Compelled (Shadow Beast Shifters Book 5)

I’d always wondered if I’d ever experience the sort of mind-blowing orgasms that Mera described in her long-winded chats about Shadow and his prowess as a lover. My few forays into sex certainly had been nothing like that.

Then I’d met Lucien. Felt the pull of his mouth on my body, and I’d finally understood what had addicted Mera to her beast.

As I arched my back, Lucien’s grip tightened on my skin, and I could feel every indent of his palm on my ass and thighs. His powerful thrusts never eased, not even as my head spun, and I wondered if I was about to pass out.

When the swirls of pleasure in my gut grew too intense, I tried to hold back, but there was no hope. It would be like trying to stop a raging storm with an umbrella. The power was too great, and I had no choice but to tumble over the edge, screaming as I went.

Lucien groaned against my skin, and I heard him rumble, a desperate edge to his voice, “More.”

I had no idea if he meant blood or sex since, in this moment, it felt like they were one and the same. I didn’t care, either, because I would do anything to keep feeling all of this. Lucien filled my body and soul. Rebuilt me until I didn’t recognize who I was anymore. The sort of rebirth that I thought was reserved for Mera and Angel.

I’d never be the same after this. I knew that as surely as I knew my own name.

There was no time to worry about what state I might be left in, as Lucien captured all of my attention. His lips slid across mine, tasting my mouth, his tongue lazily demanding entrance as it swiped across my own. There was a hint of blood mingling between us, and it only turned my desire tenfold.

“Stay with me, Baby Bee,” he whispered against my lips, thrusting harder, and I found myself moving against him faster, chasing my next high. Lucien laughed a low, deep rumble as his hands pulled me up on his body, giving him a better angle to slam into me.

This time when I came, my cry was hoarse, after having nearly screamed myself into silence. Lucien made a guttural sound as he slowed, his cock swelling as he sent me over the edge again, and we came together like a perfect fairytale.

Only I was in vampire town, where fairy tales died and nightmares were made.

Not that I cared—I’d choose this dark, bloody world over Torma every single time.

When my body finally stopped trembling, I loosened my legs around his waist, expecting he would drop me back to my feet.

Only he didn’t.

He walked us into the bathroom. “What are you doing?” I rasped, throat still raw as hell.

“Taking care of you.”

My heart definitely skipped a beat. “Why?”

My only response was a growl, and then he was stripping off whatever clothing had made it through sex, until we were naked. This was the first time I’d seen him without some covering, and I was starting to think I could easily go another round.

Or ten.

Shifter males were ripped—females too—but Lucien was a step above. He had a warrior’s body, just like the others in Shadow’s merry band of assholes. All of them were huge specimens of the male species, with extra muscles and height, because they were legit warriors.

They’d clearly never spent the day in bed watching crappy movies and eating bags of chocolate and licorice, and it showed. Lucien was all defined lines across his chest and abs, and the huge valleys and peaks in his biceps and triceps moved as he shifted us under the water. Not to mention his thick thigh muscles, keeping both of us standing.

I mean, the strength just to hold me with one hand so the other could strip my clothing before… impressive.

“I think you fucking killed me?” I whispered, wishing my voice wasn’t all rasp.

Lucien’s eyebrows drew together as he examined my face. He slowly lowered me to the tiles and lifted his hand to scour across his wrist with his fangs. “Drink.”

A stronger chick would have hesitated—good for her. But I needed my fix.

Move over licorice, there was a new obsession in town.

By the time I’d swallowed his blood, my throat was back to full strength, and the rest of me felt fucking amazing too. Vampire blood was potent with healing and regeneration, and I was already anticipating the next time I’d get to taste him.

Lucien took a step back, the water from the multiple showerheads beating down on him.

Slicked back hair and water dripping along golden skin was a good look for him.

“What happens now?” I asked, fighting to keep any vulnerability from my tone.

“You will need to drink from me again,” he said softly, “to keep building your barriers, and I will need to from you, to ensure the fire of the blood doesn’t burn out of control until it all settles within you.”

“You don’t seem upset about it,” I noted.

His hands brushed across my side as he pulled me closer. “I’ve tried to deny it, but your blood calls to me. The fact that we have to continue to share for the duration of the selection doesn’t bother me. However, if you want me to find another solution? Bottled blood—”

“Nope,” I cut in quickly. “No need for any other solution. I’m happy to keep this little arrangement up for as long as needed to get through this selection.”

Or forever.

Not that I’d ever say that out loud. My blood might call to him, but that didn’t change Lucien’s view on mates. At least I could anticipate more feeding and fucking for the time being, and I was okay with that.

Part of me was starting to hope the selection lasted for a few years.

It was the least the gods owed me.