“Thank you. I understand trust issues.” Alice chuckled. “As I said, my father is an asshat, and being held hostage by a vampire king didn’t help matters.”
Katya’s eyes softened. “I imagine not. Did you get to hurt him before Maxim got you out? Like a stab to the heart, or even a kick to the balls?”
Alice glanced up at Maxim and then looked back at Katya. “I hurt him.”
“Excellent.” Then she tipped her head to the side, revealing her neck to both of them in a clear sign of submission before heading out.
“She’s feisty.”
“You want to keep her, Jen.” Crina huffed. “We know.”
Stella took one of the blankets from Jen. “You realize that at some point we’re not going to be able to feed all of your pets, right?”
“Pshht.” Jen tossed her head back. “We’re wolves. It’s not like we have to go to the grocery store and pay for our food. Also, we have fae friends.” She pointed to Adam. “They can make food appear.”
“Yes, we’re your personal travel service, clothing store, and food court,” Adam said dryly.
“You should ask for a raise,” Stella told him.
Adam chuckled. “I don’t get paid, but I did get a hot little tail I get to—” He grunted before he could finish, as Crina put an elbow in his gut.
“I swear you like it when I hurt you,” his mate grumbled.
Jen held up a hand to Adam. “No pain, no gain.”
Adam started to hit her hand with his own, but Decebel blocked it and grabbed a blanket, tossing it at the fae, covering his face.
Alice glared at Crina, her brow furrowed. “How come you don’t get jealous like Decebel?”
Crina smirked. “Who says I don’t?” She peered over her shoulder at her mate. “You better be glad he gave you that blanket. Otherwise, you’d be very cold tonight.”
“Ahh, babe,” Adam whined. “Don’t be like that. You know I love it when you go all furry. You’re really not going to keep me warm?”
Crina winked at Alice. “I just handle it differently than our males do.”
Maxim shook his head at the female as he took Alice’s hand. “I’m taking Alice to our room. There’s food in the kitchen.” He motioned to a doorway. “Help yourselves.” Then he led her out and down a hall.
“Well.” Alice sighed. “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Though, for a moment I was worried Katya was going to rip out my throat.”
“I’d have killed her if she’d even moved an inch toward you.” Maxim heard her suck in a breath of air and knew she felt his sincerity through their bond. He wasn’t making an idle threat.
“She’s your pack member.”
“You’re my mate. That trumps everything.”
He pushed open a door and let Alice walk in before him. The room was sparsely furnished, with only the necessities—a simplebed, a plain dresser, and two bedside tables. The walls were bare, devoid of any personal touches or decorations. It was a cold and lifeless space, simply a place to sleep. But for him, it wasn’t truly a home. Home was where his mate resided. And now he had found her. She was his everything, his entire world. Wherever she went, he would follow, for she was his one true home. With her by his side, any place could become a sanctuary filled with love and warmth.
Alice looked at him, her fingers intertwined and twisting nervously. “What now?”
Maxim’s lips turned up slightly. Her eyes widened a little, and he knew his wolf was making himself known through his glowing eyes. “Now we sleep.”
A faint twinge of disappointment pulsed through the bond between them as Maxim approached. Without a word, he enveloped her in his powerful arms and leaned down to press his lips against hers. The touch was meant to be brief, but the taste of her was intoxicating, and it sparked a primal desire within him. A low growl rumbled from his chest as he tugged her closer, unable to resist the pull. As their tongues danced together in a passionate rhythm, he couldn’t help but marvel at the trust she showed him. After all that she had been through, she still allowed him this level of intimacy. But as the need for control threatened to slip away, he knew he had to break the kiss before they both lost themselves completely. Because, in that moment, nothing else mattered; they could worry about rest and battles later. Right now, all that mattered was the bond between them and the overwhelming desire they shared for each other.
When he broke the kiss, she was breathing hard, and her eyes were glazed over with lust. He imagined he looked much the same way.
“That will never get old.” Her cheeks flushed.
“I hope not.” Maxim pushed her toward the bed. She sat, and he knelt down to take off her shoes. “You’re stuck with me for a very long time. I hope it only gets better.”
