10. Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Micah

“ Y ou are stunning.” I lean forward and graze my fingers over her hip. “I will never let you go,” I vow. “You are mine. I don’t give a fuck what you hide.” I continue my caress down her leg. The beauty of her skin is blinding. She shivers when I run my knuckles over her knee. “Your skin is your story. Mine is my story. You may have done it to cover what you thought of as a weakness, but you continued because the images meant something to you.” I look up at her as I cup her calves.

“Yes,” she whispers.

“You are not weak. Nothing about you is damaged, and if you speak about yourself like that again, I will blister your ass,” I warn. “Do you understand?” She nods. “Give me the words, pet,” I demand.

“I understand.”

“I will gut everyone in your pack for what they have done to you. They will beg me to kill them.” I encircle her ankle and feel the coin under her skin. “Lace did this for you?”

“Yes. I knew he would never find it unless he killed me.”

I hiss at the thought of her death. “It’s a brilliant idea,” I mumble. It is difficult to see; the tattoos camouflage it. Her skin is raised but not drastically. “I am so proud of you.” I move to her other leg, tracing the intricate designs.

“Really?” she asks, her eyes wide when I look at her.

“You went to great lengths to protect someone you love,” I say with awe. “You claim to be weak, but you’re wrong. That act alone shows me how loyal and strong you are.” I glide up the inside of her thigh. “I have met many people over my life, and the sad fact is there aren’t many who are loyal. There is a reason I only have the people here in my life.” I cup her hips, pull her closer, and run my nose over her thigh. She’s distracting me with her soft skin and the smell of her heat and blood. I have had to rely on my control since she willingly gave me permission to drink from her. It has enhanced my power even more. “Fuck, you were sexy before.” I lick the edge of her panties. “Now, knowing your story, I want you more.”

“Micah,” she whimpers, her hands gripping my shoulders.

“I fear my dominance and my need will scare you.” I snag my fang through the lace covering her, sliding them down slightly so I can lick her skin.

“I…” She sucks in a breath when I lick above her pussy. “I have a hard limit.”

“Tell me,” I demand, and suck her skin.

“You can’t tie me up,” she groans. “I can never be tied up again.”

“I will never do anything you don’t want or anything that scares you.” I follow the curve of her stomach, from hip to hip, with my tongue. “I don’t need cuffs or chains to keep you where I want you,” I whisper against her skin.

“You don’t?” she asks faintly, her nails digging into my skin.

“No.” I cup the back of her thighs briefly before cupping her ass, bringing her closer. I lightly bite her hip before hovering over the fabric, hiding her pussy from me. I take a deep breath and then lick.

“Daddy,” she groans.

“Put your hands behind your back,” I order, and she follows the directions beautifully. “Good, pet.” I suck the lace in my mouth along with her clit.

“Please,” she begs. I pull away.

“I will always respect your limits. Pick a word that will stop everything if you are uncomfortable or afraid.”

“Uh…” She shakes her head.

“The first thing that comes to mind,” I say quickly.

“Chains.”

“Good. If you say that word, whatever I am doing will end. We can talk about it. I will never be mad. I will never downplay your reaction. I want to give you everything you need; if you aren’t comfortable, it’s not what you need. You can also say stop, and I will never ignore it. Your submission in any way is a gift I will never take for granted or advantage of.” I lean back more but continue to learn her body with my hands. “I like control. I love it when you call me Daddy. When you crawled to me, I almost came in my pants, so feel free to do that at any time. I may ask you to do it. I want to use toys on you that we can buy together. I like to be obeyed; it gets me hard. I really enjoy bringing you to the edge over and over again.” I feather my fingers over her panties. “I want you begging for my touch and chasing the pleasure only I can give you.” I slip my finger underneath her panties, finding her soaked and swollen. “Fuck, I want to eat you.”

“Yes,” she rasps.

I smile. “Do you need to come?”

“Please, Daddy.”

“I love how you beg, pet,” I hum. The lovely moment is ruined when my doorbell rings. “Fucking asshole,” I snarl.

“What?” Daisy’s blurry eyes focus on my face when I pull my hands away. “No, no, no,” she protests.

“Go away, asshole,” I say, knowing the prick can hear me.

“Who is it?” she asks.

“An unwanted guest,” I sneer. “Love, get dressed. Lower your arms,” I order, and she drops them, frowning.

“See, I don’t need restraints.” I smirk when she glares.

“Do not come down until fully covered,” I say sternly.

“Okay.”

I nod and stand. “Sorry, love. I’ll get rid of him.” I kiss her lightly and stride from the room. Once I’m on the other side of the door, I blur to the front door, swing it open, and grab the throat of the man on the other side.

I pull him inside, push him to the wall beside the door, and slam it shut. I am well aware he could get out of my hold easily enough if he tried.

“Good to see you, too, brother,” he whispers, grinning.

“Heath, what the fuck are you doing here?” I snap.

“I came to congratulate you.”

“You could do that over the phone,” I say harshly.

“You have been ignoring your phone,” he mentions.

“What reason could I have to do that?” I ask. “Maybe I was busy with my mate.”He shrugs. “I wanted to meet the woman who saved you.”

I grit my teeth. “You are such an asshole.” I rip my hand away, and he sucks air through his teeth.

“You have a strong grip,” he says lightly, rubbing his neck.

“You're lucky I didn’t use more power,” I say dryly.

“Lucky me,” he mumbles and straightens from the wall, smoothing out his suit. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks.” I cross my arms and step back. I’ve known Heath for many years, and he was part of the team I started to kill shifters who were out of control. He is a shifter many people believe to be a myth.

He takes a breath. “That smell…”

“Do you want to die?” I snarl, dropping my arms.

“Not today.” He glares. “Quinn asked me the same thing when he met his mate. I thought meeting your mate would make you happier.”

“It does, but not when that happiness gets interrupted,” I point out.

“I heard there are issues,” he says.

“I’m handling them.”

Daisy opens the bedroom door as I smell another intruder.

“She smells delicious,” Heath says, and I take a threatening step forward. He holds up his hands. “The dragon coming to your door, not your mate.”

“Don’t even think about either of them,” I warn.

“Just an observation,” he says, sliding his hands in his pockets and walking to the kitchen.

“Micah,” Saphira sings on the other side of the door. “Open the door. My hands are full.” I watch my mate walk towards me, eying Heath cautiously, before swinging the door open.

“Why are you here?”

Saphira breezes past me with her arms full of bags.

“I heard about your mate and wanted to meet her.” She smiles brightly at Daisy. “Welcome to the crew.” She puts the bags on the counter.

“Uh…” Daisy looks at me and then back to Saphira. “Thanks.”

I pull Daisy close, my hand cupping the back of her neck. “What is that?” I nod at the bags.

“Is your nose failing you?” she asks, her forehead wrinkling. “I have heard when you get to be your age, things start to fail.” She suggestively motions to the front of my pants. I roll my eyes, but my mate doesn’t think it’s funny and emits a low growl.

“Careful, Saphira,” I say, pleased with Daisy’s possessiveness. “My mate isn’t used to our relationship.”“Relationship?” Daisy turns her glare to me.

“She is like a daughter to me,” I rush to explain.

“Daughter?” Daisy questions further.

“Fuck, not my real daughter. I raised her.” It’s my turn to glare at Saphira. “Why couldn’t you call before you came?”

“My hands were full,” she answers distractedly when she spots Heath. “You are gorgeous.”

“Thanks.” He grins. “You are, too.”

“Too bad you aren’t my mate,” Saph says, her lip sticking out.

“That is a shame.” Heath strolls closer.

“Stop,” I hiss. “You aren’t mates, so you don’t need to have a relationship.” Anger begins to build. Saph isn’t my daughter, but she has always been under my protection, even when she wasn’t with me.

“You're no fun,” Saph says, wrinkling her nose.

“What are you?” Daisy asks, her head tilted, eyeing Heath.

His lips tip up. “You don’t want to know. Micah is being rude. My name is Heath.” He wisely keeps his hands to himself.

“Daisy.” I’m pleased when she moves closer and tucks her hand in my back pocket. “Is that chicken?” she asks Saph.

“Yes, with all the sides,” Saph gushes. “I figured the vampire was low on food and forgot to feed you.” I grit my teeth because her comment hits me in the chest.

“He was going to order something soon,” Daisy says, frowning. “We’ve been busy.”

“No need now,” Saph says as she unloads the food on the table. “You bought furniture.”

“It was time.” I narrow my eyes when Heath moves to Saphira. “I didn’t expect anyone

else to be using it.”

“Don’t pout,” Saph says, earning a deadly look from Daisy. “We are happy for you and wanted to help.” She sets out five plates. I reluctantly pull out the chair at the head of the table, pulling Daisy with me. Instead of sitting, my mate walks around Heath and Saph, grabs a plate, and then returns to my chair. I would have missed her swiping Saphira’s bracelet if I hadn't been watching my mate so intensely.

Hiding a grin, I sit and am surprised when Daisy takes her place on my lap.

I’ll buy Saph another one.

“Why are there five plates?” I ask, wrapping my arm around Daisy.

“I was in the group text, and only one other person was brave enough to come,” she says, opening the gravy lid. “Why is everyone so scared of you?” She licks gravy from her finger.

“Because they’re smart,” Daisy replies. Heath snorts and sits to my right.

Saphira laughs. “I like you.”

“I don’t like you yet,” Daisy says.

“That’s alright, we have time.” She smiles at my mate's cautious face. “Can you guess who’s coming?”

“Yes.” I grab some chicken and put it on my mate's plate. “Ryker, Bash, Quinn, and your brothers aren’t scared of me, but they know what it’s like to have a mate. Besides you and Heath, Sally is the only one I’m close to who doesn’t have a mate.”

“I hate it when you are right,” Saph grumbles.

“She also is the queen of the group text,” I say. I rub Daisy’s back as she digs into the food. “Get the door, Saph.”

“It’s not fair your smell is that good,” she complains as she walks to the door.

“You aren’t gaining any points with me,” Daisy mumbles.

“It’s alright, love. She’s joking.” Secretly, I love her need to defend me. Saph swings the door open.

“Vampire,” Sally calls as she strolls in. Saph follows and continues to fill a plate. “Oh…” She surveys Heath. “You are still yummy. Good to see you in the light without a bunch of demented shifters around us; the whole package is eye candy.” She waves her fingers in a circle toward his body and brings them into a fist.

Heath smirks. “Same. You are lovely.”

“Lovely,” Sally says with a silly smile. “Did you hear that vampire?” She pulls out a chair to my left.

“I did,” I answer.

“Damn,” Sally whispers, looking at Daisy. “You are sexy.” She drops an elbow to the table, her chin hitting her palm, leaning toward Daisy. “Micah is a lucky vampire. I’m Sally.”

“Hi, Sally.” Daisy smiles. “I love rabbit shifters. I knew one years ago. We were friends, but she disappeared.”

“That’s a shame,” Sally says seriously. Saph jerks the chair back beside Sally, frowning. “What’s your problem?” Sally twists around.

“She likes you.” Saph gestures at Daisy.

“Of course she does. Who doesn’t?” Sally helps herself to the food.

“Daisy doesn’t like how Saph teases me,” I explain.

“Ah…” Sally bites in the drumstick. She chews slowly, looking between the women. “Daisy, you have to know Micah doesn’t think of Saph in that way. Saphira, you should ease up. Daisy just met her mate and will be on edge until they are fully bonded.”

“It won’t stop then,” Daisy says, reaching for the mashed potatoes.

“I’m sorry,” Saph offers. “I do love Micah, but as a dad figure.”

Daisy snarls. “Don’t use that term,” I advise.

“Why?” Saph asks, and Sally smothers her laugh with a spoonful of potatoes. “What am I missing?”

“Oh, girl,” Sally says, her mouth full.

“I know,” Heath says, raising a chicken breast, and I smack him.

I open my mouth to explain tactfully, but Daisy beats me to it. “Because he may have raised you, but isn’t your Dad. He’s mine. When all of you leave, and he fucks me, I will be the one calling him Daddy.” She pays no attention to the shocked silence at the table, closing her eyes as she eats some potatoes smothered in gravy. “Mate, I love potatoes in any form.”

“Noted,” I grin.

“Oh my,” Saph whispers. “Shit, I wasn't thinking.” I feel sorry for her. Saphira isn’t the most experienced with men. When she was younger, she was almost raped in the Games. A bunch of humans kidnapped shifters, held them in cages, and hunted them. One of the Hunters tried to rape her and would have succeeded if River, a wolf shifter, hadn’t have helped Bishop kill him.

“I get it,” Daisy tells her, but her eyes are on me. My perceptive mate can already read me well. “We will start again.” In a show of forgiveness, Daisy leans back, reaches into her pocket, and holds out Saphira’s bracelet. “Sorry, it’s a habit.” Saph looks from Daisy’s palm to her bare wrist, her fingers circling it.

“How did you do that?”

Daisy shrugs. “Practice.”

“Will you teach me?” Saph asks, grabbing the beads and sliding them back on her wrist.

“Sure.” The tension dissipates, and my mate bends over her plate.

“Darn,” Sally pouts, looking at her wrist, which has no fewer than ten bracelets. I shake my head and take my first bite. The food would normally be appetizing, but now I only want my mate’s blood.

“Quinn told me about the bodies in the woods,” Heath says. “Do you need help?”

Daisy stiffens. “Not at the moment,” I say. I don’t think she is comfortable involving everyone.

“Daisy,” Sally says and holds her eyes when they connect. “It may seem odd to you, but the shifters here depend on each other. It was weird for me at first, too. When one of them is in trouble, all of them do whatever they can to eliminate the problem. I have witnessed many occasions of this. We have no motivation other than to make you safe. We take the bond seriously. Micah would die if something happened to you. I am partial to the vampire. He became my friend despite my species and personality. He’s loyal, and I am loyal to him. Just think about sharing. We won’t judge.” Sally squeezes Daisy’s hand. “I know you will be a force once you are bonded. Micah is going to help you through the transition.”

“Is it true rabbits can see the future?” Daisy asks softly.

“Sometimes,” Sally says, letting go of her hand.

“It’s difficult to trust,” Daisy says.

“Yes, it is. Especially when you haven’t had a lot to trust in the past,” Sally says, her experience evident in her voice.

“The Alpha of my pack is trying to find me,” Daisy whispers. “I have something he wants, and he has something I want.”

“What does he have?” Saph asks, leaning forward.

“My brother.” Saph gasps. “We’ve been fighting for years, and neither of us wants to give in.”

“Family is everything. We will do anything to help find him,” Saph swears and shares a meaningful look with Daisy.

“Thank you.” Daisy slides her hand to my thigh. “My emotions are pulling me in different directions, but I have to find my brother.”

“With all of us working together, we will,” Sally offers.

“What does he want from you?” Saph asks, and when we say nothing, she looks around the table. “What? You said you both have something the other wants.”

“I took something he stole, and he wants it back,” Daisy says, clearly not ready to reveal everything to the people she just met.

“Who are the three men in Ryker’s dungeon?” Heath asks, and I don’t bother to ask how he knows of them.

“Part of the pack. They tried to kill me,” Daisy says.

“Assholes,” Sally spits.

“It wasn’t the first time.” Daisy pushes her plate away and leans back on my chest.

“That just sucks,” Saph snarls. “I thought the pack was supposed to protect each other.”

“Not mine,” Daisy mutters.

“What’s the next move?” Sally asks, and silence descends. My phone rings on cue.

“Fuck.” I pull it out of my pocket and see Bash’s name. “Bash,” I answer.

“The three men in the basement are starting to stink,” he informs me. “The one is almost dead, so he is probably the source. Ryker would like the stench not to reach the club.”

“We’ll be there soon,” I assure him, and Daisy leans over her plate.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I heard I wasn’t the first one,” he says dryly.

“No.” I look around the table.

“Do you need us to meet you there?”

“No, not this time.” I glance at Heath. “I have someone else in mind.”

“I’m here,” Bash offers.

“I know, thanks.” I ended the call. “Do you want to go to the dungeon?”

“It’s been a while since we worked together.” Heath’s lips quirk.

“Can I go?” Saph bounces in her seat.

“If she goes, I can, too,” Sally says eagerly.

“You all are bloodthirsty,” I say, smirking.

“I’ve learned from the best,” Saph says. I don’t think her brothers are going to find it funny.

“I am dying to see Heath in action.” Sally wipes her mouth and throws down the napkin.

I shake my head. “Are you ready, love?” I ask, squeezing her waist.

She scoops the last of her potatoes. “I am.” She licks her spoon clean. “Although, I would rather be in bed with you, Daddy.”

Sally’s laughter bursts out. Saph’s eyes widen.

“Lucky fucker,” Heath whispers.

Yes, I am. My mate is certainly going to keep shocking me. I have a feeling I have barely scratched the surface of my mate.

Fuck, I’m looking forward to every minute.