Full Moon Rising (Riley Jenson Guardian 1)

As before, it wasn't a dream. Talon was in me, and I was responding as strongly as I ever had

Pleasure spiraled, until it became a force that would not be denied. I came at the same time he did, but bit my lip against the strangled gasp rising up my throat. My body might be conditioned to respond to his touch and his smell, but I wasn't a willing participant in this mating, and I'd be damned if I'd give him the satisfaction of knowing he could still make me come

He gave one last thrust, then withdrew and stepped back. The room behind him was narrow and long, the wall opposite all glass. Comfy chairs followed the curve of the glass, and behind these, several sofas. It reminded me of the private boxes often seen in sporting venues. The only thing that differed was the long control panel and desk to my left

My gaze finally met Talon's. Amusement shone in his golden eyes and his expression was all arrogance. My fingers clenched, but with my hands chained above my head there was little leeway to swing a punch

"I guess this means you've decided it's still okay to fuck a half-breed, huh?" I said dryly

He sauntered over to the sofa and sat on the back of it, one leg swinging idly. "Fuck, yes. Have a child with, no. I am the pinnacle of the werewolf race. I can breed with nothing less than similar perfection."

I raised an eyebrow at that. He was perfection, but only in body. The heart and soul left a lot to be desired. "Then you're going to die childless."

A smile played about his lips. "Perhaps."

I didn't trust that smile or the glint in his eyes. They bode me no good. I shifted slightly, testing the chains around my legs. They were as tight as those on my hands, but the brush of leather against my thigh said I still had my boots on. Though the knives were a fat lot of good if I couldn't get to them. Still, there was one good thing. The chains weren't silver

"So why bring me here at all?"

"Because you are a dhampire, and one with few problems, which is extremely rare. Examining your genes will greatly enhance my research."

"I thought you were breeding clones?"

"I am. But I'm also exploring the DNA of different races in the hope it'll explain why my clones are dying."

"Here's a news flash. You want to create dhampires, all you have to do is wait by the grave of an undead. Grab him when he rises and milk away. His seed is viable for up to twenty-four hours."

"The newly risen are extremely violent, and I have not the resources to waste just yet."

"Yet you can keep throwing them at Quinn." And me

He shrugged. "He was getting dangerous."

"Because he was getting close?"

"Yes."

"And where is he now?"

His eyes glinted at me. "Do you care?"

I rolled my eyes. "He's a vampire, for God's sake."

Talon snorted. "At least you have some taste left. He's downstairs, in a cell. He'll prove a good test for my latest batch."

"He's not a guardian." It was a guess, but a fairly certain one

His smile flashed. "No. He is something better - an extremely old vampire."

Part of me ached to ask about Kelly, but I didn't. Mostly because I needed to be strong at that moment, and if I knew for sure she was dead, strong was the one thing I wouldn't be. "And is that what you plan for me as well?"

"Oh no, little wolf. You will spend your days in my labs here in Genoveve and your nights in my bed."

His voice was a low and familiar caress I felt deep inside. Given the fast-approaching full moon, desire was almost automatic, but it was accompanied by a churning in my gut. I really didn't want him to touch me, but if push came to shove, there might be little choice

"Tell me, did you send those sickos in the van after me?"

Anger flickered in his eyes. "No."