Chapter 1
Evangeline POV
As my teeth sink into his neck, his blood floods my senses — rich, intoxicating, impossibly warm. The taste of him is addictive, something dark and decadent that I can never quite get enough of. Every time I feed from Damien, it feels like the first — overwhelming, consuming, impossible to resist.
“Take all you need, Eva,” he murmurs, his voice low and indulgent.
And I do. I take — and take — everything he offers without hesitation. Pleasure floods through me, dizzying and reckless. I don’t care that we’re in the conference room. I don’t care that a room full of powerful vampires will be walking in any minute.
All I can feel is the rush.
I’m lost in the pleasure.
In him.
He seems to love it just as much as I do. I’m straddling his lap as he is sitting in an office chair, I’m grinding on him. I want more, not just his blood I need him inside me now. I’m grinding on him, and I know he is just as turned on as I am considering the thing that I’m grinding on is hard and in his pants.
I knew this was going to happen that’s why I didn’t want to do it right now I wanted to wait after the meeting. But he insisted that we do it before, and when Damien Montrose insists on something you have little to no choice but to do it. My black skirt is riding up the more I grind on his dick. I feel his fingers rubbing my panties.
“Such a needy girl you are.”
I can feel him pull my panties aside and plunge his fingers in me. I take my fangs out of his neck and give an embarrassing moan, in any other circumstance I would care, but right now, I could give two shits. I ride his fingers hard.
“That’s it, good girl. I want you to picture my cock when you’re riding my fingers.”
My pace picks up faster; I’m getting close to an orgasm. I’m basically using him as a sex toy right now, and by the look on his face he loves it.
“I’m go—I’m gonna cum.” I moan
“That’s right Angel, cum on Daddy’s fingers.” he moans as if he is about to cum too.
I finally climax and my pace gets slow and sloppy as I’m riding out my high.
When I’m finally done feeding and fulfilling my other needs. I just sit there still straddling his lap breathing heavy. He takes his fingers out of my panties and puts it in his mouth and closes his eyes savoring the taste. My taste.
“Delicious,” he murmured, his gaze locking onto mine. I turned my head away, heat creeping up my cheeks.
“Why did you insist on having me feed five minutes before the meeting?” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though a flicker of annoyance laced it. “You know as soon as they walk in, everyone will smell what we just did.”
He takes out a handkerchief and carefully wipes the blood from my mouth, then drags it along his own neck to clean the remaining drops.
“Let them,” he says, his voice low and commanding. “I want everyone smelling my scent on you. I want them to know what belongs to me... including that insufferable Nikolai. I see the way he can’t take his eyes off you.”
“And besides,” he adds, his gaze darkening, “who else are you going to get your food from? I am your only source.”
“Well... you don’t have to be,” I reply, trying to sound casual, though a flicker of hope tugs at me. “I can feed from others, you know... humans.”
His eyes narrow, a warning slicing through the air. “Mention feeding from others again, and you will not like the consequences.”
I huff in disappointment, frustration curling in my chest. I had hoped, just this once, he might bend, let me taste a little freedom. I’m the only turned vampire I know who can drink from no one but their sire. Everyone else lets their bounds feed from others. I depend on him for nearly everything in my life — the least he could do is let me be independent when it comes to feeding.
Pushing the thoughts aside, I step back from him and straighten my outfit, smoothing the folds of my jacket and making sure nothing is out of place. My hands brush over the papers in my arms as I arrange them carefully on the polished conference table — agendas, notes, and reports for the meeting about to begin. The room is quiet now, but any second, the other vampires will start filing in, each taking their place.
I glance back at him as I work, catching his dark eyes on me. The warning still lingers in the depths of them, but there’s something else too — that subtle possessiveness, that unmistakable intensity. I keep my hands steady, placing each paper exactly where it belongs.
Before I know it, the conference room door opens, and in walk the three High Dukes of the Sovereign Kingdom of Samyrael, each followed closely by their bounds. I greet them as they enter, while Damien remains seated at the head of the table, his presence commanding every inch of the room.
First is the Duke of the West, Lucien Vael, with his bound, Isolde. Lucien is cold and unreadable most of the time, and his bound mirrors him perfectly. No wonder he chose her to turn and bind to him.
Next comes the Duke of the East, Roderick Sable, with his bound, Selene. Roderick is aggressive and quick-tempered — practically everything sets him off. I feel sorry for Selene; it’s her full-time job to keep him from losing control.
And finally, Nikolai Draven enters, Beau trailing behind him. Charming and flirtatious, Nikolai never misses an opportunity to try to get under my skin. I’ve grown used to his teasing innuendos — and I know he does it to provoke Damien as much as me.
As soon as Nikolai reaches me, his eyes immediately find mine, glinting with mischief. “Well, hello, Evangeline,” he purrs, taking my hand and brushing a kiss over it. “Looking... absolutely radiant today.”
I feel Damien’s gaze on us, a low growl rumbling in my chest as I pull my hand away. Always him. Always possessive.
I shut the door and fall into position beside Damien, like all the other bounds do with their sires.
“Damien,” Nikolai says smoothly, sliding into his seat across the table, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. “Mmm... what is that enticing aroma? It smells divine.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. This is so embarrassing.
“Enough! Let’s get on with the meeting,” Damien snaps, his voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the room like a blade.
“We’re here to discuss territorial boundaries in the southern and eastern regions,” he says, “There have been reports of violations and potential encroachments from outside houses. This council will determine measures moving forward.”
Lucien’s voice is smooth, calm. “The West holds no quarrel with the current boundaries. But any incursion into our territories will not be tolerated.”
Roderick snaps a finger on the table. “I’ll remind everyone that the East has long-suspected trespasses from rogue vampires. If the South or West intend to intervene, they will do so at their own peril.”
Nikolai leans slightly forward, flashing me a wink. “Now, now, Roderick, no need for threats. We all know Damien here keeps things... tidy.” His gaze flicks toward Damien, teasing. “Though I have to admit, I do enjoy watching him growl when someone steps out of line.”
Damien’s dark eyes lock on Nikolai, and the low, dangerous hum in the room makes my pulse spike. He will not allow that again.
“I suggest we stay on topic,” Damien says, each word deliberate, sharp. “The South has had its complaints. Outline them, Nikolai, so we may proceed without delay.”
Nikolai smirks but leans back in his chair, brushing Beau’s arm lightly as he speaks. “Of course, Your Grace,” he says, voice smooth. “The South has experienced several breaches along its eastern borders. Nothing fatal... yet. But it’s enough to require council attention.”
I watch Damien, noting the subtle tension in his jaw. Every move in this room is a game of power. And he’s always three steps ahead.
The meeting drags on for another hour, voices rising and falling as the dukes argue over boundaries, breaches, and the appropriate punishments for rogue vampires. I keep my hands steady, placing notes and documents exactly where they belong, all while keeping a careful eye on Damien. Every so often, his gaze flicks to me — possessive, intense, and impossible to ignore.
Finally, Damien raps his knuckles on the table, silence falling like a hammer. “This council is dismissed. The breaches will be handled swiftly. Any further encroachments, and you will answer to me directly.” His dark eyes sweep the room, and even the boldest duke falters under his gaze.
Nikolai leans back, smirking. “Of course, Your Grace. As always, the North remains... untouchable.” He winks at me, and I feel my cheeks heat up again.
I stand beside Damien as the other dukes rise, bows and polite murmurs exchanged. Lucien and Isolde exit first, silent as ever. Roderick and Selene follow, their tension still palpable. Nikolai lingers at the doorway, giving me one last teasing glance before he disappears with Beau.
The door closes. Silence fills the room, broken only by my uneven breaths and Damien’s low hum. He steps closer, brushing a hand along my shoulder, and I feel the weight of his possession pressing in.
“You belong to me, Evangeline,” he murmurs, his voice rough and deliberate. “No one else. Not him. Not them. Only me.”
I nod, heart pounding, knowing there’s no arguing, no compromise. And yet... the warnings, the tension, the dangerous games just beginning with the rogue vampires and the South... I sense this is only the beginning.
