk to me."

  Why continue to fight? Vincent believed they were fated for each other, and male shifters were known for recognizing the scent of their mate. Maybe he was right, maybe she should allow the sexy blond cougar to mark her. Her days of running would be over and she could finally know the love of a man, just like Carna and her mates. But accepting Vincent meant rejecting Gideon and Darius. Any relationship with the human was already impossible and there was no way a dominant lion shifter would share his mate. The idea of a ménage mating was the norm for her and all royal females in her family lineage, but outside the royal family it was a rarity.

  "I'm tired of running, but it's all I know. If I stop now I'll let down my sister and myself."

  "What are you running from?"

  "My calling. Being forced into a loveless mating." That was it wasn't it? Over the years the running became more of a habit and less of an act of defiance.

  He leaned over her, supporting his weight on those strong arms. "I promise I'd love you, Freya. I know it's soon, but I've never been more certain about anything."

  "I want to believe you, but every time I trust a male it seems to blow up in my face. How do you know it's not just my blood calling you?"

  He brushed his cheek against hers, prickly with stubble, and gently nipped on her ear lobe. "I don't care about your blood." His hot lips moved down her neck. Would he bite her? Would she stop him?

  Gods it would be refreshing if a man could love her for who she was. Boy meets girl. No royal blood, no burden to continue the races, no running and hiding.

  "Vincent…" She couldn't resist, not when his hot breath defrosted her icy exterior. Freya needed to be loved, to be wanted. She could only go so long in isolation, of knowing every male advance had nothing to do with a desire for her or her wolf.

  "Just tell me what you like. I need your help, sweetheart." He snaked his hand under the hem of her dress, smoothing those skilled fingers along her sensitive flesh. She still recalled his talent behind the bar as he played with the numerous bottles. As she'd watched him, she couldn’t help but imagine what kind of lover he'd be.

  He cupped her breast, testing the size and softness. "That. I like that," she stuttered.

  "Good girl."

  Vincent began to undress her. She assisted him, lifting her hips, then each arm. The cool air made her nipples pebble and chilled the wetness between her legs. He must be able to scent the rich musk of her arousal, yet he showed considerable control for a shifter. The cougar took his time, exploring her body with thoroughness. His tongue, mouth, and hands brought her to new heights of desire. How would she handle making love to him? Just the thought of him filling her, marking her, made her pussy throb in anticipation. Yes, she wanted Darius, but knew their union was an impossibility. Vincent's offer to be her mate was real, tangible.

  When he pressed two digits into her cunt, she gasped from the electricity that sparked within every cell of her body. With the full moon weeks away, this wanton desire had to be the result of a true mating. Vincent truly was her mate, but didn't she feel this way when Darius touched her? She focused her thoughts on the man above her—his scent, his dominance, his overpowering lust directed at her. At least she couldn’t inadvertently harm him. He was a cougar, and if her wolf became a little frisky, he'd be able to handle it. Not having to worry about letting go allowed her inhibitions to vanish. She growled as he pumped his fingers torturously slow, curling them, just so, to drive her wild. Freya arched up, attempting to spur him to go faster, harder.

  "Tell me what you want, Freya. You have to tell me." His wicked mouth descended on her breast, sucking and tugging the bundle of nerves. She closed her eyes and absorbed all the wondrous sensations, writhing beneath him.

  "Take your clothes off," she said. She'd seen him in his tight t-shirt, but her imagination could only go so far. The muscles outlined beneath his clothing would no doubt be superior in the flesh.

  "As you wish, m'lady." His voice was deep and rich, teasing her when her body was already heating from the inside out. Vincent rose, straddling her legs as he tugged off his t-shirt. He had tattooed bands on his arms, common for shifters who liked to connect with their roots. She'd seen them on several others, especially in her home town where history of the races was revered. They told a story and represented honor and masculinity amongst males. Just looking at the black ink made her pussy clench. His pecs and abs were hard sculpted muscle. She looked between his intense blue eyes and the strength of his body, unable to get her fill of the sight of him.

  What she needed was his pants off and him falling between her legs. She felt void and achy, itching with need.

  He stared down at her, trailing just a fingertip along the plane of her neck. He made every touch feel intimate and all consuming, pulling her into his world. "Untouched," he growled.

  She shook her head. "I'm not a virgin." Only last night she'd had relations with her human lover.

  "You're unmarked. No love bite." His chest rose and fell as if his control was paper-thin. She wanted his control to waver. When he opened his mouth to breathe, she noticed the tips of strong incisors peeking below his upper lip. Gods she wanted to feel those fangs sinking deep as he cock penetrated her cunt.

  He unbuckled his belt, and she watched his every move. Yes. Just as she anticipated sweet relief, the door swung open, colliding against the wall in a thunderous bang.

  Chapter Five

  He'd had his misgivings about leaving the club for the night, but he decided it was in his best interest to clear his mind before taking the biggest leap of his life. Freya was his mate, but also a virtual enemy considering she was one of the royals. But
she was nothing like her mother or the women before her. Rather than embracing her gift and lot in life, she ran from it, looking for love instead.

  The moment he arrived at the club the next day, he knew something wasn't right. His employees appeared stiff and a nervous tension lingered in the air. "Brady, she's safe and sound, isn't she?"

  One of the best men on his security crew, next to Jacob, had an uneasy look in his eyes. "Yes, sir."

  "What's the problem?" Gideon surpassed all males in size. Lions were known for their large builds and strength. Right now he was glad because if harm came to Freya during his absence, someone would pay, friend or not.

  "No problem." Brady pounded on the door with the heel of his boot, a guilty look crossing over his usually vacant expression.

  Gideon didn't wait to find out. He brushed his bouncer aside. Once at the entrance he could scent Freya's desire like perfume to his senses. She wasn't alone. He tossed open the door, ready to fight for his mate.

  She was sprawled on Jacob's old bed, his right-hand man kneeling over her, half naked. The violent anger that had begun to burn in his chest subsided. He'd never told Vincent he planned to mate with the wolf, so he essentially did nothing wrong. But why was Vin attracted to her? Her royal blood would have no effect on the cougar, and he wasn't a player. On the rare occasion he screwed around with a woman, it was on his own time, and he wasn't proud of his natural needs.

  "Gideon! Shit." Vincent climbed off the bed, tossing a blanket over the princess before facing him. "It's not what it looks like."

  "You were about to fuck her."

  He shrugged. "Maybe. But I have good reason. Actually I need to talk with you about it."

  "Tell me now, Vincent. My patience is wearing thin."