by T. S. Ryder
Leon brushed his hand against her arm. She shivered again. "It doesn't have to hurt, as long as we really take our time and not rush things."
"I think—"
A howl from the edge of the camp made him jump to his feet. All around, the other Shifters paused by their fires and tents, all their heads going in the direction the howl had come from. Moments later Jared, one of Leon's seconds that he sent to patrol the area around their camp, trotted into view in his Wolf's form. Something was writhing in his mouth. A growl rose in Leon's throat. Vampire.
"What is it?" Yuliana asked scrambling to her feet. She stood behind Leon as she peered at the giant Wolf trotting towards them. When Jared spat the vampire out at Leon's face, Yuliana gasped. She started forward, but Leon put an arm out, stopping her.
"Who are you and why are you here?" he demanded gruffly.
The vampire glared at him for a moment before turning to Yuliana. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. His name is Zak," she told Leon. "I know him. We were in all the same classes growing up until his mother married one of the generals. I haven’t seen you for years," she said to the vampire.
Leon frowned at he looked between the two of them. Just because Yuliana knew this vampire didn't mean that he was here for old time's sake. No, the Alpha had to treat this situation like he would if Yuliana wasn't here. He stepped closer to Zak, who visibly flinched as their faces inched together. The vampire was a good two feet shorter than him, which certainly helped give Leon the advantage.
"I asked you a question, vampire. What are you doing sulking around my camp?"
"I found him near the water supply," Jared grunted. "He's got a knife on him. I think that he was trying to puncture the tank and leave us thirsty on our patrols."
"No," Zak spoke for the first time. He glared at Jared and shook his head. "I was thirsty, which is why I was going to the water, and I had the knife to defend myself!"
"Then why are you here?" Leon roared.
Several of the closer Shifters shied away from him. Yuliana backed away several feet, her eyes wide. Leon spared no emotion feeling regret for frightening her. He could apologize later in private. Right now it was important to decide what to do with this vampire–and deducing what his intentions were the best place to start.
Zak flinched and crouched low to the ground, but didn't speak.
"Leon…" Yuliana inched forward. She laid a small hand on his arm. "Zak isn't a soldier."
"If he's a general's step-son, then he may be even worse. As I recall, the king's heir—"
"I came for her!" Zak drew himself back up. He still shied away from Leon's fierce scowl, but he straightened his shoulders and gulped in a deep breath. "I was going crazy with worry for her. Yuliana was my best friend when we were kids, and when I heard that King Harold had bullied her into agreeing to be a Shifter's mate, I knew I couldn’t stand by and do nothing."
Leon nearly flinched. Yuliana told him that she had willingly agreed to be his mate. But what if it wasn't true?
"You came for me?" Yuliana asked, eyes wide with surprise.
Zak nodded. "Hearing what happened… it made me realize something I should have told you a long, long time ago. I love you, Yuliana. And I can't let—"
"I chose to become Leon's mate," the small vampire whispered. "I'm not in any danger."
Leon frowned heavily. "Yuliana, go to bed. Zak and I have a lot to talk about concerning this."
He grabbed the vampire by the scruff of the neck and began dragging him off. Whether Zak was truly in love with Yuliana or if this was the vampire king's treachery remained to be seen… but Leon would find out, one way or another.
Chapter Three – Yuliana
The camp at the base of the mountain was obviously well-used. Fire circles dotted a large clearing, where the grass had been trampled away by many feet over many years. The mountain itself was quite beautiful, with blue-green spruces growing densely on its side, interrupted here and there with groves of birch or pine.
Yuliana quickly threw her lean-to shelter over a low branch, chewing on the inside of her cheek. This was the place where the pack would wait while she and Leon mated. Leon had already pointed out the dark cavity in the side of the mountain where their mating would occur. The Alpha was there right now, preparing it. Being here made everything more real. Tonight when the sun sets, Leon would take her up to that cave, and when morning comes she would be a mated woman.
A shiver went down Yuliana's spine, but not because of the coming night. Her curiosity had been peaked when Leon revealed that he was a virgin like her, and she had to admit that she was actually… excited about their night.
But the Alpha was still keeping Zak as a prisoner.
When they were children, Zak was one of the few people Yuliana considered a friend. She was too shy to really get close to him, but he was always kind to her, always went out of his way to make sure she was included in activities. She had thought he was just being nice at the time, but it seemed that he had deeper feelings that she couldn't see…
Yuliana shook her head as she slipped a paring knife into her dress pocket. She had to go see him, find out the truth. And the knife? It was just for protection. Many of the Shifters made it clear that they were not happy with her being among them, and since Leon wasn't here, things might get out of hand.
Zak was tied with his hand behind his back, a thick stake driven through the ground between his hands and his body. His clothing looked damp, and there were dark circles under his eyes. A few Shifters sat in lean-tos around the area, watching him but not stepping into the fine mist that soaked into everything. Roaring fires crackled at their feet.
"How are you doing?" Yuliana asked, crouching next to him. She winced. That was a stupid question. "I mean, have you fed? Have they… hurt you?"
Zak looked at her with his big, soulful eyes. There was a deep weariness in them. "As long as you are in their hands, and not among your own kind where you belong, I will always be in pain. I've heard that that brute means to…" He shuddered. "And tonight! I wish I could stop him. I wish I could take you home and marry you."
Yuliana's heart fluttered at the softness of his voice, the raw emotion that shone from his eyes. She brushed her fingers across his cheek. If she was given the choice right now, would she leave with him? Go back to life as a vampire, without any threat from the Shifters, without any repercussions?
No.
Her brow furrowed as she withdrew. It didn't make any sense. He was an attractive, high-status vampire. She should be thrilled to have his attention. But she just wasn't attracted to him. She had never been. There had never been that thrilling shiver that shot through her. She got it every time she looked at Leon. And even though he was keeping her friend a prisoner, she still wanted to go to the cave on the mountain and experience what she had always dreamed of. With her Wolf.
Yuliana twitched. She slipped her paring knife from her pocket and hugged Zak, making sure to put the knife in his hand.
"I made a commitment. I agreed to be Leon's mate from my own free will, and I'm not going to go back on my word. I… I don't think there could have been anything between us anyway, Zak. I—" She twitched again. "I have to go. I'll make sure that you get some blood… I'm sorry."
She fled before he could say another word.
***
Leon came to her at dusk. She was curled in the lean-to, filled with nervous excitement, toying with a blood bag. Human blood was more delicious than anything she had tasted before, but for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to drink right now. And when the giant Wolf appeared at the edge of her tent, she understood why.
They were going to be mates by morning. And she didn't want to drink this packaged blood because she wanted to solidify their relationship as vampire and Shifter mated. She wanted to drink from him.
Leon crouched beside the lean-to, his striking blue eyes on her. He jerked his head slightly, and she understood. Her hands trembled and her heart hammered as she climbe
d onto his back, but it wasn't from fear. The wind was fresh on her face as he loped up the mountain. By the time they reached their destination, she was smiling. She slid off Leon's back and he Shifted. It was only then that she realized he wasn't wearing the spandex shorts that he always had on.
Her cheeks burned as he turned towards her, completely unabashed by his nakedness. The Alpha's eyes twinkled as he held his hand. She took it and let him pull her inside the cave. Her whole body tingled.
It was roomier than she expected. A blazing fire burned at the entrance, and behind that were several layers of blankets, making a soft-looking nest. Various snacks were in the corner, combined with a few bottles of water and bags of blood.
Leon stepped back from her, smiling. "Now… Do you want to undress, or do you need a moment?"
Yuliana chewed her cheek. "I want… you to undress me."
Leon stepped forward, putting his hands on her shoulders. He slid them down her arms, then over her waist and back up. She shivered at his light touch on her breasts. He turned her then, brushing her hair out of the way. Yuliana closed her eyes and leaned into him as he undid her zipper. Her dress fell into a puddle on the floor.
The cold air brushed her skin into goosebumps. Leon walked around her again. His gaze heated. Yuliana forgot all about the cold as heat swirled inside her. As her Alpha undid her bra, sliding it off, she found herself wishing that she had been able to undress him as well. She'd have to wait until next time.
She had thought that being naked would be more embarrassing, but the look in his eyes was all she needed and more to release her shyness. It drew her forward, pressing to the tips of her toes to kiss him. His strong arms pulled her naked body against his firmly and kissed her hard. His tongue thrust into her mouth, leaving her breathless.
When Leon set her down again, she stumbled, her head spinning.
"Do you need to drink first?" He gestured to the blood bags at the side of the room.
"I want to drink from you," Yuliana blurted. "I've heard that it can be a very… arousing experience. I've never drunk from anybody, and I want to…"
Leon grinned at her. Her heart increased even more, beating faster than anything she had experienced before. She put a hand to her chest. Was this normal? She hadn't ever felt it do this before. Could vampires have heart attacks? But when Leon bent and pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, it increased yet again, until it was beating as fast as a human's. Maybe it was just getting her ready for what was coming.
The Alpha pulled her down onto the bed of blankets, tilting his head to give her access to his throat. Yuliana straddled him, stifling another gasp as she felt how her movements sliding over him affected the both of them.
Desire burned through her body. Yuliana's gaze locked on Leon's neck, the small patch where she could see his heart thudding against the vein. With a growl she bent over him, marveling at how firm his muscles were, how big he was, making her own body that was always too big among vampires look small. When her tongue flicked over his throat, his whole body shivered under her.
Yuliana grinned and licked him again. The same shiver came again. She propped her hands on his chest and pushed herself up. "Like that?"
Leon's eyes burned as they locked on her. "Yes. Do it again."
She obeyed, then kissed the area of his throat. Leon's hands grasped her hips, holding her firmly. A low, tortured moan vibrated against her lips. Her two long, delicate fangs seemed to ache with need, and Yuliana couldn't hold back anymore. She broke through his skin, causing him to jerk under her.
The first taste of his blood on her tongue made them both buckle. It was a good thing they were laying down because neither would have had the strength to stand. A fire coiled in Yuliana's core as the thick, hot, rich blood filled her mouth. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head as her body tingled. Leon's hands were crushing on her hips, but she liked the feel of each of his fingers digging into her. A needing ache filled her and she moved the best she could, grinding herself against Leon. He grunted in time with every pull she drew from him.
When she pulled away, crying out with need and pleasure building inside of her, Leon flashed his teeth at her. His hands left her hips, wrapped around her shoulders, and pulled her down on him. He rolled, pinning her beneath him, and caught her mouth with his as he found her with his hand.
Yuliana clung to him, gasping for breath, as her pleasure increased. How was this possible? He kissed her again, and she no longer cared about anything except his body against hers. She rolled her hips up, begging for more.
He gave it to her. And more.
Chapter Four – Leon
Leon couldn't stop grinning.
There was blood everywhere. He hadn't realized that he had continued to bleed for a while after Yuliana had stopped drinking from him. It had been the single most erotic experience he had had. Not that he had much experience in such matters, but when her little fangs had pierced his flesh, he understood what drew so many humans to the vampires. It was like a thousand fireworks had gone off in his brain, leaving him captured in the moment like he was in a dream where time didn't exist. In that moment, he would have given her anything she wanted.
It took all his self-control to stop himself from taking her at that moment. He needed her full ready for him. It was only when Yuliana herself was begging him to take her that he broke down and entered. He probably should have waited a little longer, pleasured her more, but she was relaxed in his arms as they bonded as the old, mated Wolves told him the woman was supposed to be. And she had given no indication that he hurt her, which filled him with pride.
If every moment of their lives could be like their mating, working together, communicating what they liked and what they didn't, pleasing each other before pleasing themselves, then this mating would work out after all. He expected… satisfaction in this relationship. When he decided to take a vampire mate, he never expected happiness.
But right now, he thought they might just have a chance.
Yuliana, her lips painted red, with streaks of dried blood over her naked torso, stirred. Her eyes opened. A shy smile spread over her face. "Morning."
"More like afternoon." Leon chuckled and kissed her. "How are you?"
Yuliana stretched highlighting her body in a way that made him tighten. The vampire cuddled close to him. "I feel like I'm glowing. I'm a little sore, though."
"Was I too rough?"
Yuliana shook her head. "But it looks like I was."
She touched some of the caked blood on his chest, and Leon grinned. "Never. Vampire bites don't heal as quickly as normal wounds. It took longer than I had expected. But don't worry. You can sink your little fangs into my neck whenever you want."
His mate pushed herself to her elbow and narrowed her eyes. "My fangs are longer than usual. They're long and delicate and perfect ivories. They happen to be my best feature."
Leon's gaze trailed lazily down her body. He lingered on her breasts and thighs and reached behind her to squeeze her ass. "I think you have plenty of good features. Hmm… Next time someone goes to a human town, I'm going to get them to pick up some baby oil."
"Baby oil?" Yuliana's eyes widened. "Do you really think I'm pregnant that quickly?"
Leon jolted in surprise then relaxed and laughed. "No. That's not what the baby oil is for."
"Then what—" She cut herself off. A dark red stain crept into her olive cheeks and she started giggling. She hid her face from him, rolling away from him.
Leon pulled her against him, grinding himself against her full ass, but even as her giggles turned into a moan of desire, there came a quick bark from outside. He snarled, flipping to his feet. How dare anybody come here and interrupt him and his mate? Yuliana scrambled for her clothing as a dark-haired Shifter appeared in the cave entrance. A female. If she was a male, he would have attacked on the spot.
"Leave," Leon barked.
The Shifter winced. "I apologize for my intrusion… but the vampire prisoner has esca
ped."
Leon snarled. He jumped forward, his hands clenching. "What?"
"The ropes we tied him with were cut. He got away sometime during the night, and our searches have turned up nothing."
Leon drove his fist into the wall, unable to keep in his anger. "Who was so careless that they missed a knife on the vampire? Who searched him?"
The female dropped to her knees, whimpering. "I did."
"You?"
She flinched and nodded. "I searched him. His escape is my doing, and I will take full punishment for letting the spy free."
"Spy?" Yuliana spoke for the first time. Her dress was all ruffled and not on quite right. Her eyes were huge as she looked between Leon and the female. "What do you mean, spy? Zak was here because he thought I was being forced to be with you. He wasn't a spy!"
"He claimed he was here because he loved you," Leon said. He turned to his little vampire mate. She shivered, and he attempted to soften his gaze. He hated seeing her afraid. "It could be that he was telling the truth, but what seems more likely is that he was sent by Harold as a spy."
"But I'm here to stop the hostilities between our people." Yuliana stepped forward. "The king chose me to be your mate because he wants it to end. He doesn't want to fight anymore."
Leon' shoulders sagged as he looked sadly at her. "And I hope that it true. But if he was fully committed, why offer me a mate with such low status? I accepted to have a vampire mate hoping that it was true and that Harold does indeed want to be free of the violence among our people as much as I do. But I can't just pretend that you're enough motivation for him to cease all hostilities."
Yuliana trembled. She pressed her hands to her mouth, and her gaze dropped to the female Shifter still kneeling at the edge of the cave. She swallowed hard. "It was me."
Leon's brow furrowed.
"I gave Zak a knife. I thought that he was here because… I didn't want him to be a prisoner because of me!"