Aveoth Read online

  He could have hurt her. It dampened his lust and his throbbing dick calmed, eventually softening. “I’m so sorry, baby. I promised not to bite.”

  She slept peacefully, breathing slow and steady.

  He kissed the top of her head. She felt small and fragile curled into his arms. He probably should clean her while she slept so she’d be more comfortable, but he just needed to hold his mate. It bothered him that material was between them so he carefully pulled it out, plastering his skin against hers. He wanted to keep her warm and safe. He also hoped the hormone stopped being produced every time he kissed her.

  The phone on the nightstand vibrated a while later and he rolled, reaching for it. A quick glance at the caller ID revealed it was Kelzeb. “What?”

  “I just beat the shit out of Elco. I thought you’d want to know.”

  Aveoth sighed. “What did he do to piss you off?”

  “He came to me about you denying his sister over a human, since I’m your advisor. I kept calm until he started throwing out threats and mentioned the Gargoyle Council is on his side. The prick has been talking to them.”

  Aveoth wasn’t surprised. “How angry were you?”

  “He’ll live, but he won’t be leaving his quarters for a few days. Your little chat with the council didn’t do much good.” Kelzeb sighed. “They are plotting trouble, Aveoth. They might be close-lipped, but Elco is a loudmouthed idiot. He implied they’re going to force you to step down in public. And Tork’s newly birthed son is being introduced to the clan tomorrow…”

  Aveoth ground his teeth together. “I forgot about that with everything that’s been going on.”

  “I figured. I’ve handled all the last-minute details. It’s at three o’clock. I hope you don’t mind, but I stopped by Renna’s home earlier and gave her a general description of your Jill. A gown will be ready for the event, but she’d like to actually measure her. Can you take her there now?”

  He turned his head, staring at Jill slumbering. “No. I will first thing in the morning.”

  “Now would be better.”

  “She’s sleeping beside me. I’m still giving off the hormones when I kiss her. I’m hoping it stops, now that my body believes I’ve mated her.”

  Kelzeb hesitated. “What does that mean?”

  “Use your imagination. I was wearing a condom, though, so the bond didn’t take.”

  “Shit. That good, huh?” Amusement laced his voice. “I’ll assume you got carried away, since I doubt you wanted to go mostly Gargoyle during sex with her. Did it frighten her?”

  “No. The hormone helped. She was focused on other things.”

  His friend chuckled. “Bond with her. Shit is already hitting the fan. Make it official tomorrow after the ceremony for the baby. We’ll have two new clan instead of one. That way, no one can whine about her anymore. It will be a done deal.”

  “They’ll still whine.”

  Kelzeb laughed outright. “True, my friend. But I won’t have to hear anyone asking me to make you rethink having Jill in your home. I’ve warned our trusted to expect some trouble. We stand with you if the council decides to challenge you.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  “Nobody wants Kado and his group in charge. One more thing.”

  “What?” Aveoth rolled, watching Jill sleep. She looked peaceful.

  “Hawk stopped me in the hallway on my way home from beating Elco’s ass. It seems Gorzak was approached by the council to challenge you for leadership.”

  Aveoth felt sadness. The Gargoyle had lost his Lycan mate some years ago, and had become remote. They’d taken him off work rotation. “That was low of them to go to a man who feels he has nothing to lose.”

  “Hawk was pissed. They are good friends, and he felt they were trying to take advantage of his grief. Gorzak ordered them to leave his home.”

  “He doesn’t care enough to fight for anything. Did they approach Hawk too?”

  “He thinks they knew better. He says he would have challenged whoever approached him…and would have handed you their head as a gift. I see where Chaz and Fray get their twisted sense of humor. He appeared disappointed that they didn’t pull him into their plotting so he could kill someone.”

  “He’s still dealing with his own grief of a lost mate.”

  “True. I’ll let you go. We’ll speak in the morning.”

  “Thanks.” Aveoth hung up. He went to put the phone on the night table but then made another call. His mother answered on the fifth ring.

  “I hate this invention. Couldn’t my son speak to me face to face?”

  He smiled but his humor faded fast. “You came to see my Jill. Why?”

  “You hadn’t brought her to me. I approve of her. Not that it would matter, but I do. She’s sweet and brave.”

  “She is so much more than that. The time wasn’t right for you to meet her though.”

  “You’re wrong. My timing was perfect. She needed a woman to speak to.”

  He would concede to her wisdom. “Thank you. She’s giving me a chance to show her we’re right for each other.”

  “I’m glad, my son. Renna and I are sewing a dress for her right now for tomorrow’s welcoming event. We’re making it extra special, in case you announce her as your mate.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you. I need to go. I love you.”

  “I love you too, but we need to discuss one more thing before you end this call.”

  “What?”

  “Tell her the truth about you, my son. All of it. I know her secret. She should know yours as well.”

  His heart sped up and he gently eased out of bed, striding to the bathroom. He closed the door. “She told you who her father is?”

  “Yes. It came out in conversation. She promised me that she wouldn’t tell anyone else. I explained Gargoyles hate anything with even a drop of Vampire blood. Did you choose her because you feel real emotions for her, or are you using her?” Her voice grew cold. “Tell me you’re not like Abotorus.”

  “I’m nothing like him.” Rage tightened his chest enough to make it difficult to breathe. “How could you ask that? Even think it?”

  “It’s something he would have done. He would have used her to hide his own secrets.” Her voice softened. “I apologize but I had to speak my concern. She’s a tender woman who has seen a lot of pain. Protect her heart. It’s delicate.”

  “I would never hurt her. I treasure Jill.”

  “I’m glad. Some will challenge you. Kill them all, and be brutal enough to spread fear throughout the clan to anyone who even thinks of using your mate against you. They respect savagery. In that regard, I encourage you to be similar to my mate where the clan is concerned. You must survive and thrive. You’re my heart, Aveoth.”

  He closed his eyes and his anger dissipated. “I know. You’ve done everything to protect me and sacrificed so much.”

  “I wanted us both to live. You need to mate her and tell her everything, Aveoth. All of it. Make it a true mating of the heart. She’ll protect your secret. In order for her to love all of the man, she needs to know who you truly are.”

  “I know.”

  “Go be with her. Show her how amazing my son is.”

  The line clicked and the call ended.

  Aveoth returned to the bedroom, placed the phone on the night table, and got back into bed to hold Jill. Tomorrow they’d talk. His mother was right. He needed to tell Jill everything.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jill woke warm and happy. Aveoth’s big body radiated heat along her back and the weight of his arm anchored around her waist made her smile. Memories of the night before left no morning-after regrets. They had sexual chemistry by the truckload.

  She wiggled a little to get onto her back to be able to see him, staring at his handsome face on the pillow they shared. He looked younger while he slept and his short hair was messy. The bedding was lowered to their waists so she got to take in his chest and shoulders. He had the best body. Overall