Chapter 2

CATALINA

Sebastian stepped away from the wall he had been leaning against.

“God, you almost gave me a heart attack,” I said, hand on my chest, as I headed for my closet. Ever since I left the academy, Lucifer had ensured that I had my own space, filled with everything I needed. Unfortunately, his room was right down the hall from mine.

“I thought you were waiting downstairs with the others?” I called out, dropping my towel to exchange it for some underwear.

Just as I finished sliding them up, I felt a presence behind me. I whirled around, arms across my naked chest. Sebastian stood directly behind me, eyeing me like the last slice of pizza.

“Catalina,” he purred my name while glaring. I took a step back, and he followed, taking a step forward.

“Are you okay, Sebastian?” His eyes squeezed shut, as if hearing my voice was causing him physical pain. Well, that wasn’t insulting or anything.

In a flash, he was on me, his strong hands gripping my arms. I squeaked in surprise, forgetting to cover myself. His eyes zeroed in on my exposed flesh, his fangs lengthening.

“Wait—” His mouth covered my left nipple, his fangs sinking into my plump flesh. My scream cut off into a moan, and I fell against him. His arm moved to wrap around my waist, pulling me closer.

The more he fed, the more aroused I got. Soon, I found myself reaching for him, slipping my hands into his slacks. He stiffened as I gripped him, then relaxed when I stroked him slowly. His other hand found my right breast, giving it a rough squeeze.

I moaned, throwing my head back, increasing my speed. For a moment, I just held him, overrun with pleasure to the point where I could barely move.

With a growl, he ripped out of me. Grabbing my hips, he spun me toward the wall. I braced myself against it as he yanked my underwear down. In one swift move, he entered me from behind, sinking his teeth into my shoulder at the same time. I screamed in pleasure, bucking back against him.

His fangs sank deeper the harder he thrust. Now, I knew he was biting for pleasure and not food. To prove my point, he sank his teeth into my other shoulder. It wasn’t long before I felt myself getting close.

His cold hands dug into my hips, holding me steady as he went deeper. I clenched around him, my thoughts shattering as I climaxed. Sebastian followed soon after, holding himself in me as he found his release.

We were both panting, coming down from our orgasm. I leaned against him, completely spent. He held me for a while, then bent to pull my underwear up. I was so weak I could hardly move. Between training and now this?

As if reading my thoughts, he scooped me up, carrying me to the bed.

“Wait, I need a shirt,” I said. Lucifer’s servants had a habit of busting into my room unannounced and without knocking.

“You’re fine.” Placing me on the bed, he moved in behind me, covering us both with the oversized blanket. Wrapping his arms around me, he pulled me back into his chest, making sure his arm was covering my nipple.

I wanted to argue about sleeping, knowing Kol and Lucifer were waiting for us. But the moment my head hit the pillow, I couldn’t keep my eyes open.

***

The sound of a door slamming jolted me awake. I looked over my shoulder toward the door, right into the fuming face of Lucifer.

“Hi,” I squeaked, taking note that Sebastian was no longer in bed with me.

Crossing his arms, an aura of malice leaked from him. “I told you to be downstairs an hour ago.”

“Well—”

“Only to find you still in bed, freshly fucked and smelling like blood.” I cringed. He could smell blood? It was going to be awkward when I got my period.

My eyes narrowed, not appreciating his tone. “Well, that’s what happens when my vampire gets hungry.”

Growling erupted from the room. “Get dressed now, and don’t keep me waiting again.” He turned to leave, but of course, I had to get the last word in.

“Or what?”

He stopped midstep, the temperature in the room dropping several degrees. But I wasn’t scared; he was my mate after all. Plus, if he harmed me, I had five other mates that would return the favor.

“Have you ever been spanked, little goddess?” He didn’t face me as he asked the question. My body heated up, and breathing became a little harder.

Did he just say he wanted to spank me? Was I dreaming right now?

“Get dressed and let’s go,” he gritted out. “Your mates are waiting.” Leaving the room, he slammed the door shut behind him.

I fell back against the bed, taking in much-needed air. He was so hot and cold that half the time I wasn’t sure if he liked me or not. Most days, the answer seemed like no.

Shaking my head, I slipped out of bed and into my closet once again, grabbing some shorts and a tank top. Five minutes later, I was walking down the stairs heading to the throne room.

Lucifer held all his meetings here, sitting in his throne the entire time like he didn’t have a care in the world.

I paused at the door, hearing Lucien on the other side. “Shouldn’t you be at school, bloodsucker?” A smile lit up my face as I yanked the door open. My eyes found him instantly, my lycan always knowing where to find her mate.

“Pup.”

“Lucien!” I took off across the room toward him, jumping into his awaiting arms. “I missed you!”

“Not as much as I’ve missed you,” he said, burying his face in my neck, inhaling deeply, his chest vibrating in content.

“I agree with his statement. He’s definitely missed you more.” Lifting my head from his shoulder, I spotted a grinning Mateo. My heart swelled at the sight of him.

I tried to remove myself from Lucien, but he growled in protest, his arms tightening.

“Lucien,” I warned. The man sucked at sharing.

With the deepest sigh in history, he placed me back on my feet. “You’re lucky I like you, dragon,” he growled, watching me step around him to greet Mateo.

I pulled him into a hug, squeezing him so hard you’d think I was trying to merge us together.

“How come I’m never greeted like that?” Kol asked, pouting at our embrace.

“I can’t miss you if I see you every day.” I rolled my eyes, stepping back from Mateo but entwining our hands.

“You forgot a mate,” Lucifer called from his throne.

Kol snorted next to me, and I looked around, searching for Nick. My eyes landed on a stoic Jayden standing still as a statue by the door instead. I hadn’t even seen him when I came in.

“He positioned himself by the door so he’d be the first one you noticed,” Mateo whispered in my ear. “But if you confront him, he’ll deny it.”

I giggled. “Go give him a hug. He’s been almost as angry as Lucien lately.”

I glanced over at him standing next to the door like a centaur. Jayden hadn’t accepted our bond, and I hadn’t bothered forcing him. But if what Mateo was saying was true, then maybe I should.

Before I lost my nerve, I made my way over, and he watched me the whole time.

“Hey,” I said, stopping in front of him.

He nodded his head in greeting, making me roll my eyes. “I’m going to hug you now.”

Cutting off the protest I knew was coming, I wrapped my arms around his waist, laying my head on his chest.

I ignored his stiffness as he wrapped one arm around my waist. Such a stubborn mate. This was the most awkward hug I’d ever participated in.

“All right, enough of the lovey-dovey bullshit,” Lucifer said, just having to open his ignorant mouth. “I brought you all here for a reason, and it’s not to put your paws all over my mate.”

Lucien growled, making sure to announce his displeasure.

I started to move toward him, only for Jayden’s arm to tighten. I looked up with a question, but he was staring straight ahead, avoiding my eyes. I smiled in triumph. He definitely missed me.