"I'm … Jesus … sorry, Kai … " he struggled to articulate his thoughts, his body still humming with her intoxicating energy.
"Don't be sorry. I'm not." She leaned into him, briefly pressing her lips to his. Before he had a chance to respond, Kai pressed to her feet, giving him a sexy smile. "Hmm … something smells delicious. I'm so hungry."
Jake chuckled in awe of his spectacular mate. "Still hungry, eh?"
"A girl's gotta eat," she replied, brushing her long locks behind her ears.
"Grillades and grits," he said, shoving his dick into his shorts.
"I don't know what that is but if it's half as good as it smells, I want to know how to make it."
"Ah, girl. This wolf will teach ya about the finer Cajun delicacies."
"I've already had one for breakfast." She winked, walking ahead of him. "But now I need food."
Jake shook his head, amused by her humor. He'd had a taste of her lethal beast, and he loved her unbridled spirit. She'd given zero fucks Quintus had heard them just now. Last night he'd feasted on her while the vampire watched, and he considered how she'd enjoyed it. He looked forward to pushing her limits. While he'd shared other women, he never considered how he'd feel about doing so with his mate. Yet with her marked, he suspected he'd do it at least once to gift her with the experience, the sexual freedom he'd explored.
As he walked into the kitchen, he observed her cheeks flush as Quintus raised his glass to her. She flashed him a playful smile, quickly turning away as if she knew he'd read her thoughts. His eyes went to Quintus who gave him a broad smile. Jake laughed inwardly at the thought of being with them both. Jake was confident Quintus wouldn't dare lay a hand on her without his direction. Despite being a dangerous son of a bitch, the vamp rode with an old school honor.
Jake's phone buzzed and he reached for his phone. Logan's text flashed across the screen. Get to San Diego. Stop fucking around with the girl. Need you there ASAP.
Jake glanced up at the shotgun-style house; its bright pink siding made it look as innocuous as cotton candy. On the way over to Bourbon St., he'd called Logan. His Alpha had told him that the Alpha of Anzober Wolves had been found slain in Big Sur, far away from their territory. The beta was missing and the pack was reportedly in disarray. Infighting and challenges had begun with no regard to Logan's command to wait for their previous leader.
The car door slammed, breaking Jake's contemplation. Kai stood behind him as Quintus joined him at his side.
"It's hard to believe Dominique lived here," Jake said.
Dominique Moreau. She'd been sired by Kade Issacson, and had lived in New Orleans for over a hundred years. As far as he knew, she'd always lived in Faubourg Marigny off of Frenchman Street. The spirited vampire always had a flair for the eccentric. Chic and quick-witted, the ginger had been a formidable supernatural, one to be feared and respected. But a witch, under the influence of a demon, had kidnapped and attacked her, leaving her unresponsive. Kade and Sydney had taken her under their care, seeing to her needs, but she hadn't yet recovered.
"We probably should have talked with her ourselves," Quintus said.
"Dom's in no condition after what happened in New York. I know you weren't around for the party but she was … broken. Mick beat the hell out of her. Starved her. She was pretty messed up." Jake recalled how he'd found Dominique lying motionless in the cave, her body black and blue.
"It always amuses me when I hear a new vampire brag about their eternal life. We live forever all right, as long as the Goddess chooses to have the soles of our feet on the Earth. It's likely the demon poisoned her. This will not be something she will easily overcome," Quintus predicted.
"Yeah, by the looks of her, it had her several months. It's hard to tell. My guess is he was responsible for what happened to Ilsbeth as well, but no one knows for sure. Well, you saw her."
"The underworld is a dark, dark place, my friend. The power that emanates from above and below is beyond our comprehension. It's why one must be careful playing with black magick."
"Yeah well, people are assholes too. Sometimes it's as simple as that. This was all Ilsbeth's fault anyway. She thought she could have Dimitri. Fucked around with his wolf."
"Love is a powerful force. No one is immune to the irrationality that follows in suit."
"There was a time Ilsbeth helped me," Kai said. "She's not all bad."