Piston mm paranormal rom.., p.1
Piston: MM Paranormal Romance (Moon Burrow Bears Book 9), page 1
PISTON
MOON BURROW BEARS
BOOK NINE
FEL FERN
Piston © 2024 by Fel Fern
Book cover design: Cormar Covers
All rights reserved: No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.
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CONTENTS
Blurb
1. Piston
2. Linus
3. Piston
4. Piston
5. Linus
6. Piston
7. Linus/ Erick
8. Piston/Linus
9. Piston/ Linus
10. Linus/ Piston
11. Piston
12. Linus
13. Piston/ Ricardo
14. Piston
15. Linus/ Piston
16. Piston
17. Linus
18. Piston
19. Linus
20. Piston/ Linus
21. Linus/ Piston
22. Linus
Epilogue
A Preview of Moon River Rogue
About the Author
Also by Fel Fern
BLURB
A doomed vampire. A vengeful biker bear. An unlikely union.
Overturned. Piston's life underwent a complete reversal the moment his sister was murdered. Vengeance wasn't far from his mind, but with two young nieces to look after, avenging his sister was the least of his priorities. When a friend calls Piston in for a favor, he can't refuse, even if it means sheltering a bloodsucking leech. However, Linus isn't what Piston expects. Despite the centuries he's lived, Linus is unexpectedly naive and sweet. Linus and he are from two completely different worlds, but when temptation is within reach, no one can refuse fate's call.
Traitor. The vampire king of his coven has branded Linus an enemy, and Linus has no idea why. Lost and without allies, he has to rely on a complete stranger to extricate himself from a bind. Piston is off-limits. Linus knows he'll bring his biker bear nothing but pain and trouble. He's not worthy of Piston's love, but Piston is determined to prove him wrong.
Piston is an M/M shifter romance and the ninth installment in the Moon Burrow Bears series.
1
PISTON
The skies wept during Elise’s funeral service, casting a heavy shadow over the old farmhouse. The house Elise and I had grown up in together felt suffocating.
Each room contained memories I didn’t want to remember. As the service continued inside, I found myself stepping away outside, needing to breathe, needing to find some solace amidst the grief.
I walked into the serene garden, among the roses Elise had carefully tended.
A soft breeze whispered through the garden, gently rustling the leaves of the tall, swaying trees.
The cloying scent of apples and roses filled the air. Closing my eyes, I stood there for a while, absorbing the peacefulness of the surroundings, trying to find solace amidst the sorrow that threatened to engulf me.
I took a deep breath, allowing the memories of my sister, Elise, to flood my mind.
We had shared plenty of moments in this house. Good ones. Bad ones. Hide-and-seek had been our favorite game, especially after our mother died and our father allowed himself to wallow in alcohol.
He had such a temper. While Elise took on the role of both older sister and parent, I did all I could to shield Elise from his fists.
I never understood why, after he died, she had chosen to live in this house and raise her daughters here.
Maybe this place meant more to her than I thought. Elise and I had chosen such different paths.
She returned to her roots, while I found my second home amongst a group of crazy and violent bear shifters.
Elise and I had eventually drifted apart over the years. At that moment, I wished I had reached out, insisted we spend more time together.
I absentmindedly wiped away a tear as I thought about how much Elise meant to me and how hard she worked to raise her kids.
The realization that I was now the only family Lily and Rose had left only intensified my need to protect and care for them.
Me, a dad? The thought would make some of my MC brothers laugh. As I walked among Elise’s roses, my thoughts turned to the girls.
Lily, the elder of the two, with her bright eyes and boundless curiosity, reminded me so much of Elise when she was young. Rose, the younger one, was unbearably sweet and innocent.
She always clung to me during the rare times I stopped by. In my heart, I knew that I wouldn’t let foster services take the girls.
Taking care of the girls wasn't just a responsibility, but a privilege.
I would do everything in my power to be the loving and supportive parent they needed, just as Elise had been for me when our mother passed away.
Lost in my thoughts, I was startled when I felt a familiar presence by my side.
I turned, surprised to see Venom, the President of my MC and the lead alpha of our group, standing there.
He’d toned down his usually aggressive aura, so I didn't notice him at first.
I’d never tell Venom this, but I appreciated him taking time off to pay his last respects to Elise.
I had been surrounded by strangers all day. It was good to have a member of my other family here.
“Piston, your sister was a good woman. She would be proud of you for taking care of Lily and Grace,” a rare smile tugged at Venom’s mouth. “They’re sweet girls.”
The grumpy bear had gotten soft, I thought, especially after he’d gotten a daughter of his own.
It didn't mean Venom had lost his edge. Not at all. Knowing he had something precious to protect made him even more vicious.
Would the same thing eventually happen to me?
“I only hope I can be half the parent Elise was,” I said.
Unable to help myself, I let out a miserable laugh.
“Venom, what am I going to do? I can barely take care of myself. Taking in two girls at once? That might be the death of me.”
I still hadn’t decided if they were better off with me or someone else. Being a parent, that was such a huge responsibility I wasn't sure I could tackle.
“Don’t underestimate yourself,” Venom said. “I know you, Piston. You can do this. Being a parent might be unfathomable right now, but I believe in you.”
Venom would never know how much his words meant to me.
“I can’t believe she was killed by a vampire,” I muttered.
Anger curled in my gut as I reviewed what I knew about Elise’s murder—which wasn’t much.
Elise had been seeing a new guy on the side, someone she hadn’t even told the girls about.
She left the girls with a good friend to spend a weekend with this mystery guy. She never made it home.
When I visited the morgue, she had bite marks on her neck. Her body had been completely drained of blood.
I continued, “She was so tough. Elise and I survived our father; she survived a nasty divorce.”
I had told no one else in the MC about my childhood, not even my good friend Whizz, only Venom.
Briefly, I wondered how Venom felt, hoarding everyone’s dirty little secrets.
Did the weight of that knowledge weigh him down, or was he used to hearing everyone’s confessions like a priest?
I breathed through my rage. Anger or vengeance wouldn’t help me now. I had to focus on the more important things, like family.
Once I've settled everything, then I would start looking for Elise’s murderers.
“Thank you. I needed to hear that,” I said, glad my voice was a little steadier now.
Venom awkwardly placed a comforting hand over my shoulder. It was odd seeing him in this role.
Most of the time, Venom was usually growling at someone or threatening to kill someone.
This was a side of him few ever saw, I realized.
“Just take it one step at a time, and don't be afraid to lean on others when you need it. You'll be a fantastic parent,” Venom said.
As the two stood there, the funeral service inside the farmhouse concluded with heartfelt speeches and tearful farewells.
Friends of Elise began to come out into the garden, offering their condolences to me and sharing fond memories of her.
Some socializing wouldn’t kill me, so I smiled and spoke to every last guest.
“I need to head back to the clubhouse. You good here?” Venom asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, I think I’ll manage just fine.”
Gathering my strength, I stepped back inside the house, ready to say my final goodbyes to my beloved sister.
I immediately noticed the girls weren’t where I left them. Oh my God. Had I lost sight of them already?
What the hell was wro ng with me? Letting out a frustrated growl, I went in search of them.
In the end, I found Lily and Rose huddled together in their mother’s old bedroom, their tear-streaked faces illuminated by the soft glow of a bedside lamp.
The master bedroom which was once occupied by our parents.
Seeing the two girls broke my heart in two. I sat on the edge of the bed, wondering the best way to handle this.
They stared at me like I was a stranger, and I probably was. Their uncle Piston only dropped by once, twice every year since they were born.
In the end, I reached out and pulled them close and wrapped my arms around them in a warm embrace.
I was almost terrified they’d draw away, but they piled on me like puppies.
“It's okay to cry," I said gently, hoping my voice came out comforting. "Losing your mom is incredibly hard, and it's alright to feel sad."
The girls clung to me so tightly, so tight that I had a hard time drawing air into my lungs, or maybe that was grief talking.
"Why did Mom have to leave us, Uncle Piston? It's not fair,” Lily spoke with a quiver in her voice.
I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to comfort them.
"Sometimes, life can be very tough and unfair," I said. "But your mom loved you both so much, and she would have done anything to protect you. Sometimes, things happen that are beyond our control, and it hurts a lot. But she's always going to be with us, in our hearts and memories."
Rose sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I miss her so much," she whispered.
"I know, sweetheart," I said.
I had faced the MC’s enemies head-on and without fear plenty of times, but being a parent?
It was the most terrifying thing in the world.
I continued, "And it's okay to miss her. We'll take our time to grieve and heal together."
Lily looked at me with sad eyes, "But why did Mom have to die?"
I took another moment to gather my thoughts before I replied, "Death is a part of life, and it's something that happens to all living beings. It's like the end of a storybook, and when someone we love passes away, we feel a tremendous sense of loss.”
Noticing they were listening intently, I went on, “But remember, just like how we remember the best parts of a story, we can cherish the beautiful memories we had with your mom. She'll always be alive in our hearts, and we'll carry her love with us forever."
Lily nodded, her tears still flowing, but I suspected she had found some comfort in my words.
"And you know what?” I continued. "I remember a story from when your mom and I were just about your age.”
“Tell us,” Lily begged.
I continued, “One day, we got lost in these very fields outside the farmhouse. It was getting dark, and we were so scared. But we stuck together and eventually found our way back home. Your mom was so brave and smart, just like you both."
Lily and Rose listened intently, their tears momentarily forgotten as they focused on the story.
"And we promised each other that we'd always look out for one another," I said. Nostalgia hit me like a punch to the gut. I missed Elise so badly. "Just like I promised your mom, I promise you both now that I'll always be here for you. You're not alone, and we'll get through this together."
Rose leaned her head against my chest, and Lily clutched my hand. I knew without a doubt that Venom was right.
I'd do anything for both of Elise’s girls. My girls now.
As we continued sharing stories and comforting each other, something beautiful happened between us.
Lily and Rose, in the midst of their tears and laughter, began to open up, sharing their own memories and adventures with their mom.
It was as if they were letting me into a part of their world they had kept hidden away.
Their vulnerability and strength touched me deeply. I saw in them the same spirit and determination that Elise had possessed.
She had raised two incredible girls, and now it was my turn to be there for them in their time of need.
As the night went on, their tear-streaked faces slowly transformed into expressions of hope.
It wasn't a complete healing, but it was a start. A tiny spark of light in the midst of darkness, showing that we were on the right path as a newfound family.
Lily nestled against my side, and Rose curled up in my lap. They looked at me with big, trusting eyes, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
They were no longer strangers, and I could see the seeds of a strong bond forming between us.
"Uncle Piston," Lily whispered, her voice shaky but filled with newfound trust, "will you stay with us? Like, for real?"
I had to fight back the lump in my throat. It hit me hard that they needed more than just someone who would drop by occasionally.
They needed a steady presence, someone to be there through thick and thin. And I wanted to be that person for them.
"I promise you both that I'll stay with you," I said with determination. "I'll be here for you, always. You're not alone in this."
Their eyes lit up with relief, and they wrapped their tiny arms around me in a tight embrace.
It was a hug that spoke volumes, a silent assurance that they were willing to let me into their hearts, and I was willing to do the same.
As the night wore on, exhaustion finally caught up with us. We found ourselves drifting off to sleep, still wrapped in each other's arms.
The sound of their gentle breathing filled the room, and for the first time in a long time, I felt at peace.
As I lay there, holding them close, I knew that this is where I belonged. It wasn't going to be easy, but it was going to be worth it.
We were in this together, facing life's challenges as a family.
For the first time since Elise passed away, I allowed myself to believe that we would be alright.
I was going to look after the girls, and I was going to avenge my sister.
2
LINUS
Isped down the desolate highway, fear clutching my undead heart. If I were still alive, my heart would be pounding in my chest.
I swore when I bit too deeply on my lower lip, one of my fangs had punctured the thin skin there. I risked a glance over my shoulder.
The white Honda steadily continued its pursuit. The glass windows were tinted, but I knew the two faces behind them.
Dirk and Ricardo were the best killers in the Shadowbrook Coven. The vampire assassins, notorious for their relentless pursuit, were closing in on me with chilling determination.
My older brother and sister weren’t kidding around when they said they wanted me dead. My car spluttered and jerked.
Don’t die on me right now, I thought in panic. Then the engine died completely, and I pulled over to the side of the road.
What bad luck. Maybe fate was trying to tell me something. That my death, my true death was inevitable, but I refused to give in.
I stumbled out of my black Toyota and apprehensively looked at the woods ahead.
Recalling the map on my phone, I tried to remember how far it was to the Grizzly Reapers MC territory.
Those savage bear shifters had a reputation for killing uninvited guests on sight. Good thing, I had a contact within the MC.
I was counting on their viciousness to survive. Ideally, the grizzly shifters would turn on Dirk and Ricardo first, giving me the chance to explain myself.
I was good at appearing non-threatening, at hiding and being invisible. After all, I lived in the shadow of two brilliant siblings during the two centuries I’d been alive.
A quick look at my dying cellphone showed me a single text from my grizzly shifter contact.
The single line of text gave me a date and time. Ominous twin laughter echoed from behind me, sending shivers down my spine.
I looked behind me and swallowed. I tucked my phone in the pocket of my jeans. Dirk and Ricardo had also gotten out of their vehicle.
Those two always saw everything as a game, and this hunt amounted to entertainment to them.
Panic consumed me as I scanned my surroundings for any other alternative exit route, but no.
The forest loomed ahead like a dark abyss. A final chance for refuge. I took a breath, even though I didn’t need to.
