Sparky looked around for a moment before a wicked smile curved his lips. “So, do you come here often, handsome?”
“I better be the only one who comes here from now on,” Charlie growled. “You’re mine!”
For a moment, Sparky simply stared at him. A soft shudder seemed to go through the man’s body before he began to slowly rut against him. “And you’re mine. So, what are we going to do about it?”
“I thought we could go out for pancakes—ow!” Charlie captured the fist that had struck him in the shoulder.
“There’s only one smart-ass in this relationship,” Sparky remarked as he loosened his fist from Charlie’s hold. He took his finger and traced the line of dark hair that ran down between the hybrid shifter’s breasts. “So, you heard what Winston said…”
Charlie nodded but didn’t move away. “I heard it all. Has he contacted you before?”
“No, at least not since David and Jason ran him out of the territory. It’s been years since I last talked to him, and if I had my way, I’d never talk to him again. I still don’t understand how he knew so much about me, though.”
“It’s a good question. However, he didn’t get it from your mind Sparky. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I can assure you, he can’t do anything to you over the phone.” Charlie settled back and pulled Sparky so that his head rested on his chest. He continued to rub his mate’s back. “Can you tell me what happened? Why is he still after you?”
Sparky lightly traced Charlie’s nipple. “Who knows, if I had to guess it would be because he can’t stand to lose. I’m sure he lost face with some of his buddies when his favorite pet managed to break through his mind lock.”
Charlie nodded, “It would have made those in the coven question his powers, but obviously, he has made it to the high circle, so he must have overcome it.”
His mate snorted. “He’s part of the high circle because he married the High Priest’s daughter. He claimed she was his soul mate, but I doubt it. If she was, then he should have lost interest in me, right?”
“Not necessarily. Unlike shifters, the magi can have sex with another. However, those who do so, usually have dabbled more in the dark magic. White magic users are closer to the goddess and would see it as a slight to her and the fates. Winston has always leaned more towards the power of dark magic; at least he appeared to be heading in that direction when I was in the coven.”
Sparky raised his head, “Well if you ask me, anyone who would use mind control on another, without their permission is plenty dark…” the shifter paused and traced his finger down Charlie’s cheek, “…except for you. Being forced to use your gift is not the same as forcing your gift on others by your own choice.”
Charlie smiled sadly and placed a kiss on Sparky’s forehead. “Well, since I suck at any other form of magic, I guess we’ll never know for sure. They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Who knows, if I had learned more magic and worked on pushing my own talents to their limits,” the magi shrugged, “I could have become as bad as Winston.”
He jumped when his mate slapped his chest. “Seriously, I’ve only known you for a short time and yes, you can be an ass, but you almost died trying to get to us so that Radar and Sammy could be saved. You were obviously tortured, too. Forgive me if I don’t believe for one moment you’d go to the dark side.”
“Well, we’ve established we both have seen Star Wars, and that our past has been a little rocky. So, you still want to do it?” Charlie asked softly.
Sparky laughed. His breath ghosted across Charlie’s chest making his nipples stand at attention. “So much for romance,” the shifter looked up, “but then either the fates have a wicked sense of humor, or we were meant to be together.”
Charlie shrugged, “Personally, I think it’s both. The question is, do we continue to fight what our bodies and the fates have been telling us, or do we give in and see where it takes us?”
“Ah hell! Life’s too long to be lonely. The only question I have is…who’s going to top?”
Chapter 12
Sparky couldn’t believe he was actually getting ready to be claimed. Logically he knew the pull he felt would get stronger and eventually they would end up together. The fates might allow a regular mating to take more time, but Semme’ mates were rare and usually got together quickly. It just was hard to believe he had found his other half.
“You know, we can just knock the edge off,” Charlie sighed, “I understand that we don’t know each other and well, I just…I mean,” his mate rubbed a hand through his hair before he exhaled, “hell, I’ve spent my life staying away from people. I don’t even know what I mean.”
The mechanic looked into his mate’s eyes. He was still amazed at how cool it was to see one pale blue eye and one golden brown. If you looked closely, they almost appeared to glow. “Well, then it’s a good thing one of us knows how to behave in public. Don’t worry, you stick with me kid, and I’ll have you partying before you know it.”
Without waiting for a response, Sparky slowly began to taste his mate. He kissed the tip of his chin before he worked his way down to his neck. He sucked on the juncture between Charlie’s neck and shoulder, marking the spot he’d eventually bite. He smiled as his mate stretched his neck to allow him more access. Not to be denied, Sparky licked and sucked until the skin was nicely reddened.
“Stop teasing!” Charlie moaned as he rubbed his hard cock against Sparky’s stomach.
“Keep your pants on Mr. Romance, I’m just working my way down to the good part,” the mechanic chuckled at the answering moan. Sparky pushed his mate over and lay over him as he slowly worked his way down to one of his mate’s nipples. He paused for a moment, lightly blowing on the already raised bud before he lowered his mouth to gently nip at it. Charlie pushed the abused flesh upwards, begging without words for Sparky to continue his assault.
Not wanting to neglect the other side, he moved to the opposite nipple and gave it the same treatment. At the same time, he used his hands to explore the slightly furred chest beneath him. He frowned slightly at the bones he could feel that were too close to the flesh and inwardly cursed the bastard who had caused his mate’s condition.
“It’s nothing,” Charlie whispered as he ran his hand through Sparky’s hair. “There’s no time for anyone else in our bed but us.”
Sparky traced one of the scars on his mate’s hip. It looked like a claw mark and from the position he could only guess how it had gotten there. But his mate was right, thoughts of the past needed to remain in the past. Still, he had to ask, “You’re sure you want this?” While his assault had been years ago, he was pretty sure Charlie had suffered a similar fate to his.
His mate sighed, “What was done to me had nothing to do with sex and certainly wasn’t done out of love. Sal’s mind is one of the darkest I’ve ever encountered.” Charlie shivered and closed his eyes for a moment.
“Hey, you know you can talk to me, right? I do understand, believe me,” Sparky kissed the corner of Charlie’s mouth lightly. “If you’re not ready for this, I’ll understand. We could just cuddle and call it a day.”
Before Sparky could draw back, his head was pulled down, and Charlie captured his lips in a brutal kiss. For a moment, nothing could be heard but soft groans as the two men continued to devour each other. Eventually, though the mechanic had to come up for air. He glanced down at the swollen lips of his lover and smiled, “Okay then, I take it you want to continue?”
The blue and brown eyes of his lover rolled upwards as he huffed, “Do you need a map?”
Sparky laughed, “Not really because I already found the treasure trail.” He moved down his mate’s body and lowered his mouth to trace the dusting of dark hair that led to the nest of curls in his mate’s groin. The mechanic paused just briefly before he licked the tip of the engorged cock that jutted proudly from the man’s groin. The slightly musky taste made him moan as he leaned in and took more of it into his mouth.
He felt Charli
e’s hips thrust as another loud moan was torn from his lips. Smiling around his mate’s cock, he continued to deep throat him. His other hand found the bottle of lube that he’d liberated earlier and placed it on the bed. Sparky nudged his mate’s legs farther apart. It didn’t take long for him to slick up his fingers so he could find the buried treasure between his mate’s cheeks.
“Oh!” Charlie cried out as Sparky’s finger passed through his guardian muscle. He could feel his lover tense slightly.
“Relax, I’ve got you,” Sparky said softly as he looked at the man he would soon claim as his own. He knew even though Charlie was trying to distance himself from what had been done to him, his body would still remember the pain. It had taken awhile, and an understanding lover to help him get past the feelings he’d carried with him after his disastrous relationship with Winston. “Remember, we can stop anytime you want,” Sparky said.
“Don’t stop…I need…I,” Charlie groaned as the mechanic captured his cock once more in his mouth. He hollowed his cheeks out as he sucked and hummed softly. The reaction was instantaneous as his lover began to push further into the dark cavern being offered. While his mate was distracted, Sparky added a second finger.
He smiled when his mate’s hole welcomed him without any further resistance. He moved his fingers slightly until he found the nub that would drive his mate wild. With a devilish grin, he began to stroke it in time with the movement of his mouth. Charlie’s body thrashed on the bed while his fingers buried deep into Sparky’s hair pulled almost painfully.
Still Sparky continued his assault. His jaw was getting sore but he didn’t mind it. He had managed to work four fingers into his mate’s channel. He wanted to make sure when he breached him there would be as little pain as possible.
“Sparky! I’m gonna come!” It was the only warning he received before his mate unloaded into his throat. The mechanic swallowed while he continued to milk Charlie’s cock for every last drop. He sat back and smiled at the blissed-out expression on his mate’s face. Even better, he could see his lover’s cock was already becoming hard again.
I’m going to claim you now, Charlie, and I want you to claim me. Are you ready?” Sparky asked as he slicked up his painfully hard member.
“Fuck me already, damn it!” Charlie ground out.
Sparky didn’t need any further urging. He lined up his cock and slowly pushed forward. He smiled as Charlie spread his legs further apart, giving him easier access. The mechanic slowly inched forward while keeping his gaze locked on the face of his mate.
“Damn it! I’m not a woman, just push it in and get the show on the road,” Charlie demanded. Before Sparky could stop him, he ground his ass down and impaled himself on the shifter’s pole. The mechanic still paused for a brief moment to give his impatient mate a moment to adjust before he began to slowly thrust.
Sparky groaned, “So good, I’m going to make you fly before I bite you. Going to make you, mine.” He increased his thrusts, making sure to hit his mate’s prostate until both men were moaning in sync to create their own symphony of love. He could feel his canines drop at the same time he felt his own orgasm fast approach. From the way Charlie was clamping around his cock, he could tell his mate wouldn’t be far behind.
The mechanic pushed in and held himself as deep as he could. He leaned forward and bit deeply into the man’s neck, sucking in the rich tasting blood. At the same time, he felt Charlie’s teeth embed themselves into his shoulder. The pain was soon eclipsed by the rush of pleasure. He felt his lover’s come paint their bodies at the same time his own release coated the inside of his mate.
Sparky felt Charlie gently lick his wound as he did the same to the mating mark he’d left. For a moment, there was only the sound of breathing as the two men tried to come back from the edge they had fallen over. The mechanic dropped his head onto Charlie’s shoulder. He breathed deep and sighed. After all these years, he was finally home.
Charlie’s voice softly began to chant, “By the goddess above I pray; I claim my Amar Verus this day, bind our souls forever; as I will it, so mote it be.” The magi hybrid repeated the phrase twice more. As his mate’s voice grew quiet, Sparky was astonished to see a violet haze encompass both of them. It felt like a thousand ants were running around his skin before the haze slowly dissolved.
“What was that?” Sparky thought as he felt the sensation begin to ebb.
“It is the way of the magi. It binds my soul and my magic to you.” Charlie’s voice whispered in his mind. Sparky had heard that Semme’ mates could communicate telepathically, which made sense as they were two halves of a whole. But to have magic?
“What exactly does that mean?” Sparky said out loud. He glared at the man he’d just claimed. The last thing he wanted was to be part of the world he’d tried so hard to escape from.
Charlie pushed his mate off so he could sit up. Before the shifter could move away, he pulled the angry shifter back so that Sparky sat beside him. “You know when two shifters are Semme’ mates, they become stronger right?”
Sparky nodded, “Yes, and we get to do the cool mind talk thing.”
“Well for the magi, it is similar. When magi mate with their Amar Verus, their true soul mate, they combine their magic. It is why many magi wait to find their Amar Verus because it is a way to increase their power through the mating.”
“But, I don’t have any magic!”
Charlie tried to pull Sparky closer, but the shifter quickly stood. For a moment, the magi marveled at how perfect the man before him was. The slight flush from their recent lovemaking enhanced the pale skin. Even now, he could feel his cock begin to perk up.
Of course, first, he had to get his mate back in bed. “It doesn’t matter, cupcake. Unless you’re saying you don’t accept me—all of me, including my magic side.”
Sparky growled, “Oh, no you don’t, mister! You’re not going to turn this on me. If we’re going to make this work, you have to be honest with me.”
“If?” Charlie’s eyebrow rose. “It’s a little late to worry about the details. Besides, it doesn’t change the fact that we are true mates. The fates want us to be together, and we are, so put on your big boy pants and suck it up, cupcake.”
Sparky sputtered, “You bastard! Just because the fates paired us up, which for the record, I still want to know what they were smoking, doesn’t mean we had to mate. And while it might suck the big one if I can’t have sex for the rest of my life, it would be better than to be in a relationship where my mate lies to me.”
“I never lied to you…”
“You didn’t tell me I’d have your magic, either. The only magic I’ve been around was used to hurt me. You knew this, and yet you didn’t think to mention it before you bound us together?” Sparky began to reach for his clothes. He quickly dressed before turning back to glare at Charlie.
“Fine, walk away. If you don’t want to be with me, that’s fine. I’m sure Artemus can find me someplace to live.” Charlie pulled the blanket up to cover himself. He folded his arms across his chest and did his best to tune out his mate’s thoughts.
The mate bond was supposed to help, but for once, knowing the disgust his mate must feel at having to live with his magic side was more than he wanted to deal with. He jumped when a hand clasped his shoulder.
“Look, I never said I was going to walk away, or that I didn’t want this to work. But, magic? I just…” Sparky ran a shaking hand through his hair, “I saw what Winston and his buddies did with magic, and it wasn’t good. I know you’re not like them, and I know not all magi are, either. Hello, Artie and I have become friends, and he’s a full magi. It’s just a lot for me to process right now.”
“So, where does that leave us?” Charlie asked gruffly.
Sparky sighed, “It leaves us having our first fight as a couple, and traditionally, it should end with terrific makeup sex; but unfortunately, I have to go pick up Sandy from school. In the meantime, you need to get some rest, because when I return, we a
re going to have a long talk,” Sparky winked, “followed by a long night of hot monkey sex.”
◆◆◆
Grant sat in Alpha Torres’ office. He was waiting for Jake and Shadow to arrive. For the first time since he became alpha, he didn’t know how to handle the situation. On the one hand, he understood Jake’s need to rescue his sister. When Ricky had been kidnapped, he certainly had not wanted to listen to anyone who got in his way. Jake’s actions were understandable, but he also went against his orders.
The wolf had transferred over when the Willow Creek Pack was disbanded and had quickly earned the right to become an enforcer for the pack. It was a position of honor, and one only given to those who had proven their loyalty to the pack; as well as having the ability to defend the pack. A good enforcer followed the orders given by the alpha, or members of the inner circle if the alpha was not present. Enforcers, often did battle while the sentries guarded the pack lands.
He had seen the pride in the man’s eyes the day Blaze had informed him, he would be given the rank of enforcer. The wolf obviously never expected to be given such a high position within the pack, especially after being under Alpha Clifton for so long.
Yet, if he didn’t punish Jake, then some in the pack would view him as weak. If he punished the shifter, others like Ricky would view him as a monster. It was times like this he wished his father had remained alpha of the pack. But he was the alpha and as such, he had to make a decision.
The door opened to admit a quiet Jake, followed by Shadow. The two shifters stood in front of the desk; their hands behind their backs and their heads bowed. Grant stood and walked around the desk. He leaned against the corner, his arms crossed, as he addressed the two men.
“Shadow, I don’t hold you responsible for what happened here. Blaze explained that he sent you after Jake in the hope that you could talk some sense into him.”
Shadow looked up, “Permission to speak, Alpha?”
Battle for a Mates Heart Page 12
