Blurb

In the year 4023, society has been transformed beyond recognition from our current reality.

Artificial intelligence powers autonomous cars to provide efficient and safe transportation, while humanoid robots have become personal assistants, allowing humans to focus on more important tasks.

Communication bracelets provide quick and easy access to communication, and AI-powered homes enable seamless control of lighting, heating, and other household systems. Holographic communication has become the leading mode of communication, allowing people to engage in virtual conversations as if they were in person.

Moreover, supernatural and paranormals have become accepted members of society, living alongside humans in harmony. This advanced and interconnected world of 6023 is truly a marvel to behold.

Rune Kristoph is an omega vampire who has seen a lot in his long life. He's been loved, hunted, and desired, but has never felt what it is to be truly loved. By chance, a cocky as hell lion shifter who arouses and irritates him at the same time. Rune knows that there is a desire that he buried so long ago that he's almost forgotten it existed until Keahi entered his life.

Keahi Covington is a man who always gets what he wants, no matter the cost. And he wants Rune begging for his every touch. With the responsibility of taking care of his younger brothers, Keahi has had to put his life on hold, but now that his siblings are grown and living their lives, Keahi wants to live his. Meeting Rune, Keahi wants to explore every possibility it has to offer. But there seems to be another obstacle when a tragic incident happens in one of his nightclubs. Keahi and Rune work to find out the culprit. Could it bring them close together or tear them apart?

Chapter One - Keahi

Year 4023

Keahi Covington stepped out onto the balcony of his second-floor office at Club Elemental Inferno, leaning against the stone pillar and surveying the large crowd gathered below. He watched as scantily clad men and women drank, laughed, and danced erotically against each other. The club's middle floors offered private, soundproof rooms, where guests could enjoy a five-diamond meal while they observed the entertainment below.

On the other side of Elemental Inferno, Keahi's hotel catered to exclusive VIP guests with unique and daring BDSM preferences. With every room requiring two months of advanced booking to ensure all requests and arrangements could be made to perfection, moments like these brought a smile to Keahi's face. His businesses were thriving, and in his mind, he was the king of kink and indulgence. When Keahi first proposed the idea of running Elemental Inferno, his brothers were skeptical. He wanted a retro design with less high technology, with the focus being on entertainment. But he was glad his brothers trusted his vision and joined forces with him, becoming his silent partners and helping manage the three additional Elemental clubs. Keahi took charge of the daily operations, creating something remarkable together.

Keahi graduated from college with an MBA in business and marketing, but after one week in the corporate world, he quickly realized that he was not meant to take orders—he was meant to give them. He had possessed this trait since childhood and had no patience for the slow climb up the corporate ladder. With ambition and determination, he set out to become his own boss and fulfill his dreams.

He was a powerful and majestic black lion shifter, the oldest of four boys. These rare magical beasts were special, born with the ability to control the elements of earth, wind, fire, and air. As mankind advanced, so did the evolution of magic and shifters. Paranormal and supernatural beings no longer needed to keep their existence a secret. Thanks to Supernatural and Magical institutions and governments set up worldwide, their kind received more protection.

It was a relief for Keahi and his brothers to live a better life without fearing that someone would try to hunt them or harm them due to their true identity. However, not everyone was eager to let others know of their secret. Many supernaturals hid their species and extraordinary abilities from the public. Keahi and his brothers were part of this group and preferred to keep their shifter forms and powers a secret.

Keahi had a special affinity for fire, and so he was named the inaugural leader of the Elemental Club Inferno. His brothers were his closest confidantes, and his pride was his most cherished family. So, it was only natural that he wanted them to join him on his business adventures. Keahi and his brothers had no lack of money. Their father, Damian, owned the most prestigious movie studio in the state, while their bearer, Sévon, was its most acclaimed actor. As the Alpha of Willow Bark Valley, Damian and Sévon had ruled their pack with strength and authority until Keahi fought and won the position from. Despite their privileged upbringing, Keahi and his siblings were expected to find work and build their own legacies.

Even though he had won, at the time, Keahi wasn't confident that he would make the right decisions like his father. He had always thought that his brother Caspian, who had an equally strong sense of dominance, would go off and create his own pride. Yet, he stayed and became Keahi's second in command. Sure, they butt heads sometimes, but Caspian was his right hand, while Peirce was his left. After all, in a pride, two dominant personalities could not coexist—there would always be a power struggle, but they made it work.

Keahi was well aware that although he and his brothers were close, Peirce - born with a beta personality - would follow Caspian, due to their close bond. His younger brother Rain, an omega, would remain close by his side, looking to Keahi as his protector. In truth, Keahi had to admit that he spoiled Rain more than any of his other brothers.

"Mister Conington," Keahi's gaze shifted from the patrons to the person who had broken his train of thought - Destin Jordan, his head of security. His voice had a tinge of cockiness as he spoke.

“How often do I have to tell you to call me Keahi? We’ve been friends since college.”

Destin smirked. “As I told you, when your brother recognizes the connection between me and him, that’s when I’ll start calling you Keahi.”

Keahi scoffed. “Dude, how can he tell you guys have anything if you won’t open your mouth and say anything?”

“It’s not time yet,” Destin said. “He still sees me as a friend and thinks that we're not equally matched because he's a beta, and I'm human.”

Keahi rolled his eyes at Destin's statement, a reminder of the time he had introduced him to his family a few years ago. Destin had fallen head over heels for Keahi's brother Pierce, and although he was human, Keahi trusted him enough to share the secret of his family's shifter heritage. To his surprise, Destin wasn't fazed in the least and revealed that his adoptive parents were witches and a part of a coven.

When Keahi opened his club five years ago, he brought Destin along, for they shared many common interests. They were equal in hand-to-hand combat, and Keahi respected Destin all the more for not being intimidated by his shifter identity. Both dominant males who delighted in the sound of a submissive begging to be whipped as they both were bound to a Saint Andrew's Cross. Keahi licked his lips, thinking of the pleasure he would soon experience with a willing submissive.

“Whatever you’re thinking about right now, stop,” Destin said, cutting into his thoughts. “You’re giving me the fucking creeps.”

Keahi rolled his eyes once more. “Don’t worry; you’re not the one I want to fuck. Why did you want to see me, anyway?”

“I told you to take your fucking hands off me NOW,” a voice shouted before Destin could respond.

Keahi shifted his gaze around the club, quickly settling on two men in the corner. One was tall with jet-black hair, and he didn't recognize him. But the other man drew his eye—a handsome man with blonde hair and piercing purple eyes obscured by heavy eyelids that spoke of murderous intent. He was dressed in a semi-open leather waistcoat, skin-tight jeans, and biker boots, giving him a dangerous air.

“Come on, baby. Don't you realize what kind of place you're in? A stunning beauty like you is sure to attract a master. So why not let me be the one?”

“Should we intervene?” Destin asked.

“No, let’s see what happens first.” Keahi was intrigued to see how the alluring imp would react to the obnoxious one clinging to him. He was prepared to intervene if necessary. Keahi folded his arms and leisurely leaned against the sturdy collum, taking in the scene.

“So you think I'd fall to my knees and suck your cock?” Violet eyes glinted with a mischievous glimmer as they trailed up and down the other man. “I probably wouldn’t be able to find your dick.”

In response to the little minx's comment, Keahi erupted in a boisterous, hearty chuckle.

“You little shit,” the dark-haired man growled, raising his hand, about to hit the little cutie.

Before he could blink, Keahi sprung over the balcony and gracefully touched down on the ground. Instantly, he positioned himself between the two men, shielding the cutie behind him, and seized the man by the throat, then violently throwing him to the ground.

Inhaling deeply, a tantalizing aroma filled his senses, despite the crowded club. The fragrance was unmistakable.

Keahi gazed at the omega, taken aback by the man's beauty, even with his features frowning. As their eyes locked, an inexplicable connection seemed to emerge between them.

A cough caught both of their attention. They realized they had drawn a crowd, and the man he’d slammed to the floor was coughing and sitting up.

“What the…” The man paused mid-sentence when his eyes landed on Keahi.

Keahi quirked a brow. “Do we have a fucking problem?”

The man stood gazing from Keahi to the omega standing behind him. His eyes held a glimmer of comprehension, though Keahi couldn't quite fathom what had gone through the man's mind.

“Why didn’t you say you were already taken,” he snarled.

Neither Keahi nor the omega disputed his words.

“Would it have made a difference?” the omega asked, their voice laced with frustration. “You were determined to get your way.”

"Enough of this," Keahi cut off the other man before he could even get a word in. As soon as the words left his mouth, he noticed Destin and two humanoid bouncers step up to the man's side. "Find out who invited him and ensure he never set foot in any of our clubs."

“Will do, boss.” Destin grabbed the man by his arm and pulled him out of the club.

The exhilaration faded instantly, and the patrons returned to the night of dancing and drinking as before. Keahi turned to apologize to the beautiful man, but he was met with a stare of fury that starkly contrasted with the warm gaze he had encountered earlier.

“I had the situation totally handled,” the omega declared confidently. “I didn't need some powerful alpha to swoop in and rescue me. I got this; I can manage my own problems.”

Keahi held back a snort, knowing the feisty cutie would not appreciate it. “I apologize, but as the proprietor of this establishment, I can't let a fight break out and ruin everyone's good time.”

The omega crossed his arms over his chest and fixed Keahi with a challenging gaze. "So what exactly do you think you were doing when you jumped down in the middle of the dance floor?"

Keahi smirked seductively. "That was my attempt at wooing you. Was it successful?"

The cutie smiled seductively, stepping closer to Keahi until their crotches almost touched. His arms encircled Keahi's neck, and a wave of the sweetest scent imaginable filled Keahi's senses, making him lose himself in the moment and forget the world around them.

"What a pity. I wasn't impressed. Because if I were, I'd give you the pleasure of fucking me right here in front of everyone."

Before Keahi could process the situation, he was left alone in the middle of the dance floor, and the attractive omega had vanished without a trace.

The corner of his lips curled up in a beguiling smile, unable to deny that a beautiful face had thoroughly outdone him.

Well played, you little minx.

Chapter Two - Rune

Rune Kristoph exited the club with a husky growl, his frustration palpable. He was desperate to find someone to satisfy his craving, though he knew he shouldn't have let Fabian persuade him to go out when he had so much work to do. He hadn't ventured into the BDSM scene in years, and he almost forgot the intense pleasure of being spanked and then thoroughly pleasured. His com-bracelet vibrated on his wrist, and when he answered it, he scowled to see Fabian's face.

"Where the fuck are you?"

Rune growled. "Fuck you, Fabian!"

"Cursing me out already,” Fabian sighed. “What happened?"

"If you simply wanted to take your man to a club and fuck him while others watch, that is perfectly fine with me, but next time don't bring me along," Rune growled. "I had to fend off some douchebag and almost got kicked out of the damn club."

He zipped up his jacket and strolled to the dark alley where he’d hidden his sleek black Ducati motorcycle. It had a 1990 design but operated on a small, sonic battery. Rune's sire bought it against his uncle's wishes for his last birthday.

"What's the douche's name?" Fabian asked. "You don't look hurt."

"What the fuck are you going to do now?" Rune snapped. "You should have been there, but instead, some big-ass musclehead named Keahi jumped down from somewhere and landed in the middle of the dance floor like he was a hero in an action movie."

Rune pressed his thumb on the tiny keypad, and it recognized his signature. The hatch opened, and Rune removed his helmet, securing it on his head. Transferring his call to his helmet, he straddled his bike.

"Did you say Keahi?" asked in surprise.

"Yeah, fuck, I don't know. The dude also said he owned the club but could be lying."

Rune started his bike, revved up his engines, drove out of the alley, and decided to go home instead of going to another bar or club. His mood was fucking ruined. Of course, being a vampire, he could flash home in a second, but Rune sometimes enjoyed doing things the old way.

Fabian groaned anxiously. "Please tell me you haven't done anything foolish. I can't risk alienating any of the Covingtons right now."

Rune rolled his eyes in annoyance. "What do I care if I offend someone? I did not ask him to butt into my business."

"Dammit, Rune," Fabian shouted, and his face was turning red with frustration. "Is this payback for me dumping you for Cary?"

"You wish," Rune snorted. "I introduced you to Cary, remember, and if I remember correctly, we both fucked him that night. So what's there to be jealous of?"

"Yeah," Fabian smiled. "It was a good night. We should do it again."

"Nope," Rune answered quickly. "Been there, done that."

"Why the fuck do you have to be so damn harsh?"

Rune didn't reply to Fabian's question. He had no romantic feelings for Cary – their relationship was strictly platonic, lasting a few months. "Don't worry, I didn't bring any drama your way. And besides, I could tell the club owner wanted to ask me out," he reassured.

Fabian sighed in frustration. "He's not just a regular nightclub owner. If you take a break from trying to solve ancient mysteries and observe today's world, you may find that things have evolved."

Rune snorted in amusement, his ancient heart still beating with the same youthful vigor despite his age. He was one of the few privileged vampires in this new world, where they no longer had to live in fear of being hunted. Unaware of Rune's true identity, Fabian had no intention of revealing the truth. After all, Rune wanted to live as a human, to be seen as one, and to be able to pursue the same dreams of family, love, wealth, and security.

As for the evolution of the world, how could Rune have possibly overlooked what was so obvious? Cars powered by artificial intelligence provide efficient and safe transportation. While humanoid robots are becoming personal assistants, allowing society to focus on more important tasks. 

Communication bracelets offer quick and easy access to communication, and AI-powered homes enable them to easily control lighting, heating, and many other household systems. The most remarkable advancement is holographic communication, allowing people to engage in virtual conversations as if they were actually standing in front of each other.

"Hey, are you listening to me?" Fabian questioned, cutting into Rune’s thoughts.

"Nope."

"Fuck, can you be a little less honest sometimes?" Fabian griped.

"Whatever."

"Since you're not listening to me, I need to go. Cary just..."

Rune hung up abruptly, feeling crestfallen. He couldn't bear to hear what Cary was doing, or what lay in store for them; he was jealous that Cary was being pleasured to the point of no return, something Rune had wished for his own night to end in. If only that asshole hadn't interrupted, the eye-fucking Rune was doing with the sexy guy that was sitting across the bar. He'd been about to make his move but was rudely interrupted by that douchebag.

Revving his engine and feeling the powerful vibrations beneath him, Rune cleared his mind of the mundane events of the night and allowed his thoughts to wander. A man with a long life, Rune was especially captivated by the story of gunslinger William H. Bonny Jr., more famously known as Billy the Kid. It was almost as if fate had ordained it; the two men had been born and died minutes apart on the same day and year.

Although they had vastly disparate backgrounds - Rune was born into affluence, while Billy sought out wealth and excitement - their paths intersected at the age of twenty-one. While traveling with his father, Drace Kristoph, and his elder brother, Rion, an unidentified assailant suddenly attacked Rune's family. As they lay on the brink of death, salvation arrived in the form of Nassau Holliday, a vampire who stepped in and became a father figure to him.

Nassau, the bounty hunter, was on the hunt for the notorious serial killer Paul "The Preacher" Casey. At the tender age of ten, The Preacher had already taken the lives of his own family, yet, shockingly, he was set free by a jury that believed he was too young to understand the consequences of his actions. Little did those people know that The Preacher had much more death to bring to the world in the years to come, earning him a hefty bounty in the process.

Nassau collected the bounty and traveled to New York with Rune and his family. Along the way, he and Drace developed a romantic connection, and Nassau's sense of morality inspired Rune to look into law enforcement and death. As they journeyed, Rune witnessed several deaths and became intrigued by the crime scenes surrounding them, wanting to know the exact cause of each person's death - other than his own, of course.

With a thought of his sire, Rune swiftly made a U-turn without signaling, not worrying that his actions could cause a potential accident, and reversed course. Since his transformation into a vampire, Rune had taken on multiple occupations, but this was the first time he could meld together his two lives; a journalist and a forensic investigator. Furthermore, he was also a professor at the university, imparting his knowledge and wisdom to the eager minds that sought it.

As Rune pulled up to his parents' home, he felt a mixture of arousal and agitation. He hoped that discussing the new case he was working on with his father would help quell his desire. Unfortunately, Rune was the only one in the family who chose to remain anonymous. Nassau had exchanged his guns and spurs for a career in writing and producing, Drace had become an entertainment lawyer and manager, and Rion had become a famous actor.

Rune entered his parent's home and was surprised that the Smart Butler, Jeffery, wasn't there to greet him. Maybe Jeffery had shut down for the night. Rune went straight to Nassau's study and opened the door without knocking. However, as soon as he was about to enter the room, he was met with the sounds of moaning, groaning, and seductive giggling. Realizing the situation, Rune slowly backed away and silently closed the door, shaking his head in disbelief.

Fuck, even the old vampires are getting it on. Dammit, I hate this shit!

Rune walked back outside and straddled his bike. Connecting his com-link, Rune called one of his old fuck-buddies he hadn't spoken to in months but who was willing to fuck Rune whenever he called.

"Long time no see," Kahlil said.

Rune smiled, gazing into Kahlil's deep brown eyes. "I've been busy. I'm on my way over."

"The door's unlocked."

Rune's broad smile widened as the tension of the past few hours melted away with the disconnect of the call. Heading back to his parent's home, he returned to his old bedroom to gather clothes for the next day before heading to Kahlil's.

Why not make it an all-night fuck session?

Chapter Three - Rune

The following morning, Rune walked into his classroom, and the noisy chatter was hushed down when he reached the podium. Rune removed his jacket but not his scarf and dropped it on the small desk beside the stand. The weather in Willow Park Valley was not freezing cold, but even when it was scorching hot, Rune found he needed to wear a jacket to quell the chill that often seeped into his bones.

Rune rolled up his shirt sleeves, then brushed his hand over the control panel. The projector came down, and a picture of Billy the Kid appeared on the screen.

"Who can tell me what they know about this man?" Rune asked, pushing up his thick black-framed, non-prescription glasses that were supposed to detract from his attractiveness but seemed to do the opposite.

As a vampire, Rune was not susceptible to human diseases or certain flaws and didn’t need to wear the glasses, but he actually liked them and thought they made him look intelligent.

"That's Billy the Kid," a voice in the back shouted.

"Correct." Rune smiled. "What can you tell me about him?"

Rune waited for a few seconds and wasn't surprised when the same kid spoke up again. "He was born William H. Booney, a gunslinger from the 1800s. It's said he killed many people. The number is debatable; some believe it's twenty-one, same as the age he died, and others think it's much less."

Rune nodded and stared at the student, trying to pick a name to match his face but couldn't come up with one. But he looked familiar. Rune chalked it up to the fact that they were only a couple of weeks into the semester, and it was their third time meeting.

"It sounds like you've done your research," Rune complimented the student.

"I enjoy researching history," the student said shyly. "I think it's fun."

Rune liked people who enjoyed learning about the past, even if it was for fun. 

"History," Rune said. This leads us to our first assignment for this course. As journalists, our job is to inform readers, viewers, and, yes, even passersby about how the events happened. So, pick a person or a time that is historical or current." Rune continued, instructing his students on the assignment and then dismissing them until their next meeting.

After class, Rune walked to the café on campus to grab a quick bite before his next teaching session. Rune groaned disappointedly when he walked into the café and saw how long the line was. No matter how long he'd been living, he was not the most patient man in the world. Rune blamed his hunger on Kahlil. The bastard Kahlil didn't even make him breakfast after he'd fucked him all night and in the morning, almost making him late for work. Despite the terrible morning after, he was less sexually frustrated than he had been for the past few days. Not wanting to wait in the long ass line, Rune turned to walk out of the café but stopped when a deep rich voice spoke close to his ear, sending a pleasant shiver through him that he masked quickly.

"We meet again."

Rune turned around and came face to chest, clothed in a black t-shirt. He slowly trailed his gaze up and connected with a perfectly shaped jaw, lips, nose, and blue eyes he could drown in. Rune held back his moan when the most delicious scent surrounded him. Rune couldn't figure out where the smell was coming from. He could feel his blood lust building, and that hadn't happened since he was a fledgling. Rune licked his fangs, feeling them slowly extend, wanting to sink his fangs into the sweet smell, needing to devour it whole.

"If you keep looking at me like that, I will eat you up right here in front of everyone."

Rune froze upon hearing that and blinked a few times, pulling himself out of his lust, remembering that he was not alone, and someone was standing before him. Rune narrowed his eyes, staring at the stranger who was smirking down at him.

"Do I know you?"

To read more become a Fling VIP member.