Prince of Cats Claims a Mate or Two [Milson Valley] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More ManLove)

by Jo Penn

  Xavier pressed against Keeley, sliding his fingers through his hair and kissing him in that way that had Keeley hard and aching immediately.

  “My turn.”

  Keeley blinked as Xavier was replaced by Drake, by a different kind of kiss and passion. Xavier was sleek heat, refinement and seduction. Drake plundered and churned him up. There were so many sensations mingled together that Keeley wasn’t sure how to keep up.

  “You’ll keep up, baby, I’ll make sure of it. Rest.”

  Rest? After they’d just done that? Riiight.

  “And that is where the medallion went.” Xavier walked over to the wall cabinet, opened an ornament, and retrieved the medallion and chain that Drake had used to get Keeley all hot and bothered and retract the claim refusal. He’d pretty much turned to mush and just wanted the big tiger to touch him, claim him, and take him. Damn that mate pull.

  “I will return this to Mason,” Xavier murmured.

  “Thank him for me.” Keeley smiled. “Tell him I owe him.”

  Xavier chuckled and pocketed the medallion. “Of course, he will live in fear of your schemes.”

  “Guess I owe the wizard a favor,” Drake grumbled.

  “You sound annoyed about that, my moon.”

  “Favors always come back to bite.” Drake’s dark brown eyes fixed on Keeley. “I’ve assigned a bodyguard to you. His name is Crai. He’s mated and will keep you where you’re supposed to be. Rest well, our light.”

  Keeley just rolled over and pulled the light throw from the end of the bed over himself, wondering if there was another mate out there about to come along, give some rules, and take him away somewhere else.

  “We are your mates. There will be no more,” Xavier said quietly. Then he was gone.

  Drake, though, sat on the end of the bed. “It can be hard for humans when mating to paranormals, but inside, we’re not much different. Family, safety, our loved ones. If you want to talk, I’ll listen and do what I can to make you happy.”

  Keeley rolled over. “I want you to have found Xavier and left me alone. Can you do that?”

  The big, hot shifter seemed to ripple with suppressed tension, his dark eyes glistening.

  “No. Mates and family are the most important in a shifter’s world. I’ll give you time, though.”

  “Oh, like last night? When you claimed me regardless of whether I wanted that or not? Yeah, I believe you, shifter.” Keeley waited for the claws, the pain, the tongue lashing. And waited some more.

  When all he got was a sigh, he flopped onto his back and stared at the ceiling.

  “Get some rest.”

  * * * *

  Drake took his time showing Xavier around the compound and introducing his mate. He wanted Xavier to see as much as possible, learn what life was like here, and meet his clan. Xavier was polite and alluring. All the shifters were drawn to him, and he quickly had them eating out of his hand. The ones who didn’t were the few that had run-ins with vampires and came off second best. They were left wary. Like most creatures and humans, there were good and bad in every group.

  Xavier showed an interest in almost everything and even had the palace managers jumping to attention immediately. They opened up the second, smaller, disused kitchen in the palace, and staff was organized to clean and ready it for Xavier’s personal use.

  Yeah, Drake’s mate was more than used to doing things his way and having others revolve around him. Drake liked it. His brother Emile was similar, though Emile did it with a whole lot of arrogance that, at times, had Drake ready to dump Emile’s body on an ants’ nest after covering his arrogant brother in honey.

  “Where is your little human mate, Drake?” Emile asked as Drake showed Xavier through the garage, which was actually a large double-story building specially designed by Emile to house most of the cars for the palace and security.

  Having just arrived back from a mission, Emile was probably pedantically counting every car and double-checking for scratches, dents, and where they were signed out for. He would probably even be checking petrol receipts against the fuel gauges.

  Drake smiled. He did like that about Emile. His brother missed nothing. He was a wiz with finances and kept the clan rolling in the dough. He was also a brilliant fighter.

  “It is good to see you again, Emile. My mate is resting. We each have a car that requires housing. Is there adequate space here?” Xavier glanced at a streamlined, sporty little Porsche, inspecting it thoroughly. “Nice.”

  Emile smiled. It seemed Xavier may even win Emile over.

  “Hang on! You two know each other?” Drake growled. He didn’t like being out of the loop.

  “Of course,” Emile said flippantly. “We are on numerous boards together for the High Council and the Senate—”

  “What?” Drake interrupted, eyeing Xavier.

  “Did you not take the time to speak to your mate, Drakius?” Emile gave a knowing smirk. “Lord Xavier Dalton Armstrong, Senator for the Armstrong Coven and Senator for the Durant Vampire Coven, along with a few others. Also, High Council Associate for both. Xavier is instrumental in implementing proceedings on interparanormal relations, strategies for dealing with Renegade issues, and numerous other tasks I have been hearing a lot of lately, to do with the old ways of the witch and wizard covens that you and Mason are working at abolishing. Also—” Emile gazed at Xavier speculatively. “—I saw you with High Councilwoman Leisel van Gutten a few weeks ago. My curiosity is procured. Is there something major happening with the Durant Coven or vampires in general?”

  Well, damn. After speaking to Misha last night, Drake fully understood that Xavier was powerful and involved in a lot of important matters. But it seemed Drake’s mate had his hand in every level of the councils and probably held a lot of secrets.

  Fine, Drake would be doing a lot more talking to his mate after this.

  “We have a lot to discuss, mate,” Drake snarled.

  Xavier simply quirked a brow. “Yes, indeed we do. And yes, Emile, in answer to your question, there are changes with the Durant Coven. As they are the largest in this state, and with Milson Valley being somewhat of a paranormal hot spot, Queen Bethany has decided to have a Durant Coven here. I am the emissary to scout locations, form alliances, and ensure the move is a smooth transition. I do not see that as a problem.”

  Emile smirked. “Not at all. We have creature groups making numerous inquiries here. As you are so agile, smart, and lethal, vampires will be an asset. May I ask who Queen Bethany has chosen to lead the coven? I rather hope it is you, but I guess that is impossible with you mated to Drake.”

  Drake growled. “Bethany has five children. Xavier is not a relation…right?”

  “Technically, I am her godson and nephew. The leader role will go to Prince Misha.”

  Drake and Emile both groaned. If there ever was an arrogant, take-charge, smart-ass vampire, Misha was he. Not that he wasn’t good. He was just a stuck-up snob who took delight in stirring shifters. Though, after last night and getting to know Misha more, Drake was kinda liking the arrogant prick. That did not mean he wanted Misha just down the fucking road, though.

  Since meeting Xavier, Drake was seeing what his parents and Emile had been telling him for some time, what others had dropped hints about. Though Drake was damn busy with his leader duties here and overseas, he needed to be more involved outside his own pride commitments.

  “Dear Gods, why?” Drake whimpered.

  Xavier chuckled. “Misha isn’t that bad. We get along great, and he adores Keeley. Misha needs to lead. He will bring two of his brothers and a few cousins, his sister Syndal—”

  Drake shuddered. “This gets worse.”

  “I feel you require some diplomacy lessons, mate,” Xavier said with amusement.

  “I have tried, believe me.” Emile sighed dramatically. “Drake is a brilliant leader for pride, though. He has a large heart and listens, compromises, and takes all into consideration. Plus, he is protective and gives his all. Though he re
fuses to join the Senate.”

  “That is your position, Emile. You are our diplomat and Senator for the pride.”

  “I am a Senator for our pride and our Mother’s. I am the only lion in the Sanchez line.”

  “Yes, that is very interesting, and a good balance,” Xavier murmured, more interested in the Porsche. “There are a few Senators in the Valley. It works well to keep the alliance strong and peaceful.”

  While their father was tiger, their mother was a lioness, and they balanced each other well. Out of all their children, only Emile had picked up the lion genetics. Every time Drake saw his brother in lion form, he was filled with nothing but admiration and pride.

  “Is the Durand Coven the reason you came to live in Milson Valley?” Drake asked.

  “Hmm, partly. I am mostly working on a few projects with Mason for the Armstrong Coven. As Drake discovered last night.” Xavier quirked a brow at Drake curiously. “You have not mentioned this, my mate.”

  “No, but we will be discussing it, and your White Knight missions.”

  Xavier hissed, his eyes icy. “Do not even think of obstructing my duties, Drake.”

  Not giving a shit about the fact Xavier disliked being manhandled, Drake caught hold of his mate and pulled him close. Cupping Xavier’s stunning face, Drake leaned down and, keeping his eyes locked on his mate’s, took those lips he couldn’t seem to stop fantasizing over. The way they tasted, the way they felt.

  Xavier didn’t give in immediately, did not return the embrace or the kiss. They could have had a tussle, but Drake was learning his mate slowly, and after witnessing Xavier with Keeley, the way they interacted—and experiencing a touch of caring from his vampire himself—he was understanding how to get around the ice.

  Softening the kiss and nibbling Xavier’s bottom lip had the vampire’s eyes narrowing a fraction and his body tensing up. As Drake continued the sensual, sweet caresses, Xavier relaxed, his body melding to Drake’s and his long fingers spreading over his chest while others slid through his hair.

  As Xavier’s eyes warmed from their frosty depths and became hooded, Drake groaned and pressed closer, his mouth devouring Xavier’s now, expressing how he was feeling—his desires, his adoration, his need for their connection, for closeness.

  Xavier didn’t submit. He met Drake with his own desire and passion, their kiss blocking everything out. It was only them, their passion, their bodies moving together.

  Until bloody Emile cleared his throat. Loudly. Sighing and giving a little growl, Drake gave one last little peck and nibble as Xavier smiled indulgently and stepped back.

  Drake really needed to find a flat surface and fuck his mate. The wall over there would do, or that pole, the hood of a car—but no, Emile was tapping his tablet and showing impatience.

  “A fine car, Emile,” Xavier murmured about the Porsche and discreetly adjusted his obviously hard cock.

  Drake would love to take his mate’s cock back in his mouth and bring his vampire to climax again, to see the passion and openness on his mate’s face. Feeling his body melt was an extraordinary, delicious experience Drake wanted to repeat often and very soon.

  “My latest edition. I just have to ensure my father does not borrow it. You have a Ferrari, I have been told. It is best to make sure my father is never allowed near it. It seems impossible, but even from a distance he is known to cause anything with style an unfortunate accident.” Emile was holding a computer tablet, as he was nearly always, and he tapped it a few times. “I have assigned you and Keeley two slots beside Drake’s cars. This way.” Emile strode off, expecting them to follow, and of course, they did.

  “Very efficient,” Xavier commented without sarcasm.

  “Emile is. We like him exactly how he is. He is also completely nuts and OCD.”

  Emile cast Drake a dismissive, arrogant look. “And you are careless. Did I not see another scratch on your brand new Porsche?”

  Drake shrugged. “Father was looking in the window. Next thing you know, there’s claw marks all over the door. I think he got overexcited and tried to open the door with his claws. Can that be fixed?”

  “I have arranged it. Here are the car spots. These two, the Porsche and the disgusting old truck Drake refuses to let me dump, are allocated spots twelve and eleven. Yours will be beside the Porsche. I have taken out the number thirteen. Our clan does not acknowledge this number. It is a nightmare, I assure you, but not worth the fuss of arguing, so you are number fourteen and Keeley’s car, which I noticed has two dings and will have to be repaired, is fifteen.”

  Emile curled a lip at Keeley’s car. “I am stunned, Xavier.”

  So was Drake, in a good way. “Man, that is hot! I was expecting some little compact or a Smart car—which, I have to say, would have had an unfortunate accident—but this is a beauty! Keeley drives this?”

  “He does, and I refuse to get in it. I see you will enjoy his ‘need for speed,’ as he terms it, but I will cause you tremendous injury if you allow this speed to be too great and he is injured in any way.” Xavier’s light blue eyes turned glacial. “If there were a way for the car to have an accident, perhaps if your father would care to take a spin, I would be grateful.”

  “I’ll arrange it.” Emile made a note on his tablet.

  “No way. Our baby wants this car, he has it. And obviously you felt the same or it wouldn’t be Keeley’s car.”

  Xavier sighed. “I appear to have no willpower, at times, in saying no.”

  “I have excellent willpower. I’ll have the car dealt with.”

  “Emile.” Drake growled pleasantly. “This is my car—I mean, my mate’s car. He keeps it and I get to drive it whenever I want.”

  Xavier laughed. “You are dreaming, mate. Ah, a classic, excuse me.”

  “Let me open the Rolls up for you, Xavier, while Drake plays with your mate’s car.”

  Drake had a good time checking out the hotted-up Charger. He started it up, revved it a while, looked over the engine. He and Ryder were good with engines, old and modern. Then he climbed in and went through the entire car.

  He also found three guns, condoms, at least twenty thousand in cash, a gold Rolex, spare clothes, a few books, an iPad, and a few potions all tucked into spots no one would think to look—the roof lining, the carpet, the doors, the console, and the seats. Drake lined it all up in front of the Charger, and when he got underneath, he found fake passports and driver’s licenses. He added those to the pile.

  Xavier just looked at it, hands turning to talons, fangs extending. Emile made a note in his tablet. Not much fazed Emile, unless someone was stupid enough to move something of his.

  “So. What’s this about?” Drake asked, his hands on his hips.

  If Xavier had been a cat, his tail would have been twitching in agitation. Instead, those eyes just turned lethal.

  “As I mentioned, my mate has his own ideas. Recently, he has been difficult.”

  “I am arranging to have our armory security doubled. Is your mate proficient with guns?”

  Damn, it pissed Drake off that he knew practically nothing about Keeley. And all this showed he needed to get up to date really damn quickly. What the hell was all this?

  “Oh, calm down, mate.” Xavier nudged a gun, studying it. “One of my coven’s that went missing a few months ago.” He inspected the next. “Mine. And this one has the serial number filed off. Did you find bullets?”

  “Huh, no. Might have missed them. I’ll take the car apart, anyway. Who knows what else I’ll find? Xavier, what is going on?”

  “I told you—”

  “You’ve told me shit,” Drake snapped. “Fake passports and licenses, a stash of money, extra clothes, weapons. Who is Keeley and why does he have a getaway pile?”

  Xavier crouched and picked up the Rolex. “I wondered where this had gone. I gave it to him for his last birthday. He said he’d lost it.

  My mate feels the need to protect himself. If trouble comes, he wants to be able to run and h
ave the means to do so. You may think this is…strange, a secret or whatever else, but it is Keeley’s need to know that. if his world turns nasty, he can get out. I will not share our mate’s past with you in front of your brother.”

  Drake gave a sharp nod, mildly pissed but respecting his mate’s feelings. He was going to find out everything, and soon.

  “A question,” Emile interrupted the quiet tension. “Does Keeley know how to use a weapon?”

  Xavier chuckled. “No, he would end up shooting off his own toe, and guns make him nearly pass out. He does see them as protection, though I doubt there are actually any bullets. He would not wish to use a gun. It would be for show.”

  “Good to know. Next question. Is he a flight risk?”

  “Oh, yes, my Keeley would take that thing—” Xavier waved an elegant hand at Keeley’s Charger. “—and ram your compound gates if he gets upset or gets it into his head that he wishes to leave.”

  “I see. I will update the rules that your mate is not allowed in certain parts of the compound without an escort. It is good to see you, Xavier. Welcome to our family. If you will excuse me, I have a lot to catch up on.”

  “You also, Emile.”

  “Thanks, brother.”

  “Have this cleaned up, and get those guns out of here. They are a security risk. Also, those potions. Take them to the security room for analysis and destroy them if necessary,” Emile ordered before putting his phone to his ear and snapping out orders as he strode off.

  Xavier grinned. “I do feel Emile is in the correct position as head of assets and financials for your pride.”

  “Yep, he’s got everything covered. I’m curious. Has it been hard keeping Keeley with you?”

  “For me adjusting to Keeley in particular as a mate, or to his sometimes reluctance to see us as mates?”

  “Okay, both. I’m not surprised you want your mate. We’re creatures. Mates are everything to us and extremely precious, but yes, having Keeley is an adjustment,” Drake mused over that.

  He had wanted his mates since he was a young child and his father had told him all about what mates meant, how precious and needed they were. How that particular someone—or in his case, two particular creatures were meant just for him, and were part of his soul, and were in his heart.