Page 83 of Mated to the Vikings

Maybe we were lucky.

Or maybe the disease was simply dormant.

Rowena had remained steadfast, working night and day alongside myself and a staff of Galerian doctors until we’d inoculated and stabilized every hybrid. What we found difficult to swallow was that without the experiments and DNA splicing, the cure would never have been found.

Maybe karma had reared her beautiful head after all.

Teams of soldiers had combed the forests and mountains for any sign of human arrival, especially either Dr. Forrester or his minions. Fourteen survivors from the Facility 22 had been rounded up and for now, they were considered prisoners of Galerius. Time would tell as to their fate.

The lies and deceit had taken a toll on all of us, but I, for one, was one happy girl.

David broke the kiss, rubbing his nose against mine. “Time to make a set of rules.”

“Does that mean you’re keeping me?” I teased as he struggled to open the door to our new home. We’d been given a gift of a house by Steen, a payment or reward for saving their species. I still felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, as if another black cloud would soon surface, destroying our happiness.

“I could ask you the same question,” he growled, blowing a very hot breath across my face.

“If you’d learn how to cook and clean, maybe.”

He threw his head back, laughing as he headed into the main room, easing me onto my feet. “I think someone needs a round of discipline.”

“Uh, no, thank you.” I backed away, darting back and forth from furniture to furniture. I adored his playful ways, his ability to laugh at everything.

“Yes, I know so.”

His long legs outmaneuvered me and within seconds, he had me in his clutches, bending me over and immediately swatting my ass with his bare hand. Even though my bottom was covered in thick material, I could still feel the burn sliding up down my legs. But as always, the sensations left me wet and hot, hungry for more than just his firm hand.

“You’re mouthy. Far too opinionated. You need to learn manners.” David dropped into a sitting position, rattling off several offenses as he pulled me over his lap. He continued the spanking, finally stopping long enough to yank down my pants and panties.

“Ouch!” I kicked out, struggling hard enough he threw his leg over mine, holding me in place.

“You ask for this. You do know that, don’t you?” His voice was gravelly, full of the kind of sensual husk that made me weak in my knees.

“But I’m a good girl.”

Snorting, he continued, concentrating his efforts, one smack coming after the other. He had the most intense stamina, able to go for twenty minutes. I whimpered, the heat increasing along with the pain level, but he refused to stop.

I eventually stopped fighting him, dropping my hands to the floor. My heart never stopped racing or my nipples aching. Erik had mentioned tonight was special and while I had no idea what was in store for me, I was ripe with excitement.

“Now, if I let you up, you’re going to promise to be obedient and follow our orders tonight. Correct?”

“You drive a hard bargain.”

As he eased me onto my feet, this was the first time I noticed a sad look in his eyes. “You are so very special to us. I hope you know that.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, my lovely one. I’ve never had a real family. What we share means everything to me and if anyone were to try and take it away, well, I would kill them.”

The words were just as haunting as when Erik had said them, but completely unexpected coming from David. He was the gentle soul, the quiet worker who’d been forced into enduring unspeakable acts.

The extra DNA strand. I knew…

* * *

Erik

“I wonder what’s taking our little human so long?” Brexin asked, tipping his glass as he nodded toward the closed bedroom door.