Bitten By Magic (16 page)

“I’m thinking I know why he’s here.” Jaxson angled his head at the women, who were having a heated conversation behind him.

“He’s come for his mate.” Wilhelm nodded his head. This was a predicament.

“Hell is about to break loose, gentlemen.”

“Do you have a plan?” Warren asked. Wilhelm’s eyes flashed red as he gritted his teeth.

“Yeah, but you aren’t going to like it.” It dawned on him he’d used Alexa’s turn of phrase. Damn, but his woman was rubbing off on him.

***

“What are you thinking?” Allison reached over to take Alexa’s hand in hers. Her amber/blue eyes were weary and alert as she sat half-turned on the rock so that she could keep an eye on the Vampires behind them.

“Right now, I’m just trying to breathe.” Alexa felt his eyes on her as he spoke with his Enforcers. It seemed Allison wasn’t the only one dividing her attention. She’d almost killed him. Why wouldn’t he be watchful of her? What had happened to her?

“I can feel your pain. Let me help.” Allison raised a hand to her cheek, but Alexa moved away. She hated seeing the hurt in her cousin’s gaze.

“You mustn’t heal me, Alley Cat. You’re with child.” She dropped her voice to a level the men couldn’t hear.

“I figured you would know.” Allison smiled with a happy glow about her. “Please, I’m so strong right now. I can help take the pain away.”

“Right now the physical pain is nothing.” Alexa bit her lower lip as she looked over her shoulder.

“I can take care of that particular pain for you.” Allison’s tone left little doubt how she intended to go about it.

“He’s my husband.” Placing her hand on her cousin’s, she shook her head.

“We can terminate the marriage—”

“We are hand fasted,” Alexa explained calmly.

“How? Never mind. It doesn’t matter. Death do you part.”

“Allison Carver Leclair! Listen to me. I’m his wife...in every way. I don’t want him killed.”

“Tell me you didn’t...” Allison’s eyes held abject horror as she pulled back to stare at Alexa. “You couldn’t... He’s a...”

“My husband. Yes, he’s a Vampire. Yes, he’s our enemy, but there are things we were told that don’t add up to the reality of who he is.” Alexa’s hands covered Allison’s. “Just as the things we thought about the Wolven aren’t entirely true. We were brainwashed without learning the truth for ourselves.”

“Wolven are warm-blooded—”

“So are they,” Alexa interrupted her. “I don’t know everything about them, but I know my husband is warm to the touch. He has the ability to be gentle and...incredibly tactile.” She felt herself blush as Allison’s mouth dropped open.

“Oh, my!” Allison looked over her shoulder, eying Wilhelm’s bare back. “He does appear to be well built and quite manly. Ouch!” She laughed as Alexa hit her in the arm. “That hurt!”

“Then stop ogling my man!” Alexa giggled as they looked up to see all three males glaring at them.

“Okay, so you didn’t need rescuing. And what I walked in on was...what? Some kind of kinky sex thing?”

“Goddess, no!” Alexa framed her face with her hands. “I don’t know what happened. The pain was too much. I think my magic reared up to protect me, but she got the enemy wrong. I think I was trying to kill him.”

“Hmm... So, my interruption saved his life. Ironic.” Allison grinned before she outright laughed.

“I hope you two ladies are enjoying yourselves over there.” Wilhelm’s deep tones had a wave of warmth spreading through her aching limbs, but she shivered with dread as she turned to look up at him. His hands were braced on his jeans-covered hips. Her eyes ran over the washboard abs and followed the light trail of hair up to his hard pecs. Her thighs clenched on the sudden shock of need caused by just looking at his body.

“We are at your expense, Elder.” Allison’s taunting voice had a dark brow arching over his eye.

“I think it would be to everyone’s benefit if we took this conversation upstairs. We have company coming.” Alexa felt her heart thud hard as her eyes met his. He was so powerful and male in that moment; he took her breath away. Her eyes widened as he held out a hand to her. “
Felesage
.” The name held a silent offering. One she knew was important to their relationship, to their future. She swallowed hard as she moved to him, placing her hand in his. His face transformed as his lips pulled back in a smile so brilliant it hurt her to look up at him. He was virile and handsome at any time, but with the act of a simple smile he was gorgeous.

Chapter Eleven

Alexa gladly allowed her husband to carry her up all of the stairs. Her eyes burned as he left the darkened tunnels to lead them all into the Hive’s library. She sighed in regret as Wilhelm carefully deposited her on the couch before the fireplace. When he stepped back he graciously gestured for Allison to join her on the soft couch.

“I think I’ll stand thanks.” Her hand went to rest over the stake as she glared up at him. “You might have placed some kind of sex spell over my cousin, but I’m not fooled, Elder.”

“You have me mistaken for a Witch, Allison. Vampire.” He spoke to her as if she were a child.

“I know that. I freed your last victim, if you remember right. I never suspected you would go after my cousin or else I would have taken the advantage of staking you in your bed.” Allison’s elfin chin rose as her amber and blue eyes narrowed at him.

“Allison...” Alexa made to stand, but fell back as his hand rose to keep her there.

“You are going to want to sit down, Allison.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“Because when I get you home I’m going to make sure you won’t be able to sit for a long while.” Alpha Leclair’s deep voice cut through the tension like a whip. Allison looked like she wanted to find a hole to crawl into. The big Wolven filled the doorway as he stood there glaring at his mate.

Alexa knew Reginald Leclair from the Treaty meetings. She liked and respected him once she had gotten to know him. When Allison got herself in trouble with all factions of the council, it was Reginald who took her as his mate. He could protect her troublesome cousin; at least, Alexa hoped he could. The dangerous warning in his dark blue eyes when he looked at his mate told her Allison would not go unpunished for her attempted rescue.

“Reginald—”

“Don’t even try to make excuses, mate.” He turned away from her and Allison quickly moved to sit beside Alexa. “Elder Chambers, I would like to know what you plan to do with your captives.”

“Well, I am in a conundrum here. Your mate’s interruption did save me from being decapitated by my wife.” At Reginald’s raised brows he waved a hand. “Long story. Let’s just say that both of us have women who do not follow us as a docile wife should.”

“Then I think a lesson is in order. Do you have a certain punishment in mind?” Reginald looked over at the women sitting on the couch with a calculating eye.

“I really haven’t thought on it long. What would you suggest, Leclair? After all, one of them belongs to you.”

“I think we should let them stew while we go negotiate their fates and their punishment,” Reginald suggested as he let his angry gaze travel over Allison. Alexa felt her cousin shiver beside her, but was pretty sure it wasn’t from fear of punishment. Looking up, she met Wilhelm’s heated glance. She felt her cheeks burn as her hands toyed nervously with the soft black lace covering her bare knees. He winked at her, causing her to blink up at him in confusion. Then his lips pulled back into a smile of pure wickedness. It transformed his face into the sexiest male she’d ever seen. She knew she looked shocked, as her mouth was hanging open and her eyes felt like saucers, but she couldn’t help it. He was absolutely gorgeous.

“Jaxson, stay here. Watch them closely,” Wilhelm commanded as he led the way to the library doors.

“Reginald?” Allison’s voice was panicky as he turned his back on her. Reginald moved to the couch to stare down at her as his hand cupped her chin to hold her gaze.

“Stay right where you are, Kitten. Or so help me...” He left the consequences unspoken, but she swallowed as he turned and followed the other men out of the room.

“I don’t understand.” Allison’s distressed gaze turned to Alexa, who was trying to ignore the discomfort of her body. Her flesh throbbed in pain, but her insides were hot and aching for the Elder. One sexy smile and she was a pile of goo at his feet. She had the feeling he knew it, too. Arrogant devil!

“Males trying to scare their women into submission.” Alexa shrugged as Jaxson turned around with his back to the closed door. He shook his head as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Never works, they know that. They just want to get a stiff drink and wallow in their self-pity.” Jaxson grinned at them. “What they really need to do is tan both your asses and take you to bed. I know I would.” His eyes sparkled with humor as Allison gasped and Alexa laughed.

“Allison, this is Jaxson. He is just pouting because they left him behind with us.”

“Hell, no! I’m the lucky one. Well, ladies. How about a game of poker. Strip or regular, your choice.” He pulled a deck of cards from his pocket as he approached them.

***

Wilhelm waited until they were in his office seated with a glass of brandy before he attempted to talk. Reginald was on alert, there was no doubt, but he also knew his mate was safe with her cousin, or else he would never have left her.

“Here’s to your marriage, Elder.” Reginald lifted his glass, waiting for Wilhelm to drink first. Wilhelm smiled as he lifted the glass. He noted the Alpha’s surprise with a shrug.

“Here’s to yours also, Alpha Leclair.” He downed the amber liquid with a grimace. “Ah! Smooth, but lethal.”

“Buck up, Elder.” Reginald chuckled as he set his empty glass down. He filled both glasses from the decanter on the desk between them.

“I drink blood, not battery acid.” Wilhelm shook his head as he lifted the glass and clanked it against the Wolven’s. They both took the shot and then stared at each other. “So, we have us a predicament here. Your mate has trespassed in my Hive twice now.”

“Yes. She has broken the rules of the Treaty. This time as a Wolven pack member.” Reginald toyed with his empty glass, so Wilhelm reached forward and filled it with more brandy. “What do you plan to do about it?”

Wilhelm met his enemy’s frank stare with a frown. “I’m married to the Keeper of the Treaty. She is not only a pain in the ass, but a tricky opponent. She’s tied my hands where you and your mate are concerned. I can’t touch either of you. However, I’d love to know how your Alphina has managed to get past my guards and my security, so I could plug that hole.”

“I bet you would. Let me offer you my services, then.” Reginald pulled a wallet out of his back pocket and tossed a card on the table. “My men can tighten up your security and find the holes that need plugging. Of course, I can only help you if you’re willing to trust me.”

Wilhelm read the card with a wry grin. His enemy had his own security company. His eyes flashed red as he met Reginald’s amused look. “I promised not to hurt Allison or you. That does not extend to your people. Even so, I will consider using your company.” Wilhelm reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a business card of his own.

“You’re kidding, right?” Reginald picked up the card he tossed to him. At first he looked surprised and then impressed.

“Nope.”

“This company is one of our top clients...” Reginald nodded his head as he reached for and gulped the brandy in his glass.

“AVM is our lead company, but we have others. I never imagined you were in control of our security teams. This is certainly an eye-opener!”

“I’ll say. I guess we are already working together, then.” Reginald laughed as he shook his head.

“We might as well remain business associates; we’re married into the same family.” Wilhelm decided to take the bull by the horns as he leaned forward. “There’s something you need to know.”

“I hate it when people start out with that. What did she do this time?” The Alpha sighed with a tired expression.

“It isn’t Allison. I want to talk to you about the High Priest and his ambitious plan to go after the Book of Souls.”

“Son of a bitch, man.” Reginald growled deep in his chest as he realized what having the book in the ancient old prick’s hands would mean for Allison, for his pack, and for the world at large.

***

“Your turn, Mistress.” Jaxson sat on the floor with both women, playing cards, when the two leaders came back into the library. They were both surprised to see a fire burning in the fireplace, a tray of half-eaten crackers and cheese on the coffee table, and the three of them sitting in a circle on the rug.

“Got a three, Jaxson?” Alexa saw them move quietly across the floor, but kept most of her attention on the cards.

“Go fish, Mistress.”

“Seriously!” Wilhelm stopped just behind his new wife as she pulled a card from the pile.

“You guys are playing ‘Go Fish’?” Reginald laughed as Jaxson shrugged at them.

“They wouldn’t play strip poker—” He stopped as the Wolven Alpha growled down at him.

“Go growl somewhere else, mate. I’m winning here.” Allison looked at her husband from under dark lashes.

“Game is over, mate.” Reginald reached down and pulled her up easily.

“Reg—” He effectively shut her up as his mouth claimed hers in a passionate kiss.

“I guess the game is over. No winners, no losers.” Jaxson grinned as he stood up to stretch sore muscles.

“That is not fair! You were losing,” Alexa snapped at him as she struggled to get to her feet. Wilhelm bent to wrap his arms around her to lift her up. She turned and looked up at him with big startled eyes.

“Time to go to bed,
felesage
.” His words and his look were like a match to dry embers. Her heart thudded against his body as she clung to the black T-shirt he had pulled on. She struggled to look over at her cousin, who was softly talking to her husband.

“Allison...?”

“The Alpha pair is staying the day here. I’ve had one of the guest rooms prepared for them. Relax, Alexa. They have my protection. Come, I think you need to eat, rest, and heal.” He spoke in her ear as he leaned down to place a whisper of a kiss on her cheek.