Free Charming the Alphas (Hex My Heart, #5) by Talina Perkins Page A

can see the hurt in your eyes. Any mate could read the pain. I know how much you lost again tonight because of them, but if you let us we’ll help you build a life full of happiness again.”
    She wanted that and he made it sound so easy. Maybe it was and she was over-thinking all of it as usual.
    “It will all be over soon. We’ll bury it under orgasm after orgasm until there’s no pain left. Just toe curling pleasure. Your screams will be something entire different after tonight. That’s a promise” He slid a finger beneath her chin. “Everything else, baby girl, will come one step at a time and we’ll figure this all out.”
    Liquid slipped from her channel. Could she come from words alone? She so wanted to try right now. Every syllable he uttered acted like a stroke to her clit. Her lips parted and Marabelle took a deep breath to recover from the overload of emotions. “Tonight,” she took half a step back and cleared her throat, “um, right before I drank the potion, I heard you or maybe it was Zane in wolf form outside the cabin. I almost didn’t go through with the spellwork.” She fingered the soft material of his over shirt and let her gaze glide over the way it hugged his chest and arms. “But I had to try.” She pulled her hands from him and let them fall to her sides as she looked into his eyes. “I hope you can forgive me. Maybe understand why I had to do it. I also owe Zane an apology and now—”
    “Shhh... you don’t owe me or Zane an apology. You should know anything you need we’re there to back you up.”
    She gave a half smile. “Is Zane mad?”
    “Not at you, but he will be sick to his stomach when I tell him what you just told me.”
    Her brows furrowed together in confusion.
    “Mara, it wasn’t us outside your cabin.”
    “Then who was it? The High Council?”
    “In a way, but let’s wait for Zane.”
    She nodded. “Good idea.”
    Lucian palmed her hands, replaced them on his chest and inclined his head in a way that told her he wanted something. “There’s something else you’re not telling me.” She gave him a mock look of innocence. “Fireballs and wood chippings ring a bell?” HA. So he was after details about her extracurricular activities. She swallowed. A girl needed her secrets.
    “Make no mistake, baby girl, we will talk.” His tone brooked no misunderstanding with the way he slowly pronounced his last words.
    She worked her mouth a couple of times. “That sounds like a threat.”
    “A loaded one with as many spankings as your perfectly plump ass can handle if you ever put yourself in danger again and don’t call in backup.”
    Remorse replaced a fraction of her resolve to remain tight-lipped. She’d hurt him and Zane. “No promises, but I like—” Low rumbled voices cut off her train of thought and she stopped mid-word. Turning around, she expected someone to be standing at the door. Hoping for Zane, she found no one. “Like getting into trouble...” she half mumbled over more voices. Male. No wait. “Do you hear that?” She spun around again. It was a gargled voice like a lazy summer stream over river rocks but distinctly female from the pitch. She turned back to Lucian and stumbled slightly.
    “Easy, Mara. You’re still weak and growing weaker. The healer said you’d have a hard time tuning them out at first.”
    “Who?”
    “Our new friends.” He nodded toward the outer hall she assumed led to where their hosts were located.
    “Here, drink this.”
    “The dragons? Is that who I hear?” She thought that had been part of the crazy warped dreams she had after swigging back ancient magic. He nodded.
    “Where were you? Hell, where are we?”
    “Dragon’s lair.”
    “Got that.” She angled her head and shot him a pointed look. “I mean where?” Dancing sky lights and stars didn’t exactly give her locations on a map.
    “Beyond the rainbow and this side of Chicago is my best bet.” He shrugged with a small laugh. “At last check