A Slash of Savagery (Wiccan-Were-Bear) by R. E. Butler Read Free Book Online Page A

important to her that they are safe and she can’t do that if she doesn’t know who they are.”
    “I hadn’t thought of that.  Tonight?”
    “After Arissa’s break.”
    “I’ll get on it.”  Cella reached for the phone on her desk, and Brone headed to his own office.
    Sitting down behind his desk, he logged onto his laptop and began to review the security footage taken during the day.  Brone was head of security for the coven and the club.  During the daylight hours, while the coven slept, security patrolled around and within the club.  The First Church of Humanity had only once tried to attack the coven during the daytime, and they had discovered that the myth of vampires being dead during the day was incorrect.  A handful of humans had been slaughtered in the melee, and the church had tried to involve the government and have the coven members arrested.  The human government, however, had sided with the coven and arrested many of the humans who had broken into the club.  Now, the church seemed to be watching the club and attacking those who left the premises.
    His thoughts darkened and he lifted the receiver on his phone and called the front desk.
    “Yes, Brone?” Arissa answered.
    “You are not to leave the club at any time without an escort.”
    There was a short pause and then she chuckled.  “You’re so bossy.”
    “I don’t want you harmed.”
    “Okay.”  She let out a little sigh and said, “I don’t have to leave until after next week, when I’m supposed to work Sunday and Monday nights at the shop.  I’ll have to leave before sunset.”
    He was tempted to tell her that she could not leave before he woke for the night, but he never wanted her to feel as if she was a prisoner with him.  He knew that she had responsibilities with the witches that she needed to honor, and that included working two days a month at the store.
    “I’ll make sure you are properly guarded on those days when I am still sleeping.”
    “You don’t like it,” she said softly.
    “I would not have you leave my side at any time, beloved.”  He had not spoken more truthful words.
    Her voice was a bare whisper when she said, “Where have you been all my life?”
    “Too far, but I won’t be far away again.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    Brone looked up from his desk when Arissa entered his office.  Her stomach rumbled and she giggled.  “I’m hungry.”
    He frowned, realizing that she had not eaten anything before starting work.  Standing, he walked around the desk and cupped her face.  “I’m not being a good mate.”
    “Oh?”  The corner of her lips curved up slightly.  “I think you’re doing a good job so far.”
    “You’re hungry.  I forget that you need to eat.”
    “It’s been awhile since you ate three squares a day, though.  It’s understandable that you wouldn’t think of it.”
    Biting back a snarl, he said, “It is my duty to see to all of your needs.  Don’t coddle me for my errors.”
    “You’re adorable.”  Her nose wrinkled as she smiled and her eyes danced.
    Temple stood just outside of the office and chortled loudly, clearly having overheard Arissa’s term of endearment.  Brone bared his fangs at the male, whose laughter cut off abruptly.  “Sorry.”
    “I’ll keep the sweet nothings to a minimum,” she said, making the motion to zip her lips.
    Kissing her forehead, he gestured for her to leave the office with him.  “You may call me whatever you wish.”
    “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll just call you ‘mine.’”
    He’d never had much reason to smile.  Several lifetimes’ worth of pain and suffering, death and blood.  But Arissa made him want to smile.  Made him want to embrace the happiness that brewed inside him.
    She walked next to him down the hall, and they turned into the break room.  Since the family didn’t eat, the room contained no furniture aside from a counter, microwave, and a refrigerator that housed bottles of SyBl.  Once