by Lexi C. Foss
“I have a suggestion,” Luka cut in. “If I may.”
She waved a hand. “I’m all ears, Alpha.”
He cleared his throat and stepped forward. “After Edon’s ascension, send Jolene to Ernest Clan to act as a leader while Logan completes his final year of training. The former alpha may be old, but he’s still a force of nature. As was evidenced the other night when he took on the ceremonial role for Edon’s challenge. I feel he would be more than fit to administer the alpha trials next year.”
She considered him for a long moment. “Are there any objections to the notion?” she asked, addressing the other alphas in the room. Her gaze fell on me. “Edon?”
“I agree with Luka’s suggestion. Jolene might be old, but he’s still an alpha.” I purposely used his given name, not my endearment for him. The more detached she believed me to be, the more likely she would agree. As much as I would miss him, I knew this was his desire—to return to his Claudette.
“And I have no objections either,” Logan added. “There are no elder alphas in my clan, and I would be grateful for the leadership of one so experienced.”
A few others nodded in agreement, no one speaking out about the clearly obvious path.
“Very well,” Lilith said. “Edon, please advise Jolene of his new placement after we finish here.”
“I will,” I agreed. Not that I had a choice. She may have used the word please, but she meant it as an order.
She nodded. “The last item for us to handle is Silvano Region. Sovereign Catalina confessed to her involvement in his nefarious plans to instigate a war for the benefit of gaining land.” She glanced at Kylan, a subtle edge to her tone. “Which means I can’t trust his political choices in that region and need to conduct a full investigation personally. So I will temporarily be taking over as the royal of the territory until an appropriate candidate can be found.”
“Or you could allow me to serve temporarily and save yourself multiple trips,” Ryder drawled, causing several heads to turn his way. “I mean, I meet all the royal qualifications, and I already live in the region. Seems a more suitable answer.”
Well, that’s unexpected.
What is? Silas replied.
Ryder just volunteered to be the temporary royal of Silvano Region. And from the look on Lilith’s face, she was not happy about it.
“You were offered a royalship a century ago and turned it down,” she snapped, her temper showing. “Why now?”
“Because you said it would only be temporary.” He smiled. “Temporary royalty, I’ll accept. Permanent royalty? In this new world? No.”
She bristled. “You are not suitable to lead.”
“Why?” he countered. “Because I turned down your precious offer a century ago?” he snorted. “We both know I’m more than qualified, Lilith. And if I wanted to, I could demand the position permanently.”
We could have heard a pin drop—it was that silent.
The other royals in the room seemed to be in agreement, their gazes riveted on Lilith, waiting for her decision.
But Ryder wasn’t done.
“I’ve chosen to mind my own business, but Silvano changed that when he led an army of idiots through my yard. I don’t know what he’s been teaching vampires in his region, or why. What I do know is they need a makeover, one only I can provide.” He arched a brow. “Unless you’re doubting my sanity, too?”
Kylan smirked.
Ryder did not.
“We both know Texas isn’t your playground, Lil,” Ryder added. “Let me wrangle ’em up for you, teach ’em a lesson, while you find a fitting candidate to take my place. Although, as payment, I want freedom to go back to not giving a fuck and minding my own business. Understood?”
Damn, he was giving Kylan stiff competition in the balls department. Because fuck. He’d just essentially commanded her decision, acting as though she’d already agreed.
And maybe she had.
Because she just kept staring at him, visibly speechless.
“Seems a sound arrangement, lass,” Cormac said. “He’s worthy and offering. Cannae get better than that, if ye ask me.”
Lajos nodded. “It will take time to find a suitable candidate, Lilith. Managing both territories in the interim would be a hefty task. Give it to Ryder; just keep the bastard on a leash.”
Ryder snorted. “Keep your bedroom fetishes out of this discussion, Lajos.”
Lilith raised her hand between them before Lajos could reply. “Enough.” She lowered her arm and pressed an index finger to her temple to massage it. “Fine. Ryder can take over as temporary royal. Until I come up with a better solution.”
Shit. She caved. I expected her to fight harder or outright deny him, but she suddenly appeared too exhausted to care.
Darius says it’s a smart political move, Silas replied. Ryder could claim royalty at any time and demand a territory. She really isn’t in a place to deny him.
Really?
That’s what Darius says.
Huh. Vampire politics was fucked up.
“I think that covers everything, then,” Lilith continued. “The entire council will convene in Lilith City in two months’ time. We will no longer be convening annually, but quarterly.” She looked around the room, searching for an objection.
“Is that a social occasion I am not to attend?” Kylan asked, reminding me of an unruly child raising a petulant question.
It raised a smirk from Ryder across the room. “We could only be so lucky.”
“All council members are to attend,” Lilith replied, her tone laced with command. “Even Robyn.”
All the good humor fled from Kylan’s features. “It’s as if you’re daring me to kill another royal, Lilith.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Given your recent track record, Kylan, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Why, darling, that almost sounds like a challenge,” he murmured. “I assume we’re all free to leave?”
Her jaw clenched. “Yes. You may go,” she replied with a very tight smile.
“Excellent.” He turned with a flourish, leaving without so much as a glance back.
Several followed but paused to thank me for my hospitality on their way out. A few even congratulated me, commenting that they would return for my official ascension. Jace was among the latter. Luka, too. Apparently, we would be having a party again in a little less than a month. Awesome.
Fortunately, Lilith said she wouldn’t be able to make it.
Feigning my disappointment had not been easy.
Even Logan seemed to struggle as he waited beside me.
The rumble of cars starting outside was a welcome sound, causing me to sigh as the last of the council members disappeared, leaving me alone with Logan. We had a few matters to tend to, what with my grandfather moving to his territory.
“How would you feel about me bringing Claudette with me?” Logan asked. “To your ascension, I mean.”
“I think my granddad would like that,” I said, smiling. “Do you mind if I hold on to him for a few weeks? To sort out the chaos in Clemente Clan?”
He had sat through one of the meetings with my grandfather where we reviewed all the pack members, their skill sets, locations, and potential for advancement. So Logan knew what kind of shitstorm Walter had left for me to clean up.
“Yeah, I can manage for a few weeks without him.” He smiled. “It’ll give me a chance to sort a few members out on my own.”
My own lips quirked up. “I hear that.” There were several assholes around here I couldn’t wait to remove. I clapped him on the back. “Keep in touch, yeah?”
“Pretty sure that’s a given,” he drawled. “Gotta make sure you don’t hurt my big sister.”
I laughed as we exited the lodge. “Trust me. Your sister can handle herself.”
Pride lit up his blue eyes. “Yeah. She can.”
I’m coming home, I told Silas. Get Luna naked.
Already a work in progress, he replied in a breathy tone. W
e started as soon as the vampires left.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
41
Luna
This was much different from my first mating ceremony.
For one, I didn’t want to ruin it.
And for another, I wanted the alpha to smell my recent sexual experience for an entirely different reason.
The look in Edon’s eyes as he kissed a path down my body before the pack made my efforts worth it. And as he met the apex between my thighs, he growled in hunger at scenting Silas’s recent marking.
If the alpha sniffed around the back, he’d smell himself.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he grinned and bit me where he originally did just over two months ago, reclaiming me for all to see. Only this time, Silas knelt and bit my opposite thigh.
I swallowed, the heat of their joint embrace lighting an ember inside me that refused to cool. If they didn’t get up here quickly, I’d join them on the ground.
But slowly they stood, their matching grins so very wolfish.
“Do you accept us as your mates?” Edon asked, his eyes darker than midnight and yet glistening from the full moon above.
“I do.” I wrapped my palm around the back of his neck and kissed him, then repeated the gesture with Silas. And knelt before them.
I ran my nose up and down their thighs, breathing in their rich masculine scents. These two virile males were all mine. For eternity. Mmm. The things we would do together. But first I had to claim them properly beneath the moon, in front of our peers and the pack, and all our ancestors above.
My teeth sank into Silas first, our connection snapping into place with a force that stole the breath from my lungs. All his emotions, his thoughts, his senses became mine. Just as he inherited the same from me, our link permanent and amazing and filling a void deep inside me.
Oh, but I needed Edon, too.
I wasted no time in biting him.
He groaned into my mind, two months of partial fulfillment slamming into me at once. Fuck, his desire to mate was potent. The happiness that followed nearly knocked me to the ground. And the overwhelming sense of love that flourished inside him, it melted my heart.
I jumped up into his arms, capturing his lips with mine and devoured him. Silas growled, his fingers threading in my hair as he tugged me away and covered my mouth with his own.
Mates, I breathed.
Yes, they replied in unison.
We kissed for so long that our audience grew restless. They wanted more. The three of us were naked, our arousal evident. But we weren’t done yet.
Edon needed to establish a mating link to Silas and vice versa. It would go deeper than their sire-progeny bond and firmly solidify our triad.
After another long kiss with Edon, the males released me to focus on each other. “Before I do this, I have an announcement to make,” my alpha mate said, his voice gruff and sexy as fuck. I loved his dominant tone. It was the one that made me go to my knees, but as I heard what he wanted to say in his mind, I didn’t follow my instinct.
Instead, I smiled.
Yes, I told him. Not that he needed my approval, but I gave it nonetheless.
He gazed out at the crowd, his focus falling on several members of our clan—all new additions to headquarters after some careful selections these past few weeks. Such a different vibe from my first arrival. These lycans were curious, if a little wary. However, Edon would lead them into a new way of life, while Silas and I would help in any way he needed.
“It’s very rare for a human turned lycan to survive. Even rarer for him to exude much strength in his new form. That said, I’ve noticed uncanny will and prowess in my progeny. So much so that I suspect he’s of a rare alpha bloodline. Which would explain Luna’s and my attraction to him.” He paused to smile at Silas, a light hum telling me they were talking mind to mind.
Soon the three of us would possess that trait.
No walls.
No hiding.
All open intensity and love.
“So why am I telling you all this?” Edon continued, his amusement palpable from whatever Silas had said. Probably a comment about why Edon and I were enamored with him.
The only thing attractive about my blood is the way it fills my cock when you both want to fuck, Silas murmured into my mind. That’s what I told him.
I bit my lip to keep from laughing and gave him a come-hither look instead. It earned me a low growl through our new connection.
Stop flirting, Edon chastised softly. I’m making an important announcement.
Out loud he said, “I’m telling you all this because I’m promoting Silas to the position of enforcer within the pack.”
A wave of shock settled over the pack.
Followed by a clap.
Jolene stood, his eyes glittering with satisfaction, his hands loud as he applauded. And soon the others joined in, their focus and respect landing on Silas.
All signs of amusement had fled, his expression one of open astonishment. “Enforcer?”
“Consider it your new—official—nickname,” Edon murmured, smiling as the sound of approval heightened. “You earned it.”
I don’t even know what it means, Silas whispered.
It means you’re his right-hand man, I explained. If Edon ever steps away on business, you’re the acting alpha. It’s extremely rare. Most alphas don’t name an enforcer because it suggests he believes you’re a contender for his position at the top. That you could be the Alpha of Clemente Clan.
Silas gaped at Edon. “You can’t be serious.”
“You know I never do anything without purpose,” he replied, wrapping his palm around the back of Silas’s neck. “And now it’s time to make you truly ours.” He knelt while holding his new enforcer’s gaze, adoration and esteem radiating from his expression. “Will you have us, Silas?”
“Yes.” It came out choked, so he cleared his throat and said it again. “Yes.” He reached for my hand, holding me close.
And Edon struck.
I shuddered, feeling the connections snapping, the energy sizzling between the three of us as the triad called for Silas to finish it.
The men switched places, Edon’s arm sliding around my lower back as Silas knelt before us and kissed the alpha’s lower abdomen. A taunting promise lit his blue gaze, sending a tremor through me for an entirely different reason.
Such a tease, I heard Edon chastise.
That I could sense him talking to Silas confirmed how close we were to completion. I whimpered, needing it to be done, to finalize our destiny.
I love you both, Silas murmured. To the moon and back.
To the moon and back, Edon agreed.
For eternity, I added.
Electricity wrapped around the three of us as Silas bit down, finishing the ritual.
Power snapped into place.
Voices.
Feelings.
Sensations.
Love.
All of it at once, leaving me overflowing with life—three lives.
I sighed, collapsing into the arms of my males, our lips all over each other at once. Not for sex. But for adoration. Worship. A vow for forever.
I barely registered the clapping, too caught up in the new connection to focus on much else. Silas’s mouth whispered over mine. Edon caressed my neck. They were both in my head, but the alpha was louder.
Time to ascend, little mate, he murmured. Join me?
He didn’t mean in the actual ascension—a female couldn’t be alpha of a clan—but in the ceremony. I wouldn’t miss it.
Enforcer? he asked.
I go where you go, Silas replied. Always.
You’ll both be the ones who keep me grounded, he said softly. There are trying times ahead.
And we’ll be with you every step of the way, I vowed.
Every step, Silas echoed.
I know, he whispered.
And he really did. I felt that surety radiating through him.
&nb
sp; Just as I sensed his love.
Our love.
There might be a revolution brewing on the horizon, one that had the potential to end in disaster. But I wasn’t scared. In fact, I welcomed anyone to try to take us down. Because as a unit, we were unstoppable.
Touch one of us, and we’ll end you.
We’re the Clemente Clan triad.
Tread carefully.
We bite.
“Beautiful ascension,” Jace praised with a glance up at the moon.
“Thanks,” I replied. “But it was Edon who ascended.” And he was standing about ten yards to the right talking to Luka.
“Oh, I know. But I have something for you, wolf.” Jace handed me an envelope. “It’s from Kylan. As you know, he couldn’t attend due to Lilith’s little grounding punishment.”
I frowned at the item. “He wrote me a letter?”
Jace shrugged. “Said it had information you would want. I didn’t read it, so I have no idea what he meant.”
“I see. Well, thanks.”
He nodded and turned, then paused and rotated back around. “What does Edon plan to do with Walter’s leftover harem? I assume he won’t be using the slave girls in Aurora’s basement?”
“I wasn’t aware there were any,” I replied, frowning. Edon and I had never discussed it. In fact, I’d never actually seen Walter’s harem. I sort of assumed he’d killed them all.
Jace smiled. “Then Aurora did as I suggested. Clever girl.”
“Which was what?”
“Ah, a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell, new wolf.” He winked. “Consider that a lesson.”
The royal wandered off with his hands in his pockets and a kick in his step, leaving me torn between demanding an explanation and reading the letter.
She gave them to Luka, Edon murmured. There were only three, as Walter had a penchant for fucking his harem to death. It seems my mother tried to help the remaining females by feeding them when my poor excuse for a father wasn’t looking.