CHAPTER SIX

T errance’s heart went out to Dakota, and he wished he could take away his worry but they had to wait. They would find the witch there was no doubt about that, but the waiting was excruciating for his beloved. They left and did not speak until they reached the staircase. Dakota stopped and leaned with both hands on the banister and dropped his head. It was a look of being beaten and Terrance would not tolerate it.

Terrance came up behind him and took him by the shoulders, massaging the tense muscles. "Master Louis DuCane has taken on this matter personally, and he will not be defeated by a rogue vampire or a worthless witch. He has conquered nations and faced down demons from hell, so I can assure you that this matter will be solved, and Eric will come back to you." Dakota turned to him, and Terrance instinctively took him into his arms. Dakota did not resist. He laid his head against Terrance's chest and took a long, deep breath.

"I feel so damn helpless." He growled and wrapped his arms around Terrance, holding him in a firm embrace. Terrance loved the experience of having his beloved in his arms, providing mutual love and support.

"If it weren't for your relentless diligence, Eric's case would have been overlooked, and he might have never been found. His life would have been over, but you didn't stop, and you made everyone you met listen and take your concerns seriously. He would not have survived without you." Terrance drove home the truth of the matter in no uncertain terms. Dakota had nothing to feel bad about; he did his job and saved that young man.

"It's not over yet, and all I can do is wait." Dakota's voice was muffled against Terrance's suit jacket.

“You did your part and now we do ours.” They stood there like that for a few minutes drawing strength and support from one another and then Terrance suggested dinner he was certain Dakota hadn’t eaten since early morning.

“Sounds good.” He relented and they slowly made their way to the dining hall. Terrance pointed out particularly impressive parts of the Palace on their way and even stopped at one of the large windows to admire the gardens. Dakota appreciated the beauty and the craftsmanship, but Terrance could tell that his mind was still consumed with worry for young Eric Blackbird.

Dakota took in the marvels of the Palace which were many even on his short trip to the dining hall. The place was magnificent and there was no challenging that fact, but the gardens were his favorite. Terrance said they surrounded the property and took in miles each being meticulously tended and cared for. The Coven house and grounds was an extraordinary site.

Dinner was very good and definitely not your run of the mill dining hall. This was more like a high-end eatery but set up like a dining hall. Terrance told him the chef was highly trained and skilled in his art, and it showed. DuCane did nothing halfway and that was apparent in everything he owned and operated. His confidence in Master DuCane’s grew by the minute. Terrance was right he would not tolerate failure and that went directly in Eric’s favor.

Terrance introduced him to several people and they were pleasant and welcoming. The weight of the place was feeling less dire than when he’d first arrived. His opinion was lightning as well, and the vampires came across as conventional beings and not someone to be feared.

Then there was Terrance, the picture of masculine beauty and someone Dakota desired to the depths of his soul. That was a strong statement, but it was true the longer he remained in his company, the more his need grew. He'd known handsome men in the past, and not one had affected him the way Terrance had affected him. If he wasn't careful, it could turn into a full-on obsession. They were discussing Terrence's position as a soldier and the cover he held in the town as a private investigator. DuCane kept eyes everywhere, which was probably wise. Suddenly, Deputy Lawson appeared at their table, and Dakota stiffened and leaned back, not sure what to expect from him.

Terrance looked up at him, but nobody spoke. Lawson looked at a loss for words looking back and forth between Dakota and Terrance but finally he found his voice. "I wanted to apologize for the way I delt with you on the phone during our first contact and for the dismissive way I treated you throughout." He stopped briefly and fidgeted with his hat that he held in his hands. Neither Dakota nor Terrance responded sensing there was more to come.

"If I'd handled this the way it should have been handled from the beginning, perhaps Eric Blackbird would not be in the condition that he is now. I take full responsibility for the slow start of this investigation, and I will strive to do better going forward. Again, I apologize to you, Detective Lieutenant Winters."

After a short pause Dakota responded. He stood and reached out his hand to Lawson who took it, and they shook. “I accept your apology and I thank you for ultimately doing your job and finding Eric for us.” It was a backhanded acceptance, but Dakota was still feeling a little sting from the deputy’s original contemptuous attitude.

“Thank you, sir." He said. He turned to leave but stopped and turned back. "I really am sorry, and I wish we could have gotten to him sooner." He didn't wait for a further response and simply left the room.

"That looked difficult," Dakota commented on Lawson's apology.

"Only in the sense that he was ashamed of his previous behavior, and it's always hard to face up to your shortcomings." Terrance came to the deputy's defense. "I always found Deputy Lawson to be a stand-up guy and a good officer. The attitude he had with you was out of character."

"It doesn't really matter. I doubt the wolf and I will see much of one another from here on out." That statement got him a curious look from Terrance, who masked it almost immediately. After they finished dinner, Terrance took him on another short tour of part of the Palace before taking him to his quarters.

"I think it would be best if you stayed here at the Palace while Eric is being treated, and we search for those responsible for his condition." Terrance led him into his large living quarters that although was as grand an opulent as the rest of the Palace rooms held a comfort and warmth that was welcoming and seemed to reach out to Dakota. “I have a spare room, and you can be at hand for any developments.”

"Thank you," Dakota answered, genuinely pleased by the offer. "I'd like to stay at least tonight, and hopefully, the situation will be resolved soon." He walked over to stand before Terrance, looking up at him and wondering where this was going. He shouldn't be daydreaming about this man gushing and romanticizing their connection when he had a job to finish, but he just couldn't get his mind off Terrance Collins, vampire extraordinaire.

"I've been thinking about that kiss," Dakota stated bluntly. "It was a surprise and yet also expected. I feel so many things for you, Terrance, and although I've fought hard to ignore those feelings and push them aside, I cannot."

Terrance smiled and reached out to cup the side of Dakota’s face and to thread his fingers through his long dark hair. “I want you too.” Terrance answered, making himself clear. “It’s destiny Dakota, you feel it and I feel it. You are my beloved and you know what that means. I’m not sure how the covens in your area deal with beloveds but at Coven DuCane they are a sacred gift from Fate.”

“I probably wouldn’t believe you if I wasn’t swamped with such powerful emotions every time I look at you. My mind and my body are tuned only to you, and the longer I'm with you, the more complete and perfect it becomes. I’m not so dense as to not recognize the work of the universe and the power of Fate.”

"Many in my Coven have found their beloveds over the past few years, and I had hoped that I would be likewise blessed, but I waited while others were chosen. I never gave up hope and then today I walked into your motel room and felt the embrace of the one." Terrance stepped toward him and reached out his arms. Dakota did not hesitate to walk into the waiting embrace. The arms strong and sure wrapped around him and the sense of forever filled his heart.

"What does this mean for us, Terrance?" He asked.

"It means that we are one, and the universe has deemed it so."

Terrance was taken aback by Dakota’s open honesty in regard to his thoughts and feelings. It made everything so much easier but still there remained some confusion but nothing Terrance couldn’t clear up. Having him in his arms was an amazing moment and his reference to their kiss opened the door wide for many more.

Terrance bent his head and kissed him on the cheek first and then Dakota looked up and the offering was there. His eyes shown with the same want that was pumping through Terrance’s veins. He took his lips in a fierce and heated kiss going deep and plunging inside those gorgeous lips. He was a strong and formidable human and yet he was handing himself over to the love and excitement being offered.

The kiss went on for several minutes with their hands exploring each other before Dakota made the first move and cupped Terrance's hard cock in the palm of his hand. Despite being behind several layers of clothing, the touch was instantly erotic and intoxicating. He caught his breath on the sensations that rushed through him.

He reached down and took hold of Dakota's marvelously round and meaty ass, kneading the flesh in his large hands. Their mutual need and desires continued to heighten, and ultimately, clothing began to be discarded. Terrance dropped his jacket, and his tie was instantly loosened and removed. Dakota did not waste time pulling Terrance's shirt free and quickly opening it to his greedy touch.

Having his beloved’s hands on his bare flesh sent a burning need through him that had him suddenly picking Dakota up into his arms and carrying him off. “Let’s take this to the bedroom.” He told him and Dakota seemed surprised at being carried. He wasn’t a small man, but Terrance carried him with ease.

He then placed him back on his feet, standing just a few inches away from the bed. Dakota instantly picked up where he left off, and soon Terrance was naked to the waist, and Dakota's lips were trailing hungry kisses along his chest and abdomen. He was a man who obviously knew what he wanted. Terrance quickly caught up by removing Dakota’s henley top and carefully raked his fingers through his utterly gorgeous hair. The feel of those locks sliding between his fingers was heavenly.

He felt Dakota's fingers at his belt, and then the sensation of freedom as his zipper was lowered, and his aching cock felt a cold rush of air. Dakota's grip tightened, and Terrance couldn't hold back the salacious groan that had escaped his lips. He looked down at Dakota, and their eyes locked for a moment. Then, Dakota dropped to one knee, and the implication brought Terrance's heart right up into his throat.

He took Terrance’s hard, thick length between his lips and swallowed him down, taking all of him and sending a storm of desire raging through Terrance. He took him down over and over, massaging as he went, pushing and forcing the ultimate sensations to shatter all limits and reserve.

Terrance buried his fingers in Dakota’s hair and held on as he took him on a ride that was explosive. He closed his eyes and took in every aspect of the moment every experience and feeling. Dakota sped up and increased his pressure in just the right amounts pushing Terrance to the edge of his control and he was soon lost coming so hard he saw stars.

Dakota took it all, working him until Terrance thought he'd been turned inside out. Slowly, he came down from that incredible high and watched as Dakota licked him clean before standing up and kissing him hard on the lips. His beloved was amazing. "That was mind-blowing, and I do not use that term often." He said, his voice still deep and husky from the experience.

"Now it was his turn." He said, wasting no time taking over. He kicked off the remainder of his clothes and pushed Dakota back a few steps while nailing him with a ravenous stare. He grabbed the waistband of his jeans and pulled him closer, and after a hungry kiss, he removed his jeans, jerking them down his body and knocking Dakota off balance, so he fell backward onto the bed. The smile told him all was well. The pants were off, as well as the well-worn boots and Dakota lay there in all his naked glory. Terrance had never seen anything more beautiful.

He took him by the ankles, flipped him onto his stomach, pushed him back further onto the bed, and followed him, positioning himself between his outstretched legs. He grabbed the lube from the side table and used it liberally.

He didn't give Dakota time to think about what he was doing and just grabbed that luscious ass spreading those cheeks and pressing his fingers deep inside, stretching the tight muscle. Dakota moaned and pushed up from the bed but did not move away. Instead, he pushed his ass back toward Terrance, forcing his fingers deeper.

They worked together, stretching and preparing him until Terrance was confident that his beloved could handle what he had to offer. He took him by the hips and plunged his hard and throbbing cock inside, burying himself completely. He began circling his hips and gave a few brief hard thrusts going even deeper. His beloved sighed and moaned in perfect harmony to his own breathless pounding of his lover's tender ass.

Dakota gripped the bedspread with his fists and panted hard while he pushed backward, meeting Terrance with each of his thrusts. The only sounds in the room were ragged breaths accompanied by the sharp slap of flesh, and it was marvelous. Terrance had never enjoyed something so much, and the dizzying pleasure progressively grew more and more intense.

Reaching up, he swung Dakota's long hair to the right, baring his left shoulder. He hadn't planned on claiming him so soon, but the urge to do so was overtaking him. His vampire was pushing to the forefront as his climax was brought once again to the edge. He slammed inside over and over and held his firm grip on Dakota's hips, steadying them both and increasing the strength of each thrust. It was nearing the end when the rush came over him, and the need to claim was inevitable. He couldn't have stopped if he wanted to.

Terrance drove his hips forward, plowing inside, and pulled Dakota up, burying his teeth in the tender flesh of Dakota's shoulder. He felt the flutter of mystical energy pass between them as soon as Dakota's blood entered his system, and the energy skimmed along his nerve endings.

Dakota stiffened and then came in a sharp jerk, followed by a series of delicious trembles. He leaned back against Terrance and rolled his head to the side. The soft moan and the way Dakota held onto him made Terrance feel settled, satisfied, and completely fulfilled.

The bond was instant and snapped into place as soon as he took the first taste of his beloved. It was more than he’d ever imagined as he felt the change throughout his body exploding in every cell.

Dakota’s heart and mind opened to him, and he knew that Dakota was sensing him as well. The world passed between them all doubt, insecurity and confusion came to an end. He knew his beloved and his beloved knew him.

If ads affect your reading experience, click here to remove ads on this page.