BITTENBYTHEKING

THEVIRGINBLOODSERIES

ALEXARILEY

CONTENTS

FairytaleShifterBook1

StalktheAuthor

BittenbytheKing

byAlexaRiley

LorenRiverhasspentherwholelifelockedupandhiddenaway.She’slonely
anddesperatetomakefriendsandhaveafamilyofherown.What’ssowrong
withwantingtofallinloveandbecomeamom?Butlifehasitsownplansfor
her when she gets caught between her father and a man so dark and deadly
shecan’tlookaway.Couldthefeelingsshe’shavingbemorethanjustfear?
Couldtheypossiblybedesire,too?

Bishop Thorin is worried about the threat to his territory in the city.

There’ssomethingsinistercomingclosertotearapartallthathe’sbuilt.He’s
got the weight of the world resting on his shoulders, but when a young
redheadstepsinhisway,allthathethoughtwaslostisrightinfrontofhim.
Canhetakeawayherprisonandmakeherdreamscometrue?

Warning: It’s the first time we’ve written vampires, so go easy on us.

Enjoythisbrandnewseriesthatfeaturesacovenoffiveandreadabouthow
allofthemfindlove.

Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,distributedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,
includingphotocopying,recording,orotherelectronicormechanicalmethods,withoutthepriorwritten
permissionofthepublisher,exceptinthecaseofbriefquotationsembodiedincriticalreviewsand
certainothernoncommercialusespermittedbycopyrightlaw.Forpermissionrequests,emailto
riley_alexa@aol.com

http://alexariley.com/

Publisher’sNote:Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andincidentsareaproductofthe
author’simagination.Localesandpublicnamesaresometimesusedforatmosphericpurposes.Any
resemblancetoactualpeople,livingordead,ortobusinesses,companies,events,institutions,orlocales
iscompletelycoincidental.

Editedby

AquilaEditing

CoverPhotoby

SaraEirew

CoverDesigner:

MayhemCoverCreations

ToLbandSamantha…

Asunnydayonthebeachbroughtthisseriestolife,andweareashamedat

howmuchweloveit.

Let’swearsilkforever.

One

Loren

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

insideheredid.Shelookedtobemyage,butI’msurroundedbyvampiresall
thetime,soIneverknowhowoldsomepeopleare.Ihadtostareatherfora
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
underestimatethegirlinhisoffice.

I’mkindofproudthatshecausedthismesseitherinherangerorherneed

tofindsomething.IfindthewholesituationfascinatingandIwanttotalkto
heragain.Iwanttoaskherwhat’shappeningandwhymydadisholdingher
against her will. I also just want someone to talk to. That sounds pathetic
whenIthinkaboutit,butIcan’trememberthelasttimeIhungoutwithagirl
myownage.Iwouldn’tevenknowwhattosay.

Ilookdownatoneoftheopenfoldersatmyfeetandreachdowntopick

it up. It’s a black and white picture of a man I know all too well. I’ve only
seenhisphotooncebefore,butIremembereverydetail.Thisoneisdifferent,
butthefeelingsfrombeforearethesame.Itsparkssomethinginsidemeand
it’s something my dad can’t take away. I keep it locked away tightly in my
mindandIdon’tletitoutunlessIcan’thelpit.Latelythat’smoreandmore
anditfeelslikehe’sgettingcloser.Maybeit’sthedreamsI’vebeenhaving,
but I sense change is coming. I might sound crazy, but I can feel it in my
blood.Thoughisthatanycrazierthanvampires?

The picture I’m holding now looks over a hundred years old. The other

oneIsawforonlyasecond,butthemaninthephotobrandedhimselfintomy
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,andIdon’tevenrememberher,butthatpictureneverleavesmymind.

ThatdaymydadtoldmeIwasoldenoughtoknowthetruth.Hetoldme

whathappenedandthatIneededtoknowsoIcouldunderstandwhywelive
thewaywedo.IstoppedaskingforfreedomafterthatbecauseIrealizedhe

wasonlytryingtokeepmesafe.

Ibelievedeverywordhetoldme,butthisnewpicturewouldmeanhelied

tome.Ifolditinhalfandputitinthepocketofmydress.Idon’twantittobe
takenfrommebeforeIcangetabetterlookatit.

The office door bursts open and I spin around to see my dad standing

there. I know he’s just woken up because his hair’s a mess and he’s still
buttoning his suit. When he went to bed for a few hours I knew it was my
onlychancetosavethegirl.Theonewhosewordswon’tleaveme.AtauntI
wanttoignorebutknowIwon’tbeabletoanylonger.

“You’ve been standing next to evil this whole time and you thought you

werestandinginthelight.Thisisn’ttherightsideofthings.”

“Youlethergo.”Idon’tanswerhimbecausehe’llknowifIlie.

Mydadgivesmeinformationtokeepmesafefromtheoutsideworld.He

says he can’t lose me like he lost my mom and it always gets me to stop
pushingforaworldbeyondthesewalls.ButlatelyI’vebeenthinkinghesays
these things to scare me and to make me afraid of leaving home. I thought
before we moved here we lived a pretty isolated life, but I understood why.
He had to protect who he was, but now it’s beyond that because we’re
surroundedbyacity.

He’salwaysgoodatseeingthetruth,andifIcouldpickonevampiretrait

to have, that would be it, even over immortality. I look down at the ground
andIknowIdidtherightthing,butguiltlingersbecauseIwentagainstthe
onlyfamilyIhave.He’sallIknow,anditgoesevenfurtherthanthatnowthat
we’vemovedawayfrommyoldlife.Ibarelyevenknowthecitywe’reinand
I’dbelostwithouthim.

Ihearhimletoutadeepbreathandhisfrustrationwithmeisclear.I’m

starting to get used to it. Maybe I’m hitting those rebellious teen years I
shouldhavealreadyhad,buthomeschoolingkeptthemfromcomingoutand
nowthey’remakingthemselvesknown.

“Go to your room!” he barks at me, louder than he ever has before, and

thenstormsoutofhisoffice.

He’sgoingtogoafterthegirl,butIhopeforhersakeshe’smadeitout.I

havenoideawhatplanshehadforher,buteachdayhe’sgettingdarkerandI
didn’t want to see how much further he can go. I’ve already seen things I
wishIhadn’t—thingshebelievesaretherightchoices.

I do as I’m told, not wanting to anger him further, but grab a few more

things from the floor before I go to my room. I don’t want to run into

someonewhomighttakethefoldersfromme,soIhurrydownthehallonlyto
cometoastopwhenIseeGregstandinginfrontofmydoor.

Iforceasmileatthenewguardwhostartedwhenwecametothishouse.I

don’tgetagoodfeelingfromhim,butI’malwayspolite.It’shardformeto
be rude even when I try. Something about him isn’t right and it’s like he’s
hidinginplainsight.He’salittletooeagertohelpmydadwhenitcomesto
the darker side of things. My dad might think I don’t know much of what’s
been going on lately, but when you’re locked away even in a beautiful
mansion,thereisn’tmuchtodobutpayattention.

Gregissmartenoughtonotlookatmeortrytotouchmeinfrontofmy

dadandI’msmartenoughtonottellmydadeither.Ikindofkeepthisinmy
back pocket so that that one day I might be able to use his attraction to my
advantage.Peoplesaytherearealwayssignsofwhosomeoneisandifyou’re
closetothemthenyouchoosetoignorethemandnotseewhat’srightinfront
of you. I’m starting to believe that. It keeps getting harder to ignore my
father’sactionsandmakeexcusesforhim.

“You’vegottenmeintrouble,haven’tyou,girl?”

Greg’s arms are folded over his chest and I don’t know if it’s to make

himself look bigger or to remind me that he’s in charge. He could easily
handlemeifhehadto.He’sabigmanandI’msurehecouldgivesomeofthe
younger vampires a run for their money if they came to blows. If I had to
haveahumanguardforthedaytime,mydadwasgoingtomakesureIhadthe
best. I don’t doubt Greg is strong, but he’s not the sharpest knife in the
drawer. Otherwise his eyes wouldn’t linger on me as much as they do.
EveryoneknowsI’mofflimitsandmostofthetimetheguardsactasifI’m
invisible.Isawmydadbreakaman’swristafterhegrabbedmebythearm.

“Sorry,”Isay,andIam.

I don’t want anyone to get into trouble because of me, but maybe I’m

takingapagefrommydad’sbook.Sometimessomeonemustbesacrificedfor
thegreatergood.I’vealwayshatedthesaying,butI’vejustgoneandlivedup
toit.IliedsoGregwouldleaveandtellmydadIwasinforthenight.Iknew
ifheleftthatIcouldsavethegirl.AllthewhileknowingGregwouldtakethe
punishment for my actions. I didn’t want the girl sacrificed for the greater
goodoranyreasonatall.

“Maybeyou’llshowmehowsorryyoureallyare.”Hestepstowardsme

andIfeelhishandtraildownmybarearm.

Ilookupathimandseethelusthehasformeinhiseyes.Mystomach

tightensathistouch.I’mnotusedtoanyonetouchingme.Mydadonlygives

methebriefestofhugsandit’snotoften.Maybethat’ssomethingthatcomes
withage.It’shardtoseehowtherestoftheworldactswhenIspendmostof
mylifelockedaway.ThoughI’msurethereareworseplacestobelockedin.

“Get in your room for now. But I’ll find you later.” He drops his hand

frommyarmandIcan’tmovefastenoughtogetawayfromhim.

WhenIentermyroomIshutthedoorandclickthelockbehindme.Not

thatitcouldstophimfromcomingin,becauseevenIcanpickalock.Ismile
thinkingaboutSam,themanwhousedtobemydayguardbeforewemoved.
HetaughtmelotsofsmalltricksthatIoncethoughtI’dneveruse.HeandI
alwayshadalotoftimeonourhandswhenthesunwashighandthehouse
wasquiet.WemovedsosuddenlyandthenSamwasgonefrommylife.He
wasn’tlikeanyoftheothermenmydadhired,andImisshim.Hewaskind
tomeandhemadethedaysnotsolongandlonely.Hewasmyfriend,orthe
closestI’veeverbeentohavingone.

IwalkovertomybedandsitdownasItakethepictureoutofmypocket.

IwishitwasdifferentthistimewhenIlookatit,butit’snot.It’srighttherein
myhandsinblackandwhite.

Bishopandmydadarestandingnexttoeachotherinthepicture.Ifthis

wastakenahundredyearsago,thenmydadwouldhavehadtohavebeena
vampire back then. Or at least have been a human but made into a vampire
shortlyafterwards.That’snotthestoryhetoldme.

My dad said that Bishop attacked him and my mom when I was only a

baby.Hetoldmethathe’dbeenleftfordeadbutanothervampiresavedhim.
He said he was turned and he vowed to get justice for my mother. That
doesn’taddupwiththetimeframeonthispicture.I’monlytwentyyearsold,
so that means he would have only been turned twenty years ago. Yet this
pictureisevidenceofhislie.

Ineversawmydadmournmymother,butIwassoyoung.Whenhetalks

abouthernowheonlyeverhasangerforBishop.Everyonedealswithgrief
differently and maybe vampires do too. He was pushed into a whole new
worldandstillhadayoungchildtocarefor.Hehastomissmymombecause
whyelsewouldhisrevengeforBishopbesostrong?

IwonderifI’mrememberingitwrongandsuddenlyI’munsureofmyself.

CouldIhavethisstoryjumbledup,orishereallylyingtome?Theonething
that has been drilled into me is that Bishop killed my mother and he should
pay for it. Of course I want Bishop to pay, but what will it cost? I’ve never
seenDadwithanotherwoman,anditmakesmethinkhecan’tmoveonfrom
her.It’sasweetandsadthought,andmaybethat’swhyhe’spushingthisso
hard.Ifhecangettherevengehe’slookingfor,hecanfinallymoveonwith

hislife.

Butthosepiecesofthestoryhetoldmearen’taddingupwiththepictureI

hold in my hand. My eyes go back to Bishop and I feel an odd tingling all
over. Lately it’s growing and now I feel a pull towards him. I wonder if
maybe it’s me wanting my own revenge—why else would I feel this way
towardsamanwhorippedmyfamilyapart?

Not only did he take my mom from me but now he’s taken my dad.

Gordonisn’tthedadheoncewas.Eversincehetoldmeeverythingabouthim
being a vampire and how he’d come to be, I’ve still seen him as the same
person.Mydad.Hewasn’tavampireandthenaman,hewasstillthesame
man to me but the same can’t be said anymore. He can go from sweet to
nightmareintwosecondsandIswearattimesIcanseehimholdinghimself
in check. I wonder if maybe he’s going crazy. Perhaps Bishop is the reason
he’sthisway.Thecloserwegettohim,themoreunhingedmydadgets.

My dad always taught me to keep my nose out of his business and I

always did. I trusted and loved him, but I’m discovering he has so many
layers. He doesn’t see wrong in hurting innocent people if it means taking
downsomethingbigger.IfoundoutaboutthatsixmonthsagowhenIwalked
in on it happening in our basement. It’s the same scene that flashed in my
mindwhenthegirlIhelpedescapedtoldmeI’dbeenstandingnexttoevil.

My dad told me he was doing what needed to be done that day.

Afterwards I swear he tried to make me forget. I saw him use the trick on
otherhumansbefore,butIneverthoughtabouthimdoingittome.Inodded
alongandpretendedashetalked.Ididn’tknowwhatelsetodobecauseIwas
more shocked than anything. I told myself he was only trying to protect me
from seeing something terrible, but the nagging thought that he’d done it
beforehauntsme.He’smademequestionwhysomethingsfrommypastfeel
sofuzzy.

Couldwhatthatgirlsaidbetrue?WhatifI’monthesideofamonster?

Istandfrommybedandgoovertothewindowinmyroom.Thecurtains

are pulled back and I glance to the path I told the girl to take. I don’t see
anything,butit’stoodarkformeto,anyway.IwonderifI’llstillbeableto
usethepathoncemydadandhismendiscovermylittlesecret.Idon’tuseit
much now—it’s just somehow nice knowing it’s there. That my dad might
thinkhekeepsmeunderlockandkey,butIknowIcanalwaysgetaway.

One thing is certain: I want to know the truth. There are three sides to

everystory,andIplanongettingBishop’sonewayoranother.

Two

Bishop

“B

ishop!”someoneshouts,butitonlyechoesinmyears.

The sound is faraway and my legs are weak as I close my eyes. I feel

myselfbeingcarriedtomybedasawaveofexhaustionhitsme.Somewhere
inthebackofmymindIcanrecallDovesayingwhothegirlinthepainting
is,butIcan’tfocus.

Everything is turning black and the world tilts right before I feel myself

land on my bed. I can smell the scent of fear and panic all around and then
there’sshouting.Ireachout,butthecoolsheetsareallthatmeetmyfingersas
Idriftoutofconsciousness.

When I fall into the blackness I see the violet eyes of the one I’ve been

dreaming about. It’s almost like she’s here with me. But if she were, I
wouldn’tbedying.Icanfeeltheendofmylifefastapproaching,andIthink
that’swhat’shappeningtomenow.Ialwaysknewthismomentwouldcome,
butI’mnotready.There’sstillsomuchIneedtotellmyfamily.There’sso
muchIneedtoteachthemaboutourways.I’vetriedtowriteitalldownand
do all the research I could, but it’s not enough. It’s been two hundred years
but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the lifetimes they’ll all live now.
They’vefoundtheirmatesandtheirtruebondshavebeenformed.That’sallI
everwantedforthem.Iknowthatnomatterwhat,they’llbewiththeperson
theylove,andknowingtheyaresafemakesiteasiertoletgo.

Ijusthaveoneregretandit’sthatIneverfoundher.Mybeautifuldream

withhervioleteyesandredhair.Iknowinmysoulthatshewasmymate,but
it wasn’t meant to be. I’m leaving this world without ever finding her, but I
can’thelpbuthopethatI’llsomehowfindherineternity.

***

Threedayslater…

MymouthisdryandmybodyisweakasIrolloverinthebed.Ifeela

warmhandgripmyownandIopenmyeyesslowly.

“Ravana?”Icroak,andhereyessnapuptomeetmine.

“Oh,thankgod,”shebreathesassheturnstolookawayfromme.“Valen!

He’salive!”

She squeezes my hand and I blink a few times, pushing the sleep away.

“HowlongwasIout?”MyvoicecracksandsoundslikeI’vebeenchewing
onchalk.

“Shh, take it easy. Don’t talk,” she says as she bows her head in what I

cantellisrelief.“You’reokay.”

I hear Valen running into the room and he comes up beside Ravana. He

putsanarmaroundherandplaceshishandontopofourjoinedones.“You
scaredtheshitoutofus,oldman.”

Iwanttosmileathim,butrightnoweverythinghurts.

“Youwereoutforthreedays.Ithinkyouwereinsomekindofcoma.We

had no idea what to do. Kane and Juliet were talking about taking a trip to
findavampiredoctor.”Iholdahandupinprotest.“Don’tworry.Ijustcalled
them,” Valen adds. He sits down on the chair next to Ravana and they both
givemeahardlook.“Wethoughtyoudied.”

“It’snotlongnow,”IsayasIclearmythroatagain,andthistimeithurtsa

littleless.“I’mrunningoutoftime.”Thetwoofthemsharealookandthere’s
somethingtheyaren’ttellingme.“Nowisnotthetimetokeepsecrets.”

“Dove thinks she’s found your mate. The girl in the pictures,” Ravana

says,glancingovertothem.

ThememoriesofherwordsrightbeforeIpassedoutcomefloodingback.

“Howcanitbethatshe’sGordon’sdaughter?Itcan’tbepossible,”Isay.How
couldhehavefoundher?

I met Gordon when I was a young vampire and traveling the world. His

maker had just died and he rose to power overnight. At the time I didn’t
understandwhatitmeanttorunacityandbeinchargeofothervampires.Or
what it meant to keep our secrets safe. But Gordon was brought up by
someone who thought that vampires should rule the world without care or
remorseforwhotheyhadtokillalongtheway.Atfirst,Ithoughttherewere
things I could learn from Gordon about how to maintain control of an area
andhowtocreatewealthbeyondmywildestdreams.Butintheend,allIfelt
wascoldandempty.

Hebelievedthatinordertohavepeoplefollowyou,theymustfearyou,

and I didn’t agree. We went our separate ways, and I thought he’d taken up
residenceinthesnowyhillsofRussia.Iassumedhewouldliveouthisyears

there because he didn’t believe finding a mate was the secret to vampire
immortality. He believed that if he tasted enough human blood it would be
enoughtokeephimaliveforever,nomatterwhatourhistorytaughtus.

I read all of the ancient books he had and tried to absorb as much

knowledgeaboutourkindasIcouldbeforeIhadtomoveon.Icouldn’tbe
aroundhisdarknesswithoutfeelinglikeI’dbecomejustasblackandsoulless
ashewas.ThatwasdecadesagoandlongbeforeIcreatedthefamilyIhave
today.

Nowmyterritorycoverstheexpanseofthecityandweliveinpeace.My

familyhasfoundtheirmatesandseeinghowhappytheyaremakesmehappy,
too.ItmakesmerealizethatImadetherightdecisioninbringingtheminto
thefoldandcreatingallthatwehave.

I ask myself as I lie here feeling powerless and weak, would Gordon

Riversearchtheworldformyonetruemateandthenlockherawayfromme?
Of course, he would. He’s the cruelest man I’ve ever met and he’s power
hungry.That’sadangerouscombinationandthereasonwhyIavoidedhimfor
solong.ButifhehasthewomanthatI’vebeendreamingof,mymate,then
thereisnothingIwon’tdotostophim.

“Whereisshe?”Iask,andRavanaandValenexchangealook.“Where?”

Iaskagain,thistimemyvoicestronger.

“Thetwinshaveaplantotryandgether,”Ravanaadmitsandholdsher

handsupwhenItrytomovefromthebed.“No!Youhavetorest.”

“Ican’tletthemdothat.Theydon’tknowwhatkindofmanheis.”

“The sun is up, Bishop. None of us are going anywhere,” Valen says,

standingupandplacingahandonRavana’sback.“Youneedtoconserveyour
strength.” There’s a sad look in his eyes as he shakes his head. “We don’t
knowhowmuchlongeryouhave.”

Ravanaletsoutasobandputsherfaceinherhands.Ireachoutandplace

mypalmonthebackofherheadasshecries.WhileIloveeveryoneinthis
family, Ravana and I have always had a closer bond. She is, after all, my
blood.MynieceItriedtoprotectfromafar,butfailedandhadtoturnherto
saveher.

“Don’tdothat,”Isay,tryingtokeepmyvoicelight.“Weknewthisday

wascoming.”

Shesniffsasshesitsupandwipesherface.“I’mgoingtogocallJuliet

andmakesuresheknowsyou’reawake.ShesaidKanehasbeenpacingthe
floorsallnight.”

Withthat,Ravanagetsupandpracticallyrunsoutoftheroom.

“She’s been by your side the whole time,” Valen says, taking her empty

chair.“Idon’tthinksherealizedhowmuchlosingyouwouldaffecther.ButI
thinkfindingoutyou’rethelasttruefamilyshehaslefthashitherhard.”

“She’salwaysbeenspecialtomeandI’mgladshehasyounow.”

“Shethinksofyouasherfather.”Heshakeshishead.“Youhavetofigure

outawaytostayalive.She’stalkingaboutlettingyoudrinkalloftheirblood
toseeifanyofitworks.”

“Andwhatdidallthematessay?”Iaskandfeelmyselfsmile.

“I’llbehonest,itdidnotgooverwell,”hesays,shakinghishead.

“Matesarevery protective,”Iagree, andhesmiles. “Drinkingtheblood

of another vampire or human is sacred. It should only be shared between
bonded mates. I understand Ravana’s desire to do whatever it takes to save
me,becauseI’ddothesameformyfamily.Butdrinkingherbloodoryours
won’tsaveme.Onlythetasteofmytruematewilldothat.”

“AnddoyoubelievethatthisGordonguyhasher?Yourmate?”

“Idon’tknow,”Isay,glancingovertothepictureI’vedrawnathousand

times.

ThefirsttimeIsleptafterIwascreatedIdreamedofher.Fortwohundred

yearsshehascometomeeverynight,inonewayoranother.Somenightsit’s
justvisionsofherandotherdreamsfeelasrealasifshewereherebesideme.
It’sbeentortureknowingexactlywhatshelookslike,downtothebirthmark
onhershoulder,butnotbeingabletofindher.

“I’ll only know if I’m close enough to scent her, but I don’t know how

that’s going to be possible.” I move my legs and they ache with even the
slightesttouchofthesheetsagainstthem.

“If it’s up to the family, we’ll find a way,” Valen says, and he leans

forwardandgrabsmyhand.“Youaretheleaderofallofus,soyouhaveto
fight.”

Inodbecausehe’sright.Nowisn’tthetimetogiveinandletdeathtake

meaway.IneedtopulltogetherallthestrengthIhaveleftandfindawayto
get to her. My violet-eyed angel who’s been with me the whole time. If
Gordonhasher,itwillbehisfinalmistake.

Three

Loren

lieonmybedasIclickawayonmylaptop.It’sbeendayssinceIhelped

the girl escape and I keep checking the local news to see if she’s missing.
There’snothing,sothathastobegood.Ifsomethinghappenedtoherthenher
familywouldhavereportedhermissing.RelieffillsmeeachtimeIclickon
thenewspageanddon’tseeher.Thoughthereareothermissinggirls.

My eyes drift across the screen to the five missing women. All of them

haveredhairandIsubconsciouslyreachupandtouchmyown.Ifreezewhen
Irecognizeoneofthem.Ionlymetheronce.Shecametodelivergroceries
overamonthagowhenthenormaldeliveryguywasoutsick.Weonlyshared
afewwords,butshewasnice.SherushedoutwhenDadenteredthekitchen,
butitwasn’tunusualbecausepeoplealwaysseemafraidofhim.Theyleave
hisspaceasquicklyaspossibleunlessheuseshischarmonthem.Ithinkhe
enjoys when people scurry from the room. I never felt that way, but maybe
I’m used to whatever vibe he puts off because I’ve grown up around it. I
understandthatfeelingbecauseIgetitwhenI’maroundGreg.Ihaveaneed
tobeanywhereelsebutwithinreachingdistanceofhim.

My chest starts to ache and I hate this swirl of emotion that has been

closing in around me. Even in my sleep I can’t escape it. When I close my
eyes all I see is Bishop. I still haven’t asked my dad about it for fear of
learningthingsIdon’twanttoknow.It’schildishandweak.

Guilt hits when I think about all these growing questions of doubt

surrounding my dad. I’m turning into everyone else and running from the
roomwhenheentersit.Iknowwecan’tgoonthisway.Atleast,Ican’t.

Itypeouroldaddressintothesearchbarandstartclickingaround.Two

redheadedwomanfromtheareawentmissinginthepast,butit’sbeenovera
year since the last disappearance. I sit up and cross my legs as I pull the
laptopintomylap.Idon’twanttobelievewhatisrightinfrontofmebecause
itcouldbeacoincidence.It’stoopainfultothinkofwhatelseitmightmean.
Whatifit’soneofhismen?Somanycamewithusinthemove—thathasto
beit.ItrytoreasonwithmyselfasIgrabontoanyotherpossibility.

IkeepscrollingandalmostscreamwhenIseeapictureofmyoldguard

Sam. I put my hand over my mouth to stop the fear from bubbling up as I

scanthearticleandseethepolicearelookingforleads.Hisbodywasfound
washedupunderabridgenearwhereweusedtolive.Accordingtothearticle
itwasshortlyafterwemoved.

I close the laptop and toss it to the other side of the bed, not wanting it

near me. Tears fall down my cheeks even with my eyes closed tightly. I
muffle my sobs with my hand, but it’s no use. I can feel that it’s only
beginning,soIjumpupfrommybedandrushtotheshower.Iturnitonand
stripoffmyclothesbeforeIgetin.Ilettheshowerdrownthesoundsofmy
sobsasIrestmyhandsagainstthecoldtiletokeepmeupright.

IcryforSam,Icryformydad,andselfishlyIcryformyself.

The enclosed shower walls around me squeeze tight and I want nothing

morethantorun.Idon’tknowwhereI’dgo,butIimagineit’saplacewhere
mydadcanexplainitallaway.Hecantellmemyimaginationhasgottenthe
bestofmeandeverythingisgoingtobeokay.Thealternativeisrunningfrom
him,andthatthoughtcausesmeevenmorepain.

Thereisnowheretogo.IhavenooneandIhavenodoubtmydadwould

findme.

WhenthewaterfinallyturnscoldIpullmyselffromtheshowerandwrap

a towel around me. I freeze when I open my bathroom door and see Greg
sittingonmybedwithmylaptopopen.Hiseyesroamovermeastheyalways
do,butthistimeallIhaveisatoweltocoverme.Thesideofhismouthturns
upandIswallowasItrytonotlookafraid.

“Why do you have my laptop?” I ask, and I’m surprised my voice is

steady.

“It’smyjobtokeepaneyeonyou.”Heshutsitandstandsfromthebed.

Ifighttheurgetotakeastepback.Menlikehimenjoythefeartheycan

inciteinpeople.Iknowthatfromwatchingmydad.Heenjoysittoomuch,
butIalwayschalkedituptobeingtheboss.NowI’mnotsosurethat’strue.
HiswayoflifeisallI’veeverknown,andfromwhatI’vejustdiscovered,it
mightallbeanillusion.

“Iwasn’tawareIcouldn’thavesomesortofprivacy.”Iraisemychinin

challenge.

“You’llneverhavethat.”Iglanceawayfromhimtomyclosedbedroom

door, wondering if I could make it. I might not need to because my scream
wouldgetattention.“Butyouknowthatalready,littleLoren.”

I look back at him and he licks his lips. I can tell something is rattling

aroundinthatheadofhis.

“Hekilledthelastmanwhowatchedoveryou.”I’mnotsureifheknew

thatalreadyorifhejustsawitonmylaptop.

“No,”Isay,butmyheadisnodding,notonlyshockingme,butIseeiton

Greg’s face, too. My faith in my dad is faltering and I just gave Greg a
weakness.

“Why?”Hisvoiceislownow.

“Idon’tknow.”Atearslipsfree.IwassureI’dcriedthemallout.Iwas

wrong.Iwaswrongaboutmanythings.

We both stand in silence. It’s not uncomfortable, there just aren’t any

wordsIcanfindtosay.AtleastthatwhyI’mquiet.Gregisalittlesloweron
theuptake,butevenasItakethementaljabathimIrealizeI’mtheonewho’s
slow.

“He kills them,” he finally says, and this time I can’t stop the chill that

runs over me at the impact of his words. “Dear old daddy isn’t who he
pretendstobeinfrontofyou.You’rehisdarlingsweetdaughter.”Helickshis
lipsagain.“Doyouthinkhethinksaboutyouwhenhekillsthem?Youknow
I’vereadaboutthatshit.Killerspretendingtokillthesamepersonoverand
overagain.Somesickshitifyouaskme.”

Suddenly I envision all those girls with red hair. The disgusting thought

hadenteredmymindforthebriefestmomentbeforeItosseditbackout.Greg
isshiningalightonit,oneverythingI’mrefusingtolookat.He’sgivingthe
thoughtsvoiceanditmakesitfeelreal.

He shakes his head. “Though I could see why not having the real thing

wouldbeunsatisfying.Especiallywhenit’srightinfrontofyou.”Heclears
therestofthedistancebetweenusandeverythinginsideofmefreezes.

Herunshisfingerdownmycheekanditkeepsgoingdownmyneckand

acrossthetopofmybreasts.Iwanttoslaphishandaway,butIkeepmygrip
onthetowel.

“I bet you’re untouched, aren’t you? You’ve been locked away from

anyone getting to you, when really you should fear what you’re locked in
with.”

“Areyougoingtohurtme?”Iask,becauseI’msickofnotknowing.

HiswordsaretrueandIshouldfearwhat’saroundme.Allthistimemy

dadhasbeensayingthingsouttherecouldhurtmebecauseofwhoheis,but
thedangerlingerswithinthesewalls.

“No,Idon’twanttohurtyou.Iwantyouasmyownbecausehedoesn’t

deserve you.” Greg’s nostrils flare and the darkness I know he has in him

flashesinhiseyes.Inoticethewayhesayswantto,meaninghewillifhehas
to.

It’sinthatmomentIknowit’sbetterthedevilIknow.Mydadhasnever

laidahandonme.Hemightbecapableofhorriblethings,butsofarit’snot
beentome.HistemperwithmeisgrowingandIcanfeelit.Tensionisinthe
airandIknowallitwilltakeisaspark.Still,I’dbesaferwithhimthanGreg.
MaybeIcouldgetoutofherewiththehelpofGreg,butIstillhavemyown
hiddenescapepathiftheyhaven’tdestroyedit.

“He’dkillyouifheknewwhatyouweresaying.”IremindGregwhohe’s

messingwith.I’mtryingtousethefearmydadusesonotherstogetGregto
backdown.

“Butyouwon’ttell,willyou?”Hissmilebroadens.“Youdon’tliketosee

people hurt, which is unlike your father.” He leans down, brushing his nose
againstmyneckanduptomyear.“Ormaybeyoudon’twantmetogethurt.
I’llgetyououtofhereandthenI’llhaveyoualltomyself.”Hewalksaway
frommeandleavestheroom.I’mrelieved,buthisfantasythatIwanttobe
withhimisterrifying.

IstandthereknowingthesunissettingandIneedtomakeachoice.Greg

is right. I won’t tell on him because I know it will mean his death. I don’t
know if I can run, but what I do know is I can’t let my dad go on killing
women.Evenifitmeanssacrificingmyself.

Four

Bishop

“W

hat’stheplan?”Kanesaysashecrosseshisarmsoverhischest.

ThewholefamilycameoveranhouragoandI’mjustfinallyabletoget

outofbedandwalktothestudy.AssoonasIsitdown,Kanestartsin.

“Themanjustgotoutofbed.Dowereallyhavetomakeamoverightthis

second?”Ravanaasksasshelooksaroundtheroom.

A silence falls over everyone and I smile softly at her. “As I’ve said

before, I don’t have much time left.” I turn to Dove and nod. “Tell us what
youknow.”

“Not much, but I think she’s being held either against her will or under

falsepretenses.”

“Whatmakesyousaythat?”Iask,hangingonhereveryword.Thiscould

bethemateI’vebeensearchingforandIhavetofindout.

“JustafeelingwhenIlookedather.Ithinkthefactthatshehadasecret

escaperouteisabigindicationthatit’snotsafeforher.AllIknowisthather
nameisLorenandshe’sGordon’sdaughter.”

“Didyouknowhehadchildren?”Ezraasks,andIshakemyhead.

“No,thelastIheardhewasstillwithoutamateandtryingdifferentways

tostayaliveforever.Hedidn’tbelievethatlovewasthekeytoeternity,”Isay,
andIseethematesalllookatoneanother.

“Hecouldn’thavehadachildwithoutamate,”Valensays,hiseyebrows

pullingtogether.“Itdoesn’tworkuntilyoufindone,right?”

“Right,” Kane says in agreement. “Unless he had a mate, it would have

been physically impossible for him to have a child. Are you sure he hasn’t
foundhis?”

“There’salwaysthepossibility,”Isay,butitdoesn’tfitwiththeGordonI

know.“Ithinkhewouldhaveseenamateasasignofweakness.It’snothis
style.”

“What do we know about where she’s being held?” Kane asks, and Erik

walksovertothemonitorandturnsthescreenon.

“ThisiswherewefoundDove,”hesaysasimagescomeuponthescreen.

“EzraandIwentandgotasmuchintelaswecouldyesterday,andfromwhat
wesaw,theplaceisheavilyguarded.”

Valen lays down blueprints of the house and rolls them out. “I called in

somefavorsandgotthisafewhoursago.”Hepointstoaroomthatfacesthe
woodswhereDoveranthrough.“FromwhatIcouldtellbasedonthetwins’
pictures of the outside, this is where Loren is being held. She’s guarded by
two men that trade out day and night shifts. If I had to guess, it would be
betweenahumanandvampirebasedonthesun,”hesays,andInod.

“We’re afraid the path that our Dove took has already been breached so

that point of entrance is out.” Erik says as he clicks through more photos.
“The exterior guards line every exit with heavy weapons and the fact that
Dovegotoutaliveisamiracle.”

“Ifwecan’tbreakin,canwedrawthemout?”IaskandValennods.

“That’smysuggestedplanofextraction.”Valenturnsovertheblueprintto

reveal a plan of the surrounding block and nearby properties. “We line
explosives here and here,” he says, pointing to four key points around the
house.“Isaywetimethemtogooffinintervalstocreateconfusion.”

Kane steps forward and points to a place on the map. “I’ve hacked into

theirsecuritysystemandthisistheiremergencyexit.Ifthere’saproblem,this
isthewayshe’llgo.”

“This is the plan?” Ravana says from over in the corner and everyone

turnstolookather.“Youjustblowabunchofshitupandhopewecansnatch
Bishop’smateonthewayout?”

“Do you have a better one?” Valen asks without heat in his words. He

soundsgenuinelycurioustoseeifhismateknowsbetter,andIlikethathe’s
willingtoexploreotherideas.

“What if we have someone go in and retrieve her?” Ravana says and

shrugs.

“No.”Thewordringsoutfromallthematesintheroomexceptone.

“Itcouldwork,”Dovesays,andnowalleyesareonher.“I’vebeeninthat

house.Theyarearmedtotheteeth.ButGordonseemedtobelosingitandI
thinkifwecouldgetsomeoneinsideitwouldbeeasiertosneakheroutthan
toblowupacityblockandstartawar.”

“Noneofusaregoingtoallowthat,”Kanesays.

“I’lldoit,”Ravanasays,andValentakesherarm.

“Weshoulddiscussthisfirst,”hesaysinalowvoice,butsheignoreshim.

“His men will know you,” Kane says, and he looks around the room.

“They’llknowallofus.”

“Then what does it matter?” Ravana says, pushing again to be heard.

“Let’ssaywesneakinandwedon’tgetcaughtandwegetLorenoutofthere.
No problem, right?” She throws up her hands when no one agrees with her.
“Scenario two is we sneak in and we get caught and we just blow shit up
anywayandrunout.Idon’tseetheproblem.”

“She does have a point,” Valen says as he rubs his chin. “If this goes

south,wecanhavetheexplosivesinplacetocreatethedistraction.Ifwe’re
able to do it silently then it’s fewer casualties and less of a chance that
somethingwillhappentoLoren.”

“Ididn’tspendalotoftimewithhim,butI’mafraidofwhathe’scapable

of,”Dovesays,andasilencefallsoverallofus.

IsteeplemyfingersinfrontofmeasIthinkovermyoptions.Idon’tlike

theideaofsendingsomeoneinalonetogetLoren,butthethoughtofpossibly
hurting innocent people in a series of explosions is gut-wrenching. Why are
theseouronlytwooptions?

“I’lldoit,”IsayasIgathermystrengthandstandfromthechair.

“Areyoucrazy?Youcanhardlywalk!”Ravanasaysassherushesoverto

helpmeup.

“Ifthisismymate,allIhavetodoisgetcloseenoughtoscentherand

then all will be right.” I look around the room at everyone. “Wasn’t it the
sameforyou?Onescentandthematingtookoverandeverythinginsideyou
camealive.I’vestudiedparingsfortwocenturiesandthisistheoneconstant.
I will know the instant I’m with her if she’s the one.” I pause as I let the
possibilityofdisappointmenthitme.“Andifshe’snot,thenit’stheendofmy
lifeanyway.Iwon’triskanyofyouforthis.”

“Bishop—”Ezrastepsforward,butIholdmyhandup.

“Iwantyoualltostaybehindandprotectthosethatyoulove.Ifthisgoes

wrong,thenyou’llneedtobereadytoleave.You’llhavetogetoutofthecity,
getawayasfastandasfarasyoucan.”

“We’renotleaving,”Ravanasaysassheclenchesherfists.“Wecanstay

andfight.”

“ButI’morderingyounotto,”Isay,andIcanseehershouldersdrop.“I

will die protecting my family and my sacrifice will be in vain if something
happenstoanyoneofyou.”Iletoutabreathandlookaroundatthem.“Go

homeandgetready.Ileaveatdusk.”

It’s silent until I walk out of the room and I hear whispers behind me. I

don’tpaythemattentionbecauseIknowintheendwhatIcommandwillbe
done.Theydon’thaveachoicebecauseI’mtheirmakerbutalsobecausethey
knowthatI’mright.Noneofthemwanttorisktheirmate’ssafety.It’snotin
theirnaturenowthatthey’vefoundoneanother,soeveniftheintentisthere,
they’llbeunabletogothroughwithit.

I’dneveraskthemtodothistaskforme,becauseit’sminetotakeon.

When I get to my room I walk over to the paintings and look around at

them again. Some are better than others, but the eyes are always the same.
Thevioletcolorstaresbackatmeandthehopeinsidemerises.Couldshebe
theone?

Ittakesmealongtimetochangeintomysuitbecausemymovementsare

slow and lethargic, but when I look at myself in the mirror, nothing has
changed.There,still,isthedarkhairanddarkeyesI’vestaredatforovertwo
hundred years. My body is big and strong, and no matter what I feel right
now, I know that if Gordon comes between me and what’s mine, I will end
himonceandforall.

Thereismoretousandourstory,butrightnowmyonlyfocusisgetting

toLoren.

Five

Loren

take a deep breath to calm my nerves. I smooth my dress down, making

sure I don’t look as much of a mess on the outside as I feel on the inside.
WhenIopenmydoor,IsmilewhenIseeMarcusstandingthere.Hegiveshis
usualchinnodtome.Heneversaysmuch.It’swelcomeoverGreganyday.
Heputmemoreonedgeafterhispartingwords.I’mgoodwithbeingignored
byMarcusifitmeanshekeepshishandstohimself,andvampiresalwaysdo.
AtleasttheonesthatI’vemet.

“IsDadinhisoffice?”

Hegivesmeanothernod,andIsmilepolitelyinthanksbeforeturningand

goingdownstairs.Witheachstep,dreadweighsdownonme.Itryandshake
itoffthebestIcan.Ihavetodothis.IhavetoaskthequestionsthatIneed
answersto.Iwon’tsitandturnablindeyetowhathemightbedoing.

Thedoorisajar,butIknocklightly.“Comein,Loren,”mydadcalls,and

Ipushitopen.

Hestaysseatedbehindhisdesk.Icanalreadyfeeltheweirdtensioninthe

room, but maybe it’s me. He tilts his head and looks me over. He isn’t the
samemanIrememberfromyearsago,andit’sareminderofhowfastthings
canchange.

“You’re scared of something,” he says as he stands up. “Did someone

harmyou?”heasksashebraceshishandsonhisdesk.

Did someone harm me? No. Did they touch me? Yes. It won’t be a lie,

whichissomethingIalwayshavetobecarefulabout.

“Noonehasharmedme,”Ianswer,steppingfartherintohisoffice.

“Comesit.”HepointstoachairandIdoasI’mtold,takingaseatinfront

ofhim.

HekeepsstudyingmeandIdon’tevenknowwheretostart.Istareatthe

same face I’ve known my whole life. I’m growing older each year, but his
alwaysstaysthesame.Ifyoutoldsomeonewewerefatheranddaughterthey
wouldn’tbelieveit.Notwithhowyounghestillappears.

“Outwithit,”hepushes,andIcantellhe’salreadyirritatedwithme.

Itmakesmemisstheoldhimevenmore.Maybethiswastherealhimall

alongandI’monlyseeingitnowthatI’mlookingforit.Inoticehe’sgetting
carelesswithkeepingthingshiddenfromme.

“Ifoundthis.”Ipullthepictureoutandplaceitonthedesk.“Youliedto

me.”Hepicksupthepictureandstaresatitwithoutareaction.“HowcanIbe
yourchild?”Thewordscomeoutwhisper-soft,butIknowhehearsme.

Iwringmyhandsinmylap.He’snevergivenmemuchofastoryonhis

vampire history, telling me the less I know about things the better. I hadn’t
pushedbecausewhenIwasyoungerIdidn’tgiveitmuchthought,tooyoung
tofullycomprehendwhatavampirewasbeyondwhatIsawontvorreadina
book.

“I raised you, didn’t I?” he says, his voice calm and even. “I gave you

everythingyouneeded.”

Inod.“Dad.”Ilookatthemanthathasbeenmylifeandhe’sallIknow.

“Ineedyoutogivemesomekindofhonesty.Please.”

Isilentlybegforhimtolayeverythingoutandmakemefeelhorriblefor

thethingsI’veconjuredupinmymind.Maybeheonlytoldafewsmallwhite
liestoprotectme.Ineedtoknowsomethingbecausemymindkeepstryingto
comeupwithreasonafterreasontodistrusthim.

He drops the picture back down onto the desk and sits down. I hate the

silencethatlingersanditmakesmethinkhe’scomingupwithliestotellme.
Thetruthshouldcomeouteasily.

“Are you killing redheaded women?” I toss out the bomb to shake the

silence, but he only he lets out a laugh. He throws his head back and the
sound doesn’t put me at ease. He’s not laughing as though my question is
crazy.It’ssinister.Itmakesthepaininmystomachthrob.

“You’renotasstupidasIthoughtyouwere.”Hiswordsareworsethana

physicalslaprighttothefaceandatearescapes.“Don’tcry.”Thistimethere
is a trace of regret in his voice. “I do care for you, Loren. I didn’t think I
would,butitgrewovertime.You’retheclosestthingtoadaughterI’llever
have.”

I’munsurehowtorespond.

“Youshouldthankme.Yourmother,ifyoucanevencallherthat,hadyou

stuffedinadrughouse.You’reluckytobealive.Ifoundyouwhenyouwere
threeyearsoldrunningaroundatrashbinbarelynourished.Isavedyouand
madeyouforgetthatrottenlife.”

Hesmileslikehe’sproudofhimselfandIdon’tknowhowtofeelabout

it.“Ismymotherstillalive?”Heshakeshishead.“Bishopkilledher.”Irepeat
the words he’s said to me a hundred times. They’re always in my mind and
sometimesthey’reonaloopplayingoverandover.I’mnotabletoprocessall
ofitrightnow,ascrazyasthatsounds.MaybeIamgoingcrazy.

“Itisbecauseofhimshe’sdead,”heconfirms.

“Idon’tunderstandanyofthis.Thewomen?Whyyouchosetotakeme?

Why…”Itrailoff.Therearetoomanyquestionstoevennameandnowmy
headisspinning.“Doyoureallyworkforthegovernment?”

“I work for no man.” My body goes numb and my mind tries to play

catch-up,buttherearesomanyholes.Irememberscreamsfromthebasement
and men that came and went. He told me some things were done for the
greatergood.

“A greater good of your choosing.” His eyes lock with mine. I naïvely

thoughtthegreatergoodmeanteveryone.

“Thiswassomucheasierwhenyouletmeinyourmind,”hesighs.“It’s

hardernowandIdon’tknowhowyoudoit,butyoudo.”

Ilockmyhandstogethertokeepthemfromshaking.Everything’scoming

apartattheseams.It’snotjustlearningonebadthingabouthimbutthathe’s
rottentothecore.Myfuzzymemoriesmakemoresense.

“You’ve been standing next to evil this whole time and you thought you

werestandinginthelight.Thisisn’ttherightsideofthings.”

The girl’s words float through my mind. “This is all about Bishop, isn’t

it?” It has to be. Everything always circles back around to Bishop and my
dad’shateforhim.IfthereisonethingI’mcertainof,it’sthatmydadloathes
Bishop.HowdidIgettangledupinamessbetweenthem?

It still doesn’t add up because now my dad has no need to avenge my

mother.Shewasnothingtohim,sowhyishedoingthis?

“Yes,itstartedthere.Iknewhewantedyou,soItookyou.”Hesaysitso

easily,asifhepoppedintothestoreandboughtme.

“Youtookme,”Irepeat.ThosesimplewordsmakemefeelasthoughI’m

onlyanobjectandnothingmore.

“Isavedyou.”ThistimeIfeelthebiteofhiswords.He’sgettingmad,yet

stillIpush.“You’reminenow,daughter,andhecan’thaveyou.”

Maybehedoescareaboutmeinsomeweirdtwistedway.ButnowthatI

knowhe’sbeenplayingwithmymind,Ihavenoideawhatwasrealorwhat
wasn’t. Furthermore, why does Bishop want me? Why do you always want

him,mymindanswers.Ishakethatthoughtaway.Idon’twantthemanwho
killedmymother.I’mnotsureIwantthemansittinginfrontofmetobein
mylifeanymoreeither.

“DidyousavemefromthelifeIwaslivingorfromhim?”Iaskandstand

up.Hedoesthesameandwestareatoneanother.

Icantellhedoesn’twanttoanswerthequestionashisjawclenches.

“Youdon’treallycareaboutmeorwhateverthisis.”Ipointbetweenus,

feeling my heat and anger rising. “I’m some chew toy between you two for
somecrazyreasonthatyouwon’ttellme!”Iscream.

Before I see him move, he’s out from around the desk and smacks me

hardontheface.IfallbackintomychairandclutchmycheekasIlickmy
bottomlipandtasteblood.Myfacethrobs,butit’stheleastofthepainI’m
feelingrightnow.

Gordonstandsovermelookingalittleshockedhimselfthathehitme.“I

—”Hiswordsarecutoffwhenthespeakeronhisphonecomesalive.

“Securitybreach.”

“Fuck!” he curses then he picks up the phone and listens to whatever is

beingsaid.

“Gettothepanicroom.StaythereuntilIcomeforyou.”Hepullsmeup

fromthechairandpushesmetowardsthedoorsofhisoffice.“Loren,areyou
listeningtome?Gotothepanicroom.Youknowthedrill.”Inod.

Ileavehisofficeandwalktowardsthebasementstillholdingmycheek.

MenrunpastmeasIgettothedoorofthebasementandstop.Irecallthelast
time I went down there and what I’d seen. There was so much blood
everywhereandthethoughtofitnowsendsachillalloverme.

AloudexplosionrocksthewholehouseandIhavetobracemyselfonthe

wallsoIdon’tfallover.Myearsringfromthesound,butsomethinginsideof
merealizesthisismychance.Idropmyhandandseeasmearofbloodonmy
fingertips. My lip having cracked when he hit me. He never denied killing
thosewomenandI’mnotgoingtobeaddedtothatlist.

Six

Bishop

“S

hit,”IsaywhenIheartheexplosiongooff.

Theothersmustbecloseenoughtohearthealarms.Imanagedtosneak

into the back kitchen stairwell without being detected, but the door stayed
opentoolongandtriggeredasensor.I’mweakandIcan’tmoveasfastasI
needto,soIhavetobecareful.

Ieaseintothehallwayandwaitforagroupofmenwithgunstopassby

me. As long as I take my time and stay calm I’ll be fine. I got dizzy a few
timesonthewayinandIknowmyfamilywasclosebywatching,nomatter
howmanytimesItoldthemtostayaway.

AsIpushawayfromthewall,Iwaitforthenextexplosiontogooff,but

itdoesn’t.TheymightbewaitingtotriggeranotheronetousewhenIescape.
IwillmakeitoutofherealiveandwithLoren.I’lldoeverythingIcantosave
herandkeepthatmonsterawayfromherandmyfamily.

ItakeafewstepsdownthehallwayandIfreezewhenIhearsomething

coming.Idon’thavethetimeortheenergytorunandhidesoIstandthereas
thepersoncomesaroundthecornerandfacesmefullon.

My throat tightens when I see the young woman standing there. She’s

wearingawhitedresswithbloodonitandherredhairisaroundherface.She
looksupfromthegroundwhensheseesmeandhervioleteyescollidewith
mine.

“It’s you,” I say, barely above a whisper, as I stare into the face of the

womanI’vebeendreamingof.

“Bishop?”shesays,andthoughshelooksatmelikeshe’ssurprisedtosee

mestandinghere,she’snotrunningaway.

“Youhavetocomewithme,”IsayasIholdoutmyhand.

She looks at it for a long moment before she takes a few steps towards

me. When we’re only a few feet apart her scent surrounds me and all that I
thoughtwaslostisbroughttolife.Shesmellslikecinnamonandfreshapples
anditmakesmymouthwater.Mybackstraightensandmymusclesflex.It’s
likeI’mbeingrechargedwitheverybreathofherItakeintomylungs.

“I’mscared,”sheconfessesasshelooksintomyeyes.

Icanseethefearthereandallthequestionsaroundthem.Ihavetomake

sureshe’ssafe,andrightnowIfeellikeIcouldthrowherovermyshoulder
andplowthroughtheconcretewallbesideme.

“Ifyoucomewithme,Iswearonmyhonorandonmylifethatnoharm

will come to you.” I flex my open hand and she only hesitates for a second
beforeplacinghersinmine.“Trustme.”

AsIsaythewordsIpullherintomyarmsandrunasfastasIcandown

thehallandtothebackentrancethatIcamein.Thereareboundtobeguards
there,butit’sthequickestexitandtimeisnotonourside.

ThefeelingpumpingthroughmybodyrightnowisnothinglikeI’veever

felt.Iwanttoprotectherandholdhercloseandpossesseveryinchofher.I
wanttotasteherbodyandmakeherlaughandIwanttogivehereverything
herheartdesires.Isthiswhatitmeanstobecomeamate?Thisoverwhelming
desire to fuck and to dominate all while being generous with everything
insideofme?It’slikeI’vebeenhandedapreciousangelandit’snowmyduty
tomakesurenooneharmsherorbreaksherspiritforaslongasshelives.

“Wherearewegoing?”sheasksasshetucksinclosetome.

“I’m taking you home.” Something settles in my chest and it’s like I’m

aliveforthefirsttimeintwohundredyears.

“They’lltryandstopus.”

I’msurprisedsheisn’tputtingupaprotest,butmaybeshefeelsthepullto

measwell.

“Iwon’tletanyonehurtyouorgetinmyway.”

Justasthewordsareoutofmymouthamanstepsout,blockingthedoorI

was about to walk out of. He’s a big motherfucker, but he’s human. I may
havenotbeenabletofighthimoffmomentsago,butIhavemymatenowand
I’mnolongerondeath’sdoor.

“Greg,letusgo,”Lorenpleads,andIshakemyhead.

“You’llbegnoman,angel,”IsayasIsetherdownonherfeetandpush

herbehindmybody.Iglareatthemuscledmanandraisemychin.“Youcan
letusgooryoucandietryingtostopus.”

“Youthinkyoucantakewhatalreadybelongstome?”hesaysandlaughs.

I can sense the fear rolling off Loren as if it were a living thing. She’s

afraid of him, and that means he needs to pay. “Try and touch her and I’ll
breakeveryboneinyourbody.”Iclenchmyfistsandplantmyfeet.“Ifyou

moveoutofthewayandletusgoI’llletyoulive,yourchoice.”

He laughs again, but before he can make a move I strike out and hit his

facewiththeheelofmyhand.Ihearhisteethcrackandhegrabshismouthas
hestumblesbackwards.Ikickhischestandhearhisribssnapashefallsback
againstthewall.He’soutofthewaynow,soIdecidetogetoutwhilewestill
can.IreachbehindmeandLorentakesmyhandwithouthesitation,andwe
gotosteparoundhim.

Justasshegoesby,Gregreachesoutandsnatchesherlegwithonehand

andpullsoutaknifewiththeother.TerrorshootsthroughmeandIreactlike
anymatewouldifsomeonetriedtodothemharm.Igrabhiswristandbendit
back, snapping it with just a flick of my hand. He cries out and I grab the
knife,stabbingitinhisnecktosilencehim.

“Don’tlookatit,”IsayasIblocktheviewfromher.Loren’sfaceiswhite

asIpullherclosetomeandrunoutofthedoor.“Idon’thavetimetoexplain,
butIpromiseit’sallgoingtobeokay.”

I’m worried she’s traumatized because she’s shaking now. Is this what

happenswhenhumansgointoshock?

Justasweexitthehousethere’sanotherexplosionontheothersideand

internallyI’mthankfulthatmyfamilydidn’tlistentome.Iscoopherintomy
armsandrunasfastasIcanawayfromthehouseandawayfromharm.

Adarkvaniswaitingnearbyandwhenwegetclose,thedoorslidesopen.

I’mrelievedwhenKaneandValenjumpouttohelpusgetinquicker.

“Thank you,” I breathe as they close the door and the van speeds away

fromthecurb.Lorenisshivering,andJulietplacesablanketontopofherasI
cradleherinmyarms.

“Wecan’tgobacktothehouses.That’sthefirstplacehe’lllook,”Isay.

“Ifyou’reallloadedup,thenlet’sgotothemountain.”

Ezraisbehindthewheelandhenods.Doveissandwichedbetweenhim

andErik,andsheturnsaroundtofaceme.

“We’ve got everything on the emergency list loaded in the back. The

twins and I had the house stocked up last week just in case. We should be
goodtohideoutthereforalongtime,oruntilwecanfigureoutwhattodo
next.”

I nod and feel relieved that I have my family with me to help. I know I

thoughtIwasmakingtherightdecisionsendingthemaway,butIwaswrong.
“Thankyou,Dove.”ShesmilesbrightlyatmeandthenlooksatLoren.

“Youokay?”sheasks,butLorendoesn’trespond.

“Just get us to the compound,” I say, and Dove nods and turns back

around.

IleancloseandwhispertoLoren.“It’sallgoingtobeokay.You’resafe

and no one is going to hurt you.” I place a kiss on the top of her head, and
whensheburiesherselfagainstmeevenfurther,Iknowthatshe’sgoingtobe
okay.“Youcantrustallofus.”

Ineedhertounderstandthatshe’snotinanydangerandthatwe’reonly

heretoprotecther.Idon’tknowhowlongthatwilltake,butI’vegotallthe
timeintheworldnow,thankstoher.Shesavedmylife,andthebestwayto
repaythatistomakesurethatdangerneverfindsheragain.

Seven

Loren

finally pull my face away from Bishop’s neck when I feel myself being

lowered onto a soft surface. I miss his rich scent and warmth instantly
becauseIclungtohimlikealifesaverinthestormthatmylifehadbecome.I
feltlikeIwasdrowning,andwhenhepulledmeinclosertohim,theshaking
finally stopped. I melted into him, feeling comfort instantly. It was all too
muchtotake,butwhenIwassurroundedbyhimIfeltsafe.

When I saw him standing there I thought for a moment it was a dream.

That none of the horror was real and I would wake up in bed back in a life
thathadn’tbeenturnedupsidedownandmydadwouldbehimselfagain.But
ithadn’tallbeenadream.

I went with Bishop willingly and believed the words that came from his

lipsasiftheyweretruthscarvedinstone.Iwentwithhimsoeasilybecause
something inside me pulled me towards him, telling me that he was safe. It
waslikeaninvisiblethreadthatlinkedustogetherandtightened,andIknew
hewouldmakeeverythingokay.

Thesamemanmydadtoldmetofearforalltheseyearsistheonetosave

me. Gordon, I mentally correct, because he isn’t really my dad. I needed to
cometotermswiththat.GordonhadtakenmejustasBishophad,butdidn’tI
gowillinglywithBishop?HeaskedmeandIdidn’tfighthim.Ireachedout,
takinghishand,anditwasthemostnaturalthingintheworld.

Hisdarkeyesstareintomineandhishandcomesup.Ishouldflinch,butI

tilt my head, meeting his hand against my cheek. Something inside of me
craveshisaffection.

“Whodidthistoyou?”Histouchisfeathersoftforsuchabigman.His

fingerslingeronmycheekasifI’mmadeofglass.

I swallow, not wanting to cry. I’m still shocked Gordon struck me, but I

think I knew it was coming. He’d been changing lately, and I had to have
knownonsomelevelorIwouldn’thavebeenwalkingoneggshells.

“Tellme?”Bishopasksashemovesevenclosertome.

“Howdoyousoundcommandingandconcernedatthesametime?”Isay.

Ihearaloudsnortandturnmyheadtoseeagroupofpeoplewatchingus.

Iknowthenoisecamefromthedark-hairedfemalevampire.She’dprobably
look like more of a badass if the man next to her didn’t dwarf her in
comparison,hisarmslungaffectionatelyaroundher.

Doveishere,too,andIfindcomfortinthatfact.ItmakesmewonderifI

shouldhavetakenheruponherofferthatday.Iguesssomelessonsmustbe
learnedonmyown.

She’s sandwiched between identical twins, and there’s no telling them

apart.Bothhaveapossessiveholdonher,andit’soddbecauseI’mnotused
toseeingsomanycouples.Forsomereasonthatputsmeatevenmoreatease.
The open affection everyone has for one another makes me think that this
mustbeasafeplace.

“Wow. I’ve never seen eyes like that before,” another woman says,

making me glance to her. A vampire with a scarred face stands beside her.
She’s cuddling into him as if he’s a giant teddy bear, but he’s practically
blockingherview.

“People always say something about them the first time they see me,” I

admit.I’musedtoit,butsomepeoplethinkthey’reprettywhileothersthink
they’refreaky.IforgetaboutthemuntilImeetsomeonenew.

“Sorry,I’mJuliet.”Shegivesasmallwave.“They’rejust—”

“Magnificent,” Bishop says, cutting her off. “They’re the most beautiful

thing I’ve ever seen. They’re the same eyes I’ve been dreaming about,” he
saysasheleansin.“Nowtellme,whohityou.”

“Mydad.”Ishakemyhead.“ImeanGordon.”

HisjawclenchesandIswearIhearasoundrumblefromdeepinsideof

him.Ishouldbackawayinfear,butIdon’t.InsteadIleanintohim,enjoying
thesoundofhisangerovermebeinghurt.

“Areyoudoingsomethingtome?Areyouplayingwithmymind?”

“No,”heanswers,offendedanddisgustedattheidea.“I’dneverdothatto

you.”

“Iwanttotrustyou,”Iadmit.“ButIhateyou.”AsIsaythewords,they

soundwrong.Bishopistheonewhoflinchesthistimeandguiltslidesacross
me.“I’msorry,”Imumble,lookingdownatmyhandsinmylap.HowdoI
feellostandfoundatthesametime?

“Maybeweshouldleaveyoutwoalone.”IglanceoveratDove.“We’llbe

around.Ipromisethereisn’tasaferplaceintheworldforyoutobe.”

Withthattheyallleave,andIseeamixofconcernandhappinessontheir

faces.

“Theycareaboutyou,”IsaywhenIlookbackatBishop.They’renotlike

Gordon’smen,whofearhim,andthat’swhytheyfollowhisorders.Hismen
havenochoice,butthere’snoneofthathere.

“They’remyfamily.”Thecornerofhismouthturnsupinasmile,andI

cantellhe’sproudtosaythat.

“I don’t have a family anymore.” I don’t mean to say it aloud, but it

comesout.“He’snotreallymydad.”

“Love.”Icanhearthehurtinhisvoiceformeashepullsmeintohislap.

The simple word hits me hard. It’s the first time I’ve ever given the word
muchthoughtbecauseitisn’tawordI’musedtohearing.I’veneverusedit
myself.“I’myourfamily,andnowthey’reyourfamily,too.”

Why would he say that? Gordon said he wanted me, but he never said

why.

“Youkilledmymother?”Isayitasaquestion,andBishop’sbodystills.

Hedoesn’tanswermeandtimeticksby.Ishouldshovehimaway,butI

don’t have it in me. What does that say about me? Why did I push with
GordonwhenIthoughtsomethingwasamiss,butwithBishopIlaymyhead
onhisshoulder,notwantingtomove?

“She’sdeadbecauseofme,”hefinallysays,andInoticehedoesn’tsayhe

killedherbuthetakestheblame.“Gordondoesn’tmuchcareforme.”

I can’t help the bark of laughter that bubbles up from me at his gross

understatement. Even Bishop lets out a small chuckle and it feels good to
laughforamoment.

“He didn’t want me to find my mate. He knew I was obsessed with the

ideaofmydreamgirlwhocametomeatnight.”

“Mate?”Iaskandwonderifhemeansawife.

“Yes, mate. If a vampire is lucky enough to find his mate, then his soul

belongstoher.Thewomanwhowillsavehimwillbehiseverything.Shewill
givehimareasontowanttoliveforeternity.”

Isitupandlookintohiseyes.“Ihadnoideatherewassomethinglikethat

between vampires. It sounds wonderful.” It sounds right and that’s what I
want. The tight knot of pain I always have in my stomach loosens and I’m
warmallover.

“I think there are many things Gordon kept from you,” he says, and a

painedlookcrosseshisface.“IfIhadknownhehadyou…”Regretflashesin
his eyes and he grits his teeth. “He wanted to hurt me, and he knew worse
than death for me would be never finding my mate.” He leans in close, his
mouthbutabreathfrommine.“You’retheone.”

AlltheairleavesmylungswhenhegivesmewhatIknewwascoming.I

could feel it, but hearing him say it confirms what my body and heart have
beentellingmeallalong.AweightIdidn’tknowwasthereisgonewithhis
easywords.

HeliftsmeinhisarmsandIholdhimtightly.“Letmeshowyou.”

Hecarriesmethroughthehomeandupthestairs.It’sthenIrealizeIhave

noideawhereIam,butIdon’tcare.Itdoesn’ttakelongandhepushesopena
doortoabedroomandputsmedownontomyfeet.

“Thisisoneofmyhomes,”hetellsme.“Idreamtofyouforthefirsttime

thenightIwasturned.Overtheyearsmoreandmoreofyouwouldcometo
me. First it was your hair.” He reaches out, wrapping a lock of my red hair
around his finger. “Then how soft you were.” His other hand slides up my
arm as he touches my skin. “Your eyes took me to my knees. They are a
beautyIdidn’tknowexisted.”HegazesintothemandIswearIcanfeelhim
lookingdeepinsideandseeingallofme.

My mouth falls open because no one has ever said such sweet words to

mebefore.Hisfingerreleasesmyhairandhecomescloserashishandslides
aroundmyhip.

“Thenthis.”

Heleansinslowly,andIknowrightawayit’stogivemetimetotellhim

tostop.I’mnotgoingto.

He kisses the bare skin on my shoulder over my birthmark. “I led him

righttoyou,love.InevermeanttoandI’msosorry.”

There’sthatwordagain,makingmyheartflutter.

“Howdidyouleadhimtome?”IknowGordonwastheonewhokilled

mymothernow.Hekilledherandtookme.

He steps aside and his big frame moves away from me. I stand there in

shockasmyeyesscanthewalls.Therearepaintingsofmeeverywhereand
it’sbreathtaking.

“Youpaintedthese?”Myhandcomestomymouth.“Therearesomany.”

“ThisishowIknowI’mresponsibleforthedeathofyourmother.Gordon

usedsomeofthepaintingsIdidinthepasttofindyou.Heusedthemtohunt

you down and take you from your mother. If I hadn’t painted you or kept
themsecret,thenhewouldn’thavekilledher.”

“That’snotyourfault,”Isaydefendinghim.Iknowinmyheartthathe’s

tellingmethetruth.

Gordon fed me lies, but deep down I knew that he was evil. I can see

straighttoBishop’ssoulandit’spureandgood.

“I’msosorrythatIdidn’tfindyousooner.”Hegrazeshisknucklesalong

my jaw and my body is alight with heat. “But I’m here now, and I’ll do
anythingtokeepyousafe.You’remine,Loren.”

Eight

Bishop

“I

can’tstayawayfromyouanymore,”IsayasIcupherfaceandshetilts

hercheekintomypalm.“I’vewaitedtwohundredyearsalmosttothedayto
findyou,andjustwhenIlosthope,thereyouwere.”

“What’s happening?” she says as I lean close and hold my lips a breath

awayfromhers.

“I’mgoingtokissyou,thenI’mgoingtotasteyou,”IsayasIslideone

armaroundherbackandpressmylipstoher.

Thereisasmalltraceofbloodonherlipfromwhereitwassplitbefore,

andwhenithitsmytongueIfeelitallthewaydowntomytoes.Theflavorof
sweetsugarycinnamonfillsmymouthandIdeepenthekiss.

HerhandsslideupmychestandIfeelhergripthejacketofmysuit.Ipull

atthematerial,wantingitawayfrommybodyandwantingherskinagainst
mine.I’msuddenlyfranticwiththeneedtohaveherandtoloveeveryinchof
herbody.ShereachesforthebuttonsofmyshirtandIcansenseherurgency
aswell.

“Ineedyou,”IsayasIkissdownherneckandgrazemyteethalongher

delicateflesh.Igrindmyhardcockagainstherandshegasps,spreadingher
legs.ThewarmcradleofherthighswelcomesmeandIgrindagainsther.“We
drinkfromeachother,that’showyoustaymineforever.”

ShemoansasIpressheragainstthewallandpullmyshirtoff.Shescores

hernailsdownmybarechestandIwanttohowlwithexcitement.Myhands
gotoherdressandIbunchthefabricaroundherwaistsothatIcanfeelher
heatagainstme.Itracemyfingersalongtheedgeofherpanties,kissingmy
waydownhercollarbone.

“Willyoubiteme?”sheasks,andIleanbackalittletoseetheneedinher

eyes.

“Whenever you ask me to,” I say and kneel down in front of her. “Hold

thisupforme.”

ShegrabstheedgeofherdressandliftsitsoIcanseeherwhitepanties

exposed.Thesightofherbeforemeandthescentofherdesirehavemyhead

dizzywithlust.Howcanshebesopureandsweetandwantamanlikeme?I
mightnotbethemanshedeserves,butI’llbebetterforher.I’llbethebest
thatIcanbeandgiveherallthatshedesires.

I gently peel her panties down, exposing her bare pussy and pink lips.

They’refreshwithdewandIfeelmyteethachetotasteherandtobite.

“You’re untouched, aren’t you, love?” I ask as I rub my thumb between

herlips.Ilookupandlockeyeswithher.Shenodsandbitesherbottomlip.
“Youwon’tbeanylonger.”

ShestepsoutofherpantiesasIleanforwardandrunmytonguealongthe

seam of her pussy. Her body tenses but then immediately relaxes when she
letsmetasteher.Thewarmsweetcinnamonisstrongesthere,andImoanat
theflavor.Howcanshetastesoheavenly?Doallmatesfeelthesameway?

Ipickuponelegandputitonmyshoulderasmyhandsgotoherass.I

grip her hard and open my mouth over her pussy, sucking on her clit. She
callsmynameandherhandsgotomyshouldersassherollsherhipsagainst
myface.It’sdirtyandsexy,watchingherworkingherbodytogetoff.

Sheridesmyfaceandherbodytrembles,andIknowherorgasmisfast

approaching. She might be a virgin, but she’s hungry to become a woman,
andI’mgoingtomakeherthatsoonenough.

TheneedtohaveherisoverwhelmingandIcan’tcontrolmyurgesmuch

longer.Asherbodycoilstight,Islidetwofingersinsideofherandfeelher
virginitybreak.Shecriesoutasshepeaksandherorgasmhitsherhard.Isuck
onherclitwhilesheridesthewaveofpleasureandcallsoutmyname.

Icantastehervirginbloodonmytongue,andIlickhercleanandkissthe

insideofherthigh.BeforeIcantellherwhatI’mgoingtodo,Isinkmyteeth
intothesoftfleshandbreaktheskin.Shecriesasanotherorgasmrollsover
herandIsmile,tastingherblood.

IclosemyeyesandmoanasIdrinkfromherandfeelthebondwarmmy

body. I’m hard as a rock and it’s getting worse since my body has been
waitingforthismomentfortwohundredyears.Ican’twaitmuchlonger,butI
don’tknowhowlongI’lllast.

WhenI’vetastedenoughofherfornow,Ilickthewoundclosedandthen

standup.Herhandsstillholdtighttothedress,soIprythematerialfreeand
thentakeitoffherbody.She’scompletelybarebeforemeandI’veneverseen
anythingmorebeautiful.

Herlegsareshaky,andIholdhercloseasIwalkovertothesmallcouch

inthecorneroftheroom.Isitdownandhelpherstraddleme,leaningbacka

little. Her hands go to the waist of my slacks and I help her undo them and
take my cock out. It’s so thick I’m not sure it will fit inside her, but I don’t
feelherfear.InsteadIsenseexcitementandsomethingelsesomuchdeeper.

After tasting her blood I’m connected to her in ways I never thought

possible.ThisiswhatallthebooksI’vestudiedforsolongtalkabout,butI
neverknewitcouldbethisway.HerthoughtsaremyownandIwonderwhat
itwillbelikewhenshetastesmine.

“Now it’s your turn, love,” I say as I bring my wrist to my mouth and

piercemyskinwithmyteeth.

Hereyesgrowwidewithsurprise,butagainthere’snofear.She’scurious

andhungry.WhenIholditoutforher,sheleansdownandplacesherlipson
me without hesitation, and that’s when I grab my cock and hold it steady
whilesheraisesherhipsandlowersontoit.

Her violet eyes lock with mine. I feel her taste me at the same time my

cockslidesslowlyintoherpussy.She’ssuckingmeasmycocksinksdeeper
andIcan’tlookaway.It’sthesinglegreatestmomentofmylifeandinstantly
Ifeelourconnectionwraparounduslikeasolidwallprotectingusfromthe
outsideworld.Theonlythingthatmattersrightnowisthetwoofusinthis
roomandnothingcantakethataway.

“Fuck,”Isaythroughclenchedteethassheseatsherselfonmycockand

holds me deep inside of her. I don’t know how her body was able to take
every inch, but the magic that binds us together must be what makes it
possible.

She’ssomuchsmallerthanIam,butsomehow,weareone.

ItouchhercheekasIpullmywristawayandthenbringittomymouthto

seal the cut. There’s a small trace of blood on her bottom lip and I lean
forward, taking her face with both hands and kissing her deeply. Her bare
breasts press against my chest and her hard peaks tease me. The kiss is
overwhelming as I taste myself on her tongue and feel our connection open
completelyforthefirsttime.Icanhearherthoughtsandfeelwhatshedoes
andIcanhearherdesires.Ibreakthekissandmovemymouthtohernipples,
becauseshewonderswhatitwouldbeliketohavetheminmymouth.

HerhipsrockasIthinkabouthowgooditwouldfeeltohavehermoveon

me,andtogetherwegiveeachotherwhatwewant.

“Bishop,”shewhispers,andIleanbacktolookather.Hervioleteyesare

dark now and I can sense how good my cock feels inside her. “Is it always
likethis?”sheasksassherocksherhipsbackandforth.

“Idon’tknow.Ionlyknowwhatit’slikemakinglovewithyou.”Irubmy

hands down her back and then grab her ass. “But I imagine this connection
rightnowonlyhappenswithtruemates.Withpeoplewholoveeachother.”

HerhipsfalterandIgrabheraroundthewaistandstandupbeforeIlay

her back down on the small couch. Her ass is at the edge and I’m hovering
overherasIfuckherharderanddeeper.

“Wehaveallthetimeintheworldtodefinewhatitisyoufeelrightnow,

butforme,thisisundeniablelove.LovethatI’vesearchedforsincethedayI
was made. Even before you were born I was searching for you. This is real
andtrue,Loren,andI’mgoingtoprotectitwithmylife.”

She reaches out and grabs my chest as she moans and clenches around

me.Herbreathingisheavyandherbodyissoftwhilesheliesbackandlets
mehaveher.Iplacemyhandonherbellyandlookintohereyes.

“I’m going to make you a mother,” I say, letting my cock slide deeper

inside her. “You’ve been alone for far too long. It’s time you were bred and
given what your heart desires.” I lean down to suck on her nipple and she
criesout.“Icanreadallyourthoughtsatonceandyoucanreadmine,too.I
know that deep down you’re hoping to get pregnant so that you can have a
littlebaby.”

“Oh god, Bishop,” she breathes while her pussy squeezes me. My dirty

wordsareonlythetruthandI’mmakingapromiseIintendtokeep.

“If a baby is what you want, then that’s what you’ll get,” I say, rubbing

herclitwithmythumbandfeelingherbodytighten.“AllIwantistoloveyou
untiltheendofeternity.”

Shecriesoutasherclimaxhits,andIcannolongerholdback.Isinkdeep

intoheronelasttimeandfeelmycockeruptinsideofher.Wavesofpleasure
washoverme,andit’stwiceasmanybecauseIfeelhers,too.Theconnection
allowsthebothofustoshareinthereleaseandIholdhercloseasitrunsover
us.

We’rebothgaspingforairasthemingledcreamfromthetwoofusslips

out of her pussy and around where we’re joined. I’m not ready to leave her
body, so I don’t pull out as I stand up with her and carry her into the
bathroom.

“Whereareyoutakingme?”sheaskssleepily,cuddlingagainstme.

“Ithoughtyou’dliketohaveanicehotsoakwithme,”IsayasIgointhe

bathroomandturnonthehotwaterinthetub.

Isetherontheedgeofthesink,butstillIwon’tleaveherwarmembrace.

I’m still hard like a diamond, but I imagine it’s going to stay that way for
quitesometime.

WhileIwaitforthebathtofillup,Iholdherfaceandstareintohereyes.

Ituckherhairbehindherears,andItouchherlips,butIcan’tstoplookingat
her. Our minds are as connected as our souls, and we’re sharing all of our
memories.Someofhersaresosadandlonely,butthereareafewniceones
from when she was younger and got to go outside and play. She sees mine
andhowlonelyIwasuntilIbegantohaveafamilyofmyown,buttherewas
alwaysamissingpiece.NowthatI’vefoundher,myheartisfullandshesees
that,too.Therearenowordstoexchangeandnothingisleftunsaid.Thisis
thebestpartaboutbecomingmated—mytruthisthereforhertosee.

IcarryherovertothetubandstepinbeforeIsinkdownslowly.She’sstill

straddling me as she places her head on my chest and the warm water
surroundsus.

“Tomorrow,”IsaywhenIfeelherquestionsbubblingup.“Rightnow,just

letmetakecareofyou,Loren.Letmeshowyoulove.”

I feel her body mold to mine as she truly knows what it feels like to

belongsomewhere.

Nine

Loren

“W

hat have I done?” I whisper as I stare at Bishop lying in bed next to

me.

ForthefirsttimesinceIcanremember,myheadisclearandthereareno

morefuzzyspots.ThereweresomanythingsGordonhidfrommeinmyown
mind.I’dbeenlivingwiththatmonstermywholelifeanddidn’tknowit.

Bishop’seyesopenandherollsusoversohe’sontopofme.Hepinsme

beneathhimandthere’salookofconcernonhisface.

“Don’teventhinkaboutrunningawayfromme.Thatstoryisgettingold

aroundhere.”Ismileupathim,thinkingIcouldspendforeverjustlikethis.

“Ineverwanttogoanywhere.”Itrailmyhandsuphischestintohisdark

shorthair.“Ijustdon’twantmorepeoplegettinghurtbecauseofme.Whatif
hecomesafteryouand—”Hecutsmeoffwithakisssodeepandsweetthat
itmakesmywholebodycomealive.Imoanintohismouthandwrapmylegs
aroundhim.ThepleasureofthenightbeforefloodsmymindandIwanttodo
thosethingsalloveragain.

I’ll never leave you. His words float into my mind. That’s going to take

some time getting used to. And I’ll never leave you, I send back without
having to use words. Our connection is already so deep, and maybe that’s
becauseitwastherelongbeforeweknewit.

HenipsatmylipbeforeheleansbackandpullsmeupwithhimsoI’m

straddlinghislap.

“He’llcome,”Isay,knowingthisforafact.IwokeupwithafearthatI

mighthavebroughtGordonrighttoBishop’sdoorstep.ThenIrememberedI
wasn’t alone any longer. Whatever’s coming, Bishop and I will face it
together.

“I don’t blame him. I wouldn’t let you go either.” He gives me a cocky

smile.

“Bishop,I’mserious.”Hishandcomesuptomychintomakemelookat

him.Healwayswantsoureyesmeeting.

“Iknow,andI’lldealwithit.It’sbetterhecomeshere,andbesides,thisis

longoverdue.”

“You’regoingtokillhim.”Forsomeonewhodoesn’twantanyoneelseto

die,Idon’tsayawordinGordon’sdefense.

“I should have done it a long time ago, but there’s always an order to

things.Whenthecouncilfoundhimagainheslippedawayandhasonlycome
closernow.”

“Whenwemovedhere?”Iask,andhenods.

“Gordon has always been a little crazy. Even before he was turned, he

cravedthedarkerthingsinlife.Somemenrelishthepowerofevil.”Hecloses
hiseyesforamoment,shakinghishead.

“You’re powerful.” I can feel it and I don’t know if it’s because we’ve

matednoworit’sanaurahegivesoff.It’snotonlypowerbutit’sstrengthand
protection,too.

“SomepeoplewouldsayIam.”

“Butit’snotsomethingyouaskedfororwanted,”Ifinishforhim.

“Correct. I took on the role to oversee the area and have other leaders

report back to me.” He shrugs as if it’s no big deal that he’s some kind of
vampireleader.“Iknewthatmyintentionswouldstaypure,andthatdoesn’t
alwayshappenwithvampires.”

“Gordon told me he worked for the government. He said he was doing

whathehadtoforthegreatergood.”IfeelshamethatIdidn’tseethroughit
allevenifhewasusingmindtricksonme.

“Don’tdothat,love.”Bishopleansinandbrusheshislipsagainstmine.

“This isn’t on you. You were only a child when he took you and he played
withyourhead.Trustme,Iknow.Hispowersdon’tworkonmeandhehad
mefooled.TheonlygreatergoodGordonstrivesforishisown.”

“Isthatwhyhehatesyou?Becauseyoucouldseewhohereallywas?”I

ask, because that’s the moment he finally lashed out at me. Even with my
mindclearnow,I’mstillshockedhestruckme.He’dneverhurtmeinallthe
timeIwaswithhim.Ithinkonsometwistedlevelhedoescareaboutme,but
notinafatherlyway.I’maprizedpettohimandnothingmore.

“Itooksomethingfromhimthathewanted,sohetriedtodothesame.”

“Hetookmefromyou.”

“You were no secret back then. I was young when I knew Gordon.

Everyone knew I was looking for you and I made no secret of it. That was
untilIrealizeditcouldbeusedagainstme.Ineverthought…”Heletsouta

deep growl. “I never thought that he would start killing women who could
potentially be my mate. I think he knew all of them weren’t you. Your hair,
thoseeyes,andthis…”Heleansdown,kissingmybirthmark.“It’salloneof
akind.Hejustenjoyedantagonizingmeandlettingmeknowhewashunting
you. Every time I got close to him he’d disappear again.” His drops his
foreheadtorestonmine.“Ithinkwhenhefoundyouhisplanschangedand
hethoughtitbettertoturnyouagainstme.Hetriedtomakeyouhateme,but
Gordonneverunderstoodmates.Hethoughttheymadevampiresweak.”

“I don’t feel weak. I did when I was with him. I felt lost and unsure of

everything,”Iadmit.“Hedoesn’tunderstandthepowerofmatesbecausethey
makeyoustronger.”

Tohavesomeoneatyoursidewhoisyourotherhalfandwhowouldstand

byyouforeverisbeyondpowerful.Thatcouldneverbeweak.I’mmorealive
nowthanI’vebeeninmywholelife.

“Ithinkhismindtricksquitworkingonmewhenwemovedhere.Iknow

thissoundscrazy,butIthinkbeingclosertoyoumademestronger.Itwasn’t
workinganymoreandIstartedtoseetherealityofwhatwasaroundme.”

Bishop lets out a deep breath. “I think you might be right. Over the last

yearI’vechanged.IwasmoreonedgeandIthoughtIwaslosingmymind
and that my end was coming. Maybe it was, but my dreams of you were
clearerthaneverandyoufeltcloser.IthoughtIwasgoingtomeetyouonthe
othersideandIwasreadytogo.”

“No!”Igasp,unabletothinkabouthimdying.Ihatetheideaofhimno

longerbeinghere.Hiswordsaredarkbuttellhowmuchheneedsme.Maybe
it’swrongofmetolikethat,butIdon’tcare.Theideaofnevergettingtobe
withhim,evenifonlyforonenight,istoopainfultothinkabout.

“It’s not going to be only one night, love. I promise you that. After so

manyyearsofdreamingofyouandneverfindingyou,Ithoughtmaybeyou’d
already passed and were waiting for me on the other side. I wanted to be
anywhereyouwere,evenifthatplacewasdeath.”Iclosemyeyesandabsorb
his words. “You feel that, don’t you? I’ll follow anywhere you go. You’re
mine, Loren, and he won’t take you from me again.” I open my eyes and a
tearslipsfree.Icanfeeljusthowdeeplyhelovesme.Bishopkissesitaway
andIknowhefeelseverythingthat’sinsidemenow.

All those times I gazed at his picture I was so unsure of what was

happeningtome.Ididn’tknowwhatitwasbecauseI’dneverexperiencedit
before.Butthiswholetimeitwaslove.

“Makelovetome,”IsayagainsthismouthasIleaninforanotherkiss.

Hismouthmeetsmineforthebriefestofmomentsbeforehepullsaway.

“I should have known,” he growls, flipping me over onto the soft

mattress,buthe’sgonefromthebedbeforeIcantrytograbforhim.Iwatch
as he dresses so quickly I can’t make out what he’s doing. “He’s coming. I
thoughthe’dregroup,butitlookslikeheisstrikingasfastashecan.Ishould
haveknownnevertotryandpredicttheinsanityofamanlikeGordon.”He
kissesmeagainbeforeIcanrespond.“Iwouldtellyoutostayput,butIknow
youwon’tandIcan’tlockyouawaylikehedid.”

IdressquicklyinoneofBishop’sshirts.Ithangstomyknees,butIwant

nothing to do with the dress that is stained in my own blood from when
Gordon hit me. I don’t want anything from that past life to ever touch me
again.

ItakeBishop’shandandheleadsmeoutofthebedroom.

“Ishealone?”Iask,knowingthatBishopwillbeabletotell.

“Mostofhispeopleweretakenoutintheexplosions.Icalledforasweep

tobedoneofGordon’shomerightbeforeIenteredtofindyou.”

IbetGordonwasthefirstoneoutofthereandhelefthismenbehind.I

havenodoubtifsomethinghappenedlikethathere,Bishopwouldbethelast
manout.Thetwoofthemarenightandday.

WhenwegettothebottomofthestairsIlookovertoseeeveryonefrom

lastnightwiththeexceptionofDoveandJuliet.Mychestwarmsthatthey’re
allheretolendahandinwhat’sabouttohappen.

“Ican’tbelievethedumbfuckcamealone,”oneofthetwinssaysbefore

shootingmeawink.“I’mErik,bytheway.”Hepointstohisbrother.“That’s
Ezra.I—”

“We—”Ezracutsin.

Erikshakeshisheadathisbrother.“Wewantedtothankyouforhelping

Dove get back to us. We’ll never be able to repay you for what you did.
Welcometoourfamily.”Theybothsmileatme,andInod.

“It was the right thing to do,” I tell them, needing no thanks. “I should

have gone with her.” I think back on that moment and I know even if I left
thenitwouldn’thavestoppedallofthis.

“You’re here now and that’s all that matters.” Bishop pulls me into his

side and kisses me on the top of my head. He lingers for a moment and I
knowhe’sbreathingmein.

ThetallbrunettevampireRavanaissmilingatus.“Iguessthatmakesyou

myauntthen,”shesays,andIlookupatBishop,unsureofwhatshemeans.
Aretheyrelated?

“Itwould,”heagreeswithasmallchuckle.

“ShallIdothehonors?”Valenasks.Icansensethathe’shumanandithas

tobemymatingbondwithBishop.“It’smyjob,afterall.”

“Don’t remind us, slayer,” Kane says. “I know you’re hiding in the hall

closet,” he adds with a growling shout out of nowhere, glancing towards a
doorthat’salittlewaysdownthehallway.

“Damnit,Kane,nowthey’regoingtocomeout!”Ezrayellsathimashe

throwsuponeofhishands.Iglancebetweenthemallwonderingwhatthey
aretalkingabout.

“Idon’tunderstandhowshedoesn’tthinkIknowexactlywheresheisat

alltimes,”Kaneresponds,butIthinkmoretohimselfthantoEzra.Thecloset
dooropensandDoveandJulietpopout.

“He’s here,” Bishop says, walking towards the front door and taking me

withhim.

“Backinthecloset,”Ezratellsthegirls.Idon’tturntoseeiftheydoas

they are told, but I hear a door close. “I’m going to enjoy spanking her ass
later for that,” he mutters to his twin. They are both mated to her, and I
wonderhowsomethinglikethatworks.IthinkI’dbecrazyjealoustoshare
Bishop.

“Youwillneverhaveto,”hewhispersinmyear,readingmythoughts.“I

belongtoyoualone.”Iglanceoverathim.Howcanitonlyhavebeenhours
that I’ve come to really know him but feel as if he’s been a part of me my
whole life? Because I have. As you have been in mine. His words float
throughmymindandIknowhe’sright.

“Bishop!” Gordon yells, and my attention is snatched away from my

mate.

I watch as he comes walking out of the darkness towards us. I’ve never

seen him look so out of sorts. The moon is high and bright, lighting up the
night. The man I once called Dad looks nothing like I remember. Gordon
alwayswantedeverythinginorderandthingshadtobeintheirplace.Hewas
alwaysdressedperfectly,butrightnowIwouldhavethoughthewentrolling
throughthewoods.Hemightnotlookhisimpeccableself,buthedoeslook
deadly.Thesplatterofbloodacrosshisdirtywhitebutton-upshirtmakeshim
lookevenmoresinister.HowcouldIhavenotseenwhohereallywassooner?

“Givememydaughter.Shebelongstome,”hedemands,pointingtothe

groundnexttohim.Hiseyescometomineandhesnapshisfingers.“Come
here.”

“No,”Itellhim.“Youdon’tcontrolmeanymore.”Istandupstraighter.

“Youchoosehimoverme?Yourownfather?”heyells.

“You’renotmyfather,”Iremindhim.“Youtookmeandputmeawayto

useassomekindofweapon.Iwasneveryours.”

“I saved you.” He actually sounds offended now as his eyes snap to

Bishop. “She would have died in that place. You’re lucky I got to her first
beforesomeoneelsedid.”

“Ithankyouforthat,Gordon.Youdidsavealittlegirlthatday.Asany

personwithashredofcompassionorcareforanothershoulddo.”

Gordon laughs at Bishop’s response. “They are weak. Why are you

always protecting them?” He glances back to me. “Even Loren.” Bishop
growlssodeepandloudIcanfeelthesoundpassthroughmybody.Gordon
doesn’theedthewarning.“Shewasweak,butIstillcaredforher.”

“What did you plan to do with me?” I ask, still not understanding that

part.“Wereyougoingtokillme?Youcouldhavedonethatwhenyoufound
me that first day.” I can’t stop the crack in my voice as I try to be strong. I
knowheusedmeanddoesn’tevenloveme.I’mnotsurehecanunderstand
thatemotion,tobehonest.NowthatIlookbackwithaclearmind,Icanseeit
all.

“Thoseeyes.YoulookedupatmeandI’dneverseensomethinglikethem

before. I’d never wanted a mate, then I saw Bishop’s. Not all vampires are
lucky enough to find one, as they say, but Bishop was graced with one that
wassodifferent.Icouldfeelhowpureyourheartwas.Whywouldthefates
choose such a mate for him? I didn’t much care for that, so I took it for
myself.”Hesmiles.“ThenIwantedhimtoknowIhaditandthatI’dmadeit
lovemeandhatehim.”

My head drops down. “It,” I whisper. I know everyone heard me.

Vampiresalwaysdo,butitdoesn’tmatteranymore.Hisplandidn’tworkand
IraisemyheadandlookatBishop.He’sbeenquietthiswholetime.

“Iwantedyoutosayoraskwhatyouneededto,”heresponds,answering

myunaskedquestionofwhyhe’dbeensoquite.“I’llalwaysgiveyouwhat
youneedorwant,love.Youknowthis.”IgivehimasmilebecauseIdoknow
that.

“Didyoucomeherealonelikethistodie?Hasitallbecometoomuch?I

knowthepainandlongingforamate,”Bishopsays,andmyhearthurtsthat

hehadtowaitsolongtofindme.

I look back to Gordon who has a smirk on his face. “I always have a

plan.”Hegivesasmallshrug.“ThereisonethingIdoloveabouttheideaof
mates.They’ddoanythingforoneanother,andIdomeananything.”Achill
runsupmyspineandBishopstepsinfrontofme.Ihavetopeekaroundhim
toseewhat’sgoingon.“HaveyoueverheardoftheGrimReaper?”

Iscrunchmyface,tryingtorecallwhatIknowabouttheGrimReaper.Is

itreal?Maybenot,butvampiresarerealafterall,sowhoknows?

“Iknowofhim,”Valenanswers.WhenIlookoverathismate,shelooks

assurprisedaseveryoneelse.ExceptBishop,wholookscalmandknowing.
“Whatofhim?There’snoonehereforhimtocollect.Infact,ifhewerehere
Ithinkhe’dcomeforyou.”

“Unless…” Gordon pauses, looking straight at Bishop. “I told him you

tookhismate.Thatyoudidn’tlikenothavingpoweroverhimsoyoufounda
waytocontrolhim.”

“Hehasamate?”Kaneasks,shakinghisheadindisbelief.

“Hecan’t,he’solderthananyofus.Hewouldhavegonecrazybynowif

hehadn’tfoundherinallthistime,”Bishopthrowsout.

“DoesanyonereallyknowwhattheReaperis?”Valensays.

“You have a knack for getting in over your head,” Bishop adds with a

longsigh.

“You shouldn’t play with things you know nothing about, and no one

knowsshitabouttheReaper,”Valenthrowsin.

“WhothefuckistheReaper?”oneofthetwinssaystotheother.Ican’t

tellwhichiswhichnow.

“TheGrimReaperisthepersonificationofdeath.Hecomestocollectthe

souls of those whose time has come. There are many different stories
surroundinghim.”Asoftfemalevoicesays.

“Dove,”EzraandErikbarkatthesametime.Itlooksliketheycameout

ofthecloset.

She ignores them and goes on. “I think Bishop is right. You’re in over

yourheadifyou’replayingwiththeReaper.Ifanyoneherehasbeendodging
death,it’syou.”DovetakesastepforwardandEzragrabsherandpullsher
back to him and his brother. “I can tell you this: in most all of the stories
peopletrybriberyortrickstowardhimoff,butitneverworks.Ithinkyou’ve
bittenoffmorethanyoucanchew.”

Everything goes silent as if the world stops moving when Dove finishes

speaking. The breeze of night is gone, along with the distant sounds of the
crickets. Bishop moves before I know what’s happening and turns to cover
mybodywithhis.Ifeelthegroundgiveasmallshakeasifsomethinghard
landsonit,followedbyaloudsnap.

“Where’smymate?”rumblesthedeepestvoiceI’veeverheard.

There’sasoundlikeatreebranchbreakinginhalfandIfeelBishoplean

back.Heletsmegoalittletoturntofacethevoice.WhenIlookup,standing
thereisthebiggestmanI’veeverseeninmylifeholdingGordonlikearag
doll.HedropsGordon’sbodytothegroundlikealimpcloth,andIcansee
thathisneckhasbeensnapped.

“IthoughttheGrimReaperhadascythe,”Dovewhispersloudly,pushing

herglassesuphernose.

Myeyesflashtothegiantaxheliftsoffthegroundandsetstorestonhis

shoulder.

“You really don’t want me to ask again,” he says, and I’m shocked into

silence.

Ten

Bishop

holdLorenbehindmeasIlookintotheblackeyesofDeath.He’sbigand

he’sscary,butIseesomethinginhimthatIcouldfeelinmyself.

“Hewaslyingtoyouandyouknowit.Yourmateisn’there,”IsayasI

takeasteptowardshim.

“Bishop,”Ravanasaysinwarningfrombehindme,butIignoreher.

“ThepainyoufeelrightnowisexactlywhatwasinsidemebeforeImet

myLoren.Ihopedfordeatheverydaysothatitwouldeitherputmeoutof
my misery or bring me closer to her.” He doesn’t move, but I see the line
between his eyes relax slightly as I speak from my soul. “I know that right
now there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do to find your mate. But you know
Gordondeceivedyouandyouknowthatsheisn’there.”

Abeatpassesandheletsoutabreathbeforeloweringhisax.“Hesaidthat

you would know and I believed him.” He shakes his head like he knew it
wasn’ttruebuthedidn’twanttoadmitittohimself.

“We owe you a debt of gratitude for killing him for us. And I want to

repaythat.”

TheGrimReaperlooksupatmehesitantly.“Howisityouthinkyoucan

help me if you can’t find my mate?” he says as he looks around the room.
“Everyone in this room looks to have formed bonds. What is it you could
offermethatIcan’tobtainonmyown?I’mtheGrimReaper,Bishop.There’s
nothing beyond my reach. Even now I know everyone in here and yet you
knownothingofme.Onlywhispersthataresharedinthedarkbypeoplewho
areafraidofme.”

IhearthepaininhiswordsandIcan’timaginehowhecametobewhere

he is today. “You’re right, I don’t know your story and we assume a lot of
things.WhatIcanofferyouisaplacetorestandtosharewithuswhatyou
know. I search the world for knowledge and you are someone we can learn
from.Iwanttoinviteyouintomyhomeandourfamily.Helpusunderstand
whatyoudoandletusrepayyouforwhatyou’vedonetoday.”

I glance down at Gordon’s body and watch as it begins to turn to ash.

Soon there will be nothing left of him where he lies and it will be as if he

neverexisted.Icanonlyhopethesameforthepaininmymate’sheartwhen
itcomestothemanshethoughtwasherfather.

“WhywouldIdothat?”heasks,andthoughhisvoiceisstillrough,Ican

sensesomethinggentlerthere.

“Because even in my darkest times, my family was there for me and it

helpedmetopushthroughthepain.Doyouhaveanyonelikethat?”

“Ihavenoone,”heanswerssimplyashelooksaroundtheroomagain.

“Youcanstaywithus.”I’msurprisedwhenIturnaroundtoseeKanestep

forward with Juliet at his side. “You’re welcome to use one of our spare
rooms.Itwouldbeanhonortohaveyou.”

Kane is nearly as big as Grim is, and at first I wasn’t expecting him to

volunteer,butnowitkindofmakessense.Kanespentmostofhistimeasa
vampireasarecluse.Hismatehasbroughtwarmthtohislife,andIthinkfor
the first time Kane sees his solitude and pain reflected in someone else.
MaybeallofusseeapieceofourselvesinGrim.

“IthinkImightstayforashortwhile,”hesays,reachingouthishandand

shakingKane’s.“Thankyoufortheoffer.”

“I’llleaveyoutosortoutthedetails,”Isay,lookingaroundtothefamily.

“I’mgoingtostayhereforafewmoredayswithmymate.”IpullLorento
my side and smile at her. “We’ll meet you back at home and we can talk
further.”

Grim nods to me and I shake his hand before we walk out of the room.

Whenwemakeourwayupthestairs,Lorenleansinandwhisperstome.

“Doyouthinkitwillbeokaythathe’shere?”

“There’snoneedtofearhim,love.Deathisapartoflifeforsomepeople,

butnotforusanymore.YouandIaregoingtoliveuntiltheendoftime,so
thinkofhimasanewfriendthatmightbealittleshyforawhile.”

“Ican’timaginesomeonesobigbeingshy.”

IsmileatherasIopenourbedroomdoorandcloseitbehindus.“Can’t

you? Imagine being alone in the world and not having any family.” I touch
her chin and smile at her when I see the realization dawn on her. “He’s not
unlikeanyofusatonepoint.I’veheardlegendsaboutwhathe’scapableof,
buthumanshaveallkindsofideasaboutourkind.Isn’titbettertowelcome
himtoourfamilythantocreateanenemy?LookatthewayGordonlivedhis
lifeandhowhechosetorule.Iwon’tevertoleratethatforourcity.”

“I’mstillsonewtoallofthis,butIknowthatbeyondanythingelse,I’m

soproudofyouandproudthatyou’remymate.”Iseethelookofloveinher
eyes,alongwiththestirringsofdesire.

“YouhaveallthetimeintheworldtolearnwhatitisIdoandwhatyour

newrolewillbe.”IrunmyhandsdownherbodyandtoherhipsasIwalkher
backtowardsthebed.

Her eyebrows draw together and the backs of her legs hit the mattress.

“Mynewrole?”

“You’re going to be a mother,” I say as I grab the edge of her shirt and

yank it off of her in one quick motion. “I’ve found out that humans and
vampirescanbreedtogether.”Shefallsbackonthebed,andIkneeherlegs
open as I unbutton my pants and pull out my cock. I’m hard and dripping,
thinkingaboutmakingherroundandripe.“Youwantafamily,love,andI’m
goingtomakesureyougetit.”

Laying my lower half down on top of her, I slide my cock between her

wet lips and thrust all the way in. Her pussy grips me tight. I feel her wet
foldswraparoundmeandIbegintomove.Igrabherwristsandholdthem
aboveherheadasIgodeeperwitheveryglideofmysteel-hardlength.

“Ineedtotasteyou,”IsayasIkissherlipssoftlyandthentrailmylips

down her neck. “It’s been too long.” It’s only been hours, but my body
alreadycravesthetasteofher.

Shemoansasshespreadsherlegswiderandtiltsherhipsup.Isuckon

hernipplebeforeIkissthetenderskinunderherbreastandgentlygrazemy
teethalongituntilImakeasmallcut.WhenItasteher,mycockswellsinside
herandshecriesoutasherpussydrips.

“Bishop, don’t tease me,” she begs as her legs shake. I know she’s right

ontheedgeofherorgasm,butIwanthertosaywhatshewantsoutloud.

“Whatdoyouneed,love?”Hersweettasterunsthroughmeandit’slike

I’vebeeninjectedwithpleasureandstrength.I’veneverfeltmorealivethan
whenI’minsideofher.

“I want to taste you, too,” she cries out as I slow down just enough to

keepherontheedge.

“You’llhaveeverythingyourheartdesires,Loren,”Isay.Ibitemywrist

andbringittohermouth.

Shelicksthewoundandimmediatelyourconnectionissharperandmore

powerful. It electrifies my body with lust and love at the same time and
there’snomoreholdingback.

Ithrustmyheavycockinsideherandherbodyquakesassheclimaxes.I

can feel her soft pussy welcome my seed. I release what I’ve been holding
back and cum inside of her waiting womb. It’s hot and wet and there’s so
muchIcanfeelitrunoutbetweenus.

I’mbeyondcontrolinthismoment,soIreachdownandscoopupwhat’s

drippedoutandwipeitacrossherbelly.Iwantmycumtocoverherbodyand
for her to bathe in my scent. I never knew I could be so possessive of one
thing,anditjustsohappenstobemymate.Iwantherpregnantandboundto
meineverywaypossible,evenifwe’realreadydestinedforforever.

“Iloveyousomuch,”shesaysasshegaspstocatchherbreath.

I lick the small wound on her breast and then my wrist before I roll us

over.

“I love you more than I ever dreamed possible,” I say as I kiss her lips

softlyandrunmyfingerthroughherhairwhileshenuzzlesmychest.

We lie there in silence for so long just thinking about our love and how

happyweare.OurconnectionthroughourmindissopureandhonestthatI
don’thavetohideanythingfromher.

IneverunderstoodtheresearchIfoundonmatingandeveninobserving

couplesImet.Icouldn’tunderstandtheunspokenconnectionbetweenthem,
andIknowmylinkwithLorenisspecial.Mybondtoherissodifferent;it’s
one of a kind. I’ve been searching for everything I could find on mated
couplesforthepasttwohundredyearsandIpullallthatforwardsoshecan
seehowperfectanduniquethisis.

She sits up and my cock sinks deeper into her as she straddles me. She

smilesdownatmelikeI’mbeingfoolish,andIturnmyheadtotheside.

“What?”Iask,notunderstandingherthoughtprocess.

“Thefactthatyoucan’tbelievethisisdifferentisfunnytome,”shesays

assherocksherhips,andnowit’smyturntomoan.“IknewthefirsttimeI
sawyourpicturethatsomethingwasthere.Andyou’vebeendreamingabout
mesincethenightyouwerecreated.”

IgrabontoherhipsandholdhersteadysoIcanconcentrateonwhatshe’s

saying.

“Ourconnectionandwhatwecanshareiswhatmakesusgreat.Wehave

somuchaheadofustoaccomplish,andtogetherwe’llrule.”

“Forever,”IsayasIreleaseherhipsandshebeginstomoveagain.

“Forever.”

Thereisnothingthatwillstandinthewayoftheworldwewanttocreate.

Herheartispureandmybodyisstrong,andwithherbymysidewe’llhave
allthatwe’vedreamedof.

EvenwithournewfriendGrimlivingamongus.

THEEND

FindoutwhathappenstotheGrimReaperandifheeverfindshismate…on

ReadMeRomance.AFREEweeklyaudiopodcastfeaturingyourfavorite

authors.

FairytaleShifterBook1

RidingRed

rayRidge,Coloradoisaquiettown,butthisHalloweenthere’samating

moon,andtheshifters’needtobreedtheirfatedmatesrunsstrong.

RubyistheproudownerofRed’sGoodieBasket,andasthenewgirlin

town,

she’s

looking

for

business.

But

when

the

local

sexysheriff,DominicWolfe,keepsthecustomersaway,shefindsit’shardto
staymadwhenburningwithdesire.

Dominic is a shifter, and his wolf wants Ruby. Since the second he laid

eyes on her, he’s been fighting the need to mark her as his. But when the
matingmoonisfull,hewon’tbeabletocontrolhiswolfanylonger.

Tricks and treats are the last things on his mind when the mating heat

takesover,andhisobsessionisputtothetest.

Warning: This story is a sexy twist on a classic fairy tale, complete with a
red cape, a basket of goodies, and a hungry wolf. It’s written to make you
smile,turnyouon,andhelpyoucelebrateHalloween!

Loveourvampiresandwantmore?

GetRidingRedNOW!

ForalltheHOTnewsandDIRTYdetails…

signupforthemailinglist!

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Document Outline

Title Page
Contents
Bitten by the King
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Fairytale Shifter Book 1
Stalk the Author

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