Holding Hope Word Doc NC

by Paloma Beck

“What about the woman-what’s her name-you lost? You thought she was your mate.”

  “I was wrong. I may have loved her but it was nothing like this bond. This is like magic.”

  Madden laughed. “It is magic. You can feel her magic now, brother.”

  “She’s had a rough time, Madden. Ella didn’t even know what she was until a few days before she was captured. She was raised by humans after her parents died when she was a child. I’ve been teaching her our ways but eventually, she’ll need other women in the Magdalena Circle.”

  “Bring her here for the evaluation and then she can be among the others.”

  “Not yet. She’s not ready for all those people. Oca! She freaked out when I told her a medic I’ve known nearly my whole life was coming here.”

  “You realize that if you’re right, if that’s a tracking device, you’ll need an evac,” Madden insisted.

  “Of course. Let’s take this a step at a time.” Lucas agreed.

  * * * *

  Three hours later, Lucas sat in the small kitchen with Nico as Ella remained locked away in her room. Nico had removed the tracker with a simple surgery. Now, after a blood exchange, Ella was healing. The device had been deep and what Lucas had felt had actually been a cyst that had formed above it over time as her body fought off the alien fibers inside her body.

  Terrified but safe, she closed herself off emotionally. Oca! Her ability to shield her feelings would drive him insane but for now, Lucas left her to her thoughts while he talked over the next steps with Madden via conference call.

  “Nico, report,” Madden instructed.

  “Well, I performed the procedure to remove the device. The bastard who placed it had embedded it deep under her muscle. She’ll take a while to heal though she will make a full recovery. Lucas’s blood will help. She was upset and frightened but otherwise, she’ll have complete range of motion with no permanent damage,” Nicolaus reported.

  “Lucas, what’s the security level up there?”

  “I’ve been on full alert since we arrived months ago. There’s been no activity and the only people we’ve seen are the caretakers that Anton sends with food every four days.”

  “Good. Nico, head back with the device. Caedon will analyze it and then we decide the next move,” Madden issued the direction before continuing, “but do not disconnect it. I don’t want these bastards knowing we’ve found it yet.”

  “I’m on my way,” Nico answered and headed for the door. Lucas waited for Madden to talk but it seemed Madden was waiting on him.

  “I told mama.”

  “And?”

  “And she wants you to bring her to the compound. For once, papa and I agree that it’s the wrong move until we have this sorted out. But if I were you, brother, I’d begin preparing your mate to meet the family.”

  “You’ll call once you’ve got more info on the device?” Lucas asked, changing the subject back to work, a mission he could control.

  “Yes. There’s other events changing and they might all coincide. I’ll be back in touch within the day. Get some rest.”

  “Madden,” Lucas cleared his throat, “thanks, brother.”

  “Nothing to thank me for. We’ll talk later.”

  Madden disconnected and left Lucas with nothing to do but return to his mate. For the first time since that first day, he worried about her reaction to him. Ella had been distant when he fed her right after the surgery. He hoped her time alone had helped.

  Chapter Four

  “Why? Why are you making me do this? Is there not anywhere else for us to go?” Ella demanded. Getting the news she would meet her mate’s family hadn’t made her happy. She wasn’t ready. Terrified might be the best way to describe the turmoil threatening to eject her breakfast. Tears hovered on the rims of her eyes preparing to spill out even as she fought them back.

  Lucas put down the box he was carrying and took her into his arms. He held her firmly even while she fought to get free. “Don’t push me away, Ella. I know you’re frightened. You’ve not been with people in such a long time. I won’t lie to you and say this won’t be overwhelming but it is unavoidable. I need you to be safe.” He stroked her back to settle her as he spoke. “Sei tutto per me. You are everything to me, my world.”

  “And there’s nowhere else?”

  “I’ve explained that our security force’s compound is there, not just my family home. It’s the safest, most secure place you could be.”

  “And you’ll stay with me? You won’t leave me?” Ella couldn’t help the worried shiver in her voice.

  “I will never leave you. We’ll be together always now and I’ll be able to show you our home. Each of us, Madden, Gage and I have a home in the compound so we can stay close to our parents.”

  “That’s not what I mean. I don’t want you to leave me in a room with people I don’t know.”

  “I won’t do that either. I’ll be by your side until you get so tired of me, you tell me to go away,” Lucas promised, placing a kiss on the top of her head and smiling. She’d calmed down and it was obvious by Lucas’s reaction that she’d conformed to his plan. Goddess help her, she was going to put on her big-girl panties and meet her new family.

  “What was in the box? Our food usually comes in the reusable bags,” Ella inquired, curious now that her mind had cleared from her other worries.

  He stepped back out of her embrace to see her. “Anton sent clothes for you. He thought you’d prefer to meet everyone in something a bit less casual.” They both looked over her current attire of leggings and Lucas’s shirt and laughed. Though she was comfortable, she wasn’t presentable for meeting new people.

  Blushing, Ella nodded. “That’s a good thought. I suspect I’ll like Anton.”

  “Everyone likes Anton. He’s been our family’s assistant for years though it’s a bit different now that he’s also Madden’s Tre Adoro,” Lucas confirmed.

  “Right. So your brother Madden is mated with Layla and Anton. Everyone is all right with this?”

  “It’s a sacred bond, not found very often at all, so yes, everyone is thrilled about it… and the baby on the way.” Lucas grinned and raised his eyebrows.

  “A baby? We hadn’t talked about how that works in your culture.”

  “It’s our culture, mi amo. After a couple completes the Claiming through the Pronouncement–the sacred blessing much like a human’s wedding-and they’re fully blood bonded, it can happen at any time. Sometimes it takes years but Layla got pregnant right away.”

  Ella furrowed her brow in thought. Then she bit at her lip before asking, “And it’s Madden’s child?”

  Lucas grinned. “In a Tre Adoro coupling, the resulting child is a combination of all three.”

  Her eyes widened. “That’s amazing,” she paused, again thoughtful, before deciding to ask her next question. “Do you hope for children someday?” Ella worried her lip and moved towards the box to sort through her clothing options and avoid his gaze.

  “Someday. For now, I’m still counting my blessings that I found you. I couldn’t ask for anything else to make me a happier man.” Lucas turned her to him again and ran his fingertips down Ella’s cheek. “But if we don’t get moving, we’re going to miss being at the rendezvous point on time.”

  * * * *

  As they drove into the gated compound where his family lived, Ella’s stomach was in knots. Yet as much as she wanted to flee, she knew where she’d most like to be is anywhere–even here-with Lucas. She only wished they could’ve stayed hidden from everyone.

  “This is our home,” Lucas’s deep voice startled Ella.

  He’d stopped the car in front of an Italian-style villa like the one she’d seen on her visit to Italy before she’d been captured. Turning her head, there was a larger estate in the short distance that also resembled the Italian deco-style homes.

  “The Santucci Casa, that’s the name of the compound, has four buildings. My parents live in the primary estate that you see off across that fie
ld.” He pointed to the larger home she’d seen in the distance. “Directly in front of us, is our home and down the lane further are two others, one for each of my brothers,” Lucas explained. “I won’t give you a tour today. I’ve sent word ahead that we will visit with everyone tomorrow. Mama has planned a family dinner for tomorrow night. Today is all ours.”

  Ella beamed at her mate. He’d made those arrangements for her and she imagined with an Italian mother who kept her children within her compound that keeping her away had been quite a feat. “Thank you. You are so thoughtful. I don’t know what I did to deserve you. In all of this, you’ve been my light.”

  “You, Ella, are my salvation. With you, came hope back into my life.” Lucas smiled at her before getting out of the car and coming around to her door.

  She allowed him to help her up and embrace her before she looked around again. “It’s beautiful.”

  “It’s yours now. Everything that belongs to me now also belongs to you.” Lucas turned Ella back to face him as he spoke. He placed one of her hands over his heart and used his other hand to raise her chin up so their eyes could meet. “Everything I have is yours. Everything I am is yours. Sei tutto per me.”

  Ella couldn’t speak and she couldn’t fight the tears escaping down her cheeks this time. She looked up at their beautiful home and imagined their life together. They would be strong like the stone pillars that framed the huge wooden door of their home.

  “Come on, I’ll show you around your new home.”

  Ella remained silent as she followed him, strolling from room to room. The décor was obviously done by a designer. It could’ve come straight from a magazine. Neutrals colors accented with a spectrum of blues reminded her of being by the sea. She could already see herself happily living here. When they finally stopped in an open sitting area at the top of a large staircase, Ella said, “It reminds me of an ocean home.”

  “I like blues and always wanted a home on a beach,” Lucas confessed.

  “But?”

  “But my parents prefer to have us nearby so they purchased this large compound when we were younger.” Lucas shrugged. “My mother brought in a designer to make this home more suitable for a woman once I was of mating age.”

  Ella nodded even as she continued looking around. She ran her fingers along the wooden banister and discovered the most magnificent view of a vineyard out the large window. For miles, all she could see were grape vines. It was quiet here and Ella was surprised that she’d not once been afraid since arriving here.

  When she didn’t respond, Lucas added, “You can change anything you don’t like. It’s all yours now. Mama wouldn’t expect us to leave it all as it is.” Lucas looked embarrassed at his mother’s involvement in designing his living arrangements.

  Ella shook her head and shrugged. “I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s beautiful.” She pivoted in a full circle to view the room in which they stood. She was standing in her home with her mate. It was a whole new world.

  When her gaze landed back on Lucas, Ella saw him smile. It was breathtaking, a full, wide grin revealing dimples in both cheeks. His eyes glittered with flecks of green and yellow as he reached his fingers down to stroke along her jaw and spoke, “You are beautiful, Ella. My bella donna.”

  Blushing but now feeling the distinct warming feeling in her center, Ella turned from him to peek into the second floor doorways. There were two small bedrooms and a bathroom but she suspected their room would be the one on the end with the ornate double doors so she walked forward. She knew he was behind her without turning to check. She could feel his presence like an embrace whenever he was close.

  Ella pushed open the doors and sighed. The room was soothing in light shades of sand and blue with most of the room taken up with a large canopy bed. Drapes decorated the bed, loosely flowing from the top and creating a shelter. Dozens of pillows topped the bed and made it look sumptuous. It called to her and she reached out to touch its softness.

  “Are you tired? This is the longest you’ve been upright since the procedure.”

  “Yes but I’d also like to be with you.” Ella reached for Lucas’s hand and tugged him to her.

  Lucas allowed himself to lie next to her without crushing down on top of her. “Lie down and let me get you comfortable.”

  “What if someone comes?”

  “I promise no one will be coming today. Anton had the house stocked with food and anything else we could possibly need. There aren’t many people here and everyone else at the compound has been warned to stay away.” Lucas tilted his head and considered her. “Now let me care for you.”

  Lucas pulled her shoes from her feet and massaged them. Ella moaned in delight, her muscles growing relaxed under his manipulations. There was no question just how perfect Lucas was for her. As he removed each piece of clothing from her body, Ella knew Lucas was holding back for her. He could’ve used his powers to remove her clothing but instead, he drew out their times like this. He worked her muscles until she felt like mush. Never had she been so relaxed.

  Her eyes sprung open at the wet lick she felt along her thigh. “Lucas,” she purred.

  “Yes, little vixen,” his words were only a breath against her skin as he moved closer to her core, spreading her legs apart and breathing in her arousal. His tongue licked along her moist folds and brought her from her relaxed state into full awareness.

  “Lucas, I can’t move.” Her muscles were still relaxed despite the tightness building at her core. Her pussy clenched at the fingers she felt entering her ever so slowly.

  “You don’t need to move. Just let me care for you.”

  “Yes.”

  Ella felt Lucas smile against her thigh. “Very good.”

  He increased the pressure of his fingers as he licked the edges of her core with his tongue. His gentleness was torture. Ella wanted more. No, she needed more. This overwhelming lust was nearly too much to bear.

  “I need more.” Ella should’ve been embarrassed by the pleading in her voice but she was too needy to care.

  Removing his fingers, Lucas’s tongue pumped in and out of her pussy just as she imagined his cock could do as it stretched and filled her. Ella was panting. Her muscles were shaking with need, and she was so wet that she could hear Lucas lapping her juices.

  “Do you trust me, Ella?” Lucas asked as he sat up and replaced his tongue with his fingers. He toyed with her clit even as he expected her to focus.

  “Y- Yes.”

  “Will you trust me to enter your body here?” Lucas wet his finger and drew it backwards to her nether hole.

  “I’ve never.” Ella shook her head.

  “I know, and now I want to breach this final barrier. You trusted me to care for you in the cabin. You trusted me to claim you. You trusted me to bring you home. Now I’m asking you to trust me with this final barrier and nothing will be between us.” Lucas rubbed small, gentle circles around the bud as he spoke and Ella couldn’t resist him.

  “Yes. I want to share everything with you, every part of myself,” Ella accepted the request.

  Lucas’s relief was audible as he breathed out a sigh. “I’m going to stretch you with my fingers first but know that your body was made for mine. You will be able to accommodate me. The stretching will just make it easier.”

  Ella nodded. The lump in her throat prevented her from using her words as his finger continued to move her juices around the bud. Lucas applied more pressure until he breached the circle of muscle and Ella let out a gasp.

  “Breathe through it. Take a few deep breaths.” Lucas’s voice was steady and calm. Ella envied him as her own heart was leaping into her throat. Still, she followed his directions as he added another finger and slowly worked them in and out. When she tightened again, Lucas used his other hand to stroke her clit.

  “Lucas,” she called out. “I’m going to come. It’s too much. I feel – I feel so full.”

  “Damn. Hold on. Oca! Give me just one second.” Ella watched then as L
ucas undressed using his powers and flipped her onto her stomach. He placed two pillows below her hips and she knew she must make such an obscene vision like this. With her head to the side, she could just barely see him behind her.

  “You’ll feel pressure, mi amo. Just push against me. We’ll take it slowly but I know you’ll love this. Goddess, you are perfection.” Lucas talked as he positioned himself and pressed forward. The pressure wasn’t painful and the heat it shot through her core had her gulping for air as she worked to hold off the impending orgasm. She didn’t want this to end so soon.

  Lucas stopped and looked down at her. He grinned when he sensed just how aroused she was. “You like this, little vixen.”

  “Yes but please, don’t stop,” Ella panted. She tried to press back but Lucas had her secured with his large hands. “Please, Lucas.” She was so wet, so hot and her pussy was so sensitive. Everything was full and needy.

  “Your every wish is my command.” Lucas attempted a bow and grinned down at her.

  Before she could prepare herself for more sensations, Lucas slowly pulled his shaft out and pushed slowly back in. This established rhythm went on for long moments as Ella grew anxious and needy. Beads of sweat formed on Lucas’s brow as he fought to maintain control. Why was he going so slowly?

  “Because I want it to last,” Lucas spoke through her mind. “I want to know this feeling forever.”

  Ella’s eyes grew wide and she smiled at their new connection. There was no longer anything between them. “I’m yours. Forever. This feeling, our love. It’s forever. Now. Please. Please just fuck me.” Her words came out in broken speech as she fought for breath. She was utilizing every synapse inside her to acclimate this feeling of fullness washing through her.

  Lucas reacted instantaneously as he thrust himself in with more speed and strength than he’d ever used with her. He moved in and out with such ferocity. His thrusts were so determined, so strong, and pleasure and pain merged as he pumped his hips in a quick motion that led her to the edge of orgasm. Ella couldn’t catch her breath. The motion rocked her with each forward thrust even as she pushed back against him. She held back as long as she could and then the explosion blindsided her when it erupted from deep inside. Waves of pleasure washed through her body and she screamed out.