by Faith Gibson
“Everyone except you.”
“No, including me.” Xenia turned Sophia around to face her and placed her hands on Sophia’s arms. “Little dove, I couldn’t have hand-picked better parents. I had a life filled with adventure and knowledge. While Mercer was out digging, Sadie doted on me like you wouldn’t believe. When I was old enough, Mercer began taking me with him. I have lived a life most people only dream about. I was raised in a loving home by parents I practically worshiped. I’m glad Monica allowed her brother to be my father. That might not make sense to you, but it’s the truth. It does hurt that I was lied to all those years, but now I know the truth, and I have family when I thought I had none.”
“Wow. You’re really something, you know that?”
“Eh, it’s in the genes. Now, let’s go make history.”
Sophia’s heart healed in that moment. She had a sister whose spirit was as beautiful as her face.
Once inside, Xenia explained how the digging permits worked. She was a history professor at the University as well as experienced in archaeological digs. She would be allowed to lead the expedition with no trouble. Laws of the Council of Antiquities had become much more relaxed since the apocalypse. Julian produced documentation showing each of them to have a profession in a field relevant to the dig. If her father’s notes were still accurate, they wouldn’t have to do much digging to find the tomb. He believed it to be hiding in plain sight.
Keene was in debt to his father even further. Brock was using his power to have the permit pushed through quickly. Instead of the approval taking a week or more, it should only take a couple of days. While waiting on approval, they poured over maps, comparing recent copies to ones Mercer had stored among his things. The more they discussed the dig, the more Monica came to life. Sophia had never seen her mother so excited about anything. Ever. She had given up her life’s work when she mated with Sam. Sophia knew she would do the same to be with Nikolas. Good thing their jobs within their families were closely related.
While the others were making plans and gathering tools, Sam pulled Sophia aside. “Can I talk to you?”
“Sure,” she responded. She felt the same way about her father as Xenia had Mercer. Even when she was spending so much time with Jonas, Sam had been her hero. “What’s up?”
“I want to make sure we’re good. You haven’t said much, and you won’t look at me. Sophia, I’m so sorry. I know now keeping your sister from you was a mistake. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Xenia and I were talking earlier. When she described her love for Mercer, it was tangible. I could reach out and grab hold of it. That’s how I feel about you, Daddy. You were always my hero, larger than life.”
“You said were. Am I not still your hero?”
“I think you know the answer to that. I couldn’t ask for a better father, but now, I also have the perfect mate. I look back at you and Mom and the love you’ve shared. That, too, has been tangible. It’s my turn to have that kind of love. That kind of life. The kind of life where I know my mate is going to stand beside me and protect me. Nikolas Stone is kind, caring, funny, sexy as hell, and strong. He’s perfect. I just wish…”
“What do you wish?”
“That Uncle Zeke could have that kind of life, too.”
Sam pulled Sophia in for a hug. “Me, too, sweetheart. Me, too.”
Ezekiel would give anything if he was back on the Stone Society jet. He should have spent the extra money and booked his seat in first class. Instead, he was cramped between a large man who snored for ten hours straight and a teenaged girl who smacked her chewing gum. Not only that, but he felt nauseous the whole trip. If he wasn’t part shifter, his blood pressure would be through the roof. He was headed home to California to unwind for a couple of days. He needed to swap out his clothes as well. The weather in Montana would be getting cold soon, and he didn’t think his desert gear would work too well.
The plane landed on time, not that it mattered to Zeke. Rarely was he on a schedule, and today was no different. He had no one waiting at the end of the walkway welcoming him home. He had no time clock he had to punch. No real responsibility other than his brother Cyrus.
The customs line was extremely long, so Zeke mentally prepared to wait. “Ezekiel?” an older woman’s voice asked. Standing several passengers ahead of him was a familiar face. The woman came backwards through the line and stopped in front of him. She was short, so he had to look down. “Are you Ezekiel Seymour?” she asked.
“Yes ma’am.” He racked his brain trying to remember who she was. She was still pretty, and her eyes reminded him of someone.
“Good heavens, you haven’t changed a bit. You look like you did when we dated.”
“Dated?” He smiled all the while trying to remember her name.
She laughed. “You don’t remember me, do you? I’m Sheila Varner. I was Sheila Bentley back then. You have to remember my daughter, Stella. Where’d she go?” Sheila looked around and grabbed a younger woman by the arm. “Here she is. This is my Stella, all grown up.”
Zeke felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Stella was a younger, prettier version of her mother. His brain kicked in, and he remembered dating a woman a couple of times who had a toddler. Holy fucking shit. Stella held out her hand, and against his better judgment, Zeke shook it. He thought he was going to lose his lunch. Stella must have felt the pull, because she jerked her hand away. “What the hell?” she murmured.
Zeke turned to Sheila and lied, “I’m not the man you dated; that must have been my father. I’m Ezekiel, Jr.” There’s no way Zeke was letting something as trivial as him dating Stella’s mother thirty years ago drive her away.
Sheila laughed, cocking her head sideways as she studied him intently. “Well that sure makes a lot more sense. You’re the spitting image of Zeke. I swear; you could pass for twins. You even have the same scar above your eye that he did.” Sheila continued talking, asking questions about the senior Ezekiel Seymour, and Zeke answered her questions as vaguely as possible about someone who didn’t exist. The line crept closer to the check-in point, and Zeke was trying to think of some way to get Stella alone later.
“So, Ezekiel, where are you coming from? We just got back from Egypt. Those pyramids were something else.”
“You were in Egypt?” he asked Sheila, only he was looking at Stella. She had silky, straight black hair with dark eyes to match. She reminded him of an Egyptian queen. “You could pass for Nefertari,” he whispered. She lowered her eyes, blushing.
“Sir, you’re holding up the line,” an airport worker chastised him. He made it through customs and waited on the other side for Sheila and Stella to come through. Thankfully, Stella was first and she walked to where he was waiting.
“Your dad must have really been something. My mother still talks about him after all this time.”
Zeke hated lying to her. If she was his mate, he’d eventually have to be honest with her, but until he knew for certain she could be his mate, he was going to avoid the topic. “Where are you off to?” he asked.
“Like mother said, we just got home from Egypt. I love her, but I need to put a little distance between us, if you know what I mean.”
He sure did. “Stella, I’d love to see you again. After you get settled and jet lag has worn off, if you are interested, give me a call.” He prayed she didn’t have a boyfriend, or worse, a husband waiting on her at home.
“I think I’d like that,” she said. “What’s your phone number?”
Zeke told her his number, and she programmed it into her phone. His phone buzzed in his pocket. As he pulled it out, she said, “There, now you have mine, too. Ezekiel Seymour, why do you seem so familiar to me?”
He couldn’t tell her the truth. Not yet. He wanted to spend time together and be one hundred percent sure she could be his mate. “Sometimes the fates have a funny way about them.”
She started to say something, but Sheila joined them. “Ezekiel, it was good meeting you. Please tell
your father I said hello. Come on Stella, I’m ready to be home.”
Stella held out her hand again. Was she a glutton for punishment, or was she trying to see if there really was a strange connection between them? Zeke placed his hand in hers, and her eyes widened. Instead of letting go, he brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed them. “I’ll be waiting,” he said. Stella squeezed his hand before taking off after her mother.
Zeke knew they would more than likely be going to the same baggage carousel he was, but he didn’t want to seem like a stalker. He ducked into one of the restaurants and ordered a drink. He sipped his whisky as he thought about the first time he saw Stella. He’d gone to pick Sheila up for their date. When she wasn’t ready, he waited for her in the living room. The babysitter was already there, and a little girl waddled into the room. He remembered dark eyes staring up at him as she held onto his leg to steady herself. The little girl was babbling incoherently, and he’d been mesmerized. Zeke and Sheila had barely pulled out of the driveway when he felt sick to his stomach. He still took her out to eat, but he didn’t gain his appetite back. A few days after their date, Ezekiel transitioned for the first time.
Zeke enjoyed two more glasses of whisky before paying his tab and retrieving his luggage. On the way home he called Jonas. His father answered the phone, frantic. “Zeke? Where are you? Is Sam okay? Did you find them? How’s Sophia?”
“Slow down, Father. Everyone’s good. I’m back in the States, but I left everyone else in Egypt. They were having a family reunion of sorts. Xenia knows the truth.”
“Huh. Listen, I’m glad you called. Your mother and I have something we’d like you to take care of.”
“Huh? All you can say is huh?” It was just like Jonas to focus on his own needs.
“The truth is out, and Samuel will take care of it. It’s out of my hands. Now, about that favor.”
“I need to ask you something first. Is it possible to mate with a small child?”
“Are you crazy? Why would you even ask that?” Jonas hissed.
“Not that way! Gods, you really think I’d do that? What I meant was could being around a child cause the transition?”
“I suppose if the fates are willing to put someone through a test of sorts it could be possible. Why are you asking?”
“I ran into someone I haven’t seen since they were really young. I met her when I dated her mother. Soon after, I went through my transition. Back then we didn’t know the cause, but since we now do, I’m thinking she is the reason. I felt the mate pull strongly in her presence just now.”
“Wait a second. How do you know the cause?” Jonas snapped.
“How we know isn’t important. The fact you hid it from us is. If you hadn’t kept it a secret, I might be with my mate right now. All of your offspring have transitioned with the exception of Cyrus. I am on my way to Montana to rectify the situation. Back to my original question; is it possible?”
Jonas was silent for a moment, and if Zeke hadn’t heard breathing on the other end of the line, he would’ve thought his father had hung up. Finally, Jonas responded, “It isn’t something I’ve ever heard of, Son, but I would say it is possible. Now, about that favor…”
Zeke listened to his father drone on and on about some experiment he was currently working on. Since Tessa and Sam were out of the country, he wanted Zeke to help him. Zeke declined, reminding his father he was going to see Cyrus. He wouldn’t put off the trip because Jonas had a wild hair up his ass. Maybe by the time he returned from Montana, Stella would be ready to see him.
He left the airport and headed toward his beach house. He had a feeling that one day very soon he would no longer need the soothing sound of the waves as a balm to his spirit.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sixx set up a live video feed as promised, and they all watched as Frey and Abbi exchanged vows by the lake on Frey’s property. Nik had to promise to take Sophia there as soon as they got settled.
The dig had been a success, even if it took longer to get the permits than expected. It was interesting to see both Xenia and Monica working side by side. The others moved rocks and brushed stones, but more often than not, they watched the two women at work. Once the burial tomb of Antony and Cleopatra was unearthed, Xenia had her hands full with government and antiquities officials. They all agreed that Mercer would receive full credit since it was his notes that led them to the find. Keene was right there with her, making sure she kept her fangs in check.
Sophia’s parents stayed in Egypt for a short vacation. Monica had been in her element, and she was considering going back into archaeology now that both her daughters had mates of their own.
Nikolas had never been so glad to see his house. Before he left for Egypt, it was a large, empty space filled with books and a hidden room where the Stone Society archives were located. As he carried Sophia over the threshold, it became a home. “Welcome home, Baby.” He didn’t stop to let her look around. Nik carried her straight to the bedroom and set her on her feet. “Clothes, off, now,” he instructed as he pulled his shirt over his head. His cock was straining against his zipper, and he wasn’t going to wait to slide into his mate’s core.
Sophia was obviously in as much of a hurry since she was naked before he was. Nik stuck his thumbs between his jeans and his skin and pushed the material down his legs. Sophia didn’t wait for him to get them all the way off before she was on her knees with his dick in her mouth. “Soph, Baby…”
“Mmm?” she asked, never slowing her mouth. He loved the fact she was so eager to please him, but he had waited long enough to get his mouth on her.
He pulled her up by the armpits. “I have an idea.” Nik got on his back, his cock jutting straight up in the air. “Give me your legs,” he instructed. He positioned her so her pussy was over his face, and right as she slid his cock back into her mouth, he licked her clit.
When she released him, she said, “Oh, gods, do that again.”
Gladly. Sophia was getting really good at blowjobs. She was able to take him farther each time, but today she was having a hard time concentrating. Nik didn’t care though. He knew her pussy would taste like heaven if he ever had the chance to get his mouth down there. He was right.
Her breasts were tapping his stomach as she bobbed up and down. Her enthusiasm at exploring his body grew each time they shed their clothes. She wasn’t shy about exploring, and she was open to each and every naughty suggestion Nik whispered in her ear while he was pounding her pussy. He stuck his finger between her folds, hitting that spongy spot just inside that would make her come apart if he hit it hard enough. He tucked that thought away for another time. Right now he was enjoying the taste of her mixed with the delicious way she smelled.
Nik concentrated on her clit, alternating between licking and sucking. Each time he pulled the bud between his teeth, she moaned. He bit her clit and smacked her ass at the same time. His bunny enjoyed her spankings. Sophia wiggled, her way of saying thank you, sir, may I have another? with her mouth full. He gladly obliged and smacked the other cheek. His fingers that were plunging into her core were already wet. He wanted her dripping before she came. He sucked her juices off his fingers, the taste better than the finest Scotch ever invented. “Gods, Baby, you taste so fucking good,” he groaned.
Her hand was helping her mouth now, a sign she was getting tired. Instead of going back to finger-fucking her pussy, he teased her pucker. She pushed against his hand, and he took that as permission to breach her entrance. He slid his thumb into her pussy getting it slick before sliding it into her tight hole. He didn’t push far since it was her first time. It didn’t take more than that, because she pulled her mouth off his dick and started rocking against his face. “Nik, please…” She was ready. Nik flicked his tongue over her clit as he pulsed his thumb in her ass and his fingers in her pussy. Her core gripped his fingers as she screamed out his name.
When her pussy was no longer throbbing, he flipped her over onto her back and drove his cock
deep. He crashed their mouths together, hoping her fangs weren’t out. He enjoyed the taste of her juices on his tongue, and wanted her to see how fucking good it was. Sophia wrapped her legs around his waist and licked at his lips. “Mmm, I taste good,” she said as she plunged her tongue in for more.
Godsdamn his female was amazing. “I could fuck you forever,” he husked when she stopped plundering his mouth.
“Then don’t stop,” she said as she grabbed onto his shoulders. Sophia dug her human nails into his skin. He barely felt it, but he knew the claws would be out soon. That tingling sensation started at the base of his spine. By the time it reached the top, his wings were out. His mate’s fangs dropped and she latched onto his neck. With a roar, he shot his load into her already soaked pussy. The feel of her fangs breaching his skin was his undoing every time.
After they showered, Nik brought in the luggage from their trip. They were both tired of sand, and ready for the crisp air that December was offering New Atlanta. Nik took Sophia on a grand tour of her new home. Her favorite room in the house was, of course, the library. “I feel like Belle in Beauty and the Beast,” she joked.
“Ah, so I’m a beast, huh?” he growled in her ear as he spun her around the middle of the floor. Sophia giggled loudly, and he vowed to make her laugh every day of her life. “I’ve had dirty ideas about this hot librarian climbing the ladder over there with nothing on under her skirt.”
“Is that so?”
Nik grinned and wagged his eyebrows. “Is this library large enough for you to quit your job?” he asked as he put her down on her feet.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Don’t you think I’ll get bored, sitting here all day with nothing else to do?”
