AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Unnecessary? You no longer back our coven?” His eyes narrow and the other two vampires walk quickly to Demetri’s side; as they do, Devin, Luke and Owen stand beside Jude, shoulder to shoulder. There are only three vampires, there’s no doubt in my mind that they’ll simply sulk back to their coven. But still, I’m uneasy watching them size each other up.
“I will not lead my pack into war against the Authority.” Jude’s voice is calm, even, and loud enough for all to hear. It’s fucking effective as well. The vampires lose their composure with expressions of shock and disgust as they realize Jude is serious. I huff a laugh at their loss. Demetri’s dark eyes meet mine as he hears the laughter. I didn’t mean for him to hear it and I should’ve kept my mouth shut and stayed in the background. I don’t want to face vampires at the moment when I’m so uneasy with my own state of immortality. It’s easy to see that he recognizes me, just as I did him.
“You? You take the side of these dogs?” A low growl resonates from Vince’s massive chest. I turn to him on my tiptoes and nip his neck in admonishment. I hate that he gives them any of his emotions. “How could you side with them? You’re one of the elites!” I don’t react to Demetri’s rage and the contempt in his voice. I merely spear my hands through my hair and lean against my mate.
“I’m quite comfortable with how things are Demetri.” In a flash, the vampires surround us. Again, I ignore them. I act as though I’m not threatened. But I’m a liar. I’m frighteningly aware of how weak I am as a mortal and I’m desperate for my powers to return. But I’d be a fool to try them out right now. I don’t want them to know. Demetri stands directly in front of us and the two fools pace around us.
“Back down vampire.” Jude’s hard voice breaks through the tension. “We have no use for the alliance with your queen. You can tell her the truce is off with a new Alpha having taken power and we will not back her in the war.”
The vampires sneer at Jude. “She will be highly displeased.”
“She should reconsider her decision. The Authority is not responsible for the poisoned blood.”
“They sold it to us.” As Demetri speaks his hand flies out and comes exceptionally close to my face. I gasp and attempt to move back. But I’m slow. Although he doesn’t hit me, my lack of speed is noticed by everyone.
Demetri takes a step closer to me and Vince doesn’t waste a second to pound his hard fists against Demetri’s chest, sending him backward to land on his ass. The power radiates and instantly, the werewolves gather. Demetri rises up in a blur and tilts his head to examine me, completely unaffected by Vince’s warning to steer clear of me. “What have you done to her?”
“They’ve done nothing.” I scowl and expose my fangs to the intrusive vampire, but he can tell. The air around me has changed.
“This is why the Authority must fall. You’re not thinking clearly.”
“Me?” My dark eyes widen with fury. “Did you see their Alpha?” I hate that I’m allowing him to get the best of me. I attempt to school my features. “He wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“How much of that blood did you drink, dear Veronica?” Demetri smirks at me as though he has everything all figured out.
“None. I drink from my mate.” My fingers play along Vince’s neck. “I wanted this; I took the drug because I wanted more than this life.”
“You’re an idiot to give up your immortality. My queen will?—”
“Enough!” Vince’s large hand wraps around the vampire’s neck and squeezes. The vampire’s hands fly to his neck.
“Leave now.” Jude snarls into Demetri’s ear and Vince drops the vampire, who quickly backs away in jerked, blurred motions. He stumbles and struggles to breathe but after a shared look of contempt between him and Jude, the vampires leave.
“It’s all but certain they’ll return,” one of the Betas says to Jude.
He shares a look with them, and I have no idea what he says, but I know there’s much to be done to keep this pack safe from the war ahead.
LENA
All I want is my mate. Ever since I felt the pull to him, I’ve felt unsteady without him by my side. There’s a comfort when I think of him, it’s even stronger when I see him, but I am desperate for his touch. He glances back at me and I now know what a mate’s pull is. My heart races and I turn only once to check on my pup one last time.
I don’t want to leave him, but I know I have to do this for Jude. Both women were extremely willing to watch him. More than willing. They’ve been trying to take him from me every moment they could for the last few nights that we’ve been in Gray Mountain. Four days have passed since Jude’s become Alpha and the transition has been seamless. At least for Jude it has been. I’m still getting used to the new faces. At least I have Devin and his pack here for the moment. They’ve decided to stay as guests, no doubt also for protection.
I can tell both Veronica and Grace are a bit jealous of Lizzie’s pregnancy. Not in a malicious way, but they both want to give their mates young. I can’t blame them. Every time I see Jude holding our son, I want to have a dozen more.
I’m not in heat, so I doubt tonight will bring more young. But he will claim me under the full moon, and I will be the Alpha mate the seers foretold. A chill goes through my body as I walk alongside Jude. I’m not sure I’m ready for this. I don’t know that I’ll ever feel ready, but I want nothing more than to be his, so I’m willing to let him claim me tonight.
It’s not enough that I feel the pull to him. I know I need to let him claim me. My fingertips glide over the small indents in my neck. Where I was first bitten and claimed by Shadow. My body trembles remembering the pain. Not just from the claiming, but from giving myself to him. I gave him far too much. I push the thoughts away, not liking the memories gathering. Jude takes my hand in his and I squeeze his hand, needing his confidence and his strength.
Touched by the glow of the moon as we walk out to a clearing in a distant, protected woods, Jude pulls me closer. He brings my knuckles to his lips and gives them a kiss before stopping us in front of a large group of willow trees. He pulls back the hobble branches and I duck to move under them with him. The soft leaves brush against my skin and give me goosebumps. His hand grazes along my shoulder and the small curve of my waist as I stand in the opening of the willows. The sight is breathtaking. We’re in a circular clearing surrounded by trees and sweet honeysuckle. The grass is lush and nearly a soft cushion beneath our feet. The bright white of the full moon shines down and illuminates the natural beauty surrounding us.
“It’s beautiful.” I whisper the words, almost too afraid to speak and disrupt the picturesque surroundings.
He murmurs at the shell of my ear, sending a needy warmth to flow down my shoulders and pebble my nipples. “Not as beautiful as you.” Without waiting for a response, his large hand cups my chin and brings my lips to his. His soft lips against mine steal the breath from my lungs. He gently nips my bottom lip, making me part for him. His hot tongue dances with mine as his hand deftly unzips my dress. He lets it fall to a pool of fabric at my feet and pulls back to look at my body. His half-hooded eyes roam my body and light with lust. “So fucking beautiful.” I blush at his words and smile as he opens his pants, all the while his eyes stay on me and my heart races.
We both stand naked in front of each other, ready to bare ourselves to one another and fortify our bond under the power of the full moon. I’m ready to let him claim me as his. Truly his. This is what was always meant to be. My fingers run along his jaw, loving the scratch of his stubble. I close my eyes as he kisses the crook of my neck and lifts my body easily before gently laying me under him. His large, muscular frame cages me in. I lay breathless under him as he parts my legs and moves his fingers to my clit. My head falls back as his blissful touch shoots a numbing pleasure to my core. He licks and kisses my neck, and the sensation is linked with the throbbing need in my aching heat. He doesn’t let up, between the soft kisses and forceful touch. I moan for him and let the pleasure distract me from what’s to come.
“Come for me baby.” My pussy pulses at his command, sending a wild wave of shudders to paralyze my body. My body trembles as I whimper helplessly under his relentless touch. He draws out my orgasm and I nearly push him away from the intensity. With my body trembling, he readjusts and I’m all too aware that the time has come.
