by Jo Penn
Milson Valley
Prince of Cats Claims a Mate or Two
Keeley James is a wary human but he adores his stunning mate, Vampire Lord Xavier Dalton. When out of nowhere a huge Shifter pounces, claiming Xavier as his mate, Keeley reels. Confused, he runs.
Lord Xavier Dalton is a Vampire on a mission. Always. He is an important, valued member of his Coven and the High Council. He makes and breaks kingdoms, dotes on his little dreamy eyed human mate, and allows the big Feline to claim him, as is the paranormal way. But the Tiger will have to prove he’s not just all roar to capture this icy Vampire’s heart.
Feline Crown Prince Drake Sanchez is not letting his little human wiggle out of his paws, nor allowing his stunning Vampire to pull the renowned Vamp chill on him, shutting Drake out while keeping secrets. Both are his. They’ll get used to it, he’s real good at getting creatures to purr. This Tiger loves nothing more than protecting, heavy petting and cuddling.
Genre: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter, Vampires/Werewolves
Length: 62,511 words
PRINCE OF CATS CLAIMS A MATE OR TWO
Milson Valley
Jo Penn
MENAGE AND MORE
MANLOVE
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage and More ManLove
PRINCE OF CATS CLAIMS A MATE OR TWO
Copyright © 2016 by Jo Penn
E-book ISBN: 978-1-68295-225-2
First E-book Publication: May 2016
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2016 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
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DEDICATION
To my A & P. You are my sunshine and lollypop!
My moon, my stars and entire heart.
♥ xo
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
About the Author
PRINCE OF CATS CLAIMS A MATE OR TWO
Milson Valley
JO PENN
Copyright © 2016
Chapter One
Drake Sanchez
Ambling along the old, cobbled footpath, nodding and greeting those he knew, Drake Sanchez noted the changes in Milson City since he last visited eighteen months ago.
What began as a picturesque village by a wide river two hundred years ago was now a small city spread across the valley and included suburbs, mazes of cafés, clubs, boutiques, a historical center, and lavish meadows and forests. It was a good place. It had even been voted one of the top five safest spots to live in the States and runner-up for most financially livable.
As the crown prince of the Sanchez pride, Drake didn’t get to Milson City much these days. He was busy with his pride five miles outside of the city limits, as well as his numerous other duties that saw him jetting to Europe, Africa, across the States, and even Asia.
The pride members in Milson Valley attended meetings, runs, and organized events, while some just came to hang out and train in the large training arena at the Sanchez Compound.
It was a requirement of those who were fit and strong to attend once or twice a week and train so they could protect themselves outside the compound against creatures dubbed Renegades, those who banded together and tried to take down others for greed and control to prove they were stronger.
Drake liked Milson Valley, always had. He had good friends and pride here that lived in Milson City and the surrounding valley, rather than the Sanchez Compound along with the rest of the cats.
He noticed a new wine bar that was very chic and guessed it was run and owned by vampires, or at least catered to the vamps who were more frequently holidaying in Milson Valley. They thought it was “quaint.” Vampires were notorious for sticking close to large cities such as New York, L.A., London, and Paris, only venturing to places like Milson Valley for a little relaxation.
Drake had also seen the old, dilapidated castle on Temple Street in the old district, known as the Valley, was undergoing a major reconstruction and wondered who was undertaking that project. At least they’d be checked out thoroughly, considering the Avenger lived directly across the road.
Today’s trip to the Valley was to collect the preserves, cheeses, fruit, and other things ordered by his family and the others of his kind that lived with them at the Sanchez Compound. Plus, he had caught up with a few friends in the Valley before getting on with collecting all the items on the long list he’d been entrusted with.
Milson Valley had its appeal, and the cheeses from here made his inner cat very happy. After splitting up from Ryder and Dominic, two of his brothers who had ac
companied him on the trip and spent a lot of time here, Drake collected everything on his list and chatted with locals.
“Where’s the best place to get a coffee, Bruce?” he asked one of the storekeepers.
“That’d be Vance’s over on Second Street, beside Readings Restaurant. Anything else I can interest you in? Some yarn for the cubs?”
Drake rolled his eyes but got some anyway. The cubs would probably scratch him to bits because of it, but it was always fun to stir the little ones of his group and watch them have a hissy fit.
Heading back to the limousine—Dominic’s idea, as he liked to travel in style—Drake handed off the boxes to Mark, their driver. He ignored Jax, the bodyguard, who was pissy because the brothers had split up. Jax knew he had to stay with Dominic when his instinct was to keep all those he protected safe.
“Ready?” Ryder asked, joining them by the car.
“Coffee,” Drake said. “Second Street, beside some restaurant. Where the hell’s Dom?”
“In the frigging car. He refused to get out,” Jax grumbled.
Ryder grinned and jumped in, Drake next. Dominic had been told by a Seer a few weeks ago he was going to meet his mate very soon and very unexpectedly. Since then, the poor bastard barely left the compound and, when he did, refused to meet anyone. Dom liked being single and intended to remain that way for as long as possible. Even the idea of a fated mate filled Dom with irritation and the urge to bolt. Most paranormals craved and searched for their mate, wanted it desperately. A fated mate was a paranormal’s other half, meant just for him, perfect in every way.
“Shut up,” Dom grumbled as Ryder stirred him.
“I hope you got the stuff,” Drake said.
“Mark got everything on the list.”
Mark drove the limousine through town to the historical side, known as the Village, and parked a little ways down from a few cafés and restaurants that practically dominated the street like a French city. The coffee smelled really damn good. Drake sniffed deeply as he climbed out of the limousine.
Then he sniffed again. Deeper. He drew the smells in, breaking them down, his dark eyes flashing tiger.
“Oh, shit! What do you smell?” Ryder went tense, looking around.
“Stay here,” Drake ordered.
Snarling, he took off, following a scent so delicious he wanted to wallow in it, roll in it, even fuck it, if that were possible. And maybe in a way it was, because that scent belonged to a creature who was now Drake’s prey.
Throwing open the door to a classy restaurant with the sign Readings Restaurant above the awning, he scanned the room, ignoring the mix of creatures. Some he knew, and they were bristling, ready for whatever had stirred him up. Others were human and alarmed by a big, immortal cat shifter flashing his fangs.
Following the alluring scent of his prey further into the restaurant, Drake did what came naturally for his kind and many other paranormals. He stalked and would grab and claim. No debate. No talking. His. Have. That was how paranormals were taught from a young age to deal with their fated mates, ensuring there were no claiming issues.
Drake stalked the tall, slender, dark-haired creature silently. He was fast, lethal, and wasn’t giving any time for resistance.
His prey was paranormal and apparently very aware of everything around him. That drool-worthy, lithe, elegant body tensed minutely, and just before Drake grabbed him, the creature was gone from reach, sliding away easily in a move Drake was extremely impressed with and now frustrated by.
Facing him in a defensive stance was the most stunning creature Drake had ever seen. He was a few centuries old and had his share of gorgeous creatures. This one, though, took his breath away.
Eyes the color of chipped blue ice turned icier and long, razor-sharp talons slid out on the vampire’s slender hands.
Every creature in the place had backed away, some making a hasty exit, as most could sense the tension in the air, the heady endorphins that could lead to a scuffle. Drake would do all he could not to injure the vampire, but he was taking the stunning creature down, hard and fast.
The vampire quirked an elegant brow. “Well, well, Prince Drakius of the Sanchez Pride. A pleasure.”
Well, damn. Now Drake’s cock was throbbing so hard it could bust through his pants. And that was just from the sound of this creature’s voice. He couldn’t wait to strip and claim every inch of the vampire, but first, he had to get his hands on the beauty. Sizing him up, Drake’s mind worked like a computer—analyzing, adjusting, calculating. He grinned slowly.
“Pleasure’s all mine. What’s your name, gorgeous?” He moved ever so slightly and stilled immediately.
The vampire’s eyes had gone deadly with a frostiness that nearly leaked out all the blue. Drake was irritated now, sure he’d seen eyes very similar to the vampire’s before. This creature wasn’t weak, not in any way. He knew how to fight and defend himself. Drake didn’t want to harm the stunning creature. Just take him down, make him submit, fuck and claim him. Simple.
“Come to me,” Drake ordered.
The vampire merely quirked a brow again, smirking. “You do have a reputation for issuing orders. I wonder…” The vampire tapped a long, razor-sharp talon against his sweet lips, eyes icy and assessing.
“You can smell me, vampire, you know what I am.” Drake was growing impatient with the vampire’s resistance, like the creature was testing him or toying with him. Vampires were like that, the arrogant bastards. “Our laws—”
“Oh, I am well aware of the laws, cat.” The vampire flicked a hand dismissively. “You are within your rights. As am I. And yes, I can smell you. I do prefer not to be manhandled, though, so I suggest we take a moment to…” The stunning creature gave a somewhat derisive smile. “Chat. Perhaps have a five-minute conversation first, learn each other’s names. Even a short synopsis of our lives may be appropriate, rather than being tossed on a table.”
“Sure, we can do all that, right after I claim you.” Drake growled now, turned on and annoyed at the same time. “Stand down, vampire, or we do this in a way I’m guessing you won’t like.”
“Hello, Dominic.”
Drake’s eyes narrowed on his litter-mate Dominic as his brother took up position to corner the vampire in. Dominic was a diplomat and negotiator for the pride and the Council. He knew a great many creatures and also knew how to soothe and calm them down. Drake would rather grab and toss his vampire onto a table now than try to soothe and coax the bastard, as his attitude was beginning to grate on Drake’s frigging nerves.
It was all of his cat’s mating heat rising up, demanding he have his mate, and the creature was resisting him. Saying they should chat.
Dominic inclined his head as Jax moved around the vampire. A few of the cat shifters who were members of the pride were hanging back but alert and ready to assist when given the signal.
“Hello, Xavier. You haven’t met my brother, Drake.” Dom waved a hand, smiling pleasantly, eyes watchful. “Crown Prince Drake of the Sanchez Pride, meet Lord Xavier Armstrong Dalton of the Armstrong Witch and Wizard Coven and the Durand Vampire Coven of New York and North America.” Dominic inched a little closer, stopping when Xavier smirked at him and shook his head. “Drake, Xavier is Lady Delia’s grandson, and Mason and Laurence’s cousin. Their older vampire cousin who is an esteemed member of the Durand Vampire Coven—”
“My mate,” Drake interrupted, receiving startled looks from every shifter in the place. “So you don’t need to give me a spiel on public relations and being diplomatic, brother. I’m giving you one last chance to stand down, Xavier. I’m gonna claim you right here and now. You know it’s our way, so you can either make it easy or hard. Your choice.”
The vampire bowed his head, eyes remaining fixed on Drake. “I would prefer privacy and a little conversation first. Call me old-fashioned.” Drake was pinned by those ice-blue eyes when Xavier raised his head. “I am well aware you are riding the feline heat and need to claim me. I won’t deny you. But y
ou will only claim me, nothing more. Do you understand, Your Highness?”
It wasn’t really a question. It was an order that had Drake bristling. Dom reached out and placed a soothing hand on Drake’s shoulder and turned to whisper in his ear.
“Don’t challenge Xavier. You’ll find it much easier to meet his requests. He is fair and so fucking wicked smart he’ll tie you up in attitude for years if you force his hand. He told you what he wanted, but he’s accepting your needs over his. So provide his request.”
Drake never liked to back down from a challenge or fight, and this one was damn important—one of the most important. Drake was being ridden hard by the need to claim and protect, to have his mate, to finally find the one fated for him. But not listening to Dominic was a dumb-ass move, and Drake was never dumb. And Drake hadn’t missed the fact that Xavier had clearly stated what he would prefer but was allowing Drake to have his way…sort of.
“Lord Xavier Armstrong Dalton of the Armstrong Witch and Wizard Coven and Durand Vampire Coven, I claim you as my mate.” Drake snapped the official words out, getting what Dom was telling him and knowing the protocol required. “I give my word to claim and begin our bond only at this time.”
Xavier inclined his head, eyes never leaving Drake’s as he did the most beautiful thing and tilted his head to the side, exposing his long, elegant neck. For such a stunning, obviously powerful creature to submit and give himself had Drake purring, his body heating with need and admiration.
Drake was on the vampire immediately. He grabbed the creature, tossed him on the nearest table, tore the collared shirt he wore, and sunk his aching, desperate fangs into the man’s throat.
