by Paloma Beck
“Well, this is happening sooner than I hoped.” Gage said as he moved towards her.
“Misunderstanding his inference, she agreed, “Me too.”
Gage knew she’d catch on soon enough as he scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder. He sat on the sofa and laid her out across his lap. “I suppose we’ll give this another try. Worked the first time.” Gage intentionally made his voice expressionless and took a few deep breaths to be sure he was calm.
He felt Amelia’s anxiety spike and smiled. She knew what was coming. “Not this again. I don’t want you to spank me.”
“Did you not promise to keep from yelling, being disrespectful?”
“Yes, I did but…”
“Did you not feel better after our last session?”
A long pause followed. Gage waited.
“Yes,” her voice was quiet. “If I apologize now?”
“Not going to work.”
Amelia struggled a bit more. Her anger was just below the surface and he’d give her credit for holding back, but still he needed to be consistent. If she turned her anger on him, if she got so angry she couldn’t manage it, he would take on that responsibility. He was her mate now. It was his responsibility now to care for her well-being.
With her torso and legs dangling down from either side of his lap, he easily flipped up her skirt—Goddess, did he love the little skirts she wore—and massaged her buttocks over the scrap of silky material she wore underneath. Then he pulled the panties down, just low enough to bare her rounded globes so he could warm them to his touch.
“Why am I doing this, Amelia?”
She didn’t respond and he tapped her bottom.
“Because I yelled,” she gritted out from between clenched teeth.
“Yes, you couldn’t control your anger on your own so I will help.”
She snorted but he didn’t give her a chance to say anything before he lifted his hand from her bottom and came down heavy with a strike across both cheeks. He held back much of his Breed strength so as not to harm her. Still, there was no gentleness in his demeanor as he spanked her in steady, heavy strokes. After a dozen, he stopped and gently rubbed her buttocks.
“You’re doing very well, sweetheart. That was the first dozen. Now let all that emotion you hold inside come out with the next dozen.” Gage spoke softly, coaxingly.
He administered the next series of slaps in a rhythm so she could sink into them. Amelia needed to immerse herself in the sensation, allow it to wash away all the useless anger. He wondered if she were rebelling in a passive way by remaining quiet. He remembered her tears during their first session and wanted that for her. She needed the release, he was sure of it.
Oh Goddess, he hoped he was right. Gage allowed a twinge of doubt to seep into his mind before turning from it and concentrating on his mate. He was positive the release from her first spanking had helped. If only it would again. And if he could ask only one thing of the Goddess, it would be that her soul sin be gone once their Pronouncement was completed.
Amelia’s body began quivering just before he felt a surge of emotional energy, like a dam releasing its water. Amelia cried out and raised her bottom towards Gage’s palm, pushing into him as if instinctively seeking more. He continued spanking her, but began to slow. Although he’d delivered as many as he’d planned, she was finally crying. When her body shook with the sobbing, he stopped.
“Good girl. Just let it all out, just let it all go.” Gage spoke as he rubbed her back and waited.
Her body grew limp and heavy. She’d cried herself to sleep. He pulled her up into his arms without waking her and lay back on the sofa with her cuddled into him. Content to cuddle, he pulled a blanket over them and closed his eyes. They could talk more when they woke. Gage held onto his new mate just as he’d long ago snuggled a teddy bear as a child. He felt just as fragile now as he had then, knowing he was responsible now for her well-being and happiness.
* * * *
Amelia woke knowing that in the few hours Gage had to leave. She desperately needed to feed. The blood exchange was taking more time than she’d expected to get used to. She hated to admit it but the Claiming was leaving her tired. All the effects she was experiencing after years of researching genetics fascinated Amelia to no end. She’d spent time contemplating what it would feel like to experience them, but this was different. She envisioned her soul sin immediately vanishing, but it was a process. Until their Claiming was completed, she’d continue to feel this way. It was better than it had been, but she still wanted more peace.
“Why are you awake?” Gage whispered, pulling her closer.
“I couldn’t sleep anymore. We need to talk before you go,” Amelia spoke into his chest, averting her eyes from his scrutiny. His scent was intensifying her need to drink from him.
Gage pulled himself up to sit against the headboard. Thank the Goddess that the sheets had stayed around him, hiding his lower half from her view, or she may have neglected their talk for another chance to have him inside her before he was gone.
“Your eyes tell me what you feel. Come here and let me hold you while we talk.”
Amelia gave into his request—and her desire—to place herself into his arms. “I’m going to sound crazy. I know I’m the one who’s been fighting you. I know I’m the one who brought this latest problem to our doorstep. I know how wrong I was in nearly everything, but I’m also certain of one way to fix this.”
“You…” Gage began to disagree with her but was stopped when Amelia placed her finger to his lips.
“Please, let me finish. Despite all I’ve said to the contrary, you’ve been right with pushing me. My anger is causing me to fight even when I don’t really want to in here,” Amelia pressed his hand to her chest, above her heart. “The final blessing in the circle—the one we receive at our Pronouncement—is what we need. It’s what I need so I can move on from my soul sin.”
“You’re ready to proceed with the Pronouncement?”
Amelia nodded her head in agreement.
Laughing, Gage responded, “You have no idea what I’ve been going through trying to hold Mamma off. She and your mother have spoken and were ready to begin plans until I told her we’d need more time.”
“But the next full moon is just a week away and if we wait…” Amelia shook her head instead of continuing her thought. She couldn’t contemplate living so defiantly with her mate for that much longer. “I just can’t.”
Amelia felt the smile spread across his face and was relieved. Her reasoning might sound cold and calculated, but she just knew if she could overcome this, she and Gage could have their happily-ever-after like her other sisters before her.
“Well then, it sounds like you’ll be busy while I’m away. I’d declined breakfast with my family but now, I think it’s perfect for us to join them.”
“Yes,” Amelia agreed before pausing. She had one more thing to ask of him. “First though, I need, um, I need to feed.”
“That is a request I could happily fulfill.” The words hadn’t left Gage’s lips before he’d rolled her over and planted himself above her. This was exactly where she wanted him. Obviously hearing her thoughts, Gage spoke into her mind, “This is exactly where I want to be.” He ran his lips against the skin of her neck and she shivered.
“I want to be yours, Gage, and put our crazy beginning behind us,” Amelia presented him with a statement not made clear by her soul sin’s interference.
Gage watched her as if memorizing her features. He held her head still with his hands in her hair. She whimpered ever so softly at his tightened grip on her hair, at the deep hunger pounding through their bond. She’d never wanted anything more than this, than her mate.
He leaned into her neck and breathed in her scent as he scraped his teeth up and down her neck and then across her shoulder before finding that perfect spot to bite into her life-sustaining vein. When he growled and sank his teeth into her neck, Amelia’s body reacted as if being lit on fire.
His need for her bolstered her resolve to see this through, to rid herself of her soul sin and reach for her happiness. This—her mate—was her happiness. She could feel it inside him. She could feel it inside herself.
Amelia’s body shook under his tongue’s strokes against her flesh. Gage drank deeply and as he swallowed her blood, she couldn’t hold back the moans of pleasure. She rubbed herself against him to try to relieve the pressure she felt at her core, but with every press she only burned for more. Amelia knew they were both ready to explode when he finally relented and rolled onto his side beside her. “Your turn. Drink from me but for the Goddess’s sake, be quick about it. I’ve got more pressing matters to attend to.” Gage winked and pressed his firm erection into her hip.
Amelia crawled up his body and circled herself on his chest. Gage held her with his large hands on her buttocks. She bowed her head into his neck and breathed him in for just a moment before the scent drew her tongue out to stroke against his pulsing vein. She found the soft, tender skin where she could easily pierce, and bit into Gage.
The rush of warm, salty liquid spilled over her tongue and Amelia closed her eyes at the bliss of taking her mate into her like this. It was simply delicious. There was no other way to feel so close to him. It was everything she needed and she drank until she was full and another need overtook her.
Pulling from him and sealing the bite, Amelia sighed. “Gage?”
“I know. I’m hanging on by a thread but I wanted to be sure you had enough before doing this.” Gage brought one of his hands from her bottom around to dip into her core. She was wet and ready for him.
Both wrapped up in their need to be close before Gage would leave, they made love in a quiet, gentle way they’d never done before. The tenderness unlocked another piece of Amelia’s heart.
Later, as they lay holding one another, Gage asked, “Is there anything you can do to restore your power and give you strength during this transition?” Gage’s concern touched her. She had someone who wanted to protect her. Oddly, it didn’t anger her. Amelia realized with a smile that it felt good.
“The best way is to be surrounded by Circle of Magdalena women, especially those blood-related. It’s the reason our parents bought us the house we lived in together,” Amelia explained.
“Tell me all about your sisters and the prophecy. I mean, I know of the prophecy. What I want to know is your thoughts on it.”
Amelia considered before answering. It was, after all, complicated. “I believe it’s likely we are the ‘seven born of one’ that the Seventh Prophecy speaks of. There have been a few other families with seven sisters before us but something has always prevented all to mature into adulthood.”
She relaxed as Gage ran his fingers along her back and when he said nothing, she continued, “Since I’m the eldest sister and Layla the youngest, we have the largest part to play. The prophecy states that ‘the first sister shall bear another seven and the seventh shall release the deadly sins so long as all are mated.’”
“I’ve heard Gemma doesn’t agree it is the oldest and youngest sisters.”
“Right. She believes it might be referring to the first and last to be mated, and that none of the prophecy will be fulfilled until all of us are mated. Either way, the important thing is that once this prophecy is fulfilled, we’ll never have to worry for our children. The little girls will be born without sin.”
“And what of the little boys?”
Amelia shook her head. “I don’t know. I suppose that’s the scary part of it all. We all hope it releases the men from their need to mate to sustain life but that’s the part of the prophecy not yet interpreted.”
“My sister Davina has been working on interpreting the old documents since she was old enough to understand.” Gage nodded and continued stroking her gently along her hip now.
“I thought she owned a bookstore.” Amelia was confused. She’d never known his sister had any part in the Valendite world. Davina was a bit of an oddity since it was rare to have both genders born to a mated pair.
“Her side job,” Gage snickered. “Mostly, we think she does it just to bug Mamma. Davina has always been a bit of a hellion and she loves to read. Even though she boasts a linguistics degree, she chose to open her little bookstore. ”
“I’d be interested to hear what she’s learning. Goddess, I bet Gemma would kill to know.”
“She knows. Actually, Gemma and Davina have been sharing their information already. It’s just an incredible thought that our children might be freed from the curse.”
“I agree. It’s an incredible thought.” Amelia grew quiet as she considered the difficulties she’d had with her own sin throughout her childhood.
“I’m also glad you won’t suffer anymore,” Gage’s voice in her mind made her smile. Then he groaned. “Now I suppose it’s time we get up and get ourselves to breakfast before Mia Mamma comes looking for us.”
* * * *
Gage strolled into the Santucci’s dining room with Amelia’s hand securely in his. He felt ten feet tall as he presented his mate to his parents. Sure, they’d already met her but that was as Layla’s sister. Today, they’d know her as his mate.
Amelia’s heart sped up and, feeling her reaction, Gage squeezed her hand reassuringly. His parents were the only ones in the room and Gage thought this would ease her. He tugged on her hand and brought her to his side as he moved to his parents.
His father knelt onto one knee in front of Amelia and took her hand from him. He hadn’t expected his father to do this so immediately when they entered. Shit, now he was thinking that he should’ve warned her. He should’ve prepared her for this.
“Che bella donna,” his father spoke as he looked into her eyes. “I welcome you into our family. We are blessed to have our final son with such a remarkable mate.”
Amelia smiled and nodded at his father though she spoke no words. Gage had never seen her so docile. He wished he could wrap her up in his arms and ease the discomfort she was feeling. Instead, he gathered her hand back from his father as he stood again.
“Thank you,” Amelia finally responded. Gage suspected she was just as emotional about the formal acceptance as he was.
“I know you’ve already met Amelia through her sisters but I wanted to formally introduce her today as part of our family. This is my father, Valentino and my mother, Adelina.”
“It is an honor, Amelia, quite an honor,” his father spoke in his broken Italian accent.
“Yes. It is good to finally have you join us. Gage has been squirreling you away in his home,” his mother added as she glared an icy look in his direction.
“Mamma, she has been recovering and adjusting. I’ve not been hiding her,” Gage defended himself against the accusation.
“Hush, now. Let’s not speak of those unfortunate events,” Adelina chastised him as she swept her arm towards the table. He’d already been admonished in private over his actions that first night in the lab. Thank the Goddess his mamma seemed to be allowing that to rest in the past. “Come. Let’s sit to eat. It might only be us. Layla hasn’t been up to breakfast in a few weeks now as the baby draws nearer.”
“And Lucas?” Gage asked. He’d hoped they would all be here.
“He already flew out this morning. His team has to be in position when yours arrives.” Papa explained what Gage should’ve known had he read the morning’s mission update.
“No more business. This meal is in honor of our newest daughter, Amelia,” Mamma raised her glass of mimosa in toast. Everyone at the table followed suit and looked towards Amelia who wore a beautiful blush across her cheeks.
“Thank you, Mrs. Santucci.” Amelia smiled.
“No more of this Mrs. Santucci. Someday you will call me Mamma. Today please call me Adelina,” she paused as Papa pulled out her chair and then took her seat as noise from the foyer caught their attention. “Here is another to join us.” Mamma looked up and smiled, “Davina, darling child, come to Mamma.”
; After a kiss on the cheek, his sister sat beside Mamma and turned to Amelia as their mother spoke. “Meet my daughter, Davina. I do not think you have met except a passing by at one of the Pronouncements. Davina is the baby in our family.”
“Mamma,” Davina rolled her eyes at their mother and then smiled towards Amelia. “It’s nice to see you. The message from Gage that you’d be at breakfast was a surprise. We weren’t sure we’d meet you until a little later.”
Gage interrupted. “Actually, we’ve decided to move forward with plans for the Pronouncement.”
“What’s the hurry?” Davina asked.
Gage sat forward, preparing to answer, but Amelia stopped him with a hand on his arm. Quietly but still with confidence, she responded to Davina. “We think it will help with my soul sin. I have been cursed with Anger and it doesn’t seem to be leaving me so easily. It’s made uhm, well, things, difficult.”
Blushing, Amelia took a sip of water to ward off any further questions. Understanding seemed to dawn on Davina’s face. She winked at Amelia.
“It is settled then.” Adelina clapped her hands, unphased. “We will begin right away planning for your Pronouncement. We’ve become pros at this. Even with just family, it will be quite the event.”
“Be mindful that it will need to be here at the compound. Too much trouble is surrounding us now for any of us to go anywhere until TEU eliminate this threat.” Valentino spoke in a commanding voice, one that expected compliance. Goddess, he sounded so much like his son.
“That’s perfect. I wanted to have it in the wedding grove here,” Amelia agreed.
Adelina smiled and tiny sparks flew above her. She was so pleased that her magic erupted. “Yes. That’s so wonderful. I love this name, the wedding grove,” she laughed. “It is absolutely perfect.”
Chapter Six
Amelia walked into a room filled with women she adored. Her family had grown over the last year. Mamma Santucci sat beside her mother on the sofa at the far side of the room. Layla, Paige, Davina, and Gracie were gathered around the table. By their comments, she suspected they were already looking through bridal magazines. They had done a lot of work in a little amount of time.
