Page 9 of Blood and Embers
“What’s your next move?” His Beta asked, taking a seat across from him. Their pack house was just a makeshift flop house for now, but Tank had grand expectations of a large house downtown once he was able to carve out part of Master Rose’s territory. “You’re losing a lot of people trying to fight Master Rose.”
"They're the recruits, they don't matter." He spat.
"Be careful, Tank, you will get a reputation and then no one will join you." The Beta had been with Tank since thebeginning, and although he followed his orders, he often found the man to be a bit unhinged. There may come a day when the Beta would step up, but that was not today. Tank still had enough jackals in his army to handle most conflicts, but not enough to affect the Rose Coven.
“All I want is a piece of Rose’s territory. I want the Blood Rose and the warehouses in that area. I won’t stop until I get it.” Tank was sweating even though he hadn’t left his chair in over an hour. He wanted what he couldn’t have, and he was willing to get everyone killed in this useless endeavor.
"There was a human present at the last attack; he seemed to be important to them." Both Tank and his Beta turned to look at the jackal leaning against the bar, helping himself to a beer.
"You were there?" The Beta asked, and the jackal nodded.
“I left when it became obvious that I would die if I stayed. You’re fine and all, but I won't throw my life away for anyone, least of all a rogue wolf." Tank hated being called rogue, and he jumped to his feet in a show of aggression. The jackal chuckled.
"Settle down, there's nothing wrong with being rogue. Rogues are the backbone of change, as far as I see it. But let us get back to the important matters.” He downed the beer and then cracked another. "The Coven is harboring a human, a man who I believe may be a beloved, and unlike their other beloveds, who they keep hidden away, this one works with the public. He’s a firefighter with the CFD.” Tank’s eyes lit up with dastardly evil plans forming in their depths.
“Yeah, I thought you’d like that.” The jackal chuckled again. “I know the station he works in and his schedule. I think you’d gain a lot with that gentleman as a bargaining chip.”
They finished their drinks, and Pike took their glasses and set them aside. Scott was handling them better than expected, but that could be deceiving. Sometimes, the overload of information can cause a person to appear calm and understanding when, in fact, they are not. They could go from nodding to screaming in a second, so Pike kept his eyes on Scott and kept monitoring his emotions as best he could.
They were connected by Fate, and Pike could already pick up on some of his moods, but it would take a full bond to allow him to know his emotions and attitudes completely. He was glad that Scott hadn’t questioned him about the battle in too much depth. He hadn’t seen the worst of it, which was good. His human was trying, but that battle and the bloody deaths would have been too much at this point in their relationship.
He had made a mistake when bringing Scott, but at the time, he thought it would force him to see the truth and accept what his eyes were telling him. Pike had forgotten that humans do not live with blood and death in the same way that paranormals do. Thankfully, Fate had been looking out for him and shielded his beloved from the worst of it.
“I’d like for you to stay here with me tonight." Pike made his request and took Scott's hand.
“I have a shift tomorrow, it's just a partial, I'm filling in for someone. I work eight to eight and then I’m off for two days. I’d love to spend the night with you if you don’t mind me leaving early.” Pike stood, pulled Scott to his feet, and took him into his arms. Scott went willingly, wrapping his arms around Pike's shoulders.
“I will take whatever time you can give me. I just want to be with you.” Pike then took Scott’s lips in a kiss that waspassionate and devastating, searing his intention into his flesh and making it clear how badly he wanted this man.
CHAPTER FIVE
Scott felt so natural in his arms, and so many sappy romantic thoughts were racing through his head right now. He wanted to recite poetry, show him a sunrise, and feed him grapes. He wanted him happy, satisfied, fulfilled, protected, and properly cared for. He wanted everything for this man, his beloved. From feeling satisfied, taking happiness wherever and whenever he could find it, to feeling that a beautiful new world had just been delivered to his doorstep, was a very heady feeling.
They continued to kiss and touch, and Pike slowly but determinedly guided his beloved to his bedroom. It was average in every way except the bed. Pike liked his comfort, and his bed was large, plush, and so comfortable it was criminal.
He began pulling at Scott's clothes first, the sweater bearing that magnificent chest to his explorative hands, and then he opened the fastener on those shamefully body-hugging pants. Those pants were extraordinary in how they cupped and held Scott’s amazing ass and accentuated his solid thighs.
Pike released the kiss to bend and assist Scott in removing his pants, leaving him in just his tight, silky boxers. The man absolutely knew how to dress for a sizzling night of sex and surprises. His hand stroked Scott's hard cock, makingit thicken and twitch in his grip. A moan and a deep sigh had Pike dropping to one knee and pulling down the boxers, baring himself to Pike's needs.
"Don't stop now," Scott whispered tightly and cast his gaze down to where Pike was kneeling. "You look so delicious." He added, and with that, Pike took Scott into his mouth and swallowed him to the base. It was abrupt, and his hold was so tight that it caused a slight spasm, causing Scott to sway on his feet.
Pike held his thigh and steadied him while continuing to take him down his throat over and over, working him beyond endurance. Scott panted and struggled to remain standing while Pike worked him mercilessly. He slid his fingers behind and found the tight hole that was calling to him.
"That feels fantastic." Pike loved how verbal his lover was. Every word spurred him on to do more. Those gorgeous eyes kept glancing down at him, and the hunger raging in their depths was awesome. Scott wanted him to hunger for him, and he could feel it in his touch and see it in his gaze. Pike felt his heart quicken at the thought, and he picked up speed, taking Scott over and over, ravaging him and pushing him over the edge.
The gasp and the shout were followed by Scott holding his breath while filling Pike's throat full. His essence was sweet and warm, and in that moment, Scott and he shared a connection that struck, their awareness stretching. The contact brought the awareness to Scott. He'd already shared the majority of his secrets, but the awareness brought understanding and acceptance as Scott’s mind was opened and his grasp on the supernatural became solid and true.
"What's happening, Pike?" He asked when Pike licked him clean and then stood, taking him back into his arms. Scott was trembling and looking at Pike as if he were seeing him for the first time.
“It's what we call the awareness. It happens once a couple who are in a Fated bond have sexual contact. Fate opens the minds of the partners, aiding in the acceptance process of the bond. You see me, you see my vampire beneath the surface, and I see you and I see your vulnerability and your dreams beneath the surface." He walked Scott over to the bed and sat him down, and then crouched in front of him, holding both of his hands in his.
“The longer we are together, the clearer my life and my world will be to you. The supernatural will no longer seem strange or unnatural." He looked up into Scott's face and saw shock, which was expected, but that was followed by a slow wonderment that took over his entire countenance. “You will recognize paranormals when you see them. You will know a vampire, a shifter, and magics on sight. Your world has just gotten a whole hell of a lot larger.”
“I knew that getting hooked up with you was going to be an adventure, but I had no idea just how wonderful it would prove to be.” He bent and kissed Pike on the lips and smiled. “You’re lucky that you’re so damned sexy and that I want that massive cock in my ass more than I want my next breath, otherwise I might be melting down."
"I doubt it, you're too sensible and logical, it would take more than finding out that your lover is a vampire to have you melting down." Pike shot back. "Now," He pushed Scott onto his back and leaned over him, “let’s take care of that urgent business of my cock in your ass.”
"Sounds perfect." Pike stripped down and joined Scott on the bed, pushing him back and positioning him in the center of the large bed. “This bed is pure heaven.” He commented while Pike covered his fingers with lubricant and once again found that lovely little hole.
