A Bite of Fulfillment

by Charlie Richards

  Into the paranormal world: It’s all fun and games until someone’s life is threatened.

  Adalric Bachmeier is the leader of his vampire coven and not accustomed to being patient, but to win his beloved’s affection, he tries to be just that. Unfortunately, time runs out too soon. Adalric can’t put off returning to his coven, as well as his duties, any longer, and he plans to take Seth Goodwin with him, willingly or not.

  Seth never would have believed that creatures of myth and legend existed. Coming face to face with a vindictive, bloodthirsty vampire opens his eyes real quick to a whole new set of evils in the world. He can’t figure out why Adalric continues with his overtures of friendship, especially when he’s been nothing but rude and cold to the guy. After all, Seth wants nothing to do with a vampire.

  Adalric insists that Seth must go with him to his coven, and he uses the guise of marking him as taken—making him off-limits to other vampires—to finally sink his fangs into the human. Even though Seth finds great pleasure in Adalric’s arms, when the truth of their relationship comes out, will their fragile bond withstand the tension? Or will it snap, sending Seth running?

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  A Bite of Fulfillment

  Copyright © 2013 Charlie Richards

  ISBN: 978-1-77111-607-7

  Cover art by Scott Carpenter

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by eXtasy Books

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  A Bite of Fulfillment

  A Paranormal’s Love: Book Two

  By

  Charlie Richards

  To family—whether by blood or because we chose each other—thank you for standing beside me.

  Chapter One

  Adalric leaned a shoulder against the stone wall, keeping himself in the shadows of the alcove. In silence, he watched his beloved, Seth Goodwin, talking quietly with Bobby Truman. He knew Seth and Bobby had dated for a time, but that was before Bobby had mated with the gargoyle leader Maelgwn and became a target for a rogue vampire.

  Seth had tracked Bobby down to apologize for some behavior or other, and had also run afoul of the sadistic bastard. Unfortunately, that introduction to the paranormal world hadn’t put vampires in a very good light for Seth, making it difficult for Adalric to get close to the human.

  He could have listened in on their conversation, but from the way Seth frowned and motioned with his hands, it was probably just another attempt to convince Bobby to escape with him. Escape from these monsters seemed to be a recurring theme for the man, and listening to his pig-headedness only frustrated Adalric.

  For someone who faced persecution because of his sexual orientation, Seth seemed to be the most prejudiced human Adalric had ever met. He constantly reminded himself that Seth hadn’t met paranormals under the best conditions—running for his life from a rogue vampire bent on draining him dry would freak anyone out.

  Except, after living in the gargoyle’s home for nearly two weeks, Adalric couldn’t figure out why Seth didn’t realize that just like there were good humans and bad humans, there were good and bad vampires.

  Adalric smirked at that thought, since he hadn’t considered himself good for at least a century. Just as quickly, he sobered. Now, he had to find a way to convince the wary human that not all vampires were like that. If only he could figure out a way to show Seth how much pleasure he could give him. Humans always came around once they realized how much pleasure was involved, didn’t they?

  A large shadow darkened the alcove where he stood. Adalric looked left and discovered Maelgwn watching him, the gargoyle’s brow ridge creased in concern. “Any luck?” the massive chieftain asked, crossing his heavily muscled, dark blue arms over his equally impressive chest.

  Adalric snorted. “Why, yes. That’s why I’m over here and Seth is over there trying to once again convince Bobby to run away from us.”

  “He’s what?” Maelgwn rumbled, glaring at the pair.

  Now Bobby stood with one hand on his hip while making small gestures with the other as he spoke. Seth frowned, clearly not liking Bobby’s words, and Bobby glared right back at him.

  Rolling his eyes, Adalric stated dryly, “Please, as if anything in this world could make Bobby leave you. The human is so hopelessly in love with you, it’s almost nauseating to watch.” He curved the corner of his mouth so Maelgwn knew he teased.

  Maelgwn grinned unabashedly. “Yep, just as it should be.”

  Adalric sighed. As it should be. Yes, beloveds should feel that way about each other. Unfortunately, if he couldn’t even get Seth to have a decent conversation with him, they’d never get to that point.

  “I’m sorry,” Maelgwn said. The gargoyle gripped Adalric’s slender shoulder in one clawed hand. “It’ll happen. Just give it time. Surely, he’ll come around.”

  “One can only hope,” Adalric murmured. Hope was pretty much the only thing he did have right now. He certainly hadn’t made any progress.

  “Look, I came to find you because you received a call from Edwin. He says he needs to speak to you as soon as possible,” Maelgwn told him.

  Adalric nodded. “I’d best call him back then.”

  He pushed away from the wall and headed along the garden walk toward the door. Choosing a route that took him close to the talking humans on purpose, Adalric drew nearer to his beloved. The scent of the man’s blood called to him. Although a vampire couldn’t be one hundred percent certain of their beloved until they’d tasted their blood, Adalric would bet his left fang that he was correct in his assertion that Seth was his.

  “Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Adalric greeted as he neared. He spotted the stiffening of Seth’s shoulders, proving he’d heard him speak, but he didn’t turn to face him. Adalric barely controlled his desire to demand his beloved’s attention.

  “Hey, Adalric,” Bobby said, turning and smiling at him. “Are you enjoying the gardens?”

  Adalric stopped, smiling at the small human. Standing barely five foot eight, with a slender frame and short dark hair, when Bobby stood beside his seven-foot-tall gargoyle mate, their differences really stood out. However, it was their personalities that truly contrasted…in the best possible ways. Where Maelgwn was serious and reserved, Bobby nearly bubbled with vitality and his love for life. Adalric thought they made a good match.

  “Yes,” Adalric answered, returning his focus where it belonged. “I find I don’t often have time to simply relax like this at home. I’m enjoying taking advantage of the opportunity.”

  Finally, Seth turned to face Adalric. “You don’t have a garden at home?” he asked, his curiosity evidently getting the better of him.

  The recipient of Seth’s hazel-eyed stare, Adalric’s breath caught in his throat. His beloved was finally talking to him. For just a second, he found himself speechless. Not wanting to mis
s this opportunity, Adalric forced his tongue to work.

  Adalric smiled at Seth, careful to keep his fangs hidden. “I live on the outskirts of Santa Fe in New Mexico. Although we do have gardens, I find I don’t have much time to enjoy them. There always seems to be something else to deal with.” Holding the other man’s gaze, he asked, “Do you enjoy the gardens?”

  “They’re all right,” Seth responded.

  “Whatever, Seth,” Bobby cut in. “You love these gardens. You’ve got the greenest thumb of any man I’ve ever met.”

  So, his beloved enjoyed gardening. Interesting. He wondered about the state of the gardens at his coven’s home. Adalric really couldn’t remember the last time he’d ventured through them. He just assumed their gardener, Xavier Agueda, kept them in pristine order.

  Still… “Perhaps I could entice you to review my own gardens. Maybe you’d have some ideas to improve them,” Adalric offered.

  Seth crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged. “Can’t really see how I’d ever end up out there.” His focus slid away as he looked over Adalric’s shoulder.

  Just like that, Adalric seemed to lose Seth’s attention, and a fresh wave of irritation swept over him. Damn it! What must I do to connect with this man?

  Years of controlling his emotions gave Adalric the ability to appear calm when he felt anything but. “Perhaps I’ll have the opportunity to change your mind,” Adalric responded, keeping his smile firmly in place. Not wanting to hear a rebuttal of any sort, Adalric nodded to them and started moving. “Gentlemen.”

  Several yards away, Adalric heard Bobby hiss, “You jerk. Everyone has been walking on eggshells around you. Would it kill you to be polite?”

  “I don’t want to be here, Bobby,” Seth snapped back. “I want to go home, and I’ll be as unpleasant as possible until they let me leave.”

  “You’re just making yourself miserable,” Bobby responded, his tone almost sad. “These are good people.”

  Adalric stepped into the house, closing the door behind him and cutting off anything else that he would say. He felt like he was getting nowhere with the man. Putting the problem out of his mind for the moment, he strode through the mansion to his suite of rooms. He picked up his cell phone from the desk and dialed Edwin’s number.

  He thought it odd his coven enforcer would contact him instead of his second. He’d spoken to Daystrum every day for the past two weeks, keeping apprised of what was going on in his coven. His inner circle were the only ones who knew the real reason Adalric had not yet returned—because he was trying to woo his beloved—and failing miserably.

  “Hello?”

  Edwin’s greeting refocused Adalric. “Hello, Edwin. I received word you were looking for me.”

  “Yes, sir. I’m sorry to interrupt, but…”

  Adalric frowned. He could hear the worry in Edwin’s voice. Rarely did anything concern the large vampire. It’s what made him such a fantastic enforcer. “Edwin…tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I must respectfully request your return, sir,” came his surprising response. “Daystrum was attacked last night. We don’t know who did it. He barely survived, and if Spieron hadn’t heard the scuffle, he wouldn’t have,” Edwin added.

  “Damn,” Adalric whispered. It seemed he’d just run out of time, but why would someone attack his second-in-command? “Who knows about this?”

  “Me, Spieron, Darian, and Melissa,” Edwin answered.

  “Hmm,” Adalric murmured.

  Darian was Daystrum’s brother, and one of the best trackers Adalric had ever seen. He knew the vampire was completely trustworthy, happy with his position in the coven, and he respected his brother. Melissa was their coven doctor—had been for the last thirty-plus years. She’d take good care of Daystrum.

  Spieron, on the other hand, had joined his coven less than a decade ago after getting into some trouble with his last one. He’d evidently fed from someone he shouldn’t have, and his prior coven’s second had taken offense. The offended vampire had convinced their leader to banish him. The guy was pretty self-contained, a loner, but Adalric had never caught him in a lie.

  Was Spieron part of the group who’d attacked Daystrum and perhaps gotten cold feet? Or was he really just in the right place at the right time?

  Adalric knew one thing for certain. It was time to return.

  “I’ll contact you as soon as I’m on the road,” he told him. “In the meantime, keep an eye on Spieron and watch out for anyone who’s acting suspiciously.” He knew it was redundant to bother telling Edwin, but his need to control was too ingrained.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And keep Darian from doing anything stupid. The fewer people who know, the better,” Adalric decided. “Maybe we can catch someone spreading rumors or asking questions they shouldn’t.”

  “Right, um…will you be bringing your beloved?” Edwin asked, lowering his voice.

  “Yes.”

  “Shall I prepare a room for him?”

  Although he’d much prefer Seth in his own bed, Adalric knew the human would not appreciate the heavy-handed tactic. As it was, he’d have to use a bit of subterfuge to get him to come with him.

  “We’ll put him in the blue room,” Adalric ordered. “And I want it redecorated.” He gave his enforcer quick specifics of what he wanted.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “If anything changes, contact me.” Without waiting for a response, Adalric disconnected the call. He stood still, his phone clenched in his fist for several minutes. Although Edwin would never say it, Adalric hadn’t missed the man’s quick intake of breath upon Seth’s bedroom assignment.

  The blue room was right next door to Adalric’s, separated by closets with connecting doors. His placement would be the talk of the coven, and would instantly mark Seth as Adalric’s. It wouldn’t take long for Seth to hear the news, either, not with the way the humans who lived with them and shared the vampires’ beds gossiped.

  And he knew a couple of the humans would not be happy.

  About a dozen humans lived with his coven and fed his people, swapping beds and partners at liberty. They enjoyed the thrill of a vampire biting them, and the pleasure that vampire could give them. Unfortunately, two of the humans—Jason and Chad—had become rather attached to Adalric, although he’d never intentionally led them on.

  The two men seemed to think he’d choose one of them to bond with, elevating their status in the group. As soon as Adalric had heard the rumors two months before, he’d stopped feeding from either man, no matter how they’d thrown themselves at him. He’d even ordered them banished from his wing of the home after they’d turned up in his bed uninvited.

  It was a day after that particular incident that the Vampire Council had contacted him and sent him here to investigate crimes brought against Damune, a vampire harassing the gargoyle clutch. He hadn’t been back home since and worried at the fallout upon his return—with his reluctant beloved in tow.

  Seeing no way around the possibly explosive upcoming encounters, Adalric decided he’d best get the first one out of the way now.

  Time to seduce my beloved.

  Chapter Two

  Seth glared at Bobby. “Look, you might be okay with hanging around with these…men, but I’m not.” He just managed to keep from calling them creatures, but from Bobby’s scowl, Seth figured that Bobby knew he’d thought it. Who could blame him? They really were creatures! “I want to go home and forget the whole thing.”

  In fact, now that he knew shape shifters existed and made up a number of residents in Colin City where he lived, Seth planned to move. He’d move somewhere he didn’t know anyone, then pretend this never happened.

  Bobby’s expression turned pensive, and he opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. Seth’s eyes narrowed. He knew that look. Bobby had something to say and he wasn’t certain Seth would like it.

  He’d dated Bobby for months before Bobby had taken up with the gargoyle. To be fair, Seth hadn’t been the best boyfrie
nd. He’d turned a blind eye to the shit his buddies were putting Bobby through. Seth felt guilty about that, but since he couldn’t go back and change the past, he just had to live with the knowledge…and hopefully learn from the experience.

  “What?” Seth asked warily.

  “Um, well…” Bobby nibbled his lip and wouldn’t meet his gaze.

  Crossing his arms over his chest, Seth steeled himself for more bad news. “Well?”

  Finally, Bobby blurted, “You holed up in your room for weeks and refused to see anyone or talk to anyone but me. Then, when you didn’t show up for work, your boss had your coworker, Grant, go to your house. You were reported as missing and people were out looking for you, so Maelgwn and Adalric had to decide what to do.”

  Seth’s heart pounded in his chest, not liking where this was going. After swallowing hard, he softly asked, “What did they do?”

  “They reported you dead…died in the car crash that totaled your truck,” Bobby whispered. He flicked his gaze from Seth’s face to the garden around him, then to Seth again, as if uncertain where to look.

  A shudder worked through Seth as shock and disbelief coursed through him. “What?” he gasped.

  Bobby reached out and laid his hand on Seth’s arm. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Oh, God, I—” Seth’s heart pounded hard in his chest. Even if somehow, he got away, he didn’t have a life to go back to. Wait, surely, there was a way to get something like that reversed, right? He could do it. Prove that he’s still living. But how would he explain his absence without revealing the existence of gargoyles and vampires? People wouldn’t believe that anyway. He’d end up in a strait jacket in a loony bin somewhere.