Chapter 22

SOREN

With my back to the room, I watch the tub fill, giving Anita and Stryker a moment of privacy. Maybe I should be jealous, but my hellhound is pleased by her choice in mate. Though we have no reason to trust him, it's obvious the leopard is completely smitten. He would give his life to keep her safe.

There is only one way that happens—his beast is a compatible mate. It's physically impossible for him to harm her—his beast wouldn't allow it. Sure, people could force a mating with a bite, but the bond never fully forms. A true mate is different. It's where the beast selects their mate, the person created specifically for them. No one can force a beast to choose a mate against their will.

I quietly shut off the water, then turn toward the newly mated couple, smirking when I try to figure out who's trying to keep whom upright. They are both so exhausted, they are barely staying vertical, and I quickly take charge.

"Stryker." I grab his shoulder and guide him toward the showers. "Get in and clean yourself up." It's an order, one that he's too exhausted to fight. "Then go get something to eat and find a bed. I'll take care of our girl."

He searches my face for a moment, as if debating whether or not he could trust me with his most prized possession, then he nods once before reluctantly passing a near comatose Anita into my arms. If I wasn't also her mate, he would have ripped my throat out for even suggesting such a thing.

He leans down, kisses her forehead once, then inhales deeply, like he can't go without breathing in her sugar and spice scent one last time. He staggers toward the shower, stepping behind the glass enclosure, then cleans himself almost distractedly, watching my every move.

My attention is stolen when Anita snuggles into my chest with a sigh.

She stiffens a second later, and a furrow appears between her brows. Her amber eyes flash open, then narrow dangerously when her gaze locks on me.

I wait for her to demand she be released, and my arms automatically tighten around her in protest. I don't move as I wait for her order, not daring to even breathe.

From the instant I laid eyes on her, I accepted that she is my mate, but she's been fighting it every step of the way. It makes sense since she is a mage. They don't have the same instincts as beastlings.

I've done my best to give her time, but my beast is being clingy. The only reason I'm able to remain calm and not act like a caveman is because of her marks on my arms. Though she doesn't wear my bite yet, I'm content to wait.

For now.

After a long moment, where it feels like she's peeling back the layers of my soul and judging my worth, Anita sighs then rests her head against my shoulder. When her eyes drift shut, I inhale sharply at her silent acceptance, my chest puffing up in pride. My beast howls in victory at her surrender, and I lovingly nuzzle the top of her head.

I step toward the tub and slowly lower her into the steamy water. She groans, clinging to me for a moment, and I hold her suspended. When she finally relaxes, I ease her all the way into the tub, and she melts into the water with a groan.

Before I can straighten, she grabs my shirt and peers up at me from under her lashes. Her attention flicks toward Stryker, then lands back on me, confusion clouding her eyes. I reach up and give her hand a comforting squeeze. "I'm not going anywhere. Just sit back, relax, and let me take care of you."

She purses her lips, nibbling on the corner of her mouth before she reluctantly untangles her fingers from my shirt. Once released, I collect every hygiene product in the bathroom, then sit behind her and gently wash her hair, massaging the shampoo into her scalp.

She groans, leaning into my touch, and my heart thumps hard against my ribs. My cock hardens at her submission, my fangs aching, and I quickly close my mouth to resist temptation.

Focusing on my task, I rinse out her hair, then do it all again with the conditioner. I take my time as I work the product into her dark strands, starting at the ends and working my way up. Being able to pamper her soothes my beast, and contentment settles in my chest.

As a creature from the demon realm, I never dared hope for a mate, but my beastling refused to accept defeat. My hellhound demanded I learn how to take care of a female properly—how to pamper a woman, what kind of food they would eat, any kinds of gifts one might demand, researching how to wash their hair, and even learning about what they needed while they menstruated.

I never realized how satisfying it would be just to be able to take care of her.

Done with her hair, I leave the strands trailing over the rim to dry, then move to kneel at her feet. Her eyes crack open just a fraction to watch me, and my beast gives a soft purr, loving the attention.

Not looking at her, I grab a cloth and lather it generously. With suds clinging to my hand, I slowly reach into the tub and capture her ankle. I don't look up at her as I lift her leg out of the water and begin washing her.

When her eyes drift close again, I finally relax and continue with my task. I move from one leg to the other, then shift to work on her arms. With each pass of the cloth, I feel the bond between us strengthening.

The shower shuts off abruptly, and we both turn when Stryker steps out naked. It's only then that I see the trail of tiny paw prints crawling up his neck and creeping behind his ear. Further up, an intricate red and black dot matrix mandala fills the inner shell, the image fading slightly as it reaches the bottom lobe.

The tattoo is stamped on both the human and feline ear.

When Stryker spots the tattoos in the mirror, he stills, then he leans so close to the mirror he hovers just an inch away. He reaches up, touching it reverently, then a huge smile takes over his face. He pulls back and bounds over toward Anita, cupping the back of her neck and kissing her within an inch of her life, his purr so loud that it fills the room.

Then he's gone, a skip to his step as he vanishes out the door wearing nothing more than a towel around his waist. Anita wears a bemused expression at his boyish enthusiasm. Her gaze lands on my tattoos, and she trails her fingers along the marks etched into my arms. "The way you guys look at these tattoos…" A furrow appears between her brows, looking both confused and envious at the same time. "You worship them."

"It's not the tattoos." I catch her hand, waiting until she peers up at me. "It's what they represent. Beastlings aren't made to be alone. We yearn for the connection of a pack. It's why most of our women take multiple mates."

Anita snorts, shooting me a dubious look, and I chuckle and shrug.

"Sure, beastlings snarl and fight over territory. It's in our nature." I dip the washcloth into the water, swirling it around before trailing the cloth over her skin again. "The longer we go without a mate, the more feral we become. You're like a craving we can never fulfill, and it slowly drives us insane until we finally claim our mate."

"What about jealousy?" Anita nibbles on her bottom lip, not quite meeting my gaze. "The thought of anyone touching what's mine makes me homicidal, and I'm a mage. I can only imagine it's worse for beastlings."

I squash my smile before she can see it. Her questions mean she's interested, and my hellhound fucking preens. I give her a casual shrug. "That's for us men to work out. You're the center of our pack. It's our duty to protect you and keep you happy. You have enough to do by putting up with our bullshit."

Anita sputters on her laugh, and my chest warms at the joyous sound.

When I don't join her, she chokes, and her eyes go wide. "You're serious."

"Of course." My humor fades so she can see I'm dead serious. "We never joke about our duty to our mate."

She swallows hard, her eyes searching mine, then they narrow. "So you're telling me you weren't jealous watching me fuck Stryker, or that his cock attempted to split me open as he pounded into me? His seed is still leaking out of me, and you were forced to watch as he sank his teeth into my shoulder as he claimed me."

My cock throbs at her crude words and even cruder description, and I reach down to adjust myself. A bead of sweat rolls down my back as I struggle to resist the urge to reach in my pants and stroke my length. Her eyes follow the movement, and I love the way they dilate, the way her breath roughens, and my hound chuffs in pleasure.

Unable to be near her and not touch her, I shift around the tub, then nudge her arm. "Lean forward so I can reach your back."

Anita glances at me over her shoulder, a furrow between her brows. I stiffen under her attention, not missing the judgment in her gaze. If I don't pass this test, I fear I won't get another one. My hellhound presses at the underside of my skin, wanting to show her that we're a worthy mate. There is such a long pause that a lump forms in my throat.

"You won't be able to reach everything from there." She leans forward and grabs the rim of the tub, making room just big enough for me. "Why don't you join me?"

I can only blink at her, not comprehending her words for a full minute, then I shoot to my feet, already yanking my shirt over my head. I nearly tear my pants in my rush to strip. When I'm naked, my cock standing tall and proud just inches from her face, I'm unable to get the image of her taking my cock in her mouth and swallowing me whole.

Pre-cum leaks from the tip, and I'm afraid to move, worried that I might attack her. Before my control can break and I lunge at her like an animal, Anita scoots forward a couple more inches, silently inviting me to join her.

I don't hesitate to step into the tub and sink into the water behind her. A giant wave laps over the rim and spills across the floor, soaking the room, but I barely notice. Unable to be near her and not touch, I curl my arm around her waist and tuck her tightly against my chest.

I reach up and boldly cup her breast, not letting the opportunity go now that I finally have the chance to touch her. My other hand sinks under the water to cup her pussy. She's swollen from the punishing pace Stryker set, no doubt still sore, and I gently ease a finger inside to massage the area.

She groans and wiggles against my cock, and I lean forward to rest my chin on her shoulder. "You're still tender. If you want, I can make you feel better."

A snort escapes her, and she sends me an amused look over her shoulder, arching a dubious eyebrow at me. "You think fucking me is going to help?"

I smirk, smugness oozing from my pores, and I allow heat to fill my palms.

Anita groans, her pussy fluttering around my fingers, as if trying to draw me in closer. Her head falls back on my shoulder, her chest heaving as she sucks in a sharp breath, and my mouth waters at the way her breasts tighten, practically begging for my touch.

I pinch her nipple hard, and her hips flex in a demand for more.

"What the fuck was that?" she asks in a strangled voice, struggling to catch her breath.

"Why don't you spread those pretty legs of yours, and I'll show you?" I remove my fingers from her greedy pussy, and a growl rumbles in my chest when she whimpers in protest.

She obeys, her knees slowly falling open, giving me the perfect view of her beautiful pussy. I trail my fingertips up and down her inner thigh, reaching higher and higher with each stroke. I tilt my face against her neck and nip the tender flesh with my fangs, loving the breathy moan that escapes her.

I duck my head to whisper in her ear, my voice husky as I imagine all the things I want to do to her. "Demons have a lot of stamina, and many of us are generously endowed. To offset that, hellhounds have the ability to heal our partners, allowing them to keep up with us."

It only takes a moment for her to understand, then her eyes go comically wide, and she gulps. When her pupils dilate and her breath hitches in pure lust, my smile turns wolfish.

It's finally time to claim my mate.

ANITA

Holy shit!

A magical penis!

I've never been so thoroughly seduced without a single touch. My aching body wants me to cross my legs and cover my crotch, but I can't deny that I feel empty without him. Grumpy at his smug attitude, I peer at him over my shoulder a little dubiously. "So you're offering to fuck me out of the goodness of your heart?"

I cringe at how eager I sound, but his hearty laughter cuts off any embarrassment.

"Fuck no." Soren snorts at the absurdity, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. "I'm a demon, and my heart is black as pitch." He leans in closer, his warm breath caressing the back of my neck as he speaks. "I want to fuck you for the sheer pleasure of it, then, when you beg for it, I'll put my claim on you for everyone to see."

His hand comes up to encircle my throat, his hold turning possessive, and his fangs graze my neck. "You're mine. I plan on fucking you until you beg for mercy. I'll only stop when you finally admit out loud that you're mine."

My heart swells in my chest, feeling too small to fit inside my body, and every inch of my skin tingles. Maybe I should be worried about his possessiveness, but I can't ignore the desperate need that refuses to be appeased until he does exactly what he claimed.

I'm done fighting myself.

I've always yearned for a family of my own, but I didn't think it was in the cards for me. I always assumed that I would be dead before I got the chance, but then the guys came bursting into my life and everything changed.

They offered me hope.

A chance for a different future.

And I'm determined to grab it with both hands.

With that in mind, I tip my head to the side and offer him my throat, my heartbeat going a mile a minute. Anticipation, excitement, and nerves collide, and I barely resist the urge to squirm.

A growl rumbles at my back, the vibration tightening my nipples, and I bite my lip to stifle my groan. He nips my neck but doesn't break the skin, and I huff in annoyance. "So now you want to play coy?"

I turn in his lap and straddle him. Predictably, his eyes drop to my breasts, where they bob in the water, and he licks his lips. "Stryker left such pretty marks on your skin."

I glance down, and my eyes widen when I see bright red lines decorating my body.

Marks from where his claws traced my skin over and over.

They almost look like they are the same pattern as his spots. Though I should be pissed he was trying to place his stamp of ownership on me, I don't get the impression that was his intent.

No, it was like his beastling was marking me as part of his pack, and I'm totally charmed. I peer up at Soren from under my lashes and realize I want the same acceptance from his hellhound.

I lean forward, draping my arms over his shoulders, then scrape my nails through the short hair along the back of his neck. He leans into my touch, unable to muffle his tortured groan. Feeling more confident, I sink my fingers into the tangled red mop on top of his head, then I yank his head back.

His mouth opens, displaying his prominent fangs, and liquid fire fills my veins. At my rough handling, his cock jerks between my legs, and my smile widens. I trail my other hand down the side of his neck, allowing my nails to scrape roughly against his skin. "What do you think? Your neck would look pretty with my bite decorating it."

He takes a shuddering breath, a quiver going through him, and he grips the side of the tub to keep his hands to himself. His eyes turn pure black, then he shifts and sinks lower into the water.

His cock slides against my clit in one long stroke that threatens to send my eyes rolling back in my head. I arch against him, rocking my hips, and my pussy throbs with the need to be filled.

At first, I think he's trying to distract me, until he turns his head to the side and offers me his throat. That's when I realize I'm both right and wrong—he does want to distract me, but so I would lose control and bite him like I promised.

He wants my teeth in his throat, and I'm helpless to resist the silent demand.

Even as I lean forward, the heat in my veins ignites. My teeth ache, my mouth waters, and I nibble along the strong cord of his throat. I love the hitch in his breathing and adore the silent growl rumbling in his chest. He remains absolutely still, allowing me to do whatever I want, and something primal sweeps over me.

My blood is so warm that it burns, and I can't resist the compulsion to taste him. As I set my mouth against his neck, my teeth throb then lengthen—turning into fangs!

They are so sharp, they immediately puncture his throat with a pop like the tough skin of an apple. It snaps me out of the haze of lust. Before my mind can clear, blood spills into my mouth, and I'm lost.

Instead of tasting blood, power and heat cascade through every cell of my being.

I wrap my arms around his shoulders to prevent him from getting away. The first swallow is a sip, the second is a gulp, and his blood burns as it spreads through my system. Logical thought fades, replaced by an unquenchable hunger. I'm aware of biting down harder, desperate for more, uncaring when he grunts under the assault.

I'm taking my third drink when he arches up and impales me with his cock in a single thrust. I gasp at the intrusion, my fangs automatically unlatching then retracting. The euphoria singing in my veins fades slowly, and I stiffen in horror. I clench my eyes shut, turning my face away, unable to look at him as a sob builds in my chest.

I'm a monster.

"No, kitten, you're not a monster." Soren cups my face, forcing my head up.

I fight him, but I'm no match for his strength, and he easily holds me in place until I have no choice but to face him.

When I open my eyes, the first thing I see is blood trickling down his neck. I'm both repulsed and hypnotized by the bright red trail, unable to turn away. The delicious heat in my veins becomes ice cold, and the tightness in my chest turns crushing.

"I hurt you." My voice is a tortured whisper, and I can't turn away from the two puncture wounds on his neck.

Soren hoots, his body shaking with laughter, and my attention snaps to his face. I glare at him, scowling at the stupid idiot, and cross my arms. "I bit you like an animal. My fangs could have easily ripped out your throat."

Soren snorts, laughing harder, and my fear turns into annoyance.

When he stops chuckling, he captures my face in his hands, then pushes my lips up with his thumbs. "Your fangs are so dainty, they couldn't hurt me if you tried. They are like the sting of a mosquito."

I jerk away, unsure if I should be reassured or insulted. I probe my teeth with my tongue, then grimace when I nick myself. My canines are sharper than normal, but they don't seem any longer.

Like nothing ever happened.

I'm still unnerved, still able to taste the wildness in his blood, and I lick my lips as if to catch another taste. When I realize what I did, I scuttle back, but he captures me around my waist before I can escape. He rocks his hips up into me so hard that my breath whooshes out of me in a rush, and I groan at the feel of him buried deep in my pussy.

"Do you think I couldn't stop you if you were hurting me?" He lifts an imperious brow, his expression cocky.

I scowl at his amusement, feeling vulnerable and uncertain, and I hate that he just dismisses the danger.

"Now, if you're worried about fangs…"

He smiles, and I startle when his much larger fangs snap down. I try to pull back, but he pins me to his chest, his amusement finally fading. "You're a hybrid. The closer we get to your birthday, the more the demon in you wakes. Mating us must have triggered your demon side."

Horrified by the thought, I scramble to get away. Unfortunately, the tub is slippery, and Soren anticipates my actions. Before I can escape, he pins me over the rim of the tub, his chest pressing against my back.

When I struggle, he wedges his knee between my legs to prevent me from getting away. His nearness calms my initial panic. Just as I relax, he spears me with his cock in one soul stealing thrust, and I gasp at the invasion, my pussy so full that it's almost painful.

I claw at the tub, but I'm not sure if I'm trying to get away or bracing myself in a silent demand for more. Soren doesn't move, allowing me to adjust to his size.

"If you don't want to go further, tell me now," he warns, yet despite his words, his grip tightens possessively on my hips.

I wish I could say I don't enjoy his attention, but that would be a lie. The thought of him leaving is gut-wrenching, like losing part of myself, and I can't do it.

Though it might be selfish, I just can't let him go.

If I lose my courage and let fear rule me, I will lose him, and that's unacceptable.

I run my tongue over my teeth, but my fangs are gone. With my back to him, he's safe, and I breathe a little easier.

One hunger is quickly replaced with a different type.

"Don't go," I plead softly, the admission torn from me. "Please."

I squirm against him in invitation, desperate to complete the bond. It's like part of my soul is missing, and the longer I go without him, the bigger and deeper the hole gets. I suspect it will eventually consume me completely and ultimately drive me insane.

Soren reaches around me and places my hands on the towel rod built into the wall, squeezing my wrists in warning. "You're going to want to hold on tight and don't let go."

His growly words are the only warning I get before he pulls out all the way, then slams home. The angle forces my clit against the cold porcelain of the tub in a way that has me seeing stars.

I moan, my pussy rippling around his cock, and it's all the encouragement he needs. He pounds into me ruthlessly, and it takes pathetically little for an orgasm to roll over me. The pleasure is so strong that I can do nothing but just take it. Just when my orgasm crests, his mouth closes over my shoulder and he buries his fangs in my flesh.

Pain blurs into pleasure, then pure bliss takes over.

His thrusts become almost violent, and his cock swells before finally locking into place inside me. His thrusts become shallow, then I feel his erection pulse, and I'm flooded with his cum. To my shock, it's so hot that it sears my insides. The heat blooms in my core and spreads through my limbs, nearly paralyzing me with pleasure.

When his juices spill down my thighs, he finally seems satisfied. He gives one last lazy thrust, then his fangs leave my neck. I'm so exhausted, I'm pliant underneath him. When he licks the mark on my shoulder, my pussy ripples, and I groan at the overstimulation.

"You took my cock so well," he praises, then runs a sweeping hand down my back. I'm boneless when his hand glides around my hip. He boldly cups my pussy, dragging his fingers through the mess we created, and I squirm at the sensitivity.

His other hand comes to rest between my shoulder blades, then he pins me down and holds me in place. With a pleased hum, he pulls out of me, and I whimper at the loss. Instead of pulling away, he slowly gathers his seed and shoves it back inside me. My muscles are so relaxed, I can do nothing but remain pliant as he does it over and over.

Only when I'm thoroughly coated does he seem satisfied, and he reluctantly removes his hand.

Soren gathers me to his chest and rises from the tub, water sluicing off our bodies. He sets me in the middle of the room, then grabs a towel and begins drying me off—all without looking at me.

Concerned, wondering if I pushed him too far, I grab his hand to stop him. His eyes snap to mine, and my heart falls at his shuttered expression. "What's wrong?"

"Did you enjoy yourself?" His voice is low and rough, his gaze watching me carefully.

"Yes, of course." I shiver at the remembered pleasure. "I loved everything you did to me."

He cocks his head to the side, his gaze becoming more intense. "So why is it okay for me to lose control and not you?"

"That's…different," I mutter, then snatch the towel out of his hand to avoid looking at him.

"It's not." He stands and cups my face, forcing me to look up at him. "You just learned that you're a hybrid, one of the few in existence, and that scares you. You're fighting it. Denying it. You think it makes you a monster, but it's a part of you, and I happen to think every part of you is beautiful."

My stomach somersaults at his praise, but I'm not convinced. "But?—"

"I'm not done speaking yet." He leans down and nips my bottom lip hard enough to sting. "You're worried about harming us, but we're your mates. You're part demon, and we often exchange blood during sex to enhance our pleasure.

"Even now, our bodies are adjusting to your needs by producing thicker and more potent blood. It's not all one-sided. Your bite contains venom that strengthens us. Maybe instead of fearing your demon side, you should embrace it. Become the biggest, baddest demon around, and no one will dare challenge you."

Hope bubbles up in my chest, and I'm desperate to believe him. I press my face against his chest, and he cups the back of my head, holding me close. The comforting beat of his heart soothes the ragged edges of my soul, and I melt against him. He's so big that I disappear in his arms, and it feels like the safest place in the world.

And I'm determined to do everything in my power to make sure nothing takes it away.

He's right.

If I need to embrace my demon side to keep them safe, then I'll do it.

Even if it costs me my soul in the process.

He kisses the top of my head, then he rests his cheek against the spot, a sigh of contentment leaving him.

"Let's find your other mate." Even before he finishes speaking, he bends and scoops me up, then tosses me over his shoulder, his hand landing possessively on my very naked ass. "Then we can both show you how perfect you are for us."