Pride Before the Fall

by JoAnna Grace

  "I'm going to tell Bianca to wash your mouth out with soap," he jibed. "And yes, my mate is extremely damn hot. Every time I look at her, it blows me away." Kasey went to the mini-fridge and grabbed a couple bottles of water, tossing one to his nephew. "You got a girl like that? Some chick that makes your jeans tight?" Kasey wiggled his brows.

  Z looked away for a moment. "You're no dummy, Uncle Kasey. Neither am I. You got something to say, spit it out. You got something to ask, just do it."

  "Simply wondering why you are holed up in here, brooding, not out there socializing with all the pretty girls."

  Z let out a huff. "Not completely on my game, that's all."

  Kasey nodded, pursed his lips. "Would a certain female have anything to do with that?"

  "Maybe." Z gave a one-shouldered shrug. "Not that she seems to give a shit."

  Kasey smiled and narrowed his eyes at this younger version of himself. It was eerie. Had he found Vivian as this age, he would have been the same. "You really think you could take on a female that crazy?" He didn't have to say her name; they both knew exactly who this conversation was about.

  "She's just another chick."

  Laughing out loud, Kasey called his bluff. "Bullshit, and you know it, son." He clapped Ezekiel on the back as they walked towards the stairs to the main floor. "Just be careful Z. Amilynn, she's a wild one. And the wild ones tend to break your fucking heart."

  "I just need to get laid, Kasey. It's not what you think. She's a cat, after all, and only you would have the insanity to go after a cat."

  Kasey chuckled, letting the lie slide. "Do yourself a favor, find a distraction." Ezekiel nodded, understanding exactly what Kasey was implying.

  "Now, I need to go find my mate. Can't risk anyone trying to steal her."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  As the sun set and the lights came on around the house, Vivian walked the grounds, taking it all in. This was everything she could ever want for her Pride. Melissa and Ty would have a safe atmosphere for a family. Amilynn and Conall would have more options for mates—maybe not Amilynn so much—but even that situation brought a smile to her face.

  She glanced at all the people gathered under a tent lit with strings and strings of lights. They were dancing and having a good time, wolves, bears and cats all together. She sent up a prayer of thanks that nothing had gone terribly wrong so far. Conall was making friends. Amilynn had two teenage admirers who seemed to be entertaining her and Martin. Melissa had found kindred spirits in some of the ladies, and even Ty eventually joined in the conversation with Conall, Sampson and Kasey. Perhaps this was where they belonged.

  "You have something troubling on your mind, Miss Blake." The man came from the shadows, wolfish eyes glowing in the dark. Vivian remembered him, one of the council members, the black wolf. Alias.

  "Not hardly. I was just thinking how nice today has been, wouldn't you agree?"

  "You know, Vivian. Is it okay that I call you Vivian? I was Kasey's father's advisor. I've watched this Pack grow and evolve over the decades. When Ian came to us and asked that we merge with his bear Clan, I have to admit I was not happy with the choice. See, I knew that Richard, Kasey's father, would have thought twice before intermixing the species. He believed in keeping shifter blood pure within each race. Kasey, though." He shook his head ruefully. "He's more liberal in his beliefs."

  The way his eyes surveyed her body made her skin crawl. But Vivian would not let this old man who thought he had a taste power try to intimidate her. She had dealt with worse enemies in her life.

  "Kasey is an incredible man and a great alpha."

  "Oh, no question about it, Vivian." He leaned into her. "But even great alphas can make a mistake when blinded by such beauty." Alias looked down at Vivian's chest. "A female can make a man do things he would not usually do. And I have no doubt, after seeing your show personally, that your seductive ways can make a man do whatever you want."

  "What are you insinuating, Alias? Because I don't think I like where this is going." Vivian stood her ground. The tiger considered this man a threat.

  Alias trailed one finger down her cheek, a sickening smile on his face. "You are an undoubtedly attractive woman. I've seen the way you use your body on stage. And I've heard for a bit extra, I could see you use it much more intimately." His finger went down her neck and touched her shoulder before she let out a hiss in warning. He smiled. "You are nothing more than a seductress, Vivian. A woman seeking a rich, successful man such as our alpha to sleep with so that you and your degenerates will be taken in as the strays you are."

  "You should watch your tongue, Alias. You're speaking lies against me and my family and your alpha." The cat was roaring so loud inside of her that her voice was more animal than human.

  Alias just laughed, his green eyes glowing. "Oh, don't worry, siren, I won't say anything of my opinions. It will only take a short while for the new to wear off and Kasey will toss you aside like yesterday's news. You're a plaything, a toy. You're not the kind of woman men keep for too long. Once he uses your body up for his pleasures and realizes that you are not the mating type, he will wise up to your real intentions."

  "How dare you!" Vivian tried to slap him, but he caught her wrist in a powerful grip.

  Alias's expression turned hard as stone. "Our alpha deserves better than a cheap stripper, Vivian. If you actually cared for him, you would see this. Will you bear him children? Will you be the submissive mate he needs to lead? Will you be able to put the good of the Pack over the good of the Pride if a situation arises? Can you honestly say that the members of his family will one day mean just as much to you as the members of your own, that you would give your life for a bear or wolf? Because I think your answer to all of these questions is 'no'. And when you think about more than just the sexual aspect of your relationship with Kasey, you will move on because this is not a role you were cut out for. Just don't stick around for too long, Vivian. Your family will do a lot of damage before all this hype fizzles out."

  Vivian stood paralyzed as Alias walked away with nothing more than a nod. His words had cut her deeper than any strike Trace had ever laid on her. Alias didn't attack her body or her strength, but her heart and soul. The air struggled to go in and out of her lungs like she might have a panic attack.

  Kitty cat, what's wrong? Where are you?

  Kasey's voice in her mind stopped her heart for a beat. He cared for her, right? Or was Alias correct? Were she and Kasey nothing more than bed buddies who were doomed to end one day? He had been right about one thing; she wasn't willing to give him children, especially anytime soon. She tried to envision loving anyone more than she loved Melissa. It was so hard to do. Her Pride had been the sole reason for living the last five years.

  Then again, she never thought she could fall for Kasey so quickly or deeply. Had that merely been sexual needs clouding her mind? She and Kasey had come together in a time of confusion when she was not herself at all. Her mind was on one thing and Kasey had just been a tool to ease her suffering.

  "Stop this!" Kasey was in front of her in a blink, his hands on her face, his lips pressed to hers. "Never, ever do I want to hear you think things like that again. Do you understand me, Vivian?" His gaze pierced her hazel eyes, his voice rocky. "Vivian?"

  "He's right, Kasey." Vivian kept her tone calm, void of all emotion. "I'm a stripper and you deserve better."

  "He who? Who told you that Vivian?" he commanded, furiously gripping her shoulders.

  "It doesn't matter. I told you this would bite us in the ass."

  "It does matter. You are my mate and God help the sonofabitch who would speak to you like that." He pulled her against the security of his chest. "I will not allow someone to put these thoughts in your head and not suffer the consequences." He could tell Vivian had withdrawn and it made him fume that someone in his Pack was already trying to put a wedge between them.

  Kasey would not allow it. Closing his eyes, he peered into Vivian's mind and saw the eyes of t
he man who had come to her, touched her, and verbally beaten her. The wolf came to the surface with protective rage that he could barely control.

  "Kasey, stop!" Vivian cried out and pushed him away. He looked at her as she grabbed her sides. "You hurt me." She looked at him with disbelief in her eyes. His anger had shocked her.

  His claws had come out and dug into her back, leaving puncture wounds that seeped blood onto her shirt. He rushed to her, hating the beast within him that would war so quickly as to harm his mate. "Oh baby, I'm sorry. Oh God! Forgive me, Vivian, I'm sorry, so sorry." He ushered her inside to their room and closed the blinds. She removed the shirt, unable to look at him, not sure if it was pain or shame keeping her eyes averted. Kasey brought a wet cloth from the bathroom and dropped to his knees to clean her. He cursed himself. "Please, say something."

  "What do you want me to say? One of your Packmates expressed his opinion. He had the right, I guess."

  Kasey blanched at the chill in her voice. "He didn't have the right to piss you off."

  "People are going to piss me off, Kasey. It's part of life." Vivian tried to hide her bruised esteem under the bravado, but she knew damn well Kasey could see past it. It didn't matter. She had a fight on her hands and she didn't need him to step in the middle of it.

  "Please don't let this upset you. We knew things would be challenging. And yes, your previous ventures will be brought up. But it doesn't mean that we can walk away." Kasey stood up and examined her already-healed wounds and marveled at the ease in which she covered her body with a new shirt. Vivian remained silent. "You're not going to talk to me about this are you?"

  "No." Vivian smoothed out her blouse and looked him right in the eyes, poker face intact.

  Kasey sighed. What else had he expected? This was no weak woman who would fall into his arms when someone hurt her feelings. No, his woman had claws. That didn't stop him from addressing her fears. "I'll respect that—this time." He took her chin in his hand and made her meet his eyes. "But let's get one thing straight right now. You. Belong. To. Me. And I will not release you. I care for you, Vivian, and nothing will change that or lessen the intensity of my feelings for you. You're a beautiful, talented woman and my perfect match. Do not ever doubt it, you hear me?"

  Vivian looked into his eyes and knew his words were a command from one powerful dominant to another. At first, her cat hissed at the thought of taking orders from anyone, but then both woman and beast realized this was one command she could live with. "Fine." Her chilled demeanor warmed as she smirked up at her mate. "But I get to rip out that bastard's throat the next time he says one word to me."

  Kasey let out a long breath. Once relaxed, he scooped up Vivian and nuzzled her neck. "Damn, you're sexy when you get mad." He nipped at her neck, making her giggle. "He's all yours, kitty cat. Now let's go enjoy our party."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Vivian sat at one of the tables, sipping a beer and watching everyone have fun. Melissa, who had the patience of Job, had taken Kasey out on the dance floor to teach him how to dance. It was the most comical thing she had ever seen. Of all her mate's talents, dancing was not one of them.

  "That's the most angelic woman on God's green earth." Ty leaned over and put his arm around the back of her chair.

  "I think so." Vivian smiled at her brother-in-law. "But you and I are quite partial."

  Ty smirked and nodded. Vivian thought he was the right person to ask a question that had been on her mind thanks to Alias. "Can I ask you something, Ty? As your sister-in-law?"

  He nodded again, his black eyes leaving Melissa and focusing on her. Those eyes, hooded by his hat, never missed a beat. Ty was the leopard even in human form: lethal, quiet, and highly territorial.

  "What do you think about Melissa performing with us? Do you have a problem with it?"

  "Why would I?"

  "Because she's your mate and, let's face it, we don't exactly ballroom dance on stage. The sexy costumes, the provocative movements, you don't think she's advertising herself?"

  Ty took in deep breath, tilted his head in a feline way and then looked out at his mate. Vivian stayed quiet while one corner of his mouth flashed a smile. When he looked back to Vivian, his hand went to rest on the back of her neck. "I'm not big on any male lusting over my wife. But look at her, who wouldn't? She's conservatively dressed, trying to teach Kasey a line dance and I can still scent the arousal of a couple guys over there watching her. Mel loves to perform; she feels powerful because she can control the crowd. It's good for her self-esteem to be on stage."

  "I didn't know she felt that way." Vivian smiled, how very Melissa.

  "She dances, sings some pretty songs, and men and women alike pay to witness her talents. At the end of the night, it's always me she wants, and always will be, God willing." He took a swig of the beer and set it down on the table with a slight laugh. "I don't deserve her. Never will."

  Vivian leaned into his arm and put her head on his shoulder. "You two are perfect together. I can only hope that Kasey and I will eventually fit together the way you do."

  "You will, V." He kissed the top of her head. "You're on your way." Ty leaned his head over so he was right in her ear. "If you really meant to ask about what you and Amilynn do, you're both better than that shit."

  Vivian knew that for Ty to say something, he must have felt strongly. Ty never opened his mouth or offered up an unsolicited opinion unless he was convicted.

  "You hogging the alpha?" Conall flopped down in a chair on the other side of V.

  Ty grinned and slipped his arm from around her neck to hold her hand. It was little things like that, the physical touch that kept Vivian grounded. She would always have her Pride, no matter what. She looped her free hand around Conall's elbow.

  "What happened to your new friend?" Vivian asked, wiggling her brows.

  "Who? The chick who pretended to be into cars so she could get in my good graces?" He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Yeah, no thanks. I've got wrenches with more brains." Ty nearly spit out his beer and had to wipe his mouth. Vivian just laughed.

  "Ami's having fun." Conall nodded to her. Her two admirers had barely left her side all day and surprisingly, Ami was all smiles and laughter. No doubt she loved the attention and teasing the two boys and the crowd around her.

  "She's got friends." Ty smirked at his sister.

  "I don't like the way that Ezekiel dude looks at her. He's got something on his brain." Conall sounded like he too had something on the brain.

  "I think we should be watching that guy with the blue eyes and big smile," Vivian said, glancing over at the blond who had just asked Ami to dance when the band slowed the tempo down a bit. It was Martin. Vivian was getting tired of seeing his face around her sister.

  "Shit," Conall mumbled. "Look at that dude, he's like one of those guys on the front of a romance novel."

  "Jealous much?" Ty teased.

  "Ami and I just scratch an itch."

  "Ami's brother." Ty pointed to his chest. "Right here."

  Conall laughed. "Sorry."

  Ty shook his head to erase the images as Vivian laughed at their exchange. "You two are both hopeless. I'm going to go rescue my man from my sister." Vivian kissed both their cheeks and walked over to take Kasey in her arms to dance.

  Kasey was smiling and laughing. It did her heart good. She buried her face in his neck and took a deep breath of his scent. He held her close, letting his presence be the strength she needed.

  Everything ok, kitty cat? he asked.

  When you hold me, everything is just fine.

  Then I will make sure to keep you in my arms as much as possible. The affection in his voice warmed her to the core.

  * * * * *

  Motherfucker, he did not have the self-control to watch Amilynn dance with Martin. That prick had his hands right above her ass and was too damn close for comfort. And up here on the stage, he was stuck with a front row seat at the show. Ezekiel had been asked to fill in on bass guit
ar when his buddy Brandon had gotten sick. Stupid, lactose-intolerant pinhead.

  God help him, she'd taken off her jacket again. He couldn't think about that pink lace underneath it or he would come undone right there on stage. This song could not be over soon enough. Luckily the next one on the set list was fast.

  He turned his attention to Todd as he counted off the beat. It didn't help. Ami and her sisters showed off some of their skills to the fast rhythm. As the band played, there was no ignoring the women. Scratch that. There was no ignoring Amilynn dancing. Those tight leopard print pants were driving him insane. Her fine ass was moving around, and it was going to send his wolf into an all out panic if he didn't get a grip quick.

  Ezekiel had to give them credit. They were talented. The three women were having a good time on the dance floor, mingling with the Pack. The black-haired one, Melinda or something, was dancing with another one of the submissive males. There was something so mature and demur about her, an old soul. He'd thought her to be like his mom: quiet, shy, a polite and conservative submissive. Not when she danced. If she hadn't been mated to Tyrone, she would have had to fight the wolves off her with a stick. That woman was all feline temptation when she moved. It reminded him that they were only a few years older than him, all of them still young and up to speed with what's cool.

  Vivian was pretty hot; he had to give credit to his Uncle's wolf. Hell of a mate he picked. But why in the hell did she have to have a hot Pride mate?

  He played his bass, unable to remain unaffected by the beat. Even more, he couldn't remain unaffected by Ami. The way she moved, so titillating and sensual. He also noticed she seemed to be favoring her movements towards Martin. It made him freaking crazy. The other unmated male was watching Amilynn with eyes full of intentions. It made the wolf inside snarl. No way in hell was that guy going to get into Ami's pants. He would kill him first. Then he would mark Amilynn as his so that no other assholes tried to touch her.