Page 12 of Simeon's Beloved
"The Coven has been here for centuries. It was not passed down through the family, as is public knowledge. It has had one owner since the beginning, and he will continue for many centuries to come." Simeon knew he was piling it on but wanted to get it all out and then field his questions.
"The wolves petitioned to enter the territory nearly a hundred years ago. Their Alpha, Henrik Vaughn, built a home for his people and a chain of thriving businesses, including Hotel Indigo. The wolves and the vampires exist together but remain individuals, each in charge of their own but willing to step up and help the other when needed. Master Emmanuel has opened his lands to not only the wolves but also a bear clan who run the restaurant off the highway, Paula's Diner, and to magics who reside in the wood." He realized he'd gotten pretty deep into the weeds, so he changed the subject to beloveds and mates, something that impacted Hunter directly.
"Vampires call them beloved, and shifters call them mates. They are the predestined partners gifted by Fate. They come at the time designed by Fate, a time that is beneficial to both parties according to the myth, you might refer to them as soul mates, but we view them as much more powerful than that." Simeon paused and organized his thoughts to continue in the best possible direction.
"There had been no new pairings in this area for many years, decades of no one finding their forever partner. Then the first occurred with Alpha Henrik's brother Derek finding his mate, and then there was a string of wolves who Fate gifted with their forever lover. The Coven was getting jealous of the wolves' luck in finding their mates." Simeon paused in case Hunter had questions, but he remained silent. Simeon tried to read him, but all he saw was nervous uncertainty.
"Then, one day, Master Emmanuel came face to face with his beloved, who happened to be one of the wolf shifters from Henrik's pack. You will meet him. He's a great addition to the Coven and a loyal support and partner to our Master. Unfortunately, our bondings seemed to end, and there hasn't been another for the Coven until I met you." That got a reaction, and Hunter strained to look up at Simeon, capturing his gaze and holding it.
"Vampires and wolves and other paranormals live very long lives, centuries in some cases, and Fate gifts each a mate or beloved as they are referred to in my culture. The bond, no matter whether paranormal or human, lasts for the life span of the paranormal partner, which is centuries. It might even last longer than that since no one knows what lies beyond." Simeon left it there for now and waited for Hunter to comment. There was a lot more to share, but he needed to know where Hunter's understanding stood at the moment.
"You're a vampire, and this is a Coven, and Mr. Emmanuel Cabot is the Master, and he's older than dirt." Hunter ticked off the points he remembered.
“Yes.”
“I am you beloved a predestined pairing of individuals?” Hunter was grasping quite well.
"You are my beloved, my perfect match chosen by Fate, and I am yours." Simeon took a risk and kissed Hunter's forehead, not sure if he was in the kissing mood, but he accepted it and, in turn, placed a kiss on Simeon's shoulder. "The bond begins to grow from the moment we meet, and the connection forms, giving each party the ability to understand and accept the other. Open your mind Hunter, and you will see this is meant to be.” He was pushing a little, but he wanted Hunter to lean on the aids that Fate provided.
“How did you know that I was your beloved?”
"I scented you at first. It was strawberries and vanilla. I followed that scent to the stairway and was heading to the balcony when you started to fall, and I caught you. I knew you at that moment as my Fated beloved, my heart, and my love. Everything has just gotten more focused and acute since then, and my instincts are clamoring for me to claim you and bind our souls as one." That was heavy, but Simeon felt that Hunter was starting to get it and was feeling the same way. His hands were holding Simeon, and Hunter's body was molded to his he needed the closeness.
"You saved my life more than once, and you've shown me kindness and respect." Simeon wasn't sure where Hunter was going with this, but he sounded almost too relaxed, considering the power of what Simeon had shared with him.
"I will always love, provide and protect you, for you are my beloved. You are my soul." Simeon tried to clarify his stance and expectation.
"Kindness and respect are two things I rarely receive, so it was important when I got them from you. Although it will take me some time to completely come to terms with what you have told me, I trust and believe you." Hunter raised his head again and looked at Simeon as he continued. "I do know for a fact that whatever this is between us, it is powerful, and my need to be near you to touch you is almost overwhelming at times." He smiled sweetly and laid his head on Simeon's shoulder.
"Vampires and werewolves, the idea is not as farfetched as I would have thought. You bit me last night, and it was euphoric, so there's no problem there." Simeon could not contain his chuckle at that statement. "I don't know what it all means, but I'd like to try this with you. There's nothing for me back in California, and my family would be just as glad to have me gone." Simeon appreciated his acceptance but understood that the full weight of this new reality had not hit him yet.
Suddenly Hunter got up and kneeled beside Simeon, looking down into his face and searching earnestly for something. Simeon decided to give him what he was looking for and called for his vampire while staring directly into Hunter's eyes. His countenance took on the fierce aspects of his vampire teeth, sharp extended, eyes flashing ruby red, the angles of his face sharp with an air of lethality. It was all there for him to see.
Hunter did not move, but a gasp escaped his lips. He wasn't afraid but rather enthralled and fascinated by what he was seeing. “This is so incredible." He reached out and touched the tip of Simeon's teeth, sending a pleasurable sensation through him. He'd never before had he allowed anyone to touch him so intimately, but there were no limitations for his beloved.
Simeon suppressed his vampire nature and returned to the appearance with which Hunter was familiar. He continued to stare at Simeon, his eyes still searching. Then he locked onto Simeon's gaze, and his expression relaxed. There was a new understanding, and there was a smile, a demure little smile. "God, you're handsome. I've never seen anything so heart-stopping gorgeous as you in all your forms." The declaration caught Simeon by surprise, not expecting such a statement of appreciation.
It took him a second, but then he started to laugh, overcome with relief that his beloved finds him attractive no matter what he looks like and that he believes. Simeon reached for Hunter, and he came effortlessly into his arms. "You're one of a kind Hunter. I am so glad Fate chose you for me. I will be forever grateful."
"This is so outrageous that it has to be true." Hunter gushed and stretched out beside Simeon. "I can't grasp the fact that this is all coming to me rather easily. I thought I'd be a bit more suspect, skeptical, or uncertain, but I am not."
"It's what we call the pull. It opens our hearts to one another and hastens the inevitable. You see me more clearly than anyone can. Since our first contact, our hearts and minds have been coming together. You feel me in your bones just as I feel you. You know that I am telling the truth. You know my emotions, and I know yours. It's amazing, isn't it." Simeon explained a little further, but most things would come to his beloved in time.
"It's amazing." He agreed and then stilled and reared back to look him in the eyes once again. "I'm your beloved?"
"You are my beloved. All that remains is for me to claim you and mark you as mine and for you to move in here with me. You needn't worry about a job. Master Cabot has offered you a position here at the winery."
“What position?”
"Any position that you chose." Simeon pulled him back down for another heart-rendering kiss that thrilled him to his toes.
CHAPTER SEVEN
They stayed in bed for a few more minutes, and then Simeon moved to the edge of the bed and ordered breakfast. "Come get dressed, and we will have breakfast on the balcony. It will give you the opportunity to see a little of the vineyard. I have a great view."
“I don’t have any clothes to wear.” Hunter sat up and looked down at his nakedness. “All I have is a very nice robe from the hotel.”
"Your things were delivered. They're in the outer room." Simeon informed, and before he could offer to get them, Hunter was out of bed and pulling on his robe. "I'll get them for you."
