Tate POV
As the clock struck ten, Cade's eyes were fixated on the glowing screen of the tracking app installed on our phones. The map displayed our locations, but it was Calista's movements that caught our attention. The app showed her leaving work and instead of returning, she made an unexpected stop at the beach. "Second time she's been there late at night," Cade remarked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Dean, now composed, replied, "Maybe she just enjoys it there. Let's stay focused on our mission. Our family is counting on us. We need to report any unusual activities and protect the siren from falling into the hands of demons."
"She will come back," Dean reassured us. "I believe her. Let's focus on our mission here. We can't let our family down."
Cade's eyes darted to his phone, the screen casting a soft blue glow on his face. He jumped up suddenly. "Calista is in trouble," he exclaimed, urgency lacing his voice. The sound of his hurried footsteps echoed down as he sprinted towards the door.
We followed suit, our footsteps echoing in sync with Cade's. The chilly night air hit us like a slap as we stepped outside, causing goosebumps to rise on our skin. The engine roared to life as Dean started the car, the low hum filling the silence.
Fear mingled with anger as I realized the danger she was in.
Dean's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. The car sped through the empty streets, tires screeching against the asphalt. The occasional flickering street lamp illuminated our path, casting eerie shadows on the surrounding buildings.
As we approached the beach, the crashing waves drowned out all other sounds. The salty sea air filled our lungs, leaving a briny taste on our tongues.
When we saw her, she was standing on the damn beach with three demons, but they vanished before we could act. She looked in our direction, her eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and weariness. Slowly, she walked towards us, her wet footsteps leaving a trail in the sand.
"Thanks for coming to give me a ride," she said nonchalantly, as if being surrounded by demons was no big deal. I longed to hold her in my arms, to feel the warmth of her body against mine. But her rules prevented me from doing so. I examined her closely, noticing how her clothes clung to her skin, dripping with water.
"We already told you it's not safe right now, yet you went for a f*****g swim," I snapped at her, frustration seeping into my voice. Dean tried to calm me down, but all I could do was growl in response. She moved closer to me, her eyes pleading for understanding.
"I like swimming alone," Calista said, her voice filled with a hint of longing, as she walked closer to me.
"Don't," I began to speak, my words tinged with a sigh. "Look, it's not safe right now. You're lucky you are alive right now," I explained, the tension evident in my voice. She knew the danger she had narrowly escaped.
"They left because they sensed you three," she admitted. Gratitude laced her words. "Thank you for coming for me, and I'm sorry for the trouble."
"I am going to stay out and search around the beach for a little to see if I can find anything," Cade said.
"They were searching for the siren and then when they saw me they said I would make a good snack," Calista explained.
"Ok, then they must be confident the siren is in this area, especially for two sightings in one day," Cade said, his tone filled with a mix of concern and curiosity.
"Tate and Dean, get Calista back to the hotel and I will be back soon," Cade instructed, his voice tinged with urgency. Calista followed me and Dean back to the car.
"So, what do we get for coming to your rescue?" I teased Calista, a mischievous smirk playing on my lips. She raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "What do you want?"
"Come to our room and watch a movie with us," I said, a hint of anticipation in my voice. Calista agreed with a nod, and we climbed into the car.
As we drove towards the hotel, I couldn't shake the feeling that Calista had a deeper reason for going to the beach. Hero sensed my unease. "Mate's in trouble, I can smell her fear," he spoke directly into my mind.
"She just confronted demons, I don't blame her for being afraid," I responded, my voice filled with understanding. Hero insisted that we mark her to always keep track of her, fearing we might lose her. "Don't worry, we will mark her once the week is over. I refuse to let her go, even if it means ignoring her initial resistance. In the end, she will come to love all three of us," I reassured him.
"You two are mad at me, aren't you?" Calista asked as we pulled up to the hotel. Dean shook his head, his expression softening.
"No, just worried," Dean said.
"You're so silent," she whispered, her voice barely audible. In this moment, I observed a newfound tranquility within her. Perhaps, she felt more at ease with us. Yet, it also evoked a desire within me yet again to hold her, to reassure her that she was safe in our presence.
As we stepped out of the car and made our way towards the hotel, I noticed her trembling. Offering my hand, I gently urged her to take it. She did so without hesitation. Drawing upon the fiery energy pulsating through me, I focused on channeling a portion of it into my hand, just enough to provide warmth without causing harm. "You're doing what Case did for me," she remarked, her voice filled with gratitude. Her gaze then shifted towards Dean. "Can you do this as well?" she inquired.
"No, I can't," he replied.
"Oh," she responded simply.
Sensing her curiosity, Dean suggested, "I'm different from my brothers. Once you've changed into something dry and joined us in our room, we can explain more about ourselves."
"I'd like that," she admitted as we arrived at our floor. Her room was just a door away from ours. Dean entered our room, while I accompanied her to her door. Pausing, she turned to face me. "Your eyes are bright again," she observed.
"I know, but I promise not to harm you. You have my word. I can control Hero," I assured her.
"Is that your dragon wolf's name?" she inquired.
"Yes," I confirmed.
"Would it help if I let you come in with me?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied honestly. "Knowing that you were in danger has put him on edge. If you allow me to be close to you right now, it will ease his restlessness. The same goes for Dean and Cade. We will respect your boundaries and refrain from touching you without permission, but being close will provide some comfort." She nodded, granting me entry into her room.
As she moved towards her small bag, she retrieved a t-shirt and shorts, shedding her wet clothes to reveal a bikini underneath. "Do you always wear a swimsuit?" I queried.
"Most of the time, yes. It's just easier since I enjoy swimming," she confessed. "So, the mate bond for you... does it truly compel you to be close and, well, intimate? I feel an attraction towards all three of you, something I've never experienced before. But as you know, I can't feel the bond like you three do. And you all... you smell amazing, unlike anything else," she explained.
"We smell good. You're not human, are you?" I concluded.
"I keep messing up with you three," she said in a frustrated tone, her voice strained with emotion.
"Look, I won't push. I won't even tell my brothers what you just said," I said. "Just try and trust us more, no matter what you are. It won't change anything. We won't reject you," I reassured. "I mean, I'm sure from rumors you know well our family is a huge mix.”
"Thanks," she murmured, her gratitude mingling with a hint of vulnerability.
"Now, for your question," I began, my voice steady yet tinged with a sense of longing. "Yes, the mate bond makes us want to be close and more intimate," I explained. "It's a strange sensation, I guess you can say. We are more on edge now when not with you," I added, the tension in my voice reflecting the intensity of the bond.
She turned her back to me, and as she removed her top and then her bottoms, a rush of heat washed over me, catching me off guard. The sight of her flawless body on display even just from behind was a sight to behold. Was she testing me, I wondered, to see what I would do? My heart pounded in my chest, my body yearning to close the distance between us. But part of me also sensed her comfort, her ease in being vulnerable. She began putting on her dry clothing, the fabric rustling softly against her skin. She turned to face me, her eyes searching mine.
"If there was no such thing as a mate bond, I doubt you three would have even bothered with me," she said.
"You're wrong," I replied, my voice filled with conviction. "It's not just the mate bond drawing us to you."
"Dean did not even know you were our mate when he first talked to you. Your scent, even now, is masked, and that is one of the reasons we worry. I know I can't always speak for my brothers, but your personality and strength also draw me to you. You stand up for yourself," I confessed, the admiration in my voice unmistakable.
"Now how about we watch that movie," I suggested, a smile playing on my lips. "I promise we won't do anything but watch the movie with you. I won't lie, my brothers and I want you, Calista. We want to get closer, to hold you and, of course, more. But we also want to get to know you. We don't just want you for a physical connection," I assured her, the words hanging in the air.
Her smile this time was different, a serene calmness radiating from her. "Thanks," she said, her voice tinged with surprise. "I'm not used to that with guys. Everyone I have met wanted one thing, and they were never going to get it." Her words stirred a sense of contentment within me. She had never allowed another man to have her.
Leaving her room behind, we entered our main suite. Dean had set up a cozy scene, with a large bowl of popcorn emanating a tantalizing aroma and soft blankets strewn across the couch. He sat there, patiently waiting for us. As Calista approached and sat next to Dean, she couldn't help but inquire about the enticing scent. "What is that? It smells really good," she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Popcorn," Dean replied, a hint of surprise in his voice. As she reached her hand into the bowl and sampled a few kernels, a satisfied expression crossed her face. "Damn, this is real good," she exclaimed, causing Dean to chuckle. "I have plenty of bags, so eat as much as you want," he generously offered.
Turning my attention back to Calista, I asked, "So, what type of movie do you want to watch?"
"You pick. I have never seen one," she admitted. It was an unexpected revelation, but I kept my reaction in check.
"Ok," I replied, a mischievous smirk playing on my lips.
Dean, sensing my intentions, cautioned me with a glance. "Be nice, Tate," he warned. I let out a laugh, taking the remote in hand. With a few clicks, I selected a scary movie. Settling down on the couch, I positioned myself on the other side of Calista, ensuring she was nestled between me and Dean.
"Is Cade okay out alone?" she asked, a hint of worry in her voice. "Yes, we are staying linked to him," I reassured her.
"Linked?" she questioned, her curiosity piqued once again.
"We can speak telepathically," I explained.
"Neat and kinda creepy," she remarked.
"Before we start the movie," she continued, her curiosity getting the better of her, "tell me what all three of you can do."
Dean took the lead in answering her query. "I inherited more from my mother's side," he began. "I don't have a wolf, even though the three of us are labeled dragon wolves. I have an Ice dragon named Grey. I also inherited my mother's ice powers and her Fae side, so I can use Fae spells."
"Cade and I possess a hybrid form, a blend of a dragon and a wolf. Though our wolf traits dominate, we are larger than average with wings. We also inherited our fathers' Phoenix fire," I explained, the words flowing from my lips.
"And the three of you sustain yourselves on blood," she inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity. I nodded in response.
"Well then, as a token of gratitude for rescuing me today, all three of you may feed from me," she proposed.
"Very tempting, but not entirely safe. At least, not all at once," I cautioned, my voice laced with concern. She paused, her breath catching in the silence, before speaking again.
"Then take turns," she insisted, her voice gentle yet resolute.
"She is opening up to us, Tate. If she is offering, accept. I believe she is trying to understand us," Dean's voice echoed in my mind through our link. I glanced at her once more, searching for any signs of hesitation.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
Her eyes met mine, a flicker of determination dancing within them. "Yes," she responded.
"If I am going to feed from you, Calista, I will do it where I want. So, I am giving you one last chance to change your mind," I said, my voice tinged with a mischievous undertone.
Her gaze held mine, unwavering. "I want you to. I want to know what it feels like," she admitted, her voice a breathy confession.
"Alright, I warned you," I said, a smirk playing on my lips as I moved closer, my body hovering over hers. The rustle of fabric filled the room as I brushed my fingers against her shirt, teasingly exposing more of her breast. A gasp escaped her lips as I bit into her breast, her body instinctively drawing closer to mine.
"Really, Tate?" Dean said aloud, a mixture of amusement and exasperation evident in his tone. I savored the taste of her blood, a symphony of sensations flooding my senses. Her gasp lingered in the air, mingling with the sound of her erratic heartbeat. I knew well pleasure coursed through her veins, a euphoric response to the vampire bite.
"You okay?" I asked once done, my voice filled with concern, breaking through the haze of the moment. She responded with a soft, wordless affirmation, her body still trembling with the aftermath.
She sank deeper into the plush couch, finding comfort as I turned on the movie. The soft glow of the screen illuminated the room, casting dancing shadows on the walls. The sound of the film filled the air.
She shifted slightly, leaning against Dean and putting her feet in my lap.
Within minutes, exhaustion claimed her, and she slipped into a peaceful slumber. Dean's soft chuckle resonated through our mind-link, careful not to disturb her. We continued watching the movie, content in the knowledge that she felt safe and secure, nestled between us.
After an hour, Cade arrived, but we cautioned him that she was sleeping. We pondered our options silently, contemplating whether to disturb her or not. I reached out to Cade through our mind-link, seeking his opinion. "What do you think? Should we stay on the couch or move her?" I asked.
"Move her to our bed," Cade suggested, surprising me with his response. I nodded in agreement as he approached, his strong arms lifting her gently from the couch. She stirred slightly, her drowsy voice murmuring, "You're back," recognizing Cade's presence even in her sleepy state.
"I'm taking you to our bed. There will be nothing but sleep." Cade said to her. She murmured a sleepy affirmation, and he carried her to the bed, gently placing her in the center. He glanced at me and Dean, a silent reminder of our commitment to honor her trust.
As we settled in beside her, preparing to sleep, a sense of relaxation washed over me. Having her here, in this bed with us, brought a newfound serenity. This week, I vowed to do everything in my power to prove to her that she was safe with us. I couldn't afford to make any mistakes; her trust was slowly beginning to take root, and I refused to jeopardize it.