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Who Needs Christmas? 5

Down with the Tunes

Twelve elves left the North Pole to be free of all things Christmas
and have been living together for decades. All this time they have

gone without their mates, but when the first of the twelve finds
his, the others have hope of being united with theirs.

Why hates Christmas songs for their unyielding cheerfulness, but

he wants to do everything to make his mate happy while the two
grow closer. As these lovers realize their feelings, an unexpected

occurrence threatens to tear them apart.

Daran Sullivan is a struggling lawyer with a mentally abusive boss.

Outside the workplace, he starts spending time with Why and
discovers the satisfaction such a close connection with another

brings after having been a loner.

Will Why have the opportunity to spend the rest of his life with
Daran, or will the appearance of a sinister foe destroy their bond

just as it’s beginning?

Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 35,442 words

DOWN WITH THE TUNES

Who Needs Christmas? 5

Joyee Flynn

EROTIC ROMANCE

MANLOVE

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www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

DOWN WITH THE TUNES
Copyright © 2011 by Joyee Flynn
E-book ISBN: 1-61034-998-9

First E-book Publication: December 2011

Cover design by Jinger Heaston
All cover art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
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express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance
to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com

Letter to Readers

Dear Readers,

If you have purchased this copy of Down with the Tunes by  Joyee
Flynn from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you.
Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

Regarding E-book Piracy

This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or
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DOWN WITH THE TUNES

Who Needs Christmas? 5

JOYEE FLYNN

Chapter 1

“Seriously?” I groaned as I walked into Maggiano’s and they had

Christmas music playing. “Already? It’s only the second week of
November! I swear they’re going to start in August one year.”

“May I help you?” a young kid asked me with a raised brow.

Yeah, yeah, crazy elf talking to himself.

“Reservation, Daran Sullivan, party of two?”
“Yes, your party is already here. Follow me, please,” he said

politely and turned to lead me to my date. Date. What the hell did I
know about dating? I’d never had to take anyone out to get in their
pants before. When I saw him glance up at me from across the
restaurant, my heart started to race. Oh yeah, that’s why I’d agreed to
date.

He gave me a dazzling smile, and his blue eyes lit up like the

stars. Everything in me was screaming to get on my knees and beg
this god of a man to be mine. I had a strong feeling Horse and Idiot
were right…Daran was my mate.

“I’m glad you could make it,” he said, and I saw hesitation on his

face. I sat down across from him in the booth, and the host walked
away. “Do I call you Luke or Why?”

Down with the Tunes

“Luke in public, please, but Why is my real name, so when we’re

alone or at home, I prefer it.” I saw desire flash in his eyes when I
mentioned us going home.

“Give in. You want him,” I heard Daran think.
“I want you, too, Daran,” I whispered and reached for his hand.

He quickly pulled it away, and I realized that was not the way to win
him over.

“Please don’t do that. My thoughts are private,” he hissed at me.
I quickly held up my hands in a gesture of surrender. “You’re

right, I’m sorry. It’s not always easy to just shut off like flipping a
switch. I know it’s hard for people to understand, but it’s like another
sense I have and about as easy to not use as my nose.”

“No, no, I can get that,” Daran said quietly as his cheeks heated

up. Who knew a six-two, one-eighty, built attorney could blush. And
fuck if it didn’t make me hard. “And I didn’t mean to be bitchy. It’s
just hard to relax when I’m worried about you seeing inside of my
head, and I’m already nervous enough.”

“Why?” I asked, curious as to what would make this confident,

gorgeous man tense.

“You,” he blurted out and then groaned as he rubbed his hands

over his face in agitation.

“I scare you?” My heart plummeted to my knees. That’s never

what someone wants to hear from a date. “Because of what I am?”

“Yes. No! Not because you’re an elf.” Well, that was a relief.

“Because it’s you.” Huh?

“Huh?” My mouth hung open in shock. “Want to run that by me

again?”

“I’m so not explaining this right.” He groaned, and the noise did

interesting things to my dick. “I’m not good at dating or interpersonal
relations. Your persistency scares me because I’m drawn to you…”
He took a deep breath while trying to finish that thought. I smiled
gently at him and decided to lay my cards on the table.

Joyee Flynn

“I’m not normally this persistent, Daran.” I paused and let it sink

in before I continued, “But I’m pretty sure you’re my mate.”

Unfortunately he blurted out, “I’m a virgin,” at the same time.
“What?” We both gasped. I stared at him a moment, and then we

both reached for the bottle of wine he’d ordered. I reached it first and
poured him a glass, handing it to him, and then poured my own. We
both tossed it back as if it was water.

“Like Shely and Idiot? You think we’re like that?” he whispered,

and I realized he was starting to shake. I wanted to hold him and make
all of his nerves go away.

“I think we should get an order to go,” I said gently as he poured

himself more wine. “We can’t talk freely here.”

“Right. Sure. Okay. Fine.” I quickly signaled the waiter and got

two orders of mushroom ravioli, confident in my decision when
Daran started nodding.

“To go, please, and the check,” I told the waiter with an innocent

smile. He nodded and went off as Daran swallowed his second glass
of wine. I grabbed his hand when he went to pour his third. “Are you
okay?”

“Not so much.” He giggled and sipped his drink. Oh boy. I don’t

think he had much tolerance for red wine.

“I won’t rush you into anything, Daran.”
“How could someone like you even want a virgin?”
“Someone like me?” I asked hesitantly, not liking where this

might be going.

“Experienced,” he hissed and glanced around to make sure no one

was listening. “I’ve seen your play room, remember? I was at Shely
and Idiot’s party. I know what your sex life is like.”

“You were at the party?” I started to feel like a parrot, but I’d not

seen him that day.

“I got about two feet in the door and everyone was naked and

three people were having sex in your front hallway. Together. I was
way out of my league, so I turned tail and ran.”

Down with the Tunes

“That’s not normally how things are, Daran. Just because we

might be mates doesn’t mean you have to change who you are and
start getting into the things I am.”

He stared at me for a moment, nodding solemnly and tossing back

his wine. When his glance came back to mine, I saw the heat in his
eyes. “What if I want to?”

“Then I will take you places you’ve never even imagined, baby,” I

purred as I rubbed my foot up his shin. “But we can take things as
slowly as you need. I’m not even sure you’re my mate yet.”

“How do we find out for sure?”
“It’s a closeness thing,” I answered, clearing my throat. “We

realize it normally during sex when two bodies become one basically.
My fangs will pop out.” I shook my head when he went to say
something because our waiter returned. I pulled out my wallet and left
way more than I knew the meal would be. The kid’s eyes went wide
as I slid out of the booth and took the takeout bag from him. “Thank
you very much.”

“We drove separate,” Daran said as he stumbled to his feet. “I

don’t think I should be driving.”

“I know, baby,” I replied quietly and wrapped my free arm around

his waist. To everyone else it looked like a tender gesture, but mostly
I was worried how quickly the wine went to his head.

We made it outside and to my car without issue. Daran seemed

buzzed and confused but not fall-down, make-an-ass-of-himself
drunk. I opened the door for him, and he plopped down on the seat.
He grabbed my shirt and pulled me right to his face.

“I always thought something was wrong with me. I figured out

later than most that girls didn’t do it for me, but guys don’t really
either. I thought maybe I was dead inside from losing my family. But
then I meet you and instantly I want to curl up along your naked body
and purr. That’s why I kept brushing you off. You scare the shit out of
me, Why. Why is that?”

Joyee Flynn

And then he started giggling. Yeah, I got it, my name was funny. I

brushed my lips over his, and he stopped laughing and moaned.
“We’ll figure this out, Daran. I won’t hurt you.”

“What if I hurt you?” he mumbled as I closed the door. That was a

really good question actually. What if he did hurt me? Well,
everything in life has risks, but I wasn’t going to pass up my potential
mate because he had issues and was a virgin. Honestly? A big part of
me was thrilled that he was untouched.

“Buckle up, baby,” I said as I got in the car.
“You’re such a hot little Twinkie.”
“I think you mean twink.” I chuckled as I started the engine and

pulled out of my spot.

“No, I mean Twinkie,” he said with a bright smile. “I bet you have

all kinds of tasty, creamy filling.”

“Oh shit,” I groaned and pushed my fist against my leaking

erection. “Daran, you keep saying things like that and you won’t be a
virgin much longer.”

“I don’t want to be one. I never did. It just kind of happened,” he

blurted out. “Will you fuck me even if I’m not your mate?”

“Not drunk,” I said as I grabbed his hand and intertwined our

fingers. “How does being a virgin just happen?”

“I was confused in high school,” he answered quietly after I got

on the expressway back to my house. “I didn’t really seem to like
girls or boys. Then in college I realized I preferred boys but none
really made me want to get naked. And then my mom died in a plane
crash, and my world went to shit. The last thing I had on my mind
was sex.”

“We don’t have to talk about this right now,” I said as I tenderly

squeezed his hand when I realized he was sniffling.

“No, you should know right away how fucked in the head I am.”
Okaaay then, I thought, but aloud I said, “Whatever you need,

Daran. I’m here for you.”

Down with the Tunes

“You won’t tell your brothers I’m screwed up, right? I’ve been

seriously considering the offer to be your attorney. I fucking hate my
job. They’re a bunch of bigoted assholes, and I just want to be
happy.”

“Your personal stuff has nothing to do with your professional

life,” I replied adamantly, knowing without a doubt he wasn’t the type
of guy to bring drama into his work.

“You’re sweet and cute,” he purred as he leaned his head on my

shoulder. “I don’t want to tell you all my bullshit. I’m being a crappy
date.”

“We can save the rest of our drama for the fourth date, okay?

You’re not the only one with issues, Daran.”

“So you still want me?” He sounded more like a little boy than a

thirty-something-year-old man.

“Yes, baby,” I whispered as I wrapped my arm around his

shoulder and kissed his head. By the time I pulled into my driveway, I
realized he was asleep. Note to self: potential mate cannot hold his
booze. I might have been annoyed if he wasn’t so damn adorable, but
everything inside of me was screaming that he was mine and I would
always take care of him.

“Sex now?” he mumbled after I came around and helped him out

of the car.

“When you sober up.” I chuckled.
“But I don’t want to be a virgin anymore,” he whined. “I’m a

thirty-three-year-old virgin. It’s pathetic.”

“I want you to remember it and enjoy it though.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” He giggled. Fuck! Daran actually

giggled again. I wondered how the confident attorney that I’d met
would feel if he realized he was giggling.

“What did you do to our lawyer?” Horse asked as we walked

through the front door and he ran to help me.

Joyee Flynn

“I didn’t do anything,” I growled. “He chugged down three

glasses of wine and doesn’t handle it well. He got a little freaked out
when I said I thought we were mates.”

“Well, I guess that’s better than him wigging out after you lose

control and bite him.” Horse snickered and shook his head. “I had
some fancy dancing to do with Bren after that one.”

“I remember.” He made it sound like it was years ago when it had

been about a month. Aah, time flies. “I’m going to ’port us upstairs.
Can you put our food in the fridge and make sure no one eats it?”

“Sure, brother,” he said with a gentle smile. “He’ll come around.

Just give him time.”

“I’m not even sure he’s my mate, Horse. My fangs haven’t come

out yet.”

“They will. You’re drawn to him, and all you want to do is take

care of him.”

It wasn’t a question, but I answered anyways. “Yes. Almost as if I

can’t stand to not make his life perfect and him blissfully happy.”

“Welcome to being mated.” I shook my head at his words, still

having that stupid voice in the back of my head saying not to get
invested until I knew for sure Daran was my mate. In a flash, I
teleported us up to my room and sat him on the king-size bed.

“Oh, bedtime,” he whimpered and wiggled his eyebrows at me.

“Get me drunk and take advantage of me, huh?” I would have gotten
upset at the accusation if I hadn’t known that he was buzzed and
teasing me.

“As soon as you wake up,” I answered. I took off his clothes,

trying not to be a jerk and leer at his body. I tried but didn’t succeed.
My attorney must have hit the gym regularly because every inch of
him was perfectly toned. And when I saw his slight treasure trail
peeking up from his low-riding boxer briefs, I felt my mouth go dry.
Damn! I just wanted to lick every inch of him.

Instead I quickly shucked my clothes as well, keeping on my own

boy shorts. He was already out again when I crawled into bed with

Down with the Tunes

him. Instantly he pulled me against him, and I felt a contented sigh
slip past my lips. This is what I’d always wanted. Someone special to
curl up with at night and then wake up to. But I couldn’t help the
slight panic.

What if he wasn’t my mate and I had to give him up? Then again,

what if he was mine? I had no clue how to be a good mate or in a
committed relationship. Either way, I had a feeling I was fucked.

Joyee Flynn

Chapter 2

I woke to soft lips on my collarbone and a larger, smooth hand

down the back of my shorts. I pushed my ass back against it and
moaned, tilting my neck to give the lips more room. Shit, this was a
good dream! I rolled us over so I was on top and gasped when I was
staring down at Daran.

“Not a dream,” I whispered.
“I think it’s a great dream,” he said back with a shy smile. “I’m

sober. I’m sorry I got drunk on you. I was nervous. Do you forgive
me?”

“If I was ever upset about it, you wouldn’t be waking up in my

bed,” I answered with a wink, needing to alleviate his worries.

“Does that mean it’s time for sex?” I saw the heated look he was

giving me but there was slight hesitation as well.

“We don’t have to rush anything, Daran. I can wait as long as you

need.”

“I don’t want to wait,” he whimpered and grabbed both cheeks of

my ass. “I’ve wanted to feel you inside of me since we met, but I was
scared. I won’t be chicken anymore. You’ve said I’m more than just
some one-night stand to you, and that’s all I needed to know.”

“Do you submit to me?” I growled, loving that he was practically

begging for it.

“Yes, fuck yes,” he moaned as I rubbed my dick against his

stomach. I claimed his lips as I waved away our clothes. He gasped in
delight and sucked on my tongue when I slid it into his mouth. Hot
damn!

Down with the Tunes

“On your hands and knees,” I said gently as I slid off of him. “It

will make your first time easier even though I’m going to stretch you
magically so there’s no pain.”

He nodded and did as I asked, glancing at me over his shoulder.

“Will you listen to my thoughts for a moment? I’m having trouble
saying what I want to.”

“Sure.” I was a little confused by the request since he’d been so

adamant that I not listen earlier.

“Is it wrong that I’m hoping and praying you are my mate?

You’re already so wonderful and careful with me. You want to take
care of me, and I’ve never had that before.”

“No, I’m hoping you’re my mate, too,” I whispered gently as I

moved behind him. He nodded and dropped his elbows so his head
was resting on the pillow. I quickly stretched him with my magic, and
he moaned beautifully and stuck his ass out further.

“I’m ready,” he whimpered as I rubbed my cock against his hole.

“No more teasing.”

I wanted to laugh since there had been no foreplay. If he

considered this teasing, I was going to have lots of fun teaching my
mate some patience. I pushed the first inches of my dick inside of
him, freezing when he tensed up and cried out. “Too much?”

“No, it’s good. Don’t stop,” he begged. I’d never taken a virgin

before, and I was so scared I’d ruin it for him. He pushed back against
me, and I got the idea, slowly sliding into him until I bottomed out. “I
was scared it wouldn’t fit after I saw how big you were.”

“I can make it smaller if it’s hurting you.” I wasn’t sure there was

ever a time someone wanted their partner less hung since the common
complaint I heard was that their man didn’t satisfy them. But ten
inches of fat cock could be a lot for a virgin.

“Don’t you dare,” Daran growled. I smiled at his response as I

gently grabbed his hips and started slowly taking him. My fangs
popped out, and I felt a thrill go through me. Daran was my mate! I
ignored the urge to bite him, knowing we needed to talk first. “More.”

Joyee Flynn

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I panted but still picked up the pace.

He moaned and thrust back as I pushed inside of him. We found a
nice, comfortable rhythm, but I was dying to see inside his mind for
guidance.

I reached down and stroked his dick in time with my hips, and

soon we were both falling right over into bliss. I milked his cock as
his sweet ass milked mine, both of us groaning as a wave hit us. I
loved the feeling of marking my mate from the inside.

“That was nice,” he panted after we flopped to the bed on our

sides.

“Nice?” I asked, my pride taking a hit. “Just nice?”
“I mean, I know porn’s not real and all, but even those people I

saw at your party were screaming and thrashing and shouting their
bliss to the heavens. This was more like fireworks at a Sox game
when someone hits a home run, instead of Fourth of July fireworks at
Taste of Chicago.” He paused for a moment and rolled over so we
were facing each other. “Did I do something wrong? Do you not want
me anymore?”

“I was trying to be gentle since it was your first time,” I answered

with a sigh. “I’ve never taken a virgin before, and I didn’t want to
scare you.”

“So you still want a repeat performance?” he asked, his cheeks

heating up. “Because I want you to show me everything and make me
scream.”

I let my fangs slide back out and smiled as he gasped. “I plan on

making you scream every night for the rest of our long, long lives,
Daran.”

“I’m your mate,” he whispered. I held my breath, waiting for his

reaction. Daran reached out and touched my right fang gently, and I
couldn’t help but moan at how accepting he was being. He leaned his
head back, baring his neck to me. “Make me scream, Why.”

“Gladly,” I snarled and pounced, knocking him back to bed as I

pushed his knees to his chest. “I’m going to take you at your word,

Down with the Tunes

baby. If I get too rough or you don’t like something, all you have to
do is tell me.”

“I promise,” he moaned, and that was all I needed to hear. I

slammed my hard dick back into his willing body, preening when he
screamed in pleasure and his back bowed. “Oh yeah! That’s what I
want.”

“I’ll give you so much better than nice,” I growled and wrapped

his legs over my hips. I pounded into him as I bit down hard on one of
his nipples.

“Oh, fuck me sideways. Bite me, Why.”
“Not yet, I’m having too much fun.” I dug my fingers into his

hips, fucking him within an inch of his life. “Will you submit to me
always, Daran?”

“Yes! Yes, I’m yours if you want me.” He shouted when I nicked

his other nipple with my fang. “I need to come!”

“Not yet,” I ordered and stared down into his shocked gaze. “You

need to learn the fun of holding out. Your orgasm will be stronger the
longer I drive you insane.” I smiled wickedly at him. “And I have a
surprise for you.”

“What?” He gasped and instead of answering I changed the angle

of my thrusts and nailed his prostate. “Fuck!”

“Better than nice?” I couldn’t help but ask since my ego had taken

a hit.

“Jesus, yes.” He shouted as I did it over and over again. “Better

than Fourth of July!”

“That’s what I like to hear,” I grunted and picked up the pace,

moving faster than any human could. Then I used my magic to make
it feel as if I was sucking him off at the same time.

“Why!” He screamed as his body shook and he came so hard I

thought the muscles in his ass may bruise my cock. I waited until he
was coming down from his peak and then sank my fangs into his
neck. Daran had another orgasm, crying out until he was hoarse. I

Joyee Flynn

followed him over, filling him to the brink and then moaning when I
felt his tight hole overflowing with my seed.

I slumped over him when we were done, lowering his legs. We

both gasped for air as our hearts ran a mile a minute. I smiled when he
started chuckling. “Good?”

“Fan-fucking-tastic,” he panted. “When can we do that again?”
“After I soak my mate in a warm bath and lick his used hole so he

doesn’t hurt. Then I’m going to feed you and introduce you to the
play room if you think you’re ready for more.”

“You’re going to fulfill my every fantasy, aren’t you?” He

moaned as I pulled out of him and got off the bed.

“You are the dirtiest virgin I’ve ever met.” I snickered as I lifted

him into my arms.

“Probably. I can walk, Why.”
“I like to carry you and take care of you,” I replied as I licked my

bite closed. I filled the tub with warm, almost hot, bubble bath and
lowered us into it. Daran groaned as I leaned him back against the tub
and started cleaning him thoroughly. “Let me spoil you.”

“Mm-hmm,” he mumbled as his eyes closed. I couldn’t help the

smile that spread across my lips. I’d tuckered out my mate, and he
was completely and happily sated.

“Let me love you, Daran,” I whispered so quietly that I was pretty

sure he couldn’t hear me. That was all I really wanted. I wanted to
love him and him to want me and love me in return.

“I can’t work for you guys now though,” he said after a few

moments. His eyes popped open and he bit his lower lip.

“Why the hell not?”
“Conflict of interest.” He didn’t look convinced of his answer, and

I realized the issue he wasn’t voicing.

“You didn’t get this job because we’re fucking,” I growled. “You

had the offer before we met. There are family members who are each
other’s attorneys, and this will be no different. Elves are incredibly
possessive, and I will die inside knowing you’re working for some

Down with the Tunes

assholes you hate. I want you to move in with me, Daran. You’re my
whole world now. I couldn’t care if you never worked again, but I
have a feeling that won’t fly with you.”

“No, I went through too much schooling and hell to just give up

my career,” he said slowly. “I’m not sure I’m ready to move in here
yet, but I’ll give notice at my job and accept your offer.”

“Such a wonderful mate,” I cooed and brushed my lips over his.

“I’ll clear out a drawer for you and a little bit of closet room, so you
don’t have to worry though.”

“Fair enough,” he replied with a smile after a few moments of

thought. I was thrilled down to my toes that he was taking all this so
well. We got out of the tub and dried off before I laid him down on
the bed and ate his ass, making sure to use my magic so he wasn’t
sore but still getting him off.

“Better?” I asked as I lay next to him and ran my fingers though

his shorter brown hair.

“It never hurt, but you can fuck me raw any day if that’s what I

get after mind-blowing sex.”

“Now we’re up to mind-blowing?” I asked with a laugh. He gave

me a wink as I materialized some low-riding basketball shorts for
him. I gave an appreciative purr as he put them on, showing off his
chiseled chest and abs. “Finger-licking good.”

“Glad you think so,” he replied, blushing as he did a few poses for

me. We both burst out laughing. Then I pulled on some much smaller
shorts and felt myself get hard as he stared at me as if I was going to
be dinner. I could deal with that.

“Food,” I said quickly and practically ran out the door before I

threw him back on the bed and had my way with him. My mate was
just too yummy for words.

“I am a little hungry…for meat,” he purred as he walked past me

on the stairs.

“My gods!” I laughed and followed his firm ass. “Pop your cherry

and now you’re a seductress.”

Joyee Flynn

“You popped who’s cherry?” Idiot asked when we got to the

bottom of the stairs. He smiled and rubbed his hands together in glee.

“Daran never had sex with an elf before,” I answered firmly,

telling my friend to back off as my mate turned ten shades of red with
embarrassment.

“Once you’ve had elf, you’ll never go back.” Shely chuckled from

next to Idiot and gave me a wink that Daran couldn’t see. I mouthed
thank you to him to let him know I appreciated his quick thinking.

“Nice to see you guys,” Daran said quietly after clearing his

throat. He crossed his arms over his chest as if trying to hide his semi-
nakedness.

“You, too.” Idiot was practically bouncing as his mate pulled my

friend into his arms. “Well?”

“Yes, he’s my mate.” Daran turned a deeper red as I ran my hands

over his ass. “And I’m keeping him forever. Now that I’ve had Daran,
no one will ever sate me again.”

“Really?” Shock was written all over his face as he turned to look

at me.

“Oh yeah,” I purred and rubbed myself suggestively against his

thigh. “Best sex I’ve ever had, baby. You’re a tiger.”

“Can we skip the food?” He moaned as he ran his hands down my

back and nuzzled my neck. “We can eat later.”

“I can’t have my mate going hungry. Besides, you have to keep up

your strength for what I have planned for you.”

“Okay,” he squeaked. I slapped his ass hard and smiled when his

cock twitched in his shorts. It seemed we’d have to test the waters on
spanking and maybe tying my mate down later. I slid my hand in his
and led him to the kitchen. Several of my friends were sitting there
chatting but stopped as we entered.

“Getting frisky with the help?” Button asked as he waggled his

eyebrows. I saw Daran pale at the comment and wanted to kick my
friend’s ass. The man was socially inept and never understood how

Down with the Tunes

his words could affect people. I sent a quick bolt of electricity,
zapping him. “What?”

“Don’t you ever talk about my mate that way!” Daran wrapped his

arms around me when I took a menacing step towards the table.

“What did I say wrong?” he asked, looking forlorn and like a little

kid in trouble. “He’s our attorney and our employee, too.” He glanced
at Horse who we all pretty much deferred to for everything. “Was that
mean to say?”

“Yeah, Button,” Horse sighed as he scrubbed his hands over his

eyes. “It implies that Why was taking advantage of our employee and
Daran has no morals to sleep with his boss.”

“I didn’t mean it like that!” Button gasped, his eyes going wide.

“It’s just after Justice turned out to be Cave’s mate, I was thinking we
should hire more and more humans because then maybe we could all
find our mates.”

“That’s not what you said though.” Cave chuckled and cuffed our

brother before turning to Daran. “Don’t get offended by Button, he’s
one of those really, really smart people that doesn’t get everything
outside of books.”

“No worries,” my mate said quietly. He glanced over to Horse.

“Idiot made me the offer, but you agreed as well about me coming to
work for you. If that’s changed now that I’m Why’s mate, I
completely understand.”

“Are you shitting me?” Horse scoffed and waved him off. “It

works out ten times better because we don’t have to hide anything
from you or worry that you might tell someone about us. You were
offered the job before we knew you were Why’s mate.”

“That’s what I said.” I snickered as I pulled out our food and

reheated it. My mate seemed to relax then and joined my friends at
the table.

“So when can you start? Our old attorney is chomping at the bit to

retire, and I don’t want things to fall through the cracks.” I wanted to

Joyee Flynn

kiss Horse for changing the topic and making Daran know we needed
him like yesterday.

“I’ll put in my two-week notice on Monday,” he answered. “It

seems only fair even though I hate that firm. I don’t want to get a
reputation of just walking away or anything.”

“No, I think that’s very considerate of you.” Horse smiled at my

mate and patted his hand. I was walking over with our food and
couldn’t bite back the snarl at seeing him touch what was mine.
“Sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry,” I said after clearing my throat. “I’m not sure

where that came from.”

“It gets better after you claim your mate,” Surprise said gently. “I

was snarly and jealous constantly until I staked my claim on Benjii.”

“You’re still jealous and possessive.” Benjii snickered as he

hugged Surprise. “But I like that, so it works out.”

“You’re not going to like collar me or anything, are you?” Daran

looked hesitant but a little turned on.

“Only if you wanted me to, but elves are very possessive. I have

no problem ending anyone who threatens you or my place as your
mate.”

“You’re the only person I’ve ever really wanted, Why,” he said

gently as I sat down next to him. “I know I only told you part of my
background, but I’ll tell you the rest after dinner.” I nodded as we dug
into our food.

“Dude, there’s a constant ringing coming from your room,”

Shadow said to me as he walked into the kitchen. “Someone’s got a
major hard-on for you or something.”

“That might be mine,” Daran sighed as he tossed down his napkin

and got up.

“Who would be calling you at”—I glanced at the clock—“one in

the morning on a Friday night?” He smiled as glared at him. “This is
funny?”

Down with the Tunes

“Your reaction is slightly amusing.” He chuckled as he leaned

over and gave a peck to my cheek. “It’s probably my boss.”

“And why is he calling you now?”
“To treat me like his bitch,” he grumbled and then left the kitchen.

That wasn’t really an answer, but I realized my mate didn’t want to
discuss it right now and probably around my friends.

“Attorneys have to bail their clients out of jail sometimes, right?”

Cave asked and then winced.

“Yeah, that so doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“Sorry, I realized that after I said it,” he replied sympathetically.
“No worries.” I shrugged. I stood and teleported to the hallway

outside my room.

“Shit, you scared me!” he exclaimed and grabbed his chest. “I

wasn’t sure which room was yours.”

“I figured as much,” I said with a smile and held my hands up in

surrender. “I would have just come and gotten your phone for you.”

“You are too sweet.” He cupped my cheek as he walked past me,

and I practically purred. I followed him into the room just as his
phone started to ring again. He dove to his pants and answered it.
“Yes, sir?”

I could hear the other side of the conversation because our senses

were amazingly acute. “Finally! What were you doing that you
couldn’t take my calls?”

“I was sleeping,” my mate lied and rolled his eyes at me.
“Sure you were,” the man sneered. Yeah, already I didn’t like

him. “You’ve got a new client, and he needs to be bailed out of the
twenty-fifth district for smuggling something in through the airport.”

“Actually I was going to turn in my notice on Monday, sir. I’ve

had another offer that I’d like to accept.”

“What?” The man roared. “We’ve put all this time and effort into

you, and now you think you’re going to quit? Absolutely not! You’re
the only one who deals with the queer clients because you are one.”

Joyee Flynn

“Can he talk to you like that?” I asked with wide eyes, quietly so

his boss wouldn’t hear me.

Daran shook his head but answered his boss. “I was fully trained

and have only worked for you a year, Mr. Waugh. I found a better
position to suit my needs and with an employer who doesn’t refer to
me in meetings as ‘the queer one.’ I’ll bail this guy out if you need,
but I won’t take him on as a new client. It’s the reason I want to get
out. I’m tired of defending scum.”

“You are the queer one,” Waugh growled.
“Consider this my two-week notice, Mr. Waugh,” Daran replied

evenly.

“You do this and I’ll make sure no one will ever want to hire you,

Sullivan.”

“They already did,” he sighed. “Do you want me to bail this guy

out or not?”

“Of course I do! His name is Kyle Murphy. Go pick him up, and

see if you can get the charges dropped or if you’re completely
incompetent.”

“Murphy as in the Murphy Family? The Irish mob in Chicago?”

Daran shuddered in revulsion. “We represent the mob now?”

“Alleged mob, but there’s no proof of such connection.”
“Whatever,” Daran groaned. “I’ll go see what I can do.”
“Good, otherwise we may need to talk about your value to our

company.” My mate pulled the phone away from his ear and simply
stared at it.

“Did he just threaten to fire me after threatening me for giving

notice?”

“Yeah, you need to get the fuck out of that place.”
“Amen to that,” he said, shaking his head.

Down with the Tunes

Chapter 3

It took less than twenty minutes for us to change and get down to

the twenty-fifth district. Daran wasn’t very happy I demanded to go
with, but he was going to meet a mob boss, and I didn’t want him
going alone. He finally conceded after I promised to stay in the
background and not say a word unless I was worried about his safety.

“I’m here for Kyle Murphy,” Daran informed the policeman on

duty.

“His boyfriend?” the guy asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Umm, no, his attorney,” he answered. The cop grunted in reply

and started flipping through papers. Daran shot me a what the hell
glance and I shrugged. Who knew the modern mob was progressive
enough to have an openly gay member. “Right, your client was caught
with three balloons of heroin shoved up his ass and claims he didn’t
know it was drugs. According to him, it was some guy he was playing
with and the balloons were supposed to be a sex toy.”

“Right, I was just assigned to him, so I’d need to speak with him

before I can tell you what’s going on.” I bit my lip to keep from
laughing. Did that idiot in lockup think that excuse would really
work?

“And the little guy?” the policeman asked, gesturing to me.
“An associate of mine,” Daran answered. We’d talked ahead of

time, and he said I couldn’t go in with him, but then I assured him no
one would remember me anyways after I used my magic to make
them forget. He relented then, and I honestly think he was happy he
didn’t have to go in to meet a mob boss alone. I didn’t blame him.

Joyee Flynn

Humans were fragile and could easily get hurt. I didn’t want that for
my mate.

We followed the policeman after getting buzzed in through the

locked door. I’d never been in lockup before. I wasn’t sure I ever
wanted to be again. We passed large holding cells with everything
from obvious drunks to women wearing so little clothing that I’d bet
were in for working some corner. Seriously, they were that obvious.

He led us into the typical interview room that was in every cop

show or movie. And sitting at the table in handcuffs was the ugliest,
most flamboyant, ugliest Irishman I’d ever seen. Did I mention he
was ugly? I mean seriously, he needed to wash his face, cut his hair,
think about getting braces, maybe some plastic surgery, and hit the
gym.

“Have you come to strip-search me, too?” the douche bag asked

with a leer at my mate. Then he glanced at me. “Either of you would
work.”

I went to open my mouth but quickly shut it when I saw the look

that Daran was shooting me. Fine. I’d behave…for now.

“Mr. Murphy, I’m the attorney assigned to help you out with your

current situation.” I got inappropriately hard at Daran’s commanding
tone and assertiveness over the man and what was going on. Damn,
he was fine. “My name is Daran Sullivan. Can you tell me what
happened?”

“Well, I got frisky with a guy down in Colombia, and we were

messing around before my flight—”

“Let’s remember what you tell me is covered under attorney-client

confidentiality, Mr. Murphy.”

“Call me Kyle,” the slob drooled as he reached to touch my mate.
“And then what happened?” Daran asked as he moved himself out

of the way and started taking notes. Slick!

“He was supposed to put some anal beads up my ass so I’d think

of him during the flight, and when I got into O’Hare Airport, I got
dragged off to the side. The fuckers strip-searched me and saw my

Down with the Tunes

hole was stretched and started fishing out bags of heroin. I think
they’re lying though. It felt like anal beads going in.”

Just for shits and giggles I listened in to my mate’s thoughts.

“This is either the dumbest fucker ever or…yeah, no ‘or.’ He’s the
dumbest piece of ugly ass shit ever.” It was truly hard to keep a
straight face after hearing that.

“I couldn’t agree with you more, my sexy mate.” He flinched

when I pushed that into his mind but otherwise covered his reaction
well.

“Okay this is kind of neat that you can hear me and we can talk

like this. But I’ve got to focus right now, or I’m going to burst out
laughing.”

“Fair enough,” I replied and pulled out of his head.
“And this is the story you told the police?”
“Yeah, totally,” Kyle answered, bobbing his head like a moron. I

decided to dip into his mind. “I want to pound his sweet ass all night.
He’s stupid if he buys the story, but I can do cute and stupid.” I
slipped right back out because I would end up killing the guy if I kept
hearing thoughts like that. The visuals he had were even worse.

“And what’s the real story?” Daran asked calmly as if he was

talking about the weather.

“You don’t believe me?” Kyle looked impressed and affronted all

at the same time. I’m not sure how I knew those were the conflicting
emotions, but his very pale but freckled face heated up with anger at
the same time there was a gaze of awe.

“My job is to defend you and get you out of here. Neither can I do

if you’re giving me some bullshit story. You want someone to lie to,
get a boyfriend. I’m your attorney, and I can’t help you if you don’t
trust me.”

Kyle’s jaw fell open, and I had to join Daran at the table to hide

my hard-on. I gave my mate a heated glance that I was pretty sure
spelled out what I wanted to do to him down to which position.

Joyee Flynn

“Fine,” Kyle grumbled and tried to pull off a cute pout face. I

don’t know who’d been lying to him that the look worked for him, but
that person was not his friend. “My dad doesn’t like us selling the
hard stuff, so I decided to make some friends of my own and bring
back a sample. I figured if I could start up a side business, I could
have something to fall back on in case the old man never kicks the
bucket.”

Charming, I thought to myself as I mentally rolled my eyes.
“Okay, you’ve got no priors on drug possession or intent to sell,”

Daran said as he flipped through Kyle’s rap sheet. Which was quite
long. “Mostly minor crimes besides the several assault charges.”

“Those were dropped,” Kyle replied with an evil smile. “They

changed their mind about pressing charges.”

“I understand that, but it still can sway a judge on whether you

should get bail or how much to set it at.”

“What do you mean should get bail? You can’t get me out of

here?” Kyle looked a little panicked at the idea. I personally thought
jail might do wonders for this douche bag.

“You were caught with almost half a kilo of raw heroin, Mr.

Murphy. That’s not normally an offense that someone gets bail on,
especially when sneaking it into the country. With your previous
record, I’m going to have to do some fast dancing to get you out on
bail. I won’t be the attorney representing you at your trial, but I will
brief whoever relieves me.”

“Why won’t it be you?” Kyle whined, and I seriously wanted to

bitch slap the guy.

Daran blanched at him, obviously shocked that the man had the

stones to ask. I decided it was finally time to step in. “I don’t believe
it’s any of your business what Mr. Sullivan does with his time. He’s
been professional every step of the way with you. I suggest you do the
same.”

“Or what, twerp?” He sneered at me, losing the injured-party act. I

opened my mouth to reply, but Daran raised a hand.

Down with the Tunes

“This is counterproductive, gentlemen.” He stood and glanced

from him to me. “I’ll see what I can do, and I wish you the best of
luck, Mr. Murphy.”

Kyle just sat there, going back to his poor me attitude. But I

wasn’t fooled. I’d seen the evil in his eyes when I dared to step in his
way. There was a certain look someone had when they’d killed
before, especially in cold blood. Kyle Murphy had it down, and I did
not want my mate around this asshole ever again.

“See you soon, sexy. Naked,” Kyle said so softly there was no

way Daran could have heard it since he’d stepped out in the hall in
front of me.

“You better fucking not,” I hissed under my breath and let my

power flash in my eyes. Kyle’s jaw dropped as his eyes practically
bugged out of his head, and I bemoaned the fact I was going to wipe
any memory he had of me when I’d done such a good job threatening
him. That was fine though. There was nothing to say I couldn’t pay
Mr. Murphy a visit another day and make damn sure he knew to stay
the fuck away from my mate.

Daran ended up having to fill out a slew of forms while I sat up

front in the waiting area. I decided to text our resident hacker and get
him to pull up everything he could on Kyle Murphy. Maybe I was
jumping the gun or being a little dramatic, but I’d been alive long
enough to know that I should trust my gut. And my gut was
screaming that Kyle would try to seek out my gorgeous mate, and I
wanted to be prepared.

About ten minutes later, Box texted me, “You’re going to want to

see what I found, brother. If you think he might come for Daran, we
got problems.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I cursed under my breath. I hated when I was

right sometimes!

I waited for Daran to see a judge about bail after he was done with

the paperwork. It took forever and finally, about five in the morning,
he was done and ready to leave.

Joyee Flynn

“I can’t believe that there are judges holding court now.”
“Welcome to Chicago.” He snickered as I led him out to my car.

“They’re more on call really than anything. It’s not like there’s full
court sessions going on, but sometimes you just need a judge. And
there’s only one courthouse that has these kind of hours.”

“Still bizarre.” I got him into his seat and jogged around the car,

sliding in and starting it up. “How did it go?”

“He’s out on a hundred grand bail.” He sighed and rubbed his

eyes, suddenly looking about ten years older. “I hate this job, Why. I
feel like I just gave a piece of my soul to the devil. I’m a junior
partner in the firm, and they have me dealing with this kind of shit. I
can’t prove it, but I know it’s because I’m a queer. I’m just so sick of
this shit.”

“I know, baby,” I said gently as I reached for his hand. “You gave

your notice. Two weeks and you’re free to do boring lawyer stuff for
us and any pro bono work you want.”

“You guys would let me do pro bono?” Daran gasped, with a

twinkle of joy in his blue eyes. “Seriously?”

“Anything you want, Daran. We can get another attorney for us,

and you can do the pro bono stuff solely if you wanted.” I was
hesitant to say it, not wanting to seem as if I didn’t want him to be our
lawyer anymore. “I just want you happy. Tell me what would do that,
and I’ll do anything to give it to you.”

“You’re the best partner in the world,” he said with a happy sigh

and leaned his head over on my shoulder. “I want to work for you
guys, but I’m thrilled you’d let me take on a pro bono case here and
there. I miss doing good, you know?”

“Of course, baby.” We drove the rest of the way home in silence,

lost in thought. As much as I would have loved to have simply ’ported
us there and back home, there were certain places we never, ever
teleported. Like courthouses and police stations with way too many
trained eyes around. Plus, I didn’t want to freak Daran out with every

Down with the Tunes

way I was different from humans. I planned on easing him into it as
much as possible.

At least that was the plan.
“Right, so you need to see what I found about this guy, Why.”

Box rambled as he paced nervously when we entered the kitchen
through the side door from the garage ten minutes later. “It’s not
good. And if Daran was my mate, I might think about getting out of
town.”

“What? Why?” Daran asked, his eyes going wide.
“I asked Box to find out what he could on Kyle Murphy,” I said

calmly, cringing when I saw the anger flare in his eyes.

“I trusted you,” he snarled and walked back towards the door. “I

can’t believe you did this.” He grabbed his briefcase that he’d just set
down. “I’m out of here. Don’t call me.”

“Daran, wait,” I begged as I ran in front of him and blocked the

door. “You didn’t see what I saw in the monster’s head. I heard him
thinking about you. He’s evil, and Box can find more than police
records could. I swear I would never have done this if I wasn’t
worried for you.”

“Wh–what did you see?” he stuttered, his face paling.
“I’m not sure you want to know,” I answered gently and he started

shaking. “Please trust me on this.”

“Okay, I’m sorry I blew up.” I led him to one of the stools at the

kitchen counter and helped him sit down since he was so worked up.

“Don’t be sorry. I was going to discuss it when we got home, but

Box was waiting for us. I promise this wasn’t me being nosy or
overbearing. I’m worried for you.” He nodded his head, and I gave
Box the go ahead gesture.

“He was denied membership at Leather No Lace and was kicked

out of Top and Bottom for ‘unsightly behavior.’” He made air quotes
as he said that last part. “I read their report on him off their systems.
He likes to make people bleed and has an obsessive tendency toward

Joyee Flynn

his playmates. He’s also been under psychological care for anger,
rage, and a slew of other issues.”

“Jesus Christ,” Daran gasped as he turned to me. “And you think

he wants me?”

“That matches up with what I saw in my head.” I sighed, realizing

I had to tell him. “You were chained down, covered in blood, and had
cuts all over your body. Kyle saw himself doing despicable things to
you. You saw how pissed he got when I stepped in, and when you left
the room, he was muttering about seeing you again naked.”

“Okay, I believe you and appreciate your concern,” he replied,

holding up a hand to stop me from going on any further. “Thank you
for having him checked out and wanting to protect me.”

“You’re everything to me, my mate,” I cooed and nuzzled his

neck as I hugged him from behind.

“He’s also a person of interest in a slew of missing-person reports,

which was the other reason the club kicked him out,” Box continued
as he read his laptop. “They couldn’t prove it was him, but they had a
few subs that had been seen with him go missing after he became a
member. I think this guy likes to play crazy rough and can’t control
himself. I would bet his mob family cleans up his messes.”

“Mob-leader Daddy might be getting tired of it, and that’s why

Kyle’s looking into branching out,” I mused out loud. “Daddy might
be at the end of his rope and ready to cut him off.”

“What do we do now?”
“You go nowhere alone,” I answered firmly, brooking no room

for argument. “I’ll talk to my brothers and make sure one of us is with
you at work.” I held up my hand to stop him when he started to
object. “We can make ourselves invisible. No one will know we’re
there but you. If Kyle behaves, then we drop it after a few weeks, by
which time you’ll be working here anyways. If he doesn’t, then we
take the fucker out or talk to his daddy.”

“Peter and the pack might know the Murphys since they work

mainly as hired muscle,” Box threw in.

Down with the Tunes

“Good, talk to Cave and have him ask.”
“Why didn’t you just wipe the guy’s mind of Daran after what

you saw in his head?” Box asked, and I’d thought to do the same
thing.

“I wanted to, but he couldn’t have had no memory of his attorney

coming and then being set free. That would have raised too many
questions we can’t afford, and Kyle still probably would have sought
Daran out.”

“Then you should have just altered the encounter and made Daran

ugly to Kyle.”

“Fuck,” I hissed and smacked myself in the forehead. “I never

thought of that! I’ve never altered someone’s memory or visual, just
removed parts. Shit! Fuck!”

“Hey, it’s okay,” Box said gently and patted my arm. “It’s always

easier to think of the way to handle something after it’s over. Besides,
it might not have worked if this guy got as big of a hard-on as you
said. Daran’s image could have been ingrained in several parts of his
cognitive mind.”

“Huh?” Daran and I asked at the same time.
“Never mind.” My genius friend chuckled. “Let me know if you

guys need anything else. I’m going to leave a note for Cave since
everyone else is sleeping.”

“Yeah, I need to get my mate tucked into bed as well. Thank you,

brother.”

“You’d do the same for me.” He shrugged and left the room. I

hugged Daran and teleported us to my room, knowing he was way too
tired to have to climb the stairs right now. He was quiet as I got him
undressed and tucked into bed.

“Everything is going to be okay, baby,” I whispered as I held him

close.

“I know.” He yawned. “You’d never let anyone hurt me.”

Joyee Flynn

His blind faith in me scared the shit out of me. What if I couldn’t

protect him and that sick fuck got him? How was I going to protect
him? I had no clue about being someone’s security detail.

When I knew Daran was asleep, I slipped out of bed and changed

into work clothes, ratty shorts, and a stained tank top. I quietly made
my way downstairs and to my workroom off the side of the garage.
After I fired up the kiln I started throwing some new vases. My shop
was attached to Button’s since we both needed extreme fire sources
for our work.

I worked for maybe a good hour before I realized I felt the

presence of my friends in the room with me. All eleven of them. And
where they were, their mates were with them.

“Say it,” Horse said gently. I shook my head as my foot fell off

the wheel’s motor pedal as the tears started to fall. He ordered me this
time. “Say it, Why.”

“What if I can’t protect him?” I cried out and crumbled to my

knees. I pounded my clay-covered fists on the ground. “I want to
claim him to keep him safe so I know he’s immortal, but I don’t want
that to be the reason he accepts. I want him to love me like I know
I’m already falling for him. But then I wonder if I’m making this
whole threat up in my head so he wants me to protect him, claim him.
Or could I just be overreacting?”

“Who said you’d be protecting him alone?” Horse growled, and I

knew this was the issue he’d wanted me to deal with first. “We are
brothers, born of blood or not. We choose to be a family, and if you
doubt for one second that we wouldn’t stand beside you, then we got
bigger problems than a mob boss.”

“I never doubted you’d help me,” I whispered as I glanced up at

him.

“Good, because I remember you there when my mate needed

help,” Horse replied with a satisfied nod.

“And with the witches,” Idiot said with a smile.
“You really wanted to kick the wolf’s ass for me.” Cave snickered

Down with the Tunes

“I’m pretty sure you threatened my mate six ways from Sunday

when he had his head up his ass.” Surprise chuckled as he knelt down
next to me. “Our mates come first. It’s a code we live by whether we
are the mated one or not. We’ve got your back, brother.”

“I know this, I swear I do,” I pleaded with them, trying to make

them understand the dilemma. “You will still defer to me on what to
do if something comes up, and I could make the wrong decision.”

“Yes, you might,” Horse said gently as he kneeled down behind

me and hugged me to him. “And we’ve all fucked up over the years,
but twelve heads are better than one and we always win the day,
brother. Bren is a cop and will help. We have other mates who are
human and can blend in to watch your mate. And if that bastard tries
to touch your mate, then we go to war with the Irish mob and leave a
horse’s head in some guy’s bed.”

“An actual horse though.” Cave snickered. “Not Horse’s head. A

horse, as in animal.”

“Yeah, we all saw The Godfather with you, you dork.” Idiot

chuckled and cuffed our friend. “We got the pun.”

“Even if you claim Daran, he can still get hurt,” Horse said,

turning the conversation back to serious. “But you’re feeling what
each of us felt when we met our mates. They’re human, they’re so
fragile.”

“You know, I’m not sure I’ve ever been referred to as fragile

before,” Benjii drawled in his Southern accent with a snort. “Next
you’ll be dressing us in Onesies.”

“I call footie pajamas.” Shely snickered and bumped fists with

Justice.

But my focus was on Daran, who was staring back at me with so

many questions swimming in his eyes. Fuck.

“You’re immortal?” he whispered, looking a little shell-shocked.
“Yeah, so are we, now that our mates claimed us,” Bren said

gently and then pointed to Shely. “He fainted so you’re doing pretty
good. I thought Idiot explained everything about us to you?”

Joyee Flynn

“I only had like ten minutes before the witches showed up.” Idiot

pouted and went to his mate. “I left most of it up to Why.”

“So biting me didn’t claim me?” Daran glanced around as if not

knowing who to get his answers from.

“No, it started the process,” I answered as I stood and wiped my

hands on my pants.

“Well then finish it!” he exclaimed angrily and threw his hands in

the air. “I said I was yours. I thought you wanted me forever.”

“I do,” I gasped and raced to him. I took his hands in mine and

squeezed them. “I’m falling for you, Daran. You’re my mate and the
other half of my soul. Deciding to be with me forever is a huge
decision, and we’d not even gotten to the whole immortal thing.”

“I don’t care about any of that, Why.” A soft grin crossed his lips

as he leaned in and hugged me. “I just want you. I could grow a tail
and still be happy. I’ve never wanted someone before and everything
in me screams to never leave your side. You took my virginity, and
I’m yours in every way. You being immortal makes things perfect.”

“How so?” I asked, ignoring some of the wide-eyed looks from

my friends at the virgin comment.

“Because I’ve lost everyone in my life who’s ever mattered to

me,” he whispered as tears formed in his eyes. “I believe in fate, and
that’s why we’re meant to be. You can’t ever leave me if you’re
immortal.”

“No, baby. I won’t ever leave you.” I pulled his head down to

mine and mashed our lips together. The kiss got quite heated, and a
few people in the room chuckled. “Daran Sullivan, will you mate me
and be mine forever?”

“I won’t even ask for a prenup.” He snickered, and the room filled

with groans.

“Always the attorney.” Idiot giggled. “Let’s have a claiming

ceremony!”

Down with the Tunes

Chapter 4

The next morning, or afternoon really, I woke up wrapped around

my mate, so happy I wanted to sing from the rooftops. Daran and I
had claimed each other lovingly in our bed, and he never hesitated.
Then we’d made love again in our room and fell asleep sometime
before ten in the morning.

“What time is it?” he mumbled as I moved to look at the clock on

the far wall by the door to the garage.

“Three in the afternoon.” I chuckled. “We slept in.”
“Hell, considering we never went to bed last night, it’s more like a

long nap.”

“What does my mate want?” I whispered as I licked his neck and

tweaked his nipple.

“You. Only you forever.”
“Right answer,” I growled and rolled him to his stomach. In an

instant I magically stretched him and positioned my body over his. I
pushed inside his ass as I spread his legs with mine.

“Fuck, this is new,” he hissed as his hips bucked. I buried my face

in his back and reached up to lace my fingers with his. “Are we going
to try a new position every day?”

“Okay,” I grunted as I thrust into him harder and harder. “But

we’ll run out eventually.”

“Then we’ll just have to start again on different surfaces.” I

moaned at my kinky mate.

“Dirtiest virgin ever.” He nodded and angled his ass up for me to

have better access to as I sucked up marks on his shoulders. “Best ass
ever, too.”

Joyee Flynn

“Better be the only ass you ever want again,” Daran growled, and

I froze.

“Where did that come from?” I asked gently as I panted for air.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered and buried his face in the pillow. I

could barely hear what he said next even with my elven hearing. “I
can’t help but worry that I don’t have enough knowledge to keep you.
Watching porn is not the same as knowing what you’re doing.”

“Baby,” I cooed and nuzzled his neck. “It’s not about what you

know but how you react. You react so beautifully to every touch, and
every time I love on you, that no one could ever match it. I like to be
in charge, and your innocence makes me hot. I fucking love that I’m
the only man to have pleased you.”

“But I’m not the only one you’ve had.”
“No, I can’t deny that,” I said gently when I heard the worry in his

tone. “But you’re the only one I’ve ever seen more than a few times.
You’re my mate. That makes you more important than all of them
combined though that’s not the reason I asked you to move in and
want you every day for the rest of my life.”

“Really?”
“Really, Daran. You’re an amazing person and have a body I can’t

get enough of. I look forward to several lifetimes of learning more
and more about you.”

“Did I ruin the moment?” he asked after several seconds.
“I’m still hard,” I growled playfully in answer. “You?”
“I can’t stop being hard around you, Why.” He snickered and then

moaned when I thrust into him. “Fuck me hard. Make it so I can’t
worry about anything but your cock in my ass.”

“Gladly.” I pounded his sweet ass, loving the sexy noises he made

under me. I knew he’d have some lingering doubts after we’d moved
so fast…He was human after all. But elves weren’t like that. For us a
mate was as simple as family we’d been searching for. Sure, it wasn’t
instant love—that would come later. I just didn’t have the same what-
ifs that humans seemed to be plagued with at times.

Down with the Tunes

“I need more.” He gasped for air after we both came, and I was

still inside of him. “I don’t know why, but I feel like you can’t leave
me yet.”

“I know how you feel,” I said gently. “Would you like to see our

play room?”

“I–I’ve seen i–it.” Daran stuttered and shivered.
“Want to experience it?”
“Yes.” That one word was all I needed. I ’ported us downstairs

and knew exactly what I was going to do to my gorgeous mate. I set
us on our feet so my cock was already out of him, and I gently pushed
him into one of the leather swings. “What are you doing?”

“Showing you how fun toys can be,” I purred as I locked his

wrists and ankles up magically. His eyes went wide since only his
back and neck were on the swing now with all his limbs restrained in
the air. I rubbed my fingers over his leaking hole as his ass hung off
the leather, and he moaned. “What does my baby want first?”

“Whatever you want, Why. I trust you,” he answered, and I could

see the truth in his shining blue eyes.

I couldn’t help the next thought. Don’t let me fail him. But then I

pushed it away. This wasn’t the time for it…It was time for fun. Lots
and lots of fun if I had my way. I smiled wickedly at him and pulled a
smaller vibrator off the wall. He watched me, licking his lips as I
grabbed a tub of lube and slicked it up.

“I want to hear you scream,” I ordered and pushed it into his ass

as I turned it on. I hit it right into his prostate, and Daran went wild,
pulling at his restraints as his semihard cock perked up and started
leaking. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No! No! Make me come, please!” He begged at the top of his

lungs.

“So fucking sexy,” I groaned as I kissed the inside of his leg. My

mate was a god of a man, perfect in every way down to the
impeccably trimmed patch he had around his cock. Not completely

Joyee Flynn

shaven off, just enough so there was some friction and temptation
when I saw him.

“Why, Why, Why!” He screamed louder and louder as his cock

erupted. I watched in awe as his seed landed all over his pecs, abs,
and thighs. With the swinging motion and how his dick was moving
all around, it was spraying like a geyser.

I gave him about thirty seconds to recover before adding vibrating

nipple clamps and switching him to a bigger dildo. He moaned, and
his hole clenched at the invasion, but otherwise didn’t say anything. I
let him adjust and waited until his heartbeat leveled out before
thrusting the toy in and out of him.

“You’re so perfect everyone wants to watch,” I whispered as I

pulled on one of clamps. My mate raised his head enough to see a few
of my friends along with Idiot and Shely rubbing on each other as
they all watched.

“Let them,” Daran groaned as I picked up the pace. “Put me on

display. I don’t care if they watch. Just please don’t stop until I can’t
walk because you fucked me so raw.”

“And here I was worried when we found out your mate had been a

virgin,” Shadow mumbled under his breath so my mate couldn’t hear.
Yeah, I’d had the same thought. Go figure.

“What does my mate need?” I asked when it seemed that three in

a row might be too much for him. I knew the answer, but it simply
flipped my switch when he asked for it.

“Bite me, or let me suck your cock,” he whimpered. “Or touch

me.”

“How about two out of three.” I grabbed his dick and stroked him

as fast as I could while I fucked him with the dildo. He moaned and
exposed his neck, knowing I would always choose that option as well.
I struck fast, biting him hard since I learned he liked it that way.

Daran shouted my name to the heavens and came as I drank his

sweet blood. I kept up my attentions as he rode his peak like a
champion. When he was done, I removed my fangs and licked the

Down with the Tunes

wound closed. I slowly pulled out the toy as I let go of his flagging
dick.

“Fuck my face,” he panted as he let his head fall back so I had

access.

“You need to recover first.” I chuckled.
“Am I your mate or not?” His eyes flashed with irritation. “I want

to please my man as he did to me. Now give me your goddamn dick.”

“Okay,” I said quickly, dropping the toy and positioning myself at

his head. He opened his mouth and I pushed the head of my cock into
his warm, wet mouth. I moaned as he sucked me off like a champion.
I was already close since I had been primed and leaking watching him
come twice. “Swallow it all.”

He moaned as I yelled his name and shot down his throat. My

mate greedily swallowed everything I had to give him, not a drop
passing his lips. When I was spent, I pulled out before dropping to my
knees and giving him his release magically.

“You’re so amazing,” I gasped and turned his head to the side to

kiss him. It was a quick but passionate kiss since we both needed air.

“I was thinking the same about you,” he replied with a sleepy

smile. “Thank you.”

“Thank you.” I chuckled and ’ported us back to my bed. I hoped it

to be our room soon. I really did. That was the last thought I had
before we fell back asleep.

* * * *

Our first weekend together had gone well. Lots of sex and

learning about each other. I filled him in on everything he’d need to
know about being mated to an elf while he told me more about his
past. He’d already mentioned that his mom had died in a plane crash
when he was in college.

But unfortunately, it got worse. His dad and younger sister had

been killed in a car wreck going to his graduation ceremony from

Joyee Flynn

college. And his older brother had died overseas while serving in the
Marine Corps after he got into law school. So at twenty-two he’d been
an orphan with no siblings.

Fuck me sideways!
Yeah, it was quite understandable that he had issues with letting

someone in ever and trying to date. It was a miracle that he’d ever
accepted my date, and I couldn’t get over how I only had to chase him
for about a week. When I asked, not wanting to sound like I was
ungrateful but needing to know, my mate had explained that his
parents had been soul mates. He’d grown up believing in them, and
after one night with me, he’d just known.

I couldn’t have been more thrilled with his answer. Even now,

Monday morning, when I was sitting outside a coffee shop across the
street from his office building watching to see if Kyle Murphy or
anyone who looked like him showed up. It was unnerving. As if I was
reverse stalking my mate but with his permission.

Weird, right?
After three hours, I’d had so many lattes I decided to switch to tea.

To everyone around me I was just some guy chilling, reading his
Kindle as if I didn’t have a care in the world. On the inside I was a
raging ball of nerves…and then anger.

“Mother fucker,” I hissed under my breath and pulled out my cell.

I pushed the speed dial for Shadow who was up in my mate’s office
standing invisible patrol. We’d all agreed that my being that close to
Daran could make things worse. Or we’d just fuck all day. “The
douche bag actually showed.”

“Man, that guy’s got stones the size of Brazil.” Shadow snickered

quietly. “Okay, keep your telepathy open so I can get through to you.”

“Fuck that, I’m coming up,” I growled and hung up before he

could tell me otherwise. Of course that didn’t keep him from sending
me messages in my brain.

“This wasn’t the plan if the guy showed up, Why.”
“He’s my mate, what did you really expect?”

Down with the Tunes

“I expected you about an hour ago whether Kyle showed or not,”

he answered with a snicker as I gave the waitress some money and
then jogged across the street. “So really I’m impressed you held out
this long.”

“Yeah, me too,” I muttered as I dove for an elevator going up.

When I’d gone through the spinning doors, I’d had enough cover to
make myself invisible. But that meant I had to go up with someone
else on the elevator. Of course, none of the three people with me were
getting off on my floor. I slid along the wall and pushed the button I
needed.

“Anyone getting off here?” a lady asked when the doors opened

moments later and no one went to move.

“No, must have hit it by mistake,” a guy replied apologetically.
No, it’s actually your local invisible elf running to help his mate

and friend, I thought to myself sarcastically. Part of me wanted to say
it out loud and fuck with the nice people for shits and giggles. Yeah,
I’ve got a mean streak…sue me.

“Do you know who I am?” Kyle Murphy bellowed at some poor

lady I assumed was Daran’s assistant. “I don’t care if he’s in a
meeting. I want to see my attorney.”

“It’s fine, Janet,” Daran said smoothly as he stepped out of his

office. “I’m done with the conference call now. Why don’t you let
Mr. Waugh know Mr. Murphy is here and then take an early lunch?”

“Right away, Mr. Sullivan,” she squeaked and practically ran off

as best as she could in those high heels. I can’t say I blamed her. I’d
run from Kyle Murphy any day I could as well.

“I didn’t come here to see Waugh, my cute little Daran,” Kyle

purred, and I wanted to rip his throat out.

“I–I’m sorry, Mr. Murphy,” Daran sputtered nervously as Kyle

encroached on his personal space. “I don’t know what impression you
got the other night, but I’m in a committed relationship and not on the
market.”

Joyee Flynn

“So what?” Kyle asked, looking confused. “I don’t want to make

you Mrs. Murphy. I just want to play.”

“Charming, and oh so flattering and all,” Daran growled, getting

some of his bravado back now that he was pissed. “But no way in hell
would I ever cheat on my partner. I’m not your attorney, and I think
you need to leave before I call security.”

“What’s going on here?” Mr. Waugh asked as he came storming

over. Janet came back after doing as Daran had asked, grabbed her
purse, and ducked out for lunch. I wanted to yell after her take the
asshole with you!

“Mr. Murphy’s a little confused as to what services we provide at

this firm,” Daran gritted out between his teeth. I had to give him
points for the creative pun yet keeping it polite.

“Well, as his attorney, I would think you’d strive to do whatever

your client needed.” Waugh gave Murphy a polite smile and raised a
brow at my mate. Mother fucker!

“Horse, get here now! I need you as Daran’s new employer since

I think his boss is about to pimp my mate out.”

“Asshole. Okay, teleporting now.” We’d agreed ahead of time to

keep the lines of telepathy open with everyone back at home in case
we needed help. I had to remember to thank Box for that idea later. I
gave my friend a mental image of the office I’d ducked into so he
could teleport easier and not end up in the wall of this steel building.
In theory our magic would land us somewhere safe always even if
we’d never been there before.

Being in a wall was safe…just no logical way to get out.
“Let’s do this,” Horse said as he appeared in a very expensive

three-piece suit. I’d changed my own attire accordingly, and we
stepped out into the hallway.

“You’re my boss, not my pimp,” Daran said in an elevated voice,

cheeks red with anger.

Hey, great minds think alike! It seemed, in the couple of minutes I

was gone, things got worse.

Down with the Tunes

“Mr. Sullivan, I apologize for simply showing up,” Horse said as

we approached. “And I hope you can forgive my haste, but something
has come up. I understand you wanted to give your employer due
notice of your leaving this firm, but I must insist we need you right
away.”

“Who are you?” Waugh practically growled, his balding head

flushing with rage.

“Rick Smith,” Horse answered with a winning smile. “Head of

Smith Enterprises. Mr. Sullivan did tell you he was quitting, of
course.”

“He mentioned something about wanting to renegotiate his

contract,” Waugh said carefully. I snickered, and his and Murphy’s
gaze turned to me.

“It’s fine, Mr. Smith,” Daran replied after taking a deep breath.

“I’ve decided that I don’t need to stick to the notice I gave now that
my boss is trying to use me as a hooker.”

“Sullivan!” Waugh exclaimed. “You are not quitting.”
“Watch him,” I said coldly.
“But he’s my attorney,” Murphy whined pathetically.
“No, he’s not,” I growled and stepped forward. Horse grabbed my

arm, and I didn’t fight him. “My partner has agreed finally to come
work for my family. You understand the importance of family, Kyle
boy. Don’t you? Maybe we should go talk to yours?”

Kyle went pale for a split second but then recovered as he grabbed

Daran. “No. I want him as my new toy. You can’t have him.”

“Let me go,” Daran hissed and started to try and pull away. He

could easily have overpowered the gross Irishman, but I had a feeling
he didn’t want it to come to punches…yet.

“This is how you let your clients treat your employees?” Horse

tsked and shook his head. “No wonder I was able to steal him away
for a million a year.”

“He’s only a junior partner,” Waugh exclaimed as his eyes went

wide. “He’s not worth that much.”

Joyee Flynn

“We have enough work for him that will make him be,” Horse

replied with narrow eyes. “He’s a talented attorney who you
obviously underappreciated. He handled a case for us recently with
ease and precision. My brother made him an offer on the spot. So I
should thank you for treating him this badly to where he’d be willing
to leave.”

“Let go of my partner, or I will make you and then throw you out

the window,” I said to Murphy. He shook his head as he wore that
stupid pout face. Finally Daran got fed up and elbowed the guy.
Waugh started shouting for security, and I knew it wasn’t for Kyle. I
moved my mate behind me.

“I quit. Let’s go.” Daran started to walk to the doors, but I hadn’t

been blocking my telepathy, so I caught something.

“He will bleed for that, and I’ll cut up his little partner as well.

Fuck, maybe the whole family. That would be one fun night! Da will
be so proud that I took over another family.”

“You getting this?” I whispered to Horse as we left.
“Loud and clear, brother,” he said with controlled rage. “Loud and

fucking clear.” We quickly got on the elevator that building security
stepped off of. “I’ll call Cave. We’ll go meet with Daddy Murphy
now. Peter knows him and said he’d come with.”

“Or we could just kill Kyle,” I suggested even though my mate’s

eyes went wide with shock.

“No, we do this right. We’re not in the wrong here, and I don’t

want us to be.” My friend changed his tone when he saw my hands
tightening into fists. “I know he threatened your mate, but I don’t
want us to start a war with the human mob if we don’t have to.”

“I know, I know,” I said and took several deep breaths. “You saw

what was in his mind, Horse. That guy is a sick fuck who needs to be
contained. We can keep Daran safe, but what about Kyle’s next
victim?”

“I said we wouldn’t kill him,” Horse replied with an evil grin.

Several of us referred to that smile as his “world domination grin.” He

Down with the Tunes

only gave it when he had a wicked good plan. “That doesn’t mean I
don’t plan on getting him killed. I’m sure Murphy Senior will want to
handle this problem his way.”

“I get it.” I chuckled. He figured the head of the family would cut

off a finger to save the hand. Either way worked as long as my mate
was safe.

“Okay, now that you guys are done scaring the shit out of me,”

Daran said quietly as we got off the elevator and into the lobby. “I just
walked out of my job. I didn’t even grab my briefcase or car keys.
How do I get my stuff?”

“We’ll teleport back there when everyone’s gone, baby,” I replied

gently, seeing my mate was shell-shocked. “Don’t worry, love. We’ll
take care of everything.”

“Okay.” He nodded, looking a little better but not much. I knew

he had faith in me, but there was only so much one person could take
before cracking. I just hoped he had room for more because this was
far from over.

Joyee Flynn

Chapter 5

We went straight home and filled everyone in on what happened.

Cave called Peter, and unfortunately, we had to wait for him to get a
meeting with Mickey Murphy. For real, that’s what Murphy Senior’s
name was. How could you take a mob boss seriously with the name
Mickey?

“M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E,” Chiquita sang for about the billionth

time while we all ate lunch. The room was tense, so I get why he was
doing it, but like enough already.

“Next time you’ll be whistling that out of your ass because I’ll be

shoving your head so far up there,” Shadow said in a cold, even voice.
Thank you!

“Amen.” Daran snickered. We’d all changed into more fight-

appropriate clothes since I couldn’t imagine throwing a punch in a
three-piece suit. That would be confining.

“Sorry, I’m just going nuts waiting. And everyone’s so tense that

it’s like a mold surrounding us.”

“A mold, really?” Maze asked before shoving another sandwich in

his mouth.

“Where do you put all that food?” Benjii was smiling widely,

falling back on normal jokes as if nothing was wrong.

“I’m a growing elf.” He snickered. “Besides, my metabolism has

kicked up since I started hunting—” He shut his mouth, but it was too
late.

“Hunting what, Maze?” Horse asked with a raised brow.

Down with the Tunes

“Idiot,” Shadow mumbled, and I started to get a little of the story.

The two of them were thick as thieves, and while we were all close,
they tended to keep more to themselves than the rest of us.

“Yes?” Idiot asked with a confused look. “What does this have to

do with me? I don’t hunt.”

“No, I was calling him an idiot,” Shadow groaned and rubbed his

hands over his face. He stared down our leader and crossed his arms
over his chest. “Look, you guys all have your hobbies, Maze and I
have ours.”

“Yes, but we don’t hide ours since we’re a family and all of that,”

Horse said calmly, but I could see the storm of anger brewing in his
eyes.

“Okay, that’s fair, and we can talk about it later, but this is not the

time. We’ve got enough on our plate for me to just dump all this out
today.”

“That’s fine, but answer me one question, and I’ll table it until

you’re ready.” Shadow nodded at Horse’s request, and my friend
continued. “Why have you never said you’re so much older than me?”

“What?” Several of us gasped, me included.
“New powers since you’ve mated?” Shadow asked with a tight

smile.

“That, and when we’ve combined powers, I’ve felt how much

stronger you are. Answer the question, brother.”

“I didn’t want to lead,” he answered simply. The mates exchanged

glances of confusion while we all understood, so he explained. “In
Elven Society the oldest is the ruler. Whether it be Council seat, head
of the house, or settlement. I was the last to come with Maze, and you
were already established as the Alpha. I didn’t want to be anyways,
simply welcome.”

“You’re older than Horse?” Maze asked, looking as if he’d been

slapped hard across the face. “I knew you were older than everyone
thought, but I didn’t know you beat him.”

Joyee Flynn

“I’m three times his age,” Shadow mumbled as he stared at his

shoes.

Horse held up a hand to quiet us all down when chaos broke out.

“That’s fine, you gave us your reasons, and we can appreciate that.
You could have told us, Shadow.”

“I didn’t know how.” He shrugged, looking like a little kid about

to be sent for time-out. “At first I didn’t know you guys, and I didn’t
want you to think I was trying to take over, and then everyone
assumed I was young because I didn’t have much control over my
magic.”

I saw something flash in Cave’s eyes, a combination between rage

and hurt. “Did you know how to heal?”

“What?” Shadow gasped with wide eyes, no longer gazing at his

shoes.

“When we were struggling to heal my mate, did you know how to

help him?”

“No, I swear to you, brother,” he answered firmly. In a flash he

was at Cave’s feet on his knees speaking in our native tongue. “I
would never have kept it and let harm come to our family or your
mate. I swear it on my magic and heritage. I did not know how to heal
him, or I would have in a second.”

“Okay,” Cave whispered and pulled Shadow into his arms. “I

believe you.” I knew everyone in the room did as well. Shadow was
an honorable man who’d jumped in to help our mates at every turn.
Fibbing about his age was not the same as lying that he could have
saved Justice.

“Long story short, I was kicked out of the North Pole way before

any of you were even born,” Shadow said quietly as he plopped down
in one of the chairs. “Not always were they so accepting of being gay.
I left when I was sixteen and lived on my own until I met Maze. I was
so tired of being alone and missed our kind.”

“Thank you for being honest with us, brother,” Idiot said gently

and hugged him. Shadow accepted it but looked lost and worried. I

Down with the Tunes

knew the conversation was closed…for now. As if fate knew we
needed an interruption, Cave’s phone rang. He immediately answered
and put it on speaker.

“I got us a meeting,” Peter said from the other line. “Half an hour,

meatpacking district.”

“Seriously? The mob is in gay central?” Cave snickered. “That

doesn’t seem like a likely place.”

“Exactly how they stay under the radar. Bring your A game. I

think Kyle ran his mouth because the old man was on alert.”

“Thanks for setting it up,” Horse said firmly. “We’re leaving

now.”

“I’m bringing some wolves just in case,” Peter replied before

disconnecting the call. Cave’s phone vibrated, and he smiled.

“I got the address. Let’s roll.” His smile could have lit up

Michigan Avenue at Christmas.

“We seriously need to talk about your tendencies to fight,” Justice

grumbled.

“You know you love the hot sex we have after I do,” Cave purred

as we all grabbed our things and headed out to the garage. “All that
adrenaline makes me an animal in bed.”

“You’re always an animal in bed.” He snickered.
“Glad you think so.” He smacked his mate’s ass as he climbed

into one of the SUVs. We loaded up, and I ended up riding with
Horse, Bren, Idiot, Shely, Daran, and Box.

“So we’re all good with Shadow, right?” I asked as we got on the

road.

“There’s a pain in our brother that’s very deep,” Horse said

quietly as he drove. “I knew we needed to confront him about the age
thing, but I think we should leave the rest alone until he’s ready. But
I’ve suspected for a while he’s been keeping lots from us. I honestly
don’t think he does it intentionally. He just doesn’t seem to know how
to open up or trust anyone fully.”

Joyee Flynn

“I’m not mad,” Box answered me. “He’s family and has issues.

We all do.”

“True that.” Idiot snickered. I agreed. With the matter resolved,

we rode in silence as we mentally prepared. Twenty minutes later, we
were parked by the address and getting out of our vehicles.

“I just wanted to say thank you for immediately helping me and

keeping me safe,” Daran said quietly.

“You’re family now, mate to our brother,” Horse replied, and

everyone else nodded in agreement. “We protect ours.”

“Now let’s go kick some mob ass,” Cave said with way too much

excitement. With a nod, Horse led the way down the block to the
address Peter had given us. He was standing there waiting patiently
with a half a dozen wolves.

“Good to see you again.” The werewolf smiled at all of us and

then focused on Justice. “You’re looking well. I’m glad your mating
has been so blessed.”

“Thank you,” Justice replied in shock. Yeah, I was, too. Peter had

had a hard-on for Cave and didn’t like when my friend mated.

“Elves are cute, but Cave’s always been my friend first. I’m glad

he’s happy.”

I wanted to coo aww, look at the cute, sweet werewolf. But I

didn’t think right now was the time. We followed him down another
block and then into a building where the guards seemed to know
Peter.

“Horse speaks for you all unless you’re talked to directly. I don’t

agree with everything Mickey does, but he’s way better than lots of
other mob bosses who could be in charge. He doesn’t allow anything
but pot, and while, yes, he has a prostitution ring, they’re all willing.
The pimps never get violent or crazy clients. He might be a criminal,
but he’s one with morals.”

“And that’s very rare,” Horse replied, understanding the meaning.

The devil we knew was way better than the potential devil we didn’t.

Down with the Tunes

There would always be crime and leaders of it, but an honorable one
was a miracle.

“Exactly,” Peter said quietly as he led us through a club. I would

never have guessed from the outside that this was a nightclub. The
place had seemed like a dilapidated factory and on the inside
something like a thrown-together speakeasy from the nineteen
twenties. Wicked cool.

“If we end up liking the guy, I want to come see this place when

it’s hopping.” I couldn’t have agreed with Button more. The place
was done to the nines with plush leather, waterfalls behind the bars,
and a raised dance floor.

When we entered the back room and a large office, I had a feeling

we weren’t going to be going shopping with Mickey Murphy anytime
soon and chatting as teenager friends. I could practically feel the ice
in his gaze and the two dozen guards looked a little trigger-happy as
their hands roamed under their suit jackets. Yeah, we weren’t stupid.
They were packing. We got the hint.

“Mickey, good to see you again,” Peter said with a bright smile.

“Thank you for seeing us on such short notice.”

Mickey made an unhappy grunt sound before speaking in a

perfect brogue. “You threatened to pull all your pack’s help if I
didn’t.” Well, well, well! Mickey knew about werewolves. That might
make this so much more fun. “And I can’t believe if there’s to be a
fight, you’re going to throw your support behind this lot of kids.”

“Mickey, I’d figured you’d learned by now that looks are

deceiving.” Peter tsked and shook his head. “Besides, you aren’t the
scariest fucker in the room anymore. I might be a lot of things, but
stupid isn’t one of them.”

“Is that right? Then who’s the scariest one here?” Mickey raised

an eyebrow as he smirked in a typical I’ll believe it when I see it look.

“I am. My name is Horse, and I’m the eldest in my family,” Horse

said calmly as he let loose his power and it crackled all around him.

Joyee Flynn

“We didn’t come here to fight, but understand if it comes to that, my
family could end yours without even blinking.”

“Is that so?” Mickey gave a nod and his men pulled out their

weapons. “Ya didn’t even bring weapons to a gunfight. You’ve
threatened my son.”

“Because he threatened my mate,” I growled as Horse gave

Shadow and everyone else a nod as well. In a flash, we used our
magic to have all of Mickey’s men pointing their guns at themselves
or Mickey.

“You see, we don’t need your fucking toys to take you out,”

Horse said calmly and then teleported. Mickey gasped as Horse
appeared sitting on his desk right next to the man. “So let’s try talking
now, shall we? Or do you need to see more?”

“We do like to give an entertaining show,” Shadow purred as he

pulled out some throwing knives from the vest he wore and started
tossing them up in the air.

“Are you who I think you are?” Mickey asked as he went pale.

“You’re supposed to be a legend.” Horse raised a brow and glanced at
our brother. Yeah, there were a lot of secrets Shadow had been
keeping, it seemed.

“I’m real, and you fucked with my family,” Shadow snarled.
“You be right that you got the scariest fucker in the room on your

side,” Mickey said to Peter and pointed to Shadow. “But it be the
Shadow there, not this one here. Either way, I jumped the gun. Let’s
talk like civilized men.”

“Sounds good,” Horse replied as he slipped off the desk. We let

go of Mickey’s men, and they put away their weapons. See, everyone
flexed their muscles, and we won. Yeah us! “Your son is a problem,
Mickey. We’re allies with Peter and he with you. We gave you the
respect of coming here to discuss this with you instead of simply
taking care of him. Don’t make me regret that decision.”

Down with the Tunes

“Fair enough. What’s the little asshole been up to now?” Mickey

suddenly looked tired. I had a feeling this wasn’t the first time trouble
showed up at his door because of Kyle.

“For one, he got busted smuggling in hard stuff,” Bren answered,

using his best cop voice. “I’m not here as Chicago Police, but I do
know vice leaves you be because you keep worse criminals off the
streets and out of your turf. You don’t get involved with weapons,
heavy drugs, bribes, or any of the shit that makes most people hate the
mob. You control the riffraff, and your business is simply stuff that’s
illegal here but legal in other states.”

“You don’t have to rule with an iron fist or hurt your people to be

the Alpha,” Mickey conceded. “Peter understands that, and that’s why
we get along.”

“But you’ve been covering up for your sick son,” I said, not

wanting to ignore the fact that Mickey still was a criminal. “And now
he’s making friends in Colombia—”

“That sick fuck son of mine wasn’t supposed to make it back

alive,” Mickey thought, and I smiled.

“So you thought Kyle would swim with the sharks and get eaten?”

I chuckled. I was surprised Kyle made it out alive after dealing with
Colombian drug lords as well with how stupid the guy was.

“Something like that,” Mickey answered with a nod. “Good to

know you can read minds, too.”

“We have all kinds of fun tricks up our sleeves,” Horse said with a

smile. “Tell you what. Peter says you’re a man of honor, and I respect
that. You promise to take care of Kyle and help keep my brother’s
mate safe and when you need a good mind reader from time to time to
keep the worse criminals out of Chicago, we’ll help you.”

“Why do that?” Mickey eyed Horse over suspiciously. “You knew

I was going to handle my boy anyways.”

“If the police don’t have a problem with you owning clubs, selling

weed, and having hookers you take care of, why should I?” Horse
shrugged as if to play it off. It made sense. Weed and call girls were

Joyee Flynn

legal in other states. “But your son is looking to start with heroin, and
I love my city. We don’t need that shit here.

“Plus he’s sick, cutting people up and killing them. We’ll help

you, but if we find someone guilty, they get turned over to the police.
No cement shoes in the river or any of that crap.”

“I ain’t never killed anyone or had anyone taken care of,” Mickey

said, shaking his head. “New York or the Italian mob pull that shit
because they don’t understand how a family works. They’re all too
busy being greedy and trying to take power that they stab themselves
in the back.” He gestured to a man over his shoulder. “Sam here
would never betray me. Want to know why?”

“Actually, I would,” Horse replied, and I felt the same way.
“Tell them, Sam.”
“I was some punk on the streets who never even made it past ninth

grade,” Sam said with a sad smile. “Mickey took me in and gave me a
legit job as I finished. Helped me get into the Army and serve my
country. When I got out, he introduced me to my wife, who was a
waitress at one of his clubs. As a wedding present he bought us our
first apartment.”

I saw tears brimming in the big man’s eyes, and I knew this

wasn’t going to be a happy ending story.

“Two years ago my Sharon got diagnosed with cancer. Bad shit,

spread everywhere. I came to Mickey for help, and he sent her to one
of the best doctors in the country. Saved her life. She beat it and
manages this club now, and I work security for Mickey. I’d give my
life for him after what he did. We’re happy. Have a comfortable life
when we would never have dreamed of it as kids. I ain’t got no need
for anything more than that.”

Okay, so it was a happy ending. I was glad. But it also made me

respect Mickey. I didn’t think a typical mob boss would treat his
people like that.

“That’s family,” Mickey said firmly and shared a look with Horse.

Down with the Tunes

“And you do whatever you have to, to protect your family.” Yeah,

Mickey, Horse, and everyone in the room agreed on that one. “Take
my offer, and let’s be allies.”

“What do you want in return?” Mickey didn’t get to be in power

by being stupid. I’d want to know if I was him, too.

“We want Kyle handled and our family safe from him.”
“Done.” Mickey immediately agreed.
“And we like this club—” Horse started to say.
“You can’t have my club,” Mickey growled but stopped when

Horse held up a hand.

“We were thinking maybe a VIP table? Check it out when we

have a free night?” Horse chuckled.

“That’s all?” Mickey looked shocked enough to be pushed over

by a feather.

“Mr. Murphy, we’re elves. We’re immortal, and I’m almost four

hundred years old. Don’t take this the wrong way, but there’s nothing
you could give me that I don’t already have or couldn’t buy if I
wanted. We help the pack, they help us. We won’t get involved in
anything illegal since we need to keep our cover, but we’d like to be
friends.”

“Friends are always a good thing to have,” Mickey replied with a

smile. “Especially powerful friends who don’t leech. And as a sign of
good faith, I’d like you and your whole family to be my guests tonight
at this club. It’s fitting since it’s actually Men Only night, and the
entertainment will be male.”

“I have to say, I didn’t think the Irish families were so

progressive,” Benjii said in his deep drawl. “I know my old-school,
Southern douche bag of a daddy ain’t.”

“Doesn’t bother me any who’s attracted to who as long as their

money is green,” Mickey replied with a wide grin. “We lay low in the
meatpacking district, and the gay population likes the club. I have
male and female escorts and strippers. I’m a businessman, not judge
and jury.”

Joyee Flynn

“We accept your kind offer,” Horse said and moved to shake

hands with the mobster. “And I know you know about Peter and his
pack, so we would appreciate the same discretion.”

“If I may ask,” Mickey replied and Horse nodded. “What are you

guys?”

“Elves.” Horse turned and let his ears turn to their normal pointy

selves. We all followed suit and did the same.

“Well, hot damn, you weren’t kidding!” Mickey cackled and

slapped his thigh. “You’re not like any elves I ever read about.”

“No, we’re not,” Horse replied firmly and let his fangs pop out.

“And we never let anyone forget that, lest they think we’re weak.
Even our friends.”

“I hear you loud and clear, Horse. Loud and fucking clear.” He

smiled as he said it, but we all saw the understanding in his eyes.

“One more question.” Horse waited until Mickey nodded. “Can

we teleport to your office tonight so we don’t have to drive?”

I thought Mickey and half of his men were going to faint they

paled so fast. Yeah, flexing our muscles was smart. Threatening
wasn’t the way to go with the mob. Good thing we were actually quite
unaggressive most of the time. Most of the time.

Down with the Tunes

Chapter 6

“I can’t believe we didn’t even get to fight.” Cave pouted as we

ate dinner. We’d decided to celebrate our victory with dozens of Lou
Malnati’s deep-dish pizzas. Hey, nothing said we rock like Chicago-
style pizza.

“But we might have gotten to find a new hangout in the process.”

Cave still pouted though his mate was trying his best. “A club with
strippers. Male strippers.”

“I do like strippers.” Cave giggled and rubbed against Justice.

“You’re my favorite stripper.”

Justice let out a snort. “Normally you just wave away my clothes.

That’s not exactly stripping for you.”

“Are you complaining, baby?”
“Fuck no. It’s hot that you can’t wait until I actually take off my

own clothes.” We all shared a laugh as we finished up.

“Anyone know the dress code of this place?” I asked as I tossed

an empty box in the garbage. We had an industrial-size fridge and
outside garbage cans in our kitchen. No, we weren’t a houseful of
men who couldn’t cook. Insert sarcasm at any time.

“Peter said dressy but no ties,” Horse answered, and I knew what

I’d dress my mate in. We all separated to get ready, and I’m not sure
how, but Daran and I were able to take a shower together and not
have sex. I think we were saving all our energy for the club and after.

He smiled as I dressed him magically, making his shirt the exact

same blue as his eyes. Stunning. I’d also picked expensive shoes and
gray suit pants that molded to his ass. “Perfect.”

Joyee Flynn

“I’m glad you think so.” He chuckled. “Does this mean I get to

pick your outfit?”

“If it makes my mate happy, I’m willing to oblige.” I slowly

pulled on little boy shorts that I knew he loved and made sure to preen
in them so he got a good look.

“You are just too sexy for words,” Daran purred as he ran his

hands over my ass. “Someday I want to know what it feels like to be
inside this fine ass.”

“How about tonight?” I panted and pushed back into his hands.
“Really?”
“Of course.” I chuckled at his shocked reply. “We’re mates,

Daran. I might be a top and dominant, but that doesn’t mean we’re not
equals.”

“Good to know, but now we need to cover up your lithe body

before I throw you on the floor and fuck you right now. We can’t be
late to party with our new friends.”

“No we can’t, but I think you should jump me like that another

time.” My cock was so hard I could pound nails with it, so obviously
it agreed.

He ended up picking out black leather pants that were so tight

they looked painted on. Then matching boots and a see-through shirt
that only appeared to be dressy. But it was really for clubbing
anyways. We hurried and met everyone down in the media room,
where Champ was hopping from one foot to the other with
impatience.

“What’s his deal?” Shely asked and gestured to our friend.
“Strippers, Shely. This place has strippers,” Champ answered,

practically salivating. “Male strippers.” He waved around a hand full
of five-dollar bills. “They let you grope if you tip well.”

“Fucking horndog.”
“Hey, you guys are mated,” Champ said with a pout. “Leave us

single guys alone.”

Down with the Tunes

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Shely replied, looking properly

chastised.

“No worries.” My friend giggled. “Just send any of the ones

hitting on you my way.”

“No one better be hitting on my mate but me tonight,” Idiot

growled and pressed himself up against his man suggestively. “All
mine forever.”

“You got that right.”
“Same apply to you for me?” Daran asked as he wrapped his arms

around me.

“You never have to doubt that,” I purred and brushed my lips

against his.

“Okay, we’re all here. Let’s go,” Horse announced. I held on to

my mate and ’ported us back to Mickey’s office.

“Holy fucking shit!” the man shouted as his men pulled out guns.

“Stand down. It’s our friends.”

“Whoops, sorry,” Horse said sheepishly. “Yeah, I didn’t think to

call and warn you. It makes sense you might be in your own office
though.”

“No worries.” Mickey chuckled, but I saw the way he was still

holding his chest. “Just took a few years off my life.” He turned
serious then. “Kyle disappeared after his meeting with Mr. Sullivan
today.” Nice to know that he checked us out and learned what his son
had been up to. “I’ve got my people and Peter’s guys looking for him.
It will be handled, but I suggest keeping your guard up until it is.”

“Thank you for the warning,” Horse replied with a bow. “Now,

let’s have some fun. We hate fighting and conflict. Time to blow off
some steam.”

“I have a few booths reserved for you.” Mickey stood and led the

way for us. Not only did he set them aside for us, but we got rock-star
seats! It was two huge booths with their own stripper poles on the
table and entertainment right there.

Joyee Flynn

“Yes!” Champ exclaimed when Mickey gestured to a few of the

strippers for us. He raced to sit at the end of the booth that was closest
to the pole.

“Well, he’s in heaven.” Daran snickered as we slid into the seats

next to him. “I’ve never seen a stripper before.”

“You can do more than just look, baby doll,” a hot, medium-build

man purred as he swung around our pole.

“No, he can’t,” I growled and plopped myself on my mate’s lap.

“He’s taken. You can turn him on, and he can touch me.”

“I love it when you growl,” Daran whispered in my ear as he

pushed his hard-on up against my ass. “Do it again. Should I touch
him to make that happen?”

“Touch the entertainment, and I won’t just growl. I’ll bite and not

in the way you like, my mate.”

“Hey,” he said gently as he turned me on his lap so I had to look

at him. “I was just teasing. That guy’s hot, but he’s got nothing on
you, my love. I don’t want anyone else here but the wonderful man
staking his claim on me.”

“Am I really your love?” I asked, my heart soaring with hope.
“Yeah, I think you are.” My mate blushed so beautifully I wanted

to fuck him right there. It wasn’t that kind of club though. Looking
and a little pawing were all good, but clothes stayed on.

“You’re mine, you know,” I said against his lips. It wasn’t the

glowing declaration of love I’d always dreamed of, but it was a great
start.

“I’m glad.” He mashed his mouth to mine, and I moaned as he

squeezed my ass.

“Oh! My! Gods! It’s full nudity,” Champ screeched loudly next to

us. And just like that the moment was gone. “Do you have a
boyfriend?”

“Several,” the stripper answered with a wink as I turned back

around.

“Want to be dominated later by a man with a ten-inch cock?”

Down with the Tunes

“Subtle, Champ.” Horse snickered from across the table.
“Ten inches, really?” the man purred and practically shoved his

ass in Champ’s face. “Talk to me after work, baby. We’ll see if we
can’t play.”

“Your hole needs to be filled,” Champ said seductively as he ran

his hand over the guy’s ass to slip a twenty in what was left of the G-
string. “I can take you places you didn’t know existed.”

The stripper eyed him over for a moment. “I believe you can,

honey doll. I think I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“You’re just a stripper, right?” Champ blurted out after a few

minutes of watching him dance some more.

“You think I’m a whore?” Yeah, this was so going south. The guy

looked pissed enough to chew metal and spit out nails.

“Mickey said he employed male and female hookers and

strippers,” I said quickly, trying to save my friend. “It kind of made it
sound like all sexes did both. He didn’t mean to imply anything.”

It worked because the guy’s face immediately softened. “Stripping

is a job, but sex is for my free time.”

“Your body was made for both,” Champ said, practically

drooling. It was true. The guy was perfectly toned, not too small or
too big for dancing. The type of person you’d desire and get aroused
by but not someone you couldn’t necessarily ever forget. That
probably worked best for him, or he’d have a line of stalkers out the
door. He was pretty though, I’m not denying that. But he wasn’t
breathtaking or someone with movie-star looks.

But he moved like he knew every sinful pleasure a man could ever

want. Then again, that was part of the job.

We ordered some drinks, joking and laughing while the

entertainment danced. And suddenly I wanted to dance with my man.
I pushed Champ out of the booth since there were so many people on
the other side of us. He yelped in shock but got the idea when I
dragged Daran after me.

“I can’t dance,” he yelled over the thumping music.

Joyee Flynn

“I’ll help you,” I said as I moved us onto the floor. As soon as we

were off to the side from everyone else, I spun in his arms and pushed
my ass into his groin. “Feel the beat and move as I do.”

“Sweetie, I ain’t thinking about dancing with your body against

me like this,” Daran replied in a playful drawl. It wasn’t quite as good
as Benjii’s since Daran really wasn’t a Southern boy, but it turned me
on nonetheless. Which I was pretty sure was his goal all along.

I moaned deep inside as he moved one hand on my hip and his

other arm across my chest. There wasn’t an inch of space between us.
He got the rhythm, and I had a feeling it wasn’t that he couldn’t dance
but he never tried or had been too embarrassed.

We were back at the table, gulping our drinks several songs later

when the perfect night started to go south.

“Can I borrow your dance partner for a while?” a big guy asked

my mate.

“Sure,” Daran answered with a smile and sat down.
“What?” I asked with wide eyes, completely pissed off. He looked

at me funny as if he didn’t understand. I turned to the guy and put on
my best smile. “Maybe later, but I have to talk with my husband
first.”

“No worries,” the guy said and immediately backed off. Okay, so

at least he wasn’t a jerk and simply wanted to dance. My beef was
with Daran.

“Hey,” he yelled as I grabbed his hand and pulled him out of his

seat. I wasn’t listening right then. I dragged him to the back of the
club and out the employee’s entrance into the alley.

“What the fuck was that?” we both exclaimed at the same time. I

kept going though. “You’re so ready to get rid of me that you’d let
some other guy paw at me?”

“He didn’t ask to paw at you, Why,” Daran answered evenly,

obviously the calmer of the two of us. “He asked if I minded if you
guys danced. I don’t. I get that you guys are all possessive and get
jealous, but that’s not my thing. I trust you that it would just be

Down with the Tunes

dancing and nothing more. People dance together all the time, and it’s
not cheating or screwing. It’s just dancing, and if that guy crossed that
line, I know you’d stop it.”

“Oh,” I whispered as the wind blew right out of my sails. We

stared at each other for a few minutes as we both calmed down. “I’m
sorry.”

“I don’t want to get rid of you, Why. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Daran,” I said as my eyes burned with tears. “I

don’t mean to be a brat, but it was no big deal to you after we were
just dancing as foreplay that it hurt my feelings. You’re right, I
wouldn’t have danced with him like I was with you.”

“I know that.” He chuckled and kissed me. “We good now? First

fight over?”

“Yeah.” I giggled and hugged him. “That was an easy one.” I

reached up and cupped his cheek. “You mean everything to me. You
know that, yeah?”

“Without a doubt.” I had an idea then of how I could show him

that he was the only one for me. I pulled him after me until we were
up against the side of the building out of sight from the street. “What
are we doing?”

“I’m getting fucked for the first time,” I purred as I undid my

pants and pushed them to my knees. I leaned my hands on the wall,
shaking my ass seductively at him. Using my magic, I stretched and
slicked myself up. “Take me.”

“Right here?” he squeaked, but even as he said it I heard his

zipper being pulled down. “You want your first time to be right now
in an alley?”

I glanced at him over my shoulder and put all the love I felt for

him in the gaze. “I only need my first time to be with you, baby. I
don’t care the when and where. But if you don’t fuck me, I’m fucking
you. I need my mate.”

Joyee Flynn

“Fuck, that’s hot,” he moaned and molded his body to mine.

Daran pushed his hard, fat cock in me slowly, and I gasped at the
feeling. “Too much?”

“No, it feels fantastic,” I answered honestly. “You won’t hurt me.

I want it down and dirty.”

“I do like dirty.” And with that he thrust into me hard, bottoming

out. We both moaned at the sensations it caused as he wrapped his
arms over my chest, pushing my shirt out of the way. “You feel like
heaven, Why.”

“It’s always heaven with you.” He grunted his agreement as he

started a punishing rhythm. “Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh Fuck!”

“That’s it, my love. Let go, and let me take care of you for once.”
“So good,” I whimpered as he reached down with one hand and

cupped my balls. I never wanted it to end. The alley was filled with
grunts, moans, and skin slapping skin. It was fan-fucking-tastic.
“Harder.”

“Pushy bottom.” He snickered but did what I said. I cried out as

he nailed my sweet spot, loving the way his hips smacked my ass hard
enough to sting. Daran buried his face in my neck as he pounded into
my tight hole, stretching me to the brink. “I love you.”

“I love you more.” It was cheesy, but I liked a little sweet talk

now and again. He moved his hand that had been on my sac and
started stroking me furiously. “Shit, I’m gonna come.”

“Do it,” Daran growled. “Come for your mate, and show me how

much you like this.”

“I do,” I gasped as he moved faster. “I didn’t think I would, but I

really, really do like this.”

“Good, because as much as I love the feeling of your monstrous

dick inside of me, I think I’ll become addicted to your sweet ass, too.”
That was fine by me! I wanted him to be hooked on me in every way
possible.

“Daran!” I screamed as my peak found me and sprayed the wall

with cum. My asshole spasmed and clamped down on him. My mate

Down with the Tunes

grunted out my name and filled me with his seed. He thrust deep
inside of me as if marking me and trying to connect us as much as he
possibly could. Holy shit!

When we were both spent, we slumped against the wall, the brick

biting into my skin. I didn’t care. Daran was sated and happy, I was
too tired to move much, and it didn’t hurt too badly.

“Shit, Why,” he gasped and turned us so his back was on the wall.

“I didn’t mean to smush you.”

“It’s all good.” I giggled as he slipped out of me. I spun in his

arms and nipped at his chin. “I’m full of your cum.”

“It’s a good look on you.” He moaned as I made a butt plug

appear. “You want me to keep it in you?”

“Does that turn you on?” I purred, knowing full well it did from

the lust shining in his eyes. “I think we found a new kink my mate
likes.”

“Oh yeah.” He snatched the toy out of my hand and reached down

to put it in. I’d never been much into using toys on myself, but after
seeing what it did to Daran, I knew I’d do it as often as he wanted.
My mate wiggled it a few times as I moaned like a slut and spread my
legs wider. “You are so fucking gorgeous.”

I blushed at his praise but stepped away. “We better get back in

there. I don’t want us to get arrested or worry anyone.”

“I’d be your prison bitch any day.” He sounded completely

serious, but I saw the smirk he had on his face. We both quickly got
dressed after I magically cleaned us up and slipped back in through
the door. I walked hand and hand with the man of my dreams to our
seats.

“Smells like sex,” Champ mumbled with a pout. “I want one.”
“A Daran? Or a mate of your own?” I asked gently.
“Both, but not like I’d ever try to steal yours. He’s just such a

great mate I can’t help but wonder if he has a twin.” I genuinely felt
bad for my friend. I’d been feeling the same thing when Horse met

Joyee Flynn

Bren. It was like we were all happy for him but couldn’t help being
jealous.

“Sorry, no,” I replied with a soft smile. “But the way we’re all

finding mates, I bet there’s something in the air. I think fate is saying
we’ve been good elves. Hundred bucks says we’re all mated before
the new year.”

“I’ll take that bet,” Champ said firmly, but I could see the hope

shining in his eyes. Yeah, I hoped I was right, too.

“I’m going to get us some drinks,” Daran said as he scooted back

out of the booth over us. I had seen him trying to flag down our
waitress, but the club was hopping now, and she was way too busy.

“Thank you, my love.” I gave him a quick kiss, and he was off.

Leaning back against the booth I watched the dancer with
appreciation but no real lust. I had everything I wanted.

And unfortunately it went missing. I glanced at Champ about

twenty minutes later and asked, “Did Daran come back yet?”

“I haven’t seen him,” my friend answered, immediately ignoring

the entertainment and scanning the club. In my defense, I had been
worn out from hot sex, tons of drama, and basking in the fact that my
mate loved me. I swear, otherwise I would have noticed my mate had
gone missing.

“Daran?” I called out as I checked the other booth and the

surrounding area. Nothing.

Fuck! I dove over everyone else to get out of our table and started

calling out my mate’s name as I scoured the club. I didn’t even feel
bad that I barged in on someone doing their business when I kicked in
each stall in the bathroom. He’d live.

“Alley,” I said loudly and raced back out to where Daran and I

had shared something special. Again it was empty with no sign of
him.

“You think Mickey double-crossed us?” Horse asked as everyone

joined me.

Down with the Tunes

“Not going to wait to find out,” I answered and teleported to

where my mate was. It had now been over half an hour at least since
I’d last seen him, and I was freaking out. And I didn’t do it right off
the bat since we’d been in a crowded club, and I thought I simply
didn’t see him instead of that he was missing. I appeared in a
rundown food-processing plant. I was hidden out of the way, but my
knees crumpled at the sight before me.

Daran’s hands were bound and hung over a hook from the ceiling.

This must have been a meatpacking plant or something because there
were hooks everywhere. He didn’t look hurt besides the split lip, but
he didn’t look comfortable either.

“You smell so sweet,” a man cooed as his fangs popped out.

Fangs? Vampire? Holy shit! He sank them into my mate, and I caught
his red eyes. I mean, creepy motherfucking bloodred eyes. Daran
cried out in pleasure and came in his slacks. What the fuck? Holy shit
and every other cuss word I could even think of. I didn’t even know
what to do.

Joyee Flynn

Chapter 7

I teleported back, sobbing in grief and confusion. “Vampires? He

came!”

To my surprise it was Shadow who took over and shook me out of

my stupor. “Did you say vampires?”

“One, I think, but they aren’t real,” I cried as I shook with fear.
“Yes, they are, brother,” he replied with a coldness that had me

trying to snap out of my crying. That wouldn’t help right then. “They
have bigger fangs than we do but don’t use them with their mates
only. They really drink blood, have fucked-up red eyes, and are vile,
soulless beings.”

“He bit Daran and—and he—he—” I couldn’t even finish. Was

my mate just turned on by biting? I thought he climaxed because it
was me biting him.

“He came,” Shadow finished for me, speaking gently now. “That

wasn’t his fault, Why. There is a chemical released when they bite
someone that shoots enough hormones and happy juice throughout his
body he couldn’t help it. It would be like him trying to stop his heart
from beating.”

I glanced at him as if I wasn’t buying what he was selling, but

he’d never lied to me.

“I swear it on my honor. I’ve seen it more times than I’d like to

have.”

“That’s what you hunt,” Horse said with a gasp. Yeah, I’d made

that correlation as well. “What do we do now?”

“Everyone ’port home to the gym,” Shadow replied loudly. We all

did in a flash, everyone making sure to grab their mates. We all turned

Down with the Tunes

up in the lower level of the house where we’d set up a home gym. I
never used it, but some of us did. I knew Shadow and Maze worked
out like a hobby. Now I wasn’t so sure that’s what they’d been doing.

“What about Daran?” I asked, having recovered from my earlier

blubber fest.

“I’m going to give you the world’s quickest rundown instead of

even bothering trying to convince you to stay here.” Smart man.
Shadow quickly punched in a code into a keypad I didn’t even know
was there. A huge door opened in the floor that had been covered by
mats. Wow! “Silver kills them. If silver touches their finger, it
disintegrates and dies. You need to sever the head or stab them in the
heart. Only way without getting too close and personal to kill them.”

“Use throwing knives or stars to distract and hurt them before

going in for the kill.” Maze picked up the instructions as he led us
down the stairs and into the biggest weapons hold I’d ever seen. He
started passing out swords…yes, motherfucking swords and knives.
“Holy water doesn’t work though going on consecrated ground would
burn them up. They are soulless, horrid beings, not cutesy, loveable,
misunderstood creatures like in the movies.”

“They are faster and stronger than we are,” Shadow warned as we

all armed ourselves. He and Maze had custom-fit sheaths for their
weapons, but we were all just stuffing shit in pockets or holding it.
“The good news is they don’t have magic like we do. They can pass
for human, you’d never know the difference. They smell like sick
humans with a little bit of—”

“Death,” Horse and I said together as we stared at each other. We

knew where we’d smelled that.

“Who?” Shadow asked firmly.
“Daran’s old boss, Mr. Waugh. I knew he was soulless rat bastard.

But he smelled a little sickly and like a funeral parlor. I assumed it
might be cancer or something and dismissed it.”

“So did I,” Horse agreed with a wince. “So he took Daran.”

Joyee Flynn

“I don’t know if it was him,” I said, trying to think of what I saw.

“He was mostly hidden behind Daran, and I was just focused on the
fangs and bloodred eyes.”

“You need to teleport us back there right now. They don’t have

much control like sharks when there’s blood in the water.” A soft cry
slipped past my lips.

“We’re ready,” Benjii said as he spun one of the knives in his

hand.

“Fuck that, you’re not going,” Surprise snarled and the little

equipment room broke out into elves and mates yelling at each other.

“Enough!” Shadow roared and everyone went silent. “We don’t

have time for this. The mates come but they stay behind us in case we
need the help. None of you should go without training.”

“We can’t be killed,” Horse said, implying what’s the big fucking

deal?

“A vampire can drain our magic,” Shadow replied calmly and we

could have heard a pin drop the room got so quiet. “They are pure
evil. We are pure with magic given to us by the gods. They can’t
drink from us, but if they cut us with their claws enough, we can
bleed out and lose our magic.”

“Which would kill us,” Flower whispered.
“Yes.” Shadow gave us all a steady look. “Unless there’s a huge

nest, Maze and I should be able to handle this. There’s no shame in
hanging back or staying home. But you need to make the decision,
and we need to go now.”

“We don’t abandon our own,” Cave growled and grabbed my

shoulder. “Take us there, brother.”

“Thank you,” I said quietly as they all touched some part of me. I

blinked back tears. This was so not the time for a group hug, but they
had to touch me so I could teleport them. I did it and almost dropped
to my knees when we were back in the meat plant. I’d never
teleported so many people before, and it was a little taxing.

Down with the Tunes

“You good?” Horse asked quietly, and I nodded. We spread out so

we had room to fight but not so much we’d be divided.

“Aww fuck,” Mr. Waugh groaned from next to Justice as another

vampire fed off my mate. “I knew you were paranormals, but I didn’t
know you were elves.”

“Release my mate,” I snarled as my fangs popped out.
“Ha. Ha. Mine are bigger,” he jeered and hissed at me to prove his

point. Time for me to prove mine. I sent an electrical zap at the
asshole still drinking my mate. As I’d hoped, he instinctively cried out
and pulled his fangs out of Daran. I hadn’t wanted to just fling him
across the room because he could have torn out my mate’s throat in
the process.

“That may be, but we’ve got skills you haven’t,” Shadow said

with a snarl as he threw a knife in the vamp’s heart that just released
my mate. They guy had a split second to scream before turning to
dust. Whoa!

“Ahh. You must be the legendary Shadow my kind talks about

like the boogeyman.” Waugh seemed thrilled like a kid who’d just
been told he could eat the whole candy store. “I’m going to have fun
killing you.”

“You and what army?” my friend scoffed.
“This one,” Waugh hissed. Suddenly there were vampires

everywhere. I swear they must have crawled out of the walls like
roaches. He looked as if he was going to move closer to Daran, and
on instinct I did something stupid. I ’ported right in front of my mate
and held up my sword. I didn’t know how to wield a sword. I was so
out of my league. It couldn’t be helped because I couldn’t just stand
there and let this vile thing touch my mate.

“Don’t do it,” I said calmly but firmly. “He is mine.”
“Why do you think we wanted him?” Waugh laughed like he

knew some inside joke. I didn’t even glance at Shadow because that
could give this douche an opening. “We can’t drink magical or
supernatural blood, but their human mates are fair game. I realized

Joyee Flynn

you were mated when you came storming into our offices. Daran here
is a rare catch now, and I plan on enjoying him until he runs out.”

“Over my dead body,” I sneered and then lunged for him. I

figured the foreplay was getting old. We were going to fight. Waugh
was going to attack eventually. I could either catch him off guard and
take my chances or risk he was faster than me. It ended up working.
Well, he didn’t die, but I did get one of his arms with the silver blade.

“Fucker!” Waugh screamed as his arm disintegrated and fell off.

“You will die for that.” He had an evil grin on his face, and I was
starting to doubt it had been smart to do. “Kill them!”

Yeah, probably not. But it wasn’t like they were just going to let

us leave or at least leave with my mate. And that was not an option.

The second the words were out of his mouth, I lunged for Waugh

again. I missed this time and left myself open for those nasty ass
claws of his. Seriously, I thought they looked a lot like Wolverine’s
from X-Men except they were out of his fingers and not his knuckles.
In a flash Waugh was tackled to the ground by Shadow as everyone
else advanced on us just as quickly.

I did the only thing I could. I got my mate the fuck out of there. I

touched him, ’ported him to our bed, and teleported right back. None
of his wounds would be life threatening since we’d mated, and I
wasn’t going to leave my friends alone to fight this battle.

I ended up coming back into the building and had a vampire on

the end of my sword. It seems where I’d appeared a vampire had been
and my weapon pierced his heart when I showed up.

“Thanks!” Horse said with a smile as we turned to take out other

vamps.

“Teleport home!” Shadow yelled as he beheaded another vampire.
“You and Maze coming with us?” our leader asked with a raised

brow at he sliced off one of the guy’s arms and then stabbed him in
the chest.

“No, we’ll clean this up.”

Down with the Tunes

And of course there came a chorus of “fuck that!” What had he

expected? That we’d leave two of our brothers here to fight off at
least a couple hundred vampires?

It ended up turning into something like a Lord of the Rings movie.

Champ started it as he danced around and chopped off another vamp’s
head. “I got five!”

“Three,” Box called out. Then several comparable numbers were

shouted.

“Fifteen,” Shely hollered. What? I knew I wasn’t the only one

who glanced at him with shock before the fight drew us back in. “I’ve
had training with a sword. I was a naval officer for years.”

Right. Good point.
“Twenty-eight,” Maze announced with pride.
“Fifty-two,” Shadow said as he spun around and decapitated

another one. “Fifty-three.”

“Damn,” I replied, completely impressed. I heard several other

comments of awe as well.

“Fuck! I’m covered in dirt,” Button whined.
“That ain’t dirt.” Benjii snickered and threw another knife. He and

his mate, Surprise, had a good tag team going. Benjii was apt with the
knives, and then while the guy was reeling from the injury, Surprise
would chop off its head. That was when Benjii didn’t hit the heart
right on.

“Nope!” he called back. “From now until hell freezes over this is

dirt. The other option is just too gross. Let me have my delusions.”

“Whatever makes you happy, sweetheart,” Benjii drawled.
I had just a few seconds to rest in between advancing vampires.

We’d all spread out and were waiting basically for them to come to
us. Then there was Shadow, and to a lesser extent, Maze, who jumped
right in the middle of them all. But Shadow…Wow!

He was poetry in motion. I know that sounds corny, but I couldn’t

think of another way to describe it. He twirled and ducked as he
wielded his sword as if it was a choreographed dance he’d perfected.

Joyee Flynn

If there wasn’t so much death, destruction, and fighting around us, I
would have sworn I was at the ballet. I wasn’t attracted to my friend,
but even I had to admit he was breathtaking.

And then I was right back into fighting. I ducked with absolutely

no grace and accidently cut off one vamp’s leg when I’d been aiming
for his head. I don’t even know how that one worked out. But it still
kind of worked since he toppled over, and I had easy access to his
head then. Go me.

I ended up being able to tell which ones were older, which had a

few years, and which were brand-spanking-new. The newbies were
the easiest. They hadn’t seemed to get their sea legs yet, or vampire
abilities as it was.

It took another twenty minutes of fighting until we were the only

ones left standing. Literally, since Waugh was on the ground flopping
around with no arms or legs. How had I missed that one? And umm,
gross.

“How did you get so many?” Shadow asked as he advanced on the

newly made Mr. Potato Head. It was creepy, but I guessed that
Shadow had planned this so he could interrogate Waugh without him
being a hindrance.

“Fuck you,” the man spat out.
“You’ve got two options as I see it,” my friend replied as he

lowered his sword to Waugh’s groin. “I could cut off your dick for
what you did to my brother’s mate, or you could tell me what I want
to know and I’ll kill you quick. Think about it. How painful would it
be to leave you this way and without your manhood until you died of
thirst?”

“You wouldn’t,” Waugh stuttered.
“You fucked with my family,” Shadow snarled. “The hell I

wouldn’t!”

“I didn’t know that guy was your family,” he whimpered as

Shadow ran the blade over his clothes. It seemed the silver had to

Down with the Tunes

touch flesh and only the clothes on the limbs cut off turned to ash.
Again, nasty.

“Too bad, so sad. Now tell me what I want to know! Vampires

don’t have huge nests like that.”

“I wanted an army,” Waugh snarled. “I didn’t know the Shadow

was in Chicago.”

“You need to do your homework better next time.” Maze

chuckled. “Why did you want an army?”

“We knew there were werewolves here, and if we were going to

take over the pack and steal their mates for food, I needed more
soldiers.” I heard Cave gasp before he teleported him and Justice out
of there. I’d bet he was going to get Peter, the head of the wolves.
“They have a lot of human mates, and mates of paranormals are
better. Their blood is stronger from the bond, and we don’t have to
feed as often.”

“Where did you get all the humans to turn?” That was news to me.

So vampires were once humans. At least Hollywood got something
right. “People would have noticed that many people going missing.”

“I travel a lot for business, and no one misses a dozen or so

homeless people or hookers.”

“So people with no fighting skills,” Shadow said with a snort.

“There was the first flaw in your plan.”

“Wolves can be hurt by silver but not to the extent we are. They

would have shifted and tried to take us down that way. It would have
made them easy prey if we got enough of a force.”

“He’s right,” Peter said. Guess Cave was back. “I didn’t even

know vampires were real.”

“They don’t normally come to cities and hide like the vermin they

are,” Shadow informed the Alpha. “Was this all of them, or are there
other nests in Chicago?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. I was trying to read his mind, but it

was like he was a blank chalkboard…like he was dead. Gross. “I

Joyee Flynn

didn’t count how many of us you killed. I don’t know of any other
nests in the area.”

“Anyone else have any other questions?” Shadow asked as he

raised his sword.

“Who else did you tell about my mate?” I took a few steps

towards the defenseless vampire. “Will anyone else be coming after
him, or did we kill all the threat?”

“The vampire threat might be gone, but I bet Kyle Murphy will

use your mate as his new plaything.” He gave an evil smile as if he’d
won something.

“We’ve already handled that with Murphy Senior,” I said with an

evil grin of my own. His face fell, and I knew we’d won. “Kill this
fucker, and let’s go home.”

“Okey dokey,” Shadow replied before plunging his sword in

Waugh’s chest.

“At least we don’t have to worry about the police finding bodies

and guts,” Bren said as he leaned heavily against Horse. “I just want a
hot shower and to sleep for a week.”

“We need to get everyone’s gashes tended to. There is venom on

vampire claws that prevents healing and clotting. It weakens their
prey like a toxin.” Maze was glancing around as if taking in who
needed the most help. “Don’t be the one to teleport if you’re injured.”

All of us nodded and I grabbed onto Champ, Button, and Box,

who all had cuts. I had a few bruises from falling or crashing into
people but no claw marks. I ’ported us back to my room and gasped at
the amount of blood on the sheets of my bed from my mate.

“Horse!” I screamed, hoping he was already back in the house.

He’d showed us how to use our powers to heal, some of us stronger
than others because of our age. But this wasn’t something I could fix
alone. I leaped onto the bed and bit into my wrist.

“Drink, baby,” I said gently as I pushed it to his mouth and

cradled his head in my lap. Daran was barely conscious enough to
make his throat work as he drank me down. Some of his color

Down with the Tunes

returned, no longer looking deathly and gray. But he was still
bleeding too much. I tore off part of the sheets and held it to the three
bites he had on his neck.

“Shadow! Horse! Please, I need you. How do I heal my mate?” I

spoke with all my power, hopefully pushing through any barriers they
had to keep their telepathy closed off. It worked because they both
popped into my room, Horse with his mate.

“You can’t lick them,” Shadow said immediately. I nodded and he

glanced at Horse. “You’re better at healing, but now you know I’m
stronger. Can you siphon my power and help everyone?”

“It’s the best plan I got,” Horse replied. “Do I treat this like a

poison or straight gash?”

“Poisoned bullet wound, not just a gash would be my suggestion.”

Shadow didn’t look happy about what he was saying and gave me a
sympathetic look. Yeah, it sounded bad. I kept letting Daran drink
from me though he took a few small breaks. I couldn’t keep the tears
at bay when he finally opened his eyes, and they were full of fear.
Then he passed out and would no longer take my blood.

“Fuck, we’ve got to hurry,” Horse said as he grabbed Shadow’s

hand, and they each took Daran’s in theirs. They didn’t need to
actually touch the bite marks, just my mate. I’d done some healing, so
I knew the game. Horse was mapping out Daran’s body as if he were
one big MRI machine and attacking the wounds from the inside out. It
was wicked cool, and I might have appreciated it more if I wasn’t
afraid my mate would bleed to death.

Silly little things like that.
“Give me his wallet,” Bren ordered Box, who was sitting on the

floor by the bed resting and waiting for his turn to heal. I hadn’t
realized Bren had been injured, too, because he didn’t look like he
was moving anytime soon from the sofa I had in our room. He wasn’t
the only one recouping. And it warmed my heart that everyone was in
here showing their support.

Joyee Flynn

The room would have to be massively cleaned, so in a way it was

good we kept it all to one location as well.

“Why?” he asked, and I knew he wasn’t talking to me but simply

asking a question. Yeah, with a name like mine, it was a fine art
learning the difference.

“Why is pale and probably gave too much. Daran’s license should

say what blood type he is, and one of us might be able to donate.”

“He can’t have any other elven blood than mine. And we don’t

have a blood type even,” I said in defeat.

“But we do,” Benjii said and reached into my mate’s back pocket

before Box could. Maze raced back into the room from gods only
knows where, carrying a doctor’s office of medical supplies. I knew
why he didn’t just ’port wherever he needed to go. Magic was a funny
thing. Sometimes we used it and it was exhausting, sometimes it was
invigorating and like drinking tons of caffeine, and sometimes it was
no big deal.

That being said, it was all taxing after the large amount of energy

we’d used. It was like running up the stairs. No big deal. But if I ran
up the stairs a hundred times that day, number one hundred and one
would have me moaning that I was tired. It was the best analogy I’d
come up with over the years.

I just really hoped we had enough energy and magic left to heal

everyone.

Down with the Tunes

Chapter 8

“I match,” Shely announced before yanking off his shirt. “Anyone

have enough medical training to do a transfusion?”

“Yeah, I do,” Benjii answered and started getting supplies from

where Maze dumped them.

“We’re almost ready for you,” Horse whispered, his face pinched.

Shadow looked fine, but obviously they needed help. I glanced at
Cave, who must have thought the same thing I did, though it was
Peter who said something. Wait? Peter was there? Fuck, I was
distracted.

“Can someone zap me to my pack’s healer? He’ll be able to help.”
“On it,” Cave said and grabbed Peter’s hand.
“Done,” Horse gasped and swayed on his feet. “Give him blood.”
“Thank you, brother,” I said quietly as tears kept rolling down my

cheeks. “You do so much for us.”

“Nothing you wouldn’t do if the situation was flipped.” He kissed

my head as Shely and Benjii were getting the transfusion set up. It
was all a haze really. I kept pushing Daran’s hair off his sweaty
forehead and rotating between words of love of begging him to open
his eyes.

I must have missed the whole thing because when I realized they

were moving again, Benjii was pulling out the needle in my mate’s
arm. Shely was doing the same in his, and I saw that the wolf healer
was back and had tended to most of the minor injuries along with
Horse.

“How did you know how to do that?” Shely asked Benjii.

Joyee Flynn

“Growing up on a horse ranch, there are too many instances where

you could be hurt in the middle of nowhere. It made sense to me that
one of us should be a certified medic on the ranch just in case. They
all thought it was stupid, so I took the training. I’m glad I did. This
isn’t the first time it’s come in real handy.”

“Smart and sexy,” Surprise purred as he hugged his mate. “I was

so impressed and turned on with the way you used your hands and
handled those knives.”

“Let’s make sure everyone else is okay and then how about I

handle you?”

“Yes, please,” Surprise whimpered and then quickly pulled away.

“But we’re so showering this dirt off first.”

“Yes, my love.” Benjii snickered.
Benjii ended up helping me give Daran a quick shower that I

insisted on. There was nothing worse than waking up from being hurt
or sick and having that nasty feeling. When we were done, my friends
had already changed the sheets on our bed, and I felt worlds better. I
think what had me so out of reality was seeing and having sat in my
mate’s blood like that. It was just too scary.

His wounds were now closed. The bed was remade. He was clean.

I was clean. Now all I needed was for him to wake up. But he
wouldn’t.

“What now?” I asked Shadow. Most everyone had left once they

were healed to go clean up alone or with their mates. Shadow was one
of the few still in my room, helping the healer.

“I’d say bite him to get that connection again, and maybe it would

help snap him out of it. But I think that might make it worse now that
he’s been traumatized by the vamps. Give his body some time to rest
and heal, mentally and physically. It’s only been about an hour since
we started helping him.”

“You’re right, you’re right,” I said quietly. My friend lifted the

covers for me and gestured to get in bed next to my mate.

Down with the Tunes

“He needs you, Why. Let him know you’re there, and I’m sure

he’ll be up tomorrow morning with you.”

“Okay,” I replied, not feeling as confident about it as my brother

sounded. Shadow was the expert here. If he thought resting snuggled
against my mate would give him succor, then I would do it. I crawled
into bed and molded my body to Daran. As I listened to his heart beat
in a smooth, steady rhythm, everyone started leaving once they were
finished up to rest as well.

Shadow’s got some ’splaining to do, I thought before drifting off.

* * * *

I woke the next morning and shuffled to the bathroom to take care

of morning business. It was sometime during brushing my teeth that
yesterday’s events came slamming back to me. I didn’t even bother
finishing and raced to my mate. He was still out.

“Daran, baby, wake up,” I said gently as I shook his arm. He was

alive. I could hear his heart beating, his steady breathing, and
everything seemed fine. So why wasn’t he waking up? “Please,
Daran? I need you to wake up, okay? You can’t leave me like this.”

I kept repeating it as I pulled his body into my lap. I must have

gotten loud or shouted because people came flying in the room. I
knew I was feeling hysterical, but I hadn’t realized I had reflected that
in the volume of my voice.

“Calm down, Why,” Horse said firmly, and I nodded as I snapped

my lips together. “Screaming in his ear won’t help.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know I’d gotten so loud,” I whispered as tears

pooled in my eyes.

“I know, brother.” He sat next to me on the bed and hugged me as

I did the same to Daran. He reached down and touched my mate’s
head tenderly. I could feel his magic vibrating and realized he was
scanning my mate. I held my breath and waited for what seem like
forever though I know it was less than five minutes. “He’s healed.”

Joyee Flynn

“So why isn’t he waking up?”
“I don’t know,” Horse answered sympathetically. “It’s not a head

wound like we had with Justice. I think it’s emotional. His mind and
body might be cocooning itself until he realizes he’s safe again. Did
he ever wake up after you brought him home?”

“For a second he opened his eyes,” I replied and then the tears

started falling. “He looked so scared, Horse. I mean it was intense,
blinding fear that even froze me up, and then he was out again.”

“I say give him today to rest more.” He held up his hand when I

went to speak again. “He went through something traumatic, Why.
Give him a break and don’t push. He’s healed, but his body probably
took all night doing that. Let him have today to heal himself
emotionally and mentally. If he’s not awake by tomorrow morning,
we’ll try and go in through his mind and wake him up. It’s trickier
than just listening to someone’s thoughts or putting thoughts in.”

“Could it hurt him?”
“Depends on what’s going on in there,” he answered as he tapped

Daran’s temple. “But no, not normally. It should be as simple as
joining him in a dream.”

“Okay, but I don’t want him left alone in case he wakes up.”
“We’ll sit with him while you get washed up,” Idiot said gently. I

glanced around the room then and saw that pretty much the whole
gang was here. How had I missed that? Oh yeah, my mate was in a
coma or some shit. “Shadow and Box are running out to get a bunch
of sweets and coffee cakes from Deerfield’s Bakery.”

“The combo fruit one?” I asked with a smile, trying not to show

how badly I was freaking out.

“Of course.” He gave me a grin, but his eyes said that he knew

exactly what I was feeling. “Go take a nice hot shower, and let it seep
into your muscles. We’ll stay with Daran and talk with him so he can
hear our voices and know he’s safe.”

“Thank you,” I whispered as I wiped my tears and slid off the bed.

Idiot hadn’t said talk at him. But talk with Daran as if he’d be up at

Down with the Tunes

any moment. It gave me hope that if they could all believe he’d be
fine, then my mate would snap out of this. I was scared. The mind
was a crazy thing.

I turned on the shower and let it warm up as I got undressed,

thinking about what was going on with my mate. Could it be as
simple as just letting him decompress? I mean we’d all needed it
when we’d gotten back from the fight. Maybe since Daran had passed
out, he was simply doing it in that state instead of awake and relaxing.

I like that theory, I thought as I got in the shower. For one, it

wasn’t as mind-numbingly frightening as other options, like his brain
short-circuiting from being taken, bitten by vampires, and losing that
much blood.

And I felt guilty. I had assumed his wounds weren’t life

threatening when I’d teleported back to the plant to help my friends. I
knew we were immortal and indestructible, but we could still break
inside. I didn’t even know what could happen to a human mate. It was
my own belief that being mated to me made him untouchable that
helped put my mate in that condition.

As I washed my hair, I knew who I had to call for help. It so

wasn’t a call I wanted to make, but for Daran I would do anything.
Even if that meant calling my centuries-old father who didn’t like me
or my choices very much.

I quickly finished up my shower now that I had a plan. After

drying off, I wrapped a towel around my waist and went back into my
room.

“That wasn’t a very long—” I cut off Idiot with a raised hand and

picked up my phone. I took a deep breath and dialed my parents’
house.

“Why?” my mom asked after a few rings from the other side of

my phone. I could hear the confusion and questions in her tone. I
couldn’t blame her for it since I’d only called a few times since I’d
left the North Pole a few centuries ago.

Joyee Flynn

“Hi, Mom,” I said and started tearing up again. “I need Dad’s

help.”

“After all this time, you call us when you need something?” She

didn’t even hide the outrage in her tone. “You leave here with barely
a word and—”

“Mom, it’s my mate,” I said, cutting her off. She could lecture or

yell at me all she wanted later, but right now I needed her to
understand the severity of the problem. “He was attacked by
vampires. Horse healed him, but he won’t wake up. Dad’s the only
one I know who is powerful enough to help him, and that I trust. I
don’t think we can handle this.”

“Crab!” my mother called out. Yes, my father’s name was really

Crab. It was a similar story to Horse’s. Elves have weird names.
That’s what happens when you let five-year-olds name themselves.
“Why is on the phone.”

“What does he want?” I heard my dad grumble in the background.

My mom quickly told him in a hushed voice and handed over the
phone.

“We’re coming now,” he said and hung up. I knew they would.

Mates always come first in Elven Society. No matter the feud, issues,
or bad blood between people, we would do whatever it took to help
each other’s mates. I quickly moved to my dresser and pulled out
some shorts.

Normally I would have dressed myself magically, but I was still

tired from yesterday and thought I might need my strength to help my
mate. I’d just pulled them on when my parents appeared in my room.

“Son,” my father said and extended his hand. It was a cold

reception, but I didn’t care as long as he helped my mate. It was like
looking in the mirror now that I’d reached maturity. He had my dark
brown hair, though he didn’t wear it shaggy like I did, and the same
chocolate eyes.

“Father, thank you for coming.” I shook it and looked at my

mother. “I appreciate it. You both look well.”

Down with the Tunes

“You look like shit,” she blurted out. That was my mother though.

She always believed no one would tell me the truth like family. She
always taught us to be truthful and honest. I simply thought she didn’t
always have to be quite so blunt. Sugarcoating worked sometimes.

“I feel like it.” I chuckled and gave her a quick hug. “It’s been a

hard twenty-four hours.”

“Is this your mate?” my dad asked as he nodded towards the bed. I

was proud of the way he was keeping his feelings in check. Most
elves were very accepting but weirded out when someone broke
tradition, like being gay. But my dad? Oh no, he was a straight
homophobe and didn’t hide how he felt about my choice to be gay.
Yeah, because it was a fucking choice.

“It is,” I answered as I sat down next to him.
“Tell me everything.”
And we did. I started, but when I got too worked up to find my

voice, Horse took over the story with Shadow, who had returned with
Box from their run for baked goods, throwing in what he knew about
vampires and victims of their bites.

“I’m surprised you called,” my dad mused as he sat on the other

side of my mate. “This is probably something that would have worked
itself out in the next day or so.”

“Would you have taken that chance with Mom?” He glanced at

me for a second, and for the first time in my life, I could see we were
on the same page about something. My dad, for all of his faults, loved
my mother with a fierceness to be reckoned with.

“No. No, I wouldn’t have. Are you okay with me rummaging in

his head?”

“I trust you, Dad,” I answered quietly. “You may not agree with

the life I live or who I am, but you’d never hurt me or my mate. I
wouldn’t have called you if I doubted your honor.”

“That’s more than I deserve,” he mumbled but then touched my

mate’s head before I could ask. I didn’t want to interrupt him then, but
I filed away the comment to ask about later. Then he started talking to

Joyee Flynn

himself in his systematic way of checks and balances. “Circulatory
system fine.” A few minutes later. “All his organs are working
properly.”

I started to tune him out when my mom sat down next to me and

wrapped her arms around me. She was obviously the human in their
mating since elves couldn’t mate with any mystical or magical beings.

“He’s very handsome,” she whispered in my ear. “You love him?”
“With all my heart, Mom,” I answered with a nod and let her

comfort me. “He’s the kindest, sweetest, most wonderful man. I
couldn’t have asked for a better mate. I’m not worthy of him. He’s
lost so much in his life, and all I want to do is take care of him and
make it all better.”

“What do you mean?” I quickly explained about Daran’s family

and how he’d been left alone in the world by his early twenties. Yeah,
he’d been an adult but way too young to have to worry about losing
his loved ones.

“Physically he’s fine,” my dad announced. I didn’t roll my eyes

and Horse didn’t seem offended. We’d told him Horse had scanned
Daran already. But then again, my dad had tricks up his sleeve that
my friend didn’t. So it was probably better to double-check. “His
brain has him stuck in a loop.”

“But it’s not brain damage? It’s a defense mechanism?” Horse

asked, and I was glad one of us was thinking clearly.

“Yes, would you like me to show you how to see it?” my dad

replied, and I didn’t know who was more shocked…me, Horse, or my
mom.

“Yes, sir.” Horse sounded almost giddy, and I didn’t take offense

that he was wanting to root around in my mate’s brain. It was just
how Horse was. He was very curious, liked to learn, and always
wanted to expand upon his power knowledge. Which thank the gods
he did because he’d saved our asses more than once.

Down with the Tunes

My father took his hand while still touching Daran. Both of their

eyelids slightly fluttered as they explored his psyche and dreams.
“Make sense?”

“Yes, sir,” Horse answered as they let go. He shot me a

sympathetic look. “I don’t mean to be crass, it’s—”

“I get it, brother.”
“He’s not your brother,” my mom said, but she was always

wearing a huh? face.

“We are in the human world with our names, but we are family,” I

explained gently, not wanting to hurt their feelings, especially when
they came to my aid. “We chose to be each other’s family when we
found each other.”

“I–I’m glad you found like-minded friends.” She smiled sadly,

and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Either she was really glad and
she missed me. Or we were back to my parents wishing I didn’t
choose to be gay. “We’ve missed you though, son. I hope when your
mate gets better you might come by and have dinner.”

Guess that answered my question. It was said with so much love I

believed her. I glanced at my dad and did a double take. He had tears
in his eyes. He never cried. “Dad?”

“I was wrong,” he said with so much emotion in his voice it killed

me. “I know your life is here now, and I accept the way you are. But
your mother is right. We miss you and hope you might come visit
now and again. Or we can visit you.”

“I’d like that.” I moved around the bed as he did and met him at

the foot. My dad hugged me until I felt like I could barely breathe.

“We can talk about this more later. Let’s help your mate first,

okay?”

“You can help Daran?” I wanted to bawl with relief. I glanced

over at Horse. “You wanted me to wait. I’m sorry I called in for help,
but I knew—”

“You did the right thing, Why.” Horse gave me a smile, and I

knew he wasn’t upset with me. “I know you guys defer to me because

Joyee Flynn

I’m the oldest.” He shot a glance at Shadow, who nodded. He didn’t
want to be the oldest and lead. I couldn’t blame Shadow. I didn’t
either. “But that doesn’t mean I have all the answers. If I thought my
parents would take my call, I would have done the same thing.”

“We know your family. They miss you terribly,” my mom said

gently.

I saw a quick flash of anger before Horse schooled his features.

“The phone works both ways, Hilda.”

“It does.” She agreed with a nod and then looked at me still in my

dad’s arms. “But the more time that goes by, the harder it is to make
that step. Plus we’re parents. We’re supposed to always be right and
it’s difficult to admit when we’re not and change our ways of
thinking.”

“First let’s help Daran. I don’t like where he’s trapped.” I think

my dad saw the potential for this conversation to head south.

“Tell me,” I said firmly as I stepped back over to my mate.

“What’s going on?”

“Simply put, when he was taken and hurt, his mind tried to shut

down so he wasn’t fully aware of everything going on,” my father
explained and then winced. “It didn’t really work. I’m glad you called
because more time wouldn’t have healed him, it probably would have
made things worse.”

“Okay, so his brain shut down. How do we reboot him?”
“It didn’t shut down all the way. He’s stuck in a loop of fear. I

saw him taken, him fighting the vampires, being bitten and beaten.
And then it will start all over again as if he’s trapped in his worst
nightmare.”

“Fuckin’ A,” Benjii cussed and then winced. “Sorry, Hilda.”
“I’m used to it,” she replied, waving him off. “So how do we fix

him?”

“I’ll take Why in with me, and he can show Daran what happened

next. We let you push your memories into his mind at the end of the
loop before it starts over again.”

Down with the Tunes

“Will it work?” I let my dad see how much I needed to hear he

could do this.

“It should, but I’ve helped people with smaller stuff, son. I won’t

lie to you on that. I know how to do it, sure. But he’s been through
more than the people I’ve worked with. It might take more than one
try.”

“What happens if we can’t get it to work?”
“Then he’s stuck reliving what he experienced for all eternity now

that he’s immortal. He’ll literally be reliving his worst nightmare for
the rest of time.” My dad and everyone else looked ill at the idea. I
couldn’t blame them. But I seemed to have chosen another way to
handle the stress of losing my mate to his nightmares.

I blacked out.

Joyee Flynn

Chapter 9

“There he is,” my mom said as I came back to the world. “Your

father needs to learn how to use some tact.”

“Pot calling the kettle black,” I groaned as I sat up clutching my

head. Everyone had swarmed me, and I shooed them away. “I just
need a minute and some air. I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to keep anything from you and

wanted to prepare you before we go in his mind and you see what
he’s going through.” My dad looked like a little kid in a time-out.

“No, I’m glad you did. I’ve simply had a lot of stress the past

week or so, and hearing that was the straw that broke the camel’s
back. Or made me faint, in this case.” I stood up and wasn’t dizzy or
anything. “I’m fine now, I swear. Let’s help my mate.”

“Okay.” My dad agreed after a moment of eyeing me over. He

took my hand in his and then touched Daran. “Try not to scream or
startle him in any way. I know he’s your mate, and this is going to be
hard, but I need you to be the strong man I raised and you are.”

“I’ll do my best.” It wasn’t a glowing no problem or of course I

can handle this because I wasn’t sure I could. But it was all I could
offer right then, and I wasn’t going to lie.

Suddenly we were standing at the bar at Mickey Murphy’s club. I

saw one of the vamps grab Daran, who was on the other side right by
one of the emergency exits. No one around noticed one guy pulling
another guy’s arm in such a crowded place. Daran elbowed the vamp
in the sternum, and the vamp hit him over the head with a closed fist
in return.

Down with the Tunes

I could tell my poor mate was dizzy and having issues, but he

wasn’t out yet. He was scared. Gods, he was frightened out of his
mind because he knew the guy wasn’t human and would kill him.
Shit! Not only did I have to watch this but I was getting Daran’s
feelings as if they were my own.

Next we were out in the side alley. Not where we’d had sex, but

the one adjacent to the main street. Two more vampires were there
waiting and started punching my mate. He finally stopped fighting
back after a couple of ribs cracked, and he was in intense pain. Why
will come save me, he thought and slumped to the ground.

Asshole from inside the club lifted Daran up into his arms and

into a waiting van. Douche bag, as I’d named the second guy, drove
off and then we were in the van with him. The third guy I deemed
Fucknut. It helped me keep it all straight in my head.

“Can we taste him?” Fucknut whimpered pathetically. “I’m so

hungry.”

“No, Waugh said he gets first taste,” Asshole answered. “If we

piss him off, then none of us will eat, and I heard mates of
paranormals taste the best. We can wait.”

“Fine,” the other man grumbled as if he was told he couldn’t have

a cookie. The only comfort I felt during their discussing my mate like
he was cattle was the fact that I knew they were all dead now.

The ride was quick, and then we were following along as they

dragged my barely conscious mate into the meatpacking plant. They
restrained him and slung him over the hook. My mate felt shock and
fear coursing through him when Waugh stepped into the room.

“I always knew you were soulless,” Daran said and then spat at

him. “You’re making a huge mistake. My mate will kill all of you.”

“That little runt? Please,” he drawled out the last word. “What is

he, a gnome?”

“Fuck you.” My mate thought if he showed his cards the vamps

would run with him and I’d never find him. Waugh took a taste and
then let Asshole bite him as well. Then I popped into the room and no

Joyee Flynn

one noticed me but him. He’d seen me! And more importantly, he
saw me freak out and leave.

My mate fell into a deep despair and was resolved to die like that.

He thought I’d felt betrayed or just turned tail and ran, not thinking he
was worth the trouble of saving. His mind started to shut down and
things went fuzzy. I knew the loop was about to start again.

“Now, Why,” my father said in barely a whisper. “Think of what

happened when you teleported back to your friends.”

I did, and I felt Daran’s mind stir. He watched as I played out

what went down over in my head. I thought about the order of events
up until the time my dad helped me into his mind. Suddenly and very
forcefully we were thrown out of his head. I blinked and tried to fight
the nausea I felt.

“Welcome back,” Horse said gently. I glanced at him, but he

wasn’t focused on me. I turned to see Daran’s bright blue eyes staring
at me.

“You came back for me,” he whispered as tears pooled in his

eyes.

“I wasn’t leaving you, baby,” I cried out as I moved next to him

and wrapped him in my arms. “I was going for more help. I didn’t
know what they were and knew I couldn’t rescue you alone. I would
never just abandon you. I know your reaction to the bite wasn’t your
fault.”

“I love you.” He held on to me as his body started shaking with

sobs.

“I love you, too, Daran. It’s okay now, you’re safe.” He nodded

that he understood but still let all his emotions out from what he’d
experienced. I kept whispering loving, encouraging words to him.
“I’m here, baby. They’re all dead and can’t ever hurt you again.
You’re safe and at home.”

It took a little bit for him to settle back down. When he did, I

mopped his tears and brushed my lips over his. Then he pulled me
even closer and moved the covers over us. “So tired, Why.”

Down with the Tunes

“Everyone get out, please,” I said as my mate drifted off. “Thank

you for your help and we can talk later. He needs me now.”

“Of course, son,” my dad said with a smile. I could see the relief

in both my parents’ features as Horse escorted them out of the room
along with everyone else. I was glad that they weren’t just going right
back to the North Pole. I wanted to spend some time with them and
give them a proper thank-you.

I held my mate as he took a nap, thanking the gods in the heavens

for giving him back to me and even allowing me such a perfect mate
in the first place. He only dozed about forty minutes or so before he
came awake with a cry and shot up in the bed.

“I’m here, Daran. We’re home now, and you’re safe. I love you so

much.”

“I’m okay,” he panted as he pushed away from me. “I just need a

little breathing room. Give me a minute.”

“Whatever you want, baby,” I said gently and backed off. Daran

nodded and ran his fingers through his brown hair as he sat against the
headboard. His breathing started slowing down along with his heart
rate, and a few moments later, he was fine.

“Hey,” he whispered with a hesitant smile. “Did I dream it, or did

you say you weren’t mad at me for reacting to the vampires’ bites?”

“You didn’t dream it.” I chuckled.
“Someone called you son?”
“I went to my parents for help when you wouldn’t wake up.”
“Right, that,” he said with a shiver. “It was like being stuck in a

horror maze I couldn’t get out of. I don’t ever want to go through that
again. It was way worse than getting beaten up and fed off of.”

“I’m sorry you thought I was leaving you. That’s what set you

off.”

“No,” Daran replied firmly and pulled me into his arms. “I was

too hurt and exhausted to be thinking straight. Plus their bites fucked
with my body. I knew in my heart you wouldn’t abandon me. It was
during the nightmares that I felt lost and you wouldn’t come. But in

Joyee Flynn

the reality of it, I figured you were popping to another part of the
room for a better position.”

I wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth or saying what I’d want to

hear. Since he knew I could read minds, I went with the first one and
let it go. I chose to believe him even if he was lying to himself
because I knew my mate would never lie to me. Deep in my heart I
knew it without a doubt.

“I trust you,” I said as I nuzzled his neck. “What does my mate

need?”

“Food.” He snickered. “I swear I’m starving. I appreciate you

cleaning me up, but after food, I want another shower.”

“Deal.” I helped him off the bed and used my magic to dress him

in presentable pajamas so he didn’t have to waste effort in getting
dressed. He thanked me as he held on to me. I teleported us into the
kitchen and sat him on one of the stools. He wasn’t in pain or sore
from an injury though I suspected that his previously broken ribs
might be tender. It was more emotional wear and tear. Exhaustion.

“How are you, mate to my son?” my dad asked as I hurried up and

got some tea for my mate.

“I’ll mend,” Daran answered with a soft smile. “Thank you for

your help and what you said to Why. I know what it feels like to lose
your family, and while he has made his own family here, nothing
takes the place of one’s parents.”

“Handsome, sweet, and smart.” Hilda chuckled. “I do approve of

the mate fate has granted you. I think you complement each other
nicely.”

“I love your son very much and would do anything for him. I hope

that to be enough, but either way, I’m never letting him go.” I could
hear the underlying threat of if you don’t approve, too fucking bad. It
made me smile that he’d go up against my parents to keep me. I
brought him his tea and made some plain eggs with toast appear as I
placed a chaste kiss on his temple.

Down with the Tunes

“Nothing or nobody is ever going to take you from me,” I

whispered as I rubbed his back tenderly. “We claimed each other.
You’re stuck with me.”

“Wouldn’t want it to be any other way.” He chuckled. I let him eat

as I turned to my parents.

“Is there anything I can get you? Are you hungry? I haven’t been

a proper host.”

“Your friends—I mean brothers—have been gracious on your

behalf. The circumstances warranted for you to be otherwise
engaged.” My father gave me a slight nod implying that all was well
between us.

“You won’t offend us by referring to us as his friends,” Horse said

with a wide grin. “We’re both. We’ve bound ourselves legally to each
other to make our family, but we were friends first and always.
Besides, we’re really easygoing and nothing really ruffles our
feathers.”

“I’ve noticed.” My mom snickered and pointed to the fridge.

“And what is that doing in a home kitchen instead of a restaurant?”

“We don’t cook very much,” I admitted, and she raised a brow.

“Or ever really.”

“Then you must all be homesick for the traditional meals we have

in the North Pole.” Instantly everyone was on their feet except the
mates.

“I’ll go shopping, Hilda,” Button offered. “Anything you need, of

course.”

“We’ll help,” Maze said as he gestured to Shadow, Champ, and

Box. “We could be quick as a flash.”

“It is lucky that it’s so close to Thanksgiving. Otherwise we might

not be able to find birds large enough to feed this many grown men,”
she mused and gave me a wink. I knew full well she’d cook for the
small army we had, but she would tease them first.

“I could teleport anywhere you like and bring back a fresh bird,”

Horse said, and I could see he was practically salivating.

100

Joyee Flynn

“You don’t hunt or like to get your hands dirty.” Bren chuckled

and looked at all of us in shock. “What’s with you guys?”

“You’ve never had a real elven dinner made by someone who’s

spent years cooking in the North Pole,” Horse answered and elbowed
his mate. “Be nice and offer her whatever she wants. I’m dying for a
home-cooked meal.”

“What could I offer?” Bren’s facial expression was priceless. He

was looking at Horse as if his mate had grown a second or third head.
“It’s not like they’d have parking tickets I could get them out of. That
might be my only use when she’s already mated to an elf.”

“I could use a potato peeler.” The grin on my mom’s face was

quite impish.

“I am at your disposal, my lady,” Bren said with a bow. “Instruct

me, and I will obey your every command.”

“Oh, he’s a charmer.” She laughed.
“Can I ask y’all a question?” Benjii still looked confused. His

mate nodded, and he had our attention. “I don’t mean to be rude, but
you guys can create anything out of thin air. Why not just plop it on
the table and save yourselves the effort?”

“I will forgive you such a blasphemous comment since I would

have asked the same thing when I mated Crab.” My mom stood on
her toes and kissed Benjii’s cheek. “The real thing is always better
than what they can imagine and create. Plus half the fun is the
bonding of cooking and the smells in the house.”

“I will agree with you on that, ma’am.” He nodded and looked a

little sad, too. “My momma used to make the best pies in four
counties, and I never got tired of the house smelling like them.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” My mom had always been very in tune

with people’s emotions and what was going on around her.

“Thank you. It was a long time ago, but holidays are always

rough.”

“Well, you are mated to Surprise,” she said thoughtfully. I guess

everyone had introduced themselves while I’d been busy with Daran.

Down with the Tunes

101

I was grateful because, with this many people, that could take a while.
“And Surprise is my son’s brother, so that would make me your
mother-in-law. But I’m the nice kind.” She turned to my mate then.
“Are you up for a field trip to the store? I wouldn’t want to miss out
on making your favorites.”

“I’d love that, thank you.” I could feel that my mate was overly

emotional after what he’d been through. This was also the first family
meal he’d ever been to since he’d lost his own.

Everyone was rushing around to quickly get ready to go. I let

Daran have a moment as he made an egg sandwich for his breakfast
as I went to my mom.

“Thank you for this,” I whispered as I hugged her. “He needs this

so much after losing his family and what he’s been through.”

“He does, but he’s not the only one,” she said gently. Go Mom!

She was no dummy and knew me better than I knew myself
sometimes. And I knew she didn’t just mean me. It must be in mother
DNA to know when people need them and the willingness to take
care of complete strangers simply because someone they love cares
for that person. Extraordinary.

We piled into four SUVs after making the decision that if we all

crammed into three that there might not be enough room for the
groceries. Plus, it wasn’t far, so it wasn’t like we were wasting gas.
And we might have been overestimating on how much room we
needed, but when we actually went for groceries, as rare as that was,
it was a huge field trip.

We didn’t just have the industrial-size fridge. Oh no. There was

also another one in the garage, both with massive freezers as well. We
liked to stock up. Ten minutes later we were walking into
Dominick’s, and each of us grabbed a cart.

“How much food are you guys buying?” Bren asked with wide

eyes.

“How long have we been mated?” Horse shot back.
“Over a month. Five weeks almost?”

102

Joyee Flynn

“Have you seen any of us go shopping in that time?”
“No,” he answered and turned back to Justice and Shely. “Maybe

we should grab a few more. I miss having snacks around that I can
grab on my own without whining about needing food.”

“Amen, brother!” they said together. The two of them ran back to

get more carts.

Just then “Jingle Bells” came on over the store’s speakers. “Are

you kidding me? It’s not even Thanksgiving, and they’re starting this
shit already. I swear it’s like people think the earlier they start, the
more holiday shopping we’ll do instead of annoying the shit out of us
so we hate leaving our houses.”

“Note to self,” Daran said slowly and calmly as I worked myself

into a good tizzy. “Don’t play music around Why.”

“It’s not all music,” I sighed and leaned against him. “I love to

dance and listen to music. It’s just Christmas music. To me a good
song encompasses numerous emotions. But Christmas songs are,
we’re so happy all the time only happy give me more happy. And it
makes me want to barf with all the incessant rhyming and cheer.”

“Okay, we can be grumpy and yell at the radio when they come

on.” Daran said it with such a serious tone that I couldn’t help
laughing. Yeah, because we’d just stop what we were doing and pout
when extra-perky music came on. Goofball. And I loved him for it.

We started in produce and filled the first cart almost instantly. I let

Daran push ours since he was still pretty tired and it gave him
something to lean on. He was quiet, taking it all in and seeming lost in
his own thoughts.

While I understood the need to decompress from stressful

situations, I started to worry that there was something I was doing
wrong. Maybe there was something I needed to do differently. Did he
want to talk or not be around others? I wasn’t sure what to do and I
started to panic. And then I realized…this was Daran, the love of my
life. All I needed to do was be real and stop starting drama neither of
us needed.

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“Are you okay?” I asked as we turned into another aisle ahead of

everyone else. “Is there something you need?”

“No, I’m okay,” he answered as he pulled me into his arms. “I’m

just trying to adjust, if that makes sense. I was trapped in that
nightmare for less than a day, but it felt like forever. I keep having
this feeling like when you just wake up and you’re not sure if you
really are yet? It’s like that might have been real and this was the
dream. I can’t seem to ground myself.”

“I’m your grounding,” I said firmly as I took his face in my hands.

I wasn’t sure it made much sense in the words, but I knew he
understood the meaning. “I am real. We are real. What’s between us
is as real as it gets, and it’s forever.”

“I know that. I swear I do, and I’m hanging on to it. It just might

take me a bit to feel like me again.” I nodded my understanding and
gave him a quick kiss.

“You take all the time you need, baby. Anything you need, you

just tell me, and I’ll do my best to help you.”

“I never doubted that for a second. Thank you for being so

understanding.”

“I’m proud of you, Daran. You’re stronger than any human I’ve

ever known. I know I wouldn’t be handling this half as well as you
have. I know it’s rough right now, but it will get better, and we’re
going to have a long, long, happy life together.”

“Alright you two, we’re in public,” Justice teased as he and Cave

strolled by. I met Daran’s gaze, and we started laughing like school
kids with no worries. It was great, and I swear I could feel my mate
start to slowly heal. I’d have to remember to thank Justice and give
him a big sloppy kiss. Okay, then again, maybe not.

We quickly picked up my mate’s favorite snacks for later and

more of what we’d need for the meal my mom was making tonight.
Horse and Bren were joking around as they made the fresh turkeys
dance. Then there were Shely and Idiot who were juggling potatoes.

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Maze and Shadow were bringing bottle after bottle of wine to see
which my mom wanted to complement the meal.

The short version was we were having fun. Honest to goodness,

calm fun with no drama, no paranormals, and no heartache of any
kind. By the time we were heading to the checkout, Daran was teasing
me like a little boy, trying to sneak candy into our cart. I’d joke that
he had to put it back, and then he pouted until I relented. It was stupid
and childish and the hardest I’d laughed in a long fucking time. I
swear I thought I was going to pee myself.

It took way too long to pay for it all and load it all up, but an hour

and a half later, we were back at home. Granted we bought half the
store, but there were almost twenty people tracking down what we
needed and most of what we bought was just a large quantity of basic
things.

When we got back home, Daran and I excused ourselves to go

take that shower. Once we were alone in our room, we were all over
each other. It started with soft touches as we took off each other’s
clothes. Then it was light kisses that morphed into something more
passionate. It was right after I turned on the shower that I realized
something by the aggressive way he was acting…He needed control.

Daran needed to regain some of the control he’d lost even if it was

as simple as the sex we were about to have. I submitted as soon as I
understood what he needed. I was more than willing to comply. Hell,
I might be an Alpha, but every Alpha needs a time where they let go
and simply feel. Today was my day.

“I need,” Daran moaned against my neck. As soon as the water

was warm enough, I stretched myself magically and jumped into his
arms. He got the idea and let out a sigh of relief. I wrapped my limbs
around him, and he pushed his hard cock right into my needy hole.

“I love you,” I whispered as I nibbled on his ear.
“Love you more,” he replied and thrust up again. “Thank you.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” I moaned. “I need you, too. We belong

together.”

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“Yes we do.” There were no more words after that. He made love

to me. Oh sure, it was hard and kinky with my back against the tiles
as he took what he needed from my body. But the emotions were
there choking back any words we could have said. Though there are
just some times in life where words don’t do justice. And right then
was one of those moments.

“Daran!” I cried out as I came, filling the space between us with

my seed. He followed me right over, and I relished in the feeling of
him shooting deep inside of me. Daran shook from the force of his
peak and probably the emotions we were both feeling.

“I’m grounded,” he whispered, and while cryptic, I knew exactly

what he meant. Our coupling showed him what was really real and
what had been the dream. I smiled widely, feeling relief that I’d
helped my mate.

“I’m glad.”
He slid out of me and lowered me onto shaky legs. We quickly

cleaned up, toweled off, and then got dressed. My mate was smiling
like a loon, and I felt just as happy. We could make it through
anything, and all I needed was to ask him one little question.

“Will you move in with me?”

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Chapter 10

“What?” he asked as his eyes went wide.
“Will you move in with me and share my home, my bed, and my

life forever?” I was getting a little nervous that my question came as
such a surprise to him.

“I–I th–thought I already d–did,” Daran stuttered as he backed

away from me. “We mated.”

“You were agreeing to moving in when we claimed each other?”

Now it was my turn to be shocked. “I thought you needed more time.”

“Why.” He chuckled as he hugged me, kissing each cheek with a

flourish. “I promised to love you, give myself to you, and be with you
forever. You don’t think that didn’t include living with you?”

“I don’t know how humans do things,” I admitted sheepishly as

my face heated up. “You always see it on the movies that someone
asks the question about moving in.”

“Oh, you are just the sweetest thing ever.” I knew my mate was

teasing me, so I didn’t feel embarrassed, and it did work. “Wonderful,
loving Why, I would gladly move in with you and have hot, sweaty
sex every day of the week and twice on Sundays.”

“Just once a day?” I gasped and rubbed against him suggestively.

“I think your mate needs more than that.”

“Five times a day?”
“More than that until we’re at least out of the honeymoon phase.”
“I’ll just always walk around naked after your parents leave so

you can ravage me at will.” He laughed and hugged me to him.

“Sounds good.”

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“Until then, how about you go spend some time with your parents

while I have Horse explain your accounts to me. I need to start
working on that so your lawyer can retire.”

“You don’t want to cook with us?” I asked in shock and a little

hurt as we left our room and headed to the kitchen.

“Why, you’ve not seen your parents in a long, long time,” he

answered gently and squeezed my hand. “Go spend some time with
them, and I’ll keep myself occupied for a bit.”

“I’m still worried about you,” I admitted, hoping it wouldn’t be

some big hit to his manliness that I was implying he was still fragile.

“Don’t be.” He kissed my temple as we got to the bottom of the

stairs and could hear everyone else. “Getting back into my routine and
working will be good for me. I won’t be leaving the house, so I know
I’m safe.”

“If you need me, you just have to holler. We have really good

hearing, and I’ll come to you in an instant.”

“Deal.”
We walked into the kitchen, hand in hand, and joined everyone

else. Daran went over to Horse to ask for what he needed while I
jumped in and helped my mom. I couldn’t help but laugh at Bren and
Benjii grumbling as they peeled pound after pound of potatoes and
carrots. Hey, they offered. I watched my mate leave with my friend,
and while I appreciated his kindness in knowing I needed time with
my parents, I couldn’t help but worry about him.

“He’s going to be just fine, son,” my dad said as he wrapped an

arm around me. “Fate gave you a good man.”

“I hate to shoot a gift horse in the mouth, but why are you

suddenly okay with my being gay?”

“I don’t think I was ever not okay really. I just didn’t understand it

and thought you were making a choice. And your mother was upset
because you know how much she wants tons and tons of grandkids. It
took us both a while to realize it didn’t matter who you were attracted

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to because fate would bring you the mate you needed. Wasn’t for us
to say one way or the other or judge.”

“Thank you,” I said with a sigh. I hated fighting and was glad

they’d finally come around. I figured better late than never, and since
elves lived forever, they tended to do things very slowly, like
changing their minds.

“Will you forgive us?” He seemed hesitant as if my dad really

thought I’d just throw them out of my home after all the help they
gave me.

“Nothing to forgive,” I answered firmly. I gave my dad a peck on

the cheek and smiled at him. “You’re here, and we’re family. That’s
all that matters, Dad.”

“Good, then let’s help your mother before she beats your friends

with a pan.” He sniffled a few times, and I could see that he was
battling his emotions. I just wanted all of us to be happy. Bygones to
the past. Everyone makes mistakes and dwelling on them takes so
much more effort than simply forgiving and moving on.

“I heard that,” my mom yelled from across the kitchen. “Get your

butts to work.”

“Yes, ma’am,” we both replied and started to laugh. I helped my

mom, Box, and Shadow prepare the birds. The stuffing was done and
inside the turkey along with the vegetables. Mom had been making
her secret glaze, and once we got it on all five turkeys, they went into
the huge oven we had.

Don’t ask me why we had two huge double-door ovens when

none of us cooked. It just fit when we redid the kitchen since the
house was actually a mansion. The kitchen had originally been meant
for a staff to feed a boatload of people. Either way, today I was glad
for them.

When the birds were cooking, I went to help Bren and Benjii

along with Shadow and Champ. We were chopping everything up and
throwing chunks of potatoes into pots. They’d need to cook to
become mashed potatoes after all.

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109

“Can I have a different job?” Cave whined and Justice nodded in

agreement. They two of them were covered in flour and were so not
faring well with making dough for the pie crusts. My mom shooed
them away and gave them cleanup duty since everyone was making a
mess. It was so much fun.

Idiot and Shely seemed to be the only ones who knew what they

were doing as they got the cranberries ready for the sauce. I knew I
wasn’t the only one waiting for Flower and Chiquita to chop off a
finger as they cut fruits for the pies and got the guts out of the
pumpkin.

“Done!” Benjii announced and jumped to his feet with his hands

in the air as if he’d just scored a touchdown.

“Good, now you can mix up some more stuffing,” my mom

informed him and brought over what he’d need.

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied and slumped back down in his chair. I

glanced at the clock and saw it was early afternoon. It might be a late
dinner since the birds needed a long time to cook, but it would be
worth it.

At some point and time Cave and Justice had put out large snack

trays someone must have picked up at the store. It made sense since
we wanted a light lunch before a massive dinner. Finally at about five
in the afternoon everything was done, cooking, or being kept warm.

“Two hours until the food is ready,” my mom announced as I

heard Daran yell for help. In a flash we raced into the study where he
was working since it was close enough to just get there on foot instead
of all of us teleporting and adding to the confusion.

“You are mine!” Kyle yelled at my mate just as I hit the door.

Daran was backing up into a corner with a pair of scissors pointed at
the man. Now, Daran was bigger, more fit, but my guess was he had
never been in a fight. And after his trauma with the vamps, I didn’t
blame him for not wanting to try one now. “I will kill your little twink
if that’s what it takes.”

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“You’re in the twink’s home,” I snarled as I adjusted my size to

almost seven feet. Kyle spun around and his eyes went wide as he saw
me. “I am so fucking tired of your shit. Your dad’s looking for you.”

“Fuck my father,” he sneered.
“Gross, but whatever floats your boat.” I stormed over to him,

wanting to laugh at the confusion on his face. Guess he didn’t get my
joke, surprise, surprise. Before he could even reply, I decked him in
the face, and the second I hit him, teleported his ass to Mickey’s
office.

“How did he get in here?” Daran asked as he shook. I pulled him

into my arms and whispered soft words of love to him.

“I don’t know, but we’ve all been kind of distracted.” Box winced

as he realized what had probably happened. “I bet we didn’t reset the
alarms when we got home. I mean no one’s ever stupid enough to try
and break in here, and we have wards all over the property to keep
people out.”

“Keep magical beings out that we don’t welcome,” Flower

clarified. “I have to say that was kinda anticlimactic. I thought you
were going to tear out his heart or some shit.”

“We’ve had enough fighting and promised Mickey that he could

handle Kyle. This isn’t one of those romance novels you read with the
huge blowout endings, Flower. Most times the simplest solution is the
best and how real life works. We won, that’s all that matters. Now
Mickey can get rid of Kyle, and we don’t have to worry about him
ever again.” I added that last part more for Daran and he calmed back
down.

“I’m glad because I sooo didn’t want to go with him.” He

chuckled, giving it his best effort. I snarled at the idea of that creepy,
disgusting man touching my mate.

“You are mine,” I growled and straddled his lap. Then I glanced

over my shoulder. “We’ll be back for dinner.”

Without another word, I ’ported us up to our room in our bed. I

ripped off my mate’s clothes. His body jerked with my hasty motions,

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111

but I could tell it also turned him on as his thick cock slapped against
his stomach, already leaking. Nice. I knew how much it got him hot
when I went all caveman on him, and I was more than willing to play
the part.

“Who do you belong to?” I asked as I slapped his now-naked ass

after pushing his knees to his chest.

“You, Why,” he gasped and moved his hands to his legs to hold

them there for me. “I belong to you.”

I decided I wanted more spanking until he was begging for my

cock. I rolled him over onto his knees and his shoulders buried in the
pillows. Daran turned his head to the side so he could still answer my
demands.

“This is my ass,” I snarled and smacked it several times with both

hands. “Say it!”

“My ass is yours,” he cried out in pleasure as he pushed it in the

air more. “Claim it.”

I knew he meant sex, but I had another idea with how tempting it

looked. I bit him, moaning as my fangs pierced his soft skin. Daran
screamed almost loud enough to rattle the windows and came as I
drank down his blood. I retracted my fangs and licked the bite to
make it stop bleeding but only once so the marks would stay.

“I like my bite there,” I cooed as I rubbed my fingers over his

twitching hole. “Anyone who sees you naked will know you’re
claimed.”

“I fucking loved it,” he groaned as his chest heaved. “It was so

kinky and erotic. You can bite me anywhere, anytime you want,
Why.”

“Such a good mate,” I cooed before magically stretching and

slicking him up. After watching such a breathtaking sight, I was
harder than fucking steel. I pushed into him slowly, drawing out the
connection. “Being with you is heaven on earth every day.”

“I feel the same way,” Daran whispered and then groaned when I

bottomed out inside of him. “Fuck me, my strong mate.”

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“You want me to dominate you?” I pulled out slowly and then

thrust right back in.

“Yes!” And I did as he asked. I fucked him with everything I had.

Then I pulled him up onto his knees so his back was against my chest,
changing the angle. His dick perked right back up, and I felt a thrill go
through me that I could please him that much.

“Touch yourself,” I ordered and immediately his hand went to his

cock. He stroked it furiously in time with my hips. We were lost in
passion and the sounds of our sweaty bodies colliding. It was fan-
fucking-tastic, pun intended.

“I’m coming. I’m coming!” he shouted. I reached around his body

and grabbed his sac. It set him off, and he came again. I followed him
right over and filled up his ass. But I knew once wasn’t enough. It
would never be enough. I loved my mate and was addicted to him. I
pumped my seed into him until we were both spent, and then we fell
to the bed on our sides.

“It gets better every time,” I moaned as my dick moved inside of

him, not even having gone soft. We were in agreement that we
wanted more.

“Show me again.” He chuckled, knowing what I needed.
“Best mate ever.” I made slow, passionate love to him in that

position, wrapped around my mate like he was the most precious
thing in the world to me. And he was. Even if I had to spend eternity
proving it to him, I would and adore every second of it.

When we were done, we cleaned up and went back downstairs. I

ignored the knowing looks we got. I was sure they’d heard us since
we’d been so loud. Daran seemed oblivious to them he was so happy.
I’d been so scared after almost losing him that I’d never see that
bright smile again that lit up his beautiful eyes.

But he smiled as we ate, talking with everyone and getting to

know my friends and family. I could tell they liked him as much as he
did them. And that just made my mating that much sweeter. Hell,

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Epilogue:

Surprise

That night after our feast, I was ready to be rolled up to my room I

was so full, but instead I was waiting for Benjii. He made me go in
the bathroom and wait while he did something in our room. I wanted
to ask my mate if I’d ever struck him as a patient person, but that
seemed rude since I knew he was trying to do something special for
us.

That didn’t mean I didn’t pace the entire time.
“You can come out now,” he called out, and instantly I was

opening the door. I gasped at what I saw. “Still think that stockings
are ugly, cheesy decorations?”

“No, no I don’t,” I purred as I moved towards him. My hot

cowboy was wearing a thong that had a stocking on the end of it
covering up his bits. It was kinky, dirty underwear that was sold
around Christmas at lingerie stores, and I was impressed he got it so
early. It was red with white stripes that complemented his tan.

And even better, he had fucking red thigh-high stockings on his

legs with garters holding them up. I ran my finger down the garters
and in the elastic of those hose. “You like? I didn’t want you to think
I was secretly saying I’m a transvestite.”

“I know you’re not,” I whispered against his chest and licked his

nipple. “Even if you were, that wouldn’t bother me any. I promise I
will never look at another stocking and think it’s a stupid decoration
and get pissed that people think elves wear them.”

“That’s what I wanted,” he panted as I bit down slightly as my

hands ran up his thighs. “My loving mate should never be full of hate.

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115

You’re too good a person, Surprise. You’re always happy and excited,
and that’s how I want you to be.”

“Did you shave your legs?” I asked, interrupting his beautiful

speech like a moron. His legs were hairless though, and I couldn’t
believe it.

“Yeah, um, it looked stupid to put the hose on and have my leg

hair under it or poking through. So that’s what took me so long.”

“Why didn’t you have me wait in here and you could have shaved

in the bathroom?”

“That would have made more sense except I didn’t realize it until

I was getting dressed,” he answered sheepishly as his face and neck
heated up. “I had to go steal someone else’s razor. You don’t like me
all silky smooth?”

“I love it actually,” I moaned as I kept touching his legs. “We

might need to do this again.”

“Your turn next time though because shaving is a bitch.” He

chuckled. “Though I think I’d like to see what your body feels like all
smooth and slicked up with lotion.”

“Anything you want, cowboy,” I purred and grabbed the stocking

on the thong. “Any damn thing you want.”

I saw the lust flare in his eyes at my declaration. “Bend me over

the couch and fuck me hard and fast. We’ve not done it on that sofa
yet.”

I growled my approval and moved us over there before he could

blink. I bent him over the back of it and moaned at the wanton sight
he made. “So fucking gorgeous.” I ran my hands over his ass
lovingly. “This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten, Benjii.”

“Glad you like, now shove that fat meat in my ass.”
“Pushy bottom.” I chuckled and pushed aside the string of the

thong as I undid my jeans. There was no way I was going to rip it off
of him when it was so pretty and sexy. Plus, then the garters might
fall off, and I was finding I really, really liked them on his toned hips.

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As soon as my cock was free, I stretched him magically. I thrust

up and into him, adjusting my height taller so it was a comfortable
position. I was a little short, given the height of the couch and my
mate.

“Yes,” Benjii hissed as I bottomed out inside of him in one shot.

“Fuck your mate like you mean it.”

“I always mean it.” I chuckled and started a punishing rhythm. He

was so fucking sexy I couldn’t help myself but to pound into his
sweet ass over and over again until I felt as if my brain was going to
melt out my ears we were so hot and bothered. “Come now!” I
ordered before sinking my fangs into his neck.

Benjii screamed out my name as he shot the proof of his climax

all over the back of the couch. His ass massaged my cock as it
spasmed, and I moaned in pleasure as I kept moving. Two more
thrusts and I emptied myself deep inside of my mate. I pulled my
fangs out of him and went to lick the bite closed.

“Leave it,” he gasped, needing air after that performance. “I like

wearing your marks.”

“Really?” I asked and just licked it once to stop the bleeding but

keep the marks there.

“Yes, my hot little sex-piston elf.” I pulled out of him, and we

both collapsed over the back of the couch and onto the seats.
Somehow I ended up sprawled all over his large body, and I couldn’t
have planned it better if I tried. “I love you, Surprise. I’m proud to be
your mate and would wear a sign if people wouldn’t think I was
crazy.”

“I love you, too, baby,” I said as I nuzzled his neck. “And I loved

my surprise. I will return the favor.”

“I thought the sex was my gift back?” I could hear the joy in his

tone and knew he was teasing.

“Oh no, we have an eternity of time for me to repay how much

this meant to me. It might take that long to show you, too.” He kissed
the top of my head, and I knew he understood. Benjii would always

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117

be the one I turned to and needed for everything, as I would be for
him. That’s the way a mating should be…plus the mind-blowing sex
kept things interesting.

THE END

WWW.JOYEEFLYNN.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joyee Flynn grew up in Chicago living in the same house all her

life until she left for college. Though she has a great life, she loves to
get lost in fantasy that only books could bring. Her wide interest in
reading was reflected in her writings. Currently Joyee lives with her
dog, Marius, named after a vampire from Anne Rice’s Interview with
the Vampire series. She dreams of one day living out in Montana,
enough land to have a few horses, and find a couple of cowboys of
her own.

A lover of men, Joyee’s all about them in any form in her books.

Vampire, werewolf, military, doesn’t matter at all as long as they are
hot, hard, and sex fiends!

Also by Joyee Flynn

Siren Classic ManLove: Who Needs Christmas? 1: Screw Santa

Siren Classic ManLove: Who Needs Christmas? 2: Hell’s Bells

Siren Classic ManLove: Who Needs Christmas? 3: Stupid Mistletoe

Siren Classic ManLove: Who Needs Christmas? 4: Holy Stockings

For all other titles, please visit