Feral Darlings

Chapter Two

“Lethia believes the lycans are biding their time,” Aubrey Lafayette announced.

The advisor to Lethia Riskel settled back in the chair. Her lifelike hologram stared at Corbin. Beside her sat the hologram of Petra Orsova, the advisor to the youngest Riskel sister, Velika.

Corbin growled softly. He had been aware of the movements of the wretched animals. Centuries ago, the vampires had hunted down lycans until near extinction. The small number that had survived lived in remote desolated areas away from mankind. It wasn’t until recently that it was learned that the beasts had been increasing their numbers under the radar.

The alpha, Azura Michaels, was deranged and had been intent on creating a world of lycans. Under her reign, the lycan numbers had grown to astronomical amounts. She had solidified a deal with the human organization, the Rebels, in order to get her hands on humans to turn. Humans hoping to escape the draft would allow the Rebels to help them disappear. Only they were unaware the human group was sending the humans to a fate worse than death—to the lycans.

Hegna’s mate, Stormey, had been a casualty of war. She had been captured by the lycans. Azura had toyed with Hegna and planned to use Stormey against her. His friend had gone into a rage to get her mate back. It was Hegna’s sword that had separated the lycan alpha’s head from her shoulders. During the battle, Stormey was mortally wounded, and it was Hegna who had to make the hard decision to save her mate—by turning her.

Corbin had much respect for his friend’s mate. She had taken to vampirism well. A twinge appeared in his chest. He had always wondered if he had a mate out there. He had noticed a change in Hegna that was for the better. Stormey and their adopted daughter, Maisie, completed her. Was there someone out there for him?

He pushed that notion down.

Now was not the time to think of settling down.

“I’m hearing that Rayna is just as deadly as Azura was, only she’s more calculating of the two,” Petra said.

Corbin scowled. Azura was a twin, and her sister had survived. The Michaels sisters were descendants of the lycan alpha, Ariston, who King Niall had killed centuries ago. The clash of the vampire and lycan kings was a battle that had gone down in history. It was a tale that was told to little vampires at bedtime. It was the grand story of how their king had defeated the lycans and saved vampires.

But this twin was someone they needed to find expeditiously. There was little known about the twin, only that between the two, she was the brains.

Which made her one hundred times deadlier in Corbin’s book.

“And no one’s informants know of the whereabouts of Rayna?” Corbin asked.

Both women shook their heads. This wasn’t good.

Corbin sighed and ran a hand along his face. “Put pressure on all of those who have their ears to the ground. We need to find her.”

“Will do.” Aubrey stood from her seat. “If we are done here, I must go. I have another meeting to attend.”

“As do I.” Petra stood next to Aubrey.

The two women were just as loyal to their princesses as he was to Hegna. He could trust that they would not rest until they’d gained the information that was needed. Their positions as advisors to the princesses were vital.

“Stay in touch.” Corbin pushed back from his desk and gave a slight nod to the both of them.

Their holograms disappeared, leaving him alone in his office. He glanced down at the papers on his desk and didn’t feel like dealing with any of it. There was plenty for him to do, and paperwork wasn’t at the top of his list.

He did need to go speak with the Bijou, the general of Hegna’s army. Maybe she or Captain Nezera had word from the lycan lairs they had infiltrated and destroyed. He stalked out of his office and headed down the hall of the magnificent castle of Black Hollows. His clipped footsteps echoed along the marble floors. He was sure he would find Bijou or Nezera at the training facility for the warriors.

Corbin made his way through the building and headed toward a back entrance. There were a few more leads he could connect. He wanted to be as thorough as possible. It was his duty to Hegna to be able to give her the information she would need in order to make decisions as the warden of the middle America.

“Lord Apostu,” a voice called out.

Corbin paused at the corner of the hallway near the exit. He frowned and turned. His gaze landed on the young man stalking toward him. Seth was a butler assistant who worked under Edward who was in charge of the castle.

Corbin felt a stirring in his pants as he took in the pale skin of the human. Seth had been a gracious donor for Corbin many times. A smirk appeared on Corbin’s face. He should have been satisfied after his trip to the madam’s club yesterday. He’d expelled all of his stress into the human male and female. The two of them had been quite delectable, and the human, Austin, certainly had the deepest throat Corbin had the opportunity to sink his cock into.

Corbin inhaled as Seth stopped in front of him. His cock had a mind of its own and nudged against his starched, pressed slacks. His fangs slipped from his gums, and he glanced down at Seth’s pulse. Twin scars lined Seth’s neck.

“Seth.” Corbin dragged his gaze upward.

He reached out a hand and cupped the young man’s face. The human’s face flushed red as he leaned his cheek into Corbin’s palm. Corbin guided him around the corner and pushed him up against the wall. He tilted Seth’s neck to the side and leaned down, nuzzling his nose into the crook of the human’s neck. Corbin gave a long lick, the need to drink from Seth growing stronger. The hallway was empty. Maybe after he’d fed, he could indulge in more with the human.

“My lord. You are being summoned,” Seth breathed.

He pressed into Corbin. Even though he must have been sent to deliver a message, his body was giving off another one. Corbin growled and felt Seth’s bulge. He reached up and entwined his fingers into Seth’s blond hair and yanked his head back, fully exposing his neck.

“By who?” Corbin rasped. The bounding pulse was calling him. The thirst was strong. Whoever the fuck was summoning him had better be someone important and have a good reason.

“The princess, my lord. Princess Hegna,” Seth wheezed.

Corbin froze in place with a curse escaping his lips. Seth’s hands rested on Corbin’s waist. His brown eyes were wide and pleading. He had been a donor for Corbin for a few months now. Corbin growled. What the hell would Hegna need from him now? They weren’t due to meet until tomorrow. He blew out a deep breath. He would take a drink then go see what his friend wanted. She wouldn’t be opposed to him feeding first.

“She’s in her office and requests your presence.”

“Very well then,” Corbin murmured.

He lowered his head and sank his fangs deep into Seth’s artery. Seth’s muscles stiffened for a moment, then he relaxed into Corbin. His moan filled the air while his warm blood flooded into Corbin’s mouth. He drank deeply, swallowing the copper-tinged fluid. Power surged through Corbin. Drinking from a fresh source was his preferred method to feed when he could. There was nothing like the rush that flowed through him when he consumed nourishment from a donor. He always felt energized and stronger after a good feed.

Seth’s moans turned into gasps. His grip tightened as his hips thrust against Corbin. His body went stiff, then he reached his climax. The scent of Seth’s release permeated the air. Corbin bit back a grin and lifted his head. He licked the wound clean. The enzymes in his saliva would seal the little twin holes. Corbin released Seth who now rested back along the wall, panting with his eyes closed. The front of his pants had become dr enched. Corbin gently slid his thumb along Seth’s bottom lip. His mouth parted slightly. He wished he had time for those lips to wrap around his cock, but he was sure Hegna would have his balls for making her wait longer.

Feeding was one thing.

Making her wait while he fucked—might be a tad bit too much.

“Should I come to your quarters in the morning before you retire?” Seth blinked, and those big brown eyes had a dazed look to them when they focused on Corbin. “So you can finish your um…meal?”

“But of course.” Corbin smirked.

He turned on his heel and headed around the corner to find out why his princess was in need of his presence. He licked his lips, still tasting Seth on his tongue. The human was always a sweet treat to drink. He looked forward to later when the butler assistant would arrive at his quarters, but now, he had to get back to business and find out why was he being summoned.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t hear what you said.” Corbin stared at Hegna in disbelief.

He pushed off from the chair he had been sitting on. It was only he and her in the office. Hegna’s sharp blue eyes didn’t divert from him. He ran a hand along his face and stared at her. He moved behind the chair and paced back and forth. His mind raced with the thought of what she had just laid at his feet.

“Your hearing is superb. You heard exactly what I said. You are to donate your blood and enter the draft,” she repeated. Hegna stood from her chair and walked from around her desk and sat on the edge of it. Her dark hair was in intricate braids, and she was dressed in her infamous black fighting leathers.

“But why? Isn’t it a vampire’s right to decide when and if they were to enter the draft?” Corbin snapped. He turned and faced Hegna as a storm of emotions flooded him.

She stared at him for moment. Her cold blue eyes didn’t waver from him. She calmly folded her arms in front of her.

“I understand this is an order you would never have expected from me, but watch your tone. Friend or not, I will still cut out your tongue,” she growled softly. She moved toward him with a determined glint in her eyes. “You are correct. Vampires do have a say about whether or not to enter the draft. But you, Lord Corbin Apostu, are no ordinary vampire. As a member of my court, it is ordered for you to enter the draft and find your mate.”

“But why? Why is this an order?” Corbin softened his tone. Hegna was right. She could strike him down now and kill him for the way he had just snapped at her. He had seen her kill for less.

She stopped in front of him. They were of the same height, and it was easy to meet her gaze.

“It is an order from your queen—my mother. You wouldn’t dare defy your queen, would you?” Hegna arched an eyebrow. Her hand slipped down to her dagger on her waist. The future queen of the vampires waited for his answer.

This was a rhetorical question. Hegna knew without a doubt he would never defy Queen Mira. He was loyal to not only Hegna but the crown as well. He ran a hand along his face, feeling frazzled. He was never a man who was out of sorts, but at the moment he felt like he was losing control over himself.

“Of course not. If this is the queen’s will, then I shall obey.” He bowed his head in submission. He had always known that one day he would enter the draft. He desired a future with whoever fate would gift him. But he had always imagined it would be later. He was only two hundred and thirty years old. Not even at his prime yet.

“This is a ruling that is coming down from the queen. All of my court will be required to enter the draft. We are not above those we serve and protect.” She relaxed slightly and removed her hand from her weapon.

Corbin stood to his full height and inhaled sharply to get control of his feelings. He would continue to serve the crown and would not disobey the orders from the queen.

“When would you like for me to go?” He had a few meetings he could cancel tomorrow where he could go down to the lab—

“You won’t have to go anywhere. They are here now.”

A knock sounded at the door. Corbin kept his composure as Hegna bid for whoever was on the other side of the door to enter. Two men and a woman came into the room. They were dressed in hospital scrubs and held stoic expressions. They went over to the table off in the corner of the office and placed their briefcases down.

Hegna shifted her attention back to him and motioned for the chair he had abandoned. “Please, Lord Apostu. Have a seat.”

“We are using titles now?” It was his turn to raise an eyebrow to her.

Hegna sighed, and her demeanor softened lightly.

“Corbin. As my dear friend, please sit. Finding your mate will be best for you,” she said gently. She reached out and rested a hand on his shoulder. She gave him a little squeeze then released him. “You of all people know how I felt about the draft and what I’ve gone through. You deserve happiness.”

Corbin nodded and took a seat in the chair. Hegna loved Stormey more than she loved the air she breathed. Would his mate make him as happy as Stormey did Hegna? Would he want to be with him? He thought of how Stormey had gone after Hegna, and he wanted that.

He wanted someone to desire him for who he was, not because of the position he held. He’d had plenty of offers of matings of convenience over the years. None of which were due to love or emotions. Everyone always wanted something from him.

“Lord Apostu, my name is Malaysia, and I will be drawing your blood sample today,” the female said as she approached. Her badge that hung from around her neck revealed she was from the government lab.

“Very well then.” Corbin began unbuttoning his shirt. His mind raced thinking if he was prepared for a mate. Would his mate be a male? Female? Once his shirt was open, he slipped his arm out to present it to the phlebotomist. “Be quick about it. I have things to do today.”