Annabelle looked up to see her father and mother step up. She could hear Sandy behind them, giggling. She rolled her eyes as her father glanced at Sandy, then at her.
“Okay, now I know this secret has to do with me. What are you two up to?” He frowned at her. “You know how important tonight is. Don't do something stupid, Annabelle.” Her mother elbowed him in the stomach. “For once, will you stop already? She is nervous enough!” Lily hugged her and stepped back. “Just ignore him, sweetie. I do it all the time.” She winked at her. Marcus pushed her towards the front door and frowned. “I thought we were going through the tunnels.” Lance opened the door. “We were, but since the demons have been put on hold, it's safe enough to use the limo. We thought you would enjoy the ride outside.” He smiled and took her arm.
Annabelle inhaled the fresh air, realizing how much she missed being outside. Even though it was cold, they had told her she could regulate her body temperature. Sure enough, she wasn't cold as they stepped outside. Stars just started to show up in the dusk sky which was clear from snow. “It's beautiful outside and smells so clean and fresh. Thank you.” She stepped into the limo behind Lance. Her mates let her sit next to the window as they drove to their dungeon. With the window half open and the wind blowing gently across her face, she enjoyed viewing the different houses and businesses all decked out for Christmas. She loved to see all the different decorations twinkling in the night. She glanced back at Marcus and Lance and smiled. “Do you think if things go okay tonight we could go out tomorrow night and take a tour of the city since Sandy and I didn't get to see it? I bet it's beautiful by the ocean with all the Christmas lights.”
Marcus laughed. “Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we're going to be busy, but the club is on the ocean, so you'll be able to see part of them. Watch, you'll see.” He nodded to the window and she turned to see the limo pull down a long winding road towards the beach. Sure enough houses along the road were all decked out with their displays. Next year, she'd have the babies to share Christmas with and she couldn't wait. Their first stockings, presents, and of course all the good food for their mom. She smiled as they pulled into a red brick street. The limo pulled into the parking lot. “I want you to stay right beside us. You are not to say a word at the meeting, unless I nod to you. I don't trust anything right now.” Marcus scanned the parking lot as he helped her out of the limo. Her brothers and their guards surrounded them as they made their way into the old castle.
Annabelle walked behind him and Lance behind her as they entered the meeting room. The council was already present, along with his father and hers. Alocer hadn't arrived yet and she knew he would make a grand entrance. Marcus nodded to a chair where she sat. Her gaze drifted around the room and stopped at the doorway. Marcus turned to see Alocer and two of his generals enter the room. He placed his hand on her shoulder as Lance stood on her other side. “Alocer, glad you could make it. Please have a seat.” Marcus took his seat near Annabelle, Lance on the other side. For an hour straight they bargained. Alocer kept his gaze on Marcus most of the time during the meeting, but occasionally Marcus would see him glance at Annabelle. There was no mistaking the look he gave her. He glanced at Lance, who nodded. Their life was about to change drastically. Now if only their mate would accept it. “I think we can work out the other things later.” He glanced at Alocer and nodded to Annabelle, then stood. “Let me give my generals my instructions. You can inform your people that all will be safe now. I'll meet you in about ten minutes.” He bowed and exited the room. Annabelle glanced up at him, then at Lance. “Okay, you're not telling me something here. I saw the way he looked at me. What's going on?” She stood and put her hands on her hips. Marcus smiled and kissed her nose. “As soon as we have our private meeting with Alocer, we will inform you before the night's activities start. Now, this is Samantha.” He stepped back and a small dainty woman stepped up to her and nodded. “She will be helping you get ready. Samantha is one of Doug's slaves. Yes, he and Chris have her as their extra,” he added before Annabelle could ask. “Now, go on. Doug and your guards will be with you.” He stepped next to Lance as Samantha, Doug, and her guards led her out of the room. Everyone had left the room except one of the council members, the one who had informed them about the babies. He walked up to them and shook their hands. “You are just like your father. Your wisdom and manner will bring peace among the races. I'm afraid you don't really need me here, Marcus. You and Lance already know the answer to the question. Alocer is also her mate. You're going to have to trust him with your secret if you're going to get anywhere, I will tell you that. The rest is up to you two. Now, I'm going. I think you'll make the right choice.” He nodded at Lance. A bright light appeared and he stepped into it. Adam stepped up to him and frowned. “I don't like this, but I trust you two to take care of her. Alocer will have to prove himself to me before I ever trust another demon.” He turned and left the room with his sons.
Marcus sat down next to Lance. “He's right. Though we have no choice but to trust Alocer. Hopefully he's the third.” He set his legs up on the table. “I'm not too worried about trusting him. It's Annabelle I'm worried about. After that dickhead Dave, this could be a problem.” Alocer walked into the table and nodded. “I'm also afraid of this. I tried to get the asshole before he attacked her, but he was with some demons who weren't supposed to be up here. I have my generals looking for them now. They will pay for starting this problem. I just wish we could have gotten hold of them before the killings took place.” Lance nodded to the chair. “Please sit. We need to share some things with you before we talk to our mate.” Marcus released his dragon, as did Lance, and watched Alocer jump up in shock. “Do the elders know of this?” he asked, but before any of them could say anything, Alocer's head snapped back and he screamed. A black, red, and white dragon slithered across Alocer's body and joined their dragons in the middle of the room. A bright red light surrounded them and shot towards the ceiling, shaking the building at large. “Well, damn, that answers my question. Others will know the Legend has come to pass. They will be on the lookout for us. So far the only ones who know about us are my father and the council. We thought it best to keep it a secret until we made sure we had our mate. I'm taking it you didn't know about the dragon till now?” Marcus helped Alocer sit. “No, I never knew, and in a way I'm glad it didn't appear till now. If my father would have found out, there's no telling what he would have done, not to mention the demons.” Marcus nodded and sat back down. “I'd like to keep this to ourselves until we tell Annabelle. As it is, she's going to have enough to deal with tonight with you as a mate too. But we would like you to move into our home. We were thinking you could use your apartment or something else to conduct your business with the demons. I believe Annabelle will accept you, but she's not going to accept others too well.” Marcus watched as Alocer kept his gaze on the dragons as they moved back towards them. His dragon wrapped around his back, but watched. “You know the elders are going to want us closer to them? I take it your father is one also? It's weird my father isn't one, or he would have shouted it out to the world. I don't know where it came from in my family line.” He nodded. “We won't move closer to them. We will have a separate life from them. I believe my father will be asked to be an elder so that should take off the pressure a little, but we can still conduct business from home. As far as the predictions about our family, we'll have to wait and see. Our powers are still coming into us, as will yours. We have been taking more and more responsibility within the clans slowly. We don't want to overpower the clan leaders.” He stood. “Will you move into the house with us? We need to settle this before we see Annabelle. I told her we would explain everything before her introduction. Are you okay with her introduction?” Alocer smiled and stood. “In my hometown, I own many dungeons. As far as moving in, don't you think it wise to let her get used to me before we make such a huge decision? I don't want to rush her. I know it's going to be hard on her.” He shifted to his demon form. “Can she accept thi
s? Sometimes I curse my mother's heritage.” He frowned. “We need to watch for my father also, Marcus. I trust him less than I do the demons.” Lance stepped forward and clapped him on the back. “Your form isn't as revolting as most of the demons, but at least your body is mostly human. Our mate is an exceptional woman. Give her a chance, Alocer. You'll be surprised. Now let's go talk to her. For now, I believe you should be in human form. Give her time. She'll be curious. And as far as your father, we'll be ready. Remember, you are more powerful than him. Don't let him influence you, Alocer.”
Chapter Eighteen
Annabelle paced back and forth in the small room. Doug sat in the chair by the door, smiling. “Calm down, Annabelle. They're on their way.” She glanced at him and wondered if he would help her. “Doug, before they get here, I wanted to ask you something. Mind you, this is a part of their Christmas present, so if you could keep a secret from them, I would appreciate it.” She fidgeted with the silk wrapping around her wrists. He frowned at her. “You know that could be a problem since you belong to them.” She sighed. She was afraid of this. “I know, but this is part of the package I want to give them. I've painted a painting for them and it is themed around this lifestyle. On Christmas night I want to paint myself, but I also was wondering if you could tie me up like I've seen in pictures. Marcus has already hinted he wants to see me tied up and this would be perfect. Could you come to the house, say around eight that evening? I'd tell them to wait downstairs so I can get the rest of their present together. It would give you enough time to tie me up in our bedroom. Please!” she begged as she kneeled down before him. Her bare ass rested on the silk ties. Doug studied her for a minute. “Your mates are here. I'll think about it and get back to you tomorrow.” A bright light flashed in the room. Doug pushed her behind him as the guards stepped beside her. A man with graying hair stepped in the room. Doug nodded to him, but didn't move. “What can I do for you, elder?” he asked, his voice tense. “You could step aside so I can see my son's mate. I want to make sure I'm not going to be embarrassed again by him. I do feel sorry for her, though, being mated to a half-breed freak. Maybe their children will be all drinkers, though. Now, step aside so I can see for myself.” He waved his hand, and Doug flew across room into the wall. The guards stepped forward, blocking his way. Annabelle trembled to think Alocer was her mate and this creep was going to be her father-in-law. But then this man's words came back to her. Alocer must have gone through hell living with him. Something in her blood boiled and she pushed past the guards, not caring that she was naked. “I don't know who the hell you are, but as far as I'm concerned, you will have no part in my life. Any man who treats his son with such disrespect is a creep. Now get the hell out of here!” She held her head up high even though she was shaking inside. He glared at her. “You have a mean mouth, young lady, and I'd watch it if I were you. I could rip you apart where you stand right now and no one could stop me.” A solid muscular red form appeared in front of her, blocking her view. “I would stop you, old man,” Alocer said. “You go too far to threaten my mate. Because you are an elder, I give you the chance to leave now.” Annabelle started to step back, but thought better of it. Instead, she stepped to Alocer's side and placed her hand on his arm. He glanced down at her small form, then back up at her. She smiled and nodded. “I stand beside you, no matter what happens.” Alocer's gaze watered for a minute. Then he turned back to his father. “Leave now.” “It seems I didn't take the whip enough to your ass, boy, but don't worry, I can fix that problem now.” A whip appeared in his hand and came at him, but Alocer caught it and jerked the old man forward. “You've gone too far.” His clawed hand snaked out to reach for his neck, but the old man disappeared. Alocer roared his frustration as Marcus and Lance stepped into the room. Marcus clapped Alocer on the back. “Not to worry. We'll take care of him soon enough, but first let me introduce you to your mate. This is Alocer, your other mate.” He smiled as she glared at him. “You knew this, didn't you? Don't you think you should have told me first, damn it?” She placed her hands on her hips.
Alocer stood to the side, not moving. She turned to him. His gaze met hers and held it. “I'm sorry about this, Annabelle. I wanted to tell you, and I sure didn't expect the old man to show up.” Annabelle gazed up at Marcus, who nodded and stepped back. Her hands trembled as he stepped forward and kneeled before her. “I first saw you the night you met Marcus and Lance. You were running into the Café when I was leaving it. I had just had a meeting with Marcus that night, but Lance wasn't there yet.” He sighed and sat back. “This is harder than I thought.” He smiled at her, but it was a sad smile.
She cocked her head to the side and studied him. His hands shook as he laid them in his lap. “You were beautiful that night. Your scent lingered on me all night after I accidentally ran into you—and I did accidentally run into you. It wasn't planned. That stupid moron I was with tripped over the rug and pushed me into you. Anyway, later that night I noticed this.” He lifted his arm and showed her the mark. “All I'm asking for is a chance for you to get to know me. I needed to make sure you were the one. That's why I insisted on you being at the meeting, and I was right. “You are my mate, too, Annabelle.” Annabelle sat back in the chair and glanced at Marcus, then Lance. Doug moaned behind them. She got up and ran to him. “Are you okay?” she whispered. He smiled and looked up at her. “I'm fine, but my head is killing me. Give me a minute. I'm sure it will pass.” Marcus reached over and patted him on the back. “Thanks, old friend. I owe you one.” “Yep, you do, and I'll remind you later too.” He moved out of the room and laughed. Marcus laughed. “He'll make sure I pay up, too.” He held out his hand and lifted her up. “We've invited Alocer to move in with us. You need to get to know him.” He cupped her cheek. She turned her attention back to Alocer. If she was going to get past this, she needed to know. “If I'm your mate, I don't have to become a demon, do I? Like Trish did?” Alocer shook his head. “No, I'm more drinker than demon.” She nodded. “I know there is good in every species, but it will take time, Alocer. I'm afraid the Dave thing really screwed with my head.” She glanced at his body.
“Marcus is right, you should move in with us, but I don't think I could have the others in our home, Alocer. I'm sorry, it's just…” He stepped up to her, and placed his finger on her lips. “It's okay. I understand more than you'll ever know.” His had a man's body, but it was red. He had small horns on his head, a tail, and human teeth and fangs, but thankfully they weren't rotten. He was still muscular and there were no sores or anything disgusting about his body. Since he was naked, she saw his cock was larger than Marcus's and thicker than Lance's. Her face heated, and she glanced down at her hands. “Sorry, I didn't mean to…” She pointed at his cock. He laughed with Marcus and Lance. “It's perfectly normal for you to check out my cock. And I know you were hurt before. It will take time, but I'm not going anywhere.” He knelt again at her feet and lifted her chin. “Is my body okay with you? I can stay in human form, if it upsets you.”
She gazed into his eyes and knew he was trying. “No, don't hide what you are. Your body is fine. I mean, it's more than fine. Well, crap, I can't even talk.” She laughed and kissed his lips softly before she could chicken out. “Are you staying for my introduction?” “I wouldn't miss it for the world. Would it be easier for tonight to have me in human form? I won't participate if you don't want me to.” Marcus pulled her to him and kissed her cheek. “No, don't change. If the others can't accept you the way you are, then they aren't going to be my friends.” She smiled and he nodded. “But do you think you can put on some pants? I mean, you're still mine and I don't need the other females to get any ideas.” She stepped out into the hallway heading towards the private playroom. They all laughed and he flashed black leather pants on himself, just like those worn by Marcus and Lance, but his cock strained against the pants. “Well, crap. That doesn't hide shit.” Her face heated again as he smacked her bare ass. “Hey, what was that for?” she squealed. Marcus leaned down
and bit her neck. “He's doing it because it's time, and you're not supposed to say a word. What is your safe word, Annabelle?” He stopped her before they entered the room. “Red, Master.” She glanced down at the ground. Marcus guided her into the room, but she kept her head down and let them lead her. She heard the gasps, and she was ready to snap someone's head off, when Alocer patted her ass. “It's okay. As with you, it's going to take time getting used to.” He whispered in her ear. She wanted to argue, but she kept her mouth shut as they led her to a table that stood straight up. Marcus and Lance each took an arm and strapped her arms to the table, while Alocer strapped her legs to the table. They stepped back, and Marcus lifted her chin. “We will introduce you now to the masters in the room. You won't remember their names, but that's okay. Eventually you will know them. No one will touch you except Master. Your pleasure will only come from Lance, Alocer, and myself.”
Again she heard someone growl. She turned to the noise and narrowed her eyes on the man sitting at the end of the first row. Three slaves sat at his feet. A sharp pain raced across her breast as a soft leather flogger hit her breast. “Your gaze is to be on either me, Marcus, or Alocer. Is that understood, slave?” Lance demanded. “Yes, Master.” Lance, I don't want that man to touch me. Please. She begged him in their private link and kept her gaze on him, but he didn't say a word. Alocer stepped in front of her and turned to the man in question. “Do you have a problem with me or my mate?” On his back, which bulged with tight muscles, was a dragon that resembled Marcus's. There were also scars that looked like whip marks. She hissed and wanted to kiss every mark on his body. She knew right then and there, no matter what their differences, that he too was her mate. No one would hurt him again if she had anything to do with it. Her neck warmed under the small leather choker Eden had given her. She tried to look down, but she couldn't see anything. Then she heard Marcus gasp. Her gaze met his as he stepped up. He smiled at her and cupped her cheek. “You are an amazing woman. Thank you.” He kissed her lips. Okay, what the hell did I do? Because I want to see that proud look on your face again. He shook his head and stepped back as the man in question stepped up to Alocer. He was an inch shorter than him, but thin and bald. “You have no right to touch a drinker. You're a disgrace to drinkers. I can't believe she would let you touch her.” Alocer stepped to the side and gazed at her. “Do you want me here, Annabelle? Should I leave?” he asked, holding his head high. She smiled and turned to the man in question. “He is my mate. If there is anyone I don't want touching me, it's you,” she hissed. This earned her another swat with the flogger on her ass, but she happily accepted it, because if she had been free, she would have scratched his eyes out. The man tried to get closer to her, but Alocer and Marcus stepped in between her and the man. “You will not touch her,” Marcus ordered. “Please leave.” “I knew once I heard she married one of those freaks that another one would be right behind him, but you, Marcus? How can you touch her and bring her into our family?” he snapped. “You have lost the support of the Danker family.” He turned to leave, but stopped as if he was forced to turn back and he stared at Marcus. His face broke out in a sweat. “What the hell?” he shouted as the others in the room gasped. The tattoo on Alocer's back came to life and wrapped around his neck. Another dragon appeared on Marcus's neck. They both hissed at the man in front of them. “Are you sure you want to do that, Danker? Because once you do, there will be no going back. You will not be welcome back.” Marcus's voice deepened and his power filled the room as everyone stood still. Annabelle didn't know what was going on, but Marcus had some explaining to do, big time. They had a live dragon. She turned to see Lance step up next to them and she gasped. Oh, you two are in so much trouble! she hissed at them, but smiled inside. Annabelle loved dragons. She had a miniature dragon collection tucked away in one of her boxes in the studio. “I don't care what kind of power you hold, we will not be part of a family that houses a demon freak,” the man shouted as he fell back onto the floor. Marcus scanned the room. “Are there any others in this room who wish to leave?” He glanced around the room. The dragons hissed and nipped at Danker as he fled the room, chasing him. The others in the room rose and clapped. All three dragons crawled back onto their bodies and disappeared. “I'm afraid tonight is going to have to be postponed. I expect all of you to keep what you've seen here to yourselves for now. Carlton and Sheppard, since your houses are closer to the Danker clan, be on high alert. We don't know what he will do. If you need us, you know how to contact me.”
The Naughty Angel and Her Three Very Wise Men: A Christmas Ménage Page 14
