Jaded [The Moonlight Breed 9] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Gabrielle Evans (the read aloud family TXT) 📖

will start soon,” Spiro said quietly but clearly. “Before that happens, I just wanted to tell you that if it gets to be too much, I won’t be offended if you decide to stay with your friends until it’s over. I hear it can be very intense.”

No way was he going to pass up that kind of opportunity. Besides, he wasn’t going to take the chance that Spiro’s family would try to slip some whore into his room to persuade him to propagate the bloodline. “I’m not going anywhere.”

The words were barely past his lips when he was pulled backward, away from his mate, and shunted off to the side. A beautiful woman he assumed to be Spiro’s mother took her son by the shoulders and looked him up and down before hugging him fiercely.

“I am so happy to have you home.”

His aggravation at being discarded like week-old garbage melted away, and Zuriel retreated another few steps to give the pair some privacy. She was the first maternal figure he’d ever met, and he wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. That was until she glanced over her shoulder and waved three more women to her.

“Mother,” Spiro growled in clear warning, surveying the females with distaste. “We discussed this.”

“I’m not saying that you have to give up your mate, but it is tradition, Spiro. I know you’ve been away for a while, but I’ve chosen three perfect brides for you.” She smiled sweetly, but Zuriel saw right through the charade, especially when her thoughts began to stray. “Just one night, and he’ll see how wrong he is to want the shifter.”

“We are happy to serve you during the heat.” One of the females stepped forward and bowed her head. “I’d be happy to wrap my legs around your head and let you give me a nice ton—”

Zuriel threw up his barriers, blocking the concubine’s thoughts. His stomach cramped, threatening to expel his dinner, and he had no desire to hear the end of that sentence. If the bitch wanted to play, however, he’d play, and he’d do it better.

Pushing through the group of women, he molded himself to his mate’s chest, lifting his arms to wind them around Spiro’s neck. “I’m happy to serve you anytime, anywhere. Why don’t you come to bed and let me show you?”

Spiro’s mother, Mariska, cleared her throat and brightened her smile a notch. “Of course you should spend time with your mate during this celebration, but surely you understand that you can’t monopolize all of his time. He is king now, and as such, he has certain duties.”

“Oh, I’m well aware of his responsibilities,” Zuriel responded just as sweetly.

“Then it’s settled.” She turned to Spiro with a relieved sigh. “I’ve already made arrangements for your things to be moved to another suite in the north corridor.”

“No,” Spiro answered calmly. “This isn’t going to happen, Mother.”

Patting his mate’s chest, Zuriel turned to face his new mother-in-law and grinned widely, showing off his elongating canines. “As his mate, I will see him, talk to him, look at him, and fuck him whenever I please.” Sliding his hand down Spiro’s chest and over his rippled abs, he ended with his fingers curled around his lover’s flaccid cock. “He is mine, and I will fight for what’s mine.” He leaned closer to the female until their noses were almost touching. “And now it’s settled.”

A part of him felt bad because he’d promised not to do anything else mortifying, but his territorial instincts wouldn’t allow him to sit idly by while someone was trying to take his place. No one was going to remove him from Spiro’s side, no matter who he had to battle for the right to be there.

“I am so proud of you,” Spiro whispered into his mind. “You will always be my first priority.” Then he brushed his knuckles down the side of Zuriel’s neck while claiming his lips right there for everyone to see. “I will never hurt you,” he whispered.

The seriousness with which he spoke impacted Zuriel more than the words themselves. It wasn’t just an empty promise. He could see the conviction in his mate’s eyes. Intentionally, unintentionally, and everywhere in between, he firmly believed the vow.

“This is just a suggestion, so ya know, ignore me if you want, but can we get the hell out of this city of the dead?” Jacobi popped one hip out to the side and flipped his hair over his shoulder as he spoke. The strands were longer today, colored in an electric shade of purple, and he’d donned some sort of matching kimono that stopped at mid-thigh. Where he’d gotten it was anyone’s guess, but he certainly was colorful.

“He’s got a point.” Taking his mate by the hand, he tugged on it gently. “His outfit really does clash with the décor here.”

* * * *

The heat—the fire—the uncontrollable burn was already coursing through his veins, and watching Zuriel put his mother in her place only increased his desire. The little fox still didn’t know the true extent of his worth, but making a stand for what rightfully belonged to him was a step in the right direction.

“You are so extraordinarily beautiful.”

“I think that’s the mating heat talking,” Zuriel teased as they entered their suite. “However, I won’t argue with you.”

Spiro knew the truth, though. It wasn’t the heat. From the moment they’d met, he’d seen the beauty in his mate. With his need growing, he didn’t have enough functioning brain cells to fully articulate that point, but he knew. “Are you hungry?”

“You look like you’re in pain,” Zuriel answered, ignoring his question. “You’re all flush, and you’re sweating. Does it hurt?”

It didn’t hurt in the strict sense that Zuriel meant, but it wasn’t comfortable, either. Still, he wouldn’t treat his mate like a common prostitute. He had more control than that. “I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not.” Pulling his shirt off over his head, he tossed it to the floor and began working