by Jo Penn
“Mine. Mate,” he hissed, growled, and then purred as he felt the connection to his mate snap into place immediately.
The man beneath him shuddered, gorgeous ice-blue eyes rolling back in his head as he went pliant beneath Drake, submitting. Good. They wouldn’t have battles over who was the alpha in the mateship, then.
Drake smiled, purring as he lapped at the drops of blood running down his mate’s throat caused by his deeply embedded fangs. Fuck, the man tasted good.
“Lords above, don’t make me come in front of everyone,” his mate hissed.
Cats didn’t have those hang-ups. Vampires, on the other hand, were a bit more reserved. Drake slowly withdrew his fangs and carefully lapped at the wounds to close them but also forever leave his claiming mark. Yeah, this one was his, and everyone would know it. Leaning up from his mate’s body stretched on top of the table beneath him, Drake smiled.
Man, he’d gotten very lucky. His mate was stunning, from the top of his glossy, dark, wavy hair, pulled back at the top by a band, to the bottom of his slender, elegant feet in black sneakers. Long and lean, his well-toned body—very well-toned—a sculpted face and those glistening, icy eyes all made for a gorgeous package.
Damn. Vampires were always gorgeous, always alluring.
Then he frowned, catching a good whiff of something else. Leaning down, he took a deep breath, pressing his nose right against his mate’s hairless chest. Vampires were pretty much hairless all over their bodies.
Sex. His mate had sex only a few hours ago. He would have growled and gone wild with possessiveness, but the scent he was catching mingled so deeply with his mate’s that it triggered all sorts of other emotions.
“Mate.” His eyes flashed cat again. “Another. Where?”
The vampire tensed. “Merde. Let me up, cat.”
Drake pulled his mate up as he stood and, without waiting, grabbed the vampire’s elegant hand and pulled him through the restaurant toward the front door.
“Wait!”
“You come with me, mate.”
“I’m working, cat.” The vampire hissed.
On the way past, Drake snatched the backpack that smelled of a mix of his mates from Pete, the lynx who owned the restaurant.
Ryder was sitting on the boot of the limousine, laughing his cheerful ass off. “Wowee, brother. You got yourself a mate! And a vamp one, at that. Cool! Dad’s going to be thrilled.”
“Wait. We need to talk, cat—”
“Drake.” Drake tossed the backpack to Ryder, who caught it in midair with one hand. “We have another mate to collect.”
“About that…” The vampire dropped his other hand over the one Drake was using to hold his wrist, and with a flick and a swing, he had Drake up against the side of the limousine, a hand around his throat. The vamp gave a fanged smile. “Slow down, cat. I don’t like being manhandled.”
Oh, yeah. He’d best not forget his vampire mate had skills all of his own. He was no weak, young vampire.
Drake flashed a grin. “Get used to it. We’re on a deadline, mate. Get in the car.”
“Not going to happen. As I said—”
Drake hoped the vamp had gotten the idea of who the alpha was, but apparently not. With a quick move, he had the vampire face-first against the car and pressed his body against his mate’s.
He gently grabbed a handful of that glossy hair and held his mate’s head still.
“Where’s our other mate?”
The vampire shrugged. “Be warned, shifter, I—”
Drake sunk his fangs deep into Xavier’s throat, enjoying his mate’s cry of shock and pleasure and the shudder that ran through that lean, muscular body.
“You seem to have missed who I am, Xavier. I’m your mate. I’m bigger, stronger, and a prince. So be good and tell me what I want to know and don’t give me anymore shit.” Drake pressed his lips against his mate’s lightly tanned cheek. “I need to fuck and claim you properly. I’m riding the shifter mating heat right now, so if you don’t want to be done in the limousine, play nice and I’ll go as gentle and sweet as you need.”
Drake wanted to lap his mate up, coddle and caress him—at the same time, he wanted to fuck and claim, dominate. There were a lot of conflicting emotions to wade through, but he had a feeling, an instinct perhaps, that his vampire would quickly gain the upper hand if Drake didn’t establish some rules straightaway. While he didn’t mind giving in to his mate—or mates, as the case may be—there were just some things he wasn’t willing to compromise on. His mates came with him. He would take care of, protect, and cherish them.
The vampire dropped his head and tilted it to the side, acknowledging Drake’s position and hold over him.
“Good, my stunning mate. Let’s get in the limousine and you can tell me where you live so we can collect what you need for a few days while my people are packing up your house. And you can tell me about our other mate.”
Dominic climbed into the limousine first, Ryder grinning at Drake as he held the door open for Xavier to climb in.
“Now he is fucking stunning, and did I hear right? Another mate? Why do you think that?”
“I can smell him all over Xavier.” Drake said.
“You lucky son of a bastard. Another vampire?”
“Human, by the scent. Get in.”
Dominic was grinning when they were seated inside the limousine. “I think the Seer mixed up who was going to get slapped down with a mate, big brother. Looks like I’m back out playing in the field.”
Drake sat beside Xavier and took a good sniff. “Could be. Seer only said about one of us brothers with white-blond hair and dark eyes. Mate, these are my brothers. Ryder, the youngest, and Dominic, whom I’m guessing you have met previously, from the same litter as myself. Ryder, this is Lord Xavier Armstrong Dalton. How do you know Dominic, hon?”
“Via the Council.” The vampire pinched the bridge of his nose. Everything about him was so frigging elegant. “I have commitments, Your Highness—”
“Drake is fine. Your most pressing commitment is to me, my mate. Don’t forget that. Ever.” Cats were very possessive and demanding of their mates, wanting and giving their full attention. “Now, this other mate, the human. You’ve claimed him?”
“Mine!” Xavier’s eyes turned from icy blue to frigid glaciers, his hands sprouting lethal, razor-sharp vampire talons. “He’s mine!”
Drake eyed his vampire cautiously. He knew all other creatures had taken the time to study each one, and this one he was taking good note of. Not a weakling. In fact, power rolled off the creature… This was a higher echelon vampire, possibly even one of the top levels. So why the hell was he in Milson Valley, where there wasn’t a vampire coven? To be closer to his grandmother? Drake could understand visiting for a holiday, but vamps tended to live close to their coven like shifters to their prides and packs.
“Don’t think your vamp is into sharing, brother?” Ryder stirred.
“Vampires are reserved and very attached to their mates. You’re encroaching, Drake,” Dominic said quietly. “You’ll have to tread carefully.”
Drake nodded. He understood. Vamps could be testy when it came to their mates, just like Drake’s kind, only they were more high-strung.
“Okay, Xavier, easy now. I’m not taking away your human. It’s obvious you’ve claimed him.” He caressed his vamp’s hair soothingly. Drake knew when to back off and down, when to show his softer side, and when to be a force no one messed with. And he had great instincts. Challenging his vampire mate over this would be a fucking hugely dumb-ass move. “Can you try and remember for me that the human is my mate, also? Breathe in my scent, mate.”
Xavier’s glacier eyes warmed a fraction as he leaned into Drake and sniffed. “Mine.”
“Yes, honey, all yours. I need to tell the driver your address so we can collect your human and some stuff to tide you over a few days, okay?” Xavier’s fingers trailed over Drake’s collarbone. Drake smiled. His vamp was getting the feel of him
. That was good. “Your address?”
Xavier licked Drake’s collarbone and scraped a fang across, nearly making him come. He panted and tugged the vamp’s head back as gently as he could, trying to respect Xavier’s dislike of being manhandled.
That was a bitch. Drake wanted to manhandle and ravish. Maybe when Xavier got the feel of him more.
Xavier sighed and rattled off his address, Ryder relaying it to Mark.
“You’re a chef, Xavier?” Dominic was good at relaxing others. Good at distracting and then attacking, also.
Xavier blinked. “Yes.”
“Great. We have a huge kitchen at the compound. Feel free to use it. How long have you been in Milson Valley? I didn’t even realize you were here.” Dominic seemed perplexed by that, gaining Drake’s curiosity.
“I have been here for a while, on an extended visit with my grandmother and cousins.” Xavier touched his neck, frowning. “Keeley and I came for a visit and ended up staying a little longer.” Xavier’s expression changed briefly to one of contemplation. “I felt the need to stay.”
Dom smiled, nodding. Drake felt his vampire was being truthful, but there was a sense the man was withholding something, a touch evasive.
“You must have instinctually sensed you were close to your mate. It’s good you’ve got family ties in the area. Keeley is your mate? I knew you were mated, but I never had the pleasure of meeting him.”
Xavier’s eyes went frosty. Holy shit, his vampire was possessive of the human mate! That was kind of cool. Drake preferred that to the frequent aloofness of vamps toward others, including their mates. Some just didn’t get attached. Others got possessive like Xavier.
“Yes,” Xavier hissed.
“Good, good. Keeley likes it here? This area, I mean.” Dom kept it up, easing through any obstacles and gaining information.
Xavier flopped back on the seat, somehow making it look elegant though he was pretty ruffled by now from Drake’s manhandling.
“No, not particularly. Keeley doesn’t…he’s neither interested in family ties nor remaining in one place long.”
That was not a resounding endorsement of good qualities to Drake, who very much was interested in family ties. He was all about family ties and remaining in one place, most importantly with said family, who were in fact his entire pride. So far, the human wasn’t sounding exactly like what Drake would have picked out for himself as a mate.
“I shall call him and let him know what’s going on.”
Drake did not want that to happen. A startled human was easier to deal with than either a pissed-off or running scared one. Shifters had learned from an early age that, when they found their mate, they should strike fast. Don’t hesitate, and don’t give them a chance to run. Vampires were pretty much the same.
Ryder was looking at Xavier in a little bit of awe. “Oh, shit, you’re part wizard.”
Drake had his mate’s scent by now and didn’t need to clarify that point. “Nope, no wizard.”
“I missed out on that gene, thankfully. Full vampire like my mother. The fucking bitch.”
Drake gaped. “Right, so not close to your mother.”
“She tried to sell me to the coven master. What do you think, cat?” Xavier hissed.
“Wowee, I’m sure Delia let her have it. Delia’s wicked powerful.”
Delia Armstrong was the local head of the witch and wizard coven in this area and was very powerful, smart, and had a big family and extended group like Drake’s.
“Of course.” Xavier’s gorgeous, elegant features were a touch cynical and wary. “We are nearly there, so I will advise you of a few relevant points. Keeley won’t understand having more than one mate, and if he becomes upset, I’ll be highly territorial.”
“You’ve claimed him. He’ll feel Drake through that, which will make this easier,” Dom said smoothly. “Is your grandmother going to be fine with you and Drake?”
Some witch and wizard covens preferred to not have much to do with vampires, demons, and shifters, as their type of magic was profoundly different from other paranormals’. Considering Delia had such a good relationship with Drake’s father and mother, he doubted there would be any problems, but it was always good to know so he was forewarned. Drake liked to be aware of any difficulties, and though he wasn’t interested in hearing about the human mate, his attention centered on his vampire. He was listening and taking in what Xavier said, because he did need to be forewarned. He needed to take care of his vampire, get him home, and finish the mating claim.
Humans were difficult, as they didn’t have the mating scent and call like paranormals. They did have the pull to their mate, though, which aided. But aside from that, they were easy prey.
Xavier quirked a brow. “I can hear your thoughts, mate. Your cat is itching to get out there and hunt down my mate.”
Drake grinned. “’Course. My cat scented him. I’m more interested in you, my vampire. Lady Delia, she’ll be fine?”
“Delia understands the ways of the paranormal.” Xavier tensed. “We’re here.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take it easy on your mate.” Drake got out of the car beside Jax, who always got out first—a bit annoying, that—and took a good look around.
It was a grand, old house on a good street with good security and magic protecting it. Xavier didn’t take any chances. Drake liked that. Being safety-minded in their world was a must. He sniffed the air but couldn’t get the scent of the human mate. Xavier got out and walked past him and Jax without a word, Jax hurrying to keep up. The vampire was fast, already at the front door and unlocking it.
Dom and Ryder followed behind Drake. Dominic was filling their father in on his phone and keeping a good eye out around them.
“Is that a Ferrari?” Ryder grinned. “Your mate has expensive tastes, brother.”
Everything about Xavier screamed elegance and refinement. Good. It would work well with Drake’s kind, who could be snotty, lazy, and reserved.
Inside was a foyer, well decorated without being over the top. Drake sniffed. The human wasn’t here and hadn’t been for a few hours. His cat growled furiously inside him, wanting out to hunt down his mates. Drake reined his cat in, hard and harsh. Now wasn’t the time.
“Keeley, where are you? I need you to call me back straight away.” Xavier walked out of a room to their right, talking on his phone. “It’s important.”
“Does he work?” Ryder asked when Xavier hung up.
“Hmm? Not at present. I’ll try Gran. He’s often there at her coven.” Xavier put the phone back to his ear.
“Does he drive?”
“Yes. Mason, it’s Xavier. Is Keeley there?” Xavier hissed and strode away a few paces. “Yes, I am well aware, Mason. I do know how to look after my mate…fine, then next time I require a mate sitter, I shall immediately consider you for the position, shall I?” Xavier hung up, snarling. “Keels is probably in town.”
“We’ve run out of time, Xavier.” Drake waved a hand. He got the feeling if he didn’t snatch his vampire and take him home, he may very well have a battle on his hands in the future. “Collect what you and Keeley need for a few days. We leave in ten minutes.”
“I’m not leaving Keeley!” Xavier hissed, talons coming out.
Drake growled, ready to bring his mate down and drag him home. Dom placed a hand on Drake’s shoulder and tapped it.
“Xavier, we understand. It is time to go, though, so why don’t I wait here for Keeley while you pack bags and go with Drake? He needs to finish your claiming, otherwise you know what happens.”
Xavier raised a brow. “Really? You want me to leave my mate behind? And when he comes home, he walks in to a shifter telling him some tale or just tossing him in a car? Yes, I can see how I want to do that—oomph!”
Drake put Xavier over his shoulder and strode out of the house, his mate hissing and fighting but showing some restraint by not using his razor-sharp talons. Drake understood well that the only reason Xavier wasn’t using tho
se fucking talons was because they were mates, and mates did not harm one another.
Drake was more than willing to take advantage of that fact to get his mate.
Mark held the door open for Drake to push Xavier through first, then climbed in and immediately found himself pressed back against a seat, sharp talons at his throat as his mate eyed him up with ruthlessly icy eyes, fangs extended.
“Easy, mate.” Drake winced. “Okay, I’ll make sure to respect the no manhandling rule…until you get used to me.” He cracked a cheeky grin. “Come on, gorgeous, we both know you’re not going to slice me up, so why don’t we calm down—”
“Do not think I agree with your methods, shifter, or will easily accept them. We will establish that right from the beginning. I am not a possession. I will give to my mates but will not be pushed or accept less than is right. Now, do we have an understanding, or do I leave this car and await the return of my other mate and then deem to speak to you?”
Drake was so turned on by his arrogant, take-charge mate that all he could do was grin and drool. Holding his hands up in surrender position, he licked his lips as Xavier’s talons retracted and the vampire traced Drake’s bottom lip.
Man, he was going to overheat with wants and needs soon.
“We can set some ground rules, mate, as long as we get movin’. I’m riding the need to be connected fully and with a missing mate I need to cool off.”
Xavier studied Drake a moment, assessing him. Drake could see the battle in his mate’s eyes and knew it would be difficult to attend to one mate while the other was somewhere out of reach.
“Fine, we’ll go. But I will be apprised every step of the way in detaining Keeley.”
“Sure. Ryder, get a picture of the human to hunt him down. If Baron’s around, get him out tracking. He’s our best tracker.”
“Yeah, ’cept he steps on everyone’s toes and pisses them off.” Ryder grinned and wandered off.
“Dominic will stay. He’s already sending for some of the guards to hunt the human down.”