by Talyn Scott
Growls came from both sides, causing Rock to appear. Looking around, scanning the perimeter, confused he asked, “Where’s the threat?”
“The threat is in Bren’s arms,” Jayce answered, pointing to his mate. “She thinks your escorting her to Miami on a personal mission to search for Rebecca.”
Rock curled his lip, holding in a purely masculine laugh. “She’s under control, Alpha.”
“Do you hear yourselves? I can go to Miami if I want to,” she argued hotly.
“Tatum, love, would you cause me added worry when I have to find my only sister, not knowing if she’s still alive?” Bren spoke against her temple. “Would you not stay where I know you’re safe? Easily, Ciaran could obtain you in an unprotected environment such as open Miami.” He sniffed his claiming mark. “Maybe you’ve forgotten. He was after your sister, not mine. What happened when Jody and Mike abducted you, I can’t go through that again,” he whispered hoarsely and shuddered. “I just can’t. The memories alone, they haunt me every day, every single night. If I were to lose you, I wouldn’t survive.”
“Alright,” she soothed, “relax the best you can, Bren.” She pushed her lips against his chin. “I want to help, and it’s the first thing I came up with,” she explained while kissing the stern line of his scratchy jaw. “As it is, I know some of what you’re feeling. When Renee was abducted, I thought I would split in two. Actually, that’s not the full impact, since words can’t begin to describe it.”
“Exactly, we’re all too aware of how it feels.” Jayce stepped behind her, slanting in and wrapping the three with the Alpha’s static power, a soothing comfort for his mates. “Let’s go, Bren.”
“Hold up,” Gage’s voice preceded his body.
“You found her?” Bren asked as Gage materialized.
“No, but I have news.” He stilled, glancing at Tatum, but not fully meeting her eyes. “Lady Tatum, it’s always a pleasure no matter the circumstance.”
She slid off Bren. Walking over to Gage, she smiled warmly. “I heard you were one of many directing the search for my sister. Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around his middle, pulling him in for a hug. Growls started up all over again. “Cut it out,” she groaned. “Since when can I not express my gratitude?”
Jayce gripped her elbow, pulling her behind him and blocking Gage’s view. “Words are sufficient, hellcat.”
“Can’t he call me Tatum? He did before. You know I hate these formalities, and he’s helped us so much. We’re friends.”
“Yeah,” Jayce returned, staring through Gage one werewolf to another. Jayce recalled Gage’s love confession regarding Tatum. And it didn’t comfort the Alpha to know Gage had witnessed every sexual moment of her life for the past two years; courtesy of her dearly departed ex-husband and his fucked-up website. “He’s helped us alright.”
“Rock, walk Tatum back in,” Bren spoke quietly, kissing her head and steering her toward her guard. “I need a few minutes to work out plans.”
“I’ll be in the kitchen, no need to escort me there.” She rolled her eyes and gave Bren a smooch before stepping from the lanai.
“I know you don’t want to hear this,” Gage started.
Jayce interrupted, “No, I don’t.”
“We have our ace.”
“We need more information,” Bren argued.
“Currently, I have two of their spies,” Gage continued. “They’ve been locked away in Miami since a few days after Rebecca’s abduction.” Time wasn’t on their side, so he rushed his explanation. “One night after getting shit-faced off some homemade, fermented agave brew, the bastards attended a strip dive and bragged to all listening. Stupid wolves nearly exposed our race to humans. There were a couple of pack members there, and they hauled them in.”
“Go on,” Bren sounded hopeful.
“Steve didn’t know the full story. Rebecca was taken to Scotland. I invaded our prisoners’ memories, saw what I could. Most other pertinent information I persuaded from them and moved fast.”
“Explain,” Jayce beat Bren to it.
“I just met with Blade.” Gage continued quickly. “With careful consideration and planning, I sent him to Scotland under a guise. Not only has he found Rebecca alive, but he’s an acting pack member who’s fed and clothed her. She’s in Weremiasma Castle and is safe for now. All this time, Rebecca has pretended to be Renee. And so far, Ciaran is none the wiser. Certainly she continues to fool him, so he won’t come back for a round two hunt and snatch the real Renee.” Gage rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Obviously, Ciaran’s arms reach wide in our country and Rebecca knows this. I swear he could pluck death from the Grim Reaper himself. Your sister is incredibly smart if she’s duped him for this long.” Gage winced. “Of course, he’s been tearing through Scotland, battle after battle. Ciaran has been preoccupied.”
“She’s confirmed alive,” Jayce spoke, splaying his heavy palm over Bren’s heart. “Maybe Ciaran is postponing the execution and using her for protection, hoping to gain my alliance by force of hand.” Jayce pushed a speechless Bren down on a nearby chair.
“Not from what Blade could make out,” Rock clarified. “Until this day, Ciaran remained true to his word. He planned to execute her at Weremiasma, but the pack dissented wanting rights to mate.”
“Holy shit,” Bren exhaled, “I’m gonna puke.”
“Calm yourself, Bren.” Gripping Bren by the shoulder, Jayce turned his anger on Gage. “We all know your hierarchy here, Gage. You have the best laid plans and haven’t truly failed me once. But this is way too much.” His Alpha beast flashed, wanting a moment or two with Gage. “Why keep this information from us? This is major shit and Rebecca is Bren’s very blood. We would have held better hope weeks ago.”
“From the first, how was I to know those assholes weren’t planted to throw us off Rebecca’s scent? I only heard from Blade today. I feared him dead and had werewolves searching for him night and day.” Gage propped himself against a column. “As far as hope, call me a pessimist.” He shrugged. “I don’t care. But I’m not cruel enough to offer someone hope until I have proof that there’s a reason.”
“Then it isn’t hope,” Bren whispered.
“My hope may be lost and my trust shattered, but maybe that’s why I’m still alive,” Gage threw back.
“Yeah, Gage, you’re nearly as old as God.” Jayce didn’t smile. “All news will pass from your lips to my ears. No more of this withholding intel bullshit, we clear?”
“Crystal, sire.” Gage answered respectfully.
“And you,” Jayce accused Rock, pointing an angry finger, “how long have you known? Better yet, when did security find out? And don’t play stupid because we all know that you head that sweet little department.”
Gage cut Rock off and admitted, “I outrank Rock, and I ordered him to keep it on the quiet talk.”
“You both better make sure of it this never happens again. I run our pack. I. Am. Alpha.” Jayce growled, low and deadly. “If either of you want to challenge that then step into the marsh.”
“It won’t happen again,” Gage assuaged respectfully.
“No, it won’t.” Jayce frowned while running his palm over Bren’s racing heart. “She’s coming home. You have my word.”
“Dear Lord,” Bren whispered, meeting Jayce’s eyes. “The rumors are true. Ciaran formed a rebellion to take back his throne, and put my baby sister is in the middle of it – in the middle of his suicidal war.”
“The Alpha’s word isn’t all you have, Bren.” Rock fixed eyes on Bren, willing peace. “Blade’s her mate.”
A deafening growl left Bren’s lips. “That pup isn’t good enough for my sister. I’ll kill him along with Steve. I’ll rope them both by their ankles, and slice their skin until blood pools the sand. Whatever crawls out that night will have dinner served courtesy of me.” Bren stood and kicked a potted palm.
Damned thing must have weighed three hundred pounds; Jayce thought, and it skipped across the grass like a pebble.
Rock’s eyebrows popped before continuing. “My point is that he’ll surely die to save her. And that may happen considering he’s spying inside a regressive pack.”
“By the chance he fails, we have our out,” Gage lowered his voice. “We all know what can be offered.”
Deep silence thickened the air.
“When can Bane get here?” Rock’s voice was sharp, cutting through the stagnant air.
“Dru was on his way home, should be on Captiva by now,” Gage answered. “Bane is misting as soon as Renee is secure with him.”
“Good for them,” said Jayce. “I expect perfection from Bane, but Dru has impressed me. The vampire protects Renee as I would.”
“Like a species vampire wouldn’t protect his bride,” Bren joined in, rolling his eyes. “He refuses to let our sister-n-law finish this college semester, retain a job, or even stroll the market for her disgusting tofu. Renee’s a perpetual color of pissed off.”
“We all know that’s temporary due to this horrendous situation. They’re protecting her precious life,” Jayce said, “And Bren?”
“Yeah?”
“Pot meet kettle,” Jayce laughed, lightening the mood a touch.
“Whatever. What’s the plan?” Bren stretched tan arms over his head, huge and powerful. Jayce knew Bren was trying to calm himself. And right now, short of finding Rebecca, Tatum was the best antidote to Bren’s suffering. Just the thought of his beautiful mate made him stiff.
Rock began, “Blade found two weaknesses in Ciaran’s wards. That’s how he slipped out. Even if they remain, Rebecca can’t mist. He’s put some force on her that Blade can’t undo.”
“So they’ll have to run instead of mist,” Gage filled in, “dangerous but true. Blade understands that one significant battle is coming. He’s not sure of when, but it’ll be soon. And when that goes down, he’s slipping her through. We’ll be ready on the other side, but it’ll be tricky. Wards shift constantly.”
“I’ll be on the other side,” Bren said. “I can track my sister.”
“On the flip side, if we made the offer,” Gage argued another alternative, “this all might be avoided. Alpha, will you approve this?”
“No,” Bren barked, “there’s got to be another way. I’m against it, Jayce.”
“Your sister,” Jayce reasoned. “We have to get her back. She’s trapped inside a dangerous uprising. And our secret may set her free without risking her.”
“I told you before,” Bren said, circling Jayce, “I will not lose Tatum. Since I have Rebecca’s precise location now, my werewolf will hunt his sibling on its own without risking his mate, my very reason for living.”
“Listen to yourself, Bren. Granted, you’re powerful, but we’re talking about armies here. Armies. You can’t go against them alone. Pack members don’t go it alone. That’s why we’re called packs. So we’re going to work together as packs do.” He took a calming breath. “We’ll deal with the upcoming situation and Tatum. We knew it would happen eventually. Unfortunately for you and me, it’s happening now.”
7
Tatum crept back, listening behind a hibiscus hedge below the upper lanai. “Deal with me and what situation?” she voiced to herself.
“Nosy, nosy,” Jayce whispered. Instantly misting, he startled Tatum to a near miss with the pool. Steadying her, he searched Tatum’s face and wondered what she heard. At the moment, Jayce couldn’t pick up on her thoughts. Even so, the others hadn’t spelled everything out, which was a plus in their favor.
Jayce couldn’t get enough of Tatum. No matter the circumstances, whatever the situation entailed, he wouldn’t lose her. Her scent, lushly natural body, husky voice, and come fuck me eyes called to him since he was a teenager. “I love you, hellcat. I’m so into you.” Brushing the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip, he lowered his head and captured her mouth. His thick tongue slid over her tiny sweet one, mating, dueling, back and forth. She got him going without any effort on her part or his, which was the ultimate in a mate - a spiritual gift for his Were. “I have to take off,” he broke away, swearing under his breath. Needing the taste of her, it’d been days. With incessant male hardness, blood rushed the wrong head. “I need to iron out some details with the pack, and I can’t scare them with this,” he said, pointing to his throbbing cock.
Licking her lips, she offered, “Sure looks painful, want help with that?”
An answer came when Jayce gently guided Tatum to her knees and brushed the hair from her face. Daring her, “Let’s see what you got.” Challenge lit her blues, in return, igniting his whole freaking body. A zipper whispered, a heavy weight overhung, and a long moan left his body with the first touch of her wet tongue. “Where…ah…would I be…um…without your wicked…shit… little mouth,” he hissed through clenched teeth, closing his eyes and tilting his chin heavenward. Tightening fists at his side, he suddenly feared touching her, going crazy with the rough stuff. He’d gone too long without, and that was a dangerous thing. His eyes snapped open when she wiggled her tongue in the most X-rated way. “You are such a bad, bad girl.” Jayce nearly fell on her, knees weakening under her assault.
Bren solidified behind Tatum, running his long fingers through her golden hair before kneeling behind her. Jayce felt Bane’s presence on the upper floor before he misted again with Gage in tow. Rock discreetly tucked away on grounds, going for a run. Few precious moments have brought the three together lately.
They would play in this one.
Bren grabbed the back of her ankles with that look in his eyes. Tatum was always unsure of it, but Jayce knew what backed it: an attentive and methodical lover. Bren wouldn’t stop until his mate was sexually sated and barely walking. And Jayce had fun riding along. If Tatum could count on anything, Jayce thought, it would be Bren keeping every promise his eyes projected to hers. “I’m hungry,” Bren warned, lifting the hair off the back of her neck, scrapping teeth along her spine. Jayce heard the front buttons of her shirt dropping like pebbles to the ground, smelled the spicy scent of Bren’s lust.
“Oh, damn.” Jayce begged. “Tatum, don’t stop.” The pressure was mounting, boiling inside him. Lucky for him, she was eager to please. He weaved his fingers through her hair, resisting the urge to take over and fuck her mouth. Tatum’s tongue was so wet and the glide liquid smooth all the way back, and she bit down right where he liked it. “I taught you well, hellcat. A man could die this way….ah…fuck me hard…that’s it.”
Bren moved his canines to her skirt, shredding it the same as Tatum’s blouse.
“Hey!” Tatum shouted, once freeing Jayce’s cock with an audible pop. “This is my favorite bra,” she warned, “take it off nicely.”
“Bren,” Jayce couldn’t catch his breath. “I was about to come.” He had to stroke himself.
Bren slid his fingers under the black silk cups, circling her nipples before unclasping her bra with a flick of his finger. Positioning himself underneath her, he placed his head between her thighs. “We’ll keep the heels on, Tatum.” Bren stared up her body. “Shake those tits for us.”
She did. Jayce loved Tatum’s breasts. “Look at the way they swing, Bren.”
Bren’s voice held reverence. “Those little smacking sounds they make when they hit her chest…umm.” A zipper whooshed and Bren had his dick in hand. “Sit on my face while you blow the Alpha’s dick.”
Tatum planted her pussy right on Bren’s mouth with the start of instructions, “I like your nose…right…yes!”
Jayce braced himself over the two and pulled her head back to his. “Open up, honey.” And he was home, pushing his wide mushroom tip across the roof of her mouth and teased himself slowly. As he gripped the base of his cock, he squeezed, trying to slow the buildup. She moaned around him as Bren ate her. Slow lic
king sounds met his ears. The smell of her liquid heat touched his nose. And all those whimpers and kitty purrs drew his balls to his ass. “Ah, Tatum, I just can’t stop it now.”
She pulled back and tongued his slit a few times when Bren decided to go crazy on her pussy. She was riding something, probably Bren’s fingers. “A swipe or two on her clit, Bren, and then I’m taking over.” He fisted her hair and stilled her, waiting for Tatum to look up at him. She did immediately. Her pupils were dilated her skin was flushed and damp. Bren was jacking himself off underneath her, eating her as if it was his last meal. “We’re coming together.”
Jayce scooped her up bridal style, nuzzling her throat. “I think it’s time we relax on the hammock.”
“Oh yeah? You gave up a blow job just like that? You smell what I want.” Jayce knew that Tatum was highly pissed off. But blowing his seed in her mouth wasn’t what the three needed. Together time was required, very together. “I want some cock, preferably two,” she asserted, “and I want it now!”
“We can’t go days without sex anymore. Everyone's too edgy. And if you weren’t a mixed blood, your little claws would be in my back by now,” Jayce laughed, lifting a mocking brow.
“You want nails in your back, Jayce? Give me something to scream about, and you’re good to go.” Tatum challenged.
“Ah, Tatum, you’re getting your confidence back, and I like it. But you really shouldn’t dare your Alpha,” his voice a promising whisper. Jayce licked her throat over her pulse, sweet and creamy soft. “It’s something I can’t back down from.”
“I love your taste, love.” Bren was suddenly behind her, willing away clothes. Lowering his arousal slicked mouth over hers; he kissed her while in Jayce’s arms, thrusting his flavored tongue in and out. “I prefer to taste you and be inside you.” Bren stepped back in all his nude glory. Tatum’s lips parted on a whispered, “Whuh.” No smile, same ideas in his eyes, Bren graced her with a slow wink when they resumed their trek to the oversized hammock.
