Fire in The Moon (The Bound Series Book 3)

by JF Holland

  The redhead stroked down his arm with a fingertip, and he had to lock down his muscles to stop himself from throwing off her touch.

  “Don’t be down, I bet I can get you to smile,” she whispered into his ear, standing on tiptoe. Again, he heard the crowd and Lana’s laughter, and ground his teeth before answering her. He’d play her game for now, it would pass some time.

  “And how would you do that?”

  “You’d be amazed at what I’m capable of… given the right incentive,” she murmured silkily with a bite of her lip.

  Balin tried to figure out what her game was, but the sound of the crowd and his own imagination were working against him. All he could see was Lana parading around that stage, basically naked.

  Fuck it, he thought. “So, what incentive do I need to give you?” he asked with a smirk as the bartender placed another double Scotch by his elbow. He picked it up, and once again downed the contents, watching the red head with a raised brow.

  “Well, if you show me yours… I’ll show you mine,” she winked, slowly running her tongue over her bottom lip as she eyed him hungrily. He threw his head back and laughed at her forthright manner. It felt good to flirt, he’d not done it in such a long time, and right now he needed a diversion before he tore the place apart.

  Once again, he heard the roar of the crowd and ground his teeth, then with a shrug put down his empty glass and began to remove his top. Whipping it over his head, he dropped it by his feet then raised a brow, grinning as the redhead’s eyes dropped hungrily over the naked expanse of his chest, and all the ink he carried there.

  “Incentive enough?” he asked cockily, as he made his pec muscles jump. Again, he watched her lick her bottom lip as she eyed him up, a fingernail lifting and running over the still quivering muscles on his chest. She slowly traced over the ink there, and again he had to clamp down on the urge to shove her away. It was abhorrent to him to have another woman touch him, but his mind was sluggish. The sound of the crowd was hammering in his brain and visuals of Lana bending forward for the crowd were a red flag for him. He had to concentrate on the woman before him to keep himself in place, straining to hear her over his own thunderous rage.

  “Very nice, but can you move it?” she purred, putting an arm around his neck as she tried to pull his mouth down to her own. He held still, taunting her, and hopefully his mate, payback could be a bitch. Grinning, he pulled back and began to do a slow bump and grind, while running a finger beneath the waistband of his jeans.

  He could hear cat calls and whistling around him, but was oblivious as to the reason; too far gone from the alcohol he’d consumed, and needing to escape into oblivion for a while. The next thing he knew, there was a tap on his shoulder, and he was being escorted towards the stage.

  He quickly finished off yet another drink which had appeared in his hand and staggered off with the large man in the cut-off T-shirt who’d spoken to him. He’d asked him something about dancing on stage, and after catching the excited look in the red head’s eye, he’d complied with a smirk. Her eyes lit up as he nodded, and laughingly she followed in his wake.

  What was he doing here? His head was beginning to feel fuzzy.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please," Ronald said into the microphone on stage. Ronald the owner and security at the club, the only one they needed as he was a dragon shifter. Grinning evilly, he held out a hand out to Balin, helping to heft him up onto the stage, and laying a hand on his arm to steady him as he staggered. Then smirking, he once again took to the microphone. "May I introduce,” he stopped and asked Balin his name, who swaying on his feet told him, still unsure what he was doing. “Balin, has agreed to dance for us this evening," Ronald finished saying, before stepping off the stage and leaving Balin stood there with a spotlight trained on him.

  He blinked a few times, confused as to why he was here, his head beginning to ache and his vision not tracking properly. He spotted the redhead before him, looking up. The lust was evident in her eyes as she stared at him and he gave his head a shake, trying to clear it and nearly overbalanced.

  What was he doing again?

  Oh, yeah, he’d said he’d dance, he was going to back out, but then he had a vision of Lana up here, dancing for all the men who’d ogled her with thoughts of slaking their lust.

  Fuck it.

  He began moving his body, not a clue what he was doing, but trying to keep up with the beat of the music. He wiggled his hips, and thrust it backwards and forwards in a crude parody of sex. He could hear the redhead hooting and hollering, and more women began to head towards the stage. He could hear their catcalls and whistles and it spurred him on. Undoing his jeans, caught up in the moment and alcohol induced haze he never even noticed when they changed the song to a stripper special. Shimmying his jeans down his thighs, he kicked them off, then toed off his socks and shoes. Continuing to dance, a hand snaked onto the stage trying to stroke his ankle and he had to edge back slightly to stop it touching him. He’d be on his arse in a heartbeat if he overbalanced, his upright position precarious to say the least with the amount of alcohol he’d downed in such a short time. Dancing was easy, especially as he was already moving due to how unsteady he was on his feet. He began enjoying himself, feeling good about himself and flirting, especially with the women calling out his name.

  Lana may not want him, but these women did; even if it was only for a night.

  He was oblivious to the conversation going on with his family who stood near the side of the stage, nor his brother’s horror and embarrassment at his behaviour. At that moment in time, he didn’t give a rat’s arse, because he was pissed off with his, so called ‘mate’ and wanted some payback. He wanted her to understand how it felt as she watched him strip and dance for a load of women while she looked on.

  The music altered again and he upped his wiggling hips, grinning at the crowd as he shuffled over to the pole.

  He could do this as well as any of the other dancers surely, I mean he climbed trees all the time. How hard could it be?

  Jaden, Maya and Leonard had followed Balin from the bar. They were soon joined by Helena and Sam, after Helena had escaped to check everyone was okay. Lana had come over to them after she’d put on some clothing after her performance. She’d needed a little armour to stand with these people, Maya was the only one she knew, and these men made her a little nervous.

  "Oh my god, we are not related," Jaden said with a shake of his head. Then he stood in stunned silence as he watched his brother begin to bump and grind around the pole.

  He slapped a hand over his eyes, watching through the gap as the female wolf whistles began. The noise was deafening as women began to crowd around the stage, pushing and shoving to get closer. Right at the front was the redhead who'd been pawing him at the bar.

  "Isn't he yummy," they heard one dark haired woman say, and the redhead turned, pushing her viciously.

  "Back off, he's mine," she hissed, blue eyes glowing and Jaden heard Leonard sighed.

  "Man, this just gets better and better," Leonard snarled, running a hand through his hair and taking a drink from the flask of blood he carried. The one he used to spike his drinks when he wasn’t at home as it was the only way a vampire could hold anything down.

  "Why, what's wrong now?" Jaden asked and Leonard, Sam and Helena all turned to him with an 'are you for real,' look upon their faces. He stood looking from one to the other, as the redhead stood before the stage. She watched Balin dance, lust evident in her features.

  Jaden was impressed, Balin could actually move. He worked that pole like a pro, as he swung himself around. Then he ruined it by doing a move that one straight man should never see another straight man perform. Jaden mock shuddered, as he saw him do something that made his junk shake and turned his back, just as Lana spoke up.

  "It seems that my mate has attracted the attention of a nymph," she spat, making Jaden’s brows nearly disappear into his hairline.

  "A nymph, as in nympho
maniac? Cool," he grinned and Lana growled at him.

  "No, as in faerie, Nymph, they thrive on sex. Once they set their eye on a target they don't release them out of their clutches until they've nearly used them dry," Lana spat with distaste.

  "Seriously, wow, you learn something new every day. I guess he scored big then," Jaden said, and Lana turned venomous eyes on him.

  "He's my mate, and he's dancing for a nymph. What does that say about him?" Lana spat.

  "I'd say it's called; turnabout is fair play. You expected him to stand on the side lines while you did it."

  "I didn't know he was here," Lana added, wondering why she was defending herself. She didn’t owe these people an explanation and it irked her to be doing so.

  "Okay, so that makes it better, how?"

  "I don't know, it just does," Lana sighed, looking towards the man who danced on stage, and moved as well as any dancer she’d known or seen. Actually, if she wasn’t so pissed off with him, she’d be in awe of the way he moved. Then she remembered why she was here and got annoyed all over again. The others should not be here. "Anyway, I contacted Maya not you or him," she said lifting her chin defiantly towards the stage, then she turned away in disgust at all the women salivating over him.

  "Lana, where have you been? I've been worried sick about you," Maya admonished the woman that was a sister to her.

  "I'm sorry, but I needed to hide out.” She felt terrible about the way she’d disappeared on Maya, and felt that she owed her an explanation. “I've had someone on my tail, and I've been unable to shake them." She was now worried that she’d put Maya in danger by ringing her and asking her to meet up with her, but she’d missed her and hadn’t wanted her worrying over her.

  "We think we know who it is," Maya admitted, not meeting Lana's suspicious gaze.

  "What aren't you telling me Maya, come on spill the beans?" She had to bite back at retort as Maya looked towards Jaden and Sam before shrugging her shoulders. It was as if she’d asked their permission before she’d speak.

  What was that about?

  "Lana, aren't you going to say hello to mum?"

  "Hello dear, it's been a long time," Helena said, stepping forward and hugging the young woman who was presently watching her like she was a ghost. Which, technically she was, as she'd risen from the dead.

  "Aunty Helena, how, why, when?" Lana stammered, looking her aunt over with incredulity. Then her hand came over her mouth as she thought of something, her eyes filling with tears. "Oh my god, does this mean mum is back. Aunt Helena, is my mother coming back?" she whispered, hope surfacing as her throat tightened and her eyes shone with unshed tears. She struggled, swallowing a couple of times as she tried to beat back her hope.

  Balin seemed to trip on stage, and they turned as they heard a collective gasp. Each set of eyes landing on the stage too, to see Balin stumble.

  "Why are you distressed?" came the rough voice from the stage, and Lana turned around and stared at him. Smirking, she then opened her blouse, flashing him before giving him the birdie and then turning her back on him again. She grinned when she heard him fall off the stage and heard him cursing in her head. Her smile spread even wider as he landed on his arse with an oomph.

  Balin sat there stunned, surrounded by women, sporting the boner from hell.

  "Lana," he shouted, from the middle of the women which were presently pawing him. He looked around at all the breasts leaning towards him, then looked down and blew his fringe out of his eyes as he deflated.

  Fucking typical, he thought in disgust. Staggering to his feet, he then shoved his way through them to grab his clothes off the stage. Ronald, yeah, that was his name, had taken to the microphone again, thanking him for his impromptu dance. He also offered him a chance to come back anytime, which was pretty cool. Although he could have done without falling off the stage. His head was beginning to bang, a headache starting behind his eyes and he winced at the applause which met Ronald’s offer. Slowly, he followed his family through the crowd to get away from them. Unfortunately, he was beginning to sober up - the curse of his metabolism was that the effects of alcohol didn’t last long.

  The redhead stopped him with a hand on his arm.

  "Where are you going?" she asked, running her nail up his chest again, her eyes glowing as he looked down at her in surprise.

  She pouted, as she tried to pull his head down to hers, and heard a snort in his head, making him growl.

  "Look, err, err…” had she told him her name? he couldn’t remember it for the life of him.

  "Stephanie, my name is Stephanie," she growled, then smiled, as she again ran her hand up his chest. He took hold of her hand in his and gently removed it, not wanting to offend her - especially as he’d been the one to lead her on. He’d just been angry with Lana at the time, was still a little pissed if truth be told, but at least she was covered now.

  "Look, err, Stephanie, it was great meeting you, but I have to go." He told her as he tried to keep an eye on Lana as she moved through the crowd.

  "No, you have to look-into my eyes," she purred, with a knowing smile. Balin frowned and stared at her, his eyes narrowing. She stood there, gazing into his eyes, a smirk on her face, that turned into a frown and then her mouth slashed with displeasure.

  "You're mated?" she screeched with disbelief. He shrugged his shoulders, not understanding the problem as he held up his hand, palm out. She growled low in her throat then kneed him in the bollocks before storming off. He dropped to his knees, cupping himself as the pain ripped through him and his nuts grew their own heartbeat. He bent forward, taking a couple of shallow breaths, swallowing the nausea the abuse had caused, just as Leonard walked over.

  "You're not having the best of nights are you," he said with a grin, as he held his hand out to help him to his feet. "Don't tangle with a nymph if you're not willing to feed her. They live off sex. Unfortunately, you seem to be a loyal mate, so you've just pissed her off."

  "What are you talking about?" Balin said, slowly getting to his feet and wincing.

  What the hell was Leonard talking about?

  "Did you not notice the glow of her eyes?" Balin nodded as he carefully tugged his jeans and fastened them. Maybe once his balls stopped throbbing he’d be able to understand what Leonard was getting at. He then bent for his socks, wobbling slightly as he straightened. He didn’t want to bend again as he was still tender, so instead of putting them on, he pushed his socks into his jeans pocket, as he stepped back into his shoes.

  "She was trying to be-spell you, make you forget your past and follow her out. Obviously, your mate means more to you than a very good roll in the hay." Leonard said dryly.

  Obviously, he was talking bollocks, or yanking his chain.

  "It wouldn't be possible for a mate to cheat, not until they've bound. His dick won't work for anyone but a mate until after they've bonded." Balin told him, and Leonard shook his head, making him frown in confusion.

  "Not so with a Nymph, their power is greater than that. They can over-ride it," Leonard told him, with a brow raise.

  "Just how good is this roll in the hay?" he asked and Leonard out and out grinned.

  "Out of his world my man, out of this world," he smiled fondly in remembrance.

  Damn, Balin thought, he’d not had sex in a while. If he’d played his cards right, he could have at this very minute been getting his brains screwed out.

  "You arse," Balin heard in his head. Eyes slitting, he looked over the heads of those around him, to find Lana in the corner with the others. He watched her lips press together in an angry line and decided to play her at her own game, still pissed off himself over her behaviour.

  "Aww, come on sweet thing, bend over, spread those legs and show me heaven," he mimicked in her head.

  "Bite me, you dick," she replied.

  "Only if you ask me really, really, nicely," he replied, then smirked as he caught her angry gaze as her eyes slit.

  Gotcha, he thought in satisfaction. She owed
him, she owed him big time. She was lucky he’d not tore this place apart after what she’d done.

  She turned away from him, closing down their connection, but he had her now, no more static. Now, if he could just figure out what the fuck was going on he'd be fine. His head was banging, and his mouth was dry as dust.

  "So, shall we stand here and observe your mate, or shall we go follow the nymph?" Leonard asked.

  "Leave him alone?" came Luc's rumble as he wandered over.

  Where the hell had he come from? Forget it, he didn’t have the mental capacity to wonder how Luc managed that disappearing reappearing shit he did.

  "Why, Luc, my man, so good of you to join us," Leonard said. Luc just shook his head and walked past them, making his way over to the others.

  Balin began to wonder about the history between the two men as there was always tension between them. The kind of tension that only came from a very close friendship which had gone tits up.

  "What's the story with you two?" Balin asked, watching Luc's stiff back, retreating.

  "Maybe another time my man," Leonard said with a sigh, then slapped Balin's shoulder and followed in Luc's wake.

  "So dear, tell us what's been happening?" Helena said as she stood near her niece.

  Lana didn’t have a clue how to explain what had been going on and what had roused her suspicion.

  "I'm not sure, its little things really. I kept seeing a shadow outside my flat, but if I opened the door it would vanish."