by Jo Penn
Xavier had left the room as soon as Drake bit into Keeley and had blocked his mind. Drake knew part of it was his vampire’s territorial nature rising to snatch Keeley back, and another was to give Drake and Keeley time together. But Drake felt a distance, which would not bode well if he let it continue.
With Keeley pliant and satisfied, Drake kissed his mate’s soft, light hair and removed the medallion. He waited for Keeley to tense and pull away, to place distance between them without the effects of the medallion overriding any resistance and inhibitions toward the mateship. But instead, Keeley sighed and rubbed his neck almost absently.
Thank the Gods for the mate pull. Without it, paranormals may as well give up on obtaining their human mates without a lot of time, the pain of not mating, and angst. The pull to be with one’s mate, paranormal or not, provided each with the driving need to be close, to know one another emotionally and physically, sexually, to bond completely. It happened quickly, within twenty-four to forty-eight hours for most, and combined with the mating heat that nearly all felines went through, it was intense.
“Are you going to be biting me a lot, too, now?”
Smiling, Drake cuddled Keeley close. “Occasionally, my mate. My bite will bring you pleasure, as will my touching the claiming mark, similar to what you experience with Xavier’s bite.”
“Yeah, I guess. He doesn’t feed from me, but he bites me sometimes. I need to get cleaned up.”
“Of course, honey. Do you want me to come help?” Drake grinned as Keeley flushed, shaking his head, and shuffled away to the bathroom and closed the door quietly behind him.
“What do you know of our mate’s past?” Drake asked.
“Everything.” Xavier moved through the room, taking everything in, stretching as he turned toward the bed.
“Gods, mate, you got me hard again.”
Xavier smiled seductively but walked away. “I will shower in the other room. You will need to have Keeley eat before he can rest. He will be tired now and must sleep.”
“Yes, my mate.” Drake flashed a cheeky grin, checking out his mate’s fine, firm ass. “I want that ass of yours.”
“Tomorrow. There are only a few hours before sunrise.” Xavier inspected both bags that had been brought with them and placed one in the bathroom Keeley was using and took the other with him to the other bedroom in the suite, calling out as he went, “See to our mate, Your Highness.”
“Huh, no damn respect.” Drake laughed. “Oh, Xavier, why don’t you feed from Keeley?”
Xavier didn’t respond and simply closed the other bedroom door with a soft click.
His stunning vampire was fucking annoying. That was the problem with vamps, so secretive and analyzing. They weren’t open, often keeping an emotional distance, and lacked sincerity.
Until they got to know someone. Then, they either warmed up or tried to take them out. Never could tell with the creatures.
Drake sighed. He was possibly being a little unfair to his mate, but he was tired of the distance, the coolness. It was a part of vampires, and Drake was hoping like hell he got the warm, devoted side that vampires could express to mates, family, and friends. Keeley certainly got it. Admittedly, Drake hadn’t seen that between Misha and Xavier, and surprisingly, it was the arrogant crown prince who had shown more caring and real personality toward Xavier.
Drake didn’t get it at all. Frustrated, he got up and used the kitchen sink to clean off his hand before leaving the suite and sniffing out Misha. The vampire was in the family sitting room with Kirsten, Drake’s sister, who, at one hundred and twenty, was a brilliant fighter and could cut someone down quicker than she could click her long fingers.
Drake wasn’t bothered to find the pair alone together. While most shifters were bisexual, there were some exceptions to that rule, like Drake’s youngest male cousin, Marco, who was gay. Vampires were either gay or straight, and Misha was gay, like all his siblings except one—Syndal, the bitch.
“Hello, big brother. How are your mates settling in?” Kirsten rose and kissed his cheek.
“Well.” Drake met Misha’s cool, pale green gaze. “I need to have a little chat with our esteemed guest, sis.”
“Sure. I will get our drinks, Misha,” Kirsten said with a smile and left the room.
“You came quite a ways to check on a coven member,” Drake commented, walking the room slowly. “One who didn’t spend more than three minutes with you.”
Misha studied Drake a little while, the vampire analyzing him quietly before nodding.
“Xavier is two hundred and forty-three years old, only a few years younger than myself, and perhaps does not feel like he requires a ‘big brother’ to come check on him.”
Drake swore quietly. “You’re pissed at him.”
Misha shrugged. “At present, Xavier has a lot happening…fuck it. Xavier has not spoken to me in two months because I have a dozen security personnel watching him and Keeley. The wizard after him would love nothing more than to capture, torture, and fuck him before sending Xavier back to my Queen in pieces.”
“Why does the wizard have such a hard-on for my mate?” Drake bit back the fury at the thought of his mate harmed in any way and concentrated on what he needed to know to protect Xavier.
“Because Xavier is the vampire that builds empires or tears them down. He can destroy with a few words, a stroke of a pen or talon. We all have our special talents, our gifts, if you will.” Misha waved a hand airily. “Xavier is extremely gifted, though we simply refer to him as ‘ours’. And as such, we protect him, even when he is being childish. Xavier is in the process of eliminating the witch and wizard covens’ old ways—the disgusting, barbaric way the coven leaders use their members until they are broken, drained, or dead, then toss them out to fend for themselves on the streets, or simply kill them if they haven’t perished.
“The members are treated as no more than slaves. Their magic, their very lives are at the leaders’ disposal to do with as they wish. With the current rebel uprising, we find that more and more are making use of these old ways and between covens, packs, and the like, Xavier is the one that brings them down and before the councils.
Misha smiled briefly. “Like your brother Dominic and cousin Sebastian know from looking at a creature what scars they carry, Xavier sees wickedness, every wrong deed, and he is…” Misha shrugged. “My mother calls him the White Knight. It is an old term amongst the vampires. Xavier rights the wrongs, and in the process, can topple kingdoms, covens, leaders.”
Shit. Drake drew in sharply, nodding.
“I see it. His mind feels like it is functioning at a hundred times faster than light. So the wizard is trying to keep his coven, and that means Xavier is taking him down and is a target.”
“Exactly. Xavier discovered the barbaric ways a few months ago, and has been collecting members along with Mason and taking them to safety. In doing so, Xavier has also been going straight for the coven leader’s throat, with my backing and Lady Delia’s. He has also found three other covens doing the same, and not just witch and wizard ones.”
“That is really why he is in the Valley. What the fuck was he doing living away from the Armstrong Coven?” Drake demanded.
Misha just smiled smugly. “Xavier does not like to be contained. He was protected, as was Keeley, but with that medallion coming off, I feel certain the wizard will have sent out his people to eliminate Xavier if they can’t bring him in. They will use any means possible, such as grabbing Keeley or a member of the Armstrong Coven. And now, here.” Misha sighed. “Generally on one of his missions to right the wrongs, Xavier is not discovered, but he had to make a choice to save a young wizard this time, and with renegades involved, he was exposed. So now, Drakius, how will you ensure your mate’s safety without closeting him away?”
Grinning, Drake sat on the edge of the seat across from Misha. “You’re actually all right beneath all that disdain and pomp.”
“Ugh, thanks?” Misha grunted, rolling his eyes.<
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“Don’t worry, I won’t ruin your stuck-up reputation, though I will say you should do something about Tyler stripping and dancing on tabletops. Trent had to fight off a dozen creatures to protect the little fucker from being used as a sex toy the other week.”
Misha groaned. “I’m going to kill him. Hmm, perhaps a little training time will provide my youngest brother with some sense. You have wonderful training facilities, I hear, and as we are now…Ugh, I won’t say family, that just makes me want to vomit… But possibly slight, very slight, allies, you wouldn’t mind finding him a mentor who can kick his ass without wanting to fuck him first, and after, and during?”
Laughing, Drake nodded. “Sure, I have one of those problem relatives myself. And then of course there’s Luka Charmers, the little wolf who everyone just wants to pounce on. Send your young, impetuous brother here, he can go into training with Marco, Ace, Laurence, and Luka. They have a special program all to themselves.”
Misha just looked disturbed. “Luka? As in, Enforcer Drax’s little brother who makes everyone suddenly have the urge to tear off their clothes and participate in an orgy? Yes, I certainly see how that will help straighten out my brother.”
“Sure it will. We have guards and the trainers are all female. Feline females don’t take any shit, and since Marco and Luka are completely gay, as is Tyler, there shouldn’t be a problem.”
Misha showed a spark of interest. “I see. Yes, I will speak to the Queen. If you can accept guards for him and ensure Tyler’s safety in training and he won’t be gangbanged by a group of shifters, she may agree. I will have Ryson forward you all the information regarding the wizard leader and Xavier’s latest mission.”
Drake grimaced at the name Ryson. Though Ryson was highly intelligent, polite, and the most amazing looking creature Drake had ever seen—aside from Xavier, of course—his pale green eyes lacked any sort of real emotion, and that got Drake’s tiger antsy. It was like Ryson was dead inside, a shell. Ryson’s mate must not have thought so. The big gargoyle, Prince Dimitri, was very possessive and protective of his vampire, though a rumor had managed to escape their tightknit clan that a few years ago Ryson had a “moment” and sliced his mate up, then calmly proceeded to attack a few guards and gargoyle brothers.
“Good. What are you doing up, cub?”
Marco, the second youngest male of the family and Drake’s cousin, ambled lazily into the family lounge eating a big bag of chips.
“Got training soon. Baron kicked me out of bed. Prince Misha, cool, I didn’t know you were visiting.” Marco sauntered toward the prince, a seductive smile sliding into place. “Let me show you around—ouch!”
Giving his cousin a good slap on the back of the head, Drake grabbed Marco’s arm and marched him out of the lounge.
“Go to the kitchen. Baron will be waiting there to make sure you eat a proper breakfast.” Drake snatched the bag of crisps and shoved his cousin. “Lazy little shit.”
Marco wasn’t so little, only an inch shorter than Drake and just as muscular. He was a lazy shit, though.
Baron growled as he approached them, grabbed Marco by the ear, and dragged him away.
“Yes, I see how you handle your cubs.” Misha smiled as Kirsten reached them, carrying a tray, and Misha took it from her.
“Oh, that is just lazy Marco. Baron has him well in hand, and once Trainer Natasha has him in the arena, Marco will be too tired and sore to move for days. Drax just dropped off Laurence and Luka and is waiting in your office, Drake.”
Drake growled. “What the fuck for? It’s two in the morning. Why the hell doesn’t that wolf ever frigging sleep? Damn pain in the ass. Safe trip home, Misha. I’ll be taking good care of my mates from now on.”
“See that you do. Now, shall we adjourn to the sitting room, Kirsten? We have much to catch up on.”
Ignoring the pair, Drake strode down to the large offices in the palace and growled at Enforcer Drax Charmers of the werewolf pack who, though he was a good friend, was always working and involved in something. And right now, Drake had mates to return to.
Drax gave a nod. “Lady Delia asked me to let you know that problem of Xavier’s has been spotted around the perimeters of their boundaries. She didn’t want to relay it over phone lines until they’d cast a spell to make sure there wasn’t anyone listening in magically. And this is the medallion she said was needed.” Drax tossed a small medallion on a chain to Drake. “What the fuck’s going on?”
Drax was a brilliant fighter—tough, no-nonsense and knew how to kill in ways not many could ever hope to replicate. Drake respected and admired the wolf and knew he’d always have Drax’s assistance and loyalty.
“This is confidential. I will speak to Urian personally, if Lady Delia doesn’t before I do, and have our Avenger out hunting. There is a wizard after Xavier, and from what I have been informed, the creature has Renegade allies and will do whatever it takes to either capture or eliminate my mate. I will be sending out soldiers to cover the Armstrong Coven and disperse more throughout the valley.”
Drax gave a sharp nod. “I’ll inform Urian and do the same. You should probably expect Mason to show up if his cousin is in danger. Those two are tight, and Mason will want to cast some protection spells around your compound.”
Drake frowned. “How do you know that?”
“If you ever came to Milson City and mingled with more than just a few cats, you’d know more. Baron does, as does Sebastian. You stick to the felines and your other duties, ignoring most of the valley. I’ve got things to organize.”
Left frowning after the big enforcer, Drake didn’t have time to ponder that more than a little. No, he didn’t mingle in the Valley. He had a lot of commitments, and when he wasn’t here, he was flying out to Europe, where they had a few other Sanchez compounds, and attending feline council meetings.
Now that he knew what was happening with Xavier, Drake spent the next ten minutes organizing his soldiers and sent them out into the Valley. Then he made that call to the Avenger stationed here, a creature no one should ever tangle with.
Avenger Vicus Aston answered in his usual neutral monotone, listened, and then said he would see to the matter before ending the call without further comment. Drake didn’t have to bother sending any information, as Vicus would get everything himself. He always said it was important so as not to be influenced by others. It was wise.
Drake returned to his suite, tired and ready to rest. There was still a lot to sort out, but now he wanted to spend time with his new mates. Neither of which were in the lounge. Listening, he heard Xavier on his phone in Drake’s study and he spotted Keeley still in the bathroom fussing with his hair.
The food for Keeley arrived and Drake set it up on a small table in the lounge. When Keeley left the bathroom and proceeded to ignore Drake and wandered the room avoiding him, Drake waited for a few minutes before speaking.
“Keeley.” Drake waited, and when he was ignored, he decided to take Dom’s advice and not play the games. “This is also your room now. Put what you like where you want. Change things, if you feel like it. I’m going to have a shower. If you need anything, just get me or Xavier, he’s in the other bathroom showering. I left your food on the table in the lounge.”
Drake was at the bathroom door when Keeley spoke.
“I don’t like that.” He picked up an ornament and tossed it in the waste bin.
Drake hid his wince. He’d collect his favorite ornament, a tiger Ryder made for him when his brother was just a wee cub, from the bin later and hide it until Keeley was over his spat.
When Drake came out of the shower seven minutes later ready for bed, Xavier was still in the other shower and the large waste bin was full of ornaments and things. Huh, so his mate was playing his games seeing if he could get a reaction, maybe cause a fit? Then he’d feel justified in storming out. That seemed like his plan.
At least Keeley had eaten the Alfredo pasta dish and hot, crusty rolls. Drake tugged the link between th
em and Keeley turned from gazing out the window, the moon covering him in a halo of light.
Man, the mate was so much more than Drake ever expected.
“Come to bed, Keeley, you’re tired.”
So very tired. Drake could feel it over their link, and the need to take care of his mate gnawed heavily at him.
Keeley’s eyes turned dreamy and hazy. “I won’t sleep with you and Xavier.”
Xavier walked in, dressed in light grey silk sleep pants and a matching top, picked up Keeley, and deposited him in the bed. “Sleep.”
Keeley was dropped into sleep under the vampire’s thrall.
“Right, and that doesn’t cause shit when he wakes in the morning?”
“Of course. Keeley will pout and sulk for a while. Just ignore it, maybe kiss him. Don’t be bothered with what he says or the little stunts he pulls. They fade away over time, unless he is truly upset about something. And, my moon, my Keeley is a runner. Literally and emotionally.”
“He’ll run from us?” Drake’s claws came out as he slid into bed.
“He has run from me twice. He also runs every day, needing the freedom. This should be fine here at your compound.”
“Hang on, my vampire. One, he is ours, not just yours. But call him yours all you want, as long as you know and understand that.” Drake stared his mate down, and Xavier sighed as though put upon but nodded. “Good. And two, this is your home now also, not just mine. There is a lot of freedom and safety here, plus a lot happening. We are protectors of the paranormals and spend a lot of time training and sending out our soldiers wherever needed.”
“I see. I have heard of this. They do it at my vampire coven and my grandmother’s coven.” Xavier was lying between them in the large bed, body facing Drake. “Do you go on these protection details?”
