Part 1: Mate's Lore (6 page)

“Do
you need to see your family?” Brant kept his arm firmly around her, his voice
was filled with concern. “I would never keep you from your loved ones.”

That
familiar feeling of emptiness returned like a slap across the face. “No,” she
said sounding a little too sharp so she added, “Well, I would need to visit my
aunt at some point but there’s no rush. There’s also my best friend, but also
no rush on that one either.”

“Are
you mated to another?” he asked in a low growl that had her panties turning wet
and her heart pounding with fear all at once.

“No.”

“What
is it then?”

“Tell
Brant, I’m sure he can help you.” She’d totally forgotten that the female
vampire was still with them. In some ways it felt weird that she was listening
to their private conversation, yet it also felt somehow natural.

“My
parents died when I was sixteen.”

Brant
made a growling noise. His eyes were angry. “I’m sorry you had such a thing
happen to you.” His hand stroked her arm. His eyes urged her to continue.

 “I
lived with my aunt until I was eighteen and have made it on my own ever since.
At twenty one I received a small inheritance. I used the money to buy a book
store. Every minute the store is closed I risk losing it. It hasn’t been doing
so well lately.”

“Leave
it with me. Don’t let it worry you.” His voice had the ability to calm her, yet
she pushed away at its comforting effect.

“You
don’t understand…the store is all I have—”

“Listen
to Brant. He will take care of it.” Stephany’s eyebrows were raised, her
beautiful blue eyes earnest.

“It’s
not just that. I didn’t ask for this. I’m still not sure about this whole
mating thing. I’m not ready to be a mother and I definitely don’t want to die.”
It all came gushing out. This was so the wrong place, but she couldn’t help it.
“Now you tell me I’m some sort of forbidden fruit to other vampires until we
seal the deal. It’s damned if I do and damned if I don’t.”

“Is
the thought of mating me so bad to you?”

Tanya
hated that sad look that clouded his face.

“It’s
not that.”

“Brant
would rather die than hurt you. The coven would prefer that you start having
heirs immediately, but it can wait…not too long, but it can wait.” Stephany
clasped her wrist.

“I
don’t think I can do it. Please just let me go home.”

“We
will mate, Tanya.” His voice was soft but the words were delivered with
determination. “I have given you a choice as to when it will happen, but there
is no choice as to whether or not it will happen. Am I clear?” He probably
didn’t realize that he had pulled her flush against his body. Her breasts
flattened against his chest. Her hands were on his broad shoulders.

She
nodded, not trusting her voice.

“I
will have you.” His eyes burned. Hungry. Hooded with desire.

“You
don’t have a choice.” Stephany’s voice seemed to make him snap out of it and he
released her, turning her so that her back was against him. “Your desire to
mate will grow with each passing day. You need Brant just as he needs you.
Trust that you are meant to be together. Don’t think on human terms. Humans
need time to court before they find their mates. It is unnecessary with
vampires. Brant would’ve known the moment he laid his senses on you.”  

“So
I really don’t have a choice?” The silly thing was, if Brant had approached her
in a club she would’ve been all over him like white on rice. Not like she was a
slut or anything, but heck Brant was just so utterly male…so yummy he had her
mouth watering for a taste.

“No
choice,” he whispered in her ear. His hot breath doing strange things to her
insides. Part of her hated the fact that he had that effect on her, while the
other part reveled in it.

“I
need you to take Tanya home safely. Xavier will accompany you,” Brant said to
Stephany.

Her
eyes narrowed. “You have such little faith in yourself. You were just a boy
dammit. When are you going to forgive yourself?”

“Leave
it alone. I know what I’m doing.”

Tanya
twisted her head to catch a look of Brant’s face. His eyes were narrowed at
Stephany. Whatever had gotten the female vamp so upset could not be good.

“I
highly doubt that. I don’t blame the human for her lack of faith in you.”
Stephany ran a hand through her hair.

Brant
released his hold on her. “I need to have a quick chat with Stephany.” He spoke
through clenched teeth, his eyes never leaving the vampire.

Before
she could argue or even pull in a breath, they were on the other side of the
bar in a heated argument. Stephany gestured wildly.

Another
much less welcome voice whispered into her ear. “He’s staying so that he can
drink from me.”

So
not letting her get to me.

“I
orgasm every time he sinks those perfect fangs into me,” Alexandra purred. “I
just can’t help it.”

“What
the hell is wrong with you?”

“Brant
was mine before you came along. He’ll always be mine.” Her eyes blazed. “You’re
nothing more than a pet to him. One he can fill with his young. A baby making
pet. Once he’s had you enough times, filled you with his seed, he’ll come
running back to this.” She cocked her hip and pushed out her perfect bite sized
breasts.

“I’m
about to become his mate which is more than you’ll ever be.” Tanya knew she
shouldn’t sink to this female’s level, but she couldn’t help herself.

Alexandra
put manicured nails onto her waist. Her eyes narrowed to hard slits. “Listen up
human.
” She spat the word like it tasted bad. “Have you looked in the
mirror lately?” She pulled a face and wriggled her pert nose in disgust. “You were
chosen because of your…build. Perfect for incubating heirs. Just look at those wide
hips and overly large mammary glands.”

Tanya
felt like sucking in her tummy even more than she already was, and unfortunately
she couldn’t help but to wrap her arms across her chest. Alexandra’s eyes
gleamed and a wide self-satisfied smile slowly took residence on her face.

“He
will drink from me and there is nothing you can do to stop it.”

Tanya
willed herself to drop her arms, to square her shoulders and to take a step
towards the vampire. “I will be his mate and bare his heirs, which is better
than being a blinged up sippy cup. All you are to Brant is a quick fast food
meal.”

Alexandra
made an incredulous sound and quick as a flash had closed the space between them,
hand raised.

“Touch
her and die.” Brant’s voice had ice filling her veins even though she knew the
animosity wasn’t directed at her. “You no longer work for me and have until the
end of the week to move out.”

“Brant,
I wouldn’t have struck her. She—”

“Was
simply stating the facts. You seem to have forgotten your place.”

“It
won’t happen again.” Her eyes were wide…pleading.

“You’re
right it won’t.” His warm hand clasped Tanya’s and they made for the exit.
Xavier and York flanked them. It wasn’t easy keeping up with his long strides.
She wobbled a few times on her stilettos. Brant wrapped his arm around her
waist and tucked her into the crook of his arm, practically carrying her.

The
moment they were in the back of his vehicle he turned his full attention on
her.

Chapter 5

The
SUV pulled away. Though Brant, who at first had seemed to have had a lot to say
to her, now looked out the opposite window. His body was a tense silhouette
against the back drop. Even with minimal light, she could see that his jaw was
locked. Ten minutes later, nothing had changed. She was beginning to get
seriously irritated at his continued silence. Especially since the whole
Alexandra thing had been his fault. Just as she was about to give mister tall,
dark and irritating a piece of her mind, he turned to face her.

“What
were you thinking provoking her like that?”

“She
provoked me first.”

“She’s
a vampire. Could’ve snapped you like a twig.” His jaw worked. “If I had lost
you.” He turned blazing eyes on her for a few seconds before looking out the
side window again. His back was set, every muscle tense.

“You
were going to drink from her again. That’s why you and Stephany were arguing.”

“I
don’t want to hurt you.”

“You
would’ve hurt me if you’d taken from her again. Don’t you see that?” She bit on
her lip for a few beats. “You won’t injure me.” Her voice came out sounding
timid. How would he ever believe her if she didn’t believe herself? “Did something
happen in your past to make you think that you would?”

“I
almost killed someone once.”

“A
human?”

“I
was young, stupid. I wanted to taste of —as you humans would call it—the
forbidden fruit. Surely the prince would be capable of maintaining control. I
was so arrogant,
damn
ed stupid.” He laughed without any
humor. “Well…I almost killed her. It took three of my friends to pull me off.”
He ran a hand through his hair.

“Look…you…me…this…”
She gestured between them. “It’s happening. Whether I like it or not. I didn’t
ask to be here. It would be best if you remembered that.” It was so difficult
to talk about this stuff. “If this is to work.” She shook her head not
believing what she was saying. “You really need to know that I don’t like
sharing. It’s really as simple as that. I refuse to share you.” She found that
she didn’t feel in the least bit guilty about that now that she had started to
accept the situation. Going forward though, it would be on her terms.

Brant’s
mouth pulled into a half smile before becoming serious. “Are you saying you
want me?” His voice had dropped a gazillion octaves. The vibration washed over
her like mulled wine.

Tanya
folded her arms. Brant dropped his gaze to her cleavage. His body tightened,
those long dark lashes practically fused as his lids hooded.

“Yes,”
she squirmed in her seat. “I do, but not while you’re drinking from Alexandra
or any other female for that matter. You drink from me and you will be having
sex with nobody but me. I refuse to continue on this crazy path otherwise.”

Tanya
hoped that he would agree. Aside from her store, there was nothing to go back
to. Becky could come and visit. She could think of worse things than becoming
the sexy vampire’s mate. She may have been a little off balance for a bit
there, who could blame her? But things were going to change. She was going to
have a big say in her own future. Brant would need to deal or she was gone. It
was as simple as that.

****

Brant
swallowed hard, lifting his dark eyes to meet hers. He was secretly thrilled
that she had staked her claim on him. At the same time, doing this her way
could end in her death. “We need to do this in stages. Alternating sex and
drinking frequently until I feel strong enough to handle both.” He had to work
to keep his voice even. Especially when his cock sprang to life at the thought
of tasting her, of sinking deep inside her, with both cock and fang. “Too much
too fast and—”

“Yeah,
yeah…I die. You had your friends help out before with the human, so why not
have them around again?”

A
low growl resonated from inside his chest. “I don’t share well either.”

“No,
silly. Your guards can be prepared to intervene. They don’t have to be in the
room with us.”

Xavier
coughed into his hand. His way of letting Brant know that he wasn’t game.
“Xavier is my brother. He would be honored to stand guard and assist if
necessary. It’s a great idea.” His brother eyeballed him in the rear view
mirror.

“Which
are we going to do first?” She pulled her lush bottom lip between her teeth.

“I
need to drink first. Being inside you would drive me crazy without the need for
blood to complicate things.”

“Oh.”
She took back her full bottom lip. Brant was sure she had no idea she was doing
it. It drove him wild. He pulled her onto his lap. Tanya gasped as she slid
into place.

“I
told you what would happen if you kept biting that lip.” Brant slanted his lips
over hers. Bursts of berries with a splash of vanilla accosted him. She tasted
better than she smelled and her scent was utter heaven. He knew that her blood
would be rapture. They both moaned as his tongue clashed with hers. He slid his
hands up the sides of her body dipping down until he clasped the globes of her
spectacular ass. He squeezed. Tanya whimpered. He ate up the sound as he
deepened the kiss. Brant would definitely need to drink before he took her.
Otherwise, all her lush feminine curves would make him lose his mind completely.
Particularly when coupled with her delicious scent.

The
vehicle came to a stop. Brant secured his arm around her and stepped out.
Gravel crunched under his boots as he stood. “Put your legs around me.”

Without
hesitating, she obliged locking her ankles behind his back.

“Hold
on.” Her fingers bit into him as he sped up. It didn’t take long to reach his
suite. Every second felt like an eternity though. Once there, he put her onto
wobbly legs and shut the door. Her hair was tousled, her lips plump from his
kisses. The dress she was wearing accentuated each and every lush curve.

Brant
ran his hand through his hair. Damn, now that he had her in his space, the
scent of her arousal thick and heady, he wasn’t sure he could keep a rein on
his bloodlust. The thought of Xavier just outside the door eased his fear
somewhat.

“Are
you having second thoughts?”

Brant
nodded. “It’s not because I don’t want you. You need to know that the opposite
is true.”

Tanya
narrowed her eyes at him. Her small human hands going to the swell of her hips.
“This happens or I’m leaving. When I say leaving I mean gone. Not just out the
door, but out of your life.”

He
believed her.  The thought of her leaving disturbed him.

Even
with this knowledge, the thought of hurting her, even worse, of killing her,
kept him from moving. Tanya pulled her dress over her head.

Heaven
help him.

Her
skin was milk with the barest hint of honey. Her breasts were much larger than
any vampire he had ever been with. So sexy, he licked his lips. Plump globes strained
against soft black, filmy material. The fabric wasn’t translucent enough for
him to be able to make out the contrast of her areola, but thin enough to be
able to see the outline of her nipples. Her thighs were made for wrapping
around a male’s hips. Her waist narrow in comparison. A tiny slip of the same
tantalizing fabric covered her sex.

His
cock swelled. His mouth watered. His fangs extended.

“Your
eyes are glowing.”

“Don’t
be afraid, it happens sometimes, like when we’re turned on or extra aggressive.”
He had to work to keep the growl from his voice.

“When
you say aggressive are you referring to a frenzied bloodlust?”

He
choked out a laugh, “In this case more like just plain lust.”

“Oh.”

“We
shouldn’t do this.” It was his last ditch effort to talk some sense into her.
Into both of them.

“We
are doing this, so suck it up.” She laughed at her own joke and his need for
her grew.

“Lie
on the bed.” He had to work to keep his cool. To keep from going at her and
taking her in every way possible. He fisted his hands at his sides. He would
retain control, even if it killed him.

“Okay.”
Timid. Unsure.

“You
don’t have to do this.”

Her
eyes turned defiant. “If I don’t, you’ll drink from…” She left the sentence
hanging.

“Another
female.”

“Yes.”
Her mouth thinned and her little hands clasped into fists.

Brant
had to suppress a smile. It felt good to know that she felt so strongly about
this. She already regarded him as hers. Once the mating took hold, she would be
much stronger and he would be able to take from her freely. Until then, they
would have to be very careful.

Tanya
spread herself out on his bed. She was the first female he had ever allowed in
his space. Her long dark hair cascaded over his pillow. Her skin even more
translucent on his black, silk sheets. Brant removed his shirt. It had nothing
to do with getting blood on his clothes, he wanted to feel her skin. He moved
to the first button on his jeans.
No, best he left those on. More of a
barrier.
He didn’t want to accidentally claim her in the heat of the
moment.

It
had been months since he’d last had sex, and the need to bury himself inside
this female,
his female,
hit him hard.

Brant
slid in next to her, the front of his body against the side of hers.

Tanya
was tense, her eyes wide. “Will it hurt?”

“No.”

“Are
you sure?” a breathy whisper. She was afraid but he could also scent her
excitement. Tanya had been a good choice. Not all humans could tolerate blood
drinking. His father had only been permitted to take blood from female
vampires. His mother did not allow him to drink from her vein.

Blood
drinking could be a sexual act enjoyed greatly by both parties. All vampires
drank during sex, it heightened the experience. His father had to have suffered
greatly to have been denied drinking from his mate.

“It
won’t hurt Cenwein. I promise.” He positioned his hand above her head and slid
the other across her stomach. Her breathing hitched.

Brant
leaned in, partially covering her body with his. Her nipples hardened against
his chest and her breathing turned choppy. He hovered over her neck savouring
her delicious scent. Strawberries with cream and a hint of vanilla. Brant
didn’t normally have much of a sweet tooth.

Yet
sweet had never smelled so damned good.

His
fangs extended further, almost beyond their normal reach and his gums burned.
Careful.
Easy.
Oh so gently, he kissed her soft skin. Felt her pulse against his
lips. She moaned. An exhilarating sound. She would make many more of such noises
if he had anything to do with it.

Brant
opened his mouth and almost on autopilot, his fangs extended piercing her
delicate skin.

Her
rich, sweet blood slowly trickled into his mouth. Drop by delicious drop. Brant
closed his eyes in pure ecstasy. It was his turn to moan.

Tasting
her was thrilling, it was also pure torture but only because he wanted so much
more. How in the hell was he supposed to stay in control when both his fangs
and his dick were inside her? As it was, he had a strenuous hold on his restraint.
Sweat beaded on his brow as he took a tentative pull. The tiny trickle became a
steady flow and her delicious blood filled his mouth. He moaned as he
swallowed.

****

At
first she’d meant to ask him what Cenwein meant. He had called her twice by the
name. Probably the vampire word for human.

All
reason left her as his mouth made contact with her neck though. His touch
scorched her. The heat moved through her body causing her nipples to tighten to
the point of pain. Moisture pooled at the juncture of her thighs.

There
was a small sting as his teeth broke her skin and then blinding pleasure as he
sucked. The pull tugged on her aching nipples. It caused her clit to throb. She
moaned. A strangled, animalistic sound. He eased the pull and she whimpered.
When Brant sucked again, she cried out. This time her hips bucked.

Every
nerve ending awoke. Every cell screamed for release. Next thing she knew, his
hand moved to the elastic at the top of her panties. He paused. She wriggled
needing his touch more than she’d ever needed anything before. Another cry was
torn from her as he sucked again. His hand didn’t move. He was waiting for her
permission. “Yes,” a strangled cry.

His
hand cupped her pussy and her hips jerked. Two fingers breached her opening
while a third stroked her throbbing clit. Brant took another pull at her neck,
simultaneously thrusting his fingers deep inside. Tanya screamed as an orgasm
took her. Waves of pleasure crashed through her. Her back bowed off the mattress
and she screamed again.

A
loud crash.