A Mate for Kai (The Program Book 6) (6 page)

“She wasn’t in heat.” He ground out between his teeth.

“Was she at least on birth control?” Brant asked, looking bored.

Kai could recall how the female had said that her species very rarely went into heat. That they always knew when it was going to happen. “Yes,” he finally mumbled. It wasn’t like he could offer more than that.

“If we get slapped with a lawsuit so help me…it could turn nasty…” Brant stood up from the chair, a finger pointed in Kai’s direction. “What if she accuses you of rape? Did you think about that? Maybe she’s connected to one of these groups trying to taint our name. We have to always be on our guard and assume the worst.”

Kai shook his head. “She won’t do that. She is a good female. There is nothing to worry about. There won’t be any repercussions.”

“What the fuck happened to the SUV? Also, you said two days yet you were gone for three.” Zane crossed his arms over his chest. His voice was deadly calm.

Fuck! How did he explain this one? “I was involved in an accident.” Try and stick to the truth as much as possible. “I was exhausted after our…two-day session and I wasn’t paying attention, so I had a run in with a street pole.”

Zane frowned. “Those deep scratches were not from any street pole I’ve ever seen.” His brow was raised. His bullshit detector clearly on high alert.

“There was a tree next to the pole and a couple of bushes.” So thin it was laughable.

Zane sighed. The sound loaded with frustration. “I wish you would just tell us what fucking happened.”

Brant snorted, he was looking at Zane. “He met a human, fucked her from here until next Sunday and then wrapped his vehicle around a pole.” He shrugged. “I believe it. Fucking idiot.” As he said the last, his eyes turned to Kai. “I must say, I’m interested as to your whereabouts on the third night.”

“I checked into the local hotel so I could recover.” He didn’t elaborate, they could check.

“Were you hurt?” Zane was looking at the far wall.

Kai shook his head. “No, just exhausted.”

“You could’ve called.” Zane’s voice was barely audible. “Well…” He seemed to have calmed down. His arms were relaxed at his sides. The tension had eased out of him. “I hope it was worth it. You are off
The Program
. There will be no human mate for you.”

It was strange. He had been so thrilled to be a part of
The Program
. Beyond excited. Yet, the thought of being out didn’t bug him as much as he thought it would. He bowed his head slightly in a show of respect and acknowledgement. “I’m—” He had been about to apologize but Brant assumed it was to argue.

“Shut the fuck up,” his king snarled. “We need males that can follow directions. Human females are too fragile.”

“I
can
follow directions,” Kai said on reaction. Feeling like an idiot as soon as the words were out. His actions had shown otherwise. He chewed the inside of his cheek to keep himself from saying anything more.

“No, you can’t.” Zane shook his head. “You’re out. I can’t have you on my team either.”

“You’re kicking me out?” He knew for a fact that others had messed up. York had rutted a human. Gideon had done the same. He shook his head. “No… Please. It’s not fair…”

“I know what you’re thinking,” Brant chimed in. “You’re not the only male that has taken a human without permission, am I right?”

Kai nodded. “Yes.” Why him? He wouldn’t name names but they both knew who he was referring to.

“You’re the only male to have disappeared for days on end. We look like a bunch of idiots. As soon as we are done here I have to call the president of the United States, to inform him that one of my males couldn’t keep his cock inside his pants. We’ll look like a bunch of idiots. There are repercussions to this. Big fucking repercussions. Not just to you but to our whole damned species.” Brant’s eyes blazed.

Zane took a step forward. “You will receive 15 lashes and will spend the rest of the week in the dungeon.”

“I understand about
The Program
.” There was still no feeling of disappointment. For whatever reason, a human female didn’t seem as important anymore. “Whip me, humiliate me. Lock me away. I don’t care, but please, I worked so hard to make it onto your team. Please don’t strip me of that.” His hand shook. His throat felt thick. “Anything but that.”

Zane looked him deep in the eye. “You should’ve thought of that before. I’m not saying that you can never be an elite again but right now, no fucking way. You have a lot to prove to me and have a lot to make up for.” He shook his head. “I had big hopes for you and in many ways this has stung more because of that.” Then he walked away.

Kai took a step towards his retreating back but he knew instinctively there was nothing he could do or say.

Brant cleared his throat and Kai turned back around. “Do I need to call a couple of guards, or can you make your own way to the dungeon?”

Kai felt like he was ten years old. “I can do it myself.” He tried to keep the growl from his voice and failed.

“Zane was worried. He will get over himself. Take your lashes, do your time, work harder than you’ve ever worked and I’m sure he’ll take you back given time.” Brant fingered the end of his tie. “You’re lucky it’s not me…I would write you the fuck off.”

Kai nodded. “I hope you are right…about Zane.”

“I know the male.” Brant rolled his eyes. “I know him better than I ever thought fucking possible. Don’t ever repeat this, but he is soft on the inside. You disappointed him greatly. He took your actions personally, like you were slighting him.”

“That’s not the case.” Kai felt more frustrated than he’d ever felt before. He wished he could explain things. It was better this way, he’d given his word. He would stick it out. If he’d made the team once, he could do it again.

He walked out and headed down the stairs. Kai walked through the lobby. He ignored those around him. He’d never felt so unsettled. Then he opened a door that lead to another set of stairs. This time, they would take him to the bowels of the castle. The dungeon. Frustration ate at him. Just a few short days ago, his future had been before him, clearly mapped. Right now, he didn’t know where he was headed. He wasn’t even sure what he wanted.

Fuck.

Kai clasped the back of his neck. Maybe a few days of solitude was exactly what he needed. There was a driving force inside of him. He felt full to the brim of energy, only, he didn’t know what to do with it. Or what to make of it. Fuck! Why was this happening to him? Why had he met this female with amethyst eyes? Why was he so damned cut up over losing her? She wasn’t even his to begin with. She never would be.

In a moment of frustration and anger, he punched the wall. In the past, something like that had always hurt. He’d cracked a bone or two and had torn open his skin on the knuckles. The release had always felt good but he’d also felt stupid because he didn’t actually achieve anything. It was one of those heat of the moment things. Something to laugh at later.

This time, the wall exploded. They were underground alright because well, with a piece of the wall missing - it was reduced to rubble at his feet – he could see earth and lots of it. What the hell? Kai looked down at his fist. There was no sign of bruising or bleeding. The wall must have been old. He would need to request that the foundations of the castle be checked. He shook his head and continued down the stairs.

Blaze paced to her four post bed. He gripped one of the dark wood columns for a beat or two before pacing back. “I cannot even begin to believe you did this.” Her brother was so angry he struggled to talk. His hand shook. His whole body vibrated with his rage. “You care nothing for your people. You think nothing of me.”

“I’m sorry.” She tried to stand tall, to hold her head up high.

“Don’t lie to me. You’re not sorry.” He walked away from her and went to go and stand at the window. Although he looked like he was staring out at the view, she knew better. He was lost somewhere deep in his thoughts. She had known that he would be torn up but she hadn’t expected it to be this bad. Blaze was a plan B kind of guy. If things didn’t follow the chosen path he was quick to change course and forge ahead. She relied on his doing just that.

She took in a large breath, held it for a moment or two before slowly releasing it. “No, I’m not. I’m not sorry at all.” She shook her head and tried to touch his arm but he yanked it away. With a barely audible snarl, he spun and paced to the other side of the room.

“I’m pretty sure Thunder will already be receiving news of this. It’s a travesty.” His hands curled into fists which he used against the wall, in sharp punches. Their lair was built into the side of a mountain. The wall onto which Blaze beat, was hundreds of feet thick. Layer upon layer of volcanic rock. He may as well try and move the entire mountain. Still, Blaze raged on. Only once his hands were bloody and his breathing labored, did he stop. Males.

His beautiful emerald eyes were laced with red, they were narrow slits, showing his dragon was just below the surface. “I made promises. You were supposed to carry the future heir.” His voice broke and he sank to his knees before her. This is not what she had expected. The rage yes. This level of pain…definitely not. She grit her teeth to keep from crying.

“He will not be pure.” Her brother looked up at her, his green eyes were overly bright. He said it like it was the most despicable thing imaginable. An abomination instead of a child. Her child. Even though the little one would carry his blood as well. “He won’t be a true royal.”

“No, he won’t be pure but the baby will be mine…
our
family.” Ruby grit her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut for a second. When she opened them, his jaw had tightened.

Lord help her. “The male was not human.” She blurted before she could lose her nerve.

“What did you say?” He was on his feet in an instant. “Who then? A lesser? Some male that you deemed to love? Who is he? Why did I not know of this? You don’t scent of a dragon.” He frowned heavily. Once again Blaze took to pacing. Convinced that she’d rutted one of the lesser dragon shifters despite her scent. “It’s unacceptable. What the hell were you thinking? No, don’t answer that. You weren’t thinking were you? You and your dreams of love, of finding that special someone. How could you do this?”

“I didn’t rut with a lesser.” She swallowed thickly, trying hard to find the words.

“If not a lesser then who? One of the other kings? A prince perhaps?” Blaze narrowed his eyes. “I told you that you could pick one of the royals. Thunder was the preferred male but you could’ve pick any of them. Why would you go behind my back?” He looked excited at the prospect of the child having been sired by a dragon royal.

“It wasn’t one of the royals.” She cringed as she admitted it.

Blaze spun on his heel and was on her in an instant. His hands closed over her elbows, he gave her a yank. She jerked forward. It was the first time he’d ever put his hands on her in such a way. Although rough, he didn’t hurt her. His actions scared her a little though.

Blaze huffed out a deep breath and let go of her. “You need to talk and you need to do so now.” His nostrils flared. “Not a human, not a dragon shifter.” They flared again. “Fuck.” He spoke the words so softly. Under his breath. The males had picked up such human slang during their stag runs. “Please… I hope I don’t scent what I think I scent.” He was breathing deeply. His nostrils flared and red bled back into his irises.

“It was a vampire.” She stood tall.

Blaze roared. All hell broke loose as he shifted. Right there. In her bedroom. Deep beneath the ground. His claws scraped against the floor. His wings beat against the walls and ceiling. Furniture crashed. She smelled smoke, could feel heat. Blaze roared a second time, the sound of his fury radiated throughout the castle. Ruby crouched as far away from him as she could get, her hand on her belly.

Two months later…

The hallway stretched out ahead of them. There was a
T
junction at the end. Left to go back to his room and right to go to the bar.

The last thing he felt like doing was hooking up with anyone. The thing he needed the most, was to hook up with someone. Kai sighed. He was damned either way. “I think I’ll pass. Maybe next time.” The thought of a warm body. A random someone, did not appeal to him. It almost made him laugh out loud. That’s what she had been. The female. The one who had fucked him up.

“Stop being such a pussy and come with us.” Jenson rolled his eyes. “You’re still not over that human female, admit it.”

“It’s not that.”
It so was that
. Those amethyst eyes. That shy smile. If she had been human he would’ve sought her out a long time ago. Her long black hair, her cherry lips. It killed him that he didn’t even know her name. He didn’t know a single thing about her except that he wanted to know everything about her.

“It’s not healthy. It’s been too fucking long.” Jenson shook his head.

“Don’t you think I know that?” He snapped, a little more harshly than he intended. Kai locked his jaw for a few beats. “Fine.” He sighed. “One drink,” he growled.

Jenson gave him a hard slap to the back. “That’s more fucking like it. We will talk with a couple of the females. Have a few dances and then you’re getting laid.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Kai stuffed his hands into his pockets. He knew that Jenson, and some of the others, were only trying to help him but it was beginning to wear on his nerves. It was none of their business. Full fucking stop.

The only person who cut him any slack was Jordy. Thank fuck for his best friend.

“I need to get this out.” Jenson stopped walking.
What now?
The male took a deep breath, keeping his eyes tracked on the wall just ahead. “This needs to stop. It’s not healthy. Someone needs to get tough with you. To lay it on the line and it looks like that someone is me.”

“You already said that. I’m sick of hearing the same thing over and over again.” Kai tried to keep the growl from his voice and failed.

Jenson turned to face him. The male was frowning. “It’s only because we care. I’m not sure who this female was or what exactly it was that she did to you.” He shook his head. “It’s not right. You’ve been taking blood from your best friend. Your best fucking friend.”

Thankfully Kai’s hands were in his pockets just then or he would’ve beat on the other male. Punched the fuck out of his face. Thing was, Jenson was only trying to help him. It came from a good place. He couldn’t hurt the male for that. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t.

Kai clenched his teeth so hard that he was sure he heard a tooth crack. His breath sounded harsh to his own ears. His mouth pursed tight, his nose flared with each inhalation. “It’s not just the female. It’s everything.” It wasn’t much of an explanation but it was all he was giving.

“You made a mistake. A mother of a mistake! Big fucking deal.” Jenson paused. “You keep saying how upset you are to be off the Elite Team, yet you do nothing but sabotage yourself. Instead of fighting for your place back. How do you ever expect to get in by denying yourself? Blood and sex. They are basic vampire requirements. Get your head out of your ass. Look at yourself…” His gaze flashed down to Kai’s feet and back up again. “You’ve lost your edge.”

“I get plenty of blood. More than enough.” His voice shook with both anger and frustration. Everything Jenson said was correct. Spot fucking on. The problem was, Kai wasn’t ready to act on it yet. He wasn’t ready to banish the dragon shifter from his mind. To purge himself of her memories and the time they had together. He wasn’t ready to move on. It was that simple. The only problem was, he didn’t know what he needed to do. There was no finding her. No future for them even if he did. For now, he was in limbo. He hated every minute of it yet couldn’t seem to move forward.

“More than enough blood,” Jenson mumbled. “From your fucking friend.”

“Blood is blood.” Kai said, his voice sounded flat and emotionless. He didn’t feel like fighting.

“You need to rut. You are acting like a male that lost his mate. I know it is possible for us vampires to fall that quickly.” The male raised his brows. “Did you bond with her? Is she the one?”

Kai shook his head. “No.” He growled but not as a denial, rather as a way to shut the male up. Kai doubted the dragon shifter was his mate. Yet, he couldn’t help but feel that maybe she was. It was impossible to tell. Their attraction was so raw and so intense. He longed to see her again, to spend time with her so that he could explore whether or not there was something more there. Their coming together had been special. At least to him. By the look in her eye, and the sorrow that surrounded her, he was sure she had felt the same.

If only they could be given a chance to find out.
His mate
. It was a possibility.

“If you think there might even be the smallest of chances, then you need to go after her. You need to fight for her or you will never forgive yourself. I might be young, I’ve never been in love, but I’m still not an idiot. I know enough to be able to give you this advice.” Jenson ran a hand through his hair. “And if the female meant nothing, you need to stop this path of self-destruction. You need a new start.”

A new start. It did have a nice ring to it. Kai needed to try and forget her. He’d lost sight of his goals. The elite team.
The Program
. They were right there. He could have them back. Kai waited for the rush of excitement. It didn’t come.

He nodded. What Jenson said made sense. It was logical, only it didn’t fit.

“Drinking from your best friend. It’s not right. Even if Jordy is seriously fine. I can’t believe you haven’t…”

“Don’t,” Kai growled. “Jordan and I grew up together.”

Jenson groaned. “I would so go there. Those long legs wrapped around my—”

“Stop!” Kai choked out a laugh. “That’s one visual I don’t need. I said I’ll go with you already. You need to make a move on Jordan instead of talking about it. Maybe you are the pussy, not me.”

He widened his eyes. “One of these days I’m going to pluck up the courage. Just you wait.” Jenson chuckled, he gave Kai a shoulder knock. “One drink at the bar. Baby fucking steps, bro.”

Kai nodded and they picked up their pace, turning right at the end of the hallway.

The bar was busy. It was busy every night. It was a place for vampires to unwind and to hook up. Kai tried not to notice how, at least, a few heads turned in his direction. Even as an ex-elite, he still held appeal. Then again, he was a big, strong motherfucker. Where some of the human females had seemed a little weary of him, vampire females were greatly attracted to him.

Jenson ordered for them both and slid a tumbler his way. It was cold, the ice chinked as he picked it up.

“Whiskey,” Jenson announced unnecessarily. Kai could scent the alcohol masked behind the sweet, coppery blood. A vampire’s mixer of choice.

Kai nodded and took a deep drink. The whiskey burned in the back of his throat. He grimaced.

Three females approached. Kai swallowed thickly, taking another deep drink of his whiskey. He could do this. Jenson was right. He needed to move on.

“Finally decided to come out and play?” The tallest of the three females touched the side of his arm. She drew her full bottom lip in-between her teeth.

“Carmen,” Kai said.

She smiled seductively. “Long time no see.”

He nodded, finishing his drink.

“Too long.” She moved in a little closer. They had rutted in the past. They were compatible. After such a long dry spell, he should’ve been vibrating with need, yet there was nothing.

Sweet fuck all.

Damnit!

“Drink?” He tilted his glass in her direction.

The other two females laughed at something Jenson was saying but he kept his eyes on hers. Bright blue. They were beautiful, as was her waist length hair. She hadn’t so much as given him the time of day before he became an elite warrior. She was a prize and much sought after. Any minute now, his dick was going to take notice. It was going to happen, he just had to try harder. Kai allowed his gaze to travel across her body. Tall, with acres of soft skin, her breasts were like juicy plums. Sweet and ripe.
Nothing
. He felt like groaning in frustration.

She licked her full lips. “I would much rather get out of here, but if you insist.”

“Vodka or champagne?”

“You remembered.” She giggled and twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “Vodka, please.”

Kai turned to the bar and placed the order. A vodka for the female and another whiskey for him. Hers came in a tall glass.

“So, how have you been?” She smiled. The castle was huge. Four wings and five floors, as well as three levels of basement. Their territory spanned thousands of miles with numerous villages. It wasn’t nearly big enough. Especially the stone walls of the structure he was standing in. Everybody knew everybody’s business, almost as soon as they knew it themselves. Even if they didn’t have all the facts, rumors and half truths were the order of the day.

“I’m good.” His voice came out quiet, yet rough.

She sucked in a small breath. “I like you, Kai. I don’t normally spend time with a male unless he is an elite or at the very least, he needs to be a leader. But for old time’s sake, I’m willing to go to your room with you.”

She liked him. Like fuck. Carmen liked the fact that she would be seen as the female to break his dry spell. The female he couldn’t resist. He didn’t give a fuck about her motivation. He just wasn’t interested. Not at all.

Kai was just getting ready to tell her what she could go and do with herself when another female slipped between them. She hooked her arm around Kai. “There you are. I was wondering when you were going to show up.” Jordy threw him a sugar couldn’t melt in my mouth smile.

Kai couldn’t help but to chuckle.

“We’re dancing.” She narrowed her eyes on him. “Right now.”

He glanced back at Carmen, catching the ass-end of an eye roll.

Even though a fast, house track was playing, Jordy threw her arms around his neck, moving slowly to the upbeat tempo.

He mouthed thank you and grinned at her. Kai wasn’t sure what he would have done without this female. When his life had pretty much come crashing down around him, she’d been there for him every step of the way.

“Don’t mention it.” Jordan pulled him tighter. “I never liked her much anyway.” She whispered in his ear. She released him, ever so slightly, her hips still swaying to the beat. Her eyes closed for a few seconds, seeming to enjoy the music.

Kai had to laugh. Others might misinterpret this banter as jealousy on Jordy’s part. It couldn’t be further from the truth. They had been friends forever. It wasn’t like that between them. Not at all. Not that Jordy was unattractive or anything. Far fucking from it. He just didn’t see her in that way and she didn’t see him like that either. Their friendship worked. They were best buddies and it was as simple as that.

Jordy’s arms tightened around him once again. “I think we should rut,” she blurted. Her voice a mere whisper.

Kai froze. “Come again. I swear I’m going deaf.”

“You heard me.” Her dark chocolate eyes locked with his. Her face serious. “You can’t go on like this. Let me help you.”

He shook his head. “No fucking way.” Kai looked around them, not liking it that so many others could listen in on their conversation. “Let’s get out of here.”

Jordy nodded. He kept her hand linked in his. For once, it felt weird. He often held her hand like this in busy places or put his arm around her. The gesture suddenly felt intimate.

They didn’t talk, the whole way back to her room. He swallowed thickly as he crossed the threshold into her private space, closing the door behind them. Jordy turned to face him, she folded her arms. “Why won’t you tell me what happened? You need to speak about this. I don’t even know the first thing about those two days, but whatever it was, it’s eating you up inside. You’ve always told me everything.” A look of hurt crossed her face.

“I was with a female. Other than that, there’s nothing much to tell.” Kai took a step into her bedroom. “There really isn’t.” His answer was both the truth and a lie. It wasn’t like much had happened, yet it left him changed. It left him stuck. Limbo was not a fun place to be. How did he even begin to explain it? There were things about his time with the dragon shifter that he didn’t want anyone to know. He just wished for the hundredth time that he could move on.

Jordy shook her head. He could see that she was worried. “I overheard those things Jenson said to you earlier. He’s right. I’ll help you get over her.” She pulled her dress over her head. Standing before him in just a tiny thong. So this was where this whole thing had come from. It wasn’t just a coincidence. Jordy had overheard them earlier. As his best friend, she was worried about him. “Let me help you,” she repeated, softer this time.

“Jordy, no,” he growled.

“Listen to me.” She took a step towards him, and like the pussy he was he took a step back.