Page 64 of Guardians

“Come here, mate,” Kane ordered. “I have a powerful need for you.”

More than happy to oblige him, Lexie pulled her flowing day dress off over her head and crawled across the bed. Kane swept her beneath him and opened her legs with his knees. He paused long enough to kiss her and lightly stroke her clit. As usual, she was wet and ready for his cock. Then he was deep inside her, fucking her hard and fast. Lexie met him stroke for stroke withher legs drawn up high against his sides. Kane only lasted a few minutes, but the strong, steady thrust of his huge shaft triggered her orgasm moments before he spilled his seed.

“Damn,” he panted. “That was pathetic.”

She laughed and kissed his lips. “You’re clearly out of practice,” she teased, “and there’s only one remedy for that.”

“Give me a minute to catch my breath and I’ll do better,” he promised.

It was such a relief to see him happy and healthy again. Worrying about him had taken ten years off her lifespan. “After breakfast,” she insisted, quickly scooting off the bed. “That sort of exertion requires food.”

They cleaned up and went into the living room. Diego and Malik were cooking breakfast, so Kane and Lexie set the table, then sat down and enjoyed steaming mugs of Rydarian coffee.

After bringing the food to the table, Malik and Diego sat down in the last two chairs. The food was passed and mugs refilled before anyone said anything more meaningful than please and thank you.

“It has been three endless weeks and my annoying doctor insisted that I be kept in the dark about everything.” Kane shot Malik a melodramatic glare. “Have there been any important developments?” He looked at Lexie as he asked, “Zion’s deadline passed. How many of the women chose mates and how many left the village?”

“Twenty-six have chosen their coalitions,” she told him, pleased with the progress that had been made. “Over a hundred are actively courting. Forty-nine are living in the shelter, but Idon’t think they’ll stay there for long. The past week has been relatively warm, and males are sneaking out there to flirt with them. It’s a slower process, but I honestly think they’ll rejoin the village as soon as winter arrives.”

“There has been an interesting development with the brothel,” Diego told him with a grin.

Lexie shook her head. “That was a total blindside. Everything about the compromise was shocking.”

“What compromise?” Kane paused with his fork halfway to his mouth.

“The ones left behind after the wolf attack begged Zion to find some way of allowing them to join the village,” Lexie explained. “All of them had direct interaction with hybrids. Some participated in the experiments, so I thought for sure he’d refuse.” She paused and shook her head again, still amazed by the outcome. “He suggested that they join the brothel. I think he expected them to feel insulted and walk out, but eighteen of them agreed.”

“So there are now twenty-one sex workers available to anyone who has a voucher,” Diego concluded.

“You said that eighteen agreed,” Kane mused. “What happened to the other five?”

Lexie sighed. She understood why Zion originally refused to deal with that group, but knowing they were out there vulnerable and starving bothered her. “I was hoping they would simply return to our old camp. I know some of the women were sneaking them supplies. But Tara and I went to check on them yesterday and the camp is deserted.”

“Did they relocate to somewhere safer? What happened to them?”

“We’re pretty sure the wolves took them in. There was no sign of a struggle, so I think they went willingly.”

Kane shook his head, concern and frustration pulsing across the soul bond. “Speaking of the wolves, have the females they took during the massacre been recovered?”

Diego answered, his features tense, expression grim. “Travis assured me that they’re not being abused and there has not been an attack since they were taken.” He looked at Lexie apologetically as he added, “Zion isn’t happy about the situation, but he thinks we should?—”

“Let sleeping dogs lie,” Kane finished for him.

“Basically.”

Lexie was torn by the outcome. She was thrilled that the bloodshed had stopped, but she couldn’t help feeling that the women taken in the raid were some sort of sacrifice.

“On a brighter note,” Malik cut in as he began to clear the table, “the raptors have officially joined the alliance.”

“That is good news,” Kane agreed.

“None of the women were comfortable climbing up to the raptor village,” Lexie added. “So several of their males attended last night’s gathering. They seemed to be well received.”

Kane nodded as he pushed to his feet and drained the last of his coffee. “I’ll check in with Zion for a new assignment. I’m anxious to get back to work.”

Diego laughed. “We’re aware.”

“We’reallaware,” Malik reinforced.

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