Vance slunk in the front door, eyes shielded from the harsh morning light by his hand. Closing the door he leaned back against it, blinking in the soothing darkness. There was movement somewhere above him and he pushed away from the door, moving to the door hidden back next to the stairs. He descended, ignoring the questioning call from above. Stripping off his shirt he sighed, as he always did as he descended underground. The air was cooler, even at so shallow a depth and the rising sun no longer weighed so heavily upon him. He threw the shirt into the bin in the corner and pushed at the heavy scarlet hanging that hid the stone walls from view. Behind it he gripped a metal latch and pushed with all his strength.

The door opened slowly and he left it open as he passed through into the dark hallway beyond. Another door requiring velassi strength barred his way and finally his bare feet passed from stone to carpet. He flicked the switch, smiling as flickering false candles lit up. Kel thought them tacky but he liked them. Electricity was a new thing to their race but he shuddered to be sealed in a room surrounded by fire so Kel had given in and allowed him to hire people to wire the room. The workers had been confused as to the room’s existence but the challenge of figuring out how to get electricity to it had chased away their confusion.

When they’d finished they had no memories of it to wonder about.

He peeled off his pants, tossing them in a corner. He smelled of the crowded city and debated upon showering but Kel had been upstairs and would undoubtedly be in there taking care of his own nightly clean up so he pushed the desire away, turned off the lights, and climbed under the covers. He closed his eyes but sleep eluded him, as it always did, until he heard the doors closing and the latches falling across to bar the way.

There was a heavy sigh that made him feel like a scolded child. He hated that feeling so when the covers lifted and his mate slipped under he reached out, wrapping his arms about the smaller form and nuzzling his mate’s wet hair.

“Cutting it close this evening were we?” Kel asked, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

Vance shrugged and tried to distract him by stroking his chest.

Kel rolled over and Vance smiled sleepily as his mate pushed up onto his hands above him. “Hmm, good idea, I think I like this new kink.”

His mate’s face took on a look of confusion and he reached down, pulling Kel’s knees up until he sat on his lap. He wriggled suggestively and Kel’s face lost the look of confusion. He laughed, knowing that if his mate had fed recently he would have been blushing too. Hands smacked at him and he let his mate roll off of him.

“Honestly.” Kel grumbled.

Laughing Vance caught him around the waist, pulling him tighter to him. Sleep was dragging him down and he murmured against the back of his mate’s neck.

Kel sighed, staring out into the darkness as he felt the sire’s body go limp. Assured that his mate had succumbed to sleep he rose, slipping from the room, and down the hall. He fished around in the basket, pulling the rumpled shirt from it. He hesitated a moment before shaking off the nagging moral worry and pressing it to his face.

He sighed heavily, letting the shirt fall away. A little abashed he returned, slipping under the covers and nuzzling under his mate’s chin, satisfied that his mate hadn’t been out with another. The young sire had been moody of late, slinking out early in the evening and not returning until late. When they did hunt together he seemed distracted and in a hurry to return before disappearing the moment Kel turned around.

He shook his head. It had been so long since he’d been young and he’d certainly never been a sire. Perhaps it was just some lingering wonderlust. Perhaps, Kel mused, despite what his body demanded of him, Vance was not yet ready to settle down and to start a family.

Kel slipped into sleep and it was troubled with dreams he did not care for.

When he woke the bed was empty but he could hear Vance moving about above.

With a yawn to bring his body back to life and to fill his lungs he rose, not bothering with clothing. Naked, he made his way up the stairs, following the sounds to the living room where he leaned against the doorway, watching his mate cursing over his hair as he struggled to pull it back. He laughed softly, catching his mate’s attention.

Vance paused, his hands behind his head, a clip hanging from his mouth. His shirt was half opened and barely tucked in, white against the black jacket he wore. His feet were bare and startlingly pale against the oriental carpet. His eyes were wide and Kel pushed away from the wall, moving deliberately.

He reached out, catching either side of the soft black jacket, pulling his mate closer as Vance blinked at him. Laughing throatily he tucked his head under his mate’s chin, pushing his head upwards to bare his throat. He felt the groan rumble through the barreled chest as he bit down, chewing lightly at the skin there as he inhaled the musky scent of his mate. Finally he found the spot where the sluggish pulse thudded with deathly slowness and he bit down, drawing out the weak blood.

Hands rested on his shoulders a moment and he tightened his jaw until they slid down over his back and gripped his ass, pulling him up onto his toes. He felt fangs brush over his neck and he pulled back, peering up at his mate’s face. Vance studied him through narrowed eyes and he smirked, backing up and pulling his mate along with him.

Vance stalked after him and when the sire suddenly lunged he danced back, laughing at the younger creature. Vance gave chase and longer legs prevailed as his mate caught him halfway up the stairs and swung him off his feet to be carried up the stairs. He laughed and squirmed, trying to free himself but the sire was having none of it and he found himself tossed up onto the bed. He bounced and before he could catch himself his mate was over him, trapping him on his back between arms and legs.

Grinning he reached up, wrapping his arms about his mate’s neck.

“Now that you’ve got me what are you going to do with me?” He asked, grinning as realization struck his mate.

Vance growled at his state. He was aroused but without new blood there was little he soft cock was going to be able to do about it.

He caught his mate’s eye. “Don’t . . . move . . .” He warned.

Kel rolled over onto his side, propping his head up with one hand as he watched his mate flee the room. He laughed softly to himself. “Don’t be long!” He called, the door slamming his only answer. Grinning he studied his nails. At least for one night his mate would return before dawn break.

**

Vance was practically frantic as he hunted. The first human he came across alone became food and he was halfway back before he realized he’d have to feed for his mate as well. Snarling he turned back. A second human was harder to find and it was nearly an hour before he headed back. Flinging his shirt and pants aside he was half way up the stairs when Kel came wandering down past him.

Fully clothed.

He snarled, whirling upon his mate who ignored him, tossing his hair over one shoulder and tightening his tie.

“What’s this?” He demanded, practically hopping down the stairs after him.

Kel bent to pick up the discarded jacket and shirt, handing them to him with a smile. “We have a party to go to, remember?”

“NO!” Vance exclaimed as his mate sighed and began dressing him. “What party? I didn’t agree to any party!”

“Of course you did, last week.” Kel reminded patiently.

Vance spluttered, trying to dodge the jacket his mate was trying to force on him. “Stop it! I don’t want to go to a party! Get naked, damnit!”

Kel sidestepped the grabby hands trying to tear his clothes off of him. “Now be nice. We’ll have some fun afterwards.” He winked and, when his mate whirled on him, shoved the protesting sire out the door.

They had a car, though Vance didn’t know how to drive and the sire sulked in the car, pressed against the side like a child who’d been denied his treat. Kel sighed, reaching out to rest his hand on his mate’s leg.

“Come on now. We haven’t gone out lately and you know I hate being cooped up. I want to do something together.”

Vance scowled at him. “We were going to do something together.” He pointed out.

Kel pulled up to the curb and laughed softly, leaning over to press a kiss to his mate’s cheek. “And we will, later on.” He promised, getting out before Vance could continue to protest.

Vance sulked another moment but when the valet got in he had no choice but to get out. He slammed the door a bit harder than was appropriate, earning a few speculative glances. Kel was already at the door and he stalked after him, growling at this coat checker at the door. He was momentarily blinded by the bright light reflected by a thousand tiny shards of glass and large mirrors. Blinking to clear his vision he stared down at the great hall.

He recognized most of the people and forced a pleasant look on his face. He saw his mate down among them already, greeting people. He found a corner and stuck to it, scowling whenever his mate’s gaze drifted to him. Kel’s face soon lost all pleading and darkened in the beginning of anger but still he would not go among their acquaintances. Kel moved into one of the inner rooms, leaving him without a backward glance and he continued to sulk in the corner. He couldn’t sulk for too long though and without his mate to put on a show for he accepted the greetings of a few people who were the closest to friends his kind allowed.

It was as he was listening to an inane story that he caught the scent that had been tormenting him for weeks.

Immediately he was on his feet, sharp eyes scanning the crowd for the intruding sire. He circled the hall, trying to follow the scent through the sea of synthetic smells. When he realized Xian was not among the revelers in the main hall he stalked towards the smaller back room, his instincts prickling at the thought of another sire so close to his mate. The next room was more intimate but his gaze was immediately attracted to his mate out on the balcony. Turning his back on the balcony he studied the room but could not find Xian there either.

It was pure chance that caused him to turn at the same moment Kel moved, catching his attention. A hand that was not his mate’s came to rest on his shoulder and the other leaned forward to whisper something that caused Kel to laugh. Beyond the sudden fan of his mate’s hair as he pulled back he caught sight of his prey.

His hands fisted and he couldn’t keep his lips from curling back as the unmated sire followed his mate’s move, reaching out to catch Kel’s elbow. Kel turned towards him, amusement making his face light up as he responded to Xian’s words. With a low growl he made his way to the balcony.

Xian saw him coming, the sire’s dark eyes narrowing dangerously. Vance didn’t notice that but he did notice that his rival’s hand tightened on his mate’s arm and that only helped push him over the edge. He caught the edge of the balcony door, slamming it shut behind him as he leapt. Xian and he tumbled over the railing and onto the dark grass below. He snarled and clawed, trying desperately to wound before the older sire managed to regain his footing and turn the tables.

Xian managed to get an arm under him and he cursed as he was shoved back. The older sire crouched, ready to lunge at him when Kel finally caught up to them.

“Stop it!” He snarled, his age making him a force to be recognized, even by the two quarrelling sires.

“This brat bothering you, Kel?” Xian asked.

Vance snarled, offended.

Kel gave him a piercing glare and he quieted.


“He’s not bothering me.”

Xian rose and reached out to Kel but before he could touch him Vance was there, making him stumble backwards as he insinuated himself between them.

Xian threw his head back and laughed, circling them. Vance turned with him, glaring at the sire.

“Oh you can’t be serious, child.” He said, his voice dripping with distain. “Go back to the nursery and play with your toys. Let the adults play.”

Vance only growled, snapping his fangs in the dark night.

Xian shook his head. “Honestly, Kel. That soft spot for weak things causes all sorts of problems. Let me send the brat off and we’ll get on with it.”

Vance stiffened slightly at the insinuation there but Kel beat him to a demand explanation.

“I think you should go, Xian.” The father said, resisting the urge to go closer to the other sire, knowing it would either send his mate into a rage or cause him to drag him back.

Again Xian shook his head. “Its time you get back into the cycle of our kind. I can even give you the name of a friend to send the brat too since he seems to have an unhealthy attachment to you.”

“Get out of my territory!” Vance growled, tired of being insulted.

The black haired velassi folded his arms against his chest. “What have you been filling this kid’s head with, Kel? He acts like he owns the place.”

Kel turned his face away from the dark gaze and Xian’s eyes narrowed.

“You can’t be serious!” He growled, moving towards them.

Stiffening Vance watched the other sire come.

“Leave him be, he is my mate.” Kel responded, glancing back up at the other.

“Kel, this brat couldn’t chew his way out of a cardboard box! You don’t stay single as long as you have and then give it all up for someone who couldn’t protect you or your territory from a marauding sheep!” The older sire scolded.

Kel remained silent and Vance felt a sting of hurt that his mate didn’t stand up for him. Shaking his head he stared at the other sire. “You know our laws. Leave.” He demanded.

Xian snorted. “I could kill him.” He stated darkly.

Glancing up at the sire Kel shook his head. “Don’t. It will get you nothing.”

Xian’s lips thinned but he backed off. It made Vance’s eyes narrow as he considered something he hadn’t before. Yes, the older sire could probably have killed him but for him to not protest Kel’s declaration meant he did not think he could best the father. Logically he knew fathers and sires had the same strength but it was something he hadn’t truly realized before.

Xian made a disgusted sound and left, leaving them alone in the dark.

Vance turned, watching as his mate walked away from him. He followed silently, staring out the window on the drive back home. They made the trip in strained silence and he waited quietly as his mate unlocked the front door and followed him in. He walked past his mate into the foyer as Kel locked the door. He paused and for what seemed an eternity there was no words between.

Finally Kel sighed and turned towards him, studying him.

“Why do I feel like I’ve done something wrong?” He asked.

Vance’s lips parted in surprise and glanced away. “Are you angry with me?” He asked.

He heard his mate’s foot steps but did not look up until hands cupped his chin and forced his head up. Kel smiled gently at him. “No.” He whispered before pressing their lips together.

Their tongues touched before Kel pulled back, the gentle smile turning teasing. “Though you did ruin my evening . . .” he pulled open his mate’s jacket to study the torn shirt, “And your clothes . . . and my reputation. Now I won’t be able to go back to the city without people shouting ‘baby stealer!’ at me.”

Vance scowled and stalked after his slowly retreating mate. “I’ll show you that I’m a grown man!” He growled, lifting his mate’s smaller body over his shoulder and stalking up the stairs. Kel laughed and once again was bounced onto the bed they used exclusively for love making.

An arm circled his waist and a harsh kiss pressed his back against the headboard, trapping him as his mate clawed at his clothes, shredding them. He tore his mouth from his mate’s to gasp as claws pricked at his nipples, making him shudder at the sharp pain. Vance nuzzled his neck a moment before hissing against his skin.

“You’ve fed.” He accused.

Kel laughed softly.

“Was it a man?” Vance crooned.

A smirk curved the corners of the father’s lips. “Maybe.”

Kel yelped as he was dragged down until he lay trapped under his mate. Vance’s fangs snapped over his face. “What is his name?” He asked.

Kel merely smiled as he reached up to release his mate’s mane of hair from the silver clip.

The sire snorted and tossed the heavy fall of hair back out of his face. “Naughty father,” he growled, dipping his face to rub his cheek against his mate’s.

“I do what I want.” Kel declared into his mate’s ear, nipping at it.

The sire grunted, lowering himself until he rested on his mate. “That will have to change.”

Kel laughed and lifted his arms up over his head. “You can try.” He challenged.

Like all sires his mate seemed up for the challenge for he found his wrists caught in an iron grip. He arched and gasped as the bones ground together and instinct demanded he fight. Vance merely snorted at his efforts, forcing his knee between his legs and drawing it along the V of his groin. Kel shuddered, turning his face against his arm.

He was drawn up by the wrists and he watched as his mate clawed off the offending garments. Vance kicked off his shoes but was otherwise still dressed when he dragged his mate’s arm down and pinned them behind his back, forcing the pale chest outwards. He lapped at the offered feast, nipping at pert nipples to force them to harden with stolen blood.

Kel tossed his head, gasping. Vance grinned, licking a trail downwards to the sensitive spot on his mate’s side. The father bucked, a garbled scream telling him when he found the sweet spot. With his free hand he held his mate’s hip down, torturing him until he begged him to stop. Grinning in satisfaction he rewarded his mate by licking at his desire.

Kel murmured appreciatively as Vance worked him. The sire pushed the skin down, forcing his sensitive head free and pounced on it, swirling his tongue over the glands until Kel saw black. He twisted and bucked, loving the sharp sensations that flooded over him. Assured that he had his mate’s most enthusiastic cooperation Vance sat up, reaching over to fumble with the bedside table but Kel stopped him with a hazy gaze.

“No, not tonight.” He murmured.

Vance hesitated, his hand resting upon the vial of oil. “Are you sure?” He asked.

The father nodded, his tongue flickering out over flushed lips and that was all the urging Vance needed. Cursing at his pants he managed to get them open and pushed himself against his mate. It took a few thrusts but he finally found purchase and pushed into his mate’s body, tearing him open. He lay upon his mate, their bodies pressed together. This position required Kel’s help as well and he reveled in his mate’s participation as the father undulated beneath him in response to his quick thrusts.

Kel’s eyes were golden with desire and when the corners pinched in a pending orgasm Vance lost his control, spilling himself into his mate. Beneath him Kel shuddered and did the same. He remained firmly lodged inside his mate, resting atop him until their pulses slowed. Pressing a kiss to his mate’s neck he shifted, making his mate arch and moan as it shifted him within. He laughed softly, coaxing Kel onto his side and pulling him tight against his stomach.

There was silence for so long Kel suspected his mate had fallen asleep but suddenly it was broken by a question.

“So . . . how long have you known Xian?” Vance asked, conversationally.

Kel, however, was not fooled and elbowed the sire in the stomach. “Get over it you possessive bastard.” He growled.

From behind him he heard his mate’s soft laughter as the arms tightened about him.

Vance, he knew, may be possessive but as they lie there together Kel couldn’t argue that he enjoyed every minute of it. Closing his eyes he let himself drift in the haze. No, robbing the cradle in this case had worked out very well for him.

Very well indeed.