Skin Walkers: Monroe

by Bliler, Susan

  A single tear slipped free as Eden lifted a hand and buried it in Monroe’s hair. He’d protected them. He’d made the sacrifice on their behalf as parents that she was both unable and unwilling to make and she loved him for it.

  He lifted his head and, as he only did with her, his emotions were unguarded. In the beautiful blue depths of his eyes she saw truth, love, and more importantly…need. He needed her to forgive him, to tell him that what he’d done had been right.

  Sliding from the bed she forced him to the floor before she settled in his lap even as his strong arms wrapped around her. Keeping her gaze locked with his she looked at him, “Thank you for being strong for our family where I was not.”

  She felt a rumble in his chest and it reminded her of the purr of a contented cat.

  “We have to plan properly, my love, to keep them from ever having cause to hate us.”

  “Me,” her lips tweaked in a regretful smile, “you mean me. I should have done this. I should have looked, but I was too selfish, too…”

  “Stop,” he commanded. “You’re the kindest, most giving person I know. Don’t ever doubt that, angel.”

  Swallowing hard, she lifted a hand to his cheek. “Take us home, my Dominant.”

  She’d never used the term before and the show of submission, the display of deferring to him had Monroe’s heart swelling and his cock jerking to life. He growled again and stood effortlessly, taking her with him in the cradle of his arms.

  The door to the hotel room was opened before he reached it. King and RedKnife silently filed into the room. Without direction, King picked up Peyton, quilt and all, while RedKnife waited to follow the Chief of Security out of the room.

  Eyeing the parking lot, Eden was shocked to see the area filled with Sentries. They were watching the area, standing at the ready as if they expected an attack. Ignoring them, Monroe carried Eden to a waiting Humvee as Leto opened the back door.

  “The children,” Eden eyed the door next to the one they’d just exited.

  “Already on their way back to StoneCrow,” Monroe smiled.

  Shock was brief as annoyance bunched her brows. “And if I hadn’t forgiven you?”

  He smiled and leaned down to kiss her briefly. “I’d have stayed until you had. I refuse to lose you. I refuse!” Before settling Eden in the back seat of the Humvee, Monroe froze. “I love you Eden. I love you and I love our children, and I’d never do anything to harm any of you or to disrespect or degrade the honor of your love and trust.”

  Tears flooded her eyes. Even without the stunned gazes of several of the Sentries, she knew the outright display of affection and profession of love was rare for Monroe. “I love you too.” Her hand smoothed through his hair and she was excited to get back home so that she could make love to her Walker and wake in his arms. “Take me home.”

  “Home,” he affirmed.

  Chapter 20

  Eden and Monroe, hand-in-hand, had just ascended the front steps of StoneCrow Manor when Monroe suddenly tensed.

  Eden’s worried gaze shot to him, “What? What is it?” Her eyes shot to the doors, “Is it the children?” She tried to pull her hand free to rush inside.

  Suddenly the Sentries surrounded them; firearms were jerked free as noses lifted to scent the air.

  “There’s an unfamiliar Walker on-site.” Monroe turned to King, “James and Shane have the Walker in my office.” Confusion marred his brow, “James wants me to…bring Eden?”

  Her heart stopped. One of the parents? No! Absolutely not! She would not do this. Her jaw clenched and her hands curled into tight fists as she turned on Monroe, “No one is touching my kids!”

  Seemingly ignoring her Monroe ordered, “King, take a team and secure my office. I want James on his way down with a fucking explanation why he feels it’s permissible to bring unfamiliars onto the grounds and why in the hell he thinks I’d freely take my angel into danger. GO NOW!”

  King and a line of men rushed the manor and when Monroe grabbed Eden’s hand to follow, she balked.

  “Did you hear me?”

  “I heard you, angel. Come. We’ll protect our children together!”

  They took the stairs. When they reached the second floor landing, Eden could feel her heart thudding in her chest. James approached as Monroe lifted his nose in the air and scented the hallway.

  “It’s not what you think sir, it’s…”

  Monroe held up a hand, cutting off James’ words. He turned to Eden and smiled tenderly one hand reaching down to cup her face as if the threat was suddenly gone. “This Walker isn’t here for the children, angel. Relax.”

  She wanted to demand answers, but forced herself to trust him, to trust that he wouldn’t let her be blindsided. Silently, she allowed her mate to lead her to the third floor and down the corridor to his office with James silently following behind.

  The door to his office opened and she and Monroe stopped as several of the Sentries filed out. The tension from earlier gone as they holstered their weapons and filed down the hall and back to their suites, mates, or other duties.

  Sucking in a long breath, she steeled herself for what was to come. She was the Domina now and the Walkers would expect her to be strong. They were watching her and she wanted to be what they needed, what they expected, but not for their sake or even her own. She wanted to be the mate that Monroe deserved.

  Taking a step toward the office before Monroe had the chance, Eden looked back and was surprised by the pride beaming in the sapphire depths of his eyes.

  They entered Monroe’s office and the sea of Sentries that surrounded his desk parted. Eden’s heart slammed to a halt.

  Standing in tattered and torn clothing was a dark skinned girl of about eight years. Her hands desperately clutched a dirty, worn, teddy bear as round, fear-filled, eyes saucered when they landed on Monroe. The girl’s gaze slid to Eden and the babe took an involuntary step toward the lone woman in the room.

  “We found her in the hills with this note,” James thrust a crumpled piece of paper toward Monroe.

  I don’t know what it is,

  but it’s not of God.

  It is no longer my burden.

  Monroe whispered the note as he read it and Eden’s heart clenched painfully even as a rage more bright and fierce then anything she’d ever experienced flared to life.

  The little girl still watched Eden. She was holding herself back. Eden could see it in the taut lines of the girl’s rigid frame. She wanted to go to Eden but it was evident that she was afraid. Of what? Eden wondered when the words in the letter and the trepidation on the little girl’s face clicked. Rejection!

  The male Walkers, unsure what else to do, watched as Eden took a knee. She could feel their eyes on her, judging her. “Who are you?” Her voice was soft and low.

  “M-my name is JoJo.” Tear filled eyes implored Eden as the girl took another cautious step toward her, “W-who are you?” There was a catch at the end of the question, the tone of her voice pitched high with barely concealed hope.

  Eden smiled, “Don’t you know? Can’t you feel it?”

  The little girl blinked rapidly, hanging on the next words.

  Tears flooded Eden’s eyes and she opened her arms wide. Emotion clogged her throat and made it hard to get the next words out loud enough to be heard. “I’m your mother.”

  The little girl dropped her bear and raced to Eden. Lunging into her embrace, JoJo wrapped her frail arms tightly around Eden’s neck and held on for dear life as she cried for all she was worth.

  Stroking the girl’s back, Eden shifted to a sitting position, and pulled the girl onto her lap to rock, and soothe her. “It’s okay baby. I’ve got you. You’re gonna be okay. You’re safe now, and I’ll never let you go. I swear it.”

  “She said no one would want me,” JoJo cried, tears spilling freely down her cherub-like cheeks.

  “I want you,” Eden pulled back and brushed long black curls back from the girl’s tear stained face. “I’ve been
waiting for you,” she beamed with motherly pride. “I love you!”

  The little girl smiled and nodded. Eden crushed her in another hug. Smiling, her eyes darted up. The respect, admiration, and approval she saw in the eyes of the Sentries in the room was humbling. They approved of their Domina, and it was overwhelmingly gratifying. She could do this. She would do this. She would be the Skin Walker Domina, the abandoned Walker children’s mother, and Monroe StoneCrow’s mate. She’d finally found her place and nothing felt more right.

  The door opened and when all the Sentries turned to frown at the intruder, Eden tensed with JoJo still in her arms. She recognized Legion’s voice when he spoke.

  “Ms. Keys accepted your terms, Monroe. It is done.”

  Closing her eyes, Eden squeezed JoJo just a little tighter.

  ***

  After finally getting an emotionally drained JoJo tucked into bed with Peyton, Eden rolled her shoulders and lifted a weary hand to rub the tense bundle of nerves at the back of her neck. It had been one hell of a day!

  She stepped out into the sitting room to find Monroe sitting in a wing back chair waiting on her.

  “You didn’t have to wait up.” While she was sincere, it didn’t stop the warmth that bloomed in her heart at the fact that he had.

  Standing, he walked to her with his typical fluid grace that never ceased to excite her.

  “I’d wait for you forever, angel.” Strong arms enveloped her. “Plus, I had a meeting with the board. We need to find out why Walker children are being abandoned in these mountains.”

  Eden’s eyes rounded. “JoJo’s a Walker too?”

  He nodded.

  “Oh my God! Do you think she knows she’s special?”

  Monroe shrugged, “We’ll find out soon enough. In the meantime, we need to figure out what we’re going to do if they keep flowing in. We’re going to need some procedures in place so the Sentries don’t terrify them and can bring them in without much of a fight.” His lips tweaked. “Apparently, our little JoJo took James and Shane on one hell of a chase.

  We’ll also need to find surrogates or other Walkers here on the estate willing to take them in. You won’t be expected to raise them all, angel.”

  Her expression darkened. “I will take care of the children that are abandoned and end up here at the estate Monroe! They don’t need to be left in limbo while another woman decides if she wants to commit.”

  The anger in her eyes had him fighting a smile as approval seized him. He hoped she’d feel that way and she hadn’t let him down. How had he ever found her?

  “As a matter of fact, tomorrow I’ll get with…” She cocked her head, “Who’s all on this board and what do they do?”

  “Apparently, some of the Walkers feel that my decisions aren’t always the right ones. It was decided that there should exist a Walker board of directors. I allowed it.”

  “Allowed it?” She smiled, “That sounds a little autocratic.”

  “It is,” he admitted, “but I’m the Dominant. I can’t lose control over my Walkers but I like to let them feel as though they have some semblance of power where this community is concerned. The existence of the board appeases them.”

  “You’re terrible,” she outright laughed. “Plus, you didn’t answer me. Who’s on this board?”

  “It’s comprised of myself, King, Conn, Legion, and Stoney.”

  “Stoney? She’s the nurse from the infirmary right?”

  “Yes, she was the only woman willing to claim a seat. We require at least one female Walker hold a position on the board.”

  Perfect brows knitted. “I thought Aries would…”

  “She would have,” he interrupted, “but mated couples aren’t allowed on the board. It’d be too easy to sway a vote. They think it’s better this way.”

  “Think?” she challenged.

  His arms tightened, “Make no mistake, angel, at the end of the day, my vote is the only one that counts.”

  “Fine,” her lips thinned in mock disapproval. “I’ll get with Stoney and we’ll come up with a protocol for when, and if, any more Walker children are found.”

  His smile was gentle, “I’ll set up a meeting at your convenience, angel.”

  She smiled and it turned into a yawn, “Sorry, I’m tired.”

  She was up and in his arms before she could even protest. Not that she would have. Tonight she needed to bask in the safety of his embrace, the strength of his will, and the passion that he reserved for her and her alone. Her eyes filled with tears as she stared up at him. He would never have this with another woman and it was so powerfully heady that she couldn’t contain her emotions. One tear slipped free and Monroe came to an abrupt halt halfway through his office.

  His eyes locked on hers. “What is it?”

  Her throat thickened, “I’m afraid.”

  “Of what? Tell me so I can eliminate the source, my Domina.”

  His response didn’t help. It was spoken with such fierce allegiance that it became difficult to breathe.

  “I’m afraid this is all a dream.” She lifted a hand to cup his cheek. “I can’t believe I ever did anything to deserve you or the children.” Her brow wrinkled as her eyes narrowed with suspicion, “Can any of this actually be happening? I’m terrified I’ll wake and it’ll all have been a dream and I’ll be alone again.” She hugged him then, hard and tight. “Don’t let me wake up, Monroe. Don’t lose me.” She shuddered with raw emotion as more tears slipped free.

  Monroe held her for long minutes and she didn’t even know they’d made it to their room until he sat her on the bed and forced her legs apart to kneel between them. With him kneeling on the floor, they were nearly eye level when Monroe collard her throat gently and forced her eyes to meet his.

  “Stop.”

  She sniffed once and blinked rapidly to hold back more tears.

  He dipped his head and took several breaths before lifting his gaze to hers. “I have claimed you as my angel. In doing so, and by Skin Walker law I vow to defend you as my blood.” He studied her face before speaking again, “I, Monroe Grant StoneCrow, take you, Eden StCloud, to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children, my wife, my mate…my angel. I will be your strength in times of weakness, your want in times of need, your joy in times of sorrow. I will sacrifice my health, my triumph, my hopes, my needs, and my desires to put yours ahead of my own. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care for you, and to protect your life and the lives of our children with my very own. I vow to comfort and encourage you, to guard and keep you, and to love you until my life on this earth ends.”

  If she’d held any part of herself back from him, the floodgates were now wide open. She was his completely and willingly. She wanted all that he promised, and to be all that he needed in return. She slid from the bed and knelt against him to twine her arms around his neck as she sealed her lips over his own. She kissed him long and hard and finally broke the kiss to breathe against his lips. “I love you Monroe. I-I don’t know the words but whatever they are I mean them and more.”

  He smiled as he pulled back to brush a hand across her cheek, swiping at her tears. “They would be vows to accept my people as your own. To love what you know of me and trust what you do not yet know. You would vow to follow me, to go where I go, to stay where I stay, and to accept my life as your life. You’d end by saying, ‘May the Grandfathers do with me and more, if anything but death parts me from you.’”

  She pulled his hand from her cheek and slid it down until he clasped the halo around her throat. She laced her fingers over top of his and held onto the halo as well. His startled eyes lifted to hers.

  “I accept your people as my people. Our children and I will always go where you go, stay where you stay. I happily accept your life as my own. May the Grandfathers do with me and more if anything but death parts me from you.”

  Monroe’s eyes transitioned to their familiar matte black and he growled loud and viscously. One hand clamped possessively at Eden’s l
ower back and he crushed her to him. “You are the one, Eden. My one.”

  “Well then don’t just growl at me, my Dominant,” she smiled before she pecked him on the cheek then pulled back to peel her shirt over her head. “If we did what I just think we did, then we’re going to consummate this union.”

  Chapter 21

  Monroe was already ripping off his tie before his hands bunched on either side of his shirt and jerked, ripping it open.

  Eden shoved her jeans and panties down her legs baring her clean shaven pussy as her eyes danced with delight. “I knew I said it wouldn’t happen again, but…”

  Monroe’s hands stilled on the zipper of his slacks as his gaze jerked to hers from under his brows.

  Eden stood and kicked her pants free as she shed her bra then turned and climbed onto the bed. She crawled slowly away from him on her hands and knees, making sure to thrust her ass in the air like a haughty cat. She peeked over her shoulder and smiled in satisfaction as Monroe’s gaze locked on her exposed sex. She knew her folds glistened with her dew. When she got to the center of the bed she pushed her knees further apart until she was spread wide, a sultry display for her Dominant as she arched her back and slowly lowered her chest to the bed. Her voice was a satiny purr, “I submit to your will, my Dominant. This heart, this body, this pussy is yours!”

  She heard a muffled curse and cloth rending mere seconds before the bed dipped and she felt the heat of his thighs on the back of her own.

  Strong fingers sluiced through her cunt as one large hand palmed her ass cheek. “I can’t wait!”

  There was no further warning. Suddenly, Monroe was sliding into her. Inch by glorious inch she was stretched. He worked in shallowly and pulled nearly out before working his hips again. Finally, fully seated inside her, he began thrusting in and out. “Say it,” he commanded as the sounds of wet sex filled the air.

  “I belong to you,” Eden’s voice was breathless. “I’m yours!”

  Monroe thrust harder and growls joined the symphony of their love making. Slowly, Eden’s womb tightened with impending release. She knew what was coming and it was what she wanted. Reaching up she pulled her flowing hair to the side while Monroe continued to ride her.