He tore his gaze from her to study Kraven. “Relax, my old friend. I would never kill you over a woman—even her. Though I admit to a little envy.” He looked back at Bat. “Continue what you were doing. I like the sound of your voice and hate bullshit as well. Males love to posture. My time is limited and I need to return home. Let us determine the outcome of this meeting and we’ll go from there.”
Rock guy was scary, she decided. A chill went down her spine. He’d given her an order and she definitely felt inclined to follow it. She gripped Kraven to keep him close while she took a few seconds to find her composure and focus on the task at hand. Her hold on Kraven eased and she put a little space between them, going into professional mode. Her mate allowed it but he stayed close.
“Lorn?”
He returned to his spot at the table. “What?”
“You heard Lord Aveoth.” Don’t call him rock guy. Please don’t slip. She feared the GarLycan didn’t have a sense of humor. She could sense it. “Decker is his. I’ll assume that means he won’t be our problem anymore.”
“I’ll find him and end his miserable life,” Aveoth clarified.
Bat swallowed hard. She believed rock guy meant every word. “Decker won’t be returning to your clan. Someone needs to take charge. It’s obviously going to be a tough decision for you to make, one that comes with grave consequences. I’m sorry for that.”
“I need time to think about it.” Lorn faced Velder. “Give me a few days to assess the situation at home. There will be infighting if I step up. That’s a given. I also need to consult with my brother, Lavos. I can’t agree to challenge for leadership without his support.”
“That’s understandable.” Velder sighed. “I am truly regretful for your situation but things can’t remain the same. Some of your members have requested to move into other territories and become parts of our clans. That could leave only Decker supporters there, and we can’t have that. They could start trouble for us all. Do you understand?”
Lorn nodded. “I do.”
Bat wasn’t exactly certain what that meant.
Kraven cleared it up for her. “We’d have to go in and make certain they weren’t a threat any longer.”
“You’d have to kill them?”
Kraven nodded.
Bat stared at Lorn. He looked miserable, and she felt pity for him. A lot rested on his shoulders. People were going to die, either way. Lorn would have to weed out the bad himself or the other clans would do it for him.
“Some will be too afraid to leave. They’ve lived in fear of Decker for far too long. That would mean you’d take out innocents in the process.” Lorn’s expression hardened. “I’ll get back to you in a few days. Please give me that time.”
“It’s yours.” Velder nodded. “Decker is on the run. We can wait. I’ll temporarily halt permission for any of your clan to join ours.”
“We will too,” Wen announced. “I’ll talk to my clan leader.”
“So will I,” Brody agreed.
“I have an enemy to hunt.” Lord Aveoth bowed slightly. “We’ll talk in a few days.” He spun, leaving the way he’d come, closing the door behind him.
The dinner broke up fast, the two enforcers from the other clans and Lorn leaving. Bat expected her new father-in-law to rant at her for interceding once only family remained, but he surprised her.
“Batina.”
She lifted her chin, staring at the man who looked a lot like Kraven. “Yes?”
“Lord Aveoth was correct. Males love to posture. You got to the heart of the matter and pinpointed the important details. Thank you. It could have been a long night otherwise.”
“None of my furniture got broken during a fight this time. I appreciate that.” Crayla grinned. “That’s a first when the clans come together. The food distracts them for only so long but once it’s eaten, they tend to throw a few punches.”
Velder brushed a kiss on his wife’s cheek. “We’ll have her come when Lorn returns.”
“Great. I’m the clan bullshitter but Bat gets to be the clan peacekeeper.”
Bat frowned at her sister. “What?”
Dusti rolled her eyes. “Nothing. You did good. That would have been one brawl I didn’t want to see go down.”
“We’re going home.” Kraven snagged Bat’s hand. “Good night.”
Bat followed him out of the house and they walked to his cabin. It still irritated her that he refused to lock the door unless they were home, and even then he’d told her it was only to keep people from walking in and disturbing them.
Once inside, he pulled her into his arms and chuckled. “You shocked them.”
“Are you mad?”
“No. The enforcers tried to pick a fight with Lorn over petty issues. We don’t know him but they seem to. I had wondered why they were so resistant to him. He visits their clans when he’s in heat. You made them reveal that fact.”
“They were being assholes to Lorn.”
“We’re protective of our women. It would piss us off too if he came here and didn’t leave a good impression with someone who agreed to share his heat.”
“He just doesn’t want a mate. Did you cuddle the women you slept with?”
He shook his head. “I’m not answering that. I love you. You’re the most important woman in my life. The past doesn’t matter.”
She agreed. “I don’t really want the details. I love you too.”
“Aveoth will find Decker and kill him. I’ll get you back to L.A. as soon as that happens.”
Bat stared into his eyes. “I was thinking about that…”
“Decker talked the Vampire Council into putting a bounty on you, and the Lycans are aware of it too.” Kraven’s mood darkened. “Aveoth is a good hunter. It won’t take long, but we’re not returning to L.A. until Decker is dead. I’d do anything for you but your safety comes foremost.”
She chewed on her bottom lip. “I’m not asking you to take me home. To be honest…I’m okay with staying here for a while.”
His mouth dropped open and she could see she’d stunned him.
“I’m not saying I’m ready to apply for a driver’s license or sell my condo just yet, but your people need help. It was like watching a bunch of brooding teenagers trying to have an important discussion but their hormones were getting in the way. You need a clearheaded negotiator to keep them on track when they have sit-downs. I’m familiar with politics. You’ve got four governments, pretty much, that are trying to work together as a whole. Five, counting the GarLycans. And we’re not even sure if Lorn will head his clan. That means other candidates might be in the running. It could take some time to sort this mess out. I need to learn your laws and regulations so I understand things better before the clans meet up again, but how hard can that be?”
He gaped at her.
“Close your mouth, sweetheart. I love a challenge. I need to get a look at your constitution or whatever you use.”
He took a deep breath. “They aren’t written down but I could explain everything to you.”
“That’s a good start. That way I won’t have to ask what’s allowed and what isn’t.”
“What are you saying?”
“Part of my job is settling disputes. There’s a lot of negotiation that happens behind closed doors. Not every case goes to court.” Her excitement grew the more she considered the possibilities. “You said there’s tension between the clans, especially between Decker’s and Aveoth’s. Five parties need to sit down on a regular basis and come to terms.”
“You want to be a part of that?”
“I do.” She grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer. “I really do. It’s the perfect solution.”
He still appeared stunned.
“We’ll get to stay here longer with your family and my sister. I haven’t had time off in forever. It won’t exactly be a vacation and I won’t be paid. Pro bono is fine, and I won’t technically be an attorney. I’m not licensed in this state. I could be
though. I’ll have to check into what I need to do about that. I’m certain someone here will need one, what with the way you guys love to fight.”
Kraven grinned wide. I love you.
“I love you too.”
His body turned rigid.
“What’s wrong?”
“I didn’t say that aloud.”
“Yes you did. I heard it.”
He sealed his lips firmly. I love your ass, too. It’s mine!
Bat heard him but he wasn’t talking. His voice sounded inside her head. It was her turn to gape at him.
“Our bond’s in place. Try thinking at me.”
“I don’t know how.”
“Try, Hellion. Just focus on me and think something.”
This is freaking me out.
He laughed. “I know but it’s part of being VampLycan mates. It’s normal.”
Shit! He heard me.
“I did. I do.” He scooped her up into his arms. I hope the physical bond is in place. We’re about to find out.
“What does that mean?” She clung to him.
He placed her on his bed and began to strip. “Amazing sex. Get naked, Hellion.”
Her hands trembled as she removed her shoes and twisted on the bed to take off her clothes. “We’re going to fight a lot if you can read my thoughts.”
“We’ll adjust to having private thoughts and open ones. Trust me.”
I do.
He grinned. Good.
This is still freaking me out.
“We’ll stop talking then. Only feel.” He stepped closer to the bed and wiggled his finger. “Come here.”
She went to him.
He reached out and pulled until she rose to her knees, facing him. “Open your mind, focus on me, and suck on my nipple.”
“What are we doing?”
“It’s a test to see if you can feel what I do. Try it, Bat.”
She licked her lips, gripped his bared hips, and leaned in. Her mouth fastened over his nipple and she gently sucked. She used her tongue to play with him.
A moan tore from her when her own nipple throbbed and she jerked back, startled.
“You felt it, didn’t you? How good it feels to have your mouth on me?” Excitement thickened his voice.
“Is that what that was?”
He nodded. “Keep your mind wide open.” He backed up a little and separated them. “Close your eyes and lay down.”
Bat followed his directions.
“Relax.”
She tried. She forced her muscles to go lax and just lay flat on the bed. His fingers lightly ran down her stomach, lower, and Kraven gently touched her clit. She spread her legs wider to give him better access. His fingers brushed over the sensitive nub, rubbing back and forth. Bat moaned. It felt good but there was…a strangeness to it, for some reason.
She opened her eyes—and gasped.
He wasn’t on the bed with her or even within reach. He stood in the exact same spot but he was cupping his erect cock with one of his hands, brushing his thumb over the crown. He released himself.
“We’re linked. You ready, Hellion? You’re about to learn firsthand why mates don’t ever want someone else. Nothing can come close to what we’re about to do together.” He climbed on the bed with her and took possession of her mouth.
Desire and heat swamped Bat. It burned her up. She clutched at Kraven, trying to pull him closer. She couldn’t get enough of him. She felt her own nails digging into her skin, despite actually clawing at his back. She ran her fingers lower to the curve of his ass, moaning. She twisted her head away from his lips.
“Fuck me now,” she demanded. “I need you inside me.”
“I know.”
He adjusted his hips. She was ready, wet and needy as his cock rubbed against her spread pussy. He entered her with one swift thrust and Bat cried out, wrapping her legs around his waist. She lifted them a little higher almost immediately, realizing it made it easier for him to move when she did. He fucked her fast and hard. His powerful body pinned her to the bed, and sheer ecstasy inundated her.
Bat screamed out as a climax hit. She wasn’t certain if he’d sent them over the edge or she had, but they were experiencing it together. She could sense his love for her, how much she meant to him, and incredible pleasure.
Fear came next. It was all too intense. Too much…
It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you.
His voice inside her head made her focus on him. It helped.
“I’m right here,” he rasped next to her ear. “I’m never letting you go. Don’t be afraid.”
Tears filled her eyes.
Kraven lifted his head, peering at her.
“I know, Hellion. You’re wide open to me right now. I’m never going to hurt you.”
She knew that. Knew for certain now. He’d rather die than do anything that would break her heart or put a wedge between them.
This is mating. It’s two becoming one. Don’t be afraid. There’s no fear here. It’s just us, together. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
Yes.
Tears shone in his eyes but he smiled. You act so tough but you’re brimming with emotions. See? I’m feeling them too. You’re my hellion and I love you.
I think I’ll die without you.
It won’t ever happen. You’re stuck with me.
Promise?
Kraven nodded. I always keep my word.
A sense of peace settled inside Bat. She believed him. Loving someone had been considered a weakness to her for so long…but not anymore. Kraven had changed everything about her life and made it better.
Her job in L.A. didn’t matter. The man holding her did.
“You can have both,” he rasped. “We’ll make it work and find a way.”
“We will.”