Claimed By The Lycan

by Kristen Middleton

  “That wasn’t so bad, now, was it?” he whispered, kissing her on the temple.

  Megan smiled. “No, it wasn’t.”

  “How long has it been since you’ve made love?”

  “Too long.”

  “We should make up for the lost years, then.”

  She smiled.

  “In fact, next time we should shift and do it doggy-style.”

  Biting back a smile, she looked up at him. “How do you know there will even be a ‘next time’?”

  He looked hurt. “You said…”

  Megan laughed. “I’m just playing. I agree, next time we can do it that way. If that’s what you want? I’ve never done it that way.”

  “Well, whichever. I just want what you want.”

  “Why?” she asked, catching him off guard. “Why does it matter to you? What I want? You barely know me.”

  “To be honest, I’ve felt a deep connection to you from the first time I laid eyes on you.”

  “That’s called lust and we talked about that,” she replied, smirking.

  “No. It’s more than that. I want to protect you and take care of you.”

  “And what about Caitlyn and Meredith?”

  “They’re your family and family means everything.”

  “I feel the same way,” she said, sensing his sincerity.

  “I know we barely know each other but, I want you to try and give me a chance. To prove myself. Who knows, maybe in time you’ll even learn to like me. And,” his eyes twinkled, “not just my body.”

  Megan laughed. “You are definitely an Alpha.”

  “What I am is… head-over-heels for you,” he said. “And I’d do anything to keep you safe. Anything.”

  She sat up and looked at him. “You really feel that strongly about me?”

  “Yes and I hope that someday you’ll feel the same way about me.”

  Megan’s eyes burned into his. “Maybe. I guess that time will tell.”

  He reached up and touched her cheek. “It will.”

  All she could do was nod.

  They made love again and when it was over, he quickly fell asleep while Megan lay next to him, her mind still racing. Although she wanted to trust Torin, she still had her doubts. Of course, she was willing to fly her family to Dublin, but also knew that they didn’t have any other choice, especially since Caitlyn would be going through the change soon. They needed a place for her daughter to feel safe, and if a large castle in Ireland couldn’t do it, Megan wasn’t sure what could.

  But just like she’d told Torin, time would tell.

  25

  The next day, Meredith was able to get ahold of Anna Marie.

  “I’m sorry it took so long to call you back. We were in the hospital.”

  “Don’t be sorry. Are you okay?” asked Meredith, concerned.

  “The babies came early,” she replied, sounding exhausted. “We had twins.”

  “That’s wonderful news, Anna Marie! What did you have? Boys? Girls?”

  She yawned. “A girl and a boy. Jessica and Tyler.”

  “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Thanks. They’re premature but healthy. The doctors are even amazed at how well they are doing.”

  “It’s that Lycan blood.”

  “I’m sure. Their lungs are strong, even for being four weeks early, and the doctor says we should be able to go home as early as tomorrow.”

  “That’s great news. You must be excited about bringing them home.”

  “Yes. Very.” She yawned again. “So, how’s Mitch doing?”

  “He’s still sleeping,” she answered, looking over at him. “We’re leaving soon, though. We need to find someone to come and get him, obviously.”

  “Alex will do it. In fact, he should be on his way. He just left here about ten minutes ago. You’re in Walker, right?”

  “Yes. It’s the Walker City Motel, just north of Monroe Street. I hope he has pictures of the babies.”

  “He took some on his phone,” she said, a smile in her voice.

  “Good. I love babies.” She smiled sadly. “I wish I could have more. Even my granddaughter is too young to cradle at night.”

  She laughed. “You could still have some more of your own, you know. You’re still very young. Especially for a Lycan.”

  “I’m also very single.”

  “Again, you’re still very young,” replied Anna Marie. “Don’t give up on love or babies.”

  Meredith laughed. “Right. Well, I shouldn’t complain. I have my girls back. It’s a miracle.”

  “Megan and Caitlyn? You must be thrilled to see them.”

  “That’s an understatement.”

  Anna Marie yawned again. “So, I take it that Mitch doesn’t know what’s going on?”

  “I don’t think so. He’s aware of the Lycan, though. Just not what’s happening to him.”

  “I knew someone should have taken Blake out a long time ago,” said Anna Marie, furious.

  “He might be dead as we speak.”

  “Let’s hope so. I won’t believe it until I see it for myself. We’re not sending anyone over to his cabin, unless it gets reported.”

  “I’m sure that once Mitch is fully recovered, you three can decide what to do about the Van Burens.”

  “I’m sure Mitch will want to skin them all alive, and I’ll gladly help.”

  She laughed.

  “I just wonder how he’s going to handle, being one of us.”

  “You just need to be there for him, Anna Marie. You and Alex.”

  “We will. He’s been like family to us. We’d do anything for him.”

  “I always liked him myself,” said Meredith. “I think he’ll do just fine.”

  “Me, too. So, you’re really going to Dublin?”

  “For a while. I’m coming back, though. I just need to make sure Caitlyn and Megan are going to be safe.”

  “I understand. Oh, I’ve got to go. They're bringing the babies in. Keep in touch.”

  “I will and keep those little ones safe.”

  “Thanks, Meredith. Good luck with everything.”

  “You, too.”

  ***

  Two hours later, Meredith, Caitlyn, Megan, and Torin were seated inside a small private plane that was headed toward O’Hare International Airport. From there, they would fly First Class to Dublin on a commercial plane, compliments of Aiden Rylan.

  The pilot handed each of them passports and fake IDs. “Aiden is in a meeting this morning and said he’d call you when it’s over,” he told Torin. “He apologizes for making you fly commercial on that direct flight to Dublin, but his business jets are all tied up today. He knows how anxious you are to get home.”

  “He’s right and it’s no problem,” said Torin, who was sitting next to Megan. The stewardess handed him a large submarine sandwich and a bottle of beer. He thanked her and smiled. “I’m certainly not going to complain about this kind of treatment.”

  “I don’t care how we get there, I just want to get there,” said Megan, looking forward to relaxing thousands of miles across the ocean from Blake Van Buren.

  “Me, too,” said Caitlyn, sitting across from them with Meredith. “I’ve never flown before, either. I can’t wait.”

  “You’re going to love it,” said Meredith, patting her hand.

  “Just be careful around those vampires,” said Torin. “They’ve got a pheromone that makes young girls swoon.”

  “It doesn’t help that the ones staying at the castle are the guys from Venom,” said the pilot, chuckling. “I doubt they’d even need help in that department.”

  “Did you say Venom?” said Caitlyn, her eyes widening. “As in the band?”

  “You’ve heard of them?” asked Torin.

  “Who hasn’t? They’re awesome and so… adorable,” she gushed.

  “Don’t tell my brother that,” said Torin. “He’s the drummer and already has a big head.”

  “Wow, I can’t believ
e that I get to meet them!” she squealed. “My friends back in Tucson are going to be so jealous. I can’t wait to tell them.”

  “You can’t tell them,” reminded Megan. “It’s too dangerous.”

  She let out a frustrated groan. “Seriously? We’ll be on the other side of the world.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” said Megan. “If Blake is alive, and he finds out where we are, he’ll come after us.”

  “Your mother is right,” said Torin. “And as I said before, he does have connections all over.”

  “That’s fine. I get it.” She grinned. “I just can’t wait to meet them.”

  “You’ll definitely get your chance,” said the pilot, looking at his watch. “We’ll be in the air in about thirty minutes. Which reminds me, I’d better get to the cockpit. Enjoy your flight.”

  They all thanked him as he headed away.

  “So, you excited?” asked Torin, glancing at Megan.

  “I think I’m more nervous than anything,” she answered, looking thoughtful.

  “What are you nervous about?”

  “Everything. It’s just the way I am. We’ve been running for so long that I don’t know if I have it in me to get comfortable or let my guard down.”

  “You let it down pretty good last night,” he murmured, winking at her.

  She smiled. “I guess I did.”

  “It’s a good start,” he said, picking up his sandwich. “Do you want any?”

  “No, thanks,” she replied.

  Torin began to eat and Megan looked out the window, thinking about the last twenty-four hours. So many things had happened and fortunately, she’d walked away from it all, mostly unscathed. The same with Caitlyn and her mother, even after being kidnapped and almost raped by two of Blake’s brethren. Now they were headed to Dublin and what appeared to be a new life. She wasn’t sure how things were going to end up, but in her heart-of-hearts, she felt they were making the right move. As far as Torin was concerned, she wasn’t sure where that was headed. Not yet. And that was okay. She trusted him and felt safe at his side. Sure, they’d started out on opposite sides, but she could forgive him. Especially after what he’d sacrificed for her in the last twenty-four hours.

  “What are you thinking about?” Torin asked, taking a sip of beer.

  She smiled, wondering why he even bothered to drink alcohol. It didn’t do anything for a Lycan. Not in small quantities, at least. “Just taking things in.”

  “How does it feel?” he said, noticing that she looked more relaxed.

  “It feels pretty good.”

  He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “You feel pretty good and I can’t wait to try you on again.”

  Megan found herself giggling like a schoolgirl. He bit her earlobe and nibbled on her neck.

  “Stop,” she squealed, pushing him away playfully.

  Caitlyn, who was watching their exchange, turned to Meredith and smiled. “I’ve never seen her like this,” she whispered.

  Meredith smiled at the couple. “I think there’s hope.”

  “For what?” asked Caitlyn.

  “For them,” she replied, laying her head back. She grabbed Caitlyn’s hand and squeezed it. “For you.”

  “What about you?” she asked.

  Meredith thought about the dream she’d had, earlier that the morning. She’d been dancing with a man with blonde hair and eyes that twinkled when he smiled. A man from her past. She hadn’t seen Aiden Rylan for several years and wondered if he’d even remember her or their brief fling in Vegas, after meeting him at one of Maximus’s Animal Right’s benefits. It had been one of those “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” kind-of-encounters. Memorable for her, but for a billionaire like Aiden, more than likely just another Saturday night. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement at the thought of seeing him again.

  Meredith bit her lower lip and smiled. “Me, too.”

  ***

  To read more about the Rylan family, check out VENOM. You can now read the entire series for free in the Kindle Unlimited Program! Scroll below to read the first book in the series (normally $.99). Hope you enjoy!

  Vampires, Lycan, and Rock Stars? Oh my...

  When Melody Williams goes missing at a concert at Club Nightshade, her eighteen-year-old cousin, Chelsey Fairfax, sneaks into the club to find answers. Little does she know that some mysteries are better left hidden.

  Meanwhile, Venom is in town, a hot new band from Europe, and the owner of Club Nightshade wants them there permanently...

  Adult situations and language

  Recommended for ages sixteen and over.

  Copyright©2014 Kristen Middleton

  www.Maeidesign.com

  Book design by Inkstain Interior Book Designing

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without express written permission of the author.

  This eBook is licensed for your enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this with others, please purchase additional copies for each individual. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  THE MUSIC IN the club was beginning to give her a headache, but Melody ignored it. She was about to go to an after-party with the band members of Venom, who’d just finished their last encore at Club Nightshade. She was also pretty confident that if she played her cards right, she’d be in the lead vocalist’s arms before dawn.

  Slade.

  Just thinking about him made her tingle all over. Damn, the guy was hawt and had a voice that made her want to jump his bones. With those hypnotic green eyes and that sexy infamous half-smile of his, she knew she wasn’t the only girl lusting after him in the club. But she’d definitely mastered the skill of flirting and had eventually gotten Slade’s attention. She’d done the pouty lip thing and made sure he’d gotten an eyeful of cleavage, dancing as close to the stage as possible, twerking with her girlfriends until every guy in the club had been drooling. It had obviously worked, because she’d gotten a note from one of the waitresses with an invite to some party being hosted by the owner of the club, complements of the band. Thankfully, she’d gotten a fake I.D. the week before or there was no way she’d have been able to step inside of the club, let alone party with the band afterwards.

  Leaning forward, she applied another layer of dark cherry gloss to her lips, and then fluffed out her long blond hair. She stood back and smiled, recalling how Slade’s eyes had been transfixed on those same lips. Obviously, he liked the rich crimson color.

  “You ready to go, Melody?” asked her best friend Taylor, who was frantically texting someone on her phone. “It’s getting late and I told Ricky I’d stop by after we left the club.” She looked up and giggled. “Booty call, baby.”

  “What about us?” asked Veronica, looking pissed. “I thought we’d agreed that I was staying at your place tonight, Taylor?”

  “You’re welcome to wait in the car. It won’t take long,” she replied. “He’s like a jack-hammer.”

  Melody and Veronica looked at each other, and then burst out laughing.

  Taylor bit her lower lip. “Actually, now that I think about it, I’m not in the mood for thirty seconds of Ricky. You know, I’d almost rather go eat somewhere. We could go back to that diner up the street. Remember how awesome their food was last time we went?”

  Veronica’s eyes lit up. “Ruth’s? Girl, I’m starving. Let’s do it.”

  “Uh… sorry. I can’t, guys,” said Melody. “I’m meeting someone.”

  Taylor raised an eyebr
ow. “What do you mean? Who?!”

  Melody stared at her side-view in the mirror, sucking in her stomach and thrusting out her chest. She was glad she’d worn her new leopard-printed pushup bra with the matching thong. She wondered if Slade liked animal print. “Wish I could tell you, but it’s kind of a secret.”

  “Excuse me,” replied Veronica, putting her hands on her hips. “We’re your best friends. You have to tell us!”

  She hesitated, wanting to share the news, but her friends had big mouths. “I can’t. Look, I’ll tell you tomorrow. I just don’t want to blow my chances tonight.”

  “Blow your chances? He’s not married or anything, is he?” asked Taylor.

  “Please,” replied Melody, rolling her eyes. “I’m not into married guys. I just can’t tell you who it is because I promised not to say anything.”

  “That’s just weird,” said Veronica.

  “If you knew who it was, you wouldn’t think so,” she replied with a sly smile.

  “Are you going to be okay? I feel uncomfortable taking off like this and not knowing exactly what’s up,” said Taylor.

  Melody dug into her Louis Vuitton purse and took out a small bottle of perfume. She spritzed some into the air and then stepped into the fruity mist. “Don’t worry about me. Everything is totally cool.”

  Veronica studied her face. “He’s not some freak, is he? You know him pretty well?”

  Melody smiled. “Of course, and he’s not a freak. Chill out, guys.”

  Veronica sighed. “We’re just worried about you.”

  Melody zipped up her purse. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine. Take off and get some breakfast.” She winked. “While I go and get me some dessert.”

  Veronica laughed. “Girl, I hear that. Next time get some for me, too. I haven’t had sex since Jerome and I broke up last summer.”

  “We know,” said Taylor. “You complain about it at least twice a day.”

  “You would too if it wasn’t for the ‘Jack Hammer’,” she replied.