Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Adam

"Where are we?"

"A few houses from Ash's. I thought it would be more respectful to pop up here instead of just showing up at their door or inside their place."

"You could do that though? Just pop into their bedroom?"

Mal smacked his ass. "I didn't say anything about their bedroom."

"Didn't you?" Adam danced away when Mal aimed that massive hand back at him. His mate had figured out how much Adam liked his butt spanked. He might be sore by the end of the day. Yippy!

"Would you like to invite our friends for dinner, or should we go back home so I can put you over my knee?" Mal questioned.

"Oh!" That was a tough choice. Adam did want his friends to join them for dinner but being spanked…

"Let's go, trouble." Mal pulled Adam down the walk. Adam wouldn't call it a sidewalk since the ground there was made up of black sand. Sandwalk, maybe?

They turned the corner and Adam grinned. And maybe felt a tinge of jealousy seeing Seb sitting back on his heels with his hands dirty from planting. Adam hadn't gotten to get his hands back into the rich soil yet and he had so much planned for his new home. Keeping his mate focused on him and not working was a hard job but someone had to do it. Adam mentally snickered. He was such a funny guy!

"Wow," Adam drawled. "Look at my friend with his hands dirty from real hard work." He beamed as Seb turned around.

"Adam!" Seb rose before holding his arms open.

Hugs! Adam raced to his friend. He loved hugs. They embraced and Adam breathed deeply in the scent of his human family member. He loved being with his mate, but Adam wasn't used to not seeing the guys several times a day.

"How are you?" Seb asked quietly.

Adam wiggled back then jerked the collar of his shirt down to show off his mating mark. His minions had somehow gotten Adam several new outfits that consisted of jeans and T-shirts. Just what he always wore. Adam hadn't figured out his minions' powers yet, but it was on the list of things to do.

"I'm so happy for you!" Seb exclaimed.

"Thanks." He danced back to his mate where Mal was giving them space. Too much space. He always wanted Mal close by. He tugged Mal forward. "Sorry for hijacking your mating celebration. But when my man caught sight of me, he couldn't help but lose his mind."

"Boy…" Mal gave Adam that sexy growl in his ear. "You're cruising for a spanking."

Duh! He beamed while batting his lashes. "Am I, Daddy? Are you sure?"

Mal's eyes widened before smoke erupted from his nostrils. Calling Mal that also got his mate hot and bothered. There was a warning in Mal's hand tightening in his before Mal addressed Adam's friends.

"I didn't get to pass along my congratulations that night." Mal nodded at Seb.

"I appreciate it and congratulations right back." Seb said while shifting on his feet uncomfortably.

Adam scowled; did Seb have a problem with Adam's mate?

Mal must have noticed too since he took a step back. Adam tightened his fingers. Oh, Hell no!

"I don't mean to make you nervous. I have that effect on others," Mal said quietly.

"No!" Seb raised one dirty hand. "You don't make me uncomfortable or anything. I'm just nervous because of your relationship with Ash. I want you to like me."

Ah, that was so sweet. "Oh, Seb!" He tried to go hug his friend again, but Mal held him back.

"Sebastian," Mal said. He took a step forward and his smile was kind. "I already like you. I have always believed in the fates' decisions and the moment Ash found you, you became my family as well."

Adam's mate was the best demon in the entire realm. No one would ever be able to tell Adam differently.

"Really?" Seb's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes."

"Thank you, Master."

Mal's lips twitched. They had talked about this. Adam had put his foot down. How would Mal respond? "Family can call me Mal."

Damn straight they could!

"You haven't been Mal for a long time. It's good to see that part of you back." Ash stepped from the house, carrying a glass that he passed to Seb. "Damn good to see that part of you back."

Ash pulled Mal into a hug.

Adam couldn't hold back. He wiggled. "Aww, my big guy gives the best hugs! I want in on it." He rushed forward and threw his arms around the other two. Then Seb joined and it was an awesome group hug.

Mal was the first to pull away. His laugh booming. "Okay, enough of this mushy shit."

Adam snorted. "Oh, Daddy! You love the mushy shit." He leapt, knowing Mal would catch him. See? Mushy-mushy.

Mal pinched Adam's ass before he cleared his throat. "We came to ask you to have dinner with us. We're holding off on our celebration until Adam's Alpha returns from his trip, but we would like to share a meal with the two of you."

Axel had called to check on Adam that morning and Adam couldn't help but gush over his new mate. Mal had even talked to Axel and Adam loved hearing them talk about a future party. Axel had offered to return but he and Mal weren't in any hurry. It wasn't like Adam was going anywhere. They could do dinner with their friends already in the Hell realm though. And not just Ash and Seb either. "We're inviting Ari and Atom too."

"Yes, we'll be extending an invite to them as well," Mal confirmed.

"We'd love too," Seb answered without even checking with Ash.

Good for him! Adam grinned. "Cool! I can't wait to show you our house. It's so big. And my minions are already working on fixing up a playroom." When Mal gave permission to decorate the house Mal had meant it and went all-out. Spoiling and doting on Adam. Just like he should!

Mal groaned. "The lesser demons are not your minions."

Adam looked at Seb innocently. "Of course. My mistake. They are in no way my minions." Except they totally were!

"Fuck, man," Ash laughed. "Your mate is perfect for you."

Of course he was. Adam preened.

"Of course he is," Mal agreed. "The fates don't make mistakes. Although my mate better behave before he finds himself across my knee."

Adam's cock throbbed. His mate was doing that on purpose. "Don't threaten me with a good time." He kissed Mal's cheek. If Mal thought Adam would be embarrassed, then he really needed to learn better. Adam had no chill. Not when it came to what he liked.

Mal sighed. "We must be on our way if you wish to invite Ari and Atom and make a quick trip to the human realm to grab some of your belongings."

"So, wait." Seb perked up. "You're moving here? To this realm?"

"Yep. My mate is super important here and he needs my help." Adam gazed up at Mal. Adam was already making life easier on his mate. He just knew it!

"Your help?" Ash questioned.

Adam stroked Mal under his spiked jaw. "He has a problem leaving work behind. My minions told me so. I have to make sure my mate relaxes at night so he can perform his duty to the best of his abilities. He has to keep on his toes and with a sharp mind so he can punish the worst of the worst."

"Not your minions," Mal muttered.

Adam loved that Mal could get hung up on that detail but didn't argue that he worked too hard.

"Perfect." Ash beamed at Adam.

Approval radiated from Ash. Adam knew he was doing the right thing for his mate.

"I'm so glad you're moving here. It will be nice to have a friend close by," Seb told him.

"Mal is going to make it where I can go to the human realm for work and to visit everyone, but my place is beside my mate."

"Baby." Mal kissed Adam.

Hot, deep, and dirty.

Adam sucked on Mal's tongue as he rubbed his cock against Mal's hard body.

Someone cleared their throat.

Mal started to pull away and Adam turned toward his friends. "Not sorry. My big guy can't help himself."

"Dinner?" Seb asked.

"If you can come to our house tonight at seven, please," Mal invited.

"We'll be there," Ash promised.

"K! See you then." Adam pointed toward the street. "Onward, my steed. We have people to invite and places to be!" Maybe they could even sneak in some more sexy times.

Mal laughed. Damn, Adam loved that sound as Mal strolled away with Adam still in his arms. They walked a few minutes and Adam took the time to enjoy the view and the difference between this community and where they lived at the core.

It was cooler here but also more crowded. They were drawing all kinds of attention from demons around them. Adam didn't think it was because Mal was carrying him. He was pretty sure that the demons were surprised to see the Master at all. His minions had warned him that most demons feared the Master. Adam wasn't naive. He understood what both Mal and his minions told him. Mal's job was hard. He had to be the demon that other demons were afraid of. That was fine with Adam. He would just love and take care of Mal so that his mate understood that he didn't always have to be one everyone else feared.

The last twenty-four hours they'd spent in bed, eating and talking. Mal shared stories of him, Ash, and Ari growing up. Before Mal had become the Master, he'd been a demon that had enjoyed causing trouble and having fun. Adam would remind his mate of those days. That was why this dinner was important.

The celebration would come later. Adam wanted to help his mate reconnect with friends. To show Mal that he was so much more than just the Master.

"It's a cute little community," Adam said as they continued making their way to the archives that Mal said Ari practically lived at.

"If you wish to move—"

Adam covered Mal's mouth with his hand. "We're not moving anywhere. I love our house." It looked much better with the added color that Adam had worked with the minions that morning. He removed his hand before brushing a finger over Mal's full bottom lip. "Got it?"

"If you wanted, I could figure out a way. I can get across the realm instantly."

And he so totally needed to show Adam that trick still. "Great, then I'll just blink myself over to Seb or Ari whenever I want. Easy-peasy."

"It's not…a blink. It's a thought."

Adam waved his hand. He didn't care about the details.

"Okay, we won't discuss moving. Not right now. But we might eventually want to. Eternity is a long time, and you might enjoy living in different parts of the realm and in different communities."

"Now that," Adam said, "will be worth a discussion later. Maybe in a few decades." Let him get used to the changes that were already happening.

"I agree." Mal seemed satisfied.

They stopped in front of a large building with gleaming stone walls and a huge door. Freaking demons and their height. Although his mate was totally the biggest!

"We're here," Mal announced, setting Adam on his feet.

He'd figured. "Let's do this and then we'll head back to the Alpha's house." It wasn't home anymore. Home was where his mate was.

* * * * *

Mal

They portaled into the woods outside Adam's Alpha's house. Mal took in the quietness the trees provided but didn't miss the strong mage magic that had infused the area with a protective spell. Not that it would keep Mal away, but it was good magic and should keep the pack safe.

"This is it." Adam waved a hand and turned and faced him. "What the fuck!"

Mal immediately sent his power out to check for danger. Was he missing something?

"Why do you look like that?"

Mal glanced down at his chest. "I…"

"What. The. Fuck." Adam waved his hand.

"This is my human glamour," Mal said slowly.

"Human glamour," Adam repeated. "I don't like it."

"You don't?" If he'd entered the human realm, he'd always used the same glamour. It was second nature to him now.

"Take it off!" Adam demanded. "You don't look like…you."

Ah, Mal understood the problem. His mate wasn't the easiest to read. Adam's emotions could turn in a flash. The boy was very emotional, and Mal could feel his mate's mood changed suddenly. He just couldn't always figure out why. Luckily, Adam had no problem speaking up.

He pulled his boy close. "It's just for the humans."

Grumbling, Adam allowed himself to be held. "I don't like it. I like you. My family has already seen you."

That was true. Mal hadn't had the chance to officially meet Adam's family, but they'd seen when he'd practically claimed the boy in public. "Would you like me to remove the glamour?"

Adam peered up at him. "I want you to be you. I don't expect many of the guys to be here. Axel, Bryce, Rainier, Anton, River, and Gavin are all off in dragon land or whatever. Most of the other guys are at work. If anyone is here, then I want them to get to know you. Not a fake version of you."

The pout was adorable.

Leaning down, Mal kissed Adam's lips softly. By the time he pulled back, the glamour was gone.

Adam nodded. "Better, mate."

Mal was surprised by how strong Adam's feelings were. Adam really wanted him to be himself. "I hope I don't frighten anyone."

"Yeah." Adam snorted. "They can just get over it if you do." He linked their fingers together. "Come on."

Stepping from under the canopy of trees, they walked into a large open area. Lush grass cushioned their feet as they strode toward a large three-story house. Several other buildings appeared, either new or nearly finished. This was a home, no doubt.

The dragon Alpha's power hummed from the seeds in the ground to high above them.

This area thrived and lived under the attention of the pack that claimed it.

"Huh, doesn't seem like anyone is around. There's usually at least one person," Adam said.

"Except for the gargoyle on the roof," Mal informed him.

"Levi's here?" Adam perked up. "We'll have to visit with him before we leave. First let me show you my room."

They passed a large well-built playset. "Is this for children?" It seemed massive compared to what Mal had seen before.

"Just the littles," Adam told him. "You know Daddy and littles, the kink, where—"

"I'm aware," Mal said with a smile. "But you're not a little."

Adam waved his hand. "Nah, I like playing with the other boys. And I love to be taken care of and spoiled. But that's not my kink."

Mal pulled Adam to a stop. "And what is your kink." He was pretty damn sure he knew already.

"Other than spankings?" Adam replied with a smirk.

Yeah, Mal had guessed that.

Adam shrugged. "I want a Daddy that will give me everything I want but still make me behave. I want a Daddy that I can spoil and that loves me more than anything else. I also want a partner. I'm a lot. I know that. I have too much energy. My brain works fast and sometimes I forget to think things through. I just act. It's usually not a problem, but there have been some issues in the past."

"There won't be issues going forward," Mal declared. His boy would always be safe.

"You say that now," Adam replied. "I mean it though. This isn't me trying to be a brat. When I get an idea, it's really hard to focus on anything else."

Mal cupped Adam's face, forcing his mate to look up at him. "I am certain that I can get your attention and keep it. This…what is happening between the two of us is the most amazing experience of my life. The fates gave you to me and I will protect, provide, and love you for all of eternity."

"Wow." Adam blinked up at him. "Thank you, Daddy."

"My sweet sassy boy. You are more than welcome."

"Let's…let's go inside and grab some of my stuff. I want to get you back home and love on you."

"One moment." He released his mate and bent to lower his palms above the grounds that served as home for Adam and his chosen family. He pushed out some of his power, adding his strength to the magic that was already infused within the land.

The land pulsed back, accepting his offering.

Adam gasped.

"Did you feel that?" Mal asked.

"Yes. You strengthened the land and protective ward. Gave some of your power."

Mal rose. "This is your chosen family. Whether you live here, or we just come to visit. I will ensure everyone that you consider family is safe and protected."

Adam blinked away tears before a grin split his face. He leapt and Mal easily caught his mate. Mal was glad that he was so quick. He would never allow Adam to fall, and the boy loved to just jump at him.

"Mate," Adam whispered before he kissed Mal hard.

Maybe they didn't need to head back home so soon. Adam was connected to the land there and Mal had given the land a piece of himself. He carried his mate back under the canopy of the tall trees until they were surrounded by natural beauty.

Adam ripped his mouth away. "I need you."

"I need you too, boy." He lowered Adam down onto a soft patch of moss. "Need you now."