by Riley, Alexa
They both look down at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “That is the second time in an hour you’ve questioned the bond of mating. I know this is new to you, sweets, but a mate would burn down the world in a rage to get their mate back. I promise you there will never be anyone taking you away from us,” Erik vows.
“I’m sorry,” I say as I look up at him. The apology is for Ezra, too, but he’s behind me stroking my back and soothing me. I do the same as I did for Ezra and reach out, placing my hands on Erik’s chest. “You’re right, it’s new, but it’s more than anything I could have imagined love could be. The thought of losing this…” I shake my head. “It’s part of the reason why I left that morning to go to the car. I was going to get the book Gordon gave me. I wanted to know more about your kind and I thought you could wipe my memory or something.” He doesn’t tell me that isn't something he can do, and I don’t push. There’s time later for all those questions. “I didn't want to ever forget that night with you two. I couldn’t stand the thought of never having you again after those twenty-four hours, and it would have been the end of me,” I admit. Maybe it makes me pathetic, but I don’t think I could go on without them.
“We can’t forget a mate, bonded yet or not. We couldn’t take it from your mind once you found us. We couldn’t take it from our minds as vampires or even yours as a human,” he responds, brushing his hand against my cheek and I lean into him.
“We would have never done that and we never had plans to let you go,” Ezra adds before they both guide me inside.
Chapter 11
Dove
We walk into the house that looks dark and imposing from the outside, but inside it’s light and beautiful. I don’t know why I always expect everything about vampires to be black and filled with cobwebs, but I guess old books and movies have given me these ideas.
Ezra takes my hand as we go into a living room with big cozy couches facing a fireplace that’s already going. It’s so cozy and relaxed that I forget for a moment that we’re here to talk to Bishop. He’s someone I’m not sure I trust, but I do trust the twins, and they tell me that everything is going to be okay.
We sit down on the couch facing the fire and a second later Bishop walks in. He’s wearing a full suit like every other time I’ve seen him, and I guess he just likes to look nice. The three of us are casual, and I like that the twins are relaxed.
“Thank you for coming over,” he says before he pins his eyes on me. “I know that you’re apprehensive about me and maybe my intentions, but I want to talk to you tonight about something you were given.”
It’s then I notice he brought something with him as he lays the book down on the coffee table in front of me. The twins tense on either side of me as I reach down to pick it up, but Ezra stops me.
“Don’t look at it, Dove. There’s nothing in there you need to see,” he says.
“How did you get this? I thought Gordon still had it?” I say, feeling suspicious.
“Valen went back and got it. We agreed that one of us should return there to make sure he wasn’t coming after you again. Valen volunteered to go and then decided to break into the house and found this on his desk.”
“We should have known he was going to do that,” Erik says, rolling his eyes. “The hunter in him loves to track shit down.”
“He wanted to help protect us and keep Dove safe,” Bishop says as he leans back in his chair. “Just like I do.” I don’t say anything, but he must be able to sense my hesitation. “From what I can tell they haven’t told you anything about how they were created, did they?”
“No, um, we didn’t do a lot of talking,” I admit, feeling my face flame with embarrassment.
“You’re becoming mated, there’s no shame in that. I wish I had something so precious.” A sad look passes over his face, but he shakes it off and moves on. “I’m not the enemy here, Dove. The only thing I’ve ever wanted in two hundred years is to protect my family, and now that includes you.”
When I see the way he looks at the twins I know without a doubt that he cares for them and what he’s saying is the truth. I can feel the love radiate off Ezra and Erik, and I know it isn’t just for me.
“He saved us, sweets,” Erik says, squeezing my hand. “I don’t want to go into too much detail because you don’t need to know how dark our lives were before you, but we were raised by a monster.”
Bishop nods and leans forward again. “The man you met yesterday has been around as long as I have. But he thinks he’s here to conquer the world and make humans bend to his will. He has no remorse for those he has to kill along the way, and you’re incredibly lucky to have gotten away from him.” The hold around me tightens and I can sense the stress in the twins rising. “I’m still trying to piece together everything that happened, but from what we know, their father was working with Gordon to cover up murders. We don’t know if he participated, but we know that he hid several bodies on his land at the request of Gordon and then was ordered to kill his sons.”
I place my hand over my mouth as Bishop continues. I don’t want to hear the rest, but I know I have to.
“Kane was the one who heard about what was happening and told me where to go. By the time I got to the house it was already on fire with their father inside. I looked for the twins, but it didn’t take long for me to smell their blood in the river nearby. The father had taken them there, and let’s just say he left them for dead.” He swallows and the dark shadow passes over him once again. “I was able to get to them in time and I changed them right then.”
“You saved us,” Ezra says simply, and Erik nods.
“By the time Kane and I got them to safety, people were at their house and found the buried bodies. They assumed the twins were somehow involved, so we had to go into hiding. Gordon disappeared and didn’t resurface until recently.” He lets out a long sigh.
“Why has he decided to come back now?” I ask, feeling the weight of all this hit me.
“Because he’s trying to draw me out,” Bishop says. “I’ve talked a lot with Valen, and from what his contacts at the police department say the murders in town are all random and unrelated. Valen said that he’s sure it’s a vampire and I know it has to be Gordon. He knows this is our city and I run things here. He’s doing this to pull me into a fight so that he can have my territory. And maybe to finally end me once and for all. Although I don’t have much time left, so he’s going to get his wish either way.”
“Have you fought before?” With every answer Bishop gives me, I have more questions like I always do. I can never get enough information.
“The history between Gordon and me is for another time. I brought you here today to tell you about the twins and to warn you to stay away from Gordon if you see him again. He’s dangerous and there’s nothing he’s incapable of. You have your mates now and they’ll look out for you, but be smart.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I say, gripping their legs. I feel the bond between us grow even tighter and I know this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
‘We’re happy to have you in our growing family,” Bishop says, and when he smiles I can see how much he cares for my mates…and now me.
My heart warms as we stand up and he gives me a hug that feels like I’ve just been welcomed into the fold.
“I think we need to get you back home so you can call your grandfather,” Erik says, and I nod in agreement.
I think of the long list of things I need to take care of as reality comes back to me. At least now I have the two of them to help me navigate which way to go.
“Can I use your bathroom before I go?” I say, and Bishop nods.
“There’s one in the hallway, but Ravana is having it redone. She thinks I need to redecorate,” he says, rolling his eyes. “Why don’t you use the one in my room? It’s just down the hall.” He points, and Ezra takes my hand.
“I’ll show her,” he says as he pulls me from the room.
Bishop says something over my shoulder I don�
�t catch, but Ezra laughs as he leads me to the back of the house.
There’s a dark door at the back of the house that Ezra pushes open casually. “It’s right through there.” He points and then slaps me on my ass.
I squeak but smile back at him as I walk to where he told me to go. I glance around the room and see an easel in the corner with tons of canvases and paper all around it.
“Bishop paints?” I ask, surprised. He doesn't seem like the type to want to get messy, but I guess everyone has a hobby.
“I don’t know,” Ezra says as he walks over with a curious look on his face. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do it.”
I follow him over there to look because all of the pictures are facing away from us. When I take a step around the easel and see what’s sitting there I’m confused.
“Who is that?” Ezra says, and I open my mouth to answer him.
“What’s wrong?” Erik asks from the door, with Bishop beside him. “I can feel something isn’t right.”
“Why do you have a painting of her?” I say, my eyebrows pulling together in concentration.
Bishop tucks his hands in his pockets and shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“I don’t understand,” Ezra says, looking between me and Bishop.
“I’ve painted her since I was created. I’ve never met her, but I think she might have been my mate. I never found her, but she’s the only thing I see when I dream.” He dips his head and for a moment I wonder why he looks shy. “I’m not very good, but I can’t get her out of my mind.”
“But that doesn’t make sense,” I say, and everyone looks at me. “Why would you keep painting pictures of Gordon’s daughter?”
“What?” Bishop says, and then it falls so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
“I recognize the birthmark on her shoulder,” I say, pointing to the painting. No matter what Bishop says, he’s talented because this looks exactly like her. “That’s Loren.”
Epilogue
Dove
Six months later…
I glance around my closet and see that everything has been moved all around. I don’t know how they do these things without me noticing. I’m pretty sure one distracts me while the other does the dirty work of whatever they are scheming.
All my shoes have been moved to the very top rack. There is no way I can reach them. I look around for something to stand on knowing I won’t find a step stool. No, those have all been removed from the house by my two very overprotective mates. Maybe there’s something else I can use to stand on. I know I can be clumsy, but taking all the step stools is a little much. More so when they have moved everything out of my reach.
I huff trying to think of another way to get my shoes. They did this on purpose. I just know it. I shooed them the other day from trying to help me use the bathroom. Yes, the freaking bathroom. I’m pregnant not incompetent. After hearing a long list of accidents that could happen to someone in the bathroom, I might have stomped out telling them I could handle things myself. I have a feeling my mates didn't like the sound of that and have now made sure I would need them at every turn. I don’t know if I want to smack them or kiss them. It’s adorably annoying. In their defense, I do tend to run into walls that I know are there.
Erik says it’s why I was graced with two mates, so that there’s always someone to look out for me. I don’t care why I was graced with two. I’m just happy to have them both. They drive me nuts in the best way. I rest my hand on my very pregnant belly.
“You two are going to drive me crazy, too, aren't you?” I ask the two baby boys growing in my belly. I’m going to have more men than I know what to do with. I smile, rubbing my hand over my tummy and thinking of a way to get my shoes. I’m not going to call for them so they come in here all smug-like.
I walk back into the bedroom and spot the fire poker on its stand next to the fireplace. Bingo. I grab it and take it back into the closet. I get on my tiptoes and try to knock them off the high shelf. I let out a huff and jump but miss the shoes completely. This is why I failed P.E.
I try again, jumping higher this time. I hit the shoes but gasp, having thrown my arm too hard, setting me off balance. Before I can take a tumble, Ezra’s arms wrap around me, catching me. Erik catches my shoes easily before they can hit the floor. They both level me with looks that would likely frighten most. I just smile innocently and push my glasses back up my nose.
“Good catch,” I tell them both, patting Ezra on the chest before trying to wiggle free of his hold. Erik drops the shoes he’s holding and they both let out matching growls.
“Don’t do that,” I try to scold them. That sound does something to my insides. More so since I got knocked up. I’ll be climbing all over them in two seconds. We have plans tonight, though. Well, I think we have plans. My mates have been going on and on about my birthday. I told them it was silly to have one because we don’t age. They hadn’t agreed, declaring the day I was born the greatest that ever occurred. I’d agreed after they tag-teamed me until I did. Then they wondered why I fake fight with them.
“Why didn’t you call us to get the shoes?” he asks with a growl. It makes me wiggle more. Ezra fights a smirk now.
“Because you did it on purpose,” I snipe back, trying to play mad. It’s pointless because they can sense all my emotions. Still I love this game we play. Both of them are always so playful. I loved my grandpa, but growing up in a mortuary didn't fill a home with laughter like this one was filled with. I know my mates’ home wasn’t filled with it either, but ours will be. Neither of them denies what they have done.
“Put me down if I’m to get ready.” I look to Ezra. As I do he kisses me long and hard before passing me to Erik who does the same before giving my ass a smack.
“We enjoy being needed by you,” Erik says against my mouth. Ezra’s warmth surrounds me from behind.
“I’ll always need you. Both of you.” I turn my head to kiss Ezra again. Erik’s hand moves to rest on my baby bump before he slides it down into my yoga pants.
“Then let us take care of you. We’ll get you ready.” Erik kisses down my neck before falling to his knees in front of me, pulling my pants down my legs and helping me out of them. Ezra pulls his mouth from mine, holding my steady as Erik brushes his mouth against my pussy.
“She doesn't really have a choice, brother. Not after we Dove-proofed the house.” Erik takes one long lick, dragging his tongue across my clit. I moan as it takes a moment for Ezra’s words to register in my head.
“Dove-proofed the house? Don’t you mean baby-proof?” Ezra nips my neck. I tilt my head, giving him more room to work. My neck is my weak spot. Even a simple caress of a finger along it and I melt.
“No, we made sure you’d need us to do everything. Dove-proofed the house,” he repeats. I bark out a laugh. I look down at Erik, whose eyes come up to mine and I know they aren't joking. He nips my thigh. Ezra’s hand wraps around me, coming to rest on my baby bump. They both are always resting their hands on it in a protective hold.
They’re going to be amazing dads. They are already amazing mates. It’s crazy how I never felt like I belonged before the two of them came into my life. Now I think I felt that way most of my life because I wasn't where I belonged. Between the two of them.
They said they were made for me because I need two mates to make sure I’m well-loved and taken care of. I think I was made for them. I fit perfectly between them and I know I’ll spend eternity always needing my mates.
Bitten by the King
Chapter 1
Loren
I stand in the middle of my dad's office and there’s chaos everywhere. I know the mess scattered around will make my dad crazy angry, but I don’t care.
He’ll have it cleaned immediately when he sees what the girl he locked inside here did. She looked to be my age, but I’m surrounded by vampires all the time, so I never know how old some people are. I had to stare at her for a long moment to be sure she was human. My father is a vampire
and he can tell when someone is human by their scent. That’s what made him underestimate the girl in his office.
I’m kind of proud that she caused this mess either in her anger or her need to find something. I find the whole situation fascinating and I want to talk to her again. I want to ask her what’s happening and why my dad is holding her against her will. I also just want someone to talk to. That sounds pathetic when I think about it, but I can’t remember the last time I hung out with a girl my own age. I wouldn’t even know what to say.
I look down at one of the open folders at my feet and reach down to pick it up. It’s a black and white picture of a man I know all too well. I’ve only seen his photo once before, but I remember every detail. This one is different, but the feelings from before are the same. It sparks something inside me and it’s something my dad can’t take away. I keep it locked away tightly in my mind and I don’t let it out unless I can’t help it. Lately that’s more and more and it feels like he’s getting closer. Maybe it’s the dreams I’ve been having, but I sense change is coming. I might sound crazy, but I can feel it in my blood. Though is that any crazier than vampires?
The picture I’m holding now looks over a hundred years old. The other one I saw for only a second, but the man in the photo branded himself into my mind. Could it be how his eyes called to me, or was it the fact that my dad told me he was the man who killed my mother? A lot of my childhood is fuzzy, and I don’t even remember her, but that picture never leaves my mind.
