by Fel Fern
“Asking personal questions now, are we?” Alessio teased. Usually, he’d cut off any relationship at this point. Alessio never wanted or imagined having a long-term commitment to anyone, he made that clear to whatever man or woman he slept with, but what made Kelias different? Alessio found himself hungry to know everything about the half-demon.
Kelias’s cheeks colored, a contrast to the bold guy approaching him last night. Maybe day revealed the true individual that lay underneath the seductive mask he wore the night before. Alessio’s wolf liked this version of Kelias a great deal.
“I didn’t mean to be intrusive,” Kelias muttered, freezing when Alessio wiped a smudge of jam on his lip.
“I’m an orphan, too, but I had my older brother and younger sister with me. Back then Darkfall was a mess. Many animal groups vied for control—” Alessio halted. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to go off-topic and sound all serious.”
“It’s okay. It’s very interesting. Think of this as a second date?” Kelias asked thoughtfully.
The old Alessio would have run out the door the moment anyone mentioned second date. The new him enjoyed throwing questions back and forth with Kelias. They had most of the food spread out on the table by then and Kelias hadn’t been kidding about buying the entire menu. Unashamed, Alessio dug in and was bemused to see Kelias admiring his healthy appetite.
“Don’t you ever get fat?” Kelias asked enviously.
Alessio grinned. “I burn it all off at the gym.”
He didn’t miss the way Kelias eyed his muscles. Recalling how the half-demon enjoyed rubbing at his abs when they cuddled in bed, Alessio grinned. Unable to help himself, Alessio said, “I must be doing a fine job, because you obviously like what you see.”
Fucking hell, when did Alessio ever bother flirting with someone? Usually, men and women flocked to him and he’d have his pick. It was odd trying to impress Kelias, and oddly satisfying, too.
“You should learn to be more humble,” Kelias pointed out, turning his attention back to his waffles, feigning disinterest.
“So you don’t want another round after breakfast? This morning, I’d been thinking how perfect it would be, bending that gorgeous body of yours over this table and fucking you senseless.”
Kelias understandably spat out a wad of food, and fixed him a glare that could melt icicles. “Has enough ever told you you’re an arrogant ass who needs to take it a couple of notches down?”
“Only you, my little demon.” Hints of color appeared on Kelias’s cheeks. Teasing him seemed to get easier. Addictive. Alessio sensed the reluctance mixed with excitement in Kelias. He’d sort out the messy emotions later. Knowing Kelias liked and hungered for his control, Alessio decided to take control. “Finish your food.”
“And then what?” Kelias asked, a hopeful note in his tone.
“Then I fuck you senseless on the table.”
Kelias opened his mouth, no doubt to argue, but Alessio silenced him with a look. Good demon. They finished up and Kelias helped him clear the table. Once nothing was in the way, Alessio closed his hand over Kelias’s fidgeting ones. Kelias seemed shyer today, compared to the night before. Had something changed, or had Alessio missed something vital?
Alessio leaned in close to whisper against Kelias’s ear, “What do you think, pet? Should I let you keep your clothes?”
Kelias swallowed. “You’re making me choose?”
“I like seeing you squirm.”
“Bastard.”
Kelias faltered at Alessio’s look. “I need to punish you for mouthing off to me.”
The half-demon shuddered, much to Alessio’s delight. He still couldn’t get over how Kelias’s body seem to always eagerly respond to his every word and action. A dangerous thing because Alessio couldn’t get enough, and he started to want the things he shouldn’t. Not until he found out Kelias’s motives for entering his town.
“You haven’t given me an answer, Kelias,” Alessio pointed out.
“Clothes off,” Kelias admitted, looking away, but Alessio caught his chin and kissed him. When Alessio released him, Kelias moaned into his mouth, wanting more, but Alessio didn’t cave. Not yet.
“Eyes on me always, little demon.” Alessio growled. “I like looking at your face, at every expression there.”
Kelias swallowed when Alessio’s fingertips reached his beating pulse. Perfect place to place his bite, and Alessio’s wolf wanted to take that risky plunge. Michella would question his decision, but Sergio would definitely throttle Alessio for binding his soul to a complete stranger. Well, Alessio mused, he just had to eliminate that little problem by getting to know his pet better.
“Take off your clothes,” Alessio commanded. Shivering, Kelias scrambled to obey. He shed the clothes he wore the night before. Again. “Face the table, pet.”
Alessio clasped both Kelias’s wrists behind his back, and lowered him to the table, so Kelias’s lower body touched the wood. Taking his time, Alessio ran his hand down Kelias’s spine, pausing at a strange mark on his lower back. A spot Alessio didn’t remember last night. He sensed something there now, the lingering feel of some kind of concealment magic.
Frowning, Alessio felt Kelias tense. It could be anything. A cover-up of a scar, some reminder of his past, or something Kelias wanted to hide from Alessio. Alessio didn’t like any of the three options but he wouldn’t force an answer from Kelias, not when his cock and Kelias’s demanded attention.
Kelias’s muscles unknotted when Alessio’s hand reached the curve of his ass. He kept his hold on Kelias’s wrists with his other hand. “Well shaped and tight. You do squats?” Alessio asked to diffuse the tension.
“What the hell? That’s what you want to ask?” Kelias demanded. The half-demon squealed when Alessio suddenly delivered a barehanded smack to his left ass cheek, then a second followed to his right cheek. Alessio’s wolf instantly scented the half-demon’s arousal, knew Kelias’s shaft thickened like his own.
“You like that?” Alessio asked, palming his handprint. “And, demon? Don’t bother lying, unless you like being spanked so much. I’ll oblige you.”
“You’re crazy,” Kelias responded, squirming when Alessio swatted him again. He groaned when Alessio reached between his legs to pump his cock. “Oh God.”
“Did you say something, pet?” Alessio asked, gliding his fist over Kelias’s dick up and down.
Kelias let out a hiss, although he pushed his hips toward Alessio’s hand. Eager demon. “I—”
Alessio let go of his prick, about to smack him again, but Kelias said, “Yes, you bastard.”
“Yes, what?”
“I like a little spanking in the bedroom,” Kelias admitted.
“There now, was that so hard?” Alessio rubbed at his bottom. “Will you take your punishment like a good little demon?”
“Yes,” Kelias breathed as Alessio gave him a couple more swats. At ten, the demon was panting, begging him. Not that Alessio’s control started to become shaky. Running his hand over the red marks, Alessio felt a stab of satisfaction. His, he thought. Ours, his wolf agreed. Alessio’s next thought after that? I’m royally fucked.
“Get me ready, pet.” Alessio walked to the side of the table so he faced Kelias’s head. He still kept his grip over Kelias’s wrists. Judging by the way Kelias licked his lips when Alessio pulled out his cock from his boxers, the little demon wanted to suck him good.
Pressing his member between Kelias’s lips, the half-demon opened his mouth and let Alessio fuck his mouth. Kelias gagged at first, but Alessio waited until Kelias got used to the size of him. It was a rush, knowing Kelias trusted Alessio not to hurt him, to know when to pull out. Closing his eyes, Alessio enjoyed the sensation of Kelias’s inviting warm mouth. He had to pull out soon, because he wanted to finish in Kelias’s ass. Why did it feel like Alessio was damning himself?
Kelias whined when Alessio pulled his dick out. “I want to finish in you, baby. Wait here.”
Sighing, Kelias let his head slump on the wood. A
lessio headed back to the bedroom to pick up the lube. When he returned, he was amused to see Kelias hadn’t move an inch. Damn. Kelias’s ass, riddled with his marks, made his member hard, his balls draw tight against his body. Using his foot, Alessio nudged Kelias’s legs apart.
“Finally,” Kelias had the gall to say. Grinning, Alessio reached for his cock again. Feeling generous, Alessio worked the half-demon up, until Kelias became incoherent, his pleas clear. He was begging for release. For Alessio’s permission, so Alessio leaned over, planted a kiss between his shoulder blades, and said, “Come for me, pet.”
With a grateful cry, Kelias shuddered and emptied his load. Alessio took position. Lubing his fingers, he worked more into Kelias’s ass. Remembering their passionate lovemaking the night before, Alessio reminded himself to go slow, because Kelias must still be sore. After preparing Kelias for his access, Alessio pushed his cockhead in. He worked his way slowly, until he was sheathed to the hilt.
Tightening his grip on Kelias’s hips, it didn’t escape Alessio Kelias’s dick started to get hard again. Perfect.
“Relax for me, baby,” Alessio said.
Beginning slowly, Alessio hammered into Kelias, and built a steady rhythm. He swore under his breath when Kelias’s ass muscles clamped around his shaft, pulling him further in. Knotting Kelias last night proved to be a reckless action. Alessio very well knew the risks. He never knotted anyone he’d hooked up with before, knowing the consequences of that particular action. In werewolf hierarchy, dominant wolves like Alessio could breed with fertile male and female Omegas. He knew nothing about demons.
“Please,” Kelias uttered. His cries sounded like sweet music to Alessio’s ears. Alessio switched angles and hit Kelias’s sweet spot, making him gasp. Kelias clawed at the table as Alessio hit the spot again, and reached for his shaft again.
“Come together this time round, pet,” Alessio said with panting breaths.
Gripping Kelias tight, he thrust into his demon several times, before the pressure inside him burst. Growling out his release, Alessio’s head reeled. His body shuddered as he emptied his cum into Kelias’s ass. A wave of possessiveness and ownership swept over Alessio. Kelias was his. He’d lay claim to the demon thrice now, and he’d rip whoever had the guts to take Kelias from him a new one.
Where did those alarming thoughts come from? Alessio was treading on dangerous ground, because those were the thoughts a protective mate would have. Kelias wasn’t his mate, his anything. Yet.
“Damn,” Kelias whispered after. Alessio took the spent half-demon in his arms and carried him gently to the couch. He headed to the bathroom and returned with a washcloth to clean them both up. When Kelias gripped his wrist, Alessio frowned at the desperation in his eyes.
“Why?” Kelias whispered. “I don’t want this, these feelings I’m starting to develop for you. I shouldn’t have approached you, but fuck, I’ve never done anything reckless in my life and you smelled so good. Seemed so perfect.”
Alessio laced his fingers with Kelias. “Hush, pet. No reason to panic.” Good, Alessio’s voice sounded calm enough, although he harbored the same doubts.
“I’m sorry.” Kelias turned to his side, refusing to look at Alessio. Something was very wrong with this situation. Alessio hadn’t misinterpreted the heat between them, but what went wrong? Had he said or done something wrong?
The sound of his ringing cell made him groan. Alessio started to head back to his room, but Kelias scrambled to his feet. He turned, growling when Kelias started to reach for his clothes, his intention clear.
“Where the fuck are you going?” Alessio demanded. Kelias cringed. Feeling guilty for snapping out, Alessio softened his tone. “We need to talk, Kelias.”
“I need to go,” Kelias said stubbornly, shucking on his jeans.
“That’s your solution? Run away when shit becomes complicated?” That stopped Kelias cold.
“You know nothing about me.”
“True, but I do know this thing between us isn’t over.” Alessio ignored his ringing phone. When Kelias walked to the door, Alessio used his massive frame to block the exit. Panicked, Kelias looked around like a wild animal. Resolutely, he headed to the kitchen. “What are you doing? Kelias, we will talk about this.”
Kelias shook his head and began shoving open Alessio’s drawers. When he pulled out a kitchen knife, Alessio snarled under his breath.
“Look, pet. If you want to leave so badly, if I’m such a horrible fucker, then be my guest. Don’t need to be dramatic.” Alessio couldn’t keep the scorn out of his voice. What the fuck? Seriously, a knife?
Kelias’s hands shook. “That’s just it. You’re not horrible. You’re not the monster they say you were.”
“Who’s ‘they’?” Suspicion crept to Alessio’s voice.
He stared at the scars on Kelias’s exposed upper body. They were knife marks, he realized—an odd weapon choice, given all the modern weaponry the present had to offer. Using a knife was messy business, too up close and personal for Alessio’s liking, but they weren’t irrelevant. Bullets or missiles couldn’t kill the real powerhouses in the supernatural community, the bigger and badder monsters. A blade with magical properties could do the job, certainly the reason why hunters liked carrying silver blades around.
Resolve crossed Kelias’s face. He moved. Alessio thought he anticipated Kelias’s attack, absurd as it sounded how they moved too quickly in their relationship from fucking to killing each other. He misjudged Kelias’s speed, and his fluid movements. Not hesitating, Kelias slipped the blade right under his sternum, eager to reach his heart. Pain flared. Alessio let out a growl of rage. He reached for Kelias, and sent them both tumbling and tangling on the ground, the knife still sticking out of Alessio’s chest.
The front door suddenly burst open, and Alessio craned his head to see a tall buffed human, dressed completely in black and smelling of blood. He sniffed, and catching Michella’s blood on the fucker, Alessio snapped as the realization dawned on him.
“Brother, your blades,” the newcomer yelled, tossing something in the air, a pair of sheathed blades Alessio had seen before.
They were the specialized kind hunters of the Order of the Knife carried. Kelias shoved a knee between his legs, and Alessio was too stunned to react in time. Agony streaked up his groin. He reached for Kelias’s ankle, hands partially shifting to claws, but a gun roared. Pain exploded in Alessio’s left shoulder, and it took him a second to realize the lethal bullet was made of silver.
Kelias pulled out a knife from one the sheaths. A flicker of hesitation crossing his features, he leaned over to whisper two loaded words into Alessio’s ear. “I’m sorry.” Then the traitorous fucker finished the job and slammed the silver-bladed knife right into his chest.
“Kelias, hurry,” the outsider whispered, staggering against the door. Although his vision blurred, Alessio could see the speaker bled from a couple of places. Rake marks covered him, telling Alessio Michella fought back. Kelias quickly went to the stranger that called him brother, helping him support his weight.
“Is the job done, Seb?” Kelias asked. The two probably thought Alessio was dead. Well, he’d soon be, if they didn’t leave soon.
“I don’t know,” Seb admitted. “I did a number, but I didn’t have time to confirm my kill. The bitch’s bodyguards came after me.”
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” Kelias urged.
The traitor gave Alessio a last lingering look. Would have been better if Alessio saw a pitiless look, but he saw the regret there, and guilt. The door shut behind him, leaving Alessio to the silence and pain. Fuck. The demon might spare him, but Alessio would never return him the favor if he lived. If Michella wasn’t involved, it was another story. Alessio would reserve judgment. Kelias better pray his little sister lived. Like Sergio, Michella was his only blood left.
Certain the hunters wouldn’t return, Alessio tried to drag himself forward with one hand. Intense agony flared. Gritting his teeth, Alessio f
orced himself forward. A pack Alpha could have used the pack bonds to call for help, but Alessio didn’t have Sergio’s power. By some miracle, Alessio managed to reach his room. To fumble for his phone, leaving bloodstains on his sheet. He speed-dialed Jared’s number, managed to croak for help, before consciousness took him.
Chapter Five
Kelias helped bear most of Seb’s weight in the lift. They stumbled out of the lift and took the emergency exit behind to avoid raising alarms.
“Over there. Car,” Seb whispered.
Christ, Kelias didn’t like this one bit. Worse, the guilt he felt after stabbing Alessio never went away. His plan had been simple. Seduce the Beta. Kill him. Falling for Alessio hadn’t been in his plans, and neither was botching up his job. Hell, Kelias never missed, but he purposely missed targeting Alessio’s heart. Besides, what were the chances Alessio would live? Seb shot him with a silver bullet, and Kelias stabbed him a number of times. It would be a fifty-fifty chance. Seb’s groan of pain reminded Kelias he had other things to think about.
“Key. Pocket,” Seb rasped. Kelias found the car key. Unlocking the car, he laid Seb out in the backseat. The black sedan was one of the Order’s assets, disposable and untraceable if need be. It also contained a kit. Standard procedure. Popping the trunk open, Kelias gathered the first-aid kit and tended to Seb, heart racing.
“Don’t have time, Kelias. We need to go now,” Seb protested, but Kelias paid him attention.
“Shut the fuck up. We have some time. Alessio’s dead. So is the pack Gamma. They will be a disorganized mess.” Kelias tore Seb’s shirt, swearing under his breath when he caught sight of the rake marks.
“I’m not sure if she’s dead. Fuck, Kelias. Last night, I thought you were a fool, trying to seduce the Beta. Thought it was a bad plan, but you did your job properly. I don’t know if I did mine.”
“Relax. Stay still,” Kelias snapped. He knew a little bit of basic first aid, but the she-wolf’s claws had gone deep right over Seb’s ribs. Seb wouldn’t die, but he needed proper medical attention soon. Doing the best he could, Kelias sealed the wound. He’d call for help the moment they left Darkfall. Since it was a specialized covert mission, only he and Seb entered the werewolf domain. The other members of their small crew waited outside the town borders though, waiting for reports.
