Balor (Balor’s Saints MC #1)

Chapter Five

Balor

The room had grown cold, and I checked the thermostat. The temperature in the house was a cool fifty-nine, which told me the heat had gone out. Wasn’t the first time, but I knew messing with it this late wouldn’t do me much good. I went to the garage and gathered some firewood, then carried it to Belladonna’s room.

I started a fire, trying to chase the chill from her room. The flickering light cast eerie shadows. The bed creaked, and I turned my head. Belladonna tossed and turned, her face drawn tight in distress. She muttered something I couldn’t understand, then cried out.

I sat on the edge of the mattress beside her, watching her. I’d been tense for hours, conflicted over our situation. By all rights, I should be furious over what she’d done to me. Instead, I found myself grateful my mate had walked through the door. Then there was the worry about the town and what Belladonna’s coven might do to this place. If only I knew how much time I had to prepare… If Abigail was right, and Belladonna had the potential to be the greatest witch in the world, then her coven would definitely come for her.

A whimper reached my ears, followed by another. Then she screamed, the sound loud enough I thought it might wake the dead. I clenched my jaw as I reached for her. I didn’t think her fear was from me. What the hell had that coven done to her? I could see her eyes moving behind her closed lids. She’d started to cry, her body shaking. I touched her shoulder, and she stiffened.

“Belladonna,” I said softly, rubbing her arm. “It’s all right. You’re safe.”

Her breathing hitched, but I noticed her body begin to relax. I brushed her hair back from her face and leaned down.

“You’re safe. No one will hurt you,” I said. I pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

Her breathing slowed, and the tension drained from her body. She sighed and turned her head more into my hand. I should pull away. Hell, I shouldn’t have touched her in the first place. There was still too much we needed to settle.

“Balor,” she mumbled.

“Shh. I’m here. Go back to sleep.”

Her breathing evened out, and I realized she’d already been asleep. I ran my fingers through her hair, feeling the silky strands against my skin. She sighed again, and her body went limp. I’d been fighting my attraction to her, but the woman tied me up in knots.

It wasn’t so much that she’d tricked me. I could understand her reasons. Didn’t mean I liked it. The problem was, I didn’t know if I could trust her not to try to run. Keeping her restrained would be better, but I didn’t want to hurt her. I’d have to find another way to keep her from leaving, give her a reason to want to stay.

I didn’t know how long I’d been touching her before I finally forced myself to pull away. The fire would need more wood after a few hours, but I didn’t want to move away from Belladonna. She’d said she didn’t need anything, but I had a feeling she was lying. I’d seen the way she looked at me, like she was starving, and I was the only one who could feed her. Whatever I was feeling for her, it was clear she felt something too.

I stretched out on the bed and drew her against me. She made a soft noise as she snuggled closer. Her head rested on my bicep. Her breath fanned out across my chest. I shifted enough that I could look down at her face. Her breathing changed, and I knew she was awake. I half expected her to scream, hit me, or try to leave. Instead, her lips pressed against my chest. Her tongue peeked out, tasting my skin. I groaned and rolled her to her back, covering her body with mine.

“What are you doing, Belladonna?” I asked.

Her gaze locked with mine. She licked her lips, and I couldn’t resist tasting her. I slanted my mouth over hers. The moment our lips touched, I lost the last bit of control I’d hung onto. I thrust my tongue into her mouth, groaning at the taste of her. My hand slid to her breast, teasing her nipple through her nightgown. I’d never have thought flannel could be sexy as hell. My hips rocked against hers. I wanted nothing more than to bury myself inside her.

I pulled back, breathing heavily. “I need to hear you say it. Tell me you want me, Belladonna.”

“Yes, Balor. Please. I need…”

Whatever she planned to say would have to wait. I’d neglected her for too long. I had a feeling only one thing would ease the ache I’d seen in her eyes. I hooked my fingers in the neckline of the gown and ripped it open. I licked my lips as I saw her creamy skin bathed in firelight. I lowered my head and took one rosy peak into my mouth. She gasped and arched her back, offering herself to me. I moved to the other breast, teasing her until she squirmed beneath me. It wasn’t enough. Not nearly.

I kissed my way down her body, pausing to tongue her belly button. Her fingers slid into my hair, nails scraping my scalp. I moved lower, spreading her thighs, and draped her legs over my shoulders. I stared at her pussy, so pink and wet. I ran my tongue through her folds, groaning at the taste of her. I thrust my tongue into her as far as I could get it. She cried out and rocked her hips. I used my fingers and mouth to bring her to the edge of release, then backed off. When she was panting, begging for more, I let her come against my mouth.

I kissed my way back up her body, then thrust into her with one hard stroke. I buried my face against her neck, taking a moment to relish the feel of her wrapped around me. I pulled her legs higher, my movements rougher than I’d intended. She didn’t complain. I could feel her breasts rubbing against my chest, hear the way her breath hitched. I didn’t last long, not with her clamping down on me so tightly. I came with a shout, her name a roar on my lips.

I eased from her body and pulled her against me. I didn’t know how we’d ended up here, but I wasn’t letting her go. The longer she was here, the more I wanted her. I hadn’t lied when I said I’d keep her. I just hadn’t realized what it would mean. Or how much I’d enjoy having her at my mercy.

“Sleep, Belladonna,” I said. “We’ll talk in the morning.”

Her breathing evened out, her body going limp. I stared at the ceiling and tried to ignore the way my heart ached. I’d never wanted anyone the way I wanted her. I had a feeling I was going to have a hard time letting her go. The question was, how long until she tried to run? Or would she stay willingly? I wanted to believe she’d let me keep her, but I’d witnessed too many short-term relationships over the years to believe people remained together like they used to. With the exception of species who sensed their fated mates. Since Belladonna didn’t fall into that category, she could very well leave, and then I’d have to hunt her down and bring her back.

I didn’t take kindly to someone touching my things. And Belladonna? She was mine.

* * *

I woke first, my eyes adjusting to the room lit only by the dying fire. I felt the warmth of Belladonna’s body pressed to mine. Her back rested against my chest, her ass nestled against my cock. I hardened, my body remembering the way I’d taken her last night. I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent of her. My cock throbbed, wanting to sink into her again.

Did I want her? Yes. I ran a hand through my hair, frustration eating at me. I didn’t know what to do about her. Or our situation. I’d promised to keep her safe, but I wasn’t sure I was the right person to do it. Not when I couldn’t keep my hands to myself. What if I was so distracted by my need for her that I slipped up?

Belladonna shifted, rolling slightly toward me, a soft murmur escaping her lips. I watched as her eyes fluttered open. I could see the moment she felt the heat of my body and realized exactly where she was. Her cheeks flushed and she slid across the bed, putting a few inches between us. She bit her lip and wouldn’t meet my gaze. The silence between us was awkward, the scent of our shared night still hanging in the air. I cursed myself for not pulling out of her the night before. Twice. I’d been a fool to come inside her again.

But there was one thing about prophecies… Sometimes they came true no matter how hard you fought against them. If we were destined to have a baby, it would happen one way or another.

I got out of bed and pulled on my jeans. I could feel her watching me, even if she didn’t want me to know it. I heard the rustle of covers and knew she’d pulled them to her chest.

“Don’t leave the room.” My voice was harsher than I’d intended, and she flinched. I saw her nod from the corner of my eye. I didn’t like that she wouldn’t look at me. Did she regret what happened? She’d seemed to enjoy herself last night.

I left the room, closing the door behind me. I needed to go to the clubhouse. Get away from her for a bit and clear my head. Maybe talk with my MC brothers and see if they had any suggestions. Right now? I didn’t trust myself around Belladonna. I could still feel her under me, around me, and I was tempted to go back in there and fuck her again.

I went down the steps and grabbed my boots and shirt. The mansion was quiet. I’d not brought anyone into my home in a long time. Years, in fact. I’d gone to them. This place wasn’t a home. It was a house. I took a breath and opened the door, stepping out into the early morning light. The sun was still low on the horizon, the sky a mix of purples and pinks with the first hint of blue starting to bleed through.

I walked the path to the garage and straddled my bike. I didn’t know what to do about Belladonna. I’d promised to keep her safe, but I hadn’t even been able to keep my hands off her. I’d been a fool. I didn’t believe she’d used magic on me after the first time, but I did think she was hiding something. I just didn’t know what. I started my bike and rode toward the clubhouse. I needed to clear my head and get my shit together.

I parked my bike and went inside. I saw the curious looks thrown my way. It wasn’t often I came here this time of day. I went to the bar and poured myself a drink. The burn of the whiskey as it went down my throat helped settle the churning in my gut. I took my glass and went to find Jackson. I found him in one of the spare rooms, going over some papers.

“Do you have a minute?” I asked.

He leaned back in his seat and nodded. But before I could say anything, he jumped right in, almost as if he knew what was bothering me.

“I’ve reached out to a few of my contacts. They’ve confirmed her coven is coming for her.” Jackson sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “We have two choices. We can hand her over when they get here, or we can fight to keep her out of their clutches.”

I’d known it was coming. It didn’t make the words any easier to hear. The thought of handing her over twisted my stomach into knots.

“I’ll fight to keep her,” I said. “I promised to protect her and my child, if there is one. I won’t go back on my word.”

“Then we need to come up with a game plan. Once they realize we won’t hand her over, they’ll attack. I have no idea how many are coming. I wasn’t able to find out that information, however, there’s a chance another coven may be helping them.”

“Night’s Bane?” I asked.

He eyed me suspiciously, probably wondering how I’d known. Just what we needed. Two covens coming to town and trying to destroy the place.

“I need to head back. I left her confined to my home.” I met Jackson’s gaze again. “I didn’t trust that she wouldn’t run off, but I didn’t think it would be good to bring her to the clubhouse either.”

Jackson nodded. “I get it. I’ll talk to the guys and fill them in. You don’t need to worry about this. I’ll do what I can, and I’m sure they will too. We’re family and in this together. When you think she’ll be comfortable around us, bring her by. We’d all like to meet her.”

I had to hope he wouldn’t change his mind once he learned more about her coven. If any of the rumors had been true, and I could believe everything Belladonna had told me, the Coven of Eternal Night was rotten to the core.

I got up and walked out, feeling the gazes of my brothers as I left the clubhouse and got back on my bike. I had a feeling I’d be back soon enough. I just hoped I had a plan in place by then, or the start of one.

I rode back to the mansion. It loomed in the distance, its darkened windows like watching eyes. Pulling into the garage, I shut off the bike and went inside. I removed my boots and shirt, padding through the house as quietly as I could. The eerie silence pressed down on me, amplifying the isolation that came with being Balor Hades. I’d taken it all in stride, until now. Until I’d met Belladonna. And until I’d realized how much was at stake.

When I reached the bedroom, I saw Belladonna still in bed. She eyed me warily, and I had to admit it hurt. Not that I’d given her much reason to trust me. I’d kept her locked up in the house and hadn’t given her even the slightest bit of freedom. But as soon as I didn’t think she’d run, I’d undo the magick holding her here.

“I went to the clubhouse to talk to my club. Seems the coven isn’t willing to let you go so easily. I’m sure your father is the one pushing for your return.”

She stared at me for a moment, seeming confused. Then I realized she’d come here for Balor the mage, not Luke the biker. “I founded a motorcycle club in town. That’s where I was.”

“I was worried he’d come for me.” She rubbed her eyes and sighed. “Maybe I should leave.”

“You can’t.” I could have done this sooner, but part of me had been scared of what I’d find. I walked closer and placed my hand over her belly, then cast the spell I’d thought I’d never have to use. My hand glowed and so did her belly, as if it were lit from within. “Do you know what that means?”

She shook her head, her eyes wide as she stared at her belly.

“It means you’re pregnant.”

Her eyes widened. “How could you…”

She’d mentioned her father talking about me, had known I was a mage. But she hadn’t counted on the fact my particular bloodline wasn’t average. No one knew. At least, no one still living. And as far as I knew, I was the last standing Hades.

“I’m not human, Belladonna. I’m something far more dangerous. And my kind can sense things. The spell I just cast confirms it. It’s why I’m willing to fight for you, and not hand you over to the coven.” I tucked her hair behind her ear. “You’ll be confined to the mansion until I know you’ll stay put. I’ll be making some phone calls and giving orders. I don’t know how long we have before your coven arrives, but I’ll be ready for them.”

I’d thought I’d be alone for the rest of my life. It was why I’d hidden myself away in my mansion. There were plenty of creatures who lived forever, or a really long ass time, especially in this town. But a dark mage like me? There weren’t many of us, and with me being the strongest, it meant I’d always have a target on my back. Even among my kind, I was unique.

I’d not thought I wanted a mate. But now that I had her, I’d do whatever it took to keep her. Even if it meant taking on an entire coven.

Balor’s Saints MC would help. I’d originally started the club not only as a way to hide in plain sight, but also as another line of defense for Darkwood.

I reached out and placed my hand on her lower belly. I didn’t know if she was carrying a son or daughter. I only knew I’d protect them both with my dying breath. I’d never thought I’d have children. Hadn’t really cared. Until now. Until her.

Had it never occurred to her I’d keep her with me? Had she really thought she’d sleep with me then disappear and I wouldn’t bother looking for her? Eventually, I’d have grown curious and tracked her down.

I could still hear Jackson’s voice in my head. We can hand her over when they get here, or we can fight to keep her out of their clutches .

I’d fight. I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe. To keep them both out of the clutches of her coven. It was what I’d sworn to do. She was mine. Our child was mine.

I’d protect them.

Even if it meant going to war.

I met her gaze once more and saw the sadness in her eyes. She’d not wanted this. Whatever her plan had been, I didn’t think it had included putting others in danger.

I left the room before I did something foolish. Like kiss her. Or claim her again.