Seraya's POV
"You two are so disgustingly cute." Liora said.
I grabbed the glass of wine and took a long sip. I would be needing the liquid courage.
Corvyn watched us appreciatively. "And I thought Drazien only had one use for women."
"Speak for yourself." Drazien said, his fingers moving slowly over my belly. A slow warmth followed his touch, more than distracting and I took another sip of the wine again.
"You can't mean that, Brother. I'm very famous with the ladies." Corvyn argued.
"I wonder why." Drazien said and Corvyn grinned.
"We need time to plan the mating ceremony." Liora chatted excitedly. "At least three months."
"A month." Drazien said and she pouted.
"Well, between Raya and I, we should be able to pull it off right?" She asked.
"Mm, yes! Yes of course." I said, trying to keep up but I was seriously distracted by the slow stroke of Drazien's fingers.
"There are so many people that will have an aneurysm if they are not informed. Nyros is halfway across the continent but I'm sure he will also be flying in..."
She continued talking but her voice slowly faded out of my hearing. Drazien's hand was slowly caressing my belly now and he lowered his nose to my neck and took a long breath.
I subtly shifted, pinning him with a stare. "Behave." I hissed under my breath and he looked at me from under lowered lids.
"Why? Are you at your limit?" He asked and he gripped my hips and shifted me backwards on his lap. My eyes widened when I felt his thick erection wedge against my ass. I startled, my breath leaving me in a rush as I nearly leapt to my feet but his grip on my hips tightened and he pulled me flush against him.
"Be still." He whispered against my ear. "Do you want to explain to my family why you are scandalized by my shaft?"
I smiled weakly for his family's sake before twisting around, grabbing his face and whispering into his ear.
"You are pushing it." I whispered harshly.
"Veyraen, I have not even started." He replied. His coal black eyes danced with mischief and I had a feeling this was punishment for my earlier mischief.
Liora and Corvyn were talking animatedly about something and I was grateful their focus was not on me because I was on the hot seat, literally. His hand had shifted from my belly, slowly going lower and my breathing was getting ragged. He wouldn't dare, would he? My entire body shook, craving that descent. My panties were slick, wet and I bit my lip to stop myself from moaning inappropriately. What was this torture?
"Drazien, I heard Maloren was having trouble with his territory, some werewolves found dead in the night and no known cause." Said Liora.
Drazien paused and I'm not sure if what I felt was relief or protest.
"Find out more about it." He said and Liora nodded.
He lowered his face to my shoulder again and his lips ghosted over my shoulder tip. Oh the male loved to play games didn't he? My lips curved into a slow smirk, well… two could play that game.
"Fuck that, they should fight it out." Corvyn replied to something Liora said. "They don't have to involve us in their petty fights."
I had been uncomfortable with the seat till now, refusing to rest fully on Drazien's lap but going with my impulse, I settled fully into his lap. I heard his sharp intake of breath and I smiled. I settled my ass firmly against his rock-hard cock, slowly rotating my hips along the thick outline of his erection.
He jerked upright in his seat and his grip on my waist tightened, stilling me.
"What are you doing?" He asked harshly and I smiled sweetly at him.
"Any problem, honey?" I asked. He was no longer smiling. I shifted on his lap again and I felt his cock thicken against me. Gripping his thighs to steady myself, I slowly moved my hips again.
"Woman." His voice was strangled. "You're playing with fire." He growled. I knew.
No matter how much he didn't want to admit it, his body responded to mine. Either that or he would fuck anything in a dress.
Riven set the first plate of grills on the table and my mouth watered at the scent.
"I'll get the wine!" Liora called and left.
"I'll man the next grill." Drazien said, unceremoniously dumping me on the seat as he stood and I laughed silently.
"Babe, have a taste at least!" I called but he was already gone, all but eager to escape my torture. I laughed again and looked to find both Corvyn and Riven staring at me. I winked at them and Corvyn laughed.
"I like you." He said, offering me the first plate. "I can't explain it, but you are perfect for Drazien."
I smiled, taking the plate but something in my heart suddenly felt heavy. It was all a lie.
"Thank you." I said, taking a sip of wine and lowering my eyes so they would not see the truth in them.
The truth was that I was starting to feel bad. They were such amazing people and here I was, lying to them with my every breath. Liora returned and I gazed at the family that Drazien had. So beautiful, so wholesome. I had never felt like I belonged before, never had a family of my own but for some reason, these people felt like home to me and that made this lie a hundred times worse.
I took a bite of the steak and my eyes widened, my gaze flying to Riven. "It's so delicious." I said around a mouthful.
"Nobody makes steak like Riven does." Liora said proudly and I agreed. I dug into my plate with veracity, blending seamlessly into the easy banter of Drazien's family.
~~~
I fell asleep the minute my head hit the pillow that night. I was exhausted, my belly full but I had not slept the full night when I jerked awake.
Two a.m, the clock on the wall said. I threw the duvet over my head and tried to sleep again but it was not forthcoming.
"Oh fuck it." I said, finally throwing it off. The house was silent and the moon bright when I looked out the window. Outside, the night was alive with howls, wolves running through the woods and I felt a yearning pang in my chest. Someday, I would be able to join them too, if this heist with Drazien went well.
I sighed and turned away from the window. Well, no better time to continue exploring the house since everyone was outside.
Outside the room, I paced down the hallway and paused at the end, lingering by Drazien's door. Was he in? Most likely not, he could be in the woods running with the other packs. I shook my head, shaking off thoughts of the enigmatic house owner and heading down the stairs.
With Liora, Corvyn and Riven gone, the house felt too big and empty. I pushed the first door in, walking into a large music room. Smiling like a fool, I ran my fingers over the piano, enjoying the play of sounds.
"Not bad, Drazien." I said appreciatively. "Not bad at all."
I played a quick tune, one of my favorites. This was so different from the piano I got for my sixteenth birthday from Cairh, it was obviously way more expensive. My smile dropped and I curled my fingers. Could I ever play the piano again without remembering him?
I backed out of the room and headed down the hallway, pushing the next door in. I hit the light switch and the room was bathed in a dim golden light. It was an equally large game room. There was a billiards table at one end, a corner set up for cards. There was even a roulette wheel and pinball machines inviting me in. Eager to try it out, I stepped in but my ears suddenly picked up tinkling female laughter.
I paused and listened again. Were the servants hanging out? The laughter rang out again and I abandoned the game room and followed the sound of the female voice to a door. Pushing through this sudden dread I felt, I pushed the door in to find a wine cellar. A female had a phone to her ear as she poured herself a glass. She was beautifully striking in the way I was beginning to learn that everyone around Drazien was, a little taller than I was with cat-like blue eyes. She saw me and paused, her brows getting a dramatic tilt.
"I didn't call for the servants." She said and I gaped with shock. The servants?
"I'm not the help." I said, slowly entering the room.
"I'll call you back." She said into the phone and looked me up and down condescendingly.
"Then who the fuck are you and what are you doing in my man's house?" She asked.
Her man? I nearly laughed. So Drazien did not deem it necessary to inform his usual whores to stay away for the duration of the month? An irrational anger came over me and I smiled sweetly.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken. I am Drazien's mate and this is my house. Now get the fuck out before I tell the servants to throw you out on your ass." I said.
And I would do it too. My chest was burning, an irrational anger suffocating me and I wanted to claw something, preferably my asshole mate's face. He always went on and on about making this performance believable and yet his whores still had the key to his home?
"Drazien's mate?" She asked and laughed. "Darling, did you hit your head?"
She slowly paced around me and when she stopped in front of me, it was clear she found me wanting. She shoved my shoulder hard and I stumbled back.
"He fucked you, didn't he? He fucked you one time and you got it into your head that he is meant for you. You stupid bitch, he is mine!"
Another hard shove sent me stumbling back. "Do you think I will ever let a wretched rat like you take him from me?"
She made to shove me again and my temper flared. I grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back and she cried out in pain.
"What is going on here?" Drazien's voice suddenly boomed from behind us and I spun around, feeling like I was caught in a compromising situation "Seraya, release her immediately!"
I released her and the female smoothed herself down like a bird with ruffled feathers.
"She attacked me first." I said.
"I did not!" The female said, hurrying to his side. "She came out of nowhere, threatening to throw me out and claiming she was your mate."
I held Drazien's stare, waiting for him to send the lady on her way.
"Seraya leave us." He said and my jaw dropped while she smiled like a Cheshire Cat.
"Are you fucking serious?" I gritted out.
"Go back to sleep." He ordered and my teeth clenched in anger.
"Well fuck you." I said and stomped out. I threw myself on my bed, punching the pillow in frustration. What did I care anyway? He could bring a horde of girls in here for all I cared. It was all a farce after-all.