Drantos (VLG Series Book 1) (28 page)

Dusti blew apart inside. It started at her pussy and spread to her brain in an instant. She screamed against his skin when the pleasure became too intense, too devastating, and so strong her body tensed until she thought her bones would snap. She became too wrapped up in the climax to care if they did.

Drantos tore his mouth from her skin to nearly deafen her when he roared out his pleasure. She gasped softly from pressure she felt inside her pussy when his cock seemed to swell a little against her vaginal walls clamped tightly around him. When he started to come, she felt the heat spreading inside her. The warm blasts made him shake on top of her with every drop he emptied inside her body, and they drew out her glorious quakes of pleasure until they finally receded. Their bodies slowly relaxed together, their panted breaths mingling, and Dusti smiled.

“Oh, wow.”

Drantos nudged her throat, made her turn her head away from him more, and his tongue lapped at the areas he’d bitten. The taste of his coppery blood remained on her tongue. He licked the bites closed. The slight pain the bites had inflicted faded away completely.

“Look at me.”

She opened her eyes, turned her head, and smiled at Drantos. He smiled back.

“You’re my mate. I love you, Dusti. Please love me and don’t leave.”

The look in his eyes nearly broke her heart. He was still afraid she’d refuse him. It leveled her that she could make someone as fierce as Drantos feel real fear. Her hands slid from his shoulders. She caressed the column of his throat and winced a little at the sight of the ragged wound she’d inflicted with her teeth. She didn’t have fangs so the bite mark resembled two big half-moon shapes with blood welling out of them.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”

“It doesn’t hurt. It will heal.”

She forced her attention from what she’d done to him. “I can’t lick you to seal your wounds, can I? I want to.”

“You can lick me, but no. Those traits weren’t passed down to you. Your human blood likely blocked it.” He held her gaze. “Will you stay with me as my mate?”

She nodded. “I will, Drantos. I’m your mate.” Her fingertips moved to trace his jawline on both sides of his face. “I do love you.”

The grin he gave her revealed his pure joy. “You won’t regret it.”

“I believe you.”

“I need to get you home.”

“That means we have to move, right? I’m kind of comfy right where we are.”

“We can’t remain here. Decker may send more men hunting for you and I won’t risk your safety.” He paused. “There’s a faster way to get home than to walk there.”

“You want to sling me over your shoulder again? I’m not loving that idea. I know you had to run with me to get away from Aveoth but I really don’t want a repeat.”

“No.” He hesitated. “I could shift and you could ride on my back.”

Dusti grimaced. “Shit.”

“It’s still me.”

“I know but I like you this way so much more.” She knew he worried about her safety and, as a beast, he could move faster with four legs instead of just two. “Damn. I’m going to need a drink later.”

He chuckled. “I have a fully stocked bar at the cabin.”

“You really are perfect. Okay.” She forced a nod. “I can do this. I can.”

“It’s like riding a horse.”

“I lived in L.A. I never had access to one. I don’t count being strapped to that asshole when he kidnapped me as a fun experience either.”

“It will be a fun adventure with me.”

“Right.” She sighed. “Let’s do this. The faster, the better, before I chicken out.”

“You’re being very brave for me and I appreciate it. I know you’d prefer not to see me that way.”

“It’s not really bravery motivating me. It’s the fact you told me you have a Jacuzzi tub that urges me to deal with you in fur a lot faster. Plus, I really am starving. I’m assuming you have food at home.” She hesitated. “Your eyes turning pure black scare me more than the hair or the deadly looking claws do. I also feel a little sick when I hear the transformation. It’s kind of a yucky sound. I don’t want to offend you, don’t mean to, but I want to be honest. I think I’m doing good though, considering a few days ago before the crash I would have just run screaming if I saw you in fur.”

Drantos lifted up a little and gently withdrew from her body. She hated the feeling of him separating from her but didn’t protest.

“I can’t help any of that. I know my eyes turn black. It’s me though. Just remember that, and yes, I have food at home. While you enjoy the tub, I’ll make you a wonderful dinner. This won’t be so bad. Just wrap your legs around me and hug my neck. Hold on tight.”

“Okay but don’t ever ask me to do you in fur because
ewwww
. You’re damn hot in skin but not the other way.”

He laughed, lifted totally off her to his knees, and then held out his hand. “You have my word.”

She put her hand in his. “Good because yeah, that’s just too freaky for me.”

“I swear.” He chuckled. “It doesn’t do it for me either. Some VampLycans have sex in their animal form but I never have. Not a turn on.” His heated gaze darted down her body. “I love creamy, soft flesh.”

“Well, I have that in abundance.”

“I’m happy about that.” He easily pulled her to her feet and then rose to his.

Chapter Twelve

Dusti walked into the woods to use the bathroom and when she returned, she faced Drantos in fur. His massive beast body stood perfectly still while he watched her silently with those black eyes that still made her shiver. No sign of the man she loved lurked in their dark depths.

She realized she’d jerked to a halt. She took a deep breath, moved to the discarded shirt, and bent to shake it out before slipping it over her head.

“Give me a minute.” She glanced at him. “I need to do something about this sarong thing. I think I came up with a way to make a kind of diaper shape with it, which would be good because I’d like something between my pussy and your fur. No offense but that’s why I trim down there.”

He sat on his haunches and she swore he grinned when his mouth parted to reveal those wicked-sharp teeth. She smiled at him.

“You still look terrifying. I don’t suppose you’d consider wearing a collar one day? I can’t tell you apart from the others when you’re like that but you do look bigger.”

He softly growled.

“I guess not.” She untied the two ends of the sarong to put it between her legs, and then she tied both sides of the ends tightly at her waist. Her thighs were exposed high on each side but it functioned the way she wanted it to. She focused back on Drantos. “Okay.”

He eased up to stand on all four of his muscular legs. She held still as he slowly stalked forward. When he reached her, his head lowered near her hand and nudged her palm. She hesitated before running her fingers through the soft black fur behind his head. She refrained from making any jokes, even if she was tempted to call him a “nice doggy”. He didn’t appear to resemble one, besides the shape of his head and the pointed ears. His muzzle turned to bump against her thigh.

“Got it. Climb on. Okay.” She studied his broad back. “Like a horse. Right.”

She moved to his side. He wasn’t as tall as a horse on all four legs but his back was still as high as her stomach. She gripped him with both hands and threw her leg over. He lowered just enough to help her straddle him and then he rose up until her toes left the ground. She lunged forward to press her chest against his back.

“Can we go slow at first?”

He turned his head to peer at her. The sight of his pitch-black eyes didn’t scare her as much as before. His fur was soft and comfortable. She knew he wouldn’t bite into her or claw her.
This is Drantos
, she silently reminded herself. He straightened to face forward.

When he took the first few steps, she realized she needed to wrap her arms around his neck. She hugged him tightly. He paused, and one of his front clawed hands gently pushed on her shin just enough to clue her in that he wanted her to hook her legs under his belly. She hoped she didn’t accidently kick his genitals but his torso seemed longer in this form than in his human skin. His hand dropped away and that quickly, they were moving.

* * * * *

Drantos couldn’t deny how proud he felt that Dusti rode his back without fear. She hadn’t exactly accepted all of him yet but it had gone far better than he’d imagined when she saw him in his animal form the second time.

He slowed, sniffed the air, and avoided the main body of town when he approached his village.

Worry rose but he had no time to consider what sort of punishment might be dealt to him. He had rescued his mate, carried her safely to clan lands, and soon he’d have her secured inside his home. She needed a warm bath to remove the chill from her skin and a full belly of food to alleviate her hunger. He would inform his family he’d returned after she was cared for.

Dusti shivered once again, her arms slack around his neck now. He knew exhaustion had set in. He paused, waited for a sentry to pass without detecting them since he kept downwind, and then crept forward. He relaxed when he stepped onto his own property where his cabin rested. He crouched down by the front door and started to transform without giving his mate a warning.

She softly started to curse when the hair receded and his bones shifted but she didn’t try to fling her body away. He grinned in amusement while he listened to her list of foul words expand. His mate could make a trucker blush with the things she muttered. He reached back, gripped her thighs, and straightened.

“Just hold on. I’ll give you a piggyback ride straight to that tub I promised. Do you mind opening the door?” He turned her toward the handle, bent his knees, and she released him with one hand to turn the knob.

“Don’t you people lock your doors?”

“No. There is no need. We don’t steal from each other.”

“That wouldn’t happen where I come from. You leave your door unlocked and you come home to an empty house that’s been stripped.”

“You’re totally safe here.” He didn’t bother to turn on lights. His eyes were already accustomed to the darkness outside. “We’re almost there. I’ll settle you in warm water and bring you a meal. How are you doing?”

“I’m tired.” She yawned to make her point. “Maybe I could skip the bath and food for a nap first.”

“No. You haven’t eaten all day. It’s my job to care for you.”

“Do you do dishes and laundry too? If you do, I’ll love you more.”

He snorted back a laugh. “I’ve been a bachelor for a very long time. I even clean my home.”

“I wouldn’t know. I’m assuming you haven’t turned on lights because you don’t want me to see wall-to-wall beer cans and dirty clothes piled everywhere.”

“I don’t need lights. Sorry.”

“You can see in the dark without the moon to help you out?”

“Yes.” He turned to gently ease her down on the edge of the bathroom counter. “Hold on and close your eyes. I’ll flip on the lights. I don’t want to startle you.”

“Okay.” She released him to sit back.

He flipped on the light and turned to face his mate. He watched her wince and lift a hand to shield her eyes from the bright lights. She blinked a few times before gawking at his bathroom.

“Wow. This is nice. Double sinks, that shower is huge, and you didn’t lie about the Jacuzzi tub.” She gave him a smile that tugged at his heart when he saw how happy it made her. “I could live in here.”

“Lucky for you, we have an entire cabin. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.”

“I think my bedroom at home would fit in here. I can’t wait to see the rest of the place if this is any indication. It’s huge, isn’t it?”

“We’ve been on these lands for a long time. I started building my home…” He stopped talking. She didn’t want to know his age. “Some years ago. I wanted it to be comfortable when I found my mate.”

He spun away and turned on the water in the deep tub to draw her bath. He kept his back to her until the water rose to where he wanted it. He glanced over his shoulder.

“Do you need help in?”

She scooted off the counter edge. “I can manage. Thanks.”

He didn’t want to leave her but she needed to eat. “Relax. Make yourself at home. This is yours now too. I’ll cook you food.”

She reached for the ties on the sarong. “Thank you, Drantos.”

“Never thank me for caring for you. It’s my privilege.” He quickly left her before he saw too much of her naked skin. The hunger for his mate boiled inside his blood, already laced with hers.

He started to prepare a meal and then reached for the phone. He hesitated briefly but knew someone might see the lights on inside his house if they were patrolling the area and report it to his father. He knew he couldn’t put off the call. He dialed.

“When did you get home, Drantos?” His father answered on the second ring. “My caller ID said it was you.”

“Does it matter? I recovered my mate and she’s home with me.”

“Do you need a doctor for her?”

“No. She was slightly injured but I licked her wounds. They are almost healed. The bastard who stole her had clawed the back of her leg.”

“I take it that he’s dead?”

“Yes. I wasn’t the one to kill him. Aveoth found them first. He—”

Velder snarled. “Lord Aveoth was there? What happened?”

“I’m trying to tell you. He located Dusti and Decker’s enforcer before I reached them. I told Aveoth how she had been taken and that we’d been attacked.”

“Did you tell him why? Did he know of Decker’s plan?”

“He wasn’t aware of what Decker was up to but he is now. He said he’d handle it and it doesn’t bode well for Decker. He also said he doesn’t want a war with us. He likes the peace.”

“That’s excellent news. I’ll share it with the other clans. I’ve kept them apprised of what is going on. We’ve all been worried.”

“I know. Aveoth is aware of Dusti and Bat now but he made it clear he isn’t going to come after them or make a trade with Decker. I told him Dusti is my mate and he accepted it.”

“She’s so human.”

He knew where the conversation was headed. “She’s still part VampLycan, and she’s mine. I won’t give her up. I know what you’re worried about, but our children will be strong-blooded if I feed her my blood while she’s pregnant. There’s no reason for you to reject her as my mate. I’ll be able to fulfill my duties as first son.”

“Who told you that?”

“I gave my word I wouldn’t share that information but it’s a reliable source. Someone with old knowledge told me.”

“Did someone hear that from one of the Lycan elders and pass it on?”

He hesitated. Aveoth’s clan
had
probably gotten the information from an old Lycan. Someone had to have shared that information to enable the GarLycans to put it in a book. “You could say that.”

His father remained silent for long seconds. “I’m glad the GarLycans aren’t a threat to us but we still have to address the issue of what you did today. Your mate rejected you in front of others and you went against the law to go after her. You must face punishment. There’s no way around it. People are talking.”

“I figured.”

“I can’t protect you, Drantos. It would look bad.”

“I know.”

“The last thing we need is dissension in the clan by my playing favorites. I must always be fair.”

“I don’t regret what I’ve done,” he admitted. “I’d do it again. You were wrong for making me chose between you and Dusti.”

“It shocked me when I learned who the sisters were. My hatred of Decker runs deep. I’ve had time to cool down and think it through, and I agree with you. Your mother and I spoke. I can’t publically apologize without it making me appear weak but I do, son. I’m sorry. I should have ordered you to go after her instead of remaining with the injured.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“I wish I could take it back.”

“It’s done. Let’s just get this over with.”

His father sighed. “Sometimes the bullshit gets to me. This is one of those times.”

“You’ve changed a lot of the laws but this is an important one. You can’t have our people arguing with your every decision.”

“I know, but there should be an exception between fathers and sons.”

“I’ll take my punishment.”

“Be at my home in twenty minutes. I consulted with the clans so everyone is satisfied with the outcome. I had to explain everything that happened and your state of mind when you defied me. They were generous. We were lucky. They took into account that your Dusti doesn’t know our laws and that it was stressful to find out she’s so human. They were sympathetic, considering she’s a relation to Decker on top of it and he had his clan attack us.”

“How severely will I be punished?”

“Nothing you can’t handle. Tell your mate you will return in the morning. You probably want to avoid her until you’ve had time to heal.”

Drantos winced. “You’re right. I don’t want her to see me when they’re done. It would terrify her. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. I won’t be late.”

“I’ll double the sentries to make sure your mate is safe. I wouldn’t put anything past Decker. He’s insane.”

“Aveoth is after him.”

“It could take time for Aveoth to find him and Decker might still try to come after his granddaughters. It’s better to be safe than sorry. We’ll stay on alert until we hear he’s been captured or killed.”

“Thank you, Father. How is Kraven doing?”

“He’s almost totally healed.”

“And Bat?”

“She’s fine and with him.”

“Good.” He ended the call.

* * * * *

Dusti backed away when Drantos hung up the phone. She’d overheard enough of the one-sided conversation to know he’d gotten into trouble for going after her. She turned in the hallway and tiptoed back into the bathroom. She’d been on her way to ask him if he had new razors, not wanting to use his personal one. If she hadn’t, she’d have never known about the punishment.

She stripped out of his shirt to climb into the large tub. She had no clue how to turn on the jets but it didn’t matter. She washed quickly, used his shampoo and conditioner in her hair, and readied to climb out of the tub when Drantos entered the bathroom carrying a tray. The smell of soup and toast made her stomach rumble.

He smiled. “I need to go tell my family that you’re safe. You’ll find clothing in the dresser, and just leave the tray in here when you’re done eating. Go to sleep afterward. Don’t wait up for me.”