Tasting The Enemy

Azaire POV

Damn Lucas it was bad enough he followed me, but he had to mention Megan too? Elaine hadn’t looked up from the window since we got into the car. I hadn’t touched Megan since I found out I had a mate. She tried to initiate contact but my thoughts were on Elaine alone. I grabbed her thigh and rubbed it.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked.

“Your girlfriend,” she snapped.

I clenched my jaw. “You’re my girlfriend, babe.”

“That doesn’t matter anyway. What’s Lucas going to do?”

“Nothing. He’s my little brother he has to listen to me.”

“But Richie’s the Alpha and Lucas owes him loyalty.”

Elaine had a point but I couldn’t bear to even think about being separated from Elaine just because of a rivalry. I didn’t want to fight with my family either. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

“I’m sorry I’m just stressed.”

I held her hand and squeezed. “It’s okay mate. Everything’s going to be fine.”

I drove into the underground parking space of my building.

“We’ll find you a motel later right now I have to get through to Lucas.”

She nodded.

I wouldn’t mind if she stayed with me. Normally when wolves find their mates they have a mating ceremony move in together and immediately start the pup-making process. These weren’t normal circumstances though. My gorgeous mates would give me beautiful children. She didn’t even know how beautiful she was. I couldn’t believe her Father treated her so badly. It made me hate the Ryker family more.

How could I do that and be in love with their daughter?

“This better be good, Azaire,” Lucas said.

“Shut up.”

I took Elaine’s hand to show Lucas this wasn’t a joke. We went up to my apartment and the little bastard made himself comfortable on the couch.

“You couldn’t stand the thought of me having Elaine so you have to swoop in and take her,” Lucas said.

I recalled my younger brother kissing my drunk mate at that party I should have raided. I stared at Elaine and she sucked in her bottom lip.

“No, she was mine first. I should have done a lot more than take your car keys for kissing my mate!”

Lucas sat up and gulped. “You’re kidding. You’re mated to a Ryker scum?”

“Hey!” Elaine frowned.

“No offence,” Lucas said, running a hand through his hair.

“She’s not scum. She’s my fated mate. This isn’t a fluke, Luca.”

“Hell! What’s Richie going to say? He hates Ryker’s family for what happened to Aiden. I thought you hated them as much as him but clearly… not.”

“Elaine wasn’t involved with that. You won’t understand how I feel until you get a fated mate.”

Lucas stood, exhaled and looked between Elaine and me. I tucked her under my arm and pulled her close.

“Fine. I’m guessing I’m the only one who knows. What are you going to do?”

I looked at Elaine. We had a lot to think about.

“For now no one knows. No one other than you and Ross.”

Lucas frowned. “Damn, I thought I was special. I’ll keep my mouth shut, but Richie’s not liking you running off a lot. You’ll have to come clean sometime.”

“I know, now get out of here.” I needed to take care of my mate.

Lucas smirked and walked to the door.

“Lucas,” Elaine said. He stopped and looked at her. “Thanks… for getting it.”

“I’ve already lost one brother. I’m not going to lose another one.”

The door closed behind him. I picked Elaine up and carried her to my room. She wrapped her arms around my neck and laughed.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m taking care of you. I need to kiss you better.”

I kissed her jaw, down to her neck and her chest. I pushed her shirt up and kissed her soft skin. She needed to get her cuts cleaned but her soft flesh called to me.

“Azaire…” Elaine moaned.

I toyed with the waistband of her leggings. A little taste wouldn’t hurt. I held her hips and pulled her closer.

“Please… don’t tease me,” she said.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

As I tugged on her pants my phone rang. I’d be damned if that wasn’t Richie. The phone kept on going off until I stopped and answered it.

“Richie!” I snapped.

“Where the hell are you?” he responded.

“Doesn’t matter what the hell do you want?”

“Wolf enhancers. One of the beta soldiers had a seizure he’s dead.”

“Fuck.” I killed the call.

“Azaire,” Elaine said, sitting up.

“I have to go. You’ll be safe here.”

She rubbed her shoulders. “I guess Avena wouldn’t come to this side of town.”

I grabbed her head and kissed her passionately. It would be an amazing night with Elaine in the bed with me.

***

Richie was furious about wolf enhancers entering our territory. Oliver was nowhere to be seen. This was our first causality. If this beta got to the point of death that means he’s been taking them for a long time. Who knows how many more wolves have been taking wolf enhancers?

“We have to get into the army and find out who else is taking. After this guy’s death they should be willing to come forever,” I said.

“Sounds like a plan,” Ross said.

Richie nodded. “Yeah. Megan, go into town and check out the popular spots. Report back on anything suspicious.”

Megan nodded. “Copy. Azaire are you coming with me?”

My mate was waiting for me at home. Megan held her hips and waited for a response.

“I’m going to look for Oliver. Next time.”

Megan took a step forward. “What’s up with you, Azaire?”

I glanced at Ross.

My best friend got up. “Come on, I’ll go with you. You don’t have to make a scene because you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared!”

Ross dragged her away. I breathed a small sigh of relief but I knew Richie was wondering the same thing.

Leaving with my lie to find Oliver, I thought about what to grab for dinner. I didn’t think I’d be bothered with these things. I lived a lone life. I ate bear and pizza for dinner for three years but now I had a mate to think about.

I got to the door and was thrown back but a sudden burst of energy.

“Where the hell is she?” a woman with swollen red eyes barked at me.

She invaded Shaw castle and nearly poked me to death.

I grabbed Opal’s wrist and willed her to slow down.

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong! What’s wrong? Is that all you have to say? Where’s Elaine?” She yelled.

I ushered her out of the house and closed the door.

“Are you crazy? Don’t you know where you are?”

She wiped her tear-stained face. “I don’t care. I just want to know where she is. She’s like my sister.”

“So why would you think she was here? Our packs hate each other.”

“Don’t give me that crap, Azaire. I saw you two at the ball.”

“Great,” I muttered, “She’s fine-”

“What’s going on here… what is she doing here?” Richie’s nostrils flared.

Opal rolled her eyes. I grabbed Opal’s hand and stood in front of her cutting off her next sentence.

“She’s leaving, Rich. So am I.”

“Wait. She’s Black Claw pack, she shouldn’t be here.”

“Oh! Like you didn’t storm into our territory a few days ago for who knows what.”

Richie growled. “I don’t like this one. What are you doing in my house?”

“She came to see me of course.”

Richie stared at me with total confusion.

“Her parents are important people why shouldn’t I know her? Don’t tell Mom. Opal and I are leaving.”

I dragged her away from my house and brother before he could ask more questions but I felt him burning holes in the back of my head. This wasn’t over.

“Are you taking me to her?” Opal sniffled.

I sighed. “Yeah, I am.”