Alpha Mine (The Alpha Council Chronicles) (22 page)

She inhaled a sharp breath when he increased the speed of his hips, her body tightening around him. Stephan rose to his knees, grabbing her knees in his large hands, spreading her wide as he continued to drive into her welcoming sex.

His body invaded hers, a thick, hard fullness that brought waves of pleasure so intense she struggled to keep from floating away on a wave of ecstasy. As he moved, everything faded except the passion he built within her.
Katrina’s eyes locked with Stephan’s. His dark eyes drank her in, watching her as she went higher, closer to the precipice of pleasure. It was sexy as hell.

“Come for me,” he growled pistoning faster.

Her vision blurred to pinpricks of light, blood thundered in her ears. As commanded, Kat fell over the edge. She convulsed around his shaft, milking him. Her head thrashed back and forth on the pillow, hands fisted in the sheets.

Stephan continued to buck against Kat, unwilling to stop. Not just yet, even though he thought he might go up in flames from her scorching heat surrounding him.

She reached between them and cupped his balls with one hand, gently massaging them. The feel of her grasp tightened his body, sent a surge of pleasure through it that made every muscle harden. She felt so good surrounding him, touching him. As soft as velvet, she was enough to drive any man to his breaking point.

But he wanted more, wanted to be surrounded by her moist heat forever. To have her surround him inside and out. He heard her blood rush through her veins. It called to him, begged him to taste her. His fangs threatened to lengthen, but he pushed them back ruthlessly. He’d not give into the temptation, not until she’d willingly gave him her trust, her blood to take.

Need to pleasure her spurred his hips, and his pace quickened. He pushed deeper into her deliciously hot and tight sex, until his shaft touched her inner most sensitive spot, rubbing against her, driving her need as high as his own. She fit him so perfectly that he knew then she’d been destined to be his.

His face tightened as his own climax built. He looked down, watching her pleasure build through narrowed eyes. A soft mewing sound escaped her throat. Her head back, lips parted. Her fingers flexed against his back, nails drawing blood. It felt lusciously painful, a perfect manifestation of his tumultuous emotions. The combination of sight, sound, and touch drove him over the edge, with her next climax.

He threw back his head and let a roar escape his lips, his face tightening when his own release came. His body collapsed over Katrina, as he pulsed into her. She held him in her arms until he was totally spent.

He fought for breath, inhaling her honeysuckle essence deep into his body. His head rose, his gaze meeting hers. The look on her face mirrored how he felt—completely replete and sated.

Stephan rolled the two of them so Kat rested atop of him. The last shudders left their bodies, leaving only their heavy breathing as evidence of their encounter.

His arms tightened around her. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” His deep voice vibrated with a determination which caused her to look up.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing,
mein schatz
.” Did she hear the strain in his voice? He pushed into her mind, needing to know.

Kat wanted to press the matter, but knew that now wasn’t the time. Their act was a desperate mating which left her both sated and deliciously sore. She didn’t want anything to ruin the moment. Thank the Fates, for he did not wish to ruin this moment either.

She laid her head on his shoulder and drew aimless circles lightly over his chest with her fingers, which brought a genuine smile to curve his lips. A smile that held an edge of male smugness for he could sense her fulfillment.

Tomorrow he could worry about Gage for tonight there would be only her, his Katrina.

Chapter 26

Gage remained as he had for the past two nights, on his knees cradling Andrea’s body—her blood long since dry on both her dress and his clothes. He refused to move or allow any of his guards near them. He knew his guards could feel his grief, it hung heavy in the air, causing his stomach to twist into knots.

With sightless eyes, he observed all of his guards come to him. His gaze lowered back to his mate, as they formed a circle around them and began to sing the death chant that had been passed down through generations of vampires. Their voices sounded soft and low, the deep timbre of their song gradually penetrated his mental haze. He blinked. Once. Twice. His gaze rose reluctantly from the beloved woman in his arms to meet the eyes of the guard in front of him.

Gage slowly rose with Andrea draped in his arms. The circle parted so he could carry her lifeless body into the dining room. Prepared by the guards, a plastic sheet draped over the table and one of Andrea’s prettiest gowns hung over the back of one chair.

Gage laid her gently on the table barely noting the sound of the plastic sheet crinkling beneath her. He smoothed her matted hair back from her ashen face.

Trace and Alvero walked in on silent feet and handed him two stacks of bowls, each containing an herb which would be rubbed onto Andrea’s body. The purpose of which was to help see her into the afterlife. After handing their bowls to Gage, they bowed in unison and backed from the room, leaving him to his painful task.

Tears welled in his eyes, clouding his vision, as he removed her stiff, bloodied clothing so he could wash her body before administering the herbs. A bucket of water sat at the head of the table. His hand plunged deep to grasp the sponge inside. No doubt warm hours ago, the water had probably cooled while the guards chanted around them. The temperature assaulted his skin, and Gage sucked in a deep breath. His first thought was to warm the water, but reality crashed down on him as he realized Andrea would not feel the temperature. She would never again feel anything.

A tear escaped his eye to roll down his face, hitting the water in the bucket.

He wrung the excess water from the sponge. With deferential hands, he washed all traces of blood from her pale skin. His tears fell as he worked, washing over her as much as did the water.

By the time he completed the arduous task, a calm determination had come over him, drying his tears. He put the sponge back into the bucket and turned to the bowls of herbs, looking down at them with a detachment for which he was grateful.

He reverently mixed the herbs with olive oil then, as dictated by tradition, and began with her feet, carefully rubbing on Agrimony and Curry for the protection of her soul. Next he rubbed her legs with Boneset to ward off evil spirits she might encounter on her journey. Then Gage massaged both her hands with Comfrey to ensure safe travel into the next world. His hands dipped into Coltsfoot before he worked them over her arms for peace and tranquility. Finally, he washed her face and neck with Basil for love.

He closed his eyes and took a deep steadying breath, knowing there was one part of the ritual he had yet to perform. He needed to bathe her stomach in Chicory to remove all obstacles in the path to the hereafter.

His eyes tracked down her bare stomach and he laid his hand on the soft skin there. His fingers splayed wide, as if to shield the child cocooned within. Gage quietly hummed the death chant while he rubbed the Chicory in slow, worshipful circles, careful to make sure every inch was covered by the herb, to be sure both Andrea and their child had a clear path to the afterlife.

With the herbal ritual completed, Gage dressed Andrea in her best gown, a pretty white chiffon dress with an empire waist. Once he finished, he smoothed the chiffon folds and gazed down at his mate. She looked like an angel.

He draped his body over her lifeless form, his tears falling onto her face as he lovingly ran one hand over where their unborn child lay cradled. With one final kiss to her cold, still lips, he turned and walked from the room.

Outside four of his guards waited. They entered the dining room reverently and flanked her body, two on each side. In complete silence, they humbly lifted her. When they began walking her outside, Gage moved to her head, gently cradling it in his hands. Together they carried her body outside to the wooden funeral dais which had been prepared for her during Gage’s vigil.

Gage assumed the role of officiate and stood in front of the platform. His guards stood around the stand, forming a circle of grief. They sang the death chant again wishing her peace and a peaceful passage into the next world.

Gage lifted his hands and recited the death prayer saying, “You have left this life, left behind your body, for you do not need it to return to the Fates. May they embrace you back into their fold. Welcome you, protect you on your journey into the Beyond.”

After another round of chanting, one by one, each male stepped forward in silence and placed a log under the altar. The final guard, Alvaro, held a lit torch. As he stepped forward, Gage met him, took the torch from the male, and turned toward Andrea for the last time. He said a final silent farewell to his mate and unborn child then lit the logs beneath her. The fire flared to life, consuming her body.

One by one, the others left with their heads bowed until only Gage remained.

Now alone, he allowed his grief to flood his body. The pain took his legs from beneath him, sobs shook his frame. He sunk to his knees in the grass, watching his heartmate return to that from which she had come; dust to dust.

****

Utterly miserable, Gage entered his home and sat at the kitchen table. His clothes, still caked with dried blood, were disheveled and reeked since he had not changed or showered in the three days since the funeral. Words alone could not express how deep his devastating sorrow went. His throat constricted and his eyes became hazy with tears. His stomach knotted causing a gut wrenching pain that made him curl over and heave.

He wept for his Andrea and the death of their future. The moment of her death took with it all his hopes, his dreams, and goals. His future taken by the same phenomenon that took her soul. In a single moment, he’d lost his heartmate, his child, his tomorrow.

Gage rested his head in his hands, elbows on the kitchen table.

“Sir?” Alvero tentatively approached and placed his hand gently on Gage’s shoulder.

Gage looked up. He knew his face looked drawn, he’d seen it in a mirror. He probably reminded the guard of a skeleton. Under his tear streaked eyes sat dark circles. His eyes looked sunken into the sockets, his shoulders slumped. He’d barely recognized his reflection.

“Have you eaten anything, sir?” the body guard asked him quietly.

Gage did not reply, simply shook his head back and forth one time before resting it back in his hands.

Alvero sat down across from him at the table. “Sir, I think we should talk,” he said motioning for Trace to join them from where he waited in the doorway to the kitchen.

Trace joined the pair, starting to sit in the empty chair to the right of Gage.

Gage’s head snapped up. “Don’t you sit there. That is
Her
seat.” Gage’s eyes pinned Trace with the fierceness of a lion.

Trace puts his hands up in surrender and bowed his head.

“Of course, sir.” He wisely moved around the table and sat in the chair to Gage’s left. Trace shot Alvero a wayward glance.

“Sir,” Trace said cautiously. “What should be done about the ball that was scheduled for tomorrow night?”

“I had completely forgotten about that.” Gage heard the defeat in his own voice, and looked from one guard to the other, hoping someone might have an idea. He couldn’t make decisions right now.

“Might I make a suggestion?” Alvero offered. Gage nodded his head once, giving permission for the guard to continue.

“Might I suggest you let Trace and I call your guests and tell them the ball and party have been cancelled for this year.”

Gage nodded his head once again, unconcerned about what they did. “That’s fine. I don’t care.”

“Very well. Trace and I will take care of the phone calls immediately.” Alvero pushed his chair away from the table as if to leave, but before he rose, Trace spoke.

“What about the humans?” asked Trace leaning forward his forearms on the table.

“I don’t care,” repeated Gage exasperated. “I just don’t care anymore.”

“Have you eaten tonight?” Alvero asked changing the subject. Gage shook his head. He hadn’t been hungry since...

“How about if I go get Red for you, sir. You always enjoy her.” Trace offered with a hopeful grin.

“I can’t see her,” Gage replied shaking his head. “The last time I fed from her it was with Andrea.”

“How about if I find someone else for you to feed from?” volunteered Alvero. “You must eat something. You need to keep your strength up.”

“Why? If I don’t feed I’ll die, then I can be with my Andrea again.” Gage shot the guard a sharp look. “What’s there to live for?”

“Revenge,” Trace answered without hesitation.

Gage’s eyes snapped to Trace. By the Fates above, the guard was right. His eyes widened as his nostrils flared.

“Yes,” said Gage slowly, his voice as hard as stone. “Revenge.”

Gage sat up a little straighter. The past few days had been a blur of sorrow and despair. He missed his heartmate, missed her touch, her laugh. Missed the mischievous twinkle in her eye when she teased him.

All that was gone from his life now thanks to that bastard Stephan von Haas. That male had come into his home, accused him of conducting a hunt club, and added injury to insult by killing his mate. He needed to pay for his transgressions, and Gage was just the male to dole out the punishment.

His brows furrowed, lips tightened into a line before he continued. “Bring me a human who is hardy. I want one who is healthy, full of life, who can give me the energy I need to plot my revenge on that sonuvabitch von Haas.”

“At once, sir.” Alvero nodded and left the room, purpose hurrying his strides, as he went to fetch one of the humans from below.

A slight smile appeared on Trace’s face when Gage licked his lips. He could almost taste the revenge. A plan for retribution began to form in his mind. All too soon he would have a plan, a purpose to his life once again.