Mated to the Reaper Read online

  “Ariella is special,” Bishop says and nods at me. “She’s mated you, which means she’s changed your blood. No matter what child is born of yours, it will carry a part of her. No vampire shall ever rule as Reaper. Fate would never allow something so powerful to walk this earth. I think even Ariella tested that line of power with fate. Having too much power. I think it’s part of why fate paired you. Your children will be safe.” I know Bishop is right. Fate had been letting me die to bring Death to me.

  “We didn’t think this day would come and we certainly didn’t think it would be with a Reaper. But you are more important to us and we can’t lose you,” my mom says, and her eyes soften when she looks at me.

  There is longing coming off of her in waves and I want to run to her and make it okay, but it’s not just me now. If they want me, they have to accept the part of me that belongs to Grim.

  “This is the other half I didn’t know was possible.” I feel Grim’s strong arms wrap around me and my whole body is warmed. “He is my eternity. I want to be here and to stay with my family, but I won’t do it if you are planning to try and convince me that I can’t be with him,” I tell them, drawing my line in the sand for everyone to see. Especially Grim. I would give up my life without hesitation for him, too.

  “We were wrong,” my dad says, and he moves closer to stand in front of Grim. He looks him in the eyes and holds out his hand. “We love her, too, and we just wanted what was best. We were wrong to stand in the way of fated mates.”

  Grim shakes his hand and nods before he turns to me. “Is this where you want to be, my treasure? Do you want to stay with your family?” I bite my bottom lip to try and hold back my smile as I nod to him. “Then yes, all is forgiven and we will stay.”

  “Thank god, I’m tired of the drama,” my uncle Ezra says, and then I do let out a laugh. He’s always the one to break the tension.

  “Welcome to the family,” my mom says as she takes Grim in a hug. “It was her, wasn’t it? You felt her inside me. It’s why you wanted to be near me,” my mom whispers to Grim. He gives her a nod. She smiles. “To be so near your mate and to not realize what was happening. That she was still inside me. I understand why you left now. It had to have been driving you crazy.”

  My dad closes his eyes in understanding, as if feeling Grim’s pain and imagining what that would be like. I’m sad that he went through that, but there is something special about knowing we were created for one another.

  As soon as my mom lets Grim go, I’m being smothered by my parents, but only for a few moments before Grim pulls me back to his side. He’s just like all the other mates here in his refusal to let me go more than ten feet from him. But right now, I feel the same way and I’m ready to be alone.

  “We’ll see you tomorrow for dinner?” my mom asks her voice filled with hope. Relief has settled over her. I can feel it.

  “We’ll be there,” Grim says as he takes my hand and pulls me from the room.

  “Show me where to take you,” he whispers in my ear as we leave. I smile a real smile. Not one that I have to force. There is no hurt or pain. Only happiness remains.

  I take his hand and we run through the forest and back to my little home. As soon as we arrive, he scoops me up in his arms and carries me inside, kicking the door closed behind him. This time no one is going to barge in and stop us, and I have a feeling Grim wouldn’t let them take him a second time.

  “It’s been too long since I’ve been inside you,” he growls as he tosses me on the bed and yanks at my clothes.

  Chapter Seven

  Grim

  Her lush curves are on display as I turn her over on her stomach and pull her ass into the air. I kneel down behind her and lick her secret places until she moans in pleasure. The taste of my seed is still inside her and the primal calling within me is satisfied.

  Her scent is already beginning to change since she drank my blood. She’s still just as sweet and perfect as before, but anyone who gets near her will know that she is claimed.

  “Please, Grim,” she begs as she rocks her hips back and grinds against my mouth.

  She’s greedily taking what she wants from me and I won’t ever tell her to stop. I’m on this earth to give her pleasure and protect her. That is my sole purpose and anything else is a failure. I’ve spent my whole life doing my duty to the world. Now is the time when I spend eternity worshiping my goddess.

  I can already feel the heavy weight of the Reaper leaving me. Its metal shackles have dissolved and I don’t feel that chill inside me. Now there is light and sunshine and it’s all because my treasure loves me. I will never ask for anything else as long as I have that. Knowing that our children won’t carry this burden makes me want to plant a seed in my Ariella right this moment.

  I suck on her clit from behind until she climaxes on my tongue. I can taste her sweet release and then I move into position behind her. My cock is hard and sticking straight out as I slide into her warmth. She’s still pulsing from her release and she milks my cock as I rock in and out of her. She’s slippery and I have to grip her hips hard to gain purchase. Her body is soft, and when my fingers dig in she moans in pleasure.

  “Does this mean you’ll give me a baby?” she asks as she looks over her shoulder with heavy eyes. My cock releases at her command and I give her what she’s asking for. I will always give in to her desires, no matter what they are.

  She squeals as I roll us over so that she’s on top and facing away from me. She rolls her hips as I continue to cum and she leans back. Her body moves as she takes what she wants and I’ve never seen her look more beautiful. She’s powerful on top of me as she moves the way she wants and extracts what she desires.

  I sit up so that my chest is to her back and I kiss along her shoulder. When she tilts her head to the side, I graze my teeth along the edge of her neck, and the urge to bite her is bearing down on me.

  “I love you,” she says as she reads my mind and offers herself to me.

  “I love you too,” I say, kissing along the tender skin before I do as she’s begging me to.

  The connection between us grows tighter and I feel her climax on my cock. The release is hard and she cries out, but I wrap an arm around her waist to hold her steady.

  Her skin is hot and she tingles all over as I cum deep within her. A quiet falls between us, and in that moment, I can sense a change. Our connection is heightened and it’s sharper than ever before, and suddenly I know that she will have my child. A seed is being planted as we stay joined, and she will give me the miracle I’ve always longed for. I never dared to dream of having a family of my own when it meant cursing a child with this burden. But now that the threat is not between us, the world is full of possibilities.

  She hums softly as she relaxes and leans against me, neither of us speaking for a long time. I lay us down so that I don’t have to pull out and we cuddle in bed together.

  “Could this be possible? Have all of my dreams come true so quickly?”

  “Yes,” I answer simply, because I know it’s true for me.

  To have such a gift as Ariella is more than I deserve. But I’m a good man and I will take care of our family. I place my large palm on her belly as we lay there, and I close my eyes picturing what our child will look like. I hope if it’s a girl it’s exactly like her; and I hope the same for a boy, too. Everything she touches turns to gold and I’m lucky that she chose me.

  We may have had to convince everyone else to get on board, but eventually she was mated to the Reaper.

  Epilogue

  Ariella

  Two years later…

  “I can’t believe it’s a girl,” my mom says with a smile. “We need more girls in this family.” She tucks a piece of my long dark hair behind my ear.

  “We really do,” I agree. I love all my cousins and uncles, but they outnumber us. Normally it wouldn’t be a big deal, but they can all be super overprotective.

  My mom rubs my baby bump before leaning down and kissing
me there. It’s not too big yet and only a little bump shows. It’s hardly noticeable with the dress I’m wearing today.

  With our son I was so big and I’m still not sure if it was because my mom cooked for me as if I were a small army she needed to feed, or the fact that Grim is a big man so his boys would come out big. Asher was the biggest in our makeshift family so far. Both my parents and Grim were worried, but I wasn’t. Grim was my mate and we were made for each other, so I knew that I could carry his babies and be fine. Fate paired us together and I wouldn’t let myself believe anything else. I still think they forget that I can heal as fast as them.

  Mom gives me a kiss next before I leave. I was supposed to go straight home, but my mind keeps wandering to the bakery that’s next to the university. It isn't far and I have my car with me. I could pop in and get me something and then get extra for Grim and our son before they get back home. Grim and my dad have taken Ash to the animal shelter and I have a feeling they’ll be coming back with a kitten. Grim has been talking about getting a dog, but Ash loves kittens.

  I slide into my SUV and put my purse on the passenger seat before getting myself situated. It’s still strange getting used to driving. I’ve been doing it for a couple of years, but it feels weird at times. With everyone living so close we usually run from house to house. Heck, most of us have underground passages, but Grim doesn’t want me running them while I’m pregnant. If it was up to him I’d be on bed rest, so the car is an easy compromise.

  I’m only supposed to drive it from house to house, but this is just a quick stop. No one will notice until after the fact, and I will have yummy treats to make my mate forget. If that doesn’t work, he can eat me. I smile thinking about it because either way I know he’ll be eating me.

  I pull down the long driveway and out the gate. I take a right instead of a left and go to the small town that’s always filled with college kids. It’s busier in the late afternoon and I hope the bakery isn’t sold out.

  “Mama will get our treats.” I rub my tummy before I turn at the light into the parking lot. I find a spot and my eyes light up when I see the store I’m in front of. I can’t remember what used to be here, but I know for a fact it wasn’t a baby store. I would have come here before now and it looks brand new. “Looks like we are making a pit stop.”

  I get out and go straight in. My eyes go right to the pink section. This is becoming a problem. I can’t stop buying our daughter everything that is smothered and covered in pink. If it sparkles, I can’t say no.

  I pick up a stuffed bunny wearing a tutu and I know we definitely need that. I pull it close and it smells like cotton candy. It makes me hungry and I don’t know how because my mom stuffed me full of food not even ten minutes ago. My attention lands on a gray stroller and I walk over to it and put the stuffed animal inside as I roll it back and forth, testing it out. It’s smooth and feels really light. The tag says it’s rated the best in safety on the market right now and I could use a double stroller with the new baby coming.

  “Those just came out.” I turn to see a man who looks to be in his late thirties standing there. He’s in khaki pants and a plain polo. I don’t see a name tag, but I’m guessing he works here. “A gift?” He gives me a half smile and takes another step towards me and picks up the bunny.

  “No.” We never got a stroller for our son because he was always in someone’s arms. Now we’ll have two little ones and it could still be a waste. I’m sure the same thing will happen with our little baby girl. Everyone is always touching my belly and ignoring Grim’s growls.

  I swear I actually hear Grim growl in my head as I look up at the salesman. I go to tell him I’ll take it and his eyes widen and his face pales. The smell of his fear overrides the lust he had moments ago. I must have missed it because of my pregnancy brain. When I don’t pick up on those things at first, Grim calls it my “never-go-anywhere-alone brain.” He doesn’t think I pay enough attention when I’m by myself and I don’t use all my senses as I should. I know he’s right but it’s because I put more focus into my baby.

  My eyes widen when I feel Grim behind me. Jealousy mixed with anger rolls off him and I turn to meet his gaze. He’s staring over me to the man who’s about to pee himself. Grim might not be the reaper anymore, but he can strike fear into hearts when he wants to.

  “Grim.” I reach my hand out for him and he grabs it. He pulls me into his big body and I wrap myself around him. His needless jealousy fades away as he looks down at me. “I want this stroller.” I tell him as I motion towards it. The salesman stands there in shock at the sight of Grim and I guess I forget how big he is.

  “Then it will be yours, Treasure.” He begins to pull me from the store, but not before leveling the salesman with a warning glare.

  “If I can have it, why are we leaving?” Once we’re outside he places me in the passenger seat of my car. “Don’t burn the place down. I want that stroller. And the bunny, too!”

  “I’ll come back for it,” he says, and I go to tell him that’s silly because we’re already here, but he clips my seat belt into place. I open my mouth, but he stops me with a deep kiss that could make a girl forget her own name.

  When he pulls away I’m breathless. “Home,” I tell him, and he nods and shuts the door. My lust-filled brain clears for a moment as Grim moves to the driver side door.

  Your parents. He answers my unvoiced question about our son. “I left your dad in a hurry,” he adds before starting the car and pulling out. “I’ll come back for your sweets after.” I know he left in a hurry because he felt me move and it wasn’t towards home. I thought I’d be quick enough, but I should have known better.

  I smile as I sit back in the seat. Some people might not like their partners in their heads, but this isn’t just a marriage; we’re mates. I want him all over every part of me and I love that he can slip into my mind. Most of the time he can figure what I need or want before I can myself, but most of all he calms me.

  I slide my hand into his and I try and do the same for him. “Don’t.” He gives me a stern look. He’s warning me but I don’t know why. He doesn’t want me using my powers to calm him because it can be draining. But it’s never that way with him.

  He lifts my hand, brings it to his mouth and gives it a kiss. “I should have asked you to stop and get my treats, but then we wouldn’t have makeup sex,” I say as I pull my dress up. “I know what you’re thinking.”

  He’s thinking of every way he can mark me because he doesn’t like the other man looking at me. He knows I don’t notice them, but mates can be extra possessive. I spread my legs, showing my thighs to him.

  “They’ve already faded.” I run my fingers over where he bit me this morning while he licked my pussy. He presses down on the gas and I fight a smile knowing I’m going to enjoy feeling his teeth sink into me again. I no longer care about a stroller or treats because all I want is my mate.

  Epilogue

  Grim

  Five years later…

  “Do vampires not normally take vacations?” I ask as I look over to my treasure laid out on the beach with just her bathing suit bottoms on.

  “I guess I never thought about it before.” She rolls over on her belly and pretends to think it over before she winks at me. “I mean, what would we vacation from? It’s not like we really do any work.”

  “My job is to make sure you don’t lift a finger,” I say, leaning over and placing a kiss on her shoulder.

  I bought the private island right after we got married to use as an escape if we ever needed to be alone from the family. It’s not that we don’t love our time together, but it does us good to get away. It’s also the place where we conceived our daughter and I’m hoping for the same luck this time around.

  I trace my finger down her bare back and tug at the strings holding the small triangle over her pussy in place. It’s barely enough to call a bathing suit, and when I asked her why she didn’t go completely nude on our beach she said she was afraid to get sand
in her ass.

  We’re completely alone for hundreds of miles and the only thing I want her focused on is her pleasure. Of course we check in with the kids throughout the day because we miss them, but she knows she has to recharge or else she’s going to try and run on empty. It works better for her abilities if she’s rested and can feel everything around her without becoming tired.

  She wiggles her ass, and I growl as I move closer. “Are you trying to tease me?”

  “How could I even begin to do that?” She rolls over and her bare breasts are before me.

  I kiss my way down to them before teasing one and then the other. I push them together and then rub my face against them, getting their scent all over me. She smells like sunshine and coconuts and I ache to have her again.

  “I know you brought me to the island again just to get me pregnant.” She hums her pleasure as I kiss my way to her stomach. “You can try and hide your thoughts from me, but I know you inside and out, Grim.”

  Her nails score my back and I groan at how good it feels.

  “Are you going to admit it?”

  “Why would I try and deny wanting you to get pregnant again?” I smile and move lower to tear her bathing suit bottoms off of her.

  “Why keep it a secret?” she challenges, spreading her legs.

  “Because I know your mind, Ariella. If there was something that I wanted, you would do everything in your power to give it to me.”

  “Of course I would, and you would do the same.”

  “I don’t want you to do something for me just because I want it. Yes, I want another baby with you, but I will always want more children. I was hoping that if it happened on this trip then it would be another blessing to us. But if it didn’t then our life is still more than I ever dared to hope for.”