Begin Again (Saint Lakes #5): A M/M Fantasy Romance about Shifters and Vampires

by April Kelley

  He didn't say a word to them but took off for the front of the house, pulling his keys out of his pocket as he went. He'd get to the cabin quicker if he took his truck. Unfortunately, he didn't have the speed of a vampire or the flying ability of a dragon. His water monster was rather slow and clumsy on land.

  Honestly, the only reason he was Alpha was that his water monster could kill anyone with one single bite. No one dared challenge him because of it.

  He got in his truck, starting it and pulling down the road.

  The cabin wasn't even that far away. Just a few miles drive down a dirt road just past the Kreagor's farm. He had his truck parked before he even realized he was already there.

  It was the walk through the woods that took the longest. As he drew closer to the cabin, he could smell Thomas. Warlocks stood out in a shifter town like Saint Lakes, even out in the middle of nowhere.

  The side of the cabin came into view. It still blended into the forest but not as much since Garridan rebuilt it. Someone laughed, and it wasn't Fane, not that he'd heard Fane laugh. That little nervous giggle didn't count as a real laugh because it wasn't out of joy.

  Ramsey vowed right then to make his mate laugh at least once a day. He just had to get him to come home first.

  Someone pounded against wood, and something rattled around like coins on a table jingling around madly because of the disturbance. He looked into a window because that was the closest to the inside as he could get at the moment and he had to see for himself that the pounding wasn't on Fane.

  He saw Thomas holding his middle, rolling on his chair, laughing hysterically. Hacen sat next to him scowling at the playing cards lying face up in front of him.

  And Fane.

  Ramsey sighed in relief. Fane sat there lifting red, plastic coins from the center of the table. He carefully stacked them up, one on top of the other, until the only colored chips left were white. He repeated the process with those.

  "I regret teaching you poker." Hacen's words seemed to make Thomas roll with laughter even more.

  Fane just smiled. "You're not good at this game. You should quit."

  Ramsey smiled at the blunt honesty.

  "Probably. I just don't get how you keep winning."

  Fane waved off the question. "It's easy. You have one deck. Fifty-two cards not counting the jokers because you took those out. I know what I had in my hand which means I could eliminate them from the deck and your hands. When you're finished shuffling, you turn the deck up, so I saw the card at the bottom. Ace of hearts. So six cards. So only forty-six unknown. From there I just figure out the probability of what's in the deck versus what's in your hand."

  "Wait. You're counting cards."

  Fane shrugged. "Yes."

  "That's fucking cheating."

  Fane scowled. "It's math. Math isn't cheating."

  "It's cheating."

  "Math. It's not my fault I know math, and you don't."

  Hacen's chair scraped against the floor, and he stood. "I know math."

  "No. You don't. Or you'd use it."

  "I don't use it because it's cheating."

  Fane shook his head. "Math."

  "I'm not playing with you anymore."

  Thomas snorted. "You sound like a little kid."

  Hacen just flipped him off as he headed for the door.

  Ramsey moved away from the window and made his way to the front of the cabin just as Hacen stepped out of the door. Hacen's body stiffened, and his eyes turned red, but he didn't make a move on Ramsey.

  "What the fuck do you want?"

  "My mate." Ramsey took a couple of steps to the cabin.

  "He doesn't want to talk to you. If he did, he wouldn't be here."

  "Fane," Ramsey yelled and headed for the door.

  Hacen stood in front of it, his arms loose at his side as if he were getting ready for an attack.

  "Don't block me from my mate. I've never once done that to you with Jules, even though you’re a fucking shit to him. As his Alpha, I've had the right to step in. You have no rights with Fane."

  "He's my friend. And he doesn't want to see you. Maybe he figured out how fucking shitty shifters are."

  "Fane!"

  Ramsey sighed in relief when the door opened and then growled when it was Thomas. He took a step closer, but Thomas grabbed Hacen's arm and pulled him off the porch. "Let's go. The Alpha has a point. He could keep Jules from us, and he isn't."

  "No. Jules is doing that all by himself." Hacen scowled.

  "Because you're acting like an asshole to him, but we can argue about that for the thousandth time somewhere that isn't here." Thomas pulled Hacen past him. He smiled. "Sorry, Alpha."

  Ramsey didn't say anything. Instead, he walked to the door, which Thomas had shut behind him. His instinct was to barge in, throw Fane over his shoulder, and take him back home. It wouldn't get his point across though, so he suppressed the urge, pushing his water monster as far down as he could.

  Knocking on the door, he waited for Fane to answer.

  He didn't have to wait long. Fane pulled the door open and looked at him with that wide-eyed innocence he always had.

  Ramsey's eyes changed. His world became brighter. His teeth drop down as Fane's scent washed over him.

  Fane never said a word and Ramsey knew he wouldn't. Fane wouldn't argue with him. At least not of the sake of arguing. He wasn't capable of it. He'd throw logic at Ramsey the same way he had Hacen with the poker game.

  The last thing Ramsey need was a logical discussion about why he needed to leave Fane here. Ramsey was so far beyond reason he wasn't ever coming back. Picking a fight with Fane was fucking pointless.

  He knew he still needed to try to be a good Alpha, but as he met Fane's gaze, being Alpha took a backseat.

  He took a step closer to Fane until he was inches from him.

  Ramsey bent down, leaning in until he buried his nose in Fane's neck. He pulled in Fane's scent. "Mate."

  Fane wrapped his arms around Ramsey's neck and gave a little jump, wrapping his legs around Ramsey's waist. He caught Fane, his hands splaying across Fane's ass cheeks, holding him up.

  Ramsey kissed Fane on the neck, the urge to bite so strong it burned inside him. Instead, he kissed Fane again. "I need you." His lips moved against Fane's skin when he whispered those words.

  They were probably the truest thing he'd ever said.

  "The question is, what will you do with the need?"

  Ramsey growled and the sound built in his chest, rumbling out. "Don't test me, Fane."

  "I don't know what you mean."

  "My fucking control is slipping. I'm about ready to fuck you against the damn cabin."

  "Oh." Fane buried his face in Ramsey's neck, his hips moving forward to find friction on his cock. Ramsey's grip on his ass tightened, keeping him there, wanting him to take what he needed.

  If Fane did, and he lost control as well, at least Ramsey wouldn't be alone.

  "Monster." Fane's teeth grazed his skin, not piercing but silently asking permission.

  Ramsey walked into the cabin, shutting the door behind them. He lifted his head long enough to spot the bed against the far wall and walked over to it, laying Fane down in the center as gently as he could and then straightening. He took his coat off and let it fall to the floor, kicking his shoes off awkwardly at the same time he pulled his shirt over his head.

  Fane watched him with a wide-eyed fascination that held a tinge of lust. Fane's tongue peeked out past his pointy teeth and licked his lips.

  Ramsey smiled at the look, liking that Fane found his body attractive.

  When he moved his fingers to the button on his jeans, Fane's gaze trailed down to that spot, not looking away.

  He unbuttoned and unzipped, and pushed his pants down his hips, taking his underwear with him.

  "Take off your clothes, Fane."

  Fane lay there, staring at Ramsey’s cock. "You're penis is big."

  "Don't worry. It won't bite. It likes you." R
amsey didn't wait for Fane to follow directions, but took action, pulling Fane's pants off. They came off inside out for some reason, and Ramsey had to yank them when they got to his ankles.

  Fane had lean muscles that surprised Ramsey, given his small size. When he pulled his underwear off next, Fane's hand immediately went to his own dick, stroking it even as he watched Ramsey’s every move. His dick was in proportion to the rest of his body. Ramsey climbed on the bed, pushing Fane's hand away. He moved Fane's shirt up, wanting more skin, kissing him right below his belly button.

  As Ramsey moved down, he took deep pulls of Fane's scent, feeling the hairs on Fane's abdomen against his nose as he went. He pressed his lips against the head of Fane's cock, holding them there until he tasted Fane's precum on his tongue. Once he did, he sank down, taking the full shaft into his mouth.

  Fane's hips came up off the bed, and he cried out.

  Ramsey smiled around his shaft, more than pleased with the reaction. He pulled off part way and sank back down again.

  Fane's hands touched the top of Ramsey's head, his fingers clenching and unclenching as if he needed something to hold onto and wanted to use Ramsey's hair. The only problem with that was, Ramsey didn't have any. It was so short it was just stubbles on his head.

  Still, Ramsey found Fane's responsiveness sexy.

  Ramsey pulled off his cock. "Is there lube in here?"

  Fane moaned and pushed Ramsey's head down until his lips were against Fane's wet shaft. Ramsey kissed it and licked from root to tip, but he didn't take it in his mouth. "Lube, sweet."

  "Don't know. No one touches me. Except you."

  Ramsey leaned over, reaching for the bedside table and pulling open the small drawer. He smiled in victory when he pulled out what he needed.

  Ramsey popped the top of the lube and squirted some on his fingers, before giving his attention to Fane's cock again. He licked at the head, swirling his tongue around it teasingly.

  Fane whimpered. "Please." His hands came to Ramsey's head again, trying to get Ramsey where he needed him most.

  Ramsey swirled a finger around Fane's puckered hole to the rhythm his tongue made on the head of his cock.

  "Oh." Fane pulled his legs back, stretching them nearly to his sides, and he lifted his hips into the touch.

  Ramsey rewarded Fane by taking his cock into his mouth once again, sinking down slowly at the same time he pushed a finger into Fane's hole. He immediately curled his finger up rubbing over Fane's prostate as he pulled it out.

  Fane cried out. His eyes were wide when their gazes met.

  Fane needed him. It was plain for Ramsey to see. A swell of emotion washed over him, so big it threatened to leak out his eyes. It lumped in his throat, making it impossible to breathe, especially around the cock.

  Ramsey set a rhythm with his finger but didn't move his mouth. He just curled his tongue around Fane's shaft, providing him with a little bit of friction but not enough to let him cum.

  Adding another finger made Fane moan. Ramsey watched him as his mouth fell open and his eyes closed. It seemed the thing Fane needed because the utter bliss was unmistakable.

  Ramsey felt the muscles stretch around his fingers and added another one. Fane's muscles tightened and then loosened a second later. The rest of his muscles relaxed at about the same time he moaned. "Monster."

  Ramsey made a sound around Fane's cock, letting him know he liked the way Fane whispered that nickname on a breath of air as if the pleasure was so great it helped push the sound past his lips. The vibrations also gave Fane even more pleasure.

  "Please."

  Ramsey let Fane's cock go, moving over him even as he continued with the stretching. He kissed a trail up Fane's body, flicking a tongue over one of his nipples and then just under his jaw.

  When his gaze met Fane's, he saw his own need reflected back.

  Ramsey pulled his fingers out and coated his cock with the leftover lube on his fingers. He pressed the head to Fane's hole, slipping in just enough to make him hiss when the pleasure was too great.

  He wanted to ride his instincts out and let his body take over, but he needed to be gentle with Fane. He wouldn't act like some selfish bastard just after his own pleasure.

  Ramsey pressed in a bit more but stopped when Fane's muscles tensed. Ramsey held Fane's gaze, trapping them both so he could see if Fane was in pain.

  Ramsey took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to get his breathing under control so he could talk. "Need me to stop?"

  Fane shook his head.

  The muscles around Ramsey cock relaxed enough that he pushed in even more. Fane didn't show any signs of pain or stress, so he kept up the assault, going further until he bottomed out.

  Fane cupped Ramsey's cheeks in both hands, demanding he not look away. "Don't move. Not yet."

  Ramsey nodded, breathing heavily.

  The tightness of Fane's body as it engulfed his cock was almost too much. Knowing he was inside Fane, his mate, made a difference.

  Fane moved his hips down as much as he could, probably testing to see if the pain had turned to pleasure. Ramsey decided to help him out and pulled out a fraction at a time and then pressing back in again.

  Fane’s mouth fell open, and pure bliss covered his face. "Yeah. Keep moving."

  Ramsey would have grinned but his entire focus centered on his cock, and it was impossible to think of anything else.

  "Oh. Oh, please. I need to bite." Fane grabbed the nape of Ramsey's neck and pulled him down, his teeth sinking into the scarred over wound on his shoulder.

  He moved quicker when he felt Fane's hole tighten up, and then wet heat coated their abdomens.

  Ramsey's teeth dropped, but he fought the urge to bite. It wasn't the right time. Not yet. Not when things with the clan were so fucked up.

  Even without Ramsey's mark, their mating bond grew deeper. He could feel Fane just on the outskirts of his mind, and it wasn't enough, leaving Ramsey wanting more. At the same time, the bond they did have stole his breath.

  The white hot electricity worked through his body, and he cried out. His movements grew jerky, and then he pressed in impossibly far, holding it as his orgasm worked through his body as if playing him like an instrument. He shuddered and then moved in and out by little fractions, wanting to prolong the feeling.

  Fane still drank from him in long pulls, so he stayed where he was even though he wanted to collapse. The last thing he wanted was to crush his mate anyway.

  Fane sighed and pulled his teeth out. He licked across Ramsey’s wound as if to seal it. "Monster."

  "Sweet."

  Fane licked across the bite again. "You didn't bite me."

  "Not the right time."

  "Maybe never."

  "Someday, sweet." Ramsey gathered Fane into his arms, turning them, so they both lay on their sides. Ramsey's cock slipped out, and Fane' grunted. "You liked it?"

  "You want a compliment."

  Ramsey chuckled. "Yeah. But I also want to know if you're okay."

  "It aches. I'll feel it tomorrow and think back on this."

  "Is that a bad thing?"

  Fane giggled, and it wasn't the nervous one he had before but an honest laugh because he thought something was funny. "No. I'll like the memory."

  "Me too."

  Ramsey ran his fingers through Fane's hair and studied his gaze. "Come home. Please, sweet."

  "You're not ready."

  Ramsey sighed. "The clan meeting is tomorrow. I need you there."

  "I'll come."

  The clan might need him to get them through the battle with Stavros, but he wasn’t sure he could be Alpha for very much longer. He needed Fane first and foremost. Nothing else mattered very much, including the clan.

  And everything about his attitude made him an asshole.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ramsey kept Fane glued to his side as the clan members trickled into the yard one at a time. They talked and joked amongst themselves and eyed Ramsey with a weari
ness that hadn't been there before he attacked Tim in the diner.

  He'd known most of the clan members his whole life or at least when he first came to Mom as a young child. A few new members moved to Saint Lakes since but he still knew them well. More importantly, he knew their problems and helped fix some of them.

  He had gained their trust over the years. Maybe attacking Tim when they were children could be chalked up to Ramsey’s first shift coming early. Everyone knew a shifter didn’t have control during that time in life. In their minds, it was a good excuse, but it wasn’t one Ramsey could use. He knew the truth.

  He wanted to ignore it and had for so long, but he couldn’t anymore. Finding his mate just brought the truth out.

  Ramsey sighed.

  Josh, Kristin's mate, slid next to them. Ramsey pulled Fane in closer.

  Josh smiled and kept his hands clasped behind his back. "It's going around that you attacked my father."

  Ramsey nodded. Having what he already suspected confirmed only made him inwardly cringe. "He needs to learn respect."

  Josh nodded. "He thinks he's right about everything. He's always been that way. Marshall left to get away from him. And Mom left him. I left him. Now he's pissed at all of us, especially me, but he'll take it out on you. He'll probably get someone to challenge you, not that anyone can beat you but still...I'm sorry."

  Fane stood on Ramsey’s other side. He looked around Ramsey to Josh. "Only own the mistakes you make, not that of others." Fane looked up at Ramsey. "Sensei used to say that."

  Josh smiled in an affectionate way that everyone had toward Fane. The whole family looked at him like that. Hell, even the hardened Hacen had taken a protective role with Fane when Ramsey had shown up.

  "Thanks for saying that. I think sometimes I need to remember that he doesn't run my life anymore."

  "You are the boss of you. Another thing Sensei used to say, although that one had been said when I was a small child. He thought it made me consider my own actions before I did something stupid. It didn’t work at the time, but now I see his point."