by Lexi Blake
“The Dallas alpha? Yes, I believe he’s due to arrive here in the morning,” the assistant replied, checking his clipboard.
I smiled. It was good to know exactly who would be coming after me. “Then yes, I expect at least one attempt on my life.”
McKenzie’s eyes got wide. “Do we need to supply you with extra security? Matthew, perhaps we should bar Roberts from the Gathering.”
I shook my head, not at all worried. “Please, don’t trouble yourself. It’s nothing Lee can’t handle if I don’t kill him myself.” I smiled brightly at the thought. The last week had been tension filled. A good fight might clear my head. I turned to my boyfriend. “Baby, this whole purging myself of impurities thing, does that include killing?”
“Well, murder is not the purest act, lover,” Dev replied with a serene look on his face. “I would prefer you waited to kill Mitchell until after the ceremony is over.”
I sighed. “Fine. If he needs killing before the ceremony then Lee can do it. See, Mr. McKenzie, there’s nothing to worry about. You’ll find we always try to handle our own problems. You won’t even notice we’re here.”
McKenzie shook his head like he was having a hard time following the conversation. “You’re an interesting group.”
“You have no idea,” Dev replied.
* * * *
It was almost nightfall when we finally made our way into the valley. This was all McKenzie’s land and it went on for miles. It was completely isolated and the valley was filled with werewolves. They were everywhere. There were small tents, large tents, and simple setups with sleeping bags. Everywhere we went, the wolves smiled at us and shot Dev looks of great respect and gratitude. I wasn’t used to being respected. People were wary around Daniel. When I played companion to Daniel’s vampire, people tended to ignore me completely for the most part. That wasn’t the case at this outing.
“Good evening, ma’am,” a female wolf said as we walked through the valley.
“Hello,” I replied, my arm still through Dev’s. “Whatever you’re cooking smells heavenly.”
Her husband was behind her now and beamed down at his wife. “She’s the best damn cook I know. Please join us. It’s her legendary beef stew. We have more than enough.”
Dev shook the man’s hand. “It does indeed smell lovely. Unfortunately, my goddess and I are abstaining from animal flesh until after the ceremony. Purity of the body is important to the ritual.”
The woman’s eyes went wide with fear. “We didn’t know. They didn’t say anything about changing our diet.”
“Not at all, dear lady,” Dev said, charm oozing from his pores. “There’s absolutely nothing you need to do but show up with your husband and desire in your heart. My goddess and I will handle the rest. Though be kind to her. She’s been forced to give up burgers and cheese. It’s made her cranky.”
I punched him in the arm. “Has not. The lack of alcohol made me cranky. I need a beer.”
The wolf couple laughed at our banter, and I was glad we would be able to help them. It was like that everywhere we went. We were offered food, drink, small gifts. A little boy welcomed me with a handful of wildflowers and I tried really hard not to cry because he was so sweet. He thanked me and said he wanted a baby brother.
By the time we made it to our tent, I was filled with a sweet sense of belonging. I stood beside the massive structure it must have taken several men days to erect and realized Dev’s version of a tent was different than everyone else’s.
“Seriously?” I asked because the damn thing had windows.
Smiling slyly, Dev pulled the flap open. “You didn’t think I would have us in tents and sleeping bags, my lover? I thought you realized I don’t camp.”
I walked into our little movable palace and quickly found it had several rooms.
“Good evening, mistress.” Albert greeted me as he was lighting a gas lamp. It gave the room a romantic air. “Dinner will be served in thirty minutes. It’s a lovely spinach and strawberry salad with a saffron risotto.”
“That sounds delicious, Albert,” Sarah, the vegan, said. She’d been thrilled at my forced vegetarianism. She firmly believed that once I got used to it, I wouldn’t go back.
“You know what would make it better? A side of beef,” I groused lightly.
Albert smiled. “I’ve been informed to greet you with a pound of bacon three mornings hence.”
“Now you’re talking, Al.” I was already looking forward to that little breakfast treat. Dev kissed my cheek and walked away to find our bedroom. I was left with our butler. “So did you pick out where you want to set up your 401k?”
He shook his horns and looked down at me, confusion in his blue eyes. “The master said you wished to free me. Have I done something improper? Has my work not been to your liking?”
Quickly I shook my head in the negative. “Not at all, Albert. You’re the best butler anyone could ask for.”
He pulled himself up to his impressive height, pride in every inch of his body. “Then why does my mistress wish to force me from my home?”
“Whoa, now, I never said anything about that. I just thought Dev should pay you,” I quickly explained. Felix and Sarah laughed at my discomfort.
“It’s insulting, mistress,” Albert replied. “I could never show my face again if I accepted anything so vile as money for serving my master. I was hurt by the insinuation I would even want that.”
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly, hoping the slave would accept my apology.
Albert nodded in a superior, not at all slave-like fashion. “I will ignore the insult, mistress. I’m sure in your world it was a sweet gesture. I look forward to one day training your children in the ways of our world.”
“Children?”
Albert smiled at the thought. “Yes, mistress. I’m also a well-trained nanny. The master made sure of it.” With that little tidbit dropped, Albert went to the kitchens to make sure all was ready for dinner.
“I’m sure he’ll be an interesting fixture at the playground, Z,” Daniel said from the door. I turned to see a wry smile on his face. “Good evening, Sarah, Felix. I’m going to steal my wife for a moment. She’ll join you for dinner shortly.”
He took my hand and started to lead me away. Daniel took me down a corridor and I knew he, at least, hadn’t been surprised by the opulence of the structure. He knew exactly where he was going.
“I will?” I asked, surprised I would be joining anyone shortly. Daniel usually took his time when he fed. He might not be willing to spend a ton of time with me talking lately, but he damn sure enjoyed himself in bed.
“I have to meet McKenzie in an hour,” he explained. “You’ll be dining with Felix and Sarah. Dev and I will be at the big house for most of the evening. It’s just a preliminary meeting but it’s important. If I can convince McKenzie, then he’ll call in the other alphas.”
He pulled me into a small room. There was no window here, and I drew in a startled breath at the sight of a coffin.
“I’ve got to sleep somewhere,” Daniel said and pulled me to the couch which was the only other piece of furniture in the room. There was a single suitcase on the rug and a briefcase I was sure held his laptop.
“Why aren’t you sleeping with us?” Dev would never have brought a small bed. There would be more than enough room.
“It’s too dangerous,” he said shortly, and I knew he was lying.
“Are you mad about the stuff Albert said?”
“The stuff about kids?”
I nodded. The worst fight Danny and Dev ever had revolved around the possibility of Dev knocking me up.
“You sleep with a fertility god, Z.” Daniel’s voice went low, his hand scrubbing through his hair. “He can be as careful as possible but someday… You don’t want kids anymore? You always did before.”
“I knew I wasn’t going to have kids when you turned, Danny,” I admitted. He couldn’t have kids and I had accepted that a long time ago.
“And
Dev? You just expect him to not have kids because I can’t? That doesn’t seem fair.” Daniel took a long breath, his eyes turning weary. “You’ve already given up a hell of a lot for me, Zoey. I never meant for you to sacrifice so much.”
He slumped down on the sofa, and I sat on his lap before he could stop me. I let my hands find his hair, smoothing it back. “I haven’t given up much, Danny. I didn’t finish college, but let’s face facts. Was I ever going to get a nine-to-five job? We were fooling ourselves. The kids thing…we’ll sort it out later. I just want to be happy for a while. I don’t want you to pull away from me.”
Danny sighed, his head falling back. “I watched you and Dev walk through the valley, Z. Man, everyone loved you. That had to feel good. They respected you.”
“They respected the fact that Dev can help them have babies, Danny.”
“They were happy to see you too, Z. You’re his goddess. He doesn’t do the whole ‘get a bunch of wolves pregnant’ thing if you aren’t around.”
I snorted at the thought. “I assure you if I weren’t around, Dev would have another ‘goddess.’ He’s a good boyfriend, but I doubt he would be celibate if he hadn’t found me.”
Daniel started to play with the collar of my shirt, his hand rubbing my throat. There was a little mischievous smile on his face. “Baby, what exactly do you think is happening two nights from now?”
I rolled my eyes. “We’re performing a ritual, and I get to have sex with Dev in front of a bunch of horny wolves. Why are you laughing?”
Daniel leaned forward and kissed my neck. His hands tightened, and I felt his body begin to react. “I’m really looking forward to seeing you after that particular ceremony is over.”
I frowned but let him continue because it was the happiest he’d been in days. If the thought of me embarrassing myself gave him some small measure of joy, then I would let him have it.
Daniel’s magic flowed all around me. He pulled and pushed me until I straddled him, my knees cradling his hips. His big hands palmed my thighs, pushing up my skirt. I wanted to force him to talk to me. I wanted him to tell me what was wrong and let me help him solve it. I knew he wouldn’t let me do any of that, so I took the only connection we had lately.
I kissed him, pulling his head to mine and licking lightly at his lips. He groaned and delved deeply into my mouth, his hands moving up until his fingers teased at my core. He didn’t have to shove my undies aside since Dev hadn’t packed me any. He’d decided they just complicated things.
My tongue slid along his, grazing his fangs as I unbuttoned the fly of his jeans. His cock was already long and thick, hot against my fingertips. I wrapped my hand around him, pumping him in my palm. Danny groaned and looked down, watching me work him.
I wanted to give to him, to take away his cares. The last week had been hard on both of us, and all I wanted was to see him relaxed and happy even if it was only for a few moments.
“God, Z, I don’t have time for this,” he said even as his hands gripped my ass and he pulled me tightly against him. “I need to get ready to meet McKenzie.”
“Don’t.” This was the only way he would let me close. I couldn’t lose it. I kissed him again, practically begging him to stay with me for a while. I felt him drifting and it hurt my heart. We’d been so happy all these months, but I’d screwed it up. I couldn’t help but wonder where we would be if I hadn’t gotten dragged back into Halfer’s plans.
With a little growl, he lifted me. His lowered me onto his erection, filling me up. I held onto his shoulders, letting him control the penetration.
“You feel so good.” This was what I needed. I needed him, but I was worried that the longer he stayed away from our bed, the further away he became.
But not now. Now he was inside me. He was with me, and I let time stop. I let the world shrink down until it was only the two of us. Everything else fell away. His magic blanketed us, a warm cocoon to keep out the rest of the world.
I shifted on his cock, pleasure vibrating through me.
Daniel gripped my ass, his hips slamming up. “I shouldn’t be doing this. God, Zoey. I can’t fucking help myself. You’re going to be the death of me.”
His words rang in my head, but his magic was stronger. The pleasure was stronger. I held on to him so tightly, praying it didn’t have to end. I gave over to Daniel, letting him move me on his cock, his strong arms making a toy of me like I weighed nothing at all. Over and over he moved me, forcing his cock deep until there wasn’t anything between us, no space, no time, nothing.
Daniel pulled my head back and suddenly sank his fangs in with a dominant strength that took my breath away. My fingers wound their way into his thick, sandy hair and held him as he drew heavily from my neck. His hips moved, thrusting his cock in time to the rhythm of his mouth. Every tug brought me closer to the edge until I finally let everything go and gave in to the powerful orgasm Danny was always able to draw out of me. It left me boneless and physically satisfied. I slumped over, wrapping myself around him.
Daniel released the vein and licked the side of my neck. A moment of pure peace flowed over me. I rubbed my nose over the strong muscles of Danny’s neck, feeling smooth skin and breathing in his scent.
I felt his hands move, shifting me slightly so he could tuck himself back in. He stood, easily lifting me into his arms, and he stepped outside his small room. I didn’t hate leaving that coffin behind. He seemed to know his way around Dev’s little tent palace. He took a left and then strode into what had to be the master bedroom. Sure enough, there was a bed that was big enough for five, covered in sumptuous fabric. Gas lights lit the room. It was gauzy and romantic, and I knew how I wanted to spend the next couple of hours.
Daniel set me down on the bed, but he stepped back, not following me.
“I can make sure you’re relaxed for your meeting.” We could call Dev in and be together for a while. I stared up at him. His face had closed off. Those blue eyes were colder than before, utterly remote. “Danny,” I whispered. “Please. I need you, baby.”
I did. I needed him so much, and he was holding himself back.
He stood over me, his eyes staring, but I wasn’t sure what he was seeing. His previous words came back to haunt me. I would be the death of him. I’d been the death of his charge. Daniel took those vamps seriously. They had a connection, a friendship that should have lasted for close to eternity, and because of me, one of them was dead.
I sat up, pushing my skirt down. “Can we talk about it?”
He was withdrawing, and I had to wonder if he was pulling back for the last time. I had to wonder if this was the time he left me for good.
After a long moment he smoothed his clothes out. “There’s nothing to talk about, Z.”
I didn’t try to stop the tears forming in my eyes. “Please tell me what’s wrong. I’ll try to fix it. I didn’t mean to get Joel killed. I didn’t. I thought I was doing the right thing.”
I saw the look of naked pain cross his face, but he banished it so quickly I almost believed I’d imagined it. “What are you talking about, Z? Everything’s fine. I don’t want to be late. This meeting is really important. It means a lot to me. If we don’t get the wolves on our side…well, I have a plan for that, too. It doesn’t matter now. Have a nice dinner. Don’t wait up.”
Daniel walked out without a second glance.
I sat there for the longest time wondering when he would tell me we were over.
Chapter Twenty
I gazed down at the beautiful meal Albert had prepared for us and questioned if I was just destined to make myself unhappy. I was sitting in a beautiful place surrounded by good friends. Dev had kissed me soundly before he left and told me he loved me. He’d enveloped me in his particular warmth. His joy in being in this place, preparing to do what he was born to do, should have been contagious. I really did love that he was happy. I just wished Danny could share in that, and that was the crux of my problem. I loved two men and I had begun to worry that having
only one of them would never be enough for me.
“Z, what’s wrong?” Sarah looked up from her meal, concern in her eyes. “I know it’s not the food because the food is unbelievable, so I have to think it’s Daniel.”
I frowned at my friend. “Why would you say that?”
She smiled, but there was no humor to it. “When you’re unhappy, Daniel is almost always the root cause, Zoey.”
A little overdramatically stated, but Danny certainly had a strong effect on my moods. “I think he blames me for Joel’s death.”
Felix shook his head. “You’re wrong about that. I think he blames himself, and he doesn’t know how to deal with it. Daniel tends to push away the people he loves when he feels he’s done something wrong.”
“Yeah, well, he’s pushing me pretty hard,” I replied.
“He’s been doing it for a long time. It’s his default state. He’s been happy since Vegas. What happened with Halfer just proved to him that everything in his life goes wrong in the end. If it helps you, I’m almost certain Devinshea feels as disconnected from Daniel as you do,” Felix said sagely.
I studied the former angel for a moment before speaking. I always took what Felix said seriously. He had millennia of experience watching human behavior backing up his opinions. “He’s spent every spare minute with Dev. I doubt Dev feels neglected.”
“Daniel is no longer sharing a bed with the two of you,” Felix pointed out. “Dev is a creature of physical affection. Though he and Daniel don’t share their bodies, I assure you he feels his partner’s loss.”
“Partner?”
“What else would you call them, Zoey? Dev and Daniel have shared a business, a home, a quest, a female for almost a year now. Their lives have become intertwined in a way most people can’t comprehend. They depend on each other. Daniel will never find another person who understands him the way Devinshea can, and I include you in that. You don’t understand what it means to love you but Dev and Daniel do.” Felix fixed me with a soft stare. “I believe Daniel has come to rely on Dev in a way he never imagined. But his past informs his future. Daniel learned at a young age what it means to lose the people he loved, the people who loved him. He lost his own human life. I’m sure he sees what happened with Halfer as a wake-up call. He imagines his life will always be filled with loss. In his head, it’s a matter of time before he loses you and very likely Dev as well.”