by Katie Reus
“You should be proud.” Noah’s voice was sincere as he tugged her close. “Shifter females need someone to look up to.”
She eyed him warily. “And The Council chose me?”
“No, your badass skills got you chosen.” Grinning, he crushed his mouth to hers, the need and hunger thrumming through him a palpable thing she swore she could feel in her bones.
We need to get out of here now, she said along their telepathic bondmate link.
Breathing erratically, he pulled back, his wolf in his eyes, and simply nodded.
Once they were outside she realized they hadn’t even said goodbye to Gloria. They’d just run out of there.
Oh well, it was better than turning into complete animals in the middle of the bookstore. For how she felt, she wanted to feel her mate filling her, claiming her and making her generally crazy as soon as possible. They might not even make it back to their house this time. The SUV would work just as well as anyplace, as far as she was concerned.
Considering the thick scent of lust rolling off her sexy-as-sin mate, she was pretty sure he’d be on board with that too.
Chapter 5
Gloria was thinking about closing up December’s Book Nook when Kat and Jayce walked in holding hands. “Hey, you just missed Erin and Noah.” Erin was an enforcer, just like Jayce.
Gloria didn’t know the male well, and the truth was, she didn’t want to. He was a bit scary, but he was friends with the male she’d been seeing the last month—the very frustrating vampire who’d been acting strange and distant for the last three days.
Gloria wished Niko would just open up to her, but she couldn’t make him. And if he didn’t want to be in a relationship anymore, then she wished he’d just tell her. He hadn’t been around, had told her he’d been busy working—and she would understand if that was the truth. But something about his tone and attitude made her think he hadn’t been exactly honest with her.
Not that it would be easy to walk away. No, it would shred her heart apart, but she couldn’t deal with this not knowing what was going on between the two of them. As a beta she needed affection and to know she was important. It was how she was wired. So this three days of weirdness between them had her all twisted up inside.
“Did she see the display?” Kat asked, her pale blue eyes glowing with glee. The tall female who’d once been human had been turned to a shifter to save her life after a horrific near-death experience. She was one of the most beautiful females Gloria had ever met. She looked as if she should be on a movie screen. Lean, leggy and ultra-confident. If they weren’t friends, she might be a little intimidated by Kat.
“Yeah. Didn’t seem too happy about it either.” December had warned Gloria that Erin would probably hate them, but The Council apparently wanted the pack to sell them, so…it was happening. And they’d been a pretty big seller so far today. A lot of human girls wanted them. Gloria couldn’t blame them after seeing the video of Erin in action. She’d looked just like a superhero from the movies, all liquid, lethal grace as she’d killed those vamps with incredible ease.
Kat’s grin widened. “I’ll take all of them. Including the ones you have in the back.”
She blinked. “That’s like almost two hundred.”
“Perfect!”
Jayce gave Kat a wry look. “I’m afraid to even ask, but why do you want all the figurines?”
“You’ll see.” Her lips curved up mischievously as she gave him a sideways glance. “Oh, we need to stop by a craft store after this too.”
“I can grab the boxes from the back, then?” Gloria asked, looking between the two of them, unsure if they were actually taking the entire stock.
“Yes, please,” Kat said, pulling her wallet from her purse.
Jayce just gave her a dark look and pulled out his own. “I’ve got this.”
Gloria figured that she’d find out soon enough what Kat planned to do with all of the figures. Once the couple was gone, burdened down by multiple boxes, Gloria ran the end-of-the-day reports and closed up shop.
She probably could have stayed another hour but she was exhausted, and December had told her she could close early if she wanted.
Glad she didn’t have to do a bank deposit tonight, she tucked the store keys into her pocket and pulled the belt of her peacoat tighter around her. The chill in the air was crisp and made her wolf side happy. She preferred the cold over the heat any day.
Passing happy couples and families as she strolled down the sidewalk, she tried to keep her mind off Niko, but it was impossible. She’d met the sexy vampire a month ago and it was as if some part of her she hadn’t even realized existed had woken up.
They’d met and she’d been stunned speechless by the connection between them. He had been too, thankfully.
The last three days, however, he’d been acting strange. He hadn’t even been able to stay during the days at her place and had been cagey when she asked why. Which wasn’t like the male she thought she knew.
She didn’t want to put chains on him, but something just felt weird and she’d learned not to ignore her instinct. For the most part, no shifter ignored that intrinsic part of themselves.
Instead of going back to the ranch she decided to go see the huge Christmas tree in one of the local parks. Everyone from Fontana was allowed to donate an ornament, which usually made for an over-decorated tree. But she loved it. Loved everything about where she lived.
Even if she ached to get away sometimes. Her sister Natalia had been going on adventures lately, working with her new mate Aldric, and even with the enforcer, Jayce, on different missions. It was hard not to feel a little left behind.
The truth was, though, she didn’t want to go bounty hunting. She was more peaceful and submissive by nature, but…that didn’t mean she wouldn’t love to travel. Unfortunately, her former pack Alpha had been so damn strict with everyone, not just the females. Now she wanted to spread her wings, to see more of the world. Sometimes she felt like it was passing her by. Especially after losing so many of her packmates, cousins and her parents to violence.
A few days ago she and Niko had started talking about planning a trip to New Zealand in the new year—right before he pretty much ghosted on her. Had she been wrong about him? About them?
When she turned the corner onto a side street that would take her to the park, she frowned when she spotted Niko’s car parked along the curb. A small sheet of snow covered the hood, telling her it had been there a little while at least. Nearing it, she saw that it was in front of a little café that was closed.
He’d told her he had work stuff tonight. An uncomfortable sensation twisted inside her, but she shoved it back. She trusted Niko. He’d given her no reason not to. The male had a lot of businesses and conducted most things online. But maybe he’d had a meeting in town.
Seemed kind of late for one, but— She stopped walking when he stepped out the café with a tall blonde woman wearing five-inch knee-high boots and a body-hugging sweater dress. Her coat was draped over her arm.
“I apologize for keeping you so long,” he said to the woman, who was locking up. His eyes widened when he saw Gloria standing on the sidewalk.
The woman gave a throaty laugh and said something to him, but Gloria didn’t hear her response. Didn’t actually care what it was.
Awkwardness invaded her as he stared at her like a deer caught in headlights. Was he…with this woman? As a beta shifter she wasn’t confrontational. Not even close. Some betas were, but she was more passive in every sense. She hated conflict, and right about now she wanted to be anywhere but here.
Erin or Kat would probably walk straight up to him and ask what the hell he was doing. Or at least keep their cool.
Gloria’s instinct was to simply flee, however. Which was stupid. She knew that. But Niko looked guilty as hell and she didn’t want some uncomfortable confrontation with him in front of some random female he was hooking up with.
Her canines descended at that thought. Turning away
, she’d taken two steps down the sidewalk when Niko was all of a sudden standing in front of her in a blur of motion.
“What are you doing here?” His dark eyes had a soft glow to them as he reached for her, took one of her hands in his.
She could hear the female coming down the walkway toward them, ignored her. “I closed the bookstore up early and wanted to go see the big Christmas tree in the park. What are you doing here?” There was a bite to her words she couldn’t hide.
Before he could respond the human reached them. “You must be Gloria.”
She turned to the woman, surprised she knew her name. “Yes.”
“You’re a lucky lady,” she said, smiling warmly before winking at Niko. “I’ll see you tomorrow to finish everything up. Have a good night.” She was gone in a blur of clicking heels and slightly cloying perfume as she crossed the street toward a small, gated parking lot.
Gloria turned back to Niko, who definitely looked guilty. “Who is that woman?”
“I…” He raked a hand through his midnight black hair.
“If you want to end things, just tell me.” She pulled her hand back, wrapped her arms around herself.
His dark eyes widened. “What? No! I’d wanted it to be a surprise for Christmas. That was Angela. She’s, well, she’s a real estate agent, among other things.”
She frowned. “One who runs a café?
“Oh, no. Her sister owns that place. She let us close up late so we could go over… Which isn’t the point. She’s a Realtor and was recommended to me by a friend as being reliable. I’ve planned a yearlong trip for us—if you want—and bought some new places all over the world. I can’t trust where I sleep to hotels, so I had to get all the arrangements set up before I surprised you.”
She blinked, letting her arms fall from around her as his words settled in. “You planned a trip for us?”
He nodded, settling his big hands on her hips. “When you started talking about going to New Zealand I realized you wanted to see more of the world.”
She placed her hands on his chest, dug her fingers into his shirt. Yes, this man understood her well. Relief swelled inside her that he didn’t want to end things.
“I wanted everything to be perfect,” he said, his voice raspier than normal. He’d had his throat cut before he’d been turned into a vampire, and after the transition it hadn’t changed.
“I feel like an idiot. You’ve been so distant the last couple days and then I saw you with that woman and I thought…” Her cheeks heated as she looked at him. “Wait, you bought homes for us to stay in?” She couldn’t have heard that right. She knew the male had money but…that was crazy.
Now he flushed, and considering he was a five-hundred-year-old vampire, it was adorable. “Some I already own, but yes. I wanted to make certain I’d be safe in every residence and that you’d be protected during the day.”
“You’re a wonderful, wonderful man, Nikolai. Thank you for such an amazing gift. I can’t even wrap my head around a trip like this.” She rose on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his. His body temperature was slightly cooler than hers and she loved the contrast. She’d never imagined she’d end up with a vampire, but now she couldn’t imagine being with anyone but this male.
He growled softly. “Love it when you say my full name.”
She loved everything about the male. “You want to go see the big Christmas tree with me?” she whispered.
Lightly nipping her bottom lip, he let out a growl, which could have been a yes or no. When he slid an arm around her shoulders and led her in that direction, she figured it was a yes.
“A whole year?” she asked, leaning her head against his shoulder as they rounded the next corner. All the poles lining the street were strung with bright twinkly lights.
“If that’s okay with you. I know you haven’t been many places and I want to show you everything.” Heat and something else laced his voice. He was ancient compared to her, so worldly and experienced. She couldn’t wait to see the world with him.
“It’s more than okay. Thank you for this gift.” It was like the male was in her head. Even if he hadn’t broached the subject of mating, she knew he adored her, and he’d told her he loved her. And she loved him. She’d realized it about a week into their relationship, which felt impossibly soon. But again, as a shifter, she’d never doubted her instinct. Wasn’t going to start now.
She scented roasted chestnuts from a vendor a street over and just a hint of hot cocoa in the air, probably from the same vendor, as they crossed the final street toward the park. Her boots thudded softly along the sidewalk but Niko was stealth personified.
She was surprised that no one was at the huge tree when they reached it, but it was getting kind of late. It towered about eighteen feet into the air, ringed with green, red and white lights and mismatched ornaments. A soft blanket of snow covered everything, even layering some of the branches.
“Gloria.” Niko’s voice was a low rumble.
When she turned in his arms, he dropped his hold and went down on one knee.
It took her a moment to realize what he was doing until he pulled out a small blue box. He opened it to reveal a sparkly diamond ring. Princess cut and huge. “No matter what you say—”
“Yes!” she threw her arms around him, and if he wasn’t ridiculously strong and ancient she’d have probably tackled him to the ground.
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. “I had a whole speech prepared about how I still value human traditions from my era.”
Grinning and feeling foolish as they both knelt by the twinkling tree in the snow, she said, “Finish it, then.”
His mouth curved up slightly. “I thought I might have to convince you.”
She blinked. How could this male ever doubt how much she loved him? “Seriously?”
“I never thought I’d meet anyone like you. When I saw you in Connor’s living room it was like…” He shook his head, his expression a little awed.
“I know.” She’d felt it too. Like lightning striking.
“I want to mate as well as marry. In case that wasn’t clear. I want everything from you. I was worried about going too fast but before this trip, before we start our lives together, I want the whole world to know you’re mine. Humans and supernaturals.”
Those were words she’d needed to hear, on every level. Throat tight with emotion, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Tonight. We mate tonight.” She’d imagined it for so long.
His dark eyes glinted with lust, the scent of him dark and spicy. “I love it when you get bossy,” he murmured.
“And I love you.”
He growled low in his throat, sounding more shifter than vampire. “I love you too.” Scooping her in his arms, he lifted them in the air, something they’d only done once before. Not many vampires could fly, but he was one of the few.
She let out a short gasp as the cold air rushed over them. Right now she figured they were headed back to wherever he was staying. And they were most definitely going to make things permanent tonight, in the most intimate way possible. Marriage was fine with her, but bonding was what her wolf craved.
She wanted forever with her vampire.
* * *
Aldric paused in the doorway of the kitchen, watching as his mate did a fist pump into the air. “What’s that for?”
Natalia swiveled in her chair at the center island, her dark ponytail swinging back, and held up her cell phone. “Gloria’s not coming home tonight.”
He grinned, stepped closer to his new mate. If Gloria wasn’t coming home, it meant they were about to get naked. They were moving out soon, but their new home wasn’t even close to being ready yet. The ranch had seen a lot of new construction lately, including their home, which was basically a frame right now.
“Niko made his move, finally. Told her about the trip he’s been planning. They leave after Christmas.” Sadness flickered in her dark eyes for a moment. “I’m bummed she’ll be gone for so long but maybe
we can plan a trip to meet up with them somewhere.”
He set his hands on the counter on either side of her, caging her in as she fully turned to him.
“I’m glad for your sister,” he murmured, his gaze on her mouth. “But I’m really glad for us right now.”
“Why’s that?” She spread her legs, a wicked grin on her face as he stepped closer.
He placed his palms on her thighs, slid them up higher and higher until his thumbs touched her covered mound. Oh yeah, these jeans were about to be gone. “Because I plan to have you naked in—”
Knock, knock, knock.
Aldric gritted his teeth. “I’m going to kill whoever’s out there. Our door is locked for a reason.”
His sweet mate just brushed her lips against his and slid out of the chair, laughing as she ducked under his arm. “I’ll open it so you don’t bite off the head of whoever it is.”
Sighing, he followed her to the front door. He’d recently joined the Armstrong-Cordona pack, after mating with Natalia, a female he couldn’t live without. The last pack he’d been part of hundreds of years ago had been much smaller by comparison, and composed of mostly his immediately family. Now he found they were always bombarded by someone. And he was often working patrols, helping to make sure that pack land was secured from anyone with malicious intent or curious humans, so he didn’t get nearly as much time with his mate as he wanted.
He scented Kat, his brother’s mate, before Natalia even opened the door.
The female had a big grin on her face as she held out a small brown bag. “Make sure you hang these on your tree.”
Natalia peered into the bag, grinned, then handed it to Aldric. Looking inside, he saw that someone, likely Kat, had turned the new Erin action figures into Christmas ornaments.
“Where’d you get these?” Natalia asked, leaning against the doorframe. Kat had a big canvas bag filled with other smaller brown paper bags just like this one.
“Bought them from December’s place and added the hooks myself. They’re going to look awesome on everyone’s trees.”
