by Marie Harte
She imagined an arrow spearing through to his core, taking away the threat to her mate. Poor Alex was writhing on the ground, lost, and she felt nothing but his beast inside him. His consciousness had faded to a spec, trapped in the hold of their enemy.
Smith shouldn’t have been able to stand. He was human, or he had been. But a human couldn’t recover from a broken back in minutes. He stood, in one piece, his wounds healing as she watched. He didn’t smile, but the satisfaction on his face alarmed her.
He was killing Alex. She sensed it.
At that moment, she let her beast fill her, from top to bottom and in between. She became one being and used the power she now had to end the threat to her loved one.
With a shove, both physical and mental, she tossed Smith from the room hard enough to hear him bounce down the hallway. Her claws had scored him, so while he wasn’t human, he wasn’t exactly Circ either. But he had a telepathic ability he hadn’t possessed before, as well as an ability to heal his injuries.
Not good at all.
Alex lay still. Silence blanketed them.
She wanted to cry and flounder, unsure about everything. Her cousin, Smith, Lang. But she didn’t have time. She had to save Alex.
She begged her beast to give her the strength to carry her mate, and they managed to move him onto a wheeled table. Better than nothing, but not ideal. She hurried to push him out into the hallway.
The alarm sounded and lights dimmed. Then they cut out. But didn’t have time to worry about what that meant. She had to get them out of this hellhole.
Rushing with her unconscious mate on the table, she’d made it to a set of double doors, praying for an escape, and pushed through to see Lang’s rogue Circs protecting scientists and test subjects clad in hospital gowns as they raced down the hall, away from her.
And she soon saw why as mutants fell on them, hungry for blood and whatever else they could get. Then one looked up and spotted her.
Crap.
She turned and was blocked by a broad chest. A powerful Circ, he felt so strong, so scary…
She slowly glanced up. “Carter?”
“You have a lot of nerve taking on all the fun stuff by yourself.”
She threw herself into his arms and sobbed, so relieved to find someone to help her with Alex.
“Aw, honey. It’s okay. Gideon’s here too, Bailey and the others as well.”
“Others?”
“We found some people to help contain the threat. Government types, but with the size of this operation, we couldn’t be too picky.” He nodded at a large man with startlingly bright hazel eyes and a stern countenance. One who disguised a very different kind of beast deep down.
“Remember, you owe me,” the man said to Carter.
“Bite me, Belle. I’m doing Sharpe a favor. She owes me. And so does Admiral London. You tell him I said that.”
The large man flipped him off.
Behind him came another Circ, this one like her and the others. He was taller than his partner, with boyish good looks and something the others lacked. Manners.
“Ma’am.” He smiled at her and nodded to the hallway through which he’d come. “You can take your man that way. It’s been secured.” Then he hurried after his unfriendly companion. “Damn it, Grayson. Be nice.”
“To that asshole? No way, Bas.” She missed what else he said, concerned that Alex had yet to awake.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get him back.” Carter picked Alex up off the table with gentle hands and held him against his chest. Talk about strong. “Is it me, or is he heavier than normal?”
“Ah, I think he’s bigger. I’m not sure.” She started ahead of Carter, eager to get Alex medical attention. “He’s hurt. He lost a lot of blood. I’m scared.”
I’m okay, baby. I love you so much.
She froze. Alex?
S-sorry. Head hurts. Quit worrying. He sighed. Can hear you now. Good. Good mate.
“By that smile on your face, I take it he’s okay?” Carter asked.
“Not yet, but I think he will be.” She squeezed Carter’s arm. “I’m so glad you got here.”
“Yeah, about that. Gideon is not happy with you two.”
She cringed. “Oh boy. Well, I’m not happy with me either. My cousin is…” She swallowed more tears. “She’s not who I thought she was.”
Carter moved with her down the hallway, past men with guns and men who weren’t men at all, but only part Circ. Her day just kept getting stranger.
“I’m sorry, Kennedy.” Carter was one step behind her. “It’s hard when family turns on you.” They passed a set of double doors blocking another hallway, one guarded by a military man. He must have been on their side, she supposed, since he nodded respectfully.
The mental voice coming from beyond the door had her pausing.
Carter nudged her with shoulder. “Kennedy, let’s go. I don’t like the way Alex smells. He’s been poisoned with something that’s growing stronger.”
“Oh, right.” But the mental cry pulled at her. It sounded like Charlie, but it couldn’t have been. Could it? Charlie? She waited, but hearing nothing, she hurried after Carter and prayed Alex would be okay. She had a lot to make up to him… if he’d let her.
Chapter Seventeen
KENNEDY LAY NAKED, splayed like a virgin sacrifice, she thought with amusement when Alex imagined the same and shared with her his image.
“Really? You’re the god I’m being sacrificed to?”
He grinned. “Hell yeah. I’m a beast in and out of the sack, and you know it. Plus, I did save your ass from that reaming Gideon gave me when we got back.”
“He barely let you recover.” She still wasn’t happy about that. “Why did he take you so hard? And why did I have to watch?”
He settled between her legs and leaned forward to kiss her pussy. “You telling me you didn’t like it?”
She gasped when he blew another breath over her. “Uh, well, of course I liked it. Bailey was right. Watching you guys have sex is hot.”
“Mm.” He started licking her in earnest, sucking her clit into his mouth and giving her the perfect pressure to make her crazed. Her sly lover could read her too easily, their barriers to each other no longer there. Since almost losing him, she couldn’t bear to be apart, mentally or physically.
It had only been a few days, but she could still see him lying in his own blood, unmoving.
Now, now. Pay attention, woman.
He inserted a finger inside her and began fucking her with it while he sucked her clit.
It took no time before she came. But he wouldn’t let her rest.
Again.
Alex was relentless, pulling her body into so many orgasms she lost count, and her beast purred and didn’t stop. So in love with her mate, and with the man holding her heart in his hands.
“Please,” She begged when she could get a breath. “I need you inside me.”
“Yeah, you need me. Say it.”
He mounted her, shoved her legs wide, and waited, poised at her entrance.
“God, Alex. I love you. I need you. Only you.”
He shoved home, and she came around him again. But this time he thrust harder and faster, filling her twice more before he could stop. He remained thick, fitting inside her like the perfect key in a lock, made just for him.
“Only me, hmm?” He stared down at her, leaning up on his hands, and started to move again.
“You’re killing me.”
“Good. Because you nearly killed me. I almost lost you because I wanted vengeance more than your safety. I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
“Oh, Alex. Stop.”
“No. I love you so much, Kennedy. I swear from now on I’ll always do my best to protect you. You’re mine. All mine.” And we are pack. We belong to the pack. You do get that, right? He asked as he released inside her again on a groan, his appetite insatiable.
“Yes,” she breathed. “I’m pack.”
“Which means
Gideon and the others can fuck you whenever they want. Whenever I want,” he said, a hint of meanness in his voice that never failed to turn her on. Because she knew the pure heart and soul of her mate.
“And he wants us in here now,” Gideon said, entering with a naked Bailey, Eli, and Carter in tow. “You’re part of us, Kennedy. That means we do things as a unit. No going off alone, no matter who needs you.”
She still couldn’t believe Charlie had gone rogue. But how else to explain it? Her cousin had nearly gotten her and Alex killed.
The others joined them on the bed. On the floor. Gideon took command of Kennedy, reinforcing his dominance over all, while Bailey and the guys took Alex in hand, reminding him he belonged to them all. Then everyone changed partners, and the sex grew playful, intense, and mind-blowingly erotic.
The orgasms were fast and furious. It wasn’t long before everyone knew the pleasure of pack. No gay or straight, no male of female, just Circs loving and knowing pleasure. One team. One family.
Her family.
I love you, she sent them all, and knew peace when her words penetrated, their shields down.
Because she was one of them now, and she always would be.
Always, Alex sent her with a smile and a kiss.
******
Eli staggered with Carter out of Alex and Kennedy’s room, thoroughly worn out.
“Gotta say, I actually like having another woman around. And I thought having Bailey was enough of a change.” Carter sounded pleasantly surprised. “Man, she gives good head for a chick.”
“For a chick.” Eli snorted. “Don’t let your gayness blind you to a good blowjob. Male or female, a mouth is a mouth.”
“My, aren’t you liberated. This from the man who thought he’d catch cooties if a dick slipped up his ass.”
“You’re delusional.” Eli hoped he didn’t look as uncomfortable as he felt. He was getting more used to the group orgies, but they hadn’t had one in a while. And hey, he’d been straight his entire life. So sue him if bending over for a guy took some getting used to. “The group sex is tapering off. And it’s about time. I’m exhausted.” He yawned. “But Kennedy is fine. Did you feel all that sappy shit in there?” The joy and togetherness had been almost spiritual. He’d never admit it, but tears had come to his eyes, being so included. So loved.
“I sure the hell did. And it was nice.” Carter sounded defensive.
Eli looked up at the big bastard and gaped. “Are you blushing?”
“Shut up. I’m just tired and worn out. And yeah, my ass is sore. I can only bottom so much you know. Damn. You guys get hungry for a fine ass a lot.”
Eli had to admit liking anal a lot more than he had. But it was more than just sex. The emotional ties that came with the physical mattered more. “Yeah, yeah. You’re hot and a big old Viking in bed. Happy now?”
“Yes.” Carter beamed.
Eli laughed. “Go get some sleep. We have work in the morning.”
Carter’s smile faded. “We telling Kennedy about this?”
“Not yet. Gideon said to find out more, then we tell her.”
Carter nodded. “’Night then.”
“See ya.” But Eli didn’t go to sleep. Not yet. He walked out the back door and stood staring at gray clouds thick with the hint of snow.
Christmas would arrive in another five days. A first for him that he looked forward to the holiday.
But not everyone would enjoy their Christmas this year.
He couldn’t get the woman out of his mind, the one he’d seen hanging over that monster Caldane’s shoulder. She’d been fighting with him, screaming at him to let go or they’d both die. But the monster hadn’t answered her. Instead he’d laughed with Sheer, the pair walking calm as you please down a hallway littered with bodies and gunfire, uncaring of anything but leaving with Kennedy’s cousin their captive.
She’d looked up and seen Eli, he’d swear it. Because he’d heard her, had seen her beautiful eyes widen in fear—of him.
“You. I don’t know you. No. You can’t be here. I can’t help Ollie if you—” She sounded frantic and cut herself off, then said something to Caldane that just made him laugh. The bastard turned, saw Eli, then winked.
“Tell your big blond friend I can’t wait to see him again. We’re gonna play together, oh, so nice.” Caldane had glanced from Eli to Charlie and smiled. “If you’re sweet to us, Sheer will go slow when he fucks her. Might not kill her right away either, and we’ll let you watch. I like you too.” Caldane cocked his head, his red eyes alien in the face of a true monster. “You’re deadly. Not like the other ones though. Like my friends on the island.” Caldane laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll call you. Tell that sexy Carter I’ll be seeing him soon too. Love and kisses.”
Sheer had laughed like a loon. Fires exploded in the building, the many chemicals in Lang’s lab combustible.
Eli sighed, feeling trouble coming the way he felt the snow thick in the air. Ready to come down, crashing over him. To ruin Alex’s new happiness, Gideon’s new family…and his old one—Ollie.
Eli’s family.
Fuck that. Cousin or no cousin, Charlotte Willis would not ruin Kennedy or her future. And it didn’t take a clairvoyant to see that Eli didn’t play when it came to those he considered his.
“Ho, ho, ho, Charlie. We’re coming for you. And you’re not gonna like what Santa’s bringing for Christmas.”
About the Author
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
Other Paranormal Romance Releases
Circe’s Recruits (for the first Circs!)
Roane
Zack & Ace
Derrick
Hale
Dawn Endeavor (for more Circs!)
Fallon’s Flame
Hayashi’s Hero
Julian’s Jeopardy
Gunnar’s Game
Grayson’s Gamble (read about Gray and Bas!)
PowerUp!
The Lost Locket
RetroCog
Whispered Words
Fortune’s Favor
Flight of Fancy
Silver Tongue
Entranced
Killer Thoughts
For more contemporary, paranormal, and futuristic romance, visit marieharte.com and fall in love
Circe’s Recruits 2.0: ELIJAH
Look for Elijah’s book coming next in the Circe’s Recruits 2.0 series
Circe’s Recruits 2.0: Elijah
EXCERPT
“ARE YOU SHITTING me?” Eli stared in shock at the mound of snow covering the ground outside the house.
“No. It’s your turn to shovel.”
“Screw that.”
Carter sighed. “I’m not doing it.”
“Why not? Just kick that size twenty-one shoe around and most of the snow will be gone.”
Carter sighed again. “You’re so annoying.”
“Back at ya, freak show.”
Behind them, a woman cleared her throat.
They both spun around.
“Oh, ah, hey, Kennedy.” Eli liked his new “sister” by mating—soon to be marriage—as soon as Alex grew the stones to ask her. Unlike the other couple in the house, Alex and Kennedy were more traditional, Alex the Boy Scout to Kennedy’s Girl Scout. All hearts and flowers and shit.
Their alpha, Gideon, on the other hand, shared a more nontraditional relationship with his mate, Bailey. In other words, the pair seemed happy enough bossing everyone else around while bedhopping with profound carnal enjoyment.
Eli himself had benefited from the insatiable pair just that morning. Man, being the sandwich between Gideon and
Bailey never failed to turn him on.
At the thought of his many orgasms, a familiar face popped into his mind’s eye. A nasty piece of female with piercing gray-green eyes and lips that continued to give him naughty fantasies.
Kennedy frowned at him. “You know I’m not trying to look into your mind, right?”
“Huh?”
“Your shields are super strong today. Just sayin’.” Their pack’s telepath stayed out of their heads because she considered it rude to encroach. But she claimed Eli kept her out on purpose.
“It’s not me. I swear.”
Carter grunted. “I can’t mesmerize him either. It’s like he’s got a natural shield keeping everyone out.” Carter gave a sad sigh. “Sometimes he makes me feel like I did growing up. Like I’m an outcast.” Carter paused for effect. “But I know he doesn’t mean it.”
Kennedy shook her head. “Come on, Carter. Let’s get you some cocoa.” She glared at Eli. “You be nice.”
She tugged Carter with her back inside. At the doorway, Carter turned and made a face at Eli, then pretended to be all pathetic when talking to Kennedy again.
Eli fought a grin. Carter was such a jackass, but funny nonetheless.
Staring at the three feet of snow clogging the sidewalk, Eli groaned. He grabbed a shovel, and having foregone a coat that would just hamper his movements, started shoveling. Why the hell hadn’t they found a tropical spot to set up headquarters for their new security business, again? Because anything had to beat the Pacific Northwest during the winter time.
As he worked, those gray-green eyes wormed their way into his mind’s eye once more. He saw Kennedy’s traitorous cousin dangling over the shoulder of a monster of a Circ, a psychotic murderer and beast who was known to literally consume other Circs. Next to them, a rogue pyrokinetic had walked, and that guy was just as bad as the cannibal.