Torn between mates

10. Eat me. Drink me.

Lea

Alexus got close to me for the first time since the day we learned we are mates. I was starting to think that he wasn’t happy with having me as his mate. Maybe he expected to be mated to a vampire, instead of someone of another species. 

“Lea, baby. I’ve waited few days for you to recover, but I can’t wait any longer. When powerful, high-ranked vampires find their mates, they can’t drink from anyone else, only their mates. Blood from any other source would be rejected by their bodies. Thus, I need to drink from you, it won’t be much and the fairy… the Fae King could heal you afterward. What do you say?”

“Oh, you spent days without having any blood. Are you feeling well?” I asked worriedly. 

Of course, I would let him drink from me. I couldn’t let him starve, doesn’t matter how much a vampire’s bite hurts. Just thinking about that man, Broadrick, gives me the creeps. 

“I’m fine. But I can’t endure it for much longer.” He answered. 

Maybe that’s why his eyes look so cold and emotionless, he has no energy. 

“You don’t need to wait any longer, we can do it today, now,” I replied. 

“Wait for what?” Richard growled startling me a bit. 

I haven’t heard him arriving in the sitting room; he could indeed walk without making any noise like a predator in the wild. Liv is right, watching Animal Planet could help me to understand him better. 

“For Alexus to drink from me.”

“What?” His growl was even louder, and I could see his chest vibrating, his eyes were glowing, and fangs went down his lips. He was partially shifting. Dear sweet goddess. “You won’t drink from my MATE! Not today, not ever you damned leech!” He stalked towards Alexus looking like he would launch at him. I gulped hard. 

The promise, they won’t be able to hurt each other. Hopefully.

“Richard please, listen,” I said as I went close to him and touched his arm gently. 

Nema told me that touch has a calming effect on wolves. Apparently, she has had her share of wolf lovers at some point. Touching was something that could ease mates in general, doesn’t matter the species, at least Liv said so. Thus, it should have a double effect for a werewolf mate.

He looked at me, a bit calmer.

“He can’t drink from you, Lea! He won’t!” My wolf stated. I told him what Alexus just said and that I had to do it for him, it was the only way.

“He could rather starve.” Richard barked out. 

My heart sunk and my mouth went agape. How could he be so cruel? I knew they hate each other, but that was too much. It can’t continue like this, that would make it impossible. Make our lives together impossible. 

“No Richard, please. That can’t happen, don’t even say those words. Please.” My voice was not much louder than a whisper. I felt a deep pang of disappointment.

~ * ~

Richard

I saw the disappointment and hurt in her eyes, and my wolf whimpered inside my head at having her looking at us like this. My hate for Alexus was extreme, an overwhelming sensation that occupied a great part of my thoughts. But this pang, this uneasiness to see her sweet eyes like this, wasn’t a small deal. 

She should look at me with trust, pride, and passion. That is all that my wolf and I want, make her know that we are her protector, her lover, her best friend, her Alpha and she is ours to care for. It is our nature, our most basic instinct, to provide for our mate and see the recognition in her eyes that we are what she needs and that she would trust us without any doubt or hesitancy to be so, to do so. 

“Richard, please don’t. He will only drink a bit and Valentin can heal me if needed. It won’t hurt me at all.” Lea said softly. 

I wouldn’t deny her and see her frustration again. “A bit and I will be present for the whole time,” I said firmly, my wolf howled in my head not content at all. 

“Fine.” She agreed. 

“But before,” I said as a pulled her small frame flush against my chest, making her let out a soft gasp, “something for you to remember that you are MINE.” He may drink her, but I’ll eat her first. 

I fisted a handful of her hair, tilting her head to the side as my other hand kept a possessive hold on her waist. Our mouths were only inches apart and I could hear Alexus hiss and curse under his breath, but he doesn’t matter now. My lips took hers in a scorching kiss, I wanted to ravish her, consume her completely. She kissed me back, slowly and tentatively at first, but then it became more passionate. She was panting as soft whimpers escaped her throat and I swallowed all of them.

We parted the kiss and she said after her pants subsided, “how could I ever forget that I am yours?” she smiled and traced her fingers across my cheek, her touch was feather-light. But her words were even more of a caress than her gentle stroke.

Alexus cleared his throat, for a moment I forgot about his hateful presence, it was only my Luna and me here. 

Lea looked at him, “Do you want to do it now?”

“Yes.” He answered. I contained my fury and my growl, just thinking about it made my blood boil. 

“Valentin should be here; in case she needs healing,” I affirmed, there was no room for negotiation. I wouldn’t risk my female getting hurt. Lea nodded her agreement. 

~ * ~

Valentin arrived soon and Lea sat comfortably on the edge of her bed beside that pesty monster. 

“Are you ready?” he asked her as he enlaced his arms around her waist, moving her onto his lap. It was so hard to watch. Impossible. But it would be even worse to don’t do it, let her alone at his mercy. At the mercy of a merciless sociopath. 

I must be here to protect her. I must control my wolf to don’t rip his head off of his body, Lea wouldn’t ever forgive me.  

Lea nodded to him in response. He brushed some hair off of her neck before she turned her head to the side, making space for him to bite her. She closed her eyes and took a lungful of air before he leaned down to sink his fangs on her tender skin. 

That scene was enraging, my wolf was pacing inside my head and growling possessively like a caged beast. But soon something unexpected happened, Lea let out some low moans and gasps, the most erotic and sweet sounds. Her moans were followed by the sweet smell of her arousal, and those both things made my member hard instantly. 

She was trying to hold back her moans, biting her lip to silent them, but it wasn’t working well. My wolf was torn between ripping Alexus's throat and claiming our mate, marking her and pounding deep inside her while she screams my name. But I couldn’t do it, this f*cking accursed intertwined mate bond!

~ * ~

Lea

He brushed my hair off of my neck, slowly, almost reverently. I turned my head slightly to give him better access. He buried his face in the crook of my neck taking in a lungful of my scent before he licked the soft skin of my neck and pressed a kiss to the pulsing point there. His cool breath made a delicious shiver run down my spine, as my own breath hitched in my throat. 

My lips were jealous of all the attention my neck was getting; Alexus hasn’t ever kissed me there. He tightened the grasp of his strong arms around my waist, adding to this sweet sensation.

But I know that soon all the pleasure will become pain.

I clenched my eyes shut and breathed deeply, taking in all the air I could before his teeth would pierce my skin. I expected to feel the same sharp pain and agony I did when that horrible Broadrick bit me. But I didn’t, not at all. 

At first, when his fangs pricked my skin, I felt a slight sting. In the next second the little pain was replaced by something else. A warm wave of pleasure flowed from the place in my neck he was sucking to my lady part, radiating across my whole body. 

How can that be? Some soft noises involuntarily escaped my throat, I tried to hold them back, clenching my lips together, nibbling my bottom lip. It worked for some time, but soon the waves of pleasure were getting more intense, were making my body warm, cold, and confused. It was becoming too much to contain. 

I’ve never felt like this before, that intensity. I could feel the passion, the desire when I was in Richard’s arms. But having Alexus drinking from me, I felt as if I was about to melt, to lose myself in some kind of thick haze and explode in many pieces. 

Alexus caressed my waist gently, making it even harder for me. His touch felt so good, so right. My private parts were feeling too warm, heated, and soaked with moisture. I couldn’t hold back my desperate sounds of desire and pleasure anymore, my body was quivering and reacting in its own accord, I couldn’t control it any longer. 

Oh no, they could hear it and Richard for sure could smell me. What will they think? I need to…I… my eyes snapped open and I looked at Richard’s tense face and Valentin’s astonished one, and my insides were filled with a crushing feeling of embarrassment. I wanted to disappear, to run away and that is what I did. I jumped to my feet and fled the room.  

After what happened I was totally embarrassed, I have never felt so mortified in my life before and the worst part: it was in front of all my mates. They are going to think that I am a clueless and immature virgin. This is kind of true, I am quite clueless about carnal things. I should have paid attention to Nema’s banter. 

On top of that, I ran away like a scared little doe. I couldn’t do worse. 

I went to my mom’s room; I need a piece of advice and some comfort. Oh no, today is Friday, my mom is not here. 

I went to Liv then, maybe that is a very bad idea. My pregnant ever-horny sister won’t be the most helpful person in such a moment. But I am running out of options, mom is not here, and I don’t want to annoy Ainhoa with my issues, not now that she is enjoying her birthday week with Fred near the cliffs’ region. I portaled myself to Liv’s living room and knocked on her bedroom door. “Liv”

“Come in, Lea,” Liv answered. 

I went inside, she motioned for me to take a seat and so I did. Her room is quite spacious, it has to fit the huge bed that she shares with two of her mates and an extra bed. Liv said once that all of them added something to the bedroom’s decoration, so it would be truly their place. 

It has a modern atmosphere, and the furniture is almost all white. A large mirror is placed in front of the bed. 

A small table and four comfortable armchairs are in the left corner, where fancy paintings that Avalon likes are hanging; an accent table with a beautiful golden table lamp completes this part of the room. 

In the right corner, there is a very modern computer, some electronic stuff, a large window, and some plants, that is Elric’s corner. He is into technology and like most elves, he likes light and nature. 

In Liv’s part, there is a small and comfortable beige sofa, with pillows in different shades of blue, that’s where we are sat right now. There is also a wood square cocktail table and a white hammock chair that hangs from the ceiling. On the table and the walls, we can see some photos of Avalon’s Realm, Emeraldia and Hell’s landscape, and photos of her with each one of her mates. 

In Laius’ part, there is a large burgundy carpet, some photos of Liv hanging on the wall, and a fireplace. I guess is normal that he likes fire. 

It is a very interesting mix. 

“What happened, why do you look like a frightened bunny?” Liv asked while she hugged me.

I told her what happened and how I reacted. Instead of laughing or teasing me, Liv looked at me with sympathy, understanding flashing in her blue eyes. “It’s okay… You didn’t expect that. You were shocked and ran. That is a natural response, I guess.” 

“Seriously?”

“Yep… you didn’t feel comfortable and you evaded the situation, a lot of people would do the same,” Liv answered. 

“It’s not what you would do,” I muttered without looking at her eyes.

“You are not me and you don’t need to be. You are yourself Lea, and that is good enough. Come on, you are pretty amazing the way you are! One of the worst things someone can do is to don’t be authentic to themselves, trying to be someone else, and being just a shadow of their true selves. Living a lie. Being yourself and embracing it is a powerful thing to do, it will enable you to be free and happy, truly happy.” 

I looked away for a while longer, “I know, I just wanted to be more… confident, like you. Having 3 mates makes me feel so insecure; what if I can’t be enough? I can’t keep them happy and satisfied?”  

“Lea,” Liv said taking my hands in hers. “Having 3 mates would drive anyone insane, confused, and insecure. Because it’s heck TOO MUCH! I think you will grow confident with time, get more used to this overwhelming situation. Well, you can’t think that you are the oneresponsible for their happiness. You are their mate, a fundamental part of it, but it is ultimately their responsibility and their choice to be happy or not. Take this weight off of your shoulders. Besides that, you should be more than enough, the Goddess choose those 3 yummy males to be your mates, so things should fit rightly... not only in the physical way….” Liv chuckled to herself; she would, for sure, blame her ‘damn hormones!’ 

“But it will also fit in the emotional way and you will feel connected to them in all levels, mentally and in your very soul. As someone very young, but wise told me when I had my own doubts, ‘the Goddess doesn’t make mistakes’.” Liv uttered smiling. “Trust the bonds and trust the love that will grow with them.” She said mentioned what I told her when I was 9 and she was overwhelmed after she learned she had 3 mates. 

“Thanks, so much Liv!” I hugged my sister tightly. 

“I really don’t know how the mate pull and the bond work before one comes to age… but the bonds will find their way and things will soon be as they are supposed to be.” She stroked my hair.

“Liv, do you know anything about them? Have you heard anything from your mates?” 

“Well, Valentin is Elric’s friend. I know he is very friendly and nice, but also ... I don’t know if I should say it. Dammit! Too late, after this headline I have to say it...” she sighed. 

“Yes, you do.” 

“Well, he is popular among the females.”

“He is a womanizer?” I asked. She was really trying to make me feel at ease, my sister was never someone for such euphemisms.

“Yeah... something like this. Old good Richard we already know, big, brooding, and go furry sometimes. Alexus…” she said looking thoughtful. I hope it’s not bad news. But if it was that bad, she would have told me already. I hope. 

“What about him?”

“He used to be Laius war buddy if there is such a thing. I heard he can be ruthless. But come on, people said lots about Laius, that he is the cruel and dangerous King of Hell and yada-yada, but he is only good and loving to me. So, I don’t think you’ve any reason to worry about.”  

I knew it’s true, Laius is totally mad about Liv and treats her like a Goddess. He is also very nice to me and we are quite close.

“How can you do it? Have 3 mates, dividing your time and attention, diving yourself in 3?” I asked. 

“It’s not about dividing, it’s about multiplying. Giving it all to each of them, when I am with one of them, I try to think that he is the only one that exists, all of me is with him.” 

“I think I am going back to the castle… and face the situation…” I muttered.

“Be a brave bunny!” Liv chuckled and I gazed her a dirty look, taking mock offense and chuckling too. 

She was the best and told me exactly what I needed to hear.

~ * ~

I portaled back to the castle. Valentin was in the hall and our eyes met; he walked towards me and took me in his embrace. 

“I just felt embarrassed and overwhelmed,” I said against his strong chest. 

“You don’t need to say anything Lea… new things can be overwhelming. This whole situation is crazy. It’s not easy for anyone to cope with this atypical coupling.” 

I nodded in response. “It was weird that I…” I murmured shyly. 

“No Lea, it was really sexy! Even I wanted to bite your neck and pleasure you.” He said in a low and sensual voice.

“Oh,” I gasped. I didn’t expect that.

“I am quite sure Richard and Alexus, especially Alexus, felt the same way. One of the things a male wants is to pleasure his mate, to see her losing herself in the throes of passion.”

He tightened his hold on me and kissed my cheek. I enjoyed the duality of his touch, the soft and chaste kiss, and the firm grip that pressed my body against his hard one and made me feel tingles that weren’t induced by a mate pull.