Playground: a place where a particular group of people chooses to enjoy themselves.Tessa"Yeah, I have a parents' issue for sure. My dad was never a role model, I was never close. I was practically raised by my grandparents." Nero and I were talking in his apartment. He decided to stay and accompany me while waiting for Vesper. We talked about my half-brother yesterday, though somehow I had a feeling that something was off like he knew something that I don't. I did not expect that from him. I have no idea why he would keep things from me. Maybe I should just ask, but I have trust issues."Come on, little killer, Vesper is here." Nero kissed my temple and tugged me out of the bed. I didn't even hear the front door opening. I still envied their vampire sense and Nero knows it."Father, I was summoned. I thought you'd be at the den. I should've known by now that you'd be with my future mother." Vesper announced himself when he entered Nero's living space with Aldrich following behind h

Compulsion: an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, especially against one's conscious wishes.Vesper"Stop looking at me like I'm about to do something wrong. I'll get it done. You know I will." I couldn't help but defend myself in front of Aldrich. Sure, we had been sexual in the past. With all the centuries there's bound to be intimacy between us."But we should get back to the den, not visit your omega."I huffed and told him that Snow was not my omega. Though she is one, very pliant, bendy, and willing omega who thrives on supernatural beings between her legs."Give me an hour? Oh, come on, father is busy and Tessa still has forty-something days before the newly shifted werewolf half-brother tries to kill her. And we all know she's more than capable to defend herself." I may have sounded a bit more on the whiney side but after smelling how aroused Tessa was after the blood-draining activities I know I needed to get her scent out of my head. It was too cringy for my taste.

Cult: is considered pejorative by some, for a relatively small group that is typically led by a charismatic and self-appointed leader, who excessively controls its members, requiring unwavering devotion to a set of acts and practices which are considered deviant (outside the norms of society).TessaI was not nervous about going to his den and meeting his peeps. I was curious and maybe a bit too excited.The monstrosity of the mansion was what alarmed me. I lived with my grandparents and grew up mingling with the wealthy. I've seen big houses and ridiculously too-big mansions for people to flaunt their riches. But this... Nero's so-called den blew those houses off the market. Hell, the whole complex can occupy one of the small private islands I visited when I was younger. Mm...maybe I was exaggerating but sure does look like it."Well, this is not the den I was imagining. But given you cheated your way in piling money over the centuries I guess it was expected." I whistled appreciative

Companion: a person who frequently spends time with you, associates with you, or accompanies you when you go places.AldrichHe pushed me away. He didn't want me. They didn't want me. Fuck this. All I wanted was a mate of my own, settle down when everyone wanted nothing but my sexual companion."Aldrich, um... Where can I find the chef?"Tessa's voice interrupted my thoughts when I saw her walking into the kitchen. I was heating a blood bag since I was on rotation to guard the perimeter for the night. It was the second day she had been staying at the den, and strangely she fits in nicely with everyone. I guess partly because everyone had been tiptoeing around her, not sure of how to proceed with the strange human lover of their King."They usually left after sundown. It's one of our rules unless we demanded them otherwise. Can I help you with something?""Cheese, yes...yes, I talked to one of the chefs earlier today asking him to contact Lucius's chef for a recipe. I wonder if he had m

Brotherly: of or relating to brothers. : natural or becoming to brothers : affectionate.TessaWhen Nero told me that they had my half-brother in their dungeon I was shocked, thrilled that I could finally close that nagging feeling and get back to my life, my work. I've been bored and I needed to feel the thrill of the chase and see the fear in my victim's eyes."Don't go too crazy on him, we still need to get the truth on who's behind his constant pursuit of you," Nero, my sweet sexy king reminded me as I followed him down the narrow steps of the dungeon."Wow, you guys really had the vampire cliche down to the eerie hallways and dungeons," I whispered to no one specifically as my eyes roamed to the dimly lit passage. Nero was in front of me, while his dramatic youngest Prince, Vesper, was walking pompously behind me and Aldrich stayed close on his tail."Your half-brother is staying in our best accommodation in the dungeon. He's shackled, but I think I saw some bruises under his shir