New Beginnings: Spring Lake, #1

By Prometheus Susan

Ansley is eager to start fresh after escaping an abusive marriage and being falsely accused of murder. A new job in a new place might be just what she needs to shake off the shroud of darkness that fell over her life. 

 

When Dillion and Nathan joined as mates, they merged their pack and clan in a powerful supernatural family. But now, they are ready for that family to grow. One glimpse at Ansley, and they feel they have finally found their third. But can they convince her to take a chance on their unorthodox relationship?

 

Will Ansley's new beginning involve a second chance at true love? Or will an unknown danger send her spiraling back into despair?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Prometheus Susan
• Release date: Jun 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201083830

Prometheus Susan

Prometheus is the mother of two boys, 19 and 26. As well as a loving wife to her husband of 31 years.  She lives in northern Illinois with her family, two cats,pet bunny, Fred and a puppy, Bear.. An avid Chicago Bears football fan regardless of how bad they play. But differs from the rest of the family in regards to baseball. They are Cub fans while she is a Brewers fan.  For years, Prometheus has had stories floating around in her head when she finally decided to put them to paper. Following a long-held dream of being an author. Bringing the crazy muses that she had to life, sharing them with everyone else.  Besides her love for her family and friends, coffee is her biggest love and addiction. The summer will find her at the beach or waterpark, soaking up those beautiful rays of sunshine. She finds cooking to be very relaxing, experimenting with new recipes. Crafting is one of her other ways to relax and unwind. Pink and sparkly is her signature. 

Book preview

Chapter 1

Dillion sat across the table from the one who held his heart, his mate, Nathan. Giving him one of his wicked grins, the one that held the promise of what would come, watching him closely, finding his mind wandering back to when they met. At times, what seemed like yesterday was, in fact, years ago. Since that first moment, thirty years ago, they had not been parted.  Nathan always took his breath away, wasn't just his handsome, sexy as hell looks, but what was inside the male's heart and soul. His gentleness when it was needed, his undying love, protection, sense of honor.  The patience of a saint at times when his patience was wearing bare thin. 

That night, the night he had stumbled upon his mate. A full moon high up in the sky, Dillion had been out, needed to feed his bloodthirst. Full moons usually meant that the wolves would be out for a run, not much of a chance of running into one. Rumors that were spoken, tales that were told, shifting and running during the full moon left them refreshed, their magic stronger than it was before. He didn't have any issues with them. Some other vampires that he knew did; however, the same could be held regarding some wolves with his kind. His thirst was running high that night, having put it off for way too long. There were reasons why he had done it.

Mainly his parent's insistence that it was the time he took a mate. They wanted grandchildren. Urging him to venture out, find his mate. Stop being careless with his search. It was time for his bachelor days to come to an end.

His kind took a mate for life, seeing how they could live eternally, Dillion wanted his true mate. An arranged mating was not for him. All the females that his parents paraded in front of him never caught his interest or his desire. Viagra didn't work on vampires. There was no desire or passion, there would be no mating. Simple facts. His cock had a mind of its own, wanting what it wanted. There was no alternative. 

Dillion had stayed away from the usual clubs, he needed blood, sex was not even on his mind. Usually, the two went hand in hand, but this night, after being groped by so many females, he was tired. The plan was to find a willing or unwilling donor, feed, and go hide away for a while. What he never saw coming was the sexy as sin, handsome male, who awakened his senses like never before. Hell, his cock alone had come to life. Something that even surprised him. 

Nathan had been perfect in Dillion's eyes. Didn't matter that he was a wolf, he was his mate.

Neither of them had denied the pull of desire towards one another. Nor that they were true mates. The other half of their soul, the one that they had been searching for, needing to feel complete. They had not been separated since that night. A little persuasion had been required. Some would call it being pushy, others may look at as kidnapping, Dillion called it giving nature a little push.

His mind control didn't work on Nathan. Would never work on his mate, was the way nature intended it. Even the playing field, the love had to be given freely. No one could take away someone's free will. Dillion knew that they needed time alone. Just being the two of them without any outside influence. Learning what the other liked or disliked. Favorite colors, foods, pastimes, hobbies. Speed dating only in a secluded cabin in the woods. Preferably both of them naked. Looking back, he had to laugh, Nathan hadn't put up a fight. He had wanted the mating as bad as he did. They were perfect for one another. Still were. 

All of those memorable firsts. First kiss, smile, laugh, best, of course, was the learning of each other's bodies. That was one beginning that never faltered, even now, was better than before. When their minds linked to one another's, each feeling the passion coursing through their bodies, heightened theirs. There was nothing better, was indeed where two become one. Only happened with your rightful mate, which was why Dillion had held off. Waiting till he found his one and only. Nothing compared to the experience, all that he had been told growing up didn't compare to experiencing it. 

Lifting his eyes, meeting those of the one who held his heart and soul, knowing that their life was about to change. Traditions were what they were. For a pureblood vampire, they had two true mates. Nathan was his first, the second he had just sensed. Hadn't found them but his vampire side was telling him that it was time to find them. Now to explain that to his mate. Dillion hadn't thought it would happen, but it had. There would be a third to their family. 

Chapter 2

Nathan watched his mate closely; something was bothering him. His mind was closed off to him. Knowing that in time, once he had it worked out in his head, he would tell him. Clearing the dishes from the table, they worked side by side with the chores. Except when it came to cooking. Dillion was a horrible cook, usually burning anything, he tried to cook. Preferring to order out. Nathan had changed all that once they were together. Showing him, the more exquisite art of a good meal. Mixing different flavors as well as the special moments of hand feeding him, having him try what he was cooking. Quite a few times even he burned dinners that way, had been well worth the burnt pans, smoke stinging his eyes. Stopping in the doorway to scent the air. He knew more than he let on, had an idea of what was bothering his mate. 

There had been warnings given when he had introduced Dillion to his family. Some, outright turning away, leaving the pack because now there was an outsider in the family. Others were too nosy for their own good, only wanting more information and all the details of their mating. His mother, father's, brothers, and sister welcomed Dillion with open arms. Accepted him for who he was, all they saw was a male that made him happy. What he was didn't matter to them. No one could choose who they loved, who their mate was. Only mother nature knew fate had decided it when they were born. The path that you were set on was the one that would lead you to what was best. 

Nathan knew that he would never be the Alpha of his pack. Growing up, he had envisioned that role as his. Being the Alpha's son, most assumed that the young male would step into his father's shoes. He had for a short time been by both of his father's side. Learning the ways of the pack, the leadership it took, the strength. As he grew, his interests turned more towards building things.

It had started out with a set of lincoln logs moving quickly to branches he found in the woods. He didn't want to be cooped up in an office like his dads were most days running the pack. Listening to other trivial problems. Asking advice that common sense would give them the answer too but no, they needed to consult the Alphas. 

Most of the female wolves in his pack were too bold, hard, argumentative, was always a battle of wills. All they saw was who his family was, not who he was as an individual. Each of them had ulterior motives, wanting to be the Alpha female. He didn't want that in a mate. Who wanted to continually be arguing with the one you loved? Nate understood that not all mates got along with one another all the time, that was life. There were always hurdles to overcome, a difference of opinion. But to argue over something as simple as who should drive for a date. That was taking it too far. 

Even with a human woman, he hadn't found one that attracted his wolf. Some were too independent, others too needy. Then there were the ones that wanted to know where he was at every second of the day. Those that didn't have any trust in their heart. He cringed to himself, a human woman wore too damn many scents. A light scent that enhanced one’s natural smell was one thing, covering up not showering or who knows what something was completely different. He had secrets. As a wolf shifter, those secrets meant life and death not only to himself but to his pack. Only to be shared with your genuine mate. 

He found his other half in Dillion. His soulmate, the one his wolf knew to be his. His wolf didn't care that his mate was a vampire. He was perfect in his eyes. It had not been easy, too many questions. Worrying about what each of their families would think. Did their being together put the other in harm's way? They weren't the first interracial couple. Theirs was different than what most thought of, two very different species coming together. A vampire and a wolf. They had overcome all the obstacles. Grinning to himself as he remembered that first night. They had not been parted since. His mate thought he had kidnapped him; he had gone willingly. 

Loading up the dishwasher, Nathan wondered if he should bring up the subject or let Dillion stew a little longer. He knew that Vampires took a second mate, had a gut feeling that was what was bothering his mate. What his love didn't know was some wolves were also blessed with a second mate. His dad's brother had two mates. Hell, he had two dads. They were happy and content. There was no jealousy, betrayal, possessiveness between the three. If fate determined that was how your life was to be lived, then that was the way it was. He was looking forward to them finding their third. Wondering if it would be female or male. Neither would know till they met that special someone who would complete them. 

Chapter 3

Ansley looked around her apartment. One-bedroom, small kitchen, dining and living room combined, a few blocks from downtown. Relocating from her hometown, this was her fresh start, a new beginning. It was what she needed, too many back home knew her story. There were the ones who thought she should have left Daniel, found a safe haven. Then, after all, was said and done, there were the ones who thought they could step into her late husband's footsteps and continue what he had started. All those that she met were judgmental, having an opinion on how she should have lived her life or should live it now.  Her ex-brother in law vowing to get his justice. She wanted a fresh start, put her past behind her as best that she could. 

She had her meager belongings unpacked, the new things that she had purchased at the thrift store put away. Finding a few good garage sales had added to what she needed. Basic necessities were what she had been shopping for. Everything that she had before, had been destroyed while she was sitting in jail awaiting her trial. Visiting the local shops. Purchasing groceries that she liked, Planning out easy meals. No four-course dinners after a long day at work. Simple foods, a salad or sandwich was perfectly fine with her for dinner. Even some frozen meals that she could pop into the microwave. Her apartment was starting to feel and look like home. 

For the first time in years, Ansley was able to do what she wanted in what was her home. No one to yell at her for doing something wrong. There was no other voice breaking through the silence but hers. No repercussions if there was an item out of place, a speck of dirt on the floor. Her bathroom held pink towels. Those were what she liked, no one else to tell her it was wrong. The bed that she slept on, the comforter was filled with pink and purple flowers. Lots of throw pillows, just the way she liked it. Blankets lining the back of the used couch, for when she got cold, no set pattern to them. They didn't match the furniture. There was no crime in that, no one to tell her otherwise. 

No fear of having the repercussions if she didn't have on makeup or her hair was not done correctly. In fact, she was dressed in a pair of yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt, hair up in a ponytail, no makeup on. Ansley was comfortable. For the first time in years, she was relaxed, calm, even happy. If she had known then what she knew now, her life would have been different. Choices would have been different. She had lived and learned the hard way but survived. 

Smiling to herself as she made a fresh pot of coffee. The brew that she liked, not the dark, bitter fresh ground beans that her late husband demanded. This coffee was smooth, light, she added sugar and cream to it. Not worrying about sneaking the sugar into her coffee, there was no one to tell her she was getting fat. Opening the package of chocolate donuts, taking the first bite. No one understood the freedom of being able to eat what you wanted. While some thought it was a given, simple thing, she knew better.

Taking her donut and coffee into her living room. If she dropped crumbs then so be it, the world would not end because of that. She started her new job in the morning, a librarian at the local library. Sounded perfect to Ansley, quiet, less likely to meet anyone. She wasn't interested in dating. The wounds left from her ex were too fresh and deep. Even if it had been two years ago. Most that she had met were interested in her trial details, wanting to know the ins and outs of killing someone. She hadn't meant to kill her husband, was the only way for her to survive. Or you had the ones who started in with verbal insults right away. Been there, done that, had the scars to prove that verbal abuse led to physical violence in time. No way in hell was she going down that road again. She was free now. 

Sitting down on her couch, flipping the TV on. Softly laughing, she had control of the remote. The ability to watch whatever her little heart desired. Even if it was corny. Her thoughts drifting back to when she met Daniel. He had been a gentleman, sweet, caring, lavished her with attention. Shrugging to herself, even while dating there was that nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach with him. Ansley had tried to ignore it. Her mother had told her she was silly, there was nothing wrong with him. Adding in, she couldn't do any better, he had a good-paying job, expensive car and took her out. What more could she want? How about wanting a man that would love her, always love her, no matter the day? Not with terms and conditions, ones that were impossible to achieve. That wasn't true love. 

Ansley had loved him. Daniel was easy to fall in love with or had been for her. Was she looking for a way out of her parents’ home or someone who loved her? Was she that naive? Or just plain stupid? She had wanted the fairy tale, the happy ever after. The prince charming that loved her accepted her, knowing there would be bad times with the good, downs