She sat up and closed her eyes for a few seconds before turning to him. “You’re asking me to allow them to...?” She waved her hand and he smiled.
“For one night only, after our joining tomorrow. It would be done in the club, but it doesn’t have to be public like our joining will be. I’ll be there with you, inside you at the same time. Have you had a ménage, Bella?” he asked, lowering his voice.
Bella’s eyes glazed over, her nipples hardened and he could smell her arousal even beneath the water.
“Oh baby,” he growled, taking her hand out of the water and placing it on his now-hard cock. “See what you do to me?” He couldn’t help himself and claimed her mouth in a hard, quick kiss. “I swear I should be considered a damn saint,” he mumbled and stood, staring down at his woman covered in bubbles.
“Beautiful and all mine,” he snarled and she smiled.
“Yes, yours. Now go cook. Since I can’t have something else filling me, I want food.” She glanced at his cock, and if not for years of training, Raul would have yanked her out of the water and buried himself in her.
Raul spun, afraid of what he might do, but not before hearing the little giggle come from her. “Consider yourself warned; you have ten coming tomorrow,” he said over his shoulder. He’d let her worry about what he would use to give those ten spanks to her: his hand, a paddle,, a cane, a flogger or any one of so many other delightful things.
His woman wasn’t the only one who was starving by the time he got to the kitchen. Teddy was there, waiting to help. Raul laughed at the boy, who was obviously hungry. “Okay, grab the hamburger out of the fridge while I make a chili dip for our fries. I’ve also got some cookie dough in the fridge you can take out. We’ll pop it in the oven while we make our snack.”
For the next 30 minutes, he and Teddy talked as they worked in the kitchen. Raul couldn’t believe how smart the boy was and was glad to hear he hadn’t dropped out of school.
“So are you going to tell me what that asshole had you doing before I go rearrange his face?” Raul asked, shocking Teddy.
“You can’t; he’s a vampire,” Teddy whispered and Raul laughed.
“Boy, they can fall just like we can, and I know for a fact my friend, Lucid, will be there with me when I confront him tomorrow.”
“Confront who?” Bella asked, coming into the kitchen in one of his T-shirts and a pair of his socks. “Do we get to go beat someone up tomorrow? I’m game. After all, I still have all this pent-up anger at my so-called adoptive family I need to release.” She smiled at Teddy. “How are you doing there, kiddo?”
“There will be no fighting for you, Little Mite,” Raul growled. “You’ve had enough to deal with. Now take these cookies out there, and we’ll be out in minute. Charley and Tank ordered pizzas too, so we should have plenty of food for this marathon of yours. What do you want to drink?”
“A cold beer would be great, and I’ll always be there to help, Raul.” She took the tray of cookies and spun around to leave, and he wrapped his arm around her and hugged her.
“I know you are, but for a little while, I’d like to just keep you wrapped in cotton so nothing can go wrong.” He kissed her cheek and swatted her butt, making her squeal and glare at him before she left.
“Five more!” he said and she gasped.
Teddy laughed. “Why do I get the feeling she’s the type who would be right there in the middle of a brawl?”
“Because you’re right. Both her and Charley seem to have a knack for getting into trouble. Shit!” Raul said and ran into the living room as he heard Charley tell Bella about her confrontation with the three girls earlier.
“Don’t even think it, Bella,” he snarled and looked over at Tank, who was shaking his head.
“Charley, what were you told?” Tank growled as he stomped over to her and lifted her up over his shoulder. He smacked her ass. “Sorry about that, Alpha.”
Raul shook his head. “It’s all right; they’re going to talk, but I’m warning you both, there will not be any confrontations in the next week. Is that understood?” he ordered, looking at Charley. Tank had put her down in front of him and was holding on to her.
“Why of course, sweetie. We won’t touch them for at least a week,” Bella said before popping a cookie in her mouth and trying to bat her eyes at him.
Raul laughed. He couldn’t help it. “Little Mite,” he growled, trying to sound fierce, but it didn’t work.
“Relax, I won’t confront them unless they pull another stunt like they did tonight. If they do, then all bets are off. If you want me to be alpha bitch or whatever they call it, I can’t just let these little threats happen, Raul, and you know it.”
She sniffed the air. “Something is burning in the kitchen.”
“Shit!” He spun and ran to the stove.
“I’ve got it,” Teddy said, all smiles, lifting a slightly burned patty out of the frying pan with a spatula.
Raul laughed and ruffled the boy’s hair. “That you do. Come on, let’s finish this up so we can watch the zombie stuff.”
For the next ten minutes, he and Teddy worked at putting out drinks and four different snacks for everyone.
As he finished putting together the last plate of veggies in the kitchen, he heard Charley whisper in the living room. “You know the bitch is going to show up here, right?”
He a hand smacking flesh. “You just had to ruin an end to a good night,” Bella said. “Yes, I know she’ll show. She’s already here; I can feel her. I swore she was at the pack house, but I couldn’t find her. I have a feeling her and Mommy Dearest are going to make an appearance soon.” Bella was quiet for a few seconds.
“I forgot to mention I heard Daisy and Hazel talking before all hell broke loose. They believe Daisy is some chosen one; I have no idea what they were talking about, but yeah, we haven’t seen the last of my family, unfortunately.”
“What? You can’t believe she can take Raul from you, do you?” Charley asked.
“I don’t know anything about this mate stuff, and neither do you. You know how Daisy was in high school, and hell, even in college, she always seemed to find out who I was with, but there’s one difference this time.”
“What?” Charley asked.
“This time, I’ll kill her if she places her hands on Raul. He’s mine,” Bella snarled.
Apparently, his Little Mite was as possessive as he was, but it was time to have a talk with her and Charley. If they had known Bella’s sister was in their pack house, they should have said something. He grabbed the platter of veggies and dip and headed out to the living room where Tank nodded to him, relaxing.
“Well, this should be enough food for the discussion we seem to need to have. Teddy, you can stay so you will learn, and then, after that, if the answers I get are satisfactory, we’ll watch this show. If not...” He gave Bella a look that had her squirming in her seat. “My woman will be sitting in the corner while we enjoy ourselves.”
“And there’s another corner with Charley’s name on it,” Tank grumbled.
Chapter Eighteen
Bella groaned internally, but her gaze was glued to Raul’s eyes. “Now tell me why you didn’t seem to think it was important to mention that the Ozters are here in my city or that they were at the pack house tonight?” His voice had dropped at least three octaves and had a little growl to it that made her shiver.
She closed her eyes, finally breaking away from his gaze, which Bella believed he released her. Her man wasn’t one to be messed with, and when she needed to speak with Charley, it would have to be somewhere he couldn’t hear them.
Stupid wolf hearing.
He smiled as he grasped her chin. “Bella, I’m reading your mind, and I don’t like these thoughts. How am I to be your master when you keep things from me? I need to protect, love and cherish my Little Mite, but can’t do it if I don’t know all the facts.”
Tears filled her eyes, and Bella tried to pull away, but he held on, staring at her. Finally h
e sighed and released her.
“Tell me, Bella.”
He sounded tired, and Bella knew his life hadn’t been a piece of cake either lately.
“I’m sorry… with the attack, the doubt…” Bella looked down at her hands and the scar on her right hand. “When I was 13, I had a date, but I didn’t tell anyone but Charley. I think he was my first big crush.”
Charley snorted, wiping her tears. “Hell, you worshiped the ground Mike walked on.”
“Yeah, and he seemed different, at least I had hoped he was, but I was wrong. The night I was going to slip out of my window—see, I wasn’t about to tell them I was going out. God only knows what he would have done.” She shivered. “Anyway, it didn’t matter. When it was time to go, I realized Daisy and Hazel had nailed my window shut. Long story short, it was the last time they used the whip on me, and Daisy met with Mike instead. He never spoke to me again. I won’t risk that with you, Raul. You’re mine, and if she even touches you, I’ll kill her without any regrets. Was I wrong in not telling you she was at the pack house? Yes, but when was I going to tell you? When I told you about being immortal? Or when you were speaking with the pack, or when I was being ripped apart? Oh, let’s not forget about the...” She glanced at Teddy.
“Never mind about that time, but if it eases your mind, I didn’t really know she was there until we were on stage, and after that, well, I was hurt and there was no time.” She glanced at the door. “In fact, I keep waiting to hear a knock tonight. They are that bold that they’d show up here. I don’t know if Maria’s spell will keep them away.”
Raul lifted her and sat down in her seat placing her on his lap. “My poor baby.” He held her tight, rubbing his cheek against her head. He glanced down at Charley, then at Bella. “If she shows up here, or her family does, we will deal with it together. No matter what, you are my woman, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll keep telling you that until you believe it. There is no mistake, Bella; you are mine. Look at what happened at my folks’ earlier. Do you two really believe Tank and I would need to be with you both so badly if you weren’t our mates?”
Bella smiled. “Are you admitting that we ‘e your pacifiers?” she teased.
Charley laughed and Teddy giggled as Raul and Tank growled.
“Woman, I can continue with your punishment,” Raul snarled, sliding his hand down and squeezing her tender butt cheek.
“Raul!” Bella jumped, but he held her still.
“The point is no matter what we’re doing, you both need to speak up if you sense danger. We had children in that room, Bella. Would that bitch even consider not hurting them if she had a chance to get to you?”
Tears rolled down her cheeks and Charley’s.
“I didn’t think. She’s always just comes after me. God, I’m so, so sorry,” Bella said, her bottom lip trembling.
“We have to consider what will happen to everyone around us when we’re faced with any threat.” He looked over at Tank. “We need to let the others know the Ozters are here.” He looked back down at Bella. “Do you think your adoptive father is here also?”
Bella nodded. “If the two bitches are here, he’s right behind them, hiding in the shadows.”
“Who’s in the shadows?” Maria asked, coming into the room with Herme and Danny right behind her.
Charley snorted. “Always leave it to Momma to come in at the last end. The Ozters are here in Vegas,” she said, stopping her mother right in her tracks.
Herme and Danny snarled, their eyes changing to those of their demons.
Casper and his friend flashed into the room, ready to fight any new threat.
“Where?” Maria asked.
“I could sense her at the pack house but couldn’t get a fix on her, but then again, I was a little nervous being up in front of everyone,” Bella said. “We know who my natural parents are, and he assigned Casper and the other gentleman to protect me, but I don’t understand. Why can’t they use their gifts to just kill these stupid threats?” she mumbled.
Raul was about to say something, but Maria knelt in front of her and Raul. Maria took Bella’s hand. “Because you were meant to be our child. They live in a different world than us, Bella.”
Casper snorted, grabbing a mini-sandwich before leaving with his partner.
“I even believe you’re lucky to have those two watching over you. Think about it. Having your biological parents here on Earth would cause a big problem. Sure, the humans accept us now after we’ve been out in the open for years, but I have a feeling they’d revolt if they knew there are other worlds out there with beings that were twenty times more powerful than them, right?”
Bella nodded. “I guess, but then, why have us? I guess there are a lot of questions...” The hairs on her arms stood as she growled and tried to move toward the door, but Raul held on to her tight as her adoptive family knocked on her door.
“They’ll die,” she hissed.
* * *
If Raul weren’t so furious, he’d be laughing at his mate. “Stop.” He tugged on her hair, exposing her neck, and bit it, controlling the wolf in her. Herme and Danny moved to the door. They all knew who was on the other side of the door. “Remember, you will stay behind me. I mean it, Bella.” He released her and glanced at Teddy, who was standing ready for any threat.
Bella turned her gaze to Teddy and relaxed. “I’ll be okay,” she said as Raul lifted her and placed her next to the boy. She wrapped her arm around Teddy as Charley moved to the other side of him as Raul moved to the door and opened it with Herme and Danny next to him.
“Oh, I didn’t know they would be here.” Daisy curled her lip, glaring at them for a second before she turned her gaze to Bella. “We thought we’d come visit my sister and meet her new family.”
“Really, you’d want to do that after all you’ve done to her?” Raul growled, his gaze moving to the man who got out of their car. The man stopped and looking to the side porch.
Apparently, Bella’s adoptive parents were going to take a hands-on approach after all. He glanced over his shoulder and held out his hand for her. She was there in a second, giving him a questioning look.
He nodded to the side porch, and Bella’s frown turned into a brilliant smile, which had Daisy turning to see Bella’s true family.
“Well, now who has come to visit my daughter?” Mother Earth said, smiling from ear to ear.
Agar shook his head. “And they thought I was bloodthirsty.” He snorted as he glanced down at his woman before moving toward Mr. Ozter.
“Wow, those are really your parents?” Teddy asked beside Bella, looking up at her.
She laughed and wrapped her arm around him. “And now your grandparents,” she whispered.
Mother Earth turned her head and winked at Teddy before moving to stand between Daisy and them. “Now, shall we discuss all that you’ve done to my daughter?” The two women took a step back.
“And I need to have a word with this man. Aren’t there laws against trying to touch children sexually?” Agar snarled, and Mr. Ozter must have shit himself, because the stink that came from him was nasty.
“Jeez, disgusting.” Agar waved his hand, and the Ozters vanished. “I’ll give them to my new boys; they’ll have some fun since they’re so centered on sex,” Agar stated, turning to step up to his mate.
“But I wanted to have some fun with them.” Mother Earth pouted and Bella laughed.
“I’d so like to see your idea of fun,” Bella said.
“I don’t think so. Your man has enough problems with you now; let him get used to you before your other gifts are awakened. But rest assured, Bella, that family will not bother you again. They’re not even on this planet anymore,” Agar said.
“Other gifts?” Raul groaned and Agar laughed.
“Not to worry, you will always be able to control your woman.” Agar placed his hands on Bella’s cheeks. “Child, we’d gladly take away any threat to you or your new family, but Maria is right. We really shouldn’t ha
ve stepped in here, but since the Ozters shouldn’t have interfered from the beginning, we were given a little leeway.” He kissed the top of her head before turning to Teddy. “And you will be a fine warrior when the time is right. You did well protecting your little sister; you should be proud. I know I am proud to have such a fine young man come into my family.”
Raul had to smile as Teddy straightened his shoulders and nodded.
“Be prepared; they’re going to hit you tomorrow. I don’t know when, but others are determined to stop your joining. We’ll be around to make sure none of ours step in where they are not supposed to, but this local battle is yours.” Agar put his hand on Raul’s shoulder. “But I know you’ll handle it like the man you are. Herme, thank you again for taking care of my family.” Agar moved back, allowing his mate to hug Bella and Teddy.
“When this is over, we’ll talk, but for the next week, your life will be rough. But you are our daughter”—Mother Earth nodded to Maria—”and you will do fine. Just remember to talk to your man, Bella,” she said before disappearing with Agar.
“Okay, that was better than the zombies,” Teddy said, easing the tension.
“I’ll give you a zombie,” Raul growled and reached around to squeeze the boy’s neck. Teddy laughed
“Come on, we have tons of food and we need some down time,” Bella said, sliding under Raul’s arm and moving into the living room. “I think when this is done, we need a vacation.”
“I agree,” Charley said, “a beach with cute—”
Tank scooped her up and nipped her neck. “You don’t need cute anything,” he grumbled and she laughed.
“I can still look, just like we know the both of you do. We recognize a nice body when we see it, but I know I have what’s going to make me happy,” Charley said, for the first time acknowledging Tank as hers.
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