Chapter Ten
Colton had never been fond of the vampires to begin with. After being forced to live among them for two weeks, he now loathed them. There was no fucking way he would step up and become their Master. That was a job better suited for Lucian.
So, if he hated their species so much, why was he standing on a roof a block away, watching the front door of Black Dragon? For the past two weeks Colton had barely slept, had used weed and drink to try to numb himself, but nothing seemed to work.
Lucian's face kept creeping into his mind. If he didn’t know for a fact the Master hadn't beguiled him, Colton would think he was under some kind of spell.
He crouched and tossed a pebble across the rooftop, telling himself to go home. But the pack house didn't feel like home any longer. Colton felt like a stranger among his own kind. How messed-up was he that he missed his bed at Black Dragon?
Colton rubbed at his bottom lip as his chest grew tight. He looked over his shoulder at the club and then turned back around. A headache started at the back of his skull as he pulled in a breath and slowly let it out.
"Sitting up here might give one the impression you want to come home."
Colton looked to his left and saw Lucian standing by the corner of the roof. He became aware of his increased heart rate as a smile slowly built on Lucian's face. "I'd rather gnaw on a bone."
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Mr. Francisco." Lucian moved with a fluid grace as he closed the distance.
Colton pushed from his crouched position to face the Master. "I was just keeping an eye on you bloodsuckers."
His nerve endings stirred and tingled when Lucian touched his cheek. Colton jerked his head back, forcing himself to glare. "You are such a stubborn man. There is nothing wrong with admitting your desire for me."
Colton scoffed. "The only desire I'm feeling is to end you." He took a step closer without realizing he'd moved.
A sensual smile played at Lucian's lips. "Hard to do when you're up on a roof. You could have come into the club to accomplish that."
Angry with himself for…shit. No. Colton didn’t want Lucian. That was absurd. For fuck's sake, the male had kidnapped him, had forced Colton to live in that damn club against his will.
And Lucian's two brothers had kept an eagle eye on Colton, making sure he didn’t haul ass.
He spun and was heading for the door when Lucian grabbed his arm, pulling Colton to him. "Admit it," he said. "The Black Dragon is your home. The coven is yours to rule, and you desire me more than you'll ever let on."
Colton looked away. He didn’t want to become trapped in Lucian's gaze. He didn’t think the Master would beguile him, but why take chances?
"I can smell your lust, Colton," Lucian said. "I can give you pleasures you've never dreamed of."
Colton yanked his arm free. "Fuck off."
He headed to the door again, this time leaving behind Lucian's dark and rich laughter.
* * * *
"I swear, nobody’s around," Tap said as he glanced out his truck window. "Parking lot’s deserted."
"I'll kill you if you’re lying," Dustin whispered.
"Do you honestly think I want anyone seeing you do this?"
Dustin glared at him before he dipped his head and took Tap's cock into his mouth. Tap hissed as his head fell back and his hands clamped on Dustin’s hair. There was nothing better in the world than a noon blow job. Maybe breakfast nookie or evening ass, but lunchtime head definitely ranked high on the list.
"Ah, shit. Watch the teeth, Kitten." Tap punched his hips upward as he groaned. They'd been mated a month now and Tap couldn't get enough of Dustin, in and out the bed. The more he'd gotten to know the leopard, the deeper in love he fell.
Dustin had pissed him off more times than he could count, but not once had the thought of hurting his mate entered his mind. In fact, it seemed the more ticked off he became, the more Tap looked forward to make-up sex.
"Right there," Tap growled. "Right there, Kitten. Use your tongue."
Dustin popped his head up and glanced around the parking lot of Grizzly’s. "What was that noise?"
"Me killing every last person in Mercury if you stop again." God, he was close. So fucking close.
Dustin gave him a doubtful look before he went back to sucking Tap’s cock. Fuck if his kitten didn't look beautiful. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for the guy. Being in love made him feel like he was on top of the world and scared the shit of him at the same time. He'd never been responsible for another being and the thought of anything happening to Dustin drove him batshit crazy.
Tap threw his head back and grunted, his seed spurting down Dustin’s throat. He panted as the leopard eased back, licking his lips and smiling. "Now that I’ve rendered the wolf helpless, I've gotta get back inside. Jason and Stuart are bringing the boys by so everyone can see them."
Tap growled as he pulled Dustin into his arms, staring into the prettiest eyes he'd ever seen. "I'm far from done with you, Kitten."
Dustin patted him on his chest. "Later, Jacob. I promised them I'd be here."
"You know how turned on I get when you call me that."
Dustin laughed and the sound made Tap’s heart clench. God, he loved the little leopard so much. "A stiff wind turns you on," Dustin said as he pushed away.
"Can't blame me for wanting you all the time." That was the God's honest fucking truth. He wanted Dustin so often that Tap had moved into his apartment. That wasn't the only reason, though. Dustin had refused to shack up with a pack of wolves.
Shane hadn't been too happy at first, but after Tap had offered to pay rent, he stopped protesting. It wasn't the ideal place to live with his mate, but Tap would live anywhere, even in a cardboard box, just as long as he had his kitten by his side.
Tap yanked Dustin into his lap and undid his jeans, fishing out his cock. Dustin's hips punched upward as his head lolled to the side.
"You have to make this quick."
"I ain't making a damn thing quick." Tap curled his fist around Dustin's cock. "I'm gonna enjoy your body for as long as I want to. Fuck, I might even indulge in some dessert."
"Indulge already," Dustin complained. "Don’t just hold my dick in your hand. Do something with it."
Tap locked eyes with Dustin as he released his mate's erection and then licked his palm. Dustin's eyes darkened and his lips parted before Tap gripped his dick again. He slowly stroked Dustin, building the need, teasing his mate.
Dustin's chest expanded and fell in fast pants. Tap grinned when his mate started fucking his fist. "You have no patience."
"Screw patience. You got off. I want to get off, too."
"Ask me nicely."
Dustin slapped the back of his hand against Tap's chest. "Stop being a jerk and make me come."
Tap's humor morphed into determination. He moved his hand faster, lowering his head so he could get at Dustin's lips. The kiss was raw, making Tap's flaccid cock perk right the fuck up as Dustin cried out his climax.
Nope, he wasn't done with Dustin by a long shot.
Fate might have bound them together, but Tap dug the shit out of the little leopard, and would have pursued him regardless.
* * * *
Matt slid a folder to each man sitting around the table before taking a seat. The leaders of Mercury met once a week to go over those who'd gone feral or had one too many complaints against them.
He gazed across the table at their newest addition. Sheriff Ezra Braxton picked up his file and glanced over it. The human had made a convincing argument that every species was represented at these meetings except humans, and if they wanted to keep Mercury safe, he'd damn well better get in on the action.
The newly formed council had agreed.
Matt hadn't been too sure about the decision, but Braxton was proving to be an asset.
"I swear the list seems to get longer every time we meet," Alastair said with a shake of his head.
"That's never a good thing," Vane said.
"It's like that with humans," Braxton added. "Put one down and more disturbed individuals crop up. It's never-ending."
Matt agreed. It was one of the reasons he'd started Mercury Rising. He looked over at Vane. "By the way, what did you need to see Dustin about?"
Vane rolled his eyes. "I was just trying to touch base with him. He's still part of my leap."
"Not anymore." Matt told him about Dustin and Tap. "He's mine to worry about now."
Vane didn’t look happy, but he couldn’t do anything about the situation. Matt didn't care that Vane was pissed about losing a leap member. He was just glad Tap had finally settled down. The two bickered constantly, which was the reason Matt had agreed to let Tap move out, but there was no denying the love they held in their eyes for one another.
The hairs on the back of Matt's neck stood on end. He glanced around the table to see that the others felt the power bleed into the room; everyone except for Braxton. But the guy was good. He picked up on everyone else's unease. "What?" the sheriff asked.
Before Matt could get out of his seat, the doors flew open. The leaders jerked from their chairs, Braxton’s gun in his hand as Nazar strode into the room.
The king of demons waved a hand and Braxton’s gun flew against the wall. Matt and the others growled. Lucian hissed as he bared his fangs. A demonic dog stood on either side of the demon.
"Gentlemen," Nazar said as he stepped into the room, the dogs' claws clicking against the wooden floor. The doors closed of their own accord as Nazar came to a stop. "Every species is not being represented here."
He grabbed a chair from against the wall and took a seat at the table. "Please, continue."
"What are you doing here?" Matt asked. "I summoned you a month ago and you never showed."
The demon hooked an arm over the back of his chair, crossed one leg over the other, and nodded. "I've been a little busy tracking down the one responsible for the councilmembers’ disappearance."
"Bullshit," Lucian snapped. "It was your demons who took them out."
"Demons?" Braxton asked as he eyed Nazar. "Any other species you care to tell me about?"
Nazar turned toward Braxton. The side of his mouth lifted. "A human. How interesting." He studied the sheriff for a brief moment before turning his attention back to the other men. Matt wasn't sure why Nazar had suddenly decided to show, but didn't trust the demon’s intentions.
"It was not my horde who went after the Consiglio," Nazar said. "I had no reason to attack them."
"You said you've been tracking the one responsible," Devin said calmly, as if a powerful demon hadn't just strode in with his vicious dogs. "Find anything?"
Nazar shook his head. "Not yet, but I'm close."
Matt cursed. Someone was lying through his teeth, and Matt was determined to find out which person in the room was responsible for the council's disappearance.
THE END