Katherine had more questions than she’d ever had in her time as a reporter, but she didn’t know where to start. “I have so many questions. You will probably get tired of me asking them. I am a reporter, after all, so the inquisitive side will be front and center most of the time. Is there a mate’s manual for newbies like me?”

Julian laughed, and the sound went straight to Kat’s soul. She had read many times where people said children’s laughter was the best sound ever. That may be true someday, but to hear this man, this Gargoyle, laughing made her feel like she had sunshine on the inside.

“No, but there should be. Maybe you can do the honors. As you ask questions and I give the answers, you can write it all down and pass it along to the next mate who is found.”

“How many human mates are there?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. Sophia would be the one to ask that question tonight when you females are gossiping away with your wine.” Julian rubbed his nose against Kat’s neck, inhaling deeply.

“Did you sniff me?”

“Yes. Your scent is intoxicating. If I could, I would bottle it and carry it around in my pocket for those times when we are separated.”

Katherine twisted around so she was straddling Julian’s lap and placed her hands on his shoulders. She would never get enough of staring at his handsome face, even if she agreed to be his mate and they lived to be thousands of years old. “Wait, if I live a long time, won’t I grow old?”

“No. Once we complete the bond, you will stop aging. Tessa and her mother could pass for twins.”

“Her mother is a mate?”

“Yes, and that makes Tessa a half-blood. She can phase – that is what we call it when the fangs and claws come out – but she doesn’t have wings, nor does she have the special skin. She is otherwise enhanced, the same as Gregor.”

“Isabelle is one too, isn’t she?”

“Yes, as is Sophia. How did you figure that out?”

“When Nikolas called to inform you the agent was on the warpath, you didn’t relay the conversation to anyone. Dante left the room, and Isabelle got busy getting the tracker out of my neck.”

“You are correct. Her father is Jonas Montague, and her mother is human.”

“Jonas Montague? As in the mad scientist?”

“The very one. He is responsible for the prosthetics we have been wearing. Not only is he the ‘father’ of the first cloned baby, who happens to be Tessa’s brother, Tamian, he is Chief of Staff at New Atlanta Hospital.”

“No, the Chief of Staff is Joseph Mooneyham.”

“Who is really Jonas wearing a prosthetic.”

“This is crazy. Wait, Tamian’s a clone?”

“Yes. So is Trevor. But that is his story to tell you.”

“Holy shit. I’m going to need a spreadsheet to keep everyone straight. Do I know any more Gargoyles?”

“Let’s see… Dane Abbott is a half-blood. He is Isabelle’s brother. Do you remember Vincent Alexander?”

“The man who tried to kill Kaya?”

“Yes, he is also their brother. When he transitioned for the first time, he was out in public. He was kidnapped and taken to a lab where his blood was synthesized and used to create super soldiers, only the plan backfired and that is what created the Unholy.”

“Get out of town.” Kat’s mind was reeling with all this new information. As she thought about Trevor, something he said came to mind. “Trevor mentioned war. What was that about?” she asked while threading her fingers through Julian’s now short hair. Being seated facing him allowed her to look at him while they talked, but it also put her precariously close to his crotch. She was doing her best to sit still, but it was taking a lot of willpower she didn’t have.

Julian shifted on the bench, putting his butt closer to the edge and her closer to his erection. Kat moaned when his hard length brushed against her. The panties she wore were little protection against his hard cock. A vibration rolled through his body, and Julian was pressing up into the juncture of her legs. “Sweetheart, I know you have a lot of questions, but I am having a hard time concentrating on anything other than taking you to bed and making you scream my name.”

“Aren’t we having company?”

“Not for a while.”

The feral look in Julian’s eyes told her he probably didn’t care if company was coming down the driveway. He wanted her. Now that she knew he was more than a mere human, the idea of having sex was both exciting and frightening. What if the beast took over? Damn, she bet that would be one wild ride. Kat was already close to orgasm, and he’d done little more than press his erection against her. Wanting to feel him inside her again, she asked, “Then what are we waiting for?”

Katherine shrieked as Julian stood from the bench, tossing her over his shoulder as he went. Striding into the house, he kept one arm banded around her legs. Hanging upside down, Kat had a bird’s eye view of Julian’s ass. She had seen him naked, but she had yet to have the chance to fully explore all the yummy goodness. Maybe this time when he removed his clothes, he would allow her the chance to do so.

 

 

Julian wished his family would stay away for a few days. He wanted to get Kat in bed and keep her there until she agreed to become his mate. Now that he’d had a taste of her, there was no way he could continue on if she decided she didn’t want him. Then again, maybe the other females would convince her being a mate was a wonderful thing.

We will convince her.

I am working on it.

He didn’t stop walking until he was in their bedroom. Kat hadn’t agreed to sleep with him every night, but the way she reacted to him, he didn’t see her saying no. Instead of tossing her on the bed, Julian slowly slid Kat down his body, pulling at the hem of her dress as he did. When she was on her feet, she raised her arms in the air and allowed him to lift the dress off. Reaching behind his neck, Julian tugged his shirt off and dropped it onto the floor. Kat was already unbuttoning his pants and lowering his zipper. He appreciated how eager she was to have sex. When she lowered his pants down his legs, she followed her hands until she was on her knees in front of him.

He had never had females want to give him blowjobs. It might be the mate bond, but then it could be that Kat wanted to please him. He stopped her earlier, but this time he would allow her to see the deed through to completion, if that was her intent. Her hair was still secured on top of her head with the clip Isabelle put there. As bad as he wanted to fist her red locks, he clasped his hands behind his head so he didn’t accidentally touch her stitches.

Seeing his mate on the floor with his hard prick sliding in and out of her lips was unlike anything he’d encountered. Her beautiful breasts were covered by a lacy bra, and her panties were nothing more than a slip of silk covering her mound with a string hiding between her ass cheeks. Her desire for him was pooling between her legs, and Julian could sense it was almost time for her monthly cycle. That alone was enough to have the beast trying to take over. There was something sensual about a female’s blood, and Julian couldn’t wait to have it coat his cock as he took his mate during her time.

When Kat’s movements slowed, Julian released the hold he had on his orgasm. She was doing a wonderful job stimulating his cock, but being Gargoyle, he could hold off for quite a while if he wished. “Sweetheart, I am close,” he warned. Instead of pulling off, Kat stroked faster and sucked harder. As his release ripped through him, Julian fisted his hands at his sides so he wouldn’t grab Kat’s hair. Pulse after pulse sent his seed into his mate’s hungry throat. She swallowed as much as she could, but some managed to leak out the side of her mouth. Katherine smiled at him when she eased his softening dick from between her lips. Keeping her eyes on his, she snaked her tongue out the side of her mouth and licked that bit of jizz she hadn’t been able to swallow.

“Your name may be Fox, but you are a little minx. That was incredible.” Julian placed his hands under her arms and helped her to her feet. Kat removed her panties before she placed her hands to the back of his head, pulling him down for a kiss. He opened to her, letting her take the lead for the time being. The taste of his come made it hard to keep the beast in check. Knowing she had willingly swallowed his release had his shifter ready to take over. Stepping out of his pants, he kicked them to the side as he unclasped Kat’s bra, sliding the thin straps off her shoulders. He kissed her while skimming his hands up the smooth skin of her sides until his thumbs found her breasts. He continued the trail up her skin, stopping only to rub both nipples. Katherine gasped into his mouth, so he didn’t let up on his torment.

One of Katherine’s hands remained in his hair while the other explored his back, down over the curve of his ass then back up, her fingernails scraping along his skin. Even though it was impenetrable, the sharp edges of her nails sent jolts of pleasure straight to his dick, which was already hard again. Needing more of their bodies touching, Julian lifted Kat off the floor and turned so he was lying on his back when he lowered them to the bed. “We need to watch out for your stitches. Will you ride me?”

“It would be my pleasure,” Kat purred, taking his length in hand. She set his hard-on in front of her pussy and rose up and down on her knees, slicking his cock with the wetness from her lips. Julian hissed at the friction, grabbing her hips and holding her up so he could slide into her core. As she eased down, her head was thrown back and her mouth was open in a silent gasp as her ass landed against his thighs. Kat placed her palms against Julian’s chest, using him to help leverage herself up and down his shaft. Julian’s hands left Kat’s hips and once again found her breasts, rolling her nipples between his fingers. His mate ground her teeth together, but it did nothing to silence her moans.

With her hair pinned up, Kat’s throat was exposed. The pale skin called to Julian. His fangs itched to sink into the point where her neck met her shoulder. When Kat gasped again, Julian realized his fangs had dropped without him allowing it. His beast was a sneaky bastard. Instead of being scared, the sight of his sharp canines fueled his mate. Her green eyes darkened and her thighs pumping her up and down his body quickened. Kat’s nails curled into his skin, calling forth his own claws. He pulled them away from her body just in time to keep from doing major damage to his lover’s breasts.

Kat grabbed Julian’s hands, lacing their fingers together, pushing against his palms as she rode him fast and hard. Bouncing up and down, Kat’s breathing quickened and her moans grew louder each time she bottomed out on his dick. His mate was lost in her passion, and Julian committed the sight to his memory. Katherine Fox riding him for all she was worth was the most exotic moment he had witnessed in five hundred years. Julian called his claws back so he could tighten his grip on her hands. Her pussy clenched around him as her orgasm hit, and Julian was right there with her. He bit down on his bottom lip to keep from scaring her with the roar that threatened to rip his throat out.

Together, their bodies pulsed as their orgasms subsided. A fine sheen of perspiration covered Kat’s skin, and Julian wanted to clean it off with his tongue. He wanted to taste every inch of her body, and in time, he would make that happen. For now, he would have to be satisfied with tasting a few inches. Doing an ab curl, Julian sat up and set his mouth to Kat’s neck. His fangs, which were still out, ached to sink into her delicate skin, but he refused to mark her until she conceded to be his mate. He licked a path from her shoulder to her ear, nipping at the lobe. Seeing the hole where an earring would go, Julian decided a pair of diamonds would look most excellent on his mate.

“Julian,” Kat husked. “I…” She sucked in a breath as she shuddered around his cock. He needed to separate their bodies, or they would be going for round two, and they didn’t have time.

“You?” he prodded, wanting to know what was on her mind.

“I think I’m in trouble,” she stated.

“And why is that?” Julian ghosted his fingertips across the skin of her back, down to her ass, and around to where he settled them on her thighs, his thumbs precariously close to her pussy.

“You’re like a drug. One I could easily get hooked on.”

“Is that a bad thing?” he asked against her throat.

“Not necessarily.” Kat tilted her head to the side, giving him better access. Her chest was rising and falling quicker, and she was moving against his thighs. His mate was already turned on again, or maybe like him, the need to be one together hadn’t gone away.

“Good. I want you to crave me as much as I crave you. I want you to feel free to tell me what you want, whenever you want, however you want. No matter what it is you desire, I will give it to you, Katherine. If it is sex, a trip to an exotic island, a new car, clothes, jewelry, whatever you want, all you have to do is say the word.”

“I don’t need you to give me things. What I need is time. Time you spend with me helping me forget the last few weeks. If you do that, it will help me figure out this mate bond.”

“I can do that, Sweetheart.”

“Thank you.”

“You are most welcome. Now, as much as I would love to spend the rest of our evening in bed, our home will be filling up with family in less than an hour. I would prefer for them to not find us naked.”

“Okay,” Kat agreed, running her hands over Julian’s bare chest. His cock pulsed inside her core, so he gripped her hips and lifted her off him, setting her feet to the floor. When Julian rolled off the bed with his stiff cock pointing at her, Kat reached out to touch it, but Julian jumped back.

“Sweetheart, if you touch me, I am going to explode.” He pointed toward the bathroom. “Clean up. Now.”

“Yes, Sir!” Katherine sassed, giving him an exaggerated salute before retreating into the large bathroom. Once she’d washed off the evidence of their sex, she grabbed her clothes off the floor and retreated to the guest bedroom across the hall. When she reemerged, she was wearing a different dress. Her hair was styled across her shoulder where it was down but not touching the area where Isabelle had removed the tracker. Her face had just the barest hint of make-up. On her feet was a pair of high heels, and she was absolutely breathtaking. Julian had no idea how she walked on such thin heels, but until she was arrested, he’d never seen her in anything but tall shoes.

“You know it is just family coming over, right?”

Katherine stopped before she reached his outstretched hand and looked down her body. “Do I not look okay?”

“Sweetheart, you are stunning, as always. I don’t want you to feel as though you need to impress anyone by dressing up.”

“You’re wearing dress clothes,” she countered.

“I’m wearing what I wear every day.”

“And so am I,” she said, frowning.

“Touché. I apologize if I offended you. If you are comfortable wearing weapons on your feet, who am I to criticize? Besides, they do delicious things to your leg muscles,” Julian added, hoping to ease the tension he had caused.

Kat stuck a leg out behind her and glanced over her shoulder. “You mean these lil’ ole things?” she joked, batting her eyelashes. Julian couldn’t help but laugh. He snagged Kat’s wrist, pulling her to him. Even with her wearing the tall shoes, she was still quite a bit shorter, but he didn’t care. Bending down, he captured her smiling mouth with his and kissed her softly.

“We have company,” Julian informed Kat when he pulled his lips from hers. By the sounds of all the voices, everyone had arrived at the same time, and no one had bothered to knock. Lacing their fingers together, Julian led his mate downstairs to their first family gathering. He was thankful it was small so Kat could get used to being around the crazy bunch. He was also glad they had agreed to keep Kaya away for the time being. Kat would eventually have to be around the Queen, but for now, Julian wanted Katherine to become accustomed to the Clan at her own pace.

True to her word, Isabelle took Katherine to the side and checked out her ear, assuring her it was a small rupture and would heal on its own. In the meantime, she gave her an antibiotic to help deter infection. When that was done, the women worked together in the kitchen getting potatoes and salad ready while the males went out to Julian’s patio and grilled steaks. Connor, who normally kept to himself, remained in the kitchen with the females, his ever-present sketchpad and pencils in front of him. Julian kept his senses open to his mate, but not once did she seem overwhelmed or upset.

During their meal, Julian recounted how he and Tessa, along with Tamian’s help, disguised themselves and rescued Katherine. He could tell his mate was astounded at the lengths they’d gone to for her, but once she heard the stories of the other mates, she would understand how the Gargoyles would do anything for their family.

As soon as they finished eating, Isabelle and Sophia scooped Katherine up and whisked her away. She glanced over her shoulder grinning, and Julian shrugged, smiling back at her. He knew she was in good hands or he never would have agreed to the gathering. After hearing how the other mates had been there for Rocky, Julian understood having Isabelle and Sophia speak with Katherine was a wise choice. They had been through their own ordeals, and both had recovered remarkably well. Neither female had been through the torture Kat had, but both had been imprisoned in foreign countries. The females could commiserate with Katherine on a level Julian could not.

“She’ll be fine, Brother,” Nik said, clapping Julian on the shoulder.

“Of that I have no doubt. I was thinking about what Isabelle and Sophia went through. Who better to talk to Kat than those two?”

“I agree. They are good at easing other mates into the fold while making them feel part of the family. Is that all that’s on your mind? Even though you’re home and Katherine is safe, you seem different. Unsettled, maybe.”

It shouldn’t surprise Julian that Nik was able to sense something was going on. “I have been thinking… Maybe it’s time I let someone else handle the lab. These last few weeks have proven that I am not the best Goyle for the job.”

“Brother, you’ve had a lot on your mind. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“It’s not just that. We’ve been in New Atlanta for a while now.”

“And you’re ready for somewhere new?”

“Maybe. I don’t know. It doesn’t matter, though. We have a war to think about, so for now, let’s go talk to the others about that. Shall we?” Julian was ready to move on to a new location, but he had others to think about. Katherine was still unsettled from her ordeal, so he had to put his own wishes aside, and focus on what was best for her as well as the Clan.

Julian remained by the back door, staring out at his mate as she and the others made their way to the same bench where he and Kat sat earlier. He had told her the truth of the Clan, and she didn’t bat an eyelash. When Isabelle and Sophia filled her in on more of the Clan’s secrets, Julian prayed Kat would be that much closer to accepting him for a life partner. When Nikolas cleared his throat, Julian turned away from the glass and joined the other males who were hanging out in his kitchen.