Feral (Wicked Nights At Lair Book 1)

14. Hale

Yannis drifts off to sleep in my arms, and though I’m itchy with the dried remnants of our passion still clinging to my skin, nothing could make me let him go.

I have to keep him. There’s absolutely no way I can let him leave my life now that I know what it’s like between us. He gave himself to me so easily, so naturally, as if we were always meant for this. The only negative is that he doesn’t know what I am. He doesn’t know how difficult it was not to sink my teeth into his luscious skin. His scent is intoxicating, like no other I’ve experienced. He could be addictive if I ever get to taste his essence. If it’s even remotely as delicious as his cum, I’m in trouble.

He stirs, slowly blinking his eyes open. When he focuses on me, a sweet smile spreads across his face. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

“I fell asleep?”

“You did.”

“I must feel safe. I never drift off when I’m with someone new.”

I stroke his wavy hair. “That’s nice to hear.”

“I’ve only been with women, you know?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“I don’t know if it’s fucked up to compare, but I can’t help it.”

“It’s natural to compare.”

His brow creases as he nibbles at his bottom lip for a second. “I don’t know if it’s just how you make me feel, or if it’s because you’re a man…” He shakes his head. “Sorry. That came out wrong.”

“Take your time.”

“What I meant is that I don’t know if it’s specifically you and our vibe together, but I feel really good in your arms. Better than good. It’s comforting, safe, feelings I’ve never had with someone before. Since I met you, everything is new again. Like I just hit puberty.”

“Do you have concerns because I’m a man?”

“No, nothing like that. I’m not hung up on labels or sexuality. Not like some of my friends growing up.”

“What do you mean?”

“I grew up in a small farm town where boys were taught hyper-masculinity and constantly criticized for anything deemed feminine. Weird, because it’s totally fine for girls to drive a tractor or learn how to fix farm equipment, but god forbid a guy wants to paint his nails. It was stifling.”

“I can only imagine.”

“My stepdad was rough with us. Very focused on teaching us how to be men in his vision. My little brother is gay, and even though they accept him, on some level I know it bugs my folks.”

“That’s unfortunate. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I worry about Dimi though. I got enough shit from people and I mostly fit the mold. Strong, pretty masculine, dated girls. He’s… softer. Sweet. I don’t want him to go back there after he graduates. I’m hoping I can make something of myself by then and he can come live with me, or in any big city where he can be himself.”

“You’re good to him. Everyone deserves a safe place. You’re his.”

“I want to be. I want him to know I’m always there for him, you know?”

“Of course.”

“Do you have siblings?”

I shake my head. “No. My family is long dead, but I have a new family now. Found family can be just as real and strong.”

“Definitely. Thorn is interesting.”

I tense slightly. Damn jealous streak. “What do you mean?”

“Intense. I could just feel it. Is he kind of a wild one?”

“Very much so. Do you find him attractive?”

His brow creases. “Objectively he’s good-looking, but I wasn’t attracted to him, if that’s what you’re asking. I don’t think I could be. Not with you around.”

His answer soothes the jealous beast within me. “Apologies. I told you I was greedy. I want all your attention. Every drop. I covet any you give to others.”

He lightly touches my cheek. “I like the way you talk. You choose interesting words and phrases. I’ve never known someone like you.”

“I don’t doubt that. Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“You don’t fear the vampires at Lair?”

He shakes his head. “Honestly, they seem like regular people. Kind of eccentric and a little demanding, but it’s not like I thought it might be when you first told me.”

“What did you think?”

“I don’t know. Probably stupid movie shit like black capes and weird accents and turning into bats. I thought there’d be a lot more blood.”

I smile. “We try to keep the place somewhat civilized.”

“Even when they’re feeding, it just looks like making out. It’s not violent.”

“No. Again, there are composed ways to take a meal.”

“Yeah, so it’s cool. I’m not scared, but I’ll be sure not to get into any more altercations.”

“I was proud of you, honestly. You didn’t cower.”

“It’s not my style.”

I consider what I say next carefully. “What would you like to happen between us?”

Yannis tickles his fingers through the hair on my chest, blushing slightly. “I hope we can keep seeing each other. Date, I guess. I like you, and I want to see where it can go.”

His answer settles the unspoken question in my mind. I have to tell him. It’s not fair otherwise. I risk losing him, but it’s better than betraying him.

“I’d like that too. Very much. But before we go any further, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Oh fuck, Hale. Are you married or some shit?”

“What? No. Where did you get that?”

“I don’t know. You sound really uneasy, like you’re gonna drop a bomb on me.”

“It’s nothing like that.” I sit up slightly, balanced on one arm. “Yannis, I’m a vampire.”

He laughs, but when he notices I’m not laughing with him, his smile falls away. “Really?”

I nod. “I wanted to tell you sooner, but first I was worried you’d be afraid, and then you said you didn’t want to know what everyone was so I…” I exhale. “I was a coward and avoided telling you.”

“You’re a vampire?”

“Yes.”

“Holy fuck,” he whispers, sitting up. He jumps off the couch, crossing the small living room to the window, then turning around and walking back. “You’re a vampire?”

“Yeah.”

Dragging a hand through his hair, he huffs a strange sound. He looks amazing, disheveled from our lovemaking, his clothes half on, red marks on his flesh from my rough kisses.

“I can’t believe it,” he says. “You’re a vampire.” Then, to my complete surprise, he laughs. “Wild.”

“I admit I’m very confused by your reaction.”

“Sorry.” He returns to the couch, sitting next to me. “Confession. I had a pretty intense fantasy starring you. In it, you were very much a vampire.” His face turns bright red and the scent wafting off him leaves me swaying. “It was sexy and exciting and you bit me.”

My gums immediately throb in response to his words, desperate for the taste I’ve been craving all night.

“And… it didn’t frighten you?”

“That definitely wasn’t the emotion I was feeling. It’s kind of a dream come true finding out. It’s the only reason I was curious about the donor program. Well, that and the money.”

“You want to know what it feels like?”

He nods, swallowing hard. His pulse increases as his heart flutters in his chest. He takes my hand and presses it to his chest before dragging it down to his cock. It swells in my palm, making it very clear how he feels about the idea.

“I want to know all about it. I want to know how it feels, how you became one, what your life is like. All of it.”

“I want to tell you.”

He searches my eyes for a moment. “How do you look so human?”

“Control. I know how to hold it back, though I admit, in the midst of our lovemaking, I had to hide my teeth from you.”

He nods. “Oh. I remember. You had a look on your face like you were straining.”

“I was.”

“Can you let it out whenever you want to?”

“Yes.”

“Can I… see? Will you show me?”

Exhaling slowly, I part my lips and finally let my fangs descend. Yannis gasps, digging his fingers into my thigh.

“Ho. Ly. Fuck. Wow.”

I twist my neck back and forth with relief as I let go of the tight grip on my control. The beast vibrates within me, pushing to the surface. I know what I look like to him—pale skin, eyes glowing, teeth sharp.

“Hale. Wow. You’re…”

I brace for his reaction, but his eyes soften.

“You’re gorgeous,” he says. “Even more than you were. Your eyes…”

“They glow when I’m highly aroused, either due to lust or anger.”

He lifts his hand and cups my cheek. “Can I touch your fangs?”

“Yes, but carefully. They are sharper than knives.”

He’s slow and delicate as he touches the tip, then pulls his finger back.

“Do you want to bite me, Hale?”

“More than anything.”

He visibly shivers, tilting his head back slightly to reveal his elegant neck. “Then do it. I want you to.”

“Gods. Are you sure?”

“Do I seem unsure?”

“No, but it’s very possible I’ll become addicted to you, obsessed, once your blood coats my tongue. And an obsessed vampire is quite a handful.”

He smiles subtly. “I’m not worried, Hale.”

My mouth waters as my gums throb. “Thank fuck.”

I slide my hand up his neck, inhaling his crazy sweet scent, which smells like all my favorite things. His blood pulses loudly through his veins, tempting me further. I kiss his skin first, delicately teasing him before I rear back and bare my fangs, then sink them into his flesh.

Yannis tenses and gasps softly, gripping my shoulders, but then he relaxes. His blood floods my mouth, thick and sweet, and I realize my worries were valid. He tastes like paradise. As I feed, visions of us making love earlier flit through my mind. I’m tasting his memories.

“Hale,” he murmurs. “Oh fuck, Hale. This is wild.”

I know it doesn’t hurt him. Just the opposite. His body warms beneath me and his cock swells again as he rubs our bodies together. His fingers find my hair, tangling around my locks as he repeats my name over and over like a prayer.

I’ve had almost too much, so reluctantly, I pull away, licking the wound and catching the remaining droplets on my tongue before resting my head on his collarbone.

As his essence flows through me, my body tingles and vibrates in a way it hasn’t before. I feel my strength growing, my mood lifting even higher. He’s renewed me. All the gods, Yannis was meant for me.

I am stunned.

“Hale?”

“Yes?”

“Are you okay? You’re shaking.”

Lifting my head, I search his beautiful face and concerned eyes. “I am…” What? Staggered? I think I’ve found my fated mate. How do I tell him that?

He tilts his head. “Was it okay?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “It was incredible. Such a gift. Thank you.”

“You’re happy then?”

“Very happy. How do you feel? Weak? I took a lot. It was difficult to stop.”

“I feel fine. Good. Kind of horny again. Is that normal?”

“In our case it is.”

“Our case? Is it different with other vampires?”

I nod. “Yes.” I can barely contain my joy. “You’re sure you feel good? Strong?”

“Yeah, good. I thought I might be a little woozy, like after you donate blood, but I feel…” He pauses, glancing around for a second. “Strong. Rested.” He smiles. “And turned on.”

It’s true then. It has to be. The amount I took should have affected him differently. He should need some time to be restored again, but it’s the opposite. No other mortal has reacted this way to me before.

“You sure you’re okay? You seem a little different.”

I wrap my hands around his. “It’s an honor to be given such a gift. Blood is life for a vampire, and when given freely and with affection, it’s all the sweeter. I am different. I’m better.”

Yannis smiles, blushing a beautiful shade of pink. “I’m glad then. It was cool. I really liked how it felt, but I don’t think I’d want another vampire to feed from me. It’s too intimate.”

My heart, long dormant, sparks to life, fluttering in my chest. “That pleases me to hear. I wouldn’t like it either. I want you to be mine, Yannis. Only mine.”

He bites his bottom lip for a second. “What does that mean? Is it different for vampires?”

“I don’t want to overwhelm or frighten you.”

“You won’t. Just tell me.”

Am I ready to utter the words to this beautiful man? To tell him we may be, no we must be, fated mates? Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself. I rushed in with Nathan and endangered him. I won’t take the chance of losing Yannis that way. I can explain it without dumping all that on him.

“Vampires can be… intense. As I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

He chuckles. “Yeah.”

“Like mortals, some vampires are polyamorous, loving many, while others are devoted only to one.” I shake my head. No, that’s not the right direction. “What I mean is that for some of us…” Fuck.

“Hale?”

“I’m sorry. I’m not being clear.” I squeeze his hand. “I think the easiest thing to say for now is that I am very interested in pursuing a relationship with you and only you. I don’t want anyone else to touch you.”

He nods. “I understand that. I don’t want that either. I feel different around you, and I want to see where this can go.”

Satisfied, I smile. This is good enough for now. “Good. You must be hungry.”

“I could eat. How about a late-night pizza?” Then he tilts his head. “Do you eat people food?”

“Rarely, but I’ll enjoy watching you eat immensely.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

“Cool. I’ll order.”

As he pops up and digs his phone out of his pocket, I settle back on the couch. This is good, but I need to pace myself. We have all the time in the world to figure this out. I am a vampire after all.