Story Excerpt

“He has a point,” Banning said with a grimace. “I know Zane isn’t happy that Darcy be avoiding coming here. His feelings were hurt thinking Darcy didn’t want to be his friend anymore now that he be mated.”

“Aye, we thought ya just wanted him for sex,” Brian stated sheepishly, glancing from me down to his toes. “And how could ya not want our hot mate for ya self?”

I took a deep breath before answering, understanding now that it was their insecurities they were projecting onto me and their behavior was not really a reflection of me. “Because mating is just as sacred to warriors as it is to your family. Trying to steal Zane would only hurt him, and I would never do that.” I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow at them. “And he’s really not my type. That’s why we never dated. A few quick fucks was all we’d ever been beyond friends.”

“And sometimes sex just be sex,” Rory said as he walked out of the greenhouse and stepped up behind them, teasing them with his fake brogue. “Now leave the lad alone and ask why he be here.”

“That’s starting to get annoying,” Brian grumbled good-naturedly as he elbowed his friend in the side.

“And maybe give an apology for making me feel so unwelcome at my friend’s home,” I added, not willing to let this drop so quickly. I didn’t like interference in my friendships, and they’d treated me as if I’d done something wrong. Which I hated!

“Aye, we’re sorry, Darcy,” Banning said earnestly and nodded. “We hope ya forgive us and start coming around. Our mate misses his friend, and we’d like the chance to get to know ya.”

“Funny you should phrase it that way,” I replied with an evil grin. “With everything that’s gone down with the demons and Cyrus’s family, the warriors not on assignment are being farmed out to stay at civilian homes. We’re starting regular patrols and moving some of the smaller families into the bigger houses, consolidating covens, too.”

“Yeah, we’re getting some new vampire friends moving into the Dragos estate next week. I guess they’re crafters and Isaac’s going to let them build a workshop on the property.” Rory looked ready to bust at the seams at the idea, hopping up and down and smiling more widely than usual.

“Ya such an art whore.” Brian snickered, shaking his head.

“Hey, I don’t have sex for the stuff,” he scoffed, turning his nose up in offense. “I appreciate the arts and things of beauty. It’s more jealousy. I’d love to be able to do what they can, but I have no talent.”

“Interior decorating is a form of art in my opinion,” I said with a shrug. “I’ve seen how you’ve turned around Isaac’s house, Rory. I think being able to see a space and make it welcoming while beautiful is just as hard as seeing something to put on a canvas.”

“Really?” he asked, his face heating up from the praise and turning a light shade of pink. I hadn’t always gotten along with Isaac, thinking he was a dick, but I was trying for Zane. And Isaac was different than he was a century ago… We all were. But I did really like his mate. If I was ever going to consider mate stealing, not that I would, it would be Rory.

“Aye, what ya have planned for our house be a thing of beauty,” Banning answered as he wrapped his arm around his friend. “Ya have talent in a different way.”

“Thanks.” He giggled, leaning into the half hug. “Anyways, I think things are going to start getting really interesting around here. Liven up some of the stuffy founding families.”

“And get us some help around here.” Brian chuckled. “The warriors be clueless when it comes to how to be gentle with plants.”

“Anyways,” I drawled, shaking my head and trying to get back on point. “Zane asked the coordinator to assign me here. I’ll be here when he’s at work, guarding you, and then I get a break when he gets home before we sleep. Are any of the guest rooms habitable yet?”

“Not really,” Brian said with a wince as he glanced back in the direction of the house. “If ya don’t mind a night on the couch, we can do it first thing tomorrow when the workers get back. Ya going to have to bear with us.”

“That’s not a problem.” I chuckled, having slept in way worse places. I was just glad we got past this awkwardness. It was then I saw a wolf slowly approaching from several hundred yards away. It was lifting its nose every so often as if sniffing down a trail. “The wolf acclimating here okay?” I wasn’t sure why I cared, but something about the wolf pulled at my heartstrings. I couldn’t imagine being trapped in an animal form. Even though I’d never seen him before, when Zane told me about him, I wanted to help.

Not that I had any clue how to, but who wouldn’t want to help the little guy?

“Yeah, he’s got lots of room to play and helps keep the vermin away,” Rory said with a smile before his face fell. “I don’t know how long he’s been stuck as a wolf, but it’s not good. Maybe some safety and friends can help him get out of it.”

“He’s gorgeous,” I whispered as the wolf started running to us. “I’ve never seen one of his coloring.” While the twins had bright red hair, the wolf was more of a shimmering, deep auburn. The color and shine made me think of almost maroon satin sheets. Which was weird. Why would a wolf make me think of bed?

Adult Excerpt

“Your first time, right?”

Ayden glanced at me and I nodded. Being raped didn’t count as having sex in my book. This was a whole different animal, and in every way important, Ayden was still a virgin. He’d chosen this time, and that’s what mattered. Then Ayden gave me a slight smile and nodded as well.

“There will be pain, but after a few moments, it will turn into pleasure. Trust Darcy. He’s your mate and won’t hurt you.” Rory gave me a quick wink and was gone. I was gonna kiss the little guy later because Ayden looked a lot more relaxed then.

I, on the other hand, was dying with need.

“Please, little wolfie,” I begged, nodding to his hand on my cock. His eyes went wide as if just realizing that he was still holding on to me. Ayden immediately started stroking me cautiously. Which was good considering how swollen and sensitive I already was. “Oh fuck, Ayden. Just like that but a little faster.”

He nodded and did what I wanted, and moments later, I blew. My mate watched with fascination and a little pride. Good. He’d done that to me, given me that pleasure, and I wanted him to understand that only he could have made me feel so good right then.

“Kiss me,” I ordered when he let my cock go and my climax passed. “Come straddle me and kiss your mate.” Ayden smiled and crawled toward me. Everything about him screamed sex and seduction. Which was crazy because I knew he was inexperienced besides being raped.

Maybe he really was some distant relative of Eros or something?

He threw one leg over me and squirmed against my body as his lips lowered to mine. “Want mate inside of me.”

“Yes,” I hissed against his mouth before delving my tongue inside of him. Then he moved away, and I whimpered from the loss. Ayden gave me a shy, but still very seductive, smile as he shimmied down my body so his ass was touching my cock. My eyes went wide as I realized something. “Wait.” I glanced at my hands, now shackled. “I can’t stretch you.”

“Don’t need it.” He blushed as he moved to hold my cock up.

“Yes, yes you do. And lube, lots of lube for your first time,” I rambled as he moved his body over my dick. Sure, my meat was slicked up with all my cum since I kept getting release, but that wasn’t the same. “Wait!”

“Show Alpha.” He hummed as he took the head of my cock inside of him. He wiggled around a bit, no pain showing on his face, and then slowly started to slide down.

“How?” I gasped, having a hard time of thinking at all with his tight hole wrapped around my cock.

“Body knows mate,” Ayden answered with a shy smile. “Always ready for mate. Was scared to tell Alpha that at first.” Now he shook a bit but not from anticipation.

“So I wasn’t in any danger of hurting you because I’m basically drunk on your blood and might not have prepared you properly.” He shook his head again, biting his lower lip. Then it dawned on me. “But you were still frightened and figured it wouldn’t be so scary if I was tied down.” Ayden nodded and then gave me a look that said he was clearly bracing for impact. “I’m not mad, little wolfie.”

“What? Why not? I lied.”

“Oh, baby,” I whispered, giving him a smile. “We just met, and after what your pack did to you, of course you’d be scared and not willing to trust. But you told me about it now and that’s all that matters. I’m not a fan of lying, but until we get to know each other better, you do what you feel is right to protect yourself. I’ll prove it to you that I’m worth trusting.”

“Lucky to have you as mate,” he said in my mind. Even his mental voice was tight with emotion.

“The feeling is mutual,” I purred, my cock twitching inside of him. Okay, it was a tender moment, hopefully the first of many in our mating. And it sucked that my dick had to cut it short by being impatient. But it hurt, this need to have sex and orgasm, when I tried to ignore it. I could see how Rory and Isaac had a long weekend of fun with it, but when riding this while just getting to know someone, it was almost torture.

“Unlock Alpha?”

“Whatever you want, little wolfie.” I wiggled my eyebrows at him. “I kinda like being at your mercy. You take me this time and I’ll show you some exciting loving that your wolf will like, too.”

I gave him a mental image of what I had in mind and Ayden moaned, moving his hips. My mate started bouncing on my cock like a pro, twisting his hips every so often so I moved in at different angles. Yeah, he so was related to the love god.