Hexed and Bitten

Chapter 1

Present day - October 25, 2026

Their moans filled the dimly lit bedroom. Arabella straddled David, rocking in rhythm with him, her face buried in the crook of his neck while her fangs sank deep into the sweet spot above his collarbone. The deeper she drank, the wilder he seemed to get thrusting harder and moaning louder.

“f**k, baby, suck me,” he groaned, his fingers digging into her hips as he continued to drive up into her.

Gasping, she retracted her fangs from his neck and sat up. Blood trickled down her chin as she bounced on him, lost in the feel of his thick shaft stretching her in a way that had her purring like a cat. Slowly, his hands moved up her toned, flat stomach to her bare breasts, cupping and squeezing them with a fierceness that made her cry out in pleasure. Suddenly, his hand tangled in her hair, pulling her down as his lips crashed onto hers. Their tongues battled for dominance, neither bothered by the metallic taste of copper in their mouths, in fact it seemed to drive David even wilder.

Moving with surprising speed for a human, he flipped them over, pinning her arms above her head as he continued to thrust into her like a man possessed by lust.

“David!” she gasped out, her legs wrapping around his waist as he ravaged her. Lost in the frenzy, she let him take complete control until the exquisite release they both needed crashed over them.

Lying together, spent from the night of wild carnal fun, she couldn't help but watch him sleep soundlessly beside her. Smiling, she shifted closer and rested her head on his chest. Why did it feel so nice having him here with her? Her eyes slowly grew heavy as sleep finally pulled her under.

"Maximus, please," Arabella pleaded, pulling gently at his shirt. "I just want to explore. To travel a little and see the world on my own."

Maximus scoffed, pushing her hands away. "Why do you need to do such things? You have our family. You have me. I can teach you all that you want to know."

Arabella wanted to pull her hair out in sheer frustration. How could he not see how stifling it was, being trapped inside this manor? They traveled, yes, but never far. Maximus always claimed it was unsafe, especially for her, being so young in their world.

"I have been with you for sixty-four years," she argued, trying to keep her voice steady. "I have never asked for anything. I have never complained or gone against you. All I ask is to go on a trip, to see some of the world and experience life outside these walls ." She needed him to understand. She needed him to see that she required freedom.

"It is not safe," he growled, his striking blue eyes glowing with a dangerous, ancient anger.

Otto stood silently off to the side, his posture rigid, unwilling to go against Maximus, yet clearly unable to agree with him in this matter. The other members of the clan had long since fled to their private quarters, having absolutely no interest in getting caught in the middle of the argument or landing on the bad side of their maker. No one was willing to speak out or challenge him.

The crazy thing was, she wasn't trying to challenge his rule. She just wanted the freedom to figure out who she truly was outside of his shadow, who she was as an immortal. It had been sixty-four years since he turned her into this creature, and still, he claimed she was too young. He claimed she would be in great danger, but from what? Other supernatural creatures? Witches? Or was it the rumored hunters who seemed hellbent on taking out their kind? She understood his worry, and a part of her cold heart was warmed by how much he cared, but that wasn't going to stop her from fighting for what she needed.

"Maximus, please," she whispered.

"You leave this manor, and you are no longer welcome here," he boomed, cutting her off with absolute finality. "Step outside those iron gates, and you are no longer kin of mine. You are no longer one of us."

His words hit her like a speeding train. He would seriously banish her? He would forsake her to an eternity of isolation, all because she wanted the freedom to travel?

Instinctively rubbing the spot on her chest where her heart used to beat when she was alive, she turned away from him, no longer able to look into his glowing eyes . "If that is what you wish," she spoke, her voice barely rising above a hollow, pain-filled whisper. "So be it."

Arabella gasped awake. Her eyes darted wildly around the dark bedroom, fully expecting to see Maximus looming over her in the shadows.

It took her a few agonizing seconds to realize she was no longer in the manor. It was just a dream, a ghost of a memory.

She was safe in her loft. Relaxing her shoulders, she rolled onto her side to find David still fast asleep, his bare chest rising and falling rhythmically. Smiling, her eyes roamed over his chiseled abs and the tiny scars he had never explained, though to be fair, she had never asked, before trailing back up to his face. With his messy, dark hair and sharp features, he really was handsome.

Looking at his neck, she let out a low sigh. Lifting a finger to her fang, she pricked her skin and gently rubbed a drop of her blood onto the two puncture wounds on his neck, watching them instantly mend until no trace of what she had done remained.

She wasn’t one to feed directly on humans; she had switched to blood bags ages ago because it was cleaner and easier to conceal. But one night of crazy passion with David two months ago had led to her accidentally biting him. Surprisingly, he hadn’t run screaming, if anything, it had turned him on.

It was freeing to be with someone who didn’t fear her, but she still couldn’t risk him telling anyone, especially his sister, so she made sure to compel him afterward. He would never remember her feeding on him; he would only recall their wild trysts. She liked him, but she couldn’t afford to truly let him in or trust him. He was good for a casual fling, but eventually, she would reach the point where she’d have to fake her death and move on.

Being eternally stuck at twenty-two had its downfalls. She couldn’t stay in one place as long as other vampires, and because of that, she couldn’t get too close or attached. It was safer that way.

Stretching, she gave him one last glance before slipping out of bed and tying her silk robe around her waist. She padded into the kitchen, set the coffee to brew, laid out a breakfast spread on her small two-person dining table, and filled Jinx’s bowl before grabbing her mug and stepping onto the balcony.

The morning air was crisp and cool, just the way she liked it, as the first rays of light began to break over the horizon. Smiling, she sat down to watch the sunrise, a quiet ritual she practiced every day. Usually, looking out at the dawn cleared her mind of thoughts of her past, and of him. She hadn’t had that dream in so long. Why now? Why dream of that horrible day today?

A dull ache throbbed in her chest, her hand unconsciously rubbing the spot over her heart. Was it because Halloween was so close? She didn’t want to think about the coven, or Maximus.

“Morning,” a deep, gravelly voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

Arabella turned to find David leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his bare chest and a lazy smirk playing on his lips. Her eyes slowly trailed down his strong arms and chiseled abs to his long legs, he was completely naked and unashamed. Licking her lips, a heat curled low in her belly, a hunger that had nothing to do with blood setting her skin ablaze. Trailing her gaze back up, she found him watching her with that exact same hunger.

Stepping forward, he shut the balcony door behind him and approached. Stopping right in front of her, he dropped to his knees with a mischievous grin.

“W-wait,” she stammered, placing her hands on his shoulders to halt him. Reality snapped back briefly as she realized they were outside on the balcony. Even though it was early, someone could still hear or see them. But before she could voice her concern, his finger pressed softly against her lips.

“Hush, kitten,” he murmured, removing his finger to brush his lips against hers. “Relax and let me enjoy my breakfast.”

Grabbing her thighs, he pulled her forward, guiding her legs apart before lowering his head. The second his tongue made contact, all worries vanished from her mind. Her hands tangled in his hair, her back arching as a loud moan escaped her.

His tongue moved in an agonizingly slow rhythm that made her tremble with need. She needed more; she needed him. Nudging his shoulder, she urged him up, and he obliged, standing before her.

“Sit in my chair,” she commanded, standing to make room.

Grinning, he took the seat while she dropped to her knees between his thighs. Wrapping her hand around his length, she moved slowly up and down, watching him groan. Licking her lips, she didn't wait any longer, taking him fully into her mouth. The taste of him made her hum, her hand continuing its steady stroke.

“f**k, Ari,” he gasped, his fingers weaving into her hair as his hips gently thrust forward.

Moaning, she increased her pace. A sudden wave of intense thirst hit her, and the only thing that could quench it was him. As she swirled her tongue around his tip, he growled and pulled her up by her waist.

He lifted her easily, positioning her over him. Straddling his lap, she sank down, taking him in one fluid motion as they both gasped in ecstasy. Ripping her robe open, he cupped her bare breasts, kneading them before leaning in to take a peak into his mouth. As he bit down gently, her head fell back, a cry of pleasure escaping her throat.

Grabbing the back of her neck, he pulled her down into a bruising kiss, thrusting violently up into her. Breaking the kiss, she placed her hands on his shoulders and bounced faster on his lap. His grip tightened on her hips, a force that would have bruised a normal human girl, but Arabella was far from ordinary.

The climax hit them suddenly, a shared wave of pleasure that had them both crying out as Arabella collapsed onto his sweaty chest.