Free Blood Trinity by Carol Lynne Page A

to the shopping bags. “You get some good stuff?”
    “Sure.” Audric dug in his pocket. He handed back the money Kern had given him earlier. “I didn’t need any of that. Neo gave me some of the money The Realm confiscated from the LaMont coven.”
    Audric leaned closer to Kern and whispered in his ear. “I even bought you and Haig a few things.”
    “Really?” Kern could tell by the mischievous look in Audric’s green eyes that it wasn’t something he wanted to pull out in front of Flick. Kern glanced from Haig to Flick. “We about done here?”
    Flick nodded. “I’ll try to find the supplies we discussed and meet you at your hotel in…” Flick looked at his watch. “Three hours? Does that sound okay?”
    Audric’s spine stiffened. “That’ll be just before dawn.”
    Kern knew where his mate was going. “Yeah. It’s the best time of day to catch wolves unaware.”
    “But that means I can’t help,” Audric pointed out.
    Arguing with his mate in front of Flick wasn’t an option. “Let’s go check in to the hotel and talk about it.” He stood and offered Audric his hand.
    Audric ignored Kern’s hand and looked at Haig. “Why don’t you want my help?”
    Kern had no idea how Haig was going to answer the question. He held his breath, hoping Haig didn’t drive a wedge between the three of them.
    Haig surprised Kern by reaching out to cover Audric’s hand. “It’s not that we don’t want your help. It’s all about timing. We have to do this right if we’re going to successfully get my sister out of there.” Haig gave Audric’s hand a squeeze. “I’m sorry.”
    “But I can pop in on the wolves and they would never see me coming.” Audric looked from Haig to Kern. “I have certain skills I’m willing to use to help you. Let me.”
    Flick stood and tapped the table with his knuckles, clearly uncomfortable. “I’m going to head out. Just give me a call if our plans change.”
    Haig waited for Flick to leave the pub before turning his attention back to Audric . “Let’s go to the hotel and discuss this further.”
    Audric stared at Haig for several moments before eventually agreeing. “Okay.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Haig finished his shower and reached for a towel. His plan had been to give Audric and Kern some time alone, but the cries of the two men fucking in the adjacent room had cut his shower short. He’d been over and over Audric’s offer, and he still couldn’t figure out why Kern’s mate would risk his life to help Galena.
    Harder to understand was why Haig declined the offer. It had nothing to do with Audric’s capabilities and everything to do with his desire to keep Audric safe from Juniper and the rest of his pack.
    Wrapping the towel around his waist, Haig opened the bathroom door and stood to regard Kern and Audric . The longer he watched Kern bathe Audric with his tongue, the harder it was for him to remain an observer. He walked over and sat on the edge of the other bed in the room.
    Audric turned his head and watched Haig through heavy-lidded eyes. Although not a word was spoken, Audric proved his new ease around Haig.
    Haig rubbed the back of his neck to keep from reaching for the vampire. Never had he been tempted to touch another man other than his mate. Kern had the excuse of the mating frenzy to excuse his behaviour but Haig didn’t.
    Audric reached out towards Haig in silent invitation.
    Sweat immediately began to pour down Haig’s face and chest as he fought against his body’s desire.
    Kern must’ve picked up on Haig’s conflicting emotions. He released Audric’s cock and turned to look at Haig. “What’s wrong?”
    Haig stared at Audric’s cock, glistening with Kern’s saliva, and swallowed. Would Kern see it as cheating? Would he? Haig wasn’t sure if he could live with himself knowing he’d given in to his body’s urges outside of being mated. He thought of Kern’s suggestion that Haig mate with Audric and shook his head. He knew he couldn’t