by A. E. Via
Adres presented the stunning weapon with both hands, and Bell accepted it in the same manner. The shiny metal was cold in his palm, the weight comforting and familiar. He’d been without his defense arm for too long. He pulled on the handle, revealing the first few inches of the blade. He narrowed his eyes at the lettering etched into the base of the titanium steel.
Inima Mea. Dumnezeul Meu. Scutul Meu.
“It’s written in Romanian. It says. My Heart. My God. My Shield.”
Bell gasped. It was perfect. His Alpha, his Wrath and his Wolf. “Who engraved this? How could they possibly…?”
“It was made by a Strămoş—an ancient ancestor—years ago. Before I left Bucharest two days ago, he came to me with it. Said he was instructed to make it over thirty years ago but he didn’t know why. He said you would. Told me to tell you, pentru profeție.”
“What does that mean?” Bell asked.
“It means. ‘For the prophesy.’”
Bell surveyed the blade a moment longer, feeling overwhelmed. One of their grand ancestors had made this for him. It was known that the ancient ones still living had visions, premonitions of the future. If Bell still had battles ahead of him, with this weapon he’d be ready. With his beloved, his best friend, a new family full of entertaining siblings and a beautiful home, he was more than ready. He wished this was the end of the prophesy but it couldn’t be. Nothing was ever that simple.
And now he had Adres Cavalerie. He was the one Bell chose. He had a fiery passion about him and loyalty that would never waver. This was why he hadn’t picked some random name out of a hat to be his personal guard. It was a position that took serious, die-hard dedication, that no one proved to have... until this Horseman. Bell couldn’t wait to get to know his new confidante. Test his skills. He was sure Adres’ swordplay would be comparable. It was legend that no one escaped his wrath. If Mac wasn’t careful the intense vampire might set his sights on him.
Bell watched as Adres rose and was led off by Ramon Vega and the guard to prepare him for his oath to the King and the royal court. Those keen eyes didn’t leave Bell’s until he’d turned the corner. Adres was already on the job and Bell was all set to govern. Justice dismissed the shifters, and no sooner than he did, Macauley took off into the woods alone.
Alek watched his brother go.
“Is he okay?” Bell asked.
“Yeah. He just needs to work some shit out in his head.” Alek leaned in and kissed Bell’s temple.
Aleksei Volkov had brought so much into his life already. He was the not only the bringer of Wrath, but the bringer of compassion, love, family, security, happiness and much more. Bell never would’ve thought that his demigod could bring him such pleasure. But he continued to every day. What would his sexy mate bring to his life tomorrow? For now he was content. Bell took Alek’s hand and led him to a secluded part of the compound. “Tonight’s been difficult. I’d like to walk with Wolf for a while, Alek, if that’s okay? And, I’ll see you back at the cabin later.”
“Are you all right?” Alek kissed his forehead, rubbing his arms over his wool overcoat.
“Yes. I just need a little time.”
“Okay. I understand. I’m glad you didn’t say alone.” Alek took off his clothes. “I love you. I’ll see you at home later, cool?”
Bell nodded with a warm smile and watched as Wolf exploded to the surface with a grand flourish, eagerly shaking out his thick, white and gray fur. He stood almost to Bell’s shoulder as he nuzzled his wet nose into his hair, greeting him the way he always did.
“Hello, Wolf,” Bell whispered, leaning against all that softness.
“Mate,” Wolf answered. “Come on. Let’s walk.”
The End
There’s more of the Prophesy to be revealed soon.
To the amazing readers and my fierce Alpha lovers.
Thank you so much for all your patience and waiting on this next installment in the King and Alpha series. It’s been amazing delving back into this world! I truly missed these guys. I must say that I really connected with Aleksei at the end of book one but wasn’t sure where I wanted his story to go in book two. I’ve read most all of the reviews from Justice and Wick’s books and I hope that I’ve touched each concern and gave you guys what you wanted.
More interaction in the world, more romance, and more action.
I want to first thank my family, as always, for being so supportive and understanding of the long hours needed away from them in order to write these books.
Also, to the kick-ass team that I work with to bring you these novels. You are all truly amazing at what you do. We’ve had a long relationship in not only business but as friends and I can’t say how much I appreciate all of you.
Jay Aheer you did your thing with this cover. I love how patient you are with me. No matter how many drafts it takes. You don’t stop until I say…. “okay, perfect!” Thank you so much for the beautiful art and for being you. It’s always a pleasure to work with you.
Sue Laybourn is such a great editor, and funny. She kills me about all the dialog tags she has to correct. LOL. But, she’s teaching me as well as treating my manuscripts as precious treasures. Because they are to me. I’m so thankful and grateful for all her hard work on this one. I’m very pleased with the results.
Casey Harvell, thank you so much, honey. It’s always so easy and fun to work with you. And you have the most important job, which is getting my book ready for my readers to enjoy. You’ve been formatting my books for years… and I’m looking forward to many, many more.
To my best friends, TM Smith and Morticia Knight. It’s been a rough few months for each of us. I’m so glad I have you girls to lean on when the life happens. I love you both so much. Albuquerque is going to be an amazing reunion.
Thank you to Signal Boost Promotions for a great job done. Tina BookLover and Racheal Yunk PA for the help with promo and the amazing graphic art.
A.E. Via has been a best-selling author in the beautiful gay romance genre for five years now, but she’s no stranger to MM. She’s been an avid reader of gay lit for over fifteen years before she picked up her laptop to place her own kiss on this genre. She’s also the founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books, having published a couple great new up and coming MM authors.
A.E. has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan College that she used to start her own paralegal firm after she graduated in 2008. She spent five years preparing and filing bankruptcy petitions for struggling blue collar workers who couldn’t afford to file with a lawyer. It was a rewarding and satisfying career… but another path called to her. Writing.
A.E.’s writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to adventure, to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
She’s published nineteen books, and is kind of known now for her hardcore, play rough and love hard, bad boy, alphas. However, she does like to push herself to step out of her comfort zone, exploring different tropes, but she won’t push herself into a whole other genre. She’s head over heels for gay romance and she has tons of more hot stories to tell.
Be sure to visit Adrienne on her social media pages and subscribe to her newsletter to never miss another release date! Go to A.E. Via’s official website http://authoraevia.com for more detailed information on how to contact her, follow her, or a sneak peek at upcoming work, free reads, VSWB submissions, and where she’ll appear next.
Blue Moon I: Too Good to be True
Blue Moon II: This is Reality
Blue Moon III: Call of the Alpha
You Can See Me
Nothing Special (Nothing Special Book 1)
Embracing His Syn (Nothing Special Book 2)
Here Comes Trouble (Nothing Special Book 3)
Don’t Judge (Nothing Special Book 4)
Promises
Promises 2
Defined By Deceit
The Secrets in My Scowl
> Nothing Special 5