His Insatiable Bear

By Marie Medina

Locke has hidden in the shadows his entire life, and he never expected to find a mate for himself. Bear shifters are supposed to be extinct, but he and his family finally seem to have found refuge. His new life becomes more appealing when he discovers his mate in his new home.

He’s shocked this mate is not only male but also a vampire, yet he has no desire to turn from what the gods have given him. But instead of submitting the way Locke craves, Ash doesn’t believe they’re actually mates and resists Locke’s advances. But Locke can see Ash is equally affected by the mate bond, and he won’t give up until his vampire has given in to him, body and soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Apr 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781772338225

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Published by Evernight Publishing ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2016 Marie Medina

ISBN: 978-1-77233-822-5

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

Editor: Karyn White

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To all my wonderful readers.

HIS INSATIABLE BEAR

The Year of Suns, 1

Marie Medina

Copyright © 2016

Chapter One

Valladora

3155, The Year of Suns

Ash milled around the courtyard. There had been so many parties and celebrations the past few months he hadn’t been able to get very excited about the New Year’s festivities. Plus, ever since he had returned to his brother’s dominion, Ash had been begging Vane to tell him more about the bear shifters who apparently lived in the mountainous areas to the west, just within Vane’s dominion.

Watching two children play in the fountain, Ash managed to smile and laugh. The children’s mother smiled and nodded at him before attempting to fish the giggling children out of the water. He helped by lifting up the little boy, who gazed up at him with big eyes. The little boy was silent until Ash smiled down at him and pushed his wet curls off his forehead so he could see better. The boy laughed and ran away, his mother chasing him with his sister bouncing on her hip after thanking Ash hurriedly.

Ash loved children, and he often wondered if he would ever have any. He looked around the courtyard and imagined what it would be like if his mate was there. He’d only turned twenty-one recently, and that was when a vampire came of age. Supposedly it was rare to find a mate so young, but it could happen. Would it be a man or a woman? He’d only said so to his friend Ciel, but he couldn’t wait to meet his mate. In a way, he hoped it would be another vampire so his mate wouldn’t be frightened of him. Ash thought of his brothers briefly. Vane, Ash’s eldest brother, devoted every moment to ruling his dominion and caring for his two brothers because something bad had happened between him and his mate. It had been hushed up, and it had happened when Ash was still a baby. He’d learned years ago not to ask about it at all. Their middle brother, Byron, was just as secretive about his mate, which annoyed Vane and Ash both. Byron claimed to have found him, but all he’d told them was that the man was still too young and supposedly afraid of vampires, though he wouldn’t explain if there was a reason for the fear or not. Ash had always worried that his mate might be afraid of being bitten. As much as many humans sought out vampires as lovers, just as many resented or feared those who ruled over them.

Ash moved to the hedge labyrinth, snagging a goblet of wine first. He understood why humans resented vampires, who had ruled Valladora for thousands of years. Yet when he thought of men like his brother and his father, he thought it was good that vampires were in charge. They lived for so long, and they weren’t as short-tempered as humans could be. Ash stared down into his goblet, feeling bad for thinking that. He didn’t want to be judged for what he was, so he knew he shouldn’t be judging all humans for the acts of a small number. If he was judged by the actions of some vampires, he wouldn’t feel safe even leaving the castle. Many vampires had done things far worse than any human ever had.

He’d considered going back to his father’s dominion after the New Year, but he wanted to learn about the bear shifters. Just as humans found vampires fascinating, Ash thought shifters were a wonder. Being able to change into an animal sounded so miraculous. He’d never witnessed it happen, though he’d met a few shifters who were mated to vampires. He’d always wanted to visit Lord Kyo’s dominion and meet the lycans, but he’d never been able to come up with a good excuse to go. He worried his brothers would laugh at him if he said it was because he wanted to meet the lycans and learn about them. Vane had been twenty-three when Ash was born, and Byron had been thirteen. Ash had always felt like a tag-along with them. They loved him and were good to him, but he wanted his own life and a measure of freedom. Most of the time, he just went back and forth between Vane’s dominion and their father’s. Byron came and went as he pleased, and that was what Ash wanted now that he’d come of age. He had no way of knowing if he’d ever be granted his own dominion to rule over, and he saw no point in waiting around for someone to give him something to do.

Ash had actually gone looking for the bear shifters on his own, since Vane had made it clear the contact he’d made had been friendly, but he’d had no luck. He stopped by a hedge sculpture and sipped his wine, sighing. A giggling couple passed by an opening in the hedge wall across the way from him, and he smiled as he listened to their fading laughter. He’d only kissed two people, which was odd for a vampire his age. It certainly wasn’t from lack of desire, but he’d never been that interested in pursuing a lover who wasn’t his mate. He definitely wanted to have sex, but it had never felt right.

When he heard someone else walking toward him, Ash glanced up and moved forward. A man he’d never seen before emerged, and he stared at Ash as if he were startled. Ash smiled. Nice night, he said, though he felt stupid once the words were out there.

Yes, it is. The man looked about Ash’s age. He had dark eyes and brown hair, and he wore simple clothing, brown leather trousers and a cream-colored linen tunic. The man wore no boots, which Ash found a bit odd, but he lifted his gaze quickly. He actually would’ve liked to be barefoot himself on the soft grass, and as he thought about what he was wearing, he suddenly realized why the man might be looking at him with such confusion on his face. Vampires naturally had white irises that could change color according to mood, which always gave them away, but at the moment Ash wasn’t wearing the traditional robes vampires tended to don on formal occasions. He wore trousers similar to the ones the other man wore with a worn pair of brown boots and a light blue silk tunic.

Trying to be friendly, Ash came forward and introduced himself. I’m Ash, Lord Vane’s brother. He held out his hand.

The man stared at it a moment before shaking it. I’m Locke.

It’s nice to meet you, Ash said with a smile.

The man didn’t smile back, and Ash wondered if something was wrong. He took a sip of wine to give himself something to do. Locke looked him up and down for a long time, his features drawn as if he was confused or trying to work something out.

You’re a vampire.

Yes, I am. Ash shifted his weight as he wondered why Locke felt compelled to state something so obvious, given his eyes and the fact he’d just said he was a vampire’s brother. Were you looking for someone?

Sort of. He didn’t elaborate, still gazing at Ash.

Though Ash didn’t feel he needed to be afraid, he sensed something wasn’t right. Are you all right?

Locke shook his head. No. I’m not.

Ash reached out immediately. What’s wrong? He looked down at Locke’s bare feet again. Had the man been robbed? He’d need to go find Vane right away so they could raise the alarm if that were the case. Locke pulled away from his touch, and Ash smiled to apologize. I’m sorry. Tell me what I can do. I’m sure I can help.

Yes, you probably can. But not right now. Locke backed up and turned, walking away.

Wait. Where are you going? Ash, now thoroughly confused, followed the man.

Locke stopped and stood still as Ash walked around to look into his eyes. I’m … tired. I was heading home. He gave a very slight bow. If you’ll excuse me, my lord.

Ash chewed his lower lip, wishing he had Vane’s ability to handle people. I won’t detain you, but it seems like something’s wrong. This is my brother’s dominion, and I’d be happy to help you if you need something.

Locke’s demeanor changed, seeming to soften. He put his arm around Ash’s waist and pulled him close. Perhaps we can talk about that another time. He tilted his head and brushed their lips together.

Ash gasped, and when he looked into Locke’s eyes, the man smiled. Locke smelled different, and Ash liked it. He smelled like crisp leaves and fresh water, and Ash licked his lips. Locke kissed him again, the embrace hungry and needful this time.

You’re not what I expected, but I’ll see you again, my sweet Ash. Locke drew away and ran this time.

Ash blinked and turned to pursue him. He stumbled and lost his footing, but he righted himself before he hit the ground, though the last dregs from his goblet now ran down his trousers. Setting the goblet on a stone bench, he went after Locke. He’d been through the labyrinth so many times, yet he still lost Locke in the twists and turns. He touched his lips and