Freedom in the Smokies (10 page)

“And you think you can beat him?”

“I know we can. There are three of us and one of him. His ass is toast.” He nibbled a line to her mouth and took her lips in a gentle kiss. “Sleep. We need our rest. We only have a few hours.”

God, the infuriating man could distract her. And she was so damn tired. Heavy. The new information seeped into her, but she needed time to truly process it. She needed rest. After the longest day of her life, her eyes felt heavy. She had no choice. She snuggled into the warmth of her mate and let sleep take her under.

Chapter Eight

Micah slept hard. When his eyes popped open several hours later, he smiled. He’d never been so relaxed in his life. His mate’s warm body remained nestled against him. He glanced at the window. It was still dark, but the slight purple tinge to the sky told him it was nearing dawn.

Trying not to disturb Kaitlyn, he wiggled his way out of bed. She moaned softly and snuggled under the covers.
God, she’s gorgeous
. He wanted nothing more than to stand there and watch her sleeping form until she awoke. His cock grew stiff as he stared at her under the blankets. Her naked, sexy body was under there.

With a quick shake of his head, he backed toward the bathroom. He needed a shower. As much as he’d rather slip into his mate’s wet sheath again, he knew she’d be sore. Her muscles were going to ache from the way he’d taken her last night.

Micah ducked into the bathroom and shut the door quietly. He didn’t bother with lights. He could see fine in the dark. He didn’t want the glare under the door to disturb Kaitlyn.

He flipped the handle of the shower to the left and waited for the water to warm. His cock bobbed in front of him as if to say, “What the fuck are you doing, man? Go take your woman again.”

Micah grabbed his length with one hand and stroked. There was no avoiding his need, but he didn’t have to wake his mate to get off. Steam filled the room and he stepped into the shower. Cold wasn’t going to cut it this morning. This was not the kind of hard-on a man could ignore or wish away.

Nope. He was mated now and images of the sexy goddess in his bed just feet away on the other side of the door filled his mind. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against the tile. Water sluiced over him, cascading down, warming his body and slicking his hand where he held his cock.

Micah flattened his free hand against the shower stall and hoped he could balance himself enough not to collapse. His other hand went to work on his dick. It wouldn’t take much. With a tight grip, he squeezed the base and groaned into the wall. He visualized Kaitlyn’s face as he stroked toward the tip and over the head. A perfect picture formed of his mate’s chin tipped back, her mouth hanging open, and her eyes squeezed shut as she neared completion. The pink flush of her cheeks made him stroke faster. The
O
she formed with her lips right before she orgasmed made his body quake. Her tousled hair haphazardly spread across his pillow while she rolled her head back and forth in ecstasy pushed him over the edge.

With a few quick tight strokes, he came, pinching his lips together to avoid screaming her name and disturbing her, the rest of the house and the animals outside.

His orgasm was hard and long. His muscles went limp and he fought to remain standing. When finally the last of his come had exited his body, he slumped against the wall. Deep breaths. He gave himself several seconds and then he stood and reached for the shampoo. His dick was still hard. It would have to wait until later when Kaitlyn had a chance to recover and rest.

Right now, he needed to get cleaned up, toss on some clothes and head for the family room to meet with his brothers. He knew they were both up and plotting. He didn’t even bother to connect with them mentally. He’d get caught up on the conversation soon enough.

With as much haste as possible, Micah snuck from his bedroom and headed down the hall before he could even gather all his thoughts.

What the hell was McKinney up to now?

“Hey.” Jaxon looked up from his steaming cup of coffee. He sat at a stool, leaning his elbows on the tall island counter in the kitchen area.

“Nice of you to join us,” Sergius teased. He chuckled, but his eyes remained serious, his brow furrowed. He handed Micah a mug as both men took a seat with Jaxon.

“Fuck you both,” Micah muttered, not keeping the grin from spreading across his face.

“Welcome to the world of the mated.” Sergius glanced at Jaxon. “Now you can stop harassing us about being whipped.” The jerk had the audacity to chuckle again. “Let’s try to figure some things out before your woman wakes up.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure she’s gonna need a day off, so we’re good. Thanks for the concern though.” Micah glared at both men.

Sergius and Jaxon stared at him for a moment and then smirked.

Jaxon drawled, “Oh, dude, that’s so…rich. You have no idea what you’re up against.” He shook his head.

“Can you two leave it alone for a while? We have important shit to deal with.”

Sergius nodded. “Yes. Definitely. You’re right.”

“Good,” Micah began. “First, let me tell you that a man is coming this morning to see Kaitlyn. Her grandmother died yesterday. I assume he’s coming to discuss the estate with her.”

“What man? A lawyer?” Sergius asked.

“No. His name is George. He’s the foreman on the farm she grew up on in California. He seems to be a sort of father figure to her.” Micah didn’t elaborate more than that for now.

“Wow, that sucks. Is she very upset?” Jaxon asked.

Micah shook his head. “Not really, no. She didn’t like her grandmother. That’s why she moved here in the first place. Her childhood wasn’t pleasant and she’s more concerned with the repercussions from her grandmother’s death than the actual dying. We’ll know more when George gets here.”

All three men took a moment to sip some coffee before Sergius changed the subject. “Okay, we’ll bring you up to speed before he gets here.”

Micah lifted his head. “Did I miss something?”

“Several somethings, actually. Don’t forget, we’re dealing with a vampire. He has a tendency to accomplish more during the night.” Jaxon sat back and visibly shivered.

“The sheriff called about an hour ago. He’s heading out here in a while,” Sergius said. “He got several calls during the night about strange incidents of vandalism on various farms in the area.”

Micah flinched. If James Hardin was calling them before dawn, it had to be bad. They worked with the sheriff often, but Micah hated when the sheriff had to make an appearance because that damn bloodsucker was wreaking havoc.

Sergius continued. “It doesn’t sound like McKinney did any real damage, just rearranged things for people, about like he did here with the horses.”

“Why would he mess with others in town?”

“Because he can.” Jaxon snorted. “He’s playing with us.”

“We need help.” Micah looked each man in the face. “How are we going to protect three women if this asshole has growing powers?”

Sergius sighed. “I agree. Let’s work on a game plan to flush this fucker out and get rid of him.”

Keeton stood among the trees surrounding the Durhams’ farm and chuckled. The entire family was in a fluster. It made his heart soar.

The wolves and the humans were so…mortal. The way they had scrambled around in the dark, gathering the horses back into the barn, had been comical. With that kind of entertainment, who needed television?

In fact, Keeton had enjoyed the antics so much he couldn’t resist toying with a few other neighboring farms in the night. The power he felt controlling that many living beings so easily made his chest pump out.

Keeton sobered and righted himself, leaning against a tree. The fun and games were over. It was time to get serious.

His next move wouldn’t be quite so humorous, at least not for the humans or the wolves.

Nope. As fun as the last decade had been, Keeton was done with the hassle of putting up with the Durham brothers. Enough was enough. It was time to rid his mountains of their stench.

Chapter Nine

By the time Kaitlyn joined the rest of the family, the great room was a roar of noise as everyone spoke on top of each other to discuss what should be done next. Kaitlyn watched from the doorway for a moment. She couldn’t believe how her life had changed in such a short time.

A few days ago, she’d fled her family home in California with the intention of piecing her life back together in the Appalachians, her beloved childhood mountains. Now she was knee deep in a world she’d only ever experienced on the fringes. Shape shifters.

Not just living among them but mated to one. She glanced toward Micah as she entered the fray and smiled. Life was chaotic, but she wouldn’t trade it. This was her new world, and she intended to embrace it.

Micah approached her and pulled her into his embrace. “How’d you sleep?”

She leaned back to look up into his face and batted her eyes. “Strangest dreams about you and a little shower self-love. Do you know anything about that?”

His eyes grew large as a grin spread wide. “Me? Nope. No idea.”

She kissed his lips. “Riiight.”

The sound of car tires crunching over the gravel drive at the front of the house made her jump.

All six of them headed for the front porch.

When Kaitlyn spotted not only George but his right-hand man, Enrique, climbing out of the rental car, she smiled. She hadn’t expected her childhood friend to come also. Her adrenaline pumped through her, filling her with a warm feeling of
home
.

Micah squeezed her hand. “I assume the older gentleman is George, but who’s the Hispanic shifter?”

“That’s Enrique.” She tugged to free herself from her mate’s clutch, but he didn’t release her.

When she glanced up at his face, he had one eyebrow raised. “Care to elaborate?”

She glared at him and tore herself free. “George. Enrique,” she yelled. “It’s so good to see you both. You didn’t tell me you were bringing anyone with you, George.” She pulled him in for a hug when he reached the top of the stairs. She did the same to Enrique.

Micah grumbled inside her head about letting go of the Mexican guy, but she chose to ignore him. Enrique had been her closest friend when she’d been small. He’d come to live on the farm with his parents and was only a few years older than her. He had a great deal more experience with horses than she’d had at ten, and he’d taught her a lot about riding.

They’d never been romantically involved, but she had no intention of pointing that out to Micah right now. Watching him fume with jealousy was far too interesting to break the spell. Or was he a little angry? He was going to have to get over himself fast. She wasn’t the type to let anyone boss her around.

Kaitlyn turned toward her new family and introduced the most important people in her life. “George, Enrique, meet my new family.” She didn’t stutter over the word
family
. No sense denying it. These were her people now.

She watched Micah squeeze his hands into fists while she let both her men wrap an arm around her from each side as they approached the house.

Sergius spoke first when they all entered the great room. “Welcome. Both of you. We have so many questions, but first, we’ll leave you to speak with Kaitlyn. I understand this is a difficult time and you have a lot to discuss.” Sergius nodded toward the living space and hustled everyone out the front door. She imagined they would head for the barn. There was work to be done there. Work she herself had come here to do.

Silence descended when the front door clicked shut, and Kaitlyn turned to find three men seating themselves on the plush chairs and couches. She shook her head. Of course Micah wouldn’t leave her side.

Enrique spoke first. He glanced from Micah to Kaitlyn as she crossed the room. “You’re mated.” He’d always been blunt.

“We are.” Micah was equally blunt. Did he intend to have some sort of standoff with her oldest friend? That would be comical, considering the lack of threat Enrique posed.

“Kaity? Is this true?” George asked.

She nodded. “It is.”

“But you just got here. How…?”

Enrique sat to George’s left. He chuckled and punched the older man playfully in the arm. “Really, George. Have my people taught you nothing over the years?”

“Well…” George stammered. “This is Kaity. It’s a shock, is all.” His hands shook and he gripped his knees to steady himself. “Are you okay, hon?”

Kaitlyn smiled. “Perfect.” She took the space next to Micah, who nearly pulled her forcibly down along his side. His rude behavior was growing annoying.
“Play nice. Don’t make me have to hurt you later. These people are family. Wipe that stern look off your face.”

“Somebody mastered the art of telepathy quickly,”
he mumbled into her head.

“Yeah, well, somebody is going to master the art of kicking your ass if you say anything to embarrass me right now.”

She turned to look at George and Enrique. “So, why on earth did you two come all the way out here? Don’t get me wrong—it’s so good to see you—but you told me what I needed to know on the phone.” She leaned her elbows on her knees while Micah rubbed her back.