Barnabas Leopold

Beyond the Marius Brothers 3

Barnabas Leopold Barnabas Leopold is a kind and intelligent half fae, half vampire who comes home to lead the East Coast Council. With the loss of his entire family, Barnabas longs for love to make him feel whole. Miles Juniper, Barnabas's head of security, is fiercely protective of his charge, especially after he realizes they are mates. After several misunderstandings, he believes that Barnabas doesn't love him while everything he does is because of his love for Barnabas. Digger Slane, on the other hand, walks into their mess with his heart on his sleeve when he realizes he's mated to them. His is eager to help Barnabas and Miles resolve their issues so that all three of them may become true mates. Will these men have a chance to truly explore and enjoy the love they share with one another, or will they be torn apart by demons intent on destroying the last Leopold? Note: This book contains double anal penetration. Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal Length: 35,594 words

BARNABAS LEOPOLD Beyond the Marius Brothers 3

Joyee Flynn

MENAGE AMOUR MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Ménage Amour ManLove

BARNABAS LEOPOLD Copyright © 2012 by Joyee Flynn E-book ISBN: 1-61926-741-1 First E-book Publication: April 2012 Cover design by Jinger Heaston All cover art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers Dear Readers, If you have purchased this copy of Barnabas Leopold by Joyee Flynn from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book. The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment. This is Joyee Flynn’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Flynn’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

AUTHOR’S NOTE When I wrote the first Marius Brothers, I had no clue how big the world would get. Then I had so much fun with the world that I thought, why not Irish twins? So the O’Hagans were born. Now there are other minor characters who need their stories told…and that’s how one world ended up with three different series. To keep everything straight, I’ve added a few pages to my site, including a brief background on the world so it’s not repeated in every book, the chronological order of the books, character charts, and a list of who’s who. I hope this helps make sense of the madness that is my brain. www.joyeeflynn.com/themariusworld.htm

BARNABAS LEOPOLD Beyond the Marius Brothers 3 JOYEE FLYNN Copyright © 2012

Chapter 1 Barnabas “I hear Italy is nice this time of year,” I said, trying to be casual as I stared out the window. “We could go check out Italy instead.” “Whatever you want, your honor.” Miles’s tone left very little doubt that it wasn’t really my choice. “I can have them turn the plane around right now if you’d like.” Oh, now he was just teasing me. “Well, how about somewhere tropical then? I bet you’d have fun chasing me around in swim trunks. And look good doing it.” I batted my eyelashes at him. I was willing to do just about anything to get out of where we were going. Not that offering myself up to Miles to get my way would be any hardship. He was a god among men… And vampires actually. He focused on me then, narrowing his gorgeous light-green eyes slightly in a disapproving manner. “Don’t flirt to get your way. It’s beneath you.” Ouch. I turned away as if he’d slapped me. Rejected again and chastised. Yeah, that’s what every man wants when he goes out on a ledge. “I apologize. I was just teasing.” In a flash I undid my seat belt

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and headed to the bathroom. I heard Miles sigh from his seat as I forced myself to walk at a normal pace away from him. Alone in the bathroom, I smacked myself in the forehead. How many times was I going to let Miles know I was interested only to be rejected? He had to know by now that I meant it and I was in love with him. Hell, I’d been in love with him since I was fifteen. Miles Juniper had been one of my parents’ guards, but when I’d been sent to a human boarding school, my fathers had decided Miles was the man to protect me far from home. I’d been there a few months when he came to my room with a look of such grief I knew I’d need to sit down before he’d even started talking. “Barnabas,” he had whispered as he joined me on the bed. His expression had been filled with sadness, and I knew it was going to be bad because he never used my first name. “Your parents’ plane crashed. I’m sorry, but there were no survivors.” And just like that my whole world had come crashing down, and it was Miles who held me all night sobbing. He was there for me every day since. Things had changed when I turned eighteen and he stopped being friendly with me and went back to being only my guard. It was ironic because that was when I realized the feelings I had for him weren’t just friendship or the same as when one loves an older brother. I was truly, madly, and deeply in love with him. And he didn’t return the feelings. Part of me wished he would get reassigned. Another part of me just wanted to show up in his bed naked and see if he really didn’t want me or if he was just trying to do what was best for me. And the last part, the part that was growing stronger every time he rejected my advances, thought it was time to hire a different head of my security and personal guard. But I didn’t think I could do that. Miles was basically the only family I had. I got myself composed and made sure to flush the toilet as if I’d been in there for that reason and not needing a moment to myself. I stepped out of the lavatory and crashed into the man of my dreams…

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Or nightmares depending on how I looked at it and the fact that I couldn’t have him. Miles was huge. My eye level was with his massive, built, and lickable chest. I slowly glanced up past his broad shoulders to meet his bright eyes. I wanted to climb his body and grab his ear-length black hair in my hands as I kissed him stupid. “We’re landing soon, your honor,” he announced quietly, clearing his throat as if he knew what I’d been thinking. It felt like another rejection on top of the other one I’d just received, and my pride bristled. “Good. I think some changes need to be made once we’re home. Starting with reassessing my security detail.” My tone had become very formal so as not to betray the painful emotions I was feeling at his denying me. Miles’s mouth fell open and he went a little pale. “And my not being allowed to date. I’m tired of being alone and living like a monk.” “You’re allowed to date, your honor.” I snorted at his reply. Miles had done everything in his power to keep me a virgin, but I’d snuck into a bathroom with a date, past my security, and had sex once. Once by the age of twenty-one when I went to an all-boys boarding school and then Oxford University. “The men you were picking weren’t suitable—” “Not for you to decide anymore,” I cut him off, my tone firm. “I’m an adult whether you still see the boy I once was or not. It’s time I was allowed to act like one. I’m about to take over being the head of the East Coast Council and I’ve never been on a real date. That ends.” I’d had a few sporadic dates in boarding school and college, but normally it was hanging out in someone’s dorm room and ordering pizza. And one time I went to a club… But I didn’t count that either for several reasons. I wanted a real, go out, dinner and a movie, adult date. Was that really too much to ask for?

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“You haven’t been a boy to me in a long time,” he whispered. I had to be imagining the lust in his eyes or that his tone had gone deeper. Right? It was a trick my mind was playing on me now that I’d decided it was time to move on and find someone who might love me. “I’m just not the man you want,” I said quietly and turned away from him. I practically darted back to my seat, unable to be rejected again after what I’d let slip out. The overhead seat belt lights came on and the captain announced we were landing soon. I did notice Miles didn’t take the seat next to me again, and I felt abandoned almost. For as long as I could remember, anytime I had to travel, Miles was right there with me. It felt wrong to even be on a plane without him close. It was stupid, silly, childish, and I needed to get over it. He didn’t want me. Time to embrace my new life and find someone who did. I was so lost in my thoughts I hadn’t even realized we’d descended until I felt the plane touch down on the tarmac. While I was glad we were using the private airstrip on the Council’s estate, I couldn’t help but sigh. Now came where I had to shake hands with the Council members and see how likely they were to accept me in my new role. The Council seats were held by the founding families in the various areas around the world. If someone decided to step down or died, then their heir had first shot at the seat, but they had to be elected into it. My situation was different since one of my fathers had been the head Council seat, almost like the Speaker of the House of Representatives. That wasn’t an elected seat for us. It was passed directly down the bloodline. And since I was the only Leopold left and now that I was of age, the position fell to me. I didn’t want to deny the role, not that I was sure I could. It was my father’s legacy, and I wanted to make my parents proud. That didn’t mean I necessarily wanted to do it either or thought I should at twenty-one.

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I stepped off the plane once I got the all clear from my other guards. Council members could get a few, but since I had a more elevated role and was the last of my line, I was going to have six warrior guards now that I was back home. “Mrs. Marius,” I called out with the first real smile I had felt in a long time when I saw her. Elena Marius was a wonderful woman and had been a good friend of my mother. When she had died, I knew Elena had truly grieved, and she had always made a point to check up on me from time to time. “I’m sorry, you can’t be Barnabas,” she said with wide eyes. “Where’s the cute kid with the chubby cheeks I remember?” I hadn’t seen her since I was sixteen and she was accurately describing how I once looked. “Growth spurt.” I chuckled as I threw my arms around her. Hearing Elena had taken the Dragos Council seat a few months ago was the only thing that got me on the plane to come home. I knew I had at least a few allies then. “Good growth spurt.” She kissed my cheek and held me at arm’s length. “Let me get a good look. Yes, very handsome. I see so much of your mother in you, Barnabas.” “I got her height, that’s for sure.” Elena was a few inches taller than my five-six, and while I knew I was short because my mother had been fae, I just hated always being the short guy. “And her eyes,” Elena agreed. It was true. I had my mother’s light-blue eyes that were almost an iridescent lilac. “And your father’s thick, blond hair.” “At least it’s not curly.” I shrugged. I’d always had quite the mane of hair. I normally kept it just long enough to pull back in a hair tie. My father, or my birth father since I’d had two, had thick, curly blond locks. My other father had black hair, so it was easy to tell who had sired me though it never affected how I felt about them or vice versa. I was their son no matter whose DNA I had. “I hear several of your sons have mated?”

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“You’ve missed a lot while you’ve been gone,” Desmond Marius said as his mate let me go. I pushed aside his hand and hugged him as well. They both had been great to me when I’d needed parental advice growing up and mine were gone. “Welcome home, Barnabas. You ready for this?” “No, not in the slightest,” I admitted as we separated. “I won’t let down my father’s legacy though.” “He’d be proud of you,” he said gently, giving me a soft smile. “They all would. Just do what you feel is best, and we’ll be here for any help you need.” “You always have been.” I glanced at Elena, needing to ask her something. “I know most of my parents’ things were boxed up and the house has been tended to, but I wonder if sometime soon you might help me go through their belongings? I know there are a few items Mother would have wanted you to have.” “I’d be honored.” Her eyes misted up a bit, and I blinked rapidly to keep my own tears away. It always happened when I spoke of my parents and losing them. “Your mother was my best friend and I miss her every day.” “Me, too.” I took a deep breath and looked over to the convoy of vehicles waiting to take us back to the Council’s Headquarters. “Let’s not keep everyone waiting.” “Just remember to keep breathing,” Desmond advised with a wink. I could do that. It was simple. It didn’t make me want to run in the other direction any less, but I made my feet move in the right direction. Ten minutes later I was thrown right into the deep end, greeting Council members and putting faces with the names I knew. Everyone was polite but seemed as hesitant as I felt. They probably all had the same questions swirling around in their heads as I did. What happened now? What changes would be made? Could I handle this? “Thank you so much for the warm reception,” I said to all of them when we got the formalities out of the way. “I know you all knew my

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father, and I will do my best to step into his shoes. That being said, the Council has worked with everyone having an equal voice for all these years, and I don’t plan on changing that. Unless there is an issue we can’t agree on, or I’m needed in the role, I don’t ever plan on stepping in as head of the Council. I realize I’m young and have a lot to learn, and I won’t pretend I know everything or should dictate how things should run.” “I think that’s very wise, and I personally am glad that you have your father’s directness,” Councilman Abbott replied with a smile. “We’ll help you get acclimated in any way we can. For now, we’ll leave you to get settled since it’s been a long time since you’ve been home.” It was a really nice way to say I hadn’t been to my family’s estate since the death of my parents. I’d found every reason possible not to have to step foot in the house after I’d lost them, but I couldn’t put it off anymore. I thanked everyone, feeling much better about my role within the Council than I had an hour ago. “Time to meet your additional guards,” Elena informed me as she led me away from everyone else. I nodded, starting to feel a little shell-shocked. Then I swallowed my tongue with lust when I saw the three warriors waiting for me who would now be protecting me as well. Miles was still noticeably absent, probably having stayed by the vehicles or busying himself handling our return to my family estate, so he wasn’t here to interfere. When I got about ten feet away from the warriors, the one who had stirred my lust stepped forward, his fangs coming out. It made me freeze because I wasn’t sure what that meant. “Digger Slane?” Elena asked cautiously as she stepped in front of me in a protective stance. “His honor is my mate, Councilwoman Marius,” Digger explained with a soft growl. “I am?” I gasped, peeking out from around her. She stepped aside, glancing between the two of us.

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“You don’t feel it? Doesn’t my scent tell you that I’m your mate?” He looked as if I’d kicked him in the nuts. My gaze darted to Elena, not sure what to say. She gave me a nod that it was okay. “I’m half fae,” I answered him, taking a tentative step closer to him. “They don’t scent their mates like vampires do, so it makes sense that I might not know yet.” “How do the fae know if the person is their mate?” Digger mirrored my movements, and we were that much closer to each other. “Umm, well,” I stuttered, blushing furiously. “They can tell during sexual contact, um, the bond snaps into place then if a fae finds their mate.” His nostrils flared, and I really hoped it was from desire. “People are watching,” Elena reminded me. “Let’s take this conversation back to your estate.” “Right, yeah, good point.” I swallowed nervously, feeling sick to my stomach. I wasn’t sure if I was more freaked because I’d met my mate and he was gorgeous or because I was dreading going to my parents’ house. Both? I let her lead me outside, very aware that Digger had moved closer to me and was now walking next to me. That was normally where Miles stood…Miles! As we walked down the stairs, my gaze darted around to find the man. “What’s wrong?” he called out, racing over to me. “Why are you pale?” “I met my mate,” I blurted out, looking over at Digger. Miles froze about two steps from me, his eyes flaring with anger. “So you’ll accept him but not me? I thought you didn’t want me because my position was beneath you! But now you meet him and he’s a warrior, too, and you still want him?” My eyes went wide as his words sank in. I darted around the SUV and away from everyone. I got about ten steps, at least out of sight of the front doors of the Council’s Headquarters, and fell to my knees as I tossed my cookies.

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“Breathe, Barnabas,” Elena whispered as she knelt next to me and petted my hair, smoothing the thick hair back that had fallen out of my tie. “Just take some deep breaths and calm down.” “Why is he getting sick?” Miles asked, his tone sounding panicked. “I didn’t yell, but I have a right to be upset.” “He’s freaking out because he just learned he has two mates, one of which has been right in front of him all this time,” Elena explained with a growl. “He didn’t know Digger was his mate by scent like vampires do. He’s part fae. You knew that, Miles.” “Stop,” I gasped, pushing away. I could feel their strong emotions and it was suffocating me since they were so close. It wasn’t my gift, but just like tension could be felt in the room, it was the same thing. “You didn’t know?” Miles whispered as he backed away slowly. He was shaking his head, and his face was so pale it would have been funny if the circumstances were different. “So you have two mates?” Digger asked, coming from around the SUV on the other side of Miles. That didn’t help. Now I was being questioned from both sides and I was starting to feel closed in and panicked. It was my only excuse for what I did next. I teleported to my family’s estate. Alone. So much for making sure I had protection around me all the time. It wasn’t the first time I’d done it when I felt backed into a corner and Miles was going to freak out. Sure enough, my cell beeped, indicating that I had a call coming in. Instead of talking to him because I couldn’t just yet, I texted him that I was at my parents’ house. Well, my house now. And hell if that didn’t raise a whole other slew of issues I didn’t want to deal with. He texted me back, ordering that I teleport back, to which I replied no. I needed a damn moment here! I plopped down on the front stairs, not able to even look at the house just yet. There were too many memories in there and reminders of all I had lost. I had about twenty minutes before Miles and everyone showed up. I needed to get some things straight in my mind before then.

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I decided to start with the easiest. Digger. He was gorgeous, looked at me as if I was his favorite treat, and he was my mate. I closed my eyes and pictured him. Soft, dark-brown hair that was cut short, amber eyes that I swear had little stars in them, and a body any gay man would drool over. He had to be at least six four and built like a rock. I’d caught a glance of his muscles, which were clearly visible under his tight, cotton shirt, and had noticed his biceps peeking out from under the sleeves. Yummy. At least I knew I wanted to get to know Digger and be naked with him as soon as possible. That was really a no-brainer. Miles, on the other hand… We were mates? And he knew all this time but never said or did anything about it? That I had no idea how to handle. Also, the way he’d acted as if I’d knowingly refused him. What was that all about? I’d flirted with him for years and let my interest be known. There was something I was missing here, and I wasn’t sure I was going to like when I found out what it was. I was mostly feeling pissed though. How could he not tell me? Why wouldn’t he ever mention it whether he didn’t realize I didn’t know or not? Then why reject me? My head was swirling by the time the SUVs pulled in the drive, and I still wasn’t ready to deal with the house and its memories. When they stopped and Miles jumped out of the driver’s side door, there was one main question on my mind. I stormed over to him as he walked hesitantly toward me. “Why reject me? If you knew we were mates, why did you reject all my advances?” “Your scent changed when you turned eighteen and I realized we were mates,” he explained with a sorrowful expression. “You came to me, and I was a little freaked that the boy I’d cared so much about was my mate but thrilled, too. But then you told me you had a date with some guy from college and you wouldn’t let me stop you. I thought you made the point we were never going to be mates clear.”

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“I always flirted with you though.” I remembered that night, but Miles hadn’t even blinked when I’d announced I was going on a date or even acted like he cared for whatever reason. “I thought you were letting me know that you’d be okay with me being your lover on the side but never really your mate.” His eyes held evident grief, but I was too pissed to focus on that. “Then I’ve been in love all these years with an idiot,” I replied with a sneer. “And you don’t know me at all if you thought that’s how I’d ever treat my mate or the man who had always been there for me. I never knew, and if you cared enough about me, you would have tried to fight for me even though you thought I was denying you.” I didn’t know what else there was to say, so I turned on my heel and walked toward my family’s home. Suddenly, the house and all its memories weren’t as overwhelming as the shit with Miles. That just told me how bad the situation really was between us.

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Chapter 2 As I was making my grand escape, I caught Elena out of the corner of my eye. Shit. She had been my mother’s best friend, but that didn’t mean she needed to be involved in all my dirty laundry. I changed direction and went to over to her. When in doubt of how I should handle things or I felt uncomfortable at how close someone had gotten to me, I defaulted to my normal setting. Diplomat, which I had learned from an early age being the heir of the head of the East Coast Council. “I’m sorry you had to see all of this. This was not how I planned on spending our time together after not having seen you for so long. I hope we might be able to reschedule lunch and go through my mother’s things sometime soon.” “I’d like that,” she replied hesitantly as if unsure how to handle the switch in my personality. “You know you can talk to me, right? I was your mother’s friend, but she’s gone now and I see you as my nephew, Barnabas. If you need anything, you can come to me.” “I appreciate that.” I gave her a fake smile I wasn’t feeling. “I will come to you if I need help. For now I’ve just got a lot to handle and a house to settle into and reacquaint myself with.” “Okay, if that’s what you want.” She gave me a quick hug and I kissed her cheek before she got into her vehicle and left. I felt bad for almost dismissing her, and while she’d been good to me, this wasn’t the type of thing I could just open up to her about. I waved good-bye and headed into the house, walking past a stunned Miles. “We need to talk,” Digger said quietly to me as I moved closer to him.

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“We do,” I agreed, unwilling to take out my emotions on Digger when he’d done nothing wrong. “I hope you understand my taking a bit of time to myself right now though. Would you like to go out tonight on a real date and we can talk, get to know each other better?” I thought it was a good plan, simple, nothing too presumptuous or heavy. “I’m not sure that would be smart given what I’ve walked into here,” he answered with a frown, glancing over my shoulder at Miles. “Right, okay,” I fumed as I backed away from him. “Great, I have two mates and neither wants me. You guys have fun with each other.” “That’s not what I meant, your honor,” Digger said quietly as he took a step closer to me and reached for me. I pulled away in time so he didn’t make contact. “Your honor? Really? I’m asking my mate out on a date and you refer to me by my title?” I might have gotten a little hysterical as I blew a gasket. “What is wrong with both of you? Am I so undesirable neither of you wants me?” I turned so I could see Miles as well. “Do I reek of pathetic and lonely or something? Is it my lack of experience?” Miles flinched, and I guessed I had my answer. “That’s it, isn’t it? Because I’ve only been fucked once you don’t want me?” “No!” they both exclaimed, Miles especially looking like he wanted to vomit. “Forget it,” I whispered, continuing to back away. “Both of you just stay away from me then. I can’t take being alone anymore when I have not one, but two mates now and no one wants me. Mate each other and be blissfully happy anywhere but near me.” I ran from the room, not willing to let them see me get upset. This was even worse than any homecoming I could ever have imagined. The next thing I realized I was downstairs at the indoor pool. It made sense. It was the one place I’d always come to when I’d been upset as a child. Something about the water soothed me, and it didn’t seem like I had any other plan right then, so swimming sounded good.

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I quickly stripped down to my boxer briefs, tossing the rest of my clothes onto the brown tiles surrounding the pool. I wasn’t willing to take the time to go unpack and find my swimsuit. Diving right in, I realized I should have checked that the pool had been kept up and the heater was still working. Luckily for me, it had been, and the water was fantastic. I did several laps, trying to keep my grief at bay and simply letting my mind process all that had happened. My parents had died years ago, leaving me an orphan with no siblings or other family. I couldn’t say I’d dealt with it because could a person really ever fully deal with that type of loss? But being back here at our family home was like dealing with the news of their death all over again. I was swarmed with images of playing in the pool with them when I was kid. My mother teaching me to swim, hours of playing Marco Polo with my fathers, and just doing simple things a loving family did. I remembered their beautiful smiles and their laughter. And what did I have now? Okay, I was probably way too harsh on Digger, but then again all I’d asked for was a date. It wasn’t like I had said we should go fuck while Miles watched. So forgive me for thinking or feeling like he didn’t want me either. I swam until my body ached and I knew if I didn’t stop, I’d start getting cramps. It had been a while since I’d even had time to go for a swim, and my lack of exercise was showing in my endurance. That and in the size of my ass. Vampires didn’t get fat, or it was really hard to get chunky as a vampire. But fae were different. They were known for being a little pudgy. I held on to the side of the pool, gasping for air and letting my heart rate calm down. When it was back under control, I pulled myself up so I was kneeling on the floor by the pool’s edge. I almost fell right back in when I realized I wasn’t alone, but Digger’s strong grip kept me where I was. His hand felt so good on my arm that I couldn’t keep from shivering. How could such a small touch feel so right?

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Digger eyed over my mostly naked body, focusing mostly on my chunky stomach. “Is that why you said no? Because you think I’m fat?” I asked when the silence dragged out and I couldn’t take the intensity of his stare. “I could lose the extra weight if—” “No,” he snarled, his eyes meeting mine then. “I love the way you look. The jiggle of your butt makes me want to beg to touch you. I almost exploded when you walked toward the doors at the Council estate. I like a man with something to hold on to. I think you’re perfect.” “Then why wouldn’t you go out with me?” I was even more confused now, and my brain turned to mush when he pulled me closer to him and then moved me so he had a better view of my ass in my wet boxer briefs. “Is it that you don’t want to be seen in public with me? Or that you just want Miles more?” “You talk too much,” he whispered in my ear seductively. I shivered again and then moaned as he slid his hand under the cloth and cupped my ass. His other hand moved to my stomach and stroked my flab. “You also overthink a situation. I’ll let it go because I know you’ve been through hell today, returning home and finding out about Miles. But I didn’t deny you, Barnabas. We had people around us, and I didn’t think our private matters were for them to hear.” “Bas. My friends call me just Bas,” I moaned, trying to move so his hand slid off my stomach and down my briefs. “I like it. It fits you.” He did as I wanted, and like a young, barely touched, inexperienced idiot, I cried out and came. How humiliating. I rode my orgasm, hating that something so simple could set me off like that. When it was over, I realized I was spread out on the recliner near the pool, completely naked. Digger was eyeing over my body and I moved my hands to cover myself up. “No, don’t you ever hide from me.” “I’m sorry. I’m just embarrassed,” I blurted out, wanting to smack myself again.

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“Why?” He raised an eyebrow and I bit my lip, unable to say it out loud. “Don’t you think as a man and your mate it would thrill me that you would get so much pleasure from my touch?” I hadn’t thought about it like that. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed my palm. “If I didn’t like what just happened, I wouldn’t have got you naked for more, Bas. I’m desperately trying to control myself so our first time isn’t some kinky fuck by the pool.” “You want me that much?” I knew my eyes went wide in shock. He shook his head as he undid his jeans. “How can you not realize how beautiful you are?” Digger gestured to his cock. “All I can think about is the quickest way to get inside of you and make you scream my name.” “Yes please,” I whimpered, unconsciously spreading my legs wide for him. “Take me.” I had a thought then. “You don’t even have to claim me. You can just fuck me.” His eyes narrowed at me as he tore off his shirt and got naked. “Do you think you’re not worthy of being claimed? Is that all you’re good for is a quick fuck?” “I–I don’t kn–know.” He was mad, but then why was he getting naked? “Bas, baby, if I had to choose between fucking you and claiming you, I’d pick making you mine forever,” he answered gently. “But I’m a selfish prick and I’m choosing both unless you tell me otherwise. I think we could bond by me drinking from you as I got you off. I just know it’s intimate contact as I drink from you.” “No, both is good.” I smiled up at him and held my arms open. He growled his approval and covered my smaller body with his massive one. “And I like the idea of a kinky fuck by the pool because you couldn’t wait to ravage me.” “Good.” He mashed his mouth down to mine and my heart soared. He wanted me! His slightly lubed fingers rubbed my hole, and I guessed they were slicked with my own cum from earlier. “You’re

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going to have to come again for me to have enough to penetrate you. I don’t have any lube with me.” “Okay,” I gasped as he pushed a finger inside of my ass. I’d only had sex once and it had been a few years ago so I knew I was tight. “Fuck, you’re so perfect, Bas,” he whispered as he kissed along my neck and collarbone. “I’m going to love you so good, baby. I’ll wipe all the doubts about what you’re worth from your mind.” I grunted my agreement, not sure what else to say. He stroked my prostate before slipping in another finger. “Come for me, my mate. Show me how you respond to my touch.” “Yes, Digger!” I screamed as I came, pushing down hard on his fingers and riding them like a slut. Fuck, it felt so amazing! Digger cooed in my ear, whispering sweet words about how much I was turning him on as I let the waves of my climax swarm me. When I was spent, he had three fingers buried inside of me. “Say yes, Bas. Let me love on you and make you mine. I know we have a lot to work out and Miles is our mate, too, but I promise we’ll figure it out. Give me the chance to show you how great things can be and let me be there for you always.” I wasn’t stupid. Of course I knew how to answer that. “Yes, Digger. Make me yours.” He gave me a wide smile, his fangs extended, as he pulled his fingers out and scooped up my seed. I watched in awe as he rubbed it over his massive, and I do mean massive, cock. He had to be at least ten inches fully hard like he was then. He moved my leg up over his arm as he lined up his dick and started to push inside of me. I panicked after seeing how big he was and tensed up. “We’re mates,” Digger said gently, giving me a knowing look. “I’m made to be with you, Bas. There will be a little burn but way more pleasure. But if you’re not ready, then we can stop.” “No, I want this.” I forced myself to relax, and he pushed further inside of me. I gasped at the burn, not entirely disliking it. Digger

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moved my legs over his biceps as he leaned down so we were a breath apart. “I’ve never felt anything like this,” he admitted as he slid the rest of the way inside of me. I moaned as he bottomed out, mentally patting myself on the back that my body had accepted him. “Oh, does my sexy baby like my big cock inside of him?” “Yes,” I hissed, trying to move my hips when he gave me time to adjust. “I love your big cock.” “Such dirty words from such an innocent, pretty mouth.” He clucked his tongue, but I saw how my dirty talk turned him on. It was my first time speaking like that, but obviously I’d done it right and I’d do it all night if that was what my mate wanted. “I’m willing to do whatever you want with my mouth.” I gave him an impish smirk, which I’m sure wasn’t as effective since I was blushing. “My tight ass belongs to you now, Digger. Any way, anytime you want to slam your big cock into me, all you have to do is say the word.” “You realized I like a little dirty talk, didn’t you?” he asked, but it wasn’t really a question. He moaned as he pulled out and thrust right back into me. “I’m not going to last if you keep talking like that.” “Do you want me to stop?” I wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing. “No,” he growled as he buried his face in my neck and thrust into me harder. “I’m just warning you that it won’t be up to my normal longevity and I might take you again right away.” “I’m okay with that.” I gasped when he hit my prostate. “Yes. Yes! Fuck my tight ass and claim me from the inside, too. Harder, Digger.” “An angel with a devil’s mouth,” he mumbled before kissing me again. He snapped his hips and pounded into me as if he needed my body more than he needed air. I didn’t care that I might be sore later. It was better than anything I’d ever felt in my life. For a few minutes there was nothing but skin-slapping-skin noises echoing throughout

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the room as we kissed and he took me to new places. “Barnabas Leopold, do you take me as your mate?” “Yes, now and forever,” I answered, tilting my neck so he had better access. He struck fast, sinking his fangs into my neck. I cried out and came again. Digger grunted as he drank down my blood, and just like that, our bond snapped into place and I knew he was my mate. I could feel his desire for me and blossoming love. I could also feel that he was about to come, and I dug my short nails into his back, holding on for the ride as my orgasm still ravaged my body just as my mate was doing. Digger lifted his head and roared out my name as he filled me with his seed. I moaned at the sensation of his cum hitting my inner walls and something so primal, so intimate happening between us. We rode it out together, him thrusting still to pump every last drop into my willing body. When we were spent, Digger was careful not to collapse his full weight on me. Instead he braced himself on his forearms as he let my legs slip down to the recliner. I buried my face in his neck as he licked my bite closed, gasping for air. “Tell me that wasn’t the best sex of your life, too,” he panted. “It was,” I agreed immediately. “The first time sucked actually, so I’m glad my first good sex was with my mate.” “Well, I’ve had good sex before,” he admitted sheepishly, raising his head so I could see his face. “But nothing like that, I swear it to you, Bas. That was like all the best sex I’ve ever had rolled into one mind-blowing orgasm.” “Glad I was such a good lay.” I giggled nervously, not sure what was the right thing to say. “Are you sore? Was I too rough?” He moved so I was on his lap and we were sitting up, his hard cock still inside of me. I shook my head as I moaned. I couldn’t stop my hips as I lifted them slowly before lowering myself back down on him. “Yeah, that’s it, baby. Ride your mate and take pleasure from my cock. You are so perfect.”

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“I’m not doing it wrong?” I asked, mostly because it seemed like I should. It felt too amazing for Digger to not enjoy it as well. “No, you’re doing everything just right,” he said in a husky voice. I forced myself to open my eyes just in time to see him lean over and run his fangs over my left nipple. I gasped at the pleasure and pain. Then he did it to the other one, and I started moving faster. “My mate like that?” “Yes, really yes,” I babbled, wanting more. “Show me more, Digger. Show me everything.” “As you wish.” He grabbed my hips and started moving me faster than I was going until I was basically bouncing on his lap. I cried out as I threw my head back, more than willing to let him lead. “Fuck! Yes, more. Oh my god, right there,” I screamed as I grabbed on to his shoulders to keep my balance. I saw something move behind Digger, and I glanced up just in time to meet Miles’s gaze. He was standing by the door to the pool, looking as if he was about to slip back out the door. His expression was dark, but I didn’t know exactly what it was. “Stay with me,” Digger grunted as if noticing I got distracted. I focused back solely on him, leaning forward to lick along his neck. “Oh yeah, claim me, my mate.” I did right as I was about to peak, groaning around his flesh as I shot all over his stomach. I drank down his blood, feeling our bond strengthening. Digger gasped and then hollered my name as he came deep in my ass. I pulled out my fangs then and licked the bite closed, floating away on my orgasmic bliss. Glancing back to the door, I saw Miles had left. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but right then was about Digger and I. The shit with Miles would have to wait. “Where did you go at the end there?” Digger asked when we were back on this earth and our heart rates had slowed down. “I’m sorry. I saw Miles by the door and it threw me for a loop,” I admitted, not willing to even fib to my mate.

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“Shit.” He groaned and hugged me tightly to him. “I know we need to tell him and handle things with him, but I didn’t want it to be by him walking in on us.” “We’re not doing anything wrong,” I countered as I pulled away. “No,” he agreed slowly as he moved me off of his lap. I moaned as his dick slid out from my body. “But it had to hurt him to see us together.” “He wouldn’t have to be on the outside of this if he had pulled his head out of his ass,” I snapped. Digger’s eyes went wide and his expression turned to one of hurt. I sighed. “I’m sorry. None of this is your fault, but he’s hurt me bad, and while I’m not trying to upset him, it seemed as if you were siding with him.” “I didn’t mean it like that, Bas.” He gave me a sad smile as he reached over to a pile of clean towels stacked on the table by the recliner and cleaned us up. “But he is my mate, too, if the three of us are mated. Hurting him hurts me.” “I know,” I whispered, shame filling me. “I don’t want him to hurt either. I love him. I just don’t know what to do about him and all of this. Hell, I don’t know how to process being back at this house.” I sighed as I pulled back on my clothes, minus the wet boxer briefs. “I came down here to get space and clear my head. I’m glad you found me and we mated. I do still need some time. I’ve not been back here in six years and I’m sure there’s a mountain of stuff for me to attend to.” He was quiet a few moments as we got dressed. “I’m fine with you taking all the space and time you need as long as it’s not that you’re running away from me. If there’s something you need to handle on your own, I respect that, but don’t shut me out. This isn’t easy for me either.” “Deal.” “Bas, I don’t want you to get upset, but what am I supposed to do about Miles? He’s my mate, too.”

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“Whatever you feel is right.” I gave him a shrug. I didn’t have any answers here, but I also wasn’t going to stand in their way. “I know you’ve got to talk to him about my security and just go from there. As long as you’re not shutting me out or choosing him over me, I should be fine.” He gave me a nod before pulling me into his arms. Neither of us really knew what we were doing, and I knew I’d have to handle things with Miles. I just couldn’t yet. And even when I did, I didn’t know if I could forgive him.

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Chapter 3 “I see the boy I once knew in the man before me,” a voice said from behind me while I was standing in the middle of my father’s study a little while later. I instantly smiled and turned around. “Isn’t that from a movie?” I teased as I walked over to Zachariah and hugged him. “Probably.” He chuckled, hugging me back. “They take all the best lines. It’s good to see you again, Bas.” “You, too. How have you been?” Zachariah had been my parents’ trusted advisor as well as butler, driver, and the person who ran the household. The man knew everything even when I was a kid trying to sneak cookies. “Better now that you’re home where you belong.” He gave me a knowing look as he let me go. “How are you holding up?” “Not so hot,” I admitted. There was no point in trying to lie to the man anyways. “This is harder than I would have thought.” “Claiming your father’s study as yours, being home, or finding your mates?” “All three,” I snorted. “But right now, I’m focused mostly on the study. I still feel like the kid who’s going to mess with his dad’s stuff and shouldn’t. I can’t just leave it as it is though. It feels like a cold tomb or something now that they’re gone.” “Then let’s start simple.” He gave me a smile and led me over to sit down on the couch, joining me. “What are your feelings on the furniture?” “I want to keep the desk. It’s a family heirloom that’s centuries old, and I always loved the thing. That feels right being here.” I

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thought about it a moment. “I know this was my father’s idea of comfortable, but it feels formal and not me. It definitely needs to be updated. It just seems wrong to mess with his things.” “Do you think he’d want you to be uncomfortable in the study with everything else you have going on? Don’t you think your father would want you to make it your own?” “Yeah, he would,” I sighed, leaning back against the couch. “It just feels as if I should want it the way it is, you know?” “Nonsense,” he replied with a wave of his hand. “Your father changed it when it became his. When he found your mother and your father as his mates, they redid the whole house. Sure he was sad your grandfather had passed, but it was their house now, their lives, and they couldn’t keep it the way it was just because that’s the way it had been.” “I get that, I do. But he wasn’t some twenty-one-year-old kid. He was over a century old and—” “You don’t feel you’ve earned the right to change it,” Zachariah interrupted me, saying the words before I could. “No, not really. Everything feels so fucked up right now that I’m worried I shouldn’t be changing anything.” “Bas,” he said gently, waiting until I looked at him before continuing. “It’s just a study. We don’t have to throw anything out in case you change your mind later. Let me get everything boxed up and stored and then you can decide how you want everything.” I nodded, trying my best not to get choked up. “I miss them. They shouldn’t be gone already. I should have gotten more time with them, learned more from them, before being in this position. I shouldn’t have to deal with this at twenty-one.” “And yet you do.” He didn’t say it to be a jerk or rub my loss in my face. He was just simply, and gently, reminding me there wasn’t a damn thing we could do to change what happened.

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“And yet I do,” I agreed with a nod. “The study I can handle. I can’t move into their room, Zachariah. It feels wrong to me. I think it would break me right now.” “Then don’t,” he said matter-of-factly with a shrug. “There are other large suites in either wing that we can fix up for your room. There’s one with two adjoining rooms for your mates so you all have your space when you need it but can share the master bed at night.” “I knew you’d have a solution.” I sighed with relief and laid my head on his shoulder. “Thanks for being so cool and never having issue with who I am or that I’m gay.” “Of course I wouldn’t,” he said firmly, his tone almost sounding hurt that I would ever have thought otherwise. I didn’t mean to doubt him, but Zachariah was almost two millennia old. Not everyone who was that old-school could adapt. “Your father loved your other father just as much as your mother. Love is love, young man. It doesn’t matter what sex it’s with, and I would think you would know me better than to pass any judgment on that.” “I do. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated your support always. I’ve never doubted that you were on my side.” “And that’s at the front of your mind now that you’ve doubted Miles’s.” Yup, Zachariah got me. I didn’t say anything because he obviously knew the answer. We sat there a few more minutes before getting to work. He showed me the rooms he had in mind, and they were perfect. It was actually a mirror suite of my parents’ in the other wing of the house. The bed frame was a huge four-poster one that was another family heirloom, handcrafted by my grandfather when he’d met my grandmother. I’d always loved it, so it seemed fitting it would now be the bed for me and my mates. Whenever we got to that stage of all sleeping together. Zachariah suggested I call in a craftsman for the rest of the furniture to be designed since most of it needed to be updated after

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centuries of wear and tear. I also realized it needed a new mattress after I sat on it and a spring poked me someplace bad. “I’ll inform Miles of the decision so the other guards can take rooms across the hall and surround you,” Zachariah said nervously when we were done. I’d never seen him be worried before so I couldn’t hold back the question. “What’s bothering you? You’ve never been so up-front about my protection before.” “A lot has happened recently while you were finishing up your studies.” He gave me a sad smile, and I knew I wasn’t going to like whatever the news was. “Let’s talk while we eat. I took a long swim and now I’m starving.” I wasn’t going to add anything about that the crazy, lifealtering sex I’d had, too. But I knew it had a part in my being famished. “The cook made your favorite.” He chuckled as we left the room and he tucked his notepad in his pocket. “Seriously?” I shook my head, not surprised he remembered. “Those of us still on staff have been waiting to celebrate your homecoming for a long time, Bas.” He cleared his throat as we reached the staircase. “Actually, I should be calling you your honor. I apologize.” “No fucking way,” I growled, spinning around to face him, ignoring the gasps I heard behind me. “My parents loved you like family. You’ve always been like an uncle to me, Zachariah. You’re centuries older and deserve way more respect than I do just because of my last name. If we’re in public, fine. I get that you’d want others to accept my role and title, leading by example. But not in our home because this has always been just as much your home as it has been mine.” “I love you, too, dear boy,” he said fondly, kissing the top of my head. Yeah, he was another one who towered over me. But then

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again, most everyone did. I needed to make some short friends so I didn’t always feel like a hobbit. “Now that we’ve got that settled, I want my crawfish.” I gave him a wink and raced down the stairs just like I had as a boy trying to get out of taking a bath. I heard Zachariah’s laugh from behind me as I got to the foyer and froze. Miles, Digger, and all the other guards were standing there staring at me like I’d grown another head. Obviously they’d heard my conversation, so I decided to get it out of the way with them, too. “The same goes for you. When my parents were alive, they never made the distinction between guard, employee, friend, family, or staff. You live here. This is your home as well, whether I own it and you’re here because it’s your job, or not. You can call me Barnabas, or just Bas, when we’re home. And meals are at set times for whomever is home to enjoy them. Change your rooms however you want, and if there’s something you need, you can talk to Zachariah.” “Good to know.” Andre snickered, shaking his head. He’d been my guard as well as Miles after I graduated boarding school and started attending Oxford. Several months ago Corey had been added, and I now needed to know why given what Zachariah had said. “Two of your guards you haven’t met yet. This is Parker and Spike.” “Nice to meet you both.” I greeted them and shook their hands. “Now, let’s eat.” I was careful not to look at either Digger or Miles. It seemed wrong to look at one and not the other, and I was still new to this whole having-mates thing. Zachariah had already met them it seemed, and he gave a nod of his approval. That was all I needed. Normally, I’d check with Miles, but given how things were going, I had trouble trusting his judgment on anything. We headed into the dining room, and my stomach growled as I saw the spread. I hugged the cook, who had worked for my parents, as well as two of the maids I remembered. There had been one more when my parents had lived here, but she had found her mate after their death,

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and since I hadn’t lived at home, there hadn’t seemed a need to replace her. I’d have to ask Zachariah about that later. I didn’t sit at the head of the table. I just couldn’t yet. That was my father’s seat. Instead I sat at the middle of the table, Digger sitting next to me while Miles sat as far away as he could without leaving any gaps in chairs. Fine by me. “I friggin love fresh crawfish,” I moaned before digging in. Everyone enjoyed the amazing food, eating their fill. When we were done, the cook brought out a massive chocolate cake that had Welcome Home written on it in white icing. It touched me and made me realize that Zachariah had been right. They had waited a long time for me to come home. I felt a little guilty for not having visited any of them after my parents’ death, but I figured they understood why I hadn’t. It had just been too hard. “So fill me in on what’s happened that’s made you nervous about my safety,” I said to Zachariah when we were done with cake. The cook and maids excused themselves, starting to clean up dinner. Zachariah glanced to Miles, and he gave a nod of agreement. My father’s advisor sighed and turned back to me. This was going to be bad. “The demons have become organized. We don’t know when it happened, but Damian Marius’s mate, Cyrus Diaz, learned his family turned demon when it was thought they were slaughtered by them centuries ago. They’ve started becoming proactive in the war now that new weapons have been developed. “There were a few attacks on Dr. Riley Johnson since he made the ultraviolet ammunition. All the Councils agree that vampires not living in covens or among humans need to be moved. The active and trained warriors are now being split up to live in various households to provide protection. Also, Riley had warriors making the ammo at the warrior compound and now they’re spreading out the operation so all the warriors and covens can produce and have the ammo.” “Smart,” I surmised, understanding the gravity of the situation. “But that doesn’t explain why you’re worried about me specifically.”

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“You’re the last of a long line, the original founding family on this continent.” Miles continued, not looking at me. “From what we’ve gathered, the demons are targeting the Councils, and taking out the head of the East Coast Council would not only cripple morale among our people, but it could throw the Council into chaos as to who would be the new head. It’s a smart tactical play for the demons and a threat we need to take seriously.” I wasn’t sure my death would have such a vast effect on the vampire race, but if they all agreed I was a target, I would take it seriously. “Okay, so what do we do now?” “We’re ordering what we need to update the security around here to the latest tech. We’ll put in motion sensors around the property, cameras, and UV spotlights that will go on if the sensors are tripped that Riley designed. We’re also going to set up shifts so one of us is always monitoring the video feeds at night.” Miles never once glanced at me while he spoke. It made it hard to focus on what he was saying instead of the pain it caused that he couldn’t even look at me. “Sounds good. Let me know whatever you need to get it done.” I thought of something then as well. “I think it would be smart if I spoke with Desmond and Elena Marius about getting teams together to update all the houses in the area in the same way. Most probably want their own security specialists to formulate plans like that.” “It would be rather expensive to get some of that equipment to some of the less wealthy families in the area,” Zachariah informed me. “Then we buy it for them,” I said simply with a shrug. I glanced around at them when they looked at me as if I’d grown another head again. “What?” “Just like that you’d buy maybe millions of dollars of equipment for people you don’t even know?” Digger raised an eyebrow at me, more out of curiosity than disapproval. “What the fuck is money compared to the lives of our people?” I was shocked any of them would have issue with this. “The role of the

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Councils isn’t just to make laws and pass judgment on people at times to keep order. We make the laws to keep our people safe. That is our main function. To protect our way of life, our people, and all we hold sacred. If it costs my family’s fortune to get it done, then so be it. We can always make more money as a community, but life can’t be replaced like that once it’s gone.” “You don’t have to worry about your age getting in the way of your role as head of the Council, Bas,” Parker said with a smile. “Your heart and devotion to the people you were born to lead shows you’re the right person for the job.” I blushed at the praise, not used to just speaking my mind and having people agree with me like that. Everyone at the table seemed to agree with the assessment, and I was glad because I’d meant every word. I didn’t care the cost or what it took, but we would survive as a race and never stop fighting. It was how I’d been raised, and I knew if my father had been here, he would have said the same thing. Maybe I could handle being head of the Council after all? **** The next few days I worked incessantly. There was so much to be done, and it all needed to be handled like last week. Luckily everyone was pitching in as they could, just as focused on the goal as I was. But it left little time for anything else, like getting to know Digger or, hell, finding a moment for ourselves. “I can’t take it anymore,” Digger growled as he stormed into my study. It was still a work in progress, but at least Zachariah had gotten everything out that I had wanted to store. “What?” I asked, glancing up at him with concern. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing much. I’ve just not touched or barely kissed my mate in three days.” I barely had time to register the words before he yanked me out of the chair and into his arms. Digger slammed his mouth

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down to mine, plundering it with his tongue. I moaned and gladly submitted to him. “God, I missed you,” I gasped after we finally broke apart. He sat me down on the desk, and I cleared enough of an area for me. I was glad, once again, that the desk was massive. “Really?” Digger looked lost, almost scared, and it hit me how wrapped up in my own shit I’d been instead of thinking about my mate. “I thought maybe you weren’t happy with the way I claimed you and that’s why you’ve been so distant. I mean, this is supposed to be like our honeymoon time and I barely see you.” “You did nothing wrong, and I’ve enjoyed every second we’ve spent together, Digger,” I answered gently as I unbuttoned his shirt. “Never think this is about anything you’ve done wrong. I know I’m not handling everything well, but I didn’t mean to upset you. There’s just so much going on, and the pressure I’m under is so intense that I keep working until I can’t take it anymore to make a dent in the pile. I start, saying I’m just going to do it for a while after dinner, and next thing I know, it’s after two in the morning and you’re already in bed.” “I want you in my bed,” he blurted out after his shirt was off and I was working on his pants. “I was going to invite you to start sleeping in the master suite with me as soon as the new mattress comes tomorrow,” I admitted with a blush. “I hate crawling into bed alone when I want to be in your arms.” “Why didn’t you tell me?” He growled as he leaned over and nipped my shoulder. “I would sleep on the floor in here if it meant I got to be by you.” “Why didn’t you tell me?” I parroted as he yanked off my clothes. “Touché. We need to learn to talk to each other obviously,” he mumbled as he tossed a tube of lube on the desk. We both stared at it a moment, and suddenly we were yanking off the rest of our clothes as if our lives depended on it. The next thing I knew my legs were

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spread wide with my feet on the desk as Digger had two fingers buried in my ass. “We’ll get there, Digger,” I panted as I stared at my mate. “It’s only been a few days, and I don’t know about you, but this is my first relationship. We just need to be patient with each other.” “My sexy mate is so smart,” he purred as he ran his other hand over my stomach. I flinched, hating the way it jiggled. “Stop. I love your body. I’m not a fan of all the stress you’ve been putting on it because I can tell you’ve lost a few pounds from not eating like you should.” I bit my lip and looked away. It wasn’t that I’d been too busy to eat. I’d been skipping lunch so I’d drop some weight and look better for my mate. Digger froze, and I knew I was busted. “You were doing it on purpose, weren’t you?” “Yes,” I whispered, not able to meet his eyes. “Look at me,” he ordered darkly, shaking with anger. I swallowed loudly and met his gaze. “I find out you skip another meal and we are going to have serious problems, Bas. You want to lose weight then we’ll start swimming and work out together. I’m a flexible guy, but this is not something I will allow. I love the way you look, but if you don’t, then I’ll support you as long as you’re doing it the right way. I won’t have you starving yourself.” “I’m sorry.” I hated that he was angry, but it touched me that he was serious about what he was saying. “I thought maybe if I dropped the extra fat, you’d want me again.” “What?” he gasped, his eyes going wide. “All you’ve been doing is working. When would there have been time for us to make love?” I shrugged and realized I needed to admit something. “I only had sex once before you with one guy. It was a quick hookup that I thought meant more, but when I asked when I was going to see him again, he said there was no way he’d be seen with my fat ass. He told

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me the only reason he was able to get off was because he was so horny. My fat bouncing all over disgusted him.” “Oh, Bas,” he whispered as he leaned over and brushed his lips over mine. “That guy was an ass. I think you’re beautiful, baby. I’m honored that you’re my mate and fate gave me someone so breathtaking and sexy. You’re not some dirty secret to me. I was trying to give you space. It wasn’t that I haven’t been dying to be with you again because I have been.” “Show me.” It was all I could think to say, but it seemed to work because Digger’s eyes flared with lust. He quickly finished stretching me and replaced his fingers with his cock. “I love the way your bubble butt slaps my thighs as I take you,” he said with a grunt as he thrust into me faster and faster. “It turns me on that when I hold your hips, it’s not just all bone. I think the little padding you have is sexy as hell.” “Thank you,” I moaned, starting to really believe him. “I won’t skip any more meals, I promise.” “Good. It would kill me to know you weren’t taking care of yourself because you thought I wasn’t happy with the way you look.” He wrapped my legs around his hips and leaned over so we were nose to nose. “You are perfect to me.” “And you’re a god of a vampire,” I admitted before pulling his head down to mine. He took me slowly for a while as we kissed passionately. “Oh shit, I need more.” “Beg, baby. Tell your mate what you want.” “Please give me your fat cock,” I whimpered, staring into his eyes, a thrill going through me when I saw how much he liked it. “Slam it in me hard enough to make the desk creak. I want to feel you every time I sit down so I’m always hard for you.” “Fuck,” he gasped, burying his face in my neck as he pounded into my willing body. “The mouth on you.” “Harder, Digger,” I begged. “Stretch me with that huge dick. Fuck me stupid.”

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He grunted and did exactly as I asked. I screamed in pleasure as he slammed into me repeatedly until I couldn’t hold off my orgasm anymore. I sank my fangs into his neck, crying out as I came all over our bodies. He moaned in bliss and filled my ass with his release. I licked the bite closed as he pumped the rest of his seed into me. “Feel free to interrupt my work anytime you want,” I panted when we were both spent. “I lose track of the time too much.” “I accept your blanket invitation.” He chuckled. “But tomorrow night we’re going to have a real date night. It’s going to be here for now, but soon we’ll figure out a way to have a real date and keep you safe.” “Thank you.” It meant the world to me that he was trying to give me a real date night out on the town. “No, thank you.” He gave me a wink as he pulled out of me and helped me sit up. “I’ll give you an hour to wrap up what you were working on, but then I’ll be dragging you to bed for sleep. It seems I need to take better care of my mate.” “I’m going to fall so in love with you.” I hadn’t meant to say that aloud, but it was how I felt. Digger smiled widely as he pulled on his pants. “Me, too, Bas. I already adore you.” I blushed as he finished dressing, my body still feeling a little like gelatin so I hadn’t moved yet. He leaned in and gave me another peck on the lips. “One hour, my mate.” “Yes, Digger.” I giggled. He gave me a wink and strolled out of my study, looking pleased with himself. I got off the desk after he left and started picking up the papers I’d knocked over. I heard the door open and close again and I almost burst out laughing. “Couldn’t wait?” I decided to be funny and braced my hands on the desk, wiggling my ass toward the door as I bent over. “Is this the jiggle you wanted?”

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“Yes,” Miles groaned from behind me as his hands grabbed my cheeks firmly. “I’ve always imagined what you’d look like spread out for me like this.” “Miles,” I whispered and went to pull away. I glanced over my shoulder at him when he kept me in place. He stared at me as he knelt down behind me and pulled the cheeks of my ass apart. “Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.” I gasped when his fingers fondled my hole, scared and not sure what to do. Was I really going to allow this? Would Digger see it as a betrayal? But Miles was my mate, too. All coherent thought left my mind as I felt his tongue licking my hole. “I thought I’d be jealous that you were full of Digger’s seed, but it’s so sexy. I get to taste you both at once and it’s amazing.” I went to say wait, but it came out as a moan as he licked my hole with an intensity that made me shiver. I couldn’t help whimpering like a begging whore and spreading my legs wider for him. It felt amazing and better than I could ever have imagined… And wrong. I shouldn’t be letting Miles do this. “I’m so sorry, Bas,” he whispered as he stopped and stood, moving his body to blanket my back. I felt him remove his shirt, his naked chest against my flesh sending shivers through my body. “I love you so much, baby. I always have.” I went to reply but caught a whiff of his breath. Miles was sauced. He smelled as if he’d drank a whole bottle of whiskey before bathing in it. Now I knew this shouldn’t be happening. “Don’t, Miles,” I whispered, shaking my head. I heard his zipper and realized he wasn’t understanding me. He thought I meant don’t tell me that he loved me. Well, I did mean that, too, but I had been referring to touching me like this. “I can’t help it.” He moaned as he pushed inside of me, and I felt tears prickling my eyes. “I love you so much. I always have even before I should have. The day you turned eighteen and I realized we were mates was the happiest and worst day of my life all at the same

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time.” He slowly pulled out of me before thrusting back in hard enough to hurt after the pounding Digger had given me. “This is where I belong.” Fucking me? I thought, biting my lip to keep the question in. My head was a mess and my body wasn’t on the same page with it. I was hard and wanting my mate. My heart was screaming this was wrong and this shouldn’t be how our first time went. And my brain was still upset with him and knew sex wouldn’t solve anything. But could I really deny him now that he was already taking me? Fuck! I really wish I had a clue as to how to handle this. I didn’t think this could get any worse, but, yet again, life decided to prove me wrong. And some things couldn’t ever be undone.

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Chapter 4 Miles moved his hands from my hips, up my stomach and chest, until he was holding on to my shoulders. He held me tightly as he took me with such force I wondered if he was trying to punish me. “I never meant to hurt you. I love you so much. I thought you didn’t want me. It killed me inside.” I wasn’t catching everything he was grunting and not all of it made sense. I couldn’t get enough air in my lungs to speak either, not that I had a clue what I would have said anyways. “But I won’t give you up now that I’ve had you,” he growled before sinking his fangs in my neck. I screamed in pleasure as I came but also because my heart was breaking. He’d just claimed me without even asking. Is that what he thought of me? That I didn’t even matter enough to get a say? Miles roared his release and kept thrusting as he rode his climax. The tears were still burning in my eyes and threatening to fall as I blinked them away. No, I wouldn’t cry or show him how badly this hurt. “It was everything I imagined it would be,” he whispered as he nuzzled my neck and licked the bite closed. “Yeah? Were you drunk when you pictured it, too?” I growled, fully recovered now and able to speak. I wasn’t sure why what he said set me off, but it was like I snapped inside. I elbowed him hard, and since he was drunk, I was able to startle him enough to where he took a few steps back. “Get out of my study, Miles.” “What’s wrong with you?” he asked as he grabbed my arm and spun me around. His eyes went wide when he took in my expression.

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I wasn’t sure if it showed more anger or grief, but I knew both were there. “You enjoyed this. I felt you come.” “Right, my body enjoyed the sex, but if you think this was my idea of how I wanted my first time with my mate, then you’re fucked in the head. You claimed me, Miles. You didn’t ask. You just took. You just took what you wanted from me, tying us together, and didn’t even bother to ask if it was what I wanted.” “No, I walked in and you were spread out waiting for me—” “I thought you were Digger!” I screamed as I threw my hands in the air, breaking his hold on me. Miles went pale as he took a few steps back. I heard the pounding of feet and knew we’d have company soon. “Why are you upset?” Digger asked as he came racing into the room. He froze, closing the door behind him and probably in the other guards’ faces when he saw the scene before us. “You had sex with him.” His voice carried no clear emotion as he stated the fact. “Yes,” I whispered, staring at the floor, feeling even worse than I had moments ago. “I felt how upset you were though,” he said gently as he moved closer to me. “Were you willing?” “Of course he was,” Miles growled. “I wouldn’t rape my mate!” “That’s not what I asked,” Digger snapped and moved his hand under my chin so I had to look at him. “Is this what you wanted? Did you want to have sex with him?” “Yes. No. I don’t know,” I admitted as I shook my head. “I thought he was you and then he started touching me and I knew it was him. I said don’t but he misunderstood what I meant but then he was taking me and I didn’t know what to do or if I could stop it because it felt wrong. Then he claimed me—” “You claimed him!” Digger roared as he turned on Miles. “Did you ask him?”

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“No,” Miles whispered, glancing between us as if finally realizing what he’d done. He stumbled back, and his jeans started slipping off his hips. “You’re drunk,” Digger seethed. “You came to him drunk, fucked him, and claimed him without even checking it was what he wanted.” “My god.” Miles looked ready to vomit he was so upset. Then I felt bad because I never said no. “I didn’t tell him to stop,” I defended, worried Digger was going to kill Miles. “I didn’t know what to do and he’s my mate. It felt good to have him touch me.” Then something else hit me as to why it felt so wrong. “But he didn’t even kiss me.” “You bastard!” Digger launched himself at Miles and tackled him to the floor. “Stop!” I screamed as I raced to try and pull them apart. “Stop this. It’s not helping.” Miles didn’t fight Digger as he took punch after punch. I grabbed Digger’s arm, but my grip slipped and I took his elbow in the face. I cried out in pain. “Fuck! Baby, I’m so sorry,” Digger gasped as he scrambled off Miles and pulled me into his arms. He cupped my face gently and checked the damage. “I’m fine,” I mumbled, my nose already starting to bleed. I could feel the blood dripping down my face. “Don’t hit him. It won’t help what’s been done and will only make things worse.” “You’re right,” he sighed, using his sleeve to wipe away the blood under my nose before leaning his forehead down to mine. “I’m sorry. I just snapped. Did he hurt you? Was he too rough because he’s drunk?” “No, I’m fine. I just want a shower and to go to bed.” Digger nodded and moved away to pick up my clothes. I saw Miles then, sitting on the floor with his hands in his lap, looking dejected. “I fucked everything up even worse,” he whispered, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I swear I thought you wanted this. I

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didn’t even mean to claim you. It just kind of happened. I couldn’t lose you again.” “And you thought claiming me without asking would ensure that?” I asked incredulously. He nodded sadly, and I let out a bitter laugh. My nose had healed itself, and I felt it snap back into place. “And yet that’s what probably will make you lose me forever. The sex I could have forgiven, the lack of kissing and just using my body could be brushed aside as drunken stupidity, Miles. But claiming me without asking? That goes against everything we believe in as a race.” “And it’s a death offense,” Digger said coldly. Both of us snapped our heads toward him. “Claiming someone without their permission is a death offense by our laws, Miles. You know this.” His amber eyes were as cold as ice as he said the words. “No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No one will ever know what happened here. It was a misunderstanding, not malicious. I won’t have him die because he was an idiot.” “I deserve it though,” Miles mumbled. “No, you don’t.” I grabbed my clothes from Digger, shooting him a look that clearly said this wasn’t up for discussion. He nodded his agreement, and I sighed in relief. I quickly got dressed and took his hand. “Get your shit together, Miles, because this can’t ever happen again.” I didn’t wait for an answer, leading Digger from my study. The guards who had come with him weren’t waiting outside, probably having realized it was a personal issue and not one involving my safety. “I wouldn’t ever have turned him in, but he needed to understand how wrong what he did was,” Digger explained as we climbed the stairs. I nodded that I understood. I didn’t know what to think about much right then, but that I believed. ****

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The next day I was practically bouncing in my seat at breakfast even with all the drama going on. I knew in my heart Miles and I would figure things out but I had been waiting to meet a real werewolf all my life. Digger and Zachariah were talking about the werewolves that had moved into the community and one who was mated to a warrior. “We should welcome them. I should as head of the Council,” I said firmly with a smile. “And we need to bring a housewarming present or something. Oh, they’re rebuilding the place you said, right? Food then because they might not have their kitchen up yet. Can you have the cook whip up a bunch of food we could take over there?” “I’m sure this has nothing to do with the fact you’ve always wanted to meet a werewolf.” Zachariah rolled his eyes, and I burst out laughing. “Of course it does, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not the right thing to do.” I had another thought and smiled. “Who knows? Maybe they could help quell some of the deer in the spring if they hunt in wolf form. Or one of them might be talented at decorating or shopping so I don’t have to pick out any more fabric samples.” That really made me smile. Whoever started the myth that all gay men were coordinated and liked to shop was full of shit. “I’ll see what the cook can whip up by lunchtime.” He chuckled as he stood with his plate. We all finished breakfast and headed our separate directions. I was thrilled at the idea of a midday break and field trip. I hadn’t left the house since I’d arrived, and I was starting to go a little stir-crazy. I know that sounds insane since I lived in a mansion and it was huge, but it was more that I hadn’t even had the time to think about getting out of the house. “Come in,” I called out when there was a knock at the door. “I’ve come to tender my resignation,” Miles informed me as he walked into the room. His eyes were all red and puffy, and saying he looked like crap put it mildly.

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“No,” I growled as I stood and pounded my fists on the desk. “You don’t just get to run away now that you’ve claimed me and fucked everything up.” His eyes went wide at the firmness of my tone. “I deserve death for what I did, your honor. I don’t deserve a chance to fix this. I plan on going to the Council and turning myself in—” “Is that what you think I want?” I gasped, my eyes instantly filling with tears. “You think I want you dead for what happened?” He shrugged and looked at the floor. I moved from behind the desk and in front of him, shoving him hard. “I love you, you asshole. I don’t want you dead. I want you to fix this! I want you to love me for real and for us to all be mates! Not to mention the fact that your death could drive me bat shit crazy now that you’ve claimed me!” “How can you still love me after what I’ve done?” His shoulders shook with silent sobs. “I raped you last night, Bas.” “No, you didn’t,” I whispered, taking his face in my hands. “Don’t ever say that. That’s not what happened, Miles. You weren’t paying attention, but that wasn’t rape. You didn’t force me to have sex. You just didn’t ask if you could claim me. That’s not rape. It was a mistake in the way you handled things. Please don’t do this. Prove to me that you love me by fighting for us. Fix this. Don’t give up.” “How do I fix this? Tell me what to do and I’ll do it. I’d cut off my dick with a rusty knife and offer it to you if I thought it would make this better. I don’t know what to do. I feel so lost and alone. I thought you didn’t want me all these years, and now I know it’s not the truth, but my whole world is turned upside down now and we’ve got another mate who won’t even talk to me.” My heart hurt to hear how upset he was, and I forgave him just a little bit. “Nothing is so broken or messed up that going to the Council and confessing should be an option.” “I wasn’t trying to commit suicide or anything,” he mumbled as I pulled his face down so our foreheads were resting together. “I

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dishonored you and our mating by what I did, and I saw it as the honorable way to reconcile what I’d done.” “But then you’d be dead and I’d have a hole in my soul forever because I’d lost my mate,” I whispered. “Just because you hurt me doesn’t mean I’ve stopped loving you.” “If you could only see how much I love you.” He brushed his lips over mine, and I moaned. It was electric and set my body on fire even though it was just one little kiss. He did it again, and in a flash I was in his arms. “You’ve been my entire reason for living for so long, Bas.” I wrapped my legs around his hips as I threw my hands in his hair, grabbing on to it as I’d always dreamed of doing. We kissed for what seemed like hours, and it was what we both needed. Just to simply feel that there was something there between us without all the complications or hurt feelings. But when his hands slid from my back to my ass, I flinched, remembering what had happened the night before. “I can’t do this yet,” I admitted as I pulled off his mouth. We were both panting for air as he nodded his understanding. “I didn’t come here for this,” he said firmly as he lowered me to my feet. “It’s just when you’re close to me like that, all I can think about is kissing you and holding you in my arms. I’ve wanted to kiss you for more years than you’ve been legal.” “Really?” That was news to me. “Since when?” “Right before you graduated boarding school, so you were seventeen? I had gone for a run and you came to find me because you got accepted to Oxford.” I remembered that day. It was when I realized I loved Miles more than just my friend and protector. “You had on those black running shorts without a shirt on and your body was covered in sweat. I realized then I didn’t just love you, that I was in love with you and wanted you to do all the dirty things we couldn’t for a few more months.”

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“Why did you want to go out with the boy on your eighteenth birthday then?” The memory pained him if his expression was any indication. “Are you kidding?” I laughed, completely shocked he didn’t get it. He shook his head and I sighed, pulling on my short ponytail. “You were this centuries-old sex god, Miles. I was a fat kid who was socially awkward and had a lot of emotional baggage. It never crossed my mind that you might want me. It didn’t stop me from flirting over the years, but you never looked at me as anything other than your ward.” “That’s not true. I always made sure I was the one who was with you when you went swimming. I thought if I couldn’t have you for my own, then at least I wouldn’t deny myself getting any glimpse of your hot little body.” “I’ve never been hot or little.” I chuckled. “You were always hot and little to me,” he growled, his eyes filling with lust. “Good to know.” I swallowed loudly and took a step back. He kept looking at me like that and I was going to offer myself to him real soon, and that wouldn’t help our problems any. “Promise me you won’t run from this, resign, or go to the Council, and I promise that I’ll try to get past what happened and forgive you. I’m not shutting you out for good. I just don’t know how to forgive you.” “I promise. I hope you know how truly sorry I really am.” I nodded. He’d showed me that much. “I’m not sorry that I’m your mate or you claimed me. I just don’t like how it happened and that it happened before we resolved our issues.” “I’ll figure out a way to fix this.” He turned toward the door and took a few steps, pausing with his hand on the knob. “I meant what I said before, Bas. You’ve been my whole reason for living for a long time.” He slipped out of my study before I could say anything. I wasn’t sure what I would have said if he’d given me the chance. What does

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someone say to something like that? It warmed my heart at the same time it pissed me off. Why couldn’t he just have told me how he’d felt years ago so neither of us would have gone through all this pain? Now I just had to figure out a way to get over it. Yeah, that would be easy.

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Chapter 5 I filled Digger in on what happened with Miles before we headed to go visit the wolves. He seemed as tired and sad about everything as I was. It made me feel guilty because my issues with Miles were punishing him. Not only because he was the one to comfort me but because Miles was his mate as well. I really needed to figure how we could get past our shit. I smiled as we pulled up to Darcy Burke and Ayden Magee’s house. From what I had heard, it had been less than a month since they’d moved in and before that the place had been a dump. It wasn’t one any longer. It looked great. All the wood on the exterior of the house had that clean look of being freshly painted and there was even some stylish-looking patio furniture decorating the front porch. We parked and got out, everyone grabbing a tray of food. The cook had gone all out, making huge sandwiches and all types of treats. I think he was happy to have people to feed again. I’m sure we looked funny walking to the front door, my guards flanking me as we carried enough food to feed an army. They each made sure to keep an arm free in case they needed to reach for a weapon. The absurdity of that made me want to giggle since we were imposing on the people who lived here, not the other way around. I knocked on the door and waited. “Digger!” a large warrior exclaimed as he saw my mate. “What’s up, man?” “My mate just got back into town and wanted to welcome the wolves and congratulate you on your mating,” he answered with a wide smile. “Darcy, I’d like you to meet Barnabas Leopold.”

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“That’s a big name for such a little guy.” Darcy chuckled as he extended his hand to me. “Nice to meet you, Barnabas.” “You will call him your honor,” Miles growled, taking a threatening step toward the man. “Miles, it’s fine,” I said gently, bumping his hip. “This isn’t an official visit or anything.” “He should still respect your position.” “I apologize. I didn’t know you had a position or what it is.” Darcy looked a little confused as he glanced between the three of us. “I’m the head of the East Coast Council,” I admitted sheepishly. It was still weird to say to the world aloud now that the position was really mine. Darcy’s eyes went wide as he studied me. Yeah, now I just wanted to melt into the porch. “Miles has been my guard for a long time.” “My mate is always overprotective of me as well,” a musical voice said from behind Darcy as he joined us. The man moved so his mate could come into the doorway as well. “How did you know we were mates?” I didn’t think I gave anything away by my earlier statement. “It’s my gift. I can tell all three of you are.” He giggled as he took Darcy’s hand and pulled him out of our path. “Please, welcome to our home, your honor.” “Yes, come in,” Darcy agreed and gestured us inside. “The spread you brought looks amazing. We’ve not had much time to cook with all the renovations.” “That’s what we figured. The place looks great though.” I stepped into the foyer, almost close enough to touch Ayden. He gasped and stared at me a moment before his gaze fell to Miles. My mate didn’t like that, it seemed, because he quickly handed his tray over to Andre and moved next to me. Ayden ignored him, mumbling something under his breath as he touched both of us. I went to ask what was going on but gasped instead as I was assaulted by images.

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I was in a room, speaking with my father, except it wasn’t me. It was Miles. “My mate believes you will be important to Bas, Miles,” he said with a smile. “She won’t tell me exactly what that means, but you know she has foresight sometimes, and I’ve learned never to ignore what she tells me. I want you to swear on your honor that you will always protect our son against every enemy and pledge your life to his happiness and well-being. He will need you one day more than you will ever understand.” “I swear it, your honor. I will protect him with my very life.” Miles got down on one knee and placed his hand on his heart, giving a sacred oath. “Your mate is wise in all things, and I am honored she feels I am the right person to be trusted with his safety.” “Not just his safety but his heart one day, Miles,” my mother said as she came into the room. “He will need you as more than a guardian in the months to come. I wish I could change what I see, but fate has a plan for all of us, and if we adjust what we do based on my visions, fate will still find a way to have the same outcome sometimes.” “No!” I screamed as the vision faded, wanting to see more of my parents. I heard the tray clatter to the floor as I fell to my knees. Miles pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. “They knew they were going to die? Why didn’t they tell me? Why send me away to school then?” “I don’t know if they knew,” he whispered gently. “Or maybe your mother didn’t see when it was going to happen. I’ve wondered myself over the years, and I’ve come up with dozens of answers, but we can’t ever really know what she saw or what she knew, Bas.” I nodded, aware Ayden was still touching us. We had a moment of holding each other before we were thrown into another memory. It was my memory of the night Miles came to tell me my parents died and how much it had meant to me that he was there with me and I wasn’t alone.

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Next it was my eighteenth birthday and Miles’s memory of when he realized we were mates. My god, he was so excited! I felt his heart soar as he appreciated the fact that nothing would ever separate us and we could be together always. He was about to tell me he loved me when I spoke. “I have a date!” I blurted out excitedly. “Someone asked me out. Isn’t that great? I’m not the loser who’s never had a date anymore.” “Yeah, um, sure,” Miles whispered as his heart shattered into a million pieces. “If that’s who you choose to be with.” “It’s just a date, Miles,” I joked, racing to my closet to pick out what I wanted to wear. “It’s not like I’m getting married.” “Right, of course not.” He bolted out of the room and found the closest bar, ignoring my safety for the first time ever. The memory sped up as he got riproaring drunk and cursed that he was just a commoner. He thought if he was smarter instead of just being the hired muscle, then I would have wanted him. “This is what his father had been talking about,” Miles slurred to himself. “He made me swear to put Bas’s happiness first because he knew I wasn’t good enough to be his son’s mate. He made me promise to protect Bas while I watch him find someone else. And I can’t even break the promise without forfeiting my life now because it was a sacred vow.” I watched as Miles got drunk over the years every time I went on a study date or talked about a boy I liked. I made a mental note to ask my mate about just how much he tended to drink. I winced when I saw myself in his mind during the memory of the night I lost my virginity. I walked into a club with the guy I knew from Oxford, Andre trailing us because Miles had the night off. Or I thought that had been why at the time, but Miles had assigned the date to Andre because he couldn’t handle watching me with someone else. But I hadn’t known what club my date had planned to take me to and it seemed Miles had

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chosen the same one that night. Balls. Then Miles stumbled to the bathroom a little while later and I cringed, my stomach dropping at what I guessed came next. “Really? In here? You want us to have sex the first time in a dirty club bathroom?” I heard my younger self ask. “I don’t want to lose my virginity here.” “But I need you so bad, baby. Don’t you want me?” the guy had countered. I had been young and stupid and of course had given in. And I heard it all from Miles’s perspective. He had been there, unable to leave because his grief was so overwhelming he couldn’t make his body move. Then it was over, and Miles realized he had to leave or I’d freak out if I walked out of the stall and saw him there. He was also going to lay into Andre for letting this happen to me and permitting some punk to trick me into losing my virginity. “Well, I’ve got to go. You can get back to your apartment, right?” the guy asked me while we were still in the stall. “Um, yeah, my guard can give me a ride, but why are you leaving? We’ve only been out for a few hours. I thought we were going to dance?” I asked quietly. “We did just dance.” He laughed. “When will I see you again?” “Yeah, right,” he snorted and there was a pause. Oh god, Miles had seen my most humiliating moment. “I wouldn’t be caught dead with you. The only reason I could finish was that I was picturing someone else and I haven’t gotten laid in a while. It was gross the way your body jiggled all over the place. If you want to get a real man to date you, I’d lose the fat ass. I mean, just how overweight are you?” “I’m sorry. I thought you enjoyed it.” “A hole is a hole if you close your eyes, dumbass.” He laughed again as he stepped out of the stall.

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Miles couldn’t see me, but I knew I was sitting there naked with tears streaming down my cheeks. I had shut the door and locked it so he couldn’t come back in and insult me anymore, as if that barrier would keep me safe from any more pain. “Ask him nicely and he might let you have him, too,” the guy whispered to Miles as he went to leave the bathroom. “He wasn’t as bad as I made him sound, but he is a chunker. Gotta keep the ones with low self-esteem down so they’re just as easy for the next guy.” A rage like I’d never experienced filled Miles as he stepped out of the bathroom with the guy. He grabbed the human around the throat and dragged him toward the back door to the club. I saw Andre running toward them, and Miles made a split second to decision not to snap the human’s neck. “You ever go near him again and I will kill you,” Miles threatened in a voice so cold it made me shiver. “You ever tell anyone what happened here tonight and I’ll kill you. I ever find out that you treated another person this way and I’ll do the same to you all night in view of all my friends. You got that?” The guy nodded as he swallowed nervously. He believed Miles was capable of carrying out all of the threats he made. Then I saw Miles punch the guy in the face, breaking his nose and probably more. The guy went down, out cold, just as Andre got to them. “Are you fucking nuts?” Andre exclaimed, looking scared as he glanced from Miles to the human. “That was Bas’s date.” “No, that’s a douche bag who just fucked our charge in a dirty club bathroom like some cheap whore and said the vilest things to him when it was over. Go help Bas. He’s going to need someone and he can’t know I was here.” “Just tell him you love him, Miles,” Andre said sympathetically as he shook his head. “He doesn’t want me,” Miles whispered and walked away down the alley.

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Then suddenly we were in my memories again. That night from my perspective and how I had cried all night wishing that Miles would love me so my first time would have been with him instead of that asshole. It turned into something like a montage of every time I had hinted to Miles that I liked him or flirted with him and the rejection and pain I felt when he denied me. After that, we were on the plane on the way home a week ago and he saw everything from my perspective. “No!” Miles shouted as the memories changed to the pain he felt when I found Digger and then the truth that I never knew we were mates. Suddenly, it was last night. Miles had been in the room next to my study, drinking as I worked just to make sure I was safe and he was close enough to hear if I needed anything. I hadn’t seen much of him the past couple of days, but now I knew it was because he was holed up there getting shit faced. There had to be a dozen empty bottles of whiskey lying around as he drank. Then he heard Digger and I having sex, and I caught the fleeting thought that he should just kill himself. He knew Digger would take good care of me, and then he wouldn’t have to live without me anymore in his hell of a life. When the sex sounds stopped, he decided to go beg my forgiveness. The worst that could happen was I’d say no, right? He stumbled to his feet, trying to get his bearings so I wouldn’t see how drunk he was. Miles walked into my study, chastising himself for forgetting to knock until he saw me standing there, shaking my ass at him. I felt his overwhelming lust and joy that I’d forgiven him. That could be the only reason that I’d give him such an undeniable offering. I saw myself and how he felt about me as he made love to me. It wasn’t sloppy or rough as I experienced, but it was magical, everything he’d ever wanted. And when he claimed me, Miles felt

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whole after so many years of emptiness at what he thought was my denying our mating. And then it was over, and I felt the horror he experienced when he realized what he’d done. I wanted to beg Ayden to make it stop before what came next, but I couldn’t form the words. The whole scene replayed from my perspective. Miles screamed in shame and moved away from me when it was finally over. “Why did you show him that?” he shouted angrily at Ayden. “He didn’t need to know I was there that night! No one should have their worst moment witnessed, and I never forgave myself for not stopping it.” “For you both to heal and forgive the past you need to understand it,” Ayden said gently, pushing Darcy away when his mate tried to step in between them for Ayden’s safety. “He had a right to know the pain you felt when he was with another man. You loved him so much, but you didn’t interfere with what you thought he wanted.” “Don’t be mad at Ayden,” I whispered, the tears still flowing. “I forgive you, Miles.” “What?” he gasped, his head whipping in my direction. “How can you forgive me after what you saw?” “Because I saw myself in your eyes.” I crawled to him and pushed him onto his ass before climbing on his lap. “I don’t know how you can see me that way when I’ve looked at myself in the mirror, but you see me as beautiful, Miles. How could I not forgive you? I didn’t understand why you didn’t bring up we were mates, but now I get it. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I would have loved for you to be my first and to have been mated this whole time.” “I’m so sorry, Bas.” He hugged me tightly, burying his face in my neck. “There’s so much I would change if I could. I can’t regret being with you last night because it was the single most amazing moment of my life, but I never wanted it to be like that for you.”

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“I know,” I soothed as I rubbed his back. I raised my head to find Digger, meeting his worried gaze. I held out my hand to him, needing him to be involved with this. He shook his head. “Please?” “I’m the outsider on all of this,” he whispered, looking so sad. “How can I come into all your history?” “Because we need you,” I answered instantly. It was the truth. He was the outside perspective and becoming just as important to me as Miles. “You’re our mate, Digger. Anything to do with us involves you.” “He’s right,” Ayden said gently. “Just because you weren’t there doesn’t make you any less a part of this. Alone they are only two pieces of a puzzle that it takes three to complete.” “Miles?” Digger glanced at our mate, waiting for some type of guidance. “Part of my being upset was because I didn’t know how to talk to you or be with you either,” Miles admitted, letting me go enough so there would be room for Digger. He nodded and joined us on the floor. He wrapped his arms around both of us and sighed. “We’ll figure this out, okay? If Bas forgives you, then so do I, and from now on we just take it one day at a time and move forward.” “I think that’s a great idea,” I agreed as I snuggled into their embrace, finally where I should be. “Okay, who’s going to explain what the fuck just happened?” Andre asked quietly. I couldn’t help giggling. God only knows what the whole episode looked like from an outsider’s perspective. “Ayden is a special werewolf, a Kappa,” Darcy explained as he hugged his mate from behind. “They are the healers of their pack. He can help people overcome traumatic events and work with mates on what the other needs or feels to make their mating stronger. They’re said to be descendents from Eros and are very sexual in nature. He has helped several mated couples realize the other’s deepest desires as well.”

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“Wow.” Andre whistled. “There’s gotta be a line a mile long of people who’d like to get their hands on that kind of power.” “My Alpha was one of them.” Ayden glanced at me. “I understand what having a bad experience losing your virginity can do to a person.” I saw the sadness in his eyes and realized something. “Why do I think you went through something that makes mine seem like no big deal?” “It was a big deal to you and that’s all that matters. But yeah, some of my pack gang-raped me. My wolf took over and I was trapped in that form until I met Darcy.” “I’m sorry. No one should ever have to go through something like that especially from the people who were supposed to protect you.” I got to my feet as did my mates, all of us still holding on to each other. “Thank you for doing what you did for us. I can’t imagine it’s easy for you to intercede like that when the situation is so volatile.” “Actually, it’s more like I can’t not do it,” he whispered as he blushed, his cheeks almost matching the deep red color of his auburn hair, which I noticed was crazy long. “I’m still new at using my gifts. You guys aren’t the first people I just used them on without even asking. But I could see the pain you were both in, and before I knew I was doing it, I threw you into the memories.” “You saw them, didn’t you?” Miles asked with a frown. “Yes, but I see what I do as healing just as a doctor would.” Ayden gave my mate a sympathetic smile. “I don’t even tell my mate what I see. It’s no one’s business but yours. I’m sorry I was along for the ride, but it was the only way I could help. I guided the memories so they didn’t get all jumbled and based on what was upsetting you both most so you could understand better what the other went through.” “And here we just came to welcome you to our community and you might have just saved our mating. I know for sure you saved us from hours of pain and anger toward each other.” I moved away from

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my mates and hugged him, glad I wasn’t the only short guy in the room for once. There were a few growls, and we both burst out laughing. “I thank your Council for sending in help to rescue my brothers and giving the wolves sanctuary.” “Well, I just became head of the Council a few days ago when I turned twenty-one, so I wasn’t part of that decision.” I couldn’t take credit for something I didn’t do. “You’re still here welcoming us instead of changing what’s been done. Same thing to me,” Ayden said easily with a smile. Well, I guess if that was how he saw it. “Even if I dropped a tray of the food on the floor,” I mumbled as I knelt down to start picking it up. I glanced up as I heard a young boy squealing as he raced into the room. “Hungry!” he exclaimed and practically dove into the macaroni and cheese I’d spilled. Of course I had to drop something that would be sticky and a pain to clean up. The little boy, naked little boy I might add, stuck his hand in the middle of the gooey, cheesy mess and stuffed some in his face. “Yummy.” “Mikey, are you streaking again?” Ayden sighed and knelt next to the boy. “What’s the rule about streaking while the house is under construction?” “But this part isn’t anymore, Ayden,” Mikey answered in between bites of food, looking at Ayden as if he was nuts. “You said while the construction was going on. It’s not in here anymore.” “I told you he would figure out a loophole,” Darcy said with a snicker. “What are you?” Mikey asked me, tilting his head as he studied me curiously. “You smell different than the other vampires.” Of course it took me a moment to decipher child talk because he really had said, “Ewe scmell diferwent tan the othver ampwires.” Yeah, I wasn’t used to it.

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“He smells different to you?” Miles asked curiously, glancing at the little boy and then me. “You’ve always smelled like vampire to me.” “He smells like one but different.” Mikey leaned in and sniffed the air around me. “Sweeter, like sugar and sunshine.” “That might be the nicest thing any naked little boy has ever said to me,” I replied with a giggle. “I’m half vampire, Mikey. I’m half fae, too.” “You don’t have any wings,” he accused with a pout. “And no pixie dust either.” “No, but my mother had wings. Pixie dust isn’t a real thing though. Since I’m only half fae, I don’t get wings.” “Fangs?” “Yup, I have fangs,” I answered, letting them slide out. “Cool.” Then he stuffed his face with more mac and cheese. “I’ve always wanted to meet a werewolf, so I think you guys are really cool, too,” I admitted with a wink. “You should go watch the wolves out back playing tag then,” Darcy told me as he pointed toward the kitchen. “Actually I was going to call them in so they could help Mikey clean up,” Ayden admitted sheepishly. Darcy shook his head and walked toward the way he had pointed. Moments later we heard a shrill whistle and I burst out laughing. I guess that signaled food around a bunch of wolves. So cool.

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Chapter 6 I let out a very un-grown-up-like yelp and practically launched myself up into Digger’s arms as several wolves came scurrying into the foyer. They were focused on the food until they all froze and sniffed the air. Then as one they all turned their furry heads to look at me. One man shifted back to human form and growled. “What are you?” “Tyler,” Darcy barked out, pushing the man away from me. “He’s the head of our Council and a guest in our house. Seriously, man? Could you like watch it?” “Right, sorry,” the guy mumbled and then glanced at me. “Sorry. I smelled vamp but something else, too. I was held by demons, which I thought were vamps at the time, so yeah, I’m still having some issues adjusting.” “No problem,” I said gently, sliding down Digger and smiling at the man. “My fathers were vampires and my mother was fae.” “Fae exist?” His eyes went wide as if he was waiting for me to transform into a Disney character. Riiiight. “Yeah, but most don’t come onto this plane for long.” I shrugged. “My mother did because she had the gift of foresight and saw her mates were on this side. Her family disowned her, and fae are kind of like the human Amish. You leave the community and you’re dead to them, so all I know about fae is from what she taught me.” “So you could have family on another plane and they didn’t even contact you or comfort you when your parents died?” Digger asked, his tone equal parts pissed and shocked.

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“I don’t know if they know, but we didn’t even know how to contact them,” I answered, glancing at Miles. We had discussed it after they died, but how did one go to another plane if they’d never been there? “I’m only half fae, so I don’t know if I could even cross over. It just wasn’t an issue really.” “Do you taste different to vampires like we do?” Tyler asked, glancing between my mates. “He tastes much sweeter than humans or vampires, but I don’t know what wolves taste like,” Miles hedged as he looked to Ayden with a raised brow. “He wasn’t in town when you guys mated,” Digger explained with a snicker. “I swear, does everyone know about that?” Darcy looked annoyed but not really angry. “I didn’t know werewolf blood was like an aphrodisiac. It’s like Viagra, speed, and testosterone all at once, and I drank a lot when I claimed Ayden, so that was, um, an interesting night.” “Seriously?” I pouted as I stared at Ayden. “You get aphrodisiac blood, awesome abilities, a musical voice, and gorgeous eyes! All I get for being part fae is to be short and get fat unlike most vampires. Fae tend to be rounder. I want cool stuff, too!” “You’re not fat,” Miles growled, his angry expression mirroring Digger’s. “How many times do we have to tell you that and that we love your body? And you have beautiful eyes!” “Maybe a few more.” I shrugged impishly, not knowing how else to deal with their anger. “But you interrupted my point.” I thought of something else. “Oh, and I couldn’t smell Miles was my mate like vampires can. So seriously, I think I got screwed on this deal.” “You’ve got a cool gift,” Andre offered. “I’d love to be able to teleport. That would be helpful in a fight.” “I guess.” I rolled my eyes. When would I ever be fighting? “And you’re young for a fae.” Miles scrunched his eyebrows together in thought. “I remember your mother saying she didn’t come

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into her powers until after she turned twenty-one whereas vamps get them when they transition or earlier.” “When were you going to share that tidbit?” I asked with a huff. “I thought she told you, and honestly I forgot until you just brought it up.” He shrugged. Yeah, wasn’t his fault. And my mother might have told me, but that was so long ago I could have forgotten as well. “I have another question, but I don’t want to be rude,” I said to Ayden, still trying to ignore that Tyler was naked and comfortable with it. Then again, that wasn’t the weirdest thing in the room as the wolves finished licking up the food off the floor and the remaining bits on Mikey since he’d gotten mac and cheese all over him. I guess that was one way to get a bath! “Do you guys hunt in wolf form? We have problems with an excess of deer in the spring.” “Yeah, we can help with that.” Ayden flashed me what only could be described as a wolfish smile. Pun intended. “Cool, we could also use some help updating the house and some custom furniture made to match the originals.” “That’s my area.” Tyler chuckled. “I’ve been teaching everyone here how to help update. Once this house is done, we can come over and help with whatever you need.” “I’ll introduce you to my advisor and he can set it all up and what your cost is.” I smiled until Tyler frowned. “What?” “Tyler, don’t,” Darcy said quietly. “He didn’t mean it as an insult.” “I don’t understand what I did wrong. I apologize if I offended you. No offense was meant,” I agreed quickly. “Pack doesn’t pay each other for their help,” Ayden explained with an understanding smile. “We see your coven as our pack now, so if we offer help, it’s not because we expect monetary compensation.” “Sounds like taking advantage of your friends if you don’t at least get paid for your time,” Spike said quietly and then blushed when he realized he said it aloud. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult your ways.”

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“No, I get what you’re saying.” Tyler chuckled. “I wouldn’t pay for the materials myself, but we work more on a barter system. He doesn’t get paid for being head of the Council, but that protects us, so in turn we give services in our given areas.” “No,” I hedged, trying to think about how to put what I wanted to say into words. “But my role specifically is one I get by birth and with that comes my family’s estate, so in a way I never have to worry about money because of my lineage. I don’t think you get an estate or financial freedom for your role, so compensation to buy what you need seems appropriate.” “Wow, you really are a politician,” he joked and I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not. I normally referred to myself as a diplomat since it didn’t have as many negative connotations. “I accept your offer and will talk with your advisor about wages that are fair but far below what you would get if you had to go to outside help.” I guess it wasn’t a negative then. We talked with them a little bit more before saying our good-byes and leaving. As I got in the car, I realized I was exhausted. Everyone was quiet on the ride home, lost in their own thoughts. “I’d like to speak with both of you, please,” I informed my mates when we pulled up to our house. They solemnly nodded, both looking as if they were going to face the firing squad. I wanted to giggle at the reaction and set them straight that it wasn’t bad. Then I thought better of it and decided to let them suffer a bit, served them right for assuming the worst. They followed me into the house like puppies who got caught chewing on something valuable. I saw them exchange curious glances out of the corner of my eye when I didn’t head for my study but up the stairs toward my room. Once the three of us were inside with the door closed behind us, I toed off my shoes. “Strip down to your underwear. I want us close but not naked so we can’t focus.”

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“Um, okay.” Digger snickered, raising an eyebrow at me. They both froze, staring at me intently and making happy noises when I lost my pants. I slowly pulled off my shirt, feeling sexy for the first time in my life. “You’re playing with fire, baby.” “You expect us to behave when you’re showing us your hot body?” Miles grumbled as they started yanking off clothes. “You both really think I’m good-looking, don’t you?” I whispered, wondering if they were insane. They were both huge and gorgeous, without an inch of fat on them, muscle upon muscle… And yet they wanted me? Why? “God, I just want to beat the shit out of everyone who contributed to your low self-esteem.” Digger growled as he pulled me into his arms and kissed my hair. “Actually, I have something I’ve wanted to show you. Can we hold the talk for like three minutes?” “Sure.” I was curious now, especially when he gave me a bright smile and jogged over to the adjoining door to his room. He went inside for a moment and came back, closing the door behind him, with what looked like huge pinchers and some small chart. “This is a body mass index measurer,” he explained as he sat on the edge of the bed and gestured me closer. I moved slowly, glancing at Miles. “Great idea, Digger.” “Thanks.” He gave Miles a bright smile, and for the first time, I didn’t feel any tension between them. That alone made me want to do a happy dance. “You’re going to measure my flab?” I asked as he used the pinchers on my thigh. “And this will help me to feel better about myself?” “Just trust me,” he answered gently. I nodded, willing to trust him. He checked various areas of my body, writing down measurements on the paper. I didn’t know what any of them meant, but when he was done, he sat me down. “Okay, I added it all up and you have a BMI of 24.5%. That means 24.5% of your body is fat.”

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“Yeah, great,” I whispered, starting to move away until he wrapped an arm around me and Miles sat down on the other side of me. “What do you guys have, like two percent?” “Technically, we’re both way under where a normal human should be at our size,” Miles answered, checking with Digger that it held true for him as well. Our mate nodded. “But that’s normal for warriors. It’s in our genetic makeup. But what Digger is trying to tell you is that you’re within the normal range, Bas.” “I am?” “Yeah, baby.” Digger chuckled. “You’re on the high side of the range, but you’re not overweight. If you were over twenty-five percent, that’s considered overweight. You’re not fat. You’re not heavy. You’re not unhealthy or needing to lose weight in any way.” “I’m not fat,” I parroted, shocked at what they were telling me. I leaned over and gave Miles a kiss on the cheek before doing the same to Digger. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” Digger set the pinchers and chart on the floor. “I knew you were within range, but I didn’t think you’d start believing us that you aren’t fat until we could give you tangible proof.” “What would you have done if I had been in the overweight category?” “Helped you lose the few extra pounds in the most fun ways,” he purred as he moved his hand over my ass. “Okay, wait, we’re going to talk,” I moaned, trying to shake off my lust when Miles did the same on the other side of me. I quickly scooted away from them and under the covers. “It’s not a bad talk, I swear. Miles and I went through the wringer today, and I’m sure it wasn’t any easier on you to witness it, Digger. We just need to learn how to relax around each other and communicate better.” “And we need to do this in our boxer briefs?” Miles raised an eyebrow at me as he and Digger climbed into bed with me, lying on

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either side. I turned so I was plastered to Digger’s side as Miles molded his muscular body to my back. “No, I guess not,” I admitted quietly. “You don’t have to be here.” “We want to be, but it’s just not how either of us see ourselves having a serious relationship conversation.” Digger found my hand on his stomach and intertwined our fingers. “I think we’re worried something else is going on.” “When you both hugged me after the memories Ayden threw at us, it was the first time in my life that I felt complete, whole. I was where I belonged with both my mates. I wanted more of that after the trying week we’ve had, and I wanted to do it privately.” “I know exactly what you mean,” Miles whispered as he moved his hand off my hip and covered the hand that was joined with Digger’s. “So what did you want to discuss?” “Well, I think we need to fill Digger in on what we saw in each other’s memories.” I waited until I felt Miles nod. We spent the next half an hour telling him about the journey of memories Ayden took us through. “Wow. I’m surprised you both didn’t pass out from exhaustion already.” Digger turned so he was facing me as he hugged both of us to him. “Are you guys okay? I mean, I know it had to fuck with you emotionally, but are you going to be able to deal with this?” “Yeah, I feel less pain when I think about any of those memories now,” I admitted after a moment. “It’s like they’re not as important to me now as the memories I want to make with the both of you. Yeah, it sucks the way some things happened, but it takes a lot of lemons to make lemonade, and what’s done is done.” “You never fail to amaze me, Bas.” Miles chuckled. I rolled over in their arms, turning so I could see him. I’m sure he saw the question in my eyes so he explained. “You’re young, baby, but you have so much wisdom. Most people your age, human or vampire, have barely pulled their heads from their asses and shaken off their teenage years.

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But you? You are logical, humble, and wise enough to give us a run for our money.” “And you think you’re stupid,” I blurted out without thinking. His face fell, and I leaned in to kiss him. “Which you’re not. If you’re going to make me face my issues about being fat and show me that I’m not, then I’m allowed to prove to you that you’re smart.” “I don’t think I’m stupid anymore, Bas.” He sighed. “I’m just not very bright. I never have been. My mother used to hate going through my studies with me because she said part of my brain had to be damaged. I saw letters backwards, and back then, no one knew about dyslexia. It’s still hard for me to read, and I hate doing it because I was never taught properly. I’m not educated, and I doubt my schooling went on past grammar school. “And then here’s this gorgeous, smart-beyond-genius-level man, who graduated boarding school early and finished his schooling at Oxford in less than four years, who’s my mate. But then I thought you denied me and it seemed so obvious that one of the reasons would be you were so out of my league.” “You have just as low of self-esteem as Bas has but for different reasons,” Digger grumbled. “Would you like to learn how to overcome your dyslexia and read?” “How?” Miles looked shocked, but I also saw some hope in his eyes. He wanted it, but he just never thought to ask for it. “We’ll find a tutor who specializes in it,” I answered with a smile. “We might have to find a human, but we’ll get someone in here to work with you once a week or something. Maybe even find a class online you can take.” “I hate the computer. I can barely figure out my smartphone,” he admitted, blushing furiously as he shook his head. “Then good thing you have two mates who can help you anytime you want.” Digger reached out and pulled Miles closer. Mentally I was doing a fist pump as their lips met. My cock, on the other hand, got hard. This is what I’d been hoping for. Not them kissing, per se,

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but this relaxed, comfortable feeling that they could kiss if they wanted. They stared at each other a moment before going back for more, attacking each other’s mouths. I could practically feel the sparks flying off of them. Fuck, it was hot. I squeaked when they smashed me between them, having a little trouble breathing. They broke apart, gasping for air as they glanced down at me. “Tell me we’re done talking for a while now?” Digger whimpered as he slipped his other hand in my boxer briefs. “If you do one more thing for me,” I answered, waiting until they both nodded. “I want you both to take me together. And I don’t mean one on each end.”

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Chapter 7 Miles looked like he was going to swallow his tongue as Digger stumbled over his words. “You want us to double stuff you?” I nodded, whimpering with need. “Sweetie, um, I’m not sure you have enough experience for that. I mean, we could hurt you.” “You guys would never hurt me.” I knew that without a doubt. “We can take our time and make sure I’m stretched right.” They both went to protest though I knew they wanted to do it as badly as I did from the lust shining in their eyes. “I promise if it hurts too bad, I will tell you and we can try another time. I want this. I think we need this. All of us to be together as one.” It seemed to be the right thing to say because suddenly the sheets were pulled down, my underwear was ripped off of me, and my mates were all hands. I was on my stomach, my knees pushed partially under me but more to the sides of my body… As if they seemed to think I could do the splits or something. And then four hands were suddenly on my ass, massaging it, pulling it apart, and someone bit it. “I want to rim him,” Miles growled. “Well, so do I,” Digger countered, and suddenly his face was buried in my ass, his tongue pushing at my hole. “Oh sweet fucking heaven!” I exclaimed, my fingers digging into the bedding. “That’s what being rimmed feels like? That’s way better than licking my hole! Oh shit, it’s good.” “Okay, my turn,” Miles complained. I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing. I started laughing so hard my sides hurt and I had to roll onto my side, pulling away from Digger. “Did you break him?”

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“No,” I gasped, trying to stop. I waved my hand in front of my face, trying to cool down and compose myself. “Why was what I was doing so funny?” Digger looked hurt, and I instantly lost my mirth, feeling a twinge of guilt in my gut. “What you were doing was amazing,” I whispered as I opened my arms to him, spreading my legs wide. He smiled and crawled over my body, kissing me gently. “I never thought I’d finally have Miles in my bed or have such an amazing mate in my arms who truly cares for me like you do. On top of which you’re bickering as to who gets to eat my ass? It just hit me as some crazy dream that two hotties are fighting over me, and I couldn’t hold in the laughing.” “Maybe we should lick you together then.” Digger gave me a feral smile and shimmied back down my body. They held my legs in the air, splitting them as far as they would go. Then both their faces were buried in my groin and ass. I was on erotic-sensation overload. I couldn’t hold back my instant, overwhelming orgasm. “Coming!” And holy shit did I ever. I rode it out, humping their faces as tongues licked me, teeth nibbled on me, and hands caressed me throughout. “I’ve never seen anything prettier than when you come,” Digger said with a smile as I came down from my peak. Miles nodded and then they went back to what they’d been doing. I realized that I had three fingers and his tongue inside of me just before he slipped in a fourth, two from each of them. I also felt more than just their saliva. When had someone brought out the lube and just how long had my climax been? I moaned as the fingers left and yelped when Miles moved next to me and rolled me on top of him. He lowered me onto his cock, and I cried out in pleasure. Once he was fully seated, he lowered me down to his chest and held still. “Impatient much?” I giggled, my postorgasmic glow making me loopy and a little frisky.

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“Baby, the idea of both of us filling your sweet hole has me leaking so much I’m ready to blow just from being inside of you.” He moaned when Digger pushed a finger in along with Miles’s cock. “And you’re just so goddamn sexy.” I love you, I mouthed, not wanting to say it aloud and hurt Digger’s feelings by making him feel left out. Miles did the same and then kissed me passionately. We kissed as Digger added a second and then third finger. I’d never felt so stretched and deliciously dirty before in my life. We were so doing this again. “Ready, our mate?” Digger asked in a husky voice. “Oh yeah,” I whimpered. “Fuck me. Shove that fat cock in me like you never want to leave.” “You talk dirty?” Miles looked like his eyes were going to roll into the back of his head at the idea. “So fucking hot.” “Glad you like it,” I teased. Digger’s fingers left my ass, and I felt the head of his cock. He slowly pushed the head inside of me and I winced at the pain. “Stop,” Miles ordered, staring at me intently. “It’s hurting him too much.” “No, just give me a moment to adjust.” He nodded, still looking worried but trusting I knew what I could handle. It warmed my heart. When I was ready, I gave Digger the go-ahead and he slowly worked his dick inside of me. “Oh my god. I feel so full. You’re both hung like horses.” “You should see it from my end,” Digger whimpered. “This is a fucking beautiful sight.” “Next time we take pictures or videotape it then.” I wanted to see it, too, if nothing else, as proof I’d really done it. “You’d let us make a dirty video of you?” Miles’s mouth hung open in shock. “Of course.” I giggled then moaned as Digger gave me more of his dick. “It’s not like you’re going to post it on YouTube or something. And we’re mates, so you can’t ever break up with me and

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do something mean with it for revenge. If you want videos or dirty pictures of me because it turns you on, I’m all for it.” “The ideas you’re giving me.” Digger’s hold on my hips tightened, and I knew he really liked the idea. An evil smile crossed my lips. “You could tie me down, fuck me with toys for the camera before you both shoved your cocks into my tight hole and showed me who I belong to.” They both growled their approval, and I screamed as Digger bottomed out inside of me. “Fuck, that feels so good. We need to make a list of everything else we want to try as well.” “Deal,” they both agreed as Miles sat up, moving me with him. The angle of their dicks changed, and the position made my hole tighter. Lights flashed behind my eyes at the pleasure, and I almost passed out from it. While I was adjusting, he moved his knees under him, wrapping my legs over his hips as Digger plastered himself to my back. I looped one arm around each of their necks, turning slightly so I could see both their faces barely. “This is what I wanted,” I whispered, overcome with emotions. We were all joined, them inside of me together, and I never felt closer to both of them. “Baby, don’t cry.” Miles wiped a tear I didn’t even know was on my cheek. “Does it hurt too bad?” “No, it’s perfect.” I shook my head, trying to get myself under control. It made sense that I was a little all over the place after the day we’d had. “It’s just this morning I never thought we’d ever get to this place where we could all be together. It’s like my perfect dream is coming true, and I don’t ever want it to end.” “We’re not going anywhere, Bas,” Digger said gently as he kissed my neck. “We’re yours now, forever. We can do this or be together however you want, whenever you want.” “Nothing’s going to keep us apart ever again,” Miles agreed. “Show me how you feel about us,” I purred, not sure how to get them to start moving. Digger slowly pulled out, and when he started

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pushing back in, Miles withdrew. I screamed their names, holding on for dear life as they did things to my body I didn’t think possible. “You like this, baby?” Digger growled, moving one hand to my chest and pulling me back against him. “How about that?” “Faster,” I begged, staring at my cock against Miles’s body, leaving trails of pre-cum on him. “Give me everything you have. Take us to heaven.” “Being with you is always heaven.” I saw the truth in the sparkling depths of Miles’s light-green eyes. They picked up the pace, moaning as the sounds of skin slapping against skin filled the room. When they got closer, their thrusts became erratic and twice in a row they pushed into me at the same time. I screamed as my vision flashed with light again and I came. “Yes! Yes, claim me,” I shouted until my voice went hoarse. They both leaned over and sank their fangs in my neck. I was overwhelmed and started climaxing again before my first one had even subsided. Just as everything went black, I heard them both roar out their release and fill me. It was even better than I had thought it could be. And then I passed out. **** I woke to the bed shaking and my mates’ moans filling the room. I blinked, trying to adjust my eyes, and gasped. They froze and glanced at me. “We’re sorry,” Digger whispered as he moved to pull out of Miles. “We thought you’d be okay with us being together.” “Of course I am,” I said quickly, moving to sit up and scoot closer to them. “I was just shocked to wake to such a wonderful sight. You guys are just as much mates as we are. Don’t ever hold back what you’re feeling or what you want from each other.”

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“Oh, thank fuck. I thought I screwed up again.” Miles sighed and reached his hand out to mine. “I asked Digger to take me and claim me as his.” “Good,” I purred, squeezing his hand. “I still have to bite you, too.” “Yes, yes you do.” He thrust his hips up, spurring Digger on. Our mate got the idea, slamming into Miles over and over again. It was so fucking hot, and then I had an idea. I scurried out of bed and grabbed my camera phone. I started snapping pictures, zooming in when they kissed especially. “Bas, get ready,” Digger grunted. I set down the phone and quickly helped Miles move up so I could get in behind him. His weight was squishing me a bit, but it was well worth it. Digger leaned over and sank his fangs into Miles just as I did. Our mate vibrated in our arms and screamed in pleasure. When I finished claiming him, he bit Digger, completing our three-way bond. I scrambled out from under him as they climaxed, not wanting to get mashed into the bed. When they were done, Digger fell to the other side of me, sandwiching me in between them. I snuggled up against them, smiling in Miles’s shoulder. They’d done it. They claimed each other and we were all mated. “How are you feeling?” Digger asked gently as he ran his fingers over my crease. I moved my leg over Miles to give him more room. “Are you hurt?” “Tender but not in pain really,” I answered honestly. I gasped as his finger ran over my hole. “Oh fuck. It’s so sensitive. Please, do that again. Holy crap.” It was well used, but I couldn’t describe how blissful just his fingers felt. It was like rubbing cool aloe on a burn and set my body on fire. “Is this what you want?” His voice was low and seductive as he pushed a finger inside of me. I cried out and started humping Miles’s hip and then pushed back on his finger.

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“Yes please,” I begged, reaching back to push his hand to my ass so I got more. “It feels so good. Finger fuck me. Shove your cock in me. Please, just keep doing that and make me come. I’ll do anything you want. Just fuck me!” “Anything?” Digger moved behind me and pulled out his finger. He rubbed his dick over my hole, teasing me mercilessly. “Anything we want, Bas?” “Yes, anything. Tell me and I swear it,” I whimpered. Miles gave me a toothy grin as he moved down the bed so his face was right in front of my cock. “Oh god. I said I’d agree to anything.” “What do we want, Miles?” Digger almost pushed his dick inside of me but then went back to just rubbing it against me. “Sex twice a day?” “Bas to swear he’ll never skip a meal again or we get to punish him. And when we’re alone with him, he has to promise to be naked for a week,” Miles countered. “Even if it’s just us in his study or anywhere someone won’t just walk in. I want him to be more comfortable with his body.” “Deal, yes, okay, please,” I rambled, willing to agree to anything right then. “And we get to video what he promised us earlier. He’ll clear his schedule one day next week, and we’re going to tie him down and please him all day until he passes out, getting it all on tape,” Digger added. “Yes! Now fuck me,” I demanded. Digger thrust inside of me and then Miles swallowed my cock down. Holy shit, they were trying to kill me. It took them two seconds, okay maybe a little more than that, but really it didn’t take long for me to come. I slumped against Digger, my body completely pliable as he found his release inside of me. “I think we wore him out.” Miles chuckled. If I had the energy, I would have rolled my eyes at him. No shit they did.

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I groaned as Digger pulled out of me, my ass now hurting. He lifted me into his arms and carried me into the bathroom. Miles went to follow but Digger shook his head. “Can you give us a minute?” “Yeah, sure.” Miles gave him a knowing smile and settled back in bed. “I don’t know what that was about, but if you’re planning on more sex in the bathroom, I have to warn you that I might not be able to actively participate.” “No, I just wanted a minute for just us.” I nodded like I understood, but I honestly had no clue. Digger filled the tub up, throwing in some fruity bubble bath. I closed my eyes and relaxed against him. “Don’t fall asleep yet, Bas. What I have to say is important.” “Okay,” I hedged, getting worried. I was wide-awake now, my eyes open and staring at him curiously. He smiled at me and lowered us into the tub after shutting off the tap and checking the temperature. Digger leaned back against the side of it and turned me around so our fronts were touching. I moved my arms under my chin, which had been resting on my chest. “What’s going on, Digger?” “I know we haven’t known each other long and we had a rocky start kind of, but I need to tell you that I love you, Bas. I know it’s too soon and I don’t expect you to feel the same way yet, but I couldn’t keep it in. The man you are, the mate you’ve been to both of us already, is amazing. When Ayden touched you guys and you were upset and screaming, Darcy had to restrain me to keep me from going to you. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. “And all I kept thinking was that I’d never forgive myself that I hadn’t told you that I love you if something happened to you guys. When it was over and you were stronger than most, god, so strong and able to forgive Miles, I fell a little bit more in love with you. But after what we shared earlier, I don’t have any doubt that I’m madly in love with you, and I don’t care if it’s too soon. I needed you to know it’s how I feel.”

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“I love you, too, Digger.” “It’s okay that you’re not there yet. Not everyone has the same timetable and all.” “I love you, too, Digger,” I repeated, waiting for him to really hear me. “It will come—what?” His gorgeous amber eyes went big as saucers. “Say that again.” “I. Love. You. Too. Digger.” I smiled widely at him. “I love you, too, my mate.” “Oh, thank fuck,” he gasped, burying his face in my neck as he dragged me up his body. “I was so scared to tell you and have you get upset that I was putting pressure on you, but that’s not the man you are.” “Shut up and kiss me.” I giggled when he started rambling again. He nodded and did as I asked. I moaned and melted against him, happier than I could ever have imagined I’d be. My life was perfect and I had wonderful mates. Nothing could ruin that for me.

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Chapter 8 The next few days were amazing. Sure I still worked like a madman, diving into decades of Council rulings and files of issues that needed to be dealt with so I could get caught up on everything. But Miles and Digger were wonderful, making sure I took breaks for meals, even swimming with me so I’d find some time to relax. And the sex… Hot damn, it was like Fourth of July every day! They also were understanding when I stayed up late to work. I was in my study, excited that I was finally on last year’s briefings and all my back reading would soon be done. Just as I thought it might be time to hit the sack, a loud blaring noise filled the house. It startled the shit out of me, but I wasn’t worried since I’d heard it a few times in the last week as the new security system was being installed and tested. I heard commotion upstairs and then got nervous. Why would they be testing the system at nine at night? Everyone was pretty much done for the day, right? I had just stood up, ready to run and find my mates when the window to my study shattered inward. I screamed and dove to the other side of my desk, getting out of the way of the projectile shards of glass. Then I smelled rancid vampire and evil. Assuming it was a demon I scented, I scrambled toward the door as fast as I could. “The last Leopold,” he snarled as the intruder leapt in my direction. Yep, definitely a demon. His eyes were an evil, unholy red, as nasty shit dripped off his fangs and claws. He looked like a zombie vampire, though not in the dirty and fresh-from-the-grave sense. It was more that, without his soul, he looked to be a figment of his former self.

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I had a second to try and roll out of the way, but I wasn’t fast enough. His claws gouged me, catching me from one side of my body, all the way across my stomach. The door to my study burst open and instantly Miles was on the demon. I scurried back to my new couch, grabbing the towel I had left there earlier that I had used to dry off after my afternoon swim. I held it to my bleeding stomach, ignoring the pain and trying to stay calm. “We need to move. Now!” Miles barked at me after he beheaded the demon. He grabbed my free hand, pulling me to my feet as he kept out a watchful eye for danger. Just as we got to the door, more demons came in through the window. I gasped in agony as he pushed me through the door and slammed it shut. He took out a dagger and shoved it through the door handle and into the frame since the lock was on the other side. “That will hold them for a minute.” “Are you okay?” Digger asked me, glancing down at my stomach as the rest of my guards and Zachariah gathered in the foyer. Andre had already barricaded the front door and windows. “Just a scratch,” I lied through my teeth. He was going to be pissed at me later, but I couldn’t have them distracted right then with my injury. “I want you to teleport to the weight room at the warrior compound,” Miles instructed me as he looked over at the tablet Spike was holding. “We’ve got at least two dozen on the property and they’re coming fast.” “No, come with me,” I whimpered, not willing to run from this and leave my mates. “I won’t leave you.” “Bas, you can only take three at a time,” he said gently, glancing at the others. “They won’t be able to handle that many alone.” He was right. I’d be signing everyone else’s death sentences by selfishly saving my mates. I had another idea that would help. “I’ll bring back help.” “No, you teleport there and stay safe,” Digger growled, shaking his head. Oh, was he going to be pissed at me later. Not only was I

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lying about how badly I was hurt, but I wasn’t going to listen to him either. “I love you both,” I whispered, vanishing before they could argue with me anymore. We didn’t have the time and they needed the help. I popped into the warriors’ weight room, glad that I had been there before and could teleport there, holding the towel to me tightly as I felt the weariness of using my gift. “Help! My estate is under attack.” “What’s going on, your honor?” one of the warriors asked as they all raced to aid me. “Demons are attacking. I left my mate and guards to get help,” I answered, tears spilling down my cheeks. “Please, you have to help them. There’s like two dozen demons trying to get in the house.” “Paine, sound the alarm and get everyone suited up,” the guy ordered. “We need to leave now.” “No, I can teleport three of you at a time. You just need weapons and to be ready because I’ll drop you right into the fight.” “Unacceptable, your honor. You can’t go back into danger like that.” His face held a look that bartered no discussion on the topic. But these were my mates we were talking about. “That’s an order,” I snarled, smacking him hard in the chest. “My mates could die because we’re arguing. Either grab a weapon and let’s go, or I go back alone. This is not up for a fucking debate.” “Fine.” He didn’t look happy about it, but just then two of the other warriors came over with a shitload of weapons in his hands. “I’m Vega and the oldest here right now. I’ll go in with the first group and then you come back here where it’s safe.” “I’m taking as many of you as I can to even the odds,” I countered, using every fiber of my Council-member air to get him to understand that he wasn’t in charge here. “You’re injured, your honor.” “I’d die for my mates, so hold on and I’m taking them some fucking help!” Vega nodded, grabbed a few guns, which he tucked into his running pants, and picked up a sword as two others did.

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“Three at a time. Hold on. It might make your stomachs roll.” They nodded and grabbed my free arm. I teleported them back to my mates, cursing when I saw the seven of them fighting at least a dozen demons in the foyer and on the stairs as more tried to get inside. The warriors let me go and jumped right into the fray. I’d never been more proud to be a part of the Council as I was at the moment, watching strangers battle to save my life and my mates. “Get out of here!” Miles roared when he caught sight of me. “We’ve got even more trying to get in. You have to stay safe, your honor.” I nodded, knowing full well I was coming right back with more help. I teleported back to the warrior compound and brought back three more, grinding my teeth at the pain I was in and the loss of strength at using my gift. Teleporting myself was no big deal when I wasn’t hurt. It just had to be somewhere I’d been before so I could visualize the place. Teleporting others with me was always a little taxing. Going back and forth and taking people with me? Yeah, I wanted to nap for a week and drink a gallon of blood. Not to mention replenish the blood I was losing. The towel was red now, and I knew my wounds were bad. I had them mostly covered by the baggy sweatshirt I was wearing, but I didn’t know how much longer I had before the pain overtook me. I went back to grab three more, hoping that nine would allow them to win. I didn’t think I had enough juice to go again, but as the warriors I brought with me jumped into the mix, I saw a demon rake his claws down Andre’s back. Just as he was going down, I slid across the tile floor and grabbed his hand. I got us back to the warrior compound, but unfortunately the demon came with us. I don’t know if they had been ready for the possibility of a demon showing up. But Andre had barely fallen on top of me, his earlier

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momentum continuing after we teleported, when one of the warriors severed the demon’s head. “I didn’t mean to bring him, too,” I gasped in pain. “Please. Get Andre off of me.” “I’m so sorry, your honor,” he moaned as his friends helped him. “I would have kept fighting. You didn’t need to pull me out of the battle.” “Andre, you’ve been my guard and friend for years,” I whispered. “Losing you would kill me, too.” “Your honor, we’ve got two SUVs of six already racing to your estate,” one of the warriors attending to Andre’s wounds informed me. “I beg you to please stay here and rest until it’s over. You need medical attention, but we can’t get Dr. Johnson on the phone.” “No.” He sighed as he tried to pull the towel away. I held on to it with all my strength. “I need to see how bad you are, your honor. I have basic medic training.” “It’s the only thing keeping my insides in me,” I admitted, giving him a pleading look. “My mates are still in danger. Please, let me just take three more and then I’ll teleport to Dr. Johnson. I swear it. Just three more.” “You can’t have the strength to take any more,” he countered. “What happens if you can’t get them there? Where will they go?” “I can. I have enough left. And if I can’t, they just stay here. It’s not like I zap them to purgatory instead.” He bit his lip and nodded. “But then you go straight to the doc. The Council will have all of our asses for not protecting you first.” “I’m the boss.” I chuckled, tasting blood in my mouth as I coughed. “They can’t go against my orders any more than you can. Only in voting are we equals.” “Just get to the doc,” he growled, wiping away some blood on my lip. I nodded as he and two more grabbed on to me. I teleported them back to the foyer. The second they let go of me and jumped into the

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fight, my vision swam. I pushed with my feet to get out of the way until I was actually under one of the staircases. I tucked into a ball as best as I could, making myself as small of a target as possible. I kept blinking rapidly, trying to fight off the need to pass out. I yelped as a demon ran in from the kitchen and saw me. He dove to try and get me, but then Digger was there, pulling him back and putting a bullet in the demon’s chest. I watched in awe as the demon squealed like a stuck pig and shriveled right in front of me before turning to ash. Wow. Those were some cool ass weapons! “Bas!” Digger shouted, and I realized he’d been trying to get my attention for a few moments already. “Bas, you need to get out of here.” “Can’t leave you,” I gasped, the pain increasing. I think he saw how bad I was then and ducked under the stairs with me. He went to take the towel away, whimpering when he saw it was now red. “No, you have to leave it until I get to the doctor.” I slapped his hand away, partially wanting to laugh when I realized that wouldn’t have hurt a fly. “It’s not just a scratch, is it?” he whispered, kissing my temple. “Bas, you can’t die on me, baby.” “Not just a scratch but I’ll be just fine,” I lied. “As soon as you guys are done here, we’ll go see Dr. Johnson and he’ll stitch me up. There are two more carloads of warriors on the way.” I started slurring my words, and I saw the panic in Digger’s eyes. “Drink,” he ordered after biting into his own wrist. I nodded, not willing to fight him when I was dying of thirst. “Miles!” I was still drinking when our mate got to us and gasped. “Jesus, Bas,” he whispered and reached for the towel. “Don’t,” the warrior I’d brought on the last trip ordered as he joined us. “He said it’s the only thing holding everything inside of him. Get him to the doc. We’ve got everything covered here.” “Bas, can you teleport yourself to Riley?” Miles, my strong, brave Miles, looked as if he was ready to throw up. I had to really look like

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shit then. Digger pulled his wrist away from my mouth so I could answer, but was still holding on to my shoulder. “Not leaving without you,” I mumbled as I reached for his hand with my free one. I teleported us to the doc before either of them could speak. The other warrior had said they had everything under control, and I believed him so I didn’t feel guilty taking my mates with me. If these were to be my last moments, I wanted them at my side. “Oh fuck, Riley! Oh god, what you do to me, my mate,” someone was shouting as the sounds of sex filled the room. I glanced toward them and saw Micah Marius pounding into the doc, who was his mate of course. “Whoops.” I giggled, slurring again. In a flash, Miles had his wrist to my mouth, ordering me to drink. “What the fuck?” Micah roared as he moved his mate behind him, taking in the scene before him. He gasped as his eyes landed on me. “Your honor?” “We were attacked tonight,” Digger explained, holding me up against his chest. “We didn’t know how bad he was injured until after he teleported more warriors to help us. There had to be three or four dozen demons who came to kill the last Leopold.” “We didn’t know what else to do when we saw how bad he was but to beg him to teleport to the doc. He took us with him though,” Miles explained as Micah and Riley jumped off the bed and pulled on some pants. I pulled off of his wrist and giggled. “You didn’t have to stop having fun on our account.” I wiggled my eyebrows at Miles. “If I live, we so have to try having sex like that. It was hot.” “Of course you’re going to live, baby,” he whispered, tears filling his eyes as he tried to get me to drink more. “Pick him up and follow us,” Riley barked out as Micah pulled out his phone. “I have emergency equipment in a room attached to my lab.”

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I groaned as I was lifted into Miles’s arms. I reached out and grabbed Micah’s wrist as we moved out of their suite. “I need your mother or father. I have no heir and a Council member has to witness my naming a successor.” “You’re not fucking dying!” Digger roared as we got to the staircase. “Just shut the fuck up about that and drink more blood. We can’t lose you!” “What is going on?” one of the Marius brothers asked as he came out of his room. “Get Mother and Father. Now!” Micah shouted instead. “Have them meet us downstairs and have Patrick check on Carolyn.” “Got it,” he replied and then was out of my view. Miles raced down the stairs as fast as he could without jarring my body. Moments later he carried me into a sterile room and laid me on a cold, metal table. “This is going to hurt,” Riley warned me as he moved my hand off the towel. My arm was also throbbing from holding it so tightly to my body all this time. I screamed as he peeled it off my flesh, some of the blood having dried it against my skin as my body probably tried to heal. “My god,” Miles gasped as he wrapped an arm around Digger and saw the extent of the damage the demon’s claws had done. Our mate was sobbing wordlessly, and I knew these would be my last moments. “I love you both so much,” I whispered. “Promise me you will love each other forever and be wonderful mates to each other. I have to know you’re both taken care of.” Digger’s eyes went wide as he pushed Miles away and came closer, careful not to get in the doc’s way as he grabbed what he needed. “No! Don’t you dare say good-bye. I’ll leave Miles and we’ll both be miserably alone for the rest of our days if you abandon us.” I knew what he was trying to do, and I smiled. “No you won’t. You’ll love him and take care of him just as you did me.”

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“Yes,” he sobbed as he brushed some wayward strands of my blond hair off my head. “But you can’t die, Bas. We need you to hold us together. We love you so much, Bas. Don’t leave us. Please!” “What’s going on?” Elena asked as she burst into the room with Desmond. “Stefan said we were needed—Barnabas? Oh my god!” I turned my head enough so I could meet her eyes. “Elena Marius, as member of the Council, you will witness the naming of my successor.” I waited until she nodded. “I name my father’s advisor who has now become mine, Zachariah. He will take my seat and my mates will inherit my family’s estate. Do you swear to carry out my wishes?” “No!” Digger screamed, fighting against Miles, who had pulled him back away from the table. “Yes, Barnabas Leopold. I swear to carry out your wishes and bear witness to the naming of your successor,” she choked out, her kelly-green eyes filling with tears, as Desmond wrapped his arms around his mate. “Don’t you dare fucking die on us. You fight, young man.” “I hear the doc is a miracle worker,” I moaned, feeling white-hot energy flow into my stomach. “But some things can’t be fixed. I knew that and the risks I was taking.” I looked back over to Miles and Digger. “They’re worth it to me. I would do anything to protect them, and I wouldn’t leave them there to die.” “Don’t you think we’d have done the same for you?” Miles whispered as he hugged Digger tightly. “You were supposed to teleport yourself to safety.” “And leave you to fight that many demons with just seven of you?” I rolled my eyes. “Silly mate. I’d never run when I could—” And then I felt more heat, and with a gasp, my world went black. Damn. I didn’t tell them I loved them again.

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Chapter 9 Digger “No!” I fought against Miles when I saw Bas close his eyes. “He’s not dead,” Riley growled. “He passed out from the pain. Now get the fuck out and quit distracting me.” I nodded and let Miles pull me toward the door when Riley shouted. “What the fuck?” I snapped my head around to see what was going on and gasped. There was a bright blue glow coming from Bas. Riley grabbed his head and started to fall, but Micah caught him in time. “He threw me out,” Riley mumbled, going limp in his mate’s arms. “His magic or energy or something threw me out of his body when I was healing him. Holy shit, that hurt.” He rolled his head to look at us as Micah lifted the doc into his arms. “I’ve never had this happen before. I can’t help him.” His voice, full of sadness, was barely above a whisper. “Doesn’t look like you need to,” Miles whispered in awe. I glanced back to our mate, my eyes practically popping out of my head when I saw the blue light getting brighter as it cocooned Bas’s body. His skin was healing and everything was getting tucked back into his body as the wound closed. What the fuck was right! As if that wasn’t screwing with us enough, there was an earringing popping sound in the room and a round white light appeared as well. A moment later the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen stepped out of it. She had jet-black hair that fell to her waist in smooth, satiny ribbons, and her big eyes were the same light blue, almost lilac shade as Bas’s.

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“Why is someone trying to cross into our plane?” she bellowed, her musical voice holding so much power I wanted to bow to her. When I realized she had wings, I broke away from Miles and dove at the lady’s feet. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but if you’re fae, please, I beg you to help our mate. Can you save him?” “What are you talking about, vampire?” she asked, and I glanced up at her. I couldn’t put into words what was going on with Bas, mostly because I didn’t have a clue, so I pointed. She followed where I was gesturing and gasped. “He’s trying to cross to our plane to be healed. Why couldn’t he go through a portal?” “He’s half fae?” I answered, more like asking actually. Fuck if I knew. “What is his name?” “Barnabas Leopold,” Elena Marius said as she moved closer. “His mother was Ariala. She was my best friend and you look just like her.” “Was?” the woman whispered, her eyes filling with tears. “My daughter is dead?” Oh, fuck. “I have a grandson?” “I will answer any and all of your questions, my lady,” I said formally, using my best humble and begging tone. “Please, help him first. Save my mate.” “His body has shut down to heal in the way of our people, young one,” she replied gently as she cupped my cheek. The light behind her died and she stepped closer. “If he had the strength to cocoon, then he will live. Depending on how injured he was, he will be out for a while. But he will make it.” “Thank you,” I whispered, kissing her hand. I heard Miles whimper and glanced over my shoulder to see him drop to his knees in relief. “Thank you.” Miles stared at the fae and gave her a watery smile. “We would have contacted you when Ariala died, but we didn’t know

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how. She died in a plane crash along with her mates about six years ago. Barnabas is their only child.” “Are you mated to my grandson as well?” she asked after a moment of processing the information. “Yes, ma’am.” “Queen Magdalena, how are you here now?” Elena asked. I gasped. Queen? Oh shit. There was so much more to the story of Bas’s mother than he knew. “I felt a disturbance of someone trying to cross onto our plane who didn’t know how and recognized the energy signature as someone from my family. I hoped it was Ariala,” she said sadly. “I’ve been looking for my daughter for centuries. Now I can never make things right.” She motioned for me to stand and I did, moving back by Miles and helping him to his feet. “You are both warriors, are you not?” “Yes, my lady,” I answered, not sure how to address her. Or was it supposed to be your highness? “Then why were you not able to keep my grandson safe?” she asked, the anger prominent in her voice. “He was supposed to teleport to safety.” Miles shook as he explained what happened tonight and how Bas got hurt. She shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. “He’s definitely Ariala’s boy then.” She rolled her eyes, which was almost comical coming from someone who seemed so majestic, ethereal almost. “Stubbornness runs deep in our blood, of that I know. The way Ariala left was proof of that.” “I was always under the impression Ariala wasn’t welcome on your plane anymore because she left to find her mates.” Elena looked confused as she spoke and I thought that was what Miles had told me as well. “That law had been abolished many generations ago,” the Queen snapped, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Ariala assumed that it still applied to her because she was next in line to the throne. She

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left us a note. A damn note that she had a vision of her mates, that they were in the human world and she was leaving to find them. She was afraid if she told us that we’d stop her. Nothing is further from the truth. We’ve been looking for her ever since, especially the past few years since—” She snapped her mouth shut. “Since what?” I asked curiously. She gave me a sad smile and shook her head. “If I’m mated to Bas and he’s your grandson, doesn’t that make us family? If this could affect him, we have a right to know so we can protect him.” “No, it’s nothing like that.” She sighed and sat down on the table by Bas. Well, hopped up really since she was only about his height. “He looks so like his mother. Were his fathers good people? Did they love him?” “I was one of their guards, your highness,” Miles said gently. See? I knew I should have called her by that. “They loved him more than I’ve ever seen parents love their child. They doted on him, sent him to the best schools, and always made sure he was the most important thing in their lives.” “Good,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears as she caressed the light cocooning Bas. “He had you to look after him when they passed?” “He was fifteen at the time and at boarding school.” Miles went a little pale at the next part. “I thought he denied us being mates when he turned of age. I didn’t know because he was part fae that he wouldn’t be able to smell that I was his mate. We had some ups and downs after that, but I’ve always loved him and put him first.” “As a true mate should.” She gave him a smile and an approving nod. “You both seem worthy men to mate a prince.” “A what?” I gasped, not having connected the dots. I had a few black spots across my vision as that one sank in. “But he’s head of the Council.” “He can be both, Digger. That is an interesting name, by the way.”

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Now I really felt as if I was going to pass out. “One I didn’t tell you.” “You didn’t have to.” She smirked as she folded her hands on her lap. “I am Queen of the fae after all. It comes with certain gifts and tricks.” Then she turned to Elena. “Mrs. Marius, was my daughter loved? Was she happy with her mates?” “Very much so.” Elena sniffed. “I met her shortly after she found Derrick Leopold. He was the last heir of the original founding vampire family in this area, and that’s why he was head of our Council, as Barnabas is now. They found Francis, a warrior, a few decades later, and they were all madly in love.” She glanced up at Desmond. “She was truly as happy with her mates as I am with mine. We used to gossip like teenagers about all our dreams having come true.” “I was the lucky one, my sweet.” Desmond kissed his mate gently. “You are the light that has made my life worth living.” He gazed over at the Queen. “I knew Derrick well and then Francis. They treasured your daughter. When they learned she was pregnant with Barnabas, they tried everything they could to get her to stay in bed the whole pregnancy. They were worried that having a half-vampire child would be hard on her.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “She put them in their place, didn’t she?” The Queen smiled and I felt for her. How hard it must be for her to learn her child was gone as she just found out about her grandson when he was injured so badly. “Oh she sure did.” Desmond smiled. “Our sons were grown men by then, and I remember Derrick asking how I was able to handle Elena while she was pregnant. I laughed and told them that I gave her whatever she wanted as any man should when his mate carried their child. He ran out and bought out an entire baby store, trying to make her happy.” Everyone was quiet a few moments before Elena spoke again. “If there is some way we can help whatever problem you’re having, your highness, you have only to tell us.”

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“I don’t think there is anything you can do, but I thank you for your desire to help.” She looked tired suddenly, and part of me wanted to hug her. “There aren’t many fae left. Once there were thousands of us living on our plane. When I was a little girl, there seemed to be people everywhere. But as the years went on, many crossed over to this plane to find their mates as Ariala did. Now there are so few of us left, our magic isn’t sustaining the plane. Soon, we will have to cross into this world to survive.” “What happens to your plane then?” I asked, my eyes going wide. “It just ceases to exist?” “Yes,” she whispered, as if admitting it was the worst idea in the world to her. I couldn’t help myself then. I did go and hug her. She flinched, seeming unused the contact, but I was gentle and didn’t push her. After a moment she relaxed. “I can’t remember the last time someone hugged me.” “Your mate?” I was quiet so not everyone in the room heard us. “Died many years ago right after Ariala left.” She sighed and then pulled away. “You have a warrior’s spirit and a loving heart, Digger. And I really want to know about your name.” “Me, too, actually.” Miles chuckled. I moved back to where I had originally been, rolling my eyes. “My parents come from very humble stock. I’m actually the first warrior on either side of our family tree.” I fidgeted with my torn shirt, wishing I didn’t look like shit after having battled demons for an hour now that I was meeting Bas’s grandma… Who was a Queen. Can’t forget that part. “Decker is a family name from way back when, and there were so many Deckers it was getting to be a joke.” “And since it means digger of ditches your parents thought that would be funny?” Desmond asked, raising an eyebrow. “Not funny, really, but that’s what my ancestors were. They were ditch diggers in England. They came over here just like human immigrants centuries ago to try their luck at a better life.” I shrugged. “My name isn’t so weird now, but back in the 1800s when I was born,

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people always assumed it was just a nickname.” I glanced over at Bas, my heart hurting with the need to touch my mate. “Not yet,” the Queen said gently. “I can pet the energy because it recognizes mine as family, but since you don’t have the magic of the fae, it will sense you as probable danger.” I nodded that I understood even if the explanation was a little weird. “I have all the magic of the fae I could ever have wanted, and as soon as he opens his eyes, I’m going make sure he knows it.” I looked at her again. “Can we at least move him somewhere more comfortable? I can’t imagine healing on a metal table is fun.” “Yes, I can teleport him to wherever you’d like.” “How about we all go take a breather in the sitting room,” Elena suggested as she opened the door and Desmond stepped out. “I’m sure Miles and Digger will have reports coming in about the attack, and I’d like a chance to talk to you more about Ariala until Barnabas wakes up.” “Thank you. I’d like that very much,” the Queen agreed with a head dip. It was hard for me to leave Bas. I know, I know, his grandmother said she’d bring him right up, but after what we’d been through and the fear of almost losing him tonight… It was just hard. We had just sat down when the Queen clucked her tongue and went over to Riley, who was still curled up in Micah’s arms. “My apologies, doctor. I was not paying attention earlier.” He placed her hand over his forehead and Riley gasped. “Thank you for trying to heal my grandson.” “Wow. I feel like I slept eight hours and could eat more than Micah for once.” Riley chuckled and patted his mate’s arm to let him down. “No,” Micah growled, holding Riley closer. “Just give me a bit longer.” “What’s wrong?” Riley looked confused but more than willing to appease his mate.

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“There have been too many close calls with you lately, and I’m having trouble dealing with all of them,” Micah admitted, closing his eyes. “The demons want you dead, you give so much of yourself to heal others, and my greatest fear is that one day I will lose you because you’re trying to help the world. When I saw you start to fall because of whatever magic made Barnabas glow, I thought I was going to die inside.” “I would never leave you or our daughter, Micah. You have to know that.” Riley cupped his mate’s cheek tenderly. “I know you wouldn’t willingly, but I’ve come too close to losing you.” “And I’m still here.” Riley nuzzled his mate’s neck, and I almost felt bad on intruding on their moment. “You’d be lost without me, you big lug. We’ve got so many centuries left to live together.” “Promise?” “Yup. That’s why fate gave me a big warrior to protect me and make sure I take care of myself.” Riley gave him a soft kiss and Micah relaxed a bit. The Queen moved over to the empty couch and laid her hands on it. Suddenly Bas popped onto it out of thin air, still in his blue cocoon. Then she turned to Riley. “Might I ask why these demons want you dead? If I remember correctly, demons were once vampires, right?” Riley nodded and went into explaining exactly what demons were, soulless beings who traded their souls for power and bloodlust. We all filled her in on the war we were fighting and how things had changed recently, adding in why they had come after Bas. When we were done, she had a smile on her face, which I thought odd. “We might be able to help each other.” “What do you mean, your highness?” Desmond asked, raising a brow as one of their servants brought in some refreshments. “Would you permit me to bring a few of my guards over from my plane? I feel the visual would be better than anything I could explain.”

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He nodded, and she moved away to the other side of the room and opened another white-light doorway. Miles and I exchanged a glance as did everyone in the room. Just as I wondered what was going to happen, two massive men stepped through the light. They had to be at least seven and a half feet tall and over three hundred and fifty pounds of solid muscle. “I thought the fae were small?” I blurted out as the Queen closed the portal. “Most of us are, but as you have warriors to protect your race, so do we,” she explained with a wink. “And I know you have gifts, but our warriors especially have very strong powers, mostly protection magic.” “We’re listening.” Desmond nodded, letting her know to go ahead with whatever she was trying to tell us. “Baylor, if you would be so kind as to demonstrate what I’m implying, please,” the Queen said as she moved over to the couch and picked up a throw pillow. Baylor gave a shallow bow and chanted something, tracing a line with his foot. “It is ready, your highness,” he said, his voice too deep for words. Well, when someone is that huge, it made sense that their voices move down to whole new octaves. The Queen tossed the pillow over the line he’d drawn and there was a flash before it disintegrated. It was like a really big, really creepy bug zapper or something. “Undo it so we don’t have any accidents.” He nodded and chanted again. “As you can see, this would be quite effective in stopping your demons. Baylor couldn’t blockade your whole coven, but some of my warriors would be able to put up magical wards at the houses they were assigned to guard.” “And that would give them jobs and a place to live when you have to move,” Elena surmised with a smile. “Are you asking us to bring your people into our coven?” “I’m not really sure what I’m asking to be honest.” The Queen sighed as she sat down and picked up a small sandwich. She nibbled

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on it elegantly as she focused on Elena. “My people need a place to call home. There are too few of us left to adequately protect ourselves though still too many of us to all congregate in one area without drawing too much attention to ourselves. “We don’t blend very well with humans, which is why my ancestors used their magic to build another plane for us to live on. If nothing else, we’d need guidance and help acclimating to this world.” “Well, obviously Barnabas would be willing to help his people,” Micah said, everyone turning to him. “And you know Caleb would get the European Council to side with whatever you guys decided. That should give the fae ample room to find their own place in the world without having them feel suffocated in one coven. Caleb’s Grand Pumba but still follows our rules. The same could go with her majesty ruling her people while still part of our communities.” “That’s a fabulous idea,” Elena said, her eyebrows shooting up to her forehead. “Don’t sound so shocked, Mother.” Micah rolled his eyes. “Just because I’m a warrior doesn’t make me stupid. I’ve watched and learned from you both figuring out solutions to make both parties happy for centuries.” “I didn’t mean it like that, Son.” She snickered and shook her head. “I meant I was shocked because you normally stay quiet in these situations. You’d rush into any fight, brave as could be, but when it comes to talk, you’re always content to sit back and just listen.” “Because you always know how to handle things best.” He shrugged and glanced down at Riley. “And I have a genius for a mate. But I had an idea this time, so I spoke up.” “A man of few words but potent ones when needed.” The Queen gave him a bright smile and looked over at Elena and Desmond. “Something that would make any parents proud.”

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“All of our sons and their mates make us proud,” Desmond agreed. “They understand what is most important and fight for what is right. We wouldn’t change any one of them.” There was a knock at the door, and a moment later, Victor, Damian, and Cyrus came through the door, but it was Victor who spoke. “Forgive the interruption, Father, Mother,” he said slowly, glancing at the huge ass men who screamed danger standing off to the side. “But we were told that you had four guests, but as we walked past, we smelled six.” “They’re friendlies.” Micah chuckled. “Didn’t you smell me in here as well?” “Yeah, but we were also told Riley had been healing someone earlier, which meant he had probably gotten refueled from you…” Victor trailed off and shrugged. “And they’re fiercely protective as you can see.” Elena rolled her eyes and started making introductions. Everyone was chatting as Miles and I sat there, still weary and worried about our mate. Suddenly the blue light around Bas started to dim and we jumped to our feet. “What’s happening now?” I shouted over everyone, pointing to our mate. “Now he wakes up,” the Queen whispered nervously. I didn’t worry because she seemed hesitant that her grandson would be welcome to her presence. But she didn’t know Bas the way we did.

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Chapter 10 Barnabas “Okay, who fed me the really good drugs?” I groaned as I opened my eyes. “What do you mean, baby?” Miles asked, his and Digger’s faces filling my view. “I had some whacked-out dreams about portals and fae Queens and talk of my mother.” I chuckled as they helped me sit up. “How am I alive?” “Your fae magic wrapped you in a cocoon of energy and healed your body,” a woman informed me. I gasped when I saw her and her wings. “You were still able to hear and understand what was going on around you partly though.” “Mom?” I whispered, my eyes filling with tears. “No, my sweet boy. I’m so sorry, but I am not her.” Could have fooled me. She looked exactly like her. My mates sat on either side of me on the couch as the woman knelt in front of me. “I am your grandmother, Magdalena.” She explained how she got here and found me, and it left me with one question. “Could my mother have healed herself like I did? Is there a chance she is still alive?” Well, I guess that was two questions. “Some wounds cannot be healed no matter how much magic one has,” she answered sadly. “I wish she was alive as much as you do, Barnabas.” I spent the next ten minutes with everyone filling me in on what happened. When they were done, I nodded and stood, waving off my

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mates, and walked out of the sitting room. The next thing I knew I was back in their kitchen, snagging a bag of blood like a very rude guest, and heading out onto their terrace. I sat down on one of the chairs out there, ignoring the cold and probably my safety. I just needed some fucking air after all that they said was dumped on me. “Would you like me to leave?” my grandmother asked hesitantly as she joined me. Did I? I knew the answer without really having to think about it. “No. I just need a minute to catch up. I thought I was going to die when I passed out earlier. My organs were being held inside of me by a stupid towel and my sheer stubbornness to make sure my mates would survive the night. Now all of this? I just can’t seem to get my footing.” “Very understandable.” She sat down next to me and folded her hands in her lap, not saying a word. I finally broke the silence after about ten minutes of thinking. “You said to Digger that your mate died a while back. The fae get two, don’t we? I mean I did, and I’m only part fae.” “I never met my other one.” She sounded so sad I found myself reaching out and taking her hand. “No one can ever replace your grandfather. He was a wonderful man. But the woman in me hopes that one day I will find my other mate so I do not face the rest of my life so alone.” “It sounds like if anyone deserves some happiness, you do.” I knew I was going to sound crass, but I was too tired to care. “What do I call you?” “Magdalena if you’d like,” she hedged. “But I hope you might call me Grandmother or Grandma when you are ready. I understand I’m not deserving of the title as I have not acted as a proper one yet, but I did not know you even existed. I would have been here after the loss of your parents had I known.”

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“I believe that, Grandma,” I whispered, giving her a smile. One that she returned. “And you did act like one when you explained things to my mates and helped them when I couldn’t. That’s what family does.” “So smart for one so young.” She gave my hand a slight squeeze. “Are you okay with the idea of the fae integrating themselves into your world?” “Yes, and I offer you my home to all of them until you can find places of your own. I will convene the Council as soon as possible to discuss the issue. But even if they rule against it, which I doubt they will, my estate will always be open to them.” “You have your mother’s heart.” I heard her sniffle and did my best to keep from tearing up as well. It was all too much to not get emotional, but I think I was just too damn tired. “She was always very accepting of others and had the more the merrier mentality. I miss her dearly.” “I’m sorry you didn’t get to see her one last time and straighten things out before she died. But you need to know that she never spoke ill of you or any of her family. She said it was the way of the fae that if you leave the community, then it’s best to stay gone.” “That was once our way and something I worked hard to abolish though some were old and stuck in that mind-set. True family always welcomes each other with open arms no matter where their life has taken them. That once gone, stay forgotten mentality is one of the things that I believe has led to our dwindling numbers. If the fae are to survive, then we need to start over with a better sense of community. You have that here, and I hope it rubs off on our people.” “Me, too, but no matter what, you’re always welcome to stay with my mates and I.” “Thank you, my dear grandson.” We sat out there a while longer, learning how to be around each other and the knowledge of each other’s existence sinking in. When I had processed all this new information, I went back to my mates and

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we caught a ride home. I crawled into bed with them, needing to feel as close to them as possible. That was my last thought before sleep took me. **** The next several days were exceedingly hard for me. Everywhere I looked there were reminders of what had happened and that I’d almost died. Hell, I had panic attacks every time I stepped into my study, reliving the pain and agony from the demon’s claws sinking into my flesh. Instead of turning to my mates like I should have, I shut them out. I didn’t know how to let them in and help me deal with this. I felt weak, physically, mentally, and emotionally, for not handling it better. All I kept thinking about was that this was my parents’ house, my home, and how I no longer felt safe in it. The demons had destroyed that and took something sacred, my family’s estate, and turned it into a nightmare. “Hey, baby—” Digger said from behind me as I went to my study, already having trouble breathing. I screamed and turned around, holding my hands up defensively. “Oh, god, I’m so sorry,” I mumbled as I ducked my head in shame. “I have to get to work.” “No, this ends now,” he growled, and before I could argue with him, he lifted me like a sack of potatoes and threw me over his shoulder. “Stop this,” I whispered, patting him on the shoulder as he carried me up the stairs. “Please, stop this, Digger.” “I can’t do that.” I could hear the conflict in his tone and how upset he was. “You keep pulling further and further away from us, Bas. It’s killing us, and you’re not getting any better. If we don’t handle this now, it could destroy our mating.”

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“Okay.” I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t realize I was hurting them so badly, but then again I was trapped in my own version of hell basically, so I couldn’t see much past that. I realized how bad things were with my mates when Digger brought me to our room and Miles was sitting on the window seat looking so despondent it broke my heart. “Do you blame us for not protecting you?” he asked, not looking at me as Digger set me on my feet. “What? No!” I exclaimed, glancing at Digger to see if that was what he thought as well. Oh yeah, big-time. He looked equal parts hurt and full of shame. “None of this was you guys’ fault. It was their fault. The demons and the demons alone are to blame for what happened!” “Then why are you shutting us out, Bas?” He turned to look at me then, so lost, and I knew he wanted answers from me, but I wasn’t sure I had the right ones to give. “I’m ashamed at how badly I’m handling this in part,” I admitted after several moments of them just staring at me. “I’m a grown man, and I freak out anytime I even think about going to my study.” “Oh, Bas,” Digger whispered as he dragged me over to the window seat with Miles. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap. “That’s nothing to feel bad about. There are adults all over who have issues with getting into a car again after being in an accident. Hell, one of the warriors I know took years to get over his fear when an SUV he was in rolled and part of the seat punctured his chest. He was getting claustrophobic all the time and couldn’t get in any vehicle.” I glanced up at him, letting my lack of getting the point show in my expression. “What I’m trying to say is a trauma is a trauma. People have them over accidents. What happened to you wasn’t an accident. Those demons were sent here to kill you specifically, targeting you, and were responsible for almost destroying our family. I’d be worried if it didn’t affect you, baby.”

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“Me, too,” Miles agreed. “But when you shut us out, we thought you blamed us.” “No, I swear. I just hate feeling so weak and like I’m failing you both,” I whispered. “Fail us?” Miles exclaimed, his eyes going wide. “We would have been dead if not for what you did, Bas. Let’s just be honest about that. There had to be forty demons that came that night. We weren’t ready for an attack of that magnitude. Hell, we hadn’t even finished putting in the security system, and that’s why they got to the house so quickly before there was any warning. You were so strong and brave. I was so proud of you even though I wanted to throttle you for taking that serious of a chance with your life.” “You were proud of me?” Well, that was news to me or maybe I hadn’t been paying attention. Probably the latter. “Every damn day of your life, Bas,” he whispered as he cupped my cheek. “I’ve known you all of your life. I’ve watched you grow from an adorable little, lovable baby to the man I’m in love with. You’ve never disappointed me, and you’re not now with how you’re handling things. It just hurt that you shut us out, but even that I understand.” “Let us in so we can help,” Digger said gently as he kissed my neck. “We love you so much, Bas. They almost took you away from us. If you don’t let us in now, then it’s almost as if they did.” “You’re right,” I sighed, kissing Miles’s hand. “I’m sorry.” “We know you are. Tell us how we can help you.” Digger held me tightly as they both waited. “I don’t know.” I hated to admit that, but I truly didn’t know how to make things better. “Tell us what upsets you most then,” he countered. “They invaded our home.” Damn my emotions! My eyes were starting to burn again. I blinked rapidly, refusing to cry. “It was hard for me to come back here and face the memories this place holds because I miss my parents. But there were good memories filled with

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love and happiness because I was blessed with a wonderful family. They took that away and replaced those memories with ones of pain and fear. I don’t feel safe here anymore.” Miles bit his lower lip for a moment. “I might know how to help fix that. Come with us, baby.” I nodded and got to my feet, willing to try just about anything at this point. I took his hand and let them lead me out of our room and back downstairs. My mates spent the next half an hour explaining how they finished installing the security system and what that entailed. They showed me the video feeds throughout the property, where the laser sensors were, how the ultraviolet lights worked, and how they replaced most of the glass on the first floor with ballistic glass. “You can’t even tell that it’s not real glass unless you look very closely,” Miles explained. I gasped when Digger took a running start and hit the window in my study, bouncing right off of it. “It would take several tries for any of us to get through it. Same with intruders.” “And we put in another fail-safe in case something happens and we can’t get to you immediately,” Digger said as he moved over to my desk. He moved aside the phone there and showed me a small hidden button I hadn’t noticed yet. When he pushed it, lights came out of their hiding places and shined all over the room. We all covered our eyes, and I wondered if my mates might have overdone it. “Ultraviolet. You hit that button and any demons in the room will turn to dust,” Miles informed me with a smile. “That would be enough of a deterrent where they wouldn’t even try to get at you if they saw the lights. You’d be safe until we got to you.” “Thank you,” I whispered, hugging Digger as I pulled Miles to surround me from behind. I realized now how busy they must have been over the past few days getting this all set up. Digger reached over and turned off the lights. I’d been lost in my own feelings and my mates had been racing around, making repairs to our home so I

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didn’t have to see the damage and making sure I was safe in every way. “We’d do anything for you, Bas.” I nodded at Miles’s words. I believed that. “Take me to bed.” I felt both of them flinch in shock. “I need to feel my loving, most wonderful mates.” “Are you sure, baby?” I felt Digger get hard against my body at the idea, but of course, they needed to check that I was really okay first. How could I not love them? “Yeah. Time to make the bad memories go away and replace them with good ones.” I stared up at him, letting him see it was what I really wanted in my eyes. “I love you both so much, and I need to show you what you mean to me.” I laughed as Digger swooped me up into his arms, racing out of my study with Miles right behind. The realization that it was the first real time I had laughed in almost a week hit me hard. “God, how I’ve missed that sound,” Digger whispered as he held me closer. “I was scared that night and every day since that I’d never hear it again.” “I’m so sorry I made this worse for both of you.” It was the truth. The absolute last thing I’d wanted was to upset my mates in any way. I was just so lost in my own fear and issues I never saw how the way I was handling, or not handling really, what happened was hurting them. “I’m just glad you let us in once we brought you shutting us out to your attention.” Miles beamed as we got to our room. “That took a lot of strength to see what was wrong and work to fix it so quickly.” “Once I knew you understood and didn’t look down at me for being so upset about what happened, it wasn’t hard,” I admitted before Digger launched me onto the bed. “Impatient much?” “I’ve needed to feel you in every way imaginable since the moment you opened your eyes after your cocooning thing. Get naked. We can go slow next time.”

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I nodded, overwhelmed with the lust in their eyes focused on me. I felt guilty again. My lack of wanting sex and needing space was the exact opposite of what they had needed. “Hey, we didn’t tell you either,” Miles said gently as if knowing my dilemma. It worked because I relaxed a bit and struggled out of my clothes. Moments later we were all in bed, naked together, and just staring at each other. “Why does this feel so weird?” I asked, moving to pull the sheet over my body. “Weird? You feel weird?” Miles covered my hand on the sheet but didn’t lower it back down. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I was just drinking in my fill of you, amazed that there’s not even a single mark on your perfect body after the wounds you had.” “Yeah, me, too.” Digger gave me a soft smile and rubbed his hand over my chest. “We thought we’d lose you that night, and it takes my breath away to see you alive and looking so magnificent. I thank whoever’s listening every day for letting you stay here with us.” “I’m sorry I caused you so much pain.” I let Miles lower the sheet as they moved closer to me, sandwiching me in between them. “No more of that,” he whispered in my ear as he grabbed the lube off the nightstand. Digger nodded his head in agreement before brushing his lips over mine. “All that matters now is that we’re all together and in love.” I gasped, glancing between Miles and Digger. “Yes, we love each other as well. We realized that yesterday.” “I’m glad.” I sighed and lay back against the bed, relaxed and open to whatever my mates wanted from me. All I wanted was them, so I was the happiest man in the world right then. “Us, too.” Miles chuckled as he slicked up his hand and moved it between my legs. I spread wide for him, smiling as he teased my hole for a second before pushing two fingers inside of me. Yeah, my mates needed this really badly.

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“Will you suck me off while Miles takes you?” Digger asked against my lips before kissing me again. I moaned and nodded, willing to give them everything and anything they needed. It didn’t take Miles long to get me ready. I was so relaxed, ready to let go of the bad and focus on the good, namely them, that my body was right there with me. Moments later I was on my hands and knees, a mate on each end waiting for the green light from me. I gave it in the form of taking Digger’s cock in my mouth as far as I could. I wasn’t very good at giving head, not having much practice at it, and I felt inept. That is, until Miles pushed his cock into my ass. Then suddenly I didn’t care about my lack of experience and just enjoyed it. If what my mates were telling me with the moaning sounds they were making was anything to go by, they were enjoying every second of what my body was doing for them. We worked in a fast, frenzied rhythm of need. Miles pounded into me as I sucked Digger with everything I had, noticing the way he held the base of his cock so I didn’t take too much. One day, I swore to myself, I would take all of him. He was a hung man, so it was a big challenge… One that I would have fun trying to accomplish. “Coming!” Miles exclaimed as he grabbed my cock, stroking me furiously. It pushed me right over the edge, and I screamed around Digger’s meat. My mates moaned and filled me with their seed. When we were done and more than spent, we fell in a pile against each other, Miles careful not to smash me. I snuggled up between them, happy and sated. “That was perfect,” I purred. “Yeah, it was,” Miles agreed, panting still. It thrilled me that I could please them so thoroughly. “We’re going to be just fine.” Digger chuckled as he hugged both of us to him. Yeah, we really were. I knew it without a doubt. We could handle anything together. And damn if that didn’t make me smile as I drifted off for a peaceful nap in their arms.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joyee dreams of one day living on enough land to have a few horses, and find a couple of cowboys or pool boys of her own. A lover of men, Joyee is all about them in any form in her books; vampire, werewolf, shape-shifter, military...It’s all good! She loves to get lost in fantasy that only books can bring. Her wide interest in reading is reflected in her writings, whether short stories, romance, or mystical. Currently Joyee lives with her dog, Marius, named after a vampire from Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire series.

Also by Joyee Flynn Classic ManLove Beyond the Marius Brothers 1: Isaac Dragos Classic ManLove Beyond the Marius Brothers 2: Darcy Burke

For all other titles, please visit www.bookstrand.com/joyee-flynn

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com