Page 45 of Rising Reign

Puck’s throat worked as he struggled to swallow. “I usually talk to them twice a year. Christmas and their birthdays.”

An ache settled in my chest, sadness making itself at home there. “Why did she call now?”

“Remember how King put out the word that the Diablos had found their mate and threatened anyone who wanted to do her harm?”

I muttered a curse. That wasn’t the way to find out that your brother or son had found their partner—through the black-market grapevine. “Was she mad?” I asked.

“I’m not sure if mad is the right word. But talking to her…it stirred things up. I started having nightmares from that time, and it heightened everything going on now. I feel like I’m jumping at every shadow.”

Everything started to make sense. I leaned forward and nuzzled Puck’s neck. “I’m right here. Not going anywhere. I’m safe and happy, just as long as you are.”

His arms came around me, holding me to him. “I love you, Birdie. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Good thing you’ll never have to find out,” I vowed.

“Clara, my sister, she wants to meet you.”

I stiffened at that. “Meet me?” I squeaked.

Puck’s chest began to shake with laughter. “Afraid of asshole MC members trying to kill her? Nope. Afraid of a wolf on a tear? Not at all. Afraid of meeting her mate’s family? One hundred percent.”

I nipped Puck’s neck. “That’s not nice.”

Puck rolled me so I was on my back, and he was hovering over me in a position that had my legs hooking around his waist and heat flushing my skin. “I’m not sure now’s the right time. I’m not sure I’m ready,” Puck admitted. “I haven’t seen her since I left.”

That ache in my chest was back, deeper now. “I’d be with you. Maybe it’s what you need. To finally face it.”

Indecision warred on Puck’s face before resolve set in. “Okay.”

I grinned up at him. “Love you.”

He lowered himself to me. “More than words.”

And then he slid inside me. Puck’s strokes began long and lazy as if he were in no rush at all. We soaked up every ounce of sensation and sentiment. And he showed me without words just how much he loved me.

28

WREN

The brutal call of one of those party air horns blasted into the soft glow of the rising sun. I jerked upright in bed, the guys all around me doing the same: Puck and Brix on my left, Locke and Kingston on my right, and Ender and Princess on the couch.

Princess hissed at the offender, and I had the urge to do the same.

“What the fuck?” Puck snarled.

“Time to train, Little Vixen,” Rhys announced. “We’ve got lots of work to do.”

“Someone kill him,” Locke muttered, flopping back onto his pillow.

“I’m immortal,” Rhys huffed.

Kingston narrowed his eyes on the vampire. “There are ways.”

And there were. Lore said that an enchanted stake to the heart would do it. Or removing the vampire’s head. Or burning them alive.

Rhys let out a little huff. “You could always try, but do you want the little firecracker to live or not?”

I threw off the covers, making the guys groan. “Nothing like the threat of death to get you going in the morning.”