

Her hand was still on his back. A warm weight that helped centerhim. It had been a very long time since he had felt this out of control. He almost felt like a teenager again. Not the king he was. The strong methodical leader. Coming inside her should’ve had him thinking rationally and although it helped, it wasn’t nearly enough. He needed to drink from her. The need was not physical. Aftertaking from her two days ago it would be a few more days before his body would require him to partake again. One small mouthful would do it. More than just blood, he needed to be close to her. Needed to make love to her, to worship her body. Eradicate Zane from her mind. Hell, from both their minds.

Brant hated himself for what he’d put Tanya through. She was a sweet, delicate human, not used to the ways of his people. It was perfectly acceptable for vampires to share. It even happened on occasion that two males would mate with one female. The thought of Zane watching Tanya ride him, taking her pleasure from him had added to his own enjoyment. Let the bastard see his female take what she needed from him. It made his blood boil when Zane had laid his hands on her though. So much so that he had to turn away the first time. The only reassurance he had was that he had his cock buried in her and not the other way around.

“Our female is in danger,” Zane said. Brant looked back at the big bastard. The thing he needed most of all was the arrogant king gone. Brant took a deep breath, he took a step back feeling his female behind him. Her reassuring heat at his back.

“What do you suggest?” Brant asked. “You sound like you already have a plan.” The bastard would have everything mapped out. Brant knew without a doubt it would be self-serving because just as the other species had taken advantage, so would Zane.

“Your little manor house is very beautiful. I hear you used the best architects and designers and it’s turned into quite the creation.” 

“Out with it.” Any more of this and Brant was going to flatten his nose.

“It was never built with defense in mind though. Quite frankly it’s an attacking enemy’s wet dream.”

“It also has passages within the walls. A bunker below my suite with two exits. One in Freelax Forest and another at the statue a hundred feet before the lake.”

Zane cocked his head. “You used local builders, so all of what you have just said could become public knowledge with the right incentive.”

“I used professionals who would not be easily swayed. I paid them royally for their silence.” His irritation grew.

“The kind of persuasion I’m talking about would not need to include money. There are many ways to empty a vein. A well placed dagger and they would sing like birds.”

“What are you proposing?”

“You could take one of the wings at the castle during your time with the female. That way she would remain safe, unless of course you are able to move your coven back into Starwood.”

Brant flinched at the mention of the castle he had abandoned so many years ago. His mind recalled the amount of blood that had been spilled inside its walls. To him, it represented the long arduous war. Terrible times. Even if he wanted to go back, he couldn’t. Its walls had been breached and never repaired once the war ended. The castle wasn’t liveable. Zane already knew this. He bit down on his tongue until he tasted blood. He so wanted to tell the bastard what he could do with himself.

“I will take care of my female. I do not need you or your castle to defend her.”

Zane narrowed his eyes. “I disagree. She is vulnerable. My offer is perfectly acceptable. I will not interfere when it is your time with her.”

Yeah right, next he’d tell Brant that flames would not scorch. Zane would like nothing more than to have Tanya under his roof permanently. The arrogant bastard would do everything in his power to make it difficult for Brant. Would stack the chips firmly against him.

Bottom line, he couldn’t trust Zane. Tanya was in danger but he doubted it was as bad as what the other vampire was making it out to be. Even if it was, Brant could protect his female. She would be taken over his dead body.

“I said I can protect her and I meant it. She stays here with me in her rightful place as queen of this coven.”

Zane growled. It felt good to see him on the back foot. The arrogant shmuck ground his teeth narrowing his eyes even further. “Think carefully because if something were to happen to her I would kill you with my bare hands.” He lifted his arms and splayed his fingers till they resembled claws. So freaking dramatic.

“No need since I would die defending her. I will take care of what is mine.”

The hand at his back clutched his shirt. “Stop this. I’ve had enough of listening to you two as if I’m not even in the room. To make matters worse, you’re treating me like some possession.” She moved in next to them. “I am a person with my own mind damn it.”

“Tanya is right.” Brant slid his hand onto the small of her back. “She should have a say.”

Zane crossed his arms over his chest and glowered down at Tanya. “You would be safer with me human.”

Her whole demeanour changed, her succulent lips went into full pout mode, her hands went to her hips and her chin tilted up. “Nothing happened while I was at the manor house before. I’m sure I’m quite safe. Brant will take care of me.” She moved in next to him and he had the ridiculous urge to fist pump the air. A small victory but one that moved towards making Tanya his queen and he’d take it.

Zane kept his arms folded. Although he didn’t move a muscle, his whole body seemed to bristle. “You cannot make a decision without the full facts.”

“Don’t go there Zane. We don’t even know if our concerns are warranted.” Brant pulled Tanya in closer.

“The wolf alpha is looking for a mate. Chances are good he has set his sights on you.”

Zane was an even bigger bastard than he thought.

Tanya gasped. Her eyes welled with tears. “But….no, he couldn’t. Surely he wouldn’t.”

Brant willed for Zane to shut the fuck up but the dickhead carried on. “He can and he will. What better way to not only prevent future vampire heirs from being born but also to fuck with us at the same time? It would cause chaos. Internal war would be a given. Our species would become easy pickings.”

“It’s not going to happen because Brant will protect me,” Tanya sniffed. She wiped away a tear.

Zane shook his head and scrubbed a hand over his scalp. “You are wrong female. The alpha will take you if he gets even the smallest chance. He’ll mate you. Do you want to be fucked by a beast?”

Tanya sobbed and his last bit of resolve evaporated. Brant punched Zane. A beautiful, truly satisfying crunching sound filled his ears. He felt bone crush under his fist. Zane hesitated only for a split second, then he chopped at his throat using the side of his hand. Brant had been expecting retaliation, so he stepped back avoiding most of the force. It still hurt though and he struggled to draw breath. Brant threw a solid right aiming for Zane’s nose. Nothing like a double whammy to end a fight. Zane blocked. Tanya screamed for them to stop but he ignored her since she was far enough away not to be in immediate danger. Their vampire guard spilled in and pulled them apart. It took three men to pull him away from the bastard. He took satisfaction in the amount of blood that gushed from Zane’s nose. 

“You are wrong.” Zane fought against the vampires that held him, his face twisted in rage. “If she is taken, I swear to God. I swear to God…” He repeated as they wrestled him to the door. “I’ll kill you!” He shouted as they pulled him from the room. “You will fucking die!” he screamed from down the hall.

Brant pulled Tanya into his arms. She shook as tears cascaded down her cheeks.

“It’s going to be okay.” He rubbed her back trying to still the shaking of her shoulders as she sobbed.

“Did he mean it?” Tanya finally lifted her tear soaked face.

“He couldn’t kill me if he tried.”

A sad sounding giggle ended on a hiccup. “No. Did he mean it about the alpha coming for me?”

Brant pulled in a deep breath. “Zane was only speculating, but it is possible.”

“Oh God.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.” She buried her face into his chest. Her little hands fisted the shirt at his back. Brant needed to protect his human at all costs.

“I’m so sorry.” She wiped her nose with the back of her hand. He took a crisp, folded hanky from his pocket, it was embroidered in gold with his family crest.

“Hey.” He cupped her chin once she finished wiping her nose. She refused to meet his gaze. “What do you have to be sorry about?”

“I had sex with Zane.” Tanya ended the sentence on a sob. Fresh tears ran down her cheeks. Brant had to work to stop himself from breaking something just to make himself feel better. Seeing her like this destroyed him.

He sighed using the pad of his thumb to wipe away the tears. “I should apologize. I didn’t explain Mate’s Lore to you properly. The truth is, I couldn’t stand the thought of Zane…touching you. I had every reason to believe that he had killed his chosen and was afraid of losing you. I guess I also have a possessive streak a mile long…when it comes to you that is.”

She shook her head. “No, I shouldn’t have had sex with him. It’s not right…”

“Cenwein”—he brushed a wayward strand from her face—“it’s perfectly normal and perfectly acceptable. We are to share you until the new moon. That means in every way.” He cupped her chin forcing her to look at him. Her big fearful eyes almost brought him to his knees.

“….But you almost went crazy when you smelled him on me.”

“I had selfishly hoped that you would rebuff Zane. I was wrong to have wanted it. You have nothing to be guilty about. I’m a weak asshole. I’m so sorry I made you feel this way. I’m even sorrier that I couldn’t keep it together when I scented Zane on you.” The thought of the arrogant bastard touching his female rubbed him the wrong way. He had hoped that he would have been able to deal with being confronted with the inevitable, but he had been wrong. Even now, her underlying scent was still intermingled with that of Zane’s.

He needed to put some distance between them because the need to take her again rode him hard. More than just that, he wanted to mark her body with his semen like an animal. To drink from her and to request that she do the same from him. His little human was not ready for such a big step though. He was also still a little concerned that he might hurt her. Even though he had told her that he wouldn’t, he knew he may accidentally do just that. He still didn’t fully trust himself.

“You’re apologizing to me. This whole situation isn’t right.” She shook her head.

“We have both chosen you and it is normal that you feel attracted to both of us. Does he treat you well? Does he care about your…needs?” Brant forced himself to relax his hold on her. Tanya needed to come first in everything. He had made her feel this way and he would be damned if he allowed her to have any more discomfort because he was a selfish idiot.

“Oh my God. Are you asking me if he…”

“Yes. Does he treat you right both in and out of bed? I need to know.”

Tanya smiled as she recalled her time with Zane. Brant was sure she didn’t even know she was doing it. It made his chest tighten.

“He’s a big, fat jerk. The man is unbelievably bossy. Zane can be hard, he is ruthless.”

Brant couldn’t help himself, he growled. Tanya put her hand on his wrist. “But there is a softer side to him. He has feelings and emotions and he does care, even if he pretends that he doesn’t.”

Brant touched the fresh marks on her neck and she winced even though there would be no pain. “I know he drank from you and that he rutted with you.” Her lashes fluttered as her eyes looked down.

The thought almost sent him into a rage but he put a sharp rein on his emotions. Tanya came first. “I told you that you have nothing to be ashamed about, Cenwein. Now tell me, Zane seems to …care about your wellbeing. Has he been good to you and put your needs first?”