Table of Contents
Rylan’s Heart
Acknowledgments
Copyright
Other Books by Serena Simpson
Reviews and where to find me
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Back Matter
Connect with me
Rylan’s Heart
By
Serena Simpson
Alien Mates Book Two
Acknowledgments
I want to give thanks to my daughter. She’s the reason I continually try to achieve. I want to better than I am for her in all that I do. Now I want to give thanks for my editor who always has an encouraging word for me. I want to give thanks to my friends who keep encouraging me to blaze my own path. I also want to give thanks to you. My fans, my readers. The people who read my book and the people who reach to me on social media or via e-mail. Your words and comments bring joy to me. Thank you for your support.
Copyright
Rylan’s Heart – Alien Mates, Book 2 - Copyright © March 2016, Serena Simpson
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.
Cover Art by OriginalSyn
Edited by Keriann Mckenna
Published by Serena Simpson
Rough edit/Beta read Anaiya
Other Books by Serena Simpson
Love Me Harder Series
Aran Book 1
Niko Book 2
Sergey Book 3
Nicolas Book 4
Hale Book 5
Ash Book 6
Alien Mates Series
Soul-Bonded to the alien Book 1
Dragon Mates Series
Alexa’s Dragon
Other books
Tau’s Miracle
Hope
Thea’s Homecoming
Reviews and where to find me
Once you’ve read Rylan’s Heart, I hope you will take a few minutes to leave me a review. I’d appreciate it!
I can be found at my website.
I’m also available on Twitter @serena789books
I can also be found on face book
Look for me I’m happy to connect with all.
Chapter One
Rylan left the bed and breakfast looking around to make sure he wasn’t followed. It was going to be an early spring this year and that’s what he needed. He was going crazy being stuck in the same place. It wasn’t that he couldn’t leave; he could jump on the back of his motorcycle anytime and go anywhere he wanted. Although riding a bike in the middle of winter didn’t make good sense, it wasn’t like the temperatures really bothered him.
He stayed in place because of Aviana. Just thinking her name affected him, made his heart pound just a little faster. He ignored it until her big brown eyes swam in front of his face. Soft, his Matra whispered in his ear, but he ignored him. He had to let her go; he couldn’t mate no matter what his body told him. He would be her death, if he tried.
His Matra was the other side of who he was. The ability to change shapes was one he was born with although it had not always been that way for his people. When he was in his Arbrin form, he could pass as human. His Matra form was considered an alien on Earth.
Rylan stalked down the street; it was late enough that all the human residents of Newburg were asleep. The only thing up this late was his prey. He tucked thoughts of Aviana away to be examined another time and pulled a dagger from his boot.
Rounding the corner, he stepped into a trap.
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
Rylan looked at the Sudir standing before him. It was ugly, standing on four legs with a head full of eyes. The plus for the Sudir was that he didn’t really stand; instead he hovered over the ground making most humans think he was actually walking. Normal humans couldn’t see through his glamour. Humans like Aviana, who are gifted, could see through his deception. He would never be able to leave her as long as this Sudir was alive.
“Sudir, what an unexpected surprise.” He had eluded them ever since Cal and Paige managed to defeat him. Although it was just a matter of time before he showed up again.
“Rylan…” the Sudir breathed his name like he was a drug.
“You know my name. Seems only fair I should know yours.”
Sudir’s were known to be secretive about their names. He always wondered if a Sudir’s name held the clue to their defeat.
The Sudir gave him a huge smile, showing several rows of teeth.
“Why is my name important? You can call me Master. I like the sound of that.”
“I killed the last Sudir who thought I should call him master. If I remember correctly his name was Xolon.” He watched as the Sudir’s face reddened and his eyes narrowed.
“Xolon died in an accident.”
“One I orchestrated.”
The Sudir flew at him; Rylan moved out of his way and stood to the side smiling while the other grasped at air.
“I’m also faster than you think. Maybe you should thank Xolon for that.”
Rylan had been captured and tortured as a child by Xolon. Memories of the pain he experienced threatened to swamp him. Harshly he pushed them away, unwilling to let this Sudir see his pain.
The Sudir opened his mouth and licked his thin lips. “You were strong enough to survive Xolon. I bet you taste delicious.”
The Sudir didn’t want him for his flesh although they loved humans raw. He wanted Rylan for his essence, that shinning glow around him that taunted the Sudir with a source of nutrition and power. He was strong, maybe stronger than Cal and Paige who had managed to escape his clutches for now.
“I tire of this game.” Rylan turned his back and began to walk away.
“Where are you going?” The indigent Sudir flashed himself in front of Rylan.
“I tire of playing all of these games. I believe I will retire for the night.”
“We are not playing games, and you are coming home with me tonight.”
“Not on the first date! What kind of Arbrin do you think I am?” He gave the Sudir a smile as he feigned shock at such a thought. “Your name Sudir, or I will leave you here to dream of what could have been.”
Rylan watched as the Sudir studied him. The Sudir wanted him, actually he wanted all of them but Rylan would be a coup and he knew it. The Sudir had to know he had no chance of ge
tting close to him without surrendering his name. Also, all he had to do was hop on his bike and this Sudir would never see him again.
“I will tell you my name since I will make you scream it someday. You may call me Zuhun.” He etched a faint bow and smiled, showing all of his teeth.
“Zuhun. What kind of name is that for a Sudir? Does it have a meaning I should be aware of?”
Rylan waited a heartbeat before turning away from Zuhun. It was a gamble even though he knew the Sudir would never relinquish the meaning of his name. In their world names had power; he was surprised Zuhun wanted him badly enough to tell him his name.
“Where are you going?”
“Away from you.”
“I am not done with you yet.”
“Do you think you can overcome me?” he asked, his voice low and deadly knowing Zuhun would attack him if he felt that Rylan was defenseless.
Rylan turned and let his all white eyes reflect in the small patch of light given off by the streetlight. Zuhun sucked in a breath and made a tactical retreat.
“Another day, Rylan. You will be mine.”
Rylan let out a deep breath as Zuhun retreated. Reaching deeply within, he grabbed his Matra and wrangled him into submission. He could not enter the bed and breakfast Victor and Selma owned like this, more importantly, he couldn’t come into contact with Aviana like this.
*~*~*~*
Aviana lie in bed, tossing and turning. Her body reached for, ached for someone she couldn’t have. She had watched him as he stood before her, his powerful legs spread wide, his hands on his waist, and his mouth curled into a sexy smile.
Rylan, he was the picture of everything she ever wanted in a man. He made it quite clear he wasn’t interested in her or her bountiful curves. She didn’t care; she ignored the image behind her sleeping eyes. He wasn’t that impressive.
She sighed, he was impressive, but she hated to admit it. He caught her attention in the midst of the problem with her daughter and Vick who was missing. Vick was Victor and Selma’s son. He was safe now or so both his parents assured her. They also assured that as long as she and Mckayla stayed at their bed and breakfast they would also be safe. They had been living here for close to three months and would have to go home soon. They couldn’t live on charity forever.
She tossed and looked at her dream Rylan again. He was the perfect replica of the original. His sea blue eyes caught her attention making it hard to breathe. She could stare into his eyes all day long; it would be heaven. His sharp features were softened by his thick brown hair. It hung a little longer than his shoulders making him look rakish. His nose was sharp like a blade making her want to run her tongue across it and down to his cheeks. His face could grace the cover of a magazine. He was beautiful.
He was also a twin. His brother Gabe looked like him, sort of. They were identical twins but there was no way she could ever get them mixed up even if Rylan didn’t carry a dark aura of danger around him. Gabe left her cold whenever he was around. Her body was a lake of fire when Rylan was near. She tossed again seeking rest in sleep.
“Mommy!” Aviana’s eyes flew open as her arms caught a ball of little girl that hurdled into them.
‘What’s wrong, Mckayla?”
“I had a dream that a bad man was after me and he was going to try and hurt me like he hurt Vick.
She started having scary dreams a month ago. The dreams bothered her but she didn’t think Mckayla needed to see anyone. At least not yet. After they found Vick and he assured everyone he was fine, Mckayla seemed fine also. Her natural joy for life returned with a vengeance. But now she was having dreams more frequently.
“Shh, baby it will be ok.” Aviana rocked her as Mckayla’s hot tears soaked her breasts. “Mommy will keep you safe.”
She finally fell asleep. Aviana eased into a reclining position and held Mckayla close. Maybe it was time to get out of Newburg. It wasn’t a secret that things were different here. Humans and others, as she liked to call them, worked, ate and sometimes slept side by side. The sane humans pretended the others didn’t exist and turned a blind eye to their activities.
Aviana considered herself sane, but always thought it made more sense to know what was happening than to deny that it happened. She knew that Victor, Selma, and all the others who lived at the bed and breakfast weren’t human, not that she was likely to blurt it out. She also knew they thought she was different. Human with a twist. She, of course, denied this, but it was becoming more difficult as Mckayla made comments and saw things she shouldn’t be able to see.
As each day passed she was beginning to feel like she wasn’t human and she somehow passed the condition off to her child. Her mind drifted to Mckayla’s father. That had been a nightmare and her body began to shiver as she thought of him. Hastily, she pushed those thoughts behind her huge ‘do not disturb for fear of death’ door. Mckayla’s father didn’t matter. He wasn’t in the picture anymore and never would be.
She closed her eyes, this time drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
There was a knock as Vick’s voice seeped through the door.
“Are you up?”
Aviana opened an eye, looked at the clock, and jumped up from bed.
“She’s getting ready now, Vick, she’ll be down shortly.”
“Ok.” The sound of his muffled feet retreated from the door.
“Mckayla, Baby, get up. You need to get ready for school.”
“I don’t wanna go, Mommy. I’m sleepy and want to stay with you.”
“I know, Baby.” Aviana reached down and picked her up giving her a tight squeeze. “You have to go to school, but I will be waiting when you get out.”
She carried her to the bathroom and helped her get ready for the day. Soon Mckayla was running down the stairs followed by her mother at a much slower pace.
“Hard night?” Selma asked, giving her a hug in greeting.
Aviana nodded. She followed Mckayla to the table and sat. She offered to help with meal preparation numerous times. Both Victor and Selma loved to cook. It was one of the reasons they opened a bed and breakfast. Since it was rarely full, they were enjoying cooking and didn’t want to turn the responsibility over. They did let her help keep the place spotless, although she swore the bed and breakfast cleaned itself.
Rylan and his brother came into the room just as Victor finished setting out the food. With a grunt “hello” Rylan sat. Gabe looked at him shaking his head and greeted everyone in the room.
“How’s everyone doing?” Gabe asked as he sat, causing Rylan to look at him with eyes a good deal lighter than his natural color.
Aviana reached for a piece of bacon, her hand coming into contact with Rylan’s. She stared at their touching hands as everyone else in the room disappeared. His eyes caught her as she looked up. The beat of her heart increased as she felt the moisture of her mouth disappear, not that it mattered because between her legs was a pool begging her to let him come for a swim.
Her breath caught in the back of her throat as he half rose from his chair as if he would cross the table to reach her. Her tongue shot out in nervousness to lick her lips. She wanted him to cross the table, touch her, kiss her. It didn’t matter who might see them. All that mattered was his hands on her.
She snatched her hand back before glancing at Mckayla.
“Hi Uncle Rylan and Uncle Gabe.” Vick chimed in with a smile and Mckayla chimed in behind him.
“What have you two been up to?” Gabe asked.
There was always a look of joy on Gabe’s face whenever he talked to Vick or Mckayla.
“We are getting ready to go to school.”
“I loved school when I was your age. You have to remember to show the teacher how smart you are.”
“We’re super smart,” Mckayla told everyone.
“You’ll be even smarter if you eat your breakfast,” Aviana told them both, directing them towards their breakfast plates.
Chapter Two
This was ridiculous. Avian
a stood, she was tired of sitting. She paced in front of her bed. She was tired of pacing also. She flipped her wrist to look at her watch for what felt like the millionth time in the space of an hour. Mckayla wouldn’t be out of school for hours and she didn’t have anything to keep her occupied.
She worked temporary jobs ever since Mckayla was born. It made taking care of her easier. Now that she was in school fulltime, this was the perfect opportunity to find a job with good hours and pay.
Grabbing her boots, hat, and coat, she prepared herself and walked out of her room. The trek through the hallway and down the stairs showed the space to be empty. She headed for the front door when a voice from the living room caught her attention.
“Where are you going?”
She jumped. What was Rylan doing sitting in the dark all by himself? If she didn’t know better she would think he was waiting for her. The lights were off and the curtains were drawn making it hard to see him.
“Out.”
She lengthened her stride heading towards the door.
“Great, where are we going?”
She turned around to find him following behind her while shrugging into the jacket she gave him for Christmas. She should have never given into the impulse to buy that jacket. Selma had tempted her and she fell for it. Why? Because she knew that damn jacket would look good sitting on those impossibly wide shoulders and hugging the chest she imagined kissing. As impossible as it seemed, she was jealous of a jacket.
“We’re not going anywhere. I am going out.” She touched the handle of the door opening it with a jerk of her hand. Darn man, trying to follow her.
She stood on the porch and looked over into the yard. The snow woman Vick made was still standing. He told her one evening he made it to watch over all the people in the house. That included her and Mckayla now. She smiled at the memory. He was such a sweet little boy.
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