Strigoi Redemption

by Hall, K R

  “Alana, you must stop,” Victor said.

  She slowly looked back at him.

  He stared into her eyes. “I can’t believe I am so lucky you are allowing me to touch you and pleasure you.”

  “I think we have wanted one another for a long time,” she whispered. “I’m not going to let a little pregnancy get in my way now.”

  “But—”

  “Victor.” She reached down and took his cock in her hand. She stroked his length with a soft, feathery touch. “I want you inside me. I think we’ve waited long enough, don’t you?”

  His inner beast growled in appreciation but his human half was still scrambling for control.

  “I can’t… We would be…”

  “Do you want to complete the mating with me?” Alana asked.

  “Of course, I do, but do you understand the implications?” He swallowed.

  She moved so her leg was draped over his hips, his length positioned at the apex of her legs.

  Alana smiled up at him. “I am not giving up on anything, Victor. I’m grabbing hold of something wonderful and hanging on tight.”

  “But…”

  “You told me you’re mine,” Alana nodded, “and now I’m telling you— I’m yours, too.”

  At those words, his control snapped. He covered her mouth with his as he pressed into her, joining his body with hers. Her wet heat enveloped him. Alana shuddered under Victor as her hole stretched to accommodate him. He groaned against her lips.

  “Fuuuck, Alana, you’re everything I need. I need you so bad,” Victor breathed.

  She wrapped her arms and legs around him, pulling him closer. She was pleased that her baby belly was not hindering their need for each other.

  “I’m yours,” she said again.

  He rocked against her, driving himself deeper into her with every thrust. She chanted his name on her panting breaths, urging him to give her more. And he did. Victor slammed against her with rough precision.

  Soon, Alana was meeting his thrusts as she panted and moaned. “God…oh God Victor.” She gasped as she felt another wave of pleasure coming to crash down on her.

  Alana squeezed him tight and he felt her orgasm hit her a millisecond before she cried out. Her pussy shuddered over his cock, vibrating against him. He thrust her into her again and again until his own climax erupted over him.

  He bit her again on the same spot between her neck and shoulder as he had before, finally claiming her completely as he emptied his seed deep inside her. When his release subsided, he broke the kiss and stared down at the woman who would always haunt his dreams.

  He brushed his lips over hers lightly again then lifted himself off her. A sense of loss hit him when he slipped out of her. He wanted to be inside her again, now. How would he ever get enough of her?

  “Alana, did I hurt you?” Victor asked.

  “No,” Alana said, tears forming in her eyes.

  “Damn it, yes I did, you’re crying.”

  “I’m happy, Victor.” She reached up and kissed him gently on the lips. “I love you; you’re the gift of my life. You mated me. I thought I wasn’t good enough.”

  “Oh, no, Alana,” Victor whispered as he pulled her into his arms. He laid on his side and gently tucked her in against his body, resting her head on his chest. “I’m not worthy of you. You are a gift only the gods could give. I love you; I’ve loved you from the day I first saw you.

  “Let me get you cleaned up,” Victor said as he carefully carried her into the bathroom.

  ~ ~ ~

  He bent and picked her up, bringing her from the shower back to the bed. She kept her grip on his shoulders as he walked, fearing he would drop her. She figured it might at least prevent her from falling too fast. His stride was smooth, despite the heavy burden he carried. No ordinary man could have moved so quickly carrying her weight around. Victor turned his head to look directly into her eyes. His eyes held a look she had never seen… fierce.

  Her fingers dug into his shoulders to keep from falling at the first long stroke of his tongue over her throat where he had marked her. No doubt, the smell of her arousal had flooded the air around them. Her body was so primed and ready, he could have thrust inside her and she would’ve taken them easily.

  Victor growled and kissed her hard, his tongue tracing along her bottom lip until she sighed giving him access to her mouth. It wasn’t enough. He pulled the towel Alana was wearing from her body.

  Very carefully Victor positioned himself at her entrance and pushed forward. He was huge and long again.

  “I can’t wait to marry you. I want to give you more babies. I want to give you the rest of my life,” Victor said. “All through the day, I had one thought, one desire. To touch you. To hold you. To complete our mating.”

  Alana smiled and whispered, “I love you.”

  Chapter 28

  Victor made breakfast, served with freshly squeezed orange juice and a table adorned with flowers from his garden. When Alana entered the kitchen, she was still in her nightgown. The sunlight streaming through the window, striking her at just the right angle, made the cotton almost vanish. He could see her belly becoming rounder, the daily advance of her pregnancy. These tiny changes would have gone unnoticed by others, but they were of great significance to him. He was dumbfounded by how her delicate skin could expand at all. Women would always fascinate him.

  “You did all this for me? It looks too good to eat,” Alana said, running to him planting a kiss on his cheek. She then turned and sat at the table, diving right into all the food. “Everything tastes as wonderful as it looks, but you should have let me help. I do not intend for you to work in the kitchen by yourself.”

  “It’s okay. I just wanted everything to be perfect this morning. You are happy, so it’s well worth the effort,” Victor said. “Now, finish eating and get dressed. I have an idea for what we can do today.”

  “Intriguing and mysterious. Can you give me a hint?” Alana asked.

  “Today, we will go into town and shop for furniture for the nursery and other baby items that we need,” Victor said, smiling.

  “I would enjoy that. I will be right back,” she said.

  Alana met Victor by the door in a loose-fitting maternity dress that came just above her knees. Her hair was loose and she was just as radiant as ever. They spent the day discussing varieties of baby formulas, diapers, and baby wipes. She was very excited about everything. They picked out a beautiful cherry wood finished nursery set that included the crib, changing table, dresser, highchair, and rocker. The day went well for both; they enjoyed just being together in each other’s company.

  ~ ~ ~

  Victor took Alana to a jeweler in Carver so she could pick out an engagement ring. Although he proposed back on New Year’s Eve, he had not been able to take her to pick out a ring. The owner was quite gracious as he ushered them inside. He displayed every ring in the shop for them. After scanning ring after ring, there was only one that she felt drew her to it and made her feel like it could be a lifetime symbol. The band of gold was simple enough, but it was the three stones she immediately loved. She had never seen such a color. Three stones to represent past, present, and future. The owner explained that it was known as a black garnet and very rare. A rare metal formed with the garnet to produce the unique colorization. He only had one ring because the stone was so scarce.

  Victor must’ve sensed that this was the one she wanted. Smiling at Alana, he announced to the owner of the shop, “We will take this one. Darling, does this one makes you happy?”

  “Oh, yes, I adore this one. For some reason, it feels special, almost calling to me.” There was no way of hiding the smile on her face at the beauty of the stone.

  Victor took the ring from the jeweler’s hand, dropped to one knee, and reached out to gently take Alana’s hand in his.

  “Then this one it shall be.”

  Victor’s ring was crafted from pewter and a vine motif encompassed the black garnet on which was emb
ossed a fleur-de-lis.

  ~ ~ ~

  Alana insisted that Victor find her a shifter doctor when the human male doctor she had seen last week told her she needed to cut down on giving in to her cravings. Recent studies showed that female paranormals are required to eat more in the last part of their pregnancy because the baby demands so much because paranormal pregnancies only lasted seven months. The mating she had done with Victor changed her body to be more in line with his as a paranormal. Victor was reading up on anything and everything he could find on pregnancies and deliveries.

  “We need to get medical supplies together and have them ready for when Alana goes into labor. Nicolae, why don’t you set up a birthing room in one of the rooms farthest from the doors? Get more doctors and nurses to assist doctor Audra Jellison and her nurse and have them on standby. Let’s be prepared for anything,” Victor ordered.

  Then he leaned over, kissed Alana, softly, and whispered in her ear “I love you.”

  Alana pulled him to her again and kissed him deeper before whispering, “I love you, too.”

  Victor smiled at her and then went to oversee all the work that was being done to prepare for his daughter’s birth.

  Nicolae quickly got the doctors organized and had the room ready within an hour. They had to doctors and three nurses already for Alana. He then returned with carts full of medical supplies the doctors told him they would need.

  Doctor Audra Jellison, Alana’s new obstetrician, had arrived with her nurse, Trudy Thurlow. Nicolae led them to the sitting room where Victor and Alana were enjoying an afternoon tea. After making introductions, he left.

  “Doctor Jellison, would you please tell my overbearing mate that I am fine and, as my doctor, you let me eat my chocolate whenever I want? He seems to think that I can only eat fruits and vegetables,” Alana said.

  “Sure, let the pregnant woman eat what she wants,” Audra said, grinning at Victor as he frowned at her.

  Alana laughed loudly, then came to her and hugged her.

  “You are my new doctor. Now tell me, do you approve of drugs during labor? Victor said that he didn’t feel comfortable. What are your thoughts?”

  “Well, it would be very safe for you to have an epidural. In fact, I would encourage it,” laughed Audra.

  “You will be having a girl, correct?” Trudy asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, at least you are somewhat prepared,” Trudy said.

  “How far along are you?” Audra asked.

  “I’m six and a half months along.”

  “Good, you do know that you will deliver in less than a month, right? We have found that pregnancies are shorter with paranormals,” Audra said.

  “Yes. Victor explained that to me,” Alana said.

  “He is right. I want to do an examination so we can see what’s going on. After I get unpacked and settled in, if that is alright with you?” Audra said.

  “Allow me to show you to your rooms,” Victor said.

  Chapter 29

  Alana noticed her bed had been made and upon it laid an exquisite creation. It was a vision of ivory silk and tulle. Sewn over the tulle were appliques and golden embroidery roses. The gown had a sweetheart neckline and would reach the floor and had the longest train she had ever seen. The veil was attached to a headband made of pearls and diamonds.

  She turned to her preparation team and gasped. “These— they are mine? Are those diamonds?”

  The smallest of the women looked Alana in the eyes as she answered, “Yes, ma’am. They are yours and they are diamonds. Victor said nothing but the best for you and spared no expense.”

  Alana’s stomach was becoming rounder and her breasts were getting more and more engorged each day. Alana heard whispers as they were afraid she would not fit into the dress.

  “I expect it will be tight, but it should fit. Please help me dress. Victor waits.”

  When they were finished, they escorted her to the vanity. As one applied Alana’s makeup, another did her hair. Finally, they placed the veil on top of her head. Alana placed a white strand of pearls around her neck and then hung matching earrings in her lobes.

  The bridal bouquet was roses and calla lilies with silk and lace ribbons reaching to the floor. Alana glanced one last time into the mirror and smiled.

  The ladies left as her father entered. They were ready to walk down the aisle. The baby inside her was awake and kicking. Just the sign she needed to know everything would be perfect.

  At the end of the aisle, next to the officiant, Cristofor, Victor waited, wearing a black tuxedo. His silk shirt was the same shade as her dress. He extended his hand and she placed hers in his. He kissed it tenderly.

  “You look breathtakingly spectacular. On this day and every day after, I am the luckiest man that has ever lived.”

  “You flatter me, Victor. You are very handsome. I’m ready to begin a brand-new life with you and our baby.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “Friends, we have come here today to celebrate love. Victor and Alana want to welcome you to this celebration of their love for one another. Each of you has given something special to their lives. Your love and encouragement will forever be appreciated. Thank you for sharing one of life’s happiest moments with them. May you be as important a part of their tomorrow as you are of their today,” Cristofor said.

  “Victor and Alana, the relationship that you have nurtured together stands for love that will blossom and grow with each passing day. Before you knew love, you were friends, and it was from this seed of friendship that is now your destiny.

  “Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of hearts, the union of two lives as one. Marriage is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your partner as your own. It is not total absorption into each other; it is looking outward in the same direction together. Marriage makes burdens lighter because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them. It makes you stronger, so you can be involved with life in ways you dare not risk alone.

  “To make your relationship successful will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication to stay open and honest with one another— and to learn and grow together. It will take faith to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment to hold true to the journey you both promise today to share.

  “An intimate and secure relationship is not based solely on promises, but also on trust, respect, faithfulness, and the ability to forgive. A lasting marriage is based on all of these, bound together by love.

  “Victor and Alana, the vows that you are about to exchange serve as a verbal representation of the love you have promised to each other. For it is not the words that you speak today which will unite you together as one, but the inner sense of love and commitment that each of you feels within your soul. No other human ties are as tender,” Cristofor said.

  “When I met you, I wasn’t expecting forever, but our instant connection grew into a deep friendship and love that I could not imagine my life without. You are my rock, my comfort, my home. You understand and accept me. With you by my side, I can truly be free. I want to spend all my days by your side; to stand by you in rough times and dance with you when we are filled with bliss. I fall in love with you more each day and will continue to eternally,” Alana said.

  “The day we met, I knew that I could be who I wanted to be, who I always was, who I never forgot existed. You not so much allowed me to be this way but let me be at peace with who I am. This is the greatest gift that anyone could give me and I give this gift to you now and forever,” Victor said.

  “May I have the rings please?” asked Cristofor.

  Victor’s best man, his brother, Ladinas, handed the rings to Cristofor.

  “This circlet of precious metal is justly regarded as a fitting emblem of the purity and continuity of the marriage state. The anc
ients were reminded by the circle of eternity, as it is so fashioned as to have neither beginning nor end; while gold is so incorruptible that it cannot be tarnished by use or time. So may the union, at this time solemnized, be incorruptible in its purity and more lasting than time itself. No other vows are more sacred than those you now assume,” Cristofor said. “Victor, please place this ring on Alana’s ring finger and say your vow.”

  “Alana, I give you this ring as I give you myself. It is a circle without end. Such is my love for you.”

  “Alana, please place this ring on Victor’s ring finger and say your vow,” said Cristofor.

  “Victor, I give you this ring as I give you myself. It is a circle without end. Such is my love for you.”

  “Long ago, the wine was revered as the blood of the earth. When the bride and groom pledged themselves to each other, they drank wine from a single cup, signifying that they were becoming one blood, one family, one kin. Cup-raising was an invitation to the gods to witness this oath and hold the persons to their words. Alana Treunmhor and Victor Marinescu, share this cup in acknowledgment of the new bond between you,” Cristofor said.

  Victor and Alana sipped the wine.

  “Victor and Alana, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, may it be the love that brought you here today. It is only love which can make a glorious union, and by love which your marriage shall endure. Today, your separate lives with your individual memories, desires, and hopes merge into one. You are now taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one person in the entire world whom you love above all others. You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of a deep trust. You agree to share strength, responsibilities, and to share love,” Cristofor said.

  “May we have a moment of silence for those to offer up prayers,” Cristofor said and paused for a moment.

  “Victor and Alana, since you have exchanged vows and promised one another your never-ending love, commitment, and loyalty, by the laws of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now seal your promises with a kiss.”