Insatiable Hunger: Insatiable Trilogy, #1

By Tennille Stephens

Kyla has never known a world without vampires. She has always known them to be the enemy, until one faithful day she meets the eldest son of the Royal Family. Diedrek, is an alpha male, good looking, and used to getting what he wants. He's made it quite clear what he wants is her. Can she let her guard down, and let him in, or will it be a battle of wills?

 

Diedrek has always found this life boring. Doing same things everyday. Doing what he can to please his father and brothers, the evil in his world. Just so then he can live in peace, but when Kyla  comes barging into his life, things change drastically. She's his fated mate, although the young woman has no idea what that even means. He hopes to show her soon, what it can be like when they are together. If only he can keep the evil of the world away from her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tennille Stephens
• Release date: Apr 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224016006

Tennille Stephens

I have dreamt of making this a reality for many years. I write a lot of Paranormal and Mafia Romance. I live in a small town with my husband and little one. Enjoying our life together. If you would like to know more about me or read more of my books please look me up on Goodreads, Amazon, Bookbub, Facebook, Wattpad, and Inkitt.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Preparing For a Fight

Kyla

Looking out into the crowd of vampires that had gathered for the event tonight, I can’t believe how fast their numbers are growing. These evil creatures not only can turn their victims into one of their own, but they can reproduce just as humans can. Judging by the group before me tonight they have been getting busy. Enjoying themselves a little too much.

Unfortunately, this is the way of the world. The only world I have ever known anyway. Vampires have ruled this world for well over thousands of years now. I’m not entirely sure how it all began. Everyone has different stories to tell since I was a child, but to me it doesn’t matter what truly happened. This is the world I was born into, the world I have lived for my entire eighteen years of life. Doesn’t look as though anything will be changing anytime soon.

I can’t believe these hideous things. My cousin, Lucas, breaks into my thoughts.

Looking over to my right at the boy I have grown up with. The one that is no longer a boy in his nineteen years, but a boy to me all the same. The one that has always been more of a brother to me than anything. His curly blonde hair has grown well past his ears now, so he must keep moving it from being in front of his green eyes every time he moves his head. I really do try to hide my smirk from him, we have no time to be laughing at one another, but he makes it hard with his boyish charm.

I know they reek of blood and death; I hate them with everything I am. Lilly says from beside him. Covering her button nose and small pink lips with her hand, trying to block out the smell. With her forehead scrunching into hard lines, her sky-blue eyes shooting daggers at the crowd of monsters below us.

My mood suddenly darkens; giving them a sad smile I know all too well how they both feel. We have all lost someone close to us by these evil creatures. Years ago, both Lucas and I, had lost our mothers. Lucas had been two years old at the time, and I a small girl that had just turned one year old two days before.

There was an attack on the cave we were staying in at the time. All hell had broken loose, and people were running in every direction. Some small children ran further into the cave, and our mothers ran after them. Being best friends and sisters-in-law, they always did everything together, fighting was no exception.

They got the children out, but they didn’t make it. The vampires didn’t even attempt to take them back for the auction, they just bit them right there. Sucking all their life supply from them. Blood was everywhere. Lucas’ two older brothers witnessed it all, along with their father. They say they were both lucky being so young that they don’t remember a thing.

Then there is Lilly, she lost her father only two months ago. Her older sister, Isabella, watched it all happen. There was nothing she could have done. She had to hold Lilly, keeping her quiet, and covering her eyes.

However, Lilly still talks about the screams she heard from her father. They didn’t just kill him, they played with him before they took his life. For their own sick amusement. They both tell us they can still hear the one vampire, who was built like a wall, had hard light green eyes, and a scar that ran from his forehead to his chin. He just kept laughing and said that he loved to play with his food before he ate.

Don’t think about all that Kyla, focus! I chastise myself. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, and to come back to the now. Hiding on a roof top of an old run-down building, within the shadows. Facing the stage waiting for the auction to begin.

There was a food outing, a small group had gone off for the expedition, and there was a vampire raid. Only one older man made it without being killed. He said the vampires were talking about killing the men and taking the women for this auction. They had enough men for the slave auction, but if they wanted to make a good bounty, they needed more women and girls. Isabella had been among the group, hence why we are here.

So, here’s what I think needs to happen. Lilly, you will stay here on this rooftop, shooting your arrows from your bow, for cover. I give her a look when it looks as though she wishes to argue with me. Showing just how serious I am.

Lilly wasn’t supposed to be here. She overheard me and Lucas talking last night and decided to follow us. Now she’s here so we have no choice but to allow her to help. I will be damned if I allow her off this roof top until it’s time to run.

Looking into her blue eyes, I could see how much Lilly wants to fight me on this, but instead she just rolls her eyes, gives a puff, and purses her lips. Good enough for me.

Lucas, you sharpened the swords last night, right? When he nods his head yes, I continue with my instructions. Good, need you to be the distraction, so I can make it through the crowd to the stage, and cut Isabella, and as many others I can reach loose. If it gets too bad, everyone has their stakes, right? They both hold them up, with fire in their eyes. I know this will work if we just stick to our original plan.

I’m going to put on some of the dead animal carcasses we gathered, to mask my scent. Then, I’m going to go down there, and as soon as we see her that’s when I want you to start shooting the arrows. If anything goes wrong, you run, the both of you, and run fast. No looking back.

They look at me as though I have lost my mind. Knowing they want to argue, but before they can, I put my hand up. No, I mean it. I don’t care if I get caught. You know I’ve always been a little different than everyone else. I can manage myself.

I am not leaving you, that’s not even an option. Lucas says while crossing his arms over his chest.

We don’t have time to argue, they will be starting soon. Just please, I need to know you’ll do this for me if anything happens. Looking into his green eyes, I plead with him with my own to do as I ask. After a few moments, which feels like hours, he concedes to my wishes.

Putting his arms down, and his head leaned to the side Fine, but if something does happen to you, I will be back after I get them and the others to safety.

I want to argue with his reasoning, but he takes out his swords and jumps down from the roof before I can get a word out. I watch from above as he runs to the outskirts of where the vampires are gathered. Hiding among the other rundown buildings surrounding them. Knowing the entire time that he won’t listen to reason. He is just too stubborn.

You’ll be alright though, won’t you? Looking over at Lilly, with her long blonde hair, as white as the snow, blowing in her face, I can’t help but think how she looked so much older than her fifteen years. Walking over to where she stands, I give her a hug.

Holding her face in my hands for a moment, I look into her gorgeous sky-blue eyes and give her the best smile I can to reassure her. Then, I begin getting the animal skins on my body underneath my clothes. All the while Lilly gets her bow prepared for what’s to come.

The truth is, I know this is a stupid mission we are on. There is a good chance we could fail and join Isabella and all the other humans. Or worse, we could be killed here tonight. It’s a risk I am willing to take, for the people that I love.

Chapter 2

They Meet

Diedrek

I hate these things with passion. What do I need to come to the auctions for anyway? At the castle, my family and I have all the human workers we could ever need. As well as all the women I could ever want. Although, I must admit I’m getting bored with the whole lot of ‘em.

They willingly come to my bed and allow me to bite them as often as I wish. They love being mine. There are some that even enjoy being the rest of the royal family’s food source. The euphoria of the bite is enough to make the weak little humans feel good for many nights after.

I’m not sure if it was because I am the oldest of the royal bloodline, soon to be the strongest of the entire vampire race, or just my good looks. Either way women flock to me. Vampire and human alike.

Being as tall as I am, well over six feet, having mahogany brown hair that looks almost black, and chocolate-coated eyes has always worked to my advantage. Even as a young boy, I could get away with anything because of how adorable I was. So why in the world do I have to be here for the auction every single month?

I wonder if there’ll be any goodies this time. Opening one eye, I look to my right, where my best friend Darius sits beside me. A giant smile upon his face, and mischief in his light green eyes.

You have plenty at the castle, what do you need more for? I study him a moment, Hell, I know you use a lot of the human and vampire women alike for your own pleasures. A sly grin grows on my lips thinking about it.

You know me, always collecting. I shake my head with a laugh. Darius, being my longest friend, and only person I can trust in this world, is always doing that. Whether it’s with his crazy antics around the castle, the pranks he plays on everyone, or just his wise ass come backs. He is always putting me in a good mood.

Welcome one and all, let’s begin this auction with some strong human men, you can put to work. The auctioneer begins.

That’s my que to close my eyes and tune the noise of everyone out. These things are always the same. Lucky to save face I didn’t fall asleep within the first hour. However, by the second hour, I find myself just dozing off, when a loud noise within the crowd gains my attention.

Sitting up in my chair I see it. An arrow that was set on fire is on the pole of the stage. It had cut one of the human women loose, the string now dangling from her neck as another person is behind her trying to untie her arms. From where I sit, I can’t tell if it’s a man or woman. They hide their face with what looks like tons of clothing.

Sniffing the air all I can smell is death, I’m certain the little human put something that had long since died underneath their clothing to mask their scent. "Smart for a human." Can’t help the thought from popping into my head.

Shit, this hasn’t ever happened before. I watch as Darius gets up from his chair and runs off in the opposite direction.

I’m almost certain Darius, is getting ready to go down there to help, so I focus all my attention on the now rowdy crowd. From up above, I can see a boy that can’t be any older than eighteen, fighting a group of male vampires. "He fights well for a human." Shrugging my shoulders, I stand and stretch out my limbs.

Arrows are flying everywhere, and the humans on the stage are now all becoming free and joining the fight. Holding onto the railing I give out annoyed breath with a roll of my eyes. Knowing I must go down and bring order back to this night. Then I can go home and find a willing woman to give me the blood and pleasure I will need after all this to relieve my stress.

Forgoing the stairs, I jump twelve feet down, landing on my feet. First thing I see is the boy with the swords. Pushing my way through the crowd I work to get to him. Just as I am about to grab him by the shoulder, one of the humans that had been on stage gets between us. It was the one covered in clothes and what I can now smell are dead animal skins.

I can’t make out the body type, but I can see as my eyes make it to the persons face it is a woman. Finding myself looking into the most beautiful jade green eyes I have ever seen. The clothes that are covering her face have come loose and are replaced with her heart shaped face.

I can see her extraordinary long red hair the color of fire, and a cute button nose in the center of her face. Snapping myself out of it, I remember where we are, and what is happening around us. That’s when I see it, the wooden stake she has somehow placed right at my heart.

She must have done it while I was perusing her body from head to toe. Giving her my most charming smile I tell her honestly, You know I can knock that out of your hand, and have you in my arms before you blink right?

When all she does is give me a scowl in answer, I can’t help but lick my canines. My mouth is watering for a taste of this woman, and my arousal for her is growing into a passion I haven’t felt in a long time. If I ever have. I find myself dreaming of all the ways I’m going to take her when I get her back to the castle.

The royal army will want her dead for what her and her comrades have done here tonight, but I’m not about to let that happen. Oh no, she is going to be mine! In every way and position available. My smile broadens just thinking about it.

Come on Kyla, we have to go, she’s up there with Lilly. The boy that was weaving the sword only moments ago has his hand on this woman's arm. On what is mine!

Snarling at the boy causes this beautiful woman to take a sharp breath. No, you go I will be right there. I’ll hold them off while you catch up to them.

The boy looks like he wants to argue, but the woman gives him the coldest stare imaginable. If pointed my way I’m certain it would terrify even me, or simply turn me on. The ladder is more comprehensible.

The boy looks at me a moment, giving me a cold stare, then looks back at the woman before him. Before finally deciding to take off. Leaving us alone. Just me and my prey. The way I like it.

I wouldn’t be too sure about that, you may be faster and stronger, but I’m not weak. She answers my earlier statement.

Looking me straight in the eye she says, I have a few talents of my own. I’m certain she does, and I can’t wait to see what they are. My mouth is filling with saliva thinking of the delectable talents my woman truly has. Catching myself licking my canines with the ideas running through my imagination. Wait did I just call this young woman before me my woman? Even thinking this, I can’t help but feel the words are right in every way.

They’re getting away! One of the vampires shouts. That’s when she shows me a little of what she has been talking about. Within seconds, she is already in the small group of humans at the gate, holding the gate open so they can flee.

How is that possible? No normal human is that fast. To have been right in front of me, then across the yard a second later, and how is she holding the gate open by herself? No human could do that.

These are my last thoughts before I find myself where she is on the other side of the grounds. She is the last one to go on the outside of the gate, so I grab her by the leg to stop her in her tracks. She kicks and screams at me to let her go. She’s fighting me with all the strength she has, but it’s still not enough to