MINI STORY: A Beta and His Mate

"A Beta and his Vampire Princess" Chapter 7

“This does not change anything.” Gena snapped from inside the bathroom.

She was examining her new mark which was completely healed by now and shimmering an iridescent silver color.

“Oh doesn’t it?” Greyson teased, poking his head through the bathroom door.

“No, you’re still irritating.” Gena said without looking at him.

“And you’re still beautiful.” Greyson winked.

Greyson walked back across the hotel room to pick up his shirt. He admired his new mark in the mirror that was hanging on the bedroom wall. It was two puncture wounds that have already healed over forming a scab of silver on each wound.

“Do you want breakfast?” Greyson called out.

“Up to you.” Gena replied.

After breakfast, Gena and Greyson got back on the road. If they made good time, they should arrive inside Alpha Brady’s pack territory by the end of the day. Gena had her feet propped up on the dashboard of the car while nodding her head absentmindedly to the music. Greyson kept sneaking peeks at his mate from the corner of his eyes, enjoying the relaxed expression she wore when she thought no one was watching.

“You keep staring at me and it’s creepy.” Gena smirked.

“Sorry, princess, I just can’t help myself.” Greyson chuckled.

“Try harder.” She rolled her eyes.

“We should be in Florida in a few hours.” Greyson said, changing the subject.

“Have you ever been to this pack before?” Gena asked.

“No, I’ve never been to Florida before.” He laughed.

“It’s been a few decades since I’ve been.” Gena shrugged and Greyson gave her the side eye.

It was strange to think about the fact that his mate was hundreds of years older than him and has seen so much of the world. She didn’t look much older than him and yet her life experiences far out weighed anything he’s done in his life.

“From what I understand there are four packs in Florida: Alpha’s Brady pack which is the Sunshine Pack, the oldest pack in the US which is Valor Moon, and then there’s the Red Oak Pack and the North Pine Pack.” Greyson explained.

“We’re going to the Sunshine Pack? That is the sissiest pack name I’ve ever heard and I’ve been around the block a time or two.” Gena rolled her eyes at the pack’s name. Greyson just shrugged,

“Florida is a pretty peaceful state all in all. The werewolves and the humans get along exceptionally well, all things considered, and they have the lowest rogue population in the country. They also have a very strong peace treaty among the four packs. There’s this common merchant space that the packs utilize for most of their needs to help limit their exposure to the humans and to encourage unity among the packs.” Greyson said,

“I guess that sounds alright.” Gena shrugged.

“They don’t make much noise and they stay out of everyone’s business. It’ll be a good place for us to lay low for a while.” Greyson assured her, reaching across the car to pick up her hand and give it a comforting squeeze.

Gena stared at their interlocking fingers like it was the most complex thing in the world. Of all her centuries of life, Gena has never felt the matebond and has never loved someone the way she was already starting to love Greyson. Her brothers were the only relationships she’s ever known. It was hard to have friends when you were the princess of the infamous and nameless Vampire King.

“If you say so.” Gena shrugged, looking away from Greyson before he could see the change in her expression.

By nightfall, they arrived at the small house that Noah had Alpha Brady prepare for them. It was right on the beach, surrounded by water, sand, and trees; not a neighbor in sight. It was a traditional little beach cottage that was mounted up on stilts in case of a storm. There was a long staircase that led from the back driveway to the small front porch.

Greyson grabbed their bags from the back of the car and motioned for Gena to go first. They drug themselves up the steps and used the key Alpha Brady had hidden for them under the welcome mat to open the storm door and heavy white front door. Inside was a small front entryway with a coat closet and shoe rack that doubled as a bench. The floor was made of white tile to help with the mess one would bring in from the beach.

Gena and Greyson walked through the entryway and towards the main part of the house. It was a large open room that made up the kitchen, living room, and dining room. The kitchen had granite countertops that were white with specks of blue and green, white subway tile as the back splash, and light blue cabinets. There was a large farm style dining table with bench seating on the other side of the kitchen island. Across from the dining room was the living room which had a large gray sectional, wood burning fireplace with a whitewash brick hearth and barnwood mantle, and a TV that hung above it.

“It’s nice, don’t you think?” Greyson smiled, looking over at Gena as she explored the house.

“Very nice.” Gena nodded.

“Let’s see what’s down the hall.” Greyson said before heading out of the living area and down the hallway.

There was a full sized guest bathroom and two master suites which both had their own bathrooms. They were both identical with a queen sized bed, gas fireplace, walk in closet, and a four piece bathroom. Greyson threw his bags down in one of the rooms and c****d an eyebrow at Gena.

“And where will my princess be staying?” He asked with a smirk.

“With an expression like that I’m tempted to stay the other room.” Gena sneered, crossing her arms over her chest.

Greyson dropped her bag on the floor and moved to stand in front of his mate. He wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her towards his chest. He glared at her arms when she didn’t move them, preventing him from feeling her body flush with his.

“I’ll beg if you want me to, princess.” Greyson lowered his voice and his gaze so they were eyelevel, which wasn’t very difficult considering Gena was almost as tall as he was.

“I think I might want to see that.” Gena said, amusement clear in her expression.

Greyson shot her a crooked smirk before dropping down to his knees and yanking her hands free from her chest. He held both of her hands and put on his best puppy dog eyes.

“Please stay with me, my beautiful princess mate?” He begged.

Gena scoffed and rolled her eyes, ripping her hands from his grasp.

“Only if you promise to make me breakfast every single morning.” She challenged him. Greyson hopped up,

“Done.” He agreed easily.

Gena threw her head back and laughed, leaving Greyson memorized by the sounds and sights of his mate actually being happy for once. Without realizing that she was being watched, Gena opened her suitcase and pulled out her pajamas. She turned to walk towards the bathroom and jumped when she realized Greyson was standing right behind her.

“What?” She gasped.

“I don’t think that you need these.” Greyson smirked, taking the shorts and t-shirt from her hands, “You didn’t need them last night.”

“I don’t usually sleep naked, Beta.” Gena rolled her eyes.

“You should.”

“I need a shower.” Gena grumbled, trying to keep her body in control.

“Me too.” Greyson said in a low, husky tone as he leaned down to kiss Gena.

She allowed her lips to be taken by his, moving against him passionately until she was breathless. When he pulled away to kiss her neck, she wiggled free of his grip and snatched up her clothes before scurrying off to the bathroom. She laughed at Greyson’s face as she slammed the bathroom door shut and locked it.

“You really think this door can stop me, princess?” Greyson growled from the other side.

“It will if my mate wishes to show me some respect.” Gena said, playing dirty.

She heard Greyson let out a frustrated sigh and stomp away, mumbling something about her being mean. Gena was laughing as she set up the shower and undressed.