"Kane stays unmoving, and I realize he's barely breathing. I don't think he needs oxygen to stay alive, so that's not too surprising, but I can't' figure out why he is so still. His hand at my waist is so very close to my breastbone, the longing for him to slide it up only a few inches, to touch me in places no one ever has before, has a gasp leaving my lips. I have to bite down again to keep from moaning, and he hasn't even kissed me yet." Emory I was born to be the Alpha of my pack, my father's first born daughter. But now... I am here, in the castle of our greatest enemy, the Vampire King. I should hate Kane Alexander, but the more time I spend with him, the more I long for him in ways I cannot understand. I am not here to be his lover, though. I am here to be his feeder, to satisfy his hunger, his thirst for blood. But even before his lips graze my skin the first time, I know I would give myself to him in every way imaginable if only he should ask. Kane I long to taste the wolf shifter, but not her blood, her body... her essence. I want her in every way imaginable. But I'm already betrothed to marry another blood-born vampire, and if I call that off, I have resigned my kingdom to yet another war. There has to be a way to keep Emory Moonraker as my feeder but not claim her in my bed. I just haven't figured it out yet, and every time I look into her jade eyes, I forget everything and everyone but her. But I have enemies, and every moment she spends here in my home, Castle Graystone, she's in danger. I can protect her, but at what cost? Am I willing to risk everything to make her mine? Or should I put my duty to my kingdom first? The Vampire King's Feeder is a romance with vampires and wolf shifters. It is for mature readers only.
.*Emory*
My stomach is tight, like a fist, as I follow my parents up the walkway to the monstrosity of a stone fortress known as Castle Graystone. Lighting illuminates the sky overhead, which seems to fit perfectly with the scene, though it's not raining-not yet anyway. Something tells me there's about to be a shift in the atmosphere, and as my black boots hit the ancient wood of the drawbridge that has bidden entrance here for upward of a thousand years, I can feel the electricity in the air.
Thunder rolls across the blackened sky, the boom echoing deep within me. Lola clutches my hand more tightly and lets out a little whimper. "It's okay," I tell her, forcing a smile to my lips. "Everything is just fine."
She looks up at me, her wide green eyes filled with anxiety, and her head rocks back and forth, but I know she doesn't believe a word I've said. Why should she? I don't believe it either.
On my other side, Coit walks more confidently. At seventeen, my brother is the epitome of the cocky male, ready to attack anyone and everyone who might seem a threat to him. The only problem is, he has yet to meet his wolf, so against the likes of these bloodsucker, he'd be as good as dead in a matter of seconds.
Even now, I feel their ocean eyes on us as we make our way to the other side of the bridge. My father gives pause, looking up at the mammoth doors that have already been thrown open for us. Castle Graystone is welcoming our party in the same way a shark invites its prey, with a smile, and even though this meeting has been arranged as a way to finally make peace between our two warring sides, the fact that we were only allowed to bring five warriors along with our family feels a bit like a death sentence.
The bloodsuckers would destroy all of us, eat us for dinner and leave us drained and writhing on the floor while our bodies, desperate for any sort of life saving liquid, slowly cease to function.
A shudder goes down my spine thinking of it.
My father had called us all into his office late last night, sat us all down, and explained to us that we were going to Castle Graystone to meet with the Vampire King. He'd said it was time to find a way to peacefully solve our differences. Coit had flown off the handle, as had Darius, who walked behind me now with his parents, his dad, Jace, being my father's Beta.
They'd demanded we continue the fight to the bitter end, but my father lamented the loss of so many lives these past ten years or more, saying that we had reached the unprecedented threshold of one hundred thousand dead wolves-and that was enough. No more.
Now, he will negotiate the peace with the Vampire King, and we will comply. Whether or not they had already come to those terms or not, I am not sure, but I've gotten the impression all but one small detail has been worked out. I've seen loads of our natural resources being shipped out over the last few weeks, timber, coal, precious gemstones, even tankers of natural gas, items we need to survive, items we sell to other packs to keep ourselves able to buy other necessities. Why would the vampires need those things? Perhaps to sell them themselves? I don't know the details of the war. I only know that we are losing.
And as I step foot into Graystone, Lola's sweaty hand in mine, I realize that I had been wrong. We weren't losing-we have lost.
My boots are loud as I follow my father, flanked by two of our warriors. My mother's slippers hardly make a sound. She is no warrior. She is crying even now. I know all of this has been so difficult for her. When I think of everything my father has put her through, I have to wonder why they were still married.
Mates. They are mates. It is the madness of the Moon Goddess that had brought them together and makes them stay.
At the sound of the word reverberating through my head, I turn and look at Darius. He is twenty-one. He should've met his mate by now, if she is old enough. The fact that he hasn't makes me wonder if our suspicions are true.
Was it me?
I won't be twenty-one for six more months. Then, maybe we will know for certain.
It will only be fitting that we would be, considering our stature in the pack. I will be Alpha one day soon, when my father retires, and Darius will be my Beta.
"Emory," Lola whispers, bringing me out of my head. "Look at the paintings."
My eyes follow her gaze up the walls of the hallway we are marching down, and I wish I hadn't looked. More importantly, I wish her twelve-year-old eyes had been spared the gruesomeness. Vampires in various poses sucking the life out of other creatures-mostly humans or creatures in their human forms-but occasionally, one of the massive portraits on the wall shows something else, like a vampire with their three-inch-long barred fangs sunk into the neck of a wolf. Those are even more disturbing than the portrayals of humans, which could've been us in our two-legged form. We know for a fact that these vampires won't think twice about ripping our throats open.
One painting in particular catches my eye, perhaps because the woman looks so very much like me. Long red hair flowing down her back in soft curls, her emerald eyes looking directly at the painter, her face pristine and unmoving as a man with black hair almost as long as hers prepares to sink his fangs into her neck.
She is nude, holding a blanket up to cover her breasts as the rest of the fabric falls between her legs so that her thighs are exposed. He is shirtless but wearing black pants. It is clear they are in a bedroom, and I have to wonder if perhaps she isn't afraid because she knows he will not kill her-not on purpose anyway. Maybe they have an understanding, and she's come to trust him over the many times he has swallowed down her sacred waters of life.
Maybe this woman is a feeder.
"Emory?"
It isn't Lola speaking my name this time; it is my father. We are coming to a stop in front of a large set of doors, and he wants to make sure that I am paying attention. I lock eyes with him and nod. If this goes badly, my warrior training will have to help us to escape. Perhaps I haven't met my wolf yet, but that doesn't make me incapable of fighting.
A sharp nod is my response to my father, and he turns back to face the double doors.
We wait for a moment with the vampire guards on either side of the barricade only staring straight ahead, their light blue eyes focused on the wall across from them, as if they are also paintings, works of art incapable of moving or feeling.
When they finally move, it is at the exact same time, and I suppose it has to have been in response to a telepathic message from someone on the other side of the doors. We have the mind-link that allows us to communicate mentally with family members and other members of our own pack, but vampires can all communicate with one another via their telepathy, whether they are related or not. After all, most vampires are not born this way; they are created, so it isn't as if they are actually related to one another-not in the same way we are.
They give the phrase "related by blood" a whole new meaning.
As the heavy wooden doors creak open, and we enter the throne room, I am reminded that part of the reason the king that sits on the throne now was given such immense power is because he has never been a human. He comes from a long line of blood-born vampires as they refer to themselves, the off-spring of other rare vampires who are able to procreate. It is a phenomenon I don't understand.
My mother calls it witchcraft, but since I've never actually met a witch, I am not sure how that can be.
This room is even more elaborately decorated than the hallway. It seems that half of the walls are covered with gold leaf as intricate trim divides every surface into large twelve by twelve blocks that are filled with hand painted portraits of various former rulers and their clan members.
Most of them strike regal poses, their physical features similar to the man in the painting I'd noted before-pale skin, light colored eyes, and dark flowing hair. The women are a bit different. Some have red eyes and blonde hair. Many of them wear outfits from hundreds of years ago, but then vampires even today tend to wear old-fashioned clothing. Even their military uniforms are dated-tight black pants and fitted red jackets. Not that it matters. When warriors can move as quickly and powerfully as vampires do on the battlefield, they can be wearing anything, and it is becomes difficult for us to keep up.
Not that wolf shifters aren't fast-we are. And we are huge when we shift. Some of us are over six feet tall at the shoulder, but we are not as fast as vampires and often not as strong.
Which is ultimately what has led us to be standing here now.
The throne is empty as we approach it, which is puzzling to me. Where is the Vampire King? He must've known we were coming.... Father said he planned this the night before.
Lola shifts on her feet, looking around, and I adjust my grip on her hand. I know she is terrified. I want to hold her and tell her it will all be okay, but I can't promise her that yet.
I have been the only mother she's ever known, and I will protect her to the ends of the earth, but I am only one person, and the room is full of dozens of vampire guards.
The curtains behind the throne stir, and the man who walks out looks so much like the one from the painting with the woman, a chill shoots down my spine. A few others accompany him, but my eyes are locked on his blue eyes, the same shade as the patches of sky that peeked through the rain clouds as we'd entered his home.
His dark hair is pulled back in a ponytail that flows down his back, and he is dressed in a traditional white button-down with puffy sleeves, black pants, and a regal gold and white checked vest. His expression is difficult to read. If I didn't know better, I'd say he was bored.
"Well?" he says as he stands before the throne. "Bernard, I'm glad you've come and we can be done with this. You have it then? The final payment? The five million drakes?"
My heart leaps into my throat. Five million? My father doesn't have that kind of money. In fact, as far as I can tell, he hasn't brought any amount of money at all.
"King Kane," Father says, bowing his head. The rest of us follow suit, realizing we'd been rude before, but in fairness, he hadn't given us much of a chance to show proper etiquette since he'd begun to speak almost the moment he appeared. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty," my father begins. "I do not have the money."
King Kane Alexander's face doesn't waver one bit as he stares at my father. It's almost as if he has expected this to be the case. "Then why have you come?" His voice is smooth and immediately makes me feel at ease, which is one of his weapons.
Father clears his throat. "Because... I am hoping you will settle for something else, something better."
"Something better than five million drakes?" King Kane repeats. "What could possibly be better than the remaining money you owe me, Alpha Bernard?" A bit of amusement seems to play around his perfect pink lips, and one blue eye narrows almost into a wink.
My father's voice cracks as he says, "M-my daughter."
I feel my heart leap into my throat as my father's words register in my mind. What? Could he have actually said what I think he said?
"Your daughter?" King Kane repeats, just as taken aback as I am. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Yes, my daughter." My father sounds more confident now as he says, "I want to sell her to you for the remaining debt. I want you to take my daughter... to be a feeder."
Late at night, when I think I'm alone, I feel his breath on the side of my face, and I know--he's watching me. Ever since I moved into this ancient mansion to take care of my sick aunt, I've been experiencing strange things. When I discover she has a boarder, a mysterious, sexy artist who lives on the third floor, I think some of that is explained. The bumps in the night. The whispers from the shadows. But once Dalton and I are properly introduced, the strange occurrences don't stop. If anything, they are amplified. When I close my eyes at night, it's his face I see. It's his hands I feel. It's his lips I taste. The more I get to know him, the more I realize I don't know him at all. Dalton's not the kind of man that buys a woman flowers and makes her feel all warm and fuzzy. No, he's the kind of man your mama would tell you to run from. Cold. Dangerous. Complex. And now that he wants me, I learn he is more than that. Possessive. Controlling. Diabolical. I should leave this place before it's too late, but I know I can't. Whatever it is that's sunk it's fangs into him, it has me, too. He has me, too. For better or worse. 'Til death... Whispers of the Devil is a dark romance which some readers may find disturbing. Proceed with caution.
Indebted to the Mafia Blurb “Well, are you going to do it or not?” I keep my chin held high, but inside, I’m trembling. “Do what?’ the mafia king asks me, a smug look on his face. “What you paid for.” I bite my bottom lip, wondering if I can handle him. I am a virgin, after all. He snickers at me, and then, his mouth is on mine, and he’s taking every penny’s worth. *** Eleni I’d do anything to keep my family safe. When I find out a mobster is trying to kill everyone I love because of a debt, I sacrifice myself and end up on an auction block. When I find myself owned by Dante Cattaneo, I don’t know if I’ve been saved or sent straight to hell. Dante She’s gorgeous and scares as hell, even though she’s trying not to show it. My number one rule is to never let my weakness show, but from the moment I see her face, I know I have to have her. And if anyone finds out how I feel about her, I’m screwed. Dive into this steamy, dark, mafia romance now!
The morning after the Haze, I open my eyes expecting to see the love of my life, my fated mate. Instead, I see... HIM! "This can't be happening!" *** Would you rather live in a world where the impossible is possible or the possible is impossible? Blanca faces an uncertain future when she finds she's mated to the one man she never thought could be her mate. If Kieran is her mate, then her entire life is a lie. Since she's been abused her whole life, that might be a good thing. But this is... wrong on so many levels. Will Blanca find out the truth about her real identity--or be banished from her pack forever? If you like love with a twist, give this one a chance--don't quit too soon, or you'll never find out Blanca's secret!
Prince Rafe leans over me, holding himself up on one elbow as he gazes at my face. I feel his eyes wandering over every surface from my brow to my eyes, down my nose, to my lips and chin, and then returning to hold my gaze for a second. The small smile at the corner of his mouth makes me think he likes what he sees. His hand is cool when it brushes a loose curl from my cheek, but I don’t jerk away from him. I have no idea what’s going on. I don’t understand why I’m here. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. It seems like a lot of powerful people want me—dead or alive. And yet, all I can think about right now is how badly I want this vampire’s hands on my body. *** I live in a desolate village on the edge of the Vampire King’s lands. This used to be wolf shifter territory, but now, we are just trying to survive. When I mess up and find myself in a culling, I know I’m dead. No wolf shifters ever survive these events. And after the stunt I pulled in the middle of the village, Prince Rafe probably wants me dead. Is it a good thing or a bad thing when a vampire looks at you like you’re a snack? Something tells me, once I reach the castle, I’ll be missing my miserable existence in the village. But then—it turns out I have no freaking idea who I even am, and when the royals start referring to me as Princess Ainslee, I realize my life is about to take a turn—for better or worse. From the author of The Alpha King’s Breeder, One Weekend with the Billionaire, and Shared by the Sexy Billionaire Twins.
"Am I your first, little flower?" the Alpha asks me. "Well, I won't be your last." He wears a crooked grin as he gestures to the bed. I bite my bottom lip and comply because I have no choice. My father has sold me to the king, and now, I must entertain the four candidates to become the next Alpha King. I am, after all, their breeder. As he climbs onto the bed, I hold my breath. He's unbelievably sexy, but he's just the first of the men I will be getting to know better, the first of four vying for the title of Alpha King. What if I fall in love with him? What if I fall in love with all four of them? *** Rose's parents insist she enter the contest to become the new Breeder because they need the money. They never thought she'd win. Because of her unique anatomy, Rose is the perfect candidate to take on the four Alphas. What Rose doesn't know is that the current Alpha King isn't really in this for the right reasons. In fact, he may not want a new heir at all. As she finds herself falling in love with all four of the men, she realizes not only is she in danger, but so are they. Will Rose and her four Alphas succeed in making babies and claiming the throne, or will the evil Alpha King prevail?
“You don’t recognize me?” she said with a laugh. “Oh, Heath! Has it been that long?” Chelsea sank her teeth into her bottom lip and watched the soldier in front of her melt in his seat. She could definitely have him if she wanted him. She just had to decide whether or not it was worth potentially angering her brother. But then, Mike didn’t need to know—did he? *** Chelsea has always had a secret crush on her brother's best friend, Heath, but he's off limits. Until one impassioned night, when things get out of hand. A few months later, Chelsea realizes she has another secret, the kind that will reveal itself in good time. Will she let Heath know she's carrying his baby or keep her secret forever?
Cailey had managed to outlive her husband, becoming a young widow. Then, at his funeral, she found herself at risk of being evicted from her home. In a bid to secure her share of the estate, Cailey decided to seduce her stepson and bear him a child. Unfortunately, he saw right through her tricks. "I'm not as gullible as my father." No matter how hard she tried, she was unable to win the man over. Cailey had no choice but to change her plans. But then, one night, the same stepson suddenly pinned her against the wall. "You want something from me? Beg for it."
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Lucille was one of the most skilled female assassins, and on the previous night, she embarked on a top-secret mission. However, the mission's details were leaked, leading to her untimely demise at the hands of a traitorous companion. She never discovered the identity of the person who betrayed her before her death. But by some miracle, she was granted a new life, and was reborn as a girl with the same name. Determined to uncover the truth and seek revenge for her family, Lucille seized her second chance at life. She planned to avenge her loved ones. However, her plans were complicated by Joseph, an apparently frail man who was actually skilled in martial arts. And he seemed to fall for her deeply, now this newfound knowledge only added to the complications of Lucille's revenge plan...
"Let's get divorced, she's back." On their second wedding anniversary, Adrian asked Eva for a divorce. "I can live well without you." Eva found out she was pregnant and decided to raise the child alone. Feeling like he must have been crazy, Adrian couldn't stop missing Eva every day after the divorce. He searched all over the world until one day he saw the woman he had been searching for walking happily with a child. "Whose child is this?" Adrian was shocked.
For seven years, Claudia allowed herself to live under Eddie's shadow. She thought that devoting herself to him would eventually win his heart, but it turned out to be nothing more than wishful thinking on her part. When they finally cut ties, Claudia did not argue or ask for any compensation. Instead, she chose her peace and left without looking back. She never imagined that Eddie would suddenly appear on her wedding day, furious and wild-eyed. He glared at her groom and declared, "I was here first!"
When they met again, Jason cast aside his paranoia and pride, warmly embracing Chelsey. "Please, come back to me?" For three years, she had been his secretary by day and his companion by night. Chelsey had always complied with his requests, like an obedient pet. However, when Jason declared his plans to marry another, she chose to stop loving him and to let go. But life took unexpected turns. His unyielding pursuit, her pregnancy, and her mother's greed gradually pushed her to the brink. Eventually, she endured tremendous suffering. Five years later, when she returned, she was no longer the woman she once was. Yet he had spiraled into five years of chaos.