“Just one night Mase,” I whisper, as I look up at him from the floor of the walk in closet. The carpet in here is impossibly soft and it smells more like Javed in here than anywhere else. I’ve already decided I’m staying in there, naked and rolling around all night. Goddess knows if this carpet could talk… “Baby I can’t just leave you out here unprotected. If something happened to you I’d never forgive myself,” he says, not backing down. “There’s a panic room in his office where he’d slumber for the day, it’s fireproof, all that. I can go down there if I have an issue,” I insist. His chest growls slightly and I can’t blame him. The idea of Mase raising four pups on his own is in fact terrifying. I’d never want that. But I need this. “Surely there’s a hotel or something on the island, that’s the best I’ll do. I have to at least be that close if you need me,” he says, running his hand through his hair. He looks so damn sexy, he’s gotten a lot of sun today. We stare at each other
~Aurora’s Point of View~ I can’t for the life of me understand if this is some kind of psychological torture bullshit, but for probably ten minutes the vampires have been doing literally nothing but standing on the beach watching us. Some freakish curiosity? Jealous of what they could never have? A true mate? A beating heart? But there’s nothing we can do. Mase’s dick is still inside me, neither of us really wanting to move. I know he’s sure as hell not letting me out of his grasp. *What do you think they’re doing,* I ask, over mind-link as I rest my head on his chest. *I wish I fucking knew. This is stupid, fucking dumb,* he says, and it's obvious his level of irritation has spiked. Out here he’s not a Gamma or a fierce fighter, a father or a son. He’s just a blood bag. Our question gets answered pretty quickly when two new vampires practically fall out of the sky and stare at us. Mase has since tied my bikini back on, not that it really freakin’ matters. But if it helps him
~Javed’s Point of View~ ~Three Weeks Later~ “This is bullshit Hassan, I’m fine. I would never, ever hurt her, let me see my Aurora,” I growl, ready to rip his head off. “Tsk, tsk, that hostility is why you need more time,” he says, wagging his finger at me. I’m nearly ready to punch a hole in the wall when suddenly everything stops. Time seems to stop. I draw a deep breath and catch the familiarity of what I know can only be … my father. Just last week when I was coherent enough to understand, Hassan told me what happened. I simply still can’t believe it but when I think about Setareh in those early days, I know it in my black heart to be true. This is the very level of cruelty that she aspired to. Forcing me to remain by her side all these years knowing that the only creature, the only person who ever loved me was nothing but a pile of bones, descended into absolute madness by her hand… As if she didn’t fuck him up enough in his human life. When he thought she loved him and bo
~Aurora’s Point of View~ “I think he’ll surprise you,” I say, trying to be upbeat. *Of course he will,* Lucy chirps, practically half asleep. It’s literally taking all my energy, cause I’m fucking exhausted. It’s just after two in the morning and while I’d love nothing more than to stay with my vampire lover, I know my family is also waiting for me. I’d mind-linked Mase to tell him I was going to the beach house when Javed first came, and he understood that meant I may not be home. “Just come at dusk with an open mind, okay,” I say, as Javed kisses my forehead. I look back at the Midnight Protectors packhouse which is mostly dark and quiet. “You say that like I’m not already a fool at your mercy,” he teases, his eyes lighting with mischief. Lucy bats her eyes playfully as if he can see her. Goddess I miss that so damn much! His impossibly sexy flirting. I’d melt if I had even an ounce of energy left in my body, but I simply don’t right now. He walks me to the door, and kisse
~Aurora’s Point of View~ ~A Year And A Half Later~ “We don’t have much time,” I whisper, as I grind on Javed’s hard thickness. When he looks at me like I’m the only female in existence, like I’m his goddess, nothing else truly does exist. Except when you’re a mother of six pups and ohh, you have another mate in the house that literally always knows what you’re doing. Not only can he hear you, but he can feel you through the bond. And his parents are always around. And my parents and brother. Goddess I miss the privacy of the beach house I knew I should have asked to go tonight. “Yes, Javed, ohhh right there,” I whisper, as he grips my hips and pumps into me. *Hmmm, this is incredible, but do you know what would be better…* Lucy says, moving my thoughts where she wants them. I run my nails down Javed’s chest, drawing a bit of blood as she makes me see what she wants. What she dreams of, and I literally can’t focus. She’s been bringing this up for months but lately it’s every s
~Twenty Years Later~ ~Aurora’s Point of View~ “This could never get old,” Mase says, as I lean back into him. I gaze out at the insane view, wishing I could see it in the daytime. We’re perched on a flat sliver of rock overlooking the Grand Canyon and it’s breathtaking even in the darkness. Thank the Goddess for shifter’s night vision. Lucy immediately perks up my ears at all the different sounds of animals below. Just when I think Javed has shown me all the beauty this world has to offer, when I think I’m stunned, we visit somewhere we’ve already been but I fall in love with it all over again. Javed sits in front of me, and as usual I’m happily squeezed between my warm and cool mates. “I promised Rosie and her mate I’d take them out tomorrow night. They’re looking at the Maldives. Which probably means they’ll need a babysitter,” Javed says, a lazy smile on his face. Grandparents. We’re grandparents now. How fucking bizarre! Eleven so far and counting. Some days I can barel
~Aurora’s Point of View~ When we’re outside what I remember to be the palace where Setareh lived, my eyes are wide. The place is now deserted, and completely dark. But there’s a very eerie feeling over the place and it’s absolutely nowhere I want to go. My eyes quickly move to Brenna, and I have to wonder if this will make her freak out. “They added onto the place over time but I’ve been here over the last couple of decades out of curiosity. There’s one thing I never quite told Javed and there’s no time like the present,” Artoosh says, as we all turn to stare at him. Javed especially looks puzzled. He and his father have grown so close that I can’t imagine them having any secrets. Artoosh waves for us all to follow him and I hold the hands of both my mates and make a face. *What the fuck is this place,* Mase asks, over mind-link. Lucy paces in my mind as if she should be ready for a threat but with three vampires by our side any threat in here should be what’s scared. *Javed’s
~Aurora’s Point of View~“Stop moving or you’ll get stabbed,” Elena shouts, as she puts the finishing touches on my dress.My eyes fall down over the ball of white fluff, so big I can’t even see my feet. Today is my sister’s wedding and mating ceremony, and it should fill me with nothing but joy and happiness. My sister Brenna has struggled to raise me since our parents abandoned us, and while I want to say she’s done her best… she hasn’t. I’ll always believe she could have done better. That she could still mend her ways and change. She’s ten years older than me though more like the eleven year old in this relationship.The best thing we both have going for us is Beta Matthew, her fiance. He’s not well to do by any means, but he makes sure we both have what we need. Though it’s rarely enough for Brenna.“There, now it’s perfect. Go fetch your basket of flowers and head outside,” Elena says, tapping my backside. I sigh but know that it's time to get moving.She’s Matthew’s aunt, and t
~Aurora’s Point of View~ When we’re outside what I remember to be the palace where Setareh lived, my eyes are wide. The place is now deserted, and completely dark. But there’s a very eerie feeling over the place and it’s absolutely nowhere I want to go. My eyes quickly move to Brenna, and I have to wonder if this will make her freak out. “They added onto the place over time but I’ve been here over the last couple of decades out of curiosity. There’s one thing I never quite told Javed and there’s no time like the present,” Artoosh says, as we all turn to stare at him. Javed especially looks puzzled. He and his father have grown so close that I can’t imagine them having any secrets. Artoosh waves for us all to follow him and I hold the hands of both my mates and make a face. *What the fuck is this place,* Mase asks, over mind-link. Lucy paces in my mind as if she should be ready for a threat but with three vampires by our side any threat in here should be what’s scared. *Javed’s
~Twenty Years Later~ ~Aurora’s Point of View~ “This could never get old,” Mase says, as I lean back into him. I gaze out at the insane view, wishing I could see it in the daytime. We’re perched on a flat sliver of rock overlooking the Grand Canyon and it’s breathtaking even in the darkness. Thank the Goddess for shifter’s night vision. Lucy immediately perks up my ears at all the different sounds of animals below. Just when I think Javed has shown me all the beauty this world has to offer, when I think I’m stunned, we visit somewhere we’ve already been but I fall in love with it all over again. Javed sits in front of me, and as usual I’m happily squeezed between my warm and cool mates. “I promised Rosie and her mate I’d take them out tomorrow night. They’re looking at the Maldives. Which probably means they’ll need a babysitter,” Javed says, a lazy smile on his face. Grandparents. We’re grandparents now. How fucking bizarre! Eleven so far and counting. Some days I can barel
~Aurora’s Point of View~ ~A Year And A Half Later~ “We don’t have much time,” I whisper, as I grind on Javed’s hard thickness. When he looks at me like I’m the only female in existence, like I’m his goddess, nothing else truly does exist. Except when you’re a mother of six pups and ohh, you have another mate in the house that literally always knows what you’re doing. Not only can he hear you, but he can feel you through the bond. And his parents are always around. And my parents and brother. Goddess I miss the privacy of the beach house I knew I should have asked to go tonight. “Yes, Javed, ohhh right there,” I whisper, as he grips my hips and pumps into me. *Hmmm, this is incredible, but do you know what would be better…* Lucy says, moving my thoughts where she wants them. I run my nails down Javed’s chest, drawing a bit of blood as she makes me see what she wants. What she dreams of, and I literally can’t focus. She’s been bringing this up for months but lately it’s every s
~Aurora’s Point of View~ “I think he’ll surprise you,” I say, trying to be upbeat. *Of course he will,* Lucy chirps, practically half asleep. It’s literally taking all my energy, cause I’m fucking exhausted. It’s just after two in the morning and while I’d love nothing more than to stay with my vampire lover, I know my family is also waiting for me. I’d mind-linked Mase to tell him I was going to the beach house when Javed first came, and he understood that meant I may not be home. “Just come at dusk with an open mind, okay,” I say, as Javed kisses my forehead. I look back at the Midnight Protectors packhouse which is mostly dark and quiet. “You say that like I’m not already a fool at your mercy,” he teases, his eyes lighting with mischief. Lucy bats her eyes playfully as if he can see her. Goddess I miss that so damn much! His impossibly sexy flirting. I’d melt if I had even an ounce of energy left in my body, but I simply don’t right now. He walks me to the door, and kisse
~Javed’s Point of View~ ~Three Weeks Later~ “This is bullshit Hassan, I’m fine. I would never, ever hurt her, let me see my Aurora,” I growl, ready to rip his head off. “Tsk, tsk, that hostility is why you need more time,” he says, wagging his finger at me. I’m nearly ready to punch a hole in the wall when suddenly everything stops. Time seems to stop. I draw a deep breath and catch the familiarity of what I know can only be … my father. Just last week when I was coherent enough to understand, Hassan told me what happened. I simply still can’t believe it but when I think about Setareh in those early days, I know it in my black heart to be true. This is the very level of cruelty that she aspired to. Forcing me to remain by her side all these years knowing that the only creature, the only person who ever loved me was nothing but a pile of bones, descended into absolute madness by her hand… As if she didn’t fuck him up enough in his human life. When he thought she loved him and bo
~Aurora’s Point of View~ I can’t for the life of me understand if this is some kind of psychological torture bullshit, but for probably ten minutes the vampires have been doing literally nothing but standing on the beach watching us. Some freakish curiosity? Jealous of what they could never have? A true mate? A beating heart? But there’s nothing we can do. Mase’s dick is still inside me, neither of us really wanting to move. I know he’s sure as hell not letting me out of his grasp. *What do you think they’re doing,* I ask, over mind-link as I rest my head on his chest. *I wish I fucking knew. This is stupid, fucking dumb,* he says, and it's obvious his level of irritation has spiked. Out here he’s not a Gamma or a fierce fighter, a father or a son. He’s just a blood bag. Our question gets answered pretty quickly when two new vampires practically fall out of the sky and stare at us. Mase has since tied my bikini back on, not that it really freakin’ matters. But if it helps him
“Just one night Mase,” I whisper, as I look up at him from the floor of the walk in closet. The carpet in here is impossibly soft and it smells more like Javed in here than anywhere else. I’ve already decided I’m staying in there, naked and rolling around all night. Goddess knows if this carpet could talk… “Baby I can’t just leave you out here unprotected. If something happened to you I’d never forgive myself,” he says, not backing down. “There’s a panic room in his office where he’d slumber for the day, it’s fireproof, all that. I can go down there if I have an issue,” I insist. His chest growls slightly and I can’t blame him. The idea of Mase raising four pups on his own is in fact terrifying. I’d never want that. But I need this. “Surely there’s a hotel or something on the island, that’s the best I’ll do. I have to at least be that close if you need me,” he says, running his hand through his hair. He looks so damn sexy, he’s gotten a lot of sun today. We stare at each other
~Aurora’s Point of View~~One Month Later~“Goddess, I’ve never been so happy to see a familiar face,” I sigh, as I practically lurch myself at Matthew. I have literally no idea where my pups, mate and family are but I could care less. Being cooped up in a wagon with pups that have way too much energy is anything but ideal. Sleeping in a tent is hell on earth and I’m convinced we’ll have to stay at Midnight Protectors for a year because I am NOT making that trip again any time soon.That journey is a HELL of a lot better in a vampire’s arms. Even when I first went to Midnight Moon I did travel by horse and we did the trip in two days. This … was over a freakin’ WEEK.“Glad to see you sweetie,” Matthew says, rubbing my back.He abruptly clears his throat and pulls back. “Guessing the guy looking at me like he’s going to rip my head off for touching you is Mason,” he says, shaking his head and laughing. Just then his pups descend on me and I scoop one up quickly and coo at it. Ohh, I
~Aurora’s Point of View~ ~Two Years Later~ “Colton! You knock it off,” I snap, as I drop the laundry basket and watch as the clothes go all over the place. I make a face but then look down at the chubby cheeks of my two month old angel Violet and smile. “I’m gonna get you,” Rosie shouts, as she continues to chase her brothers. Closing my eyes, I count to ten. When they pop back open, Lucy is trying to calm me down but it’s useless. Mase has been out all morning doing Goddess knows what and I’ve been alone with four pups on nearly no sleep!! “Fuck this,” I whisper, as I turn and walk straight into the pantry and shut the door. I instantly curse that there is no lock on it, but none of our doors have locks. I close my eyes again and let my forehead thunk against the wall. *It’s gonna be okay, some days will be hard,* Lucy coos. A tear falls down my cheek as I recall the pains I had last night, Javed’s pain. It’s truely fucking horrible and I just can’t understand how it doe