Page 2 of Unsanctioned
“Just because you haven’t found your mate, that doesn’t mean you have to be alone. Audor hasn’t talked about anything else since you two started dating.”
Despite his best efforts, a smile exploded across his face. Shortly after Frost had come to town, their king had sent a pair of Viking vamps to act as his guards. Audor was one of those vampires. He was a little shorter than Waylon, but at six-five, everyone was. He looked exactly like the Viking he was. Blond-haired and blue eyes. Waylon had to admit he had a thing for that. Still.
“What’s the point of wasting time on a pointless relationship?” He had to keep saying that and reminding himself how this would end. Vampires and wolves were a forbidden mating. They could fuck, but they would never be true mates. Vampires belonged to Celeste. Weres were a creation of Odin. Odin would never allow a vampire to sit at his tables in Valhalla. Since fated mates were eternal, there was no future with Audor. That didn’t mean they hadn’t fucked. Waylon’s stomach muscles clenched. Goddess, had they fucked. Waylon had never experienced anything like it. He loved being with Audor, but he couldn’t let himself get too attached. This would hurt one day.
A soft chuckle rumbled from Gemini. “It’s like you’ve never met anyone you like just because you do. You could have centuries left until you meet your mate.” He paused as if he hated to say the rest. Ultimately, he did. “Or one might not exist for you. If Audor fills your life with happiness, then you should reach for that with both hands.” Gemini’s gaze slid toward the house. His voice took on a sad edge. “Not everything is fated for everyone.”
A huge realization landed on Waylon’s head. Gemini and Frost had been blessed beyond words to find their other half, but they would never experience what Frost had just done for Randall and Ashka. He was sure they would be happy nonetheless, but Gemini was right. Not every blessing was meant for everyone. Maybe explosive sex with a drop-dead gorgeous vampire was all that was meant for him. He supposed there were worse fates.
Like every night, Audor kept sentry from a distance. It was Audor’s honor to serve his king. He also owed Frost for once saving his life. Shortly after Audor had been sent to Wulfe, Washington to watch over the town’s new healer while also keeping an eye out for Lucifer, his brother-in-arms Leif and he had spotted Lucifer leaving Frost’s work. They had followed. It seemed Lucifer hadn’t appreciated being tailed. He had ripped Audor’s leg from his body like plucking wings from a butterfly. If Frost hadn’t helped, Audor would have—at the very least—been one-legged now. More likely, he’d be dead. He lost more blood than he could take in. It wouldn’t have taken long. He owed Frost for that.
Despite that debt and his orders, and his appreciation of Frost, he was more than happy to pass the duty to Leif for the night. His skin practically itched with the need to see Waylon. The moment he was set free, Audor dissipated and reappeared inside Waylon’s living room. Waylon sat kicked back on the couch. His smile showed how unbothered he was by the intrusion. Audor grabbed a chair from the kitchen table and set it facing Waylon. He sat and went to work, massaging Waylon’s feet. No one pampered Waylon. Audor wanted the job. His gaze never wavered from Waylon’s gorgeous face. He was a sculptor’s dream.
“I heard you’ve had a day.”
Waylon’s smile grew bigger. “Well, Ashka had a day. I just sat by as a witness.”
“That still sounds stressful, considering how the odds are never favorable.”
“How was your day?” Waylon always did that. He always turned the subject away from himself, as if he was unimportant. Audor understood why Odin had chosen him to lead this pack. He was selfless.
Audor would let him keep it. “Boring. Thankfully. For the most part, Frost just does his job. As for Lucifer, he pops in and out so quickly, there’s no tracking his movements.” Audor hated that part. In his heart, he knew Lucifer would eventually make this town his bitch. While he was grateful for the excuse to be here with Waylon, the waiting was the worst part.
“I imagine Frost is exhausted between his job at the hospital and being the community healer. The Americas’ king of vampires sent two of you to watch him while there’s only one of him.”
Audor nodded. “Mostly, I feel for his mate. They’re still newly mated and their time is being stolen.”
“At least they have a mate.”
There it was. Audor stopped rubbing Waylon’s feet. He didn’t know how to respond. Audor never did. Mates were everything in their world, but it seemed neither of them had sacrificed enough to be granted that blessing. Audor would be lying if he said he wasn’t bitter. He was old. Audor had lived a life of service to the gods. Yet he had no one, and the man he wanted couldn’t be his mate. It was soul shattering.
Audor’s gaze followed Waylon as he moved from person to person, laughing and talking. He knew everyone inside the tinybar. Audor saw inside each mind. They all genuinely loved Waylon. Just as he loved them. Being alpha was in his blood and was everything to him. For three months, Audor had been the focus of Waylon’s caring nature. He had held Waylon’s stare as they made love… heard the regret in his mind that Audor would never be the one. Audor’s hand automatically went to his chest, trying to massage away the hole that grew bigger every day. He was in love with Waylon. Audor hadn’t meant for it to happen. When he had ended up beneath Waylon that first night under a full moon, he had only sought something he couldn’t explain. Audor had needed to let go of his responsibilities and let someone else care for him. He never expected to feel the way he did now when he looked at Waylon.
As if he felt Audor’s longing, his head turned. Their gazes met. Those amazing amber eyes took on a very wolf-like sheen. Hunger grew. Waylon crossed the room. A sexy smile touched his lips. Audor’s gaze dropped to eye them. Goddess. He ached to feel that mouth on his skin. Waylon took up a scarily large portion of Audor’s thoughts. He just wanted to be in Waylon’s arms.
Waylon came to stand over him. “Hey there, beautiful.”
“Hey.” Even Audor heard how happy he was to see Waylon.
Waylon shuffled closer. Promise flashed in his eyes. “Are you on the hunt for your soulmate tonight, or do you want to come home with me?”
A lump formed in Audor’s throat. Waylon didn’t take them seriously, while he was all Audor thought about. He didn’t understand why he kept setting himself on fire for this wolf. Audor should let him go.
Waylon’s lips skimmed his cheek before moving to the shell of his ear. “I know what I want you to choose.”
A stuttered breath escaped Audor. It seemed he would set himself ablaze at least one more night. Maybe tomorrow, he would walk away. Tonight, he wasn’t that strong.
“Come here.”
At Waylon’s soft command, Audor forced his mind back to the moment and forgot to hurt. That was why he couldn’t stop showing up here. Waylon took away the loneliness and frustration. He warmed the bitterness. When they were together, he didn’t see them as clearly. His love blinded him. Audor stood and straddled Waylon. The man’s animalistic amber eyes kept Audor captivated.
Thank you.
The words sweetly caressed Audor’s brain. As a vampire, he could read any lesser being’s mind. He tried not to do it as much as possible. It wasn’t necessarily a good thing to know people’s true opinions. Sometimes, Waylon invaded his mind without warning. It was nice. Audor wouldn’t pretend he hadn’t heard.
“For what?”
Waylon’s sexy smile proved how proud he was to have shoved his way into Audor’s thoughts. “For giving me this.” He hauled Audor closer. “I’m sorry if I ever make you feel less than. You’re not. I’m so fucking grateful for you wasting your time with me. I recognize you shouldn’t.”
