Scoundrel (Emerald Isle Tigers Book 1)

by Cass Reynolds

  “You know, I think I’ve put up with quite enough tonight. I am a very loyal customer to your establishment, and I cannot believe I am being treated with this much disrespect. Keep your damn body, but you can be sure that Theron will hear about it. So when he comes whining to Zelloth, do not blame me.”

  Draven turned on his heel, heading for the door in a cloud of offended rage. Only two see two beefy guards step into his path.

  “I’m afraid I can’t let you leave, sir.” The pitiful little manager was looking quite pleased with himself. No doubt this was the biggest power trip he’d gotten in quite some time. But Draven had no time to waste. When it came to shifting, he had a dramatic flair.

  He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and leaped into the air. A tiger hit the floor where the man had been, a tiger who let out a roar loud enough to shatter all the glass in the small office. The guards hesitated, fear in every line of their faces, and Draven took the opportunity to barrel through them.

  He loped down the building’s hallways, reveling in that feeling that he was in his true form. There was no logical reason that the tiger should feel more natural than the man. He’d been a man for twenty years before being chosen for this gift, but there was something pure and freeing about being in his tiger form.

  He passed by someone now and then, but completely ignored them – they were forced to flatten themselves against the wall to avoid being trampled.

  Finally he burst into the cold night air, searching the streets for his wagon. Gone. That was a good sign. He would just assume that they’d gotten away okay and were headed for the ley lines.

  Twenty minutes later, his little boxes came into view. The makeshift carriages were his own design, achieved with Fae help of course. They were designed to travel along the ley lines, but about a hundred feet up in the air. Too many nasties lurked in the forest for the ground to be a safe trip. Each one would hold two people, so he’d called three out of storage. He’d also sent a message along to Diesel, so he’d know to expect them. Diana was there, with the wagon, the other three of their party leaning over the sides, carefully watching the ‘dead’ tiger.

  As he trotted up to them, Draven couldn’t help but notice the little flash of admiration in Diana’s eyes. He felt like strutting, but then the realization hit him hard – she didn’t want him. Somehow in the excitement of the night he had forgotten. And apparently had completely fallen for her as well. He couldn’t blame her really, after everything he had done to intentionally piss her off.

  But still, why was he even going with them if she wouldn’t be his mate? He sighed, thinking that at the very least he could make sure that Diesel would take care of the little group.

  In the blink of an eye, he was human once more, already dressed. That was a handy little trick that Theron had taught him, back when they were still on good terms. Without it he would have lost his treasured cloak years ago.

  Reaching into one pocket, he pulled out the little wooden box. In one quick movement, he smashed it. Rather than splintering like a normal box would, it completely disappeared in a flash of light. He heard Diana gasp. She was probably assuming the worst – that he had betrayed them and left Chase mostly dead forever.

  He didn’t bother looking at her, just spoke towards the forest. “He should be waking up now. Breaking the box breaks the spell.”

  Sure enough, sounds were coming from the wagon. A pissed off looking tiger sat up and looked around at the people surrounding him. After a pause, he changed, revealing one very beat up naked man.

  Zephyr threw a blanket at Chase and clapped him on the shoulder. “Good to see you alive and well mate!”

  Chase gave him a queasy looking grin, and promptly passed out.

  Draven sighed. “That’s not too surprising, actually. The spell on top of him already being injured was probably too much for his system to handle. He’ll be fine, just needs rest and a healer. Let’s hurry up and get to Hovenweep.”

  Diana hurried forward, all business. “Okay, yes. How are we getting there?”

  “The boxes. They fly. Fae magic. They’ll take us directly to Diesel’s house.”

  Diana only hesitated for a moment, giving the little cubes dubious looks. “So, looks like two to a… carriage. I’ll go with Chase to keep an eye on him, everyone else pair off.”

  Melody shouldered her way forward. “Don’t be silly. I’ll go with him. I can work on him on the way.”

  Diana was already furiously shaking her head. “No. He’s injured. If he loses control and you’re trapped in there with him--”

  Melody interrupted, “I will be much more equipped to handle him than you and you know it.”

  Draven looked between the two women, not really sure what was happening. “Why would Melody be able to handle him better…?”

  Diana looked pissed, but knew that her niece was right. “She’s a healer. Among other things. And yes, she would be able to handle him better. Let’s just hurry up and get in the boxes so this can be done with.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Diana still didn’t feel comfortable throwing a fifteen year old girl in a small box with a wounded shifter. Yes, she knew that Chase would never hurt Melody. And yes, she knew that Melody would be able to focus better without her aunt hovering over her. And yes again, the carriages were only big enough for two. But still, it seemed like they could have come up with a safer solution.

  Plus, neither of the guys were interested in riding with Draven, so she got assigned that dubious honor. He was sitting next to her, glowering, completely oblivious to his surroundings. She honestly didn’t know why he insisted on coming, considering how much he seemed to hate them all.

  “Why are you coming with us?”

  He didn’t look at her, but the scowl on his face deepened. “That eager to be rid of me?”

  Diana wasn’t sure exactly who or what had pissed him off, but his attitude was not endearing him to her. “If you’re going to be like this, yes.”

  He just glared into the sky.

  That continued for another fifteen minutes or so, Draven sulking about who knows what and Diana stewing about his sulking. But she was not the type to stew.

  “Look, what are you even upset about? I thought you’d be happy. Your plan worked like a charm, Chase is free, and now we’ll be out of your hair for good. You can go back to your hobbies and whores or whatever.”

  She attempted a little smile for the sake of the joke, but mentioning his whores hurt. She didn’t know why it hurt. It wasn’t like she was attached to the guy or anything.

  Was she?

  Her thoughts flashed back over the few short days they had known each other. Which, okay, was about three. How could she have fallen for a guy in three days? Surely it had nothing to do with this “predestined mate” bullshit. That was just on his end.

  Still, as she did her best to stare at him with her peripheral vision, she had to admit there was something there. Never before had she felt such an intense, bone deep need for a man. And it wasn’t like she’d never met a hot guy. Both Gavin and Zephyr were very attractive. The same could be said for Draven’s brother, as cold as he was. She could look at them and appreciate their good looks, but they didn’t send a zing running through her body.

  She didn’t feel weak-kneed and breathless at the site of them.

  Her breathing was getting a bit loud, and she swallowed loudly. She needed to get herself under control. He would definitely be able to smell the lust rolling off her in waves, not that he would care. He seemed to only be interested in making her wet and wanting, then leaving her high and dry.

  Closing her eyes, Diana leaned her head back against the plush seat and tried to modulate her breathing. Once they got to Hovenweep, she could go on the prowl, find some random guy to scratch her itch.

  The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. He was staring at her. Why?

  “I don’t understand you,” he said in his low, cigars-and-whiskey voice.

  She de
cided to pull one of his tricks, and kept her eyes closed, head pointing forward. “What do you mean by that?”

  “I told you that you’re my mate. And you brushed it off. You act like I disgust you, but you also can’t seem to control your own libido around me. What, you want me against your will? Attracted to the reprobate and you refuse to give in?”

  “Reprobate?”

  “Yes. Criminal. Loser. Whatever.”

  “You consider yourself a loser?”

  “…No. But you do.” A smile played around his lips. “And I will admit to being a criminal.”

  “I never called you a loser.”

  Diana felt a whoosh of air past her face – she assumed that Draven had thrown his hands up in a dramatic fashion. He was that kind of guy.

  “No, but I can tell you don’t approve of me or my lifestyle. You hate Emerald Isle and I’m basically the poster child for the damn place.”

  Diana finally opened her eyes, focusing her gaze on his. “Draven. Why are you coming with us?”

  “Because I can’t NOT come with you! You’re my mate! I told you this, I warned you that I would follow you to the ends of the earth.”

  “You said that you’d follow me if we sealed whatever magical pact there is. With sex. We haven’t had sex.”

  He blew out a breath and pouted. Diana wanted to laugh at the look on his face, but she knew he would take it the wrong way.

  “No. We haven’t. Apparently sex is not required for the damn curse to take its full effect on me.”

  “You know, it would be nice if you’d stop referring to me as a curse.” He shrugged, but at least had the decency to look ashamed. “And if you are hell bent on following me, we may as well ‘seal the pact,’ as it were.”

  He head swiveled towards her so fast she had to hold back the laughter again. “What?”

  “Oh c’mon mister. You’ve been getting me all worked up and then leaving me hanging since I met you. I think you owe me a nice hard fuck.”

  Apparently that was all the encouragement he needed. Before Diana could take a breath, he was on her, grabbing at her clothes with eager hands. She did her best to help him, but ended up just getting in his way. She heard fabric rip and wondered what she would need to be replacing.

  Before she knew it, he had her completely bare. Cool air swirled around her body, and she drew in shuddering breaths. She was hot and cold and the same time, and absolutely dripping with need. Draven gently pushed her onto her back, and spread her legs wide. She felt his breath, adding to the heat of her pussy, and was wracked with fully body shivering. Keeping her legs firmly apart, he dipped his face low. His tongue darted out, barely crazing her throbbing clit. Diana swallowed hard, resisting the urge to buck against his mouth.

  He rewarded her for her efforts, letting his tongue press more firmly against that aching bud of pleasure. She moaned low in her throat as the moist pressure swirled around her clit, clenching her legs against his strong arms. She wanted his face between her legs forever. He kept her legs opened wide, but began lapping at her with increased speed. It was too much for her over stimulated senses to take, and she felt the pressure rising in her womb. She came, hard, her body shaking from the release.

  Before she had even finished coming, he was on top of her. His huge weight pressed down on her, and she had the random thought that he might crush her. Thankfully he rose on both hands, looked into her face, and then impaled her with one hard thrust. Diana’s heart stopped in her chest and her back arched off the narrow seat. She felt like she might be split in two, she was so completely filled. Draven was hands down, the best lover she’d ever had. Was this because of the weird mating magic?

  His body was heavy over hers, and she felt him draw out just a little and slam back in. She assumed he had gone in all the way for the first time, but was apparently mistaken. She could hear her own frantic panting intermingling with his guttural grunting, and her eyes rolled back in my head as he fell into a steady rhythm.

  Out. Ah, sweet relief. At the same time, she felt empty inside. She wanted him to fill her forever.

  In. His rough chest abraded her nipples. The wanton little peaks felt so abused, but still hard as rocks.

  Out. Diana realized that she had been raking his back with her nails, and the coppery smell of blood filled the air. It only spurned Draven on, and she saw his eyes flashing gold.

  In. The pants were intermingled with incoherent begging. Draven had slipped his hand in between them without Diana’s notice, and was now circling her clit intensely.

  Out. Draven pulled his fingers away from her with a wicked gleam in his eyes, and Diana glared back at him, pulling him back down to her. She was so fucking close. He would not deny her again.

  In. Smart man, his fingers were back on her sweet spot.

  It didn’t take long; the combination of being completely stuffed and Draven’s rough ministrations had her spiraling into another orgasm. There were no words, as Diana’s mouth opened in a silent scream. She was so hot and the air was so cold – the goosebumps covering her skin only increased her sensitivity. The waves of pleasure wouldn’t stop coming, and she was soon shaking from the strain.

  Draven was playing with her, deliberately pulling back as she was about to come. But she had an idea of what might mess up his game.

  “Draven… I love you.”

  He reared back in shock, his eyes going completely gold, with tiny hints of red swirling around. Snarling like a caged animal, he drove into her and held there, staring down at her.

  “You sure?”

  “Pretty sure.”

  A satisfied smile spread over his face as he leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Well that’s good for you, because you are mine and I am never letting you go.”

  With that, he gave her clit one hard pinch, sending her over the edge. As she floated on the waves of pleasure, not entirely sure who it was that was yelling, she felt him come as well. His hot seed spurted against her inner walls, and she knew what he said was true.

  Come hell or high water, she was his. And he was hers.

  They lay there together, cramped on the tiny bench, limbs tangled, panting from the aftermath. Diana wasn’t sure she could be happier.

  Then Draven had to go and prove her wrong.

  “Oh, and in case it wasn’t clear – I love you too.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Draven’s magic carriages shuddered to a halt and sank back down to the ground. He knew that they had to get out, but if it were up to him they’d just stay in the thing for the rest of eternity.

  He absolutely couldn’t believe how he lucked out with the mate curse. He’d only known Diana for three days, and she’d already turned his world upside down. Hell, he’d just up and abandoned his apartment in Emerald Isle, all his business dealings there, and he didn’t give a shit. All that mattered was that he was with his mate.

  It would be nice to catch up with Diesel, though. And he was getting hungry.

  Sighing, he looked down at the gorgeous woman curled in up in his arms. “I think we’re supposed to get out now.”

  She smiled up at him, a spark of mischief in her eyes. “You think? You designed the things and you don’t even know for sure if we should get out?”

  Draven rolled his eyes at her and tweaked her nose. “Fine, I’m sure that we’re supposed to get out now. Diesel is probably waiting. Now, you want to put some clothes on, or should I just carry you out in your birthday suit?”

  She giggled and looked around the little box. “I suspect you would not actually be okay with me meeting your friend stark naked. But clothes also seem like a lot of work. Can I just wear your cape?”

  As he pulled the cloak out from underneath them, he admonished her again. “I suppose you can wear it, but only if you finally start calling it a cloak!”

  She snuggled into the fur, feeling a pang as she remembered the grey wolf still trapped in the Coliseum. But she wouldn’t think of him tonight; she was too happy.

 
“It looks like a cape to me…” she teased.

  As he mock glared at her, she stuck out her tongue and jumped out of the box. The rest of the group was already assembled outside, making small talk with the solemn looking young man that had come to meet them. Draven strode forward with a grin, happy to see an old friend.

  “Diesel! How’re you doing? Thanks so much for letting us crash with you.”

  Diesel gave him a small smile, but seemed troubled. “Yes, of course. Why don’t you all come inside, before someone sees you?”

  Draven frowned. The ley line they rode ended directly in Diesel’s back yard. He’d bought the property partially for that exact benefit. Why would he be worried about someone seeing them? “You have spies on your own property?”

  “Who knows, man? When even the trees might be alive and listening… I’ll explain it all, just come on in. We’ve got soup and a fire going.”

  “Sure, no problem.” Draven looked around until his eyes landed on Chase – the man seemed to be walking all right now. That kid was a damn good healer. For some reason he had the feeling they would need her in the coming months…

  Epilogue

  Chase stared into the flames, trying to come up with a viable plan. He knew that what he was about to do was the height of stupidity. His sister had risked so much to save him from the Coliseum. Draven had given up his whole life in Emerald Isle. But here he was, contemplating going back.

  For Mercy.

  That probably wasn’t her real name, just what people begged for when they saw her face. An assassin known across the country, she had somehow gotten herself caught. Normally, getting sentenced to the Coliseum for your crimes is kind of a good deal. If you can live through so many fights, your debt to society is considered paid, and you are freed. True, not many lived long enough to earn their freedom, but at least it was an option.

  Not for Mercy, though. She had killed too many people. And not just random citizens – hell, if she had taken out that many supernaturals, someone probably would have given her a medal. But she targeted high ranking humans. Powerful men, specifically the ones who were fond of destroying magic. Modern day witch hunters.