Page 8 of Devil May Hunt (The Devils of Vitality #8)

“He’s got a fucking death wish. Don’t let him out of your sight.” Gunho had half a mind to chain him to the bed, but his research told him the Cree family valued appearance and social status.

So he’d wait until the two of them were alone again before he tied his pretty lover up and punished him for that serious stunt he’d pulled on the street.

If Gunho had been even a second slower, he wouldn’t have been able to grab Brennon’s arm and haul him back into the car in time.

He’d swerved and almost crashed, but fortunately had regained control of the vehicle.

His anger was palpable, and if this had been Synastry, he would have turned his pretty lover over, stripped him bare, and fucked him on the hood of the car for everyone passing by to see.

But this wasn’t Synastry. It wasn’t even his galaxy.

He had to be careful.

“Let go of me,” Brennon snapped, trying to shove away from the doctor. He was sitting on the edge of a black leather couch, glaring daggers Gunho’s way. A look he was rather fond of giving. “I thought you said you were taking me to the hospital?”

“I told you we were going to see a doctor,” he corrected, keeping his distance to ensure he maintained control over himself. “Stay still and let her inspect you. If I have to pin you down, she’ll get to examine a hell of a lot more of you than either of us would like.”

Brennon’s mouth firmed, but he stopped squirming when Dr. Raya held up the cotton swab again.

“You shouldn’t have bitten him so deep,” she scolded Gunho, wiping away dried blood from the mark at the base of Brennon’s nape. “He isn’t an omega or a beta. Treating him like one won’t change anything.”

“Just do the job I hired you to do,” he warned.

They’d already discussed her distaste this morning.

That’s why he’d been out of the hotel room, and why Brennon had gotten the chance to escape.

Truthfully, he’d been cocky. Gunho had been certain he’d fucked the other man too thoroughly for him to move on his own.

He’d remedy that mistake next time.

On Synastry, mates, whether they were male or female, alpha, omega, or beta, knew how to stay in line. If Brennon had been one of his kind, they wouldn’t need the Royal Doctor here at all.

It was fortunate for them Gunho had the foresight to travel with her in tow. He’d brought a few of his best subordinates as well, though only a couple had agreed to integrate on planet now that he’d decided not to leave.

“I still disagree,” Raya boldly stated, only for him to growl low. “Fine. You’re going to do as you please, no matter what I say. But just so we’re clear, Prince, you didn’t hire me, you ordered me. There is a difference.”

“Is there?” He played along even though he knew what she was about to say. At least if she was venting about how he used her services, she wouldn’t be spilling details about his plans.

“Yes, giving me an order means I don’t have a choice.”

“You don’t.” He looked at Brennon pointedly. “Neither of you do.”

“Like hell. As soon as we’re done here, I’m leaving. I have classes and training to attend. The fact I’ve missed three days already is a serious deal.” Brennon winced when she sprayed the wound with disinfectant.

“You’re a cadet at the Academy?” Gunho posed it as a question, but he already knew the answer.

Once the symptoms of his rut had dissipated, he’d taken the younger man’s multi-slate off his unconscious body.

“Royal Brennon Cree, heir to Cree Cosmetics. Your family’s products are popular in the Feud galaxy as well. ”

“Well duh, we’ve got the best marketing plan in the business,” Brennon said, but he didn’t ask how Gunho knew his identity.

Smart.

That was good. There was only so much his research was able to glean.

Some things needed to be seen firsthand, and Gunho had meant it about not wanting a stupid mate.

He was already annoyed about the fact that he clearly had a foolish one.

But so long as Brennon was smart enough, he could be trained.

“I’ve sealed the wound with second skin,” Raya explained to them.

“You don’t have to worry about getting it wet.

In a couple of days, it’ll start to peel on its own.

When it does, you can remove it, but until then, don’t pick at it.

As for the bruises, I’ve prescribed an ointment.

Are there any other injuries I should know about?

” She cleared her throat. “Something in a place that isn’t easy to see, for example? ”

Brennon shook his head, but he didn’t seem embarrassed. “No, I’m fine.”

“He’s lying,” Gunho interrupted. “I tore him a bit.”

“Alphas aren’t safe when they’re experiencing their ruts,” Raya told Brennon, moving to grab another tube of cream and a bottle from her bag. “It’s difficult to handle them for omegas, who are genetically matched and meant to mate with them. For Vitals, it will continue being difficult.”

“There’s no worry there,” Brennon said. “It was a one-time thing. That’s all.”

“Right.” She placed the two items on the coffee table in front of him. “The cream needs to be used internally, the spray is sprayed directly onto your…Well, you get it. No intercourse for at least four hours afterward.”

“This really isn’t necessary. I’ve got sun scream in my dorm.”

“This stuff is stronger. Trust me.” She stared at him a moment and then added, “There’s no need to let him hurt you more than he has to.”

“Doctor.” Gunho crossed his arms.

“Almost done.” She pulled out a syringe. “I just have to give him this. Unless you’ve—”

“Just do your job, Raya. Or I’ll ship you back to the North Ward.”

“What is that for?” Brennon asked, eyeing the needle.

“Routine,” Raya said, poking him in the arm before he could tell her not to. “It’ll help with the healing and ensure the prince didn’t give you any transmissible diseases.”

“Excuse you?” Gunho growled.

“Am I wrong?” She winked at Brennon. “All done. Is there anything else? Do you need to be checked, Prince?”

“No. You confirmed my rut was over this morning. Leave.”

“Of course.” She packed her things and then gave a deep bow. “It was nice meeting you, Royal Brennon Cree.”

“Wish I could say the same, but thanks.” Brennon waited until she’d walked out of the living area and then slumped back on the couch, an unsettled gaze landing back on Gunho. “Are you going to drive me back to the Academy, or do I have to call a cab?”

“Stay,” he urged.

“No way in hell. While I appreciate the medical aid, I was serious about not wanting to have anything else to do with you. I’m not sure why you’re clinging either. I’m guessing you’ll be returning to your galaxy soon?”

“I’ve extended my stay. I’ll have to return eventually for something, but it won’t be right away.

” Gunho knew he should be upfront. If he’d planned on finding his mate beforehand, this wouldn’t be an issue, but as it were, he was expected back on planet for his cousins’ birthday.

The twins wouldn’t be pleased if he ditched them.

That only gave them a couple of months to adjust.

“More of a reason not to start something with me.” Brennon rose to his feet. “I’ll apologize for walking in on you the other night and take responsibility for my part in what took place, but that’s as far as I’m willing to go.”

“I’m afraid that’s not good enough for me.”

He frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I’m not going to let you go, Brennon.”

“That’s crazy. You don’t even know me.”

“Alphas choose their mates for all sorts of reasons.” Gunho shrugged. “We base most of that decision on instinct. My instincts have been telling me you’re mine since you came for the third time, while seated on my cock. You whimpered and even leaned forward, as though offering me your neck.”

“I wasn’t,” Brennon snapped. “You read into something that wasn’t there and made a mistake. This,” he pointed to the bite, “doesn’t even count as a mating mark. I’m not one of you. You can’t claim me.”

“Many other species use a bite to mark their intended,” Gunho argued. “That’s not exclusive to my kind.”

“Yeah, well, they don’t do that here on Vitality.”

“It’s already been done.” He sighed. “Do you like the house at least?”

“What?” Brennon glanced around at the vaulted ceiling and the large living space. “I mean, I guess? It’s nice. Is it the doctor’s?”

“It’s mine,” he corrected. “I purchased it while you were resting last night.”

The cadet blinked at him. “You bought a house? Here? Last night? Why?”

“We’ll need a place to live. I assumed you wouldn’t be willing to live on Glyph all year round. Unless you would?”

“No,” he said, hands tightening into fists at his sides. He was cute when he was angry, his cheeks flushed and his eyes turning intense. “I’m not leaving the planet, and I’m not living with you. Anywhere.”

“Mates can’t live apart.”

“I’m not your fucking mate!” Brennon took a step forward, but the coffee table between them prevented him from throwing a punch, like it was obvious he wanted to do. “We slept together, that’s all. It didn’t mean anything.”

“It might not have at first,” he said. “But it does now.”

“It doesn’t. I’m telling you it doesn’t. I’m saying I’m not interested in you, what part of that aren’t you getting?”

“The part where you wrongly believe it makes a difference.” Gunho smirked a bit cruelly when Brennon gasped and finally seemed to catch on. “I’ve claimed you. You’re mine. Whether you like it or not.”

“I don’t understand. You could take anyone. Why bother with me?”

“Because I can smell your pheromones, even if you aren’t one of my kind.

I can scent you, and we’re a match. Finding you also helped me realize there was an obvious solution to my problem.

I’d run all the way to this planet to hide from my grandfather’s schemes, but all I really had to do to stop him was take a mate.

He can’t force a bond on me now. I’ve already filed the paperwork and declared you. ”

“I’ll contest it.” Brennon didn’t look as angry as he had a minute ago. Instead, there was fear written on his face, and his eyes darted toward the hallway that led to the front door. He’d never make it past Gunho, and he must have realized as much, because he didn’t try.

Yet.

He would.

He’d run again, but this time Gunho would let him.

Brennon had to be allowed to leave, so that he could see the futility in that and come crawling back on his own.

“Aren’t you at least a little bit interested in what I have to offer?

” Gunho asked. He was standing by the kitchen with his back resting against the breakfast bar.

The house he’d purchased wasn’t overly grand, with just two levels.

It was a starter, more than anything. Keeping the space minimal so Brennon had to get used to his presence. “I’m an Imperial prince.”

“I’m not looking for a prince,” Brennon replied coolly. “Or a life partner.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Not even if I was Rin?”

His pretty lover bristled. “How do you know that name?”

“I figured you didn’t recall crying about how you’d been spurned by your best friend.” After the first few times, Gunho had allowed the other man to rest, but Brennon had downed another bottle of alcohol during the break and promptly burst into tears. “I know the entire sob story.”

“Since being rejected isn’t a big deal to you, this shouldn’t be a problem then. That’s what I’m doing. Rejecting you.”

“You can’t.”

“Like hell!”

“If you think about this rationally, you’ll see this is a good offer. We have a lot in common. We’re compatible more than just sexually, though you have to admit, our chemistry is phenomenal in that department.”

“You were okay.”

Gunho laughed. “Don’t say things you don’t mean.

Unless you secretly want me to throw you down and give you a refresher?

Raya said no intercourse after you’ve applied the ointments, but we haven’t done that yet, so we won’t be breaking any rules if I shove you face first onto the couch cushions and mount you right now. ”

“Don’t you dare.” Brennon took a fighting stance, but he was still weak from the past few days and it showed.

“Come here.”

“No.”

“I’m not going to do anything to you,” he motioned over his shoulder, “I just want you in the kitchen so I can feed you. You’re about to pass out again.”

“I can feed myself.” He took a step around the coffee table but paused before daring to go further. “I’m leaving.”

Gunho sighed. “What if I promised to let you leave after you’ve eaten? Would that suffice?”

Brennon’s eyes narrowed. “You expect me to believe that?”

“There’s no need to keep you here against your will.”

“But you just said—”

“You’re mine,” he confirmed. “You’ll still be mine while you’re running away. You’ll be mine at the Academy, in this house, on or off the planet…You get the point. It doesn’t matter what you believe, what matters is the truth. And the truth is—”

“You want me,” Brennon tossed up a palm and cut him off. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. Enough already.”

That hadn’t been what Gunho was going to say, but he could see he’d already pushed his pretty lover past his limits for the day.

He’d wait until later to lay down some ground rules and explain his expectations.

Of course, he wasn’t a complete monster, he’d allow Brennon to set some of his own in turn.

“You’ll eat, and then I’ll drive you back to the Academy,” Gunho stated, but of course, Brennon was far too stubborn to go along with that, even if it was the easiest exit.

“I’ll eat,” he said, “and then I’ll take a cab back to the Academy.”

Since it still involved the important part, Gunho conceded.

It was fine if his mate didn’t want to be locked in the same car with him for now. What mattered was sticking to the plan and ensuring he secured his future. Gunho would be unapologetically brutal if that’s what it took. He didn’t just want Brennon, he needed him.

After this, once his pretty lover was well and truly caught in the palm of his hand, Gunho wouldn’t have to fear his grandfather.

The old bastard wouldn’t have the chance to call him a broken alpha or attempt baby trapping him ever again.