by Shea Balik
“The man is a lion shifter, a very dominant one from what I know of him,” Undim said with pride, as if he himself had given birth to Slash. “Of course Slash is here in Juarez. Evan is here. Slash isn’t about to risk his mate’s safety by not watching over him.”
It made a weird kind of sense. Kai wasn’t sure why Slash didn’t just mate Evan if he wanted to keep the man safe, but what did Kai know?
Now that they knew where Slash was, sort of, Talon got back down to the reason they called Undim in the first place. “It’s been a week, and so far we haven’t had any trouble like the other Gods warned us was coming. What do you know?”
That damn smirk was back on Undim’s face, like the man knew they’d have to come crawling back to the Gods after throwing them out. His self-righteous attitude pissed Kai off, but he let Talon deal with the smug God.
“The balance has already been reset.”
A feather could have knocked over each man in the room at Undim’s statement. They’d been preparing for Armageddon.
“That can’t be. The other Gods said the balance would affect Cynthia in some way, but nothing has happened,” Talon said.
Undim shook his head. “An evil was unleashed. The balance has been reset.” Undim’s matter-of-fact statement cleared up absolutely nothing.
“But we haven’t been attacked.” Talon’s muscles tensed as if the man were doing everything in his power not to hit the smug God for being so vague.
“The evil unleashed will destroy everything in its path.” Just as the God had appeared, he disappeared.
“Great.” Bodhi threw up his arms and started pacing. “So we’re no closer to knowing what or who is coming than before.”
Paytah snorted. “I told you it wouldn’t do any good to call the Gods. They wouldn’t know how to speak plainly if their lives depended on it.”
“So what now?” Hunter asked, his mate safely tucked in his arms.
“Undim said the balance has already been righted. That means whatever evil is coming our way is out there.” Blade’s gaze landed on the ruined computers Rune was working on. “Rune, are you able to search for unusual activity?”
Their communications guru threw up his hands. “Seriously? How am I supposed to do that? Evan ruined four of my ten computers, and even if he didn’t, what’s unusual? In case you missed it, the Alliance is at war. Don’t forget about the corruption that is still in the Latin Territory. Everything I come across is unusual anymore.”
“Yeah, but if it is going to affect Cynthia in some way, whatever is out there has to be either in Juarez already or heading this way, right?” Kai agreed with Rune that it would be like finding a needle in a haystack, but at this point, they had nothing to lose. Anything was better than sitting here waiting.
Rune nodded. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise anything.”
“Put a call in to Rangi and see if he and Zeke have time to help us,” Talon said. It was smart to get the communications director of the Alliance involved. Rune was good, no doubt about it, but Rangi was better. It didn’t hurt he had a whole team of people working for him around the clock.
“In the meantime, we need to stay on alert.”
They all groaned at Talon’s order. If something didn’t change soon, they were bound to start killing each other.
Chapter 15
“But I made a promise to Etzel to finish the mural.” Bodhi was sick of being stuck in the Alpha Manor. As big as it was, it didn’t begin to give him the freedom he needed, craved. He’d do just about anything to get out of there, including seducing his mate. Not that sex with his mate was a hardship, but Bodhi felt it was a bit underhanded.
He gazed up through his lashes at Kai, knowing the pose drove his mate crazy with lust. “Please.” For added measure, he stuck out his bottom lip. “I’d do absolutely anything you wanted.”
To prove his words, Bodhi sank to his knees, his hands working open Kai’s pants with efficient movements. Already Kai’s dick was hard, pushing against the material of his uniform in anticipation of Bodhi sucking him off.
His own need pumped through him, his mouth watering at the thought of getting to taste his mate once more. Since dying and being brought back to life, Bodhi couldn’t keep his hands off his mate. Fortunately Kai felt the same way.
They didn’t spend more than twenty minutes apart before searching each other out, even if it was just to touch. The contact, however minimal, settled something inside both of them, as if reassuring themselves they were still together.
That need to be near his mate made it difficult to get anything done, but Bodhi didn’t care. The fanatical need to be with Kai wasn’t something he was about to deny himself.
After Cynthia had finally woken up, Kai and Bodhi didn’t waste any time rushing to their room to complete their mating once more. They hadn’t left the bed for an entire day, making love over and over again with utter abandon. It was the most intense experience of his life, yet somehow it kept getting better.
There were times he thought he’d explode if he didn’t feel his mate’s mouth kissing him, hands touching and caressing him, and Kai’s cock inside him, fucking him like he was the most precious thing in the world.
Even now, with his mate’s prick in his hand, his mouth inches from sucking on Kai’s thick flesh, it wasn’t close enough. Bodhi needed more. He pressed his head closer, sticking his nose right into the bush of hair that surrounded Kai’s dick. Inhaling deeply, Bodhi breathed his mate into his lungs.
“Use that talented tongue on me, little butterfly,” Kai ordered.
Thick fingers wove themselves into his hair, tugging him even closer. Emboldened, Bodhi licked around each of his mate’s balls, bathing them with his tongue before sucking them into his mouth.
The fingers in his hair tightened further, and Kai spread his legs a bit more to give Bodhi room. “Fuck, little butterfly, just like that.”
There was nothing better, in Bodhi’s opinion, than giving his mate pleasure. He was more than willing to dedicate the rest of his life to doing just that.
When he was done with Kai’s balls, Bodhi licked up the thick vein along his mate’s long cock, right to the tip. His tongue dipped into the slit at the top to gather the beads of pre-cum that had pooled there. A moan erupted from deep within Bodhi as ambrosia coated his taste buds.
He absolutely loved the flavor of his mate. It was a combination of tangy and salty, but most importantly, it was all Kai. Bodhi was addicted, and like any good addict, he couldn’t get enough.
“Don’t tease.” Kai thrust his hips toward Bodhi. “Suck me, little butterfly.”
Bodhi was more than happy to do as ordered. Opening his mouth, he slid the head of Kai’s cock in, letting the weight of his mate’s thick flesh rest on his tongue for a moment.
Kai grunted, tugging on the strands of Bodhi’s hair once more, encouraging him to continue. More than happy to comply, Bodhi licked around the spongy head. Giving his mate as much sensation as possible, he slid his tongue under the cap to push against the bundle of nerves there before sinking forward until his nose was buried in his mate’s short hairs.
Kai grunted. “That’s it, Bodhi. Take all of me into that talented mouth.”
He started a rhythm, bobbing his head back and forth, making sure to run his tongue along the stalk, pressing against the pulsing vein that ran the length each time he pulled back. He dipped into the slit at the top before pushing back down to take Bodhi deep in his mouth once more.
“Damn, little butterfly, you’re going to make me come.” Kai said it like it was a bad thing, but as far as Bodhi was concerned, that was his goal. He desperately wanted to taste all of Kai, not just his pre-cum.
Increasing his tempo, Bodhi worked his tongue, making sure to hit all of Kai’s hot spots as he sucked even harder. The fingers in his hair held tighter, pulling him closer even as his mate’s hips started moving. Bodhi would have smiled if his mouth weren’t full. He was driving Kai insane with lust.
As much as his mate loved Bodhi’s mouth on his cock, Kai preferred to empty his load into Bodhi’s ass. So it was a rare treat when he could push Kai over the edge to give Bodhi what he wanted.
Kai increased his thrusts, and Bodhi placed his hands on the man’s ass, encouraging his mate to take what he wanted. He felt Kai’s thick stalk thicken even further at the same time the man’s hips faltered. A spurt of cum filled his mouth, the flavor of his mate infusing into Bodhi’s taste buds, imprinting on Bodhi’s palate.
He swallowed, loving that he’d given his mate so much pleasure that he’d forgotten himself. Looking up through his lashes at Kai, he was stunned to see lust still blazing in those gray eyes.
Kai pulled Bodhi up, lifting him until his feet were several inches off the floor. Firm lips crashed into his, demanding Bodhi’s complete submission, which he gladly gave. A questing tongue thrust deep into his mouth, devouring Bodhi with an intensity that surprised him.
He wasn’t sure why. They’d often had sex over and over again, almost as if they couldn’t get enough. So he shouldn’t be shocked that Kai was already hard and ready even though he’d just come in Bodhi’s mouth.
With a growl, Kai tossed Bodhi onto the bed. The man pounced on top of him before Bodhi registered what had happened. This was the Kai that excited Bodhi the most. It was as if his mate’s animal was right there on the surface, demanding Kai take complete control of Bodhi, control Bodhi was more than happy to give him.
Both of Bodhi’s hands were trapped in one of Kai’s as the man’s other hand tore the clothes from Bodhi’s body. That was the only downside to this more aggressive Kai, having to replace his clothes. It might be exciting to have his mate rip his clothes off, but the reality was some of his favorite outfits were now in tatters.
As far as Bodhi was concerned, it was a small price to pay to have his mate so dominant, but it would be nice to save the clothes, too. Not to mention cheaper.
Those amazing lips were back, this time on his neck, licking and nipping at his mating mark. Bodhi bucked under the assault. His body valiantly tried to get closer. If there were a way to do it, he’d crawl inside Kai’s body.
Kai’s free hand made its way down Bodhi’s body, tweaking his nipples, dipping inside his belly button, stroking his cock, and palming his balls. Lust burned hot in his veins at his mate’s expert touch.
His mind spun. His body became a writhing mass of nerves desperate for release. Instead of giving it to him, Kai seemed determined to drive him even more insane with need. Two slick fingers thrust into his aching hole. Bodhi had no idea when Kai had gotten the lube, nor did he really care. He just wanted the man to hurry.
“That’s it, little butterfly, dance for me. Show me just how much you love what I do to you.” Kai stared down at him with hooded eyes, the lust shining from his gray depths.
Then the man’s head dipped, and teeth clamped down on his nipple. Bodhi’s chest arched up, wanting more of the sweet pain. He didn’t like a lot of pain, but Kai seemed to know just how much to provide to drive him crazy.
A soft chuckle blew across his chest as Kai moved to the other nipple. Bodhi held his breath, waiting, hoping for the same treatment. Instead of teeth, wet heat surrounded the bud seconds before strong suction made him ache.
Damn. Just…damn.
His dick throbbed. He was so close. “Please. I can’t…”
Two fingers brushed across his prostate. He bucked wildly. Doing exactly as Kai had said, Bodhi’s body moved wildly, as if he were dancing on those thick fingers. His balls pulled up tight. He fought the orgasm threatening to explode. He wanted Kai inside of him.
“Kai.” Any other time he’d be embarrassed with the way he whined, but not when it involved his mate. With Kai he could be who he was and trust his mate would love him, no matter what.
The man’s fingers disappeared, but before Bodhi could complain, he felt the tip of the man’s thick appendage at his entrance.
Gray eyes stared down into his with an intensity that took his breath away as Kai thrust deep. The stretch burned, but then he felt full, complete, loved. The feelings were too much. Some of them had to come out, or he was sure he was going to explode.
“I love you,” he shouted.
Lips smashed into his for a brief kiss before Kai lifted his head once more. “I love you too, my little butterfly.”
“Does that mean you’ll let me go to the Amphitheatre?” Bodhi knew it was underhanded to get Kai to agree during sex, but he was getting desperate. Being trapped in a house, no matter how big it was, was driving him insane.
He clenched the muscles in his ass to massage Kai’s thick flesh, hoping to sweeten the deal. His mate let out a long, deep moan, his hips rotating to enjoy the full sensation.
“Please. I just need to get out of this house,” he begged when Kai hadn’t answered him.
Gray eyes met his. “Anything for you, little butterfly.”
The sweet drag of Kai’s cock pulling back had Bodhi clamping down as he tried to keep his mate inside. When those hips pushed forward once more, his muscles pulled Kai deeper into him.
Too soon he felt a tingling in his balls. He wasn’t going to be able to hold back this time, not with his mate pegging his sweet spot with every thrust. “I’m…” That was all he got out before pleasure shot through his body, erupting from the tip of his dick.
Vaguely he heard Kai’s shout before the man’s seed filled Bodhi’s channel, but he was floating on so many endorphins he was in his own little world.
Chapter 16
“Would you relax?” Bodhi admonished from his perch twenty feet above Kai.
Kai hated that his mate was exposed to untold dangers, but since Bodhi was using a harness and pulley to move around the wall of the Amphitheatre, there was no easy way to cover him. Even his coyote was anxious as it paced back and forth in Kai’s head, stopping every once in a while to growl when someone passed by.
He never should have let his mate talk him into this. Sure, he had been buried deep in his mate’s body, his cock straining to find release, when Bodhi managed to talk him into it, but it was no excuse. Next time Kai would hold firm.
Yeah, right.
When it came to Bodhi, Kai was a pushover. Normally he wouldn’t mind it, but right now, with danger breathing down their necks and no way to keep his mate safe, Kai regretted his weakness when it came to Bodhi.
“How am I supposed to relax when you’re a perfect target up there?” It may have been almost two weeks since Cynthia saved Bodhi—he refused to refer to it as his mate’s death—but they were still on high alert.
Talon refused to let anyone leave the manor. Kai had to sneak them out of the house in order to bring Bodhi here. He should have stuck with the story he’d given his mate that he couldn’t get past Talon’s guards.
All it took was Bodhi to laugh at him and question his abilities as an enforcer if a few guards were all it took to stop him. Unwilling to let his mate think so little of him, Kai proved he was better than Talon’s guards and brought his mate to the Amphitheatre.
It wasn’t until they were free of the manor that he realized his mate had manipulated him, again. What was worse, the smug smile on Bodhi’s face said the man knew it. Damn pride.
“It’s been nearly two weeks. Don’t you think if someone were going to come after us, they would have by now?” His mate’s question was valid, except Kai knew it was wrong.
No, whoever was after them was patient, very patient. They were waiting for the Alpha and his men to let down their guard, which Kai had just done by letting his mate come here. He was an idiot who didn’t deserve his mate.
“Kai, Bodhi, I didn’t expect to see you two here today.” Etzel walked over to where Kai stood with a smile. “Gibson said there was a problem they were dealing with that would put things on hold for a while.”
Kai held his tongue about how Bodhi had tricked him into bringing him there. “We had some extra time, and Bodhi really wanted to get his
mural done.”
“I’m glad he did. I have to say I can’t wait until you finish with that old military base so Bodhi and Gibson can come back here.” Etzel’s words made no sense, but before Kai could ask about it, Bodhi interrupted.
“Hi, Etzel,” Bodhi called from above them. “With any luck I should be done in a couple of hours.”
The hairs on Kai’s body stood up straight. Someone was watching them. His coyote growled deep in his head. He could see the animal’s ears were pinned back and it was ready to attack. Kai just wished he knew where the danger was.
While Etzel chatted with Bodhi for a few minutes, Kai scanned their surroundings, trying to find whoever was watching them. He spotted two, but he was positive there were more. He needed to get them out of there, but that would be easier said than done.
“Hey, Etzel, Gibson needs the inner bailey blueprints so he can work on the next event. Do you have them?” It wasn’t true, but hopefully the man would take the bait.
Etzel smiled. “Sure. They’re in my office. I’ll be right back.”
One down. Now he just had to figure out a way to get his mate to come down. “Bodhi, get down here now.” He kept his voice low, hoping he wasn’t alerting anyone that he knew he was being watched.
“Not happening. You’re just being paranoid.”
He hadn’t thought that would work, but he’d been trying not to make it seem obvious he was getting his mate down. Since that wasn’t going to happen, Kai didn’t bother with subtle. He turned to look up at Bodhi, who was too busy painting to understand they were surrounded.
“Bodhi, I’m not playing. You need to get down here, now.”
His mate stilled and looked down at Kai. He didn’t know what Bodhi saw in his expression, but the next thing he knew, Bodhi dropped like a rock, stopping just as suddenly not even an inch from the ground.
Kai didn’t wait for Bodhi to get free of the harness. With one arm wrapped around his mate so he didn’t fall, Kai took out his knife and sliced the rope holding Bodhi up. He’d just set the man on his feet when all hell broke loose.
