Forever Our Ever (29 page)

“On a night of a full moon, Rolla formed a search party and went out looking for Lunar. He knew her scent and was able to follow it through the woods into the mountains. There he found a clan of people, working their farms, but when he asked of Lunar, he received only downcast eyes. He and his men eventually came across a large farm that held a place in the center of the village. It was a beautiful home created of well-crafted wood and adored with many artfully carved statues. Rolla recognized one of them. It was Lunar, in all her alluring beauty. He stood before it and then dropped down to his knees, wondering where his love had gone.

“A man strode up to them and, with anger in his voice, asked who they were. Rolla quickly asked the man where the woman was who had been portrayed in the carving. The man replied that she had been placed beneath it to live out eternity in the shame of her evil ways. Rolla was appalled and immediately ordered that all around the statue be dug up. They found her body, but it was too late, Lunar was dead. Her death stare was one of horrified agony, to indicate that she had been buried alive.

“The man in question was held at bay and when asked why he would do such a horrific thing, Rolla was told that the girl was his daughter who had defiled herself by accepting a stranger into her precious body. In a fit of fury, Rolla killed the man and any who tried to defend him. It began a war between shifter and werewolf that continues to this day.”

“I admit that is a tragic tale, but the actions of one man cannot represent an entire race of shifters. How did this spread across the world with such vehemence?” asked Kris.

“I suppose it is like any other act of pure hatred. The clan accepted the ruling of their alpha and spread their emotions on toward other clans that did the same. It has been accepted and passed to our children for all these years and none have questioned or tried to stop it before.”

“It stops tonight. As many of you know, Ever and I were able to get our sons back from Tella the witch with the help of a shifter. Her name is Charity and if not for her, we would never have been able to locate our babies to retrieve them.”

“The story that Sebum told was sad, but the actions of an angry father should not be representative of every shifter born thereafter. I, too, wanted to kill Charity for having the nerve to show up on my land, but I have been proven wrong. She is a wonderful, honest and forthright woman, and so far, the members of her family that I have met have proven themselves to be the same.”

“As your alpha, I have allotted the seventeen-acre plot that stands to the south between the Ondell and Lue lands to Charity and the members of her clan. They are to be protected by this clan and I would greatly appreciate it if everyone would get to know them. I cannot order you to become their friends, but give them a chance, and I’m positive that you will be surprised to find that they are good, decent people. Never forget that they helped your alpha and his family, risking their own lives to do so. I would appreciate it if every one of you would pass this information on to those in your districts. My lovely mate had typed up a mass message that will be going out to all other clans to notify them of this event. Now that we know the story behind the hatred, she can add that to the notice before sending it.”

There was a time of quiet speculation among those gathered and then heads nodded in agreement. A woman who had introduced herself as Onite, when coming to see their children, stepped forward. “Kris, Ever. We are all very glad that your children are safely back at home where they belong. We will encourage those who we speak for to do as you ask and judge the shifters fairly, although, as you stated, it is ingrained into our minds to hate them. Most of us think that now it is due time to release that emotion, considering that we didn’t even know where it stemmed from. I personally always felt that it was an instinctual thing, like a rabbit fears a wolf, but maybe I was wrong. I will personally go to meet them and offer my family’s assistance if they need it. Do you know if they need anything?”

He chuckled. “A couple of houses to live in might be nice. They have the manpower and knowledge to build on their own, but help would be greatly appreciated.”

Onite smiled. “Okay then, I will see to it. We are glad that you brought this out into the open. I know many of us were wondering what the hell you were thinking allowing shifters into your home and onto our property. We are also curious about two other rumors that have spread like wildfire. Is Ever a witch, and are the children okay?”

Kris fidgeted in his seat, and to the others it probably looked as if he was just readjusting himself, but Ever knew better. He was uncomfortable with the question. She stood. “Yes, I have discovered that nature had given me powers which I didn’t even know existed. I am being trained by Demetri, who has kindly offered his services. It is strictly natural magic and I would never do anything to harm my family or anyone around me, well…with the exception of Tella. It is unwise to mess with my men or my babies. I believe you would describe our magic as white magic. There will be no black, satanic rituals in my home or anywhere on our land, because I will not allow it. As far as the boys, they will be fine in time. They were bravely rescued by my amazing men and, as already stated, with Charity’s help. They are just badly traumatized.”

Ever sat back down and Kris chuckled. “Nice one. I will not take credit where it isn’t due.” He stood, gazing out over those gathered. “I know my mate is trying to support me, but what she said isn’t exactly the truth. It was Ever’s quick thinking and Demetri’s teaching in combination with her newfound magical nature that were responsible for the boys’ rescue. The rest of us stood around with our hands on our asses watching in shock as events played out. It was truly a sight to behold. Oh, and just to assuage any speculation about Demetri, he has been welcomed into our family pack and will be staying for as long as he cares to. Is there anything else pressing?”

A middle-aged man stepped forward. “May I speak to you briefly?”

“He’s our attorney.” Kris stepped off the back of the podium and the man followed him. Ever almost jumped off the chair when her phone chimed from her pocket. She pulled it out quickly and frowned at the caller I.D.

Ever swiped at the screen and answered it, putting it to her ear. “Mick?”

“Hey. I just wanted to call and see if you were okay. My father called and told me what happened.”

“Oh. I’m fine. How are you?” She was feeling betrayed by him, but in a way she understood.

“I just wanted to say that I still love you. I will never stop feeling something for you. I just can’t do it, Ever. My brothers gave up everything so you could live under the watchful eye of the clan. I thought that I could do the same, but I can’t. I need the feeling of gratification that I get from healing people. It is what I have always wanted to do, and knowing that the only time my skill would be put to use was for the occasional idiot who cut his finger off with a saw or got hurt on a hunt was killing me. I guess I was also mad about Rick and being lied to. I think that now I understand why they didn’t tell me, and it was probably for the best. Anyway, I shouldn’t have taken that out on you. I’m so sorry.”

“Me too. I miss you. We all miss you.”

“I know. I have gotten the missed calls. I just don’t know how to explain to them that I had to make a choice between your love and my life. Maybe I made the wrong one, but it feels right to me to be back where I belong. Can you ever forgive me?”

“I already have.”

“Did you really replace me with that weasely little warlock?”

“He is not weasely. I also wouldn’t say that you have been replaced. Demetri simply filled the void in my heart that you have left behind.”

Mick grunted. “I was hoping that he had only filled the void in your bed. I need to get back to work.”

“Mick. I haven’t done anything with the house yet. If you want to make the arrangements I will turn it over to you. You still have the keys and I hate to think that you are sleeping in your office.”

He was silent for a few minutes, and Ever could almost see the tears falling from his cheeks.”

“Thank you, that is very kind, Ever.”

“It just feels like the right thing to do. Call your brothers back. They are worried about you.”

“I will. Good-bye, Ever.”

The phone went dead and Ever knew that it was a really bad time to cry. She pushed the thoughts from head as Kris came back, offering his hand. “Anything else?” he asked to those gathered.

Heads were shaken as they looked at one another and Kris tugged her to her feet. He patted Sebum on the back. “Thank you for relaying your tale. It was beautifully told.”

“You are quite welcome.”

“We are heading home. Have a good night.”

Kris hopped down and Ever followed him. “Who was on the phone?”

“Mick.”

“What did he want?”

“To apologize.”

“He owed you that.”

Ever nodded and they headed back toward the house. As they walked, she sighed, her mind returning to the children. “I only wish we could figure out what to do about Seren and Lash.”

“I think they will improve in time. Seren at least has moments when he recognizes us.”

“I know, but Lash has already bitten everyone in the house and he refuses to turn human now. It is hard dealing with a baby wolf who wants nothing from us but food. I feel absolutely horrible for turning the small bedroom into a jail. Lash can’t even be trusted to associate with his siblings, because the only one he doesn’t want to kill is Seren.”

“We have to give him some time. Demetri has been trying to figure out what spell was placed on them and how to undo it, but…”

“But nothing has worked yet. I haven’t lost hope, I’m just a bit discouraged.”

“Me too. I would really like to get your mind off the children after they fall asleep. What do you think? It is has been forever since that night in the shower.”

He was right. “Okay. I’ll type up that e-mail and right after the babies fall asleep, we can discuss forever.”

“Forever our Ever, we still need to discuss our marriage.”

“Yes we do, but tonight forever describes how long it’s been since we had sex.”

They had tied her wrists to her ankles, her arms extended behind her. It was a weird position to be kneeling it, but Demetri was rubbing her shoulders, his magic-infused palms stroking and calming her muscles so the restriction of her arms wasn’t painful.

Kris was sitting before her with a paintbrush in his hand. He had melted a pot of white chocolate, dyeing it different colors with a sudden perverse craving to paint her body with it and lick it off. The feel of the brush stroking the slightly warm liquid over her beasts in wide splashes of color was oddly arousing. He pressed the bristles into her nipple, dotting it with purple and then grinning wildly. “Damn that looks hot. I have always wondered what purple nipples would look like. Liam, check this out.”

Liam stepped to the front of her, the mattress shifting with his movement. He bent down and sucked her nipple into his mouth, coming away with his lips died purple. “Taste good, too.”

“Now I’m going to have to do it over again. I wanted you to look, not sample.”

Demetri leaned into her ear, licking her earlobe. “They are quite humorous at times, aren’t they?”

Ever thought they were driving her body insane as Kris washed her breast with a cool cloth and began to paint again. Liam resumed his place beside her. He was in a mood to play hairdresser, or, more aptly, creator of a hair handle as he brushed her hair, braided it and then took it out, brushing it all over again. After each braid was created, he tugged her head back with the braid, kissing her harshly and thoroughly before beginning again.

Her poor little neglected cunt was on fire, every touch, brush stroke, kiss and nip seeming to stoke the flames until it felt as if they were going to consume her. Her overstimulated brain felt foggy with yearning, the cravings of her flesh sending calls for release into her mind. It was not happening, as Kris dabbed more warm chocolate onto her nipple. Demetri resumed rubbing her back, his fingers flexing over her skin to work the muscles into a deep, glorious frenzy. Kris was creating two braids, reins to hold her like a wayward horse. He finished the one on her right and hopped down, walking to the other side of the bed. The brush slid silkily over her scalp, scraping her skin, so enticingly. Ever closed her eyes, reveling in the attention, the feel of three men so attentive to her body.

The paintbrush in Kris’s hands slipped downward, the warmth coursing over her skin in a line of bright-colored sweetness. He moved it past her belly button, stopping for a second to insert it into the small gully and wiggle it about. Ever jumped, her eyes opening as she glared at him. He smiled, such a white, enticing expression that seemed to radiate in his beautiful eyes. Liam gathered her hair up onto the top of her head, pulling it taut before he began to braid. With noticeable motions, he parted and twisted the strands one over another in a meticulous fashion. Demetri put his hands to her hips, kneading the flesh there with strong, fluid movements. The brush on her lower abdomen flowed lower, tantalizing dots of heat prancing upon her mound. He was not going to put heated chocolate on her clit. Oh yes he was.

Kris parted her outer flesh, dabbing her clit with the warm, gooey brush. It was more than her body could stand, her sweet spot throbbing with sensation. Her pussy was startled by the feel of it, the muscles tightening, threatening on the verge of climax that felt so good. Kris stopped, the mattress heaving as he got up. Ever opened her eyes to watch him walk from the room, Liam dropping the second braid to the front of her shoulder. He picked up the brush and went to put it away. She was left with just Demetri, who continued to massage her waist, his hands slowly drifting forward. His electric touch was on her, the front of her hipbones, closing in on her mound. Slowly, knead by knead forward, the feel of his fingers overwhelming. There was nothing in her mind as she closed her eyes but the feeling of Demetri’s hands.