Alek came to slowly as sunlight broke through the early morning gloom. His blackout drapes were parted just enough for him to see the slivers of light blue within the lingering darkness. Normally this was his favorite time of the day, but this morning was like none other. For the first time in his thirty-one years he hadn’t woken alone. Sighing, Alek turned his nose into his mate’s long black hair and inhaled the clean scent that he hoped remained there at all times. He’d only met his mate—Belleron—a few days ago, so he wasn’t exactly sure.
He kept silent, sensing the powerful vampire in his arms rousing from a light slumber. It was amazing how much he could already feel of their partial bond. They hadn’t made love yet, but he’d allowed Bell to feed from him for the first time last night, the memory causing a satisfying tremor to run down his spine. His mate’s bite was unlike any pleasure he could’ve imagined. So wonderful that he thought he might not deserve it, as if the blessed Mother had somehow for the first time in her infinite existence made a mistake. Aleksei Volkov was damaged goods—a man with a torn soul, and a rogue wolf. And for some reason, he’d been granted a true vampire mate. And not just any vampire. The second most powerful in the world—Lord High to the King, and his right hand, and leader and commander of his army. Alek closed his eyes and thought of how Bell had come to him so bravely last night, even though Wolf had ruined their first meeting. Alek’s heart sped up when he thought of his other half. To say the two of them did not always get along was the understatement of his existence. He allowed Wolf out to do his job as first beta to the Alpha Zenith to keep order in the many packs they governed, but nothing more. He couldn’t be trusted for anything else. Not for fun, and damn sure not for pleasure. Wolf could lose his temper and there wouldn’t be a damn thing Alek could do about it. That much was evident when Wolf had first laid eyes on Bell. He’d emerged and caused trouble without warning while Alek had become a livid, defenseless bystander.
“I don’t remember the last time I was up at dawn,” Bell said, pulling Alek from his private thoughts. “Our bodies are programmed to hibernate during the day. For protection, not because we need the rest.”
Alek bathed in Bell’s tone. His mate’s voice was as silken as his skin. He could listen to it all day. “You don’t sound alarmed to see the sun coming up. Should I close the drapes all the way?” Alek asked, tightening his arm over Bell’s chest. He was anxious to feel all of the vampire’s body, but he was also trying to be a gentleman.
“No. I um. Oh gods. Chadwick told me about this. Now that he lives off the pure blood of a shifter he’s able to walk in the daylight and not burn, so that he can always be with his beloved night and day.” Bell’s deep breaths could be heard in the dim room, “I’ve been the Vampire King’s best friend for over seventy years, and never in our wildest dreams did we envision our beloveds would be shifters. This is the first pairing of its kind in so many generations that I can’t help but wonder, why now?”
“I wonder, too.” Alek stared at Bell’s inky-black mane, then took the long streak of stark white hair and moved it over his shoulder, trying hard to focus on his mate’s words, and not his appearance. They’d only slept a few hours early this morning, having conversed all night. There was so much he wanted to know, so much he wanted to reveal.
“Your brother and Wick look inseparable, and seem to have it all figured out in a very short amount of time.”
Alek swallowed thickly. Man, he hoped Bell couldn’t sense his nervousness. He’d never thought he’d be in this predicament—responsible for a mate. The real beast was riding him closer than ever, and this had to be the reason why. “Maybe not all of it. My brother had a hard time in the beginning, and Wick had to test his level of patience like never before to get him to understand.”
“It’s a good thing vampires are patient.”
Alek couldn’t see Bell’s face, but he could hear his smile. Oh, I hope so beautiful. Alek had to clear the huskiness from his voice. “Are you an understanding person, Belleron? Patient?”
“In a few months I will have walked this earth for an entire century. I’ve acquired many skills over that time. Patience is one of my strongest.” Bell turned and faced him, his movements causing a waft of his amazing scent to wash over him and his bed. Everything about Belleron overwhelmed him. Alek inhaled sharply as his gaze roamed over Bell’s handsome face. He wanted him right then, and an urge like none other came over Alek to claim Bell completely.