Inequities

by Jambrea Jo Jones

  Roberta burst into tears at Vivian’s question and they didn’t have time for the nonsense. Oliver wasn’t talking and had a shit-eating grin on his face. It would be Russ’ pleasure to knock it off. He stalked forward.

  “I don’t think so alpha man. This is my show.” Oliver brought forth a ball of power in his hands. It wasn’t the same as Russ had seen in the past. The colour was a muddy black.

  Could it be this easy? Was Oliver the source of the drug? If so, he’d seriously underestimated Russ. He continued forward and Oliver let loose. The ball of energy hovered around Russ and dissipated before it could touch him.

  Oliver cursed and readied another ball. Russ continued forward. Again, the energy disappeared.

  “What the hell? You have no magic. I was told—” The confusion was clear on Oliver’s face.

  “No. I don’t have any magic. But there is one thing you didn’t think of. I’m immune to most of it. Now why don’t you sit your ass down and start talking.”

  Russ pushed him none-too-gently into the seat next to Ryerson. There would be no trial, but the trip wasn’t a total waste. Ryerson’s shoulders slumped. He must have realised he was on the losing end of this fight.

  “I don’t wanna die, man. I was just doing what I was told and going after what was mine.” Ryerson snivelled.

  He couldn’t control the growl he released.

  “Where did the drug come from?” Russ asked Ryerson

  “Where do you think, asshole. Talk to me. Not the help. I’m in charge here and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll head back home and let my main man take care of you when he’s ready,” Oliver answered for Ryerson.

  “And what main man would that be you piece of shit?” His temper was fraying. Usually he had more control, but with Vivian there and maybe in danger, his wolf wanted this situation done with.

  “Like you don’t know,” Oliver scoffed.

  Russ backhanded him. It felt good. He grinned showing his canines.

  “Dmitri. Okay! He put Oliver in charge. I need—please,” Ryerson whimpered.

  “Shut the fuck up!” Oliver surged out of his chair and put both hands on Ryerson’s chest. They began to glow.

  Grey and Peter moved forward as one. Russ thought he might be too late.

  “Stop!” he shouted.

  Peter and Grey froze, but Oliver kept going, laughing the whole time. He was mad.

  Russ knocked Oliver away, but Ryerson was already dead from the magic Oliver had pushed into Ryerson’s body.

  “Dmitri is dead.” Russ didn’t shout. He whispered the words, but they were enough to stop the cackle from Oliver.

  “You lie.” Oliver stood like he would charge Russ, but his eye darted around.

  He was going to have to take the other man down. Now that Russ knew who was behind everything, he really didn’t need Oliver any more. Dmitri was gone, cast back to the Vessel and Djimon was in control of his own body now. He might not even be aware that Dmitri had set this in motion. Russ and his pack were safe from that avenue. Oliver moved in Vivian’s direction.

  That was the last move he made. Russ charged him, half shifting so his claws popped out. He slashed Oliver’s throat. Justice was served.

  “Russ!” Vivian shouted.

  “Roberta, are there any others?” Russ needed to know. Their safety was of the upmost importance.

  The woman was rocking back and forth with her husband’s head in her lap. “N-no. Oliver said he wouldn’t need anyone else.”

  “How are things at home?” Russ wondered if Oliver had left his people in charge there.

  “Now that Oliver is gone it should be fine.” Roberta soothed her husband’s head, her fingers tangling in the man’s hair.

  “What happened to Roger?” Russ asked quietly.

  “Oliver drugged him.” Roberta wouldn’t look back up.

  “How long has this been going on?” Vivian asked.

  Russ could hear her anger.

  “Years. I—sorry—I—oh Viv.” Roberta still wouldn’t look up.

  “What about the hate? The no inter shifter mating? Was that all Oliver?” Vivian pressed on.

  Roberta looked at Russ before averting her eyes.

  “I—don’t—I—” She sobbed into Roger’s chest.

  “It’s okay, Mom. I should have known. I should have—” Vivian sat on the other bed and just stared at her parents. “You know Dad can’t be alpha any more, right? There is no way the tribe will respect him after this.”

  His mate wasn’t pulling her punches.

  “But—” Roberta stood. “It wasn’t Roger’s fault. Why should he—I—that isn’t fair.”

  “I know. But face facts. Even with the drugs, he was weak. A puppet. You two will have to help rebuild, but from the side-lines.” Vivian reached out for her mom, but stopped from actually touching her.

  Russ hoped that bond could be repaired with time.

  “It’ll destroy him,” Roberta whispered.

  “At least he’ll be alive. If he steps down, he’ll have the respect of your den. If he helps the new alpha, it will only bring strength. I’m sure Roger will agree. If not, he’ll be challenged again and again for the right to remain in charge. Is there someone who would be willing to step in?” Russ was in complete agreement with Vivian’s words.

  “I would say Greycen. Roger has always admired him.”

  Peter rumbled behind Russ, “Even if he’s gay?”

  “Hey now. Peter.” Greycen tried to stop Peter.

  “What? Didn’t you tell them? Don’t they know?” Peter looked hurt.

  “Well, now they do.” Greycen gave a lopsided grin.

  Peter looked crestfallen, his face going pale and he charged from the room.

  “Thank you for the support, Roberta, but I have other responsibilities now. Russ, I’ll be back to help with the bodies. I need to find Peter.” Greycen followed his mate from the room.

  “He knew and he didn’t care. I—I hate to say it, but I was the one who pushed for only fox mating. And how unnatural men—” Roberta paused. “Anyway. That wasn’t your father. I want you to know that. I had—there were things in my past I’m not going to talk about. Are you happy, Vivian?”

  Russ stood back watching the two women interact. He wanted to comfort his mate, but she stood tall and proud. He wouldn’t take this moment from her.

  “I’m very happy, Mother. And I want you to be happy for me. But you have some things to take care of first. And I would suggest Holt be raised as alpha. He’s always been fair and he’s a strong beta and will be good with Dad guiding him.”

  “I’d listen to your daughter. She’s very smart.” Russ grinned at Vivian.

  She managed a weak smile back and walked towards him. Russ held out his arms and welcomed her.

  “Will Dad be okay?” Vivian worried her lip.

  “He should be. Oliver didn’t use the magic to drug him like he did Ryerson. He’ll be himself in a couple days.” Roberta went back to the bed. “It’s good that you’re happy. Where is Ive? I expected her to be with you.”

  “She found her mate and she had somewhere she needed to be.” Vivian didn’t expand on her statement.

  “That man. That—Peter? He is Greycen’s mate?” Roberta looked to the door.

  “Yes,” Russ confirmed.

  “That’s—good.”

  Russ took that as a good sign.

  “We have other things to talk about. You and Roger will come with us on the plane. Once we get to your home, I’ll speak with Holt and hopefully your husband will be more aware. We have a bigger issue that your den needs to be aware of. We’ll leave in the morning. I’m going to take Vivian to our room. I’ll help move you and Roger as well. Then Greycen, Peter and I will take care of things here. Is this a shifter friendly place?”

  “Yes. A cousin owns it.” Roberta nodded.

  “Good. Let’s go.”

  A few hours later Vivian and Russ collapsed on the bed.

  “I’m re
ady for home.”

  “Me too, Vivi. Me too.”

  “Do you think my mom will come around?”

  “I think she’s already started to. And by the sounds of it, your dad was always okay with Greycen and everything.” Russ stroked her arm, offering comfort with his touch.

  “Yeah. I think he just went along with mom. I never really understood their relationship.” Vivian glanced up at him.

  “You don’t have to. But you can tell your mom really loves your dad. Things will be okay. Do you want to say there for a bit when we drop them off?”

  “No. I want to go home.” Vivian snuggled into his side. Right where she was meant to be.

  “Good. I’m worn out.” Russ kissed the top of her head. “I think we need a vacation.”

  “Shut ourselves in your room for a week?” Vivian giggled.

  Russ barked out a laugh. “Our room.” He pulled her on top of him.

  Vivian grinned. How did he get so lucky? He shouldn’t have been such a stubborn ass. Think of all the time they could have enjoyed.

  “I love you Vivian,” he whispered against her lips.

  “I love you too, mate-mine.”

  Their kiss was slow. A meeting of lips and tongue with light caresses. Russ poured all of his love into that moment. He was cementing their commitment in a shabby hotel in Greenland, but in his heart—he was in heaven.

  If perfection had a time and place it would be in this room. Here and now.

  Epilogue

  “Now, Vivi.” Russ backed up towards the bathroom, his arms outstretched to stop her.

  “Don’t you ‘now, Vivi’ me!” Vivian had fire in her eyes.

  Russ’ cock hardened. He wanted her. Now. He stopped and Vivian looked down, her eyes widened. Here would be good too. Vivian’s eyes twinkled. Russ grinned.

  “Come here, baby.” He purred.

  He thought for sure he’d be safe from her. It wasn’t his fault that one of the wolves had played a prank. Well—not totally his fault. She looked good wet. Her breast heaved under her white dress. Okay, maybe it was all his fault. But she was the one who came out of the room in a white sundress looking pretty as a picture. And it was Vivian who said a few days ago that she was immune to the childish games his pack played.

  It was about time his pack had some downtime. Things had been too serious for way too long. Of course, they still hadn’t heard from the gang who travelled to Africa, but he was sending Peter and Grey off to find them. Soon because those two were driving him nuts. They needed to mate already, but Peter kept insisting he didn’t have a mate. Maybe some alone time would help them.

  Russ’ first clue that something was up should have been the fact that Vivian had her hands behind her back. His second would have been her eyes. But he was cocky enough to think that was because she wanted to jump his bones.

  Her breathing had slowed down, but that didn’t distract from her breast. Russ wanted to wrap his lips around her rosy nipples. His thoughts were interrupted when something slimy smacked him in the face.

  “What the—”

  Vivian giggled. “That’s what you get!”

  “When did you have time—never mind.” Russ charged her, the green goo sliding down his face.

  She tried to run, but there was nowhere to go. Russ tackled her. They both landed on the bed.

  “You guys have too much time on your hands. Water balloons are not fun!” Vivian pouted.

  “They are from where I’m sitting.” Russ leered at her.

  “It’s cold, Russ.”

  “Let me warm you up baby.” Russ rolled them over so she was on top of him and proceeded to remove her dress.

  “How is taking off my clothes going to help?” Vivian might have protested with her words, but she helped him strip her bare.

  “If you have to ask—I’m doing something wrong.”

  Russ nuzzled Vivian’s neck and she shivered. Goose bumps rose up over her body. He flipped them back over so he could press her into the bed. Covering her in his warmth and maybe some of the slime.

  “Gross, Russ. We should go shower.”

  “You mean you don’t like the slime? Where the hell did you get it anyway?”

  “Little Rosie told me I would need it and not to let you boys get away with anything. I totally agree with her. She took it from her brother’s room before they could use it on her.”

  “I’m going to have to have a talk with her.” Russ growled playfully.

  Vivian pushed on his chest and slid out from under him and dashed to the bathroom.

  “Race you!” She said, half way there.

  It had been a while since he had really had any fun. Now every day was a new adventure with his mate. He took his time and rested in the doorway. Just watching her move. They were supposed to shift tonight with the pack and go on a hunt. He couldn’t wait. But now? Now was the time for him to fuck his mate into exhaustion. He removed his clothes and set them aside.

  The shower was big. He’d spared no expense when it was made. It had a bench off to the side that would be perfect for what he had in mind. He licked his lips in anticipation. Vivian stepped in and he followed. Crowding her to the bench.

  “Okay, okay.” She laughed and sat down. The spray misting them both in its warmth.

  Russ went to his knees in front of her and spread her legs draping them over his shoulder he nuzzled her thigh. Vivian’s hands rested on his hair, kneading his head. It almost distracted him, but not enough to make him stop.

  He kissed his way to her pussy and buried his face. God she smelt so good. Vivian was already wet. Russ nipped at her clit and stroked her, entering her with a finger. Then two. She writhed on the bench.

  “Russ. Russ.”

  His name on her lips drove him mad. Russ loved the way it sounded. He sucked her clit and added a third finger. He wanted inside, but he would come too fast that way. He needed to slow down. Russ backed away, letting her legs drop.

  “Please,” she begged.

  Russ hugged her to him. Her breast flat against his chest. His lips captured hers in a savage kiss. That wasn’t going to help him slow down. Vivian tried to impale herself on his shaft, but he stood up. She gazed up at him with lust filled eyes. She was playing with her breast. She knew he liked it and she pinched her nipples. Tugging and pulling.

  “Vivi. God.” He removed her hands so he could caress her breast. He bit at one nipple making her moan.

  “Oh. Russ. Please. Please. Inside me.”

  Russ pulled her off the bench and sat down. Vivian understood right away what he wanted. He held his cock for her. Letting her sink down on to him. She groaned when he was fully inside her. Russ gripped the bench and thrust up. Hard. Again and again. She had to hold onto his shoulders or risk being thrown off. He was like a stallion, making her ride him. His dick was encased in the best warmth on the planet. She was so tight.

  “Not going to last,” he panted.

  “Russ. Russ.” Vivian tossed her head back, bouncing for all she was worth. Up and down. “Close. So. Close. Please.”

  He knew just what she needed. That little edge that would make her milk his cock. Russ pressed her body tight to his, not giving her room for much movement. He continued to thrust inside her and nuzzle her neck. He let his canines elongate and bit her. Right in the spot he first used to claim her.

  “Russ!” Vivian collapsed and he held her even tighter.

  Jackrabbiting again and again, his hips a blur, Vivian’s inner muscles brought him to climax. She reared back and bit him where his shoulder met his neck. He’d never come so hard in his life. His body shuddered.

  He came down from his high with her murmuring in his ear. Nonsense words, but they soothed him.

  They rested there a moment before Russ rinsed them off and got out. He filled the Jacuzzi tub that was also a part of his monstrosity of a bathroom. Once it was finished he picked Vivian up and settled her inside the warm water.

  “A girl could get used to this,” Vivia
n sighed.

  “I’d give you this every day if you wanted.” Russ sank down beside her.

  “No way. I’d become fat and lazy in no time.”

  Russ laughed.

  “Are you ready for tonight? It’s the first time you’ve shifted with everyone.” Russ pulled her onto his lap. She curled around him.

  “I’m a little nervous, but everyone has been great. I’m sure I’ll be fine. I am worried though. About Ive. Grey hasn’t even heard from her and it isn’t like her.”

  Vivian was tensing up. Russ couldn’t have that. He’d spent all that time getting her nice and lose. He rubbed a hand in small circles on her back.

  “I’m sure we’ll hear from them soon. And you know that Grey and Peter are leaving for Africa tomorrow.”

  “I know.” Vivian petted his chest, tangling her fingers in his hair. “But what if something went wrong? They had the Vessel with them—and what if Dmitri comes back?” She tugged on the curls and Russ winched.

  “You forget, Zareb is strong and so is his mate, Joy. They are both with Djimon and Ive.”

  “Yeah, but I don’t know them. Not like I know Ive. And she would do something stupid if it meant saving Djimon. She’s dreamt of him almost her whole life. She would tell me stories about her mate.”

  “I’m glad you had Ive and Grey.”

  “Me too.” Vivian’s eyes were drifting closed.

  “Time to get out.” Russ stood and reached for a towel and made quick work of drying them both off.

  He didn’t bother with robes or clothes. He carried Vivian into bed and put her under the covers.

  “Sleep, my love.” Russ kissed her temples.

  “You too.” Vivian patted the spot beside her.

  He couldn’t deny her anything. He crawled into bed.

  “Love you,” he whispered, thinking her asleep.

  “Love you too. Hey, Russ?”

  “Yes, Vivi?”

  “Are you happy?”

  “Very. What brought that on?” Russ looked down at her.

  “It’s just—when I first got here, things were in turmoil and I know you doubted yourself and your position here. I didn’t want to make that worse. And—I don’t think I do. I hope I make you stronger, but I wanted to make sure you were good in your skin. You know?”