Nathan hung up the phone and leaned back in his office chair. On days like these, the mantle of alpha and leader hung heavy. "What's wrong?" Dana, his mate and the love of his life, came into the room and draped herself on his lap. Her hands cupped his cheeks and tilted his face until she could see his eyes. "I just finished talking to Trent." "The guy who left to find his brother?" He nodded, unsmiling, for the situation with Trent and his friends still preyed on him. He'd labeled the men rogue, had to lest anyone call him weak. But, dammit, how he'd wanted to do the opposite and help them. Help them strike back against his twisted father. Their current stalemate with Roderick chafed, but experience had taught him that the vampire seemed to know one step in advance what they planned. So even though it burned him to do it, it was safest for Trent and the others to leave as a small group, outcasts to any prying eyes. They'd only partially succeeded. "And?"
The guys no sooner made their phone calls than they were piling out of the motel into the truck. Thea could tell by the glower on Trent's face he wasn't happy. Not daring to ask why, she listened avidly when someone else did. "What did he say?" Marc asked, his eyes trained on the road as he drove. "He'll help us to a certain extent." "Okay. What part is he balking at? Asking the other vamps for help? Gathering a posse to take Roderick out once we figure out how? Dangling himself as bait?" "No. He agreed to all that so long as we can get the information we need from the vampires." "Then what did he say no to?" Trent clamped his lips shut, and Thea suddenly knew. "He doesn't want me at his compound." He shook his head. "That's bullshit," Marc exclaimed. "What the hell?" Darren growled. "Don't tell me they're afraid of one little pregnant woman?" Even though she was curled into Trent's side, she couldn't help a spurt of warmth at
Darren wanted to piston hard and fast into Thea. He held back, which took a lot of self-control, especially with the way she looked: her cheeks flushed, her eyes glazed, and her mouth-oh, fuck, her mouth-sliding up and down Trent's cock, cheeks hollowed as she suctioned. He held no interest in his friend sexually, but he couldn't deny a certain excitement at watching her pleasure the other man. Hands hoisting her thighs up, he averted his gaze to watch himself sinking into her soft flesh. Making love to her was like nothing he'd imagined or experienced. Each stroke was a slice of heaven, and he could feel his orgasm building fast. But she'd just come, so she'd need more if he wanted her to join him. One arm braced over her legs to keep them up against his shoulders, he used his free hand to fondle her clit. It must have caused quite the reaction because Trent hissed as he pulled his cock free of her mouth with a wet pop. "Fuck. She clamped down." Lost in
Marc wasn't stupid. He knew his buddies and Thea fucked while he ran errands with Jaxon. It kind of pissed him off. Why couldn't I have been second? Hell, forget second, why couldn't I be first? Just as attracted to Thea as his friends, his wolf just as eager to mark and claim, why was he forced to wait? I should have done or said something. Fighting, though, would have frightened her, so despite his disgruntlement, he went along. But he didn't like it. Especially not once he saw the soft looks and sated glow surrounding the three of them. As for the smell of sex, it still permeated the room, despite the fact that they'd showered. Not showing his annoyance-and, yes, his hurt, dammit-proved hard as he spilled his purchases on the bed. A part of him wanted to yell. Hit something. Or, even better, fuck her until he could also wear the same stupid look of satisfaction. He did nothing, knowing any of those actions would get his ass kicked six ways from Sunday. The hug she
The plan to contact the vamps worked better than expected. By sunset, on the day the ad emerged in several print publications around the country, Nathan's new disposable cell phone rang. For like the thousandth time. "If you're thinking of fucking with me," Nathan snarled in the receiver, "then hang up now before I come through this phone line and shove your head where the sun will never kiss it again." "Seeing as how the sun hasn't kissed me in centuries, I don't see the point of your threat, dog." The cool humor and fluid tones made Nathan tense. "Who is this?" "Wouldn't the better question be, what am I? Although given your rather public and gauche attempt at contact, I would assume you already know." "You're a vampire." "Give a treat to the dog." "I didn't place the ad so you could call and insult me," Nathan growled. "Really? I'm sorry. Perhaps I should skip right to the point and kill you for being such a fucking idiot." Natha
Talk about a passion-filled night. Thea woke in the morning alone, but by stretching her senses just a tiny bit, the familiar sensation of Darren and Trent tickled her and let her know they'd not gone too far. This new ability and what it meant should have freaked her out. Instead, it made her smile. A closeness like she'd never imagined existed between her and the men. And not just because of the sex, which was unbelievably explosive. No, the warmth she felt went beyond the physical. She trusted them. Knew on a level that transcended her gut instinct they wouldn't hurt her. That they truly cared for her and wanted only to see her happy. A heady feeling for a girl who'd not so long ago thought she would die horribly or, worse, live a life of pain and misery. She'd not said the L-word to them yet, though, despite her burgeoning feelings. She didn't really have to because she knew they felt her emotions too. Why did she hold back? She'd committed herself to them and, de
A less secure male would have never allowed another man to get so close to his junk. Trent was anything but. And while he had no interest in Darren per se, he couldn't deny enjoying the hot breath tickling the base of his shaft as his best friend teased their mate. Hands firmly gripped on her waist, Trent didn't move much, just pressed her down on his cock, letting her quivering muscles grip him sweetly while she cried out. Lips pressed to her neck, Trent watched as Darren lapped at her clit, his hands keeping her thighs spread wide as he licked. Thea's body tightened around him, her sex coiling itself, on the pinnacle of pleasure. Fuck, he loved how responsive she was. Loved everything about her from her bravery, despite what she'd been through, to her shyness when uncertain. He loved how joy lit her expression when she saw him and the way she teased him with words. I love her. He whispered this admission into her ear as he pushed her down hard on his cock. She shatt
Jaxon eyed Marc as he paced the room. The man he'd gotten to know over the past week seemed different. Edgier. Angry. And Jaxon bet he could spell the reason: Thea. His redheaded friend was jealous, and while Jaxon could sympathize-after all, Bailey never even claimed him until they were prisoners-he also knew it was a woman's choice. And women didn't like it when men got whiny or pissy about their affection. "Wearing a hole in the carpet won't make you feel better," Jaxon announced. "Who says I'm feeling bad?" An arch of a brow was Jaxon's only reply. A heavy sigh left Marc. "I don't know what the problem is. I thought I was fine with her taking her time. Getting to know me first before claiming me." "But?" "But how the hell is that supposed to happen if she's fucking Darren and Trent at every turn." "If she's meant to be your mate, then she'll choose you." "What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Are you trying to say I'm not?"
Days laterÉ Thaddeus surveyed his demesne, a house he'd never really shared, until now. And now? Now the place was overrun with vampires and wolves. Had he lost his mind along his tumultuous journey? No, but he'd definitely lost his heart. Toni slid an arm around his waist and leaned her head against his shoulder. Through their bond, her love for him warmed and filled his heart-and his cock. On her other side, Marc appeared, his stealthy abilities increasing daily with practice, enough that even Thaddeus found it difficult to spot him unless he cheated and used the thread that tied them together. "A penny for your thoughts," Toni murmured. He gave her the disgruntled truth. "How did I go from loner to this?" He gesticulated at the rescued wolves, a quad of them, sparring with Sasha in the courtyard. Toni laughed, the sound so sweet he'd kill anyone who dared threaten it. "You fell in love," she stated. He sighed. "That I did." "Do y
If someone would have told Toni watching two guys bite each other with her sandwiched between them would be one of the most intense moments of her life, she would have scoffed. But even though neither of them had bitten her, she caught some of the backlash from their joining. She couldn't help but bask in the warmth of knowing they did it not just for themselves but for her. To be with her. Because they loved her. And to think I wondered why any woman would agree to more than one lover. Toni was more than ready to let them claim her. She wanted to join them and belong to them and have them belong to her. Not because of any laws or protection, but because she wanted them. She loved them. I want them to be mine. Marc might have thought to tease her or shock her with his words of making her wetter, as if that could happen. Her pussy had never hummed so strongly or felt so slick. She crooked a finger, beckoning to them both. On to the bed they came, on their knees b
Thad drove the last leg to the compound in their borrowed car. A two-seat sports car, which meant Toni got to sit on Marc's lap. His naked lap. His naked lap with an erect cock poking at her backside. Something about prevailing against death and danger was arousing. Stimulating. Having a wet woman, whose scent drove him wild, who kept wiggling deliciously and casting him sultry glances, just added fuel to the fire stoking him. Thad must have felt some of the simmering energy because his fingers danced along her thigh, skirting the vee between her thighs and causing Toni's breath to catch. They couldn't get to the compound fast enough. Oddly enough, Toni, her voice breathy and soft, spoke in the erotically charged silence. "That was pretty intense back there." "If you mean fucking scary, then, yeah," Marc noted. He wasn't too macho to admit he'd feared. Especially for her. And there was a moment where I wondered if I'd end up a vampire puppet again. Thankfu
Okay, perhaps offering the warm heart to his comrades was perhaps not the sanest thing he'd ever done, but in Thaddeus's defense, it was considered quite the compliment in the vampire world, as it meant he was willing to share his power. With grimaces of distaste, Toni and Marc declined. Their loss. With a shrug, Thaddeus finished his treat, feeling his strength return and his wounds healing. Nothing like partaking of a master vampire's warm heart to give a boost to a weakened body. The skies chose that moment to release their moist bounty, a cool, fresh rain pelting them and cleansing the blood from their skin. But even clean, Thaddeus stood apart, watching as Marc held a shuddering Toni, a woman who'd unleashed her savage side and watched him eat another man's heart. What does she think of me now? Thaddeus wouldn't make excuses for what he was. He was a vampire. Eating the flesh of his enemies was a part of his life. A need. Although, in this case, he could have don
Despite the knock to her head, Toni understood they were in deep shit. Just one problem, she was too muddled to do anything about it. Through the ringing in her ears, she vaguely heard the word ambush and Thad's admonition to stay in the truck. Thing was staying in the truck wasn't a guarantee of protection. Evil lurked outside, and she could feel the nudge of it at the edge of her mind. Knock, knock. Who wants in? It wasn't Thaddeus. She knew his touch; it was gentle and not creepy. This mind probe reminded her more of Roderick's methods. Like a battering ram coated in slime. Someone on the impromptu battleground was trying to take over her mind. But who? Taking in deep breaths, she managed to calm the spinning in her head, enough so she could open her eyes without wanting to throw up. She wanted to shut them just as quickly. Chaos met her gaze. Despite the darkness, the one remaining headlight on the truck lit the surrounding area enough for her to see a nasty
Marc had only seconds to call upon his wolf, which meant bye-bye to yet another set of clothes. However, if he managed to get out of this ambush naked but alive, he'd count himself lucky. His initial estimate of half a dozen to the left proved accurate, but not so for the right. Marc only had a moment to realize Thad was going to get swarmed before his first ghoul attacked. Knowing what to expect this time, he didn't waste time grappling; he went for weak spots. Throat if he could reach it to tear it out. A close second was the legs. If they couldn't walk, it made them less of a threat. His strategy proved effective. While ghouls twitched on the ground and reached for him, he managed to keep to his four furry feet and cause some damage, enough that he felt the need to leave his group of ghouls and head to help Thaddeus, who was practically buried in them. He had to hand it to the old bloodsucker though. Thaddeus wasn't going down without a hell of a fight. Partway the
An hour or so later, they were on the road, the vehicle they borrowed not exactly luxurious, but the pickup truck in the garage, with the plow hooked to the front was less noticeable than Thaddeus's car with the torn hood and roof. Marc drove this leg of the trip, with Toni seated in the middle and Thaddeus on the other side. Cozy, but surprisingly pleasant. Thaddeus was still trying to come to terms with the speed at which his immortal life had changed. He'd gone from a boring and dull existence, where his primary amusement was stalking miscreants and taunting Morpheus, to embarking on a quest to save his kind, stop a war, oh, and get romantically involved with a woman and another man. Or at least the woman. The fact that she came with a hairy attachment he had yet to kill was something he still couldn't quite comprehend. I have never been one to keep pets. In times past, Thaddeus would have easily solved the dilemma by snapping a neck and claiming her for his own. He had
Wakening to one side of Toni, while Thad slumbered on the other, didn't freak Marc out as much as he feared. What began as a dislike and rivalry with the vampire had transitioned. He wouldn't exactly claim to like the guy, but he did have more respect for him and could now see him as a person instead of just a vampire. It also helped that Toni made it clear she wanted both of them, or neither of them. She wouldn't tolerate jealous bickering. Or, as she told them when they entered into a staring, growling match, "Behave, or I'll take my pussy and play with it myself." Nothing like the threat of no sex to calm them the fuck down. Then again, Marc wasn't serious about staking the bloodsucker and sticking him out in the sun for a tan, but a guy had to have some fun. Easing out of the bed, careful to let her eke out as many minutes of sleep as possible, Marc took first turn in the shower then headed off to scrounge up some breakfast. Within a half-hour, Toni arrived in the kitchen, he
This time Toni recognized the setting for what it was: a dream. I just wish I could choose a nicer location, say like a five-star resort. But no, her subconscious apparently harbored a sadistic side, and once again, she found herself in her dreary cell, wearing a gauzy nightgown trimmed with red hearts and ribbons. Ready for a loverÉor two. Unlike her last visit, this time the door to her prison was open. A shame, she'd quite enjoyed Thaddeus's appearance, and Marc's. They'd opened her eyes in this dreamscape to the possibilities, and now that they'd shown them to her, she had to wonder why she'd held back. But back to her dream. Why was she here? Was there something to be learned? Done? Only one way to find out. She strode from her former cell, the silence around her oppressive but not threatening. It seemed the fear she'd lived with for so long was losing its grip. Apparently eating some dead guy's ashes, kicking some ghoul butt, and then having the courage to take