Captivated

Angelina

I loved tormenting my mates and was more than happy for them to pay me back when we returned later. My mind was filled with thoughts of stripping them and then stepping out of my dress, leaving my heels on. I suppressed a giggle when they both squirmed beside me in the limo.

The venue for this event was on the border of our territory with Antoine’s. A mansion they’d hired for the night in a secluded location. We went down a long winding road, surrounded by trees and countryside. I could sense Hybrids secreted within the wooded area, and others which I couldn’t make out.

“There will be angels and other guardians, too. But to be honest, it’s overkill. No demon, not even Viktor or the devil himself, would dare come anywhere close to this amount of muscle.”

I was certain Salvatore was right. In that moment, I was more afraid of angels, Hybrids, and vampires than I was demons. A pair of iron gates swung open, and we drove down a winding drive which opened out to an enormous mansion, so much bigger than our home. The men got out and opened the doors to help us. Others being assisted watched us with interest.

Luca and Salvatore took my arms and we headed up the steps to the house. The hallway was impressive. Ancient portraits gazed down on us, as though weighing up if we were good enough to enter such an opulent setting. Several chandeliers shone down on us like a million stars. It was bright and airy and extremely imposing.

“Come, we need to meet our parents and Clement.”

Luca’s words made me feel sick with nerves. I hated being the centre of attention. They squeezed my arms with what was supposed to be comfort… it didn’t work. The ballroom was buzzing with many conversations, which made my head spin. My ears were now sensitive to most noise, and I still needed to work on regulating my ‘volume control’. Music played softly in the background, which added intensity to the buzzing in my ears.

My mates’ parents were talking to a man by the door, welcoming guests as they entered. They turned as one to greet us. The man, whom I supposed was Clement, was so handsome I was stunned by his beauty. Don’t get me wrong, my mates were gorgeous, but this man was almost blindingly beautiful. Even if I didn’t know it already, I would have known instantly he wasn’t human.

“Angelina, your beauty is breath-taking.” Lorenzo’s words made me blush.

He kissed both cheeks and drew me in for a hug. Isabella smiled. She looked ethereal in her stunning white dress. She too took me in her arms, her embrace filled with love and warmth.

“My sons are very lucky to have you as their mate.”

“I’m lucky as well, Isabella.”

“Angelina.” Clement’s voice sounded wild and… I couldn’t really find words to describe it, but it was filled with strength and power.

He took my hand and placed a kiss on the back of it. “Welcome to the Hybrid community. You are a very longed-for addition.”

“Thank you,” I stammered.

Great. Just great. Now I was turning in to a gibbering idiot.

“Just relax. I’m not here to judge you. I can see your future and you are a born fighter. A wonderful protector for your territory. You have already proved yourself by saving Diane.”

Of course. I should have known he could read minds.

“I’m happy to be part of it. Although, I hate big social gatherings,” I admitted.

He threw back his head and roared with laughter, bringing me in for a hug. “So do I. It’s refreshing to find someone so honest. We’ll talk more later.”

“Wow. Clement rarely laughs. It seems he’s very taken with you.” Luca grinned.

“Yeah, I like him too. He’s a pretty cool guy… um… angel,” I responded.

Luca and Salvatore led me to the bar area where I could see Donna and Antoine. She waved vigorously when she saw me, and I responded. I became aware of pairs of eyes boring into my back. Some were very hostile. I turned and I was right. Jealous female vampires. I smirked in response to their envious stares and clutched my mates a little closer. They looked at me in question.

“You two are mine now, and no amount of jealous vamps are going to change that.”

I loved the expressions of lust and need in their eyes. They seemed to be turned on when I became all territorial and possessive. Good to know.

After a couple of drinks and teetering around on the dancefloor, I began to relax. Diane joined Donna and me and certainly knew how to strut her stuff. Much to my surprise, Sacha and Lilah joined us too. They were still a little conservative, but hell, those ladies knew how to dance.

A woman bumped into me. I turned to see a very angry-looking vampire with her fangs lengthened. Hmm, one of the guys’ past conquests, I assumed.

“Got a problem?” I asked.

If she thought her fangs were going to frighten me, then she had another think coming.

“Only problem I have is you being with two Hybrids. You could never satisfy them the way I did.”

Did she really think I was going to start a catfight on the dancefloor over something I didn’t give a crap about?

“Listen, love. What I do with my mates in the bedroom is none of your business. They are more than satisfied, let me tell you. Hell, they beg me to stop being so demanding sometimes. And they never, ever, leave our bed unsatisfied.” I paused to let my words sink in. “Now, why don’t you run along and find a single vamp to cosy up to.”

I dismissed her by turning my back on her. She weighed up her options before turning tail and stomping out of the room.

“That was pretty impressive,” Sacha admitted. “That bitch is always trying to stir up trouble.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve met her sort before.”

I glanced over to where Salvatore and Luca watched me with impressed expressions.

“Don’t you worry, boys. I sent her packing.”

“Yes, we heard what you said. In fact, the whole room did.”Salvatore’s chuckle rumbled in my mind.

“Oh, God. Really?” My head did a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn.

By the looks on peoples’ faces, his declaration was right.

Slow dance music came on and the lights were lowered. My mates strolled over to me and my body lit up with desire. They enclosed me in their arms and, as one, we swayed our bodies in time with the music. Our movements were slow and sexy as their hands stroked my body through my sheer dress. All I wanted was to go home and allow these two gorgeous men to love me.

“Patience, bella. All in good time.” Luca murmured the words, torturing the nape of my neck with his lips.

The night was coming to a close, and as we left the ballroom to get our ride home, Clement caught me by the arm.

“I won’t keep her long, gentlemen. Just need a quiet word.”

We moved to the side where there were fewer people.

“You handled the situation on the dancefloor very well.”

“Thanks.”

His expression turned serious. “I’m talking this way to you because it’s easier, and I’ve put up a wall so no one else can hear us.”

This sounded intriguing. I waited for him to continue.

“Your resolve is going to be tested very soon. The time is coming when Viktor needs to die. And he’ll be dangerous because he’s desperate now the three of you are mated. I also want you to know that Cassie and Jake will be at peace when he dies.”

That pulled me up short, and tears filled my eyes.

“You don’t know how much comfort that brings to me. And don’t you worry about Viktor. We’ll be ready for him.”

“That’s good to know. I’m more than confident in your abilities. There’s something else.”

“What?”

He appeared thoughtful, as if weighing up what to tell me. “A few years from now, something amazing is going to happen to your lives.”

“What? Like a lottery win?”

He smiled a secretive smile. “Much better. It will enrich your lives. I can’t tell you more. Just be prepared.”

With that, he embraced me, kissed my cheek, and walked back to my mates’ parents.

“What was that all about?” Salvatore asked me as we settled down for the drive home.

“Oh, nothing much. Just welcoming me to the Hybrid community.” As much as I loved and trusted my mates, I realised what Clement had told me was for my ears only.