The night lord nodded.
Alex surveyed the rest of the interior damage. “Sorry we weren’t here, the sniper held us down at the Center until Zach circled around him.”
“Thanks to Christophe, Xavier, and the rest of the vampires, we managed to handle things. There’s a high bad-guy body count and structural damage. All the good guys came through.” Etienne held a hand to his head. “Damn, sorry, a little dizzy.”
“Does anyone need a medic?” Nathan entered the room with a bright-red bag.
“Nathan, over here with your favorite patient, again,” Kate said as she pushed Etienne down on the bed. “He got caught in the initial blast.”
“Do we need to give you stock in the clinic?” Nathan moved over to the other man and set his bag down.
“If I keep getting stuck in shit like this, you should.” Etienne rubbed his ear. “This one doesn’t stop ringing.”
“Let me take a look. See if we can avoid dragging your tail back to see Doc Melinda.” Nathan opened his kit and pulled out his equipment.
“Mine! My heart-mate!” Christophe cried out and rushed over to Nathan.
Scared shit by the running vampire, Nathan scrambled to Isaac, yanked a silver blade from the holster, and brandished it. “Away! You stay the hell away from me!”
Christophe skidded to a stop. He held a hand to his chest. “My mate…”
“Shut up. You will shut up. I’ll never be the mate of an evil horrible bloodsucker. Never!” Nathan swung the blade around.
“Nathan, you need to calm down and put the knife away,” Alex said as he moved toward the medic.
“I’m not his! Never! I’ll never go near one of his kind again.” Nathan’s voice was high and filled with fear. “Stay the hell away from me!”
Etienne stayed on the bed, but he felt Isaac move and wrapped his arms around him. Kate curled against his side.
“What happened? Why is he reacting like this?” Etienne whispered.
“A nest tortured him for over a decade,” Isaac said. “He wouldn’t tell me more about the ordeal though. He shuts down whenever anyone asks.”
Etienne swallowed as he stared at Nathan. How would he have reacted to find he was mated to his worst enemy?
“Please, my dearest cat, I’ll never harm you. You’re fated to be mine and I yours,” Christophe said. “For a thousand years, I yearned for the one who would make my heart beat.”
“It isn’t going to be me. Never come near me again.” Nathan gathered his things together, clutched the kit, and held the knife. “Etienne, you’ll need to go to the clinic.”
Christophe took a step forward and many backward when Nathan swiped out with the blade. He held up his hands.
“You do not follow me. Do not talk to me. I don’t exist for you,” Nathan said.
Christophe’s face was crestfallen. He gave him a small bow. “As you wish, my heart-mate, as you wish.” He disappeared with a tiny burst of energy.
Nathan unclenched the blade and let it fall with a clatter. “Go. I need to go. Go.” He raced out of the suite, leaving his gear bag.
“What in the name of the dark moon is happening around here? What is wrong with Nathan?” Alex shoved his hands on his hips.
“You should speak with Nathan, if he talks, and with Xavier for the rest. Xavier may be able to find more details,” Isaac said and gave Alex a quick rundown of what had happened to the medic.
Cursing the air blue, Alex paced. “I’ll deal with him. None of you can stay here.”
“True, there is the problem of a ruined front entrance and bullet holes everywhere,” Etienne said in a bland tone.
“There’s a little more than a single door. Three doors are busted. You lost the front, bedroom, and bathroom,” Alex pointed out.
“Wonderful.” Etienne shoved a hand through his hair. “Where can we live?”
Alex massaged his temples. “There are two homes across the street empty and cleaned. Call Gage and tell him to put out a call for help to move things before we’ll repair and renovate.”
“Thank you, Alpha,” Etienne said.
“What about the rest of the issue? Is it done?”
“We need to send the rogue bastard back to the Conclave. Xavier is sitting on him downstairs. When he’s gone, we’ll be better. I apologize for allowing my mess to follow me.”
“You didn’t allow anything. I’m happy it came here where we could help.”
Etienne glanced at Kate for a brief second. “Gage called me to the Center. Did you learn something?”
Alex massaged his temples again. His thumb circled one side with more care.
“Alpha, I apologize, but I feel your pain. Is it a migraine?” Kate uncurled from her spot and moved to the Alpha.
“I’m susceptible to them.” Alex moved his gaze to her. “Are you an empath?”
She touched her fingers to his temples. “Hold still, please.” She lowered her head, closed her eyes, and concentrated.
“Kate, what happened?” Isaac moved to catch her when she stepped back, a little on the wobbly side.
“I'm okay, only processing the pain,” she said.
Alex blinked and touched his forehead. “The pain is gone. I've never not had a hint of pain since my teen years.”
“I managed to block the oncoming symptoms so you can concentrate. I would recommend a visit to the doctor for a further fix and some medication,” Kate said.
“Thank you, Lady Kate. Your touch helped.” Alex stepped forward, bent over, and kissed the back of her hands. “You’re a treasure of our clan.”
Kate blushed and buried her face against Isaac’s chest.
“We’ll speak later of the search. I’ll let you know the sentinel scouts located a series of mountain caves and figure the rogues are hidden within them. It’s an extensive system, but we’re not giving up. I promise. Choose the house and move your things. Xavier and I will handle this mess,” Alex said and left them alone.
Kate nibbled on her lower lip.
“For now, all we can do is trust,” Isaac said.
“And decide if we’re going to dance,” Etienne said.
“There’s no way we’re not dancing. I want the Goddess to bless our match,” Kate said. She kissed Isaac and brushed her lips in a careful fashion over Etienne. She touched him and saw his mouth was bleeding at the edge and there were scrapes and bruises. “You need to see the doctor.”
“I’ll heal up. If I don’t after we choose the new house, I’ll go to the clinic.”
“Good. Let’s go see these homes,” she said and rose to her feet.
Chapter 28
The golden harvest moon rose high overhead the valley, which came alive with dance, music, food, and other festivities throughout the nights. The last night was the first day of the full moon. This was the night of the Harvest Moon Dance festival for those cats who wished to dance for the Goddess and be blessed by her light.
As the moon hung low, there was one more dance through the blue flames. This was a special trio of two guardians and the princess of the Sand Moon clan. Many members of the Sand Moon mingled amongst the Fire Moon, some even moving and changing clans. Along with the traditional music, the rhythm and instruments of the Sand Moon takht ensemble arrived. The four men and two ladies played the ancient instruments of the desert called the ’oud, qanún, rabab, nay, riq, and dumbek.
The dance was customized to incorporate the desert culture being integrated. Instead of circling the fire as felines, they strolled down from the cabins in their feline forms. Halfway down the male line, Etienne and Isaac shifted and accepted simple kilt-styled cloths to tie around their hips. When Kate changed from the sand jaguar, two ladies helped her into a translucent shift and sleeveless robe. The trio entered the main circle.
Joining hands, they circled, danced, and weaved. Stomping, twirling, and lifting in rhythm to the gorgeous music. When the blue flames lifted higher, they joined hands with Kate in the middle.
Facing the fire, conf
ident in their love and respect, they stepped toward their new destiny. As they moved deep within the flames, the Goddess welcomed them to her grace. Traipsing out of the flames, new henna bands formed around their left biceps. The inking was a gorgeous combination of the symbols for the two clans.
Alex stepped over to them. “Congratulations to the three of you.”
“Please drop the de la Fontaine name. We’re all going to be Deforrest. My line will die out with me,” Etienne said.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Let me introduce all of you to the clan.” Alex turned to address the crowd. “Behold, our new Goddess-blessed trio! Fire Moon Clan, welcome our newest triad, Etienne and Isaac Deforrest, and Ekaterina Deforrest-Brankovich!”
Cheers rose as instruments were put aside. Some moved to congratulate the triad. Even Etienne’s friend and former boss, Paul, who had arrived for the special week, stepped over with a hug and support. When the clan finished, Alex accompanied them to a waiting golf cart with a guardian driver. All three scooted into the backseat.
“Though I gave you all permission weeks earlier, I know tonight will be far more special. Enjoy your mating night,” Alex said with a warm smile.
Closest to the Alpha, Etienne held up his hand for Alex to clasp. “On one full moon, my lord, we’ll watch you dance.”
Alex squeezed Etienne’s hand, released his grip, and stepped back. The cart puttered away and drove them to their secondary home while the original continued to be restored and renovated to their wishes. Etienne wanted all memories and ghosts of his family removed along with the loss of the family name. He wanted it cleansed to support his new family.
* * * *
Left alone, the triad stood in a tight embrace. Etienne was sure to place their beloved lady in the middle between them. They snuggled her close, treasured and loved. He felt her pull back, hold their hands, and lead them to the master suite. This one was on the main floor so they didn’t have to navigate stairs. They stopped in the doorway.
Isaac poked his head around Etienne’s shoulder. “Wow.”
Some of the ladies had snuck in and prepared a wonderful mating night room. Several candles flickered within hurricane glasses. The quilt was pulled down, sheets changed to a rich plum silk. Etienne knew the color would look fabulous against Kate’s skin. There was a combination of lavender, deep burgundy, and white rose petals strewn everywhere. A new bottle of lube waited on the bed. The brilliant glow of the moon poured through the windows and sheer curtains.
Etienne tugged Kate close and planted a deep kiss upon her lips. He felt her fingers sink into his hair, her nails scraping his scalp. When she moaned, he let Isaac take over the kiss. Etienne moved his lips down the slope of her neck. His fingers traced the elegant blessing mark.
“This looks beautiful upon your skin,” he said as he kissed the band.
“It matches yours to complete us,” she said when Isaac stepped back. She caressed their marks.
“We’re one,” Isaac said.
“Forever one,” she said.
“No matter what we face in the future, it’ll be together,” Etienne said as he kissed Isaac and moved to Kate’s puffy lips.
“First we find my sister. After she’s safe, I want a family. I want cubs,” she said, taking their hands and placing each one on her belly.
“We’ll have to do a lot of practice,” Etienne said.
“I do like practicing,” Isaac added.
“I like our way of practicing, too. I hope we can do more.” Laughing, Kate let the robe slip off and fall. She backed to the bed until she lifted her butt on the edge. She lifted the hem of the shift and tossed the sheer fabric at them. She rested on her elbows, her legs opening since she learned to take chances and accept her body. She soaked in all their teachings about her body and lovemaking.
With a raised eyebrow, Etienne found an echoing smile on Isaac’s face at their lady’s brazen attitude. It was charming, arousing, and different from the quiet, elegant female they had met the first day she arrived. She’d helped save his life that day, though he was supposed to protect her. Now she was forever a part of his heart.
Isaac caught the fabric, warmed from her body and the fire. He lifted it to his nose and breathed in her natural scent. “Hmm, I love how she smells.”
“Time to give our love what she desires,” Etienne said and grasped the sheath from Isaac and tossed it toward the closet. He went to the knotted cloth at his hip, undid the knot, and threw the fabric aside.
“We must make love to our beauty,” Isaac said as his cloth followed.
Etienne glanced down their bodies. The material dropped to reveal jutting, erect cocks, each head glistening with pre-cum. He grasped his cock and gave it a slow pull.
Sitting forward as they strutted to the bed, Kate smacked his hand away. “Mine,” she said.
“Do what you wish,” he said.
She grasped a cock in each palm. She gave them a long corkscrew twist. Her fingernails traced the flared head in turn before dragging her finger along the slit, capturing another smidgen of silky pre-cum. She placed both fingers to her lips and tasted them with a sultry smile.
“Oooh, this one is playing with fire,” Isaac said.
“I wonder if we should punish her,” Etienne said.
“A good idea, my mate. We should let her wait,” Isaac said as he wrapped his fingers around the base of Etienne’s skull and dragged him down for a long, taunting kiss full of tongue and teeth. Heady in masculine passion and need, they devoured each other while Kate watched.
“Hey? What about me?” Kate asked with a playful pout. She leaned back, braced her heels on the edge, and let her knees open.
Breaking off their kiss, both men gave her wicked grins. They dropped to their knees.
Kate let out a squeal when they attacked her in the most intimate of ways—fingers, tongues, and lips all over her sensitive wet folds. She threw her head back and keened with need. Her hands clenched the sheet in tight fists.
Etienne moved over her, stepped between her legs, and reached beyond her. He grabbed the bottle of lube and pressed it into Isaac’s hand.
“Katie-cat sandwich?” Isaac teased.
With a smile, Etienne leaned over Kate, kissed and suckled her breasts, and wrapped his arms around her. He rolled them on the bed and encouraged her to straddle him.
“I don’t know,” Kate said, her lower lip pulled in and nibbled upon by her teeth.
“You’re ready for this. If you can, we’ll roll back and Isaac will enter me. He’ll take it slow and easy with you. I promise. Let him lead the way,” Etienne said, moving his fingers down her cheek.
She stared into his gaze and twisted to look at Isaac. She accepted Isaac’s lingering kiss as he smoothed a hand down her spine.
While he adored Kate with his hands and mouth, Etienne watched Isaac drape his body against her back as his hands drifted down her skin. He saw her shudder as Isaac kissed down her spine, finding the vertebrae, before his fingers moved to her ass.
“Our beautiful lady is going to be snug and tight around us,” Etienne said as he slipped his fingers into her damp opening. He worked on her nub.
“Please,” Kate said.
Etienne could tell her gift was making her mindless in the arousal and pleasure she received from both of them with her gift.
“Let me slip into our lady first and I’ll hold her open for your cock,” Etienne said as Isaac kissed down her back a second time.
“Good idea.”
Her pussy flooded with cream at their words. Her nipples hardened into taut nubs. Both males growled when they caught her arousal.
“Come and sit on my cock, Katie-cat,” Etienne said.
Placing her hands on his shoulders, she wiggled higher on his lap until his cock bumped her clit and wet pussy. Isaac took hold of her hips and lifted her. With them pushing her down, Etienne’s thick cock disappeared inside her slit, stretching her as always. When
she was seated to the hilt, she moaned as Etienne played and plucked her nipples.
She mewled and purred in her throat. Isaac moved her knees forward and pushed her toward Etienne to reveal the tight rosy hole. There was a light sheen of sweat over all their bodies.
There was a snick as the bottle of lube opened. Etienne watched Kate’s face when the cool, slippery substance was poured along her crack.
“Ssh, it’s the lube. We’ve been stretching and playing with your hole for this.”
Her eyes dragged open, her irises dark and golden with passion. She clutched at Etienne’s forearms when Isaac sank a finger deep in her hole. He stroked her several times until he met Etienne’s gaze over her shoulder, and he nodded.
“It’s time, Katie-cat,” Isaac whispered.
She mewled, but they weren’t sure if it was arousal or fear.
“Ssh. You need to relax and push out as Isaac enters. Let him do the rest,” Etienne said as his hands moved down her back, finding and massaging some muscles taut with apprehension and tension. He captured her earlobe and nibbled to help relax her further.
Isaac applied more slick to his cock, wiping the slit when it released another drop of pre-cum. He nodded to Etienne to spread her ass cheeks with his hands. He tapped his cock against the dark opening. Wanting to make sure he wouldn’t damage her, he took the bottle and squeezed more slick directly into the hole. He held his cock against her opening, lined himself up, and guided it while he entered her tight channel for the first time. He felt her muscles spasm in protest.
“Ouch. Hurts,” she whimpered.
“It’ll burn until you get used to it. I know there’s pain,” Isaac assured her.
“Take a deep, relaxing breath. I need you to push out toward him,” Etienne said, his hands moving over her muscles.
When she loosened around him, Isaac pushed deep in one strong thrust. She tilted her head back and mewled at the pressure and fullness inside her.
“Ssh. I’m inside. We’re done with the hard part. I swear. Can you feel both of us?” Isaac whispered as he tried to control himself to hold still.
Dark Moon Dance [Fire Jaguars 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 20
