by A. E. Via
I took it. And ruined everything.
Alek barely had the will to pull his sheets back on his king-sized bed. Leaving the towel tight around his waist, he turned to crawl under the covers when he heard faint breaths… breaths inside his home. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, warning him the way a spider was warned when something disturbed its web. It wasn’t easy to sneak up on a shifter, it’s damn near impossible. Unless you’re a mature vampire and can shield your scent.
Alek got up, his bare feet not making a sound on the hardwood floor. He didn’t bother with grabbing a weapon; he was the weapon. He lifted his nose again but he smelled nothing. Fuck. He hoped it was Bell, but he wouldn’t run out there blind and encounter a real enemy. He wasn’t a fool. He understood he might be on the vampires’ most wanted list for attacking the second highest-ranking vampire in the world.
The house was dark except for the natural illumination coming through his skylights. He didn’t need artificial lights to see. Alek’s knees almost buckled when he got to the end of the hall where his home opened up into one large space. There he was standing with his back to him, in front of one of Alek’s enclosed bookcases he’d built into the cedar logs. It was his favorite renovation. Bell was touching his personal things. Smoothing his long, satiny fingers over Alek’s favorite thriller novels, his mementos he’d picked up during his travels, and his family photos. All the things that were important to him, Bell was touching. Leaving his scent all over them. Alek’s wolf perked up.
“I assume I can drop my shield now,” Bell said quietly. His voice so soft and harmonious. “Wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve never been in a shifter’s home. But, then again… you’re not just any shifter.”
“You’re welcome here. Most of all you’re safe.” Alek said roughly. He was using all his energy to stay put and not leap over his sectional and plaster himself to Bell’s back.
Alek immediately felt when Bell dropped all his defenses. His amazing scent quickly flooded Alek’s home, then reached his nose. It was a smell that reminded him of everything he loved. Nature. His mate smelled like lemongrass after a morning rain. Alek lifted his head and inhaled deeply, mentally taking all he could. He anxiously moved from foot to foot but he didn’t advance.
Bell continued to walk and survey his home, those pointed, silver-tipped boots making a provocative clacking sound on his floor. Alek’s eyes tracked every methodical step. Nothing was missed. Alek memorized Bell from his feet to the top of his stunning head. Speaking of. He wanted to run his fingers through all that gorgeous hair. More hair then he’d ever seen on a man. It worked for the striking vampire, even the long white streak that seemed to catch the moonlight at just the right times. Alek was hard as blown glass. His cock tented the terry-cloth material that covered it. He couldn’t be embarrassed over his arousal for his mate. Not when he was so happy that he’d come to him.
Alek’s eyes dropped down to Bell’s tight, round ass in those tailored charcoal slacks. He insistently licked his lips. He had a vision of folding the sexy man over his La-Z-Boy and burying his face deep between those—
“You have wicked thoughts, Belove.” Bell’s voice wasn’t as sugary as it was before, having taken on a sultry edge.
Again, Alek wouldn’t be ashamed at how much he wanted his mate. He had a lot more wicked visions to add to that one. Having been stuck on that RV for two-and-a-half days, he’d had nothing but time to let his imagination soar. “I’m glad you came, Bell.”
“I like the way it sounds when you say my name, Aleksei.”
“Me too,” Alek said.
Bell turned to face him fully. His classically handsome face and those thick, ivory lips, were begging for Alek’s kisses. He swallowed a boulder of impatience, watching his mate cautiously. Looking for any sign that he was truly forgiven for being a jerk and for ruining their mating. Then, he was looking for any indication that he could put his hands back on him. He saw the vampire’s nostrils flare.
“You smell heavenly.” Bell’s steamy groan made Alek’s cock leak. “Mouthwatering.”
Alek’s eyes widened. His mate was starving. He hadn’t fed in two days, going on three. No sooner had he thought of nourishing his mate, his blood felt like it was pumping harder and faster. He took a deep breath and tried to calm his racing heart, but it wasn’t working. Alek’s breaths got shorter, quicker, until he felt like he was going to have a heart attack. He looked down at his rapidly rising chest. “What’s happening?”
“Wick told me about this.”
Alek jolted his head up in surprise; his mate was standing less than an inch away. His eyes searching all over him, his nose running along his throat, like Alek did to him on Mikel’s lawn. “You’re able to produce enough blood to feed me.” Bell’s skin was silky against his. “I’ll warn you now. I have an insatiable appetite.”
“I want you to bite me,” Alek gritted out. Bell’s voice was making his balls ache and throb along with the blood rushing in his veins. The feeling wasn’t painful, he sort of felt like he did when he ate entirely too much food and thought he’d burst. His blood thrummed so loudly he could hear it himself. He could feel Bell’s hunger and his wolf was wanting Alek to fix it, make his mate whole and satisfied.
“Touch me. Control me,” Bell hissed. “I am fated to an alpha… show me what that means.”
He didn’t need any more permission than that. Alek growled, wrapping one arm securely around Bell’s narrow waist, while the other he tangled in the long mane. It felt as luxurious as it looked. Alek buried his nose behind Bell’s ear, rubbing his lips along the fine hairs there. He caught the scent of tea tree and lavender mint. Alek pulled Bell so tight against him, not even the wind could fit between them.
Bell grunted at Alek’s strength, falling pliant in his arms. So Perfect.
“I owe you an apology,” Alek whispered against the shell of Bell’s ear. His mate was quiet. “I should’ve never done that to you. You deserved more, better than what I gave you. I’m better than that, I promise you. I can make it better. I… god help me… I saw you, and I lost my mind… and that was all before I even smelled you. I knew you were mine at first glance. The moment you stepped out of that expensive car, I knew.”
With the tight grip Alek had on his hair, Bell was only able to lean back just enough to look in Alek’s eyes. “I’m not mad about the claiming. It’s why I let it happen. You may be an alpha but I’m no one to push around, either. If I didn’t want it, it wouldn’t’ve happened. I’m only disappointed because you denied me my chance to claim you before you walked away. I thought maybe—”
“What?” Alek massaged Bell’s scalp, feeling his trepidation.
“I thought maybe you were expecting me to be able to do what Wick can. I felt your discontent after you claimed me. I can’t shift into anything, Aleksei. No other vampire can, I’m sure of it,” Bell confessed.
Alek shook his head. He couldn’t believe how much damage he’d actually done. Now he had his mate doubting his feelings. “I walked away because Justice – my alpha – demanded it. He didn’t want your army to attack us, so he had to get me off you.”
“They’ll only attack when ordered,” Bell said confidently. “So you don’t want a shifter as a mate?”
“My wolf could never handle that kind of competition. I’m relieved you can’t shift into some other alpha animal. Justice’s wolf has always been different. I don’t know how he does what he does,” Alek whispered. “I’m not my brother and you’re not Wick… nor do I want us to be.”
“Give me my chance.” Bell’s mouth was against his. His words felt like delicate puffs of breath, they were so close. “Let me see if my kiss affects you as greatly.”
Alek’s answer was to lean in and let Bell have his taste.
“I’ve never kissed like this before,” Bell whispered. “I’ve never touched anyone’s mouth like this.”
Alek flicked his tongue out and brushed it along Bell’s cool bottom lip. He was greedy and c
ouldn’t resist sucking it into his mouth, moaning long and low. His mate’s sexy mouth was made for kissing. Thick lips that were soft, willing, and meant to do obscene things.
“I’ll be your first.” Alek showed Bell the magical intimacy of kissing. The care and tenderness of exploring your mate’s flavor. Alek made sure to take his time. He infused all the desire and craving that he could into it. It’d been a while for him as well, but he knew how to make this good.
His mate’s taste was exclusive to him. He’d never encountered any being that smelled or tasted like Bell. He was a mixture of nationalities that Alek couldn’t place with one kiss and a partial claim. Justice was the master at that trick, not him.
“I like this. Your strong arms around me, while you give me your delicate kiss with your warm tongue.” Bell began to rock his hips against him, and Alek felt his mate’s stiff sex pressing desperately against his own. He knew he had to get horizontal soon or else they’d both be on the hardwood floor. He wouldn’t dare think of it.
They stared at each other for a long time. He felt Bell’s fingers dancing inside his own, then he lifted his open palm up to his mouth. Alek didn’t know what his mate was doing but he let him have his way. Alek’s mouth dropped open when he felt heated breath against the sensitive skin over his wrist. His hand tingled and pulsed in Bell’s grip. It felt like all his blood was rushing to the one place he held, gravitating wherever Bell told it to. Yes. Alek leaned back against the wall, pulling Bell with him.
Bell manipulated Alek’s hand. Using his calloused palm to rub along his velvety cheek, before bringing it back to his soft lips and kissing the pads of his fingertips. Alek’s breathing kicked into second gear and his cock threatened to stab clear through Bell’s stomach the moment he saw the vampire’s fangs. He was about to tilt his head for the bite but Bell had another idea.
He mouthed and licked at Bell’s wrist like he was prepping the area. Alek’s eyes fluttered when he saw Bell’s lips pull up and those enticing fangs bite down into his flesh. He jolted from the pleasure. Oh god, so much pleasure. Alek moaned loudly, resting his face against Bell’s hair, when he finally began to drink. Sultry sucks against his skin, each pull of his essence firmer than the last.
“You’re so warm, Beloved. Taste so amazing.” Bell’s tone was wistful in his mind, like he couldn’t believe any of this.
His mate was enjoying him; he could feel it everywhere in him.
His wolf howled inside him, telling Alek to claim his mate fully.
Alek slowly turned his mate around in his arms, while he continued to enjoy his meal. With his wrist still firmly in Bell’s mouth and his back sealed tight against Alek’s chest, he leaned in and rubbed his scruffy cheek along the back of Bell’s head. “Yes, gorgeous. I’ll give you all you need.”
Bell moaned and drank more. It was amazing that he didn’t get weaker as his mate fed, instead he got stronger. Soon, Bell did what Alek had hoped he would, he tilted his head and bared his throat to him… to his alpha… to his mate.
“Claim me.”
Alek’s cock pulsed against Bell’s ass. He gripped the vampire’s waist while he caressed his mark with his mouth, kissing it reverently before running the flat of his tongue over it repeatedly. Bathing the cool skin. “I’m going to make you so warm in my bed.”
“Please, please.” Bell pushed back against him; his begging whispers for Alek to act on that promise drove his mate-lust to a new level.
He’d do just that. He’d make it good… really good. He felt his canines push through his gums, his animal riding him close, but Alek took the reins and precisely, adoringly, bit into Bell’s flesh, at the juncture where his neck met his shoulder, bonding them for life. His mate’s rich blood flooded his mouth and coated his throat. “My beautiful mate,” Alek groaned, feeling their link strengthen into something powerful and dominant. He pushed as much positive energy, affection, and devotion as he could, making his mate fly while he fed, while he was being claimed. “Mine,” Alek’s animal growled in his mate’s mind.
“My Alpha,” Bell answered back, tilting his head further.
So perfect was Alek’s last thought as he led his mate to his bedroom.
The End… for now.
This will be a five-book series.
Alek and Bell’s story, coming soon…
Sweet Henry and Taleb’s novella, coming too…
Macauley and his imprisoned mate’s story, coming also…
Bonus Story – Alpha Mikel
This book was my first MM paranormal, and I had so much damn fun writing it, I’m positive it won’t be my last.
A lot of people asked me why I went to paranormal after writing so many contemporary romances, or action-packed romances. Well, the simple answer is that I’ve read MM for so long, and have dipped into (read) just about ALL its tropes and subgenres, and paranormal is by far one of my favorites. I’ve always envied the writers that could make that fictional world so believable and exciting that it makes you feel it’s real and even want to live there. I wanted to challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone and try something different. Hell, this book/series might be an epic fail, but I tried and I put it out there for all to see and judge. All I can say is that I’ve been seeing my vampire – Wick – in my head for some time now and his story built and built until I had to put him on paper. A vampire king – I hadn’t read of many of them, so I hope you like the startup of this series.
I must start with thanking my readers who’ve been supporting me with each title, since the beginning, since Blue Moon, I love you all so so much. And to the ones just hearing of me, I hope I will meet your expectations of what you love in a book. If I don’t… please drop me a line and let me know how I can.
I want to first thank Jay Aheer (Simply Defined Art) for doing such a kick-ass job on this cover. I’m always wowed with each one she does. She never half-steps and she doesn’t quit until it’s perfect, and I appreciate that in an artist. This cover really meant a lot to me. I told Jay how important it was that the cover spoke volumes and she took that very seriously. Then she created Prophesy. Thank you, love.
Thank you, Tina Adamski (Ally Editorial Services) for again, making my scattered thoughts somewhat readable. *giggling* If my readers only knew what my raw manuscripts looked like. Tina thank you for shielding them from it. I know you had so much going on this time, but I want to let you know that it meant a lot for you to push through your situation and be there for me. It meant a lot.
Carra Saigh (Making it Happen Book Blog), thank you for doing an amazing proofreading job for me again. This is now the second book you’ve done for me and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Your keen eye and your feedback were instrumental in completing this title. Thank you so very much!
Thank you, Kathy M., (MM Book Escape) for your feedback in the beginning and your advice on setting up the characters. I took everything you recommended into great consideration and I’m sure the story benefited from it. But an extra special thank you to you, hon, for the amazing teaser graphics for this one. They are amazing! I must admit, working on these with you was one of the highlights of doing this paranormal. You did awesome work, love. Thank you for putting up with my pickiness and never complaining. With all you go through daily you were still there for me each time, staying up late, completing each one before deadline… I feel thank you isn’t enough. <3
Thank you Casey Harvel (Fancy Pants Formatting) for getting this polished and shiny like all the others. Case, we’ve worked together so long you barely need instructions anymore. You know my taste and what I like, and it’s such a pleasure working with you every single time. Always so professional and courteous. You are very comfortable working with me now, but complacency never shows in your finished product. And every time the work is flawless. You put up the absolute best with each book. Thank you.
To my dear friends Morticia Knight and TM Smith, thank you ladies for always being there for me to talk to, vent to, or simply unwind
and let the BS out through our many chats. We’re friends… and I treasure that because I surely don’t have many. I have none to speak to about my passions, about MM romance. You girls are still my rock. It’s been a while since we’ve been together but I can’t wait until we all are again. Soon. Miss you like crazy, love you.
A.E. Via has been a best-selling author in the beautiful gay romance genre for four years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay lit for over fifteen years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple great new up and coming MM authors.
A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to me. Writing.
A.E.’s writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
Now that she’s gotten over her 10 books published hump, she’s kind of known now for her hardcore, play rough and love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, I do like to push myself to step out of my comfort zone, exploring with different tropes, but I won’t push myself into a whole other genre. I’m head over heels for gay romance and I have tons of more hot stories to tell.
Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peek on upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.
