Page 16 of You Will Obey

Oh yeah, he had come a long way indeed.

“Appropriate response,” Théoden said.

The conversation behind me ceased as all of our attention was on Dante and the human who was about to get one of the greatest gifts a person could receive.

“We are all gathered here tonight to welcome our newest Beta-Capo pack member and vampire Lord of District Seven. Cicero Morrison, you have been chosen to become a part of history and greatness. To join a legacy that so many want and so few are given. I know you don’t understand the gift I’m going to give to you, but in time, you will.”

The gag on Cicero’s mouth muffled the curses he was no doubt yelling. Dante didn’t bother to remove the gag and I didn’t blame him. Lord knows he’d hear enough of it during the training and breaking process.

Dante walked behind Cicero, taking the place of Tank. He wrapped one arm around Cicero’s neck, tilting his head back and to the side. His other hand, he used to hold the human against him. Cicero struggled, but it was all in vain. Dante’s fangs extended, all four of them. There were some cheers from the crowd of vampires and werewolves. I could see the human trying his last attempt to break free before the inevitable. Dante struck, hard, so his teeth could pierce Cicero’s bone as he had done when he’d embraced Dominic. The human cried out, his screams muffled, but still audible. His face was contorted with the pain of Dante’s bite, but it was a small price to pay. I watched as Dante didn’t pull back, not even a little, which meant he was going to keep injecting his venom into Cicero’s bone marrow as he drank his blood. There was a mixture of pleasure and pain on Cicero’s expression now. His chest heaved and he shook from the experience. His cock did harden, and I’d be damned if I didn’t know my dicks. It was ten inches exactly.

He was hard, but he didn’t cum, and when Dante withdrew, he slouched against him, head slumped forward. I watched as my mate removed the gag, then bit into his own wrist before pressing his bleeding flesh to the man’s mouth. Time always seemed to stand still at this moment, but when Dante cried out, I knew the human was now feeding.

“Very good, son,” Théoden praised.

Dante was in excruciating pain as he birthed a new hybrid into this world. I ordered two wolves to tend to him the moment he was able to yank his wrist from Cicero’s hungry mouth. Dante fell onto his side and I leaped from my chair and was beside him, resting his head on my lap. One of the wolves I had on standby knelt and gave Dante his wrist. When he’d drained enough from that wolf, another took his place until Dante was fully restored. His youngest child was being tended to by other wolves, who rolled him onto his side so he wouldn’t choke on his vomit.

All signs were pointing to a success story. Now, we just had to make sure he survived his transformation. That would be up to the nursemaid and Cicero. In the meantime, we could still have a party since so many had gathered. Dante left with Cicero and the nursemaid to make sure she had everything she needed and to assist. I tended to the pack. It was best to let them enjoy this night, regardless of the outcome. But I really did hope Cicero pulled through, because it was what Dante wanted.

Chapter four

Deacon

IstoodoutsideCharlene’sbedroom door, knocking for the tenth time. I knew she was inside, I could hear and smell her, she was just ignoring me. “If you don’t fucking open this door, luv, I’ll kick it down,” I warned.

A few seconds later, I heard the locking mechanism adjust and the door opened, revealing my beautiful wife with a frown on her face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize the sound of your knocking. It’s been so, so, so long since I’ve seen you.” She turned, allowing me entry into her bedroom.

I rolled my eyes and crossed the threshold. I looked at her dark-blue silk bathrobe with the ostrich feathers lining the trim. Charlene really did enjoy the fashions of the 20s, the elegance that you didn’t see today. She was gorgeous as always as she stood in front of the floor length mirror, brushing her long, dark-brown hair and watching me through the reflection. I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing the nape of her neck.

“Forgive me, luv, I don’t mean to neglect you,” I said, then kissed the side of her neck.

She moaned and tilted her head, letting me kiss along the length of her neck. “Ever since he came, you’ve been ignoring me,” she complained.

Well, she wasn’t lying. I really did have to do better.

“I had to break Elijah in,” I said, which was true… in the beginning. Fact of the matter was, Eli just blew me away.

“I had patience for that, three months ago, Deacon. Elijah is well adjusted now.” She turned in my arms to face me, looking up. “Do you know how much it hurts me to feel like I’ve been replaced?”

“He is my mate, Charlene,” I said.

“But has he been with you every step of the way for over two centuries? Has he given you six handsome and powerful sons? Can he give you more? Did he help you rise to power? Never forget who stood beside you through everything, Deacon,” she said. She reached up, caressing my face. “Never cast me aside as if I no longer matter simply because fate didn’t choose me as your mate. I’ve been your mate in so many other ways.” With that, I felt her nails grow into claws and she raked them across my cheek before I could stop her.

“Argh!” I growled and released her, taking a few steps back.

I reached up, dabbing the blood that dripped from the wounds. Her fearlessness was always a trait of hers that got my cock hard as a rock and tonight was no exception. Yes, she injured me in her rage, but her message was received. I also knew exactly what kind of mood she was in. I looked at the blood on my fingertips and then slowly looked up at her, making sure my gaze was predatory. I licked the blood and saw her shiver ever so slightly. I stalked over to her, grabbing her neck and slinging her onto the bed. She gasped, her chest heaving as she looked up at me with eyes filled with lust. I could smell her desire for me, heavenly and succulent, seducing me from between her legs.

“Did you get that out of your system?” I asked.

“Not nearly,” she snapped and tried to slap my face. But this time, I caught her wrist, then the other, and pinned them both to the bed.

“Now, now, none of that,” I taunted.

“Oh, my darling husband,” she purred and then I felt blinding pain between my legs as her knee connected with my balls.

“Ahhhh fuck,” I groaned and released her wrists, then rolled over, cradling my balls.

She pounced on top of me and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at her. “Did you fuck Sanese and Nicolette before you came to see me?”