Pegasus in Peril

by Crystal Dawn

  “What is he?” Herk asked.

  “I can sense he’s other and not witch. We don’t need to know more since he’s an exceptional manager.” Maybelle said. She knew many felt a separation of the kinds and that all discriminated but she didn’t. A family business required family at the top, but the next level was open to anyone with the talent and skill to do the work.

  “That’s open minded of you.” Julio observed.

  “Witches are far more open minded than anyone realizes. We want success for all kinds, even humans.” Maybelle assured. “Now let’s get down to business. I need your opinions on what we should do to straighten these groups out. We need some quick actions until more long term options can be put in place. Let’s start with Herk and Julio.”

  After a long discussion, Maybelle felt she knew where Dyar was headed and what he needed. Using her phone, she sent instructions to some of the younger soldiers that needed experience in working with others.

  “Now that I’ve set things in the area you went in motion, I need to hear what Pru and Janel found out.” Maybelle observed.

  A long story came to an end and all she got out of it was people were being held against their will and forcing others to work with Hubolla. They were working to correct this themselves, but had no luck at this point. Using her phone again, she sent in an experienced extraction team. When it came to hostages, no chances would be taken. Once that was done, she knew they would have some allies in southern Florida.

  “Now let’s talk about personal issues. I see the mating is going well. Do you need anything from me?” Maybelle questioned.

  Herk smiled. “I believe your daughter can supply everything I need. You’ve done a marvelous job with her.”

  “All my daughters are exceptional and loved dearly. I wish I could take the credit but the goddess made them.” Maybelle said, but she appreciated Herk’s feelings for her daughter. They were obvious to see.

  It was all she’d ever wanted for any of her girls. Love with the right male so they’d be happy like she had been, mostly. Her mate, Royal, had been her fated one and even though he’d been dominating they’d been happy. He’d changed and made bad choices but she’d worked behind the scenes to help ease the pain his decisions had caused. She’d gotten involved in Annie’s mating so it had turned out right. It wasn’t until Sophie’s match that they’d learned her mate had been spelled.

  He’d not gone through a natural change at all. Once he’d been freed from the spell, he’d sank into himself letting her take over running everything. As much as she hated what he’d been through, she loved being in charge. Was that wrong? It didn’t matter because someone had to step up and she was the only one ready to do so.

  The matings were on track following the natural order except for Gertie whose mating had gone all wrong. They all hoped things would get back on track in a natural way. If they didn’t, she would have to intercede eventually. For now, she would let it run its course and worry about Pru and Herk. Janel and Julio would be a concern as well.

  “I’m going to dismiss you and let you rest until you’re needed again.” Maybelle said.

  Pru and Janel hugged her together kissing her cheeks. The males nodded before they grabbed their females and everyone left the room but her. She had more meetings coming up. She switched to herbal tea so caffeine wouldn’t make her a nervous mess. While she enjoyed being in charge, sometimes it was hard. Her decisions were made quickly, but she often worried over them until she saw the results.

  “Are they gone?” Royal walked into the kitchen nook.

  “Yes, they just left. You should have come out to greet them. Where were you hiding?” Maybelle asked.

  “In my office. You know I’m there most of the time.” He answered,

  “Your girls miss you.”

  “I know, but I’m not ready for anyone to count on me.” Royal replied.

  He wasn’t the male he’d been before. Dark shadows lurked in his eyes, his face was drawn, and he’d lost a lot of weight. Maybelle had hired an assassin to find who had done this to him. Royal had always been the light of her life. Now he was just a shadow of his former self fearful that those who’d done this to him would return.

  Their death was the only way to bring back her vibrant lover, mate, and the father her children relied on. That was what she intended to do and prove to him they would never return. “Would you like to go to bed?” She had needs and he’d not been able to take care of them. Besides, she’d bet he’d been up all night.

  “No, not now.” Royal answered. Not at all was what he meant. Their relationship had changed so much and most of it not for the good. “Thank you, my sweet mate.”

  “For what?”

  “You put up with me and fill in as our leader. You are the light, not just for me, but for all of our kind.” Royal admitted. “My choices lately have been bad, but you have always been the best choice I ever made.”

  Her heart swelled with emotion. He’d always been her best choice as well. Without him she’d never had her wonderful girls or be in charge of her people. “We’ll get through this, Sweetheart. Together we are strong.”

  He nodded and turned walking away. Their relationship had a lot to overcome. Right now as she ran Wicked Witch and the war for all supernaturals, mending her mating would have to wait. Her next appointment was here. A smile came to her lips as she realized who he’d brought with him.

  “Aunty Maybelle!” The female squealed in delight.

  “Maybelle.” The male said with a nod.

  “Sophie and Knossos. I’m pleased to see you.” She said.

  “We came as soon as we returned.” Knossos admitted. They had gone on a working vacation. The risk to Sophie had been minimal because she’d had a protective spell few could pierce. Nevertheless, she’d worried the whole time they were gone.

  “Tell me everything.” Maybelle insisted.

  “Hawaii is only effected minimally. There’s one small island Hubolla gained followers on. The supes there are doing well in general. Those on the island that was affected aren’t doing as well as the others. We spoke to the main islanders and they assured us they will take care of things. I have a bad feeling, but we must give them a chance. I hate politics.” Knossos admitted.

  “They are a part of life that can’t be escaped.” Maybelle observed.

  “An unfortunate part. I think we’ll have to intercede. I suspect they just don’t want us there. Once we are gone, they’ll do nothing.” Knossos suggested.

  “I pray to the gods you are wrong, but I’ll take precautions in case you are not.”

  “You are always wise, Aunty Maybelle.” Sophie said.

  “Annie will give birth soon. She was barely showing then she ballooned. You look like you won’t hold out long either.”

  “I am big enough to hope to have my child soon.” Sophie suggested.

  “You’ve always been impatient my precious niece.”

  “I can’t help it. It runs in the family. You should hear Annie these days.”

  “Believe me, I have. I saw her yesterday. My girl is huge and can’t get comfortable anywhere. Ram has been taking trips at our behest and she misses him terribly. She’s afraid he’ll miss the birth of his first child.”

  “I should have known you’d find a way to see her.” Sophie admitted.

  “My first grandchild and you’ll have my first grandniece or nephew. I am excited about so many babies being around soon.” Maybelle admitted.

  “You’ll get the privilege of babysitting.” Sophie offered.

  “I’ll enjoy that. They’ll get spoiled and sent home.”

  “They’ll be spoiled when they come to you already.”

  Maybelle giggled. “I bet they will. Come, have some tea and pastries.” They followed her into the dining room where a server brought the snack.

  For the first time that day, she relaxed and enjoyed the time with family. Knossos and Sophie were a pleasure to spend time with. They chatted about the nurse
ry they were working on and the new house they had. Baby names were also discussed and soon they would have to make a decision.

  They stayed an hour before they had to go. It was now too late to go to bed. She would prepare for the day ahead and hope to get much accomplished. Her relationship with her mate was still the most pressing problem on her mind. Curses on those who had bespelled her loving mate. She got a lot of work done before it was her usual breakfast time.

  He joined her just as she sat in the kitchen nook. “Good morning Beautiful.” He said. But she didn’t believe he meant it anymore. She ordered her breakfast then he ordered his.

  Seeing him sit at the table next to her reading the paper and sipping coffee made her remember all the wonderful years of love and laughter they had in their past. Maybe it was too much to expect their love and their lives to go back to such an idyll. Before he’d been bespelled, he’d been the perfect mate and lover. Even after they had messed with him, he’d been a good mate and an understanding lover. The spell had affected his running of their kind more than anything.

  The fear he had now that the spell was gone, that was ruining their relationship and tearing her apart. If only her assassins would find the guilty parties everything could be alright. He’d be the male he’d always been before and she’d be the happy mate she’d been in the past. Taking a deep breath, she calmed as her food was set in front of her.

  His food came too and he began to eat. Dare she hope it was with more appetite than he’d eaten with before? Was she crazy to hope for small signs that he was recovering? Yesterday he’d asked about how things were going at Wicked Witch. It was the first interest he’d displayed in the business since he’d been freed from the spell.

  Chapter 9

  Love Lives

  Herk appreciated his mate. She took after her mom with hair as black as pitch and eyes an emerald green. The three sisters looked completely different and he was glad Pru was his one and only. It wasn’t just her looks, but also her personality. She lit him up from the inside out. Her humor made him laugh and her hot looks set him on fire.

  Now that he’d finally gotten on the right track, they would forge a relationship that would give them both happiness. “Where do you guys want to go now?” He asked but he really wanted to take Pru somewhere they could make love all day and all night long.

  “I’m hungry.” Janel mentioned. “Why don’t we go to Pear Tree and eat?”

  “I’d love that.” Julio said. Herk could see his friend wanted time to get to know her. It looked like she was his mate after all.

  “You’ll come too, right?” Janel asked.

  “Sure. Right, Herk?” Pru asked.

  “Anything you want, Baby.” Herk said even though he wasn’t happy. He knew sometimes things had to be done for a mate and now he was learning those things were sometimes inconvenient and interfered with what he wanted to do. This was one of those times.

  “Thanks, Herk.” Pru said looking pleased that he’d agreed. Maybe it was worth it to please his mate. The love he felt running through their connection warmed him up all over.

  “Let’s head there now.” Herk said as he helped his mate into the passenger seat as Julio settled with his mate in the back. He supposed this was what couples did. It would be something to get used to. Now they would go out with their mates instead of just each other. They were lucky their mates were friends.

  He pulled into the parking lot which happened to be full. “Will we be able to get a table?”

  “Yes, I just called Clive and he says just go in and drop his name.” Pru declared.

  “This will be fun. I’ve not gone here yet, but I’ve heard it’s great.” Janel informed.

  The place was hopping with a band playing in the bar area. A huge aquarium sat along one wall in the main dining area. It was full of colorful fish with a treasure chest on the bottom. Jewels and treasures littered the area around the chest and glimpses of a ship wreck could be seen. It lent a feeling of adventure and excitement to the restaurant. This was a special day with all the staff dressed as seafarers or adventurers. The band playing was the Sea Anemone.

  Supernaturals weren’t like humans. They drank around the clock and the foods they ate didn’t always match the time of day or night. Some Supes were nocturnal and this was the end of their day while others were like most humans and this was the start of their day.

  Even some of the diners were dressed colorfully. The specials for all day long were seafood. Regular menu items were available for those who didn’t like seafood. Everyone in their group liked it and ordered from the special menu. The owners had developed special mixed drinks and nonalcoholic drinks for the day. Herk ordered a treasure chest to share with Pru. It came in a fish bowl with a lit candle floating on the top. It had a citrus scent and a sweet taste.

  “I love this.” Pru said before she took another sip.

  Julio ordered a ship wreck. It came in a plastic ship with two straws. The look was turbulent and he scented chocolate and cherries. Both Julio and Janel were sipping through their straws quickly. Most shifters didn’t get drunk, but he didn’t think the same was true of witches. While witches has power and magical strength, many of their physical characteristics were like a long lived human.

  His friend would be carrying his mate out of here. Pru had backed off of the drinking so she would probably be able to walk out. When their food came, the table was full of lobster, crab, oysters, clams, and baked, fried, and grilled fish. The scent of the food made his stomach growl like a monster. They all dug in, eating and talking while they fully enjoyed their meal. The music was good and the atmosphere relaxing. It was good to enjoy themselves now because it was hard to say when they would have this kind of fun again.

  Maybe that was a lesson he’d learned, live life to the fullest every day because who knew what tomorrow might bring. He had a suspicion that more trouble was on the horizon. What they’d learned today about Hubolla led him to believe the next wave of activity would hit them soon. Right now, heading home with his mate was all that he wanted to think about.

  They’d cleaned off every plate and ordered dessert which had also been delicious. He waved down a server to get the bill and paid it. Nothing would keep him from getting his mate to a bed. “Let’s go.” He said.

  Heading outside, the others followed. Herk helped his mate into the car then got in himself. Julio and Janel were in the back. “Where do you two want to go?” Pru asked.

  “Can we go home with you? We’ll keep busy in the other room.” Janel promised.

  “Okay. That’ll make things easy I hope.” Pru suggested.

  Herk shrugged. All he cared about was getting his female to a bed. Julio and Janel would be on their own. Nothing else mattered to him as a mating heat consumed him. He pulled into Wicked Witch and Pru directed him on where to park and led him to the door they entered. This was a back door for those who stayed here in the suites and there were no keys. Her palm opened the door.

  “So any employees can get in here this way?” He asked.

  “No, only upper management. Janel is lower management and can’t get in either. She’ll move up eventually and then she’ll have her own suite.” Pru explained.

  “Yeah? When do you think that will be happening?” Janel asked.

  “In two months when Harriet retires. You’ll take her position.”

  “Are you sure?” Janel asked.

  “It’s already been decided. I’m surprised you don’t know yet.”

  “No one told me.” Janel admitted.

  “Well, now you know. Welcome to upper management.”

  “I’ll have my own suite soon.”

  “Yes, you will.” Pru said as she stepped in front of her door pressing her palm to it before she opened it.

  Even though he’d been here not long ago, Herk was again hit by how sophisticated the décor was. The suite also had a nice calming scent. Janel dragged Julio to the other room and he followed Pru to the master. Now he was here wit
h the bed in front of him and he was ready for action. Stripping off his clothes, he watched his mate hoping she’d strip too. Instead she watched him and licked her lips.

  “Don’t you want to get naked too, Sweetheart?” He asked. Standing in front of her bare with his hard shaft standing up and a bead of cum on the tip.

  Pru began to undress but he was impatient and stepped forward helping her. His mouth watered as inch after inch of creamy skin was revealed. He kissed her and tasted her salty sweet flavor ready to sink balls deep in his sexy mate. The scent of her arousal now washed over him as he dropped the last item of her clothing to the floor. His attention was all on her perfect body.

  “I want you now. Get on the bed on your hands and knees.” He directed.

  Pru followed his instructions then looked over her shoulder at him. “Is this how you want me?” She purred.

  “Exactly Baby.” He said as he stepped up behind her seeing her entrance shiny with need. The lips to her nether entrance pump with want. It was a perfect target for his desire.

  Holding her hip with one hand, he used the other to guide his shaft to her entrance. Nothing would hold him back now that he was there. Slowly, so slowly it was killing him, he sank into his sweet mate. He hurt with the need to slam into her, but he was afraid he’d hurt her. His mate made mewling noises as he continued to slide into her. Once he was fully inside her, he felt a bit if relief.

  Now he needed to move and move quickly. Pulling all the way out, he slammed inside her. There was no cry of pain, only a moan of delight. His hips swiveled as he hammered in and out of his mate. Passion surges through him and he swore he could feel her desire as well. At this point, he could no longer hold back. He would pound into her until they both erupted.

  Heat was building and he felt his mate tighten around him. It wouldn’t be long before she exploded and he was ready to follow her lead. Before long, sweet relief would flow over them both. Pru let out a long wail as her release hit her before she expected it. Herk sped up to follow her and he yelled her name as he filled her with his seed. Once he was empty, he rolled over collapsing beside her.