Fated for Forever(46)

himself getting close he tilted his neck and Gabriel leaned forward.

“Thank you,” he whispered and eased his fangs into Ashby’s neck, prolonging the pleasure of

penetration. He grabbed Ashby’s hips before planting his feet on the floor and began to lift his mate’s body

off his prick before snatching him close again, all the while pulling at his neck. Ashby cried out and came,

shooting spurts of cum between them. Gabriel extracted his fangs and looked Ashby in the eye before

leaning in for a kiss, never breaking eye contact. When he came he did so staring into Ashby’s eyes. Never

had he experienced anything so intimate or soul searing. Ashby wrapped his arms around his neck and

began to cry softly.

“I love you, my prince,” he whispered brokenly.

“I love you, too, my angel,” Gabriel said, memorizing every detail of his mate before he had to send him

away.

Chapter 15



As Ashby, Emmett and Connor walked into the diner the next morning after the hour-long drive from

Purgatory the conversations stopped. Ashby was glad he had driven his own car back so that the Arkadion

brothers hadn’t seen him crying as they drove away. Ashby felt his cheeks heat in blush as everyone stared.

“Ashby!” He heard the scream only seconds before a small body plowed into him. Immediately the

small body started bawling and it wouldn’t release the stranglehold it had around his neck. Incoherent

words were sobbed into his shirt and the only thing he could do was make shushing motions and sounds.

“Rebecca, I’m fine. Everything is OK, you have to calm down,” Ashby said rubbing Rebecca’s back in

an effort to get her to let go of him. In the background he heard the diner phone ring.

“She’s fine, Ashby’s home and she’s a death grip around him. Yes…yes…she’s fine. Go back to work

Aleks,” Ashby heard Ma say.

“Ma, some help please,” he said, still trying to unwrap Rebecca’s arms.

“Now Rebecca let the boy breathe, he can’t fill you in on what’s been happening with you wrapped

around his throat,” Ma said pulling Rebecca back and handing her a tissue.

“I’m sorry! It’s just…just…he could have died!” Rebecca started crying again. Rian and Kate walked up

and steered Rebecca over to where they had been sitting and sat her down next to Damian, who wrapped an

arm around her shoulders and cuddled her. Ashby opened his mouth to start his story when he heard the

diner door slam open. There, standing in the doorway breathing hard was Nic. Ashby stood, feeling tears

fill his eyes. Nic pushed a chair out of his way and grabbed Ashby into a hug. Just seeing Nic made him feel

safe enough to let some of the emotions he had been holding back come to the surface. Between Nic and

Rebecca he really felt like he had come home.

“Vampires…and attacks…and you were poisoned…and you locked yourself in the goddamn freezer!”

Ashby could see fear in Nic’s face and leaned forward to place a brotherly kiss on his cheek.

“I’m perfectly fine now, really.” Ashby pulled Nic down to sit beside him, Nic refusing to let go of his

hand.

“Long story short, the drug ring that is responsible for the missing shifters has targeted me to get Gabriel

to back off on the investigation. Which really only proves how stupid they are, Gabriel won’t stop now

until they are wiped off the planet. So to keep me safe Gabriel sent me home to Arkadia.”

“We’ve missed you so much Ashers!” Rebecca said with only a slight sniffle.

“Lord yes! The pride has acquired three hotties of the highest caliber. First there’s Talon. That man is

huge, climbing gear required if you know what I mean…” Rian began.

“Rian…” Kate said.

“Then there’s Rex, be still my heart…” Rian clutched his chest.

“Rian!” Kate covered Rian’s mouth with her hand.

“Wha!” was Rian’s muffled reply. She removed her hand.

“They are sitting right there,” she said pointing to where all three lion shifters were staring at them from

one table over. She gave a little wave and they waved back smiling.

“So?” he asked. Kate rolled her eyes. Talon grinned, whispered something to Rex and Kent before all

three stood and pushed their table next to the table where Ashby sat with his friends.

“And who is this delicate morsel?” the largest of the three drawled in a deep southern twang, smiling

down at Ashby.

“That is our mated best friend. Mated best friend Ashby, this is Talon. The guy next to him with the

soulful brown eyes is Rex and the wholesome piece of eye candy is Kent.” Rian introduced the three lions