Bound to Kill

Darius

Eight hours of sleep makes a big difference. Sure, I’m no less furious, but I’m level-headed. Lexi made the right call last night.

Our limbs are entangled. Even when asleep, I crave being close to Lexi.

I watch her sleep, grateful beyond words to have her back—that the Fates spared her.

Her eyes flutter open. A wide smile spreads across her face. “Morning.”

Just the sound of her voice makes my heart speed up and my cock twitch.

“Morning, little wolf.”

I kiss her, long and deep, and my hand glides down the arch of her back. I love how she shivers beneath my touch.

We break apart. Lexi searches my eyes, silently asking if I’m okay, even though she feels my every emotion.

Rolling to my back, I look at the ceiling. “How did I miss it? I made her my Beta.”

Lexi places her hand on my cheek, returning my stare to hers. “Amanda was very good at hiding in plain sight. Nobody saw this coming. She had us all fooled.”

“I’ll call a pack meeting to bring everyone up to speed. But first, tell me why Leslie abducted you.”

Lexi tells me everything. My pulse quickens with excitement. Finally, I can nail the pricks responsible for Da’s death, to the wall.

“Book three flights to Holland. We’ll update the pack, then give Leslie the good news.” I pull her in for another kiss before jumping into the shower.

Less than an hour later, my packmates are gathered in the assembly hall, awaiting my announcement.

“We found the traitor. It’s Amanda.” There are gasps and calls for her head. “She will be questioned and punished for her betrayal. Adrian, Stacey, Michelle, Brad and Steve, I’m sorry for doubting you.

Thankfully, they hold no resentment.

“Adrian, I want you as my number two. What do you say?”

“Nothing would make me happier. I won’t let you down, Alpha.” He looks around the room. “I won’t let any of you down.”

After everyone cheers, congratulating our new Beta, Lexi informs the pack about our lead against the SEB. Then, I dismiss my wolves.

While Lexi goes to find Leslie, I pull Adrian and Neil to the side. “Lexi and I leave for the airport soon. Keep guards on Amanda. We need her alive until we get answers.”

“Yes, Alpha,” they say before heading in opposite directions.

Alexa

To say Leslie is happy about our lead would be an understatement. He all but drags me to the foyer. Darius meets us there.

“The Netherlands only has one vampire coven,” the Unseelie says. “The Dutch Masters. That’s our starting point.”

Darius pulls me into his chest. “You did good, little wolf.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” I smile. “It could be nothing.”

His grip on my hip tightens. “Or it could be everything.”

“You have a compelling case against the SEB too. It’s a team effort.” I place a kiss against his soft lips.

“Ahem,” Leslie interrupts. I break the kiss to look over my shoulder at him. “Can you two save your vomit-inducing ‘you’re the best, no, you’re the best’ for another time?”

Darius kisses my neck, making me giggle like a schoolgirl.

Leslie throws his hands up in the air and spins on his heels. “I’ll be in the car.”

Darius smiles against my neck. “Well, now we know how to get rid of him.”

I laugh, then moan as he sucks on my lobe. “Behave, or we’ll miss our flight.”

“One more kiss and I’ll be good.”

He drives a hard bargain. But I comply.

We pull up at the Dutch Masters, an old but well-maintained castle. Several life-sized sculptures of men and women in the throes of passion fill the gardens. Black-out blinds cover all the windows, and a pair of gargoyle statues stand at the base of the stairs leading to the front door. It feels like their eyes follow me.

Leslie knocks three times. It takes a few minutes, but a naked vampire answers and allows us entry.

The smell of blood and sex floods my senses. Two vampires openly feed on a naked human in the foyer. By the look of pleasure on her face, she enjoys it.

Leslie wastes no time. “We seek an audience with Master Levi.”

“Follow me.” The doorman leads us up a grand staircase to a large sitting room.

The room is full of naked bodies. Both vampires and humans—all thoroughly enjoying themselves.

To the right, a dark-haired vampire lounges on a loveseat while a blonde human straddles his face. His fangs pierce her femoral artery while his thumb circles her clit. She fists his hair, moaning and grinding into him. A brunette kneels at his feet. Her head bobs up and down his shaft while she fingers herself.

Next to them, three male vamps surround a human—bent over a three-seater. One fucks him from behind, while another fucks his mouth. The human strokes the third’s cock, while the vamp alternates between sucking him off and feeding on his radial artery.

On the left side of the room, two muscular vamps DP a petite human. The vampires work in perfect sync. As one pulls out of her ass, the other thrusts into her pussy—a look of ecstasy is on all their faces. The human throws her head back, screaming as a violent orgasm rips through her.

In the middle of the room, a lady vamp grinds into the human kneeling for her. He feasts on her pussy like she’s his only meal all week. The vamp feeds on a tall woman while fingering her.

Everywhere I look, someone is being fucked, fed on or both. Moans, grunts and groans echo throughout the castle. I clench my thighs together, feeling my panties dampen.

The room exits into a dark hallway.

“I thought shifters knew how to have a good time. Maybe we should partake in the activities on the way out.” Leslie wiggles his eyebrows. “It would be rude not to.”

“Knock yourself out, Leslie.” I laugh.

“I saw the nymphs in Faerie—this is tame in comparison,” Darius adds.

My eyebrows rise.

“Summer Court,” he answers my silent question.

“Ah well, this is true.” Leslie nods. “However, I don’t fancy the life being fucked out of me. A great way to go, but I still have so much to live for.”

“Killer sex nymphs? All I got were murderous redcaps and stinky ogres. I feel cheated,” I smirk.

“I’ll take you back for a vacay after we topple the SEB,” Leslie threatens with a devious smile.

The doorman saves me from saying hell no by opening a double door. It’s a dimly lit office. The walls are painted a deep red. A naked human lies on the mahogany desk. Master Levi fucks her roughly before sinking his fangs into her throat. They come together.

“Master, these visitors wish to speak with you.”

The coven leader feeds for a few beats, then zips his pants and dismisses the human.

Levi’s white shirt is open, showcasing tanned skin and washboard abs. His face looks young—early twenties, but wisdom swims in his green eyes, revealing the master has lived many lifetimes. His dark, wavy hair is short and styled in an organised mess. Stubble dots his square jawline. The vampire looks equally handsome and dangerous.

Levi sits and leans his elbows on the desk. “Welcome. Please, have a seat.”

“Much obliged, Master Levi,” Leslie says as we sit. “We don’t want to take up much of your time, so I’ll get right to it. We’re here to ask about Oliver Johansson.”

My eyes are trained on the vamp, looking for his tells. He doesn’t react—the same bored expression remains on his face.

“We believe he was a member of your coven,” Leslie continues.

“He was."

“Is there anyone here he kept in contact with? Someone he would trust with his possessions,” I ask.

“Why?”

“When Oliver went rogue, he was approached by the SEB. They ordered a hit on a member of the Supernatural Council.” Other than readjusting in his seat, the vamp doesn’t react. But it’s enough to confirm I have his attention. “Once Oliver killed the mage representative, the SEB put a hit on him.”

Levi’s jaw tightens. “Oliver received a true death?”

I nod.

There are a few moments of silence before the vamp master rubs his temples and sighs. “Oliver was a pain in my ass, but I didn’t wish true death upon him. What is it you want from me?”

Leslie jumps in. “We believe Oliver might have hidden the proof the SEB were behind the hit here or with someone he trusted. Could you point us in the right direction?”

Levi considers. “That depends. Why do you want the proof?”

“To take the corrupt sons of bitches down,” Leslie admits.

For the first time since we entered his office, the vampire smiles. “Is that a promise, Fae?”

“It is."

“Excellent. I know exactly where you should look.”

Levi instructs his doorman to take us to an apartment in town. “My associate will accompany you and inform me if you find the file you seek. I expect the SEB to be dealt with promptly.”

Leslie nods, and we all shake Levi’s hand, then head outside. Thankfully, the vamp dresses before driving us to Oliver’s place in the city.

I pick the lock. After searching for damn near an hour, I begin to lose hope. But then I hear Darius yell from the bedroom and feel his excitement through the bond.

Leslie and I rush to meet him. My mate waves a familiar-looking file in victory. A quick skim through the documents confirms the rogue told the truth.

“Thank the Fates! We have them. Good job, mate.”

Gripping the back of his neck, I pull him in for a kiss. My tongue probes for entry, which he readily grants. Our tongues tango as I deepen the kiss.

Leslie mumbles in the background about fucking mate bonds, making me smile.

The phone in my back pocket vibrates. I break the kiss to pull out Amanda’s phone. I took it from her during interrogation and made her remove the lock.

My stomach drops as I read the text Theo sent. “We have a problem.”

I turn the phone around to show Darius the message.

Theo: I’m at Shadow Creek’s border. Bring Darius and his bitch to me!

“Fuck!” Darius hisses. “We need to get home fast.”