Free Quench by J. Hali Steele

was his turn to chuckle.
    “I am not tiny. I’m big enough to kick your ass.
Don’t let the pretty outfit and shoes fool you.”
    They reached the front door and he grabbed her by the arm.
“Viv, about last night, I can explain.”
    “Hey, you went back in to get champagne. I should have paid
attention to my surroundings and not worried about you picking up where you
left off with your ex.”
    “I told you, Hol and I were not in a relationship, damn it.
We were both single and we were there for each other. It’s different now.”
    Her eyes pierced him. “What’s changed, Alek?”
    “I did.” Here it comes. She’d want to know about his
future relationship with Nikol. He couldn’t guarantee her anything when the
prince got home. He’d be drawn right back into their web of desire.
    “Why did you walk out on me last night?”
    “You didn’t want me there.” Uneasy, he turned away from her.
“I’m a hairy-assed cat. I walk on all fours and I like it, Viv.”
    “I…I’m hungry. Can we just go?”
    “At your service.” Alek was glad to drop it. He wouldn’t
know what to say if she asked the hard question anyway. Besides, he was hungry
too.
    He’d fed at Big Bear before Case dropped by but it took a
lot out of him to feed her. Human blood worked so much better than an animal
kill. The skier had recovered quickly and he’d escorted the man home safely after
he thought he’d bumped his head in a fall.
    Reign never killed humans.
    He snatched her against his body and disappeared to the
Looking Glass. The lot was full of cars but no one was outside. Those still
here had settled at the bar or in private rooms for the night. They’d all be
looking for a good time.
    Entering the club with Viv on his arm, he sniffed Case out
immediately. He nodded at Alek from where he sat chatting up a wolf shifter.
Alek peered around the room and found Tres. She glanced up and came right over.
    “Damn it’s good to see you,” she said, throwing her arms
around him. “Wow, Case said you had yourself a foxy-ass lady.” She reached her
hand out to Viv. “I’m Tres. Alek and I go way back.”
    He sure as hell hoped Viv wouldn’t start any shit. Tres was really tiny but with Case’s blood in her veins she was far from easy to handle.
    “I’m Viviana, call me Viv.”
    Well, shit, that was too easy.
    “Alek, visit with your friend, I’ll sit with Tres and get to
know her better.”
    “Sure you’re okay?”
    “I’m fine but I could eat something. I’ll have another run
at a very rare steak. You can show me how to chew it.” Her broad smile sat his
blood racing and his cock reared its big head. This vamp had his number. And if
he looked in a mirror he’d find hers tattooed on his forehead.
    “I’ll take care of it.”
    As long as Holly stayed out of the way, the night could only
get better.
    “We gave her some time off. We decided to stay, hoping you
guys would drop by.”
    “Stay out of my mind, damn it.” He laughed and sat beside
Case, who had been a lifesaver last night and today. “Thanks for stopping by
this morning.”
    “You know I love you, bro. Couldn’t stand to see you hurt.
How are things?”
    “She hasn’t mentioned anything. We haven’t talked much since
she got up. The champagne was a hit,” Alek said.
    “Hmm, I bet it was.”
    “Being mated could be good I guess. We’ll see how it plays
out.”
    “She’ll come round. They give us a merry chase, don’t they?
Like being on the hunt in the old days.”
    “I don’t remember chasing water buffalo being so hard.”
    He glanced back at the table where Viv and Tres seemed to be
hitting it off. They shared a laugh over something.
    “How long did it take for Tres to learn to keep you out of
her mind?”
    “You’re safe until you change her. Viv’s got old blood in
her veins, though, I can barely read her.” He winked at Alek. “You may as well
give up, it’ll wear you out.”
    “Damn.”
    “Come on, I’ll show you the new room we