by Leilani Love
After a few minutes of chit-chat, Hope looked up to see Eva sitting with Eryk on the couch. Hope had always seen Eva as the social butterfly, a bright, happy young woman, and she was surprised when, for a moment, she detected an air of sadness. When Eva looked up at her she blushed a bit before giving her a big bright smile. Hope almost believed she’d imagined that moment until she realized that for the first time, her big blue eyes didn’t look to be full of mischief. She wondered what it was that could have possibly made her happy friend so melancholy.
Violca had left the room and walked back in with a big smile on her face. “Dinner is done. I think you guys will love it. The cooks really outdid themselves.”
With that Chase joined her and everyone started walking out toward the door. Before she could hang back to walk with Eva, Warrick showed up at her side giving her a smile before offering her his arm. Lazzaro came up next to her and walked with them.
“Warrick, do you remember anything about the witches that helped keep you captive?” Lazzaro asked. Hope shook her head. Since finding those journals he had become obsessed with witches and gathering all the information he could. Black witches were very elusive.
Warrick shook his head, “They’d change how they look. I got the feeling that what I was seeing was a mask. There were times when I thought…”
Hope watched as he rubbed the back of his neck letting out a breath. “I don’t think this is appropriate to talk about right now,” she said giving Lazzaro a disapproving look that let him know she would not be okay with this conversation.
“You still get feisty when I mess with your new toys,” Lazzaro said with a grin on his face that made her blush. Warrick looked uncomfortable but she could see him relax when the subject was dropped.
The table was set beautifully. Hope had rarely seen the staff when she was here. Violca had enjoyed cooking and except for when she was exhausted from healing Warrick she had been the one cooking dinners. For the first time she saw several staff members lined up to serve them the first course.
There were two women who delivered the food to them, while men carried around the trays. Hope smiled. They were older dragons, with streaks of grey hair and smile lines around their lips. They were dressed in black suits, freshly pressed. The only people who looked more formal were Lazzaro and Viktor.
When everyone had a glass of wine, and the staff had stepped back from serving the soup, Lazzaro cleared his throat and stood. Hope looked up to see him smiling down at her. “I would like to propose a toast,” he said once he had everyone’s attention. “To our newly fated couple who have proven that who the Fates have destined to be together, no one can keep apart.”
13
Warrick raised his glass with everyone else, his eyes on Hope. A lovely shade of pink colored her cheeks as she looked up at Lazzaro giving him a bright smile before she looked across the table at Warrick. When she raised her glass to him, Warrick did the same, watching her as he took his own drink. When she lowered her glass, Warrick couldn’t help but notice a drop of wine still on her lips. The wine was good. Rich, with a unique flavor. He smiled to himself as he imagined licking her lower lip to capture that taste along with her on his tongue.
Hope must have been reading his mind because she looked down biting her lip as she pushed her hair back behind her ear. Lazzaro chuckled as he sat down and Warrick realized that apparently his thoughts weren’t as secret as he thought.
“Warrick, has there been any news yet on your brother’s movement?” Lazzaro asked once the servants removed their appetizers and started bringing out the next course.
“No, so far we haven’t been able to find a trace of him. Aithne put an alert on his accounts so we could find him but so far...” Warrick let his voice trail off.
Gabriel had disappeared without a trace ever since the night Damien had arrived and challenged him. With everything being electronic these days Aithne was completely puzzled. “He must have someone helping him. Have you questioned all the old guards?” Lazzaro asked.
Damien nodded answering for him, “Aithne and Eva both questioned them. From what she was able to read we couldn’t figure out who, if anyone, from the pack, was hiding him.”
Lazzaro looked down toward Aithne who was sitting on the right of Viktor at the head of the table. Next to her was Eva who looked up, blushing slightly. Warrick sent her a small smile trying to ease her discomfort.
“Eva is young you shouldn’t have her near wolves you think might betray you,” Lazzaro said. His voice rougher than before, Warrick noticed the way Lazzaro’s jaw had clenched and his hands looked like they might break the wine glass he was holding. But instead he set the glass on the table.
“We don’t let her near them when we question…” Warrick started to explain when Lazzaro leveled him with a glance. The angry look on his face revealed the hunter that Lazzaro kept locked away. His wolf picked up on Lazzaro’s challenge and he had to fight to keep control of his own animal instincts. The entire table had gone quiet and Hope cleared her throat distracting them both.
Warrick instantly relaxed when he saw the worried look on her face and he noticed that Lazzaro had visibly relaxed next to him.
“Sorry,” Lazzaro said quietly.
When Hope shot Warrick a look he sighed. “I’m sorry too.”
Hope smiled at Warrick shaking her head and he realized there was something about pleasing her that made him happy. He didn’t think telling her would be the best thing. Silent now, not sure what to say, he thanked the woman who put a new plate in front of him. The smell was delicious and he looked over to see that Lazzaro had the same meal but his steak was a lot rarer. When he cut into it he smiled up at Aithne. “Nice and rare, thank you my fiery queen.”
Aithne smirked. “I told the chef you wanted to hear it cry when you cut into it.”
Lazzaro laughed and the little bit of tension that was left from the skirmish earlier was gone. Warrick listened to the conversations around him. Damien and Hope both asked him questions but for the most part he kept silent. He had spent so much time alone with Gabriel that he often felt overwhelmed when he was in a group of people. While in the basement the sounds he heard were usually of his brother having sex or fighting with someone. His brother loved to torture him. The only reason he didn’t do those things in front of him was because he didn’t want it to get out that there was someone locked in the basement that looked just like him.
After dessert he noticed Lazzaro follow Violca down the hall with Chase. Hope must have noticed too because she put her hand on his arm and smiled at him while also leading Warrick down the hall.
“Violca is helping Lazzaro figure out how to break the daylight curse,” Hope said as they entered the living room. Scott left with Eryk right after dinner. Aithne and Eva were both talking together in the corner while Viktor and Damien poured themselves a scotch. When they saw him walk in Damien nodded and poured another glass.
“You guys are about to talk about boring stuff aren’t you?” Hope asked, giving her brother a grin.
“I never talk about boring stuff,” Damien replied.
Kassandra laughed as she walked into the room. “You shouldn’t lie to your sister.” She kissed him on the cheek and smiled. “You guys can talk about town stuff tomorrow. Tonight is just us celebrating how far everything’s come.”
Damien wrapped his arm around her and grinned. “True, tonight is about my baby sister finally getting her mate back, and the two of them together.”
Hope blushed as she looked up at him. Warrick wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. Every time they celebrated his return he only felt guilty about his brother Gabriel and everything that had happened. The death of both their parents, the last forty years of both packs trapped by his brother. Warrick had an endless supply of guilt too. His limp and the few scars were a constant reminder. Determined not to throw himself a pity party Warrick simply smiled when people brought it up.
After a bit Lazzaro finally entered the
room. Damien noticed how his eyes scanned the room before he finally walked over to Hope and Warrick who were sitting on the couch talking to Eva. She was telling them about a few of the kids who had joined the college. Eva had been nice enough to help them get started and even tutored them in a few subjects. The second the door opened, Eva quit talking and watched Lazzaro.
“Pardon my interruption I just wanted to tell you all goodnight,” Lazzaro said, smiling at Hope as she stood up. When he bent down to give her a hug Warrick noticed that he whispered something in her ear. Hope nodded and Warrick wondered what it was about.
Both he and Eva stood up. Warrick shook his hand and Lazzaro gave him a smile. “I’ll be talking to you soon.”
Lazzaro looked at Eva nodding before turning away. “Viktor, walk me out,” he said as he headed toward the door. He winked at Aithne before adding, “You too of course.”
Aithne rolled her eyes but let Viktor lead her out. Warrick chuckled as he looked to Hope. “Is he always like that.”
Hope looked to Eva and then the three of them walked out. “For the most part. He actually kept himself reigned in.”
Eva grinned as she sat down, “My sister told him he had to behave. When he was here for the wedding I kept waiting for Viktor and Chase to punch him for hitting on their mates.”
Hope laughed. “That sounds more like him.”
Warrick gave her a look and she shrugged. “Lazzaro has always loved pushing buttons. He says it keeps people on their toes. But he truly admires Violca and I think, despite his grumbling, he’s happy how things worked out between Aithne and Viktor.”
Eva looked over at the two and smiled. “Maybe the Fates used him to bring her into his life. A lot of good has come from that, including you two.”
Hope smiled as she looked at him. Warrick felt his chest tighten and he wished he could be the man she deserved.
“You two ready to go home?” Damien asked as he walked up to them.
Thanking Eva, they told her goodbye. Walking with Viktor and Chase to the door the girls said goodbye to Aithne and Violca giving them a moment to talk alone. Viktor and Chase walked the four of them to the door.
“So Lazzaro offered to help with the guards at night. He has a few trusted vampires he’d like to send over but I wasn’t sure how your people, or mine, would react. Mine are still getting used to having Lazzaro show up at night,” Viktor told him as they approached the front door.
“I agree. They’re extremely grateful for him saving us as children but they’re not sure about all vampires,” Damien said.
“I think it sounds like a good idea but we’d need to approach it carefully,” Warrick said putting his two cents in. He didn’t really care how uncomfortable they were, as long as Hope was safe. He mated with Hope and he knew firsthand his brother could be spiteful.
“Let’s meet up tomorrow for lunch and come up with some thoughts on how to use them to our advantage. I don’t want to spook anyone. Everyone is already on edge and I don’t want vampires in the backyard to be the tipping point,” Viktor said just before the women joined them.
Hope and Kassandra gave them both a look that said they both planned on being there. Before Aithne cleared her throat, “This sounds like it might need a woman’s touch. Why don’t we all meet up tomorrow for lunch.”
Viktor chuckled bowing his head to his wife, “We know better than to exclude any of you from these conversations.”
Damien laughed and when Kassandra gave him a look he shook his head, “Nice to see that I’m not the only one whose wife looks good wearing the pants.”
Aithne and Kassandra both laughed and Hope just grinned shaking her head. As they walked outside they said their final goodbyes to Viktor and Aithne, agreeing to meet up tomorrow. Warrick helped Hope in the back of the truck, closing the door once she’d put on her seatbelt.
On the drive back, Warrick listened to them speak about dinner, just commenting when something was directed at him. They picked up their car at Kassandra’s place and headed home together. “Did you enjoy your dinner?” Hope asked.
“It was good. The conversations were interesting. Lazzaro seems very interested in the witches,” Warrick said thinking about how protective Lazzaro was of Eva when he mentioned bringing her in for questioning, the wolves, and his interest in the black witches that had kept him tied up.
“He’s been interested in witches since he found the journals of one of his ancestors. He’d been tracking down books of spells ever since I can remember. He read them all and has been sending them to Violca,” Hope said with a shrug.
Warrick thought about how he hadn’t seen the sun in forty years and he could understand why Lazzaro was trying so hard to let his people back into the light. The day he woke up and felt the sun on his face…Warrick would never forget that feeling, nor take it for granted.
“Is he always so protective of them?” Warrick asked remembering that spark of anger while they were talking about Eva helping with interrogations tonight.
Hope shrugged her shoulders, quiet for a moment before finally replying, “When it comes to them he is pretty protective. They’re still just learning to use their magic. But I’ve never seen him act that way.”
Warrick nodded as they pulled up to the house. When they got out, Warrick opened the gate and put his hand on her lower back leading her up to the house. There was something amazing about coming home, knowing that he would be sleeping with her, holding her, claiming her as his.
Hope looked over her shoulder as they stepped into the house. A small blush on her cheeks and he knew she was thinking the same thing he was. “Are you ready to go to bed?”
He nodded and felt her slide her hand into his as she led him upstairs. He looked her over from the back as he followed her long hair down her back to the curve of her ass. Each step she took caused those muscles to flex and he bit back a moan. His eyes roamed farther down to her legs. She was built for him. The Fates had decided the moment she was born she was to be his. His to protect and to keep safe. So far he had failed miserably but now he had a second chance to keep her safe.
Once in the room Hope went to turn on the light and he stopped her hand. When she looked up at him, Warrick shook his head. Reaching up he carefully undid the clasp for the necklace he’d given her earlier. He put it on top of the dresser near the door as he gently guided her to the bed.
When she sat and he kneeled before her reaching down to undo the heels she’d worn to dinner. Warrick smiled as he noticed that the red nail polish on her toenails matched her fingernails. Unbuckling the clasp, he carefully removed her shoes, placing them nicely on the side of the bed. Warrick noticed how her feet were so much smaller than his as he slowly began to massage the bottom of one foot, working his hand up to her ankle before gently taking off the other.
Hope made a small sigh as his hand took care to rub her heel. Warrick looked up to see her watching him. Her eyes half closed, a small smile playing on her lips. “That feels wonderful.”
He smiled and reached out a hand to help her stand. “Your feet are cute,” he said as he undid her pants. He noticed how she opened her mouth to say something, but snapped it closed when his hand brushed her stomach to undo her zipper. With his hands on both sides of her hips he slowly rolled off her jeans, revealing her legs.
Warrick held up one leg to remove first one, then the other, from her pants. Next came her blouse. Warrick took it off carefully before tossing it to the side with her black jeans. Hope stood before him clad only in a black lace bra and a pair of panties that hinted at treasures yet to be unwrapped.
“Beautiful,” he whispered as he brushed her cheek with a finger.
Warrick watched transfixed as she closed her eyes before tilting her head, caressing his finger with her cheek. Her red lips parted just slightly. Warrick gave in to the temptation and dipped his head to kiss her. It was meant to be a soft kiss but when her tongue touched his, Warrick felt himself growl as his hand slid to the back of her neck angli
ng her face up for a long deep kiss.
Warrick felt Hope put her hand on his chest. Her fingers curling into his shirt as she held him tight and their tongues dueled. He swallowed her moan as her mouth parted more and her tongue slid deep into his mouth. She tasted of the wine from dinner. He sucked on her tongue as his free hand slid around her waist pulling her closer.
Hope’s hand began to move on his chest and he smiled against her lips when he realized she was pulling his shirt from his jeans. As she pulled his shirt up and over his head she broke the kiss and he watched as she tossed it somewhere behind him.
He watched as she bit her lip. Her fingers traveling down his chest until they reached the top of his pants. Hope looked up at him, her eyes meeting his before she slowly undid his belt. When she paused he looked at her and noticed how she bit her lower lip. Warrick cupped her cheeks holding her still as he brushed his lips back and forth against hers.
He heard her soft sigh as she leaned forward, her nipples pushing against his chest causing him to moan. “Warrick,” she said softly, causing him to pull back and look at her. “I can feel your uncertainty about me…with our connection.”
Warrick sighed feeling like a jerk for making her feel unsure about anything. “It’s not you Hope. The uncertainty comes from me,” he said taking a deep breath, “I just want to make sure you’re happy.”
Hope nodded and her fingers began to undo his jeans. The sound of the zipper was loud in the very quiet room. Warrick toed off his shoes and kicked them aside. “Did I seem like I was unhappy after what we did last night?”
Warrick closed his eyes as she slowly pulled down his jeans. He remembered last night, every vivid moment, including her crying out in pleasure. His cock was instantly hard and he shook his head. “No. Unhappy was the furthest from what you seemed.”
Hope smiled as she stepped closer to him. Both of them naked except for their underwear, leaving not much of a barrier. “I would like to think that I also pleased you last night.”
