TalyaI watched his ass as he left. My eyes traveled upward past the defined muscles of his back and his scraggly hair. So why did he kiss me? He hated me and my cat liked him. Liked him too much. My stomach twisted into a ball of knots. When our lips touched a surge of... something I couldn't describe ran through me. It happened the first time too, but this kiss knocked me further out of my comfort zone. Dmitri did nothing like this to me. Heck, compared to Ivan, Dmitri was non-existent. I couldn't even picture his face.And how the hell could I stay out of the fur ball's sight? That was so impossible it was stupid. The man was driving me crazy. I could still taste him. I lifted my shirt and sniffed. His incredible scent was there. I breathed in deeply and my body tingled. I lowered the shirt and scanned the area to see if anyone witnessed me acting like an idiot.There was something strange taking place below the surface of my skin. My cat had scratched to get out before, but this
IvanMy anger needed a place to explode. I had work to do, but I couldn't concentrate. I wanted Alba so fucking badly. I needed to feel her in my arms once more, hear her bitch at me, make her groan with pleasure, and sink into her warmth until nothing else mattered.Truthfully. Our lives were anything but tranquil when we were together, but I wanted her to pacify the storm I carried every minute of every day. So many years she'd challenged me and I'd loved every minute. She gave birth to my children. No, not the children of my seed. That was the hardest obstacle we ever faced. But I loved each one of them and I missed them terribly. I missed her and I wanted to scream until my vocal cords no longer worked.I could only think about holding her limp body and my willingness to give my life for hers. Letting her physical body go was hard. Releasing her memory was impossible. They needed me back at the new house, but I couldn't be around the cats right now. I needed to run and somehow g
TalyaAs promised, dinner was fit for a king. The guys grilled thick slabs of meat in the courtyard while the women prepared everything from vegetable salad to pasta and rolls in the kitchen. There were long tables in the garage with stacked chairs. We hadn't cleared the inner courtyard, but there was enough room for us to set up the feast and enjoy our meal without alligators and other critters.The women had the meal timed perfectly, and The Moor and Becca joined us just as the sun went down. Becca was excited. Actually, everyone seemed to be except Ivan. For the most part, he was ignored. The Moor had him sit next to Becca and I sat next to Morris, which he asked me to call him. Cecily had the seat next to Ivan, which had me smiling, and Rondy had the one next to me, which had Ivan sending angry eye laser jets Rondy's way. Everyone else spread around the table waiting for The Moor to start our meal.He stood and silence descended. His wineglass contained water and he raised it. E
TalyaIt took me a moment to answer because I wanted to run downstairs and kill a wolf. "I'm not sure. I think there are mats set up in the rooms on the second floor." We took the stairs down to the next level. Two rooms had an assortment of mats with three spread out in the smaller room. "Lay him in here. I'll stay with him tonight," I told Becca."He will be fine. It's not a good idea that you sleep here. Mase and Treson will care for him."Her statement seemed odd, but I was relieved Rondy would be okay and didn't question her. I would save that for after I finished with Ivan. "I'll find them and send them up," I said as I turned to the door. The Moor blocked my path."You will stay in the other room on this floor for the night. Ivan is in his room downstairs and you won't be... discussing this incident with him until tomorrow."Rage simmered and my power swelled. I needed to release it. "I have no plans to discuss anything with him. Only one of us will be alive tomorrow."The
IvanShe stood in the doorway smelling of sex. Her sex. I bolted upright. She silently walked in and closed the door behind her."What the fuck are you doing, Talya?"She came closer and her incredible scent intensified. She stopped at the foot of the bed. My pounding heart almost drowned out her whispered words."If you so much as lay a finger on my friend again, I will kill you. I don't need a fair fight. You will sleep every night for the rest of your life with one eye open. It might happen while you sleep, or when I drop from a tree and slit your throat, but it will happen. I swear this on everything I believe."I inhaled, drawing her scent deep within my lungs. "You're crazy."Her hand went to the bed and she began crawling up. "No. I'm your mate."Ah, fuck.Her scent overwhelmed me and my erection swelled painfully. Her hand came down between my spread legs, two inches from my rock-hard dick. She fucking crawled up the bed with three limbs and made it look sexy as hell. T
TalyaMy heart physically broke, the crumbled remains fractured beyond repair. It was more than I could handle. I made my way upstairs, each step heavy and filled with humiliation. Maybe that wasn't the word. Each step took me closer to judgment by my peers. I was mated but couldn't hold my mate. I don't believe I'd ever heard of it happening before, at least not after the claiming.I could feel the cats in their rooms. All awake. The only people sleeping were Cecily and Rondy. The power surge from a mated pair affected every animal, including beastkind, for miles. What a joke. At least when I had sex with the cats in South America there was usually a reward - food, an extra blanket. Hell, life for another day. My mate just slammed a door against my ass and defeated me without drawing blood. I laughed at myself as the ache in my shoulder reminded me there was blood. Another joke.Becca came down the stairs from the third floor as I stood in the hall wondering what the hell I should
IvanRunning gave me time to cool down and think. I'd done nothing but fight since Alba's death. Fighting cats was the easy part and I did it to punish myself. I punished my children, my prior clan, and my friends. Facing them meant facing my inability to keep Alba safe. Her image was fuzzy, but the memory of her voice rang in my head."I didn't need you keeping me safe."She hated anytime I interfered with her place in the clan. She, like Talya, was alpha. The two of them had a lot in common. I remembered my challenge against her for leadership of Marcus's clan. Death for one of us was the only outcome, until I kissed her. Days later, I claimed her as my mate. My wolf never desired a weak mate. But why the hell did the Goddess choose a cat?Talya was so damn young. Nicolas would want to kick my ass if he knew I'd claimed her without waiting another year until her twenty-first birthday. But she no longer belonged to Nicolas. She was mine and I had to find a way to accept that.The
TalyaRondy didn't deserve this, and I couldn't approach him with Ivan around. Rondy was my friend and though I craved Ivan with an animalistic need, it killed me to think that Rondy was hurt. That's how friends cared for one another. Maybe one day a friendship between Ivan and I would grow, but it obviously wasn't necessary to mate. Right now, I didn't even like him.I ran to the house and leaped up the stairs to the second floor. I shifted to human in the room I shared with Cecily and angrily pulled on clothes. Looking out the window to the inner courtyard, I saw everyone working to clear away the leftover construction material. I didn't see Rondy. Cecily was barking out orders like she was born to the job."We will be spending a lot of time out here and the baby needs a safe place to toddle without nails. They can't be that hard to find."When I'd checked on Rondy this morning, he was no worse for wear. I explained to Cecily and Rondy about the bond of vampire and beastkind. The
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