Dream Warrior: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book 1)

by Brenda Trim

  “I met your girlfriend, Zander, and I’m afraid I wasn’t nice to her. I don’t know what came over me. The words flew out of my mouth. When I thought of you inside that thing in there, I lost my mind, and I have no idea why. Why didn’t you tell me you had a girlfriend? We practically had sex the other night. Thank God I stopped it from going any further,” she hissed, waving her hands, speaking with her entire body.

  He read her scathing thoughts. She believed he belonged to another female and questioned his integrity from all the flirting and sexual innuendos. She was wrong and making incorrect assumptions, but her mind was too chaotic for him to determine whose head to rip off. Before he could correct her, she continued her litany, “Go find your woman. I don’t even want to be around you right now.”

  She turned her back on Zander and put her palm out toward him, a clear indication she wanted nothing to do with him at the moment. Little did she know he was going nowhere, there were things to set straight first. Elsie ignored him and kept her back to him. “Can someone explain who the Dark Warriors are, please? Orlando?”

  He grabbed her by the arm and turned her around to face him. He saw her irritation rise. He needed to calm his mate. Between the guilt, shame, lust, grief, and now this jealousy, she no longer knew which way was up. But, he did revel in the fact that she had possessive feeling toward him. There was hope.

  He cut off what he had no doubt would be a reprimand from his feisty mate. “Listen to me, a ghra, I doona have a girlfriend.” He lowered his head until their faces were scant inches apart, her heavenly breath falling softly against his lips. “There is no other female for me. ‘Tis you I want. I want to learn every inch of your alluring body, while I explore it with my tongue for hours, before I sink into heaven. You have made it clear you are no’ ready for that yet, but I wouldna have another female.”

  He was pushing the envelope and he knew it, but he couldn’t stop now. It didn’t help that every breath he took brought her honeysuckle scent into his aroused system. She stood staring at him with her mouth open, clearly stunned silent. The dilation of her pupils, the deepening scent of her arousal, and her racing heart were what ultimately urged him on.

  He stepped closer to her and she gasped, her thoughts turning sensual. He groaned when she imagined him feasting on her body. He relished her fantasies about him. Lamentably, she cut off her carnal thoughts, chastising herself.

  Even though he was ready for full-throttle, she was not. “Lass, I doona want to make you uncomfortable, but know that when I am around you, I lose all good sense. I will respect your position. Never doubt that you are it for me.”

  She shook her head and her long, curly, brown hair danced around her shoulders with the movement. “That woman was convinced that you were hers. There is a reason she believes that so ardently. Don’t worry about me.”

  She turned to the rest of the group, “Come on Santi, I know you’re itching for some relief, so go get ‘em. Show me those skills with the ladies you are always bragging about.” She motioned Santiago to the throng of women nearby, and threw down the second shot of tequila that Orlando had brought to her.

  Zander understood she was on edge and wanted to alleviate some of the tension, but when she grabbed some hey juice from Rhys and threw it back, he realized she was drinking too much too fast. He tried to read her thoughts again to discover who placed this wedge between he and his mate, but heard the same chaos. He wanted to throttle someone.

  His jaw hit the floor when she gave him orders. “Go to your girlfriend, Zander. Oh, and by the way, this lowly serf appreciates all you have done.” What was this about a lowly serf? She was the Vampire Queen. The only thing about her he wanted to change was that she was a fragile human. He could lose her to anything from a cold to a car accident before they fully mated. Just the thought had him breaking out in a sweat.

  His mate had no idea of the grasp she had on his heart. How she controlled him. “Oh, my Lady E, I love your sharp claws. I’m no’ going anywhere. And I will only remind you of this one more time. There is no one else.” And never would be, if he had his way. He reached out and grasped her hands, “Dance with me.”

  She eyed him warily. “Bad idea. Sure, I could kick your girlfriend’s ass, but I don’t fancy a fight tonight. I really like this dress and don’t want to ruin it. I’m fine here with the liquor.”

  She waved him off, but he grabbed her hand before she could down another drink. She had much to learn, his mate. His body would implode if he didn’t get closer to her. Placing the drink on the table, he lifted her out of her chair and tucked her close to his chest. Where she was meant to be. Goddess, she felt so right.

  He leaned down to whisper in her ear, “I would rather you take hold of me, instead.” He canted his hips so she felt the erection that was itching to get to her. “That, lass, is for you. Now, you will dance with me.”

  He smiled at the roll of her eyes, but didn’t pause to allow her to deny him. She pouted as he led her to the dance floor, grumbling about, “Mr. Bossy Pants.” His saucy mate began dancing as a path in the crowd opened up for them. She was feeling cocky from the alcohol, letting inhibitions fall. His heart raced as he watched her move sinuously to the pounding beat of the music. He could imagine her writhing beneath him in pleasure. His mark pulsed painfully at the thought of completing the mating. It was getting to the point that it was almost unbearable. He wondered how much worse it was going to get. He had to believe they would eventually complete the ritual and bind their lives together, but doubt was an insidious creature that had wormed its way in and worsened right along with the pain.

  His eyes glued to the pulse pounding in her throat amplifying his needs. His fangs elongated, again, and his eyes glowed with his desire. Little Zander wanted to play. Groaning, he hardened and lengthened while she rubbed her ass against his groin in a very, suggestive manner.

  Control lost, he grabbed her up and brought his lips crashing down on hers.

  *****

  Elsie was on fire. The moment Zander claimed her mouth her body went up in flames, and she melted into his arms. The hard press of his mouth was dominant and she allowed him to take control. She groaned at the feel of him licking her lips. She opened her mouth and he plundered her depths. Unable to hold back her pleasure, she moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her fingers slid into his hair and she practically climbed up his body. She needed more.

  She kissed him back with as much fervor as he had kissed her. She nipped and bit at his full, lower lip. The growl that came out of him was electric. The alcohol had freed her and she shoved aside any guilt or doubt. She wanted this kiss and was going to take it. She had suffered enough in her life. It was high time for her to get something out of it. The guilt would return, but not right now. Their tempo changed and became less frantic, more of a leisurely exploration. She wanted urgent and crazed but he teased her with the slow pace, making her dig her fingernails into his back.

  He growled again and grabbed her up against his body. Her feet left the floor and she tried to rub against him. She nearly ripped her dress so she could wrap her legs around his torso and align her core with the massive erection prodding her belly. That wanton creature’s action was the splash of cold water she needed. She lowered the leg that had lifted and wound around his hip. What was she doing?

  She pushed him away, but he didn’t budge. He was breathing as hard as she was and stared deeply into her eyes. It was as if he saw straight to her soul, causing a warm flutter to spread from her chest outward. The emotion in his eyes seared her to the bone. There was too much there, she needed space.

  A flash caught her attention. She cocked her head to the side. His eyes seemed to glow under the dance lights. “You aren’t getting away. And, there willna be regret for our kiss. We’re going to dance. Come here.”

  She rolled her eyes, Mr. Bossy Pants was back. She was coming to like this side of him as she realized his demand had settled her chaotic emotions. “I told you, Zander, you
can’t—”

  His lightly kissed her, cutting off her words, and gave a sharp shake of his head. One sway of his hips was all it took to coax her back into dancing. He moved against her and she couldn’t help it, she pushed back against him, moving to the music. She knew she was taunting a tiger, unfortunately that didn’t stop her.

  She enjoyed the rush of power she felt when she thought of making this big, strong man lose control. She had never felt more sexy and sensual, dancing against him. Peeking over her shoulder at his groin, she realized she couldn’t push him too far, or he would be making a rather impressive appearance.

  She smiled at him, mesmerized by the way the lights played in his sapphire-blue eyes. Their bodies continued their sensual dance. They were making love on the dance floor. The alcohol was wearing down and her guilt was creeping back in. She had to put some distance between her and the extremely, large bulge in his pants. He wanted her and she could tell he was fighting that desire. With his penchant for expecting to have his orders followed she imagined this was hard on him.

  She was grateful for his restraint because despite her possessiveness toward him, she had her vow to Dalton to live up to. She wasn’t ready to be intimate with another man. There was not enough liquor in the bar to get her to that point.

  Like a savior, Breslin joined them, diminishing the heat between them. It was too bad that Breslin’s presence did nothing to diminish her arousal. She needed to cool down and fanned herself as she met Zander’s eyes.

  “I havena enjoyed myself this much for more years than I can recall. I’m going to drive you home, a ghra. You’ve had too much to drink. At least, that is my excuse, because, I doona want this time with you to end.”

  *****

  Honeysuckle enveloped Zander as he sat back on Elsie’s sofa. He closed his eyes, inhaling slow and deep. He had given up trying to gain control of his body. It was a futile effort. From the moment she walked into the club, his cock and fangs had developed a mind of their own. And, they were in agreement. They wanted to sink deeply into his female’s delectable flesh. The mating compulsion was drawing her to him, but her barrier remained firmly in place. Her body wanted him, no doubt, and he would push the issue, but her mind refused to accept it. There was so much that could go wrong and cause her to shut him out. He cursed soundly.

  The one thing he was certain of, he needed to tell her the truth of him and the world he belonged to. Someone with her integrity and intelligence would not respond well to lies or prolonging such an important secret. Besides, she was a member of a vigilante group that battled what they believed were vampires and he needed her to know the difference. But could he bare his vulnerabilities? Could he risk it all?

  Yes, he would risk everything to gain the love of his mate. He had no other choice, but he would make sure she was unarmed when he told her.

  Zander voiced his inner thoughts to Orlando. “I’m going to tell her aboot me, the realm, all of it. I canna keep this from her any longer. I willna have our relationship continue with a lie, she would never forgive or accept me.”

  Orlando coughed and spewed the beer he had been drinking all over the front of his fitted sweater. “Liege, have you lost your mind? One, she is drunk. Two, she is not over Dalton. And three, she is a human who prowls the night killing vampires. She will freak the fuck out over this news. You need to give her time.”

  “I have given her time, and have barely survived on the small amounts of blood Jace procured for me. I canna go on like this,” he raked his hands through his hair and hung his head. “And, neither can she. The mating compulsion is affecting her just as much. I can hear her thoughts, torn between wanting to shred my clothes and being the worst wife for her betrayal of Dalton. These feelings will drive her insane. I willna sit by and watch my mate suffer any longer. ‘Tis my duty to provide for and protect her.”

  He sat and contemplated what Orlando had said and his resolve solidified. “I’m doing this, and I would like for you to remain here and help me. As much as I have hated your closeness to her, I need you. She may be more accepting with you present.”

  Like air hissing out of a tire, Orlando sighed in defeat. “This entire situation blows. I understand what you are saying, but you might regret this. I have been with her from the beginning, and will not abandon her now.”

  Zander fisted handfuls of his hair, wishing there was an easier path for them. “I will regret this if I doona tell her now. I pray she will eventually accept me.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Wrestling with the dress, Elsie finally managed to reach the zipper. She swayed in her tiny bathroom, still buzzed from her drinks at the club. Thoughts rattled around in her head. Questions about Zander and the emotions he evoked in her. The dance they had shared kept playing through her mind wreaking havoc on her libido. She didn’t want to want him, but her yearning for him was overpowering. Get a grip!

  He and Orlando were waiting in her living room. She had insisted Orlando leave Confetti with them as her buffer. She didn’t trust herself alone with the irresistible Zander. Plus, she was on edge. From Mackendra, to Zander, to Lena, the entire day had brought an endless stream of questions and confusion. Man, she needed another drink.

  She could hear the hushed conversation between Zander and Orlando. Zander’s sexy baritone sent shivers down her spine. That man played her body like a fine tuned instrument. Pissed off at how her body continued to betray her, she threw on her granny-panties and her favorite, flannel pajamas. She hoped her appearance wouldn’t reveal how she was truly feeling at the moment, which was aroused and ready for a night of unending passion.

  Finally, she exited the bathroom, hiding there all night wasn’t an option. Zander was clearly not leaving anytime soon, and Orlando had all but moved in with her after her attack. She noticed they were huddled close to each other and took a seat in the chair. “O, can you get me a Monster, please?”

  “How about some water? A Monster will keep you up all night.”

  She jumped from her seat. “Okay then, I’ll get my own. Would you like anything, Zander?” Me, naked, and spread on my bed. She cursed herself and stormed into the kitchen.

  Zander followed her into the kitchen. His gaze was intense and disturbing. “I’d like a great many things, a ghra.”

  His closeness and innuendo were unnerving. Not to mention, how delicious he smelled. An eternity passed as she lost herself in his beautiful, blue eyes. She memorized the way the lighter-blue color starburst out from his pupils. The deep, sapphire-blue morphed to…glowing, bright-blue. Huh? “What’s wrong with your eyes?” she blurted.

  Dread crossed his gorgeous face, but was gone before she blinked. “I will explain that, but please, come sit down, Elsie. I have something to share with you.”

  Total buzzkill. Quickly sobering, she skirted around the hulking man and plopped down onto the couch. Her heart was beating like a scared rabbit from her panic and fear. What did he have to tell her? That Lena was his girlfriend? That he knew she hunted vampires? That he thought she was crazy for believing other creatures existed?

  He sat next to her and picked up her hand. He played with her fingers and palm. “This will sound unbelievable to you, but I beg you to please hear me oot.” She watched his face scrunch up as he struggled with his words for several minutes.

  “You are correct. Vampires are real. In fact, other beings, such as shifters, sorcerers, imps, cambions, and so many more, exist as well.” He looked up and met her flabbergasted gaze. “We are members of the Tehrex Realm.”

  Of course vampires were real. She had killed several of them over the past year. Her rapid breaths huffed through her ears as his words sunk in. But, he had said we, meaning he was some kind of creature. She wouldn’t ask, didn’t want to know. If he was a vampire that would make him her enemy. She quickly thought about her knife that was safely tucked under her pillow. Her fingers itched to wrap around the comforting grip.

  The words flew out of her mouth anyway. “What do you me
an by, we are members of the Tehrex realm? What are you? Do you kill people, too?” Shaking with fright, she looked to Orlando, seeking protection. He looked worried and uneasy. What did he have to do with this? He wasn’t surprised by Zander’s words. Was he a vampire too?

  Zander swallowed thickly. “I am a vampire, and nay, I doona kill people. Vampires are not the same as the creatures you have been hunting.” He held her gaze with brightly glowing eyes. His eyes really did glow. She closed her eyes. He was her enemy. Mack would be disappointed that she had no desire to kill this man, well vampire.

  “You and your cohorts in SOVA doona have the correct information, lass. The Tehrex Realm, and the stratum of beings that exist within it, were created by the Goddess Morrigan. Many centuries ago, a demon attacked our leaders and started a war. I became the Vampire King when my father was killed. Many humans have been killed by the demons and their skirm. The vile creatures who harmed you, and killed Dalton are skirm, no’ vampires. Skirm are your enemy, not me or mine.” He took a deep breath. She watched him closely. He didn’t look anything like the vampires, skirm if he were to be believed, she’d been fighting. His eyes were a beautiful blue with no charcoal ring. He didn’t seem crazed and she hadn’t seen fangs in his mouth. All vampires she had ever encountered had fangs.

  As if hearing her thoughts he continued speaking. “Skirm are mindless creatures controlled by the demon that turned them. They doona have retractable fangs like vampires. Skirm drain their victims when they feed. Vampires need blood to survive, but doona kill. I eat, sleep, breathe and have a beating heart, exactly like you.” She would have been more bothered by the fact that he had clearly answered her thoughts, but her sister had that ability.

  Her head swam with too much information as he continued talking. “For the most part, supernaturals are good creatures. Of course, as with humans, there are always exceptions. Skirm, however, lose all humanity when they are transformed. One of the first changes I made after the war was to form the Dark Warriors. Orlando, Santiago, and all of the others you have met are a part of this group. They protect humans, as well as creatures of the realm.”