Enon approached the tall hospital bed with a cup. “Rylee, sweetheart,” she called through Rylee’s hysterical cries. “I need you to drink this for me, baby. It’s going to help you feel so much better.”
Encar helped Rylee to sit up, while Yerel and Johan held her hands down to keep her from knocking the cup out of Enon’s hands. Rylee fought and squirmed, refusing to cooperate.
Yerel expertly gripped Rylee’s jaw and had a finger between her lips. “Pour it right there, love. It will drain right into her throat. I can make her swallow it.” He glanced at Encar. “Hold her head still.”
Between the four of them, they poured the liquid down Rylee’s throat, and Avery was relieved to hear her swallow instead of finding a way to spit it out.
Enon sat down with Rylee and pulled her into her arms. “There, that wasn’t so bad now, was it? It’s going to make you feel a little sleepy and like you’re floating on the water. We can play a game that you’re on a boat.”
Encar watched her for a while, before he nodded. “I think it’s taken its full effect now. Lay her down.”
Enon carefully laid her out, and Encar covered her head with both of his hands and closed his eyes. “Don’t let her move, please. I need to concentrate.”
Rylee stared straight ahead as if she was in a trance. Although she let out cries now and then, she didn’t try to move much. Avery could sense Sam and Gage watching just as intently as she was. Rylee would tense up now and then and start to cry, but she calmed right down. Her limbs were easy to hold down, and she never put up much of a fight.
Encar’s face dripped perspiration as he concentrated on his task. He moved his hands occasionally around her head and firmed his lips. His muscles bulged as if he was using physical strength even though he never moved.
Avery glanced up and whispered, “He’s not doing much.”
Sam leaned over and kissed her lightly. “Encar is a sorcerer, as is Yerel. They get their power from within themselves. Yerel’s mate, Enon, is a witch, and they gain their power from the energy of the earth and spells.”
Her eyes widened. So that was true when he said a witch cast a spell on a part of the bar that gave them extra privacy. She’d thought he was joking. All that time she’d imagined people seeing her and Sam having sex in the back room, and all the while, a spell really did protect them.
After what seemed like hours, Encar finally stood and winced as if he was in pain. “There,” his voice rasped. “I think I got it all. I’ll know within the week if I need to go back in, but I checked several times.”
Sam and Gage stood and shook Yerel and then Encar’s hands. “Thank you, and Rylee?”
Encar glanced back at her as Enon gave her something more to drink. “She’s going to sleep for at least ten hours now, maybe more. Let her. Enon’s sedative will help her rest while her brain sort of resets itself. She needs to sleep as much as possible for the next sixteen hours, and then I want her up and walking. No running or horseplay until I can see her again in three days and check my work and how it’s all set in.”
Sam walked over to Rylee and picked her up. Her eyes closed as Sam cuddled her close. “Can we take her back to our rooms then?”
Yerel nodded. “Yes, of course, but I mean it. She’s going to sleep a lot as her brain resets, so to speak. I will be close if anything happens or you have questions.”
“Thank you.” Avery wasn’t sure if it would work at all, but she was thankful that these healers had taken the time to try. Even if nothing changed, she and Rylee had two men that loved them dearly, and that was enough for now.
Chapter Fifteen
Avery paced their set of rooms that were much more like a hotel suite than rooms at a lodge. The living area had an overstuffed couch that pulled out into a queen-size bed, and there were two bedrooms, each with double king-size beds in them.
Once they’d tucked Rylee into one of the beds, she circled the suite. “Do they have large families come here often?”
Gage tracked her movements with his gaze and shook his head. “No, mostly it’s enforcers or pack Alphas. Lycans are big so they put king-size beds in every set of rooms. Most times there are four Lycans per set of rooms.”
“There isn’t a kitchen.” Avery spotted a small hotel-style fridge for cold drinks and a microwave, but nothing else. If they were going to be here a while, how would they eat? Wolf Creek was a very small town, and they would get tired of eating in the same two diners, not to mention the healer had said to keep Rylee quiet.
Gage stood up and walked over to her. He pulled her into his arms and stroked his strong hands up and down her back. “You’re worrying again.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.
She met his gaze and couldn’t swallow the lump in her throat. She was out of her depth here and on edge. “Yes.”
“The pack Alpha, Marcus, has a large kitchen and dining room toward the back. We can either go and eat, get our food and come back, or I can get a whole mess of food for us to eat here. It depends on what Rylee is doing in the morning.”
She wanted to pace more, but Gage had a hold of her. She was full of nervous energy that she wasn’t sure what to do with.
A chime went off just as Sam put his cell phone down, and he answered the door. A large man with brown hair and blue eyes stood in the doorway. She wondered who he was for a split second before Sam held his arm out. “Come on in, Dad.”
Evelyn walked in after him and winked at Avery.
She studied Sam’s father and knew there was no way he was Sam and Gage’s biological father. They both had dark hair and eyes, much like Devon’s. They’d seemed to have gotten their looks from their biological father and not their mother. They looked nothing alike. Their hair and skin coloring were much darker than his, and Evelyn had dark blonde hair.
Gage stepped forward and kissed Evelyn on the cheek while Sam shook his Alred’s hand. “Dad, this is our mate, Avery. Our youngling, Rylee, is sleeping in the other room.”
The older Lycan Alpha turned toward Avery, and she could see where Sam got his ability to intimidate by a mere glance. Alred was intimidating and not just because of his height and muscular stature. The power and authority hung about him like a mist, but there was also wisdom in his gaze.
“Daughter,” he murmured and stepped forward. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders and kissed her forehead. “I welcome you into our family. We are blessed to have such a beautiful daughter.”
Her cheeks flushed as she blinked to try and control her intense emotions. She could see by the sincerity shining in his blue eyes that he meant every word. “Thank you,” she whispered and wiped her sweaty hands on her pants.
“I know Rylee is resting, but may I see her?” Alred asked, glancing at Sam, Gage, and then Avery.
Avery nodded when both men glanced at her for guidance. “Of course.”
They walked into the room where the giant bed swallowed her up. Alred’s serious face split into a gentle smile. “She’s a little doll,” he whispered and stroked over her face lightly.
Once they were out, Evelyn turned to them. “Rylee is just going to sleep. The healers are all right here. Why don’t you three go out? I hear several have gone off to The Underground today. They’ve closed the club to outsiders tonight since so many Supernaturals are here.”
Avery started to shake her head. What if Rylee woke up and was scared? What if she needed her?
Sam and Gage moved into her space, and she could feel the warmth from their bodies.
“Rylee will be fine. If she wakes up, I promise to call you, but Enon and Yerel both say she’ll be out for the rest of the night. You may not get another chance to have some time before Rylee is awake and the real healing starts.”
“What if she wakes up scared and alone? She could miss me.”
Evelyn smiled with her eyes full of compassion. “You are a good mama, Avery. Rylee and I have bonded, remember. She woke up in a complete panicked state once. I’ve seen her at her worse, and thi
s time I have healers here. Go. Rylee won’t even know you were gone.”
Sam pulled on Avery. “Mom’s right. We could sit around and watch you pace, or I can help expel that nervous energy for you.”
Gage licked her outer ear, sending a trail of liquid head straight to her pussy. “We can show the world you are ours.”
After glancing at everyone in the room, Avery finally nodded. “Okay, but if she wakes up, call me.”
“I swear,” Evelyn promised with her hand up as if to take an oath.
* * * *
Sam helped Avery out of the borrowed car at the mall in Chattanooga. She looked around in wonder and said, “This doesn’t look like a sex club.”
Gage chuckled as he glanced at the glass doors. “The Underground has a dress code. Your jeans and T-shirt are okay to get in, but you’d have to change to clothing that is more appropriate once you’re inside.”
The fall air was turning crisp, and the smell of dry leaves filled the air as they made their way to the entrance. Once in, Gage led her to the ladies’ section, but pink caught Sam’s eyes and he turned into the children’s section.
A soft Andy doll to go with the Raggedy Ann doll Rylee loved was sitting on the shelf, only this one wasn’t torn and wearing through like hers. He picked it up as well as some pink nightgowns that had the characters in her favorite program on the preschool cable station. He wanted to wait until she was awake and with them before they bought any decorations for her room, but she would have a few toys and a new nightgown to wake up to.
When he found Gage and Avery, his gaze shot to the black halter-top and mini skirt they’d picked out. His dick hardened just imagining her in the outfit. He’d make her leave her panties off so he could bend her over on the dance floor and sink his cock into her hot pussy. Owen had nice places in his club that offered a bit of privacy for the sub’s comfort while allowing a Dom to push his sub’s limits with public sex. It was going to be Avery’s first time in a kink club, and he would make sure to make it memorable.
Chapter Sixteen
Sam pulled the car into a parking lot to a nondescript building in an industrial area of Chattanooga. There were two huge men guarding the doors. Avery took a step toward Sam. Those guys appeared more menacing than the guys that terrified her with The Brotherhood. They had that feel about them that they’d happily rip a person to shreds and then go back to their card game as if nothing had happened.
Sam rubbed her back in a soothing gesture. “They’re here for human’s protection, not to harm anyone.”
“Why?” She glanced over at the two men and back at Sam. What kind of place needed guards?
“They’re the owner, Owen’s, own enforcers for the club. There have been times that a Vampire has tried to compel humans while they waited in line. They are more of a reminder to all Supernatural races of the consequences for using our abilities to influence humans.”
She glanced over at Gage, who stood leaning against the car with his arms crossed over his chest. He stood straighter and held his arm out toward her. “Come on. Owen will have a chat with you, and then we can tour the club and see what interests you.”
Sam wrapped his arm around her, and they made their way to the door. She started to understand what Alice felt like when she fell down the rabbit hole.
* * * *
“Hello, Marie.” Sam and Gage both waved at the slender brunette girl at the desk.
Marie’s face lit up in a surprised smile. “Well, Sam and Gage Dalton. Hot damn! I’d heard you two were here. Owen will be thrilled to see you again.”
“Is he free? I need him to interview our mate.”
Avery blocked out the rest of the conversation as she glanced around the room. It looked very plain and outright boring. There was just a hint of industrial music now and then as an interior door opened, as if there was a great party going on and she only caught a glimpse of the fun now and then.
“This way, love.” Gage pulled her arm gently, bringing her out of her architectural trance. They walked through a set of doors that led to a hallway. The carpet appeared expensive, and each door looked to be solid real wood, not a hollow core door.
Sam led them to a door at the end of the hall and knocked twice.
“Come in,” a deep voice called.
Sam opened the door, and a man with brown hair and blue eyes stood in the large office, leaning against a corner desk that took up almost two full-size walls. The wood was mahogany and the finish shone with high shine.
“Hello,” he said in a smooth baritone voice.
Avery’s gaze moved from Owen’s office furniture to him. His eyes were soft and kind, and he had laugh lines around his mouth and eyes as if smiling was his default facial expression.
“Is this the woman I’ve heard you two mated?” Owen’s gaze moved up and down her body, but she didn’t get the feeling he was paying attention to her physical body. His penetrating gaze seemed to go right through her to her heart and soul. After a moment, his gaze moved to Sam. “You’ve been careful with her, right.”
“Yes, Owen. Once some of Mortef’s henchmen vandalized her car, we had to move faster than we wanted to, but she took it better than I’d hoped.” She glanced at Sam, and he smiled at her.
“Can you two wait out with Marie while I have a little chat with your mate?”
Avery’s eyes widened. What could he want with her? Her heart picked up speed, and her grip tightened on Gage’s hand.
Gage squeezed back. “Sam and I will be right outside the door. Owen wants to make sure you give him honest answers and you don’t say anything to try and please us.”
Sam winked. “Once Owen is done getting to know you, we’ll go on in together.” Gage guided her to a padded leather chair that was so comfortable she could sleep in it. He kissed her forehead, and then he and Sam walked out the door together.
Her hands fisted in her lap, and she stared at her pull-on sandals. What could Owen possibly want to know about her? Was he going to ask her a bunch of sex questions? What if he was disgusted with her like so many others had been over her adult life?
“It is wonderful to meet you, Avery.”
She glanced up into his face, and her anxiety evaporated as quickly as steam rose from a boiling pot. “Thank you.”
“I want to make sure you understand your rights and protections in my club. As Sam and Gage’s mate, you have full rights here at The Underground. If anyone bothers you, you find your mate or an enforcer wearing a yellow reflective vest. Normally, I stamp the hand of a human woman with a Vampire, but Sam and Gage’s parents wish that information to be kept private. They’ve never given me a reason to expose their secret, so I let it lie.”
“You know?” Evelyn had been so adamant that no one knew. It would be so hard on Sam and Gage if word got out.
“Of course, and so do Sam and Gage. It triggers grief for their mother, Evelyn, so we just leave her be.”
“She talked to me about it the night Sam told me about all of you.” She waved her hand at Owen. “She didn’t love or want her mate, so she had other men.”
Owen nodded. “She fell in love with a Vampire who’d lost his mate. He already had a son. They tried to do the right thing, but they were both lonely and, well, Sam and Gage came along with Vampire DNA.”
Her eyes were wide. “Does Alred know? He seems so nice and acted as if Sam and Gage were his sons, but they don’t look anything like him.” She held her breath. Was she going into things that were none of her business?
Owen nodded. “He knows, as do Sam and Gage. Their real father was betrayed and murdered by his brother, Mortef. Alred knew before they were ever born that they weren’t his sons. It is just the kind of Lycan that Alred is. I hope one day those two can see past the tragedy and accept their true feelings for one another.”
“I wanted to ask them, but I was worried about betraying Evelyn’s trust. Devon, Sam, and Gage all look so much alike, it’s obvious they’re brothers.”
Owen no
dded. “They know, and it is out of respect for Evelyn and the grief she carries for her actions that they don’t speak of it.”
Avery thought she understood, although secrets tended to eat at people. Perhaps they thought they were helping her, but in a way, they were keeping her in a place of hurt instead of healing. Perhaps if she could mourn and move on, she could love again.
“As for you, young one, I am happy you finally opened your heart. It is hard to trust once someone has betrayed you.”
She could only stare at him. How did he know?
His smile was full of compassion. “Here is a limit list. I want you to fill this out, and then I will scan it into our system. I will have a list of your results, and I will send them over to Sam and Gage. Next to each activity, there is a space for hard no—that means don’t even want to try—soft no—which means you’d be willing to try, but you’re not sure—and yes. If you know you’d like something, put an X in the yes. Otherwise, decide if it’s a hard or soft no. I will be happy to explain anything you do not understand.”
She took the tablet from Owen and started reading. There was a row for real-time experience and love it. For no experience, there was a number scale. Zero for hard no to five for highly arousing and willing to try. Several things she’d already done and liked, like double penetration, spanking, and bondage.
Branding. She shuddered and put a zero.
Serving other Doms. She glanced up at Owen. Did this mean what she thought it meant, or was it serving two men at once? She turned the tablet to Owen, and he read it.
“Some subs enjoy it when their Dom gives them to another temporarily.”
Avery shook her head. “Someone other than Sam and Gage?”
Owen’s smile was matter-of-fact when he said, “That would be a hard no for you, so put a zero.”
Several more like fire play seemed scary, but she marked it as a three. She hadn’t tried it, she wasn’t sure she liked it, but she was willing to try.
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