Fanged secrets a m m mpr.., p.4
Fanged Secrets : A M/M Mpreg Romance, page 4
“Thank you,” Liam said, smiling. “Now, back to my original question from the parking lot. How did you know that would stop it?”
“I dunno,” Daniel shrugged. “To be honest, I really don’t. It felt instinctual. Blood must’ve caused the visions somehow and his body wanted it out of him. I mean, he was crying tears, Liam. If that wasn’t to eject blood, I don’t know what it was about. So, I took the blood out of him.”
“Did it taste weird?” Liam asked.
“I’ve only ever had human blood a few times,” Daniel said, not looking at Bobby. “Always by accident. Always during a fight. If I went around chomping on people it would’ve been obvious around here, huh? It tasted like him, I guess.”
Liam rubbed the bridge of his nose again.
“We can do this later, Liam,” Bobby said. “Give them time to settle in and you time to take a nap.”
“I---” Liam took a deep breath. “You’re right.” He sounded like he didn’t want to give in. “I’m sure our newest community members would like time to settle in. If you have any more visions, Shepard, please let me know.”
“Which house do we go to?” Irwin asked me.
“Ummm…. Daniel’s I guess. I’m guessing you have a house,” I glanced at him.
“I have a nice house,” he said, grinning. “Two stories. Lots of rooms. Room for your bodyguard.”
Irwin chuckled and I let out a long slow breath. I needed my mate and my best friend to get along. I’d need both of them if I was going to survive my visions.
“Where did they take our stuff?” Irwin asked.
“To Daniel’s,” Starry said, pushing open the back door.
“It’s the body-slamming dragon,” Irwin shot him a dirty look.
“It’s the Daniel-pouncing wolf,” Starry rolled his eyes.
“Guys!” Liam said and rubbed his temples. “No. Just no. This isn’t going like this. You both were confused about what was going on. You both wanted to protect your friends. I’m not going to have you guys being some sort of archrivals. The world has enough problems with your bruised egos. I’m sorry he body slammed you, Irwin. It could’ve been handled differently, but the whole village has been a bit on guard recently.”
“Irwin,” I said his name trying to convey that I didn’t think Starry meant any harm.
“Fine,” Irwin sighed. “Just don’t do it again.”
Daniel scooted his chair back from the table and stood up. Irwin and I followed his lead. He paused and kissed Liam on the forehead like a big brother before we headed toward the back door. He and Bobby shared a frustrated look I couldn’t read.
“Let me know if you need help, Daniel,” Starry said, touching his shoulder as we walked out.
“Thanks, Starry,” he managed a real smile for him.
Chapter Seven
Bobby
Liam’s eyes misted over as soon as Daniel and the newcomers were gone.
“I’ll put the kettle on,” Starry announced. “Herbal tea. The same one that helped with your headaches last time?”
“Thank you, Starry,” Liam said, his voice breaking up a bit.
“Mate,” I cooed the word as I crossed the kitchen to sit down next to him.
He leaned his head on my shoulder as I took his hand and entwined our fingers together.
“Before you ask, I didn’t know about Daniel. I’ve never seen anything like that in my visions. Don’t fight with him, Bobby. Please don’t fight with him. If you have to, because you can’t not do it, wait until after their claiming vows. I don’t think he kept the secret to be a jackass.”
“I can’t believe he didn’t tell me. Me! He didn’t tell ME!” I said, keeping my voice low despite my wolf’s howls in my ears. “He’s more like my brother than some of my actual blood siblings! He didn’t tell me!”
“Bobby!” Liam scolded me. “It’s complicated and you know it. No one brings up Grady Moore in relation to him out loud, but you know they would’ve if they knew. So, we’re not telling anyone either. Daniel’s grown up to be a good man – one of the sweetest and hardest working I know, and I know a lot of good men! I had the privilege of being partially raised by many of them as a teenager! He didn’t tell you because the world judges him because of how he came into the world. He pretends that it doesn’t bother him, but it does. He’s extra nice and extra gentle with everyone he meets because he doesn’t want anyone to think he’s like fucking Grady Moore.”
“It doesn’t seem to bother him, though. We talked about it before Shepard and Irwin came!” I said, swallowing down a growl from my wolf. “It seemed like he felt bad for him and ---”
“We should feel bad for him! He was a monster, but monsters are made! You know that!” Liam snapped.
“Please don’t yell at me, mate,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I love you and I don’t want to fight with you over this.”
“Your dad saved him,” Starry said. “You two are like brothers. So, you know brothers don’t tell each other everything. I’m sure there are things you haven’t told Adrain. Does this change how you think about him?”
“I--- No!” I said, swallowing down another growl from my wolf.
“Then drop it for now. There’s too much to worry about without you being butthurt. He’ll talk about it when he’s ready. I think Liam’s right. He doesn’t want anyone to fear him turning out like Grady Moore. He knows he won’t, but he doesn’t want to make anyone else lose sleep worrying about him. Since I’ve known him, he’s tried to make everyone’s life easier like he’s trying to prove he was worth your dad saving and his dad’s raising him up.”
“Of-fucking-course he’s worth it!” It was my turn to shout.
“Bobby!” Liam covered his ears.
“Then tell him that when you talk about it,” Starry said, setting three mugs of hot herbal tea on the table. “He’d probably have kept it to himself his whole life if it wasn’t for meeting Shepard like he did today.”
“I just wish he trusted me,” I sighed.
“He does, but he’s allowed to have his secrets,” Liam sighed at me. “Now, I’d usually offer to suck your dick to make you feel better, but I need a nap. I’m already missing my cold brew more than I ever thought possible all over again. Now, take me to bed and cuddle me. Your wolf pup has me dragging ass.”
“Come on,” I stood up and lifted Liam up. “Sorry, Starry.”
“I’m used to the dick sucking talk. As soon as I get mine sucked again, I’ll come tell you guys,” he said and Liam laughed.
Chapter Eight
Daniel
I wasn’t sure what to do with Shepard or Irwin once we got to my house. Their stuff was already inside, and Nem and Adrian were still outside.
“Deer?” Irwin sniffed the air.
“It’ll be ready around dinner time. I’d appreciate it if you two wouldn’t mention the biting that took place in the parking lot to anyone,” I said, locking the front door behind us. “I’ll explain why eventually, but ---”
“You don’t have to,” Shepard said. “We have our secret things too. Well, mine isn’t a secret anymore, but we’re good at keeping them, aren’t we, Ir?”
Irwin nodded and his stomach growled.
“You two can head into the kitchen and get whatever you want from the fridge or pantry. I’ve gotta make a sprint over to the other house to get your stuff from the freezer. We stocked it full of those blood smoothie packs and stuff,” I said to Shepard.
For a second, his bottom lip stuck out in a subconscious pout.
“It won’t take long,” I said and squeezed his hand.
“I can go grab all of it,” Adrain said walking out of the kitchen. “Deer’s coming along nicely too.”
“Thanks, Adrain. Did Bobby tell you?” I asked and it felt like a loaded question.
“He’s pissy about something, but I don’t think it’s you meeting your true-mate. He wouldn’t tell me what crawled up his ass and died, though. You know how he gets,” Adrian shrugged.
“Shepard, Irwin, this is Adrian. He’s Bobby’s little brother and a good friend of mine. Adrian, this is Shepard and Irwin.” I held up our entwined hands for Adrain to see so there was no doubt about which of the newcomers I had true responded to.
“Congratulations you two and it’s nice to meet you both. I’ll be back in a minute,” he said and turned around to head for the back door again.
“Shall we find some lunch?” I asked them.
“Sounds like a plan,” Irwin said and followed in Adrain’s footsteps sniffing out my kitchen.
He already had the fridge open and was gazing inside by the time Shepard and I caught up with him.
“Irwin!” Shepard scolded.
“It’s okay,” I said, shaking my head. “He knows he’s pack. Hell, he could walk into the house of almost anyone who grew up a Hemlock Wolf and raid their fridge without too much of a fight.”
“He’s seeing how much you really are going to let him live here,” Shepard flashed me a sheepish smile.
“Well, since you already promised he could live with you forever I figure I need to make good on that,” I smirked and bumped his shoulder with mine.
“See,” Irwin said. “That’s why the healer gave him a stellar review.”
“But do figure it out soon. I don’t like having the fridge opened forever,” I said.
“There’s a lot to choose from in here,” Irwin said and bit his lip.
“How about leftover pot roast sandwiches?” I suggested. “Fresh bread in the box from the bakery.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Irwin nodded and pulled out the Tupperware.
“Sound good to you?” I asked Shepard.
“Smells delicious.”
“If you guys will make the sandwiches, I’ll track down my blender. I don’t use it often, but I think we’ll need it for the shakes.”
“It’s in the pantry!” Nem shouted from the backyard. “We had protein shakes while you were off playing with Bobby. Took Adrian forever to find it in the hall closet. So, when we were done he put it in the pantry.”
“Thanks, Nem!” I called back and then turned to explain who Nem was to the newcomers.
“I’ve heard of him,” Irwin said, slicing into the loaf of fresh bread. “He used to wrestle in Europe. He’s hot too.”
“You might need a heat shot or something,” Shepard eyed him.
“Dara gave me one when I said I loved his dimples,” Irwin shrugged. “It’ll kick in soon. It’s not my fault everyone is hot here.”
“You don’t have to compliment us into letting you stay,” I teased as I grabbed the freshly washed blender from the pantry. “It’s not like Mage Street was that full of assholes.”
“Not too many there, no,” Irwin shook his head as I plugged up the blender. “But –”
“But what?” I asked him.
“We’ve gotten his hopes up that his Alpha is just going to show up,” Shepard grinned.
“I hope he does. I’ll make sure we get a mating feast. That way he can sniff all the single Alphas here,” I teased.
Chapter Nine
Shepard
After lunch, Irwin slunk off under the guise of exploring Heartville to give me some time alone with Daniel. I’m sure he wanted to check out all the hot guys he seemed to be finding around town too. I hadn’t noticed them, because Daniel was all I could think about. For the first time in a long time I wasn’t worried about having another vision. I just wanted to think about Daniel and touch him and kiss him and --- I let out a long slow breath. All of those things would take time.
I watched the muscles in Daniel’s back and shoulder blades flex as he moved around the kitchen gathering up everything to make me a blood shake. I could’ve done it myself, but it was nice to have someone besides Irwin wanting to take care of me. It was nice just to stand in the same room as another vampire. Sure, my mate was a wolf too, but he had fangs and probably needed blood in his diet. All that added up to making him a vampire.
Feeling brave, I crossed the space between us and hugged him from behind. I just needed to touch him. I pressed my cheek against his shoulder blade reveling in how tall he was. I wasn’t the shortest omega I ever met, but either way, Daniel towered over me when I wasn’t up on my tiptoes. I nuzzled my cheek against his bare back thankful he hadn’t bothered to put another shirt on after cleaning my bloody tears up with his.
“This actually smells decent. It’s berry blast flavored or something like that,” Daniel said.
“You can try it if you want. You don’t have to be all secretive with me,” I assured him while running my fingers over his naked abs.
Daniel nodded and took the top of the blender. Without shrugging me off, he grabbed a spoon and snatched up a bite. He froze as the cold blended snack melted on his tongue. I was so jealous of that smoothie until he spoke.
“It’s not bad. A little on the sweet side. Not as good as deer blood,” he shrugged and poured it into a glass for me.
It smelled delicious, but I wasn’t ready to let go of my mate. I could’ve clung to him for the rest of eternity.
“Thank you for not letting me get a concussion out there,” I said to fill the silence.
“I’ll always protect you, mate. Intruders, wild bears, assholes, or visions. I’ll do everything I can.”
I kissed his naked shoulder blade and let out a long deep breath.
“Protecting me from my visions is a fulltime job. That’s why Irwin is so high strung right now.”
“Well, he’ll have help here. You both will,” he said, ducking out of my hug.
He turned to face me and with Alpha speed he scooped me up and sat me on top of the counter. Then he grabbed the spoon and the cup full of the blood shake. I could’ve fed myself, but there was something sweet and sensual about him sliding the spoon over my lips and onto my tongue. I sucked off the sweet blood tasting liquid and swallowed while holding his gaze. We kissed in between the bites he fed me. The taste of berries and blood danced between our mouths and over our battling tongues.
Eating had never been sensual before. Food was food and even blood was just another way to survive. Daniel’s scent surrounded me almost overpowering the coppery tang over the shake. Folks who didn’t know vampires usually feared us as monsters or fetishized everything to do with blood. I had a couple short-term boyfriends who begged me to bite them during sex. I never did. I didn’t like any of them enough to mix blood and sex together. I never had the urge to bite someone because they aroused me.
So, this was new. Everything with Daniel was new. Of course, it was. We’d known each other less than two hours now. Only this was home. This was familiar. He was familiar.
I laughed as I swallowed down another bite of the shake.
“What’s so funny?” Daniel asked, spoon paused midair above the glass.
“Nothing. It’s not really funny. I just--- It’s….. Bah! Words!”
Daniel laughed and kissed me again. I could’ve kissed the man forever.
“It’s the mating response,” he grinned when he pulled his soft lips away from me. “It makes it hard to think. Bobby was a hot mess when he met Liam.”
“You seem put together, though,” I said, putting a hand on his hip so he couldn’t think of walking any further away from me.
“I’m spoon feeding you a shake. I think well put together isn’t the words to describe that,” he chuckled.
“I think it makes sense. Though, you could spoon feed me pureed peas and I’d be happy. I don’t even like peas. I just like you this close.”
“I like being this close,” he said and leaned in for another kiss. “I like feeding you. Kissing you. Standing here between your legs.” He dropped the spoon into the cup and ran his free hand over one of my thighs. I hissed as waves of longing drifted over where he touched me and landed square between my legs.
I kissed him again, slipping my tongue into his mouth and battling his until I had to pull away for air. Then I took the cup from him, downed the rest of the shake, and put the empty cup and spoon into the sink next to me. I met his gaze for a second before pulling my shirt off over my head and tossing it across the room to the table.
I held onto Daniel’s face for dear life as our lips crashed together again. The taste of blood danced teasingly on my tongue as we tried to swallow each other whole. Daniel pressed his legs up against the counter, so that as much as possible of our naked torsos pressed together.
His big warm hands ran up and down my back before landing on my hips. I sucked his lower lip into my mouth until I tasted the coppery tang of blood.
“Shit! Is this okay?” I asked him. “I don’t take blood without asking. I never have before and ---”
“Shhhh…. It’s just a little blood,” Daniel said, his eyes hungry for me.
I wanted to sink into that hunger, to drown in it – in him. Magic slapped me around all the time in the form of visions, but this magic was different. It wasn’t calling me to a faraway place – possibly in another time. This magic was calling me home.
“Besides,” he whispered, leaning his forehead against mine and holding my gaze. “I didn’t ask in the parking lot.”
“I wasn’t in any place to consent. You saved me.”
“I do know ethical vampire standards. Outside of extreme circumstances, a vampire won’t drink from his omega mate.”
“Circumstances were extreme. The weather might be cooling down for autumn’s dawning, but the pavement was hot.”
“I’m genetically primed to be a donor. Back at the academy I donated blood to the vampire bank.”
“They didn’t question why you were so good at it?” I smiled and ran my thumb over his lip to wipe away a drop of stray blood.
“They knew why I was good at it. As far as they knew, I wasn’t actively a vampire, but my bio-sire was. I’ve read a lot of books. Alpha vampires, when well fed and blooded up, are made to feed their omega mates if they are vampires. I don’t need much blood. I’m more wolf than vampire, but my genetics still are primed for it.”
“Did you know I’d be a vampire?” I asked and immediately felt like an idiot. “I mean, your true-mate. Did you think he would be a vampire?”
