Caution - Contents under Pressure

Haven 1 Caution: Contents Under Pressure No good deed goes unpunished. Stavion had only been doing his job as an Enfor...

Author: Evans Gabrielle

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Haven 1

Caution: Contents Under Pressure No good deed goes unpunished. Stavion had only been doing his job as an Enforcer, but now he finds himself the leader of his enemy’s old coven. And the position comes with a whole mess of responsibility and stress. Jory can’t believe he’s finally free of his prison. He has friends, clean clothes, and a warm bed at night. He also has a very big, very intimidating vampire claiming to be his mate. Not only does the man scare the hell out of him, but Jory’s not everything he appears to be, and keeping the secret is harder than he imagined. One obstacle after another is thrown in their path to keep them apart. Even Jory seems to be fighting it every step of the way. Stavion isn’t about to give up, though. Jory is everything he never knew he wanted, and he’s determined to have the last word. Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves Length: 38,543 words

CAUTION: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE Haven 1

Gabrielle Evans

EVERLASTING CLASSIC MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK IMPRINT: Everlasting Classic ManLove

CAUTION: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE Copyright © 2011 by Gabrielle Evans E-book ISBN: 1-61034-939-3 First E-book Publication: October 2011 Cover design by Jinger Heaston All art and logo copyright © 2011 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

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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 Ms. Evans’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Ms. Evans’s right to earn a living from her work. Amanda Hilton, Publisher www.SirenPublishing.com www.BookStrand.com

CAUTION: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE Haven 1 GABRIELLE EVANS Copyright © 2011

Chapter One “Stavion, I need your help.” Stavion Shogard pressed his cell phone between ear and shoulder, looked down at the stack of paperwork on his desk, and wrinkled his nose. “What’s up?” “I don’t really have time to explain it all. Cole is missing, Willow is leading us there, and I’ve got the entire damn Moonlight pack from Georgia here. We think Cole’s mother is behind it. Can you start at the house and follow our trail?” Blaise Taylor, the new alpha of the Cloud Peak Pack, spoke quickly, his voice tense and strained as it drifted over the line. Sitting up straighter in his chair, Stavion’s heart pumped with excitement. This was what he was born to do. Not sit behind a desk and pretend to rule a coven. “I’m assuming you’re going to shift.” “Yeah, we’re heading out now. I could really use the backup.” “We’re on our way.” Stavion disconnected, jumped up from his chair, and hurried around the desk. Now, he just had to find his Enforcers. He hated the new estate they lived on—hated the big creaking house. It felt like compound, or a prison. Most of all, he hated being in charge.

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He hadn’t asked for any of this. It wasn’t that he regretted the death of Elder Cyrus Redway, the former coven leader of the Redway Clan. He’d done what he had to do to protect Blaise and the alpha’s mates. He’d done his job. Why the elders had chosen him to take over the coven and clean up Cyrus’s mess, he’d never know. Jogging down the corridor, he was once again reminded of an old, creepy castle, complete with towers, dungeons, and suits of armor lining the passageways. Once he finished sorting through the books and paperwork, his first order of business was to redecorate. The place just gave him the damn willies. Navigating the hallways, he emerged into the west wing corridor and breathed a silent sigh of relief. He’d found it. Even after months in his new home, he was forever getting lost. Hell, he’d yet to even explore the obscene amount of acreage surrounding the main house other than the silos Blaise had asked him to check. Cyrus Redway had been somewhat of a collector. Unfortunately, instead of bobble heads, spoons, or painting, he had collected people. He used them as bartering chips, selling, buying, and trading in whatever sick way would be most useful to him. When Cole’s father died and Blaise took over the pack, the big wolf shifter had immediately launched into finding all the missing paranormals. It was slow work, and they hadn’t had much luck in locating most of the different captives scattered about the country. The trading network had been large, and Stavion imagined it would take months, maybe even years, to find and rescue all the slaves and bring the different packs and covens to justice. Banging his fist against the first door he came to, he started shouting out names. “Raven! Varik! Everyone get your asses out here! Cassius! Demos!” Three doors immediately opened and four large vampires barreled out of the rooms, crouched low and looking for trouble. “What?” Raven asked. If vampires had a ranking system, Raven would be the

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beta. Since they didn’t, he was more just a pain in the ass who was occasionally left in charge. “What’s going on?” Malakai stepped out of his room, looking tired and miserable. It seemed to be his new permanent state of being since his mate had refused him. Stavion needed to find a way to either beat some sense into Boston or snap Malakai out of his funk. “Blaise called, and he needs backup. They’re going after Cole.” Varik stood from his defensive crouch and cocked his head to the side. “Where’s Cole?” Stavion shrugged. “Not sure. We’re going to follow Blaise’s trail from his house.” “Didn’t we just rescue Cole?” Demos scratched the back of his neck and frowned. “As in pretty damn recently.” “Well, it seems trouble finds him. So, are we going, or are we just going to stand around with our thumbs up our butts?” “I vote for the thumb.” With that said, Malakai plodded back into his room and closed the door quietly. “He’s depressing as hell these days,” Cassius mumbled. “He really needs to get laid.” “He’ll be fine.” Stavion spoke with conviction. Malakai had been his friend for years, and he’d do whatever he had to do to make everything okay for the smaller man. “Are we ready?” Demos looked down at his bare chest and cotton boxers. “Really?” Stavion rolled his eyes. “Get your asses dressed and meet me in the entrance hall in ten minutes.” He didn’t wait for confirmation that his command had been heard or would be followed. Turning on his heels, he marched back down the hallway. He only got lost once. ****

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“Around the back,” Stavion ordered, leading the way and keeping close to the side of the house. “I hear voices.” “Basement.” Raven jerked his head toward the open cellar door as they rounded the corner into the backyard. “Who the hell hangs clothes out on the line in the middle of winter?” Stavion glanced to the left, shaking his head at the assorted garments flapping in the cold wind. Shifters were a strange lot. Obviously the ones who lived in this house weren’t very intelligent either. “The Council became suspicious of your father’s experiments. Cyrus arranged for the former alpha of the Cloud Peak Pack to disappear, and Roan took over as leader. He set up a clinic so that he could continue his work under the guise of treating the pack. We knew we were being watched, so we married, had children, and presented ourselves as a normal, happy family.” Stavion didn’t recognize the feminine voice floating up from the basement. He could only assume it was Cole’s mother. He’d heard rumors about Cyrus Redway’s mistress, but he’d never actually met the woman. Unfortunately, he’d had the displeasure of meeting their offspring, however. They were nothing more than a couple of lying, cheating, cruel, and manipulative bastards. “You have got to be kidding me,” a masculine voice mumbled, but Stavion had no problem hearing it. He thought it was Blaise, but he couldn’t be sure. “So, why did you leave?” The cool, crisp voice definitely belonged to Blaise’s mate, Cole. Stavion breathed a sigh of relief that the man was unharmed. He’d only spoken with Cole a handful of times, but he liked the scrappy little shifter. The silence stretched on until it became apparent that Glenna Cunningham wasn’t going to answer her son. Stavion didn’t know all the details or particulars, but from what he’d learned since taking over Cyrus’s clan, he knew enough to piece together the important parts.

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“Because Cyrus needed someone to take care of his children while he tried to overthrow The Council,” Stavion answered Cole’s question as he led his Enforcers down the cement stairs and into the dank basement. “Isn’t that right, Glenna? He needed a keeper for disobedient children.” “Glad you could make it, Stavion.” Cole crossed his arms over his chest, never taking his eyes from his mother as he spoke. “Well, we heard there was a party, and we were invited,” Demos joked from behind Stavion. “You know how we like a good party.” Stavion surveyed the scene, his eyes darting around the basement. Everyone appeared unharmed except for the Redway brothers. One was flat on his back, staring up at the ceiling and muttering under his breath. It was damn creepy to witness. The other one looked like he’d come out on the bad end of a bear attack. Catching sight of the blood marring Talon’s naked chest, Stavion figured he was pretty close to the mark. The big leopard shifter looked relaxed, but his eyes were locked on the white wolf that stalked Glenna. That had to be Talon’s mate and Cole’s brother Jackson. Stavion had never seen the kid shift, but it was the only explanation for Talon’s tense gaze. He didn’t know what the shifters were up to, so he kept his mouth closed and waited. “Who is that?” Glenna squeaked, both hands covering her face as she continued to back away from the group. Cole huffed and took a step closer to his mother. “Your story breaks my heart, it really does.” Stavion smirked at the sarcasm dripping from his voice. “I don’t really give a shit about why you left or how this all began. I just want to know where Willow’s friends are.” Ah, so there was a reason behind all this madness. They were still looking for the missing preternaturals, and Cole seemed to believe his mother knew where to find at least some of them. They already searched the silos on the back of Redway estate for Willow’s missing

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friends. They’d come up empty-handed, though. It had been a hard blow, and Stavion was still frustrated over their lack of progress. The white wolf padded closer to the woman, bumping into her legs and nudging her sideways. Glenna yelped, almost jumping out of her skin as she scrambled away from the touch. “The Redway Clan,” she blurted as her entire body began to tremble. “Did you check the silos?” Blaise asked. “Yeah,” Raven answered before Stavion could open his mouth to respond. “Nothing, man.” “Where are they?” Cole repeated his question in a hard, cold tone, and Jackson butted his head against their mother’s thigh. “There’s a little cabin on the edge of the property. Please, that’s all I know.” “Fuck,” Cassius breathed. Stavion shared the sentiment. He’d seen the cabin of course, but he’d never entered it, never thought to search it. “We’ll check it out,” he assured the alpha. “What do you want us to do with these three?” He pointed between Glenna and her two sons. “Take them to the ICPJ.” Blaise’s tone held steel without even a trace of sympathy. “What? No!” Glenna dropped her hands from her face and blinked her eyes several times before adopting a look of sheer indignation. “You can’t arrest me! I didn’t do anything wrong!” “Maybe not,” Cole muttered. “But you did nothing to stop it either.” “This sucks.” Stavion glanced over his shoulder to see Varik kick the concrete floor with the toe of his boot like a disappointed little boy. “We get here late. Miss all of the fun stuff. Now we have to take some crazy bitch to those old fools at the International Council for Preternatural Justice.” Stavion grimaced. He wasn’t looking forward to it, either, but it was their job. With a heavy sigh, he jerked his head toward Glenna. “We don’t have much time. Raven and Cassius, you two head back

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and check out that cabin on the edge of the property. Call me if you find anything. The rest of you…Let’s take out the garbage.” **** His cell phone began to vibrate in his pocket as he stepped out of the meeting hall after delivering his prisoners to The Council. Pulling it out hurriedly, Stavion’s hands shook a little as he stared at Raven’s name on the display screen. Had they found the missing captives? Or was it just another wild-goose chase that ended in disappointment? “Give me good news, man.” “We found them.” Stavion was struck speechless. While he’d hoped they would, he’d never expected to find the missing men hidden right under their noses. “Stavion, you still there?” “Uh, yeah.” Stavion coughed to clear the gravel from his voice. “How many did you find?” “Thirty-five total.” Raven sounded like he was going to throw up. “They were hidden under the cabin in a small crawl space. We walked right over them a dozen times and almost left. One of them finally got the balls to call out to us. I thought we were going to have to rip up the damn floor until we found a trapdoor in the kitchen pantry.” Stavion rubbed a hand over his face wearily. “How bad is it?” “Bad,” Raven growled. “They’re nothing but skin and bones. They’re scared, tired, hungry, cold—you name it.” His voice dropped lower, and there was a little catch in it when he spoke again. “They’ve been eating bugs and rats, Stavion. This is seriously fucked-up.” “Just get them to the estate and do the best you can. Ask Malakai for help. He’s small and less intimidating. They might respond to him. I’m on my way.” Before he headed off for the Redway estate, he turned and strolled back in through the double doors, his heart sinking when he found the room empty. He led his Enforcers, but he didn’t want to be in charge

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of an entire coven. With so few members left of the Redway Clan, perhaps he could petition the elders to let them join the Snake River Coven. “Ah, Leader Shogard, can I help you with something?” Elder Winters entered from the far side of the room with a bright smile. “You look troubled.” “I want to petition The Council to have the Redway Clan join the Snake River Coven.” There was no sense in beating around the bush. Besides, he didn’t have a lot of time to spare. The sun would be up soon, and there were still things he needed to do before he retired for the day. “Are you sure that’s what you want?” The elder linked his hands together in front of him and tilted his head to the side. “You’re a great leader, Stavion. I think your people will need you now more than ever. Can you honestly say that your old coven leader has a vested interest in these men’s welfare?” Stavion blinked several times. “You heard?” Elder Winters just smirked. “There is not much that I miss.” He regarded Stavion seriously for several seconds and dipped his head. “I will speak with the other elders and have an answer for you shortly. I do hope you reconsider, though.” Stavion dipped his head respectfully. “Thank you, Elder. Anything you can do would be appreciated.” The elf waved away his gratitude with a genial smile. “Don’t thank me yet. I’m still hoping that you come to your senses. I understand the amount of responsibility that your position affords, but there are also benefits. You can do a lot of good as a leader. More so than you could as merely an Enforcer. Think it over, Stavion. I’ll be in touch.” Stavion nodded again and hurried out of the meeting hall. Nothing on earth could make him change his mind. Until he was free of the burden, the elder was correct, though. He had responsibilities that needed his attention, and the sooner the better.

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Chapter Two Huddling on the bed, Jory drew his knees up to his chest and pressed as far into the headboard as he could go. No one had tried to hurt him or force him to do anything he didn’t want to do, but they were just so damn big! He’d never seen men so big before. He was free of his dark, cold, and terrifying prison. He’d been given his own room with a comfortable bed and real food to eat. They’d even allowed him to bathe and given him clean clothes to wear. He was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. While he hadn’t had the greatest life growing up, he’d always thought his parents loved him. And maybe they did. Apparently, they loved money more, though. He hadn’t always been a slave, forced to do the bidding of his “masters” or risk severe punishment. His parents had sold him when he was fourteen—on his birthday. He dared anyone to name a shittier birthday gift. His bedroom door creaked open, and a big man he hadn’t seen before stepped into his room. Jory’s entire body shook violently, and he tightened his arms around his knees. This was it. This was where they forced him into the basement or chained him up outside like a dog. “Hello, little one.” The man’s voice was deep, rich, and silky smooth. He spoke softly, gently, and didn’t move any farther into the room. “I’m Stavion, leader here for all intents and purposes.” Jory couldn’t move. He couldn’t speak. His heart hammered loudly, and the air caught in his constricted airway. Moving his

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mouth, he tried to force sound through his lips, knowing the consequences for disobedience and rudeness. Stavion took a step toward the bed, and Jory finally made a sound. He whimpered. Panic clawed at his insides, but fear paralyzed him. He didn’t like this. How was he supposed to keep himself out of trouble if they didn’t tell him what they expected from him? Why were they pretending to be so nice to him? “Do you have a name?” Stavion still spoke quietly, his voice steady and even. “J–Jory, sir.” “You can call me Stavion, not sir. You are free now, Jory. You have no master and can do as you like. Do you have family? I could call them for you.” Stavion took another step forward, slow and deliberate in his movement, but it didn’t scare Jory quite so much this time. “No. My family doesn’t want me.” A look passed over the big vampire’s face that Jory couldn’t name, and he was terrified that he’d said something wrong. Lifting his head, staring into Stavion’s eyes, he opened his mouth to plead for mercy when the most intoxicating scent hit him like a Mack truck. His stomach tightened, his cock swelled, and his head swam from the warm, welcoming smell. Sniffing at the air, he leaned toward Stavion slightly without realizing he was doing it. A deep rumble echoed around the room, emanating from Stavion’s curled lips. “Mine,” he growled, taking another jerky step forward. The growl, the snarl on his lips broke the trance, and Jory yelped, scrambling backward until he felt nothing but air and somersaulted head over ass off the side of the mattress. “Jory!” Stavion rushed around the bed, dropping to his knees and reaching out to touch him. Crying out, Jory rolled away from the descending hand until he was scrunched beneath the high bed. Stavion didn’t yell or try to

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reach for him like Jory expected him to do. He just sat there, his face hidden from view for a long time. Then, very slowly, he rose to his feet and shuffled across the room. “I would never hurt you, Jory,” Stavion said softly. “The sun is almost up, but I will come see you tonight. Please try to eat something and get some rest.” Jory watched Stavion’s boots travel the rest of the way toward the door and disappear out of it before he finally released the breath he’d been holding. Curling up on his side, he closed his eyes and furrowed his brow as he thought over what had just happened. One thing was for certain. Stavion was his mate. Jory just didn’t know how he felt about that. The big vampire was certainly gorgeous with his pale skin and inky black hair. He hadn’t tried to hurt Jory and had even seemed concerned for Jory’s safety. He was freaking massive, though! And Jory had been told one too many lies in his life for him to just fall into the man’s arms because they were mates. Though, if Stavion decided to claim him, there wasn’t much he could do about it. Naturally small, the starvation he’d endured had only left him weaker. In top shape, he wouldn’t be able to fight off Stavion. In his current condition, he wouldn’t even be able to run away. There was a lot to think about. He wished he could see his friends. Even if they didn’t know what to do to help him, at least he wouldn’t be alone. If Stavion had truly meant what he said and Jory was free now, then maybe he could ask. It had been a long time since he’d been allowed to ask for anything, and the mere thought made his stomach churn painfully. Damn it! He hated being weak. He detested being afraid of everything and everyone. Still, he couldn’t stop the trembling of his muscles as he cowered beneath the bed. Sucking his bottom lip between his teeth to stop it from wobbling as well, he hugged his arms around his midsection and let his head rest on the carpeted floor. He had a lot to think about, but he was so

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damn tired. While part of him feared what would happen if he drifted off to sleep, his mind and body could no longer handle the strain of constant fear, and he was out within seconds. **** Stavion was up and pacing around his room before the sun had even set for the day. Not that he could see the ball of fire since the steel plates that protected them from the harmful rays were still in place over the windows. He hated the house, but the window coverings were a nice touch. Better still, they were set to automatic timers, so even if he forgot, the computer system wouldn’t. They even had not one but two backup generators in the basement in case of a power failure. His entire life was a fucking mess. He had a coven he didn’t want. Malakai could barely function through his depression. Thirty-five starved, beaten, and terrified men now looked to him for help and answers. Then, to put a nice juicy cherry on top of everything, he’d found his mate. And hadn’t that gone well. He couldn’t blame Jory for being frightened, but it hurt when his mate shrank away from him or whimpered in fear when Stavion came too close. The protruding bones, the sunken eyes, and the hollow cheeks broke his heart. Cyrus Redway didn’t deserve the quick death he’d received. No, they should have tortured him slowly before killing him. The effects of the life Jory had been forced to lead were obvious. His hair was dull and limp, his eyes held no kind of light, and his skin seemed almost gray in his pallor. Not a bit of it detracted from his beauty. The sweetest smell he’d ever scented had drawn him to Jory’s room the previous evening. As if in a trance, he’d walked right into that room and had nearly fallen to his knees when he saw the angel sitting on the bed, trembling from the top of his blond head to the tips

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of his tiny feet. Jory was stunning. Once he was back in good health, Stavion imagined he’d be so beautiful it would almost hurt to look at him. “Health.” Stavion snapped his fingers, and a wide grin stretched across his face. They needed to get a doctor. Not only did he want Jory examined from top to bottom, he should probably have the doc see to the other men as well. He felt a little better now that he had a plan, however vague it was. Then another thought occurred to him, and he paused in his pacing and frowned. Would they need a different doctor for different preternaturals? Would one doctor be able to treat all of them? And what kind of doctor would he need for Jory? Ah, hell, he didn’t even know if his new mate was vampire, shifter, hybrid, or human. Surely Jory wasn’t human, but Stavion was beginning to realize that he shouldn’t rule out anything when it came to the entire clusterfuck of a situation. There was a soft beeping then a metallic grinding as the steel plates slid away from the windows. The moonlight filtered into the room, ghosting over Stavion’s pale skin, giving it an almost glowing quality. Excited to have a course of action, he dressed quickly and hurried out of his room in search of his Enforcers. Every part of him wanted to sprint down the corridors and straight to Jory’s room, but there were matters that he needed to attend to before he could go to his mate. Finding his way easily to Raven’s room, Stavion smiled. He was getting better at this. Lifting his hand, he rapped on the door, unconcerned if he was waking the big vampire. To his relief, and a little surprise, the door opened almost immediately, and Raven stepped out into the hallway. He looked like he hadn’t slept all day, and Stavion wondered what burdened the Enforcer’s mind. “You okay, man?”

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Raven nodded curtly. “Yeah. I’m good. I hope to hell you have a plan, because I don’t know what to do about this.” The largest of the Enforcers, a smart-ass, and just as often a troublemaker, Raven secretly held a tender heart. Stavion knew it had to be bleeding after finding those men beneath the cabin. Part of him regretted that it was Raven to find them. The rest of him was just glad that he could count on the man. No one was better suited for the task at hand. “We need to get a doctor in here to look them over and treat them if necessary. We also need some instruction. I don’t know what to feed them or how to take care of them. Hell, I don’t even know if one doctor can treat all of them.” Stavion paused in his frustrated ramble and shoved a hand through his thick, black hair. “Fuck! I’m not even sure what most of them are.” Raven didn’t look quite as concerned. “Well, if they won’t tell us, we can call Cole. He’s got all the information on his computer. Willow’s friends were the only ones not classified.” “That’s another thing.” Stavion sighed, debating how much to tell his friend. In the end, he decided to just spill it all. He could trust Raven, even if he might have to take some playful ribbing for a while. “Jory is my mate.” Raven nodded somberly. “I’m happy for you.” “Yeah, well, he’s scared to death of me. I tried to talk to him last night, and he ended up under the bed, crying like I was going to whip him bloody or something.” Raven winced and shook his head. “They’re scared of their own shadows, man. What Cyrus did was beyond cruel. I can’t imagine ever having to live like that.” Forcing away the unpleasant thoughts, Stavion tried to get them back on task. “Okay, I’m going to call Blaise. Hopefully, he’ll have some insight, and I can get that list from Cole.” “Ask if they’ll bring Willow.”

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Stavion cocked an eyebrow in question. “What does Willow have to do with this?” “He’s friends with Jory, right? I’m sure Jory would like to see a familiar face.” Raven shrugged. “Willow likes you. Hell, he likes everyone,” he added around a chuckle. “Maybe he can put in a good word for you.” Stavion hadn’t thought of that, but he liked the idea. “Okay, I can do that.” He went silent, staring down at the floor and fisting his hands on his hips as he continued to think. “Maybe we can move Jory’s friends to the adjoining rooms. That way they have their own space but are close to each other.” Raven slapped him on the shoulder as they started down the hallway. “Now, you’re thinking. We’ll figure this out, Stavion.” “I hate being in charge.” A deep chuckle echoed around the hall. “Stavion, you have led us for years. Being a coven leader isn’t really much different. It’s just on a slightly larger scale.” Stavion didn’t say anything, but his friend had certainly given him something to think about. Maybe he’d been looking at the situation all wrong. It was true that he’d been in charge of the Enforcers for longer than he could remember. They were more of a team, though. While he had final say, he looked to them for advice and valued their opinions. “Stop it,” came a soft voice from ahead of them. Stavion looked up to find Malakai glaring at him. He was so relieved to see a look other than desolation that he didn’t even mind that Malakai was angry with him. “Stop what?” “I overheard part of it, and I know you well enough to see where your head is at right now. You’re a good leader, and you can do this. These people have all been hurt. I’m not just talking about the captives you found yesterday. Cyrus Redway has destroyed this clan. It needs a special kind of leader to bring it back. I don’t know of anyone more perfect for the job.”

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“Hey, squirt!” Raven ignored Malakai’s monologue and rushed over to lift him off his feet and swing him around in the air. “You finally decide to join the land of the living?” Malakai laughed, the first joyful sound Stavion had heard from him in weeks. “Put me down, you big idiot!” Raven swung him a few more times before depositing Malakai on his feet and ruffling his hair. “Don’t be such a stick-in-the-mud. You’re the only one Stavion listens to, and he’s starting to get on my nerves.” Looking over at Stavion, Malakai crossed his arms over his chest and arched his eyebrow. “Well, we can’t have that, can we?” Stavion grinned like a fool, happy to see his best friend in good spirits for a change. It was great, but they had things to do. He quickly gave Malakai a rundown of his plan, hoping the little vampire would have some insight. “Any preter doctor should be able to treat them all. If I remember correctly, there are seven vampires, twelve shifters, three weres, and an elf. I think Blaise said eight hybrids, and of course, the four unknowns.” Stavion beamed with pride. He wanted to snatch Malakai up and kiss him silly. “I knew there was a reason we kept you around.” Malakai snorted and rolled his eyes. “Don’t kid yourself, Stavion. We only let you pretend you’re in charge.” “Hey!” Stavion crossed his arms in indignation. “I thought you just said I was a good leader.” “I did.” Malakai smirked at him. “You’re an excellent leader…because you have me to tell you what to do.” They continued down the corridor, Stavion chuckling under his breath and filled with relief. Malakai had a point. While Stavion might have the qualities of a good leader, he knew he would be nothing without his friends at his side. A leader was only as good as the council he kept, and he had a damn fine group of advisors.

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As they strolled along, Malakai kept up a constant flow of conversation, outlining exactly what they should do and how they should go about it. It didn’t escape Stavion’s notice that Raven hung on Malakai’s every word. He’d seen the flicker of interest in the Enforcer’s eyes for years, but he just couldn’t imagine the two as a pair. Besides, Malakai had a mate now. It didn’t matter that Boston was too stubborn to claim the vampire—the mating bond was sacred. Malakai would never want another. “Have you ever met the Enforcer that Blaise assigned to the pack in Georgia?” Malakai asked, seemingly out of the blue. Stavion thought it over for a minute and shook his head. “I’ve heard of him. Flynn Murphy is one of the best.” He assumed Malakai was concerned for Boston’s safety. “Your mate will be protected.” Malakai nodded slowly, his eyes taking on a glazed appearance. “He’s Boston’s mate.” There was a sharp intake of breath, and Stavion whipped his head to the side to see Raven staring at Malakai as though he’d grown a second head. “I thought Boston was your mate?” Malakai shrugged. “Cole has two.” Stavion was pleased that Malakai and Cole had become good friends over the past months. “I don’t see why Boston can’t.” “You know that means—” Stavion elbowed Raven in the ribs and shook his head fractionally. Yeah, he knew that meant Malakai also had two mates, but he didn’t think his friend would want to hear that just then. If Flynn refused their mating as well, Malakai would be crushed. Stavion didn’t know if the little vampire would bounce back the next time. “Call the doc, and get Aslan, Kendall, and Galen moved to the rooms around Jory’s.” Stavion spoke briskly, hoping to distract Malakai from Raven’s half-spoken sentence. “I’ll get Blaise on the phone and see about having them bring Willow here.”

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Raven nodded, hurrying away as he dug his cell phone from his pocket. Malakai nodded as well, turning back the way they came. “I’ll wake the others and get them moving. Everything will be fine, Stavion. We’ll figure this out.” With a heavy sigh, Stavion pulled his own phone from his pocket and dialed. It was answered on the second ring, and before Blaise could even say anything, Stavion spoke. “I need your help.”

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Chapter Three Jory was ecstatic. He had his friends with him, and though they were in different rooms, they were close enough that he could visit them whenever he wanted. A small door served as access to Kendall’s room, and from there he could visit Aslan and Galen as well. “Can you believe this?” Kendall asked, bouncing on his mattress and looking around the room with a wide grin. “It’s so nice here, and we don’t have to clean anything. No one comes to visit us at night.” He paused and shuddered at little at that before continuing. “Everyone has been so great. They don’t even hit us!” “And we can go anywhere we want!” Galen piped up with a giddy smile. “They even said we could have whatever we wanted to eat!” “And have you seen the muscles on those guys?” Aslan asked. “Yum!” Jory sat in silence, listening to his friends as they gushed over how improved their lives were. He had to agree, but he still couldn’t help but feel that it was only a short reprieve. Eventually, the Enforcers would realize that Jory and his friends weren’t worth the effort, and they’d either go back to being slaves, or they’d be kicked out. He’d never been on his own. His entire life—even before his parents had sold him—he’d had someone to tell him what to do, when to do it, and how it should be accomplished. He never made decisions for himself, and the prospect made him break out in hives. If he was sent away from the house, he wasn’t sure he knew what to do to take care of himself. His friends were in no better position. “What if they don’t want us to stay here?” he asked, voicing his fear. “What if they’re just being nice until we’re better?”

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“Raven said we could stay here as long as we want,” Kendall said defensively. “But Raven isn’t in charge,” Jory argued. “Stavion is. What if he decides that we’re too much trouble?” He knew Stavion was his mate. He just didn’t know what he wanted to do about it yet. If he continued to push Stavion away, the big vampire would eventually get tired of trying and move on. That was how it worked, right? Either put out or get out? “I don’t think Stavion is like that,” Galen said, his voice soft and dreamy. “He’s not like Mistress Glenna. He’s really nice.” Jory bit down on his tongue to keep from growling. He had no right to his jealousy, but he couldn’t stop it. Stavion was his mate. He belonged to Jory. He didn’t like the way Galen’s eyes went all gooey when he talked about the man. “Well, we’ve been here for a week.” Aslan stood and started pacing the carpet near the door. “They brought a doctor to look at us. They bought us clothes. No one has said anything about us leaving.” “Willow said we could trust them,” Kendall said softly, almost pleadingly. “I don’t want to leave, Jory. I like it here.” Jory held his hands up in surrender. “I never said we had to leave. I just wanted you to be prepared in case it happens.” It had been nice to see his old friend, Willow. The elf looked happier than Jory had ever seen him. Willow told him again and again how great the Enforcers were. Told him he could trust Stavion. Jory wanted to believe it, but so many times he’d believed in something that just ended up getting him hurt. He’d believed in his parents’ love and look where that had gotten him. He believed Mistress Glenna when she said he’d only have to do some of the household chores and nothing more. Then he’d been made one of the personal play toys of her two evil sons. He knew he wasn’t the only one. Willow had been through his fair share of abuse, mostly from Azeal. He wondered if Willow had the same scars as him. Or if Azeal and Remy had forced Willow to attend one of their

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full-moon parties. Though it would be nice to know he wasn’t alone, he prayed not. No one should have to go through something like that. Therein was the problem with being mated to Stavion. If he was to accept it, he’d eventually have to tell his mate the truth. Stavion would see the scars littering his body. He’d probably be disgusted by them—especially when he found out how they came to be there. God, it wasn’t fair! He hadn’t asked for any of those things to happen to him. Now, he had a real shot at a future with a gorgeous man that fate had picked just for him. It would never come to fruition if Stavion found out the truth, though. He’d kick Jory out on his ass so fast it would make his head spin. The best part? Jory wouldn’t blame him one bit for it. No one wanted a mate who was tainted as used goods. “Jory?” Kendall’s quiet voice penetrated the fog of self-loathing, and Jory blinked his eyes, focusing on his friend. “Sorry, honey. I was just thinking.” It was selfish to let his fears and weakness overflow onto the others. “You’re right. We’ll be safe here.” He had to believe it, because it was the only thing left to believe in. “Jory? Jory where are you?” Stavion’s voice filtered through the door connecting Jory’s and Kendall’s rooms. He spoke quietly, but he sounded concerned. Kendall, Galen, and Aslan all circled him, grinning like loons. “Go get him, Jory,” Galen whispered. “He’s really hot.” Jory growled at his friend. “He’s mine!” Galen batted his lashes playfully and made kissy faces. “Well, you haven’t done anything about it. If you don’t want him, I’ll take him.” Jory rolled his eyes and stomped toward the door. He would not be baited. Yeah, he wanted Stavion, but he wanted to protect himself as well. Stavion still scared the hell out of him. Not only because he was enormous, and Jory didn’t know him from Santa Claus, but because he made Jory feel things that he wasn’t sure he was supposed to feel. Stavion made him want things he couldn’t have.

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And just who the hell said he couldn’t have them? His parents? Mistress Glenna? Master Redway or his idiot sons? Straightening his spine and squaring his shoulders, Jory marched through the door and into his room. The minute Stavion turned to look at him, his courage died a painful death. His shoulders sagged, his eyes turned down to look at his feet, and he curled in on himself. “Jory, there you are.” Stavion was always so careful with him. He never spoke loudly, never called Jory names or belittled him. “I wanted to talk to you about something.” Jory swallowed hard, and his heart beat up inside his throat. This was it. This was where Stavion told him he was too much trouble and needed to leave. “I have to go out of town for a few days at the end of the month. Some friends of mine are getting married, and they’ve asked me to attend the ceremony in Georgia.” Jory’s brow wrinkled, but he didn’t take his eyes off his shoelaces. Why was Stavion telling him this? “I was wondering if you’d like to join me. You don’t have to, of course, but I wanted to ask.” Stavion sounded nervous, which was a strange emotion for such a big man. If Jory was that size, he’d never be afraid of anything. No one would ever mess with him. He didn’t say anything. Was it a trick? Was Stavion going to take him to Georgia and leave him there? Maybe he’d just kick him right out of the airplane. Okay, now he was just being stupid, but really. Why would Stavion ask him to go? A deep sigh drifted to his ears. “I’ll let you think about it. Just tell me what you decide. Or you can tell Malakai if you’re more comfortable speaking with him.” Jory liked Malakai. He was a lot less intimidating, and he also happened to not be Jory’s mate, which made it easier to talk to him. Before he could figure out what answer Stavion wanted to hear, the man had left the room, closing the door behind him with a quiet snick.

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“Way to go, spaz,” Jory mumbled to himself. He didn’t want to keep messing things up. Unfortunately, that seemed to be his permanent state of being. **** “I’m sorry,” Blaise said from his seat on the other side of the desk. “I didn’t think to warn Willow not to mention anything to Malakai. I never told him that Boston was Malakai’s mate. He didn’t know.” Stavion sighed and pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes. “I know, Blaise. I’m not mad at Willow.” He didn’t know how anyone could be upset with the little elf. Willow was so full of life. All he wanted was for everyone around him to be happy. He would have never intentionally hurt Malakai, and he’d probably be devastated when he realized that he had. “I’ll talk to Malakai.” “I’m sorry,” Blaise repeated. “I like the guy, and I know this is rough. I don’t know how to help him, though.” “I appreciate it.” Malakai hadn’t seemed overly upset about Flynn being mated to Boston. He’d hidden it well. After the doctor came, checked over the new residents of the house, and left, Malakai had retreated to his room, and no one had seen him since. “I don’t think he’s been eating.” He stared down at the papers on his desk and sighed. “Now there’s this.” Blaise sat up a little straighter. “What’s that?” “A mating contract for Malakai from Nicholas McCarthy.” Stavion scrubbed at his face and groaned. “Malakai’s not mated, Blaise. By law, I have to honor this. He’s my best friend, though. I can’t do that to him. Some of the provisions in this contract are…” He trailed off, unable to finish. One provision of the contract stated that Malakai had to wear a butt plug at all times, day and night, so that he would always be

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“available” to McCarthy. It made Stavion’s stomach churn, but he didn’t know how to fix it. “Stavion, if you don’t honor that contract, you know what can happen. The least of it is them throwing your ass in a cell.” “He’s my best friend,” Stavion repeated. “Yes, but what about Jory?” Blaise gave him a sympathetic look, but Stavion didn’t think anyone could truly understand how he felt. He’d have to choose between a man who’d been like a brother to him for over a hundred years or his new mate. “Jory doesn’t even want me.” He’d known for a while, but it hurt so much more to say the words out loud. “He’s just scared and doesn’t know he wants you. He’s been through hell, and he needs you, Stavion.” “What about Malakai?” Stavion exploded. “I can’t just ship him off to Washington like a piece of fucking property!” Blaise was silent for a few minutes, and when he finally looked up to meet Stavion’s gaze, there was a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Are you going to the wedding?” Stavion nodded slowly, though he didn’t understand what that had to do with Malakai situation. “Yeah, we’re all going.” “Then make sure Malakai is there. From what Jackson tells Cole, Boston is miserable. When he’s not locked in his room, he’s being a complete ass to everyone, including Flynn.” “I don’t know, Blaise. What if it does more damage than good?” The only way to get Malakai out of the contract was for his mates to claim him. He didn’t know if Boston had it in him, though. Blaise actually chuckled. “You don’t know much about shifters, do you?” “Not really,” Stavion admitted. “What are you trying to get at?” “Shifters are possessive, territorial, and basically cavemen when it comes to our mates. Even if Boston doesn’t think he wants to be mated to Malakai, he doesn’t want anyone else with him, either.”

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“That seems a little unfair.” Stavion linked his fingers on the top of his desk and frowned. “Where does that leave Malakai?” Contracted to an asshole in Washington. He didn’t like that thought, so he pushed it away quickly and twirled his wrist for Blaise to continue. Blaise waved his hand. “Boston is young, and from what I understand, he’s had bad associations with vampires. Same goes for Flynn. It’s ingrained in him to want to be with his mates. He won’t be able to fight it forever. I’m just saying we give him a little nudge in the right direction.” Stavion could vaguely see where this was going. He really should learn more about shifters. They seemed more animal than human. “Just because Boston doesn’t want Malakai to be with someone else doesn’t mean he wants him. It sounds more like a spoiled child fighting over a toy then hiding it in the closet where no one can see it.” “I’m not explaining it right, but just trust me. No amount of instinct can make Boston want Malakai. If he sees him with someone else, and really doesn’t want him, he won’t react at all. I don’t think that’s the case, however. I’d recommend someone big enough to stand up to a shifter.” Stavion thought it over for several minutes before a slow smile worked its way across his lips. “A little nudge, right?” Boston wouldn’t claim Malakai right away. The man was much too stubborn for that. Plus, Flynn would have to claim Malakai as well, and the pair hadn’t even met. If Stavion could get the three together, though, he might be able to buy them a little time. Blaise smiled wickedly and dipped his head. “Just a tiny push.” “I know just the man for the job.” He stood from his desk, saw Blaise to the door, then went in search of his friend. The conversation with Malakai didn’t take long. Stavion was surprised that Malakai had actually agreed to let Raven accompany

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him to the wedding. He just hoped it all worked out, and Boston got a good look at what he stood to lose if he kept denying his mate. With one more thing off of his to-do list, Stavion went to talk to his own mate. He didn’t know what good it would do. It wasn’t like Jory every responded. Still, Stavion liked spending time with Jory, even if he did all the talking. Hopefully, if he kept up his nightly visits, Jory would eventually get used to him being there. Maybe he’d even start to relax a little instead of shaking in fear every time Stavion stepped into the room. He gave a precursory knock, then pushed the door open. “Good evening, Jory. Did you eat tonight?” “Yes,” came a whispered response. Stavion was so shocked, he didn’t know what else to say for a minute. Except for a few words when they’d first met, Jory never said anything. Deciding to play it off as if it was a momentous breakthrough, Stavion cleared his throat and smiled. “I’m glad. You’re looking much better.” “Thank you.” Jory sat in the middle of the bed, his legs drawn up under him, and he still wouldn’t look at Stavion. At least he was talking, though. “Have you been sleeping well? Is there anything you need?” “I’ve never had so much.” Jory peeked up from under his lashes as Stavion sat on the bed. “Thank you for helping us.” It was on the tip of Stavion’s tongue to inform his mate that it was his job. While that may have been true, there was more to it than that. He truly liked helping these young men and women. It gave him a sense of purpose to know that he’d done something to make their lives better. “It’s my pleasure,” he decided on instead. “I’m glad that I could help you and your friends.” God, he wanted to touch Jory in the worst way. “Do you remember the talk we had last week?” “About us being mates?” “That’s the one. Do you know what that means, Jory?”

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Jory nodded slowly. “That I belong to you.” He didn’t sound very happy about it either. If Stavion had lived through half of what Jory had, he figured he wouldn’t want to be someone’s property either. “Sweetheart, it’s a lot more than that. Yes, if you’d like, you’ll belong to me. You’re not my slave or a pet, though. You’re my mate. The choice is completely yours. I just want you to be happy.” On one level, the words killed him to say. Stavion knew he meant them, though. Even if Jory didn’t want to be with him, he just wanted to see the little man smile—even once. What he got was an unconvinced snort. “Just like that?” Stavion bit back his sigh and stood from the bed. “Just like that, Jory. I’m not going to force you to do anything. If you want to talk, you know where to find me. I won’t bother you anymore.” He’d give Jory the space he needed. Perhaps if he stuck to his promise, Jory would begin to trust him. At least he’d know that Stavion meant what he said. He didn’t expect a response, so it was no surprise when he didn’t receive one. With one final look at his mate, Stavion stepped through the door and closed it quietly behind him.

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Chapter Four The soft knock on his office door had Stavion looking up from his computer. Figuring it was Malakai coming to complain about attending the wedding again, he groaned quietly before calling for his friend to enter. He understood Malakai’s plight. Really, he did. He just had so much shit to deal with, though. Some days the pressure to live up to everyone’s expectations made him feel like he should come with a warning label. How many more things could go wrong before he completely lost it and exploded? The worst was when it was just the same shit over and over. There were only so many times you could beat a dead dog. “Um, can I talk to you?” Stavion almost fell out of his chair when Jory walked into his office. It had been four days since he’d last seen his mate. He’d made good on his promise and hadn’t gone to Jory’s room again. It had been one of the hardest, most painful things he’d ever had to do, but hopefully it was about to pay off. “Please, come in,” he answered as casually as his racing heart would let him. “Is there something wrong?” Jory shuffled closer to the desk, his head bowed, and his hands twisting together nervously in front of him. “Nothing is really wrong. I just, well, I guess I wanted to say that I’m sorry for the other night.” He took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and finally looked up to meet Stavion’s eyes. “You kept your word. No one has ever done that.” Rising slowly, Stavion walked around the desk and stood in front of Jory. Then he reached out tentatively, took Jory’s hand in both of his, and caressed the knuckles with his thumb. Jory trembled, but he

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didn’t pull away, so Stavion took that as a good sign. “If this is all you ever want to give me, I’ll be happy with that. I just want a chance to get to know you.” “There’s not much to know. I don’t think you’d like me very much.” “How about you let me be the judge of that?” Stavion brought the hand he held to his lips and kissed it gingerly. “There are already a lot of things I like about you. Maybe we can start by just talking.” Jory stared at his hand as though he’d never seen it before. “I think I can do that.” And so they talked. Jory didn’t offer much unless he was asked a direct question, but at least he was trying. And he was looking at Stavion. By the time Stavion walked him back to his room and kissed his hand goodnight, he’d even stopped shaking. “Thank you for being so understanding,” Jory whispered. “Can we talk more tonight?” “I’d love nothing more.” Stavion gave a little bow and an ostentatious twirl of his hand, and there it was. The first smile he’d seen on Jory’s face since meeting the man. It was a small one, barely tugging at the corners of his lips, but it warmed Stavion’s heart. “Sleep well, Jory.” Jory dipped his head and closed the door. **** That was their routine over the next couple of weeks. Stavion would go to his mate’s room, or Jory would come to his office. They’d stay up all night, talking about nothing of importance. Jory was beyond intelligent, and Stavion found himself captivated. They never spoke of the bad things Jory had experienced. Stavion knew they’d have to eventually, but they’d work up to it. Jory was becoming more relaxed with him, smiling often, and he’d actually giggled when Stavion told him the story about how Blaise’s mate,

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Willow, had shifted into a big cat and pinned Raven to the floor. Life was good. It wasn’t perfect, but it was good. Stavion still had to beat back his desire for Jory. It was worth it, but some nights he felt like he would burst with wanting Jory so much. He still had the threat of Nicholas McCarthy hanging over his head—or more to the point, Malakai’s head. They were bringing in beaten and battered survivors at an alarming rate, and Stavion was beginning to wonder where he was going to put all of them. “Maybe you could build more houses,” Jory suggested when Stavion voiced his concerns one night. “You could make this kind of like a community for paranormals with nowhere else to go.” “That’s a great idea, Jory.” Stavion immediately started making plans in his head to speak with The Council and acquire the needed funds for such a venture. It would be unlike any other coven in the world. Anyone seeking refuge would be welcome there. No one would be turned away because of what they were. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became until his enthusiasm overrode good sense, and he grabbed Jory’s face and planted an eager kiss on his lips. The moment their lips met, Stavion froze. Very slowly, he eased away and looked into Jory’s wide, shining eyes. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He wasn’t sorry he’d kissed his mate. He could still taste Jory on his lips, and he wanted more. He was just sorry that he’d done it without Jory’s permission. Jory shook his head back and forth mutely. He looked a little dazed, and he reached up to run his fingers over his lips. Stavion held his breath, waiting to see what Jory’s ultimate reaction would be. When a small, sweet smile spread over Jory’s mouth, he almost passed out in relief. “I like you, Stavion. You startled me a little, but it was nice.” He bit his lip and looked down at his lap. “Can we try again sometime when I know it’s coming?” Slipping his fingers under Jory’s chin, Stavion urged his face up

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and kissed the tip of his nose. “You can have as many as you want. How about I let you make the first move next time?” “Thank you. I’m really glad I met you.” “And I’m glad I met you, sweetheart.” “So, you’re the boss around here, right?” Stavion nodded, but he felt his brow wrinkle in confusion at the change of topic. Was that going to be a deal breaker? It didn’t surprise him that Jory would have issues with people in power. He just hoped he could prove that he wasn’t like those other assholes. “You make decisions and decide who needs to go on what assignments, right?” “The Council will sometimes specifically request one of the Enforcers, but mostly that’s right.” “And you don’t have to go with them?” Jory started fidgeting in his seat, wringing his hands together. He hadn’t done that in several days. His nervousness made Stavion anxious. “No, I don’t have to go with them, but I often do. Sitting around and going through paperwork just isn’t for me.” “Can you not go?” The smile started slow, but spread until Stavion thought it would split his face in two. Jory was worried for his safety. It was a good step in the right direction. “What if I only go when The Council orders it?” Jory’s head tilted to the side, and he looked to be thinking it over. “I feel funny when you’re not here,” he said after a while. “My stomach gets all twisted when I think about you getting hurt. I understand that you have to go when and where the elders tell you to go. Will you please be careful?” Stavion didn’t know if he wanted to laugh with joy, pass out in relief, or sing with hope. So, he settled on a bob of his head and a crooked smile. “Whatever you want, sweetheart. Have you thought more about coming to Georgia with me?” “Umm, I’m not sure yet.”

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Some of Stavion’s happiness deflated, but he tried not to take it personally. “That’s okay. It’s not until next week, so you have plenty of time to decide. If you don’t want to go, I won’t be upset, Jory. It’s completely up to you.” “Do you know how to fish?” And they were back to talking of non-consequential subjects. **** “Have you seen Stavion?” Jory had been searching for his mate since he woke up. He wasn’t in his office, his room, or the kitchen. Jory was reluctant to go outside to search the grounds, but he had peeked out the window. “He left with the other Enforcers as soon as the sun went down,” Kendall answered around the thumbnail he was chewing on. “Cassius said they’d be back before the morning.” “What?” Jory’s heart dropped to the pit of his stomach, and his palms started to sweat. “Where did they go?” “I don’t know where exactly, but I think they found more prisoners. It has to be close if they’re going to be back by sunrise, right?” Kendall was scared, and it only served to make Jory scared. Stavion had told him a little about the various groups of preters that lived around the state. The closest friendly pack to them was the Cloud Peak Pack where Willow lived with his mates. Then there was the Snake River Coven, the vampire coven Stavion had been part of before taking leadership of the estate. The closest pack that could possibly pose a threat to them was a werewolf pack right there in Cheyenne. The thought made Jory sick at his stomach. Though he wanted to voice his concerns, Kendall looked like he was already about to fall apart. “Where are Aslan and Galen?” “Down in the kitchen learning how to cook.” Kendall looked thankful for the change of topic. “They’re really happy here, Jory.”

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“Are you happy?” “Yes,” Kendall whispered and a dreamy smile spread over his face. “I like it here. I like the people here. Did you ever think that life could be like this?” No, he hadn’t. Jory had never dared to hope that his life could be anything other than the nightmare it had been. Stavion was slowly changing his way of thinking, though. The big vampire made it so easy to just let go and relax around him. If Jory didn’t watch himself, he was going to fall hard and fast for Stavion. “Let’s do something fun.” He needed to keep his mind off of the dangers Stavion was facing, and it appeared Kendall needed his spirits lifted as well. Jory didn’t know exactly what was going on with his friend, or why he was so worried, but they both could use a distraction. “What can we do?” Well, that stumped him. What was there to do around the place? He’d yet to explore the entirety of the sprawling mansion. Surely there had to be something, though. “Let’s explore.” Walking along the corridors, looking at the ugly paintings and strange sculptures ate up more time than Jory realized. The place was just so massive. They actually got lost twice. Still, it was an adventure, and some of the stuff in the house was rather fascinating. Jory wanted to crawl inside one of the suits of armor, but he figured that would be frowned upon. Then they made their way to the kitchen and joined in Galen’s and Aslan’s cooking lesson. It was kind of fun, and Jory forgot to worry about Stavion for a little while. They baked cakes, cookies, and brownies. Apparently, the Enforcers had quite the sweet tooth. The sweet, little vampire lady who did all of the cooking for the coven showed them how to make a lasagna, homemade breadsticks, and the proper way to shuck and grill corn. Who knew you could grill corn? “Well, look at you,” came an amused voice from the other side of the kitchen.

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Jory spun around and his heart climbed up into his throat. Stavion had a cut running down the side of his face, his shirt was ripped and covered in blood, and his left eye was bruised and swollen. He had the biggest smile on his face, though. Bounding across the room, Jory didn’t know if he wanted to hug his mate or blacken his other eye. “You promised that you’d be careful,” he accused. “I’m still in one piece, aren’t I?” The smile fell off his face, and Stavion’s words were laced with steel. “This is what I do, Jory. This is my job.” “It’s your job to get your ass kicked?” Jory knew he needed to shut up, but he couldn’t stop. He might pay for it, but he’d been going out of his mind with worry only to have his mate waltz into the kitchen and confirm his fears. “I didn’t get my ass kicked.” Now, Jory had piqued the man’s pride. Fabulous. “You’re a ruler, a leader. You should be here leading stuff.” You should be here with me and not out risking your life. “I should be where I’m needed most. My men needed me, so that’s where I went. At least they seem to like having me around!” Jory jerked back like Stavion had slapped him. “I’m sorry.” He didn’t know what he was apologizing for, but he’d do it over and over if it took that look of Stavion’s face. He knew that particular look well—maybe not from Stavion, but others—and it always ended with him getting hurt. The vampire’s shoulders sagged, and he closed his eyes on a sigh. When he opened them again, the anger had vanished, and he just looked tired. “Come here, Jory.” Jory moved hesitantly, stepping closer to his mate. He bit the inside of his cheek and willed himself not to flinch when Stavion reached out for him. Instead of a slap to the face, his mate’s big hand palmed his cheek gently. “I’m sorry I worried you, and I’m sorry that I yelled. Forgive me?”

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Stavion was asking for his forgiveness? Jory didn’t know what to do with that. No one ever gave a shit what he thought or if they upset him. He was a just a convenient target for irate, muscle-bound assholes. His mate had the muscles, and he’d been pissed, but he wasn’t an asshole. He was the kindest person Jory had ever met. He needed to get that through his head and stop comparing Stavion to those fuckers who’d made it their mission in life to cause him as much suffering as possible. It wasn’t fair to Stavion. Hadn’t he proved himself a man of worth time and time again? Nuzzling the side of his face into Stavion’s palm, Jory gave him a shy smile. “I’m sorry, too.” “Stop. You have nothing to apologize for.” Stavion took a deep breath, and he seemed to be steeling himself for what he was about to say. “I have to go back, baby. We helped some of the alpha’s pack escape. They weren’t bought slaves, but they weren’t treated much better. That was the easy part, though. The alpha and his inner circle are going to have to be brought before the elders to face charges for the things he’s done. We also have reason to believe that his brother is holding slaves in his pack in Kansas.” “Can’t the others do that?” Jory didn’t want to sound whiney and unappreciative of how hard Stavion worked to keep them all safe. He just wanted the man out of harm’s way. “We have time to talk about it,” Stavion said evenly. “We need to obtain more evidence before we go after either of them.” “Do you think they’ll come after you?” “I…” Stavion trailed off and his eyebrows drew together in concentration. “I didn’t think about that, but I can’t rule it out. We’re going to have to be more careful.” “Can you ask The Council for more Enforcers?” Stavion smiled again and caressed Jory’s cheek. “You’re so smart, sweetheart. Unfortunately, we’re stretched pretty thin as it is. I’m not sure there are any Enforcers that can be spared to help guard us.”

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“If we—you are going to turn this place into a refuge, you’re going to need more security. Otherwise, it’s just rounding up the beaten, broken, and abused in one place so that they’re easier to get to.” God, Jory really needed to shut his trap. He was making it sound as though Stavion wasn’t doing his job, but that wasn’t the case at all. He just wanted to make things a little easier for his mate. “You’re absolutely right,” Stavion answered to Jory’s shock. “You have valid and intelligent concerns, Jory. It’s just going to take a miracle to get what we need right now.” Jory had wanted to help, but all he’d done was create more stress for his already overworked mate. Maybe he should just go back to not talking.

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Chapter Five Jory paced his room. It seemed he did a lot of that lately. He felt like a caged animal, prowling across the carpet, restless and frustrated. He missed his mate. His friends had done their best to cheer him up, but he was hopeless. The man had asked him repeatedly over the weeks to accompany him on his trip. Why couldn’t he have just opened his mouth and told Stavion that he wanted to go to Georgia with him? And why did he have to be gone for so damn long? It had been three days since Stavion, Malakai, and the Enforcers had departed just after sunset. The wedding couldn’t have lasted for more than a few hours. What did he possibly have to do for longer than that? An absurd jealousy bubbled up inside him, and Jory growled to the empty room. He was being unreasonable and just a little ridiculous. He knew it, but it did nothing to calm him. What if Stavion found someone else while he was away? What if he was tired of putting up with Jory and his inability to so much as look at the vampire? “Fuck!” He screamed the word loud enough to shake the windows. Maybe he should just leave. He didn’t want to stick around and see Stavion with someone else. But what if Stavion didn’t return? What would happen to him then? Would he still be allowed to stay? With a defeated sigh, he flopped back on his bed and stared up at the white, textured ceiling. “What am I going to do?” “Well, you could eat, for starters,” Kendall said as he waltzed into the room carrying a tray laden with food. “Tomato soup, grilled

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cheese sandwiches, and warm chocolate pudding. All of your favorites.” Jory pushed himself up on his elbows and gaped at his friend. “How did you know that?” Kendall stuck his tongue out and placed the tray on the bed beside him, then folded himself onto the floor beside the bed with his legs crossed in front of him. “Believe it or not, I actually listen when you talk.” Guilt swamped him, and Jory pushed up to a sitting position, careful to not upset his tray. “I didn’t mean it like that. Thank you, Kendall.” “So, do you want to talk about it?” “Not really.” “How about you tell me anyway? You’ve been avoiding everyone, and you stay cooped up in this room. Have you even showered since he left?” Jory pulled his tray to his lap and picked up half the sandwich. He took a bite and chewed slowly as he thought over what to tell his friend. “I miss him. And yes, I’ve showered, smart-ass.” He looked down into his soup and sighed. “I don’t know how to be with him. I don’t know what to say, and I’m afraid I’ll screw up and get sent away.” “You’re afraid of him,” Kendall said simply. “Yes and no. I mean, he’s so big, and we don’t exactly have great experiences with men his size. I don’t think he’d really hurt me, though. I guess I’m more scared that he won’t want me.” “That doesn’t make any sense.” Kendall shook his head, his blond curls bouncing around his face. “You’re scared that he wants you but scared that he doesn’t want you? I think he’s a nice guy.” Setting his tray aside, Jory rose from the bed and began pacing the room again. “He is a nice guy—almost too nice. That’s what worries me. It’s like he’s too good to be true. No one is ever nice to us unless they want something.”

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Kendall snorted. “Again, you’re not making any sense. As big as that man is, he doesn’t have to be nice to get what he wants.” He had a point. In the three weeks since meeting the man, Stavion had never once made any type of aggressive move toward him. He hadn’t raised his voice. He didn’t growl or demand things when Jory refused to look at him or speak to him. In fact, he seemed almost sad about it. He stopped pacing and stared at Kendall. “What do I do?” “I can’t decide that for you. I will say this, though. You have a real shot at being happy. No one can force you. It’s something you have to want.” He rose to his feet and crossed the room to wrap Jory up in a gentle hug. “Do you want it bad enough?” He did. He wanted it more than anything, and he wanted it with Stavion. “What happens when he finds out what I am? I mean, I have to tell him, right?” Kendall released him and cupped his cheeks in both hands. “Yes, you have to tell him, and the sooner the better, my friend.” “What if he hates me?” Kendall smiled and kissed his forehead. “He won’t hate you. Just tell him.” Jory didn’t think it would be that easy. Kendall, Galen, and Aslan were the only ones who knew his secret, just as he was the only one who knew theirs. They hadn’t even confided in Willow. “Hey, it’s going to be fine.” Kendall released his face and took a step back. “I hope one day I find my mate and can be happy. We so deserve it after the shit we’ve been through.” “We do deserve it. You more than anyone.” He loved Kendall like a brother and hoped he would find his happy-ever-after. “I’m going to try to sleep. Do you know when everyone is supposed to be back?” Kendall shook his head. “Cassius said they’d be back by the end of the week. He didn’t give an exact date, though. I have his number if you want to call and talk to Stavion.” Jory shook his head. While he wanted his mate home, he still had

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some thinking to do and some courage to find. “Thanks for cheering me up. I’ll talk to you later, okay?” He waited for Kendall to exit the room before moving back to his bed. He ate quickly to appease his snarling stomach but didn’t really even taste the cooling food. Then he sat his tray outside his door for the staff to pick up. After stripping out of his clothes, he crawled into bed and snuggled under the blankets. He wanted Stavion home, but part of him hoped he had a few more days to figure out what to do. **** “Damn, it’s good to be home.” Stavion smiled and slapped Demos on the shoulder. He couldn’t agree more. The wedding had been nice. He enjoyed talking to his friends. While Malakai hadn’t worked everything out with his new mates, he’d agreed to stay and give them a chance. Stavion couldn’t be happier. He’d missed Jory, though. Maybe the time away had allowed Jory to process and think about his new life and what he wanted from his future. Maybe he’d even missed Stavion…just a little. “Go check on Jory.” Varik chuckled as he walked up behind them. “I know you want to, man.” Stavion grinned. “Yeah, I do.” Jory was probably sleeping, but he needed to see his mate and make sure he was safe. Hurrying through the hallways, he traveled the same path he’d taken a hundred times since the night he’d met Jory. Sometimes in the beginning, he’d find himself just pacing up and down the hallway in front of Jory’s door, just happy to be that close to his mate without the man jumping out of his skin. How damn pathetic was he? He lifted his hand to knock, but a loud cry had him barging into the room, crouched low and prepared for an attack. There was no one there, though. An amber glow filled the room from the small bedside

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lamp, but the corners remained dark. Rising from his defense stance, Stavion darted his eyes about the room and lifted his head to sniff at the air. He caught a lingering trace of Kendall’s scent, a smell he was becoming very familiar with. The only other scent in the room was Jory’s, and it made Stavion want to purr. His cock twitched in interest, the gums around his canines itched as his fangs threatened to elongate. He held them back by sheer will. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten his mate. Once he was satisfied that they were alone in the room and there was no threat, his eyes focused on the bed. Jory whipped his head back and forth, his hands clenching and releasing the blankets over and over as he struggled and whimpered. He’d probably regret it later when Jory woke up and looked at him with fear, but Stavion couldn’t stand to see his mate in distress. Hurrying over to the bed, he eased down on the side of the mattress and gripped Jory’s shoulders, giving him a gentle shake. The man went wild. His arms flailed, his feet kicked, and his screams rose in volume until Stavion thought they’d shatter his eardrums. “Jory! Wake up!” He shook a little harder, trying to snap Jory out of whatever nightmare he was trapped in. Jory’s soft green eyes flew open, locking with Stavion’s, and his body stilled and tensed beneath Stavion’s hands. His mouth worked, opening and closing, but he emitted no sound. Pulling his hands away slowly, Stavion didn’t have a clue what to do next. Every cell in his body ached to pull the man into his arms and comfort him. From the look of terror on Jory’s face, he knew it wasn’t a possibility, though. “It was just a dream. You’re safe here.” He spoke softly, just barely more than a whisper. Jory’s eyes widened, shimmering in the light with unshed tears. His lower lip began to tremble, his breathing sped, and his small frame started to shake violently. Stavion couldn’t bear to see the look

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directed at him for another second. He went to rise from the bed, but before he could move, he found himself with a lapful of his very naked mate. Jory’s arms went around his neck, clinging to him tightly. He wiggled around in Stavion’s lap, pressing himself closer and burying his face in Stavion’s neck. “You came back,” he whispered. Stavion’s chest swelled and his heart soared. He wrapped Jory up in his arms, pulling him even closer, and kissed the top of his blond head. “Of course I came back. Where else would I go, little one?” Jory just shook his head and pressed his face more firmly into Stavion’s throat as he continued to shudder. Though he didn’t think the shivering had anything to do with the temperature in the room, Stavion stood with Jory still wrapped around him, and pulled the top blanket from the bed to cover his mate. Then he eased back to the mattress and tucked the corners around Jory’s shoulders as he rocked him side to side. “You came back,” Jory repeated after several minutes of silence. Stavion didn’t know why the man sounded so shocked, and just then, he didn’t care. He finally had his mate in his arms. Jory fit so perfectly, as though he was made to be there. Resting his cheek against the top of Jory’s head, Stavion stroked his silky locks and began to hum a made-up tune. He didn’t know what possessed him to do it, but it seemed to work. It took only minutes for Jory’s tense muscles to relax and his breathing to even out. His arms slipped from around Stavion’s neck and down to his chest where they fisted in his cotton shirt. Stavion continued to rock his mate for a long time after Jory had fallen asleep. He didn’t want to let go, but the sun would be up soon. He also wasn’t sure what to expect when Jory woke up. Had he sought Stavion’s comfort because of his nightmare? Did he even know that he’d done it? With a heavy heart, he eased Jory from his lap and down to the mattress, careful not to wake his sleeping mate. When he tried to pry

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Jory’s hands from his shirt, though, the man clutched at him tighter. “Don’t go,” Jory whispered, not opening his eyes. “Please, stay with me.” Stavion knew he’d probably hate himself for it later, but it was exactly what he wanted to do. He never wanted to be away from Jory. Besides, how could he resist such pleading? “Let me get my boots off, baby.” The endearment slipped past his lips without thought, and Stavion tensed, waiting for Jory’s reaction. He didn’t expect the soft smile that tilted the corner of the man’s lips, but it gave him hope. Jory released his shirt, though hesitantly, and Stavion set about removing his boots and his clothes. He left his boxers on and crawled under the blankets, almost choking when Jory immediately moved to snuggle against his chest. “You came back,” Jory said for the third time. “I missed you, Stavion. I’m so glad you’re home.” Gathering his mate in his arms, Stavion held him tightly as tears stung the corners of his eyes. He didn’t know what had changed in his absence, but he’d be forever grateful for it. “I missed you, too, Jory.” Stavion sighed, kissed the top of Jory’s head, and closed his eyes. He heard the steel plates slide over the windows just before he drifted off into the first peaceful sleep he’d had in weeks. **** The grinding of the metal over the windows woke him. Jory blinked open his eyes and smiled as the moonlight bathed his face in a white glow. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept for so long and without nightmares. He imagined the warm body pressed against his back had something to do with it. Turning slowly, he wiggled around until he was facing his mate and snuggled against his chest, inhaling deeply. Sweet mercy, the man smelled like heaven. Doubts, reservations, and uncertainty crept in on his happiness, but he beat them back ruthlessly. It might not work out.

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It might end in disaster. He’d never know for sure unless he gave them a chance. Nuzzling against Stavion’s warm throat, he sniffed over and over, loving the sweet smell. It reminded him of the vanilla bean ice cream he’d been fond of as a child—cold and sugary. Hesitantly, he reached up with shaking hands, pressing just his fingertips to Stavion’s chest and skimming them over the man’s pectorals. Oh, the skin was so soft. Jory couldn’t find one single imperfection, and it was incredibly smooth—no hair at all. Curiosity had him brushing his hand lower until he reached the waistband of Stavion’s boxers. He wondered if the big vampire was bare all over. Sucking his bottom lip between his teeth, he traced one finger back and forth along the top ridge of the waistband, unsure of how to proceed. Stavion was his mate, so surely that meant he was free to explore as he wanted, right? Then again, maybe it would be rude to do it without permission. Jory had never initiated sexual contact, and he certainly never had a mate. He was unclear on the rules and boundaries. He didn’t want to wake Stavion to ask, though. The man still made him nervous, and he was enjoying learning his mate’s body without anxiety that he would do something wrong. If Stavion was sleeping, he couldn’t be disappointed. With a shaky breath, he dipped two fingers into the waistband to brush over the skin on Stavion’s lower abdomen. Just as he’d expected, it was as smooth as the rest of the vampire’s body. He paused and bit his lip again. Should he continue? Jory pushed his fingers just a bit lower until the tips brushed over the base of Stavion’s cock. He sucked in a deep breath and choked down a groan when he found it hard and warm to the touch. His own dick responded, filling and swelling in record time to press against Stavion’s belly. Ghosting his fingers along the engorged length of Stavion’s cock, Jory swallowed hard when it seemed to go on forever. The man was

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hung like a damn horse, and Jory wanted to see it. He didn’t want to move, though. So, instead, he settled for tracing the pulsing vein that snaked along the top of the shaft then ran his finger around the slight ridge of the mushroom-shaped crown. Tentatively, he moved farther along the head, squeezing it very lightly between his thumb and forefinger. His thumb moved closer to the tip, barely skimming the smooth skin, and he gasped when he encountered wetness. Rubbing his thumb over the leaking slit and smearing the pre-cum over Stavion’s cockhead, Jory wondered if the man tasted as good as he smelled. He was still debating wrapping his lips around the monster cock when a deep groan rumbled up from Stavion’s chest. Jory froze, unable to move as fear paralyzed him. His fingers stilled in their exploration, his spine stiffened, and his muscles locked down. Would Stavion be pissed? Would he send him away now? Stavion moved his head, nuzzling his cheek over the top of Jory’s head. “Feels good, baby.” Jory leaned back, but couldn’t force his eyes up, so he stared at Stavion’s chest as he spoke. “You’re not mad?” Long fingers slid under his chin and tilted his head up with gentle pressure. He was surprised to find Stavion smiling. “I woke up to a gorgeous man in my arms. Why would I be angry?” “You think I look okay?” Jory blurted as his eyes rounded. He knew he was as naked as the day he was born, but maybe Stavion hadn’t been able to really see his body in the dim light. Stavion bent very slowly and brushed his lips over Jory’s. The simple contact had his cock throbbing and a needy whimper escaping his parted lips. “Wow,” he breathed when Stavion pulled away. He’d had his body used in a number of ways, but no one had ever kissed him before. He liked it. He liked it a lot, and hoped he’d be getting a lot more of those soft kisses. Chuckling under his breath, Stavion pressed their lips together again, a little more insistently this time, and Jory’s body ignited and

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his skin burned. “You are much more than okay,” Stavion whispered against Jory’s lips. “You are so beautiful that you take my breath away.” No one had said anything so sweet to him. He’d been told he was “hot.” Some had commented on his firm ass. No one had ever told him he was beautiful, though. “It’s okay for guys to be beautiful, right?” Stavion’s lips whispered over his cheeks, his eyes, and up to brush over his forehead. “Yes, baby. It’s definitely okay.” Jory melted even as his heart kick-started and tripped into overdrive. Why had he been so afraid? Stavion was the kindest, most perfect man he’d ever met. His insides felt all gooey when Stavion called him “baby.” The large hand that rested on his hip made him feel safe. It also made his skin burn and his cock throb. He didn’t think Stavion would ever hurt him, but then again, he hadn’t screwed up yet. Extracting his hand from Stavion’s boxers, he moved it to rest over his mate’s heart. It was beating so fast and so hard Jory could feel it against his palm. He didn’t know what it meant, and it scared him. “It’s beating so fast,” he whispered, hoping he wasn’t doing something wrong. Stavion placed his hand over Jory’s and pressed his more firmly against his chest. “This,” he murmured. Then he wrapped his fingers around Jory’s hand and guided back down to his swollen cock, pressing Jory’s palm against it through the thin cotton. “This,” he said again. Then he removed Jory’s hand, turned it slowly, and pressed it against Jory’s heart. “Is because of this. You can’t begin to imagine how much I want you. I don’t want to push, though. I’ll give you as much time as you need.” Jory swallowed loudly as tears blurred his vision. Stavion wanted him, but he wasn’t forcing himself on him. He was willing to wait, to give Jory the time he needed to be comfortable. Hell, he wasn’t even asking for anything in return.

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“Please say something.” Stavion sounded just as worried as Jory felt. “I don’t want you to be afraid of me, Jory. I would never— ever—hurt you, not even by accident. I’ll do everything I can to make sure you’re safe and happy.” Well, that did it. The tears he’d been fighting overflowed, spilling over his cheeks and running down the sides of his face. He sniffled and hiccupped as he pressed his lips together to keep from sobbing. He reached his hand up but paused before he made contact with Stavion’s face. He reached a little farther and stilled again. It took him several tries, and by the time his palm rested over Stavion’s cheek, his hand was shaking so badly it vibrated his mate’s face. Stavion didn’t seem to mind, though. He closed his eyes and sighed, turning his head slightly so that he could rub his cheek against Jory’s palm. His warm fingers curled around Jory’s hand, holding it in a loose grip. Then he turned his head a little more and placed a tender kiss right over the pulsing vein in his wrist. “I’ll give you anything you want, Jory. We can take as much time as you need. I just want you close to me.” Steeling his courage and taking a chance, Jory voiced his first desire in almost five years. “I like it when you call me baby. Will you please call me that again?” Stavion’s eyelids fluttered open, and he smiled bright enough to rival the sun, his white teeth gleaming in the moonlight. Very gently he brushed the hair back from Jory’s face and kissed the tears from his cheeks. “My baby,” he whispered. Jory liked that even more. His heart felt like it was going to beat right out of his chest and his stomach did flips and loops, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. His first request had gone well, so he hoped he had as much success with the second. “Will…Will you kiss me again? I like the way you kiss me.” Stavion cradled the back of Jory’s head in his large hand as he placed tiny kisses along Jory’s cheek and down to the corner of his

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lips. “You never have to ask for a kiss.” He pressed their lips together, gentle at first, then with more pressure. Jory gasped when he felt his mate’s tongue tickle the seam of his lips. His sudden intake of breath allowed Stavion to slip inside, his tongue brushing against Jory’s, stroking it and encouraging him to respond. Moaning softly, Jory’s arms moved around Stavion’s neck as if by instinct, and he opened wider, pushing himself closer to his mate. Stavion kept the kiss gentle, licking at the inside of Jory’s mouth in slow, languid glides of his tongue. Jory wanted more. He tightened his arms and rocked his hips, his brain short-circuiting as Stavion continued to make love to his mouth. His cock ached, his balls churned, and his whole body felt like it was on fire as he rubbed his dick over Stavion’s muscled stomach. Oh, he liked kissing. There was something so intimate about the act. While he didn’t have anything to compare it to, it had to be the best kiss in the history of kisses. Stavion knew exactly what he was doing. Every caress of his tongue stoked the embers in Jory’s belly until he thought he’d combust from them. Stavion’s other hand gripped Jory’s chin, tilting his head slightly and taking the kiss deeper. Jory went off like a bottle rocket. His body stiffened, his cock pulsed, and a low groan flowed from his mouth as he coated Stavion’s stomach with his semen. It was complete euphoria for about three seconds before Jory realized what he’d done. A quiet growl rumbled in Stavion’s chest, and he went completely still. Jory jerked out of his mate’s arms and scrambled backward until he fell off the bed. Knowing it was useless to run, he curled into a ball and wrapped his arms around his head. Things had been going so well. Why did he have to go and fuck it up? “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Please, I’m so sorry.”

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Chapter Six Stavion’s heart shattered in his chest as he listened to Jory apologize over and over. He should have taken things slower. But, God, Jory tasted so good, and he hadn’t been able to help himself. The fact that Jory had erupted with nothing more than a kiss was the sexiest thing Stavion had ever witnessed. It was such a turn-on, he’d been damn close to following Jory right over the edge. Throwing his feet over the edge of the bed, he slipped to the floor and kneeled beside his distressed mate. He rested his hand on Jory’s shoulder, but pulled it back when the man flinched beneath his touch. “I’m sorry, Stavion. I’m sorry. Please, I didn’t mean to.” The sobs wracking his body shook his small frame with such violence, Stavion thought he’d die as he watched it. “Jory, sweetheart, look at me.” When Jory just shook his head, Stavion made a snap decision that he hoped wouldn’t backfire and blow up in his face. Settling his back against the side of the bed, he scooped Jory into his arms and held him tightly as the man fought against him. “Hush now, baby. Everything is okay.” He stroked Jory’s hair, his back, every part of him he could reach as he tried to calm and comfort the smaller man. “I’m not mad. I would never hurt you, remember?” He kept talking, keeping his voice quiet and soothing as he held his mate tight to his chest. Eventually, Jory’s struggles receded and suddenly, he was clinging to Stavion with a strength that belied his small stature. His sobs quieted as well, though his lean muscles still quivered and quaked beneath Stavion’s hands. His little face buried into Stavion’s throat, and Jory wiggled

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around until he could lock his legs around Stavion’s waist. They sat that way for a long time, neither saying a word. There were so many things Stavion wanted to ask—so many things he needed to say. They could wait, though. Comforting his mate was more important that assuaging his curiosity. He continued skimming his fingers over Jory’s slim back long after the man had settled. The corners of his mouth turned down at the bumps and welts he encountered. The skin was raised and puckered in dime-sized circles in places. The more he explored, the more his gut tightened and bile rose up in his throat. It took every ounce of willpower to keep his mouth shut and not ask where the scars had come from. He had a pretty good idea, but he wanted Jory to trust him enough to tell him the story. That trust wasn’t there yet, but he hoped one day soon. “Not so beautiful now, am I?” Jory murmured against his neck. Stavion squeezed his eyes closed against the pain in his heart. “You will always be beautiful to me.” While the marred skin made him sick with what his mate had been through, it in no way detracted from his beauty. He only regretted that such horrible things had happened to the man. It didn’t matter that he’d only just met Jory. A part of him died inside that he hadn’t protected his mate from the cruel hands of Cyrus Redway. “I didn’t mean to do that, Stavion. I’m so sorry. Please don’t be disappointed in me. I’ll do better. No one has ever kissed me before, and it was so amazing.” Jory rambled on and on, but Stavion had stopped listening. He didn’t know how much more his heart could take. Every new discovery he made about Jory was both amazing and painful. How the man could even function after what he’d been through was a miracle in and of itself. “You’ve never been kissed before?” Jory tensed again, but only briefly before he relaxed against Stavion’s chest. Stavion took it as a good sign, and hope blossomed

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inside him. “Well, I have now,” Jory said, and Stavion could hear the smile in his voice, feel his mate’s luscious lips stretch over his throat. “Smart-ass.” Stavion chuckled and kissed Jory’s temple so the man would know that Stavion was pleased and he wasn’t being reprimanded. “Did you enjoy it?” It was a stupid question, but Stavion wanted to hear Jory’s voice again—especially now that it wasn’t filled with fear. Besides, he hoped the little man would become more comfortable voicing his wants and dislikes. Jory leaned back a little and insinuated his hand between them, dipping his fingers in the drying semen on Stavion’s stomach. It took everything in him not to growl at the hesitant touch. Then Jory lifted his fingers and held them to Stavion’s mouth as he gazed up at him with apprehension in those pale green eyes. “What do you think?” he spoke so softly, and if not for his vampire hearing, Stavion wouldn’t have heard him. Unable to bear the uncertain look in his mate’s eyes another moment—and because he really wanted to know what Jory tasted like—Stavion opened his mouth and bent his head to capture Jory’s fingers in his mouth. The taste of his mate’s cum exploded over his taste buds and made his head spin. Sweet and salty, a bit earthy—he’d never tasted anything so divine. He couldn’t stop the muffled groan or the swelling of his cock as he swirled his tongue around the digits in his mouth. He wanted more of the sweet nectar but held himself in check, leashing his desire in a chokehold. He blinked open his eyes, and he almost wished he hadn’t. The burning desire in Jory’s eyes was captivating, but it also made his cock throb painfully and his balls draw tight to his body. Jory licked his lips, his nostrils flared, and Stavion whimpered pathetically. Letting Jory’s fingers slip from his mouth, he felt trapped by his mate’s stare. He couldn’t have looked away if the room was on fire. He’d waited hundreds of years to find his mate—his sunshine. Jory wasn’t without his issues, and it would be a slow and winding road to

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navigate, but Stavion didn’t mind. Jory was perfect and well worth the wait. “I need to tell you something.” Stavion nodded slowly. If the quivering of Jory’s lip was any indication, it wouldn’t be a happy secret. “You can tell me anything.” “I’m scared,” Jory whispered as his chin dropped to his chest. “You won’t want me after I tell you.” Sliding his hand up the smooth column of Jory’s throat, Stavion cradled his chin and lifted his face. “There is nothing you can tell me that will make me not want you.” Jory didn’t look convinced, but he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I know you’ve been wondering what I am. The doctor couldn’t figure it out, either. He asked me, but I was too scared to tell him, so I just said I was human. Obviously, I’m not human, or I wouldn’t know that you’re my mate.” Stavion placed his hand over Jory’s mouth to stop his nervous rambling and smiled. The guy really was adorable. “Just tell me, sweetheart. I promise I won’t be mad, and I swear I will still want you no matter what.” Nodding once, Jory looped his slender fingers around Stavion’s wrist and removed the hand from his mouth. “I’m a hybrid. I am part human, so I didn’t really lie about that.” He took another deep breath and closed his eyes, speaking without opening them. “I’m an Aíma Demon.” Stavion dipped his head in acknowledgement as the smile slowly slid from his face. He understood why Jory had been afraid to tell him. Demons of all kinds had a bad rap—mostly because of the Arsidians. The soul-sucking demons were vicious, manipulative, and just plain evil. Not all demons were created equal, though. Lifting Jory’s hand, Stavion skimmed his fingers along the soft skin of his mate’s arm and sighed. The flesh was riddled with scars as well as three new slash marks. It appeared as though no one had ever educated Jory about his nature.

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“Baby, first thing I want you to know is that I’m not mad, and I still want you very much.” He ignored Jory’s gasp of surprise and continued. “I need to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?” Jory bobbed his head as he gazed at Stavion in relief. “I’ll tell you anything.” “Do you know what it means to be an Aíma Demon?” Jory shook his head and frowned. “I need blood. That’s all I really know.” That was something else they’d have to discuss. Stavion didn’t know who was donating the blood, but from that moment on, it stopped. He would be the only one to give his mate what he needed. “That’s because an Aíma is a blood demon. Aímas really aren’t much different than vampires.” Many of the blood demons were even able to live among covens because they were so much alike. There were only two real differences. “You know you can go out in the daytime.” Jory nodded again, but remained quiet this time. “You need blood to live like I do—like a vampire. When I take blood, I absorb it into my body where it nourishes me. It’s like putting fuel into a car. My body uses the blood until it’s gone, and then I will have to feed again.” “Okay, so how is that different than me?” “Think of your body more like a bathtub.” It was a strange analogy, but Stavion really couldn’t think of a better way to explain it. He held Jory’s wrist loosely and brushed his thumb over the scars. “You fill your body with blood, and it does its job. If you were in a bathtub, you’d fill it with water and clean your body. When you finish, you have to drain the water. Your body works the same way. The blood cycles through your body and mixes with the water, causing it to double in volume. It can be very painful.” Jory bobbed his head solemnly. “It does hurt. That’s why I do this.” He looked down at the scabbing wounds on his forearm. “It’s like this big pressure building up inside of me until I feel like I’m going to explode. When I cut myself and bleed, it lessens a little.”

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“It’s not enough, though.” “No.” Jory looked up and sighed. “It hurts so much. It never stops hurting, but sometimes it hurts just a little less.” “That’s because cutting yourself isn’t the answer.” Stavion grinned and kissed the tip of Jory’s nose. “It’s very lucky for you that you’re mated to a vampire. You need someone to feed from you, baby.” Jory looked excited as he bounced in Stavion’s lap. It lasted only a moment before he stilled and tilted his head to the side, though. His eyebrows drew together, and he pursed his lips. He looked so cute that Stavion wanted to kiss him. So he did. “What about Aímas who aren’t mated? Or young ones? I’ve been cutting myself since I was about nine. Are we supposed to live with the pain until we find our mates and just hope that they’re vampires?” “Those are really good questions, baby.” Stavion brushed a stray lock back from Jory’s face and beamed with pride. His little mate was so smart. “I’ve never seen a baby Aíma or met an adult with children. So, I really can’t say what they do for the little ones. The older demons that I’ve met have saunas built in their homes. Once or twice a week they will sit for hours inside the room and purge their bodies of the excess.” Stavion wrinkled his nose. “It’s kind of gross, and it can be scary if you don’t know what’s going on. The blood seeps through their pores.” “They sweat blood? I mean, I sweat blood?” Jory grimaced and shuddered a little. “Yeah, that does sound really gross.” Stavion chuckled. “Right now you’ll probably sweat rivers of blood. Normally, you will only sweat water, though. We just need to rid your body of the excess to get you healthy. I think most of your scars will fade as well.” “They will?” Jory looked at Stavion with so much hope, Stavion prayed he was telling the truth. “Remember how we talked about that bathtub? Well, if you don’t drain the water, after a while it will go stagnant and even get pretty

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disgusting.” He stroked Jory’s cheek with his knuckles. “That’s what’s happening in your body right now. Once you get rid of all the bad blood, your body will be able to heal itself.” “You can’t drink from me,” Jory said sternly. Stavion blinked in surprise, but his mate continued before he could speak. “You might get sick, and I don’t want that to happen. I will sit in a sauna and get all this icky blood out of me. Then we can start over and go from there.” Stavion hadn’t really thought about that. “Smart and sexy,” he purred. “What will I do with you?” “Be patient with me,” Jory pleaded. “I’m trying really hard, but part of me is still scared and unsure. I really like you, though. I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything. So, please, just don’t give up on me.” “How about I let you take the lead? We’ll go at your pace, and you call the shots. I’ll be right here with you the whole way.” Jory smiled and nodded eagerly. It was a good look for the man, and Stavion hoped he saw it more often. Jumping up from his lap, Jory rested his hands on his nude hips and looked around the room as though searching for something. “Okay, where’s this sauna doohickey?” Chuckling under his breath, Stavion rose to his feet as well and took his mate’s hand. “I’ll have one built as soon as possible. For now, I think I have an idea.” Jory stared at him for a full minute before nodding. “I trust you, Stavion. I hope you deserve it.” Stavion pulled Jory to his chest and kissed the top of his head. No one would ever lift a finger to his mate in anger again. He’d destroy anyone who so much as looked at Jory in aggression. The little man would never want for anything as long as he lived. Stavion would shower him in gifts and attention every day and never grow tired of it. “You can trust me, Jory.” He’d do whatever it took to prove it.

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**** Stavion was right. It was completely and utterly the most disgusting thing Jory had ever witnessed. Goody for him that it was his body that looked like something out of a cut-rate horror flick. He had been inside the huge shower for almost an hour. Not only was his skin covered in blood as it oozed out of his pores, but he was beginning to turn pruney from the steam. Stavion had placed him in a plastic chair in the back corner of the shower that was big enough to hold at least four grown men. Then he pointed the showerhead straight down, turned off the jets lining the shower wall, started the hot water, and closed the glass door. However gross and boring it was, Jory wouldn’t complain. He felt better than he had in years. No longer did he feel like he was burning alive. The pressure that had been steadily building inside of him was vanishing, and he could really breathe for the first time in so long. “Stavion!” Jory understood that his mate had responsibilities as a coven leader, but he wished the man could stay with him. He was still a little nervous around the big vampire, but he was quickly finding that he enjoyed Stavion’s company. “Yes, Jory?” Stavion replied as he stepped into the bathroom. All Jory could see through the foggy glass was a blurry outline, but he recognized Stavion’s voice and smelled his scent immediately. “How long do I have to stay in here? I’m all wrinkled up, and I think my balls are turning into raisins.” Stavion chuckled, his voice deep and sexy. Jory shivered involuntarily, and a contented sigh fell from his smiling lips. Stavion had a great laugh. The man’s body was a work of art. He was smart, funny, kind, and he made Jory feel special. He doubted he could have found a better mate if he’d handpicked the man himself. “Jory?” Jerking out of his thoughts, Jory looked up into Stavion’s

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concerned eyes. The shower door was open just a little, and Stavion had apparently been talking to him while he’d been lost inside his own mind. “I’m sorry,” he said immediately. Stavion’s eyebrows drew together, and the corners of his lips tugged down in a frown. “Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Jory almost apologized again for apologizing. God, he was so lame. Instead, he plastered a smile on his face and tilted his head to the side. “I didn’t hear what you said.” “I think you’ve been in there long enough. We can always do some more tomorrow if you’re still hurting.” He closed the shower door then slid it open from the other end to adjust the water temperature and tilt the showerhead up. “Okay, all set. Go ahead and get clean while I find us something to eat. Is there anything you like?” Jory was so used to just eating whatever he could get his hands on, it didn’t matter to him. So, he shrugged and wrinkled his nose. “Anything is fine, Stavion.” “I’m sure it is, but I asked if there is something special that you like.” He leaned farther into the shower and pressed his lips to Jory’s as the shower soaked his head. It made Jory laugh. “You’re a nut.” Stavion chuckled along with him as he shook his head like a dog to dispel the water from his short, black hair. Jory laughed harder. Had he ever had so much fun doing something as dull as taking a shower? Stavion was trying so hard. Even if Jory couldn’t meet the man halfway, he could still make an effort. “I like grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, and warm chocolate pudding.” He bit his lip as he thought it over. “I think I’d like to try waffles, and maybe hotdogs. I’ve never had them before.” Something flashed in Stavion’s eyes before they softened, and he bent forward to capture Jory’s lips again. He kept the kiss short, but it was no less sensual for its brevity. “Get washed, Jory.” Then he slid the glass door into place and hurried out of the room.

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Jory just shrugged. Maybe Stavion really liked waffles. He finished his shower and dried himself quickly, only then realizing he had no clean clothes in the bathroom to change into. Oh, well, Stavion had seen him naked before. Wrapping the big, fluffy towel around his hips, he exited the bathroom, grinning a mile wide when he saw Stavion sitting on the side of the bed, waiting just for him. “I really like that shirt,” he commented apropos to nothing. It was a smoky, charcoal gray with little white buttons and looked incredibly sexy stretched across Stavion’s pale skin. Stavion looked down at his chest, then back up to Jory, and smiled. “Thank you, sweetheart.” “Do you think I could get some clothes like that?” Jory bit his lips and shifted nervously from foot to foot. The Enforcers had already done so much for him that it seemed selfish and ungrateful to ask for more. They’d bought him clothes, but they were all things like jeans, Tshirts, track pants, and gym shorts. He wanted something he could wear if Stavion ever took him somewhere away from the estate. The clothes he had were comfortable and practical, but they were nothing like Stavion’s. He didn’t want to embarrass his mate. He wanted to be someone—even on the outside—that Stavion would be proud to be seen with. “I don’t have any money, but I could do something else to pay you back,” he hurried to add. “I could help in the kitchen, or whatever you like. Maybe I could get a job that pays real money and pay you back that way. Or if I had a real job, I guess I could just buy my own clothes. Then again, I would probably need something to wear to work until I made some money. I don’t really have any skills, so I don’t know what kind of job I could get. And we live pretty far out here, so I’d have to worry about getting there. I don’t mind walking. That would be okay. I just have to know how to get there.” Jory sucked in a great lungful of air and chewed on his bottom lip

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when Stavion started laughing. Yeah, he knew they were unrealistic dreams, but he just wanted to be normal. Normal people had jobs, made money, bought their own things, and took care of themselves. “Jory, come here, baby.” Stavion held his arms open wide, and Jory dropped his head and moved to stand between his mate’s knees. Stavion gathered him in his lap and tipped his chin up to place a quick kiss on his lips. “I wasn’t laughing at you, okay?” He waited for Jory to nod. “I love your enthusiasm, and I think that was probably the most you’ve ever said to me at one time.” He chuckled under his breath. “Besides, it was kind of cute. I laughed because I was happy. That’s all.” How was Jory supposed to stay strong against something like that? He couldn’t and he knew it, so he didn’t even try. He didn’t even fight the goofy smile that spread over his face as he curled into his mate’s chest and skimmed his nose along the fragrant skin of Stavion’s throat. Maybe things were going to be just fine. Maybe he’d finally found a place to belong where he wouldn’t have to constantly be watching over his shoulder. Maybe, but only time would tell. And since they were both immortal, he had nothing but time.

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Chapter Seven Stavion watched Jory devour his waffles and hotdogs. “So, you like them?” “They’re awesome!” Elation welled up inside of him, pushing away his anger at the life Jory had been forced to lead until he’d come to live with Stavion. The little man was the epitome of everything that was good and right in the world. Thinking of the hell Jory had lived through made Stavion’s stomach burn. Who reached the age of nineteen without having ever eaten a waffle? “Can I ask you something?” Stavion studied his mate for a moment and nodded. “How come you were gone for so long?” Jory bit his lip and looked down at his plate as his cheeks blazed scarlet. “Did you miss me?” Stavion didn’t want the guy to be embarrassed. He wasn’t teasing, either. He was very curious about whether or not Jory had thought of him while he was away. “Yes,” Jory whispered after a significant pause. “I kind of got used to you coming to visit me every night.” Instead of jumping up from the small table and dancing around the room like a jackass, Stavion settled for a beaming smile. “I missed you, too, Jory. I had some business to take care of before I could come home.” When he looked up, Jory’s eyebrows were drawn together, and he seemed to be debating something. Stavion waited, giving his mate the chance to work through what he wanted to ask. Finally, Jory shook his head and sighed. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to ask this, but

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what kind of business was it?” “We’re mates, which means you can ask me anything.” Stavion reached across the table and held his hand palm up, thrilled when Jory immediately took it and gave it a little squeeze. “I have no secrets from you,” Stavion continued. “I received a mating contract from a coven leader in Washington for Malakai.” Jory’s eyes went wide and his mouth fell open. “Someone bought him like they bought me?” Stavion winced, but he supposed that was mostly true. The laws of his kind had been in place for hundreds of years, and some of them— like the mating contracts—were beyond outdated. “I guess you’re right. Malakai stayed behind in Georgia with his mates. Normally, a mating bond will overrule an offered contract.” “Okay, I still don’t understand why you didn’t come home right after the wedding.” “I had to meet with The Council about an assignment. Though I’m leader of this coven, I still command the other Enforcers. They’ve located a vampire coven in Montana that needs to be brought before the elders.” Jory actually growled at him, and Stavion’s cock perked up to take notice of the sexy sound. “Stavion, you’re not making any sense. How are the two related?” “Malakai must be claimed by both of his mates or the contract will be honored. The Council offered the assignment of bringing in this coven leader to Flynn Murphy, one of Malakai’s mates. I was trying to persuade them to choose someone else.” “Because Flynn can’t claim Malakai if he’s not there.” “Exactly.” Stavion could feel his frustration rising at the predicament he found himself in. “I received another letter from Leader McCarthy this morning, asking about the status of his contract. I can’t put him off for much longer.” “Maybe you need to just tell Malakai,” Jory offered. “He’s a grown man, and he’s really smart. Maybe he can help. I know he’s

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your friend, but he needs to know. I wouldn’t like people keeping secrets from me, especially if they’re about me.” Again, his mate was absolutely right. With everything happening with Boston and Flynn, Stavion didn’t think Malakai needed something else to worry about, though. “I do need to tell him, but not now.” “The longer you put it off, the worse it will be for everyone.” Sometimes when Jory spoke like that, Stavion forgot just how young his mate was. The man had a keen intuition and was very perceptive. It also had a way of simplifying things and breaking them down to their most basic form. He imagined he could learn a lot from Jory. “Flynn accepted the assignment. I understand why he did it, but after informing me, Blaise, and his mates that he wouldn’t take another one, it’s going to cause problems. Not to mention, it will be dangerous. Malakai doesn’t need any more to worry about right now.” “You’re scared,” Jory responded quietly. Was he? “I’m worried. There are so many things that could go wrong, and a lot of people are going to get hurt if they do.” “It’s hard being in charge and making the decisions. Maybe you don’t have to do it all by yourself, though.” Stavion pushed his chair back from the table and motioned for Jory to come to him. His little man jumped up and hurried around the table—a testament to the progress they were making in their relationship. Once he had Jory secured on his lap, he rubbed his cheek across the top of the man’s head and sighed. “I will send the best Enforcers I have with Flynn. Once he’s back safely in Georgia, I’ll tell Malakai. I think taking this one step at a time would be best.” “You’re the boss,” Jory mumbled. “I just hope it doesn’t blow up in your face.” Stavion hoped it didn’t either. He was reluctant to tell Jory what would happen if he denied the mating contract without just cause, but he remembered Jory’s words of moments before about how he didn’t

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like secrets. Since this would affect his mate as well, Stavion knew Jory needed to know. “I can refuse the contract.” “No, you can’t,” Jory said immediately. “I don’t know why, but I can hear it in your voice.” “If I refuse without a good reason, McCarthy could file a sanction against me. It would be the same as if I had interfered with a real mating.” Jory shot up in his lap and shook his head. “You can’t do that. I know he’s your friend, but I’m your mate. You can’t leave me!” He started breathing quickly, his small chest rising and falling as he struggled to pull in air to his lungs. “Please, Stavion. You promised. You said you wouldn’t give up on me. I’m getting better, right? You wouldn’t really leave me, would you?” Stavion pulled his mate to his chest and held him tightly, stroking his hair and trying to calm him. Before he’d met Jory, there would have been no question as to whether or not he’d go to bat for Malakai—and take the fall for him if necessary. But, he had met Jory, and the man needed him. Jory was his mate, his first priority, and the most important thing to him. “We’ll figure it out, little one. I’m not going to leave you.” It was only choosing between his mate and a man who was essentially his brother. Either way, he was going to lose someone he cared about. No big deal, right? It was times like this, when the pressure became so huge, that Stavion wished he could just purge the stress from his body like Jory did. He had never asked for any of this. He didn’t want to be a leader and make these kinds of decisions. The coven was still resistant to his rule. There were a lot of changes that needed to be made around the estate. They still had more than half of the captives in their care after returning the others to their families. Now he had Malakai to worry about as well as Jory. It felt like being pulled in a dozen different directions, and there

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just wasn’t enough of him to go around. “We’ll figure it out,” he repeated. He had to, because there really wasn’t any other option. **** “You said you wanted to take it slow,” Kendall reminded him. Jory exploded. “Yes! I wanted to take it slow, not live like a goddamn monk!” It had been almost a week, and Stavion barely even held his hand anymore. They cuddled when they slept, but Stavion insisted on wearing pajama pants to bed. Instead of the passionate kisses they’d shared before, he now got pecks on the forehead. Had he done something wrong? Maybe Stavion had decided that he really didn’t want him. “I’m sure he’s just been distracted with everything that is going on,” Kendall tried to reassure him. “I don’t think that’s it.” Cassius strolled into Jory’s room, his eyes going straight to Kendall. He looked Jory’s friend up and down for a full minute before he continued his train of thought. There was something going on there, but Jory had his own issues to deal with. “He has been busy, and under a lot of stress,” Cassius said. “I can see it in your eyes that you’re worried that he doesn’t want you. I think it’s just the opposite. He’s trying to respect your wishes, but he’s burning alive with wanting you.” Cassius spoke as though he knew from experience, and he kept casting glances at Kendall from the corner of his eye. Kendall had blushed such a deep scarlet, Jory was surprised the guy didn’t ignite into flames. Oh, yeah, there was definitely a story there. As soon as he figured out what to do with his mate, he’d hold Kendall down and pry it out of him. Looking back to Cassius, Jory threw his arms out wide. “So, what the hell do I do?” While his love life might not be all volcanoes and

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fireworks, he truly enjoyed the time he spent with Stavion. There didn’t seem to be much of it lately, because Stavion was always busy with his duties as a coven leader. But when they managed to find time, that time belonged to Jory. He had his mate’s undivided attention, and he loved it. It didn’t matter what he rambled on about, or how nonsensical it was. Stavion always listened with rapt attention as though Jory was blabbering on about quantum physics. Stavion didn’t treat him like a stupid kid. He listened, really listened, and gave merit to Jory’s thoughts and ideas. He’d even sought Jory’s advice and valued his opinions. It made him feel like…an equal. “Well, I guess that depends on what you want to happen.” Cassius rubbed at the back of his neck and sighed. “All you’ve told Stavion is to take it slow. You need to figure out what you’re comfortable with, and where you draw the line. That’s a good place to start at least.” “He’s right,” Kendall piped up. “If you want him to fuck your brains out, then you need to be fierce and seductive.” He wiggled his eyebrows and gave Jory a wicked grin. “If you just want kisses and cuddles for now, there’s nothing wrong with that.” “Find your comfort zone and work from there,” Cassius continued. “Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.” “And don’t be afraid to say no when things get to be too much,” Kendall added. Jory’s head was beginning to spin. He got the gist of what they were trying to tell him, but they were going way too fast, and throwing entirely too much toward him at once. So, was he supposed to seduce Stavion or draw an invisible line in the proverbial sand? He looked down his puny body and shook his head. What the hell was Kendall even talking about by being “fierce”? Jory didn’t know the first damn thing about being sexy or seducing someone. He’d spent the majority of his life hiding in the shadows and trying not to be noticed. What if he made a fool out of himself?

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“You won’t,” Cassius assured him. “What? So you can read my mind now?” Jory crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. That’s just what he needed. Cassius chuckled, and Kendall giggled. “You’ve been talking out loud, honey.” Kendall hurried over and threw his arms around Jory’s neck. The action elicited a soft growl from the big vampire in the room, but Cassius quickly cut it off and darted from the room before Jory could question it. “What is going on with you two?” Kendall rolled his eyes and squeezed Jory before releasing him. “We’re talking about you right now. Don’t change the subject.” Jory wanted to argue, but he wanted to know what to do about Stavion more. “Okay, so what do I do?” “Honestly? I think you should talk to Stavion about all of this. Tell him what you want and what your worries are. Then maybe he can help you figure out what your comfort zone is.” Jory kissed his friends cheek and smiled. “I think that’s a great idea. What would I do without you?” Kendall blushed and shook his head. “I’m just glad I could help.” “So, what should I wear to go seduce my mate in a way that he can’t possibly resist?” Kendall’s eyes danced with mischief as he looked Jory up and down. “Nothing.” **** “You’ll meet him at the airport in Billings tomorrow evening. Watch each other’s backs and keep an eye on Flynn. Malakai isn’t going to be happy if something happens to him.” Varik and Raven nodded curtly then rose from their seats and moved toward the door without a word. They’d meet Flynn in Montana, along with Enforcers from three different covens. Stavion had chosen the best of the best. He only hoped it was enough to keep

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everyone safe. The inner circle of the coven they were going in to apprehend was large, one of the largest of the country, and they wouldn’t go peaceably. Raven assured him that they’d done their recon and had a plan. Hopefully, it would be a simple in and out job. Of course, nothing was ever simple these days. “Raven, Varik.” Both men stopped and poked their heads back into his office. “Don’t fuck this up, and bring your asses back in one piece.” “Yes, sir,” they chorused. Raven winked at him, proud and cocky, and they disappeared down the hallway. They’d been gone for only a few minutes before Demos came rushing into the room with a large brown envelope. “It’s from McCarthy,” he growled, tossing the package onto the desk in front Stavion. “Shit!” Stavion snatched the envelope up and ripped it open. He extracted the paper inside, snarling as he scanned the letter. “I have five days to answer his request, or he’s going to The Council.” “And Malakai is still unclaimed,” Demos deduced. Stavion nodded. “Flynn leaves out tomorrow afternoon. If everything goes like it should, he should be back in Georgia inside of three days. That’s cutting it close, but it should work.” “When are you going to tell Malakai?” There was an accusation in Demos’s voice that Stavion didn’t like. He didn’t comment on it, though, because he knew the Enforcer was right to be upset with him. “This isn’t a conversation I want to have over the phone. I need to explain everything to Jory, but it looks like I’m headed back to Georgia.” “Should I call The Council and have them prepare a plane?” “Not yet. I’ll make the calls when I have everything in order.” “Let me know if you need me to do anything.” Demos looked anxious to be on his way. He wasn’t the only one of Stavion’s Enforcers who’d been acting strange lately. As long as it didn’t become an issue with their duties, Stavion decided not to worry about

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it. He’d find out eventually. Demos had barely left his office when another person strolled in. Stavion kept his head bent, still studying the letter, and tried not to groan. Why couldn’t everyone just leave him alone? All he wanted was five minutes to just fucking breathe! “Is this a bad time?” Jory’s soft, musical voice asked. Stavion snapped his head up and growled when he found his mate standing in front of his desk, naked as a jaybird. “Jory!” Jory jumped, his eyes went wide, and he started shaking. “Uh, I guess it is.” Trying to control his jealousy, Stavion took several keep breaths and motioned for his man to come to him. Jory hesitated for longer than Stavion was comfortable with. They’d been making so much progress. Had he just destroyed all of that? “I’m sorry,” Jory whispered as he walked around the desk to stand right in front of Stavion with his hands covering himself. “I knew this was a bad idea.” Stavion knew he needed to say something to reassure his mate that everything was okay, but he couldn’t seem to make his mouth work. His hands roamed over Jory’s soft skin, his eyes following their path, and the only coherent thought in his brain was getting his mate on a flat surface. “Uh, S–Stavion?” Jory’s slim body began to tremble under his hands, his chest rose and fell more rapidly, and gooseflesh rose up on his arms. “Yes, Jory?” Stavion couldn’t pull his eyes away from the smooth, bare chest in front of him, or the small pink nipples that made him salivate. The marks on Jory’s body were healing, the scars were fading nicely, and he imagined as soon as Jory fed again that they’d be gone completely. “W–What are you doing?” Stavion kept his touch featherlight as he skimmed his fingertips over Jory’s hip and down the sexy crease where thigh met groin. “I’m

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touching you. Don’t you like it?” He’d kept his distance all week— tortured himself because he couldn’t do all the things he wanted with his mate. Jory need time to get comfortable with him, though, and he wanted to give him that time. Seeing Jory step naked into his office, knowing he had walked the hallways like that with who knows how many people seeing him, brought out his possessiveness. He wanted to brand his mate, claim him and mark him, so that everyone would know who the little blond imp belonged to—and would keep their distance. “I thought you were angry with me.” “Oh, I am angry,” Stavion assured him. “No one should see this gorgeous body except me. Just thinking about you walking down the hall like this for everyone to see makes me want to rip their eyes out. I’m not angry with you, though.” To his surprise, Jory started laughing. “Stavion, I didn’t walk all the way from my room with all my bits and pieces on display.” He looked over his shoulder and pointed to a spot on the floor near the doorway. “I took that off when I came into the office.” Stavion glanced around Jory and smiled at the crumpled, bright red robe on the floor. “Much better, baby.” Some of his self-control returned, but he still couldn’t take his hands off of his mate, though he did still his exploration. “So, have you come here to seduce me?” He hoped the answer was yes. Jory was looking at him curiously with his plump lips slightly parted and his eyes narrowed just a bit. “You were angry,” he said after a long pause. “You were angry, but you didn’t hurt me.” “Jory Lahman, you listen to me.” Stavion gripped his mate’s hips and held him perfectly still as he spoke. “No matter how pissed off I am, I would never—ever—hurt you. It’s my job to protect you, and I take that very seriously. You will always be completely and onehundred percent safe with me.” By the time he finished speaking, Jory had the most beautiful smile on his angelic face. “I’m starting to see that.” Then he dropped

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his head, peeking up through his eyelashes at Stavion shyly as he blushed a very becoming pink. “I did come here to seduce you.” Stavion was thrilled. “Well, mission accomplished, baby.” Shaking his head, Jory held a hand up, palm out, and took a deep breath. “Kendall and Cassius said that I need to find my comfort zone so that we don’t have any freak-outs or accidents. I think they’re right.” Stavion thought it over for a minute and dipped his head. “I think that’s a very good idea. Have you decided on those boundaries?” As much as he wanted to do everything to his mate, it was more important that Jory enjoy their time together. “No.” Jory’s face flushed further, and he fidgeted a little. “I don’t know what I like, don’t like, or what is definitely off-limits. I was hoping maybe we could figure it out together.” Oh, Stavion liked that idea even more. “I will go as slow as you need me to, Jory. If you get nervous or want to stop, all you have to do is say the word. You are the most important thing to me. You can trust me.” Jory stared at him mutely for a long time, and then, very slowly, he reached up and cupped the side of Stavion’s face. A soft, sweet smile pulled at his lips, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I know.”

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Chapter Eight Jory was so overwhelmed by emotions that he barely got the words out. He could practically feel the anger rolling off of Stavion when the man had first spoken to him. Stavion’s following gentleness had surprised and confused him. He felt the conviction of Stavion’s words like a physical force. The man might be big and powerful, but he’d never lift a finger to Jory in an aggressive manner. Jory would always be safe with Stavion. “So, what did you have in mind?” “Well, I guess we could start with a kiss. I know I like that.” Jory pushed Stavion back in his chair, bold as he’d never been before, and slithered right up into his lap. “Then I guess we go from there.” The growl that rumbled in Stavion’s chest made Jory shiver. For once in his life, however, it was from desire rather than fear. The sound was sexy, possessive, and set his body on fire. Winding his arms around his mate’s neck, Jory licked a slow path up Stavion’s throat and scraped his teeth over the vampire’s jaw. Stavion responded by fisting a hand in Jory’s hair and crushing their mouths together, completely taking control and dominating the kiss. His tongue plunged between Jory’s parted lips and explored every crevice, even the back of his teeth. Jory tried to keep up, but in the end, he gave up and just let Stavion take care of everything. The bigger man was everywhere, and everywhere in a big, damn hurry. His hands touched, caressed, and mapped out every inch of Jory’s body. He pinched and tugged at Jory’s nipples, kneaded the muscled globes of his ass, and traced the lines of Jory’s face with his

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fingertips. He licked and nipped at Jory’s lips and swirled their tongues together. Jory couldn’t breathe, but he really didn’t care. Stavion’s attentions were primal, assertive, and demanding. He never wanted it to stop. Just when his head started to spin, and he felt sure he was going to pass out from lack of oxygen, Stavion jerked away from his mouth and rested their foreheads together. Clinging to his soon-to-be lover—and it would be very soon if Jory had a say in the matter—he panted and squirmed, begging without words for Stavion to continue. “Okay so far?” “Yes.” The word came out more of a desperate moan, but once again, Jory didn’t give a damn. “Touch me. Please, touch me.” “How about this?” Stavion trailed his lips along the side of Jory’s throat as his hands resumed their roaming. “Is this okay?” “Uh-huh.” Jory dropped his head back on his shoulders and groaned. “More.” “And this?” his mate teased, brushing the pads of his thumbs over Jory’s erect nipples. “Are you still doing okay?” The man was torturing him, but it was such a delicious torture. Though he burned for the man in his arms, Jory liked this playful side of Stavion. “Keep going,” he urged. One of Stavion’s hands disappeared, and there were several muffled thumps as the contents of his desk went sailing to the carpeted floor. Then those massive hands gripped his waist and lifted him up to the desktop. Jory hissed in air through his teeth when his heated flesh met the cool wood. Stavion’s eyes raked over him, the amber color darkening to a golden brown. Slowly, tentatively, he reached out and skimmed his knuckles along the underside of Jory’s hard, pulsing cock. “Do you like this?” he whispered. Jory squeezed his eyes closed and bobbed his head. If he opened his mouth to answer, he’d probably beg the man to fuck him right there on the desk.

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“I can’t hear you, sweetheart.” Stavion wrapped his fingers around Jory’s thick length and squeezed gently. “Do you like this?” “Yes!” Jory shouted, holding on to the edge of the desk in a white-knuckled grip. Stavion chuckled wickedly. “Then you’re going to love this.” Stavion’s lips wrapped around the crown of Jory’s cock, and his slippery tongue swirled over the tip before he dove further down, engulfing Jory to the root. “Oh, sweet baby Jesus!” Stavion chuckled again, sending vibrations chasing each other down Jory’s shaft and causing liquid heat to pool in his balls. Jory wasn’t exactly sure what happened after that. All he knew was that the suction around his cock increased, Stavion’s throat muscles seemed to be massaging the crown, and he couldn’t pull enough air into his lungs. His orgasm slammed into him, ripping through him like billowing fires of an explosion. A million tiny lightning strikes ricocheted through his body, making his muscles twitch and his frame vibrate from the intensity. A long, low groan spilled from his lips as reams of creamy seed erupted from his slit and filled Stavion’s mouth. When the last of the cum emptied from his balls, he fell back to the desk, limp and sated with a silly grin on his face. Stavion licked him clean then popped off of his still half-hard dick with a satisfied smile. “And that, baby? Did you like that?” “Oh, yeah,” Jory slurred, his head lolling from side to side on the shiny wood of the desk. “I don’t think we’ve crossed any boundaries yet.” “Yet? Does that mean you want more?” Jory levered himself up in his elbows and met Stavion’s eyes before letting his gaze drop to the impressive bulge behind his mate’s zipper. Licking at his suddenly dry lips, he sat up straight. “I definitely want more, and it looks like I’m not the only one.” His

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hands trembled slightly when he reached for the vampire’s waistband. “Tell me what to do.” Stavion’s hand covered his and stilled his fumbling movements. “No.” The sting of rejection lasted only a second. Stavion wanted him. The heat in his eyes, the flaring of his nostrils, and the hard erection confined inside his pants was all the proof Jory needed. “Why not?” Stavion groaned and rubbed the heel of his hand over the hard ridge at his fly. “I don’t know if I can be slow and gentle right now, and I’m not sure you’re ready for this.” Jory smiled, but on the inside, he was rolling his eyes. “I won’t break, Stavion.” His mate chuckled, but he looked less than convinced. “We’ll have all the time in the world, baby.” “Didn’t you just say that you were going to let me be in charge?” “Yes, but—” “And didn’t you say that we could go as fast or slow as I wanted?” “Well, yeah, but—” Jory traced his finger along the strong line of Stavion’s jaw. “You want me.” “Yes.” “And I want you—probably more than I’ve wanted anything in my life.” “Jory…” “You know what one of my favorite things about you is?” Stavion shook his head, looking happy with the change of subject. “What would that be, Jory?” “That you never treat me like some stupid kid, even though I’m only nineteen. You always listen to me and respect what I have to say.” “You are very young, Jory, but you’re not stupid. No one could live through what you have and still be a kid, either.”

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Jory smiled and bent to press his lips to Stavion’s. “Thank you.” He brushed their lips together again. “I have never trusted anyone like I trust you, not even Kendall. Now, I’m asking you to trust me to know what I want.” Then he crushed their mouths together, not giving Stavion a chance to argue with him. He knew what he wanted, and he was determined to get it by any means necessary. **** Though Stavion’s brain still rebelled, his body apparently had a mind of its own and no qualms about what was happening. His hands roamed Jory’s body, his tongue pillaged the sweet depths of his mate’s mouth, and his cock swelled to the point of pain—all without his consent. The sweet, throaty moans slipping past Jory’s lips spurred him on until the line between what he wanted and what he felt to be right blurred then faded away altogether. Lost in the delicious taste and heavenly scent of his mate, Stavion didn’t immediately realize that his weren’t the only hands that were roaming. Jory was sneaky, not to mention quick, and had his jeans undone and Stavion’s cock out before he could even think to form a protest. When those soft, slender fingers wrapped around his throbbing length and gave him a nice, long stroke, he knew he was done for. “You need to get me ready,” Jory mumbled against the sensitive skin of his throat. “Okay.” Stavion’s brain shut down, and his body took complete control, moving on instinct as he pulled out the desk drawer beside him and extracted a small bottle of lube. “You keep lube in your office?” There was surprise, and maybe a little amusement in Jory’s voice. Stavion didn’t even have enough operating brain cells left to be

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embarrassed. “I find myself thinking about you a lot lately,” he explained distractedly. “I can’t always get away from my office.” “Oh, I like that,” Jory purred. Leaning back on the desk, he propped himself up on his elbows and smirked. Then his feet came up to rest beside his pert ass on the desktop, opening him to Stavion’s hungry gaze. When Jory spread his knees wide, his cheeks parting to reveal his fluttering pink entrance, Stavion whimpered pathetically. How was he supposed to be strong against such blatant invitation? How could he turn away from a sight so beautiful? “You’re going to kill me.” “Stavion, I need you to stop thinking now.” There was hesitancy in Jory’s voice that had Stavion’s eyes snapping up to meet his mate’s. Jory might be acting all bold and slutty, but that was all it was— an act. The uncertainty in his eyes, the quiet quivering of his body, even the way he chewed on his lower lip, told Stavion that his little man was just as nervous as he was. It was time for Stavion to man up and take control of the situation. “I won’t let you fall,” he promised quietly as he slicked his fingers. “Just tell me if it’s too much, and we’ll stop any time, no questions asked.” After sucking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Jory nodded. “I’m ready for this.” Tenderly, with more care than he’d ever shown to a lover, Stavion caressed the tight pucker, ringing the muscles and coaxing them to relax for him. Watching Jory’s eyes for any signs of discomfort or distress, he inserted the tip of one finger, slowly easing it into his mate’s heated passage. Jory’s skin flushed beautifully, a soft pink tinge peeking out from under the glistening sheen of sweat that coated him. His head dropped back to the table, his fingers dug into the back of his thighs, and his muscles jumped and flexed. His blond curls floated around his face like a halo, his nipples stood erect, and the hard cock between his legs

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jerked with each lazy glide of Stavion’s finger. Stavion’s own cock pulsed and wept, his skin tingled, and his heart raced frantically inside his chest. Grabbing his own desire by the throat and body slamming it to the back burner, he focused on Jory and bringing him as much pleasure as possible. When the clenching sphincter began to loosen, yielding its grasp on Stavion’s finger, he carefully inserted a second. Jory whimpered and mewled, tossing his head back and forth against the gleaming mahogany of the desk. “Please, Stavion!” “You’re not ready yet, sweetheart.” Stavion’s body began to vibrate with the effort he exerted to hold himself back. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt or frighten his lover, though. By the time he had three fingers pumping into Jory’s snug hole, his little mate was making the most delectable sounds. With a bit of coordination, Stavion managed to grab the lube and slick his aching cock with one hand. Once he had the turgid flesh coated from root to crown, he eased his fingers from Jory’s twitching channel. Leaning forward to cover Jory’s body, he urged his lover’s legs around his waist as he slid one hand beneath Jory’s slim body and the other came up to caress his face. The tip of his cock nudged against Jory’s opening, finding its way without any guidance from Stavion. “Are you ready, baby?” Jory’s eyelids fluttered open, and a serene smile danced over his lips. “Make me yours.” “You were always mine.” Then Stavion pushed inside, inching forward and sheathing his dick in the tight heat of Jory’s body. The connection was instant, the pleasure overwhelming, and loud, feral growls erupted from his heaving chest. Nothing he’d ever faced had prepared him for the feelings that exploded inside him at finally being joined with his mate. Unfortunately, they all seemed to have a direct line to his cock. “This isn’t going to last long,” he said by way of apology. “Almost there now,” Jory agreed. “Fuck, you feel amazing.”

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Sweet heavens, that was an understatement. Stavion didn’t even have words for what he was feeling. His thrusts began erratically, jerky, and off rhythm. It never got any better, either. Jory seemed to be right there with him, though, writhing and moaning, his head thrashing from side to side against the desktop. “Please, please, please,” Jory begged. His small hand fisted in Stavion’s hair and jerked his head down, urging his mouth to Jory’s throat. “I want this.” Stavion wanted it so much he ached with it, but he had to be sure. “You know this is forever.” “Do you want me?” Jory pulled back and looked into his eyes with challenge. “Always.” Stavion gave a hard thrust of his hips to punctuate his declaration. “Then prove it.” That wicked little smile on his lover’s face finally snapped him, and Stavion struck. His canines exploded through his gums just a heartbeat before he was sinking them through the supple skin on Jory’s neck. Stavion lingered for only a moment, groaning at the rich exotic flavor of the crimson bathing his tongue, before extracting his fangs and licking the wound closed. Lightning raced up his spine, his belly cramped, and his balls drew tight to his body, heralding his impending climax. Palming the back of Jory’s head, he lifted his mate closer as he tilted his head to the side to bare his throat. “Your turn, baby.” Jory didn’t hesitate. The minute his canines pushed through Stavion’s flesh, a blinding orgasm slammed into him, robbing the breath from his lungs and causing his world to blur around the edges. Stavion roared loudly, the sound coming straight from his soul as he pumped through his climax. Reams of heated semen erupted from his pulsating cock, filling Jory’s depths and claiming him further. The muffled groan that vibrated against his neck was the only

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warning Stavion had before Jory’s cock discharged, spraying his sticky release between them to paint their chests and abs. His inner walls convulsed in waves, clamping down around Stavion’s dick and wringing the last of his seed from him. Without pulling out of Jory’s ass, Stavion lifted the man into his arms and slumped back to his desk chair. They sat that way for a long time, sweaty and panting, just clinging to each other as they tried to tame their runaway pulses. “You’re the first thing I’ve ever had to call my own,” Jory whispered a while later. “Thank you.” Stavion couldn’t even choke out words through the lump in his throat. So, he settled for holding Jory tighter and stroking his hair. He could still see the look on Jory’s face as the man fell over the edge with him. His little mate was breathtaking. There was a light inside Jory that was warm and pure. Stavion hoped it never faded. For the first time in his long, shadowed life, he had seen the sun, and he yearned to see it again and again in the years to come. Elder Winters was right. No one had a more vested interest in Jory’s well-being than he did. It would be hard. There would be times when he struggled with his leadership role, but there were people counting on him—people who needed the kind of care and understanding only his coven could offer them. Most importantly, Jory needed him, and Stavion needed to have final say when it came to his mate’s safety. He had a phone call to make. The elder was sure to be pleased.

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Chapter Nine “Boss, we’ve got a problem,” Demos practically yelled as he barged into Stavion’s office two nights later. “Flynn’s missing.” Stavion flew out of his chair and hurried around his desk. “What the fuck do you mean? Where did he go?” Demos crossed his arms over his chest and cocked an eyebrow. “If I knew that, he wouldn’t be missing.” “Okay, okay, start from the beginning. What do we know?” A small hand slipped into his and squeezed gently. Stavion wrapped an arm around Jory’s shoulders, tucking the man against his side. If they couldn’t find Flynn and get him back to Malakai before the five days were up, there was a very real chance that Stavion could lose Jory forever. He refused to let that happen. “He arrived on his flight as planned. Raven and Varik took him to the hotel, briefed him on the information they’ve gathered, and were set to go in tonight. When Raven woke up, Flynn was just gone.” “Fuck!” Stavion released his hold on Jory, shoved both hands through his hair, and began pacing the room. “I knew this was a bad idea. There’s too much bad blood there.” “Oh, hardy har,” Demos said with a derisive snort. Stavion waved it away. “I didn’t mean it like that. Now, shut up. I’m trying to think. I think we can be confident in assuming Flynn went in on his own as soon as the sun came up.” “That’s what Raven thinks. If he’s not back and there’s been no word from him, I think we can also assume that he’s been captured.” That was exactly where Stavion’s train of thought was pulling into the station. The stupid shifter was going to get himself killed. “Tell

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me Raven has a plan.” Demos smirked. “Raven has a plan. We’ll get him back, Stavion.” Yes, they would, but would it be in time? “I’m going to Georgia. This isn’t a conversation that I want to have with Malakai over the phone.” “He’s going to hand you your ass.” Demos shook his head, but he seemed almost giddy at the prospect. “I’ll get the pilot to the airstrip.” “What’s going on, Stavion?” Jory asked as soon as Demos exited the room. “Why are you going to Georgia? Why is Flynn missing? What does this have to do with Malakai?” Swallowing back his groan, Stavion turned to face his mate. Malakai wasn’t the only one who was going to give him a tongue lashing over the predicament he’d gotten them into. “I told you that Flynn is an Enforcer, and that he accepted an assignment in Montana?” Jory nodded mutely. “He’s missing.” “Oh, no!” Jory’s hand went to his mouth, and his eyes rounded. “That’s terrible. You’re going to get him back, right?” “Yes, baby. We’ll get him back.” Stavion took a deep, unsteady breath. “I got another letter from Leader McCarthy a couple of nights ago. I have two days to deliver Malakai to him, or he’s going to The Council.” “But, Malakai is mated.” Jory tilted his head to the side and his brow furrowed in confusion. “He doesn’t have to go with this guy, does he? Isn’t that what you told me?” “Boston and Flynn haven’t claimed him. Until he has the mating mark of his mates, he’s still eligible for the contract.” “And you still haven’t told him?” Jory’s eyes narrowed in accusation. “Don’t you think he has the right to know? Not to mention Boston and Flynn. You’ve known about this for over a month, Stavion.” “I’m going to handle it,” Stavion answered curtly. Yes, he should have told his best friend. Yes, he should have informed Boston and Flynn. It was too late for coulda, shoulda, woulda, though.

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“What happens if Boston and Flynn don’t claim him and he has to go live with this vampire dude? Because you know that’s a possibility. What were you going to do, Stavion? Just show up on his doorstep and drag him out kicking and screaming?” “Jory, I’m trying!” “No!” Jory shouted right back. “You need to learn that this isn’t all about you. I know you want to be a good leader, but keeping shit like this from people is going to come back to bite you in the ass.” If the situation wasn’t so serious, Stavion would have laughed. Jory was a fierce little warrior when it came to people he cared for and things he felt passionately about. It was refreshing to see him standing up for himself. “I’m going to tell him now,” Stavion mumbled, as if that made everything okay. “Too little too late,” Jory shot back. “If you don’t get Flynn back, Malakai is going to be ripped away from his mates and sent to live as some virtual slave.” He rolled his eyes when Stavion whipped around to look at him in shock. “Yes, Stavion, I know a few things about these mating contracts. Believe it or not, I do listen when you talk. What I’m trying to say is that a lot of people are going to get hurt because of this.” “No one is going anywhere, and no one is going to get hurt! I’ll take care of it.” “You sound like a two-year-old.” Jory sighed and threw his hands in the air. “If you refuse the damn contract, then it’s your ass in the frying pan with The Council. Where the fuck does that leave me?” Jory was screaming by the time he finished. His face had mottled an angry red, his thin chest heaved, and his hands were clenched into fists at his side. “I’m not normally so selfish, but I’m not going to give you up because you can’t pull your head out of your ass. You promised that you wouldn’t leave, so you better find a way to make this right.” Stavion wanted to pull Jory into his arms, but he didn’t think his

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touch would be welcomed just then. So he settled for pacing some more. “Everything is going to be fine.” It had to be. He didn’t have a choice. “Yeah, okay.” Jory walked to the door and opened it. “Let me know when you believe that.” Then he left. Nothing else was said. There was no backward glance. He just fucking left. Stavion supposed he deserved it, but that didn’t make it any easier to swallow. It didn’t stop him from getting pissed off, either. Marching to the door, he wrenched it open, preparing to shout Jory’s name down the hallway. He came up short when he found Jory standing just to the side of the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. “I had a feeling that you’d have to have the last word.” “Look, Jory, I’m doing the best I can. I never asked to be leader of my own coven. I don’t want all this responsibility, and I definitely don’t want people I care about getting hurt. Maybe I didn’t do such a great job with this, but maybe you could give me a little fucking credit for trying.” Though Jory’s eyes were wide and his body was shaking, he held his ground. “Trying doesn’t really count when it’s people’s lives you’re talking about—when it’s my life. I’m not an Arsidian Demon. I don’t get to pick and choose as many mates as I want. Aímas get one, Stavion, just one.” He leaned against the wall and dropped his head. “I can’t believe that you’d claim me knowing that I might never see you again.” Stavion felt about two inches tall as he deflated and his anger melted away. “Baby, I promise everything is going to be okay. We’re going to get Flynn back. He and Boston are going to claim Malakai. Then everyone’s happy and McCarthy can go fuck himself.” Jory stared at him, and Stavion resisted the urge to fidget nervously. He’d messed up, but it wasn’t that bad, right? It wasn’t like Jory was going to leave him. “Then I’m coming with you.”

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Stavion immediately shook his head. “It’s too dangerous. You need to stay here where it’s safe.” “So, which is it? Are you going to fix this and everything will be fine? Or is it too dangerous for me to leave this mausoleum you call a house?” “It is dangerous, but not because of the situation with Malakai. Cyrus Redway and his sons are in custody, but we haven’t been able to track down everyone that was involved with his and Alpha Cunningham’s twisted scheme. I don’t know what all you lived through, but I don’t want to ever see it repeated.” “You want to know what happened to me?” Jory pushed away from the wall and stepped forward with determination blazing in his eyes. “Azeal and Remy used me as their punching bag. They’d have little parties and invite their friends over to punch, kick, bite, stab, whip, and burn me. There were times when I thought I wouldn’t live through the night, but I did.” Stavion’s insides boiled at the cruelty his mate had been forced to endure. He didn’t want to hear anymore, but Jory wasn’t ready to drop it. “You know what I got for my eighteenth birthday?” Jory didn’t wait for an answer before continuing. “I got held down and my back used as an ashtray.” Stavion remembered the dime-sized scars on Jory’s back. It made his stomach cramp violently and rage bubble just beneath the surface. Since purging himself—and the added infusion of Stavion’s blood— the scars littering Jory’s body had disappeared. His emotional scars might never heal, though. “Then they took us and threw us through a trapdoor beneath that cabin. There were so many of us, we barely had room to move. I lived in the cold and filth, eating rats, bugs, and the occasional opossum or squirrel when it wondered into that crawlspace. I hated it, but it was a lot better than living in constant fear of Azeal and Remy.” “Jory, stop,” Stavion begged. He didn’t know how much more he

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could endure before he fell apart. He was only hearing it secondhand, and he wanted to curl into a ball and die. Jory had lived it—survived it. There was no question of who the stronger person in their relationship was. Jory wouldn’t stop, though. “Now I have a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and all the comforts of a home. I have a kind and generous mate, even if he can be a bit thick sometimes.” He paused and smirked up at Stavion. “I have a real life where I call the shots and no one hurts me. I never thought that happy endings were for people like me. That changed when I came here, and I want it with every breath I take. Mate or not, I’m not going to let you take that away from me. I have a vested interest in seeing you come home safely, and I’m going with you.” His heart still ached for the abuse Jory had suffered. Fury simmered in his gut at the people who’d made his mate’s life a living hell. But it was all pushed to the side as Jory ran down from his little tirade. Pride swelled his chest, and Stavion thought he’d burst from it. Jory was asserting himself, staking his claim, and willing to do whatever it took to secure his future at Stavion’s side. “Yes.” “Yes?” Jory frowned and tilted his head to the side. “Yes, you’re going with me.” There didn’t seem to be anything left to say. Jory let out a long, shaky breath and nodded curtly. “So, when do we leave?” “As soon as you’re packed. I hope you don’t mind flying.” Jory shrugged. “I’ve never been on a plane before, so I couldn’t say. I guess we’ll find out soon enough, though.” “You really are ador—” “Don’t say it,” Jory warned. “I was just going to say that I think you’re cu—” “Stavion.” Jory crossed his arms and growled. “Okay.” Stavion chuckled as he held his hands up in surrender. “I give.” He waited for Jory to turn and walk away before speaking

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again. “You’re cute as hell when you’re pissed.” Jory threw his hands up in the air and grumbled under his breath, but didn’t turn around. “Always Mr. Last Word.” **** It was official. Jory hated flying. Every bump and shimmy sent his pulse pounding and his stomach rolling. “How much farther?” Stavion lifted the armrest separating the space between them and pulled Jory to his side. “We’ll be landing in about forty-five minutes. We need to talk about a few things first.” Jory didn’t like the sound of that. “What now?” “I want you stay on the plane when we get there.” “What? No!” What was the point of him enduring this awful flight if he wasn’t even going to be allowed off the damn plane when it landed? “Jory, listen to me. I don’t know Flynn or Boston that well. I want to trust them because I trust Malakai. I don’t know a lot about shifters, but I do know a thing or two about being mated.” He kissed the top of Jory’s head and squeezed him gently. “I would do anything to keep you safe—anything. I have to believe that Boston and Flynn would be no different with Malakai.” “What does that have to do with me staying on this plane?” Stavion always talked in circles. Most of the time it didn’t bother him, but Jory wished he would just get to the point this time. “Baby, I don’t want them to use you against me.” “Stavion.” Jory sighed and sat up straight, shifting in his seat so that he could look at his mate head on. “That doesn’t make a lick of sense. How could they use me against you?” “Do you really need me to answer that? I’d do anything, refuse the contract, and accept any punishment handed down to me to keep you from being hurt. You think they don’t know that?” “That’s crazy. Boston and Flynn wouldn’t do that.” Jory tried to

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speak with conviction, but he’d never even met the men. He liked Malakai, though. Malakai wouldn’t let his mates do something stupid. “I want to believe that, too, but I can’t risk it. I’ve only met Boston twice. I know of Flynn, but the first time I met him was at the wedding. This is important, Jory. I’ll only be gone for a couple of hours, and I need you to stay here where it’s safe.” “It doesn’t seem very safe for me to be here alone. I have no illusions that I’m able to fight against…well, anyone really.” Stavion chuckled and kissed the tip of his nose. Jory melted, just as he always did when Stavion did something so simple, yet so sweet. It really wasn’t fair. All the big vampire had to do was bat his long lashes, flash that mega-watt smile, and Jory was putty in his hands. “Cassius is flying. He’ll stay here with you.” “Wow,” Jory breathed. He didn’t know why it shocked him so much that the Enforcer could do something as magnificent as flying a private jet. It was kind of cool, though. Another thought occurred to him, and he tilted his head to the side as he spoke. “You said Flynn and Boston. So, does that mean they’ve found Flynn?” “They know where he is. Raven’s going in after him. Unfortunately, he’s not going to make it back in the allotted timeframe. I’m going to have to figure out a way to buy us some more time.” Jory felt nauseous just thinking about it. They were hanging all their hopes on a missing shifter and his willingness to claim Malakai. It just didn’t seem like good odds to him that everything was going to turn out all peachy keen like Stavion kept telling him. What could he do about it, though? He could sit there and make himself sick, or he could trust his mate to take care of them. But was it fair to put that kind of pressure on Stavion? Then again, it wasn’t like the man ever asked for help. God, he was so confused that he didn’t know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt. This wasn’t even his problem. It had nothing to do with him—yet, it had everything in the world to do with

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his future. If all the help he could offer his mate was to sit in the plane and stay out of the way like a good little demon, he guessed he could do that much. “Go save the world. I’ll stay here and miss you.” Stavion chuckled as he dragged Jory into his lap. Then he planted a searing kiss on his mouth that left him panting and his head spinning. “I don’t know about saving the world. How about I just save the day?” Jory shook his head solemnly. “From the moment you claimed me, you became my world. Keeping your ass safe is all I care about. It may not be everyone’s world, but it’s mine, and I expect you to save it.” He wiggled his eyebrows and smiled crookedly. “No pressure or anything.”

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Chapter Ten Stavion didn’t come back. Jory was going stir-crazy. The plane was large—hell, it even had a bedroom—but the longer he stayed inside, the more claustrophobic he felt. He vomited twice when the sun started to rise, and there was still no sign of his lover. Where was he? Stavion couldn’t be out in the sunlight. He’d fry up like fatback bacon. Had he been hurt? Did the news go over worse than he expected? Jory hated not knowing. He kept telling himself that no news was good news, but believing it was the hard part. “You have got to calm down,” Cassius said with a sigh. “You’re making me nervous, and I know that everything is fine.” “What?” Jory flew across the plane—no pun intended—and grabbed Cassius by the front of his shirt. “You know something? Did you talk to Stavion? What’s going on?” “Whoa, little man.” Cassius pried Jory’s hands off of him, and took a step back. “Yeah, the boss called right before the sun came up.” He motioned toward the metal plates covering the windows of the plane, much like the ones they had at home. “It took a little longer than he thought it would, but they’ve got Flynn, and he and Raven will be here tomorrow night. Elder Winters was able to buy a little more time. Stavion just didn’t have time to get back here to the airstrip before the sun came up.” “And you didn’t think to tell me?” “I’m barely awake here. I’m sorry. Why don’t we try to get sleep? Stavion said he’d be back tomorrow after sunset.”

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Jory didn’t want to go to sleep. He wanted to grab the Enforcer and shake the shit out of him. He’d been going out of his mind with worry, and Cassius had just “forgot” to tell him that his mate wasn’t roasting out in the sun somewhere. Flynn was safe and coming home, they had more time, and everything should be just fine. So, why did he feel like he was going to hurl again? Things didn’t just suddenly fix themselves right when he needed them to change. That wasn’t how life worked, and especially not his life. He guessed he was lucky in some aspects. His life had been filled with one disappointment after another. He’d never had the disadvantage of seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. So, when bad things happened, they weren’t that crushing because he’d come to expect them. This was different, though. This was his mate. Even if Stavion hadn’t been the one person on earth made just for him, there was no doubt that he’d still want the man. How could anyone not? The fact that Stavion wanted Jory in return was just icing on the cake. Maybe he’d been right in his original assumption. Happy endings weren’t granted to people like him. That didn’t mean he was just going to bend over, grab his ankles, and let fate screw him. Sometimes you have to go out, grab your destiny by the balls, and show it who’s boss. The way he saw it, this was shaping up to be one of those times. **** Stavion arched his back and groaned. It had been a long time since he’d been forced to sleep on the floor inside a closet. The pack house in Georgia wasn’t exactly vampire-friendly, however, and he’d had to make do with what was available. He felt like shit for leaving Jory alone throughout the day. There had been little choice, though. By the time he’d finished talking with

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Boston and Malakai, the sun was cresting over the horizon. There’d been no way for him to make it back to the plane. He hoped Cassius had passed along his message. The man sounded like the walking dead when he’d spoken with him. Either way, he had a feeling it wasn’t going to save him from Jory, though. The little demon had quite the temper when he was riled up. Chuckling under his breath, Stavion perched on the edge of the bed and dug his cell phone out of his wrinkled pants. The first call he made was to Raven. “We’ll be landing in about ten minutes,” the Enforcer said as soon as he answered the phone. He gave Stavion a brief synopsis of the events leading up to Flynn’s rescue. “We couldn’t get to the leader or his personal guards. They just vanished, man. We have the werewolves and most of the inner circle, though.” Stavion looked out the window and frowned. It was later than he’d thought. God, Jory was going to be pissed. At the same time, he’d just woken up, and it was too damn early to deal with this shit. “I’ll see you when you get here, and we’ll discuss it.” They said their good-byes, and Stavion immediately started dialing again. “You need to get your ass back here,” Cassius answered. Did no one say hello anymore? “I’m going to lock your mate in the lavatory in about two minutes.” With anyone else, Stavion would have lost his cool. He knew Cassius wouldn’t do anything to hurt Jory, though. So, instead, he found himself chuckling. “What did he do?” “He kicked me in the fucking shin, bit my ear, and threw frozen desserts at me.” Stavion laughed harder at the mental images Cassius’s words produced. “What did you do to piss him off?” “How is this my fault?” “What did you do?” Stavion was having a hard time getting himself under control. Cassius sounded so indignant, and Stavion felt like a parent refereeing a game of sibling rivalry.

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“I was doing my job! I wouldn’t let him leave the plane. Seriously, if he kicks me again, I’m going to belt him one.” Stavion shook his head. Cassius was so full of shit, and they both knew it. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Keep him inside and play nice.” Cassius started sputtering, but Stavion just shook his head and disconnected the call. Part of him felt bad for not talking to Jory and assuring the man that everything was fine. He still had phone calls to make and things that needed his attention, though. Jory would insist that he be allowed to come to the house, and Stavion would give in like always. Boston may have claimed Malakai that morning, but until his friend was claimed by both mates, Stavion was playing it safe. Most likely, he was overreacting. Probably, Boston and Flynn were good guys and would never do anything to hurt Jory. He wasn’t willing to chance Jory’s well-being on “most likely” and “probably,” though. The next phone call he made was to Blaise. The alpha gave him an actual greeting, but he didn’t sound very happy. “What happened?” Stavion knew it was too much to hope that everything was settled with McCarthy now. “McCarthy is demanding a hearing with The Council. I might have smudged the facts a little and said that both Flynn and Boston had claimed Malakai, instead of just Boston. It’s not going to fly, though. McCarthy is arguing that he sent the contract request before Malakai was claimed, and therefore his claim supersedes the mating bite.” Stavion growled and beat his fist against the side of his thigh. “When is the hearing?” “In three days.” There was a long pause, and Stavion could hear Blaise’s heavy sigh. “Stavion, it doesn’t look good.” “I’ll see you in a few days.” “I’ll try to find a loophole, but I wanted you to be prepared.” “Yeah,” Stavion mumbled. “Thanks, Blaise.” He pulled the phone away from his ear and hung up in a kind of numbed daze. He’d been

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awake for ten minutes, and already, he wanted to crawl back into that closet and sleep until everything made sense. He had people depending on him, though. Jory was number one on that list. So, he pushed up from the mattress, did his best to smooth out the wrinkles in his clothes, and crossed the room to the door. Upon stepping out into the hallway, he was immediately greeted by two naked bodies, rocking together against the wall just outside his door. Stavion wasn’t a prude, but the shock of it heated his cheeks and made him gasp in surprise. Xander slowed his thrusts, but he didn’t stop completely, nor did he look embarrassed in the least. Braxton kept one arm around his mate’s neck and used the other to give Stavion a cheery wave. Stavion waved back automatically, inwardly groaning at his idiotic behavior. Hurrying around the pair, he took the stairs two at a time down to the living room. He made it all of two steps before his overworked brain caught up with what he was seeing and hearing. “Does anyone in this house wear clothes?” Boston laughed as if it were an everyday occurrence for someone to walk in on him fucking his mates. Slipping out of Flynn’s ass, he turned and gave Stavion a huge, shit-eating grin. “I take it we’re not the first you’ve walked in on?” Stavion was never going to understand these shifters. He just shook his head and groaned. **** Flynn was home. The news of the hearing had been delivered. Stavion just wanted to crawl into a hole and sleep for the next year. Being in charge was fucking exhausting. Now, he had to deal with a very pissed off mate. “Where is he?” he asked Cassius the moment he entered the plane. Cassius jerked a thumb toward the back where the bedroom was. “He’s been in there for hours.”

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Stavion sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll deal with it.” “Boss, we have another problem.” “No.” Stavion shook his head. “No more problems. No more shit going wrong. Everyone is happy, and nothing is falling apart. That’s what you tell me. Otherwise you aren’t allowed to talk.” “There have been werewolves prowling the grounds around the estate.” “Damn it! Don’t you ever fucking listen to me? There are no werewolves or anything else that needs my attention.” Stavion was about to have a nervous breakdown. He could feel it coming. How the hell did people deal with this shit? As soon as he got one thing fixed, there were a hundred other problems that cropped up. “What did you expect, Stavion? You took members of his pack!” “I didn’t take anyone. They’re not kids, Cassius. I helped them get out of a bad situation and gave them a place to live. It’s not like we kidnapped a couple of goddamn toddlers.” Cassius pressed his lips together and glared. “What do we do?” “Raven is bringing food. We’re going to eat. Then I’m going to deal with Jory. After that, we’ll fly home and get ready for a Council meeting where I may or may not end up in a jail cell, and Malakai might be forced to move to Washington.” Stavion clenched his hands into fists and growled under his breath. “Have the werewolves made any threatening moves? How many are there?” Cassius shook his head. “There are six of them—two females and four males. They just prowl the boundary lines around the property.” “So, they haven’t actually come onto our lands?” Cassius shook his head again. “Then keep an eye on the situation for now. We really need to get more guards. We can’t do our jobs and worry about werewolves at the same time.” “What werewolves?” Stavion swallowed back his groan and turned to face Jory. “It’s

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nothing.” “Just like the reason you didn’t come back last night is nothing.” Jory crossed his arms over his thin chest and growled. “You said mates tell each other everything, but does that not apply to you? Or maybe you think I’m too stupid to understand what’s going on?” He said it with a sneer, but Stavion could hear the hurt in his voice. “Baby, it’s not like that.” Fuck, he so didn’t need this shit right now. “I just don’t want you to worry.” “I’m going to see if Raven is back.” Then Cassius hurried off the plane. Coward. “Well, I’m already worried. Is this going to be a habit of yours? If it is, I’d like to know now.” “There have been some werewolves prowling the outside of the grounds. We don’t know why they’re there, but they don’t seem aggressive.” Jory deflated and his shoulders began to shake. “I’m not trying to be a pain in the ass. I’m just scared. For the first time in my life, I’m happy. I don’t want that taken away. When you keep things from me, I…I don’t know. It makes me feel like things aren’t as okay as you say they are.” Crossing the distance between them, Stavion lifted Jory into his arms and carried him to the back of the plane and into the small bedroom. He laid his mate gently in the center of the mattress and hovered over him, just staring into Jory’s green eyes. “Things are a little crazy right now, but they’ll settle down. You don’t have to ever be scared, Jory. You’re the most important thing to me, and I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep you safe.” A single tear escaped the corner of Jory’s eye and slid down his temple. “It’s not just about me. I need you to be safe, too. It’s scary having something to lose.” Stavion knew the feeling all too well. The idea of anything happening to Jory made his throat burn and his stomach cramp. “No

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more talking,” he whispered before dropping his mouth to Jory’s and kissing him with everything he felt and couldn’t say. Arching into him and moaning quietly, Jory opened to his questing tongue as his arms and legs went around Stavion. It was one of those all-consuming kisses, the kind that seemed to go on forever, blotting out everything in the world but the two of them. Each lazy glide of their tongues, every gentle caress of their hands, and each sweet whimper or moan from Jory’s mouth pushed Stavion’s desire to the edge of madness. He’d never felt so much from just a kiss before. No one had ever had him on the edge of orgasm by simply brushing his hair back from his face. Everything felt different with Jory, though. It was like having a live wire wiggling beneath him, making every feeling, urge, and need more intense. Jory stiffened and a strangled groan fell from his lips as he dropped his head back to the pillow. The look of bliss on his face, the realization that he’d come from just a kiss, pushed Stavion over the edge. He dropped his forehead to Jory’s, just staring into his mate’s eyes as he coated the front of his boxers with his release. He should probably have been embarrassed by his lack of control, but he just couldn’t find it in himself to care. “I could sleep.” Jory punctuated the statement with a huge yawn. Stavion stole another kiss and pushed up from the bed to find something to clean them with. A nap sounded great. A nap with his mate curled in his arms sounded like heaven. The idea of pushing away all of his problems and just enjoying being with Jory sounded like a miracle. He could definitely use a few more of those.

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Chapter Eleven Elder Macintosh, the shifter representative of The Council, stared down his crooked nose at them and sighed. “I’m sorry, but I have no choice but to rule in favor of Nicholas McCarthy and grant approval for his contract.” The room erupted into shouting, snarling, and growling. Blaise began screaming things at the elders. Malakai struggled against the guard holding him, kicking and flailing as he tried to free himself and get to his mates. Boston and Flynn were going crazy as they fought against a dozen Council Guards. Stavion struggled as well, but it was more out of instinct than anything. His heart sank as he watched McCarthy carry Malakai out of the room through a door just to the side of the dais where the elders sat. It was over, and they’d lost. Before Stavion could figure out how to get loose of the guards holding him, the doors at the back of the room banged open. Xander and his pack hurried into the room, followed by Blaise’s mates, Willow and Cole. They all looked excited, with big smiles on their faces. Stavion prayed Cole had finally found something that would get them out of this mess. “Wait!” Xander yelled, his voice ringing around the room. Everyone stopped immediately. Hell, even Stavion paused in his struggles. Not only was the alpha massive in body-size, but the air of authority surrounding him commanded respect. Raven, Varik, Demos, and Cassius entered through a door near the front of the room, and Stavion watched as his friends moved to stand with Xander. The door McCarthy had just left through opened again,

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and five men Stavion had never seen filed in, one of them pushing McCarthy ahead of him. “What is the meaning of this?” Elder Macintosh shouted. Yeah, that was what Stavion wanted to know. Who the hell were those guys with McCarthy? Looking around the room, Stavion tried to gauge if their entrance was as shocking to anyone else besides him. Blaise and Flynn were beaming like mad. Boston, however, looked just as confused as Stavion. “Blaise?” The alpha looked over his shoulder and winked at Stavion. “Just hold that thought.” Stavion decided he didn’t really have a choice, so he returned his attention to McCarthy. He was privileged to look up just in time to see Talon punch the vampire leader in the face, grab Malakai from him, and carry him over to Boston. Stavion knew he liked that guy from the moment he’d met the leopard shifter. “Flynn, ya be owin’ us for this. How is it ya always be gettin’ into the most trouble?” one of the newcomers spoke in his charming Irish brogue. Stavion’s eyes flitted to Flynn, and he finally realized why the men looked familiar. They all looked like different versions of Flynn Murphy. “Brothers?” he asked out of the side of his mouth. Blaise grinned and nodded. “I’ve been missin’ ya, too, Devlin, and a sight for sore eyes ya are,” Flynn called back. “And what are ya havin’ to say to the rest of us?” Another of the Flynn look-alikes kicked his foot out to the side as he spoke, connecting with one of the fallen guards. Stavion bit his tongue to keep from laughing. “I’m thinkin’ I’ll be likin’ America just fine.” Stavion lost track of the conversation for a minute as he once again tried to find his mate in the all the chaos. He wasn’t going to panic. Everything was fine. It was all going to be okay. Fuck, where was Jory?

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Okay, Stavion was panicking. His eyes darted around frantically, landing briefly on each face in the room before passing on to the next. Jory wasn’t there. He was supposed to be there. “Oh, baby, where are you?” he whispered to himself. “Right here,” Jory answered quietly, slipping his hand into Stavion’s. Stavion whipped around, almost passing out in relief at the sight of his mate standing next to him. He pulled Jory closer, crushing him in his arms, and rained kisses all over the top of his head and down the side of his face. His hands skirted over Jory’s body, checking him for any sign of injury. Jory just giggled. “Stavion, relax. I’m fine.” His arms went around Stavion’s waist, and he squeezed gently. “Breathe, big guy.” “Breathe. Right.” Stavion sucked in a big lungful of air and let it out slowly as he tucked Jory into his side and kept a firm hold on him. “Don’t move.” Jory snorted and rolled his eyes but didn’t comment. Now that Jory was with him, and Stavion knew his little man was safe, he turned his attention back to the chaos surrounding them. It felt a little like overkill to Stavion, but he wouldn’t turn away willing allies. Still, it wasn’t like they were going to win The Council over with brute force. So, what exactly did Blaise have up his sleeve? Stavion had no doubt that this whole little episode was Blaise’s doing. It had the alpha’s fingerprints all over it. “Excuse me!” Elder Macintosh screamed. Apparently, he was tired of being ignored in his own courtroom. Oops. “Who are these people? What are they doing here?” “Nicholas McCarthy has no claim to Malakai,” Cole, Blaise’s mate, answered as he stepped forward. Stavion nodded to Raven and Varik, and they moved in to take up a defensive stance behind Cole. Cole and his other mate, Willow, went on to explain that since Malakai had yet to disassociate from the Snake River Coven and swear fealty to Stavion, the contract was not binding as the contract

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had to be presented to Malakai’s coven leader. Stavion couldn’t help but be impressed as they outlined loopholes and the technical working of vampire law. He also thought he’d drop to his knees with relief when he realized what they were saying was true. When they’d finish speaking, Elder Macintosh stood and scrubbed at his face as if he found them all very tiring. “If no one has anything further to add, then I hereby declare the contract null and void. Malakai is to stay with his mates.” There was probably more said after that, but Stavion didn’t stick around to hear it. He dipped past the guards and hurried out of the room, still holding Jory to his chest. “That’s it? It’s over?” Stavion twisted around just outside the double doors and pinned Jory to the wall, anchoring him there with his much larger body. “That’s it, baby. Malakai gets to stay with his mates, and I get to stay with you.” “Yes!” Jory shouted, smiling brightly and full of joy. “Mmm,” Stavion purred. “You look good enough to eat.” He tried to capture Jory’s lips, but the man squeaked and jerked his head to the side, dodging his advances. “Stavion, we can’t do that right here!” “Who says?” Stavion asked distractedly, still trying to get at Jory’s mouth. Jory pushed at his shoulders, his wide eyes looking up and down the deserted corridor. “Someone could see us.” “So?” “So? Stavion, they have public decency laws, you know.” Since Stavion couldn’t get Jory’s lips to be still long enough to kiss them, he went for the sweet-smelling skin along his mate’s throat instead. “Be quiet.” Jory continued to squirm, but he stopped pushing at Stavion and dropped his head back against wall, arching his neck and giving Stavion more room to play. “This is a bad idea.”

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“I think it’s a great idea.” In fact, it was the best idea he’d had in a very long time. Pulling Jory’s shirttail free of his slacks, he caressed the soft skin of his mate’s abdomen, loving the way the muscles jumped and clenched for him. He continued kissing and nipping his way up Jory’s neck, then along his jawline, and was finally able to claim the prize he sought. Their lips met in a heated kiss, and Jory opened right up for him, all signs of resistance gone. He moaned and growled, tightened his arms to drag Stavion closer, and attacked his mouth like a starving man. Jerking his mouth away and panting for breath, Jory looked into Stavion’s eyes and grinned wickedly. “I have a surprise for you.” **** “Does this surprise involve my cock in your ass?” Jory chuckled breathlessly as Stavion continued tormenting his senses. “It just so happens that’s exactly what it involves.” Stavion didn’t say a word as he set Jory on his feet and started tearing his clothing off of him. Jory was still nervous about someone coming down their little strip of hallway and seeing them, but he couldn’t deny his body’s reaction to his mate. Stavion’s eagerness, the hunger in his eyes, set Jory’s body on fire and made his cock throb. Small tremors rocked his frame, making him shiver right down to his toes as he spun around, pressed his palms against the wall and showed off his surprise. It had technically been Willow’s idea, but Jory thought it was a damn good one. Stavion’s sharp intake of breath and the groan that followed made Jory feel like a god. His mate’s big hands roamed his back, smoothed over his hips, and gripped his ass in a firm hold. “I knew you were only playing hard to get.” Jory could hear the smirk in Stavion’s voice as the man tapped the base of the butt plug.

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Jory shook his head quickly then stopped and nodded. He stopped and shook his head again. “Yes, I wanted to surprise you, but I didn’t mean for it to happen right fucking here.” “Fucking here is exactly what I want to do.” Jory rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t wipe the goofy smile off his face. Sex with Stavion was fun. That didn’t make it any less mindblowing, but Jory loved the playful side of his usually serious mate. When the silicone plug began to move, pumping in and out of his twitching hole in tiny increments, Jory thought he’d lose his mind. With every inward push, the tip of the toy bumped against his prostate, making his cock jerk and his heart hammer. A strange groan fell from his lips, and Jory dropped his forehead to the wall in front of him. “More.” The rasp of a zipper made his ass clench greedily. Stavion gave a few more pumps and a couple twists of the butt plug before easing it from Jory’s slick hole and dropping it to the floor. Jory whimpered at the feeling of emptiness. “Please!” “Hush now, baby. Don’t I always give you what you need?” The tip of Stavion’s thick cock slid up and down Jory’s crease, brushing over his needy hole but never entering. He did it several times, teasing Jory until he thought he’d explode. Just when he was about to scream and demand Stavion fuck him into the next day, his lover surged forward, breeching Jory’s entrance and stretching him wide. Stavion didn’t pause until he was balls deep and his groin settled against Jory’s ass cheeks. “Ready?” Instead of offering a verbal response, Jory arched his back and rocked back, impaling himself further on Stavion’s hard length. His lover’s fingers curled around Jory’s hips in a bruising hold as they both panted and moaned. Stavion took him fast and hard, snapping his hips and driving into his channel at a demanding tempo. His muscled arm snaked around

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Jory’s waist, lifting his feet off the floor and changing the angle as he drove his cock into Jory’s body over and over. The sweat dripped down his face, dampened his hair, and made his grip on the wall precarious. Jory barely noticed any of it. His balls ached, his dick pulsed, and every nerve ending in his body sizzled from the onslaught of pleasure he was receiving. Just when he thought he couldn’t take anymore, Stavion leaned forward, covering his back, and long fingers encircled his jumping cock. Stavion held him in a tight grip, stroking him from tip to base in time with the motion of his hips. “Come for me, baby. Show me who you belong to, Jory.” Jory tried to answer the unspoken question, but his orgasm ripped through him, cutting off anything he might have said. Pearly ropes of cum erupted from his slit to splash against the wall or fall to the floor, and Jory sagged limply into Stavion’s arms. His mate growled, plunging as deep as he could get into Jory’s convulsing tunnel, and stilled. His large frame shuddered, and Jory could feel the vampire’s heart pounding against his back. Sticky, wet heat filled his passage, painted his inner walls, and seeped back out around Stavion’s still-hard cock. “You dirty hypocrite,” someone said with a loud chuckle. Jory whipped his head to the side to see not only Boston, but just about every fucking person he knew standing just outside the door of the meeting hall. Some small part of him said he should be embarrassed, but it was kind of hard for him to feel anything at the moment but boneless. Stavion chuckled along with the others as he eased out of Jory’s hole and wrapped him up in his arms, hiding most of his bits and pieces. “He’s too tempting for his own good.” “Oh, he’s so cute!” a short, blond man squealed. “Why didn’t you tell us you have a mate?” “Keeton.” A man Jory assumed to be Logan stepped up behind the blond and placed a hand over his mouth. “He’s not a kitten, love.”

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Keeton spun around to face his mate, but Logan just laughed and shook his head before he could speak. “And no, we can’t keep him.” Jory’s eyes widened in alarm, and he peeked up at Stavion as he wiggled further into his mate’s embrace. “He wants to keep me like a pet?” he whispered. Everyone gathered around them burst into laughter, including Keeton. Stavion kissed the top of Jory’s head and caressed the side of his face. “You’ll get used to Keeton, sweetheart. Besides, it doesn’t really matter what he wants. You’re mine.” Jory dipped his head curtly and stuck his tongue out at Keeton. “Yeah, I’m his.” Everyone laughed harder, and Jory joined in this time. So, this was what it was like to have a family—dozens of people around to tease him, laugh at him, and interrupt his playtime with his mate. People who always had his back, stood together with him against the bad guys, and made him feel safe and welcomed—that was family. Yeah, he could live with that.

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Chapter Twelve The next several months were spent making drastic changes to the estate. Forty small cabins were built across three hundred acres. They had a huge three-day party to burn the cabin at the back of the property to the ground. Two barrack-style buildings were constructed, each with the capacity to house at least twelve men and women. Kendall had actually been the one to come up with a way for them to fund the improvements. The man was a genius when it came to financial planning. He’d even been able to help Cole work up a proposal to present to the elders. Every alpha, leader, beta, or member of the inner circle they arrested was forced to pay a penalty on top of their prison sentence. It had gone a long way in padding their bank account. “Raven and Cassius are bringing in three more today,” Jory said as he walked into the office. He strolled around the desk and pecked Stavion on the lips in greeting. “Two guys and a chick. One of the guys and the female are werewolves. The other guy is lycan.” Stavion cringed. While their coven had become a refuge of sorts for wayward paranormals with nowhere else to go, he was leery of bringing werewolves in. They were already housing the six weres who’d been scavenging near the edge of their property line. It turned out they were on the run from their pack—which just happened to be the Cheyenne Pack, and the alpha was their father. Stavion was still waiting for the fallout from that one. No one had stepped out of line or caused problems, but their presence still made him nervous. “What’s their story?”

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Jory looked down at the paper in his hand and shook his head. “Same as the others it looks like. They were all sold by their families to a werewolf pack in Kansas.” Jory looked up and frowned. “What’s the difference between a lycan, a regular wolf shifter like Boston, and a werewolf? I thought lycan was just another name for werewolf.” “There’s not really much of a difference.” Stavion grabbed Jory’s hips and ushered the man into his lap. His little mate had made enormous strides in past few months. His confidence had grown in leaps and bounds, he was currently working toward his GED, and Stavion couldn’t have been prouder of his man. Every day, Jory was learning to trust him just a little more. Each day brought new discoveries as pieces of Jory’s personality shined through the years of mistrust and caution he’d shrouded himself in. As each new puzzle piece fell into place, Stavion found himself falling just a little more for the man. “Well, that was helpful.” Jory rolled his eyes and nipped at Stavion’s bottom lip. “I’m hoping there’s more to that explanation.” “Oh, right.” Stavion always had a hard time keeping his train of thought when Jory was around. He’d much rather have his mate with him than be able to think straight, though. “Well, werewolves don’t really have an animal form. They’re somewhere between a man and a wolf, but mostly wolf. Lycans are the same. They shift into a halfwolf form on the full moon, but they’re more man than beast. Werewolves have to shift on the full moon. Lycans don’t. Werewolves are quite a bit bigger in their shifted forms than lycans. I guess that’s about it.” “What about wolf shifters?” “They’re just like any other shifters. They transform completely into their animal counterparts. Most shifters don’t have to change at the full moon, but Boston does.” “Because he’s a white shifter.” Jory nodded his understanding. “Him and Malakai explained it a little to me.”

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Stavion was thrilled that Boston and Flynn had agreed to move to Wyoming and live at the estate with Malakai. Flynn had been able to keep his job as an Enforcer, but his duties mostly consisted of guarding the grounds and policing the residence. He was more like a sheriff of the coven than anything else. Things were really looking up for them. Not only had Flynn decided to stay, but his brothers as well. As fully trained Enforcers, they had been invaluable in helping track down the captives that were still missing and bringing their tormentors to justice. Bannon Murphy, especially, was unchallenged in his abilities as a Tracker. Stavion had never seen anyone better. “I’m so proud of you.” Jory tickled the seam of Stavion’s lips with his tongue and sighed. “You are amazing.” Stavion felt amazing. Once he realized the kind of good he could do as a leader, he’d embraced the job willingly. All of his enforcers, including the Murphy brothers, Boston, and even Malakai had sworn their allegiance to him and officially joined his coven. The original members left from the Redway rule had been slow in coming around, but he couldn’t blame them. Their lives had been hell under Cyrus’s thumb. Once they saw the changes Stavion wanted to make not only to the estate but to the coven as well, they’d pitched in to help with everything from construction to teaching some of the younger refugees to read and write. “Okay, I accept that I’m amazing,” he teased. Catching Jory’s chin in his hand, he placed a brief but passionate kiss on his lips. “What brought this up, though?” “You’ve made this place a home, Stavion. It’s not just slaves and captives that need a place to go. All kinds of preters are coming in, wanting to join your coven. This is a place where people can be themselves, have a good life, and not have to worry about people hurting them. You have completely revamped this coven.” Stavion’s throat burned and his eyes stung with emotion. He hadn’t done it all on his own, though. “You made this place a home,

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Jory. I just found us some new family members.” A slow smile spread over his face as he thought back over Jory’s words. “Revamped, huh?” Jory frowned at him for a full minute before his brow smoothed out and his eyes rounded. “Oh, because you’re a vampire, and I said you revamped the place. Oh, I get it!” Then he fell against Stavion’s chest and laughed his fool head off. It was that excitement and joy that Stavion adored most about his mate. Jory was also smart, funny, kind, and the most generous person Stavion had ever met. He’d give a stranger the shirt right off his back in the dead of winter and never complain about it being cold. “I’m glad we decided to rename the coven.” Jory stopped laughing and sat up straight. “Me, too, big guy. Haven Coven fits perfectly for what we’re doing here.” “Then it’s a good thing I have such a very smart mate who thought of it.” Stavion poked at Jory’s ribs, delighted by the shrieks and giggles that erupted from Jory’s mouth. “I have a secret to tell you.” Jory’s eyes lit up even as he panted for breath. “Tell me.” Stavion’s heart fluttered and his palms began to sweat. He knew how he felt about Jory, but he’d never said the words to anyone but family before. It had only been six months since Jory came into his life. Was it too soon? Would Jory return his feelings, or would he run scared? “I—” His ringing cell phone interrupted him. Stavion didn’t know if he was annoyed or frustrated by it. Either way, he doubted it was a friendly call to shoot the breeze. Snatching the phone off the desk, he frowned at Raven’s number on the display screen. “What happened?” “The pack leader, his beta, and three of his sentries disappeared when we went in after the captives. Well, we found them, or maybe I should say they found us. We’re about twenty minutes from the front

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gates, but we’ve got company. Apparently, Alpha Deerfield isn’t ready to give up his slaves. There are two cars full of werewolves on our asses.” “Fuck!” Stavion jumped up from his seat, almost dropping Jory to the floor. He caught his mate and set him gently on his feet, kissing the top of his head in apology. “Just get here. We’ll meet you at the gates.” “Stavion, they’re not alone. Deerfield’s brother is alpha of the Boulder Pack.” “Just get here,” Stavion repeated and hung up the phone. He shoved it in his pocket and reached to cradle Jory’s face in both hands. “I need you to stay here. I’ll have Flynn and Boston round up the others and bring them to the main house.” “What’s going on?” It broke Stavion’s heart how Jory’s voice quavered and cracked when he spoke. “We’ve got company, and they’re not here to welcome us to the neighborhood.” He bent and crushed his mouth to his mates, pouring everything he wanted to but couldn’t say into the kiss. “Stay here where it’s safe. I have to go.” Jory grabbed his wrist, holding him in place, and looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Be careful and come back to me.” Stavion smiled and winked, showing more confidence than he felt. “I got this, baby.” **** “Jory! We have to help them!” Kendall burst into his room, grabbed his hand, and started tugging him toward the door. “Please, Jory. Please! My mate is out there.” “My mate is out there, too. You think I’m not scar—” Jory cut himself off and whipped his head around. “I knew it! Cassius is your mate!” Kendall shook his head. “No, he’s not. I didn’t mean to say that.”

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“Why are you hiding it? Doesn’t he want you?” “Jory!” Kendall threw his hands in the air and growled. “It’s complicated, okay? We don’t have time to talk about it right now. We have to help them!” “Stavion said to stay here. They can take care of this, Kendall.” Kendall marched over and shoved Jory in the chest. “Varik and Demos are out on assignment. Flynn’s brothers are on assignment. That leaves our mates, Raven, Flynn, and Boston to fight a whole crap load of pissed-off werewolves.” “Look at us.” Jory held his arms wide then waved one hand up and down to indicate Kendall. “What can we do against werewolves?” Kendall snorted and shook his head. “You’re a freaking demon, Jory!” “So? This is it.” Jory motioned toward himself again. “What you see is what you get. I don’t have any special powers. I’m not super strong or lightning fast. I sweat blood. That’s my super power!” He didn’t know who had defined his race as demons, but they’d fucked up majorly. There was nothing even marginally terrifying about him. If anything, he thought they should be classified with the fae. “Fine, stay here if you’re scared. I’m not going to hide under my bed while my mate is fighting for his life, though.” No, Jory couldn’t do that either. He just didn’t know how he was supposed to help. Maybe he had a special gift, but his parents had never bothered to include him in the secret. Still, if his mate needed him, he’d be there to help. “Okay, but we need a plan.” Before he could say anything else, Kendall raced out of the room. “Or you can just run out there like an idiot,” Jory mumbled under his breath as he took off after his friend. He caught Kendall halfway down the corridor, grabbed him by his elbow, and spun him around. “Listen! We can’t just go running out there with a broom and a prayer. They’re bigger, stronger, and faster than us, so we have to be smarter.”

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“We need numbers. There are shifters and vampires living here. There are also those werewolves sharing the cabin out by the pond. They might not be Enforcers, but they can help.” “We can help, too,” Galen said as he and Aslan came jogging down the hallway. “We might not have mates out there, but we have friends. Stavion says we’re a family, and families are supposed to stick together. I say we round up as many people who are willing to help as we can find, and we kick some furry ass.” All eyes turned to Jory, looking to him for guidance. Pulling his shoulders back and stiffening his spine, Jory nodded once. He could do this. “Kendall, you talk to the vamps. Galen, you go find the shifters. Aslan, gather anyone else who’s willing to help.” “Where are you going?” Aslan asked. Jory took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m going to talk to the weres.” **** Oh, he had so lied to himself. He couldn’t do this. Jory fidgeted, jumping from foot to foot and wringing his hands together as he stood on the front porch of the cabin the werewolves shared. “Stop being a coward,” he chided himself. “Stavion needs you.” The door swung open, and Jory screamed, stumbling backward so fast he fell down the porch steps and rolled across the dew-covered ground. “Don’t eat me!” A tiny woman hurried off the porch and knelt beside him in the grass. “Oh, honey, are you okay? You didn’t hurt yourself, did you? Here, let me help you up.” Okay, Jory definitely hadn’t been expecting this. He allowed the woman to help him to his feet and brushed the grass off his bottom. Footsteps on the wood planks of the porch drew his attention, and Jory almost started screaming again.

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Four enormous men with muscles to spare stood shoulder to shoulder, arms crossed, and staring down at Jory like he was the lunch special. It took Jory a few seconds to even notice the other woman standing just slightly behind them. “Tell them not to eat me,” he whispered to the woman still holding on to his hand. She just giggled and slapped at his arm. “Oh, cutie, no one is going to eat you. I’m Raina. That’s my mate, Teegan.” She pointed to the guy on the far right. “Gorgeous, huh?” Jory nodded numbly. “His name is Teegan?” “Eww.” Raina wrinkled her nose and shook her head, making her black curls bounce around her face. “That’s my brother Kieran. My mate is the sexy little princess hiding behind him.” “Oh, then yes, she’s beautiful.” Jory didn’t know what the hell he was saying. He was still trying not to piss himself. “So, you’re saying I’m not attractive,” Kieran grumbled. Jory literally felt the blood drain from his face. “Uh no. I mean yes. I…well…oh fuck.” He closed his eyes and groaned, willing himself to shut up. Raina started to laugh, and deep, masculine chuckles joined her to drift across the warm summer air. “Relax, little one,” Kieran said kindly. “No one is going to hurt you. We’re grateful that your leader allowed us refuge here. We’re not like most of our kind.” He motioned to the other men standing beside him. “These are mine and Raina’s brothers, Jericho, Elijah, but we call him Eli, and Parker.” Jory fisted his hands at his sides, gathered his courage, and took a step closer to the porch. “I’m Jory. Stavion isn’t just my coven leader, he’s my mate, and he’s in trouble. We’re all in trouble. I’ve come to ask for your help.” The next thing he knew, bare-chested werewolves asking him a dozen different questions at the same time surrounded him. “What’s wrong?” “Where is he?” “Who’s coming?”

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“What do you need us to do?” The last question had Jory’s legs shaking in relief. “My friends are trying to find other coven members to help us. I don’t know everything. I just know we have werewolves coming, and they’re going to be here soon. Most of our Enforcers are out on assignment. We’re outnumbered.” “Why are they coming here?” Kieran demanded. “We relieved them of a couple of slaves they were holding.” Sweet little Raina snarled like a vicious beast. “We’re in.” “Teegan was held as a slave by our family,” Parker whispered in Jory’s ear. “That’s why we’re here. Our family is fucking nuts.” “So was I,” Jory said quietly as he reached over to take Teegan’s hand and squeeze it gently. “You have friends here, though. No one is ever going to hurt you again.” Teegan smiled shyly and ducked her head. “I’m glad we found this place. I just want to love Raina without people hating us for it.” “Okay, we can all get to know each other’s life stories later.” Eli cracked his knuckles and grinned excitedly. “We have some ass to kick.”

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Chapter Thirteen Stavion, Boston, and Flynn stood near the big iron gates guarding the entrance to the estate. Stavion and Flynn were packing as much steel as they could carry while Boston stood beside them in his shifted form as a white stag. A stag wouldn’t be a lot of help in a fight, but Boston’s status as a Moonlighter could come in handy. The magic surrounding them was crazy powerful when they shifted. For a long time it was believed that anyone near them would go insane within minutes of being near them. Blaise, being the genius he was, had been the one to prove that only those at whom the Moonlighter’s rage was directed at were affected by the magic. With the threat to his mate, Boston was bound to be plenty pissed at the coming battle. “There’s Raven,” Flynn said just a black SUV came careening around the corner. The plan was to get Raven, Cassius, and the captives inside then seal and barricade the gates. The two sedans and three SUVs racing after them, close enough to nudge their back bumper, blew that idea out of the fucking water. “This is it,” Stavion said solemnly. He didn’t know how many werewolves there were, but he knew they were outnumbered. Cassius sped toward the gates then braked hard, jerked on the wheel, and sent the SUV into a tailspin until it finally came to a stop, sitting sideways in the drive and blocking the gate. The doors flew open and everyone spilled out, Raven and Cassius urging the captives ahead of them.

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“Go, go, go!” Cassius shouted, pushing the woman through the gate. “Run straight to the main house. Don’t look back!” To Stavion’s surprise, the woman wrenched away and growled. “No! You risked your life to save us. We’ll stand and fight with you.” Raven looked like he would argue, but Stavion held his hand up to stop him. “We need all the help we can get.” Loud howls rent through the night as seventeen werewolves came charging out of the vehicles, most of them already shifted. Stavion drew his sword from his scabbard as Raven, Cassius, and Flynn did the same. Maybe it was time Enforcers started packing heat. Stavion would have to talk to The Council about that if he survived this. There was no slow, intimidating walk. The pack alpha didn’t give some long-winded monologue. The moment their feet hit the ground, they were sprinting toward the gates, growling, snarling, and howling. Their fangs dripped with saliva and their claws slashed at the air. Boston dropped his head, pointed his antlers toward the nearest werewolf, and charged forward at a high gallop. The big were spun out of the way, grabbed Boston around the middle, and sent him flying through the air like a ragdoll. Before the remaining werewolves even reached the gate, a dozen more were emerging from the trees on either side of the driveway. Oh, they were so very, very fucked. The largest one broke away from the pack, his eyes locked with Stavion, and he smiled gruesomely. “I’m going for the alpha,” Stavion yelled to the others. He never made it that far. Some of Boston’s magic was working on the weres, but it was only making them stronger, more ferocious. The white stag went flying through the air again, forcing Stavion to dive to the ground or risk being impaled on Boston’s antlers. Before he could gain his feet again, three of the werewolves were on him, ripping and biting at him, chewing at his flesh. They were all going to die. Stavion could feel unconsciousness coming to him. His eyelids began to droop and everything blurred around the edges. His own screams mingled with those of his allies. It

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would all be over soon. Stavion’s only thought before he slipped into the void was that he’d never gotten a chance to tell Jory how he felt about him. **** “Stavion!” Jory turned on a burst of speed, his new friends running right beside him while dozens of shifters, vampires, and all varieties of preters followed behind them. He watched as Stavion went limp beneath the beasts atop him. He could barely see through the tears streaming down his face, but still he kept running. If he could get to Stavion, he could fix it. Everything would be fine if he could just get to his mate. “Do we take them alive?” Kieran’s voice was harsh and gravelly in his shifted form, but Jory had no problem understanding him. “I don’t care.” It was cold and heartless of him, but seeing the blood draining from his mate left little room in his heart for mercy and forgiveness. Kieran, Raina, and their brothers threw themselves into the fray without hesitation. Wolves and big cats, enormous hawks, and all sizes of vampires sprinted past Jory, the smaller ones working together to bring down the big werewolves. Jory just kept running for Stavion. A loud sob escaped his trembling lips and the pain dropped him to his knees when he made it close enough to get a good look at his mate. Though naturally pale, Stavion’s skin looked gray and lifeless in the harsh security lighting. The bright crimson stood out in sharp relief, painting a horrible picture Jory knew he’d never forget. Going purely on instinct, he let his fangs elongate and bit into his wrist, tearing the flesh a bit to allow for better blood flow. Then he grabbed Stavion’s chin, pulled his mouth open, and pressed his bleeding wrist to his lover’s lips. “Please let this work,” he whimpered. “Stavion, wake up. You

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promised you wouldn’t leave me. I need you to wake up now.” It wasn’t working, though. Stavion just lay there, unmoving. Jory pulled his wrist away from his mate’s mouth and began moving it over the numerous wounds on the vampire’s body. “Stop the bleeding,” he mumbled under his breath as he worked. “I have to stop the bleeding and close the wounds. He’s going to be okay.” The fight raged on around him. Bodies flew over his head. Some collided with him before being jerked away or tackled. Horrible sounds filled the air. And still, Stavion wasn’t moving. Jory had managed to stop the bleeding, but the injuries were mending too slowly for his liking. “Stavion! Wake up, damn it!” He slapped at his lover’s cheeks, shook his shoulders, and even flicked the end of his nose. Nothing happened. “Goddamn it, you are not going to die on me. You promised! You said I could trust you.” The tears started to fall again, and Jory dropped his forehead to Stavion’s chest and moaned in agony. “I love you. You can’t die.” The pain morphed into anger, and Jory growled. He wasn’t sure who or what he was mad at, but he’d never felt such fury before. He sat up straight, fisting his hand, and beat it against Stavion’s chest, right over his heart. “Fuck you! I love you, and I am not going to let you die! Now you open your fucking eyes, Stavion Shogard.” “Will you please stop hitting me,” Stavion mumbled without moving or opening his eyes. “It hurts like hell.” Jory cried out and threw himself on top of his mate. “Why do you always insist on doing things the hard way?” Stavion’s chuckle turned into a strangled groan, and he began coughing as he clutched Jory closer to him. When he finally got himself under control, he sagged back to the pavement of the driveway and tapped the top of Jory’s head. “Look at me.” Jory lifted his head, staring into the amber depths of Stavion’s eyes. “What is it, love?” Stavion smiled, and though it was small and weak, it was the most

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beautiful thing Jory had ever seen. “I love you, too, Jory. You’re my light. I’m going to sleep now.” Jory shook his head and chuckled when his mate did just that. That was when he realized how eerily quiet it was. Prying his eyes away from Stavion’s face, he twisted around and gasped. Every last one of the rogue werewolves had been subdued, and Jory’s new family stood around with bright, self-satisfied smiles on their faces. They all looked tired, battered, and a little worse for wear, but they were alive. Even Malakai was sitting off to the side with his mates. He had a big gash across the side of his face, but he was smiling like a maniac. “Thank you,” Jory choked out around the lump in his throat. Kieran wrapped an arm around his sister and kissed the top of her head. “This is our home and our family now. We protect what’s ours.” “Here, here!” several people shouted as cheers and applause went up through the crowd. Jory caressed Stavion’s cheek and closed his eyes. He’d swallowed his fear, found the courage to stand up and fight for the people he loved. And they’d won. **** “There’s not going to be a trial?” Stavion winced at Jory’s shrieking tone. “Jory, just listen.” “This is bullshit! I’ve been waiting all week for them to make those assholes pay, and now you’re telling me that The Council isn’t going to do anything?” “The pack has been banished to the Sierra Desert. The helicopters left this morning. That’s why there isn’t going to be a trial. The elders felt like they had enough evidence to convict them without one.” “Oh.” Jory’s mouth dropped open comically, and Stavion couldn’t help but chuckle.

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It had been a long week, but Stavion was finally feeling back in tip-top condition. Jory had taken wonderful care of him. He really couldn’t ask for a better mate. He still couldn’t believe that the little runt had saved his life, but he’d be forever grateful for it. The fact that Jory made some new friends because of the ordeal was just the cherry on top. Thankfully, Stavion actually liked Kieran and his siblings. Raina was a female version of Jory, so he could definitely see why the pair got along so well. Even Teegan had begun to come out of her shell a bit with Jory’s help. “I’m going to talk to Kieran and his brothers.” “They said yes,” Jory responded as he flopped down on the sofa and started flipping through the channels on the television. “How do you know what I was going to ask them?” Jory just looked at him and rolled his eyes. “You want to make them Enforcers and have them help guard the estate. I think it’s a great idea. I asked them this afternoon while you were sleeping. They said yes.” “Exactly who is in charge around here?” Stavion crossed his arms over his chest, but he couldn’t have been happier that Jory had showed the initiative to speak with the werewolves. “I guess that depends on who you ask,” Jory quipped back. “You know, you’re becoming quite the smart-ass.” “Maybe I need a spanking.” Jory stood up on the sofa and bounced a little, wiggling his ass in Stavion’s direction. “Oh, you’re going to get more than that.” Stavion growled playfully as he stalked toward his mate. He didn’t think Jory really wanted a spanking. The little guy had come so damn far, but he’d probably never be ready for that kind of play. Stavion didn’t mind. He would much rather love on his mate than punish him—even the kinky, sexual kind of punishment. Jory squealed, launched himself over the back of the sofa, and sprinted for their bedroom. Stavion took off in pursuit, catching his

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lover and tackling him to the mattress. He pinned Jory beneath him and rested their foreheads together as they laughed themselves silly. Damn, he loved his life. “I love you, Jory. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” Jory sobered, and he reached up to trace Stavion’s jaw with one finger. “I love you, too, big guy. Thank you for being patient and not giving up on me. I can’t imagine my life without you.” “And you’ll never have to,” Stavion promised. “I’m feeling a lot of pressure, love. It hurts.” Jory’s bottom lip stuck out, and his eyes took on that lost puppy look that made Stavion melt every time. While he was able to relieve most of the pressure for his mate, he just didn’t need to feed as often as Jory needed. Once a week, the little guy still had to dip into the sauna for an hour or so. He said he didn’t mind, but Stavion wished he could do more help to his mate. “I’m sorry, baby. I don’t need to feed again yet. Do you want me to come to the sauna with you?” He petted Jory’s hair back from his face and kissed his temple. “Mmm,” Jory purred. “That’s not what I meant.” He arched up, bowing his back and grinding his cotton-covered cock against Stavion’s lower belly. “There seems to be a lot of swelling in this region.” Finally catching on, Stavion growled playfully and nipped at Jory’s bottom lip. “Oh, is that right?” “Oh, yes,” Jory answered seriously. “You should definitely use caution. Contents under pressure and all that. It might explode if handled roughly.” Stavion groaned and dropped his forehead to Jory’s. “We can still use the sauna.” “If you want.” Jory pushed at his shoulders until Stavion rolled off of him. Then he jumped up from the bed, peeled his clothes off, and started for the door. “Well, are you coming or not? I planned to get revamped a whole lot tonight.”

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Stavion didn’t know what the hell that meant, but it sounded dirty, and he loved it. “I’ll give you a head start.” “Ooh, are you going to chase me?” Stavion rose from the mattress and began to undress slowly. “Absolutely.” Jory glanced over his shoulder and winked. “And I’ll let you catch me.”

THE END WWW.GABRIELLEEVANS.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gabrielle Evans grew up in a small town in southern Oklahoma. We are talking one red light that may or may not work depending on the day of the week. She married her high school sweetheart and the rest is pretty much history. They have two very active boys and one high-strung wiener dog that keeps her constantly on the go. For now, she parks her car in central Indiana, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. Gabrielle believes in love at first sight, falling hard and fast, taking chances, and grabbing your happy-ever-after with both hands. Most importantly, she believes that a great cup of coffee can cure anything.

Also by Gabrielle Evans Siren Classic ManLove: Gods of Chaos 1: Devil Did Grin Everlasting Classic ManLove: Gods of Chaos 2: Dance with the Devil

For all other titles, please visit www.bookstrand.com/gabrielle-evans

Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com