Drantos (VLG Series Book 1) (40 page)

Drantos watched her stalk away before he turned. He saw the reason she’d left. Red approached. His cousin and Yonda had never gotten along well. She’d wanted to test a mating but Red had refused.

Red closed the distance between them. “What are you doing talking to her? Your mate wouldn’t like it.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

Red sighed. “Fine. I talked to Kraven. He called.”

“How are he and Bat?”

“Safe so far. He kept it short. His message was that he plans to talk to the doctor. He said you’d know who that is and where he went. He didn’t want to say over the phone.”

Drantos nodded. “It’s the one who treats Dusti. He’s in California.”

“For what? Your mate is ill?”

“Forget it. Did he say anything else?”

“He’d call afterward to share the details. I told him you’d gotten your mate back safely. He was relieved. He said he wouldn’t have to watch his balls anymore, whatever that meant.”

Drantos found that amusing. “The sister he’s with likes to threaten to remove his when she’s angry.”

Red growled. “Why would he put up with that?”

“You’ll understand one day when you find the right woman.”

“It must be something they learned being raised human.” He let his disgust show. “Why did you even test a mating with one?”

“I didn’t see this coming, Red. I was just curious how much of her mother’s blood she carried since I couldn’t pick it up by scent. She takes shots for anemia. It made me think she might have a need for blood.”

“And?”

“I was right.”

“I hope you didn’t tell your father about that. What if she’s unable to breed? He expects you to have children one day.”

“It’s not an issue.” He remembered what Aveoth had said about having Dusti drink from him when she was pregnant to have strong VampLycan babies. “I think their mother might have drank the human father’s blood during her pregnancy, and that made her children weaker when they were born. She must have known Decker would want to use her children, the way he had attempted to do to her. They’d have been of no use to him that way.”

“That’s insane. Who would want to purposely create weak offspring?”

“A desperate VampLycan living in a human world who probably figured she’d never be able to return to the clans. What is our rule when we go out into the human world?”

“Blend and fit in. Don’t do anything that will draw attention.”

“Exactly. I was once told that Decker forced one of the elder Lycans who survived the war to stay with him for the first ten years as an advisor when he took control of his clan. She was the Lycan midwife, so she didn’t stay behind to fight when the younger ones fled the Vampires.” His mind worked. “What if that Lycan had told Decker about sharing blood while a mate was pregnant? It’s possible that Antina could have been passed that information as well. Decker would have demanded all his children give him strong grandchildren.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Never mind.” Drantos looked up at the sky. “I can’t wait for my shift to end. I just want to go home to my mate.”

“Go.” Red waved him off. “I’ll cover for you.”

“Thank you.”

Drantos started to walk away.

“Hey!”

He stopped and glanced back. “What?”

“I want my jacket back.”

Drantos nodded and sprinted home. He found the front door unlocked and entered. The lights were on but Dusti wasn’t in the living room or kitchen. He sniffed the air and followed her scent through his bedroom and into the master bathroom. She was in the tub with her head tipped back along the rim, eyes closed.

“I’m home.”

Her eyes opened and she sat up. “You’re early.”

“I missed you.” He opened the link between them and a wave of sadness swept through him. He crossed the room and crouched next to the tub. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“I want to fit in but I don’t ever see it happening.”

“It will. Give it time.”

“Your mother thinks I should have a baby but I want us to get to know each other better first. No marriage should start off with a baby. We have enough stress without adding in sleepless nights and changing diapers.”

“I agree.” He caught her word. “Do you want me to marry you? I know that’s important to humans.”

She lifted one of her hands from the water, staring at it. “A band would be nice but I honestly don’t want the whole ceremony thing.” Her gaze met his. “Or maybe we can buy matching necklaces. Just something we both have that shows we’re a couple. I noticed none of your mated couples wear rings. You could hide a necklace under your shirt.”

He didn’t want to remind her at that moment that he shifted into another form, and how jewelry wasn’t a good idea to wear during the change. “We’ll smell the same as we keep strengthening our bond.”

She looked away and tried to lower her hand. He snagged it and curled his fingers around hers. “I’ll get us rings.” He could just remove his when he was on patrol, then put it back on when he came home. That way he wouldn’t lose it when he shifted forms.

She smiled and stared into his eyes again. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. You’re giving up a lot to live in my world. I can compromise, Dusti. Your happiness is important to me. How did it go with my mother?”

“She tried to be nice. She got an A for effort. We’re just really different.”

“Did you talk to anyone else?” He wondered if she’d tell him about her other visitor.

“Yonda stopped by.”

He clenched his jaw at her unhappy tone. “It won’t happen again.”

“I thought she’d come to kick my ass at first but she was just mildly insulting. I will never be a fan of hers but it was okay. She wanted to give me pointers.”

“I just hate that it’s so difficult for you.”

“It’s not too easy living in my world either. You’d stick out like a sore thumb.”

“I’ve been in your world before. I made sure I fit in.”

She grinned, her mood lightening. “Baby, you stand out. Trust me.”

“How so?”

Her gaze lowered and he felt arousal came through their bond. “You’re hot, tall, sexy…they’d have to be blind not to see you.”

He stood and grabbed a towel, holding it out for her. “Come out of there.”

She rose and he admitted enjoying the sight of her naked and wet. Her nipples pebbled from the cooler air. He wrapped the towel around her and lifted her right out of the tub, carrying her to the counter and gently depositing her there. He spread his legs and leaned in, putting his lips close to hers. He wanted to kiss her but resisted. She needed more than sex at that moment.

“I love you. That’s the most important thing of all. We’re together. Don’t let bullshit clan politics get to you, Dusti. I don’t give a damn what anyone says or thinks. I won’t have you unhappy. I own some land that borders the territory. We can move out there before the winter sets in if you want space from my people. I can’t imagine anything better than spending months snowed in with you. We’d be alone in our cozy cabin. It’s not this big but I think you’ll like it.”

She smiled. “Wouldn’t we get bored?”

He shook his head. “We’d keep each other occupied. Open up to me. Let your inner guard down.”

She did. He felt it instantly, as if she’d opened a window and her emotions and thoughts breezed through him. She wanted to touch him, kiss him, but was holding back.

“I want you too, sweetheart.” He stopped fighting his urges and took possession of her mouth. Passion exploded inside both of them. He groaned and reached down, shoving the towel out of his way so he could play with her pussy. She spread her thighs wider apart, hooking them around his hips.

She was already getting wet from the sexual tension between them so he used his thumb to rub upward, using the pad of it to tease her clit. The little bud hardened as he stroked it up and down. Her moans urged him on but mostly it was the needy thoughts he could pick up. She wanted him inside her. His dick stiffened painfully.

I want you, Drantos.

Easy, sweetheart. I want you to come for me first. That’s it. You’re getting so wet and hot for me. Don’t tense up.

I can’t help it. I need!

He could feel how close she was to coming. Broken moans tore from her parted lips and he clenched his teeth, shutting down their link since he knew he’d end up coming in his pants if he didn’t. He applied a little more pressure against her clit, strumming it faster. Her inner thighs squeezed his hips, her breathing turning choppy and harsh. He loved the way her fingers clawed at him where she clung.

She threw her face forward and her body shook. He glanced down to see where the towel had fallen, loving the sight of her nipples beading as she climaxed. They were tight little pebbles he wanted to suck on and nip with his teeth.

He eased his thumb away from her pussy and reached down to open his pants. The next hours he’d spend fucking her were going to be heaven. He opened his mind to her again, sending flashes of images of the things he wanted to do. He said them as well, just in case their bond wasn’t strong enough yet for her to get those visions.

I’m going to bend you over in front of me and fuck you until we both collapse, then I’m going to keep going until we can’t move. You want me, sweetheart? You’re going to have me. I can’t wait to—

“Drantos!”

He snarled, enraged at the interruption. Dusti’s irritation was felt inside him too, or it was possible she was mirroring his. She released him with her legs and he eased her off the counter. He kept hold of her for a few seconds since her legs seemed shaky.

“I’ll be right back. That was my father bellowing.”

“I know. I’m so sick of them walking into the house.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll get rid of him. Meet me in the bedroom.” He stormed out of the bathroom, through the bedroom, but took a moment to close the door. His father waited in the living room. “What?”

“You’re supposed to be on patrol.”

“I was. Red relieved me. My post is covered.”

His father glanced down and inhaled. “Sorry.”

“Whatever it is, it can wait. Now is not a good time.”

“We have trouble. I just got a call from Decker’s clan. He and a few of his enforcers returned to their village. They kicked in the door of someone’s home and stole a young child.”

His passion cooled quickly, replaced by anger. Only Decker would use a child. It was a cowardly thing to do. He had no damn honor. “This shouldn’t surprise me anymore but a child is low even for him.”

His father glanced toward the hallway, then back at him. “Get your mate. This involves her family.”

Drantos spun and found Dusti in their bedroom, putting on one of his t-shirts. “You need to come out. My father wants to speak to both of us. Decker has kidnapped a child.”

She appeared shocked. “
What?
Why?”

“I’m not certain. That’s probably what my father wants to discuss.”

“Give me a minute.” She rifled through a drawer in his dresser.

He opened the one that contained his sweatpants, secretly pleased that she preferred to cover herself in his scent, and then helped her by crouching and rolling the bottoms of them. They were far too long for her shorter legs. He straightened and held out his hand, leading her into the living room.

“What has my asshole grandfather done now?”

Drantos saw his father’s eyes widen slightly at her question. It amused him. His mate was direct and to the point. He put his arm around her to keep her close.

“Lake’s niece was kidnapped by Decker. His sister mated to a member of Decker’s clan and lives there. He told her to contact us. He’s willing to trade the little girl for Batina and has threatened to kill the child if we don’t make the exchange. He left a phone number for us to call, so I did. He obviously believes his enforcer really had grabbed Batina at the ambush, and he thinks Kraven took Dusti away, in an attempt to fool him. He’s also aware that Lord Aveoth is hunting for him but he clearly thinks that’ll change after Aveoth gets a whiff of Batina. As if scenting her blood will appease the GarLycan leader.” Velder snarled. “It won’t. I talked to him too.”

Drantos clenched one of his fists. He wanted to kill Decker. “What did Aveoth say?”

“He was with his clan handling some internal matter, but he’s taking to the air to search for the child and Decker with some of his enforcers. He ordered us to stay out of it.” His father looked and sounded frustrated.

“Where’s Lake?” Drantos wouldn’t be surprised if he’d left to go track the child.

“I told him to wait outside. He’s beside himself with worry. The child is barely a toddler. She’s defenseless. Damn Decker. Lake’s sister said he and a group of his strongest enforcers disappeared after they attacked us on the road yesterday. Then they just showed up and took her child half an hour ago. She also said some of her clan were outraged and left to try to retrieve her daughter, but Decker has a head start. He knocked her out but she wasn’t down for long. Her mate wasn’t there at the time or they probably would have killed him. I’ve notified everyone to be on high alert in case that son of a bitch tries to come in here himself and take who he thinks is Batina.”