MateHub: Legend (MateHub, #1)

by Marie Reynard

Oh no. Poor bastard committed a cardinal sin. Thinking you have feelings. Richard Just because I can keep work WORK doesn't mean I don't have feelings. Daniel No, the fact that you don't have feelings means you don't have feelings. But I'll put him on the list. With everyone else. At the rate you're going, you'll blacklist the entire industry by the end of next year.

Opening his eyes, he found Blaze slumped forward, bracing himself on one shaking arm while his other hand grasped his chest. His porcelain skin was now a ghostly white. Richard stood and saluted Tristan. “Thanks, man. I’ll see you after the next one.” He grabbed his shirt, pulled it on, and turned to leave. “How the fuck have you done this twelve times?” Blaze asked, voice strained. “Eh.” Richard tossed his packed leather bag over his shoulder. “You get used to it. Nice working with you. It was fun.”

Tristan If you leave me with one of your sobbing exes another goddamn time, I'm charging your unfeeling ass double. Richard Not my ex. If he caught feelings, that's on him, not me. Tristan Right. Because what kind of pathetic loser catches feelings from three months of highly intense sex?

frunk

“You okay?” “Why wouldn’t I be?” “Yeah. Why would you be messed up by a mage using magic to reach into your chest and cut out part of you?” “It’s not like I was particularly attached to that part.” “I don’t get you.

“Did this one catch feelings too?” He scowled. “Aw, how horrible for you. That must have been really rough,”

But my next contract…” He paused, letting the anticipation build. “If you’re waiting for me to ask, you’re going to be waiting a long time. I’m just not that invested in your dick.” “Must you always ruin my fun?” “Obviously, yes.”

“make sure you go see Mom during your mandatory time off. I’m sick of covering for you. ‘Oh, he’s been so busy at work. Last I heard, he was getting absolutely slammed.’” “Hey now. At work, I do all the slamming,” he said, and she punched him.

BramStroker: GOD PLEASE VAMPIRE. Can you imagine XXXavier Sinclair feeding off Richard while Richard has him knotted? Fuck, I'd give my fangs to see that. saerys69: That would be insanely hot.

“Good scene?” Hunter asked. “It was with an incubus and a succubus. I don’t think I’ll be able to come again for another month.” Chance sounded as languid and thoroughly fucked as he looked. Hunter shook his head. “So, tomorrow?” “Probably.

You know those videos of an octopus squeezing through some tiny hole? That’s me. I’m that octopus. Zero bones.” “I realize there’s a joke in there about you squeezing into tiny holes, but I’m going to pass it up because I need to ask… Are octopus shifters a thing?” “Hoping MateHub’s up for shooting some tentacle porn?” “No. Well. Probably no? But also, are they a thing?” Chance made a noncommittal noise. “You could ask them to book you with a kraken.”

I still haven’t forgiven you for convincing me unicorn sh...

“Every time you find out another type of supernatural creature exists, your first reaction is alw...

“Bonding contracts can fuck you up. There’s a reason Richard is a legend. The only other person who’s done anywhere close to as many is Duke Moorhead, and he’s on maybe his fifth or sixth. Everyone else does it once, then never again.” Hunter gave him a skeptical look. “It can’t be that big of a deal. I’ve been bitten before.” “You were fed on, not bonded. There’s a world of difference between the two.”

“You really want to do this?” There was a thread of concern in Chance’s voice. “What’s the worst that could happen? I realize my roommate isn’t entirely human, find out he’s actually a fucking mountain lion and a secret porn star, somehow let him talk me into doing ‘just a scene or two,’ then end up with a werewolf knotting my—oh, wait.”

And my agent says if I do this, my career is guaranteed to blow up.” Chance smirked. “Gonna make it expand?” “Oh, shut up. Not like that. Though… yeah, I guess, literally like that.”

“Just please don’t fall for him? I know he’s the biggest star on MateHub, but you can do so much better.” “It’s just a contract,” Hunter said, laughing. “We aren’t going to be dating. And like I said, I’ve been watching his videos. He’s hot, alright, but I don’t see why people are so obsessed with him. I mean, he clearly knows what he’s doing and how to make his co-stars come hard. I saw a few pass out from pleasure, and they weren’t faking it for the camera. But there’s something about him that pisses me off. He seems so arrogant. If he’s that smug twenty-four-seven, I might kill him before the three months are over. If I do, do you think they’ll dock my pay?” “Do I think MateHub will cut your compensation if you kill their biggest star? Yeah, probably.” Hunter huffed. “Fine. I’ll play nice.”

“You’re no fun. Fine. Just, seriously, don’t fall for that asshole.” “Zero risk of that happening.

“What part of ‘deboned’ did you not understand? I can’t play video games while I’m an invertebrate. You’re going to kick my ass.”

He, at least, held himself to a higher standard. He’d give Hunter exactly what he needed until he was loose-limbed and glassy-eyed. Until he couldn’t remember his own name and the only words he’d be able to get out were ‘please’ and ‘more’ and ‘Richard.’ He’d pin Hunter down, sink his teeth into him, knot him, make him come so hard he’d white out and see stars. Bring him to heights of pleasure he’d never known, satisfy him in a way he’d never experienced.

As with every pre-scene interview Hunter had watched, Richard didn’t bother contributing more than a word or two, leaving Hunter to carry the bulk of the conversation. His economical answers weren’t doing any favors to Hunter’s resolution to not kill his co-star before he received his full compensation.

Hunter’s grin grew downright sinful. “Let’s just say I’ll never be able to run through a forest again without getting hard.” Beside him, there was a rumble from Richard—so low, Hunter doubted the mics had picked it up. But it vibrated through the press of their bodies, resonating in his core.

He swooped in and ran his nose along Hunter’s neck. A growl resounded in Richard’s chest as he scraped sharp canines over Hunter’s throat. “You’re going to smell so fucking perfect when you’re mine,” he said, and Hunter’s eyes threatened to roll back into his head. This was not how Richard had acted when he’d been told to kiss his other co-stars during these interviews. Those kisses had been perfunctory, an item to be checked off before they moved on to the good stuff. But this? This seemed like something Richard was reveling in. “You want that, don’t you? You want to be mine. I can smell it on you, smell how ready you are for me to fuck you. Claim you. Knot you.”

Richard brought his lips tantalizingly close to Hunter’s. “I’m going to make you feel so good. Fuck you and make you mine. Stretch you wide open on my knot so the whole world knows who you belong to, and you’re going to love every second of it.” Unfair and uncalled for.

“Tell me how much you want it,” Richard said, a murmur against his lips. Hunter nearly gave a growl of his own. Fuck this self-satisfied son of a wolf. He wasn’t begging. “Kiss me,” he demanded. To his surprise, Richard complied.

Before Hunter could think about getting up, Richard stood, then grabbed him, tossing him over his shoulder like he weighed nothing and stalking toward the bed. This was not how this scene was supposed to go. There’d been an outline. A plan. Some vague choreography of which acts they’d do in what order. But he couldn’t remember it and couldn’t be bothered to care. However things went from here, he knew they’d be good.

“And here,” he said, so quiet there was no way it’d been caught by the mics. He sucked at the spot right behind Hunter’s ear, the one that always left him writhing and cursing. Richard chuckled wickedly against his skin. “I know exactly what you like, exactly how to make you feel better than you ever have before. Make you come harder. Make you beg for my knot.” Hunter scoffed at the arrogance in his tone. “Never gonna happen.”

“Ask for it,” Richard said. He pulled back and looked at Hunter. “Beg for my knot, and I might give it to you.” Hunter huffed. “Fuck you.” “Uh-uh. That’s not how this is going to go.”

“I’ve fucked virgins with less prep than this.” “Oh, fuck you.” Hunter was not the one holding up this show. “I’m starting to think those are the only words you know, little human. Let’s see if we can teach you ‘oh god’ and ‘please’ next.” Hunter scoffed. “Oh, god. Please.” The sarcasm was heavy and unmistakable in his voice.

“Thanks for that, man,” he said, nodding to Richard. His dark hair was in wild disarray, his lips red from their kisses. “I haven’t come that hard in days.” Richard froze, his mouth hanging open. Days? He’d given Hunter the best damn orgasm of his life. What the hell was he talking about? In days?

“I may have told Daniel I didn’t need to meet him beforehand.” “Dude,” Max said. “Seriously? You cocky asshole. Were you trying to play Russian roulette?” Richard didn’t wince; he scoffed instead. “As if there’s any chance I’m compatible with a human.” Max snorted in return. “Sure. Which is why you look like your entire world just got turned on its head, then fucked harder than some lucky bastard at a packbang.”

“Have either of your wolves ever reacted strongly to anyone you were filming with? Basically taking over?” On a new moon, no less. Their eyes darted toward each other, then quickly away. “No,” Max said as Hardin answered, “Never.”

“How is it?” “His dick?” “No, you ass. Being bonded to him.” “I don’t know.” Hunter frowned. “I’ve got this little bundle of something in my head. It’s obviously him, but beyond that, I don’t feel any different.” “Bonded couples are supposed to feel what their mate is feeling. Emotions and sensations and whatever.”

If you start feeling things when you aren’t touching, that means the bond is deepening.” “Seriously, stop worrying about it. I’m not getting attached to some jackass who thinks too highly of himself.” “Okaaaay.” “Okay your ass. I have better taste than that.”

“God, I didn’t realize blue balls had a scent,” Hardin said. “Funny. I figured you two would know that more than most,” Richard bitched back. “Oooh. The ‘I know you are, but what am I?’ defense. Haven’t heard that one since grade school,” Max said.

But he enjoyed the experience, and it didn’t hurt that the weather was as gorgeous as the scenery. He breathed in the fresh pine-scented air, the sun warm on his face. The perfect day to get knotted outside while a dozen people watched. He shook his head, not quite believing this was his life.

Hunter slumped to the side, onto the grass. His pupils were blown, his lips red and swollen. He looked wrecked, and the sight of him like that sent raw possessiveness through Richard. “Leave me here,” Hunter said, voice equally wrecked. “I’m dead. I’ve died. Never moving again.”

“Was that harder than you’ve come in days?” he asked, already knowing the answer. Hunter huffed out a breathless laugh. “Maybe weeks.” “Is that so? Should we see if we can make it months?”

“You know,” Hunter said, his words slurring. “I thought you’d be a complete asshole, but you’re actually kind of nice sometimes, aren’t you?” “Not even remotely,” Richard said gruffly. “Liar.”

“But it’s not supposed to come out until next week.” Hunter’s grin grew wider. Nice to know Richard’s friends had good taste. “Right? Someone at MateHub must have a MysTech connection.” “Damn,” Max said, mock-glaring at Richard. “Why didn’t you tell me you had an early copy of Shadows Veiled?” Richard stared at him blankly. “Because I don’t care?”

“So you’re the human. I’m Max. Nice to meet you.” It wasn’t the first time Hunter had been called ‘the human’—it wasn’t even the hundredth—and it wouldn’t be the last. He shook Max’s hand. “I know who you are. That scene where you’re training your new pack recruits to follow your alpha command was super hot. I had no clue that version of Twister existed.” Max’s lips quirked in amusement. “And may I say, if you ever want to deliver me a pizza, mess up my order, then offer me your ass as a replacement, I wouldn’t say no.”

“Okay, I’m curious. Are you really an alpha?” Max winked at him. “In porn, we’re all alphas. Even that jackass.” He pointed behind him. Hunter glanced over to where Richard was scowling at Max, his expression a touch constipated. “That’s what I figured,” Hunter said. “People do like their stereotypes. I’ll be your scared, virginal human this evening.” “Actually. Funny you should mention that. I’m always part of Richard’s ‘pack,’ so I’ll be—” “Did you want to see anything else?” Richard asked, cutting him off, a hint of a growl coloring his words.

“I didn’t realize they were already lining up Richard’s next contract.” It seemed a little soon. “Oh, fuck no. Not with Richard. There’s not enough money in the world for that. I don’t know how you haven’t killed him yet.” The vehemence of his answer startled a laugh out of Hunter. “Apparently, I won’t get paid in full if I kill him.”

“But that game’s so easy.” Max snorted. “Not for Richard. He’s only good at one thing, and gaming isn’t it.” Richard scowled. He might only be good at one thing, but he was damn good at it. “Two things,” Hunter said cheerfully. “Ah, right. How could I forget his linguine?” “I certainly haven’t.

After Max got himself under control, he said, “But no, seriously. You need to have a soul before you can have a soulmate, and Richard is lacking in that particular area.”

“I’ve seen the script. It’s a new idea the writers came up with.” “Uh-oh. That doesn’t sound good.” “It never is.” They walked into the lobby. “How bad is it? Will I be pretending to be a healer who you, a lonely wolf shifter suffering from a dysfunctional knot, go to for help? And then I perform a ritual to remedy your knot problems. A ritual that involves my ass.”

“Hunter, this is Tristan. He’s MateHub’s resident on-set mage.” “Oh, you’re the one who does all the special effects, right?” Hunter asked, holding out his hand. Tristan shook it. “I am where the magic happens.”

“The mage council won’t like it. But they don’t like anything, and it’s super amusing when they’re pissed off. The rest of us will just think it’s stupid. I mean, check out this circle.” Richard took in the circle Tristan had drawn on the studio’s floor. Even by MateHub standards, it was a bit much. “I’m going to assume normal magic circles don’t generally feature twelve dicks drawn in glitter, all ejaculating sparkles toward a blank center where I’m guessing we’ll be fucking,” Hunter said.

Little white lines squiggled up Hunter’s arms by the dozens. Hunter stared at them with open fascination, a smile on his lips, wonder lighting up his face. There was a brief flare of blinding light, and when the afterimage faded, Hunter was blinking at the lines covering three-fourths of his arms, each now complete with an oval head. “Did you just draw a bunch of magical sperm swimming up my arms?” he asked, face suddenly full of a lot less awe. “Yep. And wardrobe’s waiting for you.” Hunter wandered in that direction, still staring at the glowing sperm on his arms.

“‘Ye Olde Tome o’ Seks Magyck?’” Hunter asked. Tristan nodded gravely. “Passed from generation to generation.” Hunter flipped through it. “All the pages just say ‘seks’ repeatedly.” “How do you think there were more generations to pass it to?” “You made this at two in the morning last night, didn’t you?” “Please. Eight in the evening. I’m not losing beauty sleep over this place. The incantation is bookmarked in the middle.”