QUINTUS

by Kym Grosso

  “You okay?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

  “I’m tired. I’m tired of running. I’m tired of the death,” she responded, her voice soft.

  “Someday when this is all over, I’m taking you on a date.” Quintus gave a small laugh.

  “A date?”

  “Si. A date.” Quintus smiled as he felt the corner of her lip turn upward, her hand brushing over his chest. “I know this thing between us…it’s fate. It’s finding someone that you’re drawn to, but I want you to know I…” Love. “I care about you. I want a life for us.”

  “We’re immortal.”

  “But you deserve more. You deserve flowers. And dancing. Breakfast in bed.” He smiled.

  “You miss being human, don’t you?” she asked.

  “It’s not as though my life before being turned was easy. But I was brought up to believe certain things. A few thousand years go by and you still want the basics. A home. Someone to love.”

  “A family,” she whispered. “I never really thought about it. My mom is gone. I don’t have anyone else.”

  “You have me.”

  “You wanted children didn’t you?” Gabriella asked.

  “I gave up on that a long time ago. I’m vampire. I can do many things, but bringing a new life into this world isn’t one of them.” Quintus had accepted that he’d never have a child. A family wasn’t part of the equation. He’d sire other vampires, but that was the only gift he could give to others.

  “I’m part witch. For now anyway,” she stated.

  “You’ll always be witch and wolf,” he replied, stroking her hair.

  “I’m just saying…Samantha…”

  Quintus’ chest momentarily stopped rising as his breath caught in his throat. Not one woman in his entire lifetime had broached the subject of having children. As vampire, Mao had been the only person he’d ever cared about and not once had they ever discussed having a family.

  “Quintus.” She tapped lightly on his chest with her palm. “It’s just that if…I…I never thought of having kids. You know seeing the baby…I just thought…”

  “No, it…it can’t happen for me. I’m a vampire. This is something we must accept when we are turned. It’s rare to…” Quintus fell silent. Did Gabriella want children? Jesus. He’d never thought that she’d want to have kids, that by completing the bond, he’d rob her of the chance to have a family.

  “If you don’t want a family,” she paused, lifting her head off his chest, her eyes meeting his, “I understand. I wouldn’t want kids with someone like me either. I’ve been nothing but damaged goods.”

  “Hey, no.” Quintus’ heart squeezed at her statement. “Look at me.” He brushed a finger underneath her chin, until her gaze met his. “I want you to know something right now. You’re not damaged goods. None of this is your fault. None of it, do you hear me? You were just a child. No, what’s happening, this is all Lilitu.”

  “But it is my fault. I involved you in this mess.”

  “I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for you. Gabby, I’m sorry for my reaction about children. It’s just that, well, first of all, it’s never been a possibility. What’s happened with Luca and Samantha is unusual. I don’t know of many witches or wolves or even hybrids bonded to vampires, but it’s rare for one to get pregnant. Our magick keeps us alive, but we generally don’t have the capability to create life. And second, it’s not that I don’t want kids. It’s just that I can’t let myself go there. It’s just too…if it’s not possible, it’s not possible. But with you?” A sad smile formed on his face, his chest tight with emotion. “I’d give anything to be able to give you a child.”

  “Quintus,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. “I’d like that someday. If it’s fate, it will happen. You’re my family.”

  “And the Alpha.” He glanced to Hunter who remained unconscious.

  They needed to do more to help him, but Quintus had been reluctant to suggest his idea. Gabriella’s blood teemed with magick, and he suspected her capable of healing many different creatures. He too needed to feed, but the nature of the bite stirred sexual desires. Although he’d shared women many times with Viktor, Gabriella was his. He considered her response to her spanking, aware she’d been aroused by the Alpha’s touch. As he recalled the interaction, his cock stirred. Her gentle voice broke his contemplation.

  “Yes. He’s our family too.” Gabriella pressed her lips to his chest, and reached for Hunter, placing her palm on his abdomen. “His wolf. I can feel him but I can’t talk to him. I can’t sense him…not the way I usually do. The poison did something really bad to him. If we had done something before we left to see the fae, maybe this wouldn’t have happened.”

  “He’s a man. No, what he is is an Alpha. He takes care of all others first. Including his pack. And you, Gabby, you’re pack.”

  “We’ve got to do something,” she sighed.

  “There may be a way, but I’m not sure it’s going to work. And if we do it, you need to be aware of the possible consequences.”

  “What can we do? I don’t want to leave here yet. Lilitu seems to be able to find me everywhere I go. Everyone says they’re protected by wards. But they aren’t working. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a wolf or what but here, in this bayou, in the middle of nowhere I feel the safest I’ve felt in years. Something about it.” She closed her eyes and breathed. “It’s like home. I can’t explain it. My wolf is finally calm.”

  “Soon this is all going to be over. But the next time we go out, it’s to kill Lilitu. And we’ll do it in New Orleans. Together. Do you hear me, Gabby? For whatever reason, you and I were brought together to defeat her. Neither of us could have retrieved the bone alone. And we couldn’t have done any of this without Hunter, which brings us back to how to heal him.”

  “I wish I knew a spell, but antidotes to poison are not something I know about,” she told him, frustration in her voice.

  “I’m thinking your blood might be the answer. Usually I can heal wolves but the demonic magick she’s used is too powerful. I’m sure Hunter thought he could handle the pain, because he’s an Alpha. But whatever spread throughout his body, it brought on the necrosis. My guess is that I was able to heal you because of our bond.”

  “I’ve never given my blood to anyone besides a vampire. I don’t know if it’ll work.”

  “We’ve got to try it. I can risk moving him but I don’t think it’s a good idea. We’d have to go to Samantha or take him to another healer, and wherever we go Lilitu finds you. We don’t have time. I also don’t want to leave you here. No matter how safe this place seems, I’m not leaving you alone.”

  “I’ll do it, but Quintus,” She raised her head to face him. “When you’ve fed from me, it’s…well you know.”

  “The bite, the feeding, it must be pleasurable. There is no other way except when done in anger and that, well, that is something you will never experience. Hunter already is connected to us. We don’t have to go any further than the feeding but if that’s something you want to explore…” Quintus waited on Gabriella to connect the dots. If she fed Hunter, it would not be without her total agreement. He believed it would heal the wolf but it had to be her choice.

  “Let’s do it.” She nodded.

  “This will be intimate. As intimate as it gets.” A knowing smile crossed his face as he trailed his fingers over the back of her neck. “Do you remember the spanking?”

  “Um what?”

  “Your spanking. Do you remember, little wolf?”

  Gabriella’s cheeks heated against his skin and she averted her gaze. “It’s kind of hard to forget.”

  “You liked it. Not just the pain but being watched, the Alpha’s hands on your skin.”

  “I did,” she replied, no hesitation. “I don’t know why, but it just really turned me on. The more he watched the more I wanted him to watch.”

  “But this time? Not just watch,” he said. It wasn’t a question. He knew she’d have gone furth
er had he let her.

  “I’ve never done anything like that. Any of it. It was always just a fantasy, but I’d never trusted anyone enough to do it. The times I’ve been with other men, and there were only a few, it was nothing. I didn’t have time for connections. I’d chosen humans. I know they’re fragile but they’re without complications.”

  “I can’t predict exactly how Hunter will react.”

  “We can do this…together.”

  Quintus reached for Gabriella, pulling her onto him. As her warm lips brushed his neck, he waited patiently. She peppered kisses along his chin, slowly, until her mouth grazed his.

  “Quintus,” she breathed. “I need you to know that if anything happens, this thing between us is real. I never knew I could feel this way about anyone. I’ve never met anyone like you.”

  “Gabby, I…” Quintus kissed her with the passion he couldn’t articulate. Love. He’d only told one other woman he loved her and she’d been killed. But he’d meant what he’d said, he’d give his life to protect Gabriella.

  She straddled him, her slippery core gliding over his dick. His cock lengthened, his fangs dropping in response.

  “Hmm…bella.” He reached for her wrist and brought it to his mouth. “You’re so fucking sexy.”

  Gabriella gave a small laugh, nibbling at his skin. “I want you inside me.”

  “Soon.” He dragged his fangs along her wrist. “Hunter…”

  “Yes.” She nodded.

  Quintus released her arm and set his hands on her waist. “As much as I want to be inside you right now…ah fuck.” His body tensed as his cock slid through her slick folds. “Go to him.”

  Quintus set her gently onto the Alpha, her head rested on his chest while he sandwiched her between them. As he knelt behind her, his erect cock ached to sink inside her but he delayed his pleasure, set on healing Hunter first. He brushed a soft kiss to her shoulder, his lips grazing toward her wrist.

  “Yes,” she hissed.

  “Gabby…” As his fangs pierced her creamy skin, she trembled underneath him.

  Quintus suctioned the wounds, drawing her blood to the surface and pressed her wrist to the Alpha’s mouth.

  “Quintus,” Gabriella mewled. Aroused, she gently rocked against the Alpha’s hip.

  “Can you reach his beast? Your wolf needs to call to him,” he told her.

  “Alpha,” She pressed her lips to Hunter’s cheek, her thigh brushing over his cock. “Yes, yes…oh Goddess, he’s there. Can you feel him?”

  The second Hunter began to move his lips and drink from her, Quintus sensed the magick flowing in the air. The Alpha’s eyes fluttered open and locked on his. “That’s it brother.”

  “Hunter,” she breathed as his hand clasped her wrist.

  Quintus brushed his lips to Gabriella’s then slid behind her, reaching his arm around her waist. His cock pressed between her legs, his fingers grazing over her clit.

  “Yes,” she cried.

  Hunter released her arm, his tongue swiping over the bite. “Thank you. Holy fuck, I can’t believe. I almost died.”

  “You’re going to be all right,” Gabriella managed, her hands trailing down the ridges of his abs.

  “I’m sorry I put you guys in this situation.” He shifted to move away, but stilled as the vampire spoke.

  “Stay,” Quintus ordered.

  “I…are you both sure about this?” Uncertainty swam in his eyes as he searched for their agreement.

  “Yes.” Gabriella nodded.

  “We both want this. Come feel her. She’s so fucking wet, right now.” Quintus reached for Hunter’s hand and set it onto her mound. With careful control, he directed them. “That’s it. Touch her.”

  Gabriella sighed as Hunter’s fingers played over her clitoris. Quintus stroked his rock-hard dick, pressing its head to her entrance.

  “Please,” she begged, her lips gently brushing Hunter’s. “It’s okay.”

  This sight of his mate writhing on the Alpha spiked his arousal. Unable to restrain himself any longer, Quintus buried himself to the hilt, grunting as he filled her.

  “Ah…yes,” she cried. Her magick diffused, sparks of arousal crackling in the air.

  As the Alpha took her taut nipple between his lips, Quintus thought he’d fucking come at the sight of his beautiful witch lost in the erotic moment. He caught Hunter’s gaze, and gave a closed smile, his cock hardening at the sight of him pleasuring his mate. In all his years, he’d never expected to fall in love let alone share his mate with this Alpha. Her quivering channel pulsated around his cock, and he stilled inside her. Fuck, this woman would make him crazy, and he smiled, knowing he’d willingly surrender to the experience every day for the rest of his life.

  Chapter Fourteen

  When Quintus had suggested healing the Alpha, she’d have done anything to save him. With her mate’s teeth sunk deep into her flesh, she quivered as her orgasm rocked into her. As Hunter’s lips found her breast, Quintus stilled inside her. She smiled, realizing he’d been as aroused as she was.

  Gabriella’s body lit on fire, submitting to the only men she’d ever let close to her heart. Safe within her mate’s control, she surrendered as he slowly withdrew his hard shaft and slid back inside her. His tongue grazed over his bite, and she knew this was only the beginning. She panted for breath, in an attempt to recover.

  “Ah fuck,” he grunted, his lips grazing her ear. “Hmm…you feel so good. You’re so fucking tight. I like seeing his lips on your skin. But remember you’re mine.”

  “Always,” she moaned.

  “Taste her pussy, while I fuck her,” the vampire ordered.

  Gabriella sucked a breath as Hunter gently bit her nipple, his tongue flicking over the sensitive peak. He dropped his head to her stomach, his lips grazing down to her bared mound. Sandwiched between them on her side, she mewled. The Alpha’s tongue speared through her folds as Quintus thrust inside her from behind.

  Quintus gently rocked in and out, fucking her as the Alpha stroked over her clit with his broad tongue. Her hips tilted onto his face, she accepted each wicked lash he delivered to her swollen bead. With each strong thrust Quintus gave, she gave a jagged moan, her orgasm mounting. Immersed in the sensation of two men pleasuring her, she submitted to the delicious torture.

  “Oh Goddess…that feels so good…I need more. Just like that. Please, yes.”

  “Hmm…you taste so good, darlin’,” Hunter told her as he wrapped her thigh over his shoulder. “I could eat you all day long.”

  “Sorry Alpha, but this pussy is mine. Sharing you isn’t something I plan on doing very often, little wolf.” His gaze went to Hunter and he smiled. “I think we need to show our Alpha a little love, si?”

  A devilish glint in his eyes should have warned her of his next move but she still managed to squeal as he withdrew and grabbed her by the hips, flipping her over onto her stomach. Gabriella looked back to Quintus, her heart pounding as she took sight of her spectacular mate. He stood proud, stroking his shaft, his hungry eyes devouring her.

  “Suck his cock.” Gabriella’s pussy flooded with arousal at the demand.

  As Hunter moved onto his back, sitting up in bed, she shoved onto her hands and knees, settling between his legs. Quintus tapped the head of his dick on the top of her bottom, teasing it toward her core. She shivered as he dragged the tip through her labia, teasing over her sensitive nub.

  “I want to watch her suck you,” he said to Hunter.

  “You want this, darlin’?” The Alpha gave her a sexy smile, palming his hardened shaft in his hands.

  Gabriella’s pulse raced as her dark fantasy came to fruition. She glanced to Quintus for his approval and nodded.

  “That’s it,” Quintus encouraged.

  She reached for Hunter, but he corrected her. “Easy, now. Just open your pretty mouth for me.”

  The Alpha brought his cock to her lips, and she darted her tongue over his crown, tasting him. As he plunged his dick into her mou
th, Quintus thrust inside her aching pussy. Hunter’s fingers tunneled into her hair and she swallowed him down to his root.

  “Fuck yeah,” Hunter groaned.

  With each thrust, Gabriella’s body splintered in arousal. Surrendering to two men was more than she had ever imagined, the delicious sensations overwhelming her.

  “You feel so fucking amazing,” Quintus grunted as he slammed inside her.

  Gabriella reveled in her control of the Alpha as he leaned back onto the headboard. She stroked the Alpha’s cock, dragging her tongue along its sides. Quintus’ fingers brushed over her puckered hole with his thumb, and she gave a ragged breath.

  “What are you..?” Gabriella went still as his finger eased inside her back hole. “Ah…yes.”

  “All of you. Forever, my little wolf.” Quintus nodded to Hunter, who reached over inside the night stand and retrieved a small container, tossing it to the vampire.

  Relaxing into his touch, Gabriella focused on the Alpha, taking his cock between her lips. Her tongue swirled over his broad crown, eliciting a moan. Gabriella’s head lolled forward as Quintus thrust inside her pussy, his finger slid deep inside her ass, stretching her bottom. He withdrew and added another finger, scissoring open her back hole as he continued to gently slide inside her core.

  Gabriella went on alert as the cool liquid dripped down the crevice of her ass. Quintus withdrew from her pussy, and she released a small cry in protest. As he pressed his crown to her back hole, she tensed.

  “I don’t know, I don’t know,” she repeated, gasping for breath, her climax teetering out of reach.

  “You must learn to trust me, bella. Easy now. Just breathe.”

  “You’re all right, little wolf,” Hunter told her, brushing a comforting hand over her hair.

  “We’re gonna take this slow,” Quintus told her. “Press back on me, that’s it.”

  Gabriella exhaled as his cock pressed through her tight ring of muscle.

  “I…I…”

  “You’re okay?” he asked.