Kellen's Tempting Mate (17 page)

She sighed. “It’s so bright. Like the sun. I’d want to have some splashes of red and yellow.” Jennaveve showed Laikyn and Kellen what she meant. The color almost too bright.

“Yikes. I’d need sunglasses.” Laikyn rubbed her eyes.

Kellen shut off the vehicle, turning to face the back. “Alright. Let’s go into my office and then I’ll call a meeting with my second and a few of my top men and their women. From the looks of it, they’re already here.”

Jennaveve didn’t wait for him to open her door, before hopping down.

“I believe she’s ready.” Laikyn pressed a quick kiss to Kellen’s lips. He grabbed the back of her head, turning the small gesture into something more.

“
Alright, kiddos. Let’s not make babies with our mouths.”

Kellen pulled away, resting his forehead on hers. “Remind me I can’t throttle her.”

Laughing, Laikyn licked her lips. “I think she’s awesome.”

“You would.”

He flung his door open, then came around to her side, lifting her down with ease. “Let’s roll.”

His eyes scanned the area even though it was daylight. At the entrance to the club, he opened the door and entered first, then held the door open for Laikyn and Jennaveve. The action one the Fey was clearly used to. All eyes turned to them as they entered.

She and Kellen held hands, but she could tell that wasn’t what caused the hackles to rise on the wolves. Jennaveve walked with her back straight, meeting the eyes of every man and woman in the place. Even though they were in human form, all were wolves.

“Xan, Bodhi, Rowan. In my office. And bring your mates.” He looked at the room. “I want everyone to stick around, I’ll be calling a meeting of the pack to discuss the latest development.”

Silence met his announcement.

Laikyn saw Breezy grip Xan’s hand while Lyric moved closer to Rowan. Syn moved away from the crowd, coming toward Kellen.

“Brother, if I could have a word before your meeting?”

“What’s up, sis?”

“You called everyone into the meeting but me. So, am I just to stand around out here and twiddle my thumbs? I got shit to do, so I thought I’d let you know you could just open our link and you could let me know.”

Laikyn saw the hurt Kellen’s announcement had made. “Fuck, Syn, I meant for you to be part of the rollcall. Damn,” he growled. “Don’t make me grovel. Get your ass in my office.”

“Well, then next time don’t call out everyone except me. I don’t have a fucking mate, jackhole.” Syn stomped past Kellen.

“Don’t. You know she’s hurting right now,” Laikyn pleaded with Kellen. The brother and sister had identical temperaments.

“That’s the only reason I’m allowing her to get away with this shit.”

****

S
yn seethed inside. She had no plans of sticking around, watching Bodhi check his phone, or slink off to speak with whoever was on the other line. Overhearing him growling orders to another person, like they were important to him made her realize she was beating her heart against a stone wall. All the years she’d waited for him to realize they were mates was for nothing. All the time she’d thought he was waiting for her to grow up, had been futile she’d realized when he’d called another woman baby in a gentle tone. The same one he’d used on her when she’d been a kid and had been hurt over something. No more. Syn was done being the sweet little girl he thought she was. Hell, she was so far from the sweet innocent thing they all thought she was, but she’d tried to be what he seemed to want in a mate. And it had been for nothing.

“Hello. You must be Karsyn Styles. You look like your brother, only beautiful, and I like your truck.”

Blinking down at the petite blonde, Syn suppressed a growl. “Who the heck are you, woman?”

Unable to scent anything, she waited.

“My name is Jennaveve, but you can call me Jenna. We are going to be good friends. I can feel it. Well, and see it, but I don’t want to freak you out. People tend to give me looks.” Jenna made air quotes around the last word.

Syn looked over her shoulder at Kellen and Laikyn as they entered his office. “Is she crazy?”

Kellen shook his head, then stopped. “Probably, but she’s Fey.”

Like that answered her question. “So, what is a Fey?” Syn directed her words at the newcomer.

“Ah, child, if I told you I’d have to kill you.” She made a slashing motion with her finger across her throat, then laughed. The sound too sweet to have come from a crazy lady.

“Are we protecting her?” Syn walked around the self-proclaimed Fey.

The rest of the Iron Wolves top enforcers entered, settling onto the couches, with their mates on their laps. Syn chose one of the large recliners facing away from Bodhi. She crossed her legs in the short mini skirt, showing off her legs. The feel of Bodhi’s eyes following the movement usually made her want to tease him, but she was done with him.

Jenna stood off to the side, next to Kellen.

“This is Jennaveve. She’s a Fey and from the Mystic Pack.” Kellen didn’t look or sound too pleased.

“Hello boys and girls. Or should I say pups. As your esteemed leader has announced, I am Fey, and you are all in need of some assistance. That is where I come in. Now, I know you all think you don’t need it, because you all are big bad wolfies and I’m this little sprite. However, I can assure you, you do. Now, do you have any questions before I begin?” She gazed at each member.

Syn felt power swell, and it wasn’t her brother Kellen.

“Alright, since you are all ready, prepare yourselves. It’s gonna be a doozy, but it’ll be over before you know it. Kellen, I suggest you and your mate take a seat.” Jenna pointed at the chair.”

Kellen nodded and took his recliner, pulling Laikyn onto his lap.

Not knowing what she’d expected, her head jerked back against the soft leather. Information filtered in quicker than anything she’d ever received. As her mind processed, sweat coated her brow. Minutes, or hours, passed before she opened her eyes.

When the hum in her head eased, Syn looked around, seeing stunned expressions on everyone else’s faces.

“You’ve faced vampires before?” Kellen questioned Jenna.

Jenna nodded. “They are not all bad. The majority are good. You just need to know their strengths and weaknesses.”

The men didn’t look as shaken as she and the other women did. It took monumental effort for her to stand. Even then her legs threatened to buckle. Bodhi was the first to shoot to his feet, his hands on her hips steading her. “Easy, sweets.”

She jerked out of his arms. “Thanks, but I’m fine.”

“You will be.” Jenna’s dark eyes assessed her, making Syn think she could see straight through to her soul.

“If there’s nothing else, I’m outta here.”

“Don’t forget to keep with the buddy system, sis.” Kellen got to his feet.

Envy hit Syn as she looked around at the three women snuggled in their mate’s arms. Having known, or thought she’d known her mate since childhood, Syn was sure she’d be the first to be mated. “Got it.”

Before anyone else could stop her, she left. The heels of her cowgirl boots the only sound as she walked across the office. The urge to take one last look rode her, but Syn had gotten real good at denying her own needs. Bodhi was a need and a want she would be forgetting. If she had to find a different man or wolf every night for the rest of her life, she’d bury him beneath the scents of others who wanted her.

“Hey, Syn. You look like you could use a drink.”

Syn looked at one of Breezy’s twin brothers. They were identical twins. Her heart skipped a beat. What would it be like to have two men who loved her? The two blond men with liquid brown eyes held a bottle between their fingers.

“I believe that is just what I need,” she agreed.

Although her body only seemed to come alive for the mohawk bad boy, she was going to teach it to want someone else. Multiple someone’s if it killed her.

****

“B
rother, let me give you a piece of advice.” Kellen stared at Bodhi. “You’d better get your head out of your ass, before my sister decides to find a more amiable wolf.”

Bodhi raised his middle finger. “You don’t know shit, man.”

Kellen tilted his head to the side. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

“Unless you need me, I’m out.” Bodhi stood waiting.

Laikyn snuggled up to Kellen, watching the other man walk out the side door instead of back into the club.

“He is going to fuck up the best thing.” Kellen’s tone lowered to a whisper.

Jennaveve spun in a circle. “Alright, let’s go break it to the rest of the gang,” she sang in a singsong voice.

He was about to correct her words, then saw the laughter in her brown eyes. “Are you going to mind fuck them as well?”

“It’s the most expedient way. Don’t you think?” She led the way back out.

His mate squeezed his hand, soothing his inner beast. “Let’s get this over with. How long are you going to be with us?”

“Already tired of me?” The Fey pushed out the door, loud music filtered in.

“Not in the least,” Kellen muttered.

“Do you have a burning sensation below your waist, Alpha?” Jennaveve asked.

“What the flying fuck are you talking about?”

Laikyn placed her hand over her mouth.

“You know? Liar, liar, pants on fire.” The Fey waved her hand toward his groin area.

“Can I eat her?” The pleading tone had his mate bent over laughing.

“I love her. Like in a totally friendly, want to be her bestie way.” Laikyn had tears streaming down her cheeks.

He lifted her up. “You won’t be laughing when I have you tied to my bed this evening.” He promised his mate.

Her laughter died, replaced by another warmth. “That is so not fair. Now everyone here will smell my need for you.”

Kellen licked her lips. “Good. Now, be a good girl and sit at the bar next to...” His words trailed off at the sight of his baby sister on top the bar, and the Mattice twins doing body shots off her abdomen. His growl made the room go quiet except for the music blaring from the speaker.

“Shaw, Parker, get your fucking paws and lips off my sister. Now,” he roared.

Syn sat up, a scowl on her beautiful face. “Big bro, we are having fun.”

“Now pups, if you value your dicks.” Kellen’s growl became that of his beast.

Shaw and Parker backed away, hands up.

“Sorry, Alpha. We didn’t know she was off limits,” Parker said, eyes down.

Laikyn put her body between his and the other wolves. “Kellen, your sister is a big girl. You need to calm down.”

He looked into his mate’s eyes. “Move it, Lake. You don’t know shit.” Kellen set Laikyn aside, his soul focus on the trio at the bar.

“Brother, be a dear and go play with your own toys. I am just having some fun. You know...that thing that everyone does.” Syn swung her legs over the edge of the counter.

Taking a deep breath, Kellen had to remember the Mattice brothers were not bad men. Otherwise, he’d end up gutting them both. A concept his wolf found satisfying, but the man pushed back. “You don’t want this. Them,” he said pointing at the wolves with their heads bent, not meeting his gaze.

His sister on the other hand had no problem facing his wrath, hopping down from the bar. “You need to mind your own damn business. If I want to have some fun, and if it happens to be with two men, it’s really none of your fucking business.” She poked him in the chest.

Kellen caught her hand in his, leaning down so their noses met. “Don’t make me become the alpha in front of everyone here, Syn. You don’t want me to embarrass you more than you’ve already done.”

He released the tiny hand in his palm, anger shooting out of the blue eyes so like his own, his heart contracted at the hurt reflected out at him. With a nod, she scooped up the designer bag she’d tossed on the floor between the two bar stools. “I’m out.” Two words was all Syn muttered as she stormed toward the side door.

“Who is your buddy, Syn,” Kellen asked.

Her middle finger of her right hand raised up high in the air was his answer, making him growl. His feet took a few steps toward the door when Lyric and Rowan moved in front of him.

“We’ll follow her,” Lyric promised.

“Don’t let her get into any trouble. You know how she gets when she’s in a mood.” Kellen watched his sister disappear from his sight.

Rowan and Lyric were already following out the door. Kellen turned to find his mate, cursing when she was not right next to him. The little Fey raised dark brows. He wondered if her blonde hair was natural as he realized the brows were a few shades darker.

“Nope, they’ve always been that way,” she said.

“Fuck, woman, get out of my mind.” He glared at Jennaveve.

She shrugged, clearly unconcerned at his anger. “Stop broadcasting.”

“Have you seen my mate?” He lifted his head, opening all his senses in his search for Laikyn.

Jennaveve did a slow circle. “She was here just a minute ago. Well, until you were mean to her that is. Maybe she went to the bathroom?”

“What the hell? When was I mean to her?” He placed his fists on his hips to keep from reaching out and shaking the Fey.

“When you told her she didn’t know crap. That was rude and uncalled for. I distinctly remember she looked like someone had just kicked her in the nuts...well, she doesn’t have those. But, the analogy stands.”

Kellen didn’t have time to figure out the woman or her riddles. “Has anyone seen Laikyn?” He yelled.

Everyone looked at him like he’d grown two heads. How the hell did his mate sneak away without anyone noticing?

He went to the door where Wyck was standing guard. The big man had his arms folded over his broad chest, a scowl on his face. “You looking for your mate?”

Nodding, Kellen waited.

“She slipped out the back door about seven minutes ago. I’m thinking you fucked up, brother. The scent of her hurt was overwhelming.”

Wyck’s accusation made him feel like an ass. “How did she leave?” Kellen wasn’t going to explain or apologize to anyone but his mate.

“I don’t know. I thought she was just coming out for air.” Wyck stood taller, his head lifting into the air.

“You know there is a rule that nobody is to go off alone, and that is especially true for females. Why the hell would you think it was okay for her to be out alone?” Kellen shoved the larger male against the side of the building, his body partially shifting.