After the whole ordeal of my introduction and acceptance as a Sire I was bombarded by unannounced visits, phone calls and emails. Sires from all over sent me gifts and more than a few of them wanted to know if I would train their future Sires to fight vampires.I was kept so busy that I hadn’t seen Megan for four days now. I had received a multitude of alliance offers and business proposals sent my way and I was feeling very out of my depth. Lucas had laughed and put the phone down in my ear when I called him for advice.It also seemed that I had somehow gotten a new nickname and even the Elders had started referring to me as the Hunter. Abeloth loved it and basked in the glory of all the attention we were getting where I hated being put in the spotlight.“Come in,” I said at the knock on the office door.“Morning Sire Ryder,” she said as she opened my door and remained standing in the doorway.“Linda, please come in,” I said as I stood up.Linda proceeded to walk into my office follo
Megan was still avoiding me and not answering any of my texts so I stopped. Linda had been a life saver so far and she took complete control of my day to day operations and she had an uncanny knowledge about Sire life, other lairs and how to handle the unwanted ones.I parked my truck in front of their house on the night of the Sire meeting to pick Brenda up. I walked up to their door and rang the doorbell and smiled brightly when she opened the door and invited me inside.“She’ll be right down Sire,” Linda said.“Linda I really thought we were past all this Sire stuff,” I said to her.Brenda came down the stairs and I had to admit she looked really beautiful. I smiled as I looked at her and offered my hand to her as she reached the bottom step of the staircase.“Don’t worry Sire Ryder, you’re not my type,” she said and I laughed.“Please just call me Ryder, and I’m happy to hear that you won’t turn into one of those Sire crazy girls,” I said to her as she smiled.“Drive safe,” Linda
“What the hell just happened back there?” Brenda asked sounding near hysterics.“It’ll be okay Brenda,” I said to her as I stepped on the gas and sped up on the highway.“Why was he acting like that?” she asked.“Brenda, his dragon recognized you as his bonded half,” I said to her.“Oh no, no, no, no,” she said as her hands instantly went around her arms as she cradled herself.“His name’s Cameron O’Connell, his father is the Sire of the Chicago lair. I’ve known them my whole life and I know that he’ll arrive at my house with his father and probably mine as well not long after we reach it,” I said to her.“I can’t do this,” she whispered fearfully.“Brenda, look at me. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. This remains your choice and as your Sire I won’t force you to recognize this bond if you don’t feel ready to do it,” I said to her.“Do you promise?” she asked me.“I promise you, you’re part of my lair and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe,” I assured her.Forty mi
I heard the front door open and close and I smiled as I thought to myself that Link didn’t waste time tonight. I looked up as Megan walked past my office with her head down and I looked at my watch again. It was three am.“Megan?” I called out to her.“I’m fine,” she said and I heard her on the stairs.I sat there for a few minutes frowning before I stood up and followed her upstairs. Something was off, why would she say she was fine. I hurried up the stairs and stopped in front of her bedroom and knocked on the door. I could hear the shower and I could hear her crying.I pushed the door open and saw that she had left the bathroom door open. I sensed too many emotions to make sense of them. I walked into the bathroom not worrying that she might be naked my only worry was why she was crying. I opened the door and found her sitting in the corner hugging herself and she lowered her head quickly when she saw me.“What the fuck,” I whispered as I looked at her.She started crying again as
On Monday morning I followed Megan to work to make sure that Alex Redford had indeed left the territory and that the principal at the school was aware of his banishment. Megan didn’t acknowledge my presence and I felt uncomfortable as her colleagues leered at me. Most of them were human and I pretended not to notice them.Back at home in the office Linda went through everything with me that needed to be done and we talked about Brenda and Cameron for a while. I was pleasantly pleased to learn that Linda had gotten Brenda to agree to really try to give Cameron a chance and not to reject him outright.“Your father phoned twice while you were out saying that your cell is off, he wants you to call him back,” Linda said.“Shit yeah it died, did he say what he wanted?” I asked her.“As if I’m going to ask that man what he wants with you,” she said and laughed.“Fair enough,” I said as I picked the landline up and dialed his number.“This is Lucas,” he answered as Linda left the office.“I’m
Dinner with the family was actually very nice. We laughed a lot and between me and Chase we were glaring at each other the whole night. We’ve always been that way with each other, but there was also nothing we wouldn’t do for the other one. We had a twisted sort of relationship and my mother kept telling Megan that she could do better than me. She was more pissed off than Lucas had let on but Megan just laughed and held her own between them all very well.We arrived home and Megan went upstairs as she yelled goodnight to me and I went to the kitchen. I probably would have to grovel too, since I told her I would do whatever it took to convince her. Ten minutes later I knocked on her door.“Come in,” she said loudly and I opened the door.“I brought you tea,” I said and froze for a second as she walked out of the bathroom.“Thank you,” she said with a smile and took the cup from me.“What the hell are you wearing?” I asked her staring at her open mouthed.“Pajamas,” she said as she sat
I had arrived back in Princeton just after midnight but I was too worked up to sleep. I was in the gym working my frustrations out on the boxing bag with my bare fists. I had only pulled my shirt off as I started laying into that bag. I hadn’t even noticed the tears that were running freely down my face as Felix’s image kept intruding on my thoughts.“Fucking bastards,” I said in anger as I kept punching that bag.“Who?” Megan asked behind me. I stopped punching the bag but I didn’t turn around to look at her.“People,” I said softly.She walked right up to me and hugged me from behind, pressing herself against my sweaty back as her arms encircled me. I rested my head against the boxing bag as I tried to clear my mind from all the overwhelming emotions.“Talk to me,” she said as her arms loosened their grip and she came to stand in front of me.“Why aren’t you asleep?” I asked her instead.“Why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll bring you some coffee and then you can tell me all abou
Megan had given me a death stare before leaving for work while I just laughed and Link shook his head as he looked at me. We had a busy day ahead of us and we left not long after Megan did.“What’s going on with you two?” he asked me.“I believe Megan was supposed to be my bonded half, Abeloth agrees so I told her that,” I said to him.“And?” he asked.“And now she’s got me jumping through hoops proving that I can be faithful and shit,” I said as he laughed.“So what’s with the death glare this morning?” he asked me.“I’m just giving her a taste of her own medicine, she’s teasing the shit out of me so I returned the favour this morning,” I said.“The sexual tension between you two is going to lead to you guys banging on the stairs or someplace,” he said as I laughed.“Hopefully sooner rather than later, she’s winning this little game of hers wearing pajamas that covers basically nothing and acting like it’s all normal while I stutter and drool,” I said to him as he laughed again.“You
Tank had driven back with the team to get his car at my house while I drove to Aurora and stopped at Lucas’s house. I sat in the driveway for a while and when I looked up Lucas was standing on the patio looking at me. “Hey Dad,” I said as he walked towards me and grabbed me into a hug. “You can let go of it all now,” he said as tears made their way across my cheeks. I had no idea why I was crying, maybe because I could let go of the guilt or maybe because I felt relief, either way I had never cried like this before. We stood like that for a while and he let go of me as I wiped my eyes dry. He led me into the quiet house and into the living room where he poured a drink for both of us. “I’m glad you stopped here first,” he said as he emptied his glass. “I’m not really sure why,” I said to him. “Sometimes we just need to let go, there’s no shame in crying Ry, no shame at all,” he said as I took a sip from my glass. “I’m going to ask Megan to marry me and before you ask no I won’t b
Tank and I drove in my truck and Basil, Elio and Marlo followed behind us as we drove to the Elders lair in Chicago. The last time I was there was when I finally met Abeloth and my thoughts turned to Chase suddenly. “You’re making the right decisions Ryder,” Tank said suddenly and I glanced at him. “I hope so,” I said to him. “Megan’s good people, you two suit each other,” he said to me. “Megan’s great,” I said and he smiled. “Don’t fuck it up,” he said and I laughed. “What about you Tank, when are you settling down?” I asked him. “Probably never, my type isn’t exactly welcome in my world,” he said. “What’s your type?” I asked him. “You really don’t know do you?” he asked. “Know what?” I asked him. “My preferred type is men,” he said and the truck swerved over the other lane as I looked at him. “You’re gay?” I asked him as he laughed. “Yes,” he said as he looked out of the window. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?” I asked him. “I didn’t want you to treat me differently, it’
I stood on the patio and smiled as the two cars pulled into the driveway. I stepped off the last step as Tank picked me and attempted to break my ribs.“Little Ryder!” he yelled excitedly as he put me down and I was instantly tackled to the ground as Elio rushed towards me.“Bastard,” I said as I stood up and Elio laughed at me.“Stop bitching I know you missed us dearly,” he said as Basil walked towards me.“It’s good to see you Basil,” I said as we hugged and I saw Marlo as she climbed out of the car.“Ryder!” she squealed as I caught her and we hugged.“So Marlo tells me there are wedding bells in the near future,” Elio said as he winked at me.“Nothing gets past you Marlo,” I said as she smiled and we all walked inside.Elio and Basil zipped upstairs with their luggage and was back in a flash again as I led them through to the dining room where everyone waited. Johnathan was still with us and he was slowly winning Shelley over.“Sweet little Megan!” Tank yelled as he ran to her an
To say Shelley was freaked out was putting it mildly. She had left the dinner table soon after Johnathan's revelation and I took him up to his room, which coincidentally was right next to hers. He looked somewhat dejected when she left the dining room earlier.“Maybe just give her some time,” I said to him.“I understand that she’s freaking out right now, I have a beast explaining all this to me, I mean here I am a strange man seeking her attention while she’s recovering from an assault,” he said and shook his head.“Let’s see how things go tomorrow at breakfast,” I said and slapped him on the back lightly as I opened his bedroom door for him.“Thank you Ryder,” he said as I nodded and left him.I went upstairs and sank down on the bed fully clothed. It had been a busy day and I got the feeling that I’d be seeing more of Johnathan Thomas. I felt bad for the guy but he was trying to do it right for this new lair he’d taken over.“No shoes on the bed,” Megan said as I felt her sit down.
“Good afternoon Sire Grey,” the man said as Link showed him into my office.“Welcome Sire Thomas,” I said as we shook hands and I led him over to the couch area.“Please call me Johnathan,” he said as we sat down and I offered him a drink.Johnathan didn’t seem to be much older than me and he seemed relaxed in my office. I didn’t get any bad vibes from him although I never judged someone on first appearances, looks can be deceiving and I didn’t trust that easily.“I’ll just cut to the chase here,” he said with a smile as he took the glass I offered him.“That works for me,” I said and leaned back in the seat.“Like you, I’m the second son of a Sire, my father’s lair is based in California, so when I heard that Springfield was looking for a replacement Sire I took the opportunity and met with the Elders which means I’m basically a stand in until I get confirmed,” he said.“So you just swooped in and took over?” I asked him.“Basically. I did my research, I know who you are, what you ca
Shelley and her baby were in good health and I wasn’t sure if Shelley was happy or sad about that. Megan had also found the ring I bought her so my surprise was now ruined and I contemplated just giving her the ring to wear.“Ryder?” Link broke through my thoughts as I sat in the office and my head turned towards his.“Yeah?” I asked.“Have you heard a word I’ve been saying?” he asked me.“Sorry,” I said and gave him my full attention.“Alex Redford isn’t at the house, I sent a few warriors to scope out his residence, even the electricity’s been disconnected,” he said.“Why would he leave?” I asked myself.“Maybe he knows she came here,” Link suggested.“Send his details out to our allies, I want him alive,” I said.The laptop pinged and I looked at yet another email from the Elders when a knock on my door disturbed us. Link stood up to open the office door and a seething Wentworth walked inside.“Morning,” I said as I watched his face.“Leave,” he said to Link as he sat down.“You se
I was sitting up straight in bed flicking through the channels on the television when Megan walked out of the dressing room and the remote fell from my hands as I looked at her.“Is this payback?” I asked her.“Of course not,” she said with a smile telling me she was doing this on purpose.“Uh huh,” I said as I picked the remote up again.“You don’t like it?” she asked me as she walked towards the bed.“Oh I like it,” I said, “it’s just not going to work.”“I have no idea what you’re talking about, it’s just pajamas,” she said and I laughed as I put the pillow on my lap and closed my eyes.“I’m strong, I can do this, I can resist,” I said to myself softly.“Can you really?” she asked as I opened my eyes and she was right in front of me.“You don’t play fair,” I said to her as she grabbed the pillow from my lap and straddled me.“All is fair in love and war,” she whispered.“You’re playing with fire,” I said to her as she started kissing me.She started moving on top of me as she kisse
We had set everything up outside at the back of the house and I saw Lucas and Rylee first as he opened the front door and walked into the house. He carried two coolers and Rylee hugged me so tight that I thought she was going to crack my ribs. Melissa walked straight to Chase and hit him on the back of his head.“Welcome,” I said once Rylee let go of me and Hannah treated me the same. Rev just grunted what I assumed to be a greeting as they placed the coolers next to the empty chairs.“Megan!” Rylee said happily as she walked out of the kitchen with a platter of snacks in her hands.“I’ll take that,” I said as Rylee grabbed Megan in a hug.“I’m so glad you all came!” Megan said excitedly.“Now where’s that future son in law?” Hannah asked as Rev’s eyes flashed yellow.“Go easy on him, Emily’s already giving him shit and he’s not a bad guy,” I said.The front door opened again and Jasper walked in followed closely by Haley, Brandon and Kimberley. Preston and Jennifer were already mingl
Chase, Emily, Jason, Truman and Brady had all seen the video that Cameron took of my lair meeting and they had taken it upon themselves to come and talk some sense into me. They were surprised to see Megan here and I didn’t really have any answers for them except that I was still the Sire of the lair.“Well that was a wasted trip,” Truman said.“Not really, Emily bonded,” Chase said with a wide grin.“Why are you smiling like that, bonding’s a good thing,” Link said as we all started laughing again.“You haven’t met her parents have you?” Truman asked.“No, why?” Link asked as he looked a bit paler.“Oh man can we have a party when Link’s introduced to them?” Jason asked.“Come on guys, it’s not that bad,” I said.“She bonded with him while his hook up was fighting in the kitchen with Megan!” Chase said.“Rev’s going to have a field day with him!” Brady said.“Obviously if I knew I’d meet her today I would never have brought that other thing home,” Link said in his defense.“What do y