Dark Reign 1: Found

Mychael Black

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Copyright ©2010 Mychael Black

ISBN: 978-1-60521-532-7
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Dark Reign 1: Found

Mychael Black

A bleak future turns out to be the key to a forgotten past. Can a mysterious man help
AJ remember who he really is?

AJ remembers nothing about life before he began working for the sadistic vampire
Dalton Gray. When Dalton’s plans go awry, AJ is sure he’s as good as dead. Then a

mystery hero shows up and offers AJ something he never expected: a past.

Dark Reign 1: Found

“What the fuck am I paying you for?”

A steel-toed boot slammed into AJ’s ribs, driving the air from his lungs. With a

groan, he rolled over and coughed up a mouthful of blood. He’d always heard that a

man’s life flashed before his eyes just before death, but he’d never believed it. Then

again, he never believed he’d be drowning in his own blood on a concrete floor in the

middle of nowhere.

He collapsed face first, not daring to move anymore. A few seconds later, he

heard the heavy stomping of those boots, then silence. Relief shot through him when

the door slammed shut.

Still, he wasn’t stupid. He stayed where he was, straining to hear anything else.

When he was convinced he was alone, AJ hauled himself up, fingers slick with sweat

and blood, scrambling to keep a grip on the metal table.

He knew he was looking death in the face. He’d felt bones splinter under the

assault of Dalton Gray’s boot. When he tried to stand, blinding pain shot through AJ’s

body, nearly sending him to his knees.

This wasn’t happening.

The world began to turn gray and fuzzy at the edges. The floor came up quickly,

the impact shattering something inside him.

He wasn’t supposed to die this way.

* * *

Everything hurt.

It wasn’t the excruciating pain from before, but it was enough for AJ to know he

sure as hell wasn’t dead. Yet.

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He kept his eyes closed, but wherever he was, it was relatively dark. Awareness

started creeping back, and AJ gave into his morbid curiosity, opening his eyes slowly.

Where the fuck was he?

“You’ll live.”

AJ froze, his heart hammering in his chest. Blinking, he scanned the room slowly,

not entirely sure he really wanted to see who had spoken. When his gaze settled on a

distinctly shaped pocket of shadow, AJ swallowed. “Who are you?”

A faint red glow lit up a man’s face, then faded. A soft exhale sent a plume of

ash-gray smoke into the air. “Geoff.”

“Geoff.” AJ started to sit up, but the world spun suddenly, tilting on its axis. He

dropped back onto the bed and prayed he wouldn’t puke. Bed? He patted the mattress

beneath him. Soft sheets, with the faint smell of laundry detergent. “Where am I?”

“A hotel room, Settlers’ Inn, to be exact. Room 316.”

“Why?”

Another exhale and the smoke curled upward toward the ceiling. “Because

you’re in my territory.”

“Your territory?” AJ opened his eyes. After reassuring himself that he wouldn’t

hurl with the slightest movement, he turned his head toward the man in the shadows.

“Are you some sort of gang leader?” It would be just his fucking luck.

“You could say that.” The man -- Geoff -- leaned forward and stubbed out his

cigarette in the cheap, clear glass ashtray on the table. “Why were you in the ravine,

anyway?”

“Huh?” Furrowing his brow, AJ tried to remember everything that had

happened. “I-I wasn’t. My boss…” He bit his lip, knowing it would be stupid to tell this

stranger anything. “I got into an argument with someone. I wasn’t in a ravine; I was

in… a warehouse. I think.”

Geoff snorted and sat back into the shadows again. “Must’ve been one hell of an

argument. You look like you went through a bone-crunching obstacle course.”

Feels like it, too, AJ thought. “Who are you?”

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“I told you.”

Another cigarette was lit, the glow from the flame illuminating a little more of

the man’s face. Rugged, little bit of stubble, angular jaw; handsome, that was for certain.

AJ chastised himself for even having the gall to think something like that while lying on

what could easily become his deathbed. Speaking of which…

“How’d I end up here?” And why am I not dead?

“I was… hunting, and I found you in the ravine. You looked like hell. Look

better now, though. You’ll survive whatever the fuck happened.” Geoff took another

drag and exhaled a few seconds later. “You have yet to tell me what you were doing

there.”

AJ sighed and stared up at the ceiling. “Well, I guess if you were going to kill me,

you would’ve already done it.”

“Yep.”

He chose to ignore the almost casual way Geoff said that. “My boss beat the fuck

out of me, all right? Happy now?”

“No. Why?”

“Why the fuck should I tell you?”

AJ suddenly found himself face to face with the most heart-stopping set of hazel

eyes he’d ever seen.

“Because I just saved your ass from the beggars and thugs who would gladly

fuck it down there.”

Fuck. Was a man supposed to look that God damn good? AJ opened his mouth

to speak, but nothing came out. Words had completely abandoned him in favor of

leaving him to gape at the sight of a pair of lips just inches from his own.

“Dog got yer tongue?”

Hot breath warmed AJ’s lips, seeping between them to settle in his lungs. What

were they talking about again? Oh, yeah. Ravine. His ass. Fucking. Wait…

“Don’t you mean ‘cat’?”

“In this case… no.”

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He wasn’t given a chance to answer. Those lips crushed his, Geoff’s tongue

pushing right between them to claim his mouth. AJ stared into golden eyes, but the

sensations rushing through him were too strong to ignore. With a half-protesting, half-

pleading moan, he closed his eyes and gave in, opening completely to the man’s kiss.

So what if he died? It was the best fucking kiss he’d ever had.

When Geoff pulled away, AJ could do nothing but stare mutely up at the man.

Geoff left the bedside and started for the bathroom, one hand running along the dresser

as he went. AJ watched his host with interest. It wasn’t every day he was snatched out

of Death’s grip by a hot man in tight, faded blue jeans. Geoff stopped in the bathroom

doorway and tugged his black shirt over his head, tossing it onto the bed at AJ’s feet.

Then he went into the bathroom and closed the door.

AJ remained where he was, unsure what to think or expect. Geoff had an

unmistakable standoffish air to him, but… he had rescued AJ from that ravine. Maybe

the man wasn’t so bad.

The shower started and AJ finally convinced his body to cooperate. Confident

that Geoff would be in there for a few minutes at least, AJ took the opportunity and sat

up slowly. The room lurched a bit, but then it settled down. As soon as he was sure the

floor wouldn’t move under him, AJ carefully swung his legs over the edge and sat

there, breathing slow and deep. His head hurt like hell, and his ribs sure as fuck did,

but nothing was screaming at him like it had before.

After Dalton had worked him over, AJ was certain he’d be dead by morning. A

glance at the hotel clock on the bedside table confirmed the sneaking suspicion that he’d

slept a good amount of time away. Dalton had lured him into that God forsaken

warehouse at ten o’clock at night. According to the hotel clock, it was five p.m. Shit.

Had Geoff sat there the whole time, watching him sleep?

The sound of a shower curtain startled him out of his thoughts, and AJ stood

slowly. His curiosity had been piqued about the mysterious man who’d brought him

here. A quick glance around and AJ found a wallet on the second twin bed. Beside it sat

a black cane with a leather strap at one end. Brow wrinkling, AJ rounded his bed and

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sat down on the other side. Giving the bathroom door a quick look, he picked up

Geoff’s wallet and opened it. There was no driver’s license, just an ID card.

Geoff Howell. According to the ID card, Geoff lived in the country just outside

the city limits. That would explain why they were sitting here in Settlers’ Inn. It was the

last hotel between the city and the country. The water in the shower cut off, and AJ

quickly put the wallet back where he’d found it. He wasn’t sure why he bothered; the

cane made that clear.

The bathroom door opened a few minutes later and AJ’s eyes widened. Geoff

walked out wearing nothing but a white threadbare towel wrapped around his waist.

The material hung off sharp hipbones, giving AJ a tantalizing view of the “v” of Geoff’s

stomach muscles. His gaze traveled up the long, lean but muscular body and finally

rested on golden eyes that were staring directly at him. He knew Geoff couldn’t see

him; the man was blind. But damned if those eyes didn’t hone in on AJ like an animal’s,

the gold in them looking brighter. Then they dulled and Geoff smiled slowly.

“Did you want to get a shower? It might help the aches.”

“How…”

“How… what?”

Heedless of his near naked state, Geoff sat on the edge of the empty bed and

twisted just enough for AJ to see his face. Among other things. AJ swallowed hard as

the towel rode up, revealing dark hair and Geoff’s upper thigh.

“How could you see me?” AJ asked quietly.

Geoff grinned and fell back, the stretch of that beautiful body causing AJ’s pants

to tighten painfully. “I’m… gifted.”

AJ bit his tongue before he could ask “gifted in what,” and instead he stood. He

looked down at Geoff, all clean and hard and… hard.

“Yeah, I think I’ll take that shower.” Clamping his mouth shut, AJ headed for the

bathroom. Maybe a nice hot shower would scald the stupidity out of him.

With the bathroom door closed between them, AJ could breathe a little easier.

Normally, he wasn’t so damned nervous around another man, but something about

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Geoff unnerved him, even if the man could kiss like a wet dream. As he undressed, AJ

thought about it. It wasn’t the blindness; it was something else, something…

He shook his head and started the water. He just couldn’t put his finger on what

it was about Geoff that had him so unsettled. Stepping into the shower, AJ pulled the

curtain closed and stood under the hot spray. Eyes closed, head tilted back, he let out a

long, slow exhale, trusting in the water to wash some sense into him. He’d nearly been

beaten to death less than twenty-four hours ago. Why wasn’t he dead?

The press of a body against his shocked AJ to the core. He started to turn, but

strong hands gripped his waist, tugging him back against Geoff. Breath, hotter than the

steam around them, warmed his ear.

“You never told me why your boss beat the shit out of you.”

“You really expect me to answer something like that right now?”

“I expect you to do a lot of things.” Geoff’s tongue traced the curve of AJ’s right

ear. “But we’ll start with you answering my question.”

“Fuck you,” AJ snapped. Sudden anger began a war with his libido. Who the fuck

does this man think he is?

“I don’t bottom.”

One hip was released and AJ found himself bent forward. “No.” He braced his

hands on the tile on the shower wall to stop the inevitable descent.

“No?” Geoff stepped back. AJ gasped when his ass cheeks were spread, a finger

tapping his hole.

“Fuck you, asshole,” AJ said through gritted teeth. Geoff’s other hand slid

around his waist and down to cup AJ’s balls. The groan lodged in AJ’s throat struggled

to get out.

“Thought we established that I don’t bottom,” Geoff said casually. The finger left

and then returned, slick and sliding into AJ’s ass. Geoff’s teeth scraped AJ’s shoulder,

sending sparks down AJ’s spine.

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“You’re an asshole.” It was all AJ could think to say as one finger became two.

He went up on his toes, his brain berating his body for pushing back onto the invading

fingers.

“You already said that.”

The fingers worked deeper, the heat from the water and Geoff’s body practically

burning AJ up from the inside out. When Geoff pulled his fingers out, AJ mortified

himself by moaning at the loss.

“Shhh…” Geoff’s heat returned and instead of fingers, the blunt head of his cock

pushed in.

“Geoff!” AJ shook, head resting forward against the tile wall as Geoff’s prick

stretched him open. Reason warred with need. He couldn’t stop this, didn’t want to.

“More.”

“Yes.” One thrust and Geoff was buried inside him. An arm snaked around AJ’s

waist, while Geoff’s other hand released AJ’s balls to grab his cock.

AJ groaned, eyes rolling back as Geoff’s fingers stroked him right to the edge. A

squeeze to the tip stopped him from coming, though, and AJ cried out, legs beginning

to give way. He shook his head frantically, the water doing nothing but ratcheting up

the overwhelming heat.

“Come on.” Geoff’s whisper rumbled in AJ’s ear, deep and full of need.

Geoff rocked his hips back and forward, the motion not quite pulling him out.

Every stroke sent another shiver up AJ’s spine, sharpened by a bite to his shoulder. The

hand on his cock began stroking again, the water drumming down over them slicking

the way for Geoff’s hand to drive him mad.

“Why?” It was all AJ could do. Why had this man pulled him away from Death’s

door?

A deeper thrust followed the question, Geoff’s breath hot against his skin. “I saw

you.”

AJ dropped one hand from the shower wall and joined Geoff’s. Geoff entwined

their fingers and together, they both drove AJ over the edge. He shouted Geoff’s name,

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body shuddering through the rush of release. A low growl startled him and then Geoff

was coming, pushing that thick cock deep inside him.

After several minutes of listening to their panting breaths and the water, which

was now cooling, AJ realized what Geoff had said.

“Wait. You saw me?” He turned his head slightly, looking at Geoff sideways.

“But… you’re blind.”

“I’m gifted.”

* * *

“Yeah. I got him.” Geoff took another drag off his cigarette and blew it out a few

seconds later.

“You sure it’s him?”

He snorted. “Of course, I’m sure. How can I not know it’s him?”

“Does he remember anything?” Marcus asked.

“Nothing but that son of a bitch Dalton beating him to within an inch of his life.”

Marcus sighed. “He hasn’t changed yet, has he?”

Geoff let his head fall back against the headboard. “No. And I haven’t told him

anything about me, though he’s asked.”

“I suppose it’s foolish of me to ask if you’ve tasted him, to make certain.”

“Are you kidding? I fucked him through the shower wall and bit him hard

enough to draw blood.” Geoff felt for the ashtray on the bed between his legs and

stubbed out the cigarette before setting the ashtray on the floor. “Believe me, whether

he remembers or not, Andrew Jeffries is pack.”

“Just don’t scare him off, Geoff. I know you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Bye, Marcus.” Geoff reached over and, after a couple of tries, hung

up the phone. He rolled onto his side and scooted close to Andrew who was still sound

asleep. Geoff closed his eyes and breathed deeply, pulling the scent into him. It was

faint, but still there -- that essence in Andrew’s blood that called out to Geoff’s.

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He’d just dozed off again when the body against his shifted. Geoff opened his

eyes, allowing the wolf inside to see Andrew staring back at him. He reached out and

touched Andrew’s lips, not missing the look of surprise on the man’s face.

“Who are you?”

Geoff studied the bruised face for several minutes before answering. “If I told

you, you probably wouldn’t believe me.”

One eyebrow rose, Andrew’s expression something between amused and

slightly exasperated. “Try me. I work for a fucking vampire. I think I can handle

anything you have to tell me. How can you know where things are -- me, for instance --

when you’re blind?”

“That’s easy enough.” Geoff rolled onto his other side and fumbled around on

the floor until he found his cigarettes. Settling on his back, head propped on two

pillows, he lit up. He took a long, slow drag and held it in until it started to burn before

blowing it out. “I’m a shapeshifter. The human is blind; has been since birth. The wolf is

not.”

“Well, that sure as hell explains things,” Andrew mused. The cigarette was

plucked from Geoff’s fingers and Andrew took a drag. “Now, how about explaining to

me how the fuck I’m still alive?” he asked after exhaling.

Geoff took his cigarette back. “That’s a bit more difficult to explain.”

Andrew climbed on top of him, hands flat against his chest. That sweet ass rested

right over Geoff’s cock, slowly waking it up. “I’m waiting.”

He sighed and motioned to the floor for the ashtray. Andrew leaned over, giving

him a nice expanse of smooth skin to whet his appetite. Geoff’s stomach muscles jerked

when the cold glass ashtray was set just above his navel. He tapped the ashes into it and

looked up at Andrew. Though the wolf could see, it was without color. He had no basis

for comparison, no idea what color really was; but he found himself wanting to know.

“What color are your eyes?”

Andrew blinked, then narrowed his gaze. “What?”

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“I don’t know anything about color,” Geoff said. “The wolf is colorblind. But I

want to know what color your eyes and hair are, even if I don’t know what they

actually mean.”

“My eyes are light blue, and my hair is dark brown.”

Geoff smiled. “Cool.”

“You’ve still not answered my question.”

“Yeah. That. Umm…” Geoff took another drag off the cigarette and put it out.

Andrew moved the ashtray to the bedside table. “You’re pack, Andrew.”

“Excuse me?” Andrew started to get up, but Geoff caught him. “Let me go.”

“No.”

“Why the fuck not?”

Geoff tightened his grip on Andrew’s hips, effectively pinning the man in place.

“Because I’m tired of running after you, tired of looking. You belong at home, with me.”

Andrew tensed and Geoff wondered if the man was going to hit him, judging by

the way Andrew’s jaw clenched. “How do you know my name, and who the fuck are

you?”

“You have a habit of asking me that.” Geoff eased his hold but didn’t let go

completely. His fingers itched to touch, to explore.

“And you have a habit of avoiding the question,” Andrew shot back, looking

none too happy.

This was fun. Geoff smirked and rolled his hips upward, the smile widening

when Andrew’s scowl faltered. “You would deny this?”

“Deny what?” Andrew’s voice was shaky and a touch husky as his hands landed

awkwardly on Geoff’s chest again.

“Deny me,” Geoff answered. He rocked them together, loving the way Andrew

shuddered in his hands, loving the strangled sound caught in his mate’s throat as

Andrew tried to fight it.

“Can’t…” Andrew’s whisper was music to Geoff’s ears.

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Geoff rolled them over and took those lips, silencing any more protests.

Tentative at first, Andrew’s legs finally wrapped around him, tugging Geoff down and

against that slender body. Geoff growled low, the wolf impatient to finally lay claim to

the man beneath him.

Geoff willed that part of himself to wait, turning his attention instead to winning

Andrew’s trust first. He moved lower, nipping his way down Andrew’s neck, teeth just

barely scraping the skin. God, he wanted to taste, to sink his teeth into the smooth flesh,

to force the connection instead of letting it repair itself.

“Geoff…”

Working his way down, he inhaled Andrew’s scent -- that musky, earthy smell of

Andrew’s need. It was a drug, and Geoff found himself drowning in it. His hands

moved down Andrew’s sides as he drew in one nipple, worrying it with his teeth.

Andrew cried out, fingers twisting in Geoff’s hair, pressing his face into Andrew’s

chest.

Yes. Let me in.

Surging back up Andrew’s body, Geoff caught those lips, tongue pushing

between them. Andrew opened to him, sucking on Geoff’s tongue, moans rolling

between them. Reaching out with his left hand, Geoff felt around until he found the

bedside table. He was glad he’d had Andrew put the lube there last night; he wasn’t

about to stop to hunt it down otherwise. He smiled against Andrew’s mouth when his

fingers touched the tube. Breaking the kiss, Geoff leaned up, resting back on his heels.

Just as he popped the top of the tube, Andrew grabbed it.

“Fuck, you’re gorgeous.” Andrew’s hand encircled Geoff’s cock, slicking it up

slow and easy.

Geoff groaned, the sound turning into a growl when Andrew’s thumb pressed

into the slit at the tip. He felt Andrew’s thighs flex on either side of him. Then his prick

was released and Andrew pulled him down, the kiss warm and deep as Geoff sank into

him.

“Oh, God…”

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Geoff nodded, words more than he could do. He kept the wolf at the forefront,

wanting to see Andrew’s face. Looking down, Geoff smiled at the way Andrew’s lips

were parted, eyes rolling with every slow deep thrust.

“Don’t stop,” Andrew whispered. “Please, don’t stop.”

“Never.” Geoff had no intention of stopping -- not now, not ever. He’d run too

far and too long to find Andrew and bring him home. Catching Andrew’s hands, he

pinned them to the bed, his thrusts growing stronger, less gentle.

Andrew arched, eyes closed. Geoff growled and fought to keep the wolf inside,

but with the way Andrew cried out to him, urging him to go faster, harder, Geoff knew

it was only a matter of time. Then those eyes opened. Beneath the fear and confusion,

there was the one thing he’d been searching for: recognition.

Mouth opening as if to speak, Andrew suddenly bucked, eyes going wide as heat

spread between them. Geoff roared his victory, slamming into Andrew as he came.

By the time Geoff came back down to Earth, Andrew was shaking. Geoff rolled

off and pulled his lover close, kissing Andrew’s hair while whispering nonsensical

words of reassurance. He hadn’t imagined it; there’d been recognition in those eyes,

when both of them were at their most vulnerable. Andrew buried his face in the crook

of Geoff’s neck, arms snaking around Geoff’s waist tightly.

“Welcome home.”

* * *

“This can’t be real.” AJ shook his head and stood up. He was too restless to stand

still and ended up pacing the room.

How the hell could he be a werewolf? It wasn’t something someone normally

forgets about themselves, but he knew Geoff wasn’t bullshitting him. He’d seen the

truth, seen his own eyes change as he stared in the mirror after they’d had sex. He

didn’t want to believe any of it, but it was there, staring back at him from eyes he had

never seen before.

“You aren’t the first wolf to not know what he is,” Geoff said quietly.

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“But how? Why?” Andrew glanced over long enough to see Geoff shrug. “Are

we the only ones?”

“Hell no.” Geoff got up, surprising Andrew by reaching for his cane. The taps

kept a semi-steady rhythm as he neared Andrew. “There are many more like us, even in

our pack. I left to find you.”

Andrew wanted to ask a million questions, but the only one that came out was,

“I thought you could see… well, the wolf could see, anyway?”

“It takes a good bit of energy to do it, and quite frankly, I’m exhausted.” Geoff

stepped up behind Andrew and leaned the cane against the dresser. Then those strong

arms encircled Andrew’s waist. “Come home with me,” Geoff whispered. “Let me

show you how to remember.”

“What happened to me?”

“You were stolen. From me.”

“From you?” Andrew studied the face in the mirror just over his shoulder. He

couldn’t remember a damn thing about any past life he might’ve had, but Geoff seemed

somehow… familiar.

“Mates are chosen early in life,” Geoff said. “Being older, I had the first choice

among our generation. I picked you. You were captured before we could go beyond

that point.”

“Did Dalton Gray have something to do with it?”

Geoff nodded. “You weren’t the only one he took. He hoped to use you and the

others as guards. Away from the pack, you never learned how to shift. Dalton knew

that. In human form, you’re stronger than other men, but in wolf form, you could kill

him. He needed that strength -- without the threat.”

“What are we going to do about him?”

“Let’s get home first. Then we’ll see what is to be done. Make no mistake: Dalton

Gray has much to answer for, Andrew. That I promise you.”

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Andrew closed his eyes and let himself rest against Geoff. Twenty-four hours

ago, he’d been ready to die. Now he found he had much more to live for than he’d ever

known. “Okay.”

* * *

The enormous house loomed before them, windows dark and resembling sinister

eyes. AJ shivered. He still couldn’t quite wrap his brain around the events of the past

twenty-four hours. Geoff stopped the car and sighed.

“Like I said, others were taken, too. You’re the first we’ve found. Don’t be

surprised if you get some strange looks.”

“Me get looks?” AJ blinked.

“It’s not like we all run around as wolves every second of the day. Most of us

tend to remain in human form unless we’re fighting or hunting or…”

“What?”

Something in Geoff’s eyes made AJ’s heart stop for the briefest second.

“Or fucking,” Geoff finished. “Some wolves enjoy it more when they’re half-

shifted. Some even go for the full-on doggy style, if you catch my drift.”

“What about you?”

Geoff grinned slowly. “I’m always up for a bit of rough play, but I’ll skip the

four-legged fun.”

AJ wasn’t sure how he felt about that little revelation. Sex with Geoff blew him

away, but the thought of claws and teeth and… fur? Not exactly something he’d

considered. Ever.

“Come on.”

Geoff got out and AJ followed suit. They walked up a small flight of steps to the

double wooden doors that looked like they’d been stripped from a decayed castle.

When Geoff opened the right one, AJ half-expected the damn thing to disintegrate into

dust.

Inside, the place seemed completely abandoned. While it appeared to be fairly

clean and well-kept, not a single soul stirred. Two long hallways extended beyond a

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central grand staircase. Two suits of armor -- highly polished and their axes well-

sharpened -- stood sentinel at the bottom. Closed or half-closed doors flanked both halls

to either side.

AJ edged slightly closer to Geoff. “Where is everybody?” he whispered.

“Watching.”

AJ barely swallowed the lump in his throat when a door at the end of the right

hallway opened. Faint yellow light spilled out into the narrow passage before a hulking

figure stepped forth, completely blocking it.

“You found him.”

As they approached the figure, AJ realized it was only a man -- albeit a very

large, muscular one.

“Yes. I told you I did.” Geoff took AJ’s hand and lured him in front. “Andrew,

meet Marcus Deleon.”

“Hi…” AJ stumbled backward just the slightest bit, bumping into Geoff, when

Marcus drew closer. Frozen and unsure how to react, AJ remained perfectly still while

Marcus actually sniffed him. Then the man smiled, a genuine expression despite the

sharp teeth.

“Welcome home. I do apologize for the strange reception.” As he spoke, doors

opened and lights flickered on. AJ glanced back, shocked to find the three of them

quickly surrounded. “We must be wary of newcomers, even those we lost at the hands

of Gray and others like him.”

“You mean there are others who do what he did?” AJ asked, looking back at

Marcus.

“Oh, yes. He is only one in a vast network of humans who feel it necessary to use

beings like us.”

While the crowd around him remained silent, AJ felt the inescapable tension of

those who’d lost their loved ones. How many of these… his… people did Gray and his

fellow monsters enslave?

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“But enough of this,” Marcus said, his smile widening. “It’s a time to celebrate.

We’ve found you, and that means there’s hope for the others. Geoff will show you

around, though I’m sure he has ideas for other activities to do first.”

“Indeed.” Geoff’s grip tightened a bit on AJ’s hand. “Come on.”

AJ didn’t so much as question what those “ideas” involved. Being in their home

and on safe ground, he had a damn good feeling. The other people, all in their human

forms, remained silent as they went about their own business.

Geoff led the way upstairs and down another hall toward the back of the palatial

house. He unlocked the door, and no sooner had it shut again behind them, he spun AJ

around and crushed their mouths together.

A growl -- hot, possessive, aggressive -- filled AJ, vibrating through him. Unable

to stop, he let out his own sound in answer, though it more resembled a deep groan.

Geoff stripped off AJ’s clothes, the torn cloth landing anywhere and everywhere. AJ

didn’t give a damn. All he wanted were those strong hands on him again. He tugged

Geoff’s shirt up and off, then somehow managed to sink to his knees before Geoff could

protest.

Heat radiated from his lover’s body, and AJ kissed and nipped his way along

Geoff’s stomach. He worked open Geoff’s jeans and shoved them to the floor. Hardened

steel filled his hand and he pumped Geoff’s cock once, the resultant moan sending

shivers through him. He swirled his tongue around the head and lapped up the sticky

droplets before sucking just the tip into his mouth. Geoff’s fingers speared through his

hair, and AJ let the man take over, fucking his mouth with long, quick strokes.

“Fuck…”

AJ almost jumped when, beneath his left hand on Geoff’s hip, he felt fur instead

of flesh. Startled, he looked up to find himself staring into distinctly gold eyes. Geoff’s

face slowly changed its shape, morphing into something that wasn’t quite human but

not quite canine either.

“Oh, my God,” he muttered when Geoff pulled out of his mouth. He took in the

full sight before him: thick, heavily muscled arms and legs, claws extending beyond

21

Mychael Black

Dark Reign 1: Found

long fingertips. Pitch black fur covered the majority of Geoff’s enlarged body. Fangs

greeted AJ when his lover smiled.

“Shift for me,” Geoff rumbled, in a deep, soul-consuming voice. “It will hurt the

first time, but I’m here.”

“How? How do I…” AJ waved a hand helplessly toward Geoff. “…do that?”

“Close your eyes and kiss me. Let everything go. You’ve spent your life with an

itch to run, to growl and pace and hunt.”

AJ nodded absently. He knew those feelings. He’d always thought they were his

imagination.

Geoff drew him close and the kiss began soft enough. Soon, though, AJ felt an

unexplainable need well up inside him. In a move of boldness that shocked even him,

he grabbed Geoff’s head in both hands and pushed the kiss into something much more.

Sharp pain shot through him within seconds, and he tore away from Geoff. He

dropped to the floor, every muscle shredding, every bone splintering.

“Geoff!”

“Let it go,” Geoff said, kneeling down beside AJ.

“I can’t!”

“Yes, you can. Look at me.” Geoff forced AJ’s head up, their gazes meeting. “I’m

here. You’re safe. I need the wolf, too, AJ.”

AJ let out an honest-to-God whimper, and another jolt of pain sent him into a

howl. He arched his back and let out a blood-curdling sound. The human side of him

was terrified something so feral could ever come out of his mouth. Before he could stop

it -- even if he knew how -- his body shifted. Arms and legs bulged with unreal

strength, and rich brown fur covered his skin. When he tried to speak, he nearly bit his

tongue with canines that felt foreign in his mouth.

“See?”

He glared up at Geoff. “Hurt.”

“I know. But…” Geoff pushed AJ to his back on the floor. “I know how to fix

that.”

22

Mychael Black

Dark Reign 1: Found

Not sure how to kiss with something akin to a muzzle, AJ let Geoff lead him. He

caught on quickly when Geoff’s hand, claws and all, wrapped tight around his cock. AJ

shuddered, legs spreading. He thrust into Geoff’s fist.

“In me,” he groaned. “Now.”

Geoff tried to pull away, but AJ didn’t want to let go. “Lube,” Geoff chuckled.

“Ain’t fucking you like this without it.”

AJ relented and Geoff got a tube out of a table nearby. Then Geoff returned,

slicking a cock much thicker than AJ remembered from the hotel. “Holy fuck… that

can’t possibly fit.”

“Oh, it will.” Geoff pressed him back down, and AJ gasped as three fingers eased

into his ass. “Tell me when.”

“Now,” AJ panted. “Fuck me… now.”

Geoff smirked and replaced his fingers with his cock. The girth stretched AJ

more than anything ever had, but somehow his body seemed to accommodate the size.

“Andrew.”

AJ’s eyes rolled back and he arched, legs wrapped tight around Geoff’s waist.

“Oh, God. Fuck.”

Geoff didn’t bother with going slow. AJ would’ve killed the man if he had

anyway. Thrusting hard and fast, Geoff slammed into AJ with enough force to rattle the

table near them. Heat blazed down AJ’s spine and he bowed suddenly, shouting and

snarling as thick come coated his stomach. Geoff’s kiss cut off the sound, and AJ

swallowed his lover’s triumphant howl, the cock in his ass pulsing in rhythm to his

heartbeat.

Exhausted, breathless, and utterly dizzy, AJ collapsed completely onto the floor,

letting out only the tiniest whimper when Geoff withdrew. Geoff lay beside him and

drew him close. AJ breathed in the scent, realizing just how right it felt. For the time

being, it was all he wanted. They could deal with all the other shit later.

Mychael Black

What do online gaming, SpongeBob, cooking, writing, and an unnatural

addiction to Mountain Dew all have in common?

Not a damn thing, which is what makes Mychael Black an interesting bird

indeed.

Born in north Alabama, Mychael now resides in north Mississippi. Having run

the gamut of labels in regard to gender and sexuality, Mychael now shuns society’s

views on normality and embraces a poly-everything attitude. Call Mychael her or him --

it doesn’t matter. Just keep reading the books.

http://mychaelblack.wordpress.com/

http://mychael-black2.livejournal.com

http://www.theprincesangel.com

http://my2.tupperware.com/kjohnson13