Page 9 of The Lost Beloved

Gage got up and put his gun away before walking over to Harley. "Now, go inside, lock the door, and stay there. Do not step outside. Do you understand me?" He got a vigorous nod, and he was satisfied with that. "Okay." He kissed him on the forehead and returned to the job at hand.

Gage took the bodies of the beasts and dragged them into the woods, and threw them into a ravine. He didn’t want their remains to be too close to the Lodge for fear it would draw others. When he returned to the Lodge Harley was inside withthe door locked. Gage entered and found his beloved standing there looking fearful and relieved.

“I’m sorry I didn’t listen.” He began. “I was watching through the camera, and I thought you needed help. I couldn’t just stand here and watch you get hurt.” He looked off to the side and took a deep breath. “I know it was a mistake and that my action simply made your job harder and for that I am sorry.”

Gage walked over to him and, with a finger under his chin, lifted Harley's face up to his. "I know you only meant to help, and I appreciate your concern, but understand that we are in my world right now, the paranormal world, and you are not prepared to do battle here." Harley gave a barely perceptible nod, but his understanding was clear.

"Until you are out of here safely, you must promise me that you will do everything I tell you to do." He wasn't trying to disparage. He just wanted a firm agreement going forward.

"I promise to follow your every order." He said and then added with a sly grin. "While we're here in the forest. We'll have to renegotiate that later once we're safe." Gage grabbed him and pulled him in for a breathtaking squeeze and a hard kiss that left nothing to wonder about. Harley reciprocated with passion. The passion was energized by the adrenaline still pumping through his veins.

Gage wanted this man now and in every way. "How soon is Dumas going to be returning?" That little innocent question was laden with so many erotic expectations. Gage was loving his man for being everything he'd hoped for. Not a man to deny himself or his sweet beloved, he abruptly picked Harley up into his arms and headed into the back hall off the living area they'd been inhabiting.

The arousal coming off Harley was filling his heart and mind, and his vampire was surging to the surface to mark and claim his beloved. The power of the drive and the instinct to bond was overriding all of his attempts to calm the situation. There was no need to wait Harley was his and he was Harley’s and that was all that really mattered in this moment. Details were for later.

CHAPTER FIVE

Nik Hadden waited in his office. Josef sounded worried and Josef didn’t worry over minor incidents. Whatever it was he was not looking forward to it especially not on the heels of what the Coven had just been through. Whatever it was he would deal with it fast and fierce. He was not going to allow anything a foothold in his territory nothing would be taken for granted or given space.

There came a quick knock, and Josef entered, taking a seat in the chair opposite the sofa where Nik was seated. He quickly brought him up to speed on the situation with Dumas and Gage and the call he had with the dragon knight Saphir.

"The evil from the Center touched the forest," Nik stated.

"Yes, and according to Saphir, it is acting like a virus."

“How many shifters have been infected?”

“That is unknown, but it appears to be many.”

“They can’t be saved?”

“No, the infection destroys the host after a few hours there is nothing of the original shifter remaining.” Nik shook his head pained for the loss of so many.

"Michael and a team of twenty will be heading out within the hour," Josef informed.

"I'm going with them," Nik announced. "We need to keep this contained and destroy it as soon as possible." Nik leaned forward and captured Josef with a pointed stare. "This has to end, Josef. We have to end it once and for all." His tone was tense, and Josef reached out, taking Nik's hand.

“We will end this.”

Harley was acting so out of character that he hardly knew himself, and he couldn't stop. Gage had a spell over him of some kind, and all he wanted was to pull him closer and have him now and thoroughly. This wasn't him. He wasn't the desperate twink type begging for a fuck, but apparently, he was. If he had to beg, he was fully prepared to do so. The thought of being denied this amazing man was unthinkable.

"I want you just as badly," Gage whispered, the words coming out in a deep growl. "Don't doubt the depth of my desire to have you."

“What is this, some kind of trauma reaction?” Harley tried for an explanation.

“Nope its Fate, it’s destiny. You were always destined to be mine.” Gage dropped a kiss to his lips quick yet powerful stirring things in Harley once again and bringing his need to the surface.

"Will it last, do you think?" Harley tried a lighter tone, but Gage was deadly serious with his response.

"Forever, you and I are forever. You are my beloved." Gage pushed a door open, and it was a bedroom the answer to Harley's prayer. He would have been satisfied with a large couchor any flat surface truth be told but nothing beats a large, soft bed. He walked over and sat Harley on the edge of the bed, and took a step back.

He didn't say a word; he just started peeling off his clothing while keeping his eyes glued to Harley, who kicked off his boots and took off Gage's jacket, laying it carefully on the foot of the bed. He watched Gage's shirt disappear, and a body, perfect and tantalizing, was revealed for his pleasure.

Gage was built solid and gorgeous, and he couldn't wait for him to lose the black pants. They fit him like a dream, but Harley desperately needed to see beneath. He wanted the whole intoxicating picture.

"Don't stop, baby." Gage wanted him to continue stripping.

"I'm enjoying the show," Harley said in response.

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