Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Alessia’s blood hunger grew as she struggled to stand still and not respond to the temptation of the scent of the crimson life essence growing in the air. She locked her knees, holding herself in place as the red symbols above overlapped and vibrated with energy.
The cup appeared in Titus’s hand. She could see the dark liquid filling the cup. Alessia held her breath as Titus sliced his wrist and added a droplet to the others. When he gestured his hand out for hers, she extended her arm. She bit her lip, refusing to cry out as he opened her vein. Alessia quickly pushed the sting from her mind as he helped her join her blood to the others in the clan. That droplet shimmered amongst the others before dissolving into part of the whole.
Titus lifted the cup to her lips. Drink.
When she hesitated, he tapped the center of his chest three times in their secret signal. Assured of his love, she complied.
Flavor burst over her tongue at the combined life’s blood of the clan. She tried to memorize the parts but could only focus on the comingled essence. Alessia’s gaze rose as she savored the taste, eager to see what would show above her.
The letters of her name appeared, jumbled and twisted together to form something new. Alessia recognized the symbol as herself. Titus’s mark merged with hers, creating a combination of the two. She stared at it as a wave of emotion filled her. Tracing the source of that love and joy, Alessia discovered the trail led to Titus.
Sound filled the room. A stunning combination of everyone’s voices swirled around the domed roof. The chant held a weighty impact on her mind and heart as she picked out distinct tones belonging to those she’d learned over the last few weeks. Carina. Marcus. Darius. Bram. Donovan. Alaric. Titus.
We are the children of the Night.
Hear our unity, heed our plight!
Our life essences for the ultimate reward.
The clan celebrates Titus’s adored!
The glint of the chalice caught her eye. The last note seemed ripped from the air as Alaric drew the cup to his lips. He drained the last of the liquid. Light exploded, hurting her eyes. Instinctively, Alessia shielded her face against Titus’s bulk. His powerful arms wrapped around her, and he held Alessia securely as her vision blurred and her mind took refuge in darkness.
Soft fur brushed her face when she woke. Hugged tightly to Titus’s hard body, she cradled her stuffie close. Blinking into the blooming morning light, she turned to see Titus sleeping next to her. His handsome face was relaxed in sleep.
Alessia had never expected to love anyone this much or have them feel so strongly about her. She would never doubt the depth of her Daddy’s love. He’d shown her so much about being true to herself and the care that she needed. Titus had freed her from her family and from her dangerous fate.
The participation of their Nightfall friends in the ceremony meant the world to her. She could count on their support now and in the future. The bonding with the clan had wiped away her human ties. Her heart went out to Bram, Darius, Donovan, and Alaric. Please let them find their Littles.
Warm lips pressed a kiss to her shoulder. She met Titus’s heated gaze. “Stop thinking, Little mate. It’s time to celebrate.”
Alessia nodded eagerly. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to Titus’s. Instant passion flared between them. Wrapping her arms around his powerful form, she melted against her Daddy and abandoned herself to showing him how much she loved him.
Chapter
Nineteen
Mara Eliot parked her car, marveling at the crowd already gathering at Nightfall on Friday afternoon. “How early do these people line up for a Friday night party?” She couldn’t imagine leaving work at noon to stand for hours in a queue.
Walking purposefully toward the entrance, she bypassed the crowd. Mara ignored the protests. She wasn’t here for the nightclub. At the door, she pounded on the blackened glass.
Finally, a gigantic man appeared beside her at the locked entrance. “If you break the glass, you’ll pay for it and be banned for life.”
“I’m from the bank. I need to talk to your CFO,” Mara reported, looking at her watch. She should have already been back at her desk. After weeks of Darius Spanos failing to reply to her efficient emails, Mara had come to him.
“CFO?”
“Chief Financial Officer. Darius Spanos. Is he available?” Mara asked, keeping herself from rolling her eyes at the muscle man’s lack of knowledge.
“Darius? Have you tried sending him a message? The bank has his contact information.”
“I’ve called, texted, and emailed. I need to stress the urgency in the reason I’ve reached out to him,” Mara explained. When she saw the man’s face was unmoved before her, she knew she’d never get through the guard. Taking a chance, she blurted, “Look, I could lose my job for sharing some critical data with Mr. Spanos. I can’t put anything in writing. I don’t want to see anything mess with his accounts—on the contrary, I’m trying to stop someone else.”