Chapter 5
Rahel
My mate is nervous. She’s trying to hide it, but I can feel it through our bond. That flutter of anxiety underneath the warmth. She’s been quiet since we left the penthouse, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater.
“Baby,” I press the elevator button for the underground garage. “Talk to me.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. You’re freaking out.”
She shoots me a look. “I’m not freaking out. I’m just… mildly concerned.”
“About?”
“Meeting your entire motorcycle club. The people you’ve known for freaking centuries?” She throws her hands up. “What if they don’t like me?”
I fucking snort. So goddamn cute. As if anyone could dislike my gorgeous, warm, funny, brilliant, badass queen.
The elevator doors open and I guide her out of it with a hand on her lower back, needing the connection, even if only for a few seconds. It’s like I can’t draw a proper breath if I’m not touching her. Feeling her warmth. Her softness. I press a kiss to her temple, giving her side a squeeze.
“They’re gonna love you.”
She frowns that adorable frown. Perfectly manicured brows bunched; full lips tight. Fuck, I’m getting hard… again…
“You don’t know that.”
I roll my eyes, still smiling because apparently that’s another thing that’s become second nature around my mate.
“I do.” I steer her toward my private section of the garage, adding, “I know you, I love you. And they trust my judgment.”
Des stops walking. “You… you love me?”
Shit. Did I not say that yet? Feels like I’ve been screaming it in my head since the moment I caught her scent.
“Yeah, little one.” I turn to face her, cup her soft cheeks in my hands. “I fucking love you. Thought that was obvious.”
Her pretty brown eyes go shiny when she answers softly, “You never said it.”
“Babe.” I tilt my head to the side, holding her gaze.
She’s so fucking beautiful, both my heart and cock are about to fucking explode.
Looking up at me like this. Like I fucking hung the moon and carry it in my hand.
And I would do that for her if that was what she wanted.
Fucking move heaven, earth, and hell to give her anything, everything. Keep her happy, safe, fucking mine.
Destiny shakes her head, raising her palms up. “Babe, what?”
At this rate, my eyes are gonna fall out of my skull.
“I broke down your fucking door, knotted you on your counter, moved you into my place the first time I brought you here, and was this close to dismembering your landlord.” I bring my thumb and index finger an inch apart.
“How is that not saying I’m fucking crazy about you? ”
It’s her turn to roll her eyes, laughing through misty eyes, as she lays her palms flat on my chest. One hand on my heart… “I guess.”
A growl vibrates through my chest. There’s no fucking guessing involved here. Not between us. Not with my girl. My mate. My omega. “I love you, Destiny.” I press my forehead to hers.
“I love you too.” She rises on her tiptoes and kisses me. Her lips are soft and they taste so damn sweet… Then she adds against my mouth, “Even when you’re grumpy and dramatic.”
I raise my head. “I’m not dramatic.”
The little pest is smirking. “You broke down my door.”
I return her teasing smile. “It was in the way.”
She laughs, and I feel the flutter of anxiety in our bond settle into something warm and big and beautiful. Fuck. She’s perfect. We’re perfect together.
“Now.” I take her small hand, leading her deeper into the garage. “Let’s get moving.”
From the corner of my eye, because I can’t stop looking at my girl, even for a few seconds, I catch her jaw drop when we round the corner.
“Rahel… What the fuck?”
I frown before realizing what Destiny is talking about. My collection takes up half of the underground level. Twelve bikes, ranging from vintage to custom builds. A classic cherry red ‘67 Mustang, a blacked-out Range Rover, a white G-Wagon, and my cage. My truck is a massive Ford 350.
“Hmm… this is all yours?” Her eyes are bouncing from one of my vehicles to the other, and I fucking love seeing the appreciation in them. Shit, I’m in a fucking MC, I fucking love loud and fast engines.
I chuckle, pulling her into my side to kiss the top of her curls. “Five hundred years, baby. Gotta spend the money on something.”
She walks along the row of bikes, trailing her fingers over chrome and leather. “Honey, you have a whole freaking dealership.”
I laugh again, fucking love watching her admire my shit. “I like bikes.”
“You like bikes? Babe, I’m sorry I have to be the one to tell you, but this isn’t liking bikes. This is a problem.” She stops in front of my favorite, a custom silver and black Harley with shadows painted on it. “This one’s beautiful.” Her voice is almost reverent.
I close the distance between us. “That’s my main ride. The one I was on when I found you.”
Her expression softens. She touches the handlebar like it’s something precious. “The one that brought you to me.”
Fuck, I love my woman.
“Come on,” I grumble, pulling her to the truck with one of my huge hands wrapped around her soft, round upper arm. “We need to hit the road before I bend you over my ride.”
She giggles. “We’re not taking the bike?”
I stop, frowning down at her. “Babe, it’s cold.
I need you to stay warm. This is not like our first night.
There’s no rush.” I open the passenger door, help her climb up into the cab.
Getting handfuls of soft curves and letting my fingers linger on any part of her I can get.
My lungs fill with her scent. Eyes feast on her beauty.
“And I have a surprise for you,” I lean to kiss the tip of her nose. “I you behave.”
I don’t miss her raising a sassy eyebrow as I round the truck and slide into the driver’s seat. “A surprise?”
I nod, grinning like the incarnation of evil I am as I start the engine, the cage rumbling to life. “When we come back home.”
Destiny insists. “What kind of surprise?”
I just wink at her before turning my gaze to the windshield and pull out of the garage, heading for the compound.
“Rahel, I’m not playing with you.”
I steal a glance her way. Fucking adorable. And so goddamn fuckable with her arms crossed over her fucking perfect tits, her eyes wide with curiosity, chewing on her plump bottom lip.
“Gonna take you to the dream realm, baby. Where our souls found each other before our bodies did.” I reach over and squeeze a thick thigh. “
Her breath catches, and I don’t know if it’s from my words or my touch. I’d like to think both… “That’s possible?”
“Yeah, baby.” I glance at her, fucking loving the wonder in her eyes.
“To… tonight?”
“Tonight, little one, I’m gonna show you everything.”
I squeeze her full, soft flesh again, and she shivers in what I feel through our bond is anticipation. Fuck, yeah.
* * *
Our compound is about twenty minutes outside of Carmel.
It’s a huge property we bought back in the eighties.
There’s the main clubhouse building, a few cabins spread out on the vast piece of land for brothers who want their own space, a massive garage for our bikes, and it’s far enough from town that we don’t have to worry about neighbors hearing shit they shouldn’t.
Destiny’s anxiety spikes again as we pull through the gates.
“Rahel…”
I squeeze her fingers, giving her warmth. “I got you, little one.”
I park in the dirt lot by the main building.
We can see and smell the delicious aroma of the barbecue’s smoke rising from the back.
I come around to help my girl. She’s so small compared to me, even in her high-heeled boots.
I could tuck her into my pocket. Fucking take her anywhere. Always with me…
“Viper!”
Zeke’s voice booms across the yard. My brother appears around the corner, grinning like a fucking idiot.
“About time, man. We were starting to think you weren’t gonna show.” His eyes land on Destiny, and his grin widens. “And this must be the omega who finally tamed your grumpy ass.”
“Destiny.” I keep my hand on her back. “This is Zeke. My MC brother. Ignore everything he says.”
“Rude,” Zeke chuckles, offering a hand to Destiny. “It’s nice to meet you, sweetheart. But you’re way too pretty for this ugly bastard.”
Destiny laughs, and I feel some of her tension melt off.
Zeke claps me on the shoulder. “Come on, everyone’s out back.” He returns his attention to Des. “We been dying to meet the woman who got Viper to actually smile.”
I lie straight through my teeth, grumbling, “I don’t fucking smile.”
Z chuckles again. “Bro, you were literally smiling when you pulled up.”
I frown, keeping a hand low on Destiny’s back as we follow Zeke to the barbecue area. “No, I wasn’t.”
“Bro. I saw teeth and everything.” He turns to grin at Destiny. “It’s disturbing. We’re concerned.”
She giggles, and I can feel through our bond that her anxiety is almost completely gone now. My brother’s always been good at sensing people’s needs and putting them at ease. He’s a fucking pain in my ass, but has a goddamn heart of gold. It’s in his nature, I guess.
The backyard is full; a dozen of my brothers scattered around with their women and kids. Some people are standing near the massive grill where Marcus is flipping burgers, others, playing cards around outdoor tables, or just lounging around.
“Yo, Viper’s here!”
“And he brought his lady!”
“Holy shit, he actually looks… happy,” someone else yells before adding, “What the fuck?”
I will end these motherfuckers. I flip them off as we pass through the groups, garnering laughter.
“This is Destiny. My mate.” I pause. “Be fucking normal for once in your fucking miserable lives.”
Marcus laughs, waving his spatula. “Welcome to the chaos, sweetheart.”
Destiny waves back at him, smiling warmly. “Thank you for having me.”
“Babe, we been waiting for this day for fucking centuries,” Dom, one of our oldest members, a vampire who’s been with the MC from the beginning, says, chuckling. “Literally. Centuries. We thought Viper was gonna die alone and miserable.”
I turn a murderous stare his way. “Thanks, asshole.”
He raises his hands. “But it’s true. You’re the grumpiest motherfucker I ever met.” He gestures at me with the blood bag he just took a drink from. “And now look at you, eyes not dead anymore. It’s a fucking miracle.”
“A mate’ll do that,” Zeke jumps in, handing Destiny a drink, a huge grin on his stupid mug. “Especially one this cute.”
“Watch it,” I grunt.
“Come on, bro.” He motions his head toward his mate across the yard. “Issa’s right there.” Then he chuckles, adding, “destroying Tank at poker.”
“She’s not destroying me!” Tank yells from the card table. “I’m letting her win!”
“Sure you are, babe!” Issa calls back, and we all erupt in laughter. Even me.
Destiny relaxes into my embrace as we drift from group to group, chatting, laughing. I watch her get along with everyone like it’s no big deal. Like winning over a bunch of centuries-old, supernatural bikers and their families is totally normal for my little omega.
“She’s something.”
I turn to find Dom standing next to me, watching my girl with an approving look.
“Yeah.” I take a pull of my drink. “She is.”
“Never seen you like this, brother. In all our time together on this earth.”
“I’m the same as always.”
“V you haven’t growled at anyone in a full thirty minutes. That’s gotta be a record.”
I grunt. He’s not wrong. Usually, these gatherings make me twitchy. Too many people, too much noise. But with Destiny here, anchoring me through our bond, everything feels… easy, good.
“She fits,” Dom says. “With us. With you.”
I nod, my eyes never leaving my mate. “I know.”
“Hold on.”
“Not planning on letting go of a single inch.”
Across the yard, my woman laughs at something Marcus said, and the sound gets me right in the chest. Spreading warmth and all kinds of crazy emotions through me. Fuck. Five hundred years of emptiness, and now… Her. Here. With my fucking family. I’m a goddamn lucky bastard.
* * *
A few hours later, we’re back in the truck, heading home. Destiny is curled into my side on the custom front bench, a soft smile on her face.
“I like them,” she says. “They’re good people.”
I feel my lips hook up on one side. “They’re assholes.”
She playfully punches my arm. “They’re super nice.” Then she lays her fingers on top of my hand on the gearshift. “Thank you for bringing me.”
I shrug. “You’re my mate. They’re my family.” I raise our joined hands and press a kiss to the back of hers.
“Still.” She squeezes my fingers again. “It meant a lot.”
I turn to look at her when I reply, “Always.”
She smiles, soft and sweet. Fuck. My sunshine girl.
“So…” She shifts in her seat, the spark returning in her eyes. “About that surprise…”
I grin. “Think you’re ready?”
“Boy, I been ready.”
I laugh, stepping harder on the gas pedal. “Good, cause tonight, little one, I’m taking you somewhere very special.”
She’s beaming up at me, all angel face and fucking sinful body. “The dream realm.”
I bring her hand to my lips again to kiss her knuckles. “Where you first found me. Where I first found you. The place that brought us together.”
She sighs, her gaze turning dreamy. “Can’t wait.”
“Me neither, baby.”