by Lynn Hagen
“I’m not bad,” North said as she hiccupped. “I don’t even know who I am. I can’t remember my mommy and daddy.”
It began to lightly rain in the hallway. Johnny had a feeling North was making it do that. She was sad, so it rained. She was happy, so she’d made it snow. He wanted to hug her forever just so she wouldn’t be sad anymore. Johnny wanted to protect North from all the bad people in the world, and that included Krampus.
Johnny glared at Cecil. “Khaos wasn’t bad when you found him in the snow, and you didn’t know anything about him.”
“He also didn’t suck me into an alternate reality,” Cecil argued. “We just need to figure out how to get out of here.”
“Do you think we’re in another reality?” Blair asked.
“Yes, yes indeed.” Nero nodded as he squirted some of his hand sanitizer on his gloves and wiped his arms. “This place is exactly like the Den. Yes, it is, but different. Germy and nasty, but the same, and…not.”
“This is worse than sneaking off to the demon realm.” Keata bit his lower lip. “I promised Cody I would never do that again.”
“But this isn’t the demon realm,” Johnny pointed out. “And we didn’t sneak here. That thing kidnapped us.”
“Our mates must know we’re gone by now,” Cecil said. “They’re gonna find us.”
Blair looked doubtful. “They might know we’re gone, but after all the crap we’ve gotten ourselves into, they might think we’re enjoying a milkshake at Jake’s Java. How’re they gonna figure out we haven’t technically left the Den?”
“This is all your fault.” Johnny jabbed a finger at Cecil. “If you hadn’t gotten us into so much trouble over the years, that thing wouldn’t be after us.”
“Whoa.” Blair held up his hands. “This is no time for blame. We need to put our heads together and figure a way out of this.”
“I never forced you to come along with me,” Cecil defended. “That was your choice.”
“Like you didn’t talk us into it,” Johnny snapped. He normally wasn’t a mean guy, but he was afraid, and all he wanted was to go home and be with Hawk. He missed his mate and feared Hawk wouldn’t be able to find them.
What if the warriors couldn’t find them? Would Krampus eat them all? Would they be stuck there forever? This different reality was no place to raise a girl.
“Listen,” Gabby said.
Johnny strained to hear. His stomach tied into knots when he heard the distant cowbell.
And it was getting closer.
“We should split up,” Nero said. “It will be harder for it to catch us if we aren’t in a large group. Yes indeed.” He squirted more sanitizer on his hands and rubbed it on his face like it was lotion.
“Are you kidding?” Blair shook his head. “We’ve seen enough horror movies to know that’s a bad idea.”
“There has to be a way out of here.” Cecil looked around. “Some kind of doorway or something that’ll led us back to our own reality. Follow me.”
Whenever Cecil said those two words, they always got into trouble, but Johnny didn’t protest this time. He grabbed North’s hand as Cecil took them into his bedroom.
He crossed the room and flung the French doors open. For a moment, Johnny became excited. They were on the second floor, but he’d risk injury by jumping if that meant getting out of here.
But on the other side of the door was a brick wall.
Cecil cursed. “That means all the exits are useless. We’re gonna have to find another way out.”
“Not good, no, not good at all,” Nero said. “We have to get out of here. Yes, yes. We must leave.”
“We’re doomed,” Keata cried. “We’re all doomed!”
Johnny swallowed tightly as he listened to the cowbell grow closer. Dang it. He wasn’t ready to die.
* * * *
“I can’t flash you guys anywhere if I don’t know where I’m going,” Carter argued. “Another place, sure. But you’re talking about an alternate reality. How the hell do you just pop into that?”
Hawk was not only worried but so angry that he wanted to rip Krampus’s throat out. His mate was not collateral damage. The evil twin wanted North, and Hawk wanted to protect both his mate and her. She was just a child, but he highly doubted North was some evil little imp. Johnny had been volunteering at the rec center for quite some years. North had been attending his classes for months.
She would’ve shown her true colors by now if she was evil.
“I’m sorry,” Ruttford said when he looked at them. “I still have my Christmas magic, but I haven’t the first clue how to use it as some sort of key into another reality. If Nick says he can save them, shouldn’t we let—”
“We take care of our own,” Maverick said. “We don’t sit around and wait for someone else to rescue our mates.”
Hawk wasn’t confident they’d have that option, especially if they had no way into wherever Johnny and the others were trapped. He thought about when he’d first brought Johnny home after his mate had been released from the hospital for an anxiety attack, how sweet and innocent Johnny was, even after the trouble he’d gotten into over the years. How badly his pretty baby wanted a child and how desperately Hawk wanted to give him one.
Hawk—a wolf shifter who was swift and fierce and brought down pain in milliseconds, a commander who bent the elements of time and space around him, who exuded power and authority—was ready to drop to his knees and beg the powers that be to return his mate to him.
He didn’t want to think of anything happening to someone who had already been through so much, someone who was Hawk’s very reason for living.
“Tell me what we have to do,” Hawk said with a deep, hard growl in his voice. “Tell me how we get to our mates.”
“Wait,” Ruttford said. “I still have a few friends at the workshop. Let me make a call.” He pulled out his phone and dialed. Seconds later, Ruttford said, “Hey, Bobbles. Yeah, I heard. That’s why I’m calling.” Another pause. “Does Tinsel still lead the Elite ops in the Gladiator Zones?” Ruttford nodded his head. “I’ll owe you big for this if you can get him here.”
Ruttford hung up, a wide smile on his face.
“Well?” Maverick arched a brow.
“Gentleman, I’ve found you a way in.”
* * * *
North tugged on Johnny’s hand. “I’m tired and hungry.”
The mates had been sneaking around the Den, trying their best to stay one step ahead of that thing. Johnny would never, ever complain about the size of the mansion anymore or Nero’s need to keep it spotless. If he saw another cobweb or spider again, it would be too soon.
“Do you want me to carry you?” He tucked long strands of North’s hair behind her small ear. Johnny wasn’t sure if he could carry her, but he would do whatever he had to in order to keep her safe. She was his responsibility, and unlike his brother, Sean, Johnny planned on smothering her with all the love he had inside him. “And I promise you a super-duper big dinner when we get home.”
Even though they were home…sort of.
“Hey, kiddo.” Cecil smiled at her as he pulled a candy bar from his pocket. “You can have this. It should help hold you over until we eat.”
Johnny recalled a time when he’d worshiped the ground Cecil walked on. He’d been the most important person in Johnny’s world, until Johnny had met Hawk. They’d been through so much over the years, yet Cecil still held a special place in Johnny’s heart. “Thanks.”
Cecil ruffled Johnny’s blond locks. “Anything for you, J-man.”
Tears gathered in Johnny’s eyes. Cecil hadn’t called him that nickname in forever. He threw his arms around Cecil and gave him a tight hug.
“We’ll get out of this,” Cecil whispered in his ear. “You just gotta have faith that our mates will find us.”
Johnny pulled back and wiped at his tears. “Hawk will find me, and then he’ll kick that monster’s butt.”
Cecil chuckled. “You got that right.”<
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“Cody is going to destroy that thing,” Keata said.
“And Montana,” Gabby added. “He’s gonna use his muscles and rip that thing apart.”
“I want my Gunny,” Nero wailed.
“Pfft, I’m not worried,” Blair said. “I know Kota will get here in time.”
“Maverick is gonna destroy him, shifter-style.” Cecil grinned.
Johnny smiled through his tears. He knew everyone was just saying those things to make themselves feel better, and it was working. The mood lightened as they crept from the kitchen and slipped into the library.
“Oh…wow.” Johnny looked around. The large window wasn’t sealed in with bricks. Beyond was a raging snowstorm, lightning crackling across the sky every few seconds. The room was completely dark, and the only light was the coming from the window.
Johnny pulled North toward the desk but stopped when he heard a strange clicking sound. Something rustled, almost like bed sheets. Johnny took a step back, snapping his head around.
“What the hell is that noise?” Blair whispered.
Something large scurried past the window, but all Johnny could make out was a shadow.
“We need to get out of here.” Johnny curled his arms around North. “We really need to go.”
One of the mates screamed. Johnny thought it sounded a lot like Keata.
“Something just touched me!” Keata ran right into Johnny, knocking him over. Thankfully North didn’t go down with him. She stood with the window to her back and spread her arms. A soft blue glow erupted from her fingers, giving them light.
“Oh fuck!” Cecil backed up and tripped over Johnny and Keata. He pointed toward the double doors.
Johnny whipped his head around and gasped. Krampus stood there blocking their exit, and next to him was a gigantic spider. The darkened fireplace came to life, flames spitting so high that they should’ve burned the shelves of books around them.
“I think that fire is for us,” Gabby whimpered. “It’s gonna roast us like chestnuts then eat us.”
Cecil jumped to his feet and squared his shoulders. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”
“Hawk is gonna eat you!” Johnny got up and stood next to Cecil, keeping North behind him.
“Hand over the child,” Krampus snarled.
The spider’s pincers clacked together, and Johnny knew where that clicking noise had come from. He was ready to wet himself, but he kept scowling at Krampus.
“You’re never gonna touch her!” Johnny wasn’t a brave man. Not at all. But for North, he’d roll up his sleeves and fight the scary man. Hopefully one of the other mates fought the spider, though.
“Why is she so important to you?” Cecil asked.
“My brothers pets.” Krampus smiled and Johnny almost passed out. The creature didn’t have regular teeth. They were sharp rows of rotten yellows ones, like they’d been stained from eating so many people.
“Your brother?” Blair tilted his head. “Are you talking about Santa Claus?”
“Santa has an evil brother?” Keata asked. “Great, now my childhood delusions are ruined.”
The evil creature started to move toward them. The mates backed up until they were against the window.
This was it. They were all gonna die. Johnny turned, curling himself around North, and then closed his eyes.
Chapter Ten
The fiasco this evening had turned into a big-ass headache. Brady just wanted to forget about his father and Ronny. Just for tonight. He wanted to concentrate on his budding relationship with Harmon—his big, strapping, sexy bear shifter that he couldn’t get enough of.
“Harmon,” Brady whispered when his mate swept him up in a hug, looking at Brady like he wanted to feast on him.
“Right here, baby. Like I said, whatever you need.”
“You.” Brady tilted his head to the side when Harmon started nibbling on his neck. “I need you.”
Harmon’s arms were strong, yet he held Brady gently, as though afraid of hurting him. He picked Brady up, and Brady wrapped his legs around his thick waist. Their lips met, tongues stroking, as Harmon carried him to the bedroom.
Brady’s body thrummed in anticipation as Harmon dropped them both onto the bed, careful of his weight as his hands stroked Brady everywhere. They kissed until Brady needed air. He pulled back and cupped his mate’s face, gazing into eyes so blue they reminded Brady of a clear sky on a sunny day.
“I’ve never felt this way with anyone else.”
Harmon nipped his chin. “That’s what makes mating so special. An unbreakable bond.” He kissed each side of Brady’s cheeks. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, sweetheart.”
His words, the conviction behind them, made Brady dizzy. Harmon slid from the bed and undressed Brady. His clothes landed in a flurry on the floor. Oh god, the way Harmon looked down at him set Brady’s blood on fire.
Flipping to his hands and knees, Brady crawled across the bed, eyeing Harmon’s groin as he unfastened the man’s jeans. Harmon stood perfectly still as Brady fished his python out. His mate shoved his pants and boxers down to his knees. Brady smiled up at him before parting his lips and sucking Harmon’s cock into his mouth.
Harmon sucked in air between his teeth. One of his hands stroked Brady’s hair. “Feels so fucking good,” Harmon groaned.
Brady wanted to tell Harmon how good he tasted, but that would’ve required letting his clock go, and Brady wasn’t ready to do that. He moaned instead, knowing full well the effect the vibrations would cause.
“Oh shit.” Harmon strangled Brady’s hair then apologized, trying to smooth the strands.
This time Brady pulled back and chuckled. “I actually like my hair pulled. Don’t stop doing it.”
He swallowed Harmon’s cock again and was rewarded with a hard tug. To prove he wasn’t lying, Brady let out a long, loud moan.
As if spurred on by the sounds Brady made, Harmon tugged harder while he fucked Brady’s mouth in short bursts. Brady used the flat of his tongue, tasting every inch of Harmon’s shaft. God, he loved how a cock felt in his mouth, loved the musky scent, the fullness that stretched his jaw, and how the head kept hitting the back of his throat.
Harmon bent slightly, rubbing his hand down Brady’s back until he reached Brady’s hole. He tapped a finger against the tight ring of muscles, and Brady stuck his ass higher, desperate to feel any part of Harmon inside him.
He took Harmon’s cock all the way down until his nose touched pubic hairs. Harmon let out a guttural groan, fucking Brady’s mouth even faster. When Brady gripped Harmon’s balls, it was over. Harmon shook and shivered as he came down Brady’s throat.
Harmon took a few steps back and let out a few long breaths. He wiped his arm over his forehead, and Brady noticed that his mate was still hard.
“Your turn.” Harmon grabbed the lube from the nightstand. “Turn around so I can play with your hole.”
Brady didn’t have to be told twice. He spun so fast that his arms got tangled and he face-planted into the covers.
Harmon chuckled and smacked Brady’s ass. The sting made Brady’s cock even harder. He glanced over his shoulder and gave Harmon an approving smile.
“You like that?” Harmon looked cocky as fuck as he brought his hand up and smacked Brady again. A loud gasp and moan escaped Brady.
“I think you just found a kink I never knew I had,” Brady said. He felt himself blush as he looked away.
“And I plan on finding everything you like,” Harmon said. “Don’t you dare be embarrassed about anything we do together. Got that?”
“Yep.” But Brady was embarrassed and refused to look at Harmon.
He heard the cap of the lube pop open. Brady curled his fingers into the comforter and braced himself. Harmon slid what had to be two fingers inside Brady’s ass. The stretch burned too much for it to be a single digit. Harmon wasn’t playing around. He clearly wanted this part done with so he could bury his cock inside Brady.
“Ready for me?” Harmon asked a few moments later.
“More than ready.” He bit his bottom lip as Harmon entered him in one stroke. Brady shivered, sucking in a breath and letting it out slowly. He loved being filled by Harmon and would defy anyone who thought to keep them apart. In twenty-four hours, Brady had started to crave Harmon. It was insane, too. They’d just met yesterday, yet Brady felt as though they’d known each other a lifetime.
Harmon gripped Brady’s hips and pounded into his ass, switching between fast and hard and slow and gentle. He touched Brady everywhere, his fingers ghosting over Brady’s body.
“Need more,” Harmon murmured as he pulled all the way out of Brady’s ass.
Brady had no idea what that meant until Harmon picked him up and flipped him onto his back. “Ack!” Brady flailed. “Give a guy some warning!”
Harmon winked, a playful smile on his lips. He spread Brady’s legs and drove back inside. “I thought we were discovering new kinks.”
Brady slapped at him. “That doesn’t include quick tactical movements.”
“But I like flipping you around,” Harmon said. “You’re lightweight and compact. I bet I could twirl you above my head.”
“And we’re never gonna find out.” Still joined, they scooted farther onto the bed until Harmon was hovering over him. Oh yeah. This was so much better. Brady liked that he could look into Harmon’s eyes.
Harmon damn near folded Brady in half as he greedily sought out a kiss. The rocking motion. The way Harmon’s body trapped Brady’s cock between them. The hungry way Harmon ate at his mouth. Brady was quickly becoming unglued. His balls drew close to his body. He hooked his hands around Harmon’s neck and whispered into his mouth, “Almost there.”
Harmon gave a slow, fierce growl. He looked as though he was barely controlling himself. A wild beast nearly unchained. Brady wanted Harmon to lose himself, to fully give over to his desires.
“Don’t you dare hold back on me,” Brady said. “Give me everything you got.”