Raven
“Of course I’m coming with you!” Maverick looked hurt that I’d thought otherwise, but I hadn’t wanted to make assumptions. Yes we were mates, but the mate bond had settled, and I knew he had responsibilities. It wasn’t fair to drag him halfway around the world if he didn’t want to go. “Little mate, where you go, I go. No ifs or buts.”
My heart melted. What a sweet bear he was.
“Cute,” came Zane’s droll response. “For the record, it’s yes to butts for me.”
Maverick skewered the incubus with a glare so vicious I winced.
“The more the merrier, care bear!”
My bear shifter mate ground his teeth, but we both knew I needed Zane on this quest as well. With his powerful teleportation magic, we could reach the northernmost islands far more quickly. It made traveling so much easier. And besides,I’d grown rather fond of the irritating incubus with zero boundaries.
“I wish I could come too.” Glynda looked glum, so I gave her a big hug. When in doubt, hug one’s bestie was my motto.
“I wish you could join the fun crew too. I could do with your help in keeping the peace.” Glynda snorted at my name for our band of misfits before we both glanced at the bear and the incubus. Maverick was busy drilling holes into Zane’s head with his bear-glowing eyes, while Zane fiddled with Maverick’s expensive coffee machine.
“Oops.” Steam burst out and a metal spout fell off.
“You break it, you pay for it.” Maverick slammed his hands down on the counter and caused a mug to tumble onto the floor, sending shards of pottery flying. Then he sighed and ground his teeth some more while quickly sweeping up the mess.
“And what happens if I break you?” I almost giggled at Zane’s innocent smile as he leaned against the sink, but I thought better of it. We were already on thin ice, and one more bust-up would blow this tentative dream team slash fun crew to smithereens.
“This isn’t going to work, is it?” I pulled a face at Glynda.
“You’ll be fine,” she chuckled. “Lots of sex is the solution to most problems where aggressive alpha males are concerned.”
“Sex?” I squeaked. “But…”
She booped my nose. “It’s only a matter of time before you cave in to the incubus’ charms. But feel free to give me a full review once you do. I’ve heard…rumors.”
“Rumors?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear what other magicals had been saying about Zane. He might be an ass, but he was still a person.Ugh.Witches were such gossips.
“Yeah, Demelza said that—”
“Believenothingthat bitch of a witch says, pet,” Zane interjected, all traces of amusement gone. “I wouldn’t touch her cunt if she were the last female on the continent. I’d ratherpower up on care bear’s jack-off sessions than stick my cock into her poisoned well.”
“That’s not whatshesaid.” Glynda’s voice trailed off before she grinned at me. “But everyone knows she lies like a demon when it suits her.”
“That ho loves wolf shifters.” Zane pulled a face as if remembering a particularly disturbing incident. “Two or three at a time. She has a degradation kink.”
Glynda’s jaw dropped to hear such salacious gossip. “Really?”
Oh my stars. I did not want to hear about Demelza’s kinks. I was having trouble enough figuring out my own.
Zane laughed. “I suggest not attending a pack orgy when she’s there. Your eyes will bleed, witch, but it’s good for my power reserves. Those shifters can go all night long with a bit of a magical boost from me.”
“I don’t need a magic boost,” Maverick muttered. I could confirm he was indeed correct, but I kept my mouth shut. While blushing.
From Zane’s sly grin, he knew where my mind had gone and approved. He shamelessly adjusted himself, and I immediately looked away, choosing to focus on the broken coffee machine instead. Was it beyond repair? If so, I might cry.
Stars-damned incubus. I’d been looking forward to a coffee before we left. Now I’d have to make do with herbal tea.
“Don’t cry, little mate. I already made you a coffee.” Maverick picked up a travel mug from the counter and handed it to me. “I even added a shot of vanilla for you.”
My eyes welled up with happy tears. I must have done something amazing in a previous life to be blessed with such a thoughtful and caring mate.
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Glynda gushed. “I hope I find my soul-bonded mate one day.” She sounded so sad I felt compelled to give her another quick bestie hug.
