Chapter One Hundred Eighteen

"I think I'm already developing a migraine," Nate whined, tossing the remote control down on the cushion next to him.

"Oh, you are not," Jess said, grabbing the remote before anyone else could find an another boring sport to watch during the wait. "It's only twenty minutes, and there's nothing he can do without us ripping him to shreds seconds later."

"We'll get him *before* he tries anything, Nate." Alex said, pointing to his nose.

"Well you better keep me informed with what you're smelling. If he even so much as looks at Liam funny, I'll kill him. And he better not look at Lindy at all." Nate put his foot up as Liam toddled past, the put his other foot behind him to trap him between his legs. Liam grunted as he tried to get free, then went in to a fit of giggles as Nate rapidly shifted his legs back and forth. Reaching for his son, he said, "Come here, buddy. Let's go upstairs and see what's taking Mommy so long to get ready."

As Nate retreated upstairs, Jess looked over at Alex. "This is going to be trouble," she said with a sigh.

Alex quirked his eyebrows at her. "Since when did you expect anything else?"

Meanwhile upstairs Lindy was trying hard not to be sick. What had she been thinking, allowing Marrok to come to their home? Arms wrapped around her stomach, she stared into the mirror.

Nate made a whistling sound, like a plane landing, as he flew Liam into the room and in to Lindy's arms. "Someone wanted to see you, Mom. And...that would be me." He grinned at her, but it didn't last long as he studied the expression on her face. "Jeez, maybe you should just puke and get it over with. You'll feel better afterwards."

Lindy made a face at Nate. "I wish I could. Except I would have to have something in my stomach to throw up." She cuddled Liam close, sighing heavily. "I was stupid to say he could do this, Nate. I should have had him shot on site the moment he showed up at the warehouse."

"Yeah, you should've, but that's nothing we can do now, so why worry about it? His boyfriend already knows he's coming here, and it's not like we can shoot him in front of his kid. Even though it is tempting. The most we can do is lock him out...but I doubt that will solve anything. So let's just get this over with. I don't want him here anymore than you do, but I'd rather watch him drive away after twenty minutes than wonder when he's going to attack next."

"Yeah, you're right." She leaned against Nate's shoulder. "Then let's go get this over with." Squeezing Liam tight in her arms, she and her husband headed downstairs.

Jess looked worriedly at Lindy. Not only did she look ill, she smelt ill as well. Just the thing to trigger a predator's instincts to cull the herd. "Do you want us to hang around here in human, or hide out in wolf?"

"Walter said he'd come back in as soon as he sees them arrive, and he'll already be wolfy, so you two can do whatever you want. I think it would probably be better for his other kid if there's only one wolf in here, though. You never know, she might be scared of you."

"But her father's a wolf?"

"Yeah," Nate said, "but we don't think she knows that. If he treats her anything like his boyfriend, she only 'knows what she needs to know'."

"He's bringing the child too?" Alex and Jess relaxed slightly. "If he's bringing a kid along, things won't be as bad," Alex said.

"First instinct is to protect your children," Jess said as an explanation. "He wouldn't bring his daughter into a dangerous situation if he thought she could get hurt."

"Or it could make him more dangerous," Lindy muttered. "If he thinks we're a threat to her."

Nate sat down on the arm of the couch. "I don't know. This guy doesn't have the greatest skills when it comes to being a father. That much is obvious by the way he kept attacking over and over again, not caring if Liam was traumatized by all of it. I don't think he'd take a daughter into consideration too much if he wants to try something. Besides, what's saying she wouldn't be in on it right along with him?"

"No," Lindy said. "He was really protective of her. And she doesn't, or didn't, know that Liam was her brother."

Three short woofs sounded on the walkie talkie that Alex was holding. "That's the signal. He's just pulled up to the main gate. A few seconds later the phone rang, and Alex answered it. Without speaking, he punched in the code that would let Marrok onto the grounds."

Lindy looked like she was developing a headache as well. But she sucked it up. "Mom, would you go make some popcorn and get some sodas?" She turned to Alex as the female werewolf left the room. "I don't want him to feel threatened and be even more aggressive, Alex. Maybe you should wait in the kitchen too, and listen for trouble from there."

"Why don't we all go in the kitchen and pretend we're not home?" Nate asked, obviously having lost his bravado from a few minutes ago.

Lindy just narrowed her eyes at him. "You want to play with some toys, Liam? Why don't we get some of these out and you can play with Viviane when she gets here, okay?" Taking his little hand, she walked over to the cabinet with him and began laying some toys out. Rather, she laid them out and he flung them at the floor.


"Liam, tell Mommy to get some booze out, too."

Lindy rolled her eyes. "That's all we need. A drunk vampire and a drunk werewolf fighting each other." She looked at Nate back over her shoulder as Jess brought out the bowl of popcorn and several cans. About the same time, there was a the sound of an engine pulling up, followed a moment later by a knock on the front door. "Okay, who's getting it?"

"I will," Jess said. She wanted a look at this werewolf that she had fought earlier. He may not respect females as pack leaders, but she wasn't going to let him think for a moment she had been intimidated. Especially since she had chased him off the property. She resolutely walked to the door and opened it.

"Hello," said a voice several feet down from where she was looking. Jess had barely enough time to glance at the little blond head before the girl trotted past her in to the house. "We're here!"

"Viviane!" Marrok hissed, hurrying up the sidewalk after her. His strides slowed considerably as he met Jess's gaze. He breathed in deeply and had a slight frown on his face as stopped several feet in front of her. "Good evening."

"Good evening," Jess said. She held the door open, waiting for Marrok to pass before shutting the door. "If I'm needed," she said more for Marrok's benefit than Nate or Lindy's, I'll be in the kitchen." Then without a further word, she swept through the doorway and out of the room.

Lindy stepped forward next. "Hello, Marrok." Now that she was here, she felt a calm descend on her. Still holding Liam, she gestured towards one of the overstuffed chairs as she and Nate took a seat on the couch. "Please, sit." She let Liam slide down her legs and wander wherever he would. The boy immediately toddled over to the toys she had placed near the coffee table.

Marrok leaned forward, and Lindy felt Nate tense next to her. "He's bigger every time I see him."

[That's because you barely ever see him, you jackass!] Nate thought.

"I keep seeing so much of his mother in him." Marrok looked up to meet their gazes, then focused mainly on Lindy. "I don't know what Denise told you, but I know she's been in contact with you. If she told you I ever hurt my son's mother, it's not true. She was very jealous of what I and Silver had. I still have suspicions about the way she died."

Nate glanced at Lindy and fought the urge to roll his eyes.

"She was sick," Lindy said. "I could smell it then. Some sort of wasting disease. She left Liam in that barn because she knew he'd be safe there." She shifted slightly uncomfortably. They had just assumed that Liam's mother had died. She didn't know if anyone else had bothered to try to find her body or not. "Her sister had nothing to do with it. In fact the last time I saw her, she was still mourning her loss."

Marrok grunted, and that seemed the be his last word on the subject. He sat silently, watching his daughter play with his son. A time or two he would reach for a toy one of them dropped and toss it back, a longing look in his eyes, but he didn't try to get down and join them. Not with two vampires hovering over him and three werewolves in the kitchen.

"He's walking much better now. I didn't remember that they learned so fast." He fidgeted a bit with his fingers. "Everything goes so quickly."

"Yeah. It seemed like the other day I had to carry him just about everywhere. Now he's growing independent. And we'll have to start potty training him soon. Fortunately, he is housebroken." Lindy glanced over at Nate. She wasn't sure if her husband was going to say anything or remain in this icy silence. And she wasn't sure which would be better.

Looking back at her, Nate made an 'aww crap' face, that told her he knew what was on her mind. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he propped his legs up on the coffee table. "So...how was the drive over?"

Marrok raised his gaze and merely stared at him for a moment. "It was fine. No rain, dry road, not many people on the freeway. We didn't have any problems."

"Dad kept saying the 'S' word," Viviane piped up. "'These sh--er, poopheads drive too damned slow!"

Blushing, Marrok narrowed his eyes at his daughter. "You shouldn't be saying that word.

"How about doo-doo-heads?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, that's much better."

Lindy chuckled slightly. While trying to think of something to say, Liam caught sight of Marrok, as if for the first time. Standing up, he tottered over on unsteady legs, looked up at him and barked once. It wasn't a baby imitating a dog's noise, but a puppy bark although he didn't Change. Nervously, Lindy looked from Marrok to Nate, worried about how they'd both react.

[Keep barking! Bite him! Bite him!] Nate encouraged, mentally.

Slightly mystified, Marrok merely held the boy's gaze for a while. He didn't have a whole lot of experience with pups. Viviane had never shown any sign of inheriting his wolf traits, and Chase had been so young most of the times Marrok was allowed to see him. By the time he actually got through to the boy, he'd been so brainwashed by his mother that he'd wanted nothing to do with his father.

Aware that his daughter's eyes were on him, as well as everyone else's, Marrok opened his mouth and let out a soft warble, low and deep, speaking with a canine's voice.

Liam's rear started to sway back and forth, like he was wagging his tail. Suddenly overcome with shyness, he backed over to where Nate was sitting and grabbed his leg. Liam pressed his face against against his jeans, peeking at Marrok with one eye.

Marrok smiled, pleased with his son's reaction. Nate, on the other hand, felt his jaw start clicking. He wanted to pick up Liam and hold him close, then yell at that bastard for frightening him. Silently placing his hand on Liam's head, he stroked his soft hair, all the while still staring at Marrok with half-closed eyes.

Lindy glanced over at Viviane, wondering what the little girl thought. She then turned back to Marrok. "He's going through a shy phase right now," she said, hoping that Nate would remember that Liam cried when he was truly scared.

"Consider it a blessing," Marrok said, looking pointedly at Viviane.

"What?" Viviane asked, as if wondering, "Who, me?"

"Nothing, scout, I was teasing you." Looking back to Liam, he let out a small sigh. "One day, if you would permit me, I would like to Change and maybe go running." He looked up to meet Lindy and Nate's gazes, holding a more deliberate stare this time. "Maybe sometime in the future, when I come alone?"

"Perhaps," Lindy said. She nor Nate wouldn't be able to go along, but at least one of her parents would probably shadow Marrok. She noticed the staredown in progress, and met his gaze with a calm one of her own. One hand rested on Nate's thigh lightly.

Marrok nodded and shifted his gaze to Nate.

Nate had to clear his throat before he could speak. "I'm not prepared to answer that question right now. I'm not even sure about next week. You're going to have to be patient, Marrok," he said, surprisingly not sneering the name. "One day at a time is all we can promise."

Again, Marrok nodded. "That makes sense. I understand completely." Glancing at the clock on the wall, he said, "We should get going, Viviane."

"Aww, Dad. We just got here. I don't want to go to bed so early."

"Maybe if you're nice and stop arguing, we'll stop and get some ice cream on the way home."

Viviane stood immediately and said, "It was nice to see you. Bye."

Lindy tried to keep from giggling. But she wasn't about to say that they should stay longer. She was starting to get a headache from the palatable tension in the air. But the twenty minutes was almost up, although she'd point it out actually when it happened.

Shaking his head, Marrok put his hand on top of Viviane's head and used it to pull her against his side. "I guess that sums it up nicely. We can see ourselves out if you'd like to stay here. Good evening...and thank you."

"You're welcome, and good evening," Lindy said, rising as well. She wanted to escort Marrok to the door, not because to not do so would be rude, but to watch him leave and make sure he was gone. The sound of the kitchen door opening and shutting hinted that one of the werewolves had exited also, probably to take up station outside.

Guiding Viviane ahead of him, Marrok walked to the door and opened it. He stepped out on the porch and handed his daughter the keys, so she could get in the car and wait for him. He watched her go before turning back to Lindy. "It was very nice of you to invite us in to your home. I appreciate it. And I hope I haven't made things difficult between you and your husband."

[Now that's an odd thing to say,] she thought. "We'll be fine," she said. "Have a safe drive home." Without any further words, she shut the door, and then leaned against it, sighing heavily, looking over at Nate. "Thank God that's over."

Holding Liam in his arms, he said, "I'm going upstairs to change him and give him his bath. Hopefully I'll wash some of the jerk off of him, too."

"Yeah," Lindy said. She caught sight of Jess sticking her head out of the kitchen. "I'll meet you upstairs in a few minutes." Passing Nate as he carried Liam upstairs, Lindy went over to talk to her mother. "Yes?"

Jess had a concerned look on her face. She had smelled Marrok's emotions, and found Alex's avoidance of answering certain questions most illuminating. She was trying to figure out how warn her daughter without frightening her. "Be careful with him, Lindy. Marrok's more dangerous than you think."

In the midst of scratching her arm, Lindy paused. "Nate told you to let us know if he was planning something." She glanced back at the door. "Why didn't you say anything? What did you smell?"

Jess sighed, glancing at the stairs. The news would probably send Nate into a frenzy, and that was the last thing they needed since a tenuous peace had been forged. "He wasn't planning anything. Emotionally, he's conflicted. But I'm not sure why," she lied. Lindy wouldn't be able to smell the lie on her, and she kept her poker face perfectly. "Marrok's unpredictable, Lindy, and that's what makes him more dangerous."

"Conflicted how?" Lindy leaned in closer, not at all anxious to be overheard by Nate. "I know he's unpredictable. Are you telling me you think we should stop the visits? Because at this point, I doubt you'll get much of an argument from me."

"He knows what he wants, but he doesn't know if he can get it, let alone the best way how." She wasn't going to say that Marrok smelled like he loved her. "As for stopping the visits, I don't think that's wise for the moment."

"If he's going to keep trying to get Liam, then I don't want to keep up with the visits! The whole point of this was to stop him. God, I should've known he was lying through his teeth. I can't believe we let him in our house! He was right there, close enough to touch Liam. He could've done anything he wanted to!"

"Lindy, calm down," Jess said in a firm voice. "He's not trying to take Liam. He's not that stupid. He knows that if he tries to take Liam, he's a dead dog." She sighed, not wanting to tell Lindy that Marrok loved her. She didn't think either she or Nate could handle that news. "I just want you to be careful around him. It's the overprotective, worried mother talking in me, Lindy. Nothing more."

Closing her eyes, Lindy took a deep breath. She was jittery and afraid, tensed like a wolf to fight or flight. The old instincts were there, even if she wasn't. "I need to talk to Nate. I can't decide this now. I just need to go be with Liam, and pretend Marrok was never here. Or I'll never get to sleep tomorrow."

"Go on, honey. I'm sorry I upset you. We'll head on home now." Jess pulled Lindy into a brief hug and then released her. With a concerned look, she watched Lindy mount the stairs. When her daughter was out of sight, she shook her head in worry.

Lindy was worried as well as she headed towards the bathroom. Something didn't quite ring true about what Jess said, but she wasn't sure what. [Besides, Mom wouldn't lie to me,] she thought.

Sitting in the bathroom, on the rim of the tub with his feet in the water, Nate heard Lindy coming up the stairs. The water was nice and warm around his ankles, and he was beginning to think that climbing in wasn't such a bad idea. Sitting waist deep in the foamy water, Liam used his soap crayons to scribble all over the side of the tub. He was as happy-go-lucky as ever. In fact, he'd even looked sad when Marrok left. And that pissed Nate off all the more.

His head was pounding, and he was really hoping Lindy didn't want to talk about that bastard now because he didn't think he could take it.

Lindy dropped to the floor besides Nate and leaned her head against his thigh. She really didn't want to talk about Marrok's visit, or Jess's cryptic warnings either. She smiled as she saw Liam color, babbling happily and telling them all about his drawings. "Bryn better watch out. She's not going to be the only artist in this family."

Nate let out a halfhearted laugh. "Don't be so sure about that. A minute ago, he was trying to shove that crayon up his nose."

Lindy giggled, and then broke out into a full laugh. Nate's statement wasn't particularly that funny, but she couldn't stop laughing. It was a release of the stress and tension of the whole meeting. Gasping and giggling and trying to get herself under control, she sat on the floor, arms wrapped around her waist.

Nate smiled, lazily petting her hair. "On the other hand, we may be raising a future ear, nose, and throat doctor."

Just when she thought she was getting herself under control, Nate sent her into another fit of giggles. It was two minutes before she was breathing heavily, trying to get air back into her lungs and regain some composure.

She looked up to see Liam staring at her over the side of the tub. After a moment or two, he reached out with his hand and drew a blue line across her cheek. Seeming to think that was much better, he plopped back down in the water and returned to drawing on the tub wall.

Shaking his head, Nate said, "You ever wonder what he's thinking? He had to know something was up earlier with everyone here, and yet he was completely calm. And when he barked...he was all confident and proud. Two seconds later he was scurrying away to hide. I sure wish he could talk and tell us what's going on in that head."

Lindy nodded, scrubbing at the streak of blue across her cheek, smearing it. "I guess it went well," she said, not wanting to bring up what her mother had said. "It could have gone a lot worse."

Nate grunted, the scowl returning to his face. He'd wanted to forget all about Marrok. Stupidly he'd led himself back to the topic. "You know, just when I stop being pissed about him being here, next Tuesday will roll around." He looked over at Lindy in all seriousness. "Would you ever consider just killing him and pretending he didn't exist?"

Her mother's warning still echoed through her mind. Lindy looked back at him, perfectly solemn. "You know, Nate, I'm starting to think that may not be a bad idea."

He'd been expecting a nice quiet evening alone. Viviane was already in bed for school the next day, his housekeeper had gone to her home in the guest house hours ago, and the vineyard's caretaker, Jake, unbelievably, had a date. Sitting on the patio under a clear sky, a fire crackling in the stove, Marrok sipped his wine and let the day drain away. He'd just started thinking about his visit with his son when he heard footsteps crunching the gravel of his driveway. Sitting up abruptly, he stared into the darkness and scowled when he finally saw who was heading his way.

"You're trespassing on my land. What are you doing here?"

"I just came to talk." Jess stepped into the ring of light that was cast by the fire, showing her hands were empty. She hadn't tried to hide her approach at all. Dressed in jeans and a denim jacket to try to ward off the night's chill, she didn't look at all threatening. "One of your employees let me in when I said I had business with you."

Marrok didn't let down his guard. He couldn't smell as well in his human form, and sniffed audibly to make sure she was alone. He couldn't tell for sure. Setting his glass down on the patio so his hands were free, he said, "What do we have to talk about?"

"Your son. My daughter. Your intentions towards her." Jess eyed him cautiously. She wasn't certain if she had to spell things out for him more. "It took me a while to figure out why you just let her go at the moment her husband was about to do anything to get her back. Only one reason made sense, and last night confirmed it."

"I have a certain admiration for your daughter, yes. She's a very courageous person. But I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that." Sitting back, he casually crossed his legs. "My reasons for letting her go have absolutely nothing to do with the current situation, however, so you shouldn't concern yourself."

"You're wrong, Marrok. It does concern me. Anything, or anyone who threatens her concerns me. She hasn't had an easy life, and she's finally happy. I don't want to see anyone messing with that." Jess put her hands in the pockets of her coat and tried to keep from snarling. "You're lucky you were let on our grounds at all, given the stunt you pulled with Bryn and what you did with Chandra."

He wasn't quite sure who the second person she mentioned was, but he knew the other. She'd merely been in his way. If she had just stepped aside and let him have his son, she never would've gotten hurt. But you can't reason with some humans. "I'm not threatening your daughter at all, woman. You're the one who's standing here,threatening me, on my own land no less. I have no interest in harming your daughter or my son. But I'm not above violence when someone shoves themselves in my face."

"I'd like to see you try." Her words were slightly growled, and firelight reflected off her pointy teeth. Her feral expression was enhanced by the slight lengthening of her hair. "You were showing me your tail the last time we fought." Jess took a cleansing breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them, her face was back to normal, the change halted. "I'm not here to threaten, I'm not here to fight," she said, her tone completely normal. "I'm here to say that you are welcome to see Liam, but leave Lindy alone."

"And I told you I'm not a threat to her! Now if you have nothing more to say, I'll thank you to leave me in peace. Threaten me without your men to back you up and you will not see my tail again, I guarantee it."

Jess let out a low chuckle at his threat. "Hopefully, we'll never have to find out." Sensing she wasn't going to get any further with him, she turned to go, but paused. "A word of advice. Lindy mentioned that Natasha approached you. Don't let her anywhere near your daughter. In fact, you may want to stake her the moment you see her. The woman is completely insane, and will do whatever she thinks will keep you under her thumb."

"I'll handle her. She's not a threat to me." Picking up his wine glass, he took another sip and watched her over the rim. "But it is nice to know that you're so concerned for my daughter's safety." He smiled. "Or was it me you were worried about?"

Jess returned his smile with one of her own. She wasn't about to tell him that she was worried about Marrok's feelings for Lindy, and how Natasha would manipulate them if she discovered them. "I hate to see innocents get hurt in things that don't really concern them."

"Hmm...things that don't concern them. Now there's a novel concept. I wasn't sure you were aware of it." Standing up, he walked around the ironwork couch and headed for the sliding glass door. "Looks like I'm need of another glass. Good night, black wolf. I'm sure you know the way out."

"Good night, Marrok." Having said and done what she came to do, Jess turned and resumed walking back down the gravel driveway. She remained alert for any sounds or scents of approaching people. Until she was past the gate and back to the car. Only once she was inside and the engine started did she give a sigh of relief.

Marrok watched the woman go, his mouth set in a grim line. He didn't like the black wolf. That one had a smart mouth and was too damned nosy for her own good. She was plenty tough enough when she had her lovers to protect her. But if she thought she had him cowed, she was sorely mistaken. "Stay away from Lindy," he mimicked, scowling. "We shall see."

Now that Max had finally fallen asleep after eating, they left him comfortably resting on the couch and took the baby monitor outside with them. Leaving the sliding door open a crack, they curled up together on a chaise under the stars, snuggled under a warm blanket, watching the meteor show. Falling stars were streaking across the sky in the dozens, and the weather was perfect to see everything. Sliding her feet between his legs to keep them warm, Bryn settled her head on Anton's shoulder and slid her hand under the hem of his shirt to lazily stroke his stomach.

"How's that new manager working out?"

"Roger?" Anton stretched next to Bryn and slipped an arm around her, his hand coming to rest on her mid back. "So far so good. He had a bit of a deer in the headlights look most of his first day, but he seems to be settling down now. So far, things are going smoothly." He rested his cheek against the top of her head. He looked up at the night sky. "It's so rare to see a clear night like this, with the stars shining so brightly."

"Mmhmm. One of the benefits of living in the middle of nowhere," she teased. "Do you realize that there's a little over a month until our anniversary? It feels like the time went by so fast...but, at the same time, it also feels so natural to me. As if we've been married forever. And in a way, we have. And we will be." She was quiet for a moment, watching the house lights reflect in the pool water. "Do you think there's anything you'd want to change?"

"Hmmm...other than staking Natasha and not having Lilith breathing down our necks, not a thing." He leaned over and kissed Bryn's brow. A shooting star caught his eye and he tracked it with his fingers. "You know, Bryn, this reminds me of after Brinley and I left the monastery. We didn't have much money, but the monks helped us find shelter in a nearby town. I worked as a scribe for whoever wanted written records, although not too many would be able to read them. But late at night, when things had quieted down, we would watch the stars, holding each other close."

Bryn held him tighter, trying to imagine, or remember, what it was like back then. "It must've been a shock going from such a privileged life at Ivan's home to a small town. You had to work--you'd probably never done that before. What was the shelter like? And what about me, did I work?"

"It was a shock," he said quietly. "I had always been somewhat of a scholar, but it had been a while since I had taken orders. But the time I spent at the monastery had gotten me used to an austere life, so the adjustment wasn't as harsh as it could have been." Anton stroked her hair lightly. "You insisted on doing odd jobs, taking in washing and mending and the like."

"The shelter was one room, little more than a hovel. But there was a small plot we could grow what we needed. During the day we remained shut in, the one small window safely covered, the bed area covered with a second thick blanket so you could enter and leave at daylight if needed." He kissed her forehead again. "We were happy there, for all our hardships. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that you were away from Natasha. Aside from the fact that you were married to me," he added with a sly grin.

She might've returned his smile if she hadn't been struck with a thought. "The people I did mending for were men with no wives or womenfolk to help them. They disgusted me. They would give me horribly dirty, smelly, flea-infested clothes, and I had to try to be polite when I took them. And they mostly came during the day, so they didn't see you. I did the washing and mending outside in daylight, so I could see...and you didn't know it but some of them tried to take advantage of me. I almost threw up when one of them tried to kiss me."

Anton's brow dropped and his expression darkened. "I wish you had told me then, because I would have made sure that would have never been attempted again."

Bryn did smile at that comment. "He never tried again, especially after he limped home."

Anton threw back his head and laughed. That was pure Brinley. She would look demure and proper, but anger her and watch out. "Come here, my dear," he said, pulling her close so he could kiss her. His tongue caressed her lips before parting her teeth, gently tasting her mouth. After a moment he pulled back. "So do you feel like throwing up now?"

She shook her head, staring at his mouth. "No, you've always been able to make me feel good. Even when I felt horrible. I'd come back in our home all sweaty, dirty from the knees down, reeking of lye up to my elbows, with a dark sun stripe across the back of my neck, looking the garbage, and you still managed to make me feel like I was the prettiest girl in the country. You always managed to make me fall in love with you all over again."

He gently stroked her face. "You deserved so much more then. And I felt horrible that I wasn't able to give it to you. And yet you never asked for anything. That always kept me in awe of you. And you were the prettiest girl in the country." He leaned forward and kissed her again, slowly and deeply, his fingertips stroking her jawline gently.

She couldn't help but wish she were as selfless and content as he described Brinley to be. Instead, she was always wanting and needing more. More stuff, more money, more of his time and love. And reassurances. She returned his kiss slowly and a bit hesitantly, somehow uncomfortable with herself. Tightening her hands on his back, she pressed herself as close to him as possible, trying to push the errant thoughts out of her mind.

Anton continued to kiss her, realizing she was uneasy about something. Pulling her against him tightly, he eased her underneath his body. He continued stroking her face softly as he continued kissing her. Settling between her legs, he pressed his lips to her neck and nipped lightly, trying to distract her.

Moaning softly, Bryn wrapped her legs around him and lifted her hips a bit. No matter what she was feeling, she always felt better when he settled himself on top of her and sheltered her with his body. She felt safe underneath him, aware that he would never hurt her, and he'd make damned sure no one else did either. His weight between her legs was arousing, and she couldn't help but slide her hands down to squeeze his ass and push him even closer.

He grinned some more, kissing her lightly and stroking her skin. His fingers slipped down to caress the base of her throat, his palm resting on her breastbone. He could feel her heart pounding through the sweater she was wearing. Slowly he began to undo the buttons one by one, lightly caressing the sides of her breasts.

She watched what he was doing, between kisses. The way he touched her always seemed fascinating, because he was able to produce such intense sensations. His hands on her body were ten times more exciting than her own. Letting out a soft whimper as he mouthed her nipple through her bra, she slid her fingers into his hair. "I want your hand down my pants. Please?"

He continued to nip at her breast, not bothering to answer her. Instead, he let his actions speak for him. Rearranging slightly so he was now laying half on, half off of her, he slowly undid her zipper, sucking her for every click of the metallic teeth. With equally deliberate slowness, he slid his hand into her jeans and under her panties. His eyebrow quirked in surprise when he felt that she was freshly shaven, but he didn't mind that at all. Working on pulling the bra strap off with his teeth so he could get directly at her nipple, Anton's fingers inched their way between her legs, seeking her heat and moisture.

Shivering despite the heat of his hand and mouth, Bryn opened her legs a little wider to help his explorations. She knew he'd find she was already wet. She almost always was when she was shaved. It made her feel naked and naughty, and she knew he liked the sight of her so exposed. Biting her lip, she sharply moaned as he sucked her and fingered her clit, superheating both sensitive areas at once.

Hearing that moan gave him an idea. Grinning even as he pulled at her breast, he flicked his fingertip against her clit. They were outside of the house, and away from Max. He wanted to hear exactly how loud he could make her squeal. Anton rubbed his groin against her thigh, just so she could feel how hard he was getting.

Tossing her head, she shifted against him almost continuously, pressing herself against his hand, then attempting to pull away when the sensations felt too intense. But the denim of her jeans kept her from getting too far away and she felt more moisture escape her nearly every time he made contact. "Uhh!" Her sex contracted and she lifted her hips to try to shove his fingers downwards. "God...I want..."

"Want what, Bryn?" he asked as he moved to pay attention to her other breast. Her nipples were obscenely hard beneath her tongue, just as she was obscenely wet beneath his touch. "Tell me what you want," he murmured, deliberately pitching his voice low, "and I'll give it to you."

Drawing her knees up, she whined, "I want your mouth on me!"

He gave her a wide grin. "Yes ma'am." Anton ignored her whimper as he pulled away from her, leaving her nipples exposed to the cool night air. He backed off the chaise lounge and began to tug down her panties. Once they were around her ankles, he couldn't wait any longer and bent down to taste her.

Bryn slipped her feet out of her underwear and spread her legs wide, jumping when he settled his hands on her thighs. Frustratingly, he started by licking everywhere but where she wanted him, lapping at her thighs and the sticky outer folds of her sex. She was practically gushing now, her hips moving constantly, and she shrieked when he slid his tongue up the length of her. Watching him with wild eyes, she panted heavily as he circled his tongue around her clit.

He repeated swiping the length of her sex, and barely avoided having his nose broken by her hips bucking in response. She tasted of pure ambrosia, a flavor he never would tire of. Her cries and pants were a symphony to his ears. Giving in to both their desires, he let his tongue scrub over her clit as he lapped up her juices.

That was what she really wanted. Thighs quivering uncontrollably, face flushed, and chest painfully tight, she screamed as a powerful orgasm burst through her body, jerking her violently below him. Tears came to her eyes with the intensity and her clit seemed to swell against his tongue. Shaking, she grabbed the cushion beneath her as the waves began to abate, leaving her feeling empty. Now she really needed him to fill her.

He grinned, hearing her shriek. Frantically he clawed at his jeans and underwear. He didn't bother to shove them down, just aside enough that his cock was exposed. Head already dripping, he arched over her and slammed inside, relishing the feeling of her still spasming. Anton didn't wait a moment, but immediately began to thrust.

"Ohhh!" She was already sensitive from her orgasm and nearly came again when she felt him stretching her. His hips slammed against her ass, making her breasts bounce and her nipples tighten even further. "Mm mm...ooh, you feel...so good!" Panting, she held his gaze. "Not too fast...I don't want it...to end yet."

"Don't know...that I...have...much of...a choice...my dear." Anton bit down into his lip, not hard enough to draw blood, but hard enough to cause pain, trying to keep from cumming on the spot. He managed to slow his hips some, but was still thrusting strongly, drowning in the sensation of her surrounding him. It was pure heaven.

She hadn't realized he was that close. Pulling him a bit closer, she held on tight to his shoulders, and said, "It's okay. Don't hold back, sugar. Cum for me." She smiled at him, squeezing him tighter. "Let me see you, Anton."

Anton pushed up on his arms so she could see him better, eyes shut in concentration. He slowed his thrusts as the pleasure spiked in his groin. With a sharp intake of breath, his semen jetted deeply into her. Panting, Anton leaned his forehead against hers, still buried deeply in her body.

Gently squeezing and releasing him, she lifted her hands to cup the back of his neck. "Sometimes I wish that you could get me pregnant every time we make love. That something that miraculous could happen every day. Because it feels that amazing to me. It feels like stars should be exploding when you touch me."

Anton gently kissed her lips. "Something miraculous does happen every day, my dear. You love me." He gently rubbed his cheek against hers as he lowered himself back down on her body. His fingers lightly brushed against her shoulders as his lips caressed her cheek.

Lifting her hips a bit, she slid her hands down his back and over his ass. When her fingers touched the blanket, she tugged it up to cover them and wrapped her arms around him again. "I do love you, but the only thing miraculous about that is how lucky I am to be able to love you forever." Turning her head, she softly kissed his lips. "And I'm even luckier that you'll love me just as long."

He kissed her back, his hand cupping her cheek. "You're wrong about that, my dear. I'm the luckier one. You keep finding me again and again." His other arm tightened around her waist. "I still wonder what I did to deserve you, my dear."

"Stop that," she said, angrily, making sure she had his attention. "Stop putting yourself down like that. I don't like it, and I won't tolerate it. You deserve to be loved just as much as anyone--no, even more. Do you have any idea how special you are?" She lifted her hands to his cheeks. "I do. I know exactly how much you've been through, all of the heart aches and losses, all of the times that you've kept going when anyone else would've given up. I know how strong you are, and how sweet you are despite everyone who hurt you. Me included. I won't let you ever tell me that you're not the most amazing person I've ever met, or had the privilege to love." Bryn squeezed her eyes shut, pushing away moisture. "God, it hurts me so much that you don't love yourself just as much as I do. You are my heart, Anton. And you always have been."

He reared back , a bit surprised by her intensity. But he wouldn't tolerate her thinking that way about herself. So why should he think that she would tolerate the same of him. He gently kissed her eyes, and then her lips. "I will try to love myself the way you love me, my dear." He continued to gently kiss her face as he spoke. "I just need you to remind me that I am worthy."

She let out a shuddering sigh, wrapping her arms and legs tightly around him. "Why do you think I get so frustrated with you when you let Lilith boss you around? I don't care if she's physically stronger than you--it's only because she's older than the hills! You're better than her, Anton. And no one will ever convince me otherwise. You're my hero, you know that? As far as I'm concerned you can bend steel with your bare hands and fly like Superman. You're the most important person in the world to me, and I know there's nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it. I'm so proud of you I want to show you off to everyone I meet. My husband is the smartest, sexiest, strongest, and most loving man I've ever met."

Anton blushed slightly. He was used to lavishing out praise, not having it heaped on him. To hide his embarrassment, he kissed her softly, sucking on her lower lips. "I do feel like I can do anything when you are by my side, my dear. I feel like I can accomplish anything, no matter what barriers are set before us."

She grinned, tugging the blanket tighter around them. "Good, then next time we see her, you can stake Natasha. And you can tell Lilith to kiss your tight little ass."

Anton chuckled, snuggling even closer to his wife. "I don't think so, my dear. There's only one woman I want anywhere near my tight little ass, and it's not Lilith or Natasha." He kissed her, his passion starting to flame again. "Shall we see if we can make stars explode, my dear?"

"Mmm, yesss..." She started rubbing her body against him, anxious to feel him stretching her again. She waited for that all night, it seemed, and couldn't wait until he came home to hold her again. Kissing him eagerly, she slid her hands down his back and shoved them under the waistband of his boxers, squeezing his ass, and pulling him tighter between her legs. "I want you so much, sugar. You feel so good."

Anton practically purred. His cock had slipped out of her during their conversation, but it was firming up again. Moving under the blankets, he started to work her bra completely off. His shirt was still on, but he could practically feel her nipples rubbing against his skin. "You feel pretty good yourself, Bryn. But you even taste better." With that, he attached his mouth over her scar, sucking and raising a hickey, marking her his.

Bryn whimpered, shifting her hips to rub the head of his cock against her clit. She smiled when he moaned and kept up the slow, steady motion. Pressing her hands to his chest, she lightly teased his nipples through the fabric of his shirt, rotating them under her fingers and then trying to capture them with a gentle pinch.

He gave a soft moan, torn between evading and encouraging her touch. His own fingers found her nipples and softly plucked at them as he moved his head to give her a hickey on the other side of her neck. Using his thighs, he spread her legs a little wider, eager to get back inside of her.

She shivered in excitement and started unbuttoning his shirt. His bare chest was warm and smooth, and she wanted him pressed tight against her breasts. Tucking her ankles over his ass, she encouraged him closer. "I want you inside me. I love your big cock."

"And I love your tight cunt." He also knew she loved it when he talked dirty to her. "Is what you want, Bryn?" he asked as he pushed inside roughly. "You want me to make you squeal, make you throb? Make you gush?"

She cried out, her body arching beneath him. "Yes!" Yes was such a small word, one syllable, but her yelp managed to make it sound even smaller, skinnier. "Ooooh, fuck me! Make it hurt! Make me feel you everywhere!"

Almost without waiting for her cry, Anton pulled back began a demanding rhythm. There was little finesse, but a lot of skill as he gave her exactly what she wanted. One hand guided her waist to match his thrusts while his other plucked at her stiff nipples. He made sure his breath sounded harshly in her ear, so she could hear what she was doing to him.

She couldn't seem to catch her breath and could only hang on to the wild ride he was giving her. Her ass was starting to chafe against the rough woven fabric of the chaise, but she wasn't about to make him stop for anything. His thrusts were making her grunt as the air left her lungs. Sliding her hand down, she wedged it between them and used her fingers to hold open the lips of her sex.

Anton heard the rip of tearing fabric and the groan of stressed metal, but he spare the brain power to figure out where it came from. All he was processing was how hot, tight, and wet Bryn was. They may make love ten times a day for a year, and she never seemed to get any looser for him. Which suited him fine. Plowing her relentlessly, he slipped both hands under her ass, lifting it so he could get even deeper inside of her.

Bryn knew it wouldn't be long before she'd be seeing stars again, and she wouldn't need to look to the sky to find them. He was rubbing all the right spots, moving at the perfect pace, and his kisses had her toes curling. Squeezing him tightly with her muscles, she slid her hand around his hip and teased the cleft of his ass with her fingertips.

Anton moaned, his thrust coming faster. He was cumming again, and it felt like he was floating. It wasn't until he and Bryn hit the ground did he realize he had been falling, the chaise breaking under the strain of their lovemaking.

One minute she'd been writhing in bliss and in the next she hit the ground hard, only cushioned by a three-inch thick layer of foam, and Anton fell right on top of her, nearly knocking the breath out of her lungs. Bryn gasped and let out a low groan, sprawled out as if someone had punched her. Surprisingly, she was still twitching with ecstasy, her thighs shivering with the last of her orgasm.

Anton immediately lifted up so she could breathe. But he grinned when she grabbed his ass, keeping him inside of her. His back ached, and he was sure he had scraped his knees. But he was sure him landing on Bryn didn't feel good for her. "Are you okay, my dear?"

Eyes closed tightly, she gave him a stiff nod. "My ass hurts and my ribs hurt, but I'll live." She cracked an eye open. "I'm pretty sure you won't, though."

With that, she started giggling.

Anton rolled his eyes, smirking. "Come my dear. Let's go upstairs and start you a hot bath to soak those aches away. And maybe after that, a full body massage."

"Ooh, a bath! And I was just starting to envy Max, because he needs a bath tonight. I guess we better grab him so he can share mine." Letting him pull her to her feet, she groaned again, wincing at the aches in her joints, and rubbing her ass. "Ohhh...maybe this will be a good excuse to stay home tonight. I can't work if my butt is broken."

Anton's gaze traveled over her backside as he rested his hand on her. "I don't know, my dear." He reached down and goosed her, grinning at her squeal. "It seems to be working, Bryn. And looks wonderful, I might add."

She gave him a dry look over her shoulder. "Just wait until the bruise colors up and turns Mardi Gras colored. You won't be thinking it looks great then." Picking up her shoes and the blanket from the ground, moaning and groaning the entire time, she headed for the sliding glass door. "I may need a really long bath, and an even longer massage. You sure you're up to that?"

"Of course, my dear. Of course."

It was a lovely sunset, better explored through the lush new growth in the vineyard. He walked alongside Viviane, making sure she stayed safe as the night darkened and that she didn't stray too far from home. Every once in a while, she would fist her fingers in his thick brown and gray fur, comforted by his presence. Her was her Wolf, and she trusted him implicitly.

Nose close to the ground and tail held high, he led the way between the rows, stopping every now and then to inspect his grapes and make sure his employees were doing their jobs. Behind him, Viviane babbled on about her day and how her dad had gotten angry at her for swearing. For a moment he had the urge to chuckle.

Just as they got close to the hillside where the cave entrances were, he smelled something. Familiar, foul, and rank enough to make him growl. He stopped in his tracks, refusing to allow Viviane to move any further. When she tried to push him, he half-turned and growled at her in warning. The little girl started to back away, like he wanted, but he despised himself for doing it. He whirled and bared his teeth in the direction of the caves, the hair raised on the back of his neck. Warning her of danger ahead. She needed no further encouragement and took off running back to the house. Marrok stayed until he was sure she wouldn't come back, then slowly moved forward, wary, following his nose all the way.

He was nearly to the left cave entrance when he saw movement in the shadows. He let out a low, angry growl, just seconds before springing.

She had heard them coming, and was ready. Part of her was surprised it had taken him this long to discover her. Although she hadn't sought him out, she hadn't been trying to hide her scent. Instead of fighting the momentum of the leaping werewolf, she allowed herself to be bowled over. Pinned firmly beneath him, Natasha looked up at the wolf with a sweet smile. "What, Marrok, no kiss hello?"

He let out a nasty snarl and snapped at her. When she didn't try to move, he grabbed her by the neck and squeezed hard, surely enough to break her skin and crush her windpipe. He had it in him to keep biting until her head popped off, but it wouldn't do him any good. It would take him a long time to chew that much, and she healed too damned quickly.

Releasing her with an angry shake of his head, he rolled to the side and got to his feet before Changing back in to human form. "You're lucky I don't have a stake, viper!"

"It's good to see you too, Marrok." She perused his nude form, smiling. "Although I wouldn't mind you 'staking' me." Her lovers of late didn't have that same dark, dangerous edge Nathaniel did when she had angered him. And she found herself missing it. She was sure that Marrok would be more than capable of providing it. "But I'm here for business, not pleasure. Although..." she eyed him suggestively.

His lip curled in disgust, and he quickly stood up. Although he was normally comfortable with his own nudity, her stare made him want to cover up and fast. "I have no business with you other than waste disposal. Now get the hell off my property before I throw you out."

"Oh no, we have other business." Natasha's smile had something dark and nasty in it. "You've been a bad doggie. You tried to kidnap Nathaniel's wife, and you fucked that up. Now you've gone to them, tail between your legs, begging them to see your son "

"That's none of your business. I've got things under control, and if you think my tail is between my legs, just stay tuned. I'm sure you will soon see otherwise."

She couldn't resist the chance to make him uncomfortable. "Well, I see something between your legs..."

"Take a good long look because that's all you're getting, you stinking corpse."

[Enough with the pleasantries, then,] she thought. Her fangs extended, her eyes glowing like coals. "Now you listen to me, pup. Your grandparent's weren't even conceived when I had already slaughtered more than you could ever hope to. I can accomplish my goals with or without your aid. Fuck with me, Marrok, and I will make sure the last sight you see is me Transforming your precious daughter."

He didn't give her a chance to say another word before he lunged at her, aiming straight for her throat and clamping on tightly. No matter how long it took, he would decapitate the bitch and make sure no one ever found the head. No one threatened his kids and lived to tell about it.

"I wouldn't if I were you," she managed to squeeze out before her air was cut off. Which really didn't matter, since she really didn't need to breathe anyway. He had Changed during his leap, his hind legs straddling her. Grasping for the silver knife she had kept hidden under her body, she whipped it up, the point tickling his belly. All it would take was one nick, something that could be done easily during her death throes. "Might die..but you too..."

Marrok froze, a sudden intake of breath bringing the knife tip just that much closer to his flesh. Carefully releasing his jaws from her neck, he waited for her to kindly do the same with the knife. Grateful that she couldn't smell his fear, like a fellow werewolf might've.

The knife slowly retracted. "Good that we have an understanding. Now listen to me, pup. You will continue to meet with Nathaniel, your son, and that bitch of his. You will not do anything to harm them. Instead, you will report to me everything you learn while with them - about them, their family, their friends. And when I'm ready, you'll help me. Do a good job, and not only will you get your son, I'll let you have her too."

Backing up, he growled at her. Certain that she couldn't strike fast enough to catch him, he lifted his leg and urinated on her before quickly jumping out of the way.

She screeched in indignity. If Natasha had regular knives with her, she would have pinned that insolent pup down and taught him a lesson he wouldn't soon forget. If she let him live. Instead she managed to salvage what little dignity she had left. "You should be glad that I'm in a forgiving mood, Marrok. I've castrated men for lesser offenses." She may choose to appear to forgive him now, but she wouldn't forget. Not by a long shot.

Half-Changing so that his upper body was human, and his lower still that of a wolf, not an easy pose to hold, he snarled, "Funny, I would've pegged you for a woman in to watersports. My mistake."

The knife buried itself blade first in the tree two inches to the left of Marrok's head.

Grinning, he crouched down and let his body relax back in to his canine form, staring at her for a moment before flashing his ass at her as he trotted back to his house.

She smiled grimly, watching the insolent son of a bitch disappear. She retreated back to the cave and removed the urine stained clothes. She would have to move on now. There was no way she wanted Marrok to know her lair. But she wouldn't be able to live in the opulence her tastes demanded. That would draw Lilith's attentions.

Her fangs ground together, almost throwing sparks like the ones in her eyes. They would all pay for making her skulk in caves soon enough. And then they would know that no one fucks with Natasha Falconieri, and lives to tell about it.

End Chapter One Hundred Eighteen