Wounded

by Maggie Walsh

  “But I need to get downstairs, Micah. Everyone will be looking for breakfast.” Jesse headed for the bathroom.

  Micah quickly placed the tray on the bed and grabbed Jesse around the waist, pulling Jesse back against his chest. “Everyone is already taken care of. They’re down in the kitchen cleaning up now. How do you think I brought you pancakes? Now get back in that bed. I promised you last night that today you could sleep until you were ready to get up. Then I want you to go take a nice, relaxing bath for as long as you want. So back in the bed.”

  Jesse narrowed his eyes at Micah for a moment, then he gave him a smile and climbed back in the bed. Micah pulled the covers over Jesse’s legs as he leaned against the headboard. Micah placed the tray over Jesse’s lap and pulled the lid off.

  “This looks so good. Thank you, love,” Jesse said in appreciation.

  “Now, what would you like to do today?” Micah asked as he cut the pancakes, poured some maple syrup over them, then forked a piece and brought it to Jesse’s lips.

  “I can feed myself, Micah.” Jesse chuckled.

  “Yeah, but what fun is there in that?” Micah laughed and put the fork to Jesse’s lips. Jesse opened for Micah’s offer. He closed his lips around the fork and pulled back, then moaned in appreciation. “Mmm, sourdough pancakes, my favorite, but who got the batter ready last night?”

  “Believe it or not, Laylen. He said he loved your sourdough pancakes and it had been awhile since we had them, and he wanted to give you a hint. So he found your recipe and started the batter for you,” Micah explained. “Then Bailey finished them this morning.”

  “I’ll have to thank them for these. They did a great job.”

  “So what would you like to do today? We can head into the city and do some Christmas shopping. Or we can go into town and do the whole winter festival. Ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh ride, snowman building contest. Then maybe check out all the great food carts. Bailey and Lexi have a big booth opening in the square today, and he’s serving hot apple cider, pumpkin lattes, and of course, his famous muffins. They even got Josh and Milo to help.” As Micah spoke he continued to feed Jesse his breakfast.

  “That all sounds great, but I don’t think we’ll have time for it, love. After the council meeting with Shelby, then the house meeting, I’ll have to start working on lunch and then think about dinner. I also have to call Frank and Sage.”

  “No you don’t. I already spoke with Frank and everything is fine. He talked with Sage and made him know that he will have a place at the club for as long as he wishes, and that when he’s old enough and trained enough, you have promised he can be a dancer. No one is taking his place. So Frank is happy, and Sage is happy. As far as feeding everyone, I already told them that they are on their own for lunch. Always. From now on.”

  “But, Micah―” Jesse tried to protest, but Micah stuck a fork of food in his mouth, stopping him.

  “No. No buts, Jesse. Everyone who lives in this house is more than capable of making themselves a sandwich or heating up leftovers. Lunch is off the menu from now on, and as far as dinner is concerned for tonight, I left money in the kitchen and told them to choose what kind of takeout they want. Pizza, Chinese, whatever. Speaking of that, when we have our house meeting, I want to instigate two nights a week where you and Bailey do no cooking. One night a week, we will do take out, and the other night someone else can cook. We’ll make a schedule or something for those that can cook, and those who can’t will set the table, clean up, and do the dishes. It’s time everyone starts to lend a hand, and I mean everyone. Including me.

  “Today, you have the day off, and you will continue to have a day off when those two nights are. I can’t speak for Bailey and the café, but you will have those two days off to do whatever you want. No working. Unless it’s council and save-the-world stuff. So I’ll ask you again. What do you want to do today? After our meetings, I am taking you out, just the two of us.”

  Jesse was speechless. He looked at Micah with so much love and adoration for being such a wonderful mate and doing whatever needed to be done to make Jesse’s life easier. Tears came to Jesse’s eyes from the overwhelming love he felt for Micah. He moved the tray from his lap and climbed onto Micah’s lap, wrapping his arms around his neck. “Do you know how much I love you?”

  “Yes, baby, I do, and I love you with the same intensity.”

  “Thank you for understanding and for taking steps to help me. I would love to spend the day with you, love. I can do Christmas shopping any time, or online. I want to go to the winter festival and just have a fun day with you.”

  “Then that’s what we’ll do. Now I want to cancel all meetings and go right now,” Micah said and wrapped his arms around Jesse. “I just want to spend the whole day with you. No work, no stress. Just us enjoying each other’s company.”

  “Can I ask for one more thing or am I pushing my luck?” Jesse asked with a laugh and kissed Micah’s neck.

  “You can never ask for too much. What do you want, baby?”

  “Can we make one night a week date night? We can either go out or stay in, but eat here in our room with just the two of us?”

  “That sounds like a great idea, Jesse. I would love that.”

  “How about either takeout night or the night someone else cooks?”

  “Great idea. Maybe everyone will want to do that, too?”

  “We should bring that up during the family meeting.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Now, you go take that bath and relax. I will take these dishes down to the kitchen and meet with the council on other business before we call Shelby to join us. I’ll fill you in on everything later.”

  “Okay. Thank you, Micah,” Jesse said and leaned in, capturing Micah’s lips with his. Jesse slid his tongue over Micah’s lips and Micah opened for him. After a few soft strokes, Micah slid a hand through Jesse’s hair, cupping the back of his head, as he took over and deepened the kiss.

  Jesse melted against Micah and moaned at the pleasure his mate was giving him. His mate, his husband, really was the best man on the planet, and he was undoubtedly the best lover.

  Micah slowly released Jesse’s lips and pulled back. “Go pick out what you want to wear today and I will start your bath for you,” Micah offered.

  “I can do it, love.”

  “I know you can, but humor me. I want to take care of all your needs today. I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you do for me and for this family, and I want you to know how sorry I am for not seeing how much you’ve been doing. I want to give you a great a day.”

  “Thank you, love.” Jesse leaned in and gave Micah another scorching kiss.

  * * * *

  “So is that why your father kidnapped you? He wanted you to find his true mate?” Micah asked Shelby.

  “Yes, Alpha Prime.”

  “Did you find his mate for him?” Phenex asked.

  “No. Even if I could, I wouldn’t tell him.”

  “But I thought you just said that you could find anyone’s mate? I’m lost,” Storm asked.

  “I can. I do know who my father's true mate is and I know where to find her. I’ve known for almost a hundred and fifty years.”

  “And you didn’t tell him when he pumped all those drugs into you?” Storm asked skeptically.

  “No. I know that once I tell him, he won’t believe me anyway. Then he will force me to tell them who my brothers’ and sisters’ true mates are. Once I do, they will have no more use for me and will finally do what they have always wanted to do since I was a teenager.”

  “What’s that?” Phenex asked.

  “Kill me.”

  “Why wouldn’t your father believe you if you told him who his true mate is?” Dante asked.

  “Because she is dead. She’s been dead for over two thousand years. Amelia Stephanos was my father's true mate.”

  “Amelia Stephanos,” Dante exclaimed in shock.

  “Who is Amelia Stephanos?” Ryland asked.

&
nbsp; “She was one of the original six vampires that the gods created. My father always said that the gods meant for the three males to mate with the three females, so that they could create full-blooded vampires and continue the royal lines.”

  “That’s why your bloodline is royalty, correct?” Ryland asked.

  “Yes, but the other four vampires believed they were royalty as well because they were a part of the original six. They were right, to a point. The original six are considered royalty, but their offspring are not. Only those created from both true vampires.”

  “So how many true vampires were created?” Storm asked.

  “Including me?” Dante asked and Storm nodded. “One. Me. My parents were the only ones of the original six to mate and have a child. That is why my father was made king of the vampires and my mother queen. Only their bloodline can claim the throne.”

  “Wait a minute. You once said that only royal vampires can create other vampires by biting them, and only royal vampires have two true mates. So each of your parents had two mates out there somewhere in the world, and so do the other four of the original vampires, but their children aren’t considered royalty. So that leaves only you for now who has two true mates?” Jesse asked.

  “My parents were true mates. Each of the original six were true mates, but my parents were the only ones to claim each other. They never found their other mate. The gods told my parents of their intent for creating our race and wanting three families of royal vampires. Because of the others not finding each other and mating, my parents were given the history of the vampires and were the keepers of that history. When they went to the other four vampires to explain the gods’ wishes, the other four just brushed them off. They wouldn’t believe them and accused them of wanting to end our race.”

  “Why would they say that?” Phenex asked.

  “Because they believed that if the original six were to mate, then that would only make three families, but if each of them were to mate others then there would be six families of pure vampires. My father tried to explain to them that if they mated outside the original six then it would only leave one family of true vampires, his, because he mated his true vampire mate and they would continue both of their bloodlines in their children.

  “But again, the others thought they were lying and being selfish. No matter how hard my parents tried to convince them of the gods’ wishes, they wouldn’t listen. The other four insisted if they turned their choice of mate into a vampire then that would make their mate a full vampire because they were royalty. Then their children would be pure vampires as well and carry on their royal bloodline.

  “But it wasn’t so. The ones they chose to mate and change into vampires were not full vampires. They didn’t believe this until after they changed them and mated them. To prove they were right, they had their chosen mate bite someone to change them, but nothing happened. They went to my father screaming about it and he told them it was because their mates were not true vampires. If they mated a wolf, then the wolf was now part vampire, part wolf. They remained who they originally were. So the other four killed their chosen mates and began to look for their second mates.

  “Unfortunately, the two remaining female vampires of the original six were killed by their chosen mates as they tried to kill them. So my mother was the only true female vampire left. The other two true male vampires, including Shelby’s father, began to look for their second mates, but neither of them ever found her. Gregoria Stephonapolis was killed in the dragon wars. He only had two children from his chosen mate and raised them to believe they were royalty and true vampires. They’re pains in the ass who believe they are better than everyone else.

  “And then there is Shelby’s father, Vladimir Zharkov. He never mated anyone after the first one, but he did take on three wives. His two oldest children are from his chosen mate that he killed. Then his next one is from his first wife. Then Vasily.” Dante nodded toward Shelby. “Shelby, from his second wife. Then he had two more from his third wife,” Dante finished and looked at Shelby for verification. Shelby nodded in agreement.

  “And you know all of this how? I thought you said you didn’t know who Shelby truly was until yesterday,” Storm asked.

  “As I said before, my parents were the keepers of vampire history. So as their only child, I have been given the history of our race. Growing up, my parents taught me vampire history every day. As I got older, they insisted I stay up-to-date on our history. They knew I was the only living true vampire besides them and Vladimir, that I was the only real royalty that would remain after they died. They knew I would become king someday and I would need to know everything about our race. As the years went by, I didn’t keep up with the history as well as I should have. When my father died last year, all his belongings came to me, including the vampire history scrolls and books. I have been reading up on them for a few months now.”

  “And what about knowing who Shelby was?” Ryland asked.

  “I didn’t know that Shelby was Vasily Zharkov until he told me yesterday. I have always known of Vasily Zharkov as well as the rest of his family from the history, but the only Zharkov I have ever met was Vladimir.”

  “So now there is only Vladimir left of the original six and he is finally looking for his other mate. If he found her and they had children, what would have happened? Would that have affected your standing, Dante?” Micah asked.

  “No. His true vampire mate is dead. Even if he were to be able to find his other mate and have children with her, that child still would not be a full vampire. I am the only full vampire left, besides Vladimir, and my powers far outnumber his. I have my own god-given powers, but upon my parents’ death, I gained their powers as well, and then you have to remember, because of my wonderful mates and being part of D three, I can tap into their powers as well. I doubt Vladimir even knows that.”

  “So what would happen if Shelby found his siblings’ mates and they mated and produced children?” Dare asked.

  “I don’t really know. I doubt they would be all that powerful. Shelby’s siblings are only half of a true vampire’s bloodline. Then their children would be even less.”

  “And what about our children, mate?” Dare asked.

  “Our children would have the bloodline of both my parents, two of the original six vampires. That alone would make them more powerful than any of the other offspring of the original six, and they would be the only offspring of true vampire royalty. So our children would each have two mates as well and be able to have children with their same-sex mates if that’s what they are blessed with.”

  “So Shelby and his siblings, as well as those other children from the original six, don’t have two mates and cannot have children with a same-sex mate?” Ryland asked.

  “No. Only those born of the original six who mated their true vampire mate. That’s only me and my bloodline.”

  “Wow. Okay. So we need to keep Shelby safe and get his family to stop coming after him, and we need to keep his true identity and what he can do a very closely guarded secret. If anyone knows what he can do, we’ll have gods-only-know how many fuckheads wanting to get their hands on him,” Jesse said.

  “Exactly,” Dante agreed.

  “So if Vladimir's true vampire mate is dead, he still has one mate out there somewhere, right? That means that Shelby can still locate who that is,” Storm added.

  “Yes, that’s true,” Shelby answered, “if she were still alive.”

  “So your father’s other mate is dead as well?” Dare asked.

  “Yes. She died over a hundred and fifty years ago. She was a human, and she died of pneumonia.”

  “So both his true mates are dead. What do you think he will do when he finds out that information?” Jesse asked.

  “I don’t think he will believe me if I tell him. It took him a long time to finally believe what King Marco had told him about the six original vampires mating. Then he went a little crazy when he realized he fucked up his chance of creating a full-bl
ooded vampire like Dante. He has been obsessed with finding his other mate since. He still believes that if he finds his other true mate and has a child with her that he will still have a full-blooded vampire because of his blood and her being his true mate.”

  “Okay. Shelby, you will be moving in here with us so that we can keep a twenty-four-hour guard on you. As you stated, there is no way your family would connect you to the Angel Pack, but they will probably be watching Dante’s coven house very carefully. No one is to come from there to here unless they disseminate, although I don’t think the secret of your whereabouts will be kept that secret for long,” Micah added.

  “Why do you say that, Alpha Prime?” Shelby asked.

  “Because everyone in the paranormal world knows that Dante and I are best friends, business partners, and that were are both on the council. I think even your family will be able to connect the dots soon, but I still think this is the better place for you. With all the enforcers here, as well as Legion warriors and fae guards, we have more security here. Ryland and Rory can place new spells around these lands that can stop any vampire but who we allow from disseminating into our territory and our home.”

  “I agree. I think this will be the safest place for Shelby right now,” Dante said.

  * * * *

  “Oh my fucking gods, mate of mine!” Taylor screamed out at the top of his lungs. “Yes, Gabriel! Fuck me like it’s our last time!” Taylor’s fingers gripped the edge of the couch harder as he bent further over the back. His body jerked forward and his cock rubbed against the fabric, causing delicious friction.

  Shelby walked into the living room to find Taylor humping the couch. He stopped short as his eyes went wide and he just stared at the sight before him.

  “Yes, man of mine! Just like that! Don’t stop!”

  “Um, Taylor? I know we don’t know each other very well, but I never expected anything like this. You’re even a bigger freak than I thought, but in a good freak way, of course,” Shelby said.