Chapter 20 - Sage

I had a lot of fun on the drive over. I was sure I’d like Auðr’s music no matter the genre. And while his glam rock era was a little funny, cause come on, glam rock, it was still him. I found it fascinating that his vampiric ability to use his voice to control people also let him change his voice just enough to sound different for each band. If I didn’t know that each band’s singer was him, I’d never believe it based on audio alone.

Overall, it was just fun enjoying music with him. It felt so... Normal. And normal isn’t something I’ve ever really felt. Before moving to Portland, I was far from ‘normal’ among the kids I attended school with. I dyed my hair purple, wore weird clothes - their words, not mine - and just acted ‘weird.’ And don’t get me started on how the normies at my old school felt about me being nonbinary and never dressing in a way that was fully feminine or masculine.

Then we moved here, and life got flipped upside down. Being a hybrid werewolf wasn’t ‘normal’ even to werewolves. At least Bloodmoon was more accepting of me being nonbinary, having purple hair, and my overall fashion choices. Yet, I still didn’t feel normal. I didn’t have the same drive to find my mate as the other kids. I hadn’t even thought about finding a mate till River found out Leo was theirs. Then I became the weird one in my family, which you’d think would be harder given who’s in my family.

‘You were never meant to be normal.’ Eclipse reminded me.

‘You may not want to think about it, but there is a prophecy about us and our mate. We were always meant to be different because the Goddess wanted us this way. We’re like this so we can be the catalyst for change at Steelcrest. With Auðr, we shall be the change in Steelcrest that André and Aleph Darren brought to Madonie.’ Eclipse went into a lecture.

I half paid attention to my wolf’s words because we’d arrived at the hotel, and the butterflies in my stomach were moving at hummingbird speed, doing aerial feats that left me in knots. I was going to a hotel room with Auðr. I was going to have sex with Auðr. I was going to have sex in general. What if I’m bad at it? He probably already knows I’m an inexperienced virgin. While that, in part, offered me comfort that he shouldn’t hold me to some high standard, it made me feel like I couldn’t satisfy him as someone with experience could. I pushed the thoughts aside and leaned into Auðr as he walked me inside. I’d hoped he’d make a move in the elevator, but that family got on the same elevator and killed that idea.

My heart beat faster with each step toward Auðr’s hotel room. At least my first time won’t be in a rental car parked on the side of the road. This hotel was nice, and I’m sure his room would be nice. And since it’s a hotel, I didn’t have to give a damn who hears us. It’s not as if things had escalated that far in my room at the house. Sure, it would’ve been payback for having to hear everyone else fucking, but I don’t want to deal with my whole family hearing my first time.

My excitement about what was about to happen died when the smell of liquor hit my nose. I wrinkled my nose at the sight of the rest of the band sprawled around on the living room furniture with drunk humans hanging on them. I know Rhapsody is sort of with Léonel, but perched in a guy’s lap, licking his neck, didn’t give that vibe. Sure, she could just be feeding, but the dude’s hand was under her skirt. It wasn’t my business what any of them did with people. I only cared what she was doing because Léonel was important to my mate and Leo.

I remained silent as Auðr sent his band and their groupies packing. At least that meant this room was truly supposed to be just his. It wasn’t like a multi-room suite or some shit. That was a relief, though not enough to counter that they all had a key to Auðr’s room. Auðr’s arm around me tightened as he took a deep breath and slowly let it out after the door closed.

“I am truly sorry about them.” Auðr apologized. “They have this habit of thinking everything is communal, especially if one of us has a better room. I’ll speak with management about how freely they give out keycards. It’s not a good look for the hotel, even if it was to my bandmates.”

“It’s… well, it’s not okay. But it’s not your fault.” I sighed. “And I doubt they thought you’d be coming back so soon, or at least with me.”

“I don’t care their reasoning. My not being here is reason enough not to come into my room. I don’t care if my room has a better view or if they have shared suites. They easily could’ve entertained their meals in any of their suites instead of mine. Then they’d have more rooms for privacy if they wanted it.” Auðr sighed, pulling away from me to start cleaning up their mess in the living room.

I frowned and started to help him. They’d trashed the space. I felt bad for the housekeeping. They’d have to try not only to get the wine out of the light gray carpet but also to get the...

Wait, is that blood?

I leaned closer to a red stain on the back of the light gray sofa to sniff.

Yeah, that’s blood.

The poor housekeeping staff. I mean, I’d feel bad later for any cleanup they’d be facing after Auðr and I have sex, but this wasn’t something we did. Plus, I’m sure hotels are accustomed to sexual fluids. I know I’m drawing the line at blood stains on the sofa. Maybe that makes me weird, but blood is a bitch to get out of stuff, and that’s a nice sofa. My mom would lose her shit if River, Austin, or I got blood on the furniture.

“I hope your label is cool with the extra cleaning fees this mess will cost,” I said, tossing an empty bottle of Jim Bean into the bin.

“Yeah. Albert will make sure it’s handled.” Auðr sighed, tossing some more bottles and broken cups in the trash. “They broke three of the four glasses they stock in the kitchen.”

“Was this…” I gestured to the room. “Normal? Or was it a tantrum cause Daddy got a mate?” I asked.

“Don’t call me daddy. It’s just… it’s creepy, Skittles.” Auðr shook his head.

“Fine. I won’t call you that.” I rolled my eyes.

He may not want to be called Daddy, but I sure don’t mind him calling me Skittles. I’ll have to find a nickname for him he likes. I just need to think about it a bit more. I’m sure I’ll find the perfect nickname for him eventually.

“And this isn’t out of the ordinary for any of them, so who the fuck knows. Retiring is looking pretty nice right about now.” He said, rubbing a hand over his face.

‘If you want this to end with sex, change the subject.’ Eclipse said.

“I have an idea.” I declared.

Auðr arched his brow, silently waiting for me to continue.

“No more talking about the band, your possible retirement, or my possible alpha role. We’re just two mates, finally alone in a hotel room. I bet you can think of better and certainly more fun things to do than talk.” I smirked, subtly licking my lips, or I hoped it was subtle. I’m trying to be sexy, not look stupid.

A slow predator smile spread across Auðr’s face, and fuck if my dick didn’t twitch in my shorts. I was nervous about what the smile meant, but it was a good nervous, if that makes any sense. Auðr didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. Actions speak louder than words. And whoa…

We went from a foot or so between us to none in a blink. Auðr’s mouth was on mine, his arms wrapping around me as we picked back up with the hot and heavy kissing with ease. I stumbled on my shoes as Auðr walked me toward the bedroom. Our kiss got slightly sloppy as we tried to remove each other’s shirts. Auðr broke the kiss, dropping my shirt to let me take his off first.

I licked my lips as I looked at his bare chest, again finding myself drawn in by the wolf’s eyes. It’s crazy that he’s had a tat of Eclipse for decades before I was born. I shook the thought away, easily distracted by Auðr’s cool fingers grazing my ribs as he pulled my shirt off. Fuck I love how this feels. The sparks of the mate bond. His cool touch on my skin. The calluses he had before becoming a vampire were rough on my skin.

We were back to kissing once my shirt was off. After nearly taking us both down when I tripped on an ottoman, Auðr picked me up and carried me into the bedroom. I didn’t look around the room. I didn’t care. I could take in the view later. The only view that mattered to me was Auðr, especially as he sat me down on the king-size bed and pulled away.

“Are you sure you want to do this tonight?” Auðr asked, hands on his belt.

I licked my lips, eyes focused on the bulge in his jeans as I nodded.

“My eyes are up here, and I’m gonna need verbal confirmation, Skittles,” Auðr said, tilting my face by the chin.

“Yes. I’m sure I want this. I’m sure I want you.” I assured him.

“You can change your mind at any time,” Auðr assured me, rubbing his thumb over my lips before taking his hand away.

I missed his touch but didn’t complain as I was getting the show of a lifetime. I watched, enraptured, as Auðr removed his belt and unzipped his jeans.

Fuck me!

The man was freeballing! No boxers. He had no underwear of any kind as he pulled his jeans down. Just pristine pale skin, dark pubic hair, and a hard uncircumcised dick. I’ve mentioned that I don’t think before I act, right? Yep, this was one of those times. After Auðr had stepped out of his shoes and the jeans, I wrapped my hand around his dick. The first cock that wasn’t mine I’ve gotten my hands on. I don’t know why I didn’t expect to be cold like the rest of him, yet I was surprised that it was so hard yet so cold.

“Fuck.” Auðr groaned. “You can grip it harder. Promise you won’t break it.”

I took the encouragement, tightened my grip, and started stroking him. That got me another moan of pleasure from his lips. I’d never seen an uncircumcised cock before, and damn, it was interesting to watch as the foreskin pulled back the harder he got to reveal the tip. Curiosity got the best of me as I leaned forward and licked the newly exposed tip.

Auðr moaned, his hand finding my hair tugging just a little. In for a penny in for a pound, right? I decided to follow my instincts and every p**n I’ve watched and took more in my mouth. It’s a night of firsts, and it starts with me giving my mate a blow job. I don’t generally take instructions well, but Auðr seemed to know how to guide me to do what he liked.