Chapter Sixteen
Jake’s chest heaved, grief twisting through him as he cradled Kai in his arms. He winced, yanking the blade from her gut.
“Quint,” he screamed, unaware the entire building had gone silent.
The vampire flashed to his side and knelt to Kai’s lifeless body. “She’s barely there.”
“You can’t let her die. I need you to fix this. Now.” Jake embraced her, rocking her slowly. “No, this can’t be happening.”
“I can’t promise anything.” Quintus laid a palm on her arm, and Jake’s shoulder.
“The hotel’s not safe. If they took Cassandra…” Jake glanced to the stage; only an empty St. Andrew’s cross remained.
“She’s gone,” Quint said.
“Jesus. We’ve got to get out of here.” Jake’s mind spun. They could get back to the jet but he questioned the safety of that idea. “I don’t want to go to the hotel. Hunter’s got a place in Big Sur. The pack doesn’t know he’s got it. Get us there, and I’ll call him.”
“Close your eyes, and picture it,” Quintus told him. “Hold on.”
Jake lay halfway on the bed, his feet dangling over the edge. His mind immediately went to Kai, who lay unresponsive in his arms. “Quint. We’ve gotta do something. She’s dying.”
“If she’s gone…Jake, we’ve talked about this. Even a pixiu can die.” Quintus lifted her wrist, checking her pulse. A somber expression crossed his face. “She’s fading. I don’t know.”
“Say it,” Jake pressed. His chest tightened, suspecting the answer.
“I might turn her. I don’t know for sure what will happen.”
“Jesus Christ, Quint. I don’t know if that’s what she wants.”
“It’s not for everyone. I…”
“I’ve never wanted it. Logan, Dimitri. They knew.” Jake glanced to Kai’s pale face.
Emotion bubbled inside his chest, and he struggled to comprehend a life without his mate. Unwilling to simply let her go, he’d make the decision for her and for him. I need her to survive. The death of his mate would devastate him; his wolf might not rally. Anzober Wolves needed an Alpha who could lead the pack. You choose the pack over yourself. It had been ingrained in him since a child and now as Alpha, it was no less true.
“I need her, Quint. She’s my mate,” he told him, his eyes locked on the vampire.
“Do you fully understand this decision?”
“Yes.”
“She may be vampire when she wakes. I cannot control this.”
“Swear she will not be under your control. She must lead with me. She can’t have another master.”
“I swear it but Jake…”
“Do it, Quint. Kai just got a taste of freedom. And her sister is still out there. She needs her too. Kai would want this. Fucking hurry before she dies.”
Quintus tore off his leather jacket and kicked off his shoes. “Get comfortable, friend. This,” he sighed, “it will be as before. Her response. I can’t predict what will happen. Her creature could accept it or revolt. I’ve never done this before to a pixiu.”
“Just do it. Save her.” Jake’s voice cracked. He closed his eyes, listening. “Her heartbeat is slowing. Do it now before it’s too late.”
Jake quickly peeled off the backpack and her jacket, tossing the items onto the floor. He lifted her gold-stained shirt revealing her bloodied flesh. While the wound appeared inconsequential, she’d critically injured herself. She’d sacrificed her life, successfully destroying the deity.
Quintus bared his fangs, and bit his wrist. Blood dripped from his mouth as he looked to Jake for assurance. The Alpha nodded in approval. “This was my decision. If she turns, I’ll take responsibility. Please. Save her.”
As the vampire pressed his arm to her mouth, Jake laid his head next to hers.
“She’s not taking it,” Quintus gritted out in frustration.
“Sweetheart,” Jake began, his voice soft. He held her hand in his, drawing a circle in her palm with his thumb. “I need you to live. You’re…you’re…” Dying. Jake shoved the word to the dark recess of his mind, determined to hide his fear. “My mate. I need you by my side. I’ve got a pack to lead. They’re depending on us.”
“It’s not working. Be forceful.”
“Look at her,” Jake said, frustrated. “I can’t order her when she’s like this.”
“I am looking at her and the wound in her gut. She’s not going to make it if she doesn’t drink,” Quintus told him.
“Come on, Kai. We need you to take the blood. It’s safe. It’s Quintus. He’s our friend. He’d never hurt you. Take it.” Jake glanced to the vampire and shook his head.
“Command her. Call forth her beast to comply,” he told Jake.
Jake closed his eyes, drawing on his wolf. Together, they’d save her from whatever dark tunnel she’d begun to spiral into, losing herself in death’s embrace.
“Kai. Listen to me now. Wake up right this minute and drink.” He nodded at the vampire and continued. “Let me see your creature. My wolf wants her now. I command you to bring her to the surface. Your Alpha commands you. Your master.”
“She hears you…look,” Quintus whispered as her lips parted slightly.
“That’s a girl. Do as I say. I need you here now. Drink from Quint,” he instructed. He held his breath as her lips moved ever so slightly, not quite sealed to Quintus’ wrist. Her corded neck tensed as she swallowed his blood.
“Ah…she’s…Jake…please, you know what will happen,” the vampire warned.
“It’s okay, Quint. We’ll do everything she wants or nothing at all. Her life is the only thing that matters.” Relief flooded into Jake as his mate’s chest rose, a hint of color returning to her cheeks. He closed his eyes, attempting to reach her. In the darkness of her psyche, shadows danced, whizzing by him. Kai. Where are you? Show me your beast. “Something’s wrong. She’s breathing. Her heartbeat’s getting stronger. But her creature…my pixiu?”
“Alpha. There are consequences to what we’ve done. I can’t guarantee…ah,” Quintus grunted.
Guilt stabbed at Jake, unable to reach Kai’s beast. His heart tightened at the thought of losing her. Her hand squeezed his as if she knew his thoughts, and he gave a concerned smile. She began gulping, and Jake glanced to her wound that had healed.
“More,” she cried, her eyes opening, darting between Quintus and Jake.
“I need you to…I need help…fuck, I’m not immune. Her power’s so strong,” Quintus grunted.
“I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” Jake told him.
“Give me your arm.” The vampire’s fiery eyes met Jake’s. “We’ll all be bonded forever. Know this. I will not command your mate. But our blood. We have gone far in mixing it.”
“Do it.” The subtle message had been received. Jake, well aware of the sexual element of feeding, would indulge his mate in whatever fantasy transpired.
“One, two…”
“Jesus…fuck, that hurts…what the hell happened to three, asshole?” Jake asked, noting a wicked smile on Quintus’ face as he withdrew his fangs.
“The surprise is better, no? It’s over with. Feed her now.” Quintus guided Jake’s hand to her mouth.
As Kai latched onto his arm, Jake’s eyes widened, arousal threaded through him. Acutely aware of both his mate and Quintus, he smiled as Kai’s emerald eyes blinked open, and she released his arm. Relief swirled with desire, and his mouth captured hers, his tongue tasting of his own blood. She moaned into their kiss, her hands clutching his chest.
“Kai,” he managed, reluctantly tearing his lips from hers. “Are you all right? You almost died.”
“I’m… oh Goddess, my body’s on fire. Please…” she moaned.
“You sure about this, sweetheart? We just got ourselves out of a fight there. I don’t know if we should…” Logic told him to be careful, that she’d nearly died, but as the scent of her arousal filled the air, he struggled to concentrate.
“I thought I was gone…it was so dark. Jake…I’m so hot. I ache…I need you,” Kai released him and peeled off her t-shirt, “now.”
Her mouth brushed over his and he kissed her, his hand moving to her breast. Jake grunted as she reached for his dick, fisting it in her palm. His cock turned to steel in response. He hadn’t been wearing any clothes when he’d shifted and Quintus had materialized them to the pack house.
The mattress shifted as Quintus rose off the bed, and Kai reached for him, her eyes meeting Jake’s. The vampire had saved his mate.
“You want this?” Jake asked, giving a shallow pant as she fisted his dick.
Kai nodded, dragging her tongue over her lip. Her thoughts merged with his, and he sensed her dark fantasies.
The vampire’s bite had spiked their arousal. In the heat of the moment, he made the decision to push her further. She wore his mark, but his wolf demanded submission from both her and the vampire.
“Don’t go, Quint,” he ordered.
“Your pixiu. She’s alive. I’ll leave you be.” Quintus moved to shove off the bed, but Kai held tight to his arm.
“Stay. Please. I need this tonight,” she pleaded “You need us.”
“We need each other,” Jake said, his eyes locked on Quintus.
“I don’t sense that she’s changed but I…” The vampire shook his head and gave a small smile.
“Whether she’s turned or not, this is about healing. She wants you here with us. We both do. Just once though, man. I won’t share her again.”
“Please stay. Make love with us,” Kai whispered.
Jake’s shaft hardened as she confessed her carnal desire. The Goddess had gifted him the perfect mate, adventurous and bold.
“One night,” Quintus stated, his gaze heated.
“One night,” Jake agreed.
“Hmm…I’m alive.” Kai’s eyes lit as she gave them a sexy smile. “I’m so hot right now…the blood…I need you…both of you.”
Quintus raised an eyebrow at Jake, the corner of his mouth tugging upward. Jake inwardly laughed that even though his mate had almost died, she’d rallied, grown more determined to live her life unfettered. Too long she’d lived a clandestine existence, sacrificing her freedom. She asserted her dominance over both men, aware his wolf would seek her submission, and it was hotter than hell.
“Did you know my mate likes to be spanked?” Jake asked Quintus, his gaze set on Kai’s.
“Does she now?” He unbuttoned his jeans and sat on the edge of the bed, watching intently as the Alpha grazed a palm over her breast.
“Undress her,” Jake ordered, smiling. Her smooth hand gave a firm stroke to his cock and he groaned.
“No panties?” Quintus asked as he stripped her bare.
“What is this?” Jake glided his hand to her mound, and teased his fingers through her slick folds. “My dirty girl is so fucking wet. Come. Touch her.”
Quintus’ eyes went to Jake, seeking approval. The Alpha nodded and Kai gasped as the vampire set his palm on her inner thigh and trailed his fingers toward her pussy. He lingered at the crease of her leg, and gave a devious smile to Kai, teasing her with his touch.
“Fuck her now.” The Alpha’s body tightened in arousal as Quintus speared a thick digit inside her wet hole. As Jake stroked her sensitive nub, Kai moaned and arched her back in response.
“Oh Goddess.”
“I want to fuck that pretty little mouth of yours,” Jake told Kai, biting his lip as she continued to grip his dick.
“Ah…yeah.” She nodded.
“Let go, sweetheart.” As she released Jake’s cock, he climbed atop her, facing Quintus, and straddled himself so his balls brushed her lips. He sucked a breath as her tongue lapped his velvety crinkled skin.
Kai guided his cock through her soft lips, and shivered as her tongue danced up and down his shaft. Jake leaned forward onto his palms, watching as Quintus continued to plunge his fingers inside her core. He brushed his lips to her stomach, trailing kisses down her hip.
“Si, bella,” the vampire breathed.
“Let me see that pussy,” Jake directed. As Quintus spread her labia open, exposing her glistening pink flesh, he dragged his tongue over her clit. “You taste so fucking good.”
His body spiked with arousal as he plunged his cock into her warm mouth. She sucked and lapped at his dick. With his mouth on her pussy, his eyes rose to Quintus’.
“Come taste my mate,” Jake told him.
Quintus didn’t say a word as he did as he was told. His gaze locked on the Alpha’s, his mouth sucking Kai’s beautiful swollen clit between his lips.
The sight of the vampire eating her pussy drove Jake feral. His mate hummed around his shaft, moaning in pleasure. Kai’s body bucked as Quintus brought her closer to the edge of orgasm, the tip of his tongue circling her bead. She gave a hard suck and a ripple of ecstasy flowed through Jake like electricity.
“Ah…hold on there, sweetheart. I think it’s time we change things up a little. Jake held onto his dick, gently removing it from her mouth. As he lifted off of her, he gazed down onto his mate. Her expression wore a sensual mask, her eyes heavy-lidded as he stood towering over her.
“Come here Quint,” Jake directed, watching as the vampire sucked slowly then released her clit with a smile. Quintus kicked off his jeans and his erection sprung free. “Lay down on the bed. Kai tastes delicious doesn’t she?” Jake asked. “So, so beautiful.”
“Hmm…so good. I could eat her all day.” Quintus lay down onto his back and stroked his hard length.
“That’s it. Show her your cock,” Jake said as Quintus fisted his dick.
“Come here Kai. Get up and crawl to me.” Kai complied, stalking over to him, settling in between Quintus’ legs. “Kneel in front of him.”
Jake leaned into her, capturing a taut nipple between his lips. Clutching her waist, he feasted on her breast, moving his lips to give the other attention. She heaved a breath, her head lolling backwards. Peppering kisses to her skin, he kissed her neckline. As he reached her ear, he sucked the soft globe between his lips and whispered, “You’re mine, Kai. Do you understand me? Say it.”
“I’m yours,” she breathed.
“You belong to me and no one else. Everything that’s about to happen is because I allow it.”
She nodded, giving a hiss as his teeth gently bit at her earlobe. Jake clutched her mound, spearing a finger inside her and she cried aloud.
“That’s right, sweetheart. Every part of your body is mine tonight to do with what I will. Say it. Say you belong to me.”
“I belong to you…oh Goddess, I can’t wait…please,” she begged.
He withdrew his fingers and she moaned in protest. Her hand slid below her pelvis and he slapped her mound in response. “No touching.”
“Ah…” Her ripe tips broke out in gooseflesh, her cheeks flushed in arousal.
“What do you think, Quint?”
“I think she enjoys a little pain.”
“I think you’re right, friend. But my sweet pixiu…you get pleasure when I say you get it. No touching your body until I tell you.”
“Jake…please.” Her wide eyes flashed to his. She gave an audible sigh as he gave another firm tap to her mound.
“You’ve got no idea how much I want to be inside you. Your beautiful body.” His lips grazed her temple. “Your mind. Your lips.”
Ravenous for his mate, passion twisted through his psyche as he kissed her, his tongue finding hers. Jake’s chest tightened with emotion as she responded with carnal hunger. I’m falling for this woman. He’d always known mating was a visceral chemical reaction, but she matched him stride for stride, her courageous nature beyond what he’d thought possible. Although she’d submitted to him, it was she who’d stolen his heart. Kai. She was everything and nothing he’d ever imagined, and he’d lose himself in his spectacular mate forever, ruling Anzober Wolves with her by his side.