“Alexander told me there’s some way to sever our bond.”
Pierce dropped a plate and it shattered on the tile floor. Finn wailed, and Declan picked him up. The young vampire’s voice was little more than a whisper as he faced the omega. “There is. It’s called death.”
Declan’s mind went blank. He heard the words from Pierce’s mouth but he couldn’t make sense of them. He tried to grasp the meaning of the one important word, but it slipped away.
“Dad! Sit down.”
“I can’t.” Death. The word echoed in his head. His first reaction was fury Alexander had lied. Then he realized the alpha had entered into a relationship on the condition that if Declan wanted out, he would have to die. It’s happening again. I lost one mate and now I’m about to lose another.
A voice in his head whispered, “Alexander isn’t a true mate.”
But he’s Finn and Pierce’s father, my best friend and…
“Dad?”
“I want him here with us. With me. Now.”
“He raced out earlier.”
“He’s at his brother’s. You don’t think…?”
“Come on.”
Pierce flung the car keys at the omega, and they raced out the door. On the short drive to Ambrose’s house, Declan worried he wanted to stay in the relationship because he was scared of being alone, or because Alexander was a good father. Or was he scared of hurting Pierce? And then he was angry with his mate again for putting him in a position where he had to choose. Damn him. This is complicated.
They raced into the coven leader’s house shouting Alexander’s name, and Victor met them.
“He’s with Ambrose in the library, but they are not to be disturbed.”
“I don’t care.” Declan brushed past the omega vampire and ran along a corridor banging on doors. “Alexander, where are you?”
Pierce yelled, “This way, Dad.”
Finn gurgled as he bounced in his older brother’s arms. Victor made no attempt to stop them and stared at them through narrowed eyes.
A thick wooden door swung open and revealed Ambrose glowering at his visitors. He slammed the door behind him. “Stop this noise or I’ll throw you in jail. This is not a circus.”
“I want to see Alexander.” Declan attempted to push past the older vampire.
“Why?”
The omega was stuck for words. “I don’t need a reason. He’s my mate, and I’m not going anywhere until I speak with him. I’ll camp on your doorstep if I have to.”
“Humans are so dramatic.” Ambrose sniffed and straightened his robe.
Pierce’s voice faltered as he backed up his father. “Please, Judge Fletcher. Is he here? My Dad has something to tell him.”
“Yes.” What exactly? “Alexander, if you can hear me, you can’t die. We need you. I need you. I… I…”
Ambrose rolled his eyes. “Who said anything about him dying? This is so tiresome.”
“Dad loves you!”
Three sets of eyes flicked toward Pierce, including Finn’s.
“What?” No! Says who?
“It’s true, Dad. You just needed a nudge.”
The baby’s sticky hand grabbed Ambrose’s robe, and the vampire cringed. “Get out here, Alexander, before your lunatic family makes me do something I regret.”
“Say that again.” Alexander poked his head out the door.
Declan folded his arms. “It wasn’t me.” He jerked his head at Pierce.
Ambrose groaned and grabbed his brother and the omega. He shoved them face to face. “I have a hot tub and cigar calling my name and you two are not going to spoil it.”
Pierce elbowed the omega. “Hurry, Dad. I’ll be damaged more than I already am if I see him naked in steaming water.”
Ambrose drew himself up to his full height and bared his teeth at Pierce, but Declan put himself between the pair. “Touch my son, and I’ll hurt you.”
The coven leader glanced at his brother. “Are you certain this is who you want? Victor never behaves this way and always does as he’s told.”
“Quite sure.” Alexander grinned at Declan.
“Really?” A flush ????
“You heard me. Your turn.”
“I guess being with you isn’t so bad.”
“Declan, that’s not enough.”
The omega huffed, “Fine. I want more than friendship with you.”
“Will this take much longer?” Ambrose tapped his watch. “I only have eternity.”
“Can we do this at home, Alexander?”
“I’m not leaving.”
“You most certainly are. All of you,” Ambrose muttered
“Okay. We mated, but it was unconventional. But I want to be your mate in every way. Partner, friend, co-parent, lover.”
“Ewww.”
“Shush, Pierce.”
“Now we can go.” Alexander took Finn and placed a kiss on the top of Declan’s head. Two humans and two vampires headed home.
“Finally.” Ambrose stuck a cigar in his mouth and headed for the hot tub. “A blind person could see those two fools were meant for each other.”
Outside, Pierce begged to be allowed to walk home with Finn. “Please, Dad. You can trust me, and I don’t want to be in our place right now.”
Victor emerged and promised to go with them. Declan was torn, leaving the baby for the first time, but Alexander placed his lips on the omega’s ear and whispered, “It’s fine.”
The alpha’s feathery breath had his mate’s body tingling. Declan’s eyelids fluttered and closed while cold shivers tickled his skin.
His mate instructing their elder son to, “Walk slowly,” brought a groan from Pierce while the alpha steered Declan to the car.
“Be good, Finn.”
Alexander had run to his brother’s place, so he drove his mate’s car the short distance home. The omega was unsure what to do with his hands or eyes. He’d been in the car with Alexander numerous times, but as strangers, enemies, fellow combatants and bonded mates. How was he supposed to act after declaring his feelings? He fisted his hands in his lap, and for the first time since the pair met, was lost for words.
The alpha barely glanced at the road. There was a huge grin on his face but it was his eyes that fascinated Declan. The emerald green that the omega adored had darkened and was almost black. Declan glanced away, and closed his eyes, unable to take in the raw, animal lust that radiated from Alexander.
The omega’s body quivered and beads of sweat pooled around his hairline. I’m coming down with something. He placed a hand on his brow, and took a deep breath, trying to control his jangled nerves.
Alexander’s scent had changed too, and the omega’s eyes snapped open. It had gone from intriguing, almost irritating, to something more dangerous and feral.
The omega gulped as his cock hardened and throbbed, and he squeezed his legs together. He desperately wanted to peek at his mate again, but once he did, there would be no going back to the mostly easy-going friendship they’d developed. Terror gripped the omega, fearing for his safety, future and his sanity.
Breathing hurt, and air caught in his throat as he opened his mouth. “I…”
“Declan!”
The voice which had first reminded him of caramel, now had an edge to it. The gruffness, with a husky undertone, had goosebumps prickling over the omega’s skin.
“Y-Yes.”
“Look at me.”
Gripping the seat to anchor his body and his jitteriness, Declan glanced sideways. His cock shifted and swelled between his legs as his mate’s gaze pounced on and imprisoned him. The omega’s body trembled. I’m cornered.
A whimper escaped Declan’s lips, and he wriggled his ass as the musky, untamed aroma of slick wafted around the car and slipperiness coated his pajama bottom.
Alexander’s eyes flicked to his mate’s crotch, making the omega’s dick twitch. The alpha raised a brow and winked before licking his lips. Declan’s gaze followed his mate’s tongue circling his m
outh, and the omega lost the ability to speak as he sat mesmerized. I’m in trouble.
With one hand on the wheel, Alexander edged the other over his mate’s thigh. The omega gasped and sucked air in through his teeth. In their time together, the pair had held hands and wrapped their arms around each other. Declan had slapped and punched Alexander, but the alpha’s fingers pressing on his cotton pajamas paralyzed the omega and he pictured a slab of meat thrown onto a sizzling hot skillet.
He reared back as heat engulfed him, and he groaned. His body jiggled, and his eyes flicked to the fabric, now stained with sweat, expecting a scorch mark from the alpha’s palm. Heat blistered through him, sending sweat dribbling down his spine.
Declan shifted in his seat while sitting in a pool of slick. The alpha’s saucy grin had the omega’s stomach somersaulting and nausea crawled up his throat. I’m going to be sick.
As if sensing his mate’s hesitancy, Alexander withdrew his hand, “Did you mean what you said?”
The omega pictured himself at a crossroads. Faced with turning left, right or charging straight ahead, he placed his hand over his mate’s. “Absolutely.” Taking a deep breath, he faced the alpha. “You don’t have your seat belt on.”
Alexander’s shoulders shook and rich, infectious laughter burst from his lips. “I’m so glad you’re in my life.”
“Bit late to change your mind.” The omega’s mind was whirring, and he used humor as a shield to avoid thinking about what would happen next.
The car screeched into their driveway, and without bothering to turn off the ignition, the alpha picked up his mate before Declan had his hand on the door handle. A car going past beeped. The omega’s face, an inch from his mate’s, burned. This is awkward.
Taking deep breaths, he summoned the determination he’d discovered buried deep inside him in the past year, and using one finger, he stroked around the alpha’s mouth. A tremor rolled off Alexander’s body onto his mate’s and his harsh breathing sent shivers through Declan.
The omega grimaced as the alpha dug his fingers into his side and thigh and rested his lips on his forehead. The pair stayed motionless as they nuzzled one another, and Declan examined Alexander’s cheekbones, his flared nostrils and the tilt of his chin. He moaned when his mate pulled back and missing him already, he buried his face in the alpha’s shirt.
Declan inhaled the comforting scents of his family along with spice, earth, and something else. Darkness? Anxiety? “Put me down, Alexander.”
The omega cupped his mate’s face with both hands. “Are… Are you scared?” The alpha’s eyes caressed him, and the omega’s heart speeded up while he held his breath waiting for an answer.
“Terrified. And you?”
“Yes.”
“We’re in the same place. At last.” Alexander picked up his mate, and the omega snuggled against him as the alpha raced inside. Alexander threw Declan onto the bed, and it complained and collapsed. His mate gasped while sitting stiff and unmoving as the frame buckled, and the mattress slid off at an odd angle. Dust hung in the air and shimmered in the early morning light as the omega and alpha ogled one another.
Declan shrieked but not at the broken furniture. His mate had ripped off his jacket and shirt. Buttons popped one by one and spilled onto the floor. The omega’s gaze caressed his mate’s smooth, sculpted chest, and he longed to run his fingers over it. Lifting himself up, he strained to catch a glimpse of the dark happy trail disappearing under the alpha’s jeans.
But as Alexander’s fingers went to his belt, his mouth twisted and he dropped his hands by his side. “I can’t.”
His mate’s words cut through the air, wounding the omega, and tears filled Declan’s eyes as pain hummed through his veins.
“What!” The omega gripped the bedding, and his eyes darted round the room. “Is this a joke?”
The alpha shook his head. “I need to feed. I can’t do this otherwise.” He held up three fingers. “Don’t go anywhere.”
The euphoria surrounding Declan burst, and he snapped at his mate. “Couldn’t you have done this earlier?”
“If I’d known you would rampage over to my brother’s and spill your deepest thoughts, I would have.”
Fair enough. “Go!” This is a first. Declan flopped back on the broken bed and examined the ceiling. I hope he’s coming back.
But as the omega counted the seconds, the alpha bounded into the bedroom. Declan heaved himself onto his elbows and took in the droplet of blood on his mate’s chest and the scarlet stain around his mouth. Alexander’s eyes gleamed and for the first time since they’d met, saliva covered his lips and his body glistened with sweat.
Declan shuffled backward. “You’re scaring me.”
Alexander closed his eyes. “I don’t mean to.” His weary smile captured his mate’s heart.
The words he’s spoken that first night echoed in the omega’s head. “This vampire is bad news.”
Declan dug his nails into his palm as he watched Alexander’s hands undoing his jeans. Hypnotized by his mate’s fingers tearing off the belt, his eyes followed the zipper sliding over its teeth. He panted trying to control the tension in his chest.
With the alpha’s jeans flung over a lamp, Declan’s eyes bulged as he took in the enormous swelling in his mate’s boxer briefs. Is that real?
The alpha made quick work of his underwear, and his enormous cock bounded out. Nestled in the midst of thick, dark hair, it had the omega in its sights. Shit! Declan wanted to both stroke it and get away from it. It was aimed at him, and with each step Alexander took, it reared its head.
The alpha crawled over the lopsided mattress. Saliva dribbled over his chin as he bent his head and caught Declan’s pajama top in his teeth. An animal instinct had overtaken Alexander. The beast inside him had been unchained, and there was nowhere to run.
A deep growl erupted from the alpha’s mouth as he jerked his head from side to side. With Declan’s pajama jacket in his mouth, he wrenched his head backwards and the sound of splitting material ripped through the air. The alpha spat it out, and the omega lay still, not daring to move, while his chest, dripping with sweat, heaved and his heart hammered.
Alexander’s stiff cock lingered achingly close to Declan’s body, and there was a tightness in the omega’s chest, squeezing air from his lungs as the alpha slid his fingers over his mate’s hips and peeled off the pajama pants.
Does he want to eat me?
Nine
Alexander
Alexander sat back on his heels and allowed his eyes to rake over his mate for the first time. Declan’s long eyelashes fluttered and his cheeks were tinged with pink as the alpha pried his eyes from his mate’s face and roamed over his body. The tiny scar where he had marked the omega during their bonding ceremony was still visible.
The omega gleamed with sweat which puddled in his belly button. One hand was fisted by his side while the other dug into his thigh. Sticky slick slid onto the mattress as Declan shifted and spread his legs.
A droplet of pre-cum teetered at the tip of his mate’s impressive dick, and Alexander longed to pounce on it and suckle. He imagined the pungent taste as it coated his tongue, and his fingers clawed at his chest while he suppressed his deep-seated desire.
He hung his head as his thirst for blood battled with the hunger to be inside Declan. Feeding had curbed his blood lust, but not satisfied it. The delectable aroma of blood pouring through the omega’s veins gnawed at the alpha’s senses, pleading with him to drain the human. As the alpha struggled, visions of the moments he and Declan had shared flashed through his head. Help me! I can’t hurt him. He is my love and my life.
His instinct was to be rough with the omega, fling him onto his belly and plow into him while sinking his teeth into the soft flesh. “Take him,” the voices of the ancestors rumbled in his head. But this was his bonded mate. And a human. The yearning to possess the omega, their bodies and minds joined, overpowered the other, primeval urge. He would not harm him. I will
have him, but in my own way. As my equal.
Alexander nudged the omega’s legs further apart and placed his hands on either side of Declan’s body. His fingers skimmed over the smoldering surface of his mate’s skin. Bending his head, he licked the sweat from the omega’s belly button to his throat. A trail of goosebumps followed the path of his tongue, and Declan moaned.
“Look at me.”
The omega’s gaze locked on the alpha’s.
“Do you trust me?”
His mate nodded.
“Say it,” Alexander hissed.
“Yes.”
The alpha’s teeth grazed over Declan’s flesh, not breaking the skin, but teasing and taunting his own sanity to breaking point. Enough. He inhaled and turned his attention to the omega’s impressive dick. He fondled it, and his mate groaned. His fingers slid to Declan’s ass, wet and sticky with slick before exploring the tiny, puckered hole, dripping with wetness.
The omega moaned and rolled on his side, whispering, “Don’t stop.”
Alexander took deep breaths as his need—his craving—to be joined with the omega took over. Inhaling the competing smells of sweat, anticipation, blood and sex fighting for his attention, he ran his tongue over Declan’s body, relishing the competing flavors of salt and sex.
But he needed to be inside his mate. He had waited so long. “I want to see you as I fuck you.” He pushed the omega onto his back. “Lift your legs.”
Declan’s knees trembled as he wrapped his arms around his knees and pressed them against his chest. Alexander gripped his stiff cock and prodded the omega’s hole.
“Alexander.”
“Mmmm.” Please don’t say you can’t do this. Please, Declan. I don’t think I can stop! The alpha inwardly pleaded with his mate.
“Fuck me.”
The omega’s words stifled the alpha’s indecision and unleashed the passion he’d been bottling inside him. He rested the tip of his cock at Declan’s entrance.
“Do it.”
With his gaze fixed on his mate’s unblinking eyes, and his hands pressing onto the bed, he slid in. Just a little.
The Alpha Vampire's Proposal: An Mpreg Paranormal Romance (Flickering Shadows Book 1) Page 11