by C. A. Salo
“I’m twenty-eight.”
“Still my baby girl,” he muttered as his brother walked in. “Right, Evan?”
“Whatever you say, man,” Evan smiled, winking at Livi. “Let’s go find that wife of yours and leave your daughter alone.”
“Love you, Uncle Evan,” Livi chuckled as he led her dad away.
“That was your dad and uncle?” Barrett asked as he turned to face her.
“Yeah, why?”
“They’re freaking huge.”
“I guess that means don’t mess with me,” she said smiling coyly.
“No shit, sweetheart.”
“Hey, watch who you call sweetheart,” Galen Moilanin said as he stepped in the store. “You must be Barrett. I’m Sheriff Moilanin. Tommy contacted the next bus stop from here, and they’re looking over the surveillance footage for me. The guy slipped by them when he got off.”
Livi hid her smile as Barrett stood up straight.
“Ah yes sir, I appreciate any help you can give me, Sheriff,” Barrett said.
“No problem. Your dad out back, Olivia?”
Livi nodded and watched as he strode that way. Barrett turned to face her.
“Is it usually this busy?”
Her shoulder lifted with a shrug. “Depends on the day. Hey, want to go out with me tonight?”
“Ah, sure.”
Livi arched her brow. “You seem a little unsure.”
“I’ve just seen two of the men in your family and obviously the Sheriff is a friend of your dad’s.”
“So, they don’t run my life.” She frowned. “Fine, whatever.” Stepping away, she stomped toward the door when Tommy walked in. “Screw you, Tommy, I don’t want to hear your shit and they’re out back. I’m leaving.”
Tommy turned his gaze on her storming little figure until she was in the parking lot. “What the hell did you say to her?” he asked, his head whipping around, eyes narrowed as he met Barrett’s gaze.
“I turned her down when she asked if I wanted to go out tonight. I told you the other day man, I don’t want any problems,” Barrett said.
“Good move,” he said heading for the back.
Chapter 2
Tommy waited, watching as Livi flash-stepped. “Livi, wait,” he said through mind-speech, flash-stepping onto the path when she stopped.
“What?”
“Are you really pissed because Barrett wouldn’t go out with you tonight?”
Livi smiled. “No.”
Tommy’s gaze went to her neck when she tilted it sideways, his nostrils flaring to catch her scent. “I don’t like this, Livi. I don’t like the plan, and I don’t like him.”
“I know.”
“Then stop,” he said as he met her gaze.
“Not yet.”
Tommy stepped forward, his hands lifting to her shoulders. “It’s not safe.”
“Why are you so worried about me, Tommy?”
His gaze searched hers. He knew what he wanted to say, but he couldn’t, not yet, not until he had permission. Lowering his head, his lips slowly brushed across hers, unsure on how she would react. He watched as her eyes fluttered shut. Gently he cupped the back of her head with his hand, drawing her closer. His cock jumped when she yielded to him, her body relaxing to fit his perfectly.
Livi burrowed in, sighing when he moved closer, drawing her against him. She wanted Tommy to kiss her, and she wanted Tommy between her legs with his thick cock.
Tommy caught her lower lip between his, sucking, her moan encouraging. He nipped her with his teeth. Holding her to him with her gasp, he claimed her mouth fully. His other hand slid around the small of her back, resting on her hip. His kiss was slow and teasing, groaning when Livi came alive in his arms.
Livi couldn’t get enough of him; the feel of his mouth on hers, the taste of him, and his hands on her. Ripping his shirt out from his pants, she slid her hands up, her nails raking down his back as she met the thrusting of his tongue. By the gods she loved being near him, with him, under him. Her body shuddered as he ground his engorged dick against her pelvis.
Livi moaned from the sensations Tommy was creating within her–well, it was his fault–as she started changing and not to her Lyken self. Shoving back, she stumbled from his embrace as her Fae screamed for release. “I, I have to go.”
Tommy’s arms lowered as she flash-stepped out. “What the hell, Livi?” Groaning with frustration, he kicked a rock on the path, sending it flying into the woods. “That’s it. I’ve had enough of this shit.” Flash-stepping to Roven Manor he headed toward the security wing and his father. “Dad, I need to talk to you.”
“Now?” Galen asked as he looked up from a few papers on his desk.
“Yeah.”
“Then shut the door.”
Tommy lifted one hand to the back of his head as he shut the door with the other. “I can’t take it anymore. I need to tell her, I need to tell Livi the truth.” Shoving the hem of his shirt back into his pants he groaned. “Every time I go near her, my wolf wants out and I know she feels it too.” Lifting his gaze, he met his dad’s. “I have to tell her she’s my mate, Dad. I fear holding off much longer will just send me into a rut on the full moon with her being so close now. I don’t want to take her like that; I don’t want our first mating to be because of a rut.”
“You need to talk to Lord Drake. He’s the only one who can give you permission,” Galen said.
“She’s going to be so pissed,” he sighed.
“Knowing Livi, probably,” Galen smiled. “If you hurry I think you can catch Lord Drake’s secretary to let him know you need a council tomorrow.”
“Right,” Tommy said before heading for the door.
* * * *
Early the next morning, Tommy halted halfway across the foyer when he heard his name and turned to see Livi stomping his way. “What, Livi? I’m not in the mood.”
“Why were you in there talking to my father?”
“Why don’t you go ask him?” he snarled, stepping away.
“I’m asking you, damn it,” she snapped, grabbing his arm.
Tommy whipped around, his canines elongating as his eyes shifted. “Do not,” he growled. When she released him, he strode to the door, his chest heaving with deep breaths to control his shift. Damn it, he didn’t want to snap at her like that, but when she came at him with attitude, he was already pissed and had started the shift. Inhaling deeply he stood on the doorstep of Roven Manor. His canines ascended and eyes shifted back as he breathed in the fresh air. What he needed was a run. He needed to change to his wolf self and go for a run, but his duties came first. Stepping down he headed across the courtyard. Lord Drake had told him he needed to wait until this issue with the Dragon Hunter played out and with good reason. If Tommy took Livi for his mate, he wouldn’t stand for her flirting with someone else, especially being newly mated. The Lyken in him would rear up. Lord Drake promised him that when the information they needed to collect from the Hunter was in their hands, he would sit Livi down and tell her everything. But until then, he suggested Tommy try to stay away from Livi. “Yeah, easier said than done,” he muttered as he headed to his patrol vehicle. Oh Alston had its police force alright, and every single member was Other Kin, no outsiders allowed. That way they kept it all nice, tight, and legal if they did have to arrest someone not from Alston.
Walking into the station house, Tommy grabbed a water bottle before heading to his desk in the back to do his pre-shift check in.
“Tommy,” Galen said, “Come on in here a moment.”
“Yeah Dad, what’s up?”
“You’re not going to like it, but I’m changing your patrol up. You’ll be switching with Peter until further notice.”
“Pe—what the hell for?”
“Lower your voice, and it’s what Lord Drake asked for. You need to stay away from Olivia before you go into a rut and from the look of you I’d say you’re pretty damn close.”
Tommy turned, slamming the water bott
le onto the wall, shattering the plastic, water exploding everywhere. “I can’t help it. She’s home and I want my mate.”
“I know.” Laying his hand on Tommy’s shoulder Galen turned him. “We need to get this settled before the full moon or else you’ll be going for her and she won’t know why until you’re in the middle of a frantic mating. Drake knows this as well, Tommy. He’s hoping that it being the last day Barrett is here will move things along, but you need to step back. Barrett sees you as a threat, someone in his way to Livi, and that puts you in danger.”
Tommy’s gaze narrowed. “What have the seers seen?”
“We didn’t hear it from the seers, we heard it from Livi. When you entered the store the other day, she sensed bad mind-set coming from Barrett toward you. He thinks we’re all human and that Drake and Kalana are not Livi’s real parents. But if you get in his way of taking Livi down…he’ll kill you.”
“I need to keep her safe.”
“Peter will be shadowing Livi. You need to keep yourself away from her before you force a shift. You know if a forced shift occurs to protect a mate you will not go wolf mode, you’ll go Were. And with you so close to a rut, we don’t want to chance that happening.”
“Yeah.” Running his hand over the top of his head, he turned. “Fine, I understand, but I don’t like it.”
“I know. Now go get ready for roll call.”
Tommy slunk over to his desk and sat there. What the hell. It wasn’t his fault she came home and his senses were busting out. He wanted his mate. He’d waited long enough and now she was close enough to put his wolf in an all out seek and mate mode, and hell, if he went Were-mode to protect her, they’d be putting the Hunter in a body bag instead of a cell. “Christ.”
“Don’t worry man, I’ll keep an eye on Livi for you,” Peter said as he sat at the desk across from Tommy.”
“I know you will, I just don’t like not having her in my sight, especially tonight.”
“I understand, but you have to remember Livi is a Guardian. She has more power than any of us, except for Mari Beven. She can take care of herself, Tommy.”
“Yeah,” he sighed. “I know, but I still don’t like it.”
Peter chuckled. “We need to get this finished with quickly so you can take her as your life mate.”
“Tell me about it,” Tommy replied, rising when his dad announced everyone to roll call.
“Thanks for the mess, wolf boy,” Trilla called out.
Tommy turned to the smiling water nymph as she lowered her hand over the large puddle of water he’d created on the floor when he’d smashed the bottle. “Sorry, Trilla.”
“Yeah sure, get outta here before I give you a puppy bath.”
* * * *
Livi smiled as Barrett led her on one of the paths in the forest. “We better hurry up if you want to show me something, the bus will be coming soon.”
“Damn, it’s getting dark. I can’t remember where I saw it,” Barrett said, stopping.
“If you tell me what it is, I may be able to help. I grew up here.”
“How long have you lived here, Livi?”
Livi shrugged her shoulders as he turned and met his gaze. “Since I was eight.”
“And you’ve never seen anything strange going on here?”
“Well yeah,” she snorted. “It’s a damn tourist town. The locals try to make it interesting.”
“Really?” he asked bringing her closer.
“Yeah, it gets pretty boring around here otherwise.” Livi smiled as he lowered his head. She steeled herself not to punch the shit out of him when his lips touched hers softly. “You know,” she whispered backing away. “You are leaving, and I…I don’t do one night stands, Barrett.”
“So why all the teasing since I’ve been here?”
“Well you might have decided to stay.”
“Yeah, not going to happen and I think you knew it.”
“Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
“You’re beautiful, Livi.” Twirling a length of her black hair around his finger, he met her gaze. “But I know you’re hiding something.”
“Aren’t we all, Barrett?”
“Why were you at my window last night?”
Livi smiled. “Really, you’re seriously going to ask me that?”
“Yes.”
Livi noticed the change in his stance as his lips lowered to hers again. “I wanted to knock on your door, but, well…I chickened out.”
“Do you know? Did you hear my conversation last night?”
“Yes,” she whispered against his lips. Me and two Alston Security Force members. Her hands lifted to his shoulders.
“I kill things.”
“That is what a hunter does, isn’t it? I mean we killed the cow we had for steak tonight.”
Barrett smiled, his hand running over her ass. “Tell me what you know about the strange things here.”
“Like what?”
“Like the reason your eyes glow red when we’re near and your breath heats up.”
“I’m horny.”
“Do you know what kind of hunter I am?”
“Yes.”
“And still you let me this close to you?”
“You’re sexy.”
“And you, sweet, are stupid.”
Livi glanced up, eyes wide when he put a charm around her neck, and she fell to the ground as if she had no bones. “What, what are you doing?”
Barrett moved in front of her with a nasty smile. “My job,” he said before kicking Livi on the side of the head.
Livi grunted from the hit and mentally told the security force to stay back when they started for her. “Barrett, I don’t understand, I thought…” Livi cried as he knelt beside her, her head going back from a hit before he yanked her head up by the hair.
“You thought wrong, sweet. You knew I was a Dragon Hunter and you still let me this close to you. What the hell did your Dame teach you? And I know the woman from the store is not your birth mother. Where is she, Livi? Where’s the Dragon shifter?”
Livi wept from his grasp on her hair as blood trailed down her face. “Stop it, Barrett! I haven’t done anything to you!”
“You exist!” he growled as his other hand smacked her across the face, busting her bottom lip open.
“Tommy will come looking for you,” Livi cried.
“Oh that’s right, your human boyfriend. Does he even know what you are, Livi? Does he know what an abomination he protects? What, did you two have a fight before I showed up? That’s why you were always hitting on me isn’t it, to make him jealous?”
Livi whimpered wanting to roll her eyes. She held her position. “He doesn’t know. No one does. They all think I’m human. Tommy was a jerk and flirted with some little bimbo who strolled through town.”
“Did you follow her and eat her, Livi? Did you shift and go after her, terrorizing her first before you put her out of her misery?” he snarled, smacking her again.
“I’ve never hurt anyone who didn’t hurt me first!”
“Oh I bet!”
Livi eyes widened when he drew a dagger up and she recognized it as a Dragon Hunter Athame. “How did you know I was here?”
“We had a leak come out of Alston, about a Dragon shifter who had mated with a Vampire. Stupid idiot, Vampires don’t exist. We sent someone in to take her out and he disappeared, so they sent me in to check it out. I told my mentor on the phone last night I had you, but I’m not seeing a Vamp around and you’re not pregnant.”
“She’s gone and you’ll never find her!”
“I will if I have her daughter. She’ll come for you.” He smirked.
“I am not her daughter.”
“No, then what are you? You’re a relation some how. You have enough Dragon blood in you for my charm to bring you down.”
“I’m a niece,” Livi said as he smiled.
“Good. And while I’m peeling the skin off your Dragon self to make weapons against your kind, you will give up
their hiding place.”
“I will never betray my family,” Livi said with a low tone.
“Enough torture will make you do anything I want,” he said as he gripped her chin roughly.
Livi’s eyes narrowed. “Remember that,” she whispered before punching him along the jaw hard enough to send him flying through the air. Grabbing the charm from around her neck she shoved it in her pocket, smiling as he lifted his head with wide eyes. “Oh yeah asshole, and by the way, I’m not a Dragon.”
“Then what the hell are you?”
Livi smirked. “Adopted.” Stepping forward she punched him on the nose, sending him flying back. The less she told him about Other Kin the better, so why not fabricate a little. “I’m human just like you, so I don’t fall prey to your charms,” Livi chuckled as she lifted his head up. “Any of them. The eyes and breath, nothing but a few magician tricks asshole, to keep the public interested in Alston. How do you think we do such a great tourist business?” Her fist came down hard, knocking him out. Livi knelt down, grabbed him by the collar and flash-stepped.
* * * *
Livi met Tommy’s gaze as he and her family ran into the courtyard of Roven Manor. She knew Peter and the Security Force team attached to her had informed them she was coming. And she’d been sighted the moment she passed through the gates dragging one unconscious Dragon Hunter.
“Holy shit, Livi,” Tommy said as he turned her face gently.
“He’s worse off than I am.”
“Why did you let him do this?” His gaze turned to Peter. “You were supposed to protect her!”
Livi dropped her baggage as she put her other hand against Tommy’s chest when he went toward Peter. “I told them to stay back.” Meeting his gaze, his nostrils flared with anger, she gave him a reassuring nod. She knew her dad and mom stood there waiting for an answer as well. “He thought I was a Dragon and put a charm around my neck. I wanted to see what kind of information I could get from him verbally and from reading his mind. I had to make it look like I had Dragon blood in me and go down without being able to move.”
“And?”
Livi turned to look at her dad. “I need to call for a council meeting.”
“I’ll see to it,” Drake said. “Tommy, can you get her cleaned up for me?”
