CHAPTER SEVEN

J oel sat in the SUV and watched his lover face a bear the size of a truck. It should have put him into a panic, but he was somewhat calm. Worry existed on the edges of his mind but was not overwhelming him. He waited, knowing that Conall would come for him when it was safe.

Several men stood outside the vehicle, keeping watch and clearly protecting him. He would not move until Conall told him it was okay he was done trying to find his way in this new world on his own. The stupidity of going out on his own wore on him. If he'd been thinking clearly, he would have opened a damn window instead of going to the alley for air.

He would have to find his footing in this new world and do it fast. It bothered him that he'd put Conall and his men in such a position for something as ridiculous as needing some air. There were so many ways he could have handled this, but he took the most dangerous route. He was descending into some serious self-loathing when his thoughts suddenly softened, and the embarrassment he had been feeling started to fade.

He felt Conall's regard, and his tender thoughts warmed him and gave him comfort. Cassius had made such vial threats to him, and the jackals had treated him roughly, but they were waiting to see if Conall brought what they wanted before killing him. They made it very clear to him that death was his only escape, and he would be dead before the day was over.

Through it all, he never lost faith in the fact that Conall would come for him. It was just a matter of time. He wasn't sure how he knew, but he knew Conall would save him. The bond he'd spoken of gave him insight and understanding into many things, including the emotional bond that existed between them.

They were meant to be he knew that now without question. No more bullshit doubts and insecurities he planned to make his feelings for Conall very clear once he finished with this business.

Joel looked over his shoulder at the battle ensuing there in the lot that had once been a despicable strip club. Conall had destroyed the club, and he would destroy their enemies. This was his life, and he was ready to live it. Joel leaned back, closed his eyes, and sent every ounce of love and devotion he felt toward his amazing lover.

Conall continued to close in on Cassius. His bear was formidable but, like Cassius, lacked focus and control. A feeling of complete, all-encompassing love came over him, and he recognized Joel. His beloved was sending his deepest feelings, showing him his heart openly and freely, and it was wonderful. Conall was energized and motivated to end this circus and get back to his beloved.

"You can't run, Cassius. There is nowhere for you to go. You've betrayed everyone you ever knew, and now even your hired friends are abandoning you." He knew that would infuriate the beast, and it did just that. Cassius started to charge, and Conall was ready. The bear came at him but fumbled when he tried to strike out with his long, razor-sharp claws.

Conall sliced him with the dagger and sent him reeling backward, but soon gathered his rage and made another charge. This time, he leaped at Conall, clearing the ground and coming down on top of him. But Cassius hadn't taken into consideration the short sword in Conall's left hand. Or if he did, he didn't recognize its lethality or Conall's skill with a blade.

He roared out in anger and pain and attempted to swipe his claws across Conall’s face, but Conall stuck the dagger in the bear’s wrist and rolled the beast off him. He stood over the dying bear with his sword stuck in his heart and held it firm, twisting it and staring into its eyes. "You don't belong here, Cassius. You and your kind will find no place in my territory. I will root out all who bring scrutiny down upon us. I rule this territory, and you dared to touch my beloved and threaten me."

Cassius shifted back to his human form as he bled out. He gripped the blade of the sword and stared into Conall's eyes. "This isn't over, Conall." He ground the words out between teeth that were clenched.

"Maybe not, but it is over for you." Conall twisted the sword and then buried the dagger in his throat. Cassius was dead, and with him, the blight that had taken over the area.

Conall turned and headed for the SUV. His men could handle what remained, and Victor would oversee the cleanup. Right now, all he wanted, all he needed was to have his beloved Joel in his arms.

His body was shaking, and craving to hold him close. Every part of him was fixated on getting to the SUV as quickly as possible. The demand that he felt in his soul to protect and defend was still raging through him even after the threats were dealt with. He would not calm or relax until he had Joel in his sight and in his arms.

Conall nodded his head at Samuel, who then got in behind the wheel while Conall slipped into the back seat. The jasmine that enveloped him was fucking beautiful the heavenly scent filled his heart and mind and eased a portion of his worry. He knew his beloved was safe, but still until they were together, he would not be satisfied.

"Conall, I'm so sorry." Joel began his apologies, but they were not needed. He knew his lover, and he knew that there was no intent to run away or cause the trouble that ensued. He should have been able to step outside the warehouse without the danger of being kidnapped.

"No need to be sorry. I should have been clearer about the danger. You are the most important person in the world to me, and I have a lot of enemies. This makes you a prime target for anyone hoping to influence or destroy me." Joel crawled onto Conall's lap and laid his head on his shoulder.

Conall wrapped him in his arms and just held him for several minutes. Feeling the beat of his heart and the soft breath against his throat calmed all the fears and dampened the rage boiling in his blood.

Joel laid his hand on Conall’s chest, and the warmth of that touch went right to Conall’s heart. He loved this young man with all that he had and all that he was, and nothing would ever part them.

"You were going to give five hundred thousand dollars and the deed to the Blood Rose to Cassius so he would release me." Joel sounded amazed by the act, but it was small, considering what he would have given. Joel was worth everything in this world.

"I would have given anything to have you safe and in my arms." Joel tilted his face up toward him, and Conall placed a hard kiss on those soft, trembling lips. The taste of his beloved was all that he needed to feel right and fulfilled. He could never lose this man.

"I made a deal with Cassius, and if he'd held to the deal, he would have walked away with the money and the bar. I wanted to kill them all, but a deal in good faith must be held. It is one of the very few laws that we follow." Conall let out a long sigh and laid his cheek on the top of Joel's head, loving the tight embrace and the feel of Joel's pert little ass sitting atop his now very hard cock.

“If he’d handed you over, I would have had to meet my part of the agreement, but instead, he decided he would try to kill you and me both, which immediately nullified the deal." Conall smiled because he figured it would work out that way.

"Cassius couldn't resist going for the chance of killing me and taking the lead in this territory. It was a chance that did not pay off for him. But thankfully, he and his group of swine are finished and no longer a threat to the decent people of this city." He actually had very little thought as to the decent people of the city his only concern was to make everyone who dared touch his beloved pay with their lives.

He didn't share that with Joel because his little love was a gentle soul. Even with everything he'd endured, he still had love, hope, and joy in his heart. His Joel didn't need to worry about the evil among them, for Conall would deal with them every time with an iron hand.

"I love you, Conall. I know that I acted poorly on more than one occasion, but I always believed that you had my best interests at heart. After the bond snapped into place, your regard for me became clear. This isn't a one-off or a keep me till you get bored type of relationship. This is a real bond of hearts and minds. I feel it, and I want it. I want it all, Conall." He stared into the depths of his beloveds, beautiful, soulful eyes and saw the sincerity of every word he spoke, and his heart melted for the love of this man.

Conall leaned forward and spoke to Samuel. "Takes us home, Samuel, but take the long way." Samuel nodded, started the SUV, and pulled out onto the road. Conall reached up and closed the panel, separating the front seat from the back and giving them complete privacy.

“I want you, Joel." He said, and the meaning was clear. Joel took a sharp breath and then looked up at Conall.

"I want you too, so bad." Joel scooted back just a bit and started opening Conall's pants, slowly lowering the zipper and spreading the fabric to expose his hard, aching cock. Joel took it in one hand and pumped it with a firm grip. Conall took the back of Joel's sweatpants and pulled them down, baring his luscious ass to Conall's eager, exploring hands.

Being with his beloved was a beautiful and satisfying event, and nothing in his life would ever compare. Thinking about your beloved and actually having your beloved in your arms were two very different feelings.

It was such a stark awakening to the power of Fate and the significance of this one person in the whole of your life. It wasn't just a companion and sex partner for your long life. It was a pairing of souls knowing this person completely without question or reserve. It was perfect.

Conall thrust gently, enjoying the attention of his beloved and the feel of his soft hands on his heated cock. "You are my life, Joel, and there isn't anything I wouldn't do to keep you happy and safe." He nuzzled his face into the crook of Joel's neck and breathed in the gorgeous scent of jasmine.

He pressed his thumb into Joel’s greedy opening and felt the shudder that passed through him, and it was delicious. The heat and the arousal churned around them as their want grew with each stroke and each kiss. There would never be another for him, and he needed no one but this sweet, gentle little man. His love and devotion would nourish him for a lifetime.

Joel raised up, and Conall pulled his fingers free from the tight entrance. Joel positioned Conall's throbbing cock to his opening and slowly lowered himself down, taking it inside a torturous slow inch at a time. Conall held his breath as the intimacy and love of this moment took his breath away.

He held back and let Joel take the lead watching as his hard cock disappeared inside that lovely body over and over and relishing the sensations that rushed through his body. His beloved was more than he could have ever asked for, and he would cherish him forever.

"I love how you fill me so full; the feel of you inside me makes my body tremble." Joel had closed his eyes and was reveling in his own feelings. It was beautiful to watch, and Conall absorbed every move and every glance.

"You make me so happy, Joel." He said, and Joel opened his eyes and smiled. Then, a rapid bounce began that set Conall's nerve ends on fire. The push to climax raged in his blood, and Joel did not let up. He pounded away, bringing him all the excitement and sensitivity to feel his mind blowing with the need to come.

It was an explosion of sharp sensations and feelings that tensed and froze as the need to release overcame his attempt to hold on a little longer. Joel slammed down and gripped him tight, and Conall came with a raw gasp and a sudden jerk. He filled his beloved, spasming with each release and thrusting upward, seeking further satisfaction.

Joel held tight and stared into Conall's eyes. The satisfaction in that stare was exquisite, and it touched Conall's heart in a way it had never been touched before. Joel opened so many doors for Conall emotionally, and he relished every new experience. He pulled Joel toward him, sunk his teeth into the lovely bonding scar on his shoulder, and took a small sip. The taste of his beloved was without compare.

They stayed that way until the SUV stopped, with Conall holding him close with his now softening cock still inside Joel's lovely body. "I don't want to move Conall. This feels so good, and I feel so safe with you."

"I will love and protect you always, my love." Conall pledged.

"I want to stay here with you," Joel stated, but it came out as if it were a question.

"Your place is here with me it has always been." Conall made it clear. "I had my men find your belongings, and they are in our quarters. The landlord had stored them when you failed to return."

“Thank you for doing that for me.”

"I will always take care of you," Conall added in case there were still any questions lingering. "Feel free to sort your things and put them where you wish. My home is your home." He then figured it was as good a time as any to approach the discussion of Joel's previous jobs.

"I would prefer that you not work outside the home. The manpower it would take to protect you would be awkward for my men and uncomfortable for you. Victor and Drakon both have human beloveds, and they work within the coven itself. Jaden, Victor's beloved is a freelancer, and Dean, Drakon's beloved works for the coven." Conall paused for comment.

"I don't know what use I could be in the coven. My work history is primarily in the service industry. But I do understand the situation, and I will find something that doesn't require me to spend long hours in public." Conall appreciated his understanding but wanted him to enjoy whatever it was he decided to do.

“What would you do if you could have any job you wanted?” He decided to start there to get an idea.

"This probably sounds stupid to someone like you, but I wanted to become an event planner. I was working for a caterer and loved watching the planners put everything together. But I would need training and certification in this area." Joel told him honestly.

"Nothing that interests you is ever stupid, my love. Your desires are important to me. Know that you can share anything with me." Conall held him snugly to his chest and rotated his hips, stirring his cock, which was still buried inside his beloved. Joel moaned and giggled, and Conall laughed softly. "I love you so much.

"Event planner would be doable," Conall stated. "The training and certification can be easily obtained, and I believe a good share of the work is done remotely. For those times when you meet with clients or suppliers or whoever you could have an assistant with, No one needs to know that he is your bodyguard." He felt Joel's rising excitement, and it pleased him.

"I'll think about it but thank you for listening and hearing me." Joel moved up and kissed him gently with a teasing allure that was all Joel's.

"I will always listen to you, my love, and with that said, why don't you take some time to relax and find out what really interests you? I just ask that you run it by me before getting started." Joel laughed and laid back on Conall's chest.

"Don't worry, I will never do anything as stupid as what I did today. I will stay aware of my surroundings, and I will pay attention to my safety, I promise."

“I know you will.” Conall wanted to give his lover the moon, but his position and lifestyle came with some limitations. He would help Joel with whatever he needed and in any way that he could. “Come now and let us go home. It is time we get you settled and get reacquainted.”

“Reacquainted?” Joel grinned up at him.

“Of course.” Conall helped him get his clothing in place and slipped off his lap while Conall adjusted his own clothing. “It has been hours since I last enjoyed you in our bed.”

"I'll need to shower first before getting into that fabulous bed," Joel told him as the door opened, and they both stepped out. Conall picked him up into his arms and carried him to the elevator, needing to keep him very close until the fear of losing him wore off. Those beasts had scared the life out of him, and it was going to take a day or two before he allowed Joel out of his sight.

“A shower sounds wonderful, I’ll join you.”

“I’d love that.” Joel relaxed in his arms. “It feels good to be home.”

“It feels good to be with you, my love."