by A. E. Via
“Hey. Maybe we should start the movie after you meet with your team.”
Wick was responding to an email while he waited for Justice. “They know what they’re supposed to do tonight. I don’t think they’ll even come to the house. Only Henry. But he’s so quiet.”
“I know.” Justice placed the laptop on the coffee table. “So, what are you in the mood for?”
Wick gave Justice a knowing leer.
“Besides that.”
“How about Gone with the Wind?” Wick’s eyes widened when he thought of something else. “No, um. What’s the name…? Oh… Casablanca.”
“Fuck. How old are you again?”
Wick showed his long fangs that made Justice hot, not nervous. “I hear those are American classics.”
“You were around for the first television, the first movie. You weren’t curious?”
“Yes, we knew about them. They simply didn’t appeal to us… well, not to me. I never found anything I liked on television.”
Justice shook his head. “Very well. Casablanca, then. I’m not sure I can sit through Gone with the Wind again anyway. Or,” Justice grumbled. “We can watch something made in this millennium, that’s in color, complete with CGI and all.”
Wick looked like he was appeasing a big kid. “I’ll watch whatever you want, love.”
Justice didn’t hesitate to put on the first Transformers. It was his and his brothers’ favorite. They were huge action film junkies, whenever they had time to watch whole movies together. When everything was settled with the rogue pack and Justice had his mate home, he was going to treat him to a real date and a real movie.
When they were finished, he asked Wick how he felt about his first movie experience.
“It was fast and loud.”
Justice nodded waiting on Wick to elaborate, but he never did. His mate simply allowed Henry to remove the big bowl of chips Justice was munching on, and the large cup of iced tea. He was about to suggest the sequel when Henry announced his dinner was ready.
Justice ate his food like usual. With Wick watching and Henry gushing over the compliments. As soon as Wick started telling Henry about the sandwich he attempted to make for Justice and the step by step playback of exactly how he prepared it, neither of them could stop laughing for a long while. It wasn’t until Wick yawned that he realized his mate was running out of steam. He’d been up for practically two days.
“Henry. Dinner was amazing, as usual. You should give my sister that rib rub recipe. I’ve never been one for too much seasoning, but wow.”
“You sure are full of the compliments now.” Wick raised one irritated brow at him.
“Aww, baby. You satisfy me in so many other ways.” Justice slid his chair back and pulled Wick onto his lap while Henry awkwardly removed the dishes from around them. “Henry, we’re turning in soon. Wick’s had a long day.”
They hadn’t told anyone else about the day walking and no one was going to question the King about his new habits.
“I want to go for a swim, then I’ll go to bed.” Wick was up and moving without waiting for Justice to agree. “We should be fine the rest of the evening, Henry.”
“Very well, sir. I’ll be going to the market before it closes.” Henry stopped Justice when he was walking out the kitchen. “Alpha. Did you say your sister has a meatloaf recipe you adore?”
“Yeah. It was my mother’s.” Justice couldn’t stop the heartfelt look anytime he mentioned his dear mom.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was family secret,” Henry apologized.
“No. It’s not a secret. I’m sure Farica would love to share it with you.” He placed his hand on Henry’s shoulder, letting him relax under his touch. “Once we all start to work together, I’m sure the ladies and gents that prefer to show off in the kitchen will be all over you and your recipes, as well.”
He left Henry feeling amazing and reassured while he took Wick’s hand and led him to the backyard. “You sure you’re up for more swimming?”
“I said swimming in front of Henry. But, no. I want you in that hot tub over there behind that tall rock wall.” Wick pointed off from the long, in-ground pool.
“I was wondering what was back there.” Justice raised both brows. A warm dip in a secluded hot tub didn’t sound bad at all.
They removed all their clothes and walked up the wood deck to the large, whirring tub. The rock garden fire pit was already lit, providing a romantic haven for them. Justice got rid of the boxer briefs and climbed in, hissing at the temperature. “Oh fuck, that’s hot.”
“Wonderful,” Wick said joining him.
Justice couldn’t thank the Mother enough for the special gift in his arms. Wick was everything to him already. His packs were still priority, but now he had even more priorities. Justice slicked Wick’s black hair back, leaning in every few seconds to kiss or lick at his mark. He knew it would get his mate going, it always did.
“I need you.”
Enough said. Justice moved from behind Wick and came to kneel in front of him. The tub was deep, too deep for what he wanted. “Wrap your arms over the edge.”
Wick put both arms out, while Justice cupped his ass and lifted him up so his cock was bobbing out the water like a buoy. Long and pale, not hot, but definitely not as cool as it had been. He made sure to keep his eyes on Wick as he took just the head in first, licking it and bathing it with the flat of his tongue.
“Oh god. Justice, more,” Wick gasped.
Justice liked that sound and he wanted more. He pushed up on Wick’s ass, making him weightless, engulfing all of him. Justice was greedy when it came to Wick. He tasted so damn good, Justice found himself sucking zealously, his mate clawing at the smooth wood surface and crying his name.
“Yes. Give me what I want.” Justice wouldn’t double his efforts; he didn’t need to. He could feel the overwhelming pleasure in Wick through their link, could sense his orgasm was an avalanche, unstoppable.
“Ahhhh. Yes!” Wick emptied inside Justice’s mouth. His mate’s flavor exploding on his tongue, making his own cock pulse aggressively.
Justice handled Wick, turned him over and pressed him against the side of the tub. “I need to fuck you so bad I can’t think straight. We have nothing out here. Water doesn’t make good lube.”
“I’m fine. Take me.” Wick’s voice was rough.
Justice held his sex tight in his fist, pressing the thick head against Wick’s snug opening. He pushed inside, his mate’s moans compelling him on. The constriction was enough to make his eyes roll. “Fuck, you’re so tight. Every fuckin’ time.”
“Belove. I wish that bite of pain would last longer,” Wick moaned. He wasn’t complaining about how fast everything turned to bliss, but his mate seemed to relish that split second of intense feeling.
Wick braced his narrow fingers on the edge as Justice folded himself over his back, pushing inside until they were one, until he was so deep he could feel Wick’s heartbeat, feel the rhythm of his body. They copulated easily and lovingly… at first. Until the moans became too lustful, their words too obscene, until Wick’s body became his undoing. Pre-orgasmic grunts swiftly morphed their loving to something more urgent. Water splashed over the edge with each forceful stroke, while he held Wick’s hips in a controlling grip, keeping him just where he wanted him. His mark was there, just beneath his lips. A bite that changed his mate’s DNA. A bite that made any shifter or vampire know exactly who Chadwick Bentley belonged too. Justice’s wolf howled his satisfaction. When Justice came, he clamped his teeth over Wick’s shoulder, but he didn’t break the skin. Justice’s orgasm blasted through with full momentum, it was titanic, a continuous fall thorough pleasure.
The orgasm slowed him down, made him sluggish and high. His eyes shuttered as he eased out of his mate. “Love you so much.”
Wick leaned back against him, completely open and honest. “I thank the Mother for you, Beloved. I never thought I’d know love. It’s not how I was raised.”
Justice didn’t say anything. He pulled Wick comfortingly into his chest and settled down to let his mate talk about how he grew up. So many surrounding him, yet so alone. Wick was always special and unique, but no one knew. While growing up it was all about learning, training, studying and preparing to be a king. There was zero time or tolerance for anything else. They frowned on his compassion because vampires weren’t supposed to show such emotion. His mate wasn’t a Vulcan. Wick had a lot of feelings and things he was passionate about. The belief that vampires were stonehearted was a myth. They just needed their souls touched. Because when he touched Wick’s, he could feel how deep his love ran for him.
Now they were going to show their people exactly how life should be – as the Mother intended and as the prophesy revealed – harmonious and full of love.
They alternated their schedules, adjusting from night and day for another few days. Lazing around, talking, reading, learning each other’s histories. Then there was the fun of running their animals together, skinny-dipping in broad daylight, making love in the hot tub. This was starting to feel like… what did people call laying around for days at a time…? Oh, vacation. He was a King. There was no such term in his vocabulary. Wick had been up for daybreak both days. Justice didn’t complain, in fact, just the opposite. He kept trying to convince him that he didn’t need to alter his daily habits or customs to suit him. Wick appreciated his consideration, but he’d rather enjoyed operating in the daylight. His vampires had yet to see him do this, only his captain, because it was his duty to know Wick was safe, even from the sun. Soon, his entire species would know.
It was Saturday, and Wick was already awake at five in the morning, eagerly waiting on his mate to take him to the pack lands. He’d promised today would be the day. Justice had insisted he needed his time alone to bond with his mate, but they’d been bonding for a week now, Wick was ready to get on the job. The rest of his army would be there this evening. Permanently relocated. The city was about to be flooded with his court. Though the vampires coming were personally trained by and served under his second, ninety percent of them were handpicked by him, so the city had no cause for concern.
They had much work to do. He was also eager to finally meet with some influential shifters in their community and hopefully make a damn good impression and not embarrass his mate.
“Sit still,” Justice mumbled sleepily, pulling Wick closer, not sure how that was possible, and pushed his mouth against his throat. “Not ready to get up.”
“You’re turning into a llama. Come on, lazy bones. Let’s have a nice run and then get ready for the meeting.” Wick licked at Justice’s Adam’s apple while he rubbed his naked thigh against Justice’s extremely warm one. It was funny he’d never realized he wanted his skin warmed until he laid next to his mate.
“Shh. Baby, the meeting isn’t until noon. There’s plenty time.” Justice tilted his head back while thrusting that ever-hardening cock against Wick’s stomach.
“Now,” Wick moaned, biting into Justice’s jugular, tearing a steamy moan from his mate as he fed. A stimulating bite that had Justice almost spilling his seed between their bellies in seconds. Wick eased his fangs out way too soon, his mate growling his displeasure. Clamoring for Wick when he got up, Justice mumbled how unfair it was for Wick to put that much passion into his bite, knowing Justice was defenseless to it, then leave him full and aching.
“Fuck.” Justice flipped on his back, watching Wick walk towards the bathroom, his dick leaking and pointing in the direction it wanted to go. “Look what you did.”
“Get up and I’ll fix it. I’ll drink real slow and sweet like you like it.” Wick grinned, closing the door and starting the shower. He was only a quarter full, he usually drank a lot more from Justice, especially for his first meal. His mate knew he wasn’t sated, which was his intent. That would get his mate up and moving.
“So tell me about this second you have coming tonight,” Justice said, driving one of Wick’s many SUVs. He kept stealing appreciative looks at him while he drove.
Wick adjusted the gold-toned aviator sunglasses that protected his eyes. His Beloved told him multiple times already how striking he looked in his black-on-black suit. Even the tie that he unconsciously straightened and re-straightened was a fine silk and pinstriped black. He was too GQ to stroll through the forest, so Justice drove them to Mikel’s land at the base of the mountain. Justice looked casually fine in his usual snug denims and white t-shirt. He saw no reason to dress up. His mate was no stranger to the Humboldts or the six other important alphas that had traveled to meet with them.
By now, all the packs had been alerted of their mating. Farica had not reported any further uprisings, but Wick feared she’d been saving the unwelcome news for this meeting instead of disturbing Justice’s peace with his mate.
“You’ll like him,” Wick answered Justice’s question about his second in command. “He’s very strong, disciplined, and focused. This will be the first time he’s acting in charge of my personal court, but he’s no stranger to commanding. He leads my entire army already. He’s been with me for so long, I hardly remember those few years without Bell.”
Justice reached for Wick’s hand, holding it on his thigh while he maneuvered over the deep craters in the dirt road.
“Bell and I are close, but never that close. No intimacy. I don’t want you to overreact if he hugs me or something. It may shock the hell out of the other court members but he and I were different. He never minded giving me affection when I seemed to need it. Most vampires don’t have friends, not to mention best friends, and they sure as hell don’t need hugs.”
“You love hugging.”
“I love you,” Wick countered.
“Why do they put those ridiculous restrictions on you guys? That you shouldn’t feel warmth. That it’s wrong for you to feel this.” Justice parked the truck in one of the few spaces beside Mikel’s home. He pulled Wick’s fingertips to his lips, kissing them gently. Wick closed his eyes, instinctually leaning towards Justice. He rubbed Wick’s cool cheek with the back of his hand. Gripping him behind his neck, he pulled until he could rub his recently shaven jaw along Wick’s face and neck. Scenting him before he allowed him out of the truck.
“I’m nervous,” Wick still whispered, regardless he wasn’t speaking aloud. “I didn’t remember this sensation until now. It’s nerves, right?”
“I know. It is nerves. I can feel it. You don’t have to be nervous. They’ll love you. My brothers and sister are fully behind you, along with the entire Humboldt pack.” Justice stared deep into Wick’s eyes. “Look around.”
Wick finally looked up from Justice’s face. His eyes were wide as he took in all the shifters that’d stopped whatever they were working on and gathered around to welcome them back. Multiple sets of eyes were on them through the darkly tinted windows.
“They’re not only here to welcome me back, but you, too.” Justice kissed him softly.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.” He’d never seen Wick look so uncertain. His King was the epitome of confidence. The fact that he was fretting over how Justice’s people would receive him was touching him deeply.
He got out and went around to the passenger side, touching a few shifters as he did. Several women stood with their pups close as their husbands stepped forward to greet them.
“Justice. Is your mate safe? I have a black golf umbrella.” Farica jogged over, hugging Justice. She turned to the young wolf that had brought Justice’s food up to the cabin. “Ross, run and get the—”
“That won’t be necessary,” Wick said, stepping out the safety of the dark vehicle.
Gasps and cheers went up as Farica ran and flung her arms around Wick’s neck. His mate looked taken aback at first, but slowly his arms came up and wrapped loosely around his sister’s waist. “It’s so nice to see you again, Wick.” His sister turned to the growing crowd, all of them waiting enthusiastically with smiles and welcome p
osture. “The AZ Mate is here!”
“Farica is a peacekeeper, baby. An omega’s spirit in an alpha’s body. They trust her judgment. Her hugging you, happy that you’re around is big.”
Wick genuinely smiled.
“Alpha. Welcome back.” Mikel greeted him when he walked up the steps to the large home.
“Thank you.” Justice hugged or touched all his pack members and those in Mikel’s hierarchy that were there for the meeting. “Everyone is ready?”
“Yes. Alek and your brothers are in the great room with them now,” Mikel informed him, leading the way.
“Any resistance so far?” Justice asked Mikel privately.
“Not that I can scent. They are here for answers though, and to probably see for themselves,” Mikel answered.
“Fair enough.”
Wick squeezed Justice’s hand. “Everything good?”
“Yes. Let’s get down to business.” Justice opened the double doors to the spacious room. He stood tall as he entered with his mate close to his side. About twenty men stood around, of various ages and races, all prominent leaders and role models in their communities. They were highly respected and their opinions were valued. Justice knew to get them on his side first and convince them of the real threat, then let them advocate to the other packs.
“The Alpha Zenith… and his true mate, Vampire King Chadwick Bentley,” Mikel announced, his deep voice silencing the room.
Assessing eyes measured up his mate, taking in his expensive shoes and traveling all the way up to his coiffed black locks. Justice held his breath. Please, respect him. Finally, after too many long seconds, all the alphas, everyone in that room, lowered their eyes and slightly tilted their heads, accepting Wick. Justice breathed an inaudible sigh, especially when he felt Wick’s relief and his nerves flee.
“Thank you,” Justice said, sitting on one of the many couches, Wick easing down elegantly next to him.
