Honey scratched his nose because the ceiling fan ruffled Mandy's hair and it tickled across his face. It was the middle of the night or very early in the morning and he lay holding her, his nose twitching. His heart froze for a moment and then a grin, unseen in the dark, lit up his face. Dmitri... you damned blood sucker.Honey wanted to laugh out loud, but he didn't take a chance of waking his mate because she'd never get back to sleep. He shut his eyes and managed to fade away until Mandy wiggled from his side and made her way to the bathroom.He didn't have long to wait. The bathroom door burst open and his mate launched herself across his body, delivering kisses over his neck and face."You did it, Honey! You did it!"He didn't need to ask what, because he'd scented her pregnancy when he woke up earlier."Can you smell it? Please tell me you can."He rolled over so Mandy lay beneath him. "Yes, my love, you're pregnant, but I think you had a little to do with it, too, and mayb
One week later...Tomorrow his mate would shift to wolf to hasten her pregnancy. Honey would miss their human skin contact, but he agreed that this child needed to arrive sooner rather than later. Nicolas' pack would arrive the following week and things would get even more interesting.Mandy had something in mind for their last evening before she shifted to wolf until the baby arrived. Even though he feared what it was, Honey knew he'd enjoy it in the long run.She cooked steaks, potatoes, and bread, and made a large salad. There were two candles glowing on the table and a medium-sized gift box lying to the side. During dinner, his eyes strayed to the box again and again, but Mandy shook her head.They cleared the table together and then Honey washed the dishes."Do you think I'm fat?" Mandy asked as she walked up behind him.Honey turned and pulled her close, his wet hands soothing her back. "You're a week pregnant in human form and don't have an ounce of fat on you." His hand t
Russia 1918Dressed in a Cheka black leather coat with his shoulder-length brown hair pulled back tightly with a leather band, Dmitri listened to the whispered words of assassination. Cold, numbing fear clenched his heart, causing his fingers to tighten into fists at his sides.He was proud of the position he attained and his ability to keep his vampire heritage a secret, but he felt at a disadvantage in the game of kings. It was his job to report the status of the continued imprisonment of Imperial Russia's royal family. This included the abdicated Tsar, his wife, and their children. To do that, he infiltrated the Bolshevic Secret Police, or Cheka, as they were known.The dynamics of his assignment became personal after his first look at Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicolaevna, the Tsar's youngest daughter. She was sixteen the first time Dmitri caught her delicious scent and peered into her translucent blue eyes. His instant attraction was one thing, but over the following weeks, he n
Cheri's amber gaze promised death. "I should have killed you long ago. To rip out your throat would be a blessing to us who despise weakness. You are nothing but a sniveling whelp and you dare challenge me?"With a snarl, Cheri threw him against the side wall of the cave, cracking the back of his skull and leaving him disoriented. Her power slammed into his body and, without lifting a hand, she sent him soaring through the air. He landed outside in the snow surrounded by her wolves.She stood over him; her eyes had returned to their original color and her voice was level with complete disinterest. "Run if you can. If not, my wolves will enjoy your tasty blood." Cheri turned, reentering her lair without a backward glance.Low growls came from the throats of the nearest wolves. Shame consumed Dmitri again. He was vampire and beastkind should fear him. The bloody battle ended with two dead wolves and Dmitri seriously injured, barely able to escape. A single light shown through his pain
Current day...Dmitri woke from his nightmare still able to smell the light musky scent of Anastasia's skin. His wildly beating heart and sweat-covered flesh had him whipping back the thin sheet and rising from his bed. Many years ago, he'd made a tentative peace with Cheri, but at times like this, he wanted to wrap his fingers around her throat and rip her head from her body. She'd changed, he'd changed, but thoughts of Anastasia always brought his violent side to the forefront. He paced across the floor trying to control his bloodlust. He could feel tentacles of the crimson tide pressing against his consciousness."No," he yelled into the room. He knew opening the door to his violent past meant death for those around him. With slow, steady breaths, he finally managed to gain control, but it left him with a raging headache."Your guests have arrived." The Kodiak's grumbling voice thrummed loudly into Dmitri's mind.That damn bear didn't have a subtle bone in his body and had no
Dmitri, having years of practice dealing with taciturn weres, managed to control himself and respond with diplomacy. "With the recent mating of Honey and Mandy, I assure you I consider your mixed clan equals."Dmitri knew his unknown territory had the she-cat on edge, and he felt relief when she smiled and relaxed her defensive stance."May I?" He held out his arms for the naked human infant.Now Zenya's smile turned to melodic laughter. "He bites.""Well then, he may have the face of an angel, but he has the temperament of his father."Zenya placed her child into the vampire's arms. "His name is Jaime Ivan, but he's better known as Ivan the Terrible."Now it was Dmitri's turn to smile. "A proper name and one of legend." He turned to Nicolas as he brought the child to his shoulder. "Have you heard from his namesake?"Nicolas hooked his arm around his mate's neck and brought her in close. "No. We were hoping you had news. Columbus told me his father spent time with your clan."D
Zenya sighed; she was incredibly tired and longed for a soft bed. The three cabins rested approximately twenty feet apart. They had no right to be fussy, but they'd lived as a single unit since the clan formed and she would miss the closeness."Are you okay?" Nicolas circled her shoulder, moving her hair from her neck so he could rub the arch of her collarbone with his thumb."Yes, thank you. I want to settle in and rest." She wearily gave a low groan of approval at his touch.He nuzzled the hair above her ear. "We'll be safe here. No harm will come to the children.""Woman, do you wish your child back?" The Kodiak's surly voice startled her.Zenya looked at the large man gently holding her son. She sighed. "If I must." She smiled, twisting from Nicolas's arms to take Ivan the Terrible from The Kodiak. The other two cubs in their pack were mild mannered and sweet. Jaime Ivan terrorized them constantly. The only two who seemed to hold their own against him were the much older twins
It was after one in the morning when a loud knock hammered against Dmitri's front door. He sensed the other vampire long before he heard the sound. This would be a study in diplomacy, but somehow the two needed to learn to work together. Dmitri was thankful Vorlyk mated a cat and not another vamp. He didn't think he could take two bloodsuckers in his territory. He reminded himself Vorlyk somehow worked things out with Amy and Marcus. If they could control their territorial desire to kill another vampire, then so could Dmitri. Hell, at least he hoped so.He opened the door and bade the vampire enter.Vorlyk's power was subdued slightly lower than their first meeting, but still oozed throughout the room."How much control do you have over your power?" A fine tremor ran beneath Dmitri's skin, and something needed to give or the effects of the alcohol would not have the desired outcome."Sorry." Vorlyk reined it in a little more. "When I'm nervous, I have less control. I know you're aw
VedaWe hear the music before the lights come into view. The party is outside on the large patio at Dmitri's house. Nikka decorated with white sparkling lights and paper lanterns. The music is unknown to me, which isn't a surprise. Technology is not my friend and I prefer the peace of the forest.Dmitri's voice echoes over the music. "Welcome, Veda, Witch from the line of Josephine, mate to Tyboll, and new member of the bear clan."The music shuts off suddenly and I can do nothing but return the formal greeting. "Thank you, Black Demon Bringer of Death, mate of Nikka, Liege to the bear clan."A restless mumble from the bears fills the night. Have I said something wrong? Tyboll's hand tightens on mine. Nikka appears slightly shocked before she steps forward and wraps me in her arms. "What have I done," I ask her silently."You're fine. He just hasn't used his full title in centuries," she replies into my mindI turn to Dmitri, who looks at his mate with a soft smile. "I am sorry,
TybollShe shows me her circle of herbs - explains about upsetting the balance and using all the Goddess's gifts wisely. I listen. Part of me is terrified and the other in awe. To live separately from everyone to hide your secrets takes great sacrifice.She understands my need to examine what I've learned. She heads to the cabin to cook while I go running as bear. She holds no fear that I will give away her secrets. We are mates. Her secrets are mine.I close my mind from Dmitri as I think about all Veda has told me. I shouldn't have been surprised when the largest bear of our clan blocks my path a few miles from my cabin. The Kodiak, alpha to the greatest clan, stands in front of me. He is also my brother by blood and like most brothers, we have our differences. This situation will be no different."Tyboll," his snarly voice rings through my head."Alpha," I reply pleasantly."You don't fool me. You are mated to the witch. Did it occur to you that I should be informed of this?"
VedaTyboll's new rule works. Less talking and more sex. This is one demand I am incapable of dismissing. We are stretched out on the bed with me lying on top of him. His fingers run up and down my back while he breathes into the hair against my neck. Where he bit me is sore, but I wouldn't dream of complaining. It feels right. Being in my mate's arms is right. I whisper a silent thank you to the Goddess.Tyboll answers. "You're welcome."I roll my eyes, but don't bother correcting him. I'm actually thankful to him, too."Come on, woman, we're taking a bath." He lifts me as he stands. I'm cradled in his arms and feel incredibly safe. And loved.Does he love me? I'm careful to keep this thought from drifting into his mind. Nikka told me how to do it. I just need to practice. He doesn't respond, so I must have been successful. Tyboll lowers my feet to the floor when we're in the bathroom. I watch as he leans over and turns on the water. His back and thighs are muscular and sexy. His
Tyboll"I've listened to you shout for an hour now. Calm yourself, bear."I hear the end of patience in Dmitri's voice. I take several deep breaths and try to do as my liege says. It isn't easy. I keep thinking of meat. Each time I do, I feel nauseated and my anger rekindles. To never eat meat again is not going to happen. I've run out of things to say anyway and throw myself onto the large couch in Dmitri's front room."I knew this happened last night. Your blood smells even better than bear. You now have witch blood running through your veins." He holds up his hand. "Do not blame me for my silence. You were in no condition to have this conversation. I also needed a night to think on what needs to be done."My stomach twists painfully. "You cannot reverse it is what you're saying?""No, I cannot. I'm not sure if you will actually want it reversed once you know your capabilities." He continues before I can object. "The difference between you and your mate is that I trust you."I
VedaThat did not go well. I didn't think it would, but I held onto a small amount of hope. I know eventually he will come to his senses. Right now, though, I am left in need. Staring at his bare chest and wanting to run my nails over his muscled flesh almost made me beg. The man might be stubborn, but he is gorgeous.As a mated pair, I know at this point we should be having so much sex that we are both sore. I've made plenty of tinctures to alleviate the soreness so mates can continue without a break.A lot of good the knowledge on how to make such a tincture is now. If I'm not running from Tyboll, the stupid man is running from me. It's strange because after the thought of Tyboll becoming a witch settled, I wanted to celebrate. I am not alone. I can share the sacred knowledge with another. I do not need a child. I will no longer be alone with the great texts.Tyboll might not like it, but the gift bestowed by the Goddess can only be undone by her. No vampire can help him. I decid
TybollI wake from what feels like a winter hibernation. I'm starving and the rumble in my stomach only enhances my need for food. Something smells wonderful. I'm naked in my bed and vaguely recall my illness the night before. I remember Dmitri coming to the rescue. I also remember my thoughts that Veda poisoned me again. Unlikely, because I ate nothing before going to Mandy's. She is a witch, though, and there's no telling what they're capable of.My nose leads me to the kitchen. Veda stirs a large pot on the stove. I peer over her shoulder to see what has such an amazing smell. Without looking at me she speaks, "Clothes or I will not feed you, bear.""Humph." I wrap my arms around her and run my nose down the side of her face and stop at her neck. "I could eat you, woman, and I'd start right here." She stops stirring the pot. I can smell her arousal. I bite down gently on the skin holding my attention. "How did you know I'm not dressed?" I breathe against the mark I've just left.
VedaStupid hare-brained bear, I mutter as I look the other way, pick up the slab of nearly raw meat, and toss it out of the cabin. Serving cooked meat was the hardest thing to do while I worked at the diner. The only blessing was that Becky didn't prepare the blood-dripping horror I just got rid of. I look through the kitchen and there are no vegetables. I settle on bread and cheese, though I'm no longer hungry. I just know I need to eat."You stay here or when I find you I'll lock you up," were the last words Tyboll yelled before he left.I thought about challenging his dictate, but right now I am too tired. I finish my meal and walk outside in the opposite direction from the barely cooked meat. My hope is that a wild animal will take it away in the night. This is what I did with all the meat given to me over the years by the bear clan as payment. My mother accepted their offering and then gave it to the wildlife, so I did the same. Maybe I should have said something, but politene
TybollThe feelings running through me are impossible to comprehend. It took hours to drive to Dmitri's club and another hour to track Veda's scent and find the diner. The closer I came, the more insistent an inner... well... buzz intensified. When our eyes finally met, I felt as if a mountain had crumbled over me. I fought collapsing at her feet. I knew it was her witch's power and wondered if she cast a spell that made it difficult for me to come close to her.I continued thinking this until her lips met mine. Now we're on the floor and she's wrapped in my arms. Words that turn me into an utter pussy slip from my mouth and I don't care. If it bothers her so much that she leaves me, I won't call her woman. Though, she is. A beautiful woman."I can hear your thoughts," she sighs against my neck. "Maybe the word woman is not so bad." She lifts up slightly and stares at me. "I've never done this, Tyboll. I've had very little interaction with anyone. I never thought to have a mate. You
VedaWhy is the pull to a mate so strong? I pour over the great texts expecting the answer it usually offers. Nothing. I've read sections about mating, but they don't offer a solution to the problem.Mating is a bond that only death can sever. A witch's power is not stronger than the bond and a witch shall not interfere with a mated pair.Blah, blah, blah. My mother told me not to mess with a mated pair. I understand this. But now I'm part of a mated pair. I need answers about a witch mating and there is nothing.A witch will take a human male into her body. A female child will form from this union. You will know the time to search out your human. Do not call the power of your beast when in the human's arms. Control your beast or bear the consequences.It's too late for that. Tyboll and I allowed our bears to rise when we mated. Now I feel Tyboll pulling my power from me. Can he feel it? He must. The texts are written for a human and witch. Not a beastkind and witch. I fli