CHAPTER FOUR

A fter speaking with Master Kilconnor, Alistar was adamant that he reconnects with his adored and do it immediately. The distance he was feeling between them was becoming physically painful. He never should have left he should have come up with a reason or suggestion or something that would have kept them together at the hotel.

His plan had been to stay at the Monarch Hotel get to know each other, grow their bond and complete the claiming, at which time Neal would be fully aware and ready to start their lives together. Unfortunately fear and confusion took the upper hand and his adored fled for home and he just let him go. But he couldn't force him to stay there would have been nothing gained by forcing him to do anything.

There should have been more talk and more explanation and more touching and he would make sure all took place this time. He wasn't sure what kind of reception he would receive just showing up to Neal's apartment, but he hoped that Neal was missing him even half as much as he was missing him.

Overriding the keypad was a simple process and it struck him that the complex was far from even moderately secure. He took the stairs two at a time and very quickly found himself at Neal's door.

This time instead of breaking in, he knocked and waited. There were sounds from inside he could hear his adored and he could feel and scent his presence, and it was wonderful. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes as the closeness washed over him.

There was someone else in the apartment; he heard another voice and felt another presence. He knocked again firmer and harder this time conveying the urgency that was coursing through him.

The door swung open and there he stood looking just as amazing as the first time Alistar had laid eyes upon him. His silky hair, soft skin and those wonderous blue eyes and best of all, he looked excited to see him.

"Alistar!" He said and pulled him inside. Alistar allowed himself to be pulled into the room and closed the door behind him. He saw the other person sitting looking at him and giving him a very decided once over.

"I'm so glad you're here." Neal erupted, and the enthusiasm was exactly what Alistar needed.

"I'm glad too baby. I missed you." He told him and then pulled him close slipping his arm around his shoulders. This was perfect the tension in his bones and the anger and frustration in his heart drained away. He boldly dropped a kiss to Neal's cheek ignoring the pointed stare from the man across the room.

"Byron." Neal exclaimed. "This is Alistar." Byron stood and took several tentative steps toward them, never taking his eyes off Alistar and the possessive way he was holding Neal.

"Alistar this is Byron my brother." Byron reached out his hand and Alistar took it in his. Both men sizing each other up.

"Pleased to meet you, Byron." He said with a pleasant smile.

"And you," Byron responded, but there was no smile or sign of acceptance. He was guarded and suspicious. Alistar used the contact of their hands to touch his mind and see what he knew but he could not break through. Byron's mind was untouchable, which was a surprise.

A flash of perception crossed Byron's face, and he pulled his hand away. Alistar wondered how much Neal had shared with his brother, perhaps too much, but a memory wipe was not possible. It would appear that Byron, too, was destined to be bonded. Whoever they were, they were going to have their hands full with that one.

"Come in," Neal said and began pulling Alistar further into the apartment. Neal moved toward the couch, and his brother Byron moved toward the door. Alistar was relieved that Byron did not plan to stay.

"I'll call you later, Neal," Byron announced as he glared at Alistar, and Neal nodded. "If you need me, I'm just a text away. I can be here in minutes." That statement was for Alistar's benefit and not Neal's.

"He's quite safe Byron I promise you." Alistar answered. Byron continued to stare at him silently for a few more seconds and then left.

"He doesn't trust you," Neal stated the obvious. "But he'll come around; I certainly did."

"Did you miss me, baby?" Alistar teased and tilted Neal's face up to his and took those sweet red lips in a kiss that was heart-stopping. Neal wrapped his arms around Alistar's waist and joined the kiss with an ardor that was unexpected but thoroughly appreciated.

Alistar pressed him close, molding their bodies together while deepening the kiss and drawing out every sensation. This was what was missing: the connection between them and the heat that was building with each passing minute. He ran his hands down Neal's sides, pulling him even closer, and moved to trail sensuous kisses down his throat.

Neal held him, and he felt the warm brush of his panting breath against his cheek. "I missed you Alistar. The longer we were apart, the more I knew and wanted." He turned and softly kissed Alistar's jaw, and he felt Neal's hands smoothing salaciously along the curve of his ass. Neal was not shy, which was refreshing and allowed Alistar to be equally forward with his needs.

Neal was shocked by his own brazenness, but he also had no intention of curbing or tempering his desires. There was no danger here. He could feel the acceptance and Alistar's familiar heat in his touch and in his looks. He wanted him, and Neal was not going to deny himself. All his concerns of earlier and his self-righteousness were taking a firm backseat to the need to know this man and to hold him close.

Clarity was taking over and things that had never crossed his mind before were becoming facts and his old reality was shifting taking on various new forms. None of this felt off or harmful it just was, and he felt himself accepting and understanding things that normally would have freaked him the hell out.

"This is all real?" He whispered.

"It's all real, my love," Alistar responded.

Neal took in the gentle kisses and the soft touches losing himself in the romance and excitement. Alistar belonged to him he could feel that truth in his soul and he belonged to Alistar. They just met and yet their bond was obvious and clear. He knew him before he met him, or he was simply delirious with desire.

"The desire is strong, and it is all true all the thoughts and feelings rushing through you right now are all true. Once we have bonded completely you will experience a full awakening, and you will know even more. The world of the supernatural will be wide open for you." Neal wasn't sure what he was referring to since so much had already been revealed he couldn't imagine what else would come to light.

Alistar led him into the bedroom and quickly helped relieve him of his clothing. Neal was standing there in nothing but a quiet smile waiting for Alistar to say something. He ran his hands down Neal's body, and his eyes took in every inch. The seconds ticked by, and the tension was building.

"You're so beautiful, Neal. Your body is flawless and perfect." His words were breathless, and the sound and feel of the sentiment sent a sensuous shiver down Neal's spine. "I want you; I want to claim you and mark you as my own. I need everyone to know that you are my adored."

A lot was being said, and Neal had the feeling that it was all very important, but all he could think about was getting Alistar naked and experiencing that incredible body close-up. "I want you too, Alistar." That's all he could get out before reaching for him. He pulled at Alistar's shirt and grabbed for his belt before Alistar took over and again lost the clothing in record time.

He watched the shirt come off, followed by the pants, and he was absolutely mesmerized, but when the briefs were removed, his want and longing shot to the moon. "Yes." He moaned the word and again reached for Alistar, who eagerly pulled him close, molding their bodies together once again

"I'm going to claim you." He said again and again Neal did not resist or object. He knew that it was life changing he felt that in his heart, but he also knew that he was ready for whatever Alistar asked of him. He wanted this man, and he wanted him forever.

He helped Neal onto the bed, laying him out on his back, touching and kissing him throughout, making Neal's head spin with pleasure and anticipation. He felt his heart beating fast and his breath labored and shallow. Alistar stretched out beside him and continued to touch and sensitize his tender flesh. Neal wasn't expecting it when Alistar suddenly bent and took Neal's hard, pulsing cock into his mouth and slid it between his lips.

The feeling was mind-numbing, and he was sure his eyes were rolling to the back of his head. This wasn't his first blow job, but it was the best by far. His lips, his tongue, and his teeth all played him to the heights of exhilaration. Neal tensed and relaxed with each movement, and the sensations playing through his system were building to an intensity that was beyond his control.

Alistar never slowed, never wavered, never quit. He took him down over and over and used his hands in a way that ignited every part of his body and mind. Overwhelmed was an understatement as his vision narrowed and his breath caught in his throat. He gripped Alistar's shoulder, buried his fingers in his hair, and held on as he came harder than he could ever remember.

Alistar kept going, and Neal was losing his mind and couldn't open his eyes as he held his breath throughout the explosive wave of pure pleasure. He slowly came down as his heart slowed and his breath evened out, but the experience would remain in his heart and mind. Alistar was his focus and his center, and whether it be healthy or not, he craved this man.

In a move that was both swift and effortless Alistar was now above him looking down into his eager eyes with an expression that heated and electrified. Neal didn't know exactly what was coming, but he knew it was going to be epic. Alistar abruptly grabbed him, flipped him on to his stomach, took him by the hips, and pulled him up at the waist while pushing his head down to the bed.

He felt the cool air touch his lower regions just before he felt several lubed fingers penetrate, filling his tight entrance. He moaned and rolled his head where it was pressed against the bed.

Hot breath and wet kisses spread across his flesh, and the fingers stretched and forced their way further, sending a sharp thill through his senses. Anticipation swamped him as Alistar slammed his large digits inside over and over, sensitizing and preparing him for more.

Nothing else in the world existed except for him and Alistar. All things faded in the ecstasy flooding the room. "Alistar." He panted his name and gripped the bedspread in his two fists. "I need you."

Before he could struggle to say more, Alistar spread out over him and plunged his hard thick cock deep within him, going to the base and stretching him full. Kisses rained down on Neal's shoulders, and his hands continued to soothe and sensitize.

The feeling of Alistar over him and all around him was incredible. The scents and images filling his mind stirred feelings so deeply and brought to the surface a raw excitement that was unbelievable.

Alistar plunged inside over and over, needing every touch and experience all that his adored had to offer. He needed all of it. He needed his sweet lover in his arms forever. Neal moved beneath him like a dream, with every touch and sound going right to his heart. "Neal." He said his name just as the first thrill of release washed over him.

His mind and soul became singularly focused, and his vampire came surging to the surface. He felt his teeth punching forward in preparation, and this beautiful little man, his adored one, Neal Shawn, lay in wait. The surge was upon him, and he drove deep, emptying and filling his adored tight hot channel, and in that moment, he struck.

Alistar held Neal fast and sunk his teeth into the tender flesh of his shoulder. He drank in the exhilarating essence, feeling it pump through him and energize every part of him. The blood was sweet and powerful, just as legend stated, far more potent than any other.

He continued to hold him and drink, letting the bond seep in and take control. It would kick the awareness into full gear, and within a few hours, Neal would be fully conscious of the world beyond his. He would have a full and clear picture and understanding of Alistar and all the people of this strange new world.

Neal already had some truths and was accepting as the revelations presented themselves. He would soon understand everything, and their lives together would honestly begin. The claiming and the coming together like this were so powerful in its own right and the added gift of the awareness made everything right and without misunderstanding.

He finished and licked the wound closed, leaving a small scar that would forever mark the beginning. "I love you, Neal." He whispered against his ear, not sure if he heard him or not. He just felt the need to say it because it was how he felt. Neal groaned salaciously and squirmed beneath him. "You're mine now, baby, all mine." He pulled out slowly, letting the loss and sensation touch Neal in gradual measures.

"You feel so good, Alistar." Neal moaned out the words and dropped down onto the bed, exhausted but pleased and satisfied.

"You feel like heaven to me Neal. I've waited so long for you, and it was so worth it." Alistar laid down beside him and pulled him into his arms and kissed firmly on the lips.

Touching and being close with his adored felt as natural as breathing. Neal was so real and honest and natural, and he truly loved the little human. Romantic love was not an emotion he was familiar with, but it hit him as clear as day that this man was the reason for the hope and the want and the wonder that filled his heart.