Siren's Kiss (Seraphine Thomas Book 5) Read online

  So when the next preview came around, I didn’t have any work or club worries really, even about doing another show. Instead, it was who would be at this preview that left me nervous.

  That and two humans wanted to be in my entourage this time.

  “Fine,” I sighed, glancing between Brian and Jason. “But you don’t stand next to me. I’m sorry, but that gives a weak statement. Having you in my group says I’m smart and in control enough to cross lines with powerful humans I get along with, but next to me is where my biggest and baddest should be.”

  “Insulting, but fine, this isn’t our wheelhouse,” Jason agreed after a moment, Brian nodding as well.

  “No, it’s not, and if you say or do the wrong thing, someone could be here tomorrow to invade my pack, and it would be legal,” I informed them, both of them going a bit pale. “You should get a taste of how this world is if you want to be near me, because it’s dangerous, but no comments, no poking, no making moves I don’t instigate. This is a whole other world than what you’re used to.”

  “Okay,” Brian whispered, his eyes taking in some fear. “Are you in danger?”

  “No, these are friends, but they’re also competition, as I have a very coveted area and the only female wolf Alpha in North America and a few other continents, I believe, so lots think I can’t or shouldn’t hold it.”

  “So there’s going to be a lot of posturing and game playing, and if we don’t know the rules, we could accidentally make you call uncle first, and the stakes are high?” Jason checked, and I nodded.

  “Yeah, don’t forget, that councilman made agreements with me, and when he didn’t keep them, I got everything he owned and his life. An insult is an insult that is solved with claws normally, so don’t play, and defer to me.”

  “Got it,” they both agreed, and I actually believed Jason too. He knew how to be a good soldier and could follow. Plus, I think he was hoping this would give him insight into paranormal interworkings so he could make a good impression with Alena when they met Friday.

  I was really glad we’d had such a long talk when I greeted Alpha Hinata and his party because the games started off with a bang… Namely he very visibly didn’t give me his neck.

  “Really, Hinata?” I sighed, shaking my head. “I thought given our history and your alliance with my bloodline you would be the last person to pull such petty shit.”

  “It is only petty to you as you are newer,” he argued, his eyes showing he was a bit tired of it, and I figured he probably thought he had to play it this way. Sure enough, he gestured to the group with him. “How would it look to my party if I did not greet you this way? You are the third daughter and adopted. How could I bow to someone infected when I am born and have been Alpha many more years than you, Seraphine?”

  “I am my own wolf, and you know I’ve got it to take Chicago and hold it.”

  “For only months so far. I have held Tokyo for much, much longer. I cannot concede your power is more than mine at meeting.”

  “I didn’t expect that, but I was going to greet you as my equal like I did Alpha Stud until he challenged me,” I snapped, knowing we had a big crowd now. “I don’t need to always be top dog, and we’re friends, allies, so why does it matter? You’re powerful, I can feel it. Why the challenge when there doesn’t need to be one?”

  “It is our way.” His eyes showed surprise I had planned to greet him at a draw.

  “It’s a stupid way,” I bitched.

  “I could re-greet you with intent,” he offered, his eyes filled with heat. “That would make why I didn’t challenge your power understandable.”

  Bastard. “I stand before you with six of my very talented lovers and escorts tonight, Hinata. I appreciate your attentions, but my dance card is full.”

  “The humans?” he asked, his voice not hiding he didn’t buy it, glancing between Hagan, Reagan, Noah, Dain, Brian, and Jason who were in my greeting party.

  “One sings like a god and thrills me while the other worships me in such an unselfish and glorious way that no woman could resist him, powerful or weak.” There, that was PC and flattering.

  “The wolves even I heard rumors of all the way back in Japan of their attributes after Vegas, but a vampire with your bloodline? A fairy?”

  “Noah is gifted, and Dain is, well, I believe the Energizer Bunny’s actual name is Dain.” God, this was too much information to share with a group.

  “Truly? That would be something to experience after such a long journey. Do they allow such attentions?” he about purred, glancing at my group with renewed interest.

  Shit, now I’d stepped in it. I felt a lot of tension behind me, getting they’d figured out that Hinata was bi-sexual and wanted male company from my area while in town, and I’d just given him the best catches.

  “I have partaken in such pleasure in the past, Alpha,” Dain answered for me easily as he pressed himself closer to me, his hands moving over the fabric of my dress. “While I’m sure Milady would be so gracious as to allow it, when she is in our presence, we see no others, as no one can compare to her. It would be a horrible insult to our ally and guest if we could not be attentive to them as we longed for her.”

  “You’re good at playing the game,” Hinata praised, but then his eyes flashed shock. “Milady? You, a powerful and legendary warrior fairy, has promised himself to a new, female Alpha to serve her always? How can this be?”

  “She saved me and others from hundreds of more years of punishment for disobeying our families,” he answered, kissing my neck as a sign of thanking me. “She has limitless potential for power and already is the second most powerful wolf I’ve ever met, but it is her commitment to bring justice and fairness to all paranormals that keeps me at her side. Her honor is deeper and more ingrained in her than the longest of warrior lines.”

  “How so?” he asked, and I got he wanted specifics, but there was another layer to this conversation I wasn’t getting. Japanese people were all about honor? That sounded a bit cliché, but I trusted Dain to handle what I didn’t understand.

  “Just this morning, she bought a farm for a whole honorable, talented, and prosperous elf bloodline so they may escape persecution and come thrive here in her lands, safe from such threats and rebuild their lives. She has and is allowing many such rescues, as she fights for those who cannot fight for themselves in the way she can. You understand that as Alpha.”

  “I do. Unfortunately that doesn’t help our current situation,” he said, bringing the conversation back to where we’d started.

  Except he’d done something that had upped the game. “You tried to poach from my lovers and my party, Hinata. Bad guest.”

  “Inquiring isn’t poaching,” he chuckled, but I saw it in his eyes. The game nor the visit wasn’t over. Shit. His new goal would be to seduce the six of them, and they wouldn’t like that. One of them would crack and insult him.

  Shit. Shit. Fuck a duck.

  “You want me to return the game and show the extent of my power by seducing some in your party as you will mine this visit,” I surmised, saying it out loud more so the others got the game. Someone caught my eye, and I smiled. “But I have other lovers and other talents in my pack, Hinata.” I waved Jesse over, turning him so his back was against my chest, rubbing my breasts against him as I moved my hands over his naked chest and torso.

  “Yes, Alpha?” he groaned, and I saw the flare of desire in Hinata’s eyes.

  “Jesse, would you like to trade tables and host Alpha Hinata’s party?”

  “If my Alpha asks it of me, I would obey.”

  “You would obey anything I wanted from you, yes?”

  “I have begged for your attentions numerous times,” he answered, getting something was going on but not what since he was low on the food chain.

  “You’ve turned down such a fine specimen?” Hinata challenged.

  “The taste I got was superb, Jesse a strong and gentle lover, one who exceeds at enthusiasm and taking direction, very o
ral about what he wants as well,” I answered, smiling when the Alpha got the hint Jesse was good with his mouth. “But there is a lot on my plate and a lot who want my attention. There’s only so much me to go around.” I moved my hand into Jesse’s shorts, his whimpers echoing in the room. “Isn’t he yummy, Hinata?”

  “You know he is. Do not taunt me, Seraphine. That isn’t the game.”

  “We only tease here in Chicago if we plan to please. Jesse, would you like to please another Alpha, a visiting and powerful Alpha?”

  “Yes, please, my Alpha, let me. Yes, he’s gorgeous,” Jesse moaned, rubbing himself against my hand.

  “He is not worth showing my neck, Seraphine, as I brought my own tasty morsels with me,” Hinata challenged, waving two people forward. I turned Jesse so he was behind me, allowing him to let his hands roam as two gorgeous women moved up next to Hinata. “As you said, there is only so much of you to go around, and two very talented, gifted wolves would entertain your men nicely.”

  “Yes, my Betas do love lively women,” I agreed, getting in that jab they would understand because I was still upset with them. “But I don’t need your permission, Hinata. You started this.”

  “I did.”

  The implication was clear I had to finish it or show my neck. Damn. I let out some of my power and called the women to me, both giving me their necks while moaning. I leaned in and kissed the first as she moved her hand up my arm, showing me she offered herself to me.

  “Thank you, but I have dates tonight. If you wish to make such an offer to my Betas, it would not offend me,” I told her, greeting the other the same. I smiled at Hinata. “The question becomes if you can call Jesse from me, or do you have to wait for me to give permission.”

  Hinata frowned and let out his power full blast. He was good. More powerful than Stud was, for sure, but nothing compared to mine.

  Jesse moaned behind me, dry humping me as he kissed along my neck. “Alpha, please say yes. Please? I want to be in an Alpha sandwich.”

  I smiled at Hinata, knowing I’d won as he pulled back his power, Jesse still at my side. “We done?” His gaze flickered to Jesse over my shoulder, and I wanted to sigh. “Jesse, you have my permission to greet Alpha Hinata as you did me when you asked to be my moon mate that first time.”

  “Why the specifics?” Hinata asked.

  I shrugged. “You’d enjoy it, and we’re supposed to be friends. I want the games to end.”

  Jesse took his cue and moved up to Hinata, practically vibrating as he bared his neck. Hinata kissed it, and Jesse moved closer, rubbing himself against Hinata aggressively. “Does Alpha Hinata want to give me the same test to please him orally as my Alpha did before accepting me?”

  “Do you?” I challenged Hinata, raising an eyebrow.

  “Yes,” he bit out. And right there, in front of all to see, Jesse dropped to his knees and blew Hinata, the Alpha’s eyes never leaving mine until he finished with a groan.

  “Welcome to Chicago, Hinata. That’s about as friendly as I’ll be now after you challenged me. So you want to greet me again, or do I have to show your party how I can drown your power?”

  He pulled Jesse to his feet and gave him a quick kiss before moving in front of me and giving me his neck. “Wonderful to see you, Seraphine. I look forward to this visit.”

  “As do I, Hinata,” I purred, leaning in and kissing his neck. “Enjoy my hospitality.”

  “I hope your Betas enjoy mine,” he chuckled, glancing at the two women who were standing by Hagan and Reagan. His party moved with Jesse to show them to their table, and the next wolf Alpha stepped into his place.

  And immediately showed me his neck. I leaned in and kissed it, probably not hiding my confusion well.

  The guy shrugged. “I know I’m a small fish for an Alpha coming from Des Moines. I’m simply thrilled to have an alliance with such a powerful Alpha and your deal with my wolf bringing in more income and jobs to my area. I too think the games need to be played less and our focus be on the threats we face.”

  “I like wise men,” I praised, leaning in and kissing his cheek. “I’m glad for our alliance as well. Your wolf has been very helpful and a wolf your pack can be proud of. I hope there might be more deals to be made in the future.”

  He dipped his head to me. “Our pack would like that, thank you, Alpha.”

  “Sera, please.”

  The whole group was shifter and paranormal leaders. Most I was good with or knew. Noe, leader of the hawks for example, I’d met at least a dozen times, so there wasn’t a problem when he greeted me, except I saw the longing as he looked around the restaurant, as he was supposed to have been Simone’s partner in the club.

  The bear Alpha and I were good. So was the local herd leader. A few others who came from the surrounding areas of Chicago all went fine.

  Until Vlad’s turn. And he’d showed up late, so it wasn’t that I was putting him last, but he strolled in with his group just as I finished with the others. Asshole.

  And he had Tristan in his party. Double fucking asshole.

  “Vlad, you missed my informing Alpha Hinata about all of Noah’s wonderful attributes and his comments about having such talented men in my party,” I called over before he reached me, at my limit with the games. I saw his eyes flash curiosity at what I was up to. I turned to Dain and smiled. “You guys go ahead and sit. I’ve got to change assignments since Jesse will be with Hinata.”

  And I turned to leave, biting back a smile at the open mouths of shock that I’d very clearly said I wasn’t officially or politely greeting Vlad. It was a huge insult, and I didn’t care. I was done with his shit. He’d showed up late like he was so fucking important he wasn’t worth playing pecking order games, so screw him, I could say he wasn’t worth greeting.

  “Are we unwelcome?” Vlad asked loudly, anger in his tone, which he rarely showed.

  I glanced over my shoulder. “I’m sorry, I thought you showing up late and after greetings meant you felt we were above all of that posturing, close as leaders of the city. Simone and I don’t do such things. If that wasn’t your intent, you should be clearer with your messages, Vlad.” Then I pushed it further and walked back towards them, but leaned in and kissed Tristan’s cheek. “You look well. I’m glad being back with Vlad agrees with you. Enjoy the preview.”

  “That was unwise,” Simone muttered when I reached her and saw she had the layout clipboard, already having switched Jesse and the other host.

  “Women let a lot of shit go, writing it off as stupid and not wanting to engage, but men see it as they can’t play or are too stupid to know when they’re being insulted. You and I both know that was an insult and challenge. I’m tired of his shit. He’s never so much as fucking apologized for his part in what happened. He played nice at the cook-off, trying to get me to let it go as women do without having to actually do anything to earn it.

  “Then he was a dick at our meeting, poking at the trauma he had a hand in when I had better cards than he did. He’s been a baby at every turn of us starting the club instead of helping as another paranormal leader. Now he’s pulling some vampire elitist shit and dissing not just us but the other shifters here? No way. If I let that go, if we did, what would he pull next? And on Friday at our opening?”

  “I know. I’m just saying, that was unwise. I didn’t say I disagreed with you,” she said with a huff. “I’m tired of it too. He basically just showed in front of visiting leaders that the two main Chicago powerhouses aren’t getting along. That’s just stupid. If he does that on Friday, it’s not the club that could be in trouble but all of Chicago. Why would he risk that?”

  “I don’t know. I honestly can’t believe he’s being so petty. It’s like he tries to show he didn’t get in trouble or smacked away from shifter stuff and it fails, so he does something worse and it keeps blowing up. It’s like snowballing instead of trying to mend the bridge and moving on.”

  “Another problem for another day,” she sighed, and I agreed.
We both went to our tables after Simone gave her greeting speech again, not happy it was later than planned. People hurried to serve the drinks, again with samples and comment cards, to get caught up on time.

  My table was tense, making jokes about the fish-shaped bread stuffed with yummy salmon goodness, but I saw the nervous looks. I decided to put a bit of salve on the situation, and when the salads came out after appetizers was finished, I switched with the host at Vlad’s table of eight… And found the tension there was even worse.

  “Remus and Jake mentioned there were costumes that were a bit goofy or you guys were on the fence for after yesterday’s preview,” Tristan said, breaking the ice. He slid over a notebook, and I grabbed it. “They showed me the schedule and list of theme nights you already had. That’s some ideas I came up with having seen all kinds of groups working at the club and hearing Comic-Con stuff or Halloween themes.”

  “Thanks, Tristan, that’s nice of you to help,” I praised, deciding to extend something as well. “Noah mentioned to them yesterday after they tasted the blood drinks that if they have off nights and are bored, they could drink for free if they didn’t get sloshed. Extra eyes and help if needed is always welcome in a new endeavor.”

  “Oh, the offer was so casual?” Vlad challenged, something simmering in his tone. Yep, I’d guessed part of it. He had mistaken something of that conversation.

  “Yes, it was,” Remus answered with almost a huff. “Jake said the cover was high to make it a regular thing, and Noah said if we wanted to stop in and get some free blood if we had nothing else going on around closing time when there are the most problems for any club, more for a place like this maybe, and Sera said we could use the hot tubs too as long as we didn’t hog the private rooms. I think Jake joked about wanting the leftover cakes too.”

  “I didn’t hear that part,” I admitted, shrugging. “We brought a bunch of them home, as did the staff. It was fun eating cake for breakfast, but Dain was miffed because I’m starting his new diet program since no one ever worked with me on what a shifter really needs, just some vague lectures here and there or ‘eat three times as much.’ But I wouldn’t care if there’s leftovers. I don’t remember paying for drinks when I went to the club and I judged the competition.”