Wen Read online

  She bit her lip. “What if he picks someone else?”

  The golden gleam returned to Trayis’s eyes. “He’d have to go far away and pretend whoever he fucked was you to be able to achieve sexual release. Even that would be tough to do, since any other woman’s scent would put him off. He knows for certain now that you’re his mate, if he had the urge to bite you. I’m not letting him leave the clan. You’ll end up with Wen tearing off your clothes and claiming you. Count on it.” He left her room, closing the door quietly behind him.

  She stayed seated in the chair and sighed. She hoped Trayis was right about all of it. That things would work out and Wen would claim her. A warm sensation settled in her stomach, thinking about having girl babies with Wen. Real hope that she might be able to build a life with the VampLycan she loved flared.

  “Please let this work out,” she whispered.

  * * * * *

  Wen knocked on his parents’ door. Their lights were on, despite the late hour. He was certain they’d waited up for him. As an elder, his father would be aware of his comings and goings. The door jerked open and the smell of food filled the air. His father smiled. “Finally. I’ve never eaten this late in my life. Get in here. Did you rip that Vampire apart?”

  “Yes. Horton is no longer.” He stepped inside and spotted his mother.

  She came out of the kitchen with her hands on her hips. “The roast is probably dry. I thought you’d be home hours ago. Come in and take a seat at the table.”

  He sighed, doing her bidding.

  An unfamiliar scent hit him and he growled, his gaze darting to the hallway that led to the bedrooms. A tall woman stalked out of the darkness. She was a beauty, with long black hair, a dress that hugged her body in all the right places, and a flirtatious smile on her lips.

  His father took a seat at the head of the table. “Come join us, Quilla. This is the son we told you so much about.”

  The VampLycan woman took a seat across from Wen, smiling. “Hello.”

  She had a deep, throaty voice, and her dark gaze raked over his chest and face, her approval obvious. “You are as handsome as they promised. Your parents have told me all about your accomplishments.”

  Wen wasn’t surprised. They did this to him almost every damn time he returned home from a mission. “I apologize to you for their deception. I’m not looking for a mate.”

  The woman didn’t appear surprised. “They mentioned you are resistant.”

  He tensed more, not liking her reaction. Most of the women they brought to him had been under the impression he was lonely and ready to settle down. “To say the least. They shouldn’t have brought you here. What clan are you from?”

  “Crocker’s, and yes, I’ve heard the experiences other women have had, who your parents have invited to meet you. I’m different. I enjoy my independence.” She winked. “I don’t want to change clans but I’m not opposed to having a child. I’m seventy-two years old. I’d like to have one while I’m still young enough to enjoy them. I’ve never found my true mate. I might consider settling for you if we get along well.”

  “Don’t look at me to be the sperm donor. I’d never settle for a loveless mating.”

  “Wen!” his father snarled.

  His mother came storming into the room holding a large serving dish. She slammed it on the table. “We found you a breeder, and you will fuck her until she’s with child!”

  He seethed. “No.”

  His father snarled again and glared at him, his eyes turning black. “You will give us that grandchild your mother wants. Do your duty!”

  “We’ve already decided custody arrangements,” his mother added. “You won’t be bothered. Just breed her until she’s pregnant. Then your duty to me will be done.” She spun, going into the kitchen to gather more prepared food. “Start tonight, Wen. Don’t disappoint me. Quilla will go home with you.”

  His claws grew from his fingers, his rage increasing. They made it sound as if he would have no part in raising this child they demanded. He slowly stood. “No!”

  His father shot out of his chair. “Your mother has spoken! It has been decided. You refuse to take a mate, so we are meeting you halfway. Breed her!”

  Wen felt hair sprouting along his skin and face, his fangs elongating. “I said no! You want a child so bad? You breed your mate and let her birth you another son!”

  Glass crashed in the kitchen and his mother ran out, gasping. “Wen!”

  He turned his gaze on her. “You heard me. I’m done. No more women, no more parading them in front of me, and no breeders. I decide who I mate, and when I have a child, it is mine to raise. Not yours.”

  “Gerbin would do it for us!” Tears filled his mother’s eyes.

  “I’m not him!” Wen roared. “He’s dead!”

  His father instantly attacked, and pain shot up Wen’s ribs.

  He acted on instinct, shoving his father back. They were evenly matched in size, but Wen had a lot more fighting experience. He struck out, ripping into his father’s arms, doing damage to muscle.

  His mother screamed and Wen jumped back. His father appeared stunned as he sank the floor, blood running down both injured arms, which hung limply at his sides.

  His mother rushed to her mate, throwing her body over his, and turned black eyes on Wen. Hair sprouted along her features, her fangs flashing as her mouth elongated. She was shifting.

  “Don’t make me incapacitate you too, Mother. Make no mistake—I will if you come at me.” It tore him up, seeing his parents that way, knowing they must hate him at that moment. No child should ever injure their own father or threaten their mother. No child should ever be forced to.

  Sadness came next. “I’m not Gerbin,” he rasped. “I will never be my brother, and no child can ever replace him. Not mine and not one you might have together. He’s gone forever. Accept that! Finally deal with it.”

  He glanced at Quilla. She had leapt out of the way of the fighting, standing in the living room. “Go home. Find another sperm donor for your child. I wish you luck with that.”

  He walked to the front door, half expecting his mother to attack his back. She didn’t.

  Wen fled, slamming the door behind him. He made it about ten feet from the bottom of the porch before motion from his left brought him to a halt.

  Tymber grimly regarded him from where he leaned against the house, arms crossed over his chest. He would have been able to hear everything if he’d been there for a while.

  His friend spoke first. “You had no choice. I’m glad you finally stood up to them. Go home. I’ll stay here to make sure your father doesn’t need a healer. I can hear your parents talking. He still lives.”

  Wen opened his mouth but then realized he didn’t know what to say. His family life had been strained before, and now it was destroyed. His parents would never forgive him, but then, he wasn’t so sure he could forgive them either.

  He locked himself inside his cabin and took a shower. His father’s blood on his hands made him feel sick. Tears came as he stood under the spray. He wanted Gerri but it would never be safe to bring her to the clan. His parents would be spiteful for certain now. They wouldn’t just harm her because she was human, but to get revenge for his defiance.

  He had done the right thing though. It was clear they’d planned to mold his child the way they had him in the years since his brother had died. He’d never allow that to happen.

  The only way he could claim Gerri as his mate was to leave the clan and break his allegiance to Trayis. Honor vs. his heart. It was the worst decision a VampLycan could have to make. “Fuck.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Gerri missed Micah’s skills in the worst way as the bush pilot swept down from the sky at an alarming speed. She grabbed at the seat belt for dear life, expecting them to crash at any moment. Her eyes were tightly closed, refusing to witness the impact. The wheels hit the ground, they bounced back into the air, and her stomach seemed to hit the roof. The wheels landed again but this