Romeo Alpha Blood Lines Romance Series - Books 1 to 5

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Fenris sat in his chair just staring. He was speechless, well beyond words as he stared at the woman in front of him. Beyond stunning, she was the woman of his dreams, the Lilith he remembered from his youth. “How?”

“Oh, darling,” she purred. “It’d take much too long to tell. I’m famished and exhausted. Feed me and find me a bed.”

Fenris did as she asked, finding her the most succulent meal they could prepare. He took it to her in his own quarters. “I’m sorry I don’t currently have anything better.”

“Do not worry, darling,” she said, grinning. “I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a war on your lawn before you know it.”

His growl of approval made her smile, but when he made an advance at her, she laughed. “Please, Fenris,” she said. “It’s been nearly five hundred years. Look at you. While I will always love you, there is nothing between us any longer. I will have Romeo Traverse in my bed, or I will die again, trying.”

“Traverse is nothing but a wet dog. He couldn’t please you if he tried, which I doubt he’d be inclined to do, if what you say is true.”

“Not only is it true,” Lilith smiled, “I’ll take down everyone he loves until he comes to me willingly.”

“Careful,” Fenris warned. “I had his daughter and her twins in my clutches and not only did he rescue them, he took out six of my best wolves.”

“Ah, Fenris,” she said. “You were always too soft. The difference between you and me is that I wouldn’t have kept her. I’d have cut the children from her and killed them all on the spot, for that is how you start a war.”

“Starting a war isn’t my issue. I was well on my way, not that I’m complaining about your contribution. If they were going to take their time with things and try to get around me, your little tactic will surely up their enthusiasm for a good, b****y fight.”

“There’s no rush. We want them to scatter and be emotional. The more, the better. Emotions don’t belong in war and when they come, if their emotions are high, they’ll mess up. That’s all the better for us. Now, I’m tired and want my peace. Leave me be for now. In the morning we’ll talk again.”

Fenris once again did as Lilith asked, but he didn’t rest himself. He was pent up, frustrated by her refusal. He knew he’d aged a bit since they were last together, but they had once been inseparable lovers. Had things really changed that much? Needing the release, Fenris found the young females of his pack and took one of them by the hand. “Come with me,” he said.

She was dark haired, like Lilith, and sported a figure much like that of his former lover. “I am not in season yet,” the young girl said.

“It’s of no matter to me,” Fenris said. “I’m not looking to mate, nor to breed.”

“Oh.”

“Is this your first time?”

“No,” the girl blushed.

“Good,” Fenris growled. He took her ruthlessly with little care for her comfort or enjoyment. When he was finished, he dismissed her, giving her twenty-four hours to herself. Then he collapsed in his bed and brooded over the dark haired beauty who’d rebuffed his attention.

>>

Brandt couldn’t believe how his life had changed. He’d gone from a womanizing a*s, to a stable, soon-to-be father all in less than four months. Apparently Fenris hadn’t cared much that he’d never returned. Either that or the old wolf was losing his touch. Frankly he couldn’t have cared less either way.

Life with Carly was amazing. She was carrying their child well and seemed to be in her element in the small cabin. Brandt never would have admitted to wanting children. Having Carly for a mate had been his way out of all of that mess, but when she’d told him she was pregnant, he’d discovered a protective side to himself he’d never really known before. Now, he knew he’d do anything in his power to make sure both she and the baby stayed healthy so she could carry this one to term, whatever that meant for a werewolf. He’d finished the addition just in time for the colder weather and Carly had worked hard to turn it into a bedroom, saving the smaller room for storage, not that they had much to store. Brandt knew that showing his face in town was risky, even if he’d been Brody the last few times he’d been there. Any chance that someone might recognize him was too much chance. He couldn’t ask Carly to go either, not with her pregnancy progressing so quickly.

There was a part of him that sometimes thought about how things would have been different if he hadn’t found Carly that night, or if one of the Duscene twins had been his. Seeing Carly, hugely pregnant with his child, made him wonder what it’d be like to hold his child in his arms, to feel swamped by parental love.

“You’re brooding again,” Carly said as she stepped out of the cabin to find him.

“Just thinking about life,” he replied, taking her outstretched hand and pulling her close. He wrapped his arms around her middle and sighed when he felt the baby kick. “How are you feeling?”

“Huge and tired. The baby seems more restless than usual.”

“Maybe your time is closer than we thought?”

“I don’t see how, although this is the first baby I’ve ever carried this far. He seems to be growing fast, much faster than a normal human baby anyway. I’m not sure any of this is normal.”

From out of nowhere, a voice spoke up. “Werewolf babies are often much faster growers than our fully human counterparts.”

Startled, both Brandt and Carly turned to see the woman who’d spoken.

“Sarina?” Brandt said in disbelief. “How’d you find me?”

“Not as easily as you found me,” she said. “I’ve run across this cabin before. There was a woman who used to live here. I suppose she’s gone now. Anyway I’ll make this quick as it’s uncomfortable for everyone. I need... rather, my pack needs your help. We need to know where Fenris is... what his plans are before we eliminate him from the world.”

“I have no idea where he is. I haven’t been in the caves in over four months. Fenris gave me a twenty-four hour leave after I brought you there. I never went back after that.”

“Why?”

“Carly was waiting for me,” he said, motioning toward his pregnant mate. “I can’t say I’ve turned my life around really, but I hope to stay out of whatever issues your pack has with Fenris.”

“Now you want to stay out of it? You all but started this s**t and now you want to opt out as if you were just an innocent bystander?”

“I know what I did was wrong. I know that I can’t ever make it up to you, but I don’t want to take your side either.”

“You arrogant son-of-a-b***h!” Sarina yelled. “You’re nothing but a p***y. I’ve seen cowards in my day, but you are the epitome of the word.”

“Say whatever you want,” Brandt said. “But with Carly expecting, I can’t leave her. We’re not exactly in the state to just rush her to the hospital when her time comes.”

“My mother had me and my brother at home. I would have had my twins at home if you’d left well enough alone,” Sarina started. “Carly is capable of handling one baby here. Do you have the things you need?”

What the hell had gotten into her? Here she was, offering to help the man who’d seduced and abducted her, get ready for his child to be born. Hadn’t she just told him what a bastard he was? Sighing, Sarina moved first, stepping into their cabin without asking permission.

“You need much more firewood,” she said, looking at the pile they had inside. “You need blankets and clothing. Haven’t you thought about anything?”

“We weren’t sure what to get,” the woman said. Sarina looked at her then. She was petite, her mating mark clearly visible. Sarina shut down the nosy part of her that wanted to pry into their relationship. What sort of woman mated with a man who’d do what Brandt did? Shaking her head as if to clear it, she made a list and handed it to Brandt. “These are the things you need.”

“We have no money,” he said, looking very much like a petulant child. Reaching into her back pocket, Sarina pulled out her wallet and slapped down a wad of cash.

“Use this,” she said. “If you need more, come see me. You should know where I live.” At least he had the decency to look sorrowful over the entire ordeal. “When her time comes, keep the house warm, maybe even overly warm. Our babies tend to grow fast and deliver fast. Make sure the sheets and blankets are ready and if you think you can get word to me, do it. I’ll come help.”

Without another word, Sarina stepped back outside and started to walk away from the cabin. “Sarina, wait!”

She turned, seeing Brandt coming toward her. She leaned to the left slightly to see Carly standing on the small stoop. “Yeah?”

“Look, I... I know it doesn’t change anything, but I wanted to say I’m sorry for what I did to you, how I used you. I had no right to do what I did and having Carly in my life now helped me realize that if anyone ever did to her what I did to you, I’d kill him. Thank you for not sending your husband after me.”

“He’s not my husband,” Sarina said, obviously still irritated. “But I’ll tell him. All’s well that ends well.” She didn’t reach out and touch him, but she gave him a half smile before she turned around and left.

By the time she got home, Brody looked as if he’d lost his mind. The house was a mess and the twins were sleeping on what looked to be a pallet that had been made up on the floor. He was sitting on the couch, staring at the TV. “Hey,” he said. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired, emotionally exhausted, rundown. You?”

“The same, pretty much,” he answered. “Wanna help me get these two up to bed?”

“Sure,” she said with a grin and looking at her sons. Nearly five months old, they were starting to show the differences in their personalities. Brody Jr. was rambunctious and always going. Jedidiah on the other hand was quieter, more reserved and introverted. It’d be quite the privilege to watch them continue to grow into young men.

Brody picked up Jedidiah and Sarina took Brody Jr., laying them side-by-side in their bed.

“We’re never getting this back, you know,” said Brody.

“I know,” she sighed. “The time goes by so quickly.”

“I sort of meant, our bed,” he said, grinning.

“Oh,” she laughed. “That I don’t mind sacrificing.”

“Speak for yourself,” he grumbled. “I haven’t slept next to my wife in what feels like months.”

“At the rate we were going, I wasn’t sure you really cared to be with me, let alone sleep next to me.”

“You know that wasn’t me, right?”

“Sure the hell felt like you,” she said, her bright green eyes looking straight into his.

Brody realized then just how much he’d damaged their relationship, just how much he’d hurt her. It wasn’t enough to gloss over it as if it’d never happened.

“Come here,” he said, holding out his hand.

When she took it, he led her to their spare bathroom. He cranked the shower on and adjusted the water temperature to the setting she liked and then came back to her, slowly undressing her. She still sported the nasty bruising around her throat from where Lilith had choked her, but only now was he finding all the bruising that ran over her back and ribs from hitting the tree when she’d been tossed through the air.

“I’m going to kill her,” Brody said, laying a gentle hand against her back. The bruising ran down onto her buttocks and spread over her ribs and collarbone. When she was n***d, he held the shower door open.

“Come on,” he said.

“Thank you,” she said with a sigh.

Brody felt her press a kiss to his cheek before she stepped into the heat. She just stood there letting the water pour over her hair, turning her dark tresses nearly black. Blood, from a head wound she hadn’t mentioned, pooled around her feet and washed down the drain. Brody just sat back and watched her soak her body forever, letting the heat undo the tension, stress, fear, and uncertainty of life. When she seemed visibly relaxed, Brody stripped and silently joined her in their two person shower stall. He slid his hand gently over hers before she could turn off the water. “Not all of us are done just yet.” She stood up and turned to face him, her body making him ache despite the bruises that were just beginning to heal.

Brody fought the urge to touch her, knowing if he did, he’d push her for more than she was ready to give. She needed to learn to separate him from the man he’d been when Lilith was pushing him. “I love you,” he said, needing her to know it, even if she didn’t believe him.

“I know,” she said, cupping his cheek in her hand. She stepped from the shower and Brody didn’t stop her. Sighing with relief, he showered himself, toweling off and pulling on boxers and the pajama bottoms she’d just bought him before the twins came along. Shutting off the light to the bathroom, Brody headed out through the guest room and nearly ran right over Sarina, who’d been waiting for him in the doorway.

“Sarina?” he said, gripping her arms to keep from knocking her over. The light from the hallway did little to illuminate Sarina’s face, but Brody felt the warmth of her breath on his cheek.

“Take me,” she whispered. Closing his eyes, Brody bit his tongue. What the hell was a man to do when the woman he loved was asking him to have her? Before he could even try to object she added, “Please.”

Chuckling softly Brody pressed his brow to hers. “Oh, Love. You have no idea what it’s like for me right now. I want you so bad I can practically combust just thinking about it. But would I really be giving you what you need? Do you even trust me?”

That was the crux of his issue, Brody knew. He had no way of knowing whether Sarina trusted that it was truly him, that he loved her more than anything. Then her slender fingers touched his face and that wonderful mouth pressed against his. A better man may have tried to push her back and give her time, but Brody had gone weeks - months since the twins’ birth - without so much as a whisper of s*x with his mate.

Taking her hands, Brody led her back into the spare bedroom, having her sit on the bed. “Do your bruises hurt?”

“Some, but not terribly,” she replied. Knowing then the need for his own sacrifice, Brody kissed her long and deep, slowly turning her on with the slide of his tongue over hers. He touched her body just as slowly, his hands gentle even as they worked to arouse her. Brody kissed her everywhere, spending ample time on her beautiful full breasts. He kneaded them softly, not wanting to squirt himself with milk.

Continuing to kiss her, Brody slipped two fingers into the wet heat he found at her center, enjoying the way she moaned and let her hips buck against him. Shifting his body, Brody moved easily between her open thighs and smiled when his tongue flicked over her clit. Her excited gasp only encouraged him to take her slowly this way. His tongue slid slowly over her already swollen folds, tasting her arousal. He showered her clit with attention, running slow circles over and around it, as his fingers continued to fill her. His own body screamed for release as Brody showed Sarina undivided attention. She came with a cry of his name, her hands buried in his hair. Just as he went to move from her though, he felt her hands tug on him. “Please take me now,” she quietly asked.

Undone by her, Brody came back to her, settling himself between her inviting hips. He kissed her fully, feeling her arousal against the tip of his c**k. On a sigh, he sank into her. Her ripe p***y fed his need as he worked to make her o****m again. Brody felt the ridges of her hot snatch all but suck him in with each thrust, pushing him harder toward his own c****x. His hands ran up her thigh, pulling her leg higher so that each of his thrusts went deeper and deeper still. Unable to control his own passion, Brody pushed both of Sarina’s legs toward her chest, his c**k filling her as fully as he could until her o****m clamped around him and yanked him over that hard, full edge. Filling her again, Brody spilled his essence deep into her warm p***y before he rolled over, collapsing on their spare bed.