Inequities (13 page)

A few hours later Vivian and Russ collapsed on the bed.

“I’m ready for home.”

“Me too,
Vivi
.
Me too.”

“Do you think my mom will come around?”

“I think she’s already started to. And by the sounds of it, your dad was always okay with Greycen and everything.” Russ stroked her arm, offering comfort with his touch.

“Yeah.
I think he just went along with mom. I never really understood their relationship.” Vivian glanced up at him.

“You don’t have to. But you can tell your mom really loves your dad. Things will be okay. Do you want to say there for a bit when we drop them off?”

“No. I want to go home.” Vivian snuggled into his side.
Right where she was meant to be.

“Good. I’m worn out.” Russ kissed the top of her head. “I think we need a vacation.”

“Shut ourselves in your room for a week?” Vivian giggled.

Russ barked out a laugh.
“Our room.”
He pulled her on top of him.

Vivian grinned. How did he get so lucky? He shouldn’t have been such a stubborn ass. Think of all the time they could have enjoyed.

“I love you Vivian,” he whispered against her lips.

“I love you too, mate-mine.”

Their kiss was slow.
A meeting of lips and tongue with light caresses.
Russ poured all of his love into that moment. He was cementing their commitment in a shabby hotel in Greenland, but in his heart—he was in heaven.

If perfection had a time and place it would be in this room. Here and now.

Epilogue

“Now,
Vivi
.”
Russ backed up towards the bathroom, his arms outstretched to stop her.

“Don’t you ‘now,
Vivi
’ me!” Vivian had fire in her eyes.

Russ’ cock hardened. He wanted her.
Now.
He stopped and Vivian looked down, her eyes widened. Here would be good too. Vivian’s eyes twinkled. Russ grinned.

“Come here, baby.” He purred.

He thought for sure he’d be safe from her. It wasn’t his fault that one of the wolves had played a prank. Well—not totally his fault. She looked good wet. Her breast heaved under her white dress. Okay, maybe it was
all his
fault. But she was the one who came out of the room in a white sundress looking pretty as a picture. And it was Vivian who said a few days ago that she was immune to the childish games his pack played.

It was about time his pack had some downtime. Things had been too serious for way too long. Of course, they still hadn’t heard from the gang who travelled to Africa, but he was sending Peter and Grey off to find them.
Soon because those two were driving him nuts.
They needed to mate already, but Peter kept insisting he didn’t have a mate. Maybe some alone time would help them.

Russ’ first clue that something was up should have been the fact that Vivian had her hands behind her back. His second would have been her eyes. But he was cocky enough to think that was because she wanted to jump his bones.

Her breathing had slowed down, but that didn’t distract from her breast. Russ wanted to wrap his lips around her rosy nipples. His thoughts were interrupted when something slimy smacked him in the face.

“What the—”

Vivian giggled. “That’s what you get!”

“When did you have time—never mind.” Russ charged her, the green goo sliding down his face.

 
She tried to run, but there was nowhere to go. Russ tackled her. They both landed on the bed.

“You guys have too much time on your hands. Water balloons are
not
fun!” Vivian pouted.

“They are from where I’m sitting.” Russ leered at her.

“It’s
cold,
Russ.”

“Let me warm you up baby.” Russ rolled them over so she was on top of him and proceeded to remove her dress.

“How is taking
off
my clothes going to help?”
Vivian might have protested with her words, but she helped him strip her bare.

“If you have to ask—I’m doing
something
wrong.”

Russ nuzzled Vivian’s neck and she shivered. Goose bumps rose up over her body. He flipped them back over so he could press her into the bed.
Covering her in his warmth and maybe some of the slime.

“Gross, Russ. We should go shower.”

“You mean you don’t like the slime? Where the hell did you get it anyway?”

“Little Rosie told me I would need it and not to let you boys get away with anything. I totally agree with her. She took it from her brother’s room before they could use it on her.”

“I’m going to have to have a talk with her.” Russ growled playfully.

Vivian pushed on his chest and slid out from under him and dashed to the bathroom.

“Race you!” She said, half way there.

It had been a while since he had really had any fun. Now every day was a new adventure with his mate. He took his time and rested in the doorway.
Just watching her move.
They were supposed to shift tonight with the pack and go on a hunt. He couldn’t wait.
But now?
Now was the time for him to fuck his mate into exhaustion. He removed his clothes and set them aside.

The shower was big. He’d spared no expense when it was made. It had a bench off to the side that would be perfect for what he had in mind. He licked his lips in anticipation. Vivian stepped in and he followed.
Crowding her to the bench.

“Okay, okay.” She laughed and sat down.
The spray misting them both in its warmth.

Russ went to his knees in front of her and spread her legs draping them over his shoulder he nuzzled her thigh. Vivian’s hands rested on his hair, kneading his head. It almost distracted him, but not enough to make him stop.

He kissed his way to her pussy and buried his face. God she smelt so good. Vivian was already wet. Russ nipped at her clit and stroked her, entering her with a finger.
Then two.
She writhed on the bench.

“Russ. Russ.”

His name on her lips drove him mad. Russ loved the way it sounded. He sucked her clit and added a third finger. He wanted inside, but he would come too fast that way. He needed to slow down. Russ backed away, letting her legs drop.

“Please,” she begged.

Russ hugged her to him.
Her breast flat against his chest.
His lips captured hers in a savage kiss. That wasn’t going to help him slow down. Vivian tried to impale herself on his shaft, but he stood up. She gazed up at him with lust filled eyes. She was playing with her breast. She knew he liked it and she pinched her nipples. Tugging and pulling.

“
Vivi
. God.” He removed her hands so he could caress her breast. He bit at one nipple making her moan.

“Oh. Russ. Please. Please.
Inside me.”

Russ pulled her off the bench and sat down. Vivian understood right away what he wanted. He held his cock for her.
Letting her sink down on to him.
She groaned when he was fully inside her. Russ gripped the bench and thrust up.
Hard.
Again and again.
She had to hold onto his shoulders or risk being thrown off. He was like a stallion, making her ride him. His dick was encased in the best warmth on the planet. She was so tight.

“Not going to last,” he panted.

“Russ. Russ.” Vivian tossed her head back, bouncing for all she was worth. Up and down.
“Close.
So.
Close. Please.”

He knew just what she needed.
That little edge that would make her milk his cock.
Russ pressed her body tight to his, not giving her room for much movement. He continued to thrust inside her and nuzzle her neck. He let his canines elongate and bit her. Right in the spot he first used to claim her.

“Russ!” Vivian collapsed and he held her even tighter.

Jackrabbiting
again and again, his hips a blur, Vivian’s inner muscles brought him to climax. She reared back and bit him where his shoulder met his neck. He’d never come so hard in his life. His body shuddered.

He came down from his high with her murmuring in his ear. Nonsense words, but they soothed him.

They rested there a moment before Russ rinsed them off and got out. He filled the Jacuzzi tub that was also a part of his monstrosity of a bathroom. Once it was finished he picked Vivian up and settled her inside the warm water.

“A girl could get used to this,” Vivian sighed.

“I’d give you this every day if you wanted.” Russ sank down beside her.

“No way.
I’d become fat and lazy in no time.”

Russ laughed.

“Are you ready for tonight? It’s the first time you’ve shifted with everyone.” Russ pulled her onto his lap. She curled around him.

“I’m a little nervous, but everyone has been great. I’m sure I’ll be fine. I am worried though.
About
Ive
.
Grey hasn’t even heard from her and it isn’t like her.”

Vivian was tensing up. Russ couldn’t have that. He’d spent all that time getting her nice and lose. He rubbed a hand in small circles on her back.

“I’m sure we’ll hear from them soon. And you know that Grey and Peter are leaving for Africa tomorrow.”

“I know.” Vivian petted his chest, tangling her fingers in his hair. “But what if something went wrong? They had the Vessel with them—and what if Dmitri comes back?” She tugged on the curls and Russ winched.

“You
forget,
Zareb is strong and so is his mate, Joy. They are both with Djimon and
Ive
.”

“Yeah, but I don’t know them. Not like I know
Ive
. And she would do something stupid if it meant saving Djimon. She’s dreamt of him almost her whole life. She would tell me stories about her mate.”

“I’m glad you had
Ive
and Grey.”

“Me too.”
Vivian’s eyes were drifting closed.

“Time to get out.”
Russ stood and reached for a towel and made quick work of drying them both off.

He didn’t bother with robes or clothes. He carried Vivian into bed and put her under the covers.

“Sleep, my love.”
Russ kissed her temples.

“You too.”
Vivian patted the spot beside her.

He couldn’t deny her anything. He crawled into bed.

“Love you,” he whispered, thinking her asleep.

“Love you too.
Hey, Russ?”

“Yes,
Vivi
?”

“Are you happy?”

“Very. What brought that on?” Russ looked down at her.

“It’s just—when I first got here, things were in turmoil and I know you doubted yourself and your position here. I didn’t want to make that worse. And—I don’t think I do. I hope I make you stronger, but I wanted to make sure you were good in your skin. You know?”

Russ could not believe the beauty of his mate’s soul. He should have taken these doubts from her days ago.

“
Vivi
.”
He wrapped his arms around her, every part of them touching as he spoke directly into her ear. “You are my light.
My life.
The Ancients knew what they were doing when they bought you to me. I was feeling useless, but you helped me see that I am meant to be in charge. You did that. I love you with every fibre of my being. I am stronger with you by my side. And don’t you ever forget it.” Russ kissed her ear and eased away to look into her eyes.

Tears glistened, threatening to fall.

“Thank God. You’re my soul as well. The other half I didn’t even know was missing until I saw you in that room full of people. When we first met, you couldn’t’ take your eyes off me. I felt the bond then. I’m so happy you stopped being an idiot.”

“Hey!” Russ chuckled.

“Sorry, we were getting too mushy. It had to be stopped.” She kissed his chest.

This was the life. What he’d been meant for. To be Vivian’s mate.
The rest—just details.
Ones they could deal with later.

* * * *

The pack gathered on the back lawn. Thanks to Russ she felt relaxed and ready for a run. She smiled over at her mate and took his hand.

“Ready?” He asked.

“Yes.”

They undressed and put their clothes in a shed that was set up for the wolves to leave belongings in when they were shifted. It was something Russ had set up just this week. He’d told her he should have done it sooner when Bella first came around. She’d heard the story of her running naked into Max and the snit David had thrown when Bella had on one of Max’s shirts. So everyone had a couple of backups in place. Just in case.