Recovering the Siren Read online

  And the heels were killer. I’d made it clear that if anyone let me fall while walking on the weapons on my feet, I would beat them. My hair was swept up in a pretty and elegant twist, so it wasn’t obvious that it wasn’t as long as it had once been. It might all seem a cliché, but the message of my blood and the strength in my blood being what kept the coven strong was meant to be said very, very loudly.

  There was normally a big blowout to announce the new leadership and someone from the council came or at least sent a second depending on what area it was, but with all the visitors and what else we had going on, we went way over the top. It was too much, and I’d put my foot down to use other caterers instead of pushing our people even more. We were also throwing a first ever huge convention. Enough.

  No one else needed to be pushed too far or drop.

  That was my job from nerves.

  And Noah actually. The nerves coming off of him were ridiculous and made me stop focusing on myself. I leaned in and licked his earlobe. “You look amazing in the tux. If I had known I’d get to stand next to you in one, I might have pushed for your takeover sooner.”

  “I don’t know if I’m turned on or want to cringe that was in bad taste given he attacked you,” he admitted.

  “I get to make the joke because he attacked me,” I defended. “Can I grab your butt?”

  He burst out laughing, which was what I’d been going for. “Sure, if I get to grope your breasts because they look so, so good. I mean, damn, Sera.”

  “Yeah, they do,” Goran agreed, clearing his throat as if not sure he should have said that.

  Maybe not normally, but given I was self-conscious about my body still, I appreciated it. They were fuller. I was a C now and a big one, so I didn’t care if I ever got my D’s back because I wasn’t flat. That had been the upsetting thing. Maybe it was petty or stupid of me, but I literally saw the reminder of what was done to me every time I looked down and the girls were tiny.

  It was hard to deal with that and keep moving sometimes.

  “Sorry I’m late,” Monroe said as he moved over to us from the door. He leaned in and kissed my cheek before shaking hands with Noah, which was the right move as he was removed from a lot of the games as he worked for the government. “They were getting dessert when I had to leave, but it was clear that they were going to grill Havers the moment I left.”

  “He doesn’t know anything,” I told him firmly, knowing others would hear. “He’s mine, but I’ve not tied him to me forever, so he doesn’t get all the info. He gets some, sure, but no one needs to know about this.” I shrugged. “We’re not even doing anything bad, just fun, so it’s just for the cool kids tonight.”

  “Yeah, I bet he’d love to see it though,” he chuckled before moving along.

  There were only a few after him, and they apologized either because they hadn’t realized it was behind the club or their drivers were looking for a real residence. Made sense, but it also helped security that it wasn’t a normal estate. Sometimes hiding in plain sight was the best way to hide.

  Noah went to the center of the very large party room and waited until the music died.

  “Thank you all so much for joining us tonight and supporting the changes in Chicago. It wasn’t something I ever wanted, but having seen how one of the best paranormal leaders I’ve ever known took power to do what was right and protect those in Chicago who needed it, I followed her wise example. I propose a toast to Vlad who built this coven to what it is and was once a wise leader who helped Chicago.”

  “To Vlad,” most muttered, toasting their glasses.

  “I know it’s odd to toast the one I killed,” Noah acknowledged. “But he was a good leader for many years. I do not want to take away from the good he did and fond feelings many of us have for him. He was my friend once, and I would have taken a bullet for him without question. Things changed, and there are probably as many theories as to why as there are snowflakes in winter. The why does not matter. How he changed does.

  “And while it hurt me to do, as I once trusted him, for the past year he seemed unable to do what he should or recover from the hits he took. He wasn’t the only one who took them, and I could not stand by and let any take more because of him. So I want to assure everyone of the coven, our allies, and even the council that this is not some radical coup or change in ideology. No, it is the next step in the correct path.

  “I wish Vlad would have made it himself, but everyone is not meant for immortality and can adapt. We adapt or we don’t survive. I, and Chicago, will not only survive but thrive, and we promise that to our friends who came tonight. I know most came for the convention and we sprang this on you, but honestly, it would have seemed like a trap if we’d told you, and it wasn’t. We didn’t want anyone to miss the fun. Thank you, and enjoy yourselves tonight.”

  People politely clapped, and appetizers started while the blood fountains were turned on. Hey, I had the license and I was there. The food was prepared by caterers Mrs. Evans suggested, but it was all our people serving and working the party.

  And providing the entertainment.

  Laila had helped with that, but there were some additions I’d wanted that I figured the vampires would like. Plus, I needed to get over some of my shit, as I was going to have to attend more events like this now that Noah was Master of Chicago.

  Eugene came out with a lovely fairy and visiting vampire, all willing, and it was almost funny that Eugene had come and talked to me specifically to make sure I really wanted this. I did. Hell, for some reason I felt it foreplay, but I gave my permission, which seemed to be the line with my siren and wolf on getting territorial.

  He was gorgeous, his hair wild as he dropped the towel he’d walked out in. Both women did the same, and he took turns kissing them both.

  “You are fine with him doing this?” Goran asked, trying to hide his shock.

  “Yes, I wanted to see this stamina I learned of,” I chuckled.

  He laid down on a chaise lounge, and the fairy moved to sit on his face while the vampire knelt between his legs. He took good care of her while they both did the same to him.

  Honestly, the show was hot as hell, and I was totally into it. The only problem was when the vampire wanted to bite his neck. A loud warning growl came from me. No, his neck was mine. She nodded she understood and moved lower when he agreed, biting his thigh while he finished again for both of them. Then he rode her, like holy shit rode her.

  And stared at me the whole time. Crap, I was way too into this to ever blush when people flirted with me again.

  “You are like one huge hormone,” Dain moaned quietly. Noah had left to start sovereigning the coven, as that was part of the party, everyone bearing witness to it as vampires like to watch drink from each other.

  “It’s hot,” I admitted, licking my lips as I kept Eugene’s gaze. His nostrils flared, and he moved even faster, the vampire he was doing enjoying it immensely.

  I’d eaten several plates of food, and he was still going. He was still hard after he wore out both women who were panting and completely sated. He wiped off his dick and came right towards me, standing tall and proud as he did. He leaned in and licked my lower lip in submission as he sniffed the hormones I was giving off.

  “You enjoyed the show,” he murmured, sounding relieved.

  “Immensely,” I purred as I licked up his neck as I stroked him. “Just so everyone’s clear that you’re not on the market but chasing after me.”

  “You are so worth the chase, Alpha,” he groaned deeply.

  I pressed my lips against his ear. “How many can you fuck tonight while thinking of me, Eugene? Do you think five? Ten? Why don’t you find out and let me know.”

  “No one local, right?” he checked, nodding when I did. Yeah, I didn’t want to have to see anyone who got him first, as that might make me jealous.

  He headed to get cleaned up, and I locked eyes with Noah who had heard me. Damn, we were going to need to talk about new rules since h
e wasn’t living in my house and he was boss. I didn’t know how I felt about him being with any vampires under him, as that could lead to something serious. It might still be a rule of him not having other women in the bed he’d have me in.

  So if he ever wanted me in his bed at his new place, no one else better be in it. Wow, that sounded like a bitch thing to say when I wasn’t going to do the same.

  “Tonight is not the time for these worries,” Dain whispered, reminding me others could feel what was going on with me. “People will misinterpret.”

  I nodded, trying to think of anything else, but once it popped into my head, I couldn’t think of anything else. Noah seemed to get that and came over to me, kissing me deeply for all to see.

  He leaned his forehead to mine. “I made a promise to you when you became my mistress knowing things could change but that never would. You are who I want in my life forever, Sera. That hasn’t changed just because I’m master now. If I have flings, I tend to play with humans or others who are damn clear that it’s fun only. I’m not looking for anyone to stand at my side as I stand at yours.”

  “That’s not fair,” I whispered, hating how mean that sounded.

  “It’s what I want. I want that life and freedom I was denied so long. It is not a chain but a gift you allow. I promise. If that changes, I swear to you I will tell you. Please stop taking my decisions on yourself as they’re mine and I’m way fucking older than you.”

  “Thank you,” I breathed, finally getting what some of them had been telling me. I was belittling their choices if I doubted them or put them into my terms. They were their own people and knew what they wanted. “Thank you for putting that into Sera for me.”

  “Anytime.” He kissed me again, not being gentle this time and leaving me breathless when he walked away, which he seemed fairly proud of.

  There were many more rounds of entertainment as Noah handled what he should, but right before our turn, Axel also got a turn, and I felt jealousy to my left, realizing my mistake. I went over to Haton and blocked her view like we were talking about something important. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even think.”

  “He was never mine to get jealous over,” she breathed, looking grateful I acted so it didn’t look like she stormed off if she took a moment. “You’ll make him happy, right?”

  “I don’t know him well enough to promise you that, as I’m not sure if he really likes me or the chase,” I admitted. “Alena believes he does, but I’ve messed up so much, I don’t want to mess up anymore. I will promise not to keep him if he’s not happy. That’s all I can promise.”

  “It’s a good promise,” she said firmly, nodding. “He deserves it. He’s had a hard, very hard life with as messed up a family as you and for longer than when you broke free. He also has your social ineptness at times, so please give him the chance to explain when he messes up. He is so used to women wanting his seed more than him it has left deep scars.”

  “I’ll do the best I can once I’m better, but I’m pretty fucking scarred too.”

  “Aren’t we all,” she sighed, not in a dismissive way but more admitting she had many too.

  I got images from her and wanted to groan. I had the answer to the question she desperately wanted the answer to. “You were never lacking. You’re gorgeous, honorable, and powerful.”

  “Then why not me?”

  “I shouldn’t answer that,” I responded, shaking my head when she looked like she would push. “It’s not fair when I won’t tell him what I saw from you either.” I let out a sigh. “But I can show you what I saw when I first saw him. That should tell you the answer.” I asked Dain with a look, and he nodded, moving his fingers to my head. I thought of when I’d first met Axel in Memphis and my impressions of him.

  I let Dain see how Axel’s eyes were gorgeous and he was huge and my wolf loved the scent of him but I never once cared he was a tiger. I saw the man before me and that he was awesome and jumped right in, was kind and gave credit where due.

  Haton saw him as a tiger first, a cat. And that had been all that anyone had seen of Axel, and that was the last thing he could handle with the person he was with.

  I moved away and left her to her thoughts, but the second he was done with the show, Axel came over to me and didn’t look happy. “Yes, I’m getting jealous. I can’t help it, and I’m sorry if it makes you feel like the chew toy. I don’t want that, and I don’t see you like that.”

  “I don’t—” I started to say, not getting what was going on.

  “You watch him while he fucks two women and me you ignore,” he replied with a hiss, power flashing in his eyes he was so upset. “That would upset and make any man jealous who wants you, is chasing you.”

  I couldn’t give him the real answer, but we had an audience by then. “I’m sorry I neglected you, my tiger. I realized there was something I needed to discuss.” I leaned in and licked a drop of sweat off of his chest. “Come to my apartment tonight after the party and you can show me how talented you are in private.” I gave him a look that said clearly what him naked that close to me did. “Or would you like to go fuck other women like I told Eugene?”

  He leaned in and licked my lower lip, his breath catching when I moaned. “No, I would rather hold you in your bed and be welcome there than have sex with the array of hot guests.”

  “Good tiger,” I praised, letting him kiss me again before he walked off. Something else was up with him. He was floundering in his new role or changes in his life. He’d had changes before. I wasn’t sure why it was an issue now.

  Then again, he was a tiger among wolves. Maybe he just didn’t have anyone to talk to or make friends with? I made a mental note to talk to Harris. He could help the newest cat in town get settled. It probably had been extra hard on him to stand in my stead as a tiger leading wolves. I’d seen that when Harris, a cheetah, had worked with them at times.

  I was snapped out of my thoughts when I saw several of the coven carry out the huge stone high top table that honestly seemed more like a massive alter. I had a feeling that was actually what it was, and I really didn’t want to know why vampires had one in their coven. My mind went right to virgin sacrifices for blood and everything I hoped no one ever did anymore.

  And we weren’t going to be doing anything virginal on it.

  Noah gave a quick speech that sovereigning everyone was complete. It wasn’t, but the coven was too large to do everyone in one night. The key members or whatever had been, but most knew it would be done later unless they were dicks like some of the stories Goran and other ancients had told me about.

  “As I am Mistress Sera’s, she has agreed to let me take over and the coven be under her umbrella,” he said as he held out his hand to me. I went over to him, sliding my hand in his and smiling at him as we both vibrated with nerves. “And we also asked the coven. This was not a decision made without those it affects considered. Every member of this coven was asked and unanimously agreed this is what they wanted for the coven.”

  I didn’t hide my shock. I didn’t know they were going to do that. It made me more nervous somehow, as it meant they wanted me to be boss, and I didn’t even want to be boss.

  My life was so weird.

  Noah knelt before me, much as Goran had when we’d done this, but there were a lot less people then. So no pressure or anything.

  “My Mistress, as I promised when you made me yours, I will always protect you and treasure you. I renew that vow and now add the pledge of my coven.” His gaze softened as he smiled. “We adore you, Sera. You’re amazing and the best thing to ever happen to Chicago, all paranormals.”

  Remus came over and handed him an envelope, and I’d forgotten about the present part. He thanked Remus and held it out to me.

  “Seraphine Thomas, I present to you a gift of my appreciation for accepting my coven as yours. As you will care for us, I hope this will show how much we care for you and share the vision you have for vampires and all paranormals to be treated as people, even wh
en they have issues.”

  I wasn’t sure what he meant, and I quickly opened the envelope and glanced over the pages. Tears filled my eyes as I understood. I sniffled loudly as the gestured overwhelmed me and let out a shaky breath. “This is so perfect, Noah. Thank you.” It took me another moment to answer the question everyone had, nodding for Noah to tell them.

  “The coven, with the help of the Dorcus family, have bought a run down resort that we will be renovating and converting into the Riley Greyson Paranormal Retreat that will welcome paranormals of any species suffering from depression or who need help. Those who have lost mates or their becoming one of us was traumatic like you went through or Harris, now there’s a place that will have specialized counselors and help for them.”

  I covered my face with my hand and tried to stop crying. He stood and hugged me, knowing I was also thinking of what I’d just gone through and all the help I’d received that others hadn’t. Now they could and somewhere safe.

  I handed Remus the papers when he came back for them and threw my arms around Noah, kissing him with all I had. It was maybe one of the best presents anyone had ever gifted ever, and with so much love and thought into it, so fast, I knew a lot of work had gone into it and a lot of people wanted there to be a place of help for all like I did. Everyone believed we could feel safe, be treated better, and that meant everything to me.

  His fangs came out when we got heated, and I licked them, knowing how much the vamps I was intimate with loved that. He shivered, smelling of desire and wanting me so desperately I didn’t give a shit if we were live streaming to the world.

  He knelt back down and was careful of my dress as he submissively pleased me for all to see. Well, it was submissive to them, meaning for the ceremony; to us it was just good fun and Noah was very, very good at it as always.

  Then he undressed and went up on the alter, Dain and Goran helping me up there as well. I wanted Noah, and he wanted me from how hard he was, but to everyone else the symbolism of me being on top with him naked beneath me said a lot. Hey, it was hot, so I was fine with it.