Bound (Legacy Series Book 4) Read online

  Are you finished having a fit yet? Mal's teasing voice interrupted my thoughts. I opened my eyes to make sure he was telepathing me and hadn't appeared in the room.

  For now. I exhaled as the sound of him soothed me.

  Good. For a second there I was ready for some serious ass-kicking. He had to be grinning. The image of his wry smile flashed through my mind.

  Don't tease me, I'm fragile. I smiled, loving that our playful banter returned. Are you at the hospital?

  No. I was out on a run, sensed your rage and moved close enough to reach you. What happened? Our bond isn't usually this pliant when you're at work.

  I got angry at people not doing their job. A kid almost died because they thought he was a junkie instead of sick. Talking to him helped calm me down more than anything. I've missed you. Stop squeezing our bond when I'm home.

  It's been strange. I'm sorry. His voice seemed to sigh.

  There's no apology needed, Mal. I understand that you and your wolf are struggling with Vanessa's added connection. It will just take time.

  I'm willing to be patient.

  Good. His words brought a smile to my lips. I'll see you in a few hours.

  Behave.

  I laughed at his final word. Having spent the better part of our conversation with my eyes closed, imagining him in front of me seemed to do the trick. I glanced out the window and saw little more than my own reflection silhouetted by the desk lamp behind me. Is that really me? The last time I gave myself a full once-over, Xany had forced it from me in a teaching moment. If I looked different then, now my appearance seemed even more jarring. To me anyway. You look like your mother. And I certainly did. A younger version, but very similar. I liked that, being compared to someone so strong.

  A white blur appeared in the center of the window, the image sharpening as it grew nearer. I leaned in for a closer look. At first, I couldn't tell if the white came from the center of my chest or from outside. With my nose an inch from the glass, two hands slammed against the window. I shrieked and flung myself backward, stumbling over a chair to land on the floor in a heap. My eyes never left the window. The hands remained, sliding downward as the striking image of Ileana's face appeared between her hands, bright and smiling as if she had just greeted a long-lost friend. She tilted her head, violet eyes reflecting like a dogs in the light from the office. Her mouth opened and she blew on the frigid window. Vampires don't have breath. In the fog, she wrote two words, her finger squeaking against the glass with each stroke:

  ONE CHILDE

  Chapter Seven

  Vanessa picked me up from work that night. My quietness had her worried as we bended into the kitchen, her hand tucked in mine. What did I see in that window? Was I hallucinating? Vampires don't, or can't, breathe.

  "What are you thinking so much about?"

  "Vampires." I inhaled and let go of her hand. "Can they breathe?"

  "No. Well, they can pretend to breathe in order to blend in. But breathing isn't necessary." She watched me as I took a seat at the kitchen table. Xany and Caden were asleep, as usual, and Mal was in the shower probably washing off after another good hunt. "Why?" she added.

  "Just thinking about that leech that showed up the other day." I shook my head and knew I needed to change my tune or risk being exposed as a loon. "Is Gavin still here?"

  "He went home yesterday. Are you hungry?"

  "A little."

  "I'll fry up some elk." Mal's voice boomed in the quiet of the house. "I left some out."

  "I'd like that." I smiled at him when he kissed my cheek. "I'll go shower in the meantime."

  "Don't take ages." Vanessa flicked my elbow as I passed her. I laughed and headed down the hall.

  I showered in haste and tried to push images of the leech from my mind. Good thing it was a second's worth of fear or I would've alerted my mates to my vision. Maybe my anger had fueled it in some way. Mal said our bond was pretty rigid while I was at work, maybe the same stood for Vanessa. Luckily, I hadn't sent either of them images.

  "Smells good in here," I said as I stepped out of the bedroom wearing a set of Mal's pajama bottoms and T-shirt.

  "Vanessa fried up some potatoes and onions for you, too." Mal used a wooden spatula to push around the searing meat in the frying pan.

  "Thanks, baby." I joined them and set the table. "I've got you two on my nocturnal schedule."

  "Sunlight is overrated." Mal chuckled and plated up the meat and Vanessa added the potatoes. I poured each of us something to drink and we sat down together to eat. Mal ate much less than usual as a result of his hunt, and Vanessa seemed to enjoy the non-seafood meal.

  "I didn't know you cooked much, Red." Mal nodded toward the potatoes on his plate.

  "My mom cooks a lot and I used to fix things for Shawnee."

  "She did. I would've settled on cereal for every meal at home. Or hospital food at work."

  "Caden's the one who got me to eat prepared food. He's happy with take-out every day." Mal chuckled at the thought.

  "Me too, probably." I smiled at him and enjoyed the steady flow of energy our mate bonds offered. For the first time in a while, the green and red of their links pulsed equally. I finished my plate and brought it to the sink. "Has Mom been around today?"

  "Yeah. She and Xany were putting together little pouches of stuff." Vanessa handed me her empty plate when I held out my hand for it. Mal followed suit.

  "I'm seeing a few patients here tomorrow. Imogene is bringing Cote for his school physical and two others that I haven't met. I'm not sure if they're humans." I loaded the contents of the sink into the dishwasher then rejoined them at the table.

  "At least you'll be home." Vanessa leaned back in her chair as soft purrs filled the air around us. I smiled at her contentment.

  "Are you thinking of going back to teaching dance, Red? It's been awhile." Mal chugged the last bit of his iced tea.

  "Maybe. I dunno." She shrugged.

  "You don't have to, baby. But what's got you questioning it? You've taught dance since forever." I patted her thigh, and she smiled.

  "I like being here."

  "Uh huh, and?"

  "And I don't want to hear about the Pride stuff. Caroline will ask questions."

  "Well, when you go back, I'll go with you and you can play the quiet cat game and I'll answer for you. It's a Breeder's job, right?" I lifted my brows at her. Mal laughed along with me while Vanessa snickered and nodded. "Whenever you feel ready."

  "Okay." She leaned forward and nuzzled my cheek with her forehead, placing a soft kiss on my neck.

  "Good." I ran my fingers through her hair and watched as a shiver ran down her spine. From over her shoulder, Mal's eyes wandered over me before catching my gaze. He sat a bit forward, leaning his elbow on the table.

  "Let's go to bed," Vanessa whispered, her words hot on my neck.

  "You go first." I leaned back, pressing my forehead against hers. "I'll meet you there." Our connection gave an excited lurch and she let go of me. I watched her saunter down the hall, biting my lip as I turned to Mal. He laughed at me and tugged me over to him.

  "Do you look at me like that when my back is turned?"

  "Probably." I laughed and hugged him tight. He kissed my neck and shoulder, then returned my embrace.

  "Good thing."

  "See you in the morning."

  "Gv-ge-yu-hi." He kissed me rather fiercely after he spoke, holding me in it longer than our usual goodnight kisses. When he ended it, I found myself gasping.

  "Love you, too."

  I glanced over my shoulder at Mal as I walked down the hall; he wagged his brows at me and grinned. I wasn't sure which one of us was more obvious.

  In my bedroom, Vanessa stood by the window looking out at the snowfall under the motion-detecting flood light. A moment later, the light went out.

  "Is something moving out there?" I asked as I shut the door, she pulled the curtains closed.

  "The light went back on, but I think the snow did it.
" She turned to me and held out her arms. I stepped in front of her and laced my fingers behind her neck, toying with her hair. The bedside lamp brought an orange glow to the room, darkening her features and accentuating her cheekbones.

  "It's been snowing a lot." I commented, kissing her chin then making my way to her lips. She kissed me, tentatively at first as if we'd never done this before. It made me smile and she leaned back, nibbling my bottom lip.

  "What's funny?" she asked, leaning her forehead against mine.

  "You always kiss me so carefully at first, like it's brand new." I stroked her cheek, running my fingers down the side of her neck only to rest my hand between her breasts at the point where our connection seemed strongest.

  "It is." She grinned and her sweater began to fade under my hand.

  "Hey, put that back on." I leaned back. "How am I ever supposed to undress you when your clothes always disappear?"

  Vanessa laughed, letting her arms fall from my shoulders to my waist keeping me locked in our embrace. Her sweater reappeared and she grinned. "Okay."

  Unbeknownst to Vanessa, I didn't start there. Instead, I took hold of the waist of her jeans and popped the button, unzipping them at the same moment I kissed her. Her fingers dug into my hips as I broke the kiss to slide her pants down her legs and then tugged them away as she stepped out. I gripped her panties with a single finger, tugging them down while kissing her lower abdomen. Dropping to my knees along the way, I fought the urge to delve deeper. A heavy breath escaped her and she gripped my hair, I didn't want to give in to her need just yet. I stood again, running my fingers gingerly up her sides to lift her sweater over her head. Her hair dropped down over her shoulders as I tossed the sweater aside. Our mate bond swelled, throbbing with her desire. My knees trembled with the intensity of it.

  Our tongues danced as I spun us around and backed her up toward the bed. When her legs hit, our lips parted. Her breath in fleeting puffs, she gripped the waistband of my pants giving them a greedy tug. With a nibble on her lip for distraction, I pried her hand off and gave her shoulders a light shove. Understanding the gesture, she dropped back on the bed in a submissive posture. Her hair draped the pillow, a single tendril curled around her pert nipple. I watched her there before me, burning the image of her porcelain skin, ruby lips, and glistening heat, into my mind. Just looking at her laying there had my lower half quivering with an arousal that almost threatened my sanity. I dropped above her, holding myself up on all fours. She watched me, eyes blazing, mate bond searing. Her hands dropped back on the pillows above her head as I crawled up her body, flicking my tongue up her center, ending at her chin. My knee pressed between her thighs as I caught her in another kiss.

  Vanessa's body arched as I rubbed her with my knee. Our tongues mingled feverishly. Out of breath, she cried my name in a rich, hungry growl. I love when she does that. She reached for me and I laced my fingers with hers to press them back into the pillows. I kissed her neck and made my way down to her breasts, licking and flicking my tongue over her nipples. So beautiful and vivacious. She sucked in a breath, squeezing my hands tight enough to pop my knuckles. She let me go and gripped the spokes of the headboard, bending her legs at the knee tempting me with her spicy scent. I continued to move down her body, kissing around her navel and pausing just above her heat.

  Our mate bond thrashed inside me, driving my movement and dampening my core. I raked my nails down her stomach at the same time that I pressed my tongue to her folds. She squirmed beneath me, calling out my name again and lifting herself to me. I gripped her rear pulling her to me, then took her the way she'd been craving. Sucking her sensitive nub had her moaning, and two fingers inside had her rolling her hips. I devoured her in the way she wanted, the way she always wanted.

  Beads of sweat formed along her skin. I thrusted in and out of her, sucking on her sweet folds. Tension froze her body and stilled her breathing. She clenched my fingers as her orgasm sent a rush of something through me like a trail of fire-laden gasoline that ended with an explosion of my own. My body responded to her and I collapsed on top of her.

  Both of us remained in a heap of heavy panting. The temperature in the room seemed to soar so I tore off my shirt. Vanessa rolled me to lie beside her and I placed my head on her shoulder. Heavy purrs rattled her torso and I kissed her chin. She wrapped her arm around me and stroked my back, sending goose bumps over my skin. I traced my finger along her stomach then around her nipples, eventually settling on massaging her breasts. At first, she let me do it, then she started and nudged my hand away.

  "Sorry, did I squeeze too hard?" I peeked up at her. She shook her head and went back to purring. A soft smile curved her lips.

  "Take off." She flicked the waist of my pants. I wriggled my way out of them and she helped pull them off. Afterward, she lifted my leg and draped it over hers. We lay there, entangled as our bond fluttered happily as if pleased with our union. An hour past, at least, as I drifted in and out of sleep. Vanessa's lips met my forehead and I peeked up at her. "You're enough," she said, her words soft. I wasn't sure if she meant for me to hear it or not.

  "Hmm?"

  "It's never felt like this before."

  "What hasn't?" I leaned up on my elbow now. If she was in the mood to talk, I would join her. Sometimes those moments seemed so rare.

  "Sex."

  "Is that a good thing?"

  "Yes." She laughed a bit. "It's an amazing thing, Shawnee."

  "Do you like it too much?" I grinned, remembering the time she tried to smother herself with a pillow rather than let herself get too into it.

  "No such thing." She nipped my cheek and hugged me to her. "I love you."

  "I love you, too, baby." A thought struck me and I wagged my brows at her. "Are you ever going to tell me about the time you healed my scars?"

  "Maybe." She smiled at me then closed her eyes.

  "How about right now?"

  "Hmmm. No." Her smile broadened.

  "Why not?"

  "I'm happy."

  "Are you gonna tell me when you're not happy?"

  "No." She laughed now, turning on her side and pulling the blanket over us. Her eyes remained closed as she pulled me close to her, burying her face against my neck. "Sleep now, Shawnee."

  "But I want to know." I closed my eyes as her purring deepened, how could I resist such a hypnotic lull.

  "I'll tell you about it sometime," her voice softened as the hand of sleep dragged her down further.

  "Promise."

  "I promise."

  Chapter Eight

  Imogene arrived early the next morning with Cote in tow. Xany fixed breakfast for everyone and, after last night, I was famished. Mal kept sneaking in playful glances from across the table but refused to give into my edging for telepathy. I like his games. In her usual cat-like manner, Vanessa slept in.

  "Are you ready, Cote?" I looked down at the little boy, who eagerly hopped from his seat and took my hand. Mom and Imogene chatted behind us on the way to the clinic.

  "You gonna be magicking me?" He looked up at me, his brown eyes twinkling.

  "Is any part of you broken or hurting?"

  "Nope."

  "Any booboos?"

  "Nope."

  "Any scrapes?"

  "On my knee!" He gasped and jumped up and down. I laughed and lifted him up onto the exam table.

  "All right, let's see then." Cote rolled up the leg of his jeans and showed me the almost-healed scrape. "Wow, that looks pretty scrape-y. How'd you get it?"

  "Fell down when Henry spinned me." Cote used his hands to demonstrate the swinging motion.

  "Ahh, that sounds pretty serious." I grinned at him. "Okay, I'll heal it up but first we gotta check you out for school, okay?"

  "Yeah." He scrunched up his nose.

  "Does he really need all those immunizations?" Imogene looked down at the school form, a frown curling her lips. Mom leaned against the desk, looking over her shoulder. I could tell she wasn't any happier.
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br />   "No. I can sign off that he had them, but I won't administer them. Breeders don't need shots, but the school records have to show it." I urged Cote to lie down on the exam table. He did and put his arms behind his head as if sunbathing. I love this kid. He's a character.

  "What happens to Breeder children who don't have a doctor like you?" Gene asked.

  "They get the shots anyway. Didn't your other children?" I pressed around on Cote's belly, which only made him giggle and squirm. I listened to his heart and lungs for good measure. He was as healthy as a Breeder is meant to be.

  "They got them even though I didn't want it. They called me a crazy anti-immunization parent and planned to blame the next Polio epidemic on me. So I caved." Gene looked at Ana for her input.

  "Standard vaccines will not harm them," said Mom. I nodded my agreement.

  "All right, munchkin. Now let's see how big you are." I made to lift Cote from the table but he pushed my hand away.

  "I can do it," he said and jumped down. "Then we magic my scrape."

  "You bet." I chuckled and ushered him over to the scale to measure his weight and height. Like nearly all Breeder children, he was the epitome of average.

  "How is Hank?" Mom asked. I wondered if she meant for the small talk to distract from Imogene's worry.

  "He's stressed about the vampire situation. After we handled the rogue young one, he expected it to stop. It did for a while until Shawnee's report from the hospital," she answered. Mom's strategy seemed to work.

  "It is not unusual. Bodies and injuries end up there first." Mom nodded in my direction.

  "Hank said the same. He's got a few eyes on the hospital since the new report," Gene said.

  "He does?" I glanced over at her as Cote climbed back up on the table, rolling up his jeans again.

  "Indeed. It's necessary for now."

  "Did they see anything last night?" The image of Ileana's face in the window sent a ripe wave of anxiety through me. Cote watched me, his eyes eager for my "magic." I returned my attention to him and he swung his leg.

  "Okay, ready go!" He gasped with the excitement the idea of my glowing hands brought him.