by Talyn Scott
Propping both hands on her hips, she faked nonchalance, a difficult task considering the heavily strained moment. “I could never be mated with someone who would’ve easily killed me for absolutely no reason. Sorry if I offend your monstrous ego, but it’s true.”
“And as far as offenses go,” she inveighed, cocking her head to the side as she addressed him, “you’ve offended me in every way possible. There’s no going back and fixing this. Your only alternative is to send me home. I’m not stupid; you can’t even threaten to kill me now since I’m your known mate. It’s impossible for your beast. On the topic,” she threw him a knowing look, “forcing me into some type of compliance won’t happen either. As I’m not having any of this,” she gestured between them, persisting with her logical explanation, “so the only alternative is to let me go. Your beast can’t deal with my unhappiness - my misery. By the way, in case you haven’t noticed, it’s palpable. Knowing the Alpha male will do anything to please me, you must release me.” Rebecca may not know enough about heat, but over the years, Jayce Jordan had filled her in about the Alpha’s nature. Certain she was spot-on; Rebecca felt a smug smile tug at her mouth.
Sucking in a breath, Ciaran tossed his head, laughing heartily before he cautioned, “Let there be no misunderstanding, my queen. You are not permitted to leave.” With ominous finality, he enunciated every word that followed. “Scream, hold your breath, cry in despondent anguish, and kick your bonny legs on my ancient floor. Oh, and don’t forget to please, please pout with that sinfully-lush bottom lip of yours.” He stroked it with the tip of his index finger to drive the point home. “I will entertain your feminine theatrics and enthusiastically applaud for a while. But never be fooled, none of it will change the fact that you’re mine. I keep what’s mine. It’s that simple, especially when it’s you.”
“I’ll get away from you,” She swore defiantly, anger getting the best of her and it showed.
He cocked his head. “Will you now?” Openly appraising her from head to toe, his voice was dangerously soft. “I told you if want to run, then go. I understand if it’s your nature to run. That’s fine. I’ll give chase. But know what you’re getting yourself into, my mate. A field mouse may outsmart a tomcat, but a little red-headed lamb never escapes the king of beasts… unless he allows it. So let’s review. In case I’ve been unclear until now, I won’t be allowing. As understanding hits and you want to save us both the time…”
“No.” Gripping the wall, Rebecca painfully dug her nails in the mortared cracks.
“So we begin lovers’ games,” his voice dropped an octave, a seducing whisper caressing her cheek. Inserting his muscled knee between her thighs, he closed back in, occupying bodily territory within her space. “We’ll play. With age comes experience. My experience you will enjoy. As you sampled earlier, you know I have so much to teach you about such games. Though none start with the word no.”
“Well, this is a first for you then.” She wasn’t fooled into thinking that he overlooked the telltale pulse throbbing at the base of her throat - the undeniable sign of fear and fundamental weakness in prey.
Silver fire ignited his eyes, as the Alpha within eased forward. He haughtily commanded her, “You will kneel before me.”
Unable to fight it, Rebecca obeyed immediately, dropping to the floor before looking up and awaiting his next command.
Glaring down at her, an emotional warpath crossed Ciaran’s face before it settled on merciful patience. “At no time does the Alpha relent, my lamb, never forget it.”
Powerless to get up until he released his compulsion, Rebecca was surprised to have her voice intact. “Maybe not, but your arrogance protects me. You think I’ll come to you.”
He turned away, mentally releasing her.
Leaving Rebecca on the floor staring after him, he whistled an upbeat tune while casually walking down the darkened corridor. Lightning drew closer, charging the air. The flash dancing against his body until he misted…a whisper of a ghost, as if he hadn’t just found his mate.
Gripping her knees, she breathed deeply a moment before lifting off her haunches. Swirling inside her head, the fog of compulsion slowly lifted…
He’s toying with you.
11
Jordan Marketing, Miami Beach FL
Gage MacGelton was exhausted. That damned beast stayed awake night after night. The howling, the snarls, the demon inspired rages ravaged his head, preventing much-needed sleep. Bane had settled it somewhat before he misted back to Captiva Island. But the deafening roars were back within the hour. At least humans couldn’t hear.
But why was Gage stuck with it? Why was he the one that gave everything, every time? When all he wanted in return was…What did he want?
He was pathetic. He still wanted Tatum. Always. Since the night he admitted to her mates that he loved her; he maintained a distance from the island unless the pack’s safety dictated. Unfortunately, it’d dictated.
She’d hugged him.
So, yeah, he was stoked.
Time away from Tatum hadn’t erased the past two years, and Gage certainly couldn’t trust himself around her. How had he fallen this far? She didn’t belong to him, never did. But, God, why couldn’t he have her just once? Dealing with the beast, sure, he’d do that for now. Putting up with it was the only way to safeguard Tatum.
Gage would always protect Tatum.
But he didn’t want to dream about her all the time.
And he now knew that hell takes many forms.
Reaching into his brief case, he toyed with it. Still, he didn't rid himself of the hard drive. That rat bastard of an ex-husband broadcasted Tatum on the internet without her knowledge. Gage subscribed. He didn’t know who she was at the time, though he did now.
If he listened to common sense, it would remind him. No, order him not to watch her luscious body seduce him from behind his laptop screen one more time; it would convince him to stop. Sure, he was tapering. But stop? No, he simply couldn’t do that yet. Swiping his palm over his rising erection, he played with his zipper. Would deep-seated lust and expressly forbidden love keep haunting him for eternity?
Probably.
Gage settled a heavy leg on his desk, leaning back in his chair. The Miami coastline was dotted with endless twinkling lights, an urban fantasy land. The night started hours ago, transforming the lengthy workday into a nocturnal, sex-filled playground. Stimulating music and heated dancing jam-packed by mixed signals that humans confused one another with...maybe they should do it or maybe not. Although after a few drinks, would be lovers began to move without inhibition, seeking the pleasure only sexual release granted.
Pinching his cock through his pants, he allowed his mind its usual wandering. “Ah, Tatum, I want to hunt you to ground and claim you. Adding my mark to your flesh, I would bite you, but not on your neck. And you would love it.”
His erection jumped against his hand.
“Oh, you’d like that wouldn’t you? Well, we’re not supposed to covet mated females.” He needed to shift his mind the polar opposite from Tatum. Haplessly, it steered where he never wanted to go again. The horrifying alternative: The clubs, their convenient bathrooms permitting the impersonal fucks that joined the jaded immortals and clandestine humans bodily. Misting to the window, he placed his hand on the warm glass. “I’ll be screwing the humans again soon,” he groaned in misery. “I can hardly wait.”
Way above, he studied the glowing moon. Albeit he was a dominant werewolf led by its cosmic pull, some days, he wished the sun would come out. And he lived in Miami.
“Mr. MacGelton did you hear me?”
“Stacy?” She snuck up on me? She was blonde like Tatum, but not Tatum beautiful. No one was Tatum beautiful. But the curves were there. With a little imagination, and major eye squinting, she might do in a bind. The bind was now. “I thought you were leaving.”
Her bot
tom lip quivered. Perhaps his voice was a bit gruff. That was the rub with all Homo sapiens. She knew she should turn away, though decidedly unclear from what. And her escalating heartbeat stirred his beast with the promise of warm prey – a hunt ending in sexual release. How’s that for risk management, Stacy? You work for a deadly monster.
“Tatum Shirley is here.” She hunched her shoulders and let them drop.
He didn’t scent Tatum. “You must be mistaken.”
“No. Security buzzed her through.” Stacy straightened her jacket. “I’ll meet her at the elevator before I head home. She probably needs keys to the penthouse.”
Ah, Gage just scented Tatum inside the building. “No, you’ve overdone it today, Stacy,” he said easily, remembering all the human bullshit that was spoken after a hard day of everything. “Go home and relax.” A breath away from her face, he gently cupped her jaw. “You won’t remember Tatum coming here.” She blinked a few times and scooted her behind to the service elevator, which led to the parking garage. She’d have a muddled feeling for around five minutes, no harm. Secrets. Gage had so many of them. But didn’t everyone? Stacy sure did.
A mechanical swoop took his secretary away and another brought his obsession to his lair.
Click. Click. Click.
Hard. Hard. Hard.
Measured steps neared his door, painted pink toes in four inch heels, a determined walk from a very nervous female. After a small steadying inhale, his visitor greeted him, “Hello, Gage.”
Her scent, her voice, the way she said his name. I live for you. Her everything clawed through Gage’s body, the werewolf howled for satisfaction every time. And he couldn’t believe it. Dare it was a dream, but the Alpha wasn’t with her. “Lady Tatum,” he said with enthralled worship, grasping for any control he could find. “What do I owe this honor?” Gage breathed deeply, releasing the next words on a languid breath out, “You look great, smell magnificent.”
Walking forward, she gifted him with a warm smile, though her scent was borderline fear. “Next to Jayce,” she pulled at his chin, reaching for a kiss…on the cheek, “you’re the best looking blond I know.”
“Even Arian?”
“Yes, but it’s our secret.”
“Where’s your guard?”
“Oh,” she sighed, swatting a hand in the air, “around.”
Hmm, I don’t smell him anywhere close. “Might I ask, what brings you to Miami? Of course, you own this place since mating. You want to check out the penthouse again before your move? I think the items Bren sent from the island arrived yesterday.” Oh, sweet, sweet, Tatum, said the hungry spider, what brings you to my web?
“No. You know I’m not into decorating…or wasting money. I’ll leave that to Bren. I need,” Tatum stopped, thought about it a second or two, and then plopped on his desk. A familiar move she’d performed in Jayce’s office many times but here for him without the pouting lip and silk stockings.
Respectfully, he pulled her away from his laptop and that pesky hard drive. Tatum shouldn’t be defiled that way. “You need…help of some sort?” Gage couldn’t read her mind, especially after mating with Jayce. A protection for him and the pack, Tatum’s thoughts were no longer accessible to any other immortal blessed with telepathy, apart from Jayce.
“You could say that.” She reached inside her purse, pulling out a picture of Bren’s sister. “I want to help with Rebecca’s search.” She wiped her teary eyes and unconsciously flashed an enormous, diamond engagement ring recently given by Jayce and Bren. Not that Gage needed to see it again. He or any other immortal couldn’t ignore the males’ marks on her throat and their scent on her skin. They were cloaked in a way mortals couldn’t see them, but blinking like neon lights for the rest of the world. Stay back, they threatened his beast. Don’t listen, his cock said.
“You’re risking yourself and you think I won’t tell Jayce and Bren?” He steered Tatum towards his leather sectional opposite an amazing view of the deepening sky…and well away from his computer. “I know Bren is wrapping things up at The Blue Pelican before he leaves for Scotland, but Jayce isn’t that overwhelmed not to notice you’re missing. Considering you’ve already driven for several hours, I suspect he knows you’re gone.” Alpha’s probably in a killing spree as we speak.
Tatum sat without grace, burdened with dread, crunching the leather under her soft behind. “Jayce misted out of state to settle some sudden territorial dispute and left me with Rock. ‘Mind Rock while I’m gone’,” she mimicked the Alpha. “I’m not a baby. You’re all hiding something from me, treating me like glass.”
“And you drove here instead of phoning me?” Not that I’m complaining, mind you.
“Ah, come on, Gage. You’d never agree to meet me here. Yeah, I’m human with an immortal lifespan. But I’m not stupid.”
“No one thinks you’re stupid, only extremely vulnerable and still learning our ways. Any member of the pack is expected to die for you, and he or she would do so without conscious thought. Facts are facts. You’re throwing yourself out there for a shifter or any rogue immortal when you sneak away from your guard. Times are what they are, rough and evil. Take care to adapt or someone dies due to carelessness.”
“Point taken,” she kept going. “Jayce says he’s handling it. I can’t wait for him to handle it, and I don’t know where to start.” Her shoulders shook, face falling in her hands. She begged, “You always help me. You were the one that saved me from…you know, that night. Can’t you do it again? For Bren, I mean?”
Gage would die for her a thousand times over. Even though he knew better, he sat next to her, placing an arm around her shoulders while ignoring the twitches his dick gave off from her nearness. “I’ll do most anything you ask. Nothing is too much. But promises? I can’t make them, not while under the Alpha’s rule. I can only try.”
“Thank you, thank you so much,” she clutched his lapels, brushing her plush breasts against his chest.
Gage smelled Tatum’s hair, burned it to memory. But death would meet him if he took this where he wanted it to go, and this was a volatile argument he would have with his balls. Distance was required for two reasons: his sanity and a necessary phone call. “You know Jayce’s office is right next to this one. Full bath and fresh towels,” he soothed, trailing a thumb across her cheek and wiping tears. “Freshen up and grab a drink from his fridge. I’ll get your car, and we’ll discuss everything while I drive you home.” He stared at her lips when he asked, “Sound good?”
A chill erupted from her creamy skin. “Are you still telling Jayce?”
“Tatum, in all honesty, what do you think will happen when he finds you gone, and your guard is unaware?”
She shuddered, hugging her herself. “I don’t know. But I hope he keeps the werewolf down when he finds me. I love my Bren and can’t stand to see him in this kind of pain. So I’ll deal with the repercussions.”
“While we’re shooting for the truth, how in God’s name did you ditch Rock?”
“Sleeping pills.”
“They wouldn’t work on a werewolf.” He shook his head no.
“In a high dose, they do.”
“Damn,” Gage pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing he was sinking fast. “Off you go, turn left at the door.”
Misting to his desk, he made the first call with immortal speed. Ringing, ringing, ringing, leaning on the corner, Gage held the phone and grumbled, “Pick up, damn you.”
“Yeah,” a coma-induced voice answered.
“Missing anyone?”
“Shit.”
“Get to Miami!” Gage threatened Rock with an icy whip. He couldn’t read Tatum’s mind, but he sensed her deception and knew somehow she’d been tipped off to the truth, their little secret. So naturally, as nothing stayed calm in the lives of Weres, this whole situation had the making of an unpinned grenade. One he and Rock would have to th
row their bodies atop to keep everyone else protected. Slamming the handset on his desk, he absently patted his pockets and wondered where he’d left his cell phone.
12
“I’m in. Now what?” Tatum whispered in the phone she lifted from Gage. That last hug did the trick. Breasts were powerful weapons when in the right hands, especially if those particular hands were horny.
“I’m nearby.”
“Do you realize,” Tatum protested, “the only human working here just left? The ones remaining can smell you.” She thought twice. “Wait, Gage’s secretary did leave, right? You didn’t make a meal of her or anything did you?”
“You provided my meal, beautiful queen. Get going down those stairs,” he barked. “Gorging on your delicious blood has hidden my scent and I’m still too far away for the werewolves to notice. In fact, I smell just like you…yum.”