Chapter 12
Clubhouse Life
I awake to a comfortable warmth beneath me. Once I realize it’s Bradan’s warm body, I freeze. His delicious scent hits me and memories of last night come back to me.
The sex was amazing. Although I have nothing to compare it to, I don’t think it could have been any better. My mouth waters as my lungs are filled with the scent of hot chocolate being sipped in front of the fireplace.
Maybe if I don’t move, I can lie here and inhale him for a little longer. Or maybe if I wake up, we can have sex again. There are so many things I want to try. I wonder if he tastes as good as he smells.
My mind goes to Bradan waking me at some point last night to ride him like the stallion he is. At first, I wonder if it was just a dream. However, as I take inventory of my body, I note the soreness of my ass where he repeatedly slapped it as I got into the ride like my life depended on it while I dripped down all over him.
Yup, that definitely happened. Boy, did that happen.
“Your thoughts are more amusing than I thought they would be,” Bradan rumbles and chuckles deeply beneath me.
Lifting my head, I look up at him. He looks just as perfect as he always does. I bite my lip as I blink the sleep away.
Then his words sink in. I frown and think them over. Can he really hear my thoughts?
“Yes, I can hear and see them. They have begun to become clearer to me.”
“How?” I gasp.
“The bond. We are one now.”
“Why can’t I hear yours?”
“I’m keeping my thoughts to myself for now,” he says with a mischievous grin.
“That’s not fair. What do you have to hide?”
He shrugs. “You can shut me out as well.”
Gods, she’s perfect and so adorable. I can’t wait to show her my kinks. If she thought last night was amazing, I’m going to blow her fucking mind when I unleash on her.
“Oh my God, you just let me in. That’s what you’re thinking?”
Yes, I want to take you, but I think it might be too soon for a half human.
“I’m feeling fine. I think I can handle more,” I reply to the words in his thoughts.
He rumbles with more laughter. “I will give you a break just in case. I’ve just found you, little one. I don’t want to hurt you. You feel me?”
His words remind me that he’s a biker and we’re in his clubhouse. I’ve read so many biker romances and love the culture. I love the way you feel me rolls off his lips.
“How do I keep you out?” I say, changing the subject as I feel my thoughts about to turn dirty.
“Search for the door within and pull it shut. You can let me in and out as you please. It’s my hope that someday we will leave the door open for each other,” he says.
“Are you keeping me out because of her?” I murmur, dropping my gaze to his chest.
He reaches to lift my chin until our eyes lock. “I’m keeping you out so I don’t frighten you away. Last night is as vanilla as I get, baby girl.”
“Oh, okay.”
He leans in and takes my lips in a passionate kiss. I place my hand on his face and get lost in the all-consuming lip lock. He falls back against the bed, pulling me along with him.
Just when I think things are going to heat up and he’ll forget about taking a break, my stomach growls loudly. I’m so embarrassed I pull away and cover my face.
Rolling onto my back, I try to remember the last thing I ate. I burned that food from the diner off hours ago. Feeling the bed shift beside me, I peek through my hands.
With a dark, delicious chuckle, Bradan pries my hands from my face. His smile lights up his entire face as he looks down at me. I’m in awe as I look back at him.
“Come, let me feed you. We will find my brothers so you can meet them. They will be happy to know I’ve found my mate.”
“You want me to meet your brothers? How many do you have?”
“Three. One older, one younger, and my younger twin. And of course. You will meet my brotherhood as well. You’re family now. Everyone needs to know you’re mine.”
My heart swells to hear him call me his. The more I’m with him, the more I feel like I belong. I knit my brows and drop my gaze.
“What has happened? You have shut me out. What is this look for?”
“I need to go get my car and I should probably check in with my roommates, although I doubt they’ve noticed I’m missing. I need to return to my real life.”
“And this upsets you? Has someone been hurting you?”
I gulp down a breath as his eyes flash with anger. As if the thought of someone harming me could set him off on a rampage. I think my words over before I speak.
I don’t know how to voice my feelings, so I open the door to allow him back in so he can see them for himself. He locks eyes with me and searches my gaze as my mind plays how I’m feeling now, how I feel living with my roommates, and how I’ve felt most of my life as I’ve grown up in foster care.
Understanding comes to his gaze. He leans in to kiss my forehead. Then he tugs me into his arms and gives me a tight squeeze.
“I already took care of your cage. It’s downstairs in the garage. I will take you to get your things from your apartment later.
“I can give your roommates the next six months’ rent. That should be more than enough time for them to find someone to fill your place,” he says.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“But I will. This will be your home now. You will be safer and happier here with me.”
“Bradan, I don’t think I was in any real danger. I don’t feel right taking advantage of you.”
He pecks me on the lips. “You’re not taking advantage of me, baby girl. I’m doing what your old man should. Get used to it.”
My stomach growls again, cutting off my retort. Bradan rolls away and stands from the bed. My face heats as his firm ass comes into view. God, he’s perfection on a whole other level.
I watch in awe as he fully dresses while standing on the side of the bed. His clothes appear on his body out of nowhere. He turns to look at me expectantly.
“I … I don’t have anything to wear.”
He gives me a smile. “You do now.”
I look down at my body and find I’m dressed in jeans and a cute little crop top. Not something I would wear, but it’s cute. When I see the little ballet shoes, I frown.
Bradan is already so much taller than me. I would have rather put my wedges back on. I stand from the bed and look around for them.
“What are you looking for, baby girl?”
“My shoes. These are cute, but they’re so flat.”
“I like you this way. I placed your things in my closet. Come, let’s go find something to eat.”
I tug at the front of the shirt and fidget a little. Looking down at the jeans, I note they’re bell-bottoms. Really cute, but the crop top is super short. If I breathe wrong, the bottom of my breasts will be exposed.
“Are you sure this is okay?” I ask as I look up at him.
“You look sexy as fuck. Come here.”
He holds out his hand to me and gives me an expectant smile. I shyly move to his side and place my hand in his. He spins me in front of him before tugging me into his chest and palming my ass.
“You are perfect.”
He slides his hands up my sides and brushes his thumbs back and forth across the undersides of my breasts. My nipples harden against the fabric of the top. Slipping his thumbs under the shirt, he brushes my hardened peaks.
His eyes fill with the same heat from last night. I can’t help but hold my breath as he dips his head and takes my lips. I don’t think I will ever get tired of kissing him.
“Go to the bathroom. I will wait for you,” he says as he breaks the kiss.
I need to remember to close that door back when I open it. It’s so weird to have him in my thoughts. Although I do need to pee.
I hurry to the bathroom and use it, then wash my hands and splash my face. As I look into the mirror, I can’t help but feel different. I can’t say it’s just from the sex either. Something within has changed.
Taking a breath, I shake the thought off and head out into the bedroom, where I find Bradan leaning against the wall with his arms across his chest as he waits. He straightens as I stop in front of him. Placing a hand on my waist, he looks down into my eyes.
“Don’t be frightened by anything you see. I’ll be right by your side,” he murmurs.
“What?”
He laughs as he leads me from the room. “Demigods and warlocks aren’t the only ones who walk these halls. You are likely to see a lot that makes you question everything you know about life.”
“Wait, warlocks? Like Harry and them?”
He looks down at me and rolls his eyes. I shrug my shoulders and stare back at him. Releasing more laughter, he tugs me into his side and wraps an arm around me.
“We are a lot more than your wizards of entertainment.”
“We as in you’re a warlock. Is that what you meant last night when you said you were a demigod and something else?”
“Yes, my mother’s bloodline is old, but they have become known as witches and warlocks. They too, are something greater.”
“Um … what others are there?”
“Incubus, shifters, vampires, fairies, gargoyles, we even have a ghost and troll.”
“Shifters like werewolves?”
“Weres are one of the many species. Bear, dragons, and Lion shifters nearly became extinct before they came under our protection and joined the registry.”
“Registry?”
“It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, little one. Others are better off under our protection. To help keep track of what’s going on around the world with so many species, we’ve created a registry,” he replies.
“Wow, maybe I did fall and hit my head,” I murmur to myself.
“You have not. I’m as real as it gets, little mate. You will see,” he says and winks down at me.
This should be interesting.
Bradan
I haven’t been able to stop smiling since I woke this morning. I mind-linked Kendrick right away to inform him that I’ve bonded with my mate. I thought he should be the first to know.
Once I’ve fed her, we’re going to meet with him and Ray. Kendrick and I don’t need as much sleep as our little humans. We both wanted to allow them to sleep.
Although it felt as if Kendrick had something else going on as we spoke, I didn’t want to pry. We will all have to adjust to having mates now. I’m sure Ardan and Reilly will be next.
“Oh. My. God. Bradan, what the fuck is that?” Taylor breathes as she scurries to hide behind me, breaking me from my thoughts.
We’ve just stepped into the main hall of the clubhouse. This is where all the brothers hang around and shoot the shit. I figured this would be the best place to both feed Taylor and get her used to the characters around here.
I look in the direction she’s staring at. Spike, one of the incubus brothers, is in his demon form. He’s a right ugly motherfucker when in this form. I don’t blame her for running.
“Spike is harmless, baby girl. The incubi don’t attack; they prefer to seduce. As you are mine, you don’t have to worry about them at all. I would kill them for thinking of touching what’s mine,” I say through our link as I reach around for her and pull her to my side.
She wraps her arms around my waist and holds on tightly. I’m loving it. The gods would give me a mate who needs me to be her protector.
Taylor calls to everything about me. I will take care of all her needs as her old man. Getting her out of that apartment she shares with those roommates will just be the beginning.
“Who do we have here?”
I turn to find Ardan looking down at Taylor with an amused smile on his lips. His blue eyes are sparkling with mischief. I rub my hand up and down Taylor’s arm as she trembles beside me.
“Relax, little one. This is my twin brother, Ardan. You are safe with him.”
“Can you hear me?”
“Yes, I should have told you we can speak without you opening the door to your thoughts. Although your thoughts are quite amusing at the moment. Do you really think you can take them all if they attack?”
“I’ll go out trying. Look, there’s another one with horns. What the hell? If you can do that shit, please don’t.
“As gorgeous as you are, I don’t think it would translate.” She shudders at my side. “Fire and flames I can take. Horns, not so much. Definitely not my thing.”
“So you think I’m gorgeous, little mate?”
“Well, duh. Did I not ride that dick like it was going out of style? And I’m sure you felt how wet you made me.”
I roar with laughter as I tug her in closer to me. Ardan lifts a brow as his gaze bounces between us. I shake my head at him.
“The incubi took her by surprise. This is my mate, Taylor.”
His eyes begin to gleam with hope. He tilts his head and studies Taylor for a moment, then shakes away whatever he’s thinking.
“You have found your mate? It’s nice to meet you, Taylor. Welcome.”
“This might be a problem,” Reilly says as he joins us.
“How so?” I ask through our link.
“Wait, how has Seraphina taken this news?” Ardan asks.
“I haven’t spoken with her yet. It’s done. We have sealed the bond. There’s nothing else to talk about. I will tell her once she returns,” I reply to Ardan’s question through our link.
“She has returned. She’s been looking for you. I just left her by your office,” Reilly says.
“Is something wrong?” Taylor whispers. “Should I go home?”
“No,” we all say in unison.
My brothers get that I would never want her to leave my side now that we have sealed the bond. Seraphina can do her worst and I still wouldn’t part with my mate.
“Taylor, this is my youngest brother, Reilly.”
“Nice to meet you, Reilly and Ardan,” she says shyly.
“Kendrick is in the infirmary with his mate,” Rock’s voice comes through our link.
We’re all in motion before he can finish the statement. This can’t be happening. Kendrick has just found her.
What if something has gone wrong because she’s human? My heart begins to race as I think of what might happen to Taylor. I should have held out.
I will never forgive myself if something happens to her. I tighten my hold on her hand as I pull her along with me. Once we reach the infirmary, she tugs her hand free to hide behind my back.
My heart swells as she clings to the back of my cut, using my body as a shield. I smile and reach around to place a hand on her back. She snuggles closer to me.
“Brother, what’s going on? We came right away when we were told you were in the infirmary.”
“Ray, are you all right?” Reilly says as we pile into the room.
“I’m fine,” Ray says and sits up.
“What in the gods?” Ardan breathes as Ray’s belly comes into view.
I stumble back slightly as my gaze drops to her swollen belly. Not believing what I’m seeing, I furrow my brows and try to sort out what I’m looking at.
Confused, I look over my shoulder to find Taylor peeking around my body. A gasp leaves her lips and she darts around me. Before I can stop her, she’s across the room with Kendrick’s mate in her arms.
“Ray,” she cries out.
“Taylor?”
“I thought something happened to you. We met at the bar. Billy called when she couldn’t make it, but you never showed,” Taylor says.
I try to push into her thoughts but find the door closed. Feeling like I’m missing something important, I push harder. Like a good girl, she opens the door to allow me in.
I’m stunned as the truth of the matter hits me. This is Taylor’s sister. My brother’s mate is related to mine. I barely hear the rest of Ray and Taylor’s conversation as I watch them sway each other back and forth.
“They are sisters? Ricci has daughters, not sons.” I mind-link to Kendrick.
Before he can answer me, Reilly speaks up. “Someone want to tell me what’s going on here?”
“We believe there is a connection between our mates and Ricci.”
“What do you mean?” Reilly replies.
“Our mates are sisters,” I say aloud.
“Kendrick, do you think my sisters are Venus’s sisters? Is that possible?”
“You are carrying my child from a woman in my past. A woman I shouldn’t have been able to impregnate. At this point, anything is possible.”
Well, fuck me. That explains a lot. I’m able to calm my racing thoughts a bit with this new information. This wasn’t caused by the mate bond. At least, I don’t believe it’s something I might have triggered mating with Taylor.
“So we find Ricci’s daughters and we find our mates?” Ardan asks.
I know my twin too well to think he’s not excited by the prospect of finding his mate, no matter how hard he’s trying to hide it. This is a good thing. Once we are all mated none of us can be enslaved ever again.
We’ve waited for this for so long. Ardan, unlike I, has chosen not to take many bedmates. I understand it. However, he’s been lonely over the centuries.
“It’s not that easy,” Kendrick says, killing some of that hope. “From what Mabruk said, your mates will call you to them at the right time. You will not be able to just track them beforehand.”
“Well, how did you find Taylor?” Ardan turns to ask me expectantly.
“I’ve been drawn to her for months. I didn’t know she was my mate. There were no signs before last night. However, she was attacked, and I was pulled to her.”
“Technically, I wasn’t attacked, really,” Taylor interrupts, rolling her eyes.
I work my jaw. She can think whatever she wants. I know what I saw and felt.
“What do you mean?” Kendrick asks her.
“Ferg asked to buy me dinner. It was supposed to be a date. When he didn’t show and I finished studying, I left.
“He just startled me in the parking lot as I went to get into my car,” she says.
“That’s what she thinks. Her fear called to me. When I arrived, I could smell them.
“The one she calls Ferg is one of them. The others were close by. They were going to take her,” I mind-link to my brothers.
“Did you get a look at them?” Kendrick asks.
“Only the one. He took off. Something other than I spooked him. There was a light of some sort in the trees across from the lot.”
“I don’t like this,” Reilly says.
“I want a crew to head back and see if there’s anything to be tracked,” Kendrick orders.
“Already on it,” Reilly replies.
“So the attacks are the triggers,” Ardan says.
“I hate it,” Reilly mutters. “Although I don’t believe one of the sisters will be mine. I have sensed my mate before. She would be too old to be their sister. I don’t know what she was, so she may no longer exist without our bond. I have long given up on the idea of finding her.”
I turn to Reilly and look at him closely. This is news to me. To find Taylor and lose her would destroy me. I can’t imagine what Reilly has been going through on top of his other shit.
Before I can pry to help my baby brother, in storms Seraphina. I ball my fists and bare my teeth. I know right away she’s here to start some shit. There’s too much going on. I’m not in the mood for her crap.
“Which one is she?” she hisses as she glares toward Taylor and Ray.
Rage rushes through me so fast I can feel the heat waves pulsing from my being. This is a fight Seraphina doesn’t want to start. I’m not in a forgiving mood when it comes to my mate.
“That does not matter. I will put you to ground if you touch either of them. Reel that shit in, Seraphina,” I bite out.
“I am gone for a week and return to hear you have claimed a mate. You said you would warn me, you would give me time,” she growls.
“I did not know the pull would be so great. I couldn’t deny her. I didn’t want to. Reel it in, Sera. I am sorry your feelings are hurt, but it is done.”
“It’s done? It’s done,” she screams.
“I said reel that shit the fuck in, now,” I demand.
“Fine, it is done, and it will be undone.”
Her hands begin to glow with flames. I make my choice in a split second. I’m going to kill her before she harms a hair on Taylor’s head.
“Bradan, no. You will harm the humans,” Ardan links to me before I can put an end to Seraphina’s life.
Kendrick stands to block our mates with his body. My heart drops into my stomach the moment I see what Seraphina intends to do. Ardan is right, but my moment of hesitation gives Seraphina the opportunity to toss one of her flames right toward Taylor and Ray.
The flame splits right before my eyes to circle my brother and reach our mates. I roar and flash to shield my mate. However, Ray shocks the hell out of me as she blocks Seraphina’s flames with a shield and returns them back to her.
I hadn’t known the little one had that type of power. I’m stunned but grateful. I turn to find the flames have rejoined to wrap around Seraphina like a lasso, restraining her in a blazing glory to rival chains of my own.
Seraphina squirms to get free, but the flaming restraint only tightens. Rage fills me. Seraphina understood exactly what my true mate would mean to me. Her actions have threatened and disrespected me and my mate.
Releasing Taylor, I turn so Seraphina can face my full wrath. With Taylor and Ray behind me, I can shield them from any harm that might be caused by my attack. However, Seraphina vanishes from the room. I whip around on Kendrick, knowing this is his doing.
He turns to look me in the eyes. I glare at him, not understanding why he would spare her. Her actions are punishable by death. A death I had the right to bring swiftly. He reaches to place a hand on my shoulder, but I shrug it off in my fury.
“Where is she? Why did you spare her? She attacked my mate,” I snarl.
“She attacked our mates and my child. Trust me, I wanted to put her to ground. However, Ray has a point.
“Is she to die for being in love? She hasn’t had time to process and think rationally. Fire fairies already naturally have tempers; you, of all, can relate.
“Are all fairies to fear their deaths because they were once our bedmates? We have more important things to handle and discuss. We can deal with Seraphina later,” my brother says.
He is right. I know fire fairies the best as I’m the head captain over all fire folk. If you are a fire fairy, djinn, fire bird, phoenix, dragon, or any of the others who have a fire element, I am the commander of your people. As Ardan commands water folk and Reilly commands earth folk, Kendrick reigns over us all. He is also the direct commander over all elementals outside fire, water, and earth.
“He is right, brother,” Ardan speaks up.
“I agree,” Reilly adds.
“Taylor, come. We’re leaving,” I say tightly.
“No,” Ardan breathes. I freeze and look to my brother, but I know right away he’s not speaking to me. His eyes begin to glow. “You are my mate?”
Before I can ask him if he’s all right, he vanishes. Forgetting my anger, I try to see if my brother needs me.
“And then, there was one,” Reilly murmurs.
My anger returns as I feel Ardan has things under control. Grabbing Taylor by the hand, I tug her from the room. I need space away from Kendrick before I turn this anger on him.
“Bradan, where are we going?” Taylor says softly from beside me.
“I’m taking you to eat and then we’re going to get your things. I could use some time away from here for the day. This evening, we will present you to the community officially.
“What happened in there should never have happened and never will again. Once I have announced you as my queen and old lady, the consequences will be understood.”
“I don’t even understand what happened in there. I’m so lost and confused.”
“Don’t worry, I will clear things up for you. What would you like to eat?”
“I’m sort of in a waffle and bacon mood, if that’s possible.”
“Anything you want is possible. All you need to do is ask.”
“Bray?”
I close my eyes and savor the sound of the nickname coming off her lips. It shows me she’s becoming comfortable with me. I want that more than anything.
“Yeah, baby girl.”
“Did my sister use magic back there?”
“Yes, she did. And yes, I do believe you will be able to do the same. There is much to discuss and learn about who you are.”
“Oh shit, wait, what time is it? I have to get to work.”
I snort. No mate of mine will be working as much as Taylor did before I found her. I saw in her thoughts how hard she worked. That all ends now.