by Katie Reus
Lucas snorted. “She can tell when you’re lying, Vivian.”
“Oh, right.” Vivian bit her bottom lip before grinning again. “It’s our lunch so we have a break. Will you show us some more tricks?”
Ever since the story of Larissa’s gift had spread around the ranch the kids had been hounding her for “one more trick.” Grinning, Larissa reached out and touched both their heads. She coated just their hair in blue flames.
Squealing in delight, Vivian jumped off the couch and held her braids out to inspect. Then she released her hair from its ties and squealed some more. “This is so cool! Isn’t this cool, Lucas?”
Lucas wasn’t quite as energetic as the girl, but he grinned and ran to a mirror on one of the walls and inspected himself. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”
At the sound of the front door opening, both kids froze. Larissa scented the female before the door fully opened and withdrew the fire from their hair.
Ana Cordona walked in, a half smile on her face as she nodded at Larissa. “Are they bothering you again?”
“They’re not a bother.” Being around such innocent children was refreshing. Hell, being around this pack was beyond refreshing. They’d accepted her so quickly; this was just as stunning as all the changes going on in this new world. Yes, there was still prejudice against shifter-vampire matings, but things had come so far. It probably didn’t seem that way to some, but for her things had literally changed overnight. She loved living in a place where all species were accepted.
The female’s lips pulled into a thin line as she glanced first at Vivian, then Lucas. “Vivian is a little hooligan, but I expect more from you, Lucas,” she said, laughter in her voice.
“Hey!” Vivian ran over to her adoptive mother and threw herself into her arms. “He’s a hooligan too.”
Ana laughed, the sound throaty and loud as she motioned for Lucas to come with her. “You two are in a world of trouble with Esperanze.” As she directed them to the door, she gave Larissa a warm smile. “Your mate is on his way back. I just saw him and Connor wrapping things up.”
“Thanks.” Before the word was out of her mouth, Aiden strode into the room, passing Ana and the kids with a smile.
As always he looked fierce and sexy. And he was all hers. Larissa stood and before she’d taken one step, he crossed the distance between them. Gathering her close to him, he wrapped his arms around her waist and crushed his mouth over hers. His tongue played with hers as he rolled his hips against hers in an erotic, primal dance.
Breathing hard, he eventually pulled back, his dark eyes filled with hunger. “Tonight.”
She knew what he meant with that one word. Her toes curled against the hardwood floor in anticipation of finally feeling him deep inside her. “Hmm, I don’t know if I’m ready yet.”
He let out a soft growl. “You’ve been ready for days.”
“So you admit you’ve been overprotective and crazy to make me wait?”
Aiden opened his mouth once, then let out another sexy little growl. “Don’t turn my words around.”
She grinned and buried her face against his chest. “Just on principle I should make you wait four days, but I’m too needy right now.” Aiden had been absolutely ridiculous about his “no sex” policy once they’d returned to the ranch. He thought she needed more time to rest and heal, but in reality she was perfectly fine physically.
The pack, including Brianna and Angelo, had spent almost two days cleaning up those caves and making sure no one else was down there. In addition to Larissa’s fire, Brianna had used some of her healing magic to cleanse the place. But the female had also called in a favor to some of her fae brethren to help. Once all the evil remnants had been removed from that place, they’d filled in that first tunnel from the cabin with cement, completely blocking it off. Seeing that had been impressive. It had taken a couple of days to get everything squared away, but they’d been back here for a full day and a half and Aiden thought he could make her wait to jump his body.
He was clearly out of his mind.
She nipped his bottom lip with her teeth. “Why tonight? Why not now?” Dusk was only a couple of hours away, but she didn’t want to wait.
Tensing, he slightly straightened, but didn’t pull back from his embrace. “I just met with Connor and he’s already started the plans for building us our own home.”
She frowned. “That’s a good thing.” Aiden hadn’t told her why he’d needed to meet with his Alpha privately and she hadn’t pushed because she trusted him and because she’d wanted to read more of the journal. Even if getting into the head of a madman was frustrating.
“I know. While I was there he received a call from Juhani and Narek. They’re waiting outside the main gate and would like to speak to you.” His jaw and grip on her tightened at the same time, his fingers digging into her hips.
“About what?” A small sliver of worry worked its way down her spine. She and Aiden’s pack had agreed that she would take credit for killing Cornelius and all those hundreds of vampires he’d been controlling. She’d read all about his control in his journal and that male had been sick. He’d forced people to do all sorts of things just for the pleasure of it. He’d said it was to practice his gift, but that wasn’t why. He’d been a monster. Even so, it would seem much better that a vampire had killed so many of her own kind rather than a shifter.
* * *
“They wouldn’t say, but they asked for permission to “retain your audience.’” He used air quotes at the last part, making her smile.
“Then let’s get it over with. The sooner they’re gone, the better.”
“I will tell the truth if—”
She held a finger to his mouth. “Stop. We’ll see what they want first. I don’t care if you were justified, it’s better that a vampire takes the credit for the killings. Your Alpha agreed with me.”
Aiden just growled and sent off a quick text. “Come on,” he said a few moments later after he received a returning ping. “We’ll meet them at the main house.”
If the Alpha was letting the vampires into his home, then things must not be as bad as Aiden assumed. But Larissa didn’t say that.
They crossed the main yard of the ranch in silence and she noticed how quiet things were. She had no doubt there were shifters out patrolling, but she guessed that Connor had told everyone to remain inside while the Brethren members were here. Once inside the main house they found Connor, Ana, and Liam sitting on one couch, and the two vampire males sitting on another smaller one.
Narek was dressed impeccably in a suit and Juhani looked a bit grungy. She wasn’t sure what his style was called, but it was strange and reminded her of a homeless person. They both stood when they saw her before bowing respectfully. She’d met both of them over a hundred years ago, long before her stasis and long before supernaturals had come out to the world. They’d been powerful then, so she knew they were even more so now. Their show of respect helped ease some of the tension building inside her.
Next to her Aiden growled, so she nudged him with her elbow. “That is not necessary,” she murmured.
Narek frowned at her as he stood. “Of course it is. You are the last of the Draculesti and Danesti line, a bloodborn. You are true royalty.”
She shifted uncomfortably. Yeah, royalty who had no clue how she fit into this new world, no money, and wasn’t even sure how she was going to support herself. She had no doubt Aiden would, but she didn’t want to depend on anyone that way, not even her bondmate. “Please sit.” She motioned to the small couch.
As she did, Liam stood and Connor pulled Ana into his lap so Larissa and Aiden could sit together. The Alpha had a casual pose, but she could see the predator lurking beneath the surface. He did not like these males in his home but he was doing it for her. He’d already told Larissa that she was considered part of the pack because of Aiden. She was still reelin
g from that declaration.
“Thank you for agreeing to speak to us. It’s been a long time and I’m so glad you’re well,” Juhani said.
“Thank you. Now why are you here?” With vampires it was always okay to get right to the point.
Both males half smiled before Juhani spoke again. “First, I apologize that not all of the Brethren could be here, but we speak on behalf of the four members. Second, I know you are still adjusting to this new world, but no one can negate your power or standing among our kind. Especially considering what you just did with Cornelius and all those vampires.”
She frowned at his words. There was something about the way he said it. “What I did?” While Connor told the Brethren she’d killed everyone, he hadn’t told them how she’d done it.
The two males shared a hard look before focusing on her again. “We know what the Danesti line can do,” Narek said. “If it is true you killed everyone on your own,” he said, watching the others cautiously, “then we can only surmise there was one particular way you did it.”
She wasn’t going to confirm or deny anything. “Okay. What is your point?”
“We want you to join us,” Juhani said bluntly.
She blinked once as Aiden let out a low, angry growl. She grasped her mate’s hand and squeezed tight. It took a moment for their words to register. Surely they didn’t mean . . . “Join you how?”
“Join the Brethren. We’ve been too lax with our people for too long.” Juhani glanced at Connor then. “The New Orleans incident is a prime example.” He quickly focused on her again. “We need someone who is strong, feared and . . . your involvement with a shifter is a bonus. The supernatural races need to be joined. What happened in Winston-Salem could have easily spiraled out of control with humans. Even the media coverage of the female enforcer could have been so negative. If it had been . . . We need a new face and you are the perfect candidate. We don’t expect a decision right away and—”
Larissa shook her head. “While I appreciate the offer, I can tell you no right now. I don’t even want to hear the details. I’ve just woken from a decades-long coma. I have much adjusting to do and I fear I would be more of a hindrance to you than anything else.” When Juhani started to speak, she cut him off. “My mate and I have been separated for a long time and we never truly got to bond in the way mates are supposed to. He is my number one priority and I’m guessing that whatever you’re asking me to do will require a lot of time and energy I do not want to give right now. I’m selfish so I must bluntly but respectfully say no.”
Next to her Aiden immediately relaxed, but he didn’t say anything through their link.
Both males looked at each other again and she guessed they were having a telepathic conversation. A moment later, they nodded and stood. “Don’t make a hasty decision now. We will speak again in six months,” Juhani said.
She already knew her answer, but didn’t think it wise to argue when they were offering something so big. Everyone stood with them, though Aiden wrapped his arm around her in a possessive gesture no one could miss. She returned his embrace as she nodded at the two males. “Thank you for coming to see me. I really do appreciate the offer.”
Everyone walked the males outside and as they were watching the vampires drive away a large semitruck rounded one of the bends, slowly coming down the drive. She looked at Aiden and frowned, worried about what it might be, but he had the biggest smile on his face. A pure burst of elation shot through their link. “Stay here with the others, okay?” he said.
Before she could answer he took off toward the gate and reopened it. Standing back, he was practically jumping up and down like a child as he waved the driver inside. The joy she felt through their bond was infectious. Behind her and all around them she saw and sensed everyone coming out of their homes, including Jayce’s brother, who was walking hand in hand with Natalia. With all the pack information Aiden had given her over the past couple of days she found that interesting—but not as much as whatever was making Aiden so happy.
The truck pulled all the way through the gate and considering Connor looked amused, Larissa could only guess that he knew what was going on since he was clearly okay with everything.
As the driver got out of the truck, Aiden gave her a look and held up his hands at her as if to make sure she stayed put. She nodded at him and a smile tugged at her lips as he turned around and said something to the driver that was too low for her to hear. With the hum of conversations all around them it was hard to distinguish anything.
The driver nodded and hurried around to the back. From her position she couldn’t see him when he rounded the back of the truck. A moment later a long metal ramp slowly rolled out with Aiden walking along next to it. When it finally tilted down and touched the ground, she felt another burst of elation emanate from him.
Seconds later she saw the back of a red car start to slowly descend. Blinking as the entire thing came into view, she could swear her heart skipped a beat.
Her cherry red 1953 Ferrari Berlinetta.
Tears blurred her vision as her throat tightened. She was going to have a breakdown in front of everyone and she didn’t care. Batting them away, she raced to Aiden, barely able to make him out through the blurriness.
“You kept it?” she asked as she flung herself into his arms. It was as if the old Larissa had stayed in stasis. She didn’t care if she made a big spectacle in front of everyone.
“It was the only piece of you I had left,” he rasped out, his eyes suspiciously bright. “It’s been in storage up north. This was the soonest they could get it here.”
I love you so much, Aiden. With or without this beautiful car. I . . . I can’t believe you kept this. Choking back a sob, she buried her face against his neck.
The last one like this sold for over ten million dollars. You can sell it and invest the profit and have enough money to live off the rest of your very long time. I’m not saying you need to or should, but I know you’ve been worrying about finances. This is your nest egg.
Stunned by his words, she raised her head to meet his gaze. How did you know?
He just shook his head. Because I know you.
Thank you for this and thank you for loving me.
His expression went dark for a moment. Just don’t ever leave me again.
Try to get rid of me.
Smiling, he kissed her, soft and sweet. Around them she was vaguely aware of everyone praising the car, but all she could focus on was Aiden. Screw waiting for tonight. As soon as they could find a moment of privacy, they were getting naked and she wasn’t letting him come up for air for a long time.
Chapter 27
Aiden started to slow Larissa’s car as they reached the end of the long driveway and stopped in front of the two-story brick home. He’d made sure the car had regular maintenance and it purred beautifully.
“What is this place?” Larissa asked quietly, eyeing the house.
They hadn’t driven very far, barely half an hour down the main highway.
“The pack just bought it.” Even with everything going on, Liam had been diligent about buying up good real estate deals all over the place.
“I think someone’s in there,” she whispered, tensing.
He could see a flickering of light from one of the windows, but he shook his head. “No, Liam and December got the place ready for us. He just texted me. That truck we passed on the turnoff was them.”
She shot him a curious look, but the lust and hunger rolling off her told him all he needed to know. She was just as ready as he was for this. For the past couple of hours he’d wanted nothing more than to bury himself deep inside her, but he’d wanted to do this right.
After she’d spent sixty years in stasis, Larissa deserved it. Aiden had also wanted privacy since there was a full moon tonight. It didn’t matter that he and Larissa had already bonded. Once that link broke, the
mark he’d carried for her had disappeared from his shoulder. Even when the bonding link had clicked back into place, nearly giving him a heart attack, the tattoo-like symbol hadn’t reappeared on him. He wasn’t sure if it would ever return and truthfully he didn’t care. Larissa’s scent was on him and under his skin and wasn’t going away. But he still wanted to do the bonding ritual again. For himself, for her, for all the time they’d lost.
He grabbed their bag, then hurried up to the front door. Next to him Larissa was practically dancing with anticipation.
“You’re very impatient.”
“I’m very turned on,” she murmured.
When she’d started rubbing his cock through his pants on the way here, he’d about driven off the road and had to beg for her patience. “Yeah, I got that.” And he loved her impatience.
She glanced at him as he opened the front door. “And you’re not?”
He laughed. “You know I am.” He’d been rock hard since . . . well, for four fucking days. Or at least it felt like it.
As they entered the house he could smell the subtle scent of lavender and something else he didn’t recognize, but it was fresh and crisp.
Larissa’s eyes widened slightly as he shut the door behind them. Turning, he followed her gaze to the living room that was directly off to the left from the entryway. The wood-burning fireplace was already blazing and there were a few dozen candles lit all over the room.
What drew his attention was the giant pile of blankets and pillows directly in front of the fireplace. Much better than a bed.
Grabbing the bag from his hand, Larissa tossed it to the side and jumped him, wrapping her legs around him. He stumbled once before his arms wrapped around her petite body and he crushed his mouth to hers.
Feeling like a male possessed, he kissed his mate, flicking and teasing his tongue against hers in a raw, hungry dance.
Larissa clawed at his shirt as he blindly walked them into the living room. Luckily it was a straight shot to the blankets because Aiden didn’t have much finesse right now. He lifted his arms to let her pull the shirt over his head.
