Page 20 of Of Hearts and Hunters (Fallen Crowns Duet #1)

“Don’t you dare lay a hand on them!” Bodhi warns him.

Too late. Kevin is now pushing Chiara to the side. She stumbles into the bar stools, the man sitting near the fray grabbing her before she falls. Kevin eyes me cruelly as he raises his hand.

“Fuck you, you little tramp!” he sneers just as his hand connects with my face. Except it’s not a hand. It’s his fist. I guess sluts get a punch while pretty girls like Chiara get a push.

Just as his fist lands on my cheek, Darren comes up on me from behind and throws me to the side. The force of the pull causes me to fall just like Chiara did. Darren is in front of me, grabbing Kevin under his arms. The Vampyr Prince walks backward with the human as Kevin tries and fails to punch him.

Bodhi follows the two of them, opening one of the double doors to The Azalea Tavern as Darren throws Kevin onto the street. Cheering and applause slam my ears along with the searing pain of getting hit by a drunk asshole.

A few Koramas leave the establishment–I can smell and hear them go from up ahead. I guess they're making sure Kevin is really gone. No one messes with the Cold Moon Pack like that. Koramas live by a code of loyalty. Hurting women isn’t tolerated. And punching out the Kormo is also a no-go.

Before I can blink, Bodhi is helping me to my feet. “Verity!” he exclaims, wiping wet hair away from my cheek. “Are you okay, sweetie?”

I’m nobody’s ‘sweetie’ but it’s tender and nice to hear, the way Bodhi says it.

“Yeah.” I tremble through my tears as he clutches my arms, looking me over as if he’s searching for injuries or trauma. “I just–need a minute.”

He nods. “Take all the time you need. He’s long gone.”

I lose my footing trying to get out of the dimly-lit tavern, moving away from the busy front doors. I lean my back against the wall, dampness searing my back from the rain we had last night. The cold air actually feels good–but only for a second. It’s like the Winter air is freezing my lungs. It’s hard to breathe out here, too. I hunch over in discomfort.

I’m starting to panic. I can’t take a breath. I can’t think. I can’t even move anymore. People walk by me, ignoring the fact that I’m crying with an already-forming black eye. The whole left side of my face is hot with pain. I’m sure a shiner will show up any second now. And it’ll take a few days to heal.

“Verity?”

I somehow find the strength to look up, surprised that I was followed–and followed by him.

“Go away,” I sniffle (shit) as Darren steps in front of me.

“Not until I know you’re okay.”

This causes me to look up at him. “Why do you care?” I demand hotly through my tears.

He sighs. “Is it so hard to believe that someone would want to help you? That someone would care about what happens to you?”

I narrow my eyes up at him, positive my eyeliner and mascara are streaming down my face, but I don't give a shit. “I don’t need your help!” I counter angrily.

Darren’s soft and concerned hazel eyes make me so mad, I could scream. I hate that they– he –got to me. I hate that he’s quickly becoming all I think about–that I have to stop myself from doing that so many fucking times a day that it makes my head spin. I hate that he’s so nice to me, especially after he stopped the kiss the night of that bullshit peace party.

Darren scratches his head. “Are you alright?” he asks, enunciating each word as he looks down at me. He’s fucking unfazed by my death stare. That pisses me off even more.

I cross my arms over my chest as people pass us. I must look crazy, but I don’t care. “I’m a Korama,” I tell him softly but evenly, knowing he’ll be able to hear me. “I’m fine.”

Darren shifts before looking down at me again. “Alright. I’m glad.”

“Sure you are.” Those three words, laced with venom, just kind of slip out , but they feel good to say. They make Darren suck in an uneasy breath against the frosty breeze.

“Verity…” He exhales, stepping closer to me. I respond by backing up, but the wall blocks my escape.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he declares softly. “It was never my intention.”

I say nothing because screaming, swearing, kicking his ass–none of it will do any good. None of it will change anything.

I like him.

A lot.

And he doesn’t want me.

I fucking like a Vampyr–and making it ten times worse is the fact that he flat-out rejected me like I was the trash that Kevin just punched out.

“I don’t–I’m not…” Darren sighs again, looking uncomfortable before finally admitting, “I’m demisexual. I… It takes me a long while to feel anything romantic for someone else.” His hazel eyes look me over but not in the way I’d hoped. “I enjoy being around you, even when you berate me. I can see myself developing a bond with you. But I can’t guarantee it’ll lead to anything. Not in the way you want.”

I thought my head was spinning before. It’s out of control now.

Darren surprises me by moving stuck hair away from my face. “Do you understand?” he asks.

I want to recoil from his hand against my hair, my skin. But underneath the vamp smell is him, his being, his deep hazel eyes… And I can’t help but long for him to not let go of me.

“I’m not a moron,” I finally protest sourly, because I can’t just stop being me, even now.

Darren smiles, breaking through my icy wall of anger and defiance, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m well aware of that.” He clears his throat. “So… Are you still upset with me?”

“Is the grass green?” is all I can come up with. Stupid.

Darren rolls his eyes, but the smile doesn’t leave his face. “Verity,” he prods.

“I don’t know, okay?” I sob, pushing him so the distance between us is a little easier for me to handle.

Darren obeys my request by moving away from me. “I’ll give you some space if that’s what you want, but… I hope it doesn’t last forever.”

I frown up at him through my angry and rejected tears, his face blurry even with my Korama senses. He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t do anything. He turns on his heel and walks away, disappearing into the crowd of tourists and humans that don’t know a Vampyr is walking the streets with them.

Before I can even begin to process what just happened, the wind shifts, causing the sickly-sweet smell of perfume I know all too well to sting my nostrils.

Damnit!

I whirl around, looking down the same alley that I thought would be the place of my rape just a few weeks ago. I should’ve known this alley and the area around it would always bring misery. Because coming out of the shadows is Chiara, wearing the most cunning grin I’ve ever seen.

The wolf inside me was right to feel threatened. I fold my arms, immediately getting a second wind. My teeth grind and my legs tense as Chiara inches closer. She was probably listening in on our conversation the entire fucking time. And since Koramas are everywhere and the wind hasn’t shifted yet, Darren and I had no idea we were being watched.

I don’t have to have a PhD in psychology to know that I’m screwed. I know exactly what Chiara is up to. I try to rewind my conversation with Darren, praying neither of us mentioned our past alliance to figure out if the vamps and Magicena are in cahoots with one another.

Chiara looks smug. She heard enough. Enough to get me in deep shit but not enough to get my ass whooped for strategizing with a vamp. So I guess that’s good–sort of.

“Well.” Chiara ignores the wintry wind that pulls the strands of her messy bun around her face. “It looks like you have a more interesting life than I thought.”

I narrow my eyes at her, hoping my defensive stance and collected demeanour make me look untouchable. On the inside, my heart is pounding, and it’s tough to breathe all over again.

She knows.

She knows I kissed Darren–or at least have a thing for him. I don’t think the kiss was ever brought up, but it was probably implied or whatever. Who knows?

The main point here is that Chiara knows he and I had some kind of relationship up until this point. She is probably replaying that scene in the Heavenstream National Park when I pulled her off of him, using the Territory Law as an excuse (fuck). All of that is tainted now.

“You don’t know shit,” I counter evenly.

She cocks a dark eyebrow. “Really?” she asks. “I wonder what my big brother would think if he knew the Kormo was fucking the newbie Vamp Prince.”

“Go ahead,” I snarl quickly–probably too quickly. “That’s not what it is.”

“Maybe.” She tilts her head to the side. “Your heart’s been pounding a mile a minute this entire time. So you’re not screwing him. But you want to.”

My chest drops at her intuitiveness. I hate her. She’s beautiful and smart. And now she’s going to ruin me.

“You gotta be pretty desperate to throw yourself at a Vampyr–especially one that murdered one of our own. I bet you knew all along.” Chiara folds her arms and gives me this look , like she pities me.

I roll my eyes. “You’re so far off, Chi .”

That does it. She grits her teeth just before spewing out, “No wonder you’re not taking your Kormo duties to heart. You’re too busy sucking his dick–or at least fantasizing about it.” She hisses the term like it’s a dirty word–and the worst part is, I know she’s right.

Here it comes.

“So maybe you should step down so you can spend more time with what’s-his-name,” Chiara muses–or threatens–her hazel eyes dark and mischievous. “Then someone more deserving can take over.”

“Like you?” I question, fists clenched at my sides. “You’ve been wanting to–”

“Do it, Verity , or Paxton and Megsie will find out. And you know what’ll happen.”

She’s right. I do know what would happen if my Korma and Kormi knew I had a thing for a vamp–that I was meeting up with him, being his friend, whatever.

Getting kicked out of the pack.

Excommunication.

A total shun from the Korama community.

Vampyrs ruined our lives. No way will Paxton let his Kormo or any Korama in his territory have any kind of relationship with a vamp.

It’s over.

Even if I never had Darren–even if I never wanted this to begin with, but it happened anyway–I’m still going to lose everything. Being a Kormo was difficult. I hated it a lot of the time. But I still wanted to do my best for Freddie and to serve my pack. I wanted to improve.

And now I’ll never get that chance.

I suck in a quick breath before spitting out, “Fine. I’ll quit. But if you ever screw with me again–”

“Don’t think I won’t take it seriously. If you don’t quit, you’re going down to Hell with that bloodsucker. And maybe I’ll ignore the treaty and fulfil that kill order.”

My jaw drops. Chiara grins, clearly happy she was able to push my buttons. Gray clouds swarm over us, making her smile eerie and fucking ominous. She means what she says.

Chiara is a vengeful bitch–something we have in common, I guess. Still, I can’t believe she’d go against the treaty–not to mention Paxton and Megsie’s orders to follow it to keep the peace while we tighten security around our borders and vulnerable communities–just to kill a random vamp.

But I guess it’s not so random. She’s avenging Freddie and Jaxon. And if I tell her that Darren killed Jaxon to get him off me, it’ll just add more fire to her theory about Darren and me.

My hands are tied.

My shock and fear are replaced by a tidal wave of rage. I can feel the adrenaline spiking through my veins. “If you touch him–” I begin, my teeth biting my lower lip. The metallic taste of blood burns in my mouth. My Wolf Eyes activate. I’m still the Kormo–my wolf self is bigger, and its eyes are sharper. For now.

Chiara sees them and takes one step back before laughing once. “You’ll what? Kill me? Good luck, Verity. Then you’ll never be able to come back here. No family for the little orphan. Not even a vamp loves you.”

That last part rocks me. I want to close the distance between us and punch Chiara’s teeth down her throat–maybe because I know she’s right and I hate it whenever she is. Before I can do anything, Chiara shows me her back (bad move, she’s lucky her brother is the Korma) and heads back into the alley.

Hard snow crunches under my boots and pelts the hood of my jacket as I creep through Heavenstream National Park as quietly as possible. I blend in with the shadows and the sounds of the night, homing in on how the snow feels under the tread of my boots; how the wind rustles my long hair; how the heaviness of the night holds the secrets of the future and potential massacres.

It’s my turn to patrol this section of the territory. Megsie and Paxton are splitting themselves up between the other National Parks. I want to make myself useful before I have to go through with Chiara’s blackmail. Soon, it’ll be her who’s patrolling the parks at night, keeping daycares and schools safe under her watch. Who knows, maybe they’ll trust her with more responsibility. Maybe the pack and the entire Korama community will respect Chiara more. It just makes sense. Nobody trusts the orphan, the hot trash, the girl who shoots her mouth off before–

I feel something.

Someone else is in the park with me.

And not just anyone.

A Vampyr.

The snow is slowly turning to rain, the breeze shoving the vamp stench into my nostrils. It gets caught in my throat, but I suppress the gag to try and remain undetected. I’m sure the Vampyr can sense my presence–and hello, it’s Korama turf, so of course there’d be wolves here!–but I don’t want to draw any attention to myself.

A predator is in the vicinity. I can’t afford to take any chances.

As if on cue, the nightlife around me–the skunks, raccoons, and owls–disappear into their usual hiding places. No one likes to be around a Vampyr–not even the animals. They sense the threat, too.

The thing is, I can’t hide like the creatures inhabiting the parklands. It’s my duty as the Kormo to investigate this trespasser. He or she is still on Korama Territory. They still crossed our border. Screw the new treaty.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up tall. My breath begins to come out in shorter, less even huffs.

I’m being hunted.

Someone else is hunting the wolf, not the other way around.

It shouldn’t be like this.

But Vampyrs have killed everyone I’ve ever loved, so I know no different than to feel the sickly tendrils of fear lacing down my spine. I was taught from a young age to fear the bloodsuckers. No one is safe from them, not even Koramas.

My fear must have taken over the rest of my senses, because a few more paces north, I recognize the scent of the Vampyr in the National Park. Just as my heart rate begins to slow and my anxiety takes a breather, a silhouette escapes from the shadows up ahead.

The moonlight breaking through the cover of snow-topped branches casts a frosty glow over Darren’s features: his hair, a mixture of browns and somehow unaffected by the tumbling snow; his black leather jacket; the way his hazel eyes soften when he sees me standing across from him.

I suck in a quick breath against the rain threatening to push me deeper into the snow. I’m winded and thrown off guard. Not a good combo.

No time for chit-chat.

“What the hell are you doing, Darren?” I hiss like he’s the biggest moron to set foot in the park. And he most definitely is. It’s super annoying, how much I like this idiot.

He closes the gap between us, his hiking boots crunching mercilessly against the packed snow and black ice littering the National Park.

“We’re on the lookout for vamps!” I remind him in my hostile Verity way, staring up at him despite the crazy rainwater streaming down my face. “Chiara wants to fulfil the kill order!”

“I know coming here was risky. But…” He trails off, looking behind me–maybe for the Korama calvary.

Okay. So he’s not as brainless as I thought. At least he knows coming here was a dumb-as-fuck idea.

I’m thrown off guard when he places his hands on my arms, the heat from his hands seeping through my wet jacket and into my bones like the sun’s rays melting ice. My stomach twists into uncomfortable knots. My legs are shaking. If he says anything, I’m blaming it on the weather.

“But I needed to see you,” he finishes softly.

The way he’s looking at me…

I don’t get it. I thought he said attraction would take a long time, or it had to happen because we were friends first. This isn’t in my imagination, though. It’s not like it happens much, but I can still tell when a guy is looking at me. Looking with more than just ‘it’s only Veri’ in his eyes. You don’t need to fall off a building to know it’s gonna hurt.

“I can’t stop thinking about you, Verity.”

That simple declaration–one I never thought I’d hear him say–shoots electricity to my spine all the way down to my frozen toes.

This can’t be all in my head! What guy says that to a girl he isn’t into?

Before I can even take a breath–which is damn near impossible due to the heavy Winter air and his confession–Darren bends down and kisses me.

Kissing a Vampyr is nothing like what I thought it would be–not that I ever thought I’d do that to begin with. The only thing they’re good for is a quick slay.

But all that changed when I met Darren.

I can’t change how he makes me feel. And now that we’ve crossed the line–in every sense, really–there’s no going back now.

His lips are warm, soft, inviting. The Vampyr scent fades away as our kiss deepens.

Out-of-control thoughts fire all over the place like a broken pinball machine, each one warring for dominance, as his hands softly increase their hold on my arms. As the pressure builds, so too does his mark, his claim, on me.

I’m a fucking goner.

I dig my fingers into his hair, tugging at the scalp. A moan escapes Darren’s mouth, causing a shiver to skate down my spine. Darren opens my mouth wider, one hand leaving my arm and pressing into the small of my back. My mind is even foggier as more warmth seeps into my back, trailing to the space between my legs. I’m wet and trembling as his opposite hand brushes damp hair away from my shoulder, his lips pressing against my neck.

My eyes roll to the back of my head, my hands now bringing him closer to me, greedy for more of him. I don’t want any more space between us.

Having him closer makes breathing difficult, but it’s a worthwhile sacrifice to feel him nibbling on my skin.

I should be terrified of the prospect of him biting me, but it’s the opposite.

I trust him.

I’m not sure when I finally broke down those walls, but there’s no denying it now. If there's anything I’m sure of, it’s the fact that I am safe with Darren.

I’m quivering with pleasure–an experience I’ve never felt until now. I didn’t think anyone, anything, could feel this way.

I’m thankful for his grip on my body, because that might be the only thing keeping me upright.

But I want more–no, I need more. I crave Darren–each and every part of him, even the things that piss me off. I want all of him, right now. With each erratic thump of my heart, my desire for him grows until I can’t see straight, the moonlight cracking through the dead branches causing his features to weave in and out of view.

I decide against my impulse to bring him forward and push him backward instead, using a thick maple as a base.

Darren changes course, using no Vampyr speed or strength to maneuver me against the tree instead, one hand against the trunk and the other cascading through my damp locks. We’re not fully sheltered from the rain, but there’s still a bit of a break from the wind. But I don’t care that I’m wet, cold, and tired. All I can think about is–

“I want to be close to you, Verity,” he breathes against my lips.

My legs buckle. I’ve completely lost my train of thought. I’m not used to this happening to me. It feels… Good .

Instead of telling him the same thing, I show him. I press my body against his, wrapping my arms around his neck as I shove my mouth into his jaw. Damn our height difference!

Darren must have bent halfway through my lunge, because it’s easier for me to get to him now. What’s even better is the fact that he makes no short jokes or comments about my misfire–he just treats it as part of the dance. My chest swells with relief and appreciation, and I show him that too by sliding my tongue across his teeth.

Our kiss feels like more than the sparks flying through my system. It feels right . Like we were always supposed to be doing this, opposing races be damned.

Darren peels my jacket from my body, his large but soft hands pressing against my crop top, fingers sinking into my ribs, his hazel eyes trailing every inch of me. I already feel like we’ve done more than just kissing due to the intimate weight of his gaze. My hands are quick to grab his belt, his impressive hard-on making me wonder what his dick would look like, taste like, feel like.

“Wait.” Darren surprises me by removing my hands from his waistband. “I want to take my time with you. Pleasure you first.”

My heart skitters to a painful stop like a racecar driver slamming on the brakes on a break-neck bend in the track.

Pleasure me ? What does that–

Darren crouches lower, positioning me on some of the undergrowth and roots of the maple, his large frame eclipsing my smaller one. I never thought I’d think this way, but for now, I actually enjoy being ‘the runt of the pack’ as his shadow fills mine.

I look up at him, eyes searching his for signs of his next move. My heart is hammering excitedly against my ribs, anticipation bubbling in the back of my throat. I have to bite back the please do it now that is barely contained by my pursed lips.

His mouth presses tenderly against my forehead as he begins to pull down my soaking-wet black leggings. Maybe I kicked off my boots or he took them off. I’m so buzzed, I can’t remember.

My legs are trembling with hyperactivity and unspoken yearning as he leaves my leggings on the damp snow. With two gentle hands on my slippery thighs, he spreads me wide open, his hazel eyes trained on my black thong. I’m quivering and wet. I know Darren can see it, smell it, sense it.

He leans over me, removing even more distance between us. His hand trails my most intimate area with slow and careful precision.

Fuck me!

My trembling skyrockets. I shut my eyes, my excitement gushing against my thong. My eyes snap open in shock when Darren strokes my cheek.

“Open your eyes, my dear,” he whispers in a husky drawl. A hopeless whimper escapes my mouth in response.

Letting go of my face, Darren smiles at me tenderly, then lowers his head. I dig into the slush around me, heaving in a raspy breath. He presses his hot and gentle lips to my now-drenched panties.

I wiggle my ass against the roots, moaning unintelligibly when he places a kiss against me. I only squirm and whimper more as he takes hold of my thong with his teeth, moving it away from my cold but excited-as-hell center. He’s now inches away from my quivering core.

“Oh, my God. Please,” I plead weakly, unable to hold back the words I’ve been suppressing all this time.

He kisses my most sensitive area, suddenly shaking his head against me. I throw my head back in ecstasy, electricity rocketing through me as he fulfils my desire without delay. I bite my lower lip and writhe in intoxication as his tongue teases me, leaving no space undiscovered as he explores the space between my thighs.

My legs shoot out involuntarily when he uses his fingers to play with my clit, the tingling sensations causing me to grip the undergrowth surrounding me.

I’ve never felt anything like this before. And I can’t believe that a Vampyr is making me experience this raw, unbelievable passion that’s erupting muffled screams from my amazed mouth.

Darren’s soft hazel eyes meet my own as he devours my pussy, my uncontrollable squirming causing him to smile through his mouthful. Even if I can’t see it, I can tell from the light–that irresistible, damn near perfect light that shows his humanity and kindness despite being a bloodsucker–that he is happy. He’s happy that he’s pleasuring me.

Someone out there, the man I’m falling for, actually gives a shit about me. He wants to take care of me.

I’ve never wanted to have anyone look out for me–other than Bodhi, Briony, and the pack–but Darren…

I throw my head back as I climax, my pussy putty in Darren’s fucking capable hands. He lifts his head up from the space between my thighs, licking my essence from his lips.

“You taste phenomenal, Verity,” he purrs, causing me to orgasm all over again.

And that’s when I wake up.