VampireMine (24 page)

Another time, baby.

“No you don’t.” He moved before she knew what hit her,
yanking her up his body, flipping them over and changing positions. His fingers
drifted over her slit, finding her folds soaking wet. “It’s your turn to
scream.”

There was no precursor or warning. He fed his cock into her
tight little sheath, working the head into her pussy. As soon as he was lodged
inside her he thrust. She took all of him, arching her back, her fingernails
piercing his skin. He didn’t stop, pulling out only to return with more force.
Bringing his mouth to her breast, he sucked her nipple into his mouth, rubbing
his tongue over the nub.

“Yes.” She moaned, grinding her cunt against his cock. “Oh
yes.”

Reaching down, he cupped her ass. Again and again he rammed
into her, upping the pace. She gripped him like a glove, her cunt wrapping
around him. He released her hard nipple and turned his head, giving the other
breast equal attention. Her pussy clamped down on him and her breaths changed
from even to ragged.

“Come, Sadie,” he growled, nipping at her skin. “Show me how
good I make you feel.”

With a muffled cry, she did.

He abandoned her breasts, getting in place. Sliding his hand
behind her head, he lifted her and offered her his neck. He didn’t stop moving,
plunging in and out. Sweat slicked his skin and beaded down his back. The air
felt charged with electricity, thick and alive around them. Her tongue darted
over his flesh, bathing the area covering his vein. Anticipation prickled up
his spine, muscles tense as he waited for her bite.

She scored his skin cleanly, her fangs sinking deep.

He came again, groaning in pleasure, snapping his hips. The
wolf snarled in his head, voicing its satisfaction. Their bodies crashed
together, skin slapping against skin. She moaned as she drank, sucking, her
lips soft and gentle. The sound broke something inside him. He slowed his
motions, changing his thrusts from violent to tender.

“Love you,” he panted, clutching her to him. “So much.”

Before Sadie he’d existed only to kill. His sole purpose had
been to make those who’d wronged him suffer before they died. The wound was
still fresh but it no longer festered, eating away at his compassion,
destroying what remained of his humanity. His mate had not only managed to ease
his suffering, she’d found a way to piece the man he used to be back together
again. Making him whole. Complete. He didn’t deserve a second chance but he was
fucking grateful he’d been given one. His life would have gone on but he
wouldn’t have known what it meant to exist.

She gave him that.

His cock softened, his body spent. He thrust his length into
her one last time and remained there, buried deep inside her. Keeping his head
turned, he closed his eyes, dazed as she drank her fill. Her fangs eased from
his skin, her tongue darting out to skim over his neck. He shuddered, enjoying
the way she caressed his throat, her long fingers drifting through the hair at
his nape.

“Trey?”

She tugged at the strands trapped in her fist, bringing her
other hand around to cup his face. He lifted onto his elbows, gazing down.
Sadie’s irises were a dark shade of blue, her cheeks rosy pink. Her hair had
tangled around her shoulders and neck. She looked like a woman who’d been
ridden good and hard. He was a smug asshole because he loved knowing he was the
one who made her look like that.

Her hesitation revealed her nervousness. “Say it again.”

His heart broke all over again. If she needed to hear the
words, he’d say them over and over again. Until she knew just how profoundly
she affected him and understood that he never had—and never would—feel this way
for anyone else.

“I love you.” Bending down, he brushed his lips over hers.
“I love you.”

“One more time,” she sighed, relaxing beneath him. “Tell
me.”

He brought his mouth around, raining kisses over her cheek.

Winding down to her ear, he whispered, “I love you, Sadie
Dumus.”

“They’re ready for you,” Zach said, motioning to the door.

Sadie squeezed Trey’s hand, trying to steady her nerves. It
was time to run with the big dogs. She stole a look at the male beside her. He
was equally alert, ready to throw down and kick ass if anyone gave her shit. A
thrilling bolt of happiness cascaded over her like a warm wash of morning
sunshine.

He loved her.

She’d felt the gravity of the declaration when he’d said it
aloud. He meant it all the way down to his very soul. He’d do anything she
asked of him, regardless of the cost. That level of dedication deserved equal
respect and commitment. She’d prove she was worth the trouble. With time the pack
would know she’d do anything for them. She’d offered them her fealty so long as
they accepted her place at Trey’s side.

“Why the long face?” She teased him, wanting to lighten the
mood. They weren’t facing their deaths. The pack wanted to see her. She needed
to answer their questions. “Relax.”

His head turned, his amber gaze loving. “I’ll relax after
this is done.”

“Come on, then,” she said, leading him to the door. “It’s
time.”

Instead of gathering at the barn, the pack had taken up the
area surrounding the swimming pool. They stopped chatting with each other,
going quiet as she stepped outside. The sun hadn’t set but it wasn’t of any
consequence. It had started to descend, making room for the night. The rays no
longer beamed from above, draining her strength and scorching her skin. The
fact that she appeared in the dwindling daylight seemed to surprise them. A few
whispered to each other, their voices soft in an effort to keep her from
hearing.

“She can’t be all bad,” she caught a man saying. “She’s in
the daylight for fuck’s sake.”

“Thank you for coming,” she said, wanting to engage them. “I
know you have a lot of questions. I’ll do my best to answer them.”

A large male stepped forward. The way the pack moved behind
him indicated he spoke for the entire group. “Did you mean what you said that
first night?”

“I said a lot of things,” she answered slowly, unclear of
his meaning.

“Do you truly mean to accept the responsibilities of the
mate to our Alpha?” the man asked. “Are you willing to lay down your life to
protect us? No matter the threat? Even if it means giving up what you love
most?”

Trey’s hand nearly crushed hers, his body trembling. He
still worried for her, afraid of the idea she could be hurt or killed. She held
back a wince, accepting the pain. He wasn’t even aware he was squeezing her so
hard, locked in his own thoughts, imagining her dead and gone. She wanted to
comfort him but couldn’t. If she did he’d seem weak. They had to project a
strong image, united in front of the people before them.

“I do and I am,” she replied, staring at the faces studying
her.

“And if other vampires attack, you’ll kill them?”

She didn’t hesitate. “In a heartbeat.”

“What about our other enemies?”

“The same applies.”

The male paused, gazing at her. “How can we know you mean
it?”

“You can’t.” That was the bitch of it. She’d never be able
to reassure them with words. She’d have to use action. “But if you’ll give me a
chance, I’ll prove it to you.”

He didn’t stop staring, considering her words. The shifters
behind him remained still, watching him closely. She expected more questions
but none came. They had to want to know more than this. Why weren’t they
bombarding her with their uncertainties? Why hadn’t they started an outcry to
find a chink in her armor?

After a moment he said, “Bring them.”

Bring them? What the hell does that mean?

She thought to Trey. “
What’s he talking about?
”

“
Not what,
” he thought back, fingers loosening. “
Who.
”

A male standing at the side gate opened it wide, waving at
people she couldn’t see on the other side. Women and children appeared,
squeezing into the area one by one. Some of the females carried infants while a
few others held the hands of toddlers. The older children gawked at her, eyes
bright with curiosity.

She thought back to the first pack meeting.

Women had been there but no children. Come to think of it,
she’d rarely ever seen the youngest members of the pack. And why should she?
Children were the future. They had to be protected.

This was what she’d be fighting for.

Life with Trey took on new meaning. And it was a glorious
thing. She’d protected a coven of scheming bitches, doing whatever she was
told. But there had been no real pleasure in it. Here she’d have an actual
family, just as she had in her childhood. It was inconceivable. Vampires
usually joined covens and roamed the world. They didn’t settle down. For once,
she’d plant roots. This would be home.

The idea more than appealed to her.

It suited her to a T.

Once everyone was inside and the gate closed, the male
addressed her again. “Give us your word. Swear that you’ll put them before
anything else.”

She’d never take a more important vow. “I swear.”

Her lips parted as they kneeled, heads angling to the side.
The older children mirrored the actions of their elders while the babes cried
out softly and clung to their mothers. All heads were bowed, so she couldn’t
see their faces. Concerned, she reached out to their minds, finding that all of
them were resolved and accepting.

Accepting of what?

“You,” Trey rasped. The male would never cry but she heard
the emotion in his voice. “They’re taking you into the pack.”

It couldn’t be that easy. No way. She hadn’t done anything
to deserve it yet.

“
You saved the life of one of their children,
” Trey
thought to her. “
There is no greater gift in the pack. When you protected
Ava you showed them that you value the same thing. Apparently they’re willing
to take you at your word.
”

A child—no more than five or six years old—broke position
and stood.

Sadie grinned when he scowled, shaking off his mother’s hand
when she tried to make him kneel. He was an adorable little thing, still chubby
in his youth, maintaining the roundness in his cheeks, his brown hair streaked
by the sun. He cocked his head to the side, looking straight at her, resting
his cheek on his shoulder.

“Do you really drink blood?” he yelled, like he couldn’t
believe anyone would want to do something so repugnant. When she didn’t answer
immediately he asked, “What about flying? Can you do that? I heard you could
fly if you wanted to.”

His mother shot up, trying to shush him.

“Oh Mom,” he complained, squirming out of her hold. “You
said questions are important.” His poor mother looked mortified, eyes darting
to Sadie. “That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?” He kept going, embarrassing the hell
out of the poor woman. “Why can’t I have a turn? Why does it always have to be
grown-ups? It’s not fair.”

She released Trey and phased, appearing in front of the
youth. His mother startled, taking a step back. Whispers surrounded Sadie, the
accepting pack wondering if they’d made the wrong decision. The child reacted
differently, apparently pleased. An enormous smile lit his face, his
chocolate-brown eyes excited.

“Wow,” he exhaled. “You can fly. You moved so fast I didn’t
see you!”

“I can do all kinds of things.”

“Tell me!” he exclaimed, rushing at her. “This is better
than a bedtime story.”

Normally she didn’t touch other people’s children unless she
was given permission. Such a thing was considered rude. But since the little
boy was coming at her like a steaming locomotive she didn’t have a choice. She
couldn’t let him fall. That would probably tick the pack off more than her
holding him.

Catching him midway, she hoisted him up. Everyone around her
was anxious. Their worry ate at her, robbing her of breath. She needed to give
them a reprieve, allowing them to become comfortable in her presence. Trey gave
her a disapproving look when she turned around and faced him. He didn’t like
her doing things unexpectedly.

Barbarian.

“I’m sure you have a lot of questions.” She eased down,
taking a seat at Trey’s feet. She faced the pack but talked to the boy,
speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. “I’ll do my best to answer them.”

“I’m Arkin,” he told her proudly. “Momma named me after my
grandpa.”

“I’m Sadie,” she murmured. She didn’t tell him her parents
took the name from Hebrew, or that it meant princess. “It’s nice to meet you,
Arkin.”

“So how do you fly?”

How did she answer that? Would it freak everyone out?

She’d promised to be honest but could she really share all
of her secrets?

The coven has already shunned you. You can’t sink any
deeper.

Trey kneeled at her back, resting his hand on her shoulder.
Electricity zipped down her back, winding down her spine. His touch exorcized
her demons, forcing her fears to retreat. She’d made this decision. This is
what she wanted. In order to be a part of the pack she didn’t have to merely
earn their trust, she had to give them hers as well.

She gazed at the men and women in front of her.

They were listening, just as keen as the child to know an
answer.

“I don’t fly. Not really. It’s called phasing.”

“How do you do that?”

Settling in, she answered his question. He’d chosen a good
one. “Well you see,” she said, looking at Arkin, “it starts with a bit of
magic.”

His face bunched together, lips pursed. “Magic is for
sissies.”

She brought her hand to Trey’s, resting her fingers on top
of his. She felt their connection, growing stronger by the minute. “Why do you
say that?”

“It’s mostly fake,” he informed her briskly, bored now.
“I’ve seen it on TV.”

Her eyes settled on a scrape on his leg. It was nearly
healed but not quite.

“It’s fake, huh?” She peered up, meeting the stares of the
pack.

They didn’t trust her but they wanted to. She remembered
what her father had used to say, chiding her when she’d complained about her
studies in her youth, saying that Rome wasn’t built in a day. He loved to quote
Roman Emperor Hadrian.

Brick by brick, my citizens
, he’d say,
brick by
brick.

This was the start, the first block in her foundation.

Releasing the child’s waist, she called on her magic, gazing
at his knee. Energy buzzed through her, warming her blood, heating her from the
inside. Trey knew what she was up to, gave her shoulder a squeeze. She intended
to start things off on the right foot. There was no better way than revealing
her gift for healing.

A simple touch and the wound disappeared.

The child was amazed. The pack, stunned.

She turned to Trey, giving him a smile. He lowered his head,
skimming lips over hers.

Brick by brick, she’d become the woman they needed.

This was only the beginning.