Tempting Ecstasy (The Guardians of the Realms Book 4) Read Free Page B

rubble that was left of Cynthia’s compound. His sight was exceptional, but trees blocked all but that small corner, the corner he’d been standing in before they’d gone after Cynthia… The wind had to have carried her scent down to him from this perch, but not his to her. Downwind. His lips tilted with the knowledge that she likely had no idea what was coming for her. Anticipation had him primed for weeks. He smiled. The fact that she’d hidden her tracks and identity so damned well indicated she was smart, and he liked that. Every rare mated pair he’d seen were perfectly matched, and he hoped to hell that was the case for him.
    He felt the moment Jax ported next to him, and he turned his head and cocked a pierced brow at his brother Guardian. He knew his amber eyes were bright with excited anticipation, it didn’t matter that he’d never seen her. Her scent alone was enough to keep his wolf on edge, waiting for her, wanting her no matter what.
    He’d gone without a female for weeks. His hand giving him the only release he’d take until he claimed his female. It took the edge off, even if it wasn’t overly satisfying and left him with a semi.
    Jax answered his silent question. “I drew the short straw. Though in my defense, Gregoire’s moody ass wouldn’t draw at all. He’s out of his fucking mind now that Alyssa’s knocked up.” Jax’s blue eyes lit with amusement and mild irritation. The dark-haired Guardian was the most wild and restless of the bunch. He was a couple of inches taller than Conn, and smelled of sex from the harem he kept in the Immortal Realm.
    Conn laughed a little.
    “Gotta love how Alyssa started off all smiles and indulging, and now she’s snapping at the bastard. Fucking hilarious.” Jax snorted out a laugh, and Conn shook his head. Their brother’s mate may be tiny compared to him, but she held her own against Gregoire’s possessiveness, and since finding out she was pregnant, she’d been forced to. They all knew Gregoire was a dick because he was scared for her. Gregoire was one of the largest Guardians at nearly seven foot, with larger muscle mass than any, other than Drake, their leader. Alyssa wasn’t more than a few inches over five foot, small everywhere but her tits, and Gregoire was trying to wrap her in cotton and carry her everywhere, literally.
    “She’ll be fine,” Conn said. Alyssa was strong, powerful and only getting more so as she and Gregoire’s abilities melded with their mating. “It still blows me away that she got pregnant so fast. It should have been years before that was possible. If it was something to do with Gregoire being a Guardian, then Alex should have been the first.” It was a mystery how things were going to work in the Guardians’ matings. Uri had been the first Guardian to find his, only a few short months ago, and so far no pregnancy for Alex.
    He and his brethren had spent millennia fighting together as the Guardians over the four Realms. When the Creators had appointed the twelve to their duties after sending the Gods to sleep for their sins, Conn had always thought those added gifts would make it impossible. Mated Immortals gained power, and the Guardians were near Gods in their abilities as it was.
    Now they all wondered what bad shit was coming, because he couldn’t imagine them getting more power unless they’d need it. That knowledge didn’t sit well with any of them.
    “Alex and Uri seem twitchy every time they see Alyssa.” Jax’s laughter at their brother’s stress was real, though somewhat strained.
    His brothers’ suffering might be more amusing to him if he wasn’t next. Soon he’d be in the same boat, wondering if his mate would be the next to get pregnant. He couldn’t say the idea of having a mate round with his young didn’t fucking get to him. In a big way. One that would send most females running in the opposite direction of his rock-hard dick. The beast inside howled at the idea of getting his female