Trayis (VLG Series Book 11) Read online

Her knees nearly buckled under her. That duty and privilege fell to a head enforcer.

  Trayis was also using his alpha’s first name instead of title. They had to be very close, like Arlis and Martin. Her alpha and his head enforcer were best friends.

  Her stomach rolled. She’d suspected Trayis might be an enforcer, but he was second in charge of his clan.

  “I understand, Wen. I’ll head back tomorrow.” He listened again before speaking. “Have Tymber send me the flight information he books for Shay and I. We can leave in the afternoon. Just tell him not to stick us with some crazy bush pilot like the last time. I don’t want Shay to become afraid at any point on our trip.” He paused again to hear whatever Wen said, and then he laughed. “Thanks. See you soon.”

  Trayis ended the call and closed his eyes, tilting his head back and taking some deep breaths.

  “You were giving him advice.”

  His eyes flew open and he turned his head, meeting her gaze. “Shit. Did my phone call wake you?”

  “You’re head enforcer,” she blurted. “We can’t do this. I won’t do this to you.” She spun, rushing back into the bedroom to get dressed.

  “Goddamn it,” Trayis snarled.

  She heard him coming as she bent to pick up her discarded dress. His arm snaked around her waist and he lifted her off her feet. Then he had her pinned under him on the bed. She stared into his eyes, panting.

  “Shay, stop.”

  “You were giving your alpha advice!” Panic filled her. “I’m so far beneath you it’s not funny!”

  Trayis pinned her tighter, holding her wrists, and he arched one of his eyebrows. “You are beneath me only because I’m on top of you. Watch this.” He rolled, taking her with him, until she lay sprawled over his body. “Now I’m beneath you.” A sexy smile curved his lips and amusement sparked in his eyes.

  Shay’s frustration peaked. “You’re making jokes? There’s nothing funny about this!”

  He released her wrists and cupped her ass, giving it a squeeze. “I already told you. VampLycans aren’t like packs, Shay. You have to stop thinking the way you do. No one will challenge you over being with me. You’re under no obligation to prove a damn thing. Besides, it wouldn’t matter if you were the toughest Lycan bitch in this pack. It wouldn’t make a difference to me.”

  She stopped struggling, waiting for him to explain.

  “You’ve seen me shifted. Our women can do the same, of course. But my entire clan is aware a Lycan in a fight with a VampLycan wouldn’t be fair. We’ve got too many advantages. Nor do women challenge each other over men in my clan, like in some Lycan packs. But even in your pack—correct me if I’m wrong—the male can halt it from happening. I know Arlis would forbid anyone from challenging Ginny. Am I wrong?”

  “No.”

  He sighed. “That call? It was about a female troublemaker in our clan who likes to fuck different men just to get them fighting against each other. That’s the only problem we currently face. A bored narcissist who loves to pit males against each other by using sex to pump up her ego. Her name is Mya, and she finds that bullshit entertaining. So do a few of her friends. They’re like those rude bitches who approached us at the picnic. They have nothing better to do with their time than start shit. All we can do is hope they find mates to end their games or keep punishing them until they learn to stop.”

  She bit her lip, and then braced her hands on his chest, straddling his waist as she sat up. “Have you ever been with this Mya?”

  He grimaced. “No. Before you ask, I haven’t touched her friends, either. I made a mistake once by getting sexually involved with a woman from my clan. She wanted us to become mates but I didn’t feel that way about her. It was just convenient sex for me. She took it too far when she began acting as if she had the right to issue orders to other clan members. I set her straight and ended it immediately.” He stroked her skin. “I’m not saying this to make you feel jealousy. Just a history lesson. She wasn’t in love with me either. It was about my status.”

  Shay hated that he knew she’d feel the green-eyed monster, hearing about him with someone else. “You said VampLycans aren’t like Werewolves, but you just admitted she wanted to be your mate without love. She was willing to settle. It was your position she was after and the respect that would go with it.”

  He smiled. “I think that’s a woman thing, regardless of what species they are. Some women are more into power than love.”

  “So are men.”

  “True. Point being, it was a mistake I made and learned from. I stopped seeing her and she left to go live with another clan once she realized I wouldn’t change my mind. You won’t have to deal with any of my past lovers, Shay. If anyone says otherwise, know it’s a lie. Mya tried to pull that shit with Wen and Gerri. She implied Wen used to be her lover. Not true. She just wanted to hurt his mate.”

  “Because Gerri’s human?”

  Trayis snorted. “No. It pissed Mya off when Wen wouldn’t allow her into his bed. She said that shit to his mate to get back at him, probably hoping Gerri would leave him. Mya can be vindictive, and she holds a grudge. And we’ve got more available men than women in our clan. Mya fully takes advantage of that. It’s why mates are so damn important, regardless of their race. Our men shouldn’t have to deal with a few cruel women who’re willing to use sex to play with their emotions in some fucked-up head game.”

  Shay thought about the Bitch Trio. They’d happily lie to cause mates to fight if they held a grudge against someone. It was something petty and cruel they’d do just out of spite. “How did your alpha react when you told him about me?” She carefully studied his eyes to gauge his sincerity. “Be honest—and tell me his exact words.”

  Trayis held her gaze, and then he rolled once again, pinning her back under him. He adjusted his body until he could use his elbows to keep his weight from crushing her, and he cupped her head in his large hands. He leaned in until only inches separated their faces.

  “Remain calm. I’m not allowing you to run from me.”

  Dread pitted in her stomach. His alpha was upset. She knew it. She lifted her hands, placing them on his shoulders, just wanting to touch his warm skin. “He’s disappointed?”

  “No. Wen isn’t the leader of my clan, doll.” He took a deep breath, locking gazes with her. “I am.”

  Those two words…

  They devastated her.

  She kept repeating what them over and over in her mind. I am.

  Trayis frowned, watching her closely with narrowed eyes. “Breathe, doll. In and out.”

  She realized she must have been holding her breath at that point and sucked air into her starving lungs. Then her heart began to pound—and pure panic set in.

  “Don’t,” Trayis rasped. “I’m not letting you bolt. You’re mine. My position doesn’t matter. This is why I didn’t want to tell you, Shay. I knew you’d overreact. There’s no reason to. Clans aren’t the same as Lycan packs.”

  Shay’s mind worked past the shock and she began to think clearer. “This can’t work, Trayis.”

  “Bullshit.”

  She gave him a look of pure disbelief.

  “Don’t look at me like that.” He arched one eyebrow. “I mean it, Shay. This can and will work between us.”

  “You’re the alpha of your clan and I’m the lowest member of my pack!”

  “Get the hell over it.” He looked angry for a split second but then his features calmed. “You’re the only one who gives a damn about that. No one else will. My clan will be happy that I’ve found my mate. Hell, Wen is having someone clean my cabin and stock it with food just for you. I tended to almost live at the office, so I ate there all the time. Not anymore. We’ll make our cabin a home together. You’re going to be great for me, Shay. I can’t wait to take you to Alaska. We’ll be happy together.”

  She wasn’t sure how to convince him how wrong he was.

  Trayis gently eased his hold on her and adjusted his body but he kept her pinned beneath