BITE!
Alek jerked at the dark voice in his head. His canines itched until they started to burn as he forced them back in. Shit. No,no,no,no,no. He slammed his eyes shut and willed the animal in him back down deep where he belonged. Alek choked on his breath as a powerful force twisted inside of him. Goddamnit! I need more time with him first. You’ll only scare him off.
“Aleksei,” Bell said calmly. He always sounded so damn composed, and Alek wondered if that was another one of the skills he’d mastered over time. “Look at me.”
His mate was speaking to him, but he couldn’t open his eyes. Not yet. Because he knew if he did… they’d no longer be the pale blue they normally were. He couldn’t believe this was happening to him now. His life had fallen into a comfortable, uneventful routine that’d he’d become accustomed to. It was the one thing he could still control, but this… this was too much. He could already feel his mind at war with Wolf. He wanted Alek to sink his dick and his teeth into Bell with no fucking prelude or grace. Just claim him. Like Wolf had already tried to do once, but Alek wanted to court his new mate first. Earn his trust and his heart, then maybe Bell would give them a chance. He’d have time to understand their unique triad. Alek had strong feelings for Bell already, he didn’t know how to tell him he’d screwed up and sealed the vampire’s fate to an unworthy shifter. A man, separate from his animal.
“No.” Alek’s voice was more growly then he meant it to be.
“I don’t know what this is I’m feeling, Aleksei. And I don’t think it has anything to do with the dawn. Something else is different inside me. I’ve never felt this way before, so I assume it’s coming from you.” Bell inched closer until they were chest to chest, and laid a cool palm on Alek’s cheek. The peace that cloaked his mind was instantaneous and so needed. He leaned deeper into Bell’s touch, seeking the relief he appeared able to provide. Alek shuddered, clutching his mate’s wrist, holding their connection as he felt the monster within him retreat with a final, frightening warning…
MATE HIM SOON. OR I WILL RETURN. IT’S TIME
What does that mean? Alek asked frantically, but he was gone. When Alek finally opened his eyes, Bell was staring at him with a mixture of confusion and caution.
Shit. Alek knew he had some explaining to do; he just hoped there was enough time.
The first beam of warm sunlight hit the edge of the mattress where they still lay close to each other. Bell eyed the light carefully, then eased his long frame off the bed. As he moved around the room he was wary of letting the rays touch him, regardless of Alek telling him that he’d be safe.
But Bell didn’t trust Alek yet, and rightfully so.
Belleron Liatos was a vampire who liked to think he’d seen it all in his time. But as he stared into the pale blue eyes of Aleksei Volkov, he realized he’d never seen anyone sexier or more terrified in all his life.
He’d long ago given up on meeting his fated lover, especially after he’d become Lord High of the king’s court. When they were young, he and Wick used to share fantasies of love and night dreams of kisses on the mouth. But he always knew they’d be nothing more than that. Just dreams. There were two hundred-year-old vampires on the council who’d never encountered their cherished. It was extremely rare, and vampires weren’t known for pining. They didn’t crave comfort like shifters did. Bell would’ve been just fine continuing his existence without being bonded to another. Without caring for someone else’s well-being, their safety, and hurting for them. He was oblivious to those sentiments—the ones he assumed he was experiencing at the moment.
When he’d come to the United States at the king’s beckoning, he’d thought he was coming to help his friend ready his administration for any potential uprisings against his rare mating with the Alpha Zenith, and to be a diplomat for their species. Bell hadn’t expected to become a part of the issue. Regular shifter and vampire matings would not be widely accepted.
Bell had known Chadwick Bentley for over seventy years, since before he’d become King. His best friend had confided enough details of his own mating to the AZ for Bell to understand what was happening with him and Alek. He’d been made aware of the restriction to only feed from his beloved. That their wolves could be quite possessive, especially an alpha wolf. All of the descendants of the Volkov bloodline were of pure Siberian heritage, and direct descendants of the first dawn wolf. Justice and his brothers were well known around the world. Known for their extraordinary gifts… however, something felt off.