Apollo's Secret
Page 1
CONTENTS
Copyright
Information Sheet
Blurb
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter14
Chapter 15
Chapter16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Other Books in the Same Universe
About the Author
APOLLO’S SECRET
A.Y. VENONA
Copyright © 2018 by A.Y. Venona
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, distributed or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher A.Y. Venona except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Information Sheet
Seven Realms of Earth:
1. Westernia is the seat of power. It has seven districts:
• District of Droom
Government: democracy
District Leaders: governor, mayors, counselors
Citizens: Diverse
• District of Pershiane (High District)
Government: oligarchy
District Leaders: Council of Elders
Citizens: 60 % faes, 40% werekin
• District of Wulfscir, or Kingdom of Wulfscir
Government: monarchy
District Leader: king
Citizens: werewolves
• District of Lowescir, or Kingdom of Lowescir
Government: monarchy
District Leader: king
Citizens: werelions
• District of Tighriscir, or Kingdom of Tighriscir
Government: monarchy
District Leader: king
Citizens: weretigers
• District of Bherscir, or Kingdom of Bherscir
Government: monarchy
District Leader: king
Citizens: werebears
• District of Fayscir, or Kingdom of Fayscir
Government: monarchy
District Leaders: king
Citizens: faes
Scir means kingdom.
2. Northernia is highly urbanized, but 30% of its land belongs to the packland/prideland.
Government: Oligarchy
District Leaders: High Mayor and the Council of Mayors
Citizens: 90 % werekin
3. Southernia is divided by packs, prides, and tribes.
Government: oligarchy
District Leaders: Council of Alphas
Citizens: werewolves, weretigers, werelions, and werebears
4. Easternia is a hotly contested territory. There are werekin, however, who live at the outskirts.
Government: monarchy
District Leaders: Queen
Citizens: vampires
5. Centralia is a metropolis allotted for science and research.
Government: oligarchy
District Leaders: Council of Omicrons
Citizens: scientists, scholars (90% omicrons)
6. Insularia Major, an island territory
Government: not organized
District Leaders: Alphas
Citizens: diverse
7. Insularia Minor, an island territory
Government: not organized
District Leaders: Alphas
Citizens: diverse
Hierarchy of Authority
1. Legion, Council of the Gods
2. Council of Elders
3. Councils by Races, example: Council of Betas, Council of Omicrons
Types of Alphas
1. True Alphas (myth)
2. Delta Alphas (the kings)
3. Zeta Alphas (pack or pride alphas)
4. Epsilon Alphas (These are the alphas who prefer not to have a pack or pride.)
The Races
Deities
Houses
Faes
Alpha werekin
Beta werekin
Gamma werekin
Omicron werekin
Sigma werekin
Omega werekin
Sampis
Vampires
Others, non-registered species including incubi
Blurb
Jason Dyeus feels like all his life he is living with half his soul. When his search for his missing father leads him to a fated night where he sleeps with a stranger who makes him feel whole, Jason vows to find him again. But Jason does not know that his father may have a good reason to keep him as secret.
Alexander Brunn does not only have a new captain he does not respect, he also has a new fiancé forced upon him by the almighty gods. He can always say no, of course, but not when the gods threaten to bring chaos to the entire world. Why are the gods behaving as though their very existence is closely tied to whomever Alexander sleeps? The answer turns out to be Apollo’s secret.
Can the mating of Jason and Alexander save the cursed race or condemn them to an eternal death?
Apollo’s Secret is book two of Soul Spell series in the same universe as Alpha Academy. It is an m/m fantasy mpreg romance with suspense and mystery element that ends with an HEA.
Chapter 1
Jason Dyeus woke up to a feeling of a silky tongue licking the slit of his cock, sucking it as though it were his lover's last meal. His hands reached down to the bobbing head, pushing it hard against his groin, increasing the pace. He felt his essence surging, searching for release until it found one. He loosened his hold of his lover’s head and then heaved a deep breath. He gazed up at the ceiling as his breath evened. His body sated. But his soul?
It pined for some more.
“So how’s that for a good morning?” Hearst asked, voice seductively low. His blue eyes twinkled, and a smug grin marred his smooth angular face.
Jason shifted his body to his side, propping his head with his left arm, mirroring Hearst’s position. Hearst with his medium-length dark wavy hair—much like his own though his was with lighter brown and messy curls—was his on and off lover for ten years. Jason’s whole six-foot-six body rippled with hard muscles more than welcomed the idea of rubbing it with Hearst’s firm legs, muscular thigh and well-formed biceps on regular basis like lovers do sans the in-between breaks. His mind found no objection in taking their relationship to the next level. But here’s the hindrance—he always had this nugget of pang of a soul discontent.
“What’s with the silent treatment?” Hearst playfully punched his bicep when he had sensed that no answer to his previous question was forthcoming.
“I’m just thinking…” Jason caught his next words before they left his lips. He silently reprimanded himself for almost confessing to his enthusiastic lover the persistent discontent of his soul while his body was still basking from the post blow-job glow courtesy of Heart’s talented mouth. Compliment. He should say something complimentary.
“Is this about your father?” Hearst asked. The concern in his voice tugged at Jason’s heartstrings. "You've...acted withdrawn lately."
Talking about his dear father was just the right diversion he needed to keep him from inadvertently exposing his emotional inadequacy. In fact, he could kiss Hearst for broaching the topic. But this kind of thinking also described how an inconsiderate and selfish lover he was to Hearst. Jason knew he should say 'wow', 'it was great,' and because the sex really was great, the
process, the journey toward orgasm. But his problem was centered around the orgasm part. How could he say 'wow' when during this moment, when his seeds spurted out, the huge part of him simultaneously withdrew as if disgusted from the act and the pleasure his body indulged? He thought at first it was just with Hearst until he realized that sleeping with others, male or female, inflicted the worst kind of pang. It was as if his soul was its own entity who threatened to sever itself from his own flesh. What would his flesh be without his soul? He confessed this feeling to his father once, but his old man only answered him with silence and a heavy sigh.
He heard about how the bestial alter ego of every werekin— the general term for every human who could shift into either wolf, lion, tiger, or bear—was capable of making its disgruntlement or satisfaction known. That every werekin could feel when his beast—wolf in his case—stirred or groaned. Hence he chose to believe that it was just his wolf’s feeling of dissatisfaction. He had fiddled with that idea for a while and remembered the burst of euphoria flooding into him at the realization of the normalcy of his condition until his father shattered the illusion into pieces with five little words.
It was never the wolf.
But what was it?
"How long has he been gone?" came Hearst's question, shaking him out of his rumination.
"About a year now. It's not normal for him to be gone this long.” He shifted his body once again, now lying on his back with his eyes at the wooden ceiling, looking but not seeing. A feeling of uneasiness started to flutter in his chest.
“So what’re you planning to do?”
“Find him.”
✽✽✽
The white-haired Lindon, his father's right hand man, placed the glass of wine back on the center table. He had lifted it a moment ago to his mouth obviously to drink, but then decided against it; at least that was how it looked to Jason. He should have stalled telling him about his plan until Lindon at least had drunk the wine. Jason watched as Lindon stood up and walked toward the glass window. From where Jason was sitting, the sea looked so blue and inviting.
“Without you and your father, this pack will have no alpha,” Lindon said hiding none of his indignation. The breeze softly played with his medium length white hair. Lindon was the only Werekin with white hair in the island. There could be more somewhere.
“Then appoint Gregory. He’s more than capable of leading the pack. Lindon, you’re not going to change my mind. My father never intended to lead this pack, and you know that!”
Lindon walked back to the long couch he a while ago vacated, sat down, grabbed his abandoned glass of wine and took a sip from it. About time, Jason thought, smirking at the same time.
“Marcus wouldn’t want you to leave the island.” Lindon’s voice was close to pleading, his eyes moist with unspoken emotion.
“Then he shouldn’t have left the island.”
Jason's father, Marcus, had been the alpha of this island of 120 families even before Jason himself was born. His father owned the island and used it as his temporary sojourn for thousands of years until he decided to open it to families who needed a place to stay. They built their houses, school and other buildings from the abundant logs in the area, and farmed and fished for food. They constructed a huge water system to supply homes with potable water from the big water towers. Marcus bought machineries for making clothes, potteries, and furniture. One of his people created a light bulb that required little fuel and lasted longer.
“You’re right. Marcus shouldn’t have left. But Marcus does what Marcus wants and so do you. Part of me thinks he’s going to be mightily mad when he finds out that you left the island. However, I’m also worried of his whereabouts. He’s been gone for a whole year!”
“So you understand why I have to do this, right?”
Lindon gave his answer in a sigh.
✽✽✽
Fishing boats lined up the island's main pier. But none of these boats could endure traveling in high seas and in longer duration. Marcus had his own boat, which he used in his last trip. Good thing he had a different one to use. A burst of excitement exploded in his chest when his eyes found what he just needed. Docked at its own special corner in the pier was Argos. The boat had a sloop mast despite it being engine-powered. The limited supply of gasoline in the area dictated the design of every boat bought and brought to the island. But Argos was different. It was slick and fast in the water, and its mast could prevent boat’s fuel from draining fast. It was designed for both speed and long sea voyage. Marcus gave it to Jason on his 25th birthday, which was five years ago to his recollection. Did Marcus predict that this day Jason would use Argos to find him?
He and Hearst started loading their belongings and items needed for their travel. There had been men and women who earlier came and brought something for their journey: dried fish and herbs for wounds and common illnesses. Lindon handed them the map.
"Safe travel for both of you," the white-haired werekin said, pulling Jason to him for an embrace. The breeze lapped on his skin, colder and harsher than it normally was. The sky loomed above as gloomy as it had always been, a sharp contrast of what was below it: crystal-like sparkles spread throughout the sea. Jason always thought that there was something wrong with this tableau.
He heard his name called by a familiar voice, and he grinned. He turned to greet the newcomer. Donned in brown loose hemp trousers and a simple white half-sleeve shirt, a familiar figure ran to him.
“Where do you think you’re going?” his friend, Aaron, asked, his voice reprimanding. The breeze fluttered Aaron’s long dark hair.
“I’m meaning to talk to you before I leave.”
“You’re not leaving without me,” he replied, walking past Jason who stood dumbfounded at this unexpected turn of event.
“Are you sure?” Jason asked, following Aaron as he climbed at the boat’s main deck.
“Yes, I am. You need a first mate.” Jason glanced at Aaron’s shoulder in time to catch Hearst rolling his eyes.
“And I’m sure your farming experience will come in handy as we sail the ocean,” Hearst said, his voice loaded with sarcasm.
“Like you’re a seasoned sailor yourself. Your experience with a paper boat does not count.”
“Hey, hey, guys. No more of that bickering. Come here, Aaron, let me properly hug you.” Jason took the duffel bag from Aaron’s hand and dropped it on the floor. He then pulled his friend to him for a tight hug.
“Are you sure about this?”
Aaron nodded. Jason looked into his friend’s brown eyes for any possible doubt, but found none.
"Jason, I'm your friend too."
These words strangely comforted Jason. He smiled at him and winked.
"Then welcome aboard, first mate!" he said teasingly.
“Oh, well then, Aaron, why don't you steer us off this dock?" Hearst challenged.
Aaron straightened his shoulders and walked toward the cockpit. Jason hid his amusement when Aaron stared at the steering wheel looking as if he were searching for something.
"Do you have the manual handy?" he said.
Jason and Hearst burst into laughter.
Chapter 2
Rancor. This was written on the welcome sign at the pier where they left Argos. After sailing the sea for many months and having to fight territorial werekin in some little islands they were forced to dock due to storms and the need to refuel, they finally reached Rancor. The moment they stepped out of the boat, a gloomy ambiance greeted their sight: ominous sky, clouds and fogs that seemed to engulf the whole city. But its somber mood belied the genial and exuberant attributes of its people.
Jason and his companions stood on the paved sidewalk, looking dumbfounded. Behind them were rows of stone buildings looking like gigantic boxes. In front of them were vehicles in varied sizes, moving along with the traffic flow, street lights and signs glittering above them. People walking past them were dressed in stylish clothes. The males wore pants made of denim, corduroy, or lea
ther topped with either a leather or wool jacket. The females wore colorful and silky dresses with wool coats and fancy hats to complete the ensemble. Jason’s attire, which was a monochrome pair of trousers tied around his waist with a rope and loose long sleeve shirt, stood out outlandishly.
“We looked out of place."
"It was observant of you, Aaron. I didn't notice it at all," Hearst replied.
"I was just saying—"
Sirens interrupted Aaron's speech. It came from the dark blue car speeding up to their direction and stopped by their side of the curb. Two huge men dressed in black jacket and dark green trousers came out of the car. Enforcers. Jason thought.
"You need to come with us to the station," the dark-skinned enforcer said, looking from Aaron to Hearst and then lingering his gaze on Jason.
"And for what reasons?" Jason answered, his voice did not waver.
"You have committed two violations. One, you illegally docked your ship at the pier without permission and proper communication protocol. Two, you entered this city without informing the City Mayor first, which also means your presence can be taken as a threat to the city’s security. So just come with us peacefully," the enforcer explained.
Jason heard Aaron gulp loudly. Hearst groaned.
The enforcers took them in the small chamber with metal round table and small steel chairs. The two enforcers stood behind them. The door opened and another enforcer casually walked in and sat across from them. In his hands was a small thin pad: a computer. Jason recognized it immediately as Lindon had one back in the island. This new enforcer who introduced himself as Ono asked each of their names.