“She’s pretty,” the squirming little girl held out her arms to Bella.
“Sandy, stop. Sorry, sir, she doesn’t know better,” Teddy said.
“Are you looking after your sister by yourself? May I hold her?” Bella asked, and Raul could see the boy thinking before he nodded.
“Yes, but I do have some help.” He looked at the ground.
“Where are you two staying?” Raul asked and Teddy stiffened.
“A place on the Strip rents a room to us,” Teddy said.
“I’m sorry, Teddy. This shouldn’t have happened. Someone should have been there for you and your sister, but we’re here to rectify that now.” Raul put his hand on the boy’s shoulder and squeezed it. “I don’t know how you did it, but I’m proud of you for taking care of your little sister. It shows how much you’ve grown. You two are coming home with us. As you can see, Sandy has already taken to Bella, and I have a feeling you need some guidance too, no?”
“I know you’re busy with your pack and a new mate. We’ll be fine,” Teddy said.
“Well, I was kind of hoping you could help me,” Bella said, looking at him. “I worked with children when I was in Ohio, and I thought I’d do so here too. See, I believe there might be other children and teenagers that might need our help, but since I’m new around here, I need someone to guide me.
Teddy stared at her. “You’re not doing this because Rafael put you up to it?”
Bella snorted. “Do you really believe Raul is going to let his little brother influence him? Plus, helping you will be a new adventure for us all. But I’m not going to lie, Teddy; right now, my life is kind of rough because people are trying to kill me.”
“Easy there, boy.” Raul smiled when Teddy growled. “We’ll keep her safe. So what do you think; can you give us a chance?”
Teddy nodded. “Yes, sir, and thank you.”
“Good. I’ll have one of the guards swing by your place and pick up your and your sister’s possessions. Come, I have a few more people to see before we leave.
“Here, let me carry her. She can get heavy, and I know you have to be tired after what you went through,” Teddy said.
“Thank you, my shoulder is still hurting a little. So, tell me, do you have a job?” Bella asked and Teddy shook his head.
“I didn’t have anyone to watch her, so we’ve been coming here to eat. I hope that’s okay?” Teddy asked, taking Sandy from her.
“Of course. That’s why the pack house is here. But now, you’ll have a home for however long you need it,” Raul said and waved Casper over. “These two will be living with us from now on as our wards. I just thought you would like to know,” he informed the guard, as Teddy stepped back.
“So they’re going to be your children now?” Casper smiled. “I guess this means I can now call her father gramps.” The ground shook and Casper laughed. “I don’t think he liked that too much, but not to worry, we’ll also watch after the children.”
“Thank you,” Raul said and turned to Teddy. “Give Thomas your address. Thomas, have one of the other guards go over there and bring back all of their things. Teddy, I want you and your sister to stay close to us. When we leave here, we do it together.”
Teddy nodded.
For the next 30 minutes, Raul and Bella moved through the crowd, nodding to people and talking with a few of them. He even managed to introduce her to one of the men who helped at one of the local shelters, but Raul could tell Bella and the children were getting tired, so he nodded to his men. It was time to go home.
“Any sign of that asshole?” Bella asked him when they entered the hall again.
“No, but Neftali issued a challenge. The elders are discussing it now, and I’ve already told them I would meet with him.”
Bella stopped walking and stared up at him. “Are you out of your ever-loving mind? He has someone helping him and we just got together!” She growled and stomped her foot.
Raul bowed his head, trying not to laugh. He glanced to his left to see Mario smiling ear to ear. “Little Mite, as alpha, I must meet all challenges, and I want to handle this one personally.”
“Why, because the dickhead saw me naked? Please, you just allowed your brother to see my ass. What the hell is the difference? I mean it, Raul; I’m at my wits’ end here. I’m tired of being shot at, attacked, poisoned, and let’s not forget I’ve lost almost everything I’ owned. I will not, I repeat, will not stand by and watch some jackass hurt you! I should have burned his whole damn body!”
Raul noticed the tile on the floor was buckling upward as heat from her body shoot through the floor.
Raul grabbed a full hand of her hair, pulled her head back and stared down into her face. “Stop or I’m going to turn you over my knee right here. Look at what you’re doing.” He pointed to the floor and released his grip. “You are not going to lose me, but I have to do this. Every alpha has challenges. It’s normal, Bella, and you’ll stand right beside me when it happens because that is your job, just like this is mine.”
She placed her hand on his chest. “You know, you’re a real ass, and if we were by ourselves—”
“Bella!” Charley yelled and stepped next to her. “Just give her some time to cool down, Raul. She doesn’t like to see anyone she’s attached to hurt. That’s all.”
He nodded. “We’re going now. The cars are here, and we’ll talk when we get home,” he promised.
“When we get home, I have two children to get settled.” Bella sighed. “But you’re right; we do need to speak, and I’m sorry, but the thought of you...” She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself.
“Nothing is going to happen to me, Bella, I promise,” he whispered, turning her toward the cars after kissing her neck, not able to stop himself from touching her. “I’ve got you.”
She shook against him. “I’m tired, Raul, real tired. I want a hot bubble bath, a stiff drink and a marathon of The Zombie Live,” she whispered.
Charley snorted. “It’s one of her favorite shows.”
“Mine too, but I haven’t seen it in a long time,” Teddy said, and Bella lifted her head.
“Well, then, we’ll have to watch it together. After we put Sandy to bed. We can make Raul cook us up some snacks, too,” Bella said, tilting her head sideways and peeking at him.
“I’ll have you know, I make a mean s’more and other things. I’ll make the snacks while you take your bath and Teddy gets his room set up. Then we can all meet in the living room to watch this show of yours.”
“Really?” she asked and he laughed.
“Yes, really. Now let’s go home,” Raul grumbled.
No one said anything until they got into the car. Teddy crawled into the backseat behind them as Sandy slept in his arms.
“You two ate earlier, right?” Bella asked and he nodded.
“Thank you again for doing this,” Teddy said and looked at Raul. “I didn’t want to go into the city the other day, but I had no choice. I needed the money for my room. I owed three weeks of rent, and the owner of the hotel suggested it, said he’d give me a free week if I did. I only took loose cash I found on the ground. I refused to touch anything else, and I didn’t leave Rafael alone. I was coming back when I saw you going to him,” he said, staring down at Sandy.
“Teddy, I’m going to allow that incident to slide because you were only thinking of your sister, but what you did was still wrong. I’ll personally have a chat with the owner of the hotel at another time. He’s one of us, isn’t he?”
“No, he’s a vampire and scary.” Teddy shivered.
Oh yeah, Raul and Lucid would have a chat with him about making children do dirty work.
Chapter Sixteen
Bella watched Teddy put Sandy into the bed they’d made up for her. He sat on the end and whispered, “Love you, little sis. You’ll be safe here. You can trust these people.”
She patted his cheek with. “You won’t go back to that scary man and let him hurt you?” she asked.
&nb
sp; Teddy turned his head and stared at her. “No, sissy, I won’t let him hurt any of us anymore, I promise.” He kissed her forehead and tucked her bear into the bed with her. “Remember, I’m right next door and the bathroom is right there, okay?”
“Hmmm, bed so soft,” she mumbled, her eyes already closing. He stood and moved to the door.
“You going to tell me what this man has done to make you two so scared?” Bella asked, following him into his room.
“There are things I’ve done that I’m not proud of, but to keep my sister safe, I had no choice,” he said, sitting on his bed.
She sat next to him, thankful Raul had a phone call to handle, which gave her time with Teddy. “We have a lot in common in some ways. See, I was adopted, but my adoptive parents are a piece of work. The last time I saw them, my sister was killing a rabbit, my father wanted to have sex with me, and my psycho mother threw a knife at me, trying to kill me.” She lifted her shirt to show him the scar on her side. “This was from my sister, Daisy, when I was about 16. So I know scary. Hell, even moving here was scary.” She sighed. “Like you, I lost everything. My car, my home and my possessions. So maybe it’s good we can build a home together.”
“I’d like that, but I don’t know if he’s going to stop hounding me. I still owe him for letting us live there,” Teddy said. “At least I don’t have to worry about him hurting Sandy.”
“You’re safe here, Teddy, and we’ll take care of this asshole, I promise. He won’t be bothering you and your sister anymore. It’s time for you to just concentrate on high school and being the kid, you are.
“Now I’ll give you the time to set up your room, and as soon as I can get a car, we’ll go shopping and get you anything else you need.” She stood and smiled. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” Bella ran to the master suite and grabbed the huge boom box she saw on the dresser. Every kid needed music.
When she returned to his room, he was standing with his back to her, looking out the window while speaking on the phone. “No, I’m not doing it. Find someone else to do your dirty work. I’m done.”
“Teddy.” Bella touched his shoulder. “I’ll trade you,” she said when he turned to her and winked at him, taking the phone. “Hello, who is this?” She listened for a moment. “Well, Mr. Tracker, don’t call Teddy again. He’s not your concern, he’s mine, so back the fuck off,” she growled.
Raul ran into the room, looking around. “Give me the phone, Little Mite.” He gently pried it from her fingers and kissed her cheek, then turned and walked out of the room.
“Well, I guess that took care of that.” She smiled at a stunned Teddy.
“He could hurt you. You shouldn’t have done that.”
Bella waved her hand dismissively. “Honey, he can try, but let me tell you something. I’m tired of being shot at, attacked and so on. So if he has a problem with me, then bring it on. I’m tired of being afraid.” Bella looked behind her and leaned toward Teddy. “But I really don’t think we’re going to have to worry. If I’m not mistaken, Raul is taking care of the problem now.” She looked around. “Okay, you get your room in order, take a shower and get some comfy clothes on, and we’ll meet in the living room in about an hour to watch our marathon. I still can’t believe Raul hasn’t seen this series.” Bella stepped over to Teddy and kissed his cheek. “Now relax! That’s an order.”
“Bella, thank you,” Teddy said when she reached the door.
“Hey, none of that. You’re now part of my family. I told you, Teddy, we’re going to build a life together.” She looked over her shoulder and winked at him.
When she moved into the hallway, Raul was leaning against the wall.
“You threatened a vampire?” He waved the phone in his hand and she shrugged.
“The ass didn’t need to be calling here. I’m going to hop in the tub. Don’t forget you promised us snacks, Mr. Alpha Man.” Bella turned, but Raul wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back into his body.
“Do not do that again. We have enough people aiming for you,” he growled and nipped her bare skin, his hand resting right above her breast.
“I’m not going to let anyone threaten my family, Raul, but I was going to tell you about the call.” She turned and slid her arms around his neck. “Honestly, how do you think the pack took the idea of me as your mate? Do I have to worry about women throwing themselves at you because they’ll feel sorry for you being stuck with me?” She looked up at him.
“You did well, and those idiots who spoke out against you will not come around here, or I’ll personally pound the stupid out of them. And the women of my pack know better.” He slid his hands into her pants and cupped her ass. “How about a midnight run later, after this marathon of zombies?”
“By ‘run,’ you’re talking about going out as wolves, aren’t you?” She frowned. “What if the conversion didn’t work? How do you know I’m different?”
“You have a wolf; I can feel her inside you. I think you’ll love it. Plus, I’d like to show you a special spot tonight.”
“Okay, it’s a deal, but I want snacks now. Remember, we have a teenage boy, and he’s going to eat a lot. Now go while I go take my bath.” She kissed his chest and turned to leave, but Raul dipped her body, staring down at her.
“I want a kiss if I’m going to allow you to take a bath by yourself.”
“Well, you could take one with me, but I promise to be very, very bad if we did, and I so don’t think with a full house we should indulge.” She cupped his cheek. “I look at you and feel as if I’m home. It’s almost too fast. I should be freaking out with everything going on, yet...”
He turned his head and bit her finger. “I feel the same. When I stepped onto the plane that first time and saw you all curled up asleep, I couldn’t believe I’d found you. Every time I look at you, I still can’t believe you’re mine, and I’ll never let you go, Bella.” He placed kisses down her throat. “Do you know how much I want to strip you and give you my marks on your skin? First, I’m going to start out with a light flogging; next, I have this cane I made; it’s going to leave such beautiful marks.”
“Stop,” she whispered, needing what he promised.
“Do you need me, Little Mite?”
“You know I do,” Bella grumbled against his lips as he covered hers. Slowly, without breaking the kiss, Raul picked her up, carried her to the master bedroom and lay her down on the bed. He broke the kiss and shut the door with his foot.
“Raul?” she whispered as he knelt by the bed and slid off her shoes and pants.
He unbuttoned his shirt and opened it, then lifted one of her feet up and placed it on the bed, followed by the other, opening her up for his touch, his view. “Don’t move and not a word,” he growled and smacked her pussy lips three times.
Bella sucked in her breath and grabbed on to the blanket under her as he separated her pussy lips with one hand and stared at it.
* * *
One of Raul’s greatest gifts was his patience, but right now all he wanted to do was unzip his pants and bury himself into what was his, but Raul knew he couldn’t, not yet. The night would be soon enough, but until then he could taste and watch her come apart at the seams. He slid two fingers into her, and she was tight. She gripped the blanket with white knuckles, arched her back and sucked in her breath. It was beautiful, but he still needed his taste.
Raul lowered his head and licked all around her little, hard nub before taking it between his teeth and squeezing, holding it while he brushed his fingers over the rough spot in her pussy. Her legs shook and her breath rushed out as she bit her lip.
“Don’t you come until I tell you,” he growled after releasing his hold.
“Please, sir,” she whispered.
“Didn’t I tell you not to speak?” Raul snarled and bit the side of her thigh. He slid his fingers out and down to the other hole he would be playing with soon. “Has anyone been back here?” he asked. “Yes, you can answer my question.”
> “Yes, sir,” she moaned as he slid his finger into her.
“You’re tight; it must have been a while ago.” Her little moan had him smiling as he used his other hand to push fingers back into her pussy. He pumped two fingers in and out of her ass and her pussy. She surprised him by sitting up, grabbing his head and staring into his eyes.
“I need you, just this once, sir, first time, on top of me now, please. Take me, make me yours and just hold me,” she begged with tears in her eyes. “I’ll do anything later when we go to your special place, but tonight, I want the alpha, the man who will be my mate for life, inside me.”
Raul leaned in and kissed her softly. “No, we wait.” He stood, looking down at her. “Take your bath, Bella. I shouldn’t have started this. I’m sorry.” He turned and walked out of the bedroom. As he shut the door, something shattered against it.
“You motherfucker!” she screamed as something else shattered in the room and the ground shook.
Raul leaned against the door, waiting for her to calm down. He could hear her pacing and growling.
“What the hell is going on?” Maria ran down the hall with Herme, glaring at him.
“This is between Bella and me, nothing more. Excuse me.” He pushed past them and stopped when he noticed Teddy standing in the hall with a towel wrapped around his waist. “Finish your shower, then you can help me cook up some food. Maybe that will calm my mate.” He sighed.
Teddy nodded and moved back into his room as Raul felt a large hand land on his shoulder.
“She’s not in the bedroom,” Herme stated.
“What?” Raul spun around and ran to their room, where Maria was on the floor cleaning up wood and glass.
“This was her favorite jewelry box,” Maria said and handed him the note.
I’m sorry I’m not your perfect mate. Make sure you spend tonight with the boy; it’s important to him. Hope you find the one you need, since it’s obviously not me. I have nothing to give anyone anymore.
“She’s broken. Bella always craved to belong, and she needed it bad with you. We talked earlier.” Maria stood and looked at him. “Get your fucking head out of your ass, Raul. That girl needs you so much it’s not funny. You need to take care of someone to the point of obsession; she needs you to take control and make her feel safe.” She sighed.
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