by Marie Medina
EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2019 Marie Medina
ISBN: 978-1-77339-961-4
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Editor: Karyn White
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
To Slayer, who sat on my lap and purred as I wrote this.
TAKEN BY HIS WARRIOR
Wolves in the Fae Court, 3
Marie Medina
Copyright © 2019
Chapter One
Asmund emerged from the magical portal beside the home of the wolf pack’s Alpha, Gregor. The tall, muscular man stood on the front porch talking with others, and he excused himself and smiled as he walked down the wooden steps toward Asmund.
“Your Majesty,” Gregor said. “I’m glad you could come. I know having you bless their union will mean a lot to Dane and Luke.”
Asmund took in a deep breath of the clean, fresh air. “I’m happy to be here. And very glad to see both Jared and Dane with such fine men.”
“Luke certainly is a fine man. I’m not so sure I deserve the compliment as much, but I’ll take it.” Gregor glanced to the spot where the portal had closed behind Asmund. “No guards? Would you like one of my Betas with you?”
“I feel safe here.” He closed his eyes for a moment and reached out to those around him. “And sense no danger of any kind.” He blinked as a vibration came down one of the tendrils of power he’d unfurled. He couldn’t be sure what it was, but it piqued his interest. He made a mental note to be on the lookout for anyone who didn’t seem to fit.
“Please, make yourself at home and don’t hesitate to ask for anything.” Gregor gave a slight bow.
“Thank you, Alpha,” Asmund said, returning the bow before scanning the crowd. Gregor moved to speak to someone else, and Asmund soon spotted Dane, the young fae’s pleased smile warming his heart.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Your Majesty,” Dane said when they reached each other.
Asmund smiled and hugged him, feeling the hint of embarrassment mixed with pleasure that came from Dane. “I wouldn’t miss it. I’ve been meaning to come here for a real visit anyway. You gave me a fine reason.” The king pushed his long black hair behind his ears and looked around. “It’s very beautiful here. Not so different from home.”
“We’re pretty deep in the woods. For protection. The land’s part of a private preserve owned by the pack, under an assumed name.”
“If the pack ever needs help, you and Jared must come to me straight away.”
“We will.”
Asmund looked around at all of the men and women towering over them. “I feel like a child at my first grown-up party.” He smiled at everyone who glanced their way, knowing the light blue silk robes he wore made him stand out even more than the silver circlet crown on his head or his pointed ears did.
Dane laughed. “My neck was a bit sore the first few days.”
Asmund chuckled, but then he paused when the vibration came to him again, much stronger this time. “I sense something—someone, that is.”
Dane glanced around. “Someone dangerous?” His hand flew to the king’s arm.
“No. Someone like us.” His gaze fixed on a group of people across the field. An enormous man with flowing brown hair streaked with gold caught his attention, and he found he couldn’t look away. The power definitely came from him. “Who is that? With the sword.”
Dane said, “Vadik. He’s the highest-ranking Beta under Luke.”
Knowing the man’s name made it even easier to connect to him. Power flowed over Asmund, giving him pause. “He has elven blood. A very old line based on the vibrations coming from him. Vadik, you say? That’s an old name. Northern Europe.” Asmund took a step forward. “And there must be something more than wolf and elf in him as well. He’s the largest man I’ve ever seen. The elven blood should be dwarfing the shifter in him, but that’s obviously not the case.”
“He wishes to meet you. Luke said so. He’s very interested in the royal guard.”
“Yes, I’m sure he is. I’d sense the warrior within him even if he wasn’t wearing…” Asmund paused, eyeing the form-fitting leather clothes the man wore. They certainly flattered his muscular body, even if they made him stand out as much as Asmund did. “What exactly is he wearing? Everyone else is wearing ordinary human fashions.”
Dane eyed Vadik briefly. “He always dresses like that. Leather and tunics and intricately wrought weapons.”
“Your Majesty, I’m so glad you could come,” Luke said as he came up beside them.
Asmund continued looking at Vadik a moment before he turned to Luke. “I wouldn’t have missed it. It’s a joyous occasion, and I’m glad Jared and Dane won’t have to live apart.” His gaze went back to Vadik.
Luke glanced at Dane. “Vadik hasn’t done anything weird, has he?”
“No,” Asmund said before Dane could answer. “But it seems Jared isn’t the only one with mixed blood around here.”
“You can sense that already?” Luke asked, stepping forward.
“Yes.” Asmund cocked an eyebrow, noting something in Luke’s tone. “You know something?”
“Vadik wishes to meet you. His grandmother said the father of her son, who was Vadik’s father, was like you. Fae or elven in some way. He’s wanted to know more all his life. Jared said you can tell him about his origins simply by touching him.”
“I can tell him about his blood, not about the actual people.” When Asmund looked back to Vadik, he smiled because he found the man staring back at him. “It seems he’s noticed my attention. Perhaps I should go introduce myself.”
Asmund strode off, watching Vadik break away from his conversation as well. With Vadik’s long strides, they reached one another quickly. The king nearly tipped backwards trying to look up at the man, but he returned the warm smile he was offered. “I’m Asmund, and I’m told you wished to meet me, Vadik.”
Vadik stepped closer, leaning against a tree and bending low to meet the king’s gaze. “Oh yes. And now that I have? Well, I’m more pleased than I thought I’d be.” He took a very deep breath and exhaled it with a rumble from his chest, looking very pleased indeed as his eyes darkened with seeming desire.
Asmund’s body reacted to the closeness of the handsome man, but he tried to push it aside. The differences in their races were bound to lead to some interesting chemical reactions, but he hadn’t come here to flirt. Vadik’s musky scent proved overpowering, but he’d known to expect that from the wolves. Vadik could easily find a partner in the fae realm, if he was really so keen on bedding a fae.
Trying to focus, Asmund said, “I can tell you a bit about your ancestry, if you’ll take my hand a moment.” The king held out his hand, and Vadik slipped his fingers into it. Asmund closed his eyes, but they flew open again in an instant. They stared at each other, an odd look coming to Vadik’s eyes. Asmund squeezed the man’s hand, overwhelmed by what he felt. He trembled as power moved over him.
“A good sign, if that innocent touch was so explosive,” Vadik said, caressing Asmund’s fingers with surprising gentleness.
Asmund tried to control his surprise as he said, “You’re a Fen.”
“Fin … as in Finland?”
“No, F-e-n. As in a Son of Fenrir. T
he name comes from Norse mythology.”
“Fenrir. You mean the giant wolf in the Thor movies?”
“Sort of. The Norse gods are completely fictitious, but the Sons of Fenrir are an ancient line of dark elves who borrowed the name from Norse lore. They had shapeshifting abilities and transform into enormous, hellhound-sized wolves. Well, I say had, but I shouldn’t. They still have these abilities, but I have no idea how many are left. Where they are exactly. Their small clan has little to do with my people, and I respect that desire for privacy. They were living somewhere around the border between Finland and Sweden the last time they had contact with my father. That was a couple of decades ago.” He tried to guess Vadik’s age. “How old are you?”
“Thirty.”
“It was your grandfather who had fae blood, I believe Luke said?”
“Yes. He was here in our pack nearly seventy years ago. Didn’t stay long.” Vadik shifted his stance against the tree. “How old are you?”
Asmund blinked, not sure why Vadik wanted to know that. “Much older than I look.”
“How old?” Vadik said again, his gaze roaming over Asmund.
“Approaching sixty, but I come from a powerful line, and fae live much longer than humans.”
“You’re very beautiful,” Vadik said, inching closer.
“Thank you,” Asmund said, stepping back. Thank you? Did I actually just say that? He groaned inwardly. Tempting as the man was, Asmund had promised himself he would settle down soon. He needed an heir, and this man was a Beta, not an Omega who could give him a child. Any dalliance between them could only be fleeting, so it seemed best not to start one. “Perhaps we could talk more later? I should probably see if there’s anything I should be doing for Dane and Luke’s ceremony.”
Vadik took another deep breath and pushed it out slowly before he smiled. “We will definitely talk again, Your Majesty.” He drew Asmund’s hand to his lips—the hand Asmund hadn’t even realized was still grasped in the shifter’s strong fingers—and kissed it before smiling and backing away.
A shiver went up Asmund’s spine, and he cursed silently. It was just his luck the kind of man he’d always fantasied about would be here now and have reason to spend time with him. He turned to find Dane again, needing a distraction from the lust addling his reason.
****
Vadik watched his beautiful little mate scurry away. Did the king sense their connection? He had to, if he was as powerful as everyone said. Vadik had scented the man’s attraction to him, and there could be no mistaking it. He felt like strutting suddenly, but he didn’t want anyone to notice the change in him. The Alpha had apparently made his mate angry when he revealed their matehood to others before discussing it with Jared.
Vadik turned and surveyed the crowd a moment, nodding at those who passed and acknowledged him. He eyed the fae king, wishing he could move his lips over more of the man’s skin. The king’s hand had been soft and warm, and his skin had smelled of wildflowers. Vadik felt thankful for his tunic as his cock responded. Would all of Asmund’s skin be just as soft and sweet? Would the smaller man be timid and unsure, or would he welcome Vadik as a lover?
I’ll have to be gentle with such a delicate mate, but giving him pleasure will be more satisfaction than I’ve had in a long while.
Vadik pushed his thick hair behind his ears, suddenly wishing he could check his reflection. The king was pale, with classically delicate features, though his powerful gaze lent him a more masculine look than Dane or Jared possessed. Vadik found himself wanting to trace the lines of the king’s elegant pointed ears, a feature he’d never imagined himself finding attractive. The simple silver circlet on Asmund’s head drew attention to his long, silky black hair. Vadik could already picture it spread over the sheets beneath them, his own fingers twisting in it and pulling gently. Or not so gently, depending on the king’s tastes. The blue silk robes didn’t reveal much, but Vadik had no trouble imagining his mate’s body. He smiled to himself, thinking how fitting it was that his mate would be a fae, and a king at that. He would be able to dutifully serve a worthy leader without compromising his devotion to his mate because now they could be the same man. Though he would hate leaving the pack, serving in the fae court would be an honor his ancestors could be proud of, especially considering who the king said they were.
After another moment of admiring the king’s grace and beauty, Vadik glanced down at his leathers, glad he’d chosen the dark red because the clothes fit him very well. The tunic and heavy sword belt didn’t detract at all from the way the leather hugged his body. He shifted his stance, wondering if he should go take care of his erection. He feared it would only get worse as he continued to watch the king throughout the day. Pulling the king into the woods with him would’ve been his preference, but he felt sure that would be a massive breach of etiquette.
A throat cleared behind him, and Vadik knew it was the Alpha. He turned and nodded to Gregor. “Alpha. Is all well?” Vadik said.
“Yes, everything seems to be in order. Everyone’s having a good time.” Gregor eyed him. “Is all well with you?”
Vadik grinned. “Oh yes.”
“Did I just see what I think I saw?”
“And what is that?” Though he felt wary for a moment, he knew it would be good to talk to a man who had already claimed a fae as his mate.
“You scented the king. Very keenly.”
“I did, but I won’t say more until I’ve spoken to him.”
Gregor sighed. “It couldn’t last. He’s an only child. Kings have duties. You of all people should understand that.”
“He and I will discuss that.”
Gregor crossed his arms, eyeing Vadik. “Very well. It’s not really any of my business, though it will affect the pack.”
“Of course it will.” Vadik looked his Alpha in the eye. “He says it’s true. I do have fae blood. Very unique elven blood, to be exact. He referred to them as dark elves with powerful shapeshifting powers. I can’t wait to learn more.”
“Jared said you’ve asked many questions about the different types of bloodlines that make up the fae people.”
“Yes. Until Jared explained it, I didn’t know fae was a generic, catch-all term for them. I had no idea so many different types of creatures were real. Elves, nymphs, sprites, sirens … I lost track as he told me about them.”
“Most no longer have pure blood, but certain powers still take dominance in most. Jared and Dane have very different powers. In some ways, Jared’s wolf side hinders him, while in other ways it helps.” Gregor sobered as his eyes cut over to Vadik. “Don’t let the king’s size fool you. He’s powerful, Vadik. He could break you in half with his mind. A mere twitch of one finger could send you hurtling a hundred feet.”
Vadik stiffened. “My Alpha, I hope you say that out of casual concern only.”
“You can be … forceful, my friend.”
Vadik glanced around as his temper flared. “I would never force a coupling. Nor a single touch that was unwanted.”
Gregor put both his hands up, seemingly as a sign of surrender. “I didn’t mean to imply any such thing. But I know you. If he runs, you will chase. I did the same thing. All I mean is that, if he wants to make you stop, he can do so easily. I don’t wish to see you hurt. In any way.”
Vadik tried to calm himself as he quietly said, “He wants me. I felt it.”
“Kings don’t always get what they want,” Gregor said before walking away.
Vadik turned to look at Asmund again. The king glanced his way, but quickly averted his gaze, a hint of color in his cheeks.
Whatever my mate wants, I’ll move the stars themselves to give it to him. He strode away, seeking distraction in his patrolling to pass the time until the ceremony was over.
****
Asmund sat in the cozy cabin with a cup of tea at his side and a book in his hand. He hadn’t planned on staying overnight, but he’d changed his mind when Dane had mentioned a cabin had been prepared for him.
It had absolutely nothing to do with Vadik, he told himself as he read the same sentence for the fourth time.
He shifted in the chair. It was very comfy, but he still felt a bit odd in the clothes he’d borrowed from Dane. He could’ve gone home and grabbed whatever he needed, but he’d known that going home would lead to him staying there because within minutes someone would know he’d returned and come looking for him to talk about some matter that could easily wait until morning.
Asmund closed his book and finished his tea before running his hands over the material of the sweatpants. They were soft and warm, but he didn’t find them flattering. Dane had laughed at that comment, though he had eyed Asmund, as if waiting for him to explain why something no one was going to see him wearing needed to be flattering.
Asmund looked around the living area, soon rising to study one of the paintings. It had been done recently, based on the fresh smell still coming from the paint. Asmund was trying to read the signature in the corner when he felt something outside.
Someone outside.
The king stood completely still for a moment as he let Vadik’s presence wash over him. Could the shifter feel him in the same way? How strong was the elven blood? He turned toward the door, trying to tell how close Vadik was. Perhaps the wolf only wanted to be sure he was safe. Asmund had observed the man patrolling all day long, even during the ceremony and reception.
When Vadik’s presence didn’t fade or seem to move away, Asmund went to the front door and opened it. He stepped out onto the small front porch and eyed the darkness beyond the lights at each corner of the cabin. Vadik soon emerged from the darkness, wearing nothing but a pair of jeans.
And a short blade the length of his forearm.
“Patrolling?” Asmund asked.
“I’m off duty.” He gripped the hilt of his blade. “But I’m always armed.”