~Gemma~
I nicked my lip on a sharp point. “Can you put those away? There’s an art to kissing when fangs are involved.”
“Yes. And you are so very talented at it.” Damon winked, his fangs in tact.
I squealed like a nervous virgin when he crudely yanked my dress over my head. “Okay, buddy! Clothing is fair game.” I fussed with removing his shirt. “So many buttons! I hate your fancy clothes.”
His dark brown hair, almost black, fell in the most flattering way across his forehead. His chest, although needing a tad sun, might have been sculpted from marble. “Little dove, are you ogling me?”
“Uh-huh,” I managed to form the words. I touched his chest to see if the muscles were real. You’d think I’d be over this obsession by now. I’ve seen the show before. However, it didn’t stop me from being a repeat customer.
“Truly. I am flattered by your ad
~Gemma~ WTF! That was a total shit show. I ran a hand through my hair and collided into a statue. Nope. Just another vampire. “Excuse me.” I mumbled and stepped around the blockade. Unfortunately, the blockade spoke. The blonde vamp crossed her arms and gave me a hostile glare. “Well. Hello, witch.” Yeah. My night went from incredibly bad to even worse. She hated me with a special flavor of venom. “What? Does nobody bother to learn my name?” “You are off in a hurry. Trouble in paradise?” She ignored my rant and examined her manicure with rapt attention. “Hey! Were you listening to us back there?” My adrenaline had not faded. I was still raring to go. She shrugged, pointing a finger and invading my personal bubble with it. “You do not deserve him.” “Listen, Vampirella.” See? I could play that game. “I am so not in the mood right now!” I grabbed her finger to shove it away but paused. I could read her! I could not read or sense a
~Gemma~ I held my cup of coffee as if it could rescue me from my life. It was Tuesday. Tuesdays meant listening to the most intimate details of some very dysfunctional relationships. I swallowed the remaining contents in my mug before promptly refilling it. I had two minutes before my next headache walked in the door. I filled this relationship guru position out of pack desperation. My pack ran off last qualified individual. Alpha Devlin seemed in no hurry to find a replacement. I’m stuck in the shit until then. “Good morning!” I greeted cheerfully. And they said I couldn’t act. Ha! “Hey, Gemma.” Layne grimaced. Geoff trailed closely on her heels, similar grimace in place. My worries that it would be another boring hour were completely unfounded. “Take a seat. How is it going?” I struggled to remember where we left off from last week. I really should consult my notes prior to these sessions. That would require me to start taking notes! As the loving couple immediately began bic
~Alpha Devlin~ The meeting proved to be pointless. In fact, I anticipated this outcome. I pitied Alpha Derrick. His character lacked strength and honor. I shook my head in disgust as the meaningless words continued to tumble out of his mouth. Gemma appeared to be enjoying herself. She cared more about her meal than the discussion at hand. The meeting was a just an excuse to get her by my side. I did not need her input. I made my decision regarding Alpha Derrick’s request as soon as he proposed it. However, I grew tired of the witch’s lack of interest. “Gemma!” I scolded her privately. She dropped her knife and turned to face me. “Rude! You don't have to yell.” She screeched at me like an angry banshee. I swallowed thickly. Did she realize how fucking beautiful she was? I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and teased, “I hope this isn’t your first meal of the day.” Gemma rolled her eyes before stuffing another chunk of meat in her mouth. “Ahem,” our visitor cleared his th
~Gemma~ I came into awareness with a slight feeling of distortion. Ugh! Of course the goddess would leave me smack in the middle of a spectacle. I did my part, vessel. I played your champion. Her voice rippled through my conscience. I smirked. The goddess was ever practical. “Gems? You in there? Are you really laughing right now?” Tyson nudged me. "Are you really naked right now? What do wolves have against clothing?" I ruffled his hair and avoided looking at the elephant in the room. That's right. His cock. He shruggrued with a rueful grin. "I had wolfy things to do. " “Thank the gods you are well.” Alpha Devlin interrupted our conversation, pulling me into a rib-crushing hug. “Okay. I’m okay.” I patted his shoulder and tried to disengage from his embrace. Everyone was staring. Again. “Do you think now is an appropriate time to proceed?” Corbin inquired. His expression was severe, his face lined with stress. He reminded me of the grave circumstances at hand. “I suppose
~Alpha Devlin~ I showered to wash all evidence of gore away. I couldn’t approach Gemma in anything but pristine condition. She deserved that. My selfish actions resulted in Gemma getting hurt. I had to acknowledge she was put at risk far too often. Tyson wore a robe covered in light florals. “Well, at least I don’t have to look at your dick. The night is turning in a positive direction.” I smirked. Tyson laughed. “Check your language, bro! There are children present!” He nodded his head to the side. Gemma and the false witch sat together, talking quietly. “What the fuck is she doing here!” I yelled, not caring if I woke the entire packhouse. I didn’t want that bitch near Gemma or my brother at the moment. Gemma got off the couch and walked over to us. “Alpha Devlin, everything okay?” Her gaze wandered over my face. “No, Gemma. Everything is not okay. I don’t want you making friends with her.” I pointed at the cowering girl across the room. “Not after what she did.” Her face s
~Gemma~ Sounds of my own screaming tore me from sleep. My heart thudded in my chest. I tasted the taint of the wicked witch and her twisted alpha. Shit! Weeks later I still woke with night terrors. My tank top was drenched with sweat and clung to my body. Gross. I rolled over to look at the alarm clock and groaned. Usually if I was up at three am, it was because I never went to bed. Fat Kitty cuddled me, giving me his own special flavor of love. I wished it was enough. Love never saved me from a damn thing. Sorry if that hard truth made me out to be a heartless hag. Sleep evaded me, refused to entertain my pleas for a comeback. I tried. I tried so hard. Some days were rougher than others. “Gems? Do you need me?” Alpha Devlin’s voice cut through the misery that was my life. His sleepy voice carried through the distance. Of course he never had trouble with sleep. And most unforgivable, he was a morning person. “Gemma? I know you're awake. Stop avoiding me.” I gritted my teeth. Ever
~Alpha Devlin~ Damp hair clung to my forehead. Since sleep refused to come, I decided to work off some steam. An hour of lifting weights and abusing my body provided no comfort. Might as well shower and let go of the idea of rest. “Knock, knock.” A female voice called out, along with a light rapping on my door. Who the hell is here at this hour? “Go away!” “Devie, let me in. I know you’re in there.” I silently cursed, remaining quiet on the chance she would go away. “Don’t act like this. Let me in.” Her nails clacked on the door frame. “Or I will cause a scene.” Fuck this! I swung the door open and pulled her inside. “It is Alpha Devlin to you. Don’t forget your place.” I ignored her pouty look and continued. “Now what do you want? It’s late.” “Technically, it’s early.” Tasha nibbled on her bottom lip. “I miss you. And I know you miss me.” I know it was rude. I didn’t give a shit, dismissing her claim with an arrogant wave of my hand. “I explained very clearly where we stood.
~Gemma~ “I miss you so much.” I reached for the beautiful man with such longing. Imagine trying to touch a treasure you had no business coveting. He stared at me with those empty, soulless eyes. “Why won’t you come to me?” “I’m sorry! I can’t!” I explained. Flames danced in his eyes. “Come to me!” His hand caressed my face. I woke trembling and confused. Shit! I dreamed of him again, of Damon, my former vampire lover. This dream marked the third in the past week. My night terrors about the tainted witch and her alpha finally stopped. And now this fresh hell. It had only been a few months and I still missed him. Besides the physical connection, I missed his company and our stimulating conversations. I know it may be hard to believe, but we were friends before lovers. I sighed and pulled the blankets up to my neck. Somewhere in the hidden corners of his mind, did he miss me? Unlike with Alpha Devlin, Damon and I had no sordid past constantly getting in our way. Well, that was unt