“I can’t help how I feel when he’s around,” Bell admitted, looking him in his eyes.
Alek stroked Bell’s cheek which was still flushed from his and Wrath’s moment. His voice was low but stern because he didn’t want Bell doubting his natural feelings ever again. “You’re supposed to feel that way, Bell. It’s not wrong. Wrath has been in me since birth. He’s a part of who I am, the same as Wolf. We were one back then. But the Mother gives us free will over our lives and we made the decision to tear apart when we did. And then we stubbornly remained that way for many years. After the Dales I see it’s possible for us to work as a unit. But, we can’t put ourselves back together permanently—we know that now. So we have to live with the consequences of our actions. However, it doesn’t mean we can’t adjust to it.
“You were always coming, Belleron. Fate said so. And when you did, I think we all discovered that you were the one, the only one strong enough to care for three alpha mates. To love us all equally, yet uniquely to give us the ability to act together when we need to. To coexist in a different way than originated, but no less great. What Wrath did with us tonight was great! Did you hear how those people cheered for him? He hasn’t felt that kind of gratitude in ages. Wrath can show compassion and empathy if his heart is touched. But, I didn’t want to pressure you, Bell. You had to come to your feelings about him on your own. And because I’ve felt your love already, I knew it wouldn’t be long before he did too. Just give him a little time, baby, he won’t be able to resist you long,” Alek almost purred. “I sure as hell couldn’t.”
Bell straddled his lap so fast Alek’s hands shot to Bell’s waist to get his wits about him. He bucked his hips when his mate licked a long, wet path along his throat, that hard, narrow cock jabbing him in his abs.
“Mmmmmm.” Alek moaned when Bell’s fangs sank in as far as they could go and began to pull obscenely hard on his blood. “Ohhh, fuck. That’s fuckin’ good.” Blood rushed everywhere and Alek’s head spun as he fought not to shoot his load in the thin sweats he wore. It was bad enough his family would have to smell as much as they would when they got back inside the truck. When Bell was finished with his impromptu second dinner, he closed the bite marks but didn’t move to get off Alek’s lap.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Alek growled, nibbling on the piece of Bell’s collarbone that he could reach through his splayed-open dress shirt. “They’ll be coming back any minute.”
“I want more.” Bell ground his hips down shamelessly, and Alek didn’t want to stop him, but there was no way they could do this now.
“And you’ll get more.” Alek used his strength to move Bell off him and drop his sexy ass back in his own seat. “When we get home.”
“So what exactly is a Lord of Arms?” Alek asked when he dropped his duffle bag to the floor of his cabin high up in the snowy mountains of Mount Osceola.
“It’s a personal guard. Like how your brother makes Wick walk around with those beefy enforcers of his when his own guards are asleep. It’s the same thing, except way more personal. This person, man or woman, will know my every move and be responsible for my security.” Bell placed his designer luggage in the foyer and walked farther into the dim living room. “My duties will require me to visit many covens, travel. I have to appoint one, but I have no clue who.”
Alek tried to look at his home-away-from-home the same as his mate was, but he couldn’t gauge if the quirk of Bell’s lips was good or bad. He removed his black suit jacket and draped it over the end of the camel-leather sectional that was positioned in front of a stone fireplace, not a massive television. There was no cable service this high up. Hell, barely any Wi-Fi. Enough quiet and seclusion to make him feel off-the-grid.
Bell ran his fingers over the smooth oak surface of the breakfast bar, his gaze taking in everything. When he’d completed a few circles, even checking the doors that led to the master bedroom and the bathroom, he gazed at Alek and whispered, “I love it. It’s quiet… and it smells like you.”
Alek didn’t think he’d be so relieved to hear Bell’s approval. He knew the Liatos family came from wealth and prestige. And while the Volkov lineage was well-regarded and respected, it didn’t equate to riches. They lived humbly off their lands and bartered with other packs. The money they acquired was kept in savings with their own treasurer, and only used for necessities and emergencies. Which meant Bell would have to be happy living in a much smaller residence with a lot less amenities and servants.