Primal Bonds (26 page)

Sean, my mate. Mate of my heart.

Shifter bodies were made to respond like this, needing to mate until they couldn’t walk. The Fae in her couldn’t eradicate the wanting. Or maybe it was Sean himself who brought out that need in her.

The thought opened her eyes, opened her body, and made her cry his name in climax. Sean came seconds later, his body slick with sweat, his eyes wide and dark blue. The sword sang its joy at their joining, the threads twining within her and with the mate bond. Andrea had no idea whether Sean heard it too, because before she could ask him, he kissed her deeply, pinned her hands above her head, and started loving her all over again.

“
T
hese pancakes are great, Sean.” Ronan put his big elbows on the table and shoveled in another mouthful. “Mmm, blueberry. My favorite.”

Sean, at the griddle, ladled batter in a careful circle, filling in the middle as the pancake sizzled. His eyes felt sandy, his temper just as gritty. His mating frenzy hadn’t let him sleep much nor had his worry for Andrea, though he was pleased that her nightmares hadn’t returned last night.

The shower running upstairs told him Andrea was awake ... and wet and soapy and naked. Why Sean was downstairs cooking breakfast for Ronan, he wasn’t sure.

“I know things are tough right now,” Ronan said around bites. “But it’ll work out.”

“Whist, aren’t you the confident one?” Sean said.

“And I know that when you start saying things like
whist
that you’re pissed off. I’m trying to help. Don’t take it out on me.”

“Sorry. Didn’t sleep well.”

“I know you didn’t. I heard all that crazy, banging makeup sex. You don’t exactly keep it down. Here’s my advice: Just let the mating frenzy take over completely, and you two won’t have time to argue. Or the energy.”

Sean had almost forgotten about what he and Andrea had been mad about last night. Oh, yeah, her at the bar. Ellison. Didn’t seem to matter as much today. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

The bathroom door slammed open upstairs, and Sean and Ronan fell silent, Ronan to eat, Sean to cook and fantasize about a wet and naked Andrea.

Andrea came down the stairs in a T-shirt and jeans, her damp hair tousled. “I smell pancakes.”

Ronan held up his last forkful. “Sean’s wicked good with them.”

Sean flipped the batch from the griddle onto a plate and put it on the counter. Andrea smelled good, far better than the pancakes, and the sight of her mussed hair shot his temperature high. Her black ringlets were thin corkscrews against her face and neck, and Sean wanted to burrow among them, licking her still wet skin.

“That’s yours,” he growled, pushing the plate at her.

Andrea took it with a nod and carried the plate to the table. Sean had already laid out butter and syrup, knives and forks, juice and coffee. He was at least good at feeding his bloody stubborn potential mate.

Andrea poured syrup over her pancakes and licked her finger. Sean froze as he watched her catch the sticky drop of syrup on her tongue. His throbbing erection, which had risen when he’d pictured her in the shower, tightened still further.

“That’s the solution, is it?” Andrea asked Ronan as she licked her lips. “Sean and I should have sex until we can’t remember why we’re mad at each other? Or anything else?”

Ronan grinned and swallowed his last mouthful. “Hey, it would work for me. You have good hearing, Lupinegirl.”

“I’m part Fae.” Andrea lifted a forkful of pancakes. “I have quite a few traits that are ... enhanced.”

Ronan burst out laughing as Andrea popped the bite into her mouth. “I get why you like her, Sean.”

Sean got why too. Her shirt was clinging to her, her gray eyes were on him, and sticky syrup lingered on her lips. What they’d done all through the night hadn’t sated him at all. Andrea swiped away a drop with her moist, red tongue, and Sean stifled a groan.

“Hey, who’s that?”

At Ronan’s tone, Sean came alert, forcing his attention from Andrea. A Shifter was cutting across the yard toward the house next door, one Sean had never seen before. He knew no one was home over there—Liam had taken Kim and Connor out for breakfast.

“Stay put,” Sean said to Andrea, and signaled Ronan to follow him out.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

S
ean watched from the shadows while the unknown Shifter walked up onto the Morrissey porch and peered through the living room window. Ronan waited next to Sean, folding his arms and looking formidable.

When the Shifter left the front door and moved to circle the house to the back, Sean vaulted over Andrea’s porch railing and landed in front of him.

“Can I help you, friend?” he asked.

The Shifter stopped with a growl, and Sean gave him an answering one.

The man was tall, hard-muscled, and dark-haired, Feline by the scent of him. He met Sean’s gaze with eyes of deep jade green. “Who are you?” the Shifter demanded.

“This is my territory,” Sean said, “so it’s me who gets to ask you.”

The Shifter turned, but Ronan had closed in behind him. Ronan showed all his teeth in a grin. “It’s not
my
territory,” he said. “But it’s a good question.”

The Shifter gave Ronan a steady stare, not intimidated in the slightest. He was obviously an alpha, and Ronan, despite his size and strength, was a bit lower in his bear clan.

Sean stepped between them before Ronan could weaken. Sean met the green gaze without flinching, two alphas facing off. Sean had the advantage of territory, and finally the unknown Shifter flicked his eyes away and gave him a nod.

“The name’s Eric Warden. I’ve come to see Dylan Morrissey.”

“I’m Sean Morrissey.” Sean didn’t offer information on Dylan’s whereabouts or what his relationship was to Dylan.

Eric’s gaze moved briefly to Sean’s Collar. “I’ve been in touch with Dylan for a few weeks now. He invited me here.”

If so, Dylan hadn’t informed Sean or Liam. “From?”

“Las Vegas. I’m Shiftertown leader there.”

Sean kept him pinned, but annoyance bit him. He wished Dylan had bothered to mention an impending visit from another Shiftertown leader. Humans forbade such visits without formal permission, fearing to give Shiftertown leaders any chance to conspire. Not that Shiftertown leaders paid much attention. They’d long ago decided that what humans didn’t know wouldn’t hurt Shifters.

“Where’s your backup?” Sean asked.

Eric shrugged and spread his hands. “I came without.”

“Insane, are you?”

“Probably.”

“Ask him what he wants to see Dylan about.” The voice was Andrea’s, and it came from the porch. She looked down at Eric, unafraid, the naked sword of the Guardian in her hands.

Eric’s brows shot up in surprise. “Easy, girl.”

Sean’s outrage battled with laughter, and Sean settled for humor. Here he was, facing an alpha as powerful as himself or Liam, and his sweet little mate-to-be had charged out to protect him.

“She’s a little headstrong,” Sean said with a smile. “Don’t provoke her.”

“Your father told me that
you
were the Guardian,” Eric said.

“I am. She just likes handling my sword.”

That got him. Eric tried to keep his expression stern, but his lips twitched. Behind him, Ronan gave up and burst out laughing.

“Very funny, Sean,” Andrea said. “You still haven’t asked what he’s doing here.”

“My business is with Dylan.” Eric’s quick recovery told Sean he wasn’t about to discuss it with anyone but Dylan.

Sean gestured to the Morrissey house. “Come in, and I’ll see if I can round up Dad and my brother.”

He led Eric to the front door, but as soon as they stepped inside, Andrea was there, following them in, the sword resting on her shoulder.

“Andy-love ...”

“If you think I’m letting you walk in here, alone, with an unknown Feline, you’re crazy.”

Sean gave up. “Andrea stays. Ronan, do you mind standing guard outside?”

“Hey, you make me another mountain of pancakes, and I’ll do anything for you, Sean.” He grinned at Eric. “Sometimes he puts mini chocolate chips in them. Culinary genius.” He gave them a casual salute and left, closing the front door behind him.

Sean led Eric and Andrea to the kitchen, where the table was littered with notebooks and textbooks Connor had left behind. Andrea pushed them neatly to one side, laid the naked sword on the tabletop, and sat down. “Why don’t you make us some coffee, Sean?”

That won her another irritated look, and Eric said quickly, “I don’t need coffee.”

“I’d love a cup,” Andrea said, smiling at Sean.

Sean sat down. “You know where it is.”

Andrea remained seated. “So, are you going to tell us why you traveled all the way from Nevada to visit, Eric Warden? Especially one as high-up as you?”

Eric looked uncomfortable, also a little confused about Andrea’s role here. He’d have scented by now that she was half Fae and understand that she wasn’t an alpha female, but not why she didn’t defer to Sean or to him. Not that Andrea was going to bother to explain. This Eric might be telling the truth about his appointment with Dylan, but then again, he might be on Callum’s side. He might have other Shifters lying in wait for a chance to snatch the sword. Someone in this needed to be smart.

“I think I should wait for Dylan,” Eric said.

“How’s Callum?” Andrea asked.

Eric looked blank. “Who’s Callum?”

Sean said nothing, only sat back and watched.

“Handy that you’ve come to talk to a Shifter who hasn’t been around much lately,” Andrea said.

“I can’t help that. Dylan arranged to meet me here. We left the time vague—I didn’t know when I could get here to the minute.”

“How
did
you get here?” Andrea asked. “Hitchhike?”

“I have my ways.” Eric made a point of inhaling her scent. “I had no idea I was coming to be interrogated by a Fae.”

“Half Fae. To be exact, a half-Fae warrior princess.”

Andrea couldn’t help smiling when Sean tried to suppress his start. “Ah, is
that
why you’re such a smart-ass, love?” Sean asked.

“Could be.” Andrea fixed her gaze on Eric, meeting his green eyes without showing fear. It would be easy to fear Eric Warden, because he had power, as much power, Andrea sensed, as did the Morrisseys.

“Let me put it this way, Eric,” Andrea said. “If you’re involved in any way with gangs of human gunmen or Shifters who follow Callum, I’d advise you to stop now. This isn’t your territory, and when Sean and Liam put Callum in his place, you don’t want to be caught up in that.”

Eric’s eyes widened slightly. “Son of a bitch, what the hell is going on down here?”

“Internal problems,” Sean said. “Nothing to worry about.”

“I can see my timing is less than stellar.” Eric lifted his hands. “All right, I give you my word, Sean Morrissey, on the sun and moon, that I have nothing to do with whatever troubles you’re dealing with on your patch. I connected with Dylan on another business entirely and fixed this day to meet him.”

“He did.”

Dylan’s voice rumbled from the back door, and he walked in a moment later, hands stuffed into the pockets of his leather jacket. Eric rose to meet him, as did Sean. Andrea kept her seat.

Dylan clasped Eric’s hand and pulled the man into the brief embrace reserved for dominant males who didn’t know each other well.
I welcome you,
the embrace said,
but don’t try anything involving my territory, mate, or cubs, or you’ll swiftly die.

Eric and Sean performed the same ritual, before Dylan moved to the kitchen and started making coffee.

“Warrior princess?” Dylan threw over his shoulder.

Andrea shrugged and didn’t answer. This was new to her, and delicate, and she didn’t relish spilling it all to Dylan.

“Andrea has a fine sense of humor,” Sean said. He sat down again, taking the seat next to Andrea’s. He rested his hand on her thigh, and Andrea suddenly felt a little less brittle.

Eric focused sudden attention on them. “Now I understand. You two are mated.”

“Not yet,” Andrea said. “Sean’s made the mate-claim, but I haven’t given him my final answer.”

Eric shook his head, grinning. “No. You’re mated.”

Even Dylan looked amused as he finished setting up the coffeepot and sat down.

“Are
you
mated?” Sean asked Eric.

Eric took on an empty look, the same one that Andrea’s stepfather always wore, the same one Dylan had when he talked about Sean’s mother. “Was,” Eric said. “She is gone. I have a son, Jace. He’s of age now and my third-in-command.”

Andrea heard the pride in his voice when he said the last. Not all children of alphas stayed high in the hierarchy. “Who’s your second?” Andrea asked.

“My sister.” More pride. Females didn’t always achieve such high status, not because they couldn’t be dominant, but because of archaic Shifter laws. Alpha females were rare, because alpha males were allowed to kill them.

“Cassidy lost her mate too,” Eric said. “A couple of years ago.”

Andrea felt a stab of sadness. She whispered a quick prayer, echoed by Sean and Dylan, then reached across the table and touched Eric’s strong hand. “Please send her blessings from me.”