Chapter One

"You two, shoo." Monica Havis waved her hands like she was trying to get rid of some foul odor that suddenly floated through her pristine kitchen. "There's too much to do right now, and you boys are in the way."

Atlas watched as his sister entered the kitchen, appearing frazzled. Jennifer had always been the golden child of their family, but Atlas didn't resent her. He adored his older sister, even though her larger-than-life personality could be overwhelming at times.

Atlas's best friend nudged his shoulder, urging him to leave, but before Atlas could escape, his mother snagged his wrist and flashed him her most endearing grin. That was never a good sign. "Have you found a date for the wedding yet?"

Braylon rolled his eyes behind her back. His best friend knew exactly what she was asking. Atlas knew, as well. "No, Mom. Not yet."

The thought of asking a guy to be his date for the wedding held no appeal. Especially after his devastating breakup with Glen, someone he thought he was in love with—until he'd caught his boyfriend grinding on a stranger at Fearless Fox. Glen had had the guy pressed up against the wall in a dark corner near the pool tables, with his face buried in the man's neck and his hand groping the stranger's crotch.

At that moment, Atlas had felt his heart shatter. When he'd visited his mom the next day and couldn't hold back his tears, she'd consoled him by saying that if he had been in a relationship with a girl, things wouldn't have turned out the same way.

Because apparently heterosexual couples never cheated.

What his mom was currently asking was if he'd found a female to bring to the wedding. She couldn't accept that her son was gay and refused to acknowledge it. She'd even gone so far as to tell their relatives that Atlas was dating various girls, though he wasn't ready to settle down yet.

His mom acted as if being gay was something shameful that needed to be hidden.

His father? The best dad ever. Jacob Havis didn't care that Atlas was gay. Not that he ever wanted to talk about the problems Atlas had with his dating life.

It wasn't because his dad was uncomfortable talking about gay relationships. He was uncomfortable talking about anything having do with sex. When Atlas was fourteen—before they'd known he was gay—his dad had sat him down to talk about the birds and the bees, only because his wife had nagged him to death about doing it.

The only thing his father had said was, "Use condoms, son. A guy's gotta protect his manhood." That was it. Their sex talk had been over in five seconds flat. Thank god. They'd spent the rest of the time talking about his dad's passion for muscle cars, a subject Atlas was clueless about, but he loved seeing his dad's eyes light up when he talked about them.

"You only have two weeks," she reminded Atlas. "You can't show up solo at your sister's wedding. Craig tells me he has a single cousin. He could set up a date for you."

"Is Craig's cousin a guy?" Atlas asked.

"Out of the kitchen so we can get this done." She released his wrist and turned her gaze toward the table. It was filled with an array of wedding centerpiece materials, scattered haphazardly as if a whirlwind had blown through, leaving behind its chaotic aftermath. There were delicate bundles of flowers waiting to be arranged, glass vases in various shapes and sizes, and colorful ribbons begging to be tied around them. The task of assembling it all seemed daunting, and he was thankful she hadn't asked him to help.

Not that his mom would. She thought that was "woman's work."

With a firm grip, Braylon pulled Atlas out of the room. "You need to stop trying to drive home the point that you're gay," he said. "She's never going to accept it, Atlas."

They stepped onto the porch, and Atlas slumped into a chair, drained from dealing with his mom. "I'm not going to change who I am just because she refuses to accept that her son is gay."

Braylon sat next to him, giving Atlas's arm a reassuring pat as if he was on the verge of breaking down, which he wasn't. "Then you know what you should do?"

With one brow raised, Atlas looked at Braylon. "Why do I have a feeling you're going to suggest something to totally freak her out?"

"Because you know me so well." Braylon smiled widely, a wicked gleam in his eye. "You should find the most inappropriate date."

"And ruin my sister's wedding?" As much as it pissed him off that his mom couldn't accept him for who he was, Atlas wasn't an asshole. This was Jennifer and Craig's big day.

Even though his sister had no issue whatsoever with Atlas dating men, Craig kind of did. He was one of those macho men who couldn't wrap his head around two men being attracted to each other. He always came up with an excuse to leave the room whenever Jennifer asked how Atlas's love life was going.

"I'm serious," Braylon said. "Find someone with mountains of muscles and tattoos, rough around the edges. It's not your mom's wedding. It's Jennifer's, and she wouldn't care if your date was a guy."

"I need a drink." Atlas pushed from his chair. Unfortunately, there was only one bar in town. It had been hard to return to Fearless Fox after what Glen had done, but Atlas was managing. He still couldn't bring himself to enter the pool room, though.

"Drinks are on me." Braylon headed down the porch steps. "I'll even buy you some wings and fries."

Atlas had skipped breakfast and lunch, so he was starving. "I forgot my keys in the kitchen. I'll meet you there."

With a nod, Braylon headed to his car while Atlas went back inside the house. As he strolled into the kitchen and grabbed his keys off the counter by the coffee pot, he caught his mom's eye, and she gave him a pointed look. Atlas knew that look. It meant he was being a disappointment yet again.

What else was new?

"Don't have too many drinks," his dad said when Atlas passed the living room.

"How do you know where I'm going?"

His father grinned. "It's where you always go when you deal with your mom." His smile faded. "Driving drunk is a good way to—"

"Kill myself or maybe an entire family," Atlas finished for him. He'd heard the speech a million times in the six years since he'd turned twenty-one. "Love you, Dad."

"Same, son."

Atlas jumped into his car and drove into town, irritated at the look his mom had given him. He was sick and tired of constantly feeling like a letdown to her.

After he parked and got out, he headed right inside the bar and glanced around for Braylon. He spotted his best friend in a booth, two shot glasses and two beers already on the table.

Atlas headed straight for him then slid into the opposite seat. "She gave me that look when I went back into the kitchen."

"The one that says you're more disappointing than a stale donut?" Braylon slid the shot glass toward Atlas. "Bottoms up. Maybe if you get tipsy enough, you'll think about what I said. There are plenty of guys in Midnight Falls who fit the bad-boy description. Hell, if you have to, pay someone to go with you. They'll get a free meal, and you'll show your mom you won't hide in no stinking closet with the mothballs."

Atlas tossed back his shot, hissing as the liquid burned his throat on its way down. "Did you order some food?"

"Two dozen wings and a heaping plate of fries. You're not the only one who hasn't eaten today." Braylon downed his shot, burped, and slammed his glass on the table. Then he raised his beer bottle. "A toast."

Atlas raised his.

"May ignorant people be blessed with at least one gay encounter so they can finally shut the fuck up and stop judging us."

Atlas clinked his bottle against Braylon's, laughing his ass off. He took a sip, and said, "Please don't ever wish my mom to have a lesbian experience. No kid wants to think of their parents having sex, and my dad would have a heart attack."

"Ugh." Braylon took a long drink of his beer. "I wish I didn't know my mom had sex. The walls are paper-thin at my house, and I reach for the nearest trash can with each gut-wrenching moan when I hear her and her boyfriend getting it on. Someone get me some earplugs or, better yet, an escape route."

Atlas fell to his side laughing. He'd met Lenore Yalland. She was a bigger flirt than Glen, and that was saying something. It seemed every six months she was dating someone new. Her skirts were so tight they could double as tourniquets, paired with tops small enough to fit a Barbie doll and big hoop earrings. At least she kept things interesting with her bold lipstick and outrageous eyeshadow choices.

Atlas liked her. Lenore was always sweet to him whenever he came over, and she didn't care that he was gay.

When their food arrived, Atlas switched to soda, but once he was full, he ordered another beer. He wasn't going to drive home drunk. If Atlas got too wasted, he would just sleep in his car or call his dad to pick him up and drop him off at his apartment.

Tonight, all Atlas wanted to do was forget about finding a date for his sister's wedding and his mom's disapproving stares.

* * * *

Kellen Segar ripped the vampire's heart out and then took off, knowing he had more bloodsuckers after him. One day he was going to learn to keep his mouth shut. Even though the vampires had been talking a lot of trash to him, Kellen could have just ignored them and walked away.

When one of them had something about his mom, a red haze had fallen over Kellen, slinging him into his past, a past he wished to god he could forget. Now, he found himself trapped in the demon realm, desperately trying to reach the black river without alerting the three vampires who were after him.

Kellen could fight his way out of a lot of situations, but he also knew when to get ghost. He was currently in an alley on the side of The Melting Pot, trying to contact his brother. For the fifth time, his call went straight to voicemail.

Too bad he couldn't call Morgan Savani, but the polar bear shifter was on vacation at some beach house with his mate.

After Kellen quickly tucked his phone back in his pocket, his head snapped around, scanning the area behind him. His heart raced and his senses were on high alert as he cautiously stepped out of the dark alley, his gaze darting around as he searched for any sign of those pricks.

The city lights cast an eerie glow over the streets, creating shadows that seemed to dance and taunt him. Distant voices filled the air, but there was no sign of the bloodsuckers who'd been chasing him just moments before. He wondered if he had managed to lose them or if they were simply biding their time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

The black river was across the street on a hilly mound. Taking a deep breath, he propelled himself forward, his feet pounding against the pavement as he raced like the devil was on his heels.

Kellen caught a glimpse of them—the ravenous, bloodsucking bastards. Vampires could move faster than any preternatural, making it goddamn imperative for Kellen to move even faster if he wanted to avoid being tackled and drained.

He ran up the grassy incline, the black river twenty feet ahead. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a hand reaching out to grab him. Without hesitation, he swung around and unleashed a powerful punch into the bloodsucker's face. The satisfying crunch of bone filled his ears, and a grin spread across his lips as the guy stumbled backward. Shit, the other two were almost on him.

"Time to go." He spun, unsure if he was going to make it. Kellen didn't look back, but he felt them bearing down on him.

A hand grazed the back of Kellen's shirt just as he dove forward, hitting the water with a perfect dive. Since you had to think of where you wanted to go when you entered, there was no way in hell they would be able to follow him.

Kellen hit the concrete hard and then rolled to his side. "Motherfuck," he groaned. As many times as he'd taken the black river, he should have had the landing down pat.

Grunting, Kellen pushed to his feet then looked around. He was in Midnight Falls, and to his right was Fearless Fox.

At least he'd made it back to his town, though he hadn't thought of the bar. Kellen had thought of home, but the black river had spit him out on the streets of downtown.

"This just isn't my night." He lived too far to walk, and there was no way in hell he was shifting into his wolf form. Not when he was wearing his favorite jeans and boots.

He took one last look around the dark, almost empty streets before heading inside the bar. It was Saturday night, and the place was packed. Music blared from the jukebox, nearly drowning out any other sounds in the crowded bar. The air was thick with the aroma of food, followed by the strong scents of alcohol, perspiration, and a mix of cologne and perfume.

In the adjacent room, the unmistakable crack of pool balls echoed through the air. Everywhere he looked, people were either eating and drinking at various tables and booths or engaged in lively conversation.

It was sensory overload but in the best way possible.

Kellen weaved through the crowd, making his way to the bar. He had two options. Wait for Cole to finally pick up his phone or wait until Jake closed down for the night and could drive him home.

When Kellen spotted a hot little twink seated at one of the booths, he knew how he could kill time while he waited.

"What can I get for you, Kellen?" Jake asked.

"Three beers." The twink was sitting with someone, and it would be rude of Kellen not to buy the other guy a drink, too. He'd learned early on that it was wise to win over the friend to avoid any pushback when he left out the door with the one he wanted in his bed.

After paying for his drinks, Kellen took the bottles and made his way to the booth, turning sideways a few times to get through the clusters of people in his way.

He was laser-focused on the one with light-brown hair as he made his way across the room. The other guy wasn't even a blip on Kellen's radar.

"Mind some company?" He placed two of the unopened bottles on the table but didn't sit. Instead, he leaned an arm against the back of the booth, raking his gaze over the one he was interested in.

"No thanks." The guy with the light-brown hair didn't even look up to see who'd approached their table.

"Dude, this was exactly what I was talking about!" the one with the black hair said. He turned his attention to Kellen. "I'm Braylon, and he's Atlas."

Atlas. He liked the name. "I'm Kellen."

"Have a seat, Kellen." Braylon waved a hand across the table.

With a roll of his shimmering eyes, Atlas finally scooted closer to the wall. Either the guy was tipsy or it was the lighting, but Kellen loved the way his gray eyes sparkled.

"So what exactly were you talking about?" he asked Braylon, but he never took his eyes off of Atlas.

"I'll let my best friend tell you. I'm hitting the head," Braylon replied. "Don't you dare back out of this, Atlas."

When Braylon got up and walked away, Kellen threw his arm over the back of the booth and turned toward Atlas. He looked even better close up. His gray eyes had flecks of black, and the guy had the cutest nose and softest-looking lips. He also smelled human.

Oh yeah. Kellen definitely wanted this guy in his bed tonight.

"I need to get married," Atlas said.

The guy was damn good-looking but not that fucking gorgeous. "Pump the brakes, sweetheart. I was just trying to get to know you, not tie the knot."

Atlas blinked several times then shook his head. "No, my sister needs to get married."

"And that somehow makes it better?" Kellen asked. "If you haven't noticed, I approached a guy tonight. Although I respect woman, they don't have what I need."

Laughter burst out of Atlas. "I'm totally screwing this up. That's not what I need."

Kellen leaned in, brushing his lips over the guy's earlobe. "Why don't we go back to your place and I can give you what you need?"

When Atlas turned those pretty gray eyes on him, Kellen's dick become rock hard. He suppressed a growl as he imagined those gray beauties staring up at him while he fucked the guy senseless.

"I just had my heart broken a month ago."

Kellen smiled. "Baby, I'm not interested in your heart. I'm interested in giving you a night you won't soon forget."

"I just need a date to my sister's wedding." Atlas swiped the bottle that Kellen had brought over and twisted the lid, though it wouldn't come off.

A wedding? Not a chance. He took the bottle from Atlas's hand and twisted off the cap, taking a swig before handing it to the guy. "Why don't we go to your place and we'll see how things go from there?"

He nibbled his way down Atlas's neck, smiling when the human shivered. When he slid his hand up the guy's thigh, getting closer to his cock, Atlas groaned.

"What do you say we get out of here?" Kellen brushed his fingers over Atlas's trapped cock.

Irritation filled him when Braylon returned, dropping into the seat across from them. Atlas grabbed Kellen's wrist and shoved his hand away. "Not tonight."

Braylon glanced between them. "I'm gonna let you two talk. Forget about your heartbreak and get back into the dating world, Atlas."

The guy got up and disappeared into the crowd. Kellen was going to have to switch tactics if he wanted to bed Atlas tonight. "What did your ex do?"

He eased back, giving Atlas space.

"Apparently I wasn't enough for him." Atlas tipped the bottle back, and Kellen's gaze zeroed in on his throat muscles swallowing the beer. The human set the bottle down hard, glaring. "Caught him groping another guy."

"That's messed up." The song changed to something slower. Kellen stood and held out his hand. "Care to dance?"

Giving Kellen's hand a hesitant glance, Atlas finally took it, sliding out of the booth.