Chapter Sixteen

"You're sure you want to go alone?" Cole asked, pacing our dorm and looking distinctly uncomfortable at the idea.

"It's Thaden. It's not like I'm not alone with him all the time."

"That's different."

It was different. On those occasions, I was giving him something he wanted. This time, I'd be telling him what I wanted, and he had a less than stellar track record of giving a shit about that. But after nearly two weeks, I finally had the list from Sam and the others, and I didn't intend to waste a moment getting Thaden to uphold his end of the deal. Because the things on this list? They were basic fucking rights, and Demir should have provided them for all the humans he'd tricked into being here a very long time ago.

…None of which was Cole's fault. I caught his hand in mine, stopping him mid-pace, and run my thumbs over his palm. He turned to me, thrumming low in his throat.

"Thank you," I said. "For caring."

"Always," he vowed.

"But I have to do this alone."

He blew out a slow breath. "I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it, though."

I looked up at the pout on his face and couldn't keep the grin from mine.

"What?" he demanded.

"You," I said simply, and he tugged me to him, holding me close. "You know, when we met, I thought you were the worst thing that could possibly have happened to me."

"I recall," he said dryly.

"I'm glad I was wrong."

"I'd be happier if I knew that was because you realized I'm not so bad, and not because Astor threw a whole load of worse things at you."

"Oh, you're definitely bad," I said with a teasing grin, and he nipped at my throat. "But I like that."

"Good. Because you're mine, princess, and nothing is going to change that."

I basked in his words for a long moment before sighing.

"I'd better go. Thaden will be waiting."

I made to pull away and Cole jerked me back against him.

"Let him wait," he rumbled, and I felt his length pressed against my stomach, hard with his need for me. His hand slipped inside my waistband, nudging my panties aside to find me wet and ready for him.

Yeah, Thaden could wait.

*

"I've been waiting."

"Good," Cole said coldly.

Thaden sent him a dark look before his gaze flicked back to me. I shrugged unrepentantly.

"We were busy."

Thaden's nose twitched deliberately and he curled his lip. "So it would seem."

"Fucking supernaturals," I muttered.

"Careful, sweetness, you're one of us now."

"Careful, Thaden," I returned. "You almost spoke to me like an equal."

His eyes roamed over my face. "We have never been equals."

A shiver ran the length of my spine at his dark tone, and it did something to me that I didn't care to examine too closely. Thaden smirked, and then shot a look over my shoulder at Cole.

"Seems like your little mate still craves something."

"The only thing I crave," I said quickly, before Cole could do anything to completely destroy whatever was left of the friendship they'd once shared—like stake Thaden with a chair leg, "is for you to finally fulfill your end of the bargain we made."

Thaden stiffened, the tension doing something to the shape of his shoulders that I was definitely not noticing, because speciesist assholes were not my type.

"I keep my word, sweetness."

"Yeah, it looks like it. You think a dozen books is all it takes to make those people's lives bearable?"

"I believe the terms of our deal were to ‘make things better for Darkveil's humans.' Your words, sweetness. They have something they didn't have before. That's better."

"Don't fuck around, Thaden," Cole snarled, and Thaden simply smirked.

"What's your problem?" I snapped. "Because you sure as shit didn't have an issue with this whole deal last year."

"You didn't have a problem with Cali then, either," Cole said.

"A lot has changed since last year," Thaden said tightly.

Cole snorted and shook his head. "‘I didn't have you down as the sort of asshole who'd have a problem with what kind of supernatural someone is."

"If you think that, then you know even less about me than you assumed."

"Than I assumed? Dammit, Thaden, we went through a hell of a lot together, and this," Cole gestured him up and down sharply, "is not you."

"You think being briefly engaged to my sister gives you some kind of inside track to my brain, is that it?" Thaden demanded, squaring up to Cole. "Because there is a fuck ton you don't know about me."

"Apparently so," Cole ground out, tension rippling across his shoulders as he glared at the vampire.

"Enough!" I stepped between the two of them, planting my hands on their chests and sending them both back a step. I looked from one to the other. "What the hell is wrong with you? You used to be friends, and don't bother trying to say it was a means to an end, because we all know that's bull. You used to be close, and I'll be damned if whoever my father is will be the reason that changes."

"This isn't about—" Thaden broke off with a growl of frustration. "Just give me your list already."

"No."

"Excuse the fuck out of me?"

"No, I will not. Of either of you. You sort this shit between you out, right now, and that goes for you, too, Cole, because you do not throw away your alliance over whether Thaden hates me. You hated me too, when we first met."

"I don't—"

"I didn't—"

I glared at them both and they cut off, sharing a look.

"So fierce," Thaden murmured, nostrils flaring.

"Deadly," Cole purred.

"Er…" I flicked a look from one to the other, my arms still held out between them.

Thaden grabbed my wrist, skimming his nose along my pulse, his eyes never leaving mine for a second. His touch sent shivers down my spine, igniting something inside me that I tried to ignore. But his proximity, the intensity in his eyes, demanded my attention. Demanded more.

Cole's gaze burned into me as well, his frustration replaced with something more primal that I could feel pulsing in the tense air around us.

In one swift movement, Thaden closed the distance between us, his lips crushing mine in a fierce kiss. For a split second I could do nothing, trapped between his mouth and my confusion, my mind reeling as it tried to catch up, but my body was already on board and my lips parted to allow Thaden inside, giving in to the guilty longing that I thought had been banished. The heat of his mouth melded with mine, sending waves of desire coursing through my veins and stealing the breath from my lungs. I shouldn't want this. And yet…

Cole's gaze darkened as he watched us, his possessive gaze roving across my curves. The air crackled with tension as Thaden deepened the kiss, pulling me closer to him until there was no space left between us.

I moaned softly against Thaden's lips, my hands tangling in his hair as I melted into him. His touch was electric, setting every nerve ending on fire as he explored every inch of my mouth with a hunger that matched my own.

Cole moved in behind me, his hands finding my waist as he pressed his body against mine, his presence commanding and demanding attention. He reached up and turned my head, pulling me away from Thaden's mouth. Before I could protest, he claimed my lips with his own. Cole's kiss was soft and yet fierce, familiar and yet new, his hands gentle but insistent as they gripped my hips. Heat radiated off him in waves and I tasted his intoxicating desire for me, sending a thrill through my body because I would never be able to get enough of this man.

Thaden growled low in his throat as he watched us, the sound vibrating against my skin where he held me close. His hand slid down to my ass, pulling me even tighter against him, his hungry gaze raking over our figures. My body responded without permission as adrenaline shot through me—a heady mix of fear and desire that threatened to consume me whole. His touch was electric, his grip possessive as if claiming what was rightfully his. He kissed the hollow of my throat and I sucked in a sharp breath.

Cole chuckled. "I think she liked that."

Thaden's hand squeezed my ass possessively and I felt his desire course through me, making my skin tingle and heat up. This was wrong on so many levels, but it also felt so right. I was Cole's, we were mates, but…

"Stop thinking," Cole murmured in my ear. "Just enjoy it."

He turned me around to face him, catching my lips with his again and I leaned into him, inhaling his heady scent. His hands tightened their grip on my hips and pulled me closer to his hard body, his lips moving slowly against mine, teasing and tasting.

Thaden's lips trailed over my neck, suckling gently as he nipped at the soft flesh, sending shivers down my spine, but he didn't break the skin. Yet. Another shiver travelled the length of my spine, this one purely of anticipation, and my heart raced with an excitement that made my entire body ache for more of their touches.

I lost myself in the passion of their kisses, their lips exploring every inch of my skin with a hunger that left me breathless. I didn't want this to end. I needed more. I wanted to feel the sting of Thaden's bite, the raw power and intensity of his desire for me. I had never felt so alive, so desired.

I whimpered against Cole's mouth, confused by the need coursing through me. I'd never wanted to be bitten, never craved that sensation the way I did right now, but the touch of these two men was undoing me.

I could feel the tension between them, the primal heat that threatened to consume us. Their bodies pressed against me, their masculine scents filling my nostrils and making my head spin. The squeeze of their hands on my hips, the tease of Thaden's lips on my neck, and the possessive grasp Cole had on my waist.

I couldn't help but arch into them both, seeking more contact as they explored every inch of my mouth and body with their kisses and hands.

Thaden scraped his fangs lightly across my hot skin and I gasped.

"Do you remember what I told you about your blood last year?" he murmured, and I flushed red as the memory flooded back, and quickly shook my head.

"No? Oh, I think you do, sweetness." His tongue darted out and flicked across my throat. "But I don't mind telling you again. Your body may be Cole's, but your blood is mine."

A growl rattled its way up my throat. "Prove it."

"Gladly, sweetness."

He nipped at my throat but I twisted to face him, denying him with a smirk as my hand moved behind me to wrap around Cole's waist. "You're going to have to do better than that. Last time I checked, my blood is inside my body…which belongs to Cole."

I felt Cole's thrum deep in his chest pressed against my back. "And mine to you, princess," he murmured, snaking his hand around my waist. I felt as much as saw his challenging look over my shoulder at Thaden.

"Oh, like that, is it?" Thaden asked, canting his head with a calculating smirk.

"And if you want it," I said, reaching out with the hand not wrapped around Cole to grab his waistband, "there's something I want from you."

Thaden drew in a sharp breath, and my smile turned sweet as I added, "For the humans."

Thaden groaned in frustration and Cole chuckled behind me, his hand snaking across the flat on my stomach to slip inside my pants. I swallowed as his fingertips grazed across my mound, teasing with his featherlight touch.

"What do you want?" Thaden asked, taking my hand from his waistband and lifting it to his lips, where he gently sucked one of my fingers into his mouth and swirled his tongue around its tip, sending spikes of arousal through me and threatening to drive all coherent thoughts from my mind, because I knew exactly what I wanted him to do with his tongue. He let my finger slip from his mouth and met my eye with a knowing smirk. "For your humans."

Humans. Right. I swallowed as Cole's fingers nudged my panties aside, stroking the soft skin gently.

"Beds," I gasped, and Thaden raised his brow infuriatingly again. "New ones. Better…ones."

"Better beds. I'm not sure, sweetness. I don't think I want the humans sleeping all day and night."

"And furniture," I said, tracing my fingers along his jawline and across his lips. His throat bobbed and I pressed my advantage, trying to corral my thoughts around what Cole was doing inside my panties. "Softer furniture. More comfortable."

"Comfortable furniture," Thaden repeated slowly, his gaze not leaving my hand.

"And—" Cole's thumb brushed my clit and I cut off on a sharp gasp. Swallowing, I tried again. "And beds."

"Sounds fair," Cole murmured reasonably from behind me.

"And—"

Thaden drew one of my fingers into his mouth and I rolled my head back against Cole's chest.

"And education," I managed. "Q—Qualifications. Training. For…jobs."

"They can have jobs," Thaden murmured against my fingers. "With the clans."

"Real jobs," I insisted, pulling my fingers from his lips to trail down his chest. I paused at his waistband. "Not as feeders."

Cole caught my hand and pulled it back, pinning it across my body.

"Done," Thaden growled, surging forward to close the gap between us. His lips touched mine and his tongue slashed across them, demanding entry. I nipped at him and he drew back with a hiss. Cole's rumble of amusement rattled against my chest.

"And freedom to come and go."

Thaden rolled his head back with a groan. "Cali…"

"Freedom to come and go," I repeated.

"An hour a day in the grounds," he countered, watching me through blown pupils, nostrils flaring as Cole rubbed my clit again. "Supervised."

I blinked and tried to think, but it was hard to focus on anything but Cole's hand and Thaden's lips just inches from mine.

"Okay," I whispered, and he kissed me hard, then his mouth slid off to the side, travelling down to find my throat.

As Thaden's teeth finally grazed my flesh, I let out a moan that vibrated through my entire body. My mind swam with desire as I felt him drink from me, his lips and tongue teasing me as he took what he wanted. Arousal pounded through me as he released his endorphins into me, and Cole's fingers parted my lower lips and slid inside. I clenched around him greedily, but it wasn't enough, not nearly enough.

Thaden's lips left my neck and I blinked at him as light danced across my vision. His tongue lathed the wound and a wanton moan slipped from me.

Even though I couldn't see Cole's eyes, I could feel the intensity of his gaze on me. The atmosphere was thick with desire and tension, and the heady mix was pushing me to the brink.

I cleared my throat, trying to focus on the task at hand. "And...you know," I started, my voice wavering slightly, "more comfortable clothes, too."

Thaden nodded slowly, still watching me intently. "Comfortable clothes," he repeated, his voice rough and deep. "It's all yours."

Cole hummed in agreement behind me, his fingers finding my clit again and circling gently.

"More books," I added, feeling the tip of his finger pressing against my sensitive flesh. My heart pounded in anticipation as he teased me, knowing what was coming next.

"Books," Thaden echoed, dropping to his knees in front of me and tugging my pants and panties down to reveal the full extent of my arousal as my hips chased Cole's merciless hand.

Cole withdrew his hand and I whimpered at the loss, even as it travelled up my body to slip inside my bra and tease my nipple with pebbled at his touch. Thaden's tongue darted out, slipping between my legs. I gasped at the sensation and arched into him instinctively, wanting more, and he gave it to me, teasing and nibbling until desire was the only thing holding me together.

"Let go for me, sweetness," he urged between licks.

"Come for us," Cole murmured in my ear, and leaned his head round to claim my lips just as Thaden's tongue flicked inside me. My orgasm crashed over me and I screamed my ecstasy into Cole's mouth. My legs gave way beneath me but something—someone—held me up, and I clung to them both, lost in a storm of utter bliss.