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“Welcome home, doll. I hope you like it.”
She smiled. “I love it. It’s, um…big.”
He chuckled. “Our sheds are larger than where you lived.”
“No shit? Seriously?” Wen sounded stunned.
Trayis released her hand. “Stay there, Shay.” He glanced into the backseat. “No shit. Wen, thanks for coming to get us. You’re still in charge until tomorrow. Shay and I are going to enjoy our evening without interruptions. Make sure that happens.”
“Fine. Tymber is in the back, though, grilling your dinner. The steaks should be about done. He knew when I left, so he guesstimated when we’d return.”
Shay stayed still as Trayis got out and came around the front of the SUV. He opened her door and helped her down from the tall vehicle. Then he tucked her to his side, leading her up the porch steps to the front door. He opened it and used his foot to shove the door wide.
Then he surprised her by scooping her into his arms and carrying her inside.
She stared in amazement at the interior. It had beautiful log beams, a high ceiling in the living area, and a rock fireplace that dominated one wall. The kitchen area was under a loft. There were hardwood floors with a few rugs thrown in the living space near the couch and loveseat. The furniture was basic but looked comfortable.
He kicked the door closed behind them. “What do you think?”
She grinned. “It’s stunning.”
Footsteps sounded from a hallway on the other side of the kitchen, and then another big man walked forward, holding a platter. He grinned at them, entering the kitchen. He was tall, maybe six-five, with a muscled body covered in a tight T-shirt, faded jeans, and black boots. His black hair was long, pulled into a ponytail that had fallen over his shoulder. It nearly reached his waist. Light blue eyes were a stark contrast against his tan skin and hair color.
“Welcome home! Four steaks, medium rare. Baked potatoes and all the trimmings are on the counter. I even remembered to put out plates.” The guy winked. “Now I’ll get the hell out.”
“Thanks, Tymber. This is Shay.”
She waved to him. “Hi. It’s nice to meet you—and thank you for dinner.”
“I was glad to do it. I can’t wait to get to know you, Shay. You must be someone very special to have caught Trayis.” He grinned wide, his gaze locking on his clan leader. “You did good, man. See you in the morning. Wen and I told everyone there would be a meeting outside your office at ten. That way you can announce your mate.” He inhaled, his nostrils flaring. “She’s carrying your scent, but not strong enough yet.”
“We haven’t officially mated,” Shay admitted.
Surprise widened Tymber’s eyes.
“Yet. I wanted to wait until we got here,” Trayis added. “Thanks for dinner and for helping to get this place ready for Shay.”
“Anytime.” Tymber passed by them, leaving out the front door.
Trayis gently deposited her on her feet. “Take a look around real quick if you want. I’m going to get our bags. I’ll be right back, and then we’ll eat. I’m starving.”
“Me too.” It had been a while since their in-flight meal.
He left but Shay didn’t move. She just looked around, taking in every detail. The living room was large but cozy at the same time. The kitchen was updated, at least six times larger than what she was used to, and it had nice appliances. Even a dishwasher. It shocked her to find a home this nice in such a remote area.
Trayis returned with their bags and walked to the other side of the room to the curved staircase. “I’m going to drop these in the master. Want a quick tour?”
She nodded, hurrying after him. They’d used logs for the banister, too. She ran her hands over the smooth, polished rails. “This is amazing.”
“We have a lot of time up here to learn skills. And tons of trees. It also saves money when we can build our own stuff from natural resources. Not that we’re broke. The gold rush times were damn good to us.”
Shay laughed. “Really? You mined gold?”
He chuckled when he reached the top of the stairs. “We did. VampLycans don’t fear hard work, long hours, or physical labor. We excelled at it.”
There were some bookshelves, most of them empty, and a leather couch in the loft. He entered a hallway and she followed. It led to three open doors. The first one was a bathroom. The second a compact guestroom. The third door opened into a bedroom larger than she’d expected. It had another fireplace along the back wall, and an open door to the left revealed another bathroom. Next to it were two slider closets. “Wow.”
He dropped their bags near the bed and turned. “Under this, behind the kitchen area, is another master bedroom with a bath, a half bath, and some storage space, which could be turned into another large bedroom down the road, or even split into two smaller ones.” He paused. “If we ever need more.”
She felt her cheeks heat. “Do you want that many kids? I mean, you have two spare bedrooms already. You’re implying we could convert two more. That would be at least four kids.”
He nodded.
“That’s probably good since, you know, I can’t control my ovaries.”
He grinned. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. We can even expand the cabin to six or more bedrooms by adding onto the sides or the back.”
“Whoa!” She was stunned. “That many, huh?”
“We live a long damn time, Shay. You’ll be drinking my blood on a regular basis once we’re mated. Even if your aging wasn’t going to slow from your Lycan father, my blood will do that for you. You’re thinking in human terms again.”
“I tend to do that.”
He approached her. “Let’s eat, and think about making babies afterward.”
“Good plan.”
“Do you like the bedroom? We can move downstairs if you like the other master more. I just prefer being on the second story because of our winters.”
She glanced at the fireplace. “I bet that’s nice to have on chilly nights.”
“The other master has a fireplace, too. I just like the views better from up here. In the winter, the snow can pile high enough to block some of the windows on the lower level.”
“I’m great with this as our bedroom.” She glanced at the huge bed. “That looks comfortable.”
He chuckled. “It is. You’ll find out yourself soon—I’m going to mate you in it.”
She was looking forward to that.
Trayis took her hand and led her downstairs. They plated the food, fixed their baked potatoes with butter, cheese, and chives. “This was really nice of Tymber.”
“He and Wen have a motive for being so welcoming. They say I work too much, which makes me moody.” He winked. “Now that I have you, I’ll cut back my hours. That means I won’t be such an asshole.”
She laughed. “At least you have a sense of humor about it.”
“I told you the clan leader doesn’t take himself too seriously.”
“You did. I just didn’t realize you were speaking about yourself at the time.”
“I didn’t want you to run away from me.”
She couldn’t blame him for that.
Chapter Seventeen
Shay showered, wanting to feel refreshed after all their travel time. Trayis waited in their bedroom. She wrapped a towel around her body then exited the bathroom. Trayis had lit the fireplace, and he sat on the edge of the bed. He’d removed his shoes, socks, and shirt. Even the button of his jeans were undone. His sex appeal left her almost gawking at him in appreciation.
He rose to his feet, his beautiful eyes showing golden streaks. He smiled. “You ready, doll?”
She nodded and loosened the towel, allowing it to drop. His gaze lowered down her body and a low rumble came from his throat.
“I’m a little nervous, though.”
He stalked closer, until he stopped less than a foot away. “There’s no need to be.”
She reached up and placed her hands on his chest, peering at him. �
��Are you sure about this, Trayis?”
“Absolutely. You’re mine, Shay. My heart is yours. My body. All of me. Forever.”
“I feel the same way.”
He gently gripped her hips. “You’re thinking too hard again. I have a cure for that.”
She grinned. “I know you do.”
He lifted her off her feet and she clutched at his shoulders. He turned, walked them to the bed, and then gently placed her on it. “Stay there.”
She watched as he quickly shed his jeans and crawled onto the bed next to her. She rolled toward him, touching his chest again. He had such a great body that she couldn’t help but want to put her hands on him.
“We won’t use a condom this time.” His voice came out deeper. “I’m excited about taking you bare. Nothing between us.”
She worried her lip. “Maybe you should, um…investigate me down there first, before we mate.”
A grin split his face. “That’s an adorable way to tell me you want me to go down on you, doll.” He ran his tongue over his lips and the gold streaks in his eyes brightened. “And I’d be happy to.”
She blushed. “Not that. To see if I’m ovulating. If I am, we could wait to seal our bond until I’m not. You know, to avoid me getting pregnant.”
His humor faded in a blink. “I’d love to have a baby with you—and it will be able to shift, Shay. I almost lost you. The only reason I didn’t mate you last night was because I didn’t want us traveling right afterward. But I refuse to put it off any longer.”
“But we should wait a bit before we risk becoming parents. I mean, this happened so fast.”
He adjusted his body, stretched an arm up and resting his head on his hand. “You grew up with Lycans, Shay. Not humans. You know we don’t date for years. Hell, we don’t date, period. We follow our instincts and trust them. I’m ashamed it took me this long to figure out what you are to me.”
She frowned. “We haven’t known each other long. I mean, we have, since you’ve always visited Arlis and the pack, but you know what I mean.”
“I do. We’re together now. I should have realized the first time I took you to my bed that you were my mate, when I felt things I normally don’t. The Vampire side can screw with the Lycan, just like you’ve got your human half screwing with your instincts. It didn’t help that my brother’s pack made you feel less amazing than you are. But I’m one hundred percent certain I want you for the rest of my life. No qualms. No hesitation. I’m all in, Shay. What is your gut telling you? Be honest.”
“That I love you. You’re all I want. And that’s never going to change.”
He smiled at that. “Now…don’t think. Just say the first thing that pops into your head. Ready?”
She nodded.
“Do you want to have kids with me? Yes or no?”
“Yes.”
His grin returned. “I’m going to mate you now, Shay. Link us together forever. It’s not like we’ll become instant parents tomorrow. But I’ve already imagined you heavy with my child.” He scooted closer. “I want to make that a reality.”
Her eyes widened when his very stiff cock pressed into her stomach.
“That’s my reaction to thinking about you pregnant. Does that feel as if I’m worried or not ready to try? We’re both half Lycan, doll. There’s no such thing as too fast or a timeframe of when we should start a family together. Let me mate you. Say yes, Shay.”
She didn’t have to think about it. “Yes, Trayis.”
He kissed her. She stopped worrying about everything, getting lost in him. His kisses had a habit of doing that to her. Passion flared hot between them. She rubbed against his firm body, moaning around his tongue.
Trayis pushed her onto her back, coming down over her. She adjusted, allowing him to climb between her thighs. She bent her knees, trying to wrap her legs around his waist, but Trayis wiggled his ass, inching down her body as he broke the kiss. His mouth went to her neck next.
She twisted her head to give him access, moaning when he lightly nipped. She could feel his fangs slide out and figured he’d bite her. He didn’t, though. Instead using the sharp tips just to tease the sensitive skin and torture her with open-mouthed kisses.
“You make me burn up, doll,” he rasped. “I want inside you so bad.”
“Yes.” It didn’t take much for Trayis to turn her on. Just his kisses and having his body pressed against hers made her wet. He slid one of his hands between their bodies, playing with her clit. She bucked her hips against his fingers.
“Now,” she moaned.
“Not yet.”
He planned to torment her. She clawed at his shoulders, not worried about her nails doing much damage. They were human nails. He’d heal fast from any scratches. He lowered farther down her body, his mouth trailing to her breasts. All the while he rubbed her clit. She almost came when he sucked on her taut nipple.
“Trayis!”
He growled. It was the sexiest sound.
Then he rose up and pushed his thick cock into her.
The feel of him taking her so deep, so bare, had her crying out. Her nails bit into his skin when he began to furiously thrust his hips, riding her fast and hard.
That’s what she’d wanted. Trayis all the way inside her.
“Neck,” he snarled.
She tilted her head to give him access. His lips and fangs brushed across her skin, his body pinning her tighter to the bed, and she felt her climax building. He suddenly lifted his head and stilled. She opened her eyes and stared into his. They were mostly golden now, glowing fiercely.
He lifted his arm, biting into his wrist. She watched, knowing they’d have to exchange blood. As a half-breed who couldn’t shift, she couldn’t just bite into him the way Werewolves did during a mating. He’d have to bleed for her. And he did. He pressed his wrist to her mouth and she latched on.
His blood coated her tongue. She didn’t have time to gag on the coppery taste or think about what she was doing, since Trayis began to move again, taking her even faster, harder. He adjusted his hips, rubbing his body against her clit.
Then his mouth was back on her throat—and he bit.
The sudden pain, along with the intense pleasure, sent Shay over the edge.
Ecstasy washed through her. She swallowed more blood, knowing how important it was to bond to her mate. Trayis groaned against her neck, his body quaking as he emptied himself deep inside her body. He kept moving, drinking her blood, and she took more of his.
He finally withdrew his fangs and licked her skin. Both of them were out of breath, and she felt a bit dazed. Not just from the great sex, but also what his blood was doing to her. She felt tired but exhilarated at the same time.
Trayis lifted his head and brushed his lips over hers, blood mingling from their mouths.
“Open to me,” he demanded.
She parted her lips and he deepened the kiss. She ran her hands from his back up to his hair, sinking her fingers into the thick strands.
An odd sensation began in her belly, and heat spread throughout her entire body. She gasped, pulling away from his mouth. She felt feverish. She stared up at Trayis in confusion.
He grinned. “We’re not done, doll. We’re just getting started. When I give you my blood while making love to you, it’s going to turn you on even more.”
“I feel so hot…”
He began to slowly move inside her again. Shay moaned. He’d just come but he was hard again. “Yes, you do. So hot, so tight, and so mine.”
His glowing gaze was locked with hers, and she didn’t ever want to look away. His eyes were stunning. “You’re mine, too.”
“I am. Always yours, Shay. My mate. Say it.”
“My mate.”
He kissed her again, taking the second round slow, as he stroked her to another climax.
* * * * *
Trayis watched Shay sleep. He’d taken her twice but she needed rest.
His fangs remained out. The Vampire side of him wouldn’t bac
k down and had demanded to be present while he’d claimed his mate. He checked her pulse, finding her heartbeat strong and steady. She was small and frail, yet he’d taken a lot of blood from her twice.
He glanced at the wrist he’d bitten to give her his blood. Blood that would heal her. Make her stronger. Maybe even give her the ability to shift.
That had him smiling. He’d bet she’d be a dainty Lycan, cute as shit, just like her human self.
Hours passed but he didn’t move from her side. Just watching her breathe fascinated him. He had a mate. It was something he’d doubted he’d ever find. Occasionally, during the long winter months, he’d considered finding a woman compatible to his personality and settling. Then summer would come, he’d get busy with his clan, and he’d realize all over again that he never wanted just any woman. He wanted his other half.
Now she lay in his bed, her hair spread across his pillow, and nothing had ever felt righter. Just looking at her made him feel happy and complete.
He ran his hand down to her stomach, cupping it. One day they might have children. He had always loved them. It was a celebration whenever a couple mated and had young. A part of him had felt envy each time.
Now one day he could have that with Shay. The next baby he held in his arms might be his own, instead of a new member he was welcoming to his clan, giving its parents his official blessing. Not that it was needed. He didn’t believe in that bullshit. But the first generation of VampLycans had been raised by their Lycan mothers, while the packs were still present. They knew pack traditions and demanded certain things from Trayis.
He stroked her belly and Shay stirred, opening her eyes, and an instant smile curved her lips.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered.
Her smile widened. “You’re so hot.”
He chuckled. “I’m going to make you something to eat. Then I plan to make love to you again.”
She rolled toward him, placing her hands against his chest, stroking him. One of her thumbs teased his nipple. “How about we make love and then eat?”