Chapter Four
Fenrir frowned at his mate’s question. “What are you talking about? We never shift in the city, and we never chased you anywhere. You were already at the front of the line talking to the guards when my driver dropped us off across the street.”
Summer blinked and her eyes widened as she grew pale. “So who was following me, growling and scaring me, and seemed to herd me into running here from The Gin Room?”
When she began to shake in fear, he tightened his hold around her, snuggling her closer as he considered her words.
“What do you mean they seemed to herd you here? Tell me everything you remember.”
“They stuck to the shadows. At first I thought there were three men, but once I was in line, they showed themselves as a man and two big black shaggy dogs ... or maybe they were wolves,” she whispered, her voice trembling as hard as her body.
“The animals growled and snapped, and their nails clicked on the sidewalk. One stayed behind me, while it seemed like the second one moved ahead of me in the shadows and blocked off roads I could have turned onto to get home. They kept moving me further away from The Gin Room and my apartment. Once I turned the corner and hurried to the neon lights and people in front of your building, they stopped at the corner and then disappeared. A few minutes later, you appeared behind me.”
Fenrir’s frown deepened, but it did not help figure out who had brought Summer to the building.
He was grateful they did but also had a strong suspicion that whoever was involved had a darker, more self-serving reason for their actions.
The challenge would be to uncover who the three men were.
Obviously, two shifters, but who was the third man?
“I don’t know who they are, but we will find out. In the meantime, my men and I will keep you safe. Right now, though, you need food and rest. When you wake up, we’ll go to your apartment and fetch what you’ll need for the summer hibernation.”
Summer lifted her head from his shoulder and frowned up at him. “What’s the summer hibernation?”
He took a breath and was pleased that the sour scent of her fear was shifting to a spicy curiosity, so he explained.
“The week before and the week after the summer solstice, the paranormals of the city go into a hibernation of sorts. For my tribe, we invite carefully screened and selected humans to join us for two weeks of excellent food and wine, partying, and sex. At the end of the hibernation, the vampires use their powers and glamour to wipe the humans’ memories.
All they remember is having a wonderful time, though they don’t remember where they were, or exactly what they did, or what was done to them. ”
“What was done to them?”
“In addition to everything else, the humans are used as feeders for the vampires. During the rest of the year, vampires drink bagged blood, but during the summer solstice, they drink from the source, though sparingly. We don’t wish to harm the humans, or add to the vampire population, so the feedings are controlled and closely monitored. ”
“And the humans agreed to this?”
“Yes, the men and women who join us are informed of their roles during the hibernation, and agree, even though later they won’t remember anything about the feedings. Now, my sweet mate, how do you feel about eggs and toast for breakfast?”
Summer looked so tired, he wasn’t sure she would be able to stay awake long enough for him to have breakfast delivered from the kitchen.
Dropping her head to his shoulder, she said softly, “I’m too tired to eat. Right now, all I want is to sleep.”
“All right, sweetness, we’ll eat when you wake up,” Fenrir said before dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
Sliding one arm under her legs and the other behind her back, Fenrir rose and carried her through the penthouse to the main bedroom. She would share his bed, starting tonight, but first she needed a shower.
“Can you wake up enough for a quick shower?” he asked as he carried her through the bedroom to the big bathroom.
“Do I have to?” she asked as she rubbed her cheek against his chest.
“You’ll feel better if you wash and get into clean clothes,” he said as he set her down on the counter. “Don’t move while I fetch you something to wear.”
She opened her eyes halfway as she nodded her head. “Okey dokey, smokey.”
Fenrir left the bathroom and hurried to the closet at supernatural speed.
Knowing he would have to join her in the shower to keep her from falling and hurting herself, he grabbed a pair of boxers for himself as well as a t-shirt for her to wear.
He then rushed back to the bathroom, not wanting to leave his mate alone too long when she was only half awake.
“Okay, sweetness, time to strip and get cleaned up,” he said as he began to unbutton the vest she wore.
“Wow, that didn’t take long,” she said as he stripped her vest, shirt, and bra from her body. He then slipped off her black sneakers and socks before lifting her down from the counter.
“Most supers can move at more than double human speed when they want to. As a hybrid I can move even faster than that,” he explained as he opened her pants before pulling them and her panties down her legs. “Pick up your left foot, please.”
“You’re so polite,” she commented as she did as he asked.
When he tapped her right foot, she lifted that one and a moment later she was naked. Rising, he studied her body and had to lick his lips to keep from drooling.
“I learned a long time ago that manners are a good thing to have,” he said, leaning in and licking one beaded nipple and then the other. “Now don’t move while I get ready.”
Knowing he would appear a blur to her, he quickly stripped and turned on the water in the shower before returning to stand before her.
“You moved fast,” she said when he wrapped an arm around her and guided her into the big walk-in shower that could easily fit four people. “All I saw was a blur as you moved around the room.”
“That’s why I didn’t want you to move. I didn’t want to hurt you if you got in my way.”
Summer didn’t answer. Instead, she stepped under the water and tilted her head back so it ran into her face and down her body. Having multiple showerheads meant he could quickly rinse off at the same time.
Grabbing the liquid soap and the clean washcloth the maid left for him, he quickly washed her down, fighting the urge to sink his fangs into her neck. The need to fuck her was nearly as strong as the one to take her blood into him and begin the mating process.
But that would have to wait. Right now she needed sleep, not to be fucked and sucked until they were one being in two bodies.