Purebreds and Power

Lilly’s mouth fell open as the guests cheered. Teeth bared in excitement, and shirts fell to the floor. Even the werewolves in attendance joined the debauchery, howling and dropping their pants.

“My consummation,” Han placed Lilly’s hand around his bicep, “will not be public. Enjoy each other while I enjoy my new bride.”

Collectively, the room grumbled, but Han’s announcement didn’t dampen the excitement.

Panting, watching.

Stripping, participating.

Han guided Lilly, stepping between the voyeurs and dodging those pursuing reciprocal satisfaction.

The sound of joining flesh had become the new percussion of the room, and the tenor of moans and soprano of screams created discordant harmonies as the newly married couple parted the room.

Silence fell when the ballroom door finally closed behind them.

“I…” Lilly put her fingertips to her mouth. “I’m not sure… I mean… My dad.” She bit her lower lip. “Have you seen my dad?”

The corner of Han’s eyes crinkled. “I believe I saw—”

Lilly slapped her hand over Han’s mouth. “Nope! No. Never mind.” Lilly shook her head, her eyes closed.

Chuckling, Han removed Lilly’s hand. “I believe I saw him excuse himself. He looked quite emotional.”

“Good.” A heavy sigh took the tension from Lilly’s body. “Not that he’s not an adult. He can make—”

Han’s eager lips wrapped around Lilly’s pouty ones. The feeling of her skin on his coiled his insides.

It felt so… good.

It felt so… right.

Han deepened the kiss, unable to get enough.

And Lilly quickly responded.

Han pulled back and brought Lilly’s head to rest on his chest. Eventually, their breathing slowed. “You’re now my wife.”

“And you are my husband.” Lilly grinned.

Han pecked Lilly’s forehead, and they continued hand in hand.

“Is the massive sex fest a regular thing for weddings?”

“Any dinner could be an orgy, Beloved. Did you think a celebration would be any less?”

Lilly stopped and looked at Han, then closed her mouth. “I guess not. By the way, where are we going?”

“Our bedroom.”

“Our. I do quite like the sound of that.”

Han and Lilly came to rest in front of a door Lilly had never seen, down a short hall she had never traversed. The majority of the living quarters seemed to reside in the front of the house. This space was surprisingly in the back.

“I always thought this was storage or something.” Lilly bit the edge of her manicured thumbnail.

Han pulled Lilly’s finger from her lips, then kissed them instead. “It was storage. A century’s worth of furniture gathering dust.” Then he turned the knob and pushed open the door. “I met you, and I knew what this place was for.”

The grand room sprawled before them. A floor-to-ceiling natural stone fireplace brought warmth as a fire softly crackled, while extensive bookshelves lining half the room brought a sense of simple comfort. Lilly stepped into the room, and her eyes grew wide as she followed the bookcases up.

A small circular staircase wound its way to an open second-floor seating area with a desk.

She turned to Han and pointed. “An office?”

“Space without space.”

The four-poster bed beckoned, sitting across from windows that spanned to the vaulted ceiling. Lilly stepped towards the french doors next to the fireplace and looked at Han. He nodded and smiled.

The balcony overlooked the estate. The beautiful gardens bloomed in one direction while an unexpected gem glittered in the other.

“This is the only place you can see the lake from the house.” Han stepped behind Lilly and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I remodeled a bit.”

Lilly spun around in Han’s arms, and her lips found his.

Impatient.

Yearning.

This time she pulled away, resting her forehead on Han’s chest. “I can’t believe this is real.”

Han swept Lilly into his arms and walked inside. “Forever.” After laying Lilly down on the bed, Han removed his jacket and waistcoat. Lilly didn’t move except to undo her hair. Beautiful spirals spread across the pillows as the scent of lavender filled Han’s nose.

Lilly bit her lower lips, watching Han’s every move. He moved with ease and placed his knee next to her and with silent precision straddled her.

Han’s fingertips teased the unkempt tendrils. Soft, silky strands pirouetted under his touch.

And he kissed her.

Her lips felt like his beginning.

And his end.

Like forever.

But, like not long enough.

He thought she didn’t exist.

Yet here she was.

His beloved.

His wife.

Lilly’s chest rose and fell, begging for more.

“Not yet,” Han stood from the bed and pulled Lilly up in front of him. He turned her around and unzipped her dress, and helped her from it. “We have one more scene in this play.” With the tips of his teeth, Han poked Lilly’s shoulder.

Lilly scowled. “Aren’t you hungry?” She spun around and found Han returning with a white silk gown. “But I’m bleeding.”

Han smirked as he helped Lilly into the bejeweled garment. Beads and crystals covered the high heck and created intricate details over the tulle bodice. An elegant sweep train provided the finishing touch.

“It’s gorgeous!” Lilly spun and examined every inch. Then she grabbed her neck. “I’ll ruin the dress!

Han crowded Lilly’s space, forcing her to look up at him. “You look perfect.” Then he held out his hand. “Let’s finish this.”

—--

“How could he want her for anything but rutting?”

“A werewolf. I can’t believe it. I’ve heard her father hold massive lands. I’m not sure any amount would suffice.”

“How can she deal with his vulgarity.”

“Maybe his mark didn’t take.”

“Maybe they aren’t compatible.”

No shortage of thoughts remained part of unopened mouths as Han and Lilly breached the ballroom doorway. The provocative dancing from earlier had long been replaced with a quieter repast. They had only entered a few feet when a smiling Dax found them.

“Congratulations!” Dax pecked Lilly’s cheek, and Han glared.

“Thank you.” Lilly pulled her hand from Han’s and folded both in front of her. “I understand that congratulations are in order for you as well.”

“Oh. Yes.” Dax picked up Lilly’s hands. “I’m sorry for any hurt I might have caused.”

“You met your mate. It’s understandable.”

“Thank you for coming, Alpha Dax.” Han grabbed Lilly’s hand and curled it around his bicep, folding his arms. “We have many guests to see.”

Dax chuckled. “Give him a chance, Lilly.” Then he patted Han’s shoulder. “He’s a good guy. Uh, beast. Er, demon. Whatever. I know you only met a couple of times, but I can vouch for him.”

“Tiresome.”

Dax laughed again and walked away to join some other werewolves.

—--

The night grew long, and light threatened the darkness.

“I think this joining worked out for the best!” Eckhard attempted to tap Gideon’s shoulder but missed.

“The best, indeed!” Gideon’s drink sloshed from his glass. “Well done. Well done.”

Han and Lilly stood talking to the last of the guests they had yet to greet when an elder approached them. He looked down his nose as he eyed Lilly from head to toe. “We have yet to see you drink from her, my liege. Is she toxic or diseased?”

Han snarled and grabbed the councilor by the throat. He pranced around the room—the man flailing weightlessly. Han’s patent leather left no sound on the marble, reminding those in attendance of the predator he was. “I do not repeat myself, so I will only say this once.” He looked around the room before dropping the rotund senior onto the floor. “My wife is mine. I shall never feed from another. I have no need to.” With giant strides, Han found Lilly and closed his eyes as he took a long whiff from the base of her neck.

“Oh, honey.” A lanky blonde approached. “You can’t be the favorite forever. Vampires only ever choose vampires. With Han’s pure blood, he will want to bear his own heir. Let me know when you can’t take it anymore. I have just the drink for you.” She held out a small yellow bottle.

Han lurched toward the female when Lilly pulled him back. “You are my wife. No one will disrespect you.”

Lilly patted Han’s lapel, then turned and grabbed the blond’s bob and threw her across the room. The crash of her hitting a table barely disturbed the party-goers.

“My house. My spouse.” Lilly clapped her hands together, and Han bit back a smile.

—--

The crackling of the fire was interrupted by the occasional pop. Han’s toes peeked from under the disheveled covers as Liily’s leg snaked around his.

They had barely made it through the bedroom door when Lilly attacked. Her hands groped at Han’s clothes, ripping them from his body. Her teeth bit between sensual kisses, trying to decide what she needed more.

Han did not deny her every request, meeting them with his own demands.

He had waited too long.

He had been patient.

And he was not a patient man.

Now they would both take what they needed from each other.

Happily.

Willingly.

The fancy clothes hit the floor before they hit the bed.

Han picked Lilly up, bringing her down hard on his turgid length.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

It would repeat.

Over and over.

As would the cries of savage desires finally met.

Harder.

And harder.

Until their feral need met a fevered pitch.

And they exploded.

And descended.

Together.

Han slowly traced the veins in Lilly’s arm, then down her fingers. “They call this one,” he placed her fourth finger to his lips, “the vein of love.” Then he reached into the nightstand and pulled out a ring. “Now I understand why. And this circle will never end, just like our love.” The sapphire infinity band flawlessly sparkled in the firelight as Han placed it on Lilly’s finger. “The werewolf wedding ceremony is quite vampiric, you know.”

Lilly smiled as she examined the beautiful gems. “Shut up and kiss me.” She pulled Han to her and swallowed his smirk. “We will have to talk to Rhia soon.”

“My thoughts exactly. I want to enjoy you for a good, long while without issue.”

“You don’t think we…” Lilly gestured between them.

“No. I expect it will take some time for the magic to dissipate from your body.”

Lilly rested her head on Han’s chest. She flipped her hand over, admiring her new jewelry. “Will it always be this way? Will I always have to hide how much I love you?”

Han pressed a kiss to the side of Lilly’s head. “As long as there are those who would hurt you for what you are to me.”

“What am I to you?”

“Everything.”