TerrIIItory (12 page)

Chapter 22

Fists clenching, Evander fought the urge to punch Royce in the face.  He knew what needed to be done, but he didn’t know if he could handle it.  He was pretty certain his wolf wouldn’t be able to.  Eyeing Bethany, he knew she had no idea the delectable sight she made.  Arms crossed self-consciously over her belly; they only served to smash her ample breasts together and lift them higher.  The powder-blue color of her bra brought out the pale gray of her eyes, and the satin material had him itching to touch her.

“Kane?”  Royce prodded.

NO!
  He wanted to scream the word, but knew this had to be done to heal his mate.  “You’re
certain
this is something I can’t do?”

Royce’s gentle smile was humorless as he eyed Bethany.  “You’re teeth are long to be sure, but not like mine.  My kind put the venom in her, only one of my kind can take it out.”  He turned to peer up at Evander.  “You
could
try, but it is going to hurt, and when it doesn’t work I’ll have to do the job right.”  He turned back to Bethany.  “Let’s not make her suffer.”

“If you hurt her,” Evander let the warning die off, and cursed himself when panic flared in Bethany’s eyes.  He should have explained first.  “Baby.” He sat and pulled her onto his lap.  “We need the venom out.  I could try, but someone like Royce put it in, and his teeth are…”

“NO!” Bethany tried to jerk from Evander’s hold.  “I’m
not
letting
him
bite me!”  Her voice was shrill with fear.

Evander’s hold on her tightened.  “Look at me,” he commanded and repeated it more firmly when she continued to try to pull away. “Look.  At.  Me.”

She stilled and turned tear-filled eyes to him.

“I promise you on my honor that Royce isn’t going to hurt you.”  His eyes held hers.  “Are you Royce?”

Over her shoulder Royce spoke with sincerity.  “Kane, you are my oldest friend.  I’d do anything in my power to help you
and
your mate.  Bethany, on my life, I will be as gentle with you as is possible to get the venom extracted.”

“K-Kane?” Her voice was filled with tears, but she squeezed his hand hard.  “Don’t…don’t leave me.”

“Never!”  He vowed, then lifted his head to nod once at Royce.

At first, Royce didn’t move.  “How should we?”  He rubbed his fingers together in uncertainty.

“I’ll hold her.  You get that shit out of her.”

Evander eased himself to the end of the bed with Bethany on his lap.  Once at the edge, he turned her so her back was to him with her legs straddled outside of his.  He used his ankles to wrap around and pin hers to the bed while his arms threaded through hers, securing her so she couldn’t fight.

“K-Kane?”

“Shhhh,” he soothed, then nodded at Royce.  When the vamp kneeled and scooted closer to Bethany, he felt her tense and could practically taste her fear.  It took every ounce of his being to keep from pushing her to safety and ending his friend.

“This might sting.”  Royce spoke softly.

Evander felt pride bubble forth when Bethany sucked in a steadying breath and nodded once.  “Do it.”

“Easy!” Evander commanded again, and knew that Royce realized it was directed at him and
not
at Bethany.

With Evander holding her, Royce brushed a hand against her side and slid it rest at the small of her back.  Evander growled.  Leaning forward, Royce’s eyes darkened as he eyed the wound at her breast.  He was looking so closely that his nose practically brushed her skin.

“It’s deeper than I initially thought, Kane.”  Royce’s warm breath fanned across her chest and sent a shiver coursing through her.

“W-what does that mean?”  Bethany was back to panicking.

“I could ease her,” Royce offered, and Evander snarled behind her, red-hot rage searing him. He knew of Royce’s ability to infect his victims, or donors, with an aphrodisiac that would make the bite feel like an erotic pleasure rather than a painful attack.  “You are
not
infecting
my
mate with your fucking love drug!”

Royce’s eyes darkened further as he straightened to frown at Evander over her shoulder.  “It’s to keep her from pain.  You’re right here! 
Nothing
will happen.”

“Nothing besides my mate being aroused by someone who
used
to be my friend.”

The reference to past tense had Royce smirking.  “Fine.  We’ll do it the hard way.  If you’d rather watch your mate suffer for the sake of your pride.”  Royce leaned in and opened his mouth wide.  Bethany stirred on Evander’s lap and closed her eyes tightly, her body going taut as she braced for the pain.  Royce inched closer.

Evander’s voice was so low that Bethany nearly missed it.  “Wait.”

Royce stilled, and when Bethany’s eyes snapped open, she swore she saw a triumphant smile cross his lips before he straightened.  “It will keep her from certain agony, my friend.  You’re doing the right thing.”

Unsure what was happening, her heart was back to a mile-a-minute, and her chest rose and fell rapidly.  She didn’t want this ‘love drug’, and she was offended that Evander would think her capable of becoming aroused by Royce.  She fidgeted and tried to pull her arms free, not certain she still had the courage to allow the extraction.

“Easy,” Evander crooned.  He pressed his nose just below her ear and his hold on her tightened.

His touch had her flesh prickling, then warming.  She swore she felt her wolf take a tentative step forward.  Turning her head to the side, she inhaled the spicy, masculine scent of Evander.  The familiarity of him washed over her, soothing her nerves.

“Do it!”  He commanded, lifting dark eyes to capture and hold hers.

Bethany’s attention was torn from Evander when she felt the unmistakable glide of a wet tongue across her breast.  She gasped and tried to jerk free.

“Easy, baby.”  Evander’s voice sounded strained.  “His saliva will make the bite…
enjoyable
.”

Enjoyable?
  She didn’t want Royce giving her any enjoyment, especially if it required the use of his tongue!

He licked over the tender wound again and slowed to force his tongue deep into the groove.  It was extremely intimate and…sensual.

“Don’t!” Bethany jerked her shoulders back in an attempt to get away from Royce’s seeking tongue.  It only served to thrust her chest higher.  His lips sealed over her wound, and his arms snaked around her to clamp her firmly to him.  Alarm swelled within her.  Why was Evander allowing this?

“Stop!  Let me go!”  She struggled in vain.  Behind her, Evander’s grip tightened even more.

“Don’t fight. His teeth could make it worse.  Be still, baby.”  His head dipped forward to press to the back of hers as he begged, “
Please
, Beth.  Be still.  My wolf is holding on by a fucking thread.  If you cry out, if he thinks you’re being hurt, or held against your will…”  He didn’t finish.  He didn’t need to.

Heart racing, and breathing labored, Bethany stilled.  Royce, who’d stopped his ministrations to allow Evander to talk to her, nodded once over her shoulder.  She watched with trepidation as Royce leaned forward and licked over her wound.  She jerked at his touch, but clenched her teeth tightly together to keep from protesting.  Royce’s head angled to the side so she could no longer watch what he was doing.

“Just relax, Beth.” Evander was back to whispering at her ear.  “Just feel.  I’ve got you.  I’ll never let anyone hurt you.  Close your eyes, and think of us.  It’s just us.”

Drawing in a steadying breath, she let her head fall back against Evander’s chest and closed her eyes. 
Feel.  Just feel.
  Did she want to just feel?  This was supposed to hurt.

As if reading her thoughts, Evander spoke quietly as if afraid to break a spell.  “Royce is very experienced in this.  He can not only keep this from hurting, but he can make sure you enjoy it.”

“Nooo,” she moaned weakly.  She didn’t want to enjoy it.

“
Shhh
, it’s okay. I’ve got you.  Just let him do what he needs to do.  It’ll all be over soon.”

Royce’s mouth worked over her wound.  She could feel his tongue delving into the bite, licking at every corner.  At first it was tender, but now it was growing warm.  Heat seeped from the wound through her limbs and had her melting into Evander’s strong frame at her back.  Licking and suckling sounds filled the air and, to her horror, she felt her body respond.  Heat pooled low in her belly, and she arched involuntarily.

“That’s it.”  Evander’s arms loosened a mere fraction, but she swore his breathing was now as labored as her own.

Royce’s arms tightened around her midsection, and a gasp left her when he pulled her tighter to him.  Behind her, Evander growled and his hold on her was reasserted.  It felt like they were fighting over her, but she couldn’t concentrate.  Her head was swimming, growing fuzzy at the edges.  She couldn’t concentrate on what their original task had been.  No, she was too engrossed in the sensual assault to her breast, and the growing erection under her lap.  She wanted more,
needed
more.  Her hips rolled, provoking a tortured moan from Evander.  It elicited a high-pitched whine from her wolf, and that was important for some reason, but for the life of her Bethany couldn’t remember why.  Instead her focus went to Royce.  She wanted his mouth to slip lower.  She needed him to relieve the ache in her nipples by taking them into his mouth to lavish them with attention as well.

“Please!” She begged, and wasn’t even certain what she was asking for.  Spread wide, she felt herself growing damp.  Her body was preparing itself to be taken.  Seconds later, the heat of her own arousal hit her senses and it was like a detonation.  Between her legs, Royce stiffened before attacking her breast with a renewed sensual savagery.  Behind her, Evander released her arms to fist the material of the skirt at her hips.  He ground his erection into her ass, and she smiled seductively as she rolled her hips back to let the length of him settle between her legs where she rubbed languidly.

“Now!”  Evander growled, and his voice was so deep and animalistic that she knew his wolf was breaking through.  “NOW!” he bellowed.

Gasping, she threw her head back, her body bowed, and she buried her hands in Royce’s hair as he bit into her.  A slight pinch was the only indication that he’d sunk himself into her, but it was enough for her to know.  It was nowhere near what she’d experienced with Evander, but it was still exquisite.

Royce’s hands smoothed up the planes of her thighs, pushing the material of her dress up as they went.  Arms and legs now free, she pushed her ass up long enough to jerk her skirt from beneath her.  She wanted as little between her and Evander as possible.

Behind her, Evander’s chest rumbled with what sounded like a long, contented purr.  She continued to rub against him and, with only the thin barrier of her satin panties between her and his jean covered erection, the sensation was blissful.  Tugs on her breast had her alternating between the delicious friction between her legs and the erotic mouth on her breast that felt like it was pulling her wolf closer and closer to the surface.

“Kaannne!” She moaned, reaching up to pull the cups of her bra down.  Exposed, the air hit her pebbled nipples and had her fisting Royce’s hair again.

Kane’s lips on her shoulder were the only thing that kept her from shoving Royce’s mouth downward toward her straining peaks.

A shiver coursed through her with the rake of Evander’s teeth against her flesh.  She wanted his bite; she needed his bite more than she needed her next breath, but still it wouldn’t be enough.  “Kane!”  Her voice was husky.  “I need you!”

Chapter 23

“Get out!”  Kane commanded without looking at Royce.  When the vamp didn’t immediately release his mate, Kane’s gaze hardened to black ice and he snarled, “GET THE FUCK OUT!”

Reluctantly, Royce released her and eased back, licking his lips as he went.

Bethany’s lust drowned eyes fluttered open, and she locked on Royce.  He stalled on his knees between her legs.

Mouth open, and still breathing roughly, her gaze lowered to follow his as he skimmed her fully exposed breasts and continued lower.  She was startled to find his eyes pinned on the now nearly see-through wisp of powder blue satin that covered her sex.  The material was soaked, and her pussy lips were swollen, ready for consumption, ready for claiming, ready for sex.

Royce’s body swayed forward a mere fraction, but it was enough.  Evander’s hand slammed forward, hitting the vampire in the chest and sending him crashing backward.

Head snapping up, Bethany knew she should be frightened at the pure-black eyes that scowled at Evander over her shoulder.  Her blood dripped from Royce’s fangs, and his clawed hands curled inward as if he were preparing for an attack.  For some reason, she couldn’t shake the haze that was clouding her.  She needed to be fucked, and she didn’t care which one of them did it. 
No.
  A voice in her head slurred. 
I belong to K-Kane!

Behind her, a threatening rumble filled the room.  Closing her legs, Bethany curled into Evander’s lap.  “His!” she hissed.

Royce blinked, his scowl vanishing as he nodded his head hard just once, as if he’d simply been waiting for her dismissal.  Fangs retracting, claws shrinking, he slowly stood.  “Apologies, Kane.  You were right.  She is…”  He didn’t finish.  Turning, Royce hurried from the room with one last look over his shoulder at Bethany.

***

Alone, Evander wasted no time.  He spun Bethany on his lap so she was straddling him before rolling to push her into the mattress. The scent of another male on her was driving him crazy.  Reaching under her skirt, he fisted her panties and ripped them free before cursing his wolf to slow down, but the beast was rabid.  Watching another male touch her, taste her, see her naked before they had even gotten the chance to…it was too much.  Evander snarled as his eyes locked on his mark on her shoulder.  He lunged and, without preamble, bit down hard.

Beneath him, Bethany screamed and he worried he’d hurt her until he scented her release and felt her body convulsing beneath him as she threaded her arms behind his neck and pulled him harder into her.  His wolf needed to reassert to them both that she was in fact his, but even this wasn’t enough.

“Kane,” her whispered, lyrical plea was music to his ears.  “Take me.  I need you…
inside me!”

He nearly came from the admission alone.  Without even pulling back from her, he reached between their bodies to rip open the front of his jeans.  His formerly captive erection sprang free, and it was a good thing.  He was so hard for her that it was painful.  Neither his cock nor his wolf would be satisfied without a true claiming.

Bracing his weight over her, he used a hand to brush hair back from her face as his cock probed for entrance.  “Look at me, baby.”

She did, and her lust-filled eyes were hopeful.

“You are mine, Bethany.  You are my mate.  I claim the right.”  Unable to stop himself, he shoved into her to the hilt.  She screamed again and bit her lip before she smiled.  It was all he needed.  A frenzy of need and desire filled him.  He had to mark her, not just her neck, but inside her. 
This
was his claiming.

Evander fucked her like a man possessed. Teeth nipping, tongue licking, mouth sucking, his hips thrust into her with ferocity.  His balls bounced off her ass as he shortened his thrusts and quickened his pace. He was close, but she was closer.  He could feel her tightening.  Her body writhed and mewls left her parted lips as she locked her eyes on his.

“Say it again!” he commanded as he tunneled into her.

Her head rolled back and she shouted, “YOURS!”

“MINE!” he snarled in response, one hand smoothing up between her breasts to collar her throat while the other arm circled her waist to anchor her in place. “Fucking mine!” he exclaimed in clear satisfaction.

“Kane, I need…”

Her plea had him looking up, his eyes reluctantly leaving the glorious sight of him fucking into her tight channel. 
Need?
  Then he remembered Royce’s words. 
“She’ll need to feed.”

He didn’t hesitate a moment.  One clawed hand reached up, and a finger ripped at his own throat.  He watched his mate’s eyes darken as they locked on his wound, and he leaned over her, never losing the pace of his hips slamming into her.

When Bethany’s mouth locked onto his throat and her small teeth eased into him, Evander exploded.  His semen shot deep inside her, and she whined around the suction at his throat as her own body seized.  Her pussy milking his cock just as her lips milked his throat.  She wrapped her legs around him and locked them at the ankle as if she were afraid he’d try to leave.

Still unable to formulate a coherent sentence, he let the last of his release spurt into her and her walls fluttered around him.  She drank deeply as he held her until finally, with one last lick, she pulled back and sprawled on the bed.  He chuckled and eased out of her.

Still-booted feet padded on the carpet as he made his way to the bathroom for a warm cloth to clean his mate.  Quickly, he found a clean cloth and ran it under a blast of warm water before wringing it out.  Still tender, he hadn’t even bothered to straighten his clothes or attempt to close his pants.

Inside the bedroom, Kane stilled.  His mate had passed out, and it was a shame because the sight of her had him hard again in an instant.  Dress wrapped around her middle, her full breasts lay exposed while her spread arms and wide legs exposed her swollen, well-fucked pussy.  There was blood smeared all down her chin and across her chest, and for the first time in his life, Kane understood Royce’s penchant for blood drinking.  When his little vamp bit into him, it never failed to send him into orgasm.

He stood only a moment before crossing to clean his mate.  Starting with her face, he wiped the blood from her lips and kissed them tenderly.  The smooth column of her throat was next, and it wasn’t long before he realized his little cloth wasn’t enough.  What Bethany needed was a bath.

Standing, Evander toed off his boots and shucked his jeans and underwear.  His shirt went next, and then he was padding to the bathroom to draw a bath.  Minutes later, he had his mate in his arms and was stepping into the tub with her, thinking he’d like a light snack on stand-by in case Bethany roused.  He contacted Raina through pack ties. 
“Bring us up some hot tea with honey and some toast.”

“Yes, my Alpha.” 
There was an approving smile in Raina’s voice. 
“Congratulations!  Oh!  And Royce said he’d catch up with you later.  He seemed in a hurry to leave.  I’ll have your food up shortly.”

“We’ll be in the bath.  Just leave it in my room.”