Amber Kell’s Blog

To my bloggy friends – Happy Holidays

Shiny Christmas

Shiny.
So shiny.
Dare lay on his back and batted at the sparkly things shining above him.
Pretty.
Sparkly.
He nipped at one of the dangly, shiny things.
He spit it out.
Yuck.
Not tasty.
“Dare!”
The tiger turned its head languidly towards the beloved voice.
“Damn it I told you to leave the tinsel alone!” The stomping feet came closer. Dare rolled over onto his stomach the better to play with the dangly strings on the man’s feet.
“Stop it.” The man said. “What did you do to those presents?”
Dare tucked his massive head onto his paws blinking up innocently. Was it his fault that the paper made such a wonderful noise when it tore?
Familiar hands gripped his tiger head and he found himself nose to nose with an angry werewolf.
“Shift now!”
Giving a tiger sigh, so his lover knew how inconvenienced he was, Dare shifted from tiger to man.
“They were so pretty.” He protested as his mind scrambled for a good defense. The presents definitely didn’t look so pretty any more with tiger claw marks across the paper and gently gnawed on ribbons.
“Yes, they were.” Steven said but his voice was no longer angry.
Dare looked up and saw Steven was staring at his naked body like a ravenous wolf looked at a choice piece of meat.
Bingo.
Dare sent a heated look up to his lover. “See anything you’d like?”
“You aren’t going to seduce me out of trouble. You don’t know how much I hate to wrap presents.”
“Then I’ll have to make it up to you.” Dare purred.
Steven pointedly looked away. “I don’t know if you can.”
Dare caught a quickly hidden smile before Steven turned away.
“I see. Well if you’re sure there’s nothing I have that you want.” He stood up slowly knowing his lover was watching him through the mirror in the hall.
“Nope.” He heard the suppressed laughter in Steven’s voice.
“Hmmm. All right I guess I’ll be going then.”
“Aren’t you going to put clothes on?” Steven asked the laughter more evident now.
Dare glanced over his shoulder to see his lover staring at his ass.
“Hmm. Oh I don’t need to dress. I’m just going across the way. I hear a new wolf moved in yesterday.”
He took another step.
Low growling filled the room freezing him in his spot. Maybe he carried their teasing a little too far was his thought before he hit the floor under the muscular body of his lover.

“That’s not funny, tiger boy.” Steven growled in his ear. The wolf’s hard body pinned him from shoulder to thigh, Steven’s hands gripping Dare’s so that he couldn’t even twitch if he wanted to.
“Sorry?” Dare offered.
“Sorry isn’t good enough.”
“I thought maybe you were bored with me now that we live together.”
Steven flipped Dare over onto his back like he was a big pancake.
Dare laughed but quickly lost his amusement when he saw the seriousness in his lover’s eyes.
“You never need to try and make me jealous, my pretty cat. Every time you offer a drink to some good-looking shifter I want to rip off his head. Why do you think I don’t wait for you at work any more? Silver banned me from the bar while you’re working. He says I’m bad for business.”
Steven’s laughter rumbled across Dare’s stomach making him hard and aching for his lover. He had to concentrate to focus on what Steven was saying.
“I’ll never tire of you, my mate.” Steven continued. Leaning down he kissed Dare on the lips. A kiss that conveyed, not only desire but deep affection. “What other wolf is lucky enough to have someone as sweet as you, who can also crush a man with his teeth. That is so fucking sexy.”
Dare laughed. “You’re disturbed. You know that don’t you?”
“Yeah.” Steven said looking at his lover with total adoration. “And I’m so in love with you that when I see you every morning I can barely catch my breath.” Steven cupped Dare’s face in his hands. “So shred every present in the house, eat the tinsel, destroy the lights, but never leave me. Because if you do it would be kinder to cut out my heart with a knife.”
Sighing, Dare leaned up and kissed his lover. “You’re such a romantic.”
“Merry Christmas.” Steven said. “And just so you know you have tinsel in your teeth.”
“If I floss will you take me to the bedroom and fuck my brains out?” Dare asked giving Steven his best pouty face.
“Now look who’s being romantic?” Steven teased. “Come on tiger let’s go to bed, you can finish shredding your presents tomorrow.”
Dare followed his lover down the hall. “You’ll remember you said that right?”

Here’s your Wednesday webstory. I have a special surprise for tomorrow. A short short story for Christmas for my Moonpack fans. I appreciate all the support you all give me in my writing and in case you were curious I did find some christmas crackers at sur la table. Of course after that I found they had them at Target also LOL!!! Happy Holidays to everyone…

Early next year a print edition of A-F Moonpack anthology will be released. I will also give away a few signed copies on my blog.

Raven was relieved to find out they were performing at the same theatre he’d danced at a few nights ago. It would be easier if he didn’t have to get used to the stage as well as learn a new number.
Evan raced down the steps to meet him.
“Raven.” He shouted, his handsome face lighting up as he watched the dancer exit the chauffeured vehicle.
With a laugh he grabbed Raven and twirled him in the air.
Raven was plucked from Evan’s arms by one guard while another slammed Evan to the ground.
“What the hell?” Evan shouted looking up at the large guard with his foot on Evan’s chest.
“The prince doesn’t appreciate others touching his mate.”
“He was my lover before he was the prince’s mate.” Evan protested, his green eyes shooting daggers.
“Now he’s not.” The guard said his hand on his weapon.
“There’s no need for that.” Raven said escaping the guard’s hold. “Evan is a dancer. We’re notoriously a touchy-feely group. Let him up.”
The guard assessed him for a moment but when Raven didn’t back down the other man shrugged and stepped aside.
Raven helped his ex-lover to his feet.
“Sorry about that, Evan.” He said in a low voice.
Evan gave him a weak smile. “That’s all right. I don’t blame you.” He gave the guard a glare letting him know who he blamed.
“What are we performing?”
“I thought we’d do the second half of that dance we did on Lewiston X.”
Raven searched his memory. “That would work. I’m a little rusty on it but it was a good number.”
“You should think so you choreographed it.” Evan said laughing.
Raven shrugged. “I don’t like everything I choreograph.”
Evan swung an arm around Raven’s shoulders giving him a one armed hug that even the guard couldn’t find objective. “That’s true. I missed you Raven. I haven’t seen you in too long.”
“We’ve both been busy.”
Raven smiled as he walked into the theatre and everyone clapped at his entrance. He stepped away from Evan and gave an exaggerated bow. “Thank you everyone.” He said blowing extravagant kisses and making everyone laugh.

The afternoon was eaten away with the sound of feet hitting the wooden stage floor over and over. Routines long forgotten slid back into Raven’s muscle memory as his body flowed through the movements as if it was yesterday and not many months since he last performed those steps.
They finished the number maneuvering their bodies in and out of each other’s spaces in a complicated movement that brought the stagehands and onlookers to their feet. Raven flipped over Evan’s back and landed solidly on the balls of his feet.
“I think we did that well.” Evan said.
They bowed to their makeshift audience wearing wide grins.
“We have two more rehearsals scheduled.” Evan said as Raven started off the stage.
“I’ll be here.”
He just had to make sure his lover didn’t freak.
* * *
The awards ceremony had been fun and surprisingly he and Evan had won a rather prestigious award. Unfortunately Kaemon had to go out of town on a business trip and missed the entire thing.
Because of the late night Raven was still sipping his coffee and nibbling on a croissant when his lover strode into the room looking as if a thundercloud was following him. With little regard to the delicacy of the device he tossed his widescreen media reader onto the table.
“Do have an explanation of this!” He roared.
Raven took another sip. “Good morning darling, how was your trip?”
The prince leaned over and pierced his lover with a vicious glare. “It was going fine until I read the morning gossip reports and found a picture of my lover on the front page.”
“Tsk, tsk. You should never read gossip. You of all people should know better.”
Kaemon’s eyes turned pure gold.
“You have such pretty eyes.” Raven sighed leaning up and placing a soft kiss on the prince’s cheek.
“Don’t think to distract me with your sweetness.” Kaemon grumbled but Raven could already feel the anger in the room ratcheting down to a more moderate level.
“Just look at the picture.”
With a put upon sigh, Raven set down his cup and picked up the reader. On the front of the entertainment gossip page was a picture of him hugging Evan and lifting him off his feet. A picture of two men hugging wasn’t front page news but the look on Evan’s face of pure adoration chilled Raven to the bone. The headline read. “Evan and Raven back together?”
“Shit this will break Myles’ heart.”
“Who cares about Myles? What about mine?”
Raven looked up in surprise. “Nothing happened. I was hugging him because he told me him and his lover just adopted a little boy.”
Kaemon startled Raven by leaning over and sniffing his neck. The tension in the prince evaporated. “You’re telling the truth.”
Anger surged through Raven. Never had he felt as furious as he did at that moment. Without thinking he jumped to his feet, pulled back his fist and punched the prince in the face.
“Ow!” Kaemon said grabbing his nose. “What the hell did you do that for?”
“You don’t think I know what you’re doing? You’re not the first shifter I’ve dated. You were seeing if you could smell another man on me. Thanks for the trust.”
Kaemon reached for him to pull him but Raven moved away. He saw the prince open his mouth to speak when Raven’s pocket started to ring.
Flashing a furious look at his lover, Raven pulled his telecommunicator out of his pocket. Pushing a button brought the caller to his screen. A thin blond with puffy red eyes looked back at him.
“Myles?”
“I-I a-always thought you’d get him in the end but I hoped you’d warn me first.” The blond sobbed.
“Nothing happened. I was hugging him because he told me the two of you just adopted. Congratulations by the way.”
“Th-thanks.” Myles dabbed at his eyes. “You don’t have to lie.” He continued sadly. “I always knew I was second choice.”
Kaemon snatched the communicator. “Hello Myles, I’m Prince Kaemon. Trust me when I tell you Raven hasn’t been with any man but me for the past two months.”
Raven grabbed the communicator back. “The bastard had the nerve to smell me when he got back a few minutes ago.”
A wide smile crossed Myles’ face giving Raven a hint of why his ex-lover was with the man. Myles was pretty when he wasn’t red and puffy. “Thanks Raven. I’m sorry I called. It’s hard being second choice.”
“You’re not second, Myles. Evan chose to spend his life with you. You have a house and a baby and everything with him that I never had.”
Myles nodded but Raven could tell his argument wasn’t persuading the man a bit.
“I’m glad you found someone. I like it better when you’re involved. When you’re single I worry there’s the chance you’ll get tired of being alone and take Evan back.” Myles gave a bitter laugh. “I can’t exactly compete with the galaxy’s most beautiful bachelor and Evan still loves you.”
“Trust me when I say even if things don’t work out with the prince, Evan and I will never be back together. We are happier apart and despite what it might look like in the picture, the hug was all we shared.”
There was a pause and Raven could tell Myles was thinking something over. “I know I don’t have the right to ask but could you answer me one question honestly?”
Raven shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Did Evan hit on you while you were at the party.”
Raven bit his lip as he tried to come up with the right answer.
Myles gave another odd laugh. “That’s what I thought.”
“I’m sorry.” What else could he say?
“No.” Myles blinked back tears. “I know it’s not your fault. I’ve always known. Could I talk to the Prince?”
Raven handed his communicator over.
Kaemon walked off with it and spoke in hushed tones that didn’t allow Raven to hear. They spoke for several minutes before the prince came back and handed over his communicator.
Myles eyes were clear and he gave Raven a tremulous smile. “Thanks for everything Raven you’ve been very patient with me. I know why Evan has always been enamored of you for so long.”
After giving an uncomfortable smile to the man, Raven disconnected.
“Honey.” Kaemon started.
“Don’t you honey me.” Raven said. Now that the conversation with Myles was over he remembered his anger at the prince. “You don’t trust me.”
That hurt worst than anything else. He thought they were building a relationship but Kaemon obviously thought he was a cheap piece of ass who would cheat on him the first chance he got. Shit he was feeling as weepy as Myles.
Straightening his back Raven gathered his dignity about him like a shroud and walked out of the room. He needed to get back to reality. As much as Trisha wanted him there he wasn’t really her father. Her father was the asshole who just ripped out his heart.

Hello fans,

I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch but I caught a bad cold and spent a few days feeling sorry for myself especially since my husband went out of town to see his sick father. On the plus side my father-in-law seems to be on the mend and my cold is mostly gone. I hope to have some release updates soon and I will definitely have a wednesday webstory tomorrow.

Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Amber

Raven sat down for breakfast with the king, Kaemon and Trisha smiling as he listened to the little girl patter. The feast set before them would’ve fed an entire dance troupe much less the four of them.

He flashed a smile towards Kaemon when he felt the prince’s foot slide along his own.

A short melody drew his attention to his communicator.

Glancing at the display Raven stood up.

“Excuse me.” He said before quickly exiting the room. Once he was out into the hall he answered the call.

“Hello.”

“Raven, sweetness how are you?” Evan’s rich voice poured across the line like rich temptation.

“I’m doing well.” Raven said. He couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face. He and Evan may be old news in the romance department but his old lover was still one of his favorite people.

“I’m so glad to hear that. Listen I’ve got good news. Remember that dance special we did for the Hyltarian orphans?”

Raven searched his mind. After so many years of planet hopping some of his shows were starting to blur together in his memory. This one he did remember because it was the last time he saw Evan.

“Six moon cycles ago?”

“Yes, we’re up for an award by the galactic arts council.”

“No!”

“Yes!”

Raven was stoked as many awards as he’d won in the past the galactic arts council award was the one award he’d never won. It was usually saved for do-gooder humanitarians.

“How did we rate?” He asked his ex-lover.

“Someone submitted our names.” Evan said with a laugh.

“And would this someone be the other person I performed that particular dance with?”

“Maybe.”

Raven laughed along with Evan. Although Evan was a talented dancer he wasn’t as recognized as Raven a point of contention in their relationship. Evan needed to be the star of any relationship and Raven refused to be less to make his lover feel better.

“Well that’s great. Let me know what they decide.”

“No.” Even blurted out. “We have to perform at the awards ceremony. It’s a really big deal and the best part is it is going to happen on the dragon planet that you just happen to be on.”

Raven was starting to get a bad feeling. “How do you know what planet I’m on?”

“Baby, just because we’re not together any more, doesn’t mean I don’t keep track of where you’re performing.”

“How does Myles feel about that?” Raven said referring to Ethan’s lover, a pale blond who worshipped the ground his ex-lover danced on.

“Myles understands. Besides you’re on every dance news show in the galaxy. I have to stay current with dance information and you are it my friend.”

Raven couldn’t argue with that but he still felt a pang of concern for the fragile Miles.

“Just, be gentle with him Evan. The poor guy really loves you.”

Evan’s rich laughter came across the phone. “I know Raven, I’ll take care of my man. Is it true that you hooked yourself a prince?”

“I am dating Prince Kaemon, yes.” Raven said cautiously knowing anything he told Evan would be on the galacticnet the next day. Evan couldn’t help it he was a horrible gossip and as long as Raven kept that in mind he didn’t mind sharing the news with his old friend.

“Good for you.” Raven thought Evan’s cheer was a little forced but he wasn’t going to step on that emotional land mine. “Now can I tell the promoters that you’ll do a dance with me?”

Raven sighed. “When is it?”

“In two weeks.”

“Two weeks?” Raven felt a trickle on unease follow him. These shows didn’t get planned overnight. “How long have you known about this?”

There was long silence.

“Two moon cycles.”

“And you are just telling me now why?”

“Listen Raven, I had them shift the show to accommodate you. I didn’t want to mess up whatever you have going on with the prince but I-I’ve missed you.”

Raven felt his heart pang. Ethan had been the first dance he’d met when he came upon the dance scene and years later was Raven’s first lover. Evan was imprinted on his heart but he wasn’t going to go there romantically again.

“Just friends.”

“What?”

“I’ll dance with you but we are just friends. I wouldn’t do that to Myles.”

“Of course.” Evan’s relief was clear across the line. “I adore Myles and don’t want to hurt him.”

“Okay. Send me the info and I’ll be there.”

“Brilliant. Love you, Raven.” Ethan said before the line went suddenly dead.

“Who was that?” A low growling voice asked behind him.

Raven spun around to see his lover towering over him, eyes glowing.

“An old friend. I guess I’m going to be here a few more weeks. I have to do a reward show performance.”

Kaemon stepped forward until he towered over Raven. “And this old friend is going to be there with you. This old friend who says he loves you before he hands up.”

“I’m sure that was just an automatic statement. Something he tells everyone when he hands up.”

He almost convinced himself it was true.

The prince continued to glower at him his lush mouth pressed into a thin line. “Will this old friend be at your performance.”

Raven nodded.

“I can’t say I’m not happy you’re staying a few more weeks but I don’t want you to be alone with him.”

“What!” Raven was surprised to see that Kaemon looked completely serious.

“I don’t trust this man who claims to love you and finds a reason for you to dance with him.” Kaemon said running his hands up and down Raven’s arms completely derailing his thought process.

Raven was going to argue as soon as he collected his thoughts. Kaemon’s touch made his mind go fuzzy.

“So you will take a chaperone wherever you go.” Kaemon commanded.

Raven laughed.

“I’m not some sheltered virgin. I can take care of myself.”

“No. You can’t. It is my job to take care of you. I’ll have one of the guards escort you about. It will save you from having to push away unwanted advances.” Kaemon’s tone left no doubts in Raven’s mind that the advances better be unwanted.

Sometimes it was better to give in gracefully and fight another day.

“As you wish, lover.” Raven said sliding into Kaemon’s embrace. “I wouldn’t want you to worry.”

The prince wrapped Raven in his arms even as he looked at his lover suspiciously. “Why do I worry more when you are agreeable.”

“Because you are a smart, smart man.” Raven said before going bringing Kaemon’s head down for a kiss.

You must be 18 or over to read this excerpt. I was going to write more but the characters insisted that was it…

Kaemon’s hands were made to caress this man. Watching Raven writhe beneath his touch made everything bearable. Every irritating politician, every scary overlord trying to take over the kingdom, every annoyance vanished beneath the sensation of silky skin beneath his fingers.

Watching Raven’s beautiful face tossed back in passion made his life worthwhile. He would do anything to persuade his mate to stay by his side. Kaemon licked a line of heat up Raven’s neck letting some of his innate fire warm the skin beneath his lips.

“Do that again.” Raven said in a whispery voice as if he couldn’t collect enough breath to speak at full power.

Kaemon leaned forward and breathed warm air, careful not to let it out into a flame. It was a rare ability to breathe flame in human form but it was an ability passed down through his family.

Not something he wanted to show his lover by burning Raven’s luscious skin. Mate bond or not Raven was it for him. The one man he would spend the rest of his life with or yearning to.

Raven snapped Kaemon’s attention back to his task by wrapping those strong dancer’s legs around him, pulling him close.

“I need you.” Raven’s eyes were wild, his pupils were blown and the ring of blue remaining was three shades darker than natural.

“I’m yours.” Kaemon promised over the lump in his throat. He took Raven’s mouth in a savage kiss, intent on branding his taste on his lover so that no other man would ever be enough.

Not passionate enough.

Not strong enough.

Not him.

Raven, his spirited lover, surrendered. Kaemon sank into the giving body of the dancer knowing that in that moment they were mated. Power surged through his body as he plunged into his willing lover.

Moans and whispers filled the air. The moment was too powerful, too sacred, for loud noises. When he came, Kaemon hid his face in his lithe dancer’s shoulder so Raven wouldn’t see his tears.

Separating from his love wrenched a moan from soul. His body wanted to stay inside the warm, welcoming man below him but he didn’t want Raven to suffer any discomfort. Reaching into a bedside table he removed a towel and wiped them both down before tossing it to the floor.

“Tidy.” Raven teased in a breathless voice.

“That’s why we have servants.” Kaemon said. “Keeps people employed.”

Laughing Raven poked Kaemon in the ribs. “You’re so sweet to think of your people like that.”

“Yep, that’s me. Always thinking of others.”

Unable to stand the inch of bed between them, Kaemon wrapped his arms around Raven and pulled him into his arms, letting the dancer’s lean body rest on top of his.

“I always wanted a royal mattress.” Raven said rubbing his head against Kaemon’s chest like a friendly cat.

Kaemon smiled stroking Raven’s silky hair. “You can have one as long as you want.”

Lifting his head Raven stared into Kaemon’s eyes. “You know I can’t stay, right?”

“You could stay if you wanted.” Kaemon let everything show in his eyes. He knew he’d conveyed the great love he felt when Raven sucked in his breath.

“I have obligations.” Raven said, but his voice wasn’t as strong as before.

Kaemon could feel victory in his grasp.

Who knows the best place in the US (or better yet Texas) to get Christmas Crackers?

Wednesday webstory coming soon

Here is an excerpt for the upcoming moonpack book:

“Marry me.”

“Hell no!” Gabe looked at his best friend Tracy Hopkins, where she sat on his kitchen counter eating ice cream out of a bowl.

“Aw come on Gabe, you’re the perfect guy. You cook, you clean, you pick up your own underwear.”

“I fuck guys.”

Tracy shrugged. “So you have one minor flaw.”

Gabe laughed as he scooped his own ice cream out. “It might put a damper on your sex life.”

“Not with the guys I’ve been dating and seriously are all the architects at our firm gay or what?”

“That would be a statistical improbability. Besides it would be discriminatory to hire someone based on sexual preferences.”

“Yeah, but if they never ask they can’t be prosecuted.”

Gabe reviewed all the architects in his head. “I think a majority of them are gay but you know I’ve never had a very good sense about those things, one of the reasons I don’t date much. A guy practically has to write it in glowing letters before I know he’s interested.”

“True.” Tracy giggled. “Very true. Remember Nicky, he sent you flowers for a week in order to get your attention.”

“Yeah he was really romantic,” Gabe sighed, “too bad he was a dud in bed.”

“Don’t give up on dating yet. What about Anthony?”

“The boss?” Gabe shuddered. “He’s scary and I think his boyfriend is a mob boss or something he always has these big thugs following him around. Besides Anthony makes me nervous, there’s something seriously off about that guy.”

“I think he’s sweet.” Tracy said loyally. “Whenever I need time off he always approves it. And last year when my mother needed surgery he paid the hospital bill.”

“I didn’t say he wasn’t a good boss. I said he’s scary. I swear I saw lightening flash in his eyes once. And have you met the new consultant? What kind of guy works only at night, skin disease my ass, he just likes to sleep in.”

Tracy giggled. The sound was starting to annoy him.

“I’ll tell you what I think. I think you’re just mad because we are in an office of hot guys and none of them will give either of us the time of day.”

Gabe reluctantly smiled. “Maybe. But you know who I think is the hottest?”

“Who.” Tracy leaned forward her eyes.

“I saw this guy visiting Anthony once, his name was Dare. God I’d love to lick those muscles.”

“What happened?”

Gabe shrugged. “Nothing. I smiled at him, he patted me on the back like I was his new best friend and the guy with him, who I guess was his boyfriend, looked at me like he wanted to rip off my head and beat me with it. Why are the best ones always taken by assholes?”

“Maybe he was just protective.”

Gabe remembered the adoring look Dare’s boyfriend had given the friendly man. “Maybe. But I’d like a man like that.”

“Like what?”

“Fine looking and friendly. That’s not too much to ask is it?”

“What about in bed?”

“If he’s gorgeous than he’ll be good in bed.”

“How do you figure?”

“Practice. Anyone that good looking has to have had a lot of practice.”

Tracy clacked her spoon against his.

“Touche’”

* * *

The play was good, the dinner after was fabulous.

“I can’t remember the last time I had a meal that good.” Gabe said smiling at Tracy.

“Me either. It’s been a nice night. Thanks for inviting me.”

“It was the least I could do for your birthday since you’re getting so old.” Gabe teased while admiring her glowing complexion and shiny hair.

“Yes it was, the very least.” Tracy said ignoring the jibe.

“Wanna go get a drink?” Gabe asked tilting his head towards the bar they were passing by.

Tracy shook her head. “I’m bushed and I’ve got to get that presentation ready for tomorrow.” Tracy worked for the landscape architecture section of their firm and she was always trying to persuade their customers to purchase more native friendly plants.

“Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

They parted paths after Gabe saw his friend safely to her car and watched her drive away. You could never be too careful with a single woman at night and it would just kill him if he left Tracy to walk to her car and something happened to her.

His own Lexus was parked a little further down.

Thinking on his tasks for the following day, Gabe didn’t pay attention to a pair of men separating from the shadows.

“Hello little half-breed.”

Gabe spun around to see a creature that walked like a man but looked like some sort of mutated wolf.

What the hell is that?

Fear stuttered his heart as he watched the monsters get closer. “Who are you? What are you?”

“We are what you’re going to be next full moon.” The creature on the left snarled. Without warning the beast leapt onto Gabe, slamming him into the concrete. Pain lanced through him as the monster clamped down on Gabe’s shoulder, piercing his body with razor sharp teeth.

Gabe screamed.

“Go ahead and scream.” The other monster said watching the scene calmly as if it happened every day. “It excites him. If you’re lucky he’ll fuck you before we go.”

Where before there was stark fear now there was cold, hard terror.

He knew there was no way he was going to survive this night. Whatever these creatures were they weren’t human.

“Hey.” Someone shouted in the distance.

Ping. Ping.

Bullets ricocheted off of the building beside him. For a moment Gabe wondered if the creature or the bullets were going to kill him first.

I’ve had several emails from people asking when the next Moonpack is coming out. I am currently working on the next in the Moonpack series along with Taking care of Charlie. I’ll keep everyone updated as to the due dates when I get closer to completion. I’m hoping for December release of at least one of them

Here is the Wednesday Story post. It didn’t get to the hot man/man action yet. I’ll post an extra one this weekend as a Thanksgiving special. Thank you for everyone who inquired about my family’s health. My boys are both healthy now and my husband had an allergy test and is apparently allergic to everything: dust, mold, pet hair, yeast. It’s amazing he’s made it to 39. I think I’m going to rename him bubble man because that is really the only way the poor man is going to be safe from his allergies:)

Raven was nervous as they made their way back to the castle. He didn’t want to upset Kaemon but then there was no way he was going to turn Trisha over to that new school and suppress her creativity. He’d seen the damage other schools had done to dancers and artists over the years and it was one of the reasons he spent so much money supporting them.

“Did they let me in the school because of you?” Trisha asked in a small voice.

Raven shoved down his insecurities to deal with the girl’s.

“No.” He reassured her. “They would have if I insisted but they told me they thought you were very talented and were happy to have you there.”

His honesty was rewarded by a brilliant smile that was so similar to her father’s that it made his heart hurt. Raven panicked. He was already too close to the prince. The thought of leaving Kaemon and his daughter was like a dagger in his heart he didn’t know if he could survive the week no matter what kind of promises he made.

“You’re not going to run away are you?”

Damn the girl was perceptive.

“Do I look panicky?”

Trisha laughed. “Kind of.”

“I promised your father I’d stay and help you settle in.”

“Do you think he likes me?”

“Yes, Trisha. I think your father likes you. Why wouldn’t he? You‘re a beautiful, sweet, talented girl. What’s not to like. It will take him a while to get used to having a child, be patient with him. I don’t think he knows quite what to do with you.”

Trisha nodded her head. “I will if you will.” She flashed Raven her heart-breaking smile. “I don’t think my father knows what to do with you either.”

Raven wasn’t ready when the driver stopped and opened the door.

Wasn’t the castle a little farther before?

He slid out and nodded to the driver who was looking at him with a suspicious twinkle in his eyes.

Helping Trisha out of the car they both approached the castle with dragging feet.

Raven turned and caught Trisha’s eyes. They both laughed.

“We have to face him sometime.” Raven said.

“Yeah.”

The pair cleared the front doorway which was opened before they approached.

“Good afternoon. Master Raven, Mistress Trisha.” The butler said. “If you are looking for the king or the prince they are both in the dining room having their afternoon meal. I can order you some food if you are interested.”

Raven exchanged looks with Trisha.

“I‘m hungry.” Raven said.

“Yeah me too.” Trisha agreed.

“If you’d follow me.”

Raven was glad he didn’t have to find his way on his own. It wasn’t something he advertised but his sense of direction, sucked.

They found the royals sitting down to a fine platter of sliced meets and cheeses. Raven was surprised to see an enormous selection of fruits and vegetables laid out down the middle of the table.

Kaemon gave him an intimate smile when he walked in, the man obviously hadn’t heard his antics yet.

“How was your meeting?”

“Fine, fine.”

The prince didn’t meet his eyes making Raven suspect the meeting might not have been as important as Kaemon had implied.

“Mmm,hmm.” He let his cynicism shine through.

Kaemon’s turned a little red. “I had them prepare some dishes I thought would appeal to your tastes.”

Raven let him off the hook. The prince blushing was adorable but his consideration regarding Raven’s eating, especially since he didn’t know if Raven would be back for lunch, was sweet.

He motioned for Trisha to take a seat beside her father and he took one next to the king.

It wasn’t until he was settled in that he realized he was seated directly across from the prince who was staring at him with hot eyes.

“So, Trisha how did you like the Royal Academy?”

Trisha scooped up some food with great concentration.

Raven came to her rescue.

“She isn’t going to that school.”

“Why not?” The king asked setting down his fork and piercing Raven with a pointed stare.

Raven scooped up some odd yellow vegetables as he concentrated on what to say. He settled with the truth.

“The headmaster gave me the creeps and they didn’t have any arts program. Trisha told me she was interested in continuing her studies.”

“She could’ve had private studies and still gone to the school. I can replace the headmaster if he bothers you so much.”

Raven picked up a purple fruit and regarded it on his fork.

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to replace the headmaster but it is the basic philosophy of the school. They don’t respect the arts and as such they are building one dimensional thinkers for your future leaders. If Trisha is going to take her place in the royal family she is better served to be a well-rounded individual and able to relate to your people. How is she going to relate if she doesn’t understand your culture through dance and music. She doesn’t have to become a professional dancer but learning dancing isn’t going to do any more harm than teach her how to be graceful not something that is going harm her in her future. I registered her at an arts school that I know also has an amazing scholastic program. If you want to register her at a different school than it’s up to you as her father.” Raven said with a pointed look.

Kaemon gave him a sweet smile that immediately made Raven suspicious. A man that buff didn’t do sweet well.

“I’ll keep her wherever you think best,  my Raven. I know you have her best interests at heart.”

Raven flashed a glance at the king who made an odd cough.

“Are you all right, your highness.”

The king smiled at him. Raven decided the royal didn’t do innocent any better than his son.

“I’m just fine Raven. Just fine.”

Raven decided that the men on this planet were just plain strange. Too bad they were so gorgeous.

“Are you finished?” Kaemon’s voice rolled over him like a physical touch.

He nodded. It was too difficult to talk while Kaemon was undressing him with his eyes.

“Father, I need to show Raven around today, could you make sure Trisha has everything she needs for school tomorrow?”

“Of course.” The king scanned the list. “Trisha, would you like a servant to get this for you or would you like to go with me and pick them up?”

“I’d like to go with you.” Trisha said in a soft voice, not looking up from her food.

The king beamed. “Excellent. We can get to know each other better.”

Kaemon stood up sliding his chair across the floor in his haste. “Raven come with me.”

Before Raven could say anything, an iron grip enclosed his wrist as the prince pulled him up from his chair. “Come on darling. Let me show you around.”

Raven waved to the others as he was hauled out of the room.

Since everyone liked Taking Care of Charlie I thought i’d give you the very beginning.

Charlie

The sound of beeping brought me out of my deep rest. Sleepily I blinked to clear my vision.

White.

Everything was white.

The walls, the floor, the uniform of the woman leaning over me; all white.

“You’re awake.” She said with a delighted smile. “You had us worried.”

She didn’t look worried. I thought she looked, calm and collected. Her hands kept smoothing over the covers. I resisted the urge to slap them away.

I hated being fussed over.

Absolutely, hated it.

It took a moment to connect the disturbing white with the annoying sound.

Hospital.

“How did I get here?”

The perky nurse clamped her lips tight. I had the impression that she didn’t want to tell me why I was here or how I got there or anything that might make her patient completely and totally freak out.

“You were injured. Do you remember anything at all?”

Of course. Why wouldn’t I remember? But when I searched my mind for the events that led me to lying on the bed I couldn’t remember anything. Anything other than I was in pain, I was scared and I wanted Marcus.

“I want Marcus.” I said out loud.

“Who’s Marcus?”

“My…” For the life of me I couldn’t remember who he was in my life. I just had images of a tall blond with golden brown eyes and an easy smile and I knew if I called he’d come for me. “My friend.” I said finally because whatever he might be I knew that somehow Marcus was my friend.

“Do you have his number?” The nurse asked drawing my attention back to her.

“In my cell phone.”

Did I come in with my cell or lose it in whatever accident happened to me.

“It’s right here.” The nurse said plucking a silver phone off of my side table.

“He’ll be under Marcus Chance.”

The nurse’s eyes went wide. “You mean Dr. Chance.”

Was he a doctor? I couldn’t remember. A flash of the same handsome blond in a doctor’s coat blinked in my memory.

“Yes.”

“Oh. I didn’t know you were a friend of Dr. Chance’s I’ll call him and let him know you’re here.”

“Thank you.”

I didn’t feel up to saying anything else so I closed my eyes against her probing gaze. She patted my arm. “You just rest. I’ll page Dr. Chance.”

The awed tone she used let me know that he was someone important to the hospital but I didn’t care. I wanted out of there.

I hated hospitals.

It took me a moment after she left to realize I never asked what was wrong with me.