Page 37

chapter thirty-six

Enzo

S tepping into Chayton’s office, I scan the room. He, Zyion, and Alarick are here.

“Hey, I have the scouts squared away. I've arranged the patrol. I’m going to head out soon. Are you sure you will not need me?”

Four days after I caught Marley and Torak, the pack is somewhat at peace. There have been no recent attacks. Michaela didn’t kill Marley or Torak when they told her they were dating. Even Phaedra and Chayton took the news well. We all sat them down and explained there shouldn’t be a repeat of that night. They agreed and I think they are listening.

Chayton chuckles. “You realize you aren’t the only wolf that knows how to fight here, right?”

“I mean, I’m pretty good at it if I do say so myself,” Alarick teases.

I grin and run a hand over my short hair.

“Seeing as I’ve been doing all the heavy lifting lately, I assumed I was the only one.”

They laugh at my joke.

“Are you heading to the spot I told you about?”

Tonight was going to finally be the night I took Michaela camping. We’d been trying to plan this for three weeks. We both finally felt like it was safe enough to try.

“Yeah. It’s far enough away we won’t be interrupted but close enough where we can get back if something happens.”

Chayton shakes his head. “If something happens, we can deal with it. Spend time with your mate.”

The smile on my face spreads. I couldn’t wait to get Michaela alone. I’ve been picturing what her body would look like lying naked under the stars ever since I suggested this.

“And Phaedra is sure the baby won’t be coming tonight, right?”

Luna is almost thirty-eight weeks pregnant. Phaedra had to reassure Michaela that the baby would not arrive tonight, so that she could go on this trip.

Chayton’s smile widens so big he’s showing all his teeth. “My little man is holding tight in there. He will wait for his godfather and godmother to return.”

“Let’s hope, because if Michaela misses the birth of that baby, she might kill you for real,” Zyion jokes.

Since he and I had that talk, he had truly opened up to Michaela. He now jokes with her and helps her with her scouts. I appreciated the way my pack has accepted and welcomed my mate.

It seems as if they’ve all realized the same thing I did. Vampires are not all the same. And even though we all have some type of vampire story, I’m pretty sure vampires have their fair share of wolf stories. Doesn’t mean all wolves or vampires are bad.

“If anything changes with Luna, let us know,” I say. My mate did not want to miss that birth. “We will be back early tomorrow morning.”

Chayton holds up a hand. “I don’t need your itinerary, Enzo. I’ll be fine.”

Despite knowing my Alpha can handle himself, I still feel a tad guilty leaving them at a time like this. Even though we have had no problems lately. However, I need alone time with Michaela.

“Have fun,” Alarick says. “It will be good to finally have another half-wolf, half-vampire in the pack.” He winks at me.

Chayton and Zyion laugh at his joke, but a painful spark shot through my chest. I don’t let either of them know how I’m feeling or that Michaela can’t have kids. It isn’t my story to tell, anyway.

“Yeah,” I say instead.

Chayton sobers long enough to say. “Don’t worry, Luna has the couch made up for Marley. Miko is over the moon excited that his best friend is coming to stay tonight.”

“Thanks again,” I say before turning and walking out of Chayton’s office. I head back home.

As soon as I walk up on the porch, I can hear the two of them arguing. This is my life now. Although Michaela accepts Marley and Torak's relationship, they still disagree frequently. Marley wants to grow up too fast, and Michaela wants her to remain a little girl. I see both sides. As bad as it may sound to come home to two fighting women, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“I can’t believe you’re acting like this. It’s like you were never a teenager,” Marley shouts at her sister.

Stepping into the foyer, I immediately speak up. “You know your neighbors are wolves, right? Although, even if they weren’t, they could hear you two fighting.”

Scanning my gaze over my mate, I take her in. She’s wearing her favorite long sleeve thermal and a pair of yoga pants. Her face is bare of makeup and her wild curls are brushed back into a low ponytail. It always catches me off guard how effortlessly gorgeous she is.

“Mine,” my wolf growls.

“Alright, chill the fuck out. She’s both of ours.”

He harrumphs in my head. Never would’ve thought I’d need to fight my wolf for my mate.

“Thank goodness, the reasonable adult is here,” Marley says, causing me to look away from Michaela.

“Oh no,” I say. “Don’t drag me into this. I’m not getting in the middle.”

“Please, brother-in-law, tell my sister that I’m seventeen years old. I should be allowed to stay at home by myself without a babysitter.” Marley says rolling her eyes and folding her arms over her chest.

Before I could open my mouth, Michaela spoke.

“Marley, as I’ve told you more times than I care to, this is not a vacation. You are in the middle of the forest with ferals and human-turned vampires roaming around. You’re going to stay with Liz and that’s final.”

“Ugh,” Marley screams. “This is so stupid. My life is miserable.”

“Girl, go sit your dramatic ass down before I show you miserable.”

“Okay,” I say, stepping in between the two sisters. “How about we make a deal?”

“I don’t negotiate with people that can’t pay bills,” Michaela says, folding her arms over her chest.

“See how unreasonable she is?”

I pinch my brow, turning to my mate. “How about we allow Marley to stay here?”

“Yes,” Marley sings.

“Zo,” Michaela barks.

“Hear me out,” I say, holding up a hand. “She can stay here as long as she understands this house will be on lockdown. Not only will Chayton be stopping by, but my scouts will patrol this house. If anyone comes in or out, they will notify me. If your sister and I have to cut our date short because we can’t trust you, you’re going on punishment. And you will never get this opportunity again. Do you understand?”

Marley stands up straight. “Can Anya spend the night? I promise it will just be me and her.”

I turn to look at Michaela. I’m hoping she accepts the deal.

Those light brown eyes narrow at her sister and then at me. “Okay,” she finally relents.

Marley jumps up and down, then comes over to wrap her arms around my waist.

“Thank you. Thank you,” she sings my praises.

“But Marley,” Michaela says, sobering the little sister up. “Don’t make me regret this.”

Damn, even I felt that warning. She made me want to rescind the offer just in case.

“I promise, I’ll behave,” Marley says.

“I will say you’re going to disappoint Miko. He was looking forward to your stay.”

Marley’s eyes soften. “Can you ask Chayton if Miko can stay with us? Anya and I would love the company?”

I reach out to Chayton to run the idea by him. His response is immediate.

“Hell yeah,” Chayton replies. “You mean to tell me I get a night alone with my mate? How soon can I bring him over?”

I chuckle at his response. “ I’ll send Marley and Anya over to get him.”

“Okay. Let me tell Elizabeth.”

Tuning back into the women with me, I say, “Chayton says it’s fine. Go get Anya and then stop and get Miko.”

Marley rushes out of the house without saying goodbye.

“You’re getting good at this big brother parenting thing.”

Michaela walks down the hall toward the bedroom. I follow behind her.

“It’s easy,” I say, kicking off my shoes and placing them in the closet. “I just try to find the middle ground between you two.”

She sits on the side of the bed. Pulling off her slippers, she grabs her socks from behind her and places them on her feet.

“You won’t always be able to do that,” she says. “The older she gets, the more she will test boundaries. Eventually, there won’t be a middle ground.”

I glance at her before heading into the bathroom. “I’ll deal with it when the time comes.” I say. “Until then, I’ll set up a rotation for the scouts to check on her.”

Turning to look at the doorway, I find a smiling Michaela leaning against the frame. “Thank you,” she says.

I wink at her before heading to the toilet to take a leak. For the next few hours, this will be the last time I get to use indoor plumbing.

An hour later, I’m setting up the tent while Michaela starts a fire behind me. I knew my mate wouldn’t be in favor of roughing it too much. I grabbed one of the newer, more modern tents the pack owns.

“Alright,” I say, standing up straight and admiring the six-person expanded dome tent. “Your hotel is ready.”

Turning to face her, I notice the fire is roaring behind me. She has folding chairs set up by the flames.

“Look at you,” I tease, walking over to her. I grab her by the waist and pull her into me. The constant urge to have her as close to me as possible is undeniable. “You got this fire going quick.”

She chuckles as she accepts the kiss I plant on her lips.

“Well, I was born before electricity. Starting and keeping a fire going is easy for me.”

I laugh. “Damn, I always forget I’m mated to an older woman.”

I step out of the way from her attempt to hit me.

“Come sit with me,” I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her over to one of the folding chairs. I take a seat and then place her down in my lap. I have to readjust her in my lap because my dick is already hard.

We sat for a moment; her snuggled into my chest, the view of the setting sun above us, the silence around us, and the heat of the fire in front of us. This was everything I wanted it to be.

“I owe you an apology,” she says without turning to me.

I place a kiss on her neck. “Oh really. For what?”

“When you first mentioned us camping, I was not enthused. I didn’t see the beauty in it. But being here with you now, I see it. This is amazing.”

“Trust your man, Baby Girl. I’ll never steer you wrong.”

Her laughter causes her body to shake. She leans her head back against my shoulder. I wrap my arms around her. She places her hands over mine.

“Why do you like camping so much?”

I think about her question for a moment. The easiest answer is to tell her because I am a wolf. The outdoors is a natural place of peace for us. It calls to our wolf nature. But that wasn’t the only reason for me.

“It was how I escaped my father,” I admit. “When he would get in one of his moods, I’d run out to the forest and camp out. At that time, I had nothing but a small lean to as shelter, but it didn’t matter. It was my place of peace.”

She’s quiet for a long time. Her breathing is even and steady.

“Trees were my sanctuary,” she whispers. “I’d climb the highest one I could find and hang out there for hours, sometimes a full day.”

This is the first time I noticed how much our lives paralleled.

“No more tree climbing for you. You’re safe now.” I pick up her hand and place a kiss on the back of it. Her sleeve slides down a little, showing me those gold cuffs. Even though I’ve seen her body up close and personal many times, this is the first time I’m paying attention to the accessories. They aren’t just solid gold, engraved into the metal are unique symbols.

As I look them over, something else crosses my mind.

“You know, everyone knows you were once part of the legion, right?”

“I know.”

“Well, why do you always wear these long sleeve shirts? You don’t have to hide it anymore.”

She stiffens in my lap. When she tries to sit up, I pull her back against my chest.

“Talk to me,” I encourage. I want to know why this subject is so touchy for her.

She swallows. “I don’t cover them to hide them from everyone else.”

She didn’t have to explain any further. The long sleeves weren’t to benefit others, it was to hide the reminder of what she once was from herself. It’s another reminder of how much of her past she regrets.

“Why not take them off?” I ask, glancing over the cuffs, trying to find a clasp. They fit so snug, I know they have to be uncomfortable.

“When you graduate the academy,” she starts. “Right before they send you off to become a part of the legion, they give you these cuffs. They pull you out of bed at the crack of dawn. Still in your nightclothes, they walk you in a straight line to this small brick building. They let in about five graduates at a time. While you stand outside that metal door, all you hear is screaming coming from the inside.”

She pauses in her story. Looking down at her face, her eyes seem to be so distant, as if she’s back at that academy standing in the line.

“The screams,” she continues, “are so loud you think they are right beside you. Then they stop and seconds later, the door opens and another set of five are ushered in.

“When your time comes, you walk through the metal door and immediately the smell of sweat, blood, and urine greets you. The guards shove you over to a blood-stained table sitting in the middle of the floor. Behind you are two guards. They grab your arms and lay your hands flat down on the bloody surface.”

Her heart beats faster now. I can feel the change through her back.

“They don’t explain anything. They give no warnings. Before you can wonder what is happening, they take large mallets and smash your hands repeatedly, breaking every bone. They don’t stop until there is nothing left but skin and chunks of meat. Then they shove your hands through these enchanted cuffs.” She holds up the cuffs for me to see. “The cuffs are sized and created to fit perfectly around your wrists. There is no opening. The only way to take them off is the same way they put them on. Because once a member of the legion, always a member of the legion.”

Anger boils up in me as I think of her going through that. And to know her father sent her there. Why would anyone treat their own kind that way?

“How old were you?” I ask, my voice sounding deeper because my wolf is at the surface.

“Nineteen,” she says softly.

A fucking child. At nineteen, she was forced to sign her life over to a service she had no business in.

“What made you finally decide to leave the legion?”

She’s quiet for a moment. So long it makes me think she won’t answer me.

“Love,” she finally says.

My wolf growls in my head. He does not like the idea she was ever in love with anyone else. Admittedly, I feel the same way. Only because her love for that asshole hurt her.

I want to ask her more questions, but I don’t want to make the mood any more depressed.

“Come on,” I say, kissing her cheek and then helping her stand. “Let’s finish setting up so we can eat.”

We spend the next thirty minutes setting up our camp. I plugged my phone up to the small speaker I brought with me. Michaela loves all music. I’ve heard her listening to everything from classical, to jazz, to country, to Reggae to hip hop and R I just want to be fixed.”

I don’t expect his arms to wrap around me and pull me into him. I definitely didn’t plan for the kiss on my forehead.

“Look at me.”

It takes me a moment to build up the courage to look him in the eyes. When I do, the hate I was expecting isn’t there.

“You’ve been manipulated and used your entire life. Markis is a predator. He preyed on your innocence and used it to turn you into someone that you’re not. The fact that you realized what he was trying to do was wrong is proof that you weren’t the problem.”

“But I killed so many people. I don’t deserve—”

“Stop telling me what you deserve,” he snarls, grabbing me around the neck. “I’m not some little boy. I’m a grown fucking man. I’m old enough to know what I want, and I want you, Michaela. Despite your past, despite your insecurities, despite who you once were. I. Want. You. I deserve you, just like you deserve me.”

My body shakes with my tears. This is the love I dreamed about. The love I wished for as I sat up in those trees when I was a child running away from my cold, loveless home. This man is all I ever wanted,

“I love you,” I say the words without over thinking. I don’t question if it’s too soon or if it’s the magic of the bond or if he feels the same. I tell him exactly what I feel in my heart.

He pulls my lips to his, taking no time sliding his tongue into my mouth. He rolls us over, me on top of him. I lean up, straddling his waist. He sits up too. I reach for the hem of my shirt and pull it off over my head. I toss the fabric to the side. Enzo reaches behind me and unfastens my bra. I slip my arms out. He tosses it over his head. With a hand at my lower back, he pulls me into him, latching onto my breast. He sucks my nipple into his mouth while cupping the other tit in his large hands. I moan as I hold my head back.

The tent has a plastic opening in the roof that allows me to see straight up to the sky above me.

Enzo moves from one peak, trailing kisses across my chest to my other nipple. He rolls his tongue over the puckered flesh, causing me to squirm in his lap.

His hot mouth feels so good against my flesh. I run my fingers through the short hairs on the back of his head. He trails kisses from the center of my chest up my throat to my chin before pulling my head forward so he can kiss my lips.

Grabbing ahold of the hem of his shirt, I lift it up, needing to feel his skin against mine. He leans back, breaking the kiss so that I can pull the shirt over his head. I drop it beside me. He immediately locks his lips to mine.

I work the button of his pants undone. We don’t even stop to pull them down. I slide his length out of the opening in his boxers. Breaking the kiss, I keep my eyes on him as I lick the palm of my hand. Sliding the same hand between our bodies, I wrap it around his hardened member and stroke him up and down. His gaze narrows, but he doesn’t shut his eyes. I continue to jack him off as he stares back at me.

We don’t speak a word out loud. Just the sound of our breathing and moans of pleasure. I want to bring him pleasure. However, he has other plans. Enzo reaches around me, grabbing the fabric of my leggings. He pulls at the material, splitting it in half. He shreds my bottoms, pulling them completely apart. Leaving nothing between us but my lace panties. His eagerness to get to my center is felt by both of us.

Lifting, I slide my panties to the side with one hand while holding him up with the other. I look down between us to line me up, but his finger under my chin has me staring back at him. I follow his silent command, looking into his golden eyes as I slowly lower myself onto him.

I whimper at the snug fit. He moans as I seat myself. Placing my hand on his shoulders, I start my slow ride. Lifting to the tip, I rock back down until he’s buried deep.

He doesn’t rush me, doesn’t take over or control my pace. He simply lets me enjoy the ride. I roll my hips faster, the way I’m angled, the waist of his jeans brush against my clit causing a wave of euphoria to hit every time it touches me.

“Kiss me, Zo,” I plead, needing his lips on mine.

“Take what you want, Baby Girl.”

I lean forward, burying my tongue in his mouth. He allows me to dominate him this time. I kiss him as if my life depends on it. As I draw close to my release, my movements become more erratic. I lose my rhythm as my body jerks. Releasing his lips, I place my forehead to his. He grabs my hips, assisting me as I reach my climax.

“Zo. Zo. Zo.” I call his name breathlessly as my orgasm spirals up in me. I come on a long moan as I rain down into his lap.

Without slipping out of me, he flips us over. I’m on my back, staring up at him. He leans up, pulling out of me. Gently, he eases my underwear and destroyed yoga pants down my legs and yanks them off, tossing them. He then works the rest of his clothes off. I lie there, watching him, my eyes half closed, the orgasm still tingling through me. Once he’s naked, he climbs back between my legs. Holding his weight up with one arm, he lifts one of my legs over his forearm. When he slides into me, my back arches off the floor.

“Stay with me, baby,” he whispers right as I close my eyes. I pop them back open so that I can see him.

“Tell me if I’m too deep,” he groans as he slowly pulls out and pushes back into me. I whimper at the depths he’s going. However, I don’t complain, I want to feel him.

He rocks into me slowly, never picking up the pace. Every time he pushes into me, my back arches. My body has never felt like this before. There is no rush to get to his end. He isn’t trying to break my spine or fuck me into the mattress. He’s making love to me. And it feels incredible. His golden eyes never leave mine.

My pants are loud as I call his name and beg him not to stop.

I can see the exertion on his face. It’s killing him to move at this pace, but he’s doing it.

“I love you so much,” I pant.

He stills inside me before he rolls his lower half.

He opens his mind to me, allowing me not only to see how much he loves me, but to feel it. I can sense his wolf brushing up against my thoughts. The soft, intimate whisper of the beast nearly sends me over the edge. I reach out to his wolf mentally, running my hands through his fur. He howls in my head.

Enzo groans out loud.

“Fuck, Baby Girl, do that again,” he hisses.

I do as he asks. Rubbing my fingers behind his wolf’s ears. I go even further as I stand before the image of his wolf, fully naked. Running a hand between my thighs, I play in my soaked center. Bringing fingers out, I hold them out to his black wolf. The beast quickly wraps his tongue around my digits. Licking my cream up. In the next moment, his wolf’s face is buried between my legs, licking my essence from the center. His tongue reaching so deep inside me, my toes curled.

Enzo is panting above me. His eyes are glowing. I can tell he’s enjoying the mental show I’m putting on for him and his wolf.

In his head, I transform into a small brown wolf. I brush up against his wolf, causing him to growl. Lying down in front of him, I swish my tail in his face. His wolf wastes no time mounting me from behind. He sinks into me just as deep as his human form is inside me.

“Don’t stop,” I cry out into his mind, speaking to his wolf.

“Mine,” his wolf growls as he drives into my wolf form harder and deeper.

Enzo shakes above me. “Shit,” he moans. “I feel you in both places.”

I know what he means. The pleasure comes from my body and my mind. It’s like I’m having sex on this plane and another.

He moves faster and drives into me deeper.

“Yes, Zo. Ooooh,” I cry out breathlessly. “Just like that. Don’t stop.”

I send the same message to his wolf. They both groan. Then it happens. I come mentally and physically. My eyes close and euphoria shoots through my brain. I scream and my wolf image howls.

“Fuck. Fuck,” Enzo shouts. His body jerks as his hot seed spills into me. His wolf sinks his teeth into my wolf’s neck as he also comes.

We all ride the wave of our orgasm. Finally, we are spent. I pull out of his head, dissolving the image I created. Enzo collapses down beside me. He pulls me to his side, tucking me into him. I lay my head on his chest, listening to his heart beat rapidly.

“How…” he says, out of breath. “How did you do that?”

I smile. “Part of my gift.”

He’s quiet for a moment. “No wonder your ex is refusing to let you go.”

I have to laugh at that. He joins in with me. When we finally sober up, I lift my head, placing my chin on his chest so I can see his eyes.

“I want to show you everything.” I say.

He looks startled. “Are you sure? You don’t have to do this.”

I nod. It’s time. “Yes.”

He stares at me for a moment. “Alright.” He presses into my head. His presence was welcomed and gentle. For him, I drop the wall in my mind, allowing him access to my memories. There are a lot of them. He doesn’t need to see everything, it will only cause him pain. So, I show him whatever he wants to see.

He witnesses the coldness and abuse of my youth and the horrors of my time at the academy. Then, he watches my years serving the legion, even my tumultuous life with Markis. He sees the betrayal and the heartache firsthand. Next, he witnesses my years after Markis was put to ground. All the time I was adrift and alone to the point I wanted to die. He saw the peace I received the first time I held Marley, and the joy and warmth the moment I met Elizabeth. He saw all of me.

He pulls out of my head. I replaced the wall I took down for him. He drags me on top of him, placing a kiss on my lips.

“I have a question,” he asks. “If you found the key, why didn’t you use it?”

Good question.

“Because my heart wouldn’t let me.”

He seems to think this over for a moment before he finally says, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I admit with a smile.

We stay that way for hours. Me, lying on his chest, listening to his heart. Tonight, I allow myself to live in the moment. I don’t think beyond what we just shared. Tomorrow, I will worry about those two final words Markis shouted. “I’m coming.”

If it’s the last thing I do, I will protect the key. It may just be with my life.