The Alpha's Mate and the Vampire King
The Alpha’s Mate and the Vampire King Chapter 11

More, Viktor snapped, reaching for the next in line.

Sasha. This one he’d fed from often. He’d taken the vein of six already, but still his hunger rode him hard.

This female was the smallest of the lot, with a mane of light brunette. It reminded him of Eden’s. Her hair was up, so he wouldn’t have to hold it aside. This was good. He should have told the others to pin up their locks.

He also should have warned them they’d be denied climax. He was guilty enough for seeking them out in the first place. He would not add to the betrayal by bestowing the same pleasure reserved for his sieva.

One by one, he brought them to the brink. He fed until they were close and pushed them aside. Viktor sensed their frustration, but it was nothing compared to his own.

His cicatrice scorched painfully, as if screaming at him to stop. Where was the tenacious mark’s soothing balm now? his inner voice mocked.

Viktor would not cease until he’d dampened his need. He’d feed from a thousand, if he had to. He would not return to Eden until he had some semblance of control.

He wiped his mouth, clearing away what was left from the last feeding. As his fingers drifted past his nostrils, the tangy aroma of his sieva shocked his senses.

His eyes gleamed. His shaft swelled painfully under the constricting fabric of his clothing. For once, he was refusing s*x while feeding. He hadn’t even considered it with these poor substitutes for what he truly wanted.

Now that a trace of sweet Eden was in his lungs he felt crazed, his body demanding release after that first taste of his mate. He bent Sasha over the bed and viciously bit into her neck.

She cried out and he closed his eyes, picturing Eden beneath him. Viktor ground his e******n into Sasha’s backside as he fed from her artery.

Sasha m****d and held onto his h**s, encouraging his movements. A handful of shallow thrusts and he knew something was not right. His palm fired electric bolts of lightning up his arm towards his heart. The pain jarred his senses, bringing him back to reality.

He swallowed what was in his mouth, grimacing. The taste was wrong. The taste was not that of his sweet Eden. Viktor withdrew his fangs, backing away in a stupor.

It wasn’t working. He’d imprudently believed he could be satisfied by the b***d others. Sasha pushed off the bed until she was upright, smoothing down her dress. Viktor pointed towards the remaining females.

Out, he commanded.

Sasha’s lips quivered before she bowed her head and ran towards the group. They fled the room, leaving him alone in his misery. He sat on the cushioned bench near the bed, with his head in his hands. He was losing his damned mind.

Not long after, the door opened and Yuri, his lone advisor, entered.

Viktor? he said in his abnormally low voice, the one Viktor trusted above all others.

When Viktor and Yuri were young, someone had teased Yuri for his demon-like tone. Viktor knocked the aggressor unconscious and the pair’s alliance was forged.

Viktor didn’t acknowledge his friend.

Are you alright? Yuri tried again.

The King raised his head and Yuri knitted his brow. Viktor’s eyes were unusually bright, his hair in complete disarray. His shirt was untucked, and b***d was smeared across his face.

Yuri reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. He held it in front of Viktor, who, begrudgingly, snatched it and wiped his mouth and face.

Viktor never looked anything other than totally put-together. He’d never been reckless or driven by impulse. He was most often cold towards others, almost incapable of bringing himself to care for anything or anyone. Yuri knew otherwise, but the kingdom did not.

He also never came to the Komora. He sent for his females to be brought to his feeding room. Always.

What’s going on? Yuri tried again.

Viktor gave a humorless laugh and held up his left palm, the silver glow brighter than ever.

Well, that certainly explains things, Yuri mumbled.

He shut the door behind him and then sat on the bench next to Viktor.

Where is she? Your sieva?

How do you know I’ve actually found her?

Because your cicatrice is practically burning a hole in your hand. You know once you’ve touched her you can’t stop it.

Viktor scrubbed his face with both palms.

I didn’t. I mean, I touched her, but I did not touch her mark.

Did you feed from her?

Not exactly.

Yuri shook his head. Care to explain what that means?

A drop was all, just enough for a taste. It wasn’t intentional. Viktor had no intention of sharing the actual intimate details with anyone, not even Yuri.

Yuri leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees. He noticed Viktor’s body was shaking, his hands clenched. His friend was wound so tight he was about to detonate from the pressure.

You need to finish the soul-bond, Viktor.

I don’t think I can.

If this is about Bianca—

No. It has nothing to do with her, Yuri. You are not to bring her up again, especially not in front of Eden.

Eden? Your sieva’s name is Eden?

Viktor nodded.

I don’t believe I’ve met any female by that name.

You wouldn’t have. She is King Edward’s oldest daughter.

Yuri covered his eyes, as if the information gave him a headache. He understood the complexity of Viktor’s situation. Unfortunately, the King was in the midst of something that could be neither stopped nor postponed. There was only one way forward.

Where is she?

In our bed chamber.

Go back to her, Viktor. Finish what you’ve started. This, he pointed to Viktor’s shivering body, will only get worse. The longer you let it go, the more likely you are to do real damage to her.

That’s why I am here. I lost control and thought if I fed until sated I would be able to go back to her and ease her into it.

Yuri chortled at his King’s foolhardy plan. As a mated male himself, he knew more of what to expect. It had been a hundred years since the last sieva pair had found one another. It seemed King Viktor had forgotten the pitfalls of the cicatrice’s will.

You know the cicatrice will burn, will push you to feed, until you have gorged on your sieva’s b***d.

Yes. I know. I only meant to take the edge off. She is an elemental. Tiny. I’m liable to kill her!

Yuri laughed again. Impossible. Eden is yours, Viktor. She is the only thing, the only being, in this world created just for you. You could never get that far gone, not where she is concerned. Your fated mate would not be one who was incapable of handling you, or your … requirements.

Viktor knew this, had even acknowledged it earlier to himself. But he wasn’t thinking rationally, not since he’d swallowed that first drop.

You have too much faith in me, Yuri.

No, I trust Fate. The Goddess has blessed you, Viktor. You’d best embrace it. The cicatrice will not steer you wrong.

Hasn’t it? It’s supposed to calm me, to help me control my emotions during this frenzy. Yet all I’m getting from it are burns and a drive to feed.

Exactly. That is what happens once you have consumed your sieva’s b***d. The cicatrice becomes relentless, pushing you to madness until the bond is complete. Another’s b***d will do nothing for you now. Has it really been so long that you have forgotten what every vampire has been taught?

Viktor dropped his head.

It would seem so, he lamented, regretting his rash deeds.

Go back to your room, Viktor. Don’t come out until tomorrow. Or the next day. I’ll sent food and sundries up later.

Viktor stood, and Yuri followed.

Could you send someone to the temple to gather Eden’s things? She was visiting with her father. That is how I found her.

I will do it immediately.

Viktor took one step, then looked over his shoulder.

How did you know I was in here?

One of the females came to my office after you pushed her out the door. You scared the hell out of her and she asked me to come immediately. You’re never out of control, so I knew something was off.

Hmm, he hummed, holding up his unsteady hand. Yes, I dare say something was off. Thank you, Yuri, he bowed to his advisor.

Of course, Sire, ‘twas nothing, Yuri sputtered, unused to Viktor’s gratitude.

Viktor made to open the door when Yuri put his arm on his shoulder.

Might I suggest you port from this room instead of walking through the Komora?

That was probably wise. He’d left seven females aching for more. It wasn’t vanity speaking, it was simply what happened during a feeding.

Agreed. You should invite some of the soldiers to tend the females. I will replace you when I am finished with Eden.

With that, Viktor ported away, leaving Yuri to carry out his instructions. For the first time in a century, Yuri was concerned for his King.