by Creator
“If it makes you feel better, she wasn’t my mate,” Hunter stated.
Kiera smiled. “That does make me feel a little better. It still sucks for your girlfriend though.”
Hunter shrugged. “Now she’s free to find her mate. What sucks about that?”
“Nothing I guess. I hadn’t really thought of it like that,” she responded.
They reached the mall entrance and Ramsey opened the door for her. When they stepped inside, Kiera went straight to the large map to locate the store she wanted.
After a moment of looking through the directory, she chose two different baby stores and a maternity store. It was way too early for her to start showing, but she figured it wouldn’t hurt to have one or two things on hand for the day she realized her clothes no longer fit.
When she entered the first baby store, she felt a little overwhelmed. Ramsey was kind enough to grab a hand basket for her as she tried to figure out which direction to go in first.
Kiera headed for the aisle marked “blankets.” She had never realized there were so many sizes, textures and colors of baby blankets. Some were solid colors, some had prints. Some were soft and fuzzy while others were thin and slightly rough.
One in particular caught her eye. It was sage green with satin trim. The rest of the blanket was a soft chenille type material with a wolf pup embroidered in the middle. It was perfect! Grabbing it off the shelf, Kiera placed it in the basket.
“I think the alpha will be pleased with your choice,” Hunter told her.
She smiled and moved on to the toy aisle. Kiera looked at plush toys, rattles, toys that crinkled; toys that lit up, toys that moved… She finally selected a plush bear that jingled and a green and yellow caterpillar that rattled. Adding them to the basket, she looked around the store, unsure of where to go next.
“Do you want to see what the other baby store has before you buy anything else?” Ramsey asked.
“That sounds like a good idea. Thanks, Ramsey,” she said with a smile.
The trio headed for the check out area and Kiera paid for her purchases. Ramsey offered to carry the bag for her and they walked down to the next baby store.
The second shop was smaller, but carried adorable clothes. She ended up selecting a cute sleeper that was white with yellow ducks all over it and a yellow sleeper with paw prints on the bottom of the feet.
Before going to the maternity store, she decided to stop and grab a bite to eat.
“I’m sure the guys at home are just going to love me when they realize no one’s home to make their lunch,” she mumbled.
“Kiera, we’ve all been fending for ourselves for quite a while. It’s nice that you make lunch for us all the time, but it isn’t necessary,” Ramsey said.
“I should have at least let someone know I might be gone for lunch today,” she responded.
“I’m sure they’ll manage. Now, what do you want to eat?” he asked.
Kiera looked around the food court. There was a pizza place, a place that served Chinese, a sub shop, and two fast food chains. “What about a sandwich?”
Ramsey headed in the direction of the sub place with Kiera and Hunter trailing behind. The line was relatively short and they didn’t have to wait long to place their order.
Once they were seated, Kiera pulled out her cell phone and called Gabriel. She was a little surprised he hadn’t called to check on her already. He’d seemed tense when they had left. Granted, he had a good reason to feel that way. The vampire seemed to get braver and braver. Kiera had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before their game to came an end. She just hoped her life didn’t end as well.
***
A few hours later, Ramsey pulled to a stop outside of the Victorian. Hunter climbed out of the back and opened Kiera’s door while Ramsey grabbed her packages.
Once they were in the house, Ramsey lifted the bags, “What do you want me to do with these?”
Kiera motioned to the stairs. “I was going to put them in my room for now. The baby’s room hasn’t been decorated yet so I don’t really have a place for anything right now.”
“I don’t feel right going into the alpha’s room. What if I just leave them on the landing on the third floor?” he asked.
Kiera nodded. “That would be fine. Thank you, Ramsey.”
He headed upstairs, taking the stairs two at a time, leaving Hunter and Kiera downstairs.
As stepped onto the third floor landing, he started to put the bags down, but something caught his attention. The door to the alpha’s room was slightly ajar and a shadow crossed the room.
Ramsey’s gaze sharpened, waiting to see if it happened again. An elongated shadow in the shape of a man crossed the open door again. Stealthily, Ramsey approached the door, careful to not make a sound. Sniffing the air, he couldn’t smell anything out of the ordinary.
Slowly opening the door, he took in every nook and cranny, looking for a possibly intruder. Taking a step into the room, he peered into the bathroom, but didn’t see anyone reflected in the mirror. Of course, if the intruder was the vampire, there wouldn’t necessarily be a reflection.
Cautiously approaching the open bathroom door, he looked inside. Empty. Just as he was about to turn, a cold hand gripped him and slammed him against the wall, face first.
“So delightful that someone finally came to play,” the vampire said. “I was starting to despair of anyone ever coming up here.”
“What do you want?” Ramsey asked.
“The alpha’s wife. Call her to you,” the vampire ordered.
“Never; I’ll die before I let you have her,” he said.
The vampire turned him around so he could look into the werewolf’s eyes. “That can be arranged,” he said with a cold smile.
Looking into the bloodsuckers black, dead eyes, Ramsey had no doubt he meant what he said. Regardless, his job was to protect Kiera, and he would fight to the death to make sure she was safe.
Shifting his weight, Ramsey threw his shoulder into the vampire’s ribs, knocking him off balance for a moment. It was just long enough for Ramsey to shift into his wolf form.
With a blur of reddish brown fur, Ramsey launched himself at the vampire, aiming for his throat. The vampire threw up his arm, blocking the werewolf and knocking him to the floor.
With a hiss, the vampire leapt onto the wolf. Ramsey bucked and arched, trying to break free. Slamming the vampire into the doorframe, he managed to get free long enough to let loose a short howl.
Moments later, the clatter of nails sounded on the stairs as two more werewolves came bounding up the stairs.
The vampire quickly assessed the situation and realized the odds weren’t in his favor. With a snarl, he made a run for the window, jumping out and disappearing.
The werewolves returned downstairs in wolf form to check on Kiera. Just because the vampire disappeared didn’t mean he wouldn’t double back, hoping to catch them off guard.
Kiera was in the living room huddled in the corner of the couch with Hunter and another werewolf standing guard.
Gabriel, having heard the howl, came bursting through the front door with Michael hot on his heels. “What happened? Is everything okay?”
“Ramsey went upstairs to leave Kiera’s packages on the landing for her. The next thing I knew, I heard a scuffle and a moment later Ramsey let out a howl,” Hunter replied.
Kiera stood up and walked over to Gabriel. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she leaned into him.
Holding her close, Gabriel looked at the three werewolves in wolf form. “Ramsey, stay with Kiera at all times when I’m not here. The other two of you, patrol the outside.”
The three wolves nodded their understanding.
Deciding to call it a day at the garage, Gabriel turned to face Michael. “I think it’s time to close-up shop for the day, possibly for the week. I don’t want to leave Kiera alone anymore than I have to until the vampire is dealt with.”
Michael nodded. “I agree. Do you want me to stay her
e?”
“I wouldn’t mind having you around, but you have your own place now. I’ll add a few more wolves to the patrol outside and make sure a few more are inside at night,” Gabriel answered.
Chapter Fifteen
Later that night, Kiera snuggled up next to Gabriel in their bed. Her head rested on his shoulder and her leg was draped across his thigh.
Ramsey was in the hall in his wolf form; a wolf was on the second floor landing, and two more were on the main level. There were also two werewolves in human form patrolling the house.
Outside, the crickets chirped and a cool breeze blew through the trees, making the leaves rustle. The sky was clear with hundreds of stars shining brightly against the midnight black sky. Pale moonlight shone down, illuminating the guards outside of the house.
In the woods, the vampire watched the house patiently. It was almost time for his move… almost, but not quite. He wanted to snatch the woman when her mate wasn’t around. He wasn’t worried about the alpha, but knew his task would be easier without the wolf involved.
He watched the multitude of werewolves patrolling the grounds in both human and wolf form. It was amazing how easy it would be to slip past them. He had already done it several times.
A sinister grin forms his lips as he thought of the beautiful fairy hiding inside. Her scent was still with him, driving him crazy, making him thirst for her blood and her fear.
Not much longer. If he still had a heart, it would be pumping tons of blood through his body as adrenaline raced through his system. The thrill of the chase, there was nothing else like it. Not even sex had ever been this good.
The vampire withdrew, slipping further into the shadows. If he wanted to stay focused, he needed to find a snack. Nothing to fill him up, but just enough to take the edge off; heading into the more populated area, he went hunting.
***
On the third floor of the Victorian, Kiera jolted awake. She scanned the room, trying to figure out what had disturbed her sleep. Nothing looked out of place; everything was the same as it had been when she had fallen asleep earlier.
Looking out the window, the moon shone brightly in the sky. Pushing aside the covers, she slipped out of the bed and walked to the window. Peering out into the darkness, she watched the werewolves below. Her eyes scanned the woods, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
Was he out there? Was the vampire watching her this very moment? Her eyes lingered on the woods once more, looking for hidden threats; or more accurately, a hidden threat.
Sighing, she climbed back into the bed. Lying back on her pillow, she rolled to her side and watched Gabriel sleep. His chest rose and fell with each breath he took, deep and even.
Kiera smiled. He looked so peaceful. She reached out and gently traced the contours of his chest and stomach with her fingers. It amazed her that someone so strong could be so gentle with her.
Maybe she should tell him how much she loved him. What if the vampire came back and took her and she’d never told Gabriel what he meant to her?
Rolling to face the window, she stared at the moon. Her thoughts were in a whirlwind. A million scenarios played through her mind. When she told Gabriel she loved him, what would he do? Would he balk and avoid her? Would he tell her that he loved her too?
After a lot of tossing and turning, sleep claimed her for the second time that night.
Chapter Sixteen
When Kiera woke up the next day, the clock beside the bed read eleven o’clock. She yawned and stretched. It didn’t really surprise her that she had slept so late.
Getting out of bed, she headed for the bathroom. Turning on the shower, she brushed her teeth while the water warmed up. She ran a brush through her hair, getting rid of the tangles before stepping under the warm spray of the shower.
Letting the warm water cascade down her body, she felt the kinks in her neck loosen. She leaned against the shower wall as the water sluiced down her back.
“Need some help?” Gabriel asked from the doorway.
Kiera yelped and turned to face him. “You scared me to death! I thought you were at work.”
He gave her a lazy grin and his eyes roamed over her body, from the tips of her toes to the top of her head, lingering on the parts in-between. “Sorry, honey. As for work, it’s Saturday.”
“You’ve been working on Saturdays,” she pointed out.
He shrugged. “It turns out that two of the guards are mechanics when they’re home. I’m letting them work on Saturdays to earn some extra cash and give me more time with you.”
She smiled and beckoned to him. “Then what are you waiting for? Come on in.”
Stripping out of his clothes, he climbed into the shower and pushed Kiera up against the wall. Tipping her head back, he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.
With his erection pressing against her belly, Kiera had no doubt what Gabriel wanted, and she wanted it too. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she pushed up on tiptoe and kissed him back.
Gabriel cupped her breasts with his palms, flicking her nipples with his thumbs. He trailed kisses across her jaw and down her throat. Nipping her shoulder, he thrust against her belly.
“I want you,” she murmured, desperately wanting to feel him inside of her.
Sliding his hands down to her waist, he lifted her. With her legs wrapped around his waist, she was open for him, open and ready. Reaching between their bodies, he gently rubbed her clit, making her whimper with need.
“Please Gabriel… I want you now,” she whispered, throwing her head back in ecstasy.
“Not just yet.”
Gently rubbing and flicking her clit, he continued to torment and tease, making her wiggle her hips, trying to draw him inside of her. She was so slick and swollen that Gabriel knew it was only a matter of moments before she would find her release.
He cupped her breast with his free hand and flicked his thumb over her nipple, drawing a gasp from her. Slipping a finger into her heat, he stroked the inside of her. As his finger pumped in and out of her, his thumb rubbed her clit. Bending his head, he took her nipple between his teeth and nipped her. Sucking the hardened nub into his mouth, he laved it with his tongue.
He was on fire for her and wanted to bury himself deep inside, but knew it wasn’t time yet. He wanted to make her scream, make her beg…
Kiera bucked against Gabriel’s hand, meeting his strokes, seeking her release. Her fingers twined in his hair, holding him to her breast. His fingers and his tongue were doing delicious things and she didn’t want him to stop. Pumping her hips in time with his strokes, she screamed out his name as her orgasm came crashing down upon her.
Panting, Kiera reached between their bodies and grasped Gabriel’s long hard shaft. The ache between her thighs momentarily satisfied, she wanted to explore new territory. Unwinding her legs from around his waist, she slid back down to the floor.
“Tell me what you want, Kiera,” Gabriel said in a husky voice.
Giving him a mischievous look, she dropped to her knees in front of him and drew her tongue across the length of him. His indrawn breath said far more than words could. Opening her mouth, she drew him between her lips, her tongue sliding against his warm hard flesh.
“Oh god Kiera, I think you’re killing me.”
In response, she took all of him into her mouth and sucked on him long and hard.
Gabriel groaned and grabbed the wall for support. To say that Kiera had surprised him would be an understatement. “Honey, if you don’t stop, I won’t last much longer.”
Giving him one last lick, Kiera stood and looked up at him. “If I can’t do that, then what can I do?”
“You can beg and scream,” he said, grabbing her hips and forcing her legs around his waist. Pressing her back to the wall, he pressed his length against her.
“I want you!”
“I don’t think you’re ready just yet,” he said, reaching between them and playing with her clit again.
Kiera r
ubbed her moist folds against him, wanting to feel him inside of her, stretching her, filling her. “Gabriel, I want you… now!”
He nudged her opening with the head of his dick, “Are you sure?”
Kiera tried to press forward, desperately wanting more of him. “Yes, I’m sure.”
He eased into her a little more. “Like this?”
She whimpered. “More…”
Thrusting into her hard, he asked, “You mean like this?”
“Yes… oh yes, just like that.”
Thrusting in and out of her, Gabriel drove both of them to the brink. Rubbing her wet, swollen clit, he thrust harder and faster.
Kiera grabbed his shoulders for support and threw her head back in ecstasy. She cried out as she climaxed.
Once Gabriel felt her muscles spasm around him, he let go, thrusting as deep and hard as he could until he found his release, shooting his hot seed deep into her.
Leaning against Kiera, he panted, trying to catch his breath.
“I can only hope that was as good for you as it was for me,” she murmured.
He chuckled and kissed her. “It was better.”
Gently setting her down on her feet, he slipped out of her. He caressed her cheek and smiled down at her, wanting to tell her how much he loved her, but not daring to bring it up so soon into their relationship. Married or not, it still seemed a bit early.
“We should probably get cleaned up and get some lunch,” he said, reaching for the soap.
“Are you going to wash me?”
He smiled, “That was the plan.”
“I don’t think we’ll make it to lunch if you wash me,” she said with a wicked grin.
“I’m willing to take that chance,” he replied, letting his soapy hands slide over her breasts.
Kiera instantly felt an ache between her legs and wanted him again.