❄️

~Year 2091-Spring-

While Niles stands by the fireplace, contemplating logistics of the winter solstice plan before he begins to move across the room to the door, I'm stuck with my mind swarming with what Tresor has done yet again along with what might happen in the future. Not only that...the meeting just became that much more dangerous and the words I speak will determine whether or not I might fear for my life...though, I'm sure I'll come out unscathed due to Tresor needing us alive.

While my thumb is resting against my chin, brushing my finger over my lower lip, I can't help the pain and pressure weighing down as I can't make a wrong move...though I'm brought from my thoughts the second Rose calls out, "What do you mean you're leaving?"

I can hear Rose come through the door while I also feel Marc's presence before the sound of the door shutting meets my ears. My gaze is transfixed on the grassy grounds outside the window, afraid now that if I try and end Tresor's life and he catches me...and I don't succeed...Rose will pay for the consequences of my actions.

"Cormac?" Rose asks, attempting to draw me away from my thoughts.

Niles is about to leave when he mentions, "It's going to get really complicated if Cormac doesn't leave."

"But why?" Her voice trails off and all I hear is Niles exit the library. Silence surrounds us all when Marc halts his movements, feeling both of their gazes on me as I bite my tongue about everything I know. If only I could tell them everything...

...the loss of his pup.

When I inhale a deep breath and try to collect my thoughts, my muscles tense, turning away from the window and catching Rose's gaze. I motion for her to take a seat, watching as she settles into the large leather chair as Marc silently takes a seat on one of the couches near the fire. Slowly, I walk toward her, sitting directly in front of her on the opposite couch. Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees where I shift my gaze up to catch her eyes staring intently at me.

"Keveon was given a brief overview of what the dinner party is really about," I begin while I notice her picking at a loose thread on her jeans, her breathing remaining steady as she holds my gaze. Once I momentarily glance at Marc, I revert my attention back on her before continuing, "This is in regards to Dante as well as this past winter solstice."

"Why are you hesitant?" I know she can see it in my eyes...I'm not telling her everything and she's becoming aware of it.

I reply slowly, "Your name was mentioned, along with a list of other possible dangerous...vagrants," the words sink in when her heart skips a beat.

Marc clears his throat and states, "I thought the point of Dante rescuing Rose was to avoid her exposure?"

I eye him and reply, "True. That's what the plan was," I finish the rest of my statement to Rose, "Keveon didn't seem too worried that you were mentioned as a vagrant...but it was in regards to how you could have possibly survived the winter solstice and how I brought you back. Arthur's raised questions, ones I didn't think he would until our arrival at his estate for the solstice."

"I understand," she breathes out, much to my relief though she continues with, "however, are you not placing yourself in danger? Aohdan knows everything...aside from me being a hybrid, but who knows for how much longer..." she grows quiet for a few moments, almost caught in her thoughts before she asks, "Taft. Won't he question you?"

I nod and silence her question by replying, "I'm aware of exactly what might happen little rose and I know what I'm doing," a smirk tugs at my lips as I lean back against the couch, resting one of my arms on the back and finish, "it's about time we place some of the council members into check, right before there will be no escape from checkmate at the winter solstice. The game is set and it's ours to lose, so let's stay strong and carry on with the plan."

Oh Rose...

...you'll be the only one not aware of the true plan. Once I'm off site and on my way to the meeting, I'll set up a conference call with Marc and Dante as I'd never place any of them in harms way during the winter solstice. If I can take out Tresor and not risk their lives...I know Dante will want to be apart of their undoing simply due to them killing Richard.

If we can get Marc and Rose away to safety...

Marc scoffs at my apparent choice of words, drawing my attention as I turn to glance at the angry werewolf. He snaps at me in the next second, "You're treating us all like we're your pawns."

...no, I'll make sure you and Rose can be together regardless of what happens at the winter solstice. You're everything she needs and I'll explain it all soon enough when she doesn't have awareness.

I'm betting on Arthur biting her at some point, knowing he'll see what I want him to see and not knowing Rose will be long gone by the end of The Hunt.

"Marc..." Rose's voice trails off and she stops speaking the second his eyes land on her. Marc stands to his feet, striding near the two of us before he stops and narrows his eyes on me. We were getting along...

"Are we disposable as well?" He snarls with anger, accusing me as he berates me further, "I'm sure you don't care as long as you get what you want."

I arch a brow, looking to Rose and seeing how she remains silent the entire time. I chuckle for a moment and sigh, "Oh? And what is it that I want? Is it not the same thing that you want? To be free to live your life the way you want to with a unified equal council represented by all races?"

A growl comes from the back of his throat as I see the golden glint reflecting off his irises, knowing Rose can easily see this as well. He takes a step toward me though I remain calm, watching his moves intently to see what he's going to do next.

"Of course it is," Marc replies, his voice growling lower, "but you're selfish and willing to sacrifice anyone to achieve that. You care only for yourself and if this plan of yours doesn't work, I'm sure you'll throw us all to the mercy of the council."

Never.

My chuckle slowly grows louder until I drawl out, "I'm selfish?" I pause a moment as I size Marc up and scoff, "Take a good long look in the mirror before you ever call me that again."

"Stop it!" Rose is the one to speak up, attempting to break the two of us up before our tempers get out of hand.

Marc attempts to inhale a calm breath but can't seem to exhale it. When he does manage to speak, his voice is on edge, "Your values are only to better yourself. You hold no true endearment for Rose and it'll be her death that might actually spark true kindness in your heart."

Did he just...

...fuck the hell off.

"What the fuck did you just say?" My irises slowly shift while I remain seated on the couch, my knuckles turning white from clenching my fists.

"Oh, I think you heard me quite well..." Marc's voice is laced with an angry growl, visibly seeing his claws and teeth coming through, his wolf only being held back by a thread.

Come on out and play...it worked so well for you the first time...

"Do I have to put you in your place again?" I interject while throwing Marc a very threatening glance.

"You degrade her," Marc's eyes are practically glowing with rage, while I catch Rose out of the corner of my eye standing slowly to her feet just as Marc edges closer to me, "I'm surprised the whole estate didn't hear the way you were treating her when being with someone should be about love and passion."

I'm about to physically face-palm right now...

...this guy seriously has no idea about the verbal contract Rose and I have between one another and what this lifestyle is about.

Ready for a lesson little wolf?

Very dangerously I reply, "I'm sorry you're not fond BDSM, but Rose knows I put her safety and love above all else so if for even a second you thought it wasn't consensual...you're more thick headed then I thought," I continue to anger Marc by adding in, "how is her submission to you day to day any different then me wanting her submission in the bedroom? I believe you're the one who is acting selfish."

"Of course it's different you piece of-"

"It's the same fucking thing!" Rose is the one to cut him off, her voice raising over the both of us.

As the silence settles around us, Marc and I slowly drift our gazes to land on Rose, seeing the way her expression gradually changes. We keep fighting...we're not going to get anywhere if we keep acting like children.

"Well then," it's Dante's voice that cuts through the stunned silence while his words are more directed to Rose, "I couldn't have predicted this...now could I?"

"Everything's fine..." she slowly speaks, almost as if she's debating whether or not Marc and I will truly ever get along.

Dante's chuckle is followed up quickly with an, "Uh-huh. I can see that," where there's a moments pause before he lets out a sigh, "why don't you all take a break and grab a drink in the underground bar. Maybe then you'll loosen up and actually learn to speak to one another with respect."

Well...he killed his mates, so he really shouldn't be talking.

"A strong drink..." Marc's voice breaks the silence.

My gaze flickers to meet with Rose's before I silently stand from the couch. I know I feel it and I can see it also in Marc's eyes as we come to stand near her, regretting the way I know I act in front of her toward Marc. We're both her mates and we should be treating each other with respect...whether I like it or not, Dante words are those of wisdom. She deserves to have cohesion and we'll have to figure out a permanent way to give her just that.

There is something lingering in Dante's eyes though when he glances at me, though all I can think about is what Tresor is doing...I can't get my mind to focus any longer and it feels like I'm starting to go insane trying to keep appearances.

I just wish I could tell just one...one person...

Rose nods at Dante and asks, "Will you show us?"

"Cormac's already been and I have other matters to attend to at the moment," Dante's response is somewhat cold and bitter, watching the way he eyes me before he nods at Rose and leaves the library.

What did I do?

As I lead the way, Marc and Rose walk silently behind me, weaving through a separate branch of hallways until we reach a door. When I pull the door open, they both slowly descend the stairs leading to the dimly lit room, a small sigh leaving Rose's lips in the process. Once we reach the lower landing, a very large and spacious room is laid out before us. Red velvet couches and high bar tables with stools are set out across the room. There are vampires and werewolves mingling, still in appreciation of what Dante has accomplished here alone.

While the socializing continues in the background, I turn to Rose and ask her gently, "What's your poison little rose?"

"Black Russian," she replies with ease.

"Marc?" I offer a gesture of kindness and showing I'm willing to try.

Marc replies and surprises Rose and myself, "Guinness," before I see his hand touch the small of her back, leading her toward a table near the back corner of the room. I head toward the bar, ordering our drinks before releasing a very small sigh.

It's not long before the drinks are ready, walking over to the table and sliding Marc's in front of his while place Rose's before her. I take a seat across from the two of them, my own choice of drink Samuel Adams Triple Bock. Taking a nice long swig of the drink, I pull the bottle away from my lips and catch little rose staring at me.

"What are you thinking?" I ask her, seeing the way she's gathered herself deep in thought. It occurs to me, I can't break through and connect with her, those thoughts of hers guarded and it makes me question...

"Nothing," she replies, taking another sip of her drink while Marc places his bottle on the table. His arm reaches out and around her shoulder, drawing her close to his side. Her eyes flicker up from her drink, capturing Marc's curious ones with her own. She asks, "What?"

"I don't know how you're doing it..." Marc's words confuse her for a second, unsure of exactly what he's getting at until he asks, "why are you shutting me out?"

Good, I'm glad I'm not the only one...

I nod in agreement and add, "Me as well."

"What are you talking about?" Her eyes remain locked with my own as I take another sip of my drink before I draw it away from my lips.

"Your mind little rose," I tap my temple with my finger, "usually you are so easy to read and slipping through the gaps within your mind is hardly a challenge. However..."

Arching a brow, she lets a giggle leave her lips, watching as the time passes us by and she finishes off her first drink. A thought crosses my mind and I glance at Marc while he narrows his eyes on me. Standing to my feet, I head toward the bar and order fifteen Silver Tequila shots to start out with and see how this game will go...that is, if she's up for it and Marc as well.

This should take some of the tension away at the very least.

With a smirk on my face, I arrive back at the table and set down the tray of shots, watching Rose's facial expression go completely blank. A mischievous grin works its way onto my lips before I ask, "Up for a game, Rose?"

"Nope, nope, nope," she replies while shaking her head, and I can tell the way one drink is already affecting her. She then replies further with, "I'm quite fine with just sitting here and enjoying the two of you not going at each other."

I catch sight of Marc and almost like he knows...he also nods in agreement before chuckle, "Are you scared we'll team up against you and you'll be helpless? Afraid to lose?"

She gasps and lightly pushes him away from her before stating, "How dare you side with him!" Marc continues to laugh as he also appears to be trying, the silent agreement between us growing with strength.

"I think she's just too scared," instead of us fighting over Rose, we decide to team up against her, rolling my eyes as I take one of the shot glasses and quickly pound it back. Marc is quick to copy my actions, seeing what we can draw out of Rose by working together. After we both set our empty shot glasses on the table, our gazes land on her and I say, "Take a drink if you're going to play."

"What are we playing?" She asks hesitantly while reaching out and taking hold of one of the shot glasses. She brings it near her lips, though doesn't drink quite yet.

I eye Marc before I tell her, "How about, 'Would you rather?'"

Rose swallows the alcohol before setting the glass back down on the table and breathing out slowly. When she's finishes, she catches my gaze and my eyes spark with amusement before informing her, "Oh, it's not just going to be in theory. You'll actually have to complete the option you chose."

"Son of a hooker," she glares at me while Marc laughs at her response at how easily she gave in to playing this game.

"Alright, let's play fair then," Marc steps in and I observe him as he asks, "how about Rose gets to pick the first victim?"

Arching a brow, I can't help but enjoy the way he's playing into this more than I thought he would. He's genuinely trying as well and I appreciate the effort for Rose.

"Fine!" She declares and I revert my gaze back to her. She thinks about it for a second, trying to figure out what she's going to ask. A smile spreads across her lips as she asks, "Would you rather punch Marc in the face or kiss me?"

Really...we're trying here...you want to send us at each other's throats again?

At her question, Marc growls lowly and she giggles in response. Very quickly and to extinguish any fire before it ignites I say playfully, "Well damn...don't tempt me to break his nose," I watch Marc caste a glare my way before I answer, "I'd rather kiss you little rose."

While Rose glances at Marc and he nods, I've quickly moved from my seat and next to Rose, placing her between Marc and I. My hand entangles in her hair before I bring my lips down against hers. I can tell from her reaction how stunned she is for a moment when she inhales sharply, hearing Marc move slightly and noticing his hand now rests at her waist firmly when I pull my lips away from hers. Afterward, I return to my seat while watching the affects my touch has on her.

She attempts to catch her breath as I whisper, "Would you rather be kissed on the lips and only the lips or on every part of your body except for your lips?"

"On the lips," she breathes out without thinking for a second. My gaze meets with Marc's as we both attempt to figure out which one of the answers is a better choice...

I'll turn him against you very quickly little rose and you'll be at our mercy soon enough...

I inform Marc so that he is aware if he hasn't had the pleasure yet, "Such a shame...she really does scream when you eat her out. Guess she'll never experience that again."

"I've wondered what she tastes like," Marc agrees with me to Rose's dismay and sighs, "guess I'll never know."

At the same time we order her, "Drink."

Rose takes another shot glass into her hand before pounding it back and letting the glass clatter on the table top. Her glare is clear on her face while the both of us smirk at her, knowing at this rate we'll have her very quickly where we want her...

...after all, we had mentioned about fucking her together. Perhaps this will allow inhibitions to fly out the window while taking advantage of the situation in a pleasurable way.

Rose turns to Marc and asks, "Would you rather have drunk sex or have sex when you're hungover?"

"Eh, both are pretty good to be honest," when Marc responds I can see she's slightly offended, possibly coming to realize that our first times were not with Rose, and we both have our own comparisons and experiences...

I tsk at Marc when he answers as that's definitely not the better of the two, "I would rather have hungover sex. It doesn't happen too often."

Rose glares at Marc while I chime in with her and order, "Drink."

Marc merely shrugs his shoulders and pounds back another shot before he exhales and sets the shot glass down on the table. He rubs his hands together with an evil glint in his eyes while they turn directly onto Rose. Before he can say anything, Rose holds up her hands and accuses, "Wait, wait, wait...why don't you ask him!?"

"You're more fun," he's quick to reply and I allow a smirk to tug at my lips. Look, we really are bonding. Marc thinks hard about his next question before he asks, "Would you rather only have shower sex or only have sex on the floor?"

Rose thinks about it for a second before she replies, "Sex on the floor."

"Dirty girl," I chuckle while sitting back in my chair with my arms crossed in front of my chest. I'm only slightly buzzed right now and enjoying the way my muscles relax their tension at her response to these questions. Now I know to fuck her on the floor...glancing at Marc and he agrees with me.

Little rose gets a pass this round.

She thinks she can play games, it's quite amusing as she asks with a smile on her lips toward Marc, "Would you rather eat me out or have me suck you off?"

Although it's a very pleasurable sight to see another bring pleasure to you...nothing beats offering that same pleasure to begin with...my thoughts immediately spark toward Dante.

I can't contain the laugh that lets loose from my lips while Marc holds back a snicker of his own as he replies with the same sentiments that I would, "I'd rather taste your sweet pussy Rose."

"He's not that stupid little rose," I recover from my laugh, wiping away a few tears that have escaped in the process. Marc's eyes flicker to meet with mine and I ask in return, "Shall I ask the next?"

"That's cheating!" She snaps and points a finger at me like I'm the bad guy here.

Rising slowly to my feet, I come to sit back next to Rose, not allowing her to run anywhere. I'm not the only one consumed by the heat created by the three of us...my voice low as I breathe out next to her ear while still allowing Marc to hear, "Would you rather only be allowed to do foreplay with your hands, or only be allowed to do foreplay with your mouth?"

Her cheeks instantly turn red, my touch so close while I see Marc continue to hold her. Her heart beats extremely fast and she shakily whispers out, "Hands."

Rose bites her lower lip as her gaze casts away from us and out toward the tables as she prevents a moan from leaving her lips the second my hand grasps her thigh. I grip it firmly, my fingers dip down to the inner part of her thigh while I rub it gently up and down. My hand moves over her knee before moving it back up, a small gasp leaving her lips I see Marc take hold of her other thigh. His hand draws up closer to her already aroused pussy, both of us able to pick up on her scent while she shifts back moving further into her seat.

Marc is at work rubbing her inner thigh while I lightly brush my fingers over her clit from beneath the fabric of her jeans and underwear. She bites her lip further as she turns to Marc and buries her face into the crook of his neck, attempting to escape our actions.

Marc brings his free hand up, touching the side of her neck as he whispers, "Would you rather be fucked by Cormac or would you rather be fucked by me?" Our touch continues to intensify and she noticeably moves her hips forward.

She breathes out all too hastily while moaning a little louder, "Both! Both!"

Marc and I freeze our actions, the two of us locking stares with one another while before we both in turn nod our silent response...

Rose sighs and shakily replies, "I know, I know...drink."

How wrong you are...

I snatch her wrist when she reaches out for another shot, her eyes lifting to the side and meeting with mine before I answer her questioning gaze, "No. You're going to be completely aware when we fuck you senseless little rose."

Marc and I lower our lips close to her opposite ears and order, "Bedroom."

--♗--

Covers/fan-art can be emailed to: [email protected]

|No Scheduled Updates|