That night Brandt spoke more about Cheri and the gift vampires give to beastkind. He wanted his queen to take care of the bruise on Emily's face. "By drinking our blood, vampires grant us immortality. They also speed our healing. Cheri has fed from you twice and monthly is more than adequate, but you are the mate of the alpha and need to appear at your best. It is expected but must be your decision.""I barely remember the past two times when I was given no choice. You're telling me I don't have a choice again but I can refuse. That doesn't make sense.""It's part of being my mate and I'm sorry if it's difficult for you to accept. You can refuse now since it isn't necessary except to improve your appearance for our trip but you will share blood with Cheri over many lifetimes. If you were raised here, it would begin when you turned twenty-one unless an accident befell you and required her bite.""My brother and sister mentioned that I would be sent away until I was twenty-one, if it
Emily spoke to the mind of every wolf present. "Brandt is mine; never forget that. It doesn't matter who came before, it only matters who tries to take him from me now. That person dies." Emily released her sharp teeth and gave a long lick to Thomas' face. "I think you're finished for today but I still need my beast workout."An unclothed Brandt stepped between the ropes surrounding the ring. "My old man will never learn. There is only one wolf in this pack who can give you a run for your money sweetheart.""I don't think sweet is the word you will use in a few minutes." With that Emily launched herself at her mate and the fight was on.The wolves stayed to watch. Brandt had no illusions about who they were there to see. She was his mate and his pack wanted to judge if she was truly worthy. A sharp bite to his thigh and damn close to his manhood brought his thoughts back to the fight.Thomas got out of the way, blood trailing from deep gouges on his shoulder and leg. He was proud o
Emily sat on the couch watching Brandt paced back and forth. It was obvious he felt uneasy, but she was not going to help him.His agitation was more apparent when he finally spoke, "I thought I loved Cheri and was quite stubborn about it. We were together for a short time and then she no longer returned my affections. I was eaten with jealousy and thought her my mate. I told you before that vampires do not share the mate bond like we do. I put her rejection down to that. I was unable to accept that she loved my father. I knew for many years that they were seeing each other."He stopped for a moment and gave her a beseeching look. He needed Emily to understand. His hurt and betrayal came out with his next words. "I wanted to kill him. He raised me alone, nurtured me, and supported me but I wanted him dead. I craved his blood on my hands. It made me crazy."Deep, slow, steady breaths strengthened his voice. "Cheri and I slowly regained our friendship but for me it always felt like mo
Emily's nervousness increased after they landed and the smell of humans became overpowering. Her slightly shaking hand sought Brandt's and she was grateful when he sent a soothing vibration through his touch. People stared and watched their every move. They traveled by limousine and the buzz began again when they entered the luxurious hotel. It put Emily even more on edge and her tension escalated. Two bellhops took them to their suite. Once the door closed, strong comforting arms came around her shoulders and a gentle kiss landed on her nose. She took a deep breath and her body relaxed. Another breath and she was back in control. Pulling away she looked around the suite.A large living room with several couches and chairs took up the front area. A dining table for eight separated the room from a luxurious kitchen. Emily made her way through each room and finally walked into the master bedroom. An extra-large bed was the centerpiece with a grouping of plush chairs next to bay windows
The venue was outdoors at a large park on acres of land. Brandt wanted tonight to be special but knew Emily might have a problem with large close crowds. They removed two blankets from the limo and made their way to a secluded spot on the grass. More people arrived. Jordan and Morris sat on the blanket's edge and added an additional buffer zone.Excitement and unease battled within Emily's mind. More people arrived and her nervousness increased.Brandt pulled her back between his legs holding her tightly within his arms. Giving a gentle kiss to the top of her head he whispered, "I wanted you to enjoy some music. If this becomes too much we can leave."Tipping her face to look at him, she smiled. "I'll be okay, they just smell funny.""It's the perfumes. They don't get it." His nose nuzzled behind her ear. "Umm, you smell wonderful."The music began, a mix of country, jazz, and blues. Jordan left for a short time and returned with two clear plastic cups of beer handing one to Emily
She looked up. Pure onyx burned into her eyes making her voice wobbly "I, I asked Maggie what I could do for you, so she picked out the corset and explained you would like this.""Ah." He took a few breaths and then continued. "Remind me to send you shopping with her more often."She smiled in relief and then wiggled from his hold and stood on the floor at the bottom of the bed. Kicking off her shoes, her wicked smile found his. "We aren't done but I need your help getting out of this contraption," her smile deepened, "Please."Making short work of the corset, he unclasped the garters, and rolled the stockings down her legs. Lifting her into his arms and walking to the Jacuzzi, he slowly lowered them into the tepid water. He turned on warmer water to finish filling the tub and then pressed the control for the jets. Grabbing the bubble bath, he poured some in.The jets massaged her muscles and relieved the ache brought on by her shoes. "This is heaven.""I've just decided I'm havin
Curious eyes followed them when they exited the limo and walked past humans waiting in line at the nightclub. The red cordoned off entrance opened immediately with two gigantic bouncers holding the doors. When Emily passed, she noticed the men smelled odd; not cats and definitely not wolves. She slowed but Brandt gave her a gentle nudge and whispered in her ear. "It's okay; they're bears."They were much larger than her mate, dangerous her wolf warned. Their scent didn't blend with the surrounding odors of perfume and sweat given off by the humans. It wasn't bad, just different.Emily looked around in awe trying to take in what was happening around her, feeling the excitement in the air. The music with its heavy bass vibrated across the floor. Lights flashed from the ceiling sending different color streaks over their party. They made their way to a reserved table.A man, his dark complexion at odds with his blue eyes stood by and greeted Brandt formally. "Welcome Alpha of the Nort
The music continued and Emily leisurely opened her eyes, seeing Maggie and Sam dancing a short distance away. Maggie did not look happy but moved her body to the music. Sam slipped his hands lower than the she-wolf's waist and Maggie took them in hers and moved them back up. Emily caught the grin on Sam's face when the couple turned. She then closed her eyes and again drifted with the music.Back at the table, they enjoyed their drinks and people watched for a while. A short time later Emily felt Brandt's thigh tighten against her hand."We're going to have some company but I don't think we need to be overly concerned, they're wolves."Emily looked around and saw four men heading to the table. She felt a presence behind her and by scent realized it was Jordan. She kept her eyes on the advancing men and taking Brandt at his word, tried to tap down on her edginess.Brandt removed Emily's hand from his thigh and pulled her up next to him then dropped her hand while Maggie and Samson s
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