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Starcrossed Ch. 001

By: FangsAnarchy



Julian walked into the bar. The end of the world had wiped out most of the human world and so monsters walked amongst the humans. Most modern conveniences had been destroyed between the accidental nuclear war and the mass retaliations that followed. The immortals and the few surviving humans were doing their best to rebuild the world but there was much debate on how that should be accomplished. 

The world had turned back to its original Pangaea form and most of the old empires were returning to their former glory. Werewolves and Vampires had conflicting views on how that should happen. All the other beings, fell somewhere in between the Wolf and the Vampire empires. New London was one of the few places where there was not as much turmoil. 

Myths might be the only thing holding this secluded city together. Myths and legends that foretold of a union between the first Vampire and a Wolf born just for him. The wolf would bring peace to the people. The Vampire would keep the Wolf's power in check. 

~*~*~*~

Julian smelled Vampire and Werewolf in the bar, not getting along but able to live in the same place together. Separate but equal living with demons and humans as well as a few oddities here and there. The large Vampire approached the mahogany bar. 

"O negative please" He purred in a low lust voice. 

The busty blonde human girl flushed upon seeing the handsome man. "Would you like it cold? I can warm it for you if you would like." 

Julian smirked, like every female she was all too willing to please. "Warmed would be preferred." 

The bar tender watched the sexy Vampire with unyielding interest. He was built like a muscular dancer, beautifully toned without being bulky. He was perfect, his body was chiseled from perfect white marble. His nose was something most in the old world would have paid to be blessed with. Those lips, they looked so soft. They were full and yet she knew they would taste like passion. She would have scarified her dying breath to feel those lips all over her body. 

Julian knew he was being watched as ran a hand through his shoulder length blonde mane. Hearing the petite busty female whimper a little before she was jerked from her drooling by the high pitched ping of a microwave. 

The Vampire's overly sensitive ears perked at the leap of her heart. It was too tempting to not tease the slutty female. He stood up revealing his well-cut stomach as it peaked out from behind his red silk shirt. Deep red, red that would have put a heart sacrificed by the Aztecs to shame. His tight black leather pants clung to his firm ass not leaving nothing to the imagination. 

"Do you need anything else? I promise I would do anything to keep you happy" The girl flushed at her own forwardness but didn't back down. 

Julian shook his head no, "Sorry pretty, not interested. However a bed for light hours would be nice." Julian wouldn't have died in the sun. It was just considerably painful. He had heard once that the Ancient Vampires could withstand the sun and it had only shocked their children when the world had gone through its first period of light hours. The light hours came when man was created and the Ancients hadn't bothered to pass the ability to withstand light onto their creations. Seeing as Julian wasn't one of the mythical Ancients he needed a place to hid out and slip into what he had come to know as sleep.

The bar maid nodded and watched the sexy Vampire down his blood in one swig. "What name should I put the room in?" 

"Julianadre, you have no need for a last name as I am paying up front in cash." He handed her the current world currency and she tucked it into the folder. "Also if it is not too much trouble I would like a wakeup call when the sun sets. I have yet to cover a lot of distance." Julian didn't know where he was heading; only that he was searching for something. His search had drawn him here, forcing him to spend the day time here. Julian didn't remember anything before the world had ended. Apparently he had lived through it. Ever since then he had just been wandering aimlessly. 

He had thought his journey was for his missing uncle, but that notion had died some years ago. He hadn't really thought about the man lately and assumed he was dead, or simply not wanting to be found. Julian knew he was searching for something else and something about this bar lead him to believe he was very close. 

The girl nodded and led him to his room. Julian looked at each guest before leaving. One could never be to overly careful. Despite the uneasy peace between Vampires and Wolves in this town, this was a no animal bar. He only caught a slight hint of animal as he passed up the stairs. It was as if someone was trying to hide the fact that they had been near a dog. He smiled, Julian's nose was powerful even for a Vampire and he prided himself in his ability to notice things others could not. 

Room 13 was no different than any other room the Vampire had stayed in recently. It might have been a bit cleaner which was nice considering Julian was a bit of a clean freak. He began to remove his clothing. The Vampire rested his loaded pistol on his nightstand. He leaned over and removed the dagger from his assassin boot and tucked it under his pillow. The night was at its darkest point and soon it would be morning. Julian started to settle in when a noise caught his attention. 

~*~*~*~ 

Romulus snuck into the bar, drenched in Vampire stench and a large black over coat. He would have much preferred to be around all the wolf killers in his four legged form but that was clearly out of the question. Rom, as he preferred to be called had been on the run for a few years now. He had escaped his old master and was drifting from town to town. 

The Werewolf had finally settled down somewhere in the newly formed mountains, though his den was well hidden. He was the protector of a human village, the only remaining world that still believed monsters were only alive in nightmares. Rom planned to keep it that way. 

The large Male took a seat in the shadows fading into the wall so that he could watch and listen better. Rom hoped he would see what he had come for, what he had risked his life for. For some time now Romulus had felt lost, he had contemplated ending his unnaturally long life. Sure the wolf had grown up like any other, but he seemed to be perpetually frozen at 25. Rom assumed all wolves had this issue though he did not know since his entire life he had been kept as a prisoner. 

Romulus had been sold as an infant by his father for reasons unknown to the boy. He didn't even know what he was back then. Rom had first shifted when he was 16 wolf years and he had startled an audience by shifting into his wolf. Rom had been used by his owner as a pit bull, a gladiator and a personal soldier and bed warmer. He had been trained in the Coliseum of New Rome and used for entertainment. 

The boy had eventually reached sexual maturity in the eyes of his master, 18 human years and 13 wolf years. He would sell him to anyone looking for a night with a warm young looking body. He was of legal human age and so this particular cruel twist of genetics made him a favorite toy. Rom's body told his painful story all too clearly. His bronzed Italian skin was a mess of scars. His once beautiful strong face forever marred by a scar tearing through one of his purple eyes and trailing over his dented nose down to his full lips. 

Romulus had felt draw to the bar earlier but now he couldn't see any reason why. The amethyst colored eyes flicked around the room taking in all the sinful beings. Romulus had never met a kind being that he could recall. Not that he could remember his few short years before his master. Those had been beaten out of him. 

Rom's hood hid his jet black spiky hair which was the same color as his wolf fur. Inside the lone wolf beat the heart of a warrior. It was reflected in his overly bulky build. He was thick and toned a built killing machine. The new world needed to organize or end. For the moment the wolf would have been more pleased with the latter. 

He was the power hungry type and in his mind there was no empire worth salvaging, and no war worth fighting. If he didn't find a reason, and soon the wolf would simply fade into nothing. Rom had been looking to find someone to share his life with, to share his new world order with. No one even held his interest for more than an inhale, let alone long enough for them to get out a few words. 

A scent caught the interested of the wolf's nose. He inhaled and exhaled, something familiar and yet something new and exciting. The scent belonged to the large Vampire flirting with the human bar maid. Normally Rom did not look twice at any one being and yet something about this Vampire demanded his attention and insisted upon his respect. 

Against his better judgment the wolf rose from the shadow and silently followed the Vampire up the stairs. He had made it to the hall way when a familiar click shook him to his core. 

~*~*~*~ 

The Vampire had a gun aimed at the cloaked figure's head. The gun made the familiar clicking sound and the being he was aiming at turn it's head. His jaw dropped a little at the creatures stunning beauty. His eyes traced the being's facial scar. The Vampire inhaled the distinct rustic scent of wolf. He had never encountered a Werewolf before, and now here he was face to face with the biggest thing he had ever heard of. 

Anyone looking at the impossibly large figure would know he was a soldier; from his cocky posture and fearless attitude even when in a place that was forbidden to him. The Vampire couldn't help but feel a stir in his groin as the Were smiled. The wolf wasn't intimidating or gross like so many Vampires had proclaimed. If anything the wolf seemed safe and familiar. 

~*~*~*~ 

Rom knew the Vampire wouldn't shoot. Even if he did it wasn't like it would matter. The wolf wasn't afraid of death and silver seemed to be a rarity for guns these days. "If you are planning to kill me I suggest the silver blade strapped to your foot." His eyes traveled suggestively over the Vampires body. He watched him shiver at the growl. Whoever this Vampire was he was sexy as hell. His toned body and long hair caused Rom's voice to drop, something meant to signify to others that he was a prime breeding candidate. "Unless of course you happen to have silver bullets?" 

The Vampire put the gun away seeing as the animal wasn't attacking. "I do, one can never be too careful." He smiled sheepishly, the scent of the large male was starting to spread now that his hood was down and his cloak hung open. The Vampire grabbed the wolf's rough hand and drug him into the room. "You know your kind is forbidden to be here?" He asked suddenly protective of the stranger. 

Rom looked out the window to the full moon. He was able to shift from wolf to human whenever he pleased, but his wolf was stronger under the full moon. His Human was strongest in the new moon and varying stages portrayed by the two halves of the same whole corresponded to his shifting. He wondered if he shouldn't have been on all fours for this meeting. 

"I'm Romulus." He offered his hand and the Vampire took it. "Pretty rare for a Vampire to have silver bullets." 

Julian as he preferred to be called thrust his chin in the air "Yeah well I am an unusual Vampire." 

Rom nodded "I figured, I wouldn't have followed you if you were not intriguing." 

Julian gulped "Followed me?" He asked wondering if there was more. 

"Calm down Vampire, from the looks of it you could handle yourself anyway." His purple eyes took in all the places where his nose told him a weapon was hidden. "So Vampire, you got a name or am I to just keep calling you by your species?" 

The blood Julian had drank earlier crept into his pale high cheeks "Julianadre, although you can call me Julian." He relaxed in the big Wolf's gaze as if it was what he did on any given night "Sorry for pointing the gun at you. Like I said you can never be overly careful. Not just with Wolves but anyone. I have Vampire weapons too." 

Now that Rom was sitting Julian could see the effects of war carved into the Wolf's body. There was almost no fat on him. He was littered with scars on his broad chest, one deep one ran from heart to navel. His well-defined hips sloped suggestively into his pants and Julian couldn't help but stare. His Amber eyes glowed a little in his desire to be between those powerful legs. 

Rom let his cock press into his pants watching the beautiful creature looking him over. It had been a very long time since someone had looked his way with desire. His mind drifted back to the slutty bar tender and he wondered if the Vampire was honestly interested in someone like him. Despite Julian's sexual preference Rom was not in the habit for apologizing for taking something he wanted. Since his escape he had done as he pleased and lived life without regret. 

"Would you like a drink?" Julian offered, "I trust you not to try anything when I am drunk though for the life of me I cannot fathom why. Just know that I do know how to kill and will not hesitate if this proves to be a severe lapse in judgment." 

Rom watched the sexy Vampire's ass swish as he walked to the bar "No thanks, I don't take drinks from strangers. I would never hurt you Julian, I just felt compelled to come talk to you. I felt the need to confess who I am to you and maybe you would understand whatever it is I feel so destined to do." 

Julian nodded and reseated himself in the chair opposite Rom. 

Rom realized he was staring and averted his gaze. Normally if he wanted to admire the view he would, if he wanted sex he would have sex willing participant or not. Rom had never felt love, he had always lived in a cold world kill or be killed and yet here he was being lured in by a Vampire that looked as though he would put up a fight if need be. 

"I am a built and trained hunter, and yet I am probably the most hunted monster in this god forsaken land. I am Rom, the escaped murderer from Rome. 

There is an unimaginable bounty on my head and for the last few years I have been wandering aimlessly. I feel the need to start wars and kill but currently I lack direction. I found out some time ago that there are beings willing to keep the species separate. Beings that want me dead for some reason or another. My life has never been mine and yet I feel like I am meant to do something with it. The underground government uses figure heads to control other beings." 

Rom motioned to the metal hoop around his neck "They tried to control me and I broke free. As much as I hate life in any form for it has been nothing but cold to me, I don't like the fact that we are all mindless sheep. That's why all the fighting. They are either tests, or population control, or simply just life realizing their needs to be competition. As far as I know I am the only one to fight out of the mind control but the fact that you have silver bullets makes me wonder if maybe you have too. Everyone here on this planet, in the bar is playing one big game of checkers whereas the government and I are playing chess. They are trying to keep things the way they are. They want Wolves and Vampires and humans and hell whatever else is out there to kill each other." 

Rom decided to keep secret the fact that the escape had damaged his memory. He had been left with nothing positive to remember. It was the last ditch effort at the preservation of separation and the ongoing feud. If Rom was to escape with only pain and suffering memories then it was likely he would never become the leader he was destined to become. Instead of leading the world out of post-apocalyptic darkness Rom would drown himself in it. 

Julian took a sip of alcohol as he listened. It was all a strange theory to him but one that made sense. Most of the beings he encountered seemed to never think for themselves. They were so full of hate for something they didn't understand. "I am sorry; I do not know enough of the world to help you. I was in the mountains away from all of this. My uncle was killed and I decided to come down. The moment I set foot off of the mountain I was attacked. I may have lived here before the end, but I can't recall. I only have about two years of memory at best. I have only been off the mounted for seven nights." 

He smiled "Luckily for me I remember or at least my body seems to remember being trained to fight in almost every possible style and situation." 

Julian's eyes lingered on the Wolfs only patch of hair on his chest. It peaked up over his pants as if leading the way to where Julian's mind with the help of the alcohol was slowly heading. He felt the cruel heat of passion sweep over his thighs and into his groin. Something about the forbidden being across from him was driving him mad. It had to be that he had not been allowed an outlet for his lust in sometime. Julian suppressed his desires and leaned in on his knees. 

"Perhaps I might be able to help you. I play chess, I will admit I am probably not that good but I do play. I am also a good fighter and it might help keep you alive if you had a partner." 

The Vampire's heightened senses had sensed the heat radiating from the Were's groin. Clearly Rom was just as needy as he was. He knew the wolf could probably smell his frustrations just as easily. Before Julian had thought to sensor himself he confessed his desire. "Maybe I could help you with other things too." 

Those bright amber eyes traveled from Rom's groin to his eyes. That needy look made the wolf shiver. He had felt the pull and smelled the desire but doubted either one of them would mention it. 

Julian held the aggressive gaze of the wolf for a moment, transfixed "I have skills you cannot possibly imagine." He was curious to see how the seemingly cocky wolf would respond. Julian knew he was flirting and teasing, but that was just how he was. Despite being a trained assassin Julian often played with his food. 

"So how do we do this? Do we need to build an army or something or is this like going in quietly and just killing the bad guy?" Julian realized he had already lumped himself in with Rom. He was lonely and lacked focus and the Wolf seemed to be willing to offer him a purpose. Even if that purpose was not meant for him. 

Rom thought for a moment "You know, I never really thought about what I would do if I ever tried to fix things." He bit his lip. Rom had wasted his few years of freedom looking for now answers and just going on a mindless killing spree. He killed anything that was stupid enough to try and attack him first. "You must have missed a lot up in the mountains. Some of the ancient empires have resorted back to their old ways. Some are favorable to Wolves others to Vampires. Some empires are all human or all demon. I know there have been a few phoenixes. There is such a big mess in the world and so much wrong I don't even have a clue where to begin." 

Julian waited for Rom to continue and when he didn't he rested his hand on the wolf's knee. He wanted to know everything about the wolf. He wanted to see what the Rom seemed to not be able to remember. 

Rom sighed figuring he might as well confess his secret now. "Truth is, I only have about seven total years of memory. I have no idea how old I am but I know I forget most of it. I don't even know myself Julian, perhaps I am not good company to keep. I am hunted, because I was a slave to a Roman king. I was told he picked me up from an orphanage. He did unspeakable things to me, and then one day he realized I was a good fighter and a good guard dog. The guards were cruel, the masters were crueler. I don't remember anything other than the pain I endured and even that is shaky at best. There is just so much hate in this new world. Monsters are harvested for entertainment and fuel. Humans are farmed for our food. They are trying to pit everyone against each other so that they will be the only ones left standing when the smoke clears. I can't even remember who they are." 


Starcrossed Ch. 001



Rom quivered a little. He didn't like admitting his short comings. "When I was theirs to toy with I was kept underground and had to kill many important people while fighting pain signals from this damn ring just to make it out" 

Rom stood "The only reason I trust you Vampire is because you seem like you would be a threat to them too, not like the rest." 

Rom got inches from Julian's face placing a knee between his legs and applying mild pressure to his shaft. His hands rested on the arm rests as he growled "And because you seem like you have more brains than I. All I know is war and military strategy." 

Julian stared down at Rom's bulky thigh, damn he was ripped. His cock was already coming to life making its vote be known. 

"I feel sorry for you wolf, to know such pain and never experience joy. I don't remember much of my time before my uncle, but I do know I was loved. I learned everything I know from this world through books." Julian closed his legs a little, if he had the ability to have blood rush to his face his pale high cheeks would have turned pink. He wanted the wolf, and he knew the wolf could feel his desire as it begged for the friction of Rom's leg. 

Rom pushed a little harder on Julian making sure the Vampire felt his body head on his member. "I'll admit, I am attracted to you Vampire. It's been a long time for me and it had been a while, if you know what I mean." 

Rom straightened up removing the pressure and backing off a few feet and smiled. Rom's smile revealed to others that he would have been a golden boy had his life not been so filled with pain and emptiness. Rom's past had gone tragically wrong and luckily for him he felt little to no emotion because he remembered very little about his early years. He hoped that Julian would be able to fill the void in his life and give him something to fight for to protect and to hold late at night. Right now, he was craving having something wet and soft to be inside. Rom had never been with a Vampire before that he could recall and he was becoming aroused with the question of if Julian would be warm inside. 

Julian looked at Rom with a needy anticipation. He was feeling cold without the wolf on him. He could understand why the warrior was so cautious. There were other being secretly controlling the world and Rom had witnessed all of it. He had even been the idea dart board. 

Having just eaten heat was able to rush up Julian's pants to his groin which swelled for Rom's attention. The leather pants he was so found of suddenly became very impractical as they constricted him and outlined his cock fully. Not that there was any question that the wolf couldn't smell the increased testosterone in the air. 

Rom wondered if the Vampire was really willing to act on his suggestions. "Do you mind if we share your bed for the day? I usually sleep without clothes so if that is asking too much I can sleep in my wolf form and protect you now that you have chosen such a deadly friend." He offered. Usually Vampires were repulsed by wolves in all forms so this would both be a test of Julian's loyalty and his arousal. 

"I don't plan to kill you Wolf, if that had been my plan I would have done so in the hall way. Clearly I don't mind sharing my bed." Julian gestured to his spread legs and watched hungrily as blood flushed Rom's face. Julian stood and kissed Rom's forehead before slipping off his heavy garment. 

Tiny shock waves of pleasure dance over Rom's skin when the Vampire had kissed him. Most of the time Rom felt one of two things, the need to ram his cock into something warm and soft or the need to kill something and possibly eat it in a fit of rage. Right now he was having strong urges of the first emotion. Rom tried to bite his tongue not to push his luck.

"Well I don't think it is fair for me to lay in your bed naked and have you lay beside me fully clothed." Rom smirked he had lost the battle to keep his jaw shut and was now thinking of how to reply if the Vampire freaked out. 

Julian didn't need to be toyed with. He had been intending to sleep beside the gorgeous warrior in nothing but his skin. Since the Wolf was showing interest Julian pushed back not being one to ever back off of a challenge. Julian's eyes traveled over Rom's body as he began to remove clothing. Julian's pants felt like they might burst with his excitement. "As much as I want to be your equal the idea of being beneath you for a night is rather appealing." 

Rom froze fully naked in front of his Vampire. He was built for this Vampire something deep down inside of his core was telling him he was finally home. "I want you beneath me every night" he confessed. Rom felt his ears grow hot as his hearing was distorted by the rush of blood. The Vampire was now stripping. Rom loved that Julian was so confident that he could make a stranger drool. He didn't bother to hide the fact that it was working. 

"It's my job to protect you. I may not have a whole ton going on upstairs but I do know my purpose is to keep you safe." He smiled taking in the Vampire's arsenal and toned body once more "Although, I doubt you need my protection. We can start walking tomorrow night, it's easier to stay hidden in the dark." Rom guided Julian to the clean hotel bed and made him sit. 

Julian squirmed under Rom's gaze. He was delighted to be on display for the wolf and invited the stares. "I think you underestimate yourself. You may not know your direction now, but it is clear you have survived a lot." 

Julian couldn't help but smile. Rom's emotions were powerful, and painfully obvious. If Rom had been in wolf form his tail would surely have been wagging at the compliment. "So you said we needed to play fair?" Julian questioned arching an eyebrow and one of his slender fingers grazed the muscular contours of Rom's body. The wolf shivered in anticipation too easy to read. "So does that mean if I touch you here" He said grabbing Rom's fiery package in his hand "Then you get to touch me... here?" Julian did his best to look innocent as he looked up at Rom, having just placed the wolf's powerful hand around his hard on. 

Rom was addicted to power and aggression. What fun was it to lie over a female who would willingly part her legs and whimper along as her male did all the work? Rom needed a man, someone who could push him. He needed Julian, everything about the Vampire perfectly matched his picture perfect desires. Something he could have never dreamed possible. "Yes, that is exactly what being fair means." Rom pushed Julian onto his back before pushing him up to the head board. 

Julian shivered, he had never been with anyone that his grandfather had not pre-approved. His grandfather had brought him humans to feed on and every once in a while Julian was intimate with one of his meals. Those had never had this effect on him. He had never been with someone like Rom before someone who would without a doubt tell him no. Someone who could put him in his place and hold him there. It had been too long and Julian was shivering and panting like a bitch in heat. 

Rom's powerful body over his was too tempting not to touch. Julian's fingers were still warm with a fresh meal and Rom still was hot to the touch. Stroking Rom's stomach was like stroking fine silk draped over granite. Julian would give anything to this man if he demanded it. He had a feeling Rom would have no problem demanding things from him. The Vampire wanted to taste the Wolf like his kind often did. Most of his meals panicked the moment he went to taste and so Julian refrained and instead licked at Rom's collar bone. His nose pushed the metal ring out of the way as he sucked and licked keeping his sharp teeth away from the soldiers flesh. 

Rom tasted like the forest, minty and salty with pine mixed in. Julian purred in delight. Julian looked up at Rom who was admiring his naked body openly. 

"Like what you see?" Rom growled grinding his hard shaft alongside Julian's. "So you said you would help me with more than your mind and advice? I have a little problem that needs to be taken care of, and it feels like you do too babe." 

Julian thrust his hips up urging Rom to enter him, lick him, rub him...anything! "Yeah, though it doesn't feel little" He panted concerned that his first time with a male would be painful since Rom felt so thick. Julian had noticed Rom's cock had felt different from his own. 

Julian healed on his own and so his cock was cloaked in pale foreskin whereas the heat radiating wolf had been exposed and intimidating, not hiding behind anything. 

Rom pulled Julian's lower lip into his mouth sucking on it, his hands got lost in the blonde forest at the base of Julian's neck. 

"Tell me if I do something you don't like." He coaxed his unexpected lover. Rom's body hummed with lust using his tongue to wrestle with Julian's over dominance. He felt the Vampire relent and give up his power to him. "I'm going to make you beg" He growled his eyes darkening to a purple storm of passion. 

Rom lightly licked and sucked on the Vampire's milky white skin. Planting little kisses along Julian's jaw line to his throat and then to his peck. His warm breath would warm as he licked and then would cool when Rom exhaled through his nostrils. His strong hands held Julian playfully in place. He lingered momentarily on Julian's areole and then resumed the kissing and sucking under his peck to his belly button down to his left hip and then back to the center. 

Julian's cock bobbed begging for Rom's attention. He ghosted over the area where Julian's tight leather pants had been knowing this area rarely received attention. Rom used the broad of his tongue to lick from this spot to the top base of Julian's cock, still ignoring the flesh Julian was now whimpering for him to lick. 

Rom rubbed his warm cheek against Julian's tip flattening it into his lovers stomach. Rom wrapped his lips around Julian's cock licking just the underside pinning it between his mouth and Julian's stomach. He left Julian's cock wet and throbbing and angry red before kissing Julian once more. "You ready to beg yet?" 

Julian let out a disappointed moan when Rom's mouth left his cock and moved to capture his mouth again. "I don't beg Wolf, at least not on the first date." He leaned in and licked Rom from the jaw up to the earlobe. He whispered low in his ear. "I can entice you to do what I want." 

Julian lowered his head and followed the hard muscles down to Rom's cock denying the cut member contact. He swept his long soft blonde hair over Rom's wolf cock. He let his still warm breath dance across Rom's cock. He heard the wolf growl in a demand deep in his stomach. His hands went in between Rom's thigh and massaged very close to his sack. Julian's tongue made a track along Rom's abs surprised that they were not covered in thick fur. 

He had always heard that wolves were impossibly and grotesquely hairy. Julian nipped playfully at Rom's thick powerful thigh careful not to break skin. 

Julian wiggled back up under the leaking wolf feeling precum drip onto his groin when they were once again parallel. "Want to play yet big bad wolf?" Julian teased. 

No one had ever teased Rom, they had either taken what they wanted from him or allowed him to walk all over them willing to give up anything just for their life. He was now having a difficult time deciding if he wanted to touch first or be touched. "Have you ever been with an animal, a wanted man?" his voice was dripping with gravel as he moistened his large hands with saliva and applied both in a twisting motion to Julian's needy cock. He twisted up and down Julian's length enjoying the sight of Julian's head appearing from the pulled back skin. Rom couldn't recall ever seeing a Vampire before and playing with him was mesmerizing. 

Rom playfully nipped at Julian's collar bone before continuing south once more. Rom licked across the top of Julian's cock as he still worked him with his hands. "Don't cum in my mouth, that's not how I want it to end tonight", he ordered. Without waiting for a response Rom lowered his mouth to Julian's heavy sack and encircled each of Julian's balls in an infinity sign with the tip of his tongue. He lightly sucked one and then the other into his mouth massaging them with his tongue, pulling back lightly every now and then. He felt Julian jolt with the combination of pain and pleasure. 

Rom moved his mouth to the tip of Julian's cock, and he took in the entire crown while still allowing his hands to twist and squeeze the rest of the base. He licked the circumference of Julian's now exposed head, and flicked his tongue over the slit lapping at the precum leaking from Julian's slit. The taste of Julian pushed Rom over the edge and he stopped being gentle and slow. He removed his hands and placed them on Julian's hips holding him firmly down on his back. Rom opened his throat, swallowing, so that he could take all of Julian in his mouth. 

Wet his lips rolled over Rom's sharp canine teeth. Rom didn't gag, from years of throat conditioning he was able to allow Julian to enter his throat which he constricted swallowing and sucking everything Julian gave him. Rom moved back up pressing his tongue along the sensitive underside before he plunged back down picking up a comfortable, familiar, rhythm. Rom stopped at the base of the Julian's crown and pulled back his skin giving special attention flicking Julian's frenulum trying to produce that uncontrollable knee jerk reaction. 

Once Rom was satisfied with the amount of control he had over the jerks and spasms he hungrily continued to take Julian into his mouth again moving up and down letting Julian hit the back of his throat. He continued to suck until he felt Julian was near an explosion, his dick becoming even harder. Rom then made his way back to Julian's mouth letting his hands find a comfortable rhythm on Julian's long cock once more. He could barely keep himself from continuing until he tasted his first Vampire but Rom was dying to see Julian between own thighs.

" I don't mind you being rough with me Julian just watch the fangs ." Rom wasn't sure how much Julian knew but he gave him a final kiss before placing his hands on Julian's shoulders and with a small push Rom suggested Julian show him what his 'special talents' were that he had mentioned earlier. 

~*~*~*~ 

Julian was in heaven, nothing he had ever felt could compare with the skill of the Were currently between his pale thighs. He was moaning and shredding the bed sheets in an effort to keep his orgasm at bay. Rom's mouth was tight and wet around his cock and Julian could feel himself reaching the pinnacle of his arousal the more Rom worked on him. The roughness, sucking, licking and teasing pulled Julian to the height of his erotic state and the sucking harder almost brought forth the orgasm, back arching, shoulder blades pushed out, head back, elbows digging down, moaning. 

Somehow the wolf seemed to know just when enough was enough and he felt Rom suck the breath from his mouth in an aggressive kiss. Julian had never been taken so roughly and it made him shiver with excitement. The pressure on his shoulders was not necessary. For being completely inexperience with males Julian was ecstatic to try his mouth on the wolf. He clumsily tried to mimic what Rom had done to him, but he notice the wolf cock looked different. It wasn't one long fluid member ,like his own, but instead had already been exposed. Julian thought that made him look almost more intimidating. The wolf had no skin to hide behind and his erection was demanding attention. 

Julian rolled his swollen abused lips over his fangs so as not to hurt his partner. Thinking that since he didn't need to breath he wouldn't have a gag reflex Julian launched himself down over Rom's impossibly thick cock, only to jolt off of it coughing and choking. He looked startled and stared at Rom's glistening rod for a moment. He heard Rom chuckle "Relax Julian, I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. I was just curious to see what talents you had." 

Julian lowered his eyes, something he was not accustomed to doing. He was so used to being in charge or alone with everything in his life. This wolf had just showed him up. "Let me try again." He growled starting off with licks this time. 

~*~*~*~ 

Rom felt the warm tongue worshiping his cock. It was an odd sensation, warm not hot like humans or other wolves. He had wondered without blood if the Vampire would have been cold to the touch and was pleasantly surprised to find Julian only slightly cooler than a human. He knew Julian was annoyed that he had gagged but Rom liked to hear gagging, it was an odd fetish of his. It also let him know either he was the biggest Julian had ever had or the only. 

Rom ran his crooked fingers through the blonde hair of the Vampire. This seemed to please him because he started to purr deep in his throat. Rom's eyes flew open and he moaned loud enough for the people a few rooms over to know what they were doing. "Fuck that feels good." 

Julian lifted his head smiling triumphantly "See" He smirked before moving back down over Rom's length. 

Rom bucked up hearing Julian gag again. "Come here" He growled despite the disappointed look in Julian's face. 

"I'm sorry! I thought I would be able to get it all in." Julian pouted thinking Rom was annoyed with his lack of experience. Rom had made it look and feel easy and Julian wanted to try again. In his dismay he hadn't noticed the hungry look in the wolf's eyes. 

"Shhh, I like that you can't. If I let you try again I am going to give you your first taste of cum and that isn't how I wanted the night to go." 

Julian was surprised how much strength Rom actually had as he felt his body being manipulated onto his side with the furnace of a wolf behind him. Julian's cock was so hard it almost hurt but it wilted the moment he felt Rom's hand on his ass. He had never thought about being taken there and now this wolf was about to have all of him. A few hours, that was all it took to get Julian to put out. He was about to fight and protest until he felt a gentle kiss on his neck. 

"Stop me if I go to fast for you" Rom whispered massaging Julian's shoulders with his powerful hands. 

Rom positioned Himself with one arm under Julian reaching his nipples and the other once again on Julian's cock. He wanted to taste him to feel Julian lose control in his arms he pumped it a few times to make sure Julian was rock hard and slid his own dick between Julian's thighs and beneath his balls and shaft. Rom's hand left Julian's cock and began to lightly rub that great firm as that had first caught his attention 

"Relax love" Rom purred sucking on Julian's ear and neck. 

When Rom was certain Julian was once again enjoying himself he removed his hand from Julian's cock feeling his silky smooth hands take over where Rom had left off. 

~*~*~*~ 

Julian curiously stroked the parallel cock marveling in all of their differences. He felt a wet finger begin to tease his ass and he tensed. Rom's teeth on his earlobe made Julian lose all focus as he relaxed enough to allow Rom to prepare him. He heard Rom's concern laced voice in his ear, asking if he was alright to continue. 

Julian rolled over looking into Rom's eyes "Fuck me Rom, fuck me hard and deep. I want to feel you inside me." He grabbed Rom's hair and pulled him to his mouth. Teeth grinded together and Julian pushed his tongue in and lap the taste from Rom's mouth, exploring him, his warm tongue his wolfish teeth. He could taste himself on Rom's tongue and his cock twisted. 

He was battling with Rom's tongue over dominants and after a little while Julian gave in and let Rom take over. He could have kept up fighting or insisted he be the top but something about Rom made him want to submit. His teeth made a cut on Rom's lip and Julian suck in the lip and let his tongue lick up every blood drop. His hand went over Rom's back. He grabbed his ass and pulled Rom into him harder. He pressed his own body tight against Rom's and thrust. He moaned into his mouth. "I want you to fuck me now. I can't wait any longer. 




Starcrossed Ch. 001



~*~*~*~ 

With a plea like that Romulus couldn't refuse his inner animal. He rolled Julian back over. That reassurance was all he needed and Julian willingly wiggled into place. He felt the Vampire push against his groin, rubbing and teasing him with long denied friction of flesh on flesh. 

"Relax love it will go in easier if you relax" Rom flexed his arm that was encircling Julian exposing a vein for him to nurse on in case the pain was too bad. He wasn't sure how much this was going to hurt and wanted to give Julian something to keep his mind off the pain and on the pleasure. His left hand once again found Julian's cock and slowly pumped. Rom lubricated his shaft with his own saliva and pushed against Julian's entrance. 

He felt the Vampire's tight body yield to him and Rom had to stop or risk ending their first time prematurely. Julian's ass felt as though it were choking his dick and it felt so fucking good. Julian was every bit as tight and warm as he could have hoped. Once he was all the way in Rom nuzzled Julian silently apologizing for the pain he was sure he must be causing. He worked on Julian's dick allowing him to adjust to the feeling of Rom inside him. Rom was quivering and every muscle was clenched he was so insanely turned on. "Are you alright?" He asked realizing he was sincerely concerned for the Vampire. 

~*~*~*~ 

Julian's body clenched causing Rom to moan loudly in his ear. "Satisfied that I am alright?" Julian took Rom's wrist into his mouth, making a small cut on him. Rom's taste exploded in his mouth causing his body to warm up further. Rom seemed to appreciate the new warmth because he began to rock his hips. Light flashed in Julian's eyes as he felt Rom's crown graze his prostate. In all his life nothing had ever felt so completely wonderful. 

"Harder, Rom, harder" Julian demanded to which Rom obliged. Julian felt his wolf thrust deeply into him. The both moaned and the bed creaked under their combined power. 

~*~*~*~ 

Rom began to thrust harder and deeper unable to control himself. All he could feel was warmth and pleasure running like fire through his entire being. His hand continued on Julian's large cock. Rom started to get more passionate more rough and way more loud. He fucked Julian and pulled on his hair bit him here and there wondering for the first time in his life what Vampires got out of blood drinking. Rom was panting and shaking uncontrollably, sweat rolling off his body. 

"I love you inside me, Rom." Julian whispered. He followed the movement Rom did in the other direction so their bodies slammed together even deeper. He loved to hear the love sounds Rom was making and he moaned his response. "Rom, Rom...Deeper, deeper. God that feels so fucking good." Tiny electric shocks of pleasure ran through Julian when Rom pulled his hair. The combination of pleasure inside of him and pain on him was intoxicating. Julian realize that he liked it rough, he liked being with someone who could actually push him around. 

Julian loved everything Rom did to him, something he never would have imagined only a few short hours ago. His body shivered with searing pain and blissful pleasure. Rom's world was new to Julian, the few bedroom partners had taken had all been with soft women. Those times didn't even compare to what Rom did. The entire bar had to hear that, Julian didn't care. All he cared about the big cock that took him higher up then he ever been. 

Rom pounded into Julian until he exploded in his hand and with that Rom's entire body quivered as he pumped his orgasm into Julian. When he was finished his dick still inside Julian was pulsing 

"I'm coming..." Julian gagged himself in the pillow when his body arching back and his cum shoot over Rom's hand. Julian had never been overcome by such a powerful orgasm. He didn't think the ropes would ever stop. The air was heavy with the scent of love and sweat. 

He could feel Rom coming inside of him and he shoots his last out when Rom's cock pulsating against his walls. "Good, god..." he panted heavily and his body jumped for every heartbeat from Rom. It was mouth-watering to hear the sign of life and pleasure deep inside Rom. 

Still out of breath Rom lightly massaged Julian's balls, thighs ass, and his rippling abs. He wasn't the after sex cuddle type but he felt so close to Julian that he didn't want to pull out or let go of him. 

"Oh my god... that was, wow" Rom pulled Julian further into his chest. If he could have Rom would have made their bodies melt together. 

Julian heard Rom comment, smiled and answers panting. "Wow is a too thin word for that. It was exploding." Julian curled in to Rom's chest licking his hand to taste himself. Julian had always wondered what a male would taste like. He tasted bitter sweet, and Julian wrinkled his nose before allowing Rom to lick his own hand clean. He didn't want Rom to pull out. He wanted him inside of him forever. It felt like they were connected. 

"Is it always like this with men? Or are you special?" 

Julian voice was low and sleepy, he kissed Rom's knuckles with the wolf answered "I'm only special for you." It summed up the entire evening. Rom was perfect for him and they had been two moths drawn to an intense flame of passion. It was only fitting they fall asleep together in their afterglow. 



((This is the wolf vampire story I told you guys about at the end of AU please let me know what you think. I am using a different editor so thank you to my friend Last for editing this. Last has inspired a lot of the writing I haven't posted yet. This story was inspired by my first role play with Swede. This story is long and I have a lot of chapters done that I can post fast as long as my editors work fast as well. Well if you are interested in more. Thank you all for reading and feedback.))



Starcrossed Ch. 002



Rom had trained himself to be a light sleeper. It had saved his life on multiple occasions, and now he used it to protect his bedmate. Romulus woke every few hours to make sure Julian was alright. It was sometimes difficult to tell since Julian was becoming more chilled with a lack of food and he didn't breath. When Rom was satisfied Julian was still sleeping he would kiss him gently and push their bodies closer together in an attempt to become one. 

Romulus dreamt of his mother telling him of two star crossed lovers who would alter the world in the hopes to restore peace and order to the chaos. Only the new world was to be better than the old in that man, beast, vampire and shadow would live as one and usher in a new world order. The continents would all shift and two sides of the same whole were destined to keep the balance of life and death, good and evil going. 

She kissed him on the forehead and he startled awake once more. He could tell it was night fall but he didn't want to wake Julian just yet. He was enjoying the view, the smells of his vampire and the feel of the perfectly cool marble flesh against his own heat. Rom kissed him and tucked Julian's hair behind his ear so he could see his entire face. Rom pulled Julian closer putting his face in the Vampire's neck and closed his eyes. The strong scent of the cold being soothed all worry Rom could have been feeling.

Suddenly the hair on the back of Rom's neck stood up and he growled a low thunder rumbling from deep inside his throat that reverberated off of his chest. He felt his arm break and stretch with a snap beneath Julian and he tried to remove it without disturbing him. Rom's body erupted; flesh flying everywhere and turning to dust before it hit the ground. Left in place of the scared human skin was jet black fur with white streaks indicating where he had been wounded and healed over with human scar tissue. It made it nearly impossible to hide, even as a wolf. 

Romulus's wolf form was big even for a were. He could still pass for a large wolf or be mistaken for a massive German shepherd due to his black coloring. He pulled his wolf lips back in a snarl and another loud growl snapped through his body escaping the confines of his teeth. He waited for the intruder planning to kill it the second the door was open. 

Tandie looked a little confused, she had thought her sister had said the sexy vampire had been alone and needed a wake up call. He was clearly having sex last night from all the noise complaints received. Tandie wasn't sure if he was loud when he used his hands but she thought she had heard another male voice. Now all she heard was a dog. Disgusted she rolled her eyes and knocked on the door, the hotel had a strict no pet policy. Like so many others she never would have thought a Vampire would be seen with a Were. 

"Mr. uh Smith? Umm this is Tandie from down stairs... umm you said to wake you up at five tonight... and umm I would uh open the door but your dog doesn't sound very happy and we have a strict no pet policy so I am afraid it will have to leave." She paused; Tandie hated anything on four legs and site unseen the Vampire was so not worth the extra cleaning. "Mr. Smith?"

Tandie didn't realize that had she opened the door she would have been face to face with a rather large black wolf. His wolf form had an almost Mohawk running down his back his hair was standing up and his ears were pinned back. He was a scary spitting mass of fur ready to kill. 

Tandie's heart was thundering in her chest as she debated on weather or not to confront the snarling dog and wake the guest. Maybe he wasn't as frightening as he sounded. Her sister had always been telling her to give animals a chance. Not that any animal would get in the way of her sex life. If in fact the vampire was as good looking as her sister had said.

Julian smelled the female and the sounds of his lovers snarling had finally cleared the last notion of sleep from his head. He ran his fingers through Rom's bristled fur surprised by how soft he was. "Shhh baby, it's alright" He whispered noticing his lover's pointy ears flick recognizing the sound. "I ordered a wake up call that's all." He patted Rom's large head flattened ears and all. Wrapped in only the white cum stained sheet, he had his hand on the door. Julian pointed to behind the bed knowing a large wolf would probably be assumed to be a Were. 

Rom obeyed unable to silence his snarling. He was spitting with fury but knew he needed to relax or risk exposure. He crouched down out of sight and waited. 

Julian opened the door letting the hall light flood into the dark room. His hair was tousled from his lovemaking last night. His lips were still somewhat swollen and he smelled heavily of the wolf's semen. "Sorry, I swear I could sleep through anything."

Tandie smirked, her eyes roaming over his body. She was wet just imagining him in here with another male. Hopefully he was bisexual what a waste for him to only swing in one direction. "That is quite alright" She trailed a finger down Julian's chest "We just don't allow pets here and your dog doesn't seem safe for our other guests."

Tandie twirled a strand of copper hair around one of her long bony fingers. She tried to innocently peer into the room and get a good look at the animal. Animal or no animal it was clear to see this vampire was mouth watering. "You could always chain him up and have a little fun with me?" She offered before lowering her eyes to his feet. She briefly thought about stammering how she was never this forward but thought better of it. 

"Sorry miss, but you are lacking a vital organ required to pique my interest." Julian heard Rom snort and assumed he was laughing. Had it not been for the fact that every female in the bar had drooled over him the night before Julian might have found Tandie humorous as well. "My... pet and I will be leaving shortly I didn't know about the rule." 

Julian was about to shut the door when Tandie pushed it open. The move elicited a snarl from behind the bed. The human's eyes darted there but she smiled. "Let me help you pack then." Tandie placed her warm hands against Julian's chest and pushed him back into the room, closing the door behind them. "God I haven't had a good fuck in a long time. Make my night baby and I promise not to say anything about the broken rule." She tilted her head to the side exposing her neck. "I'll let you bite me Vampire, anything you want as long as I get this big cock inside of me."

Julian pushed the female off. He didn't know that much about Romulus, but he did know that Rom wouldn't enjoy a female all over his vampire. Julian almost rolled his eyes at himself. Now he was considering himself Rom's vampire. He was so screwed. "You better go before something bad happens" he snarled. "I'm hungry which you can feel and I don't eat and let live." 

Tandie hesitated for a moment. She knew the vampire felt a bit cold but it wasn't anywhere near the starved danger level yet. "I don't think you would do that to me." she pushed again knowing Julian was too much of a gentleman to hit her. Looking up from where Julian had rolled her, Tandie looked deep into purple pools of rage. "Wo..wwo wo wolf!" She yelped. "WOLF!" she shrieked backing up into the door as the large black animal leapt form behind the bed. She needed to be silenced.

Julian had frozen, he could have easily taken down the female but like Tandie's intuition had told her, he wouldn't hurt her. Julian had been raised to be a gentleman. He had known Rom wanted to stay unseen and was cursing himself for not pushing the female off. 

Romulus made no distinction between genders. When he had been enslaved he killed whatever he had to in order to survive. This female was no exception, she was threatening his cover. He knew there were wanted posters for him in the village and the girl had probably seen them. 

Tandie landed on her back, the huge wolf's paws on her chest. There was a distinct white line on his face. Purple was also not a common eye color even for his kind. "My sister said you might be lingering. I just never thought a sexy vampire would be caught dead shacking up with scum like you. Get off me, before I scream and alert everyone to your presence." Romulus growled.

Tandie opened her mouth and screamed. Rom did what he was trained to do. He silenced her. Rom's powerful jaw clamped down on the girls throat cutting her shrill shriek off in gurgle noise. Blood gushed up from her throat and rolled down her pale cheek. 

The wolf snorted and looking over at Julian, he took a tentative step forward. Knowing someone was a killer and seeing them kill were drastically different. 

Julian's eyes darted towards the door knowing her final scream had been loud. He grabbed their things off of the floor and chair. "We need to go." 

Rom's tail wagged. He leapt through the glass window taking the light blocking curtains with him. The beings on the street stared, pointing at the beast whose picture was on the wanted posters.

Julian jumped out after his wolf. His leather pack was fully stuffed with Romulus's things as well. "I can keep up." 

Rom took off as people stared, some of them followed but only for a town or two. Rom lead Julian off of the main roads and into the wilderness. They ran for hours before the large wolf slowed to walk out the rest of his adrenalin. 

Julian stopped on a dime despite the muddy forest floor. Being a vampire meant that he was a much more graceful a runner than the four legged Rom. He tilted his head wondering why Rom stopped here. "You don't have to stop for my sake. I can keep going." Julian stated. "Hell the only time I've been tired was last night after sharing a bed with you." He smiled.

Rom's tongue lolled out of his mouth and even in wolf form it was easy to see he was sporting a wolfish grin. 

Julian rolled his eyes before noticing a run down building with a vacancy sign. Rom turned his head noticing it as well. "We should regroup, and figure out a plan of some sort. Neither one of us really seems to have any other direction other than survival." 

Rom paced back and forth. In his human form he could disguise himself. As a wolf, everyone knew what he was. His wolf picture was on the wanted posters and the white lines where he was scared gave him away. Switching from human to wolf was painful, but it was quick. The pain and energy needed to completely transform your body was stashed away and if you were a powerful were; shifting back to a human wouldn't be as difficult. Rom wasn't powerful, he was an escaped slave. He sat down, wishing he could communicate to Julian that he couldn't be seen, even if the Hotel was sleazy and pet friendly.

Julian looked at Rom "I am assuming there is a reason you haven't shifted back into a human."

Romulus nodded.

"I know people recognize your wolf form, so hold still." Julian reached into his pack and produced some white powder. "You never know when it will come in handy." Julian poured powder all over Rom causing the wolf to sneeze. "Don't shake, it makes you look grey and more... dog like." Julian kissed the wolf's nose. "I swear, being good in bed or not, I never thought I would kiss the wet cold nose of a wolf."

Rom growled playfully. 

"Oh I'm terrified." Julian laughed walking towards the hotel. 

Rom nipped his ass. He couldn't wait to be inside of him again. 

~*~*~*~

The old hotel manager eyed the shabby grey dog. "Can I help yer?" He asked. 

Julian patted Rom's head. "I require a room for me and my dog."

The man eyed the vampire "Well it will cost extra for the... dog did you say? Look sir, we don't mind illegal sex if he is a werewolf."

Julian looked calm, the high pitched voice was hurting his ears and he could not imagine it was pleasant for the sensitive ears of a werewolf. "I'm strait, this is my dog Bruno."

The man thumbed through a book. "Alright well your dog is dirty so we will have to charge you ten extra zades for the clean up."

Julian handed over the cash. "Fine, I just want privacy." 

The man handed him a key and pointed down the hall. "Last door on the left." he stated.

~*~*~*~

Julian closed the door behind them. "Extra cleaning my ass this place is filthy. I'll have them send up fresh sheets." Julian moved to make sure the window was well sealed. He made sure no one could see in and light wouldn't be painful to him come morning. "I'll be right back; I hate not having clean sheets." 

Rom paced nervously. He didn't like being separated from Julian. Just incase something happened he wanted to stay in wolf form. Julian returned and Rom flopped down on the floor in relief. "Miss me?" He teased. 

Rom snorted, he wouldn't let on how much Julian meant to him. That would mean he was open to getting hurt. 

"I am going to go take a shower. I'll leave you to your phasing and if you want to join me?" Julian arched an eyebrow.

Even in wolf form Rom started getting aroused. He whined looking antsy. 

"Alright, horn dog." He teased dropping his clothes on the floor and closed the bathroom door.

Rom lay down on the floor, not wanting to dirty the fresh sheets that had seemed so important to Julian. He felt his bones compact and twist. His flesh burned and pealed away taking the dark fur with it. Romulus's large form lay sprawled out on the filthy floor. He was drenched in sweat and the lack of food had not made this particular phase any easier. He would need to hunt soon, take another life form's energy to make the switch faster. It wasn't good to be on the run and left weak. 

Wolves could eat human food, but being brought up as a slave Rom's body was used to feeding off of warm freshly killed flesh. His legs shook beneath him as he staggered to the door. The steam from Julian's bath engulfed him, soothing some of the pain in his recently molded muscles. 

"Mind if I share with you?" He asked quietly. Speaking over the water would have expended too much energy and he was thankful Julian had above average hearing.

"I already said you could." The seductive smile in the vampire's voice was irresistible.

Rom stepped thankfully into the raining heat. "I'm sorry for killing the slut so violently. I would say it's not like me to kill in that manner but it is. I tend to loose my temper and I enjoy the kill. Blame it on my upbringing, but I was taught to make a good bloody show of things." The blood and dirt washed off his shaking frame.

Julian looked his partner over; he didn't like thinking of the powerful man having any weakness. "It's alright. I think my brain was on vacation. I don't usually kill the unarmed but it needed to be done. I'm not as squeamish as you seem to think. I kill for my food same as you. I'm a little less messy about it but I am no stranger to death." He traced a finger down Rom's form. 

"I wouldn't change a thing about you. I wish shifting wasn't so difficult because I care about you." Julian kissed Rom gently. He didn't question what he and Rom were, he just did what felt natural and kissing Rom was what he felt like he wanted to do. "Lean against the wall love, let me take care of you and wash this gorgeous body." 

"If I wasn't so beat, I would be hard as a rock with you touching me." Rom grinned before closing his eyes. He moaned and growled in pleasure. 

Julian squirted some of the nice bath wash he had brought with him onto a soft washcloth. He rubbed the tense muscles on Rom's back. The vanilla jasmine froth was rubbed into small circles on Rom's scarred back. He hated seeing all the damage that had been done to Rom. It showed everything that he had lived through. 

He moved down to Rom's firm ass admiring how toned he was. There was not a single inch of fat on him. Julian had never really given too much consideration to what his type was. His little bit of thinking had lead him to believe he would like to be the larger male in the relationship. If in fact he was even interested in men. Julian was by no means a small vampire. He was large and toned from years of fighting. He was thick and muscular and Rom made him look small even though Julian was slightly taller. Rom was larger than anyone Julian had seen since leaving the mountain. 

He knew beings tended to favor muscles but Rom's were intimidating. That was why Julian had fallen so fast for him. He knew Rom needed a real man, a man he didn't have to be afraid to take roughly. "God you have a nice ass" Julian moaned appreciatively. He put his fingers in the dimples on his man's rump. 

Rom's head rolled as he growled, he didn't know how to feel about being touched there. He had gone through so much but he relaxed in Julian's smooth hands. 

Julian wrapped his arms around Rom's thick lumberjack waist. His hands slid all over Rom's firm abs and pecks. He smirked "why didn't I notice you were pierced last night?"

Rom laughed and stood up strait turning around to face Julian. "You were too eager to have my big cock buried in your tight ass." 

Julian showed Rom his teeth in a growl and Rom growled back. It sent a shiver down Julian's spine seeing the predator he was washing. "I think you are the eager one."

Julian kneeled and cleaned Rom's foot rubbing up his thigh and stopping before he got to his thick hard organ. "Down boy." He stuck his tongue out and licked the tip of Rom's slit, before continuing down Rom's other thigh. "I swear your body doesn't understand how to make fat." 

"It does, I just happen to burn it being on the most wanted list." He watched Julian roll his eyes, the vampire's pale fingers contrasting his Roman bronzed thighs. "I don't think I could go down if you threatened to cut it off." Rom stated as he placed a hand behind Julian's head pushing him closer to his groin. 

"Guess your feeling better." Julian teased licking the underside of Rom's shaft. 

"Better enough." Rom's chest rose and fell slowly. His eyes burned with lust hotter than the heat coming off of his cock. 

"Beg for it then." Julian smirked looking up at Rom watching his knee's wobble. 

"I don't beg" Rom pushed insistently forward. 

Julian backed off and stood up. He shrugged "I like bottoming for you, but we're equal. If you can't beg then you must not want it... I would beg for you." He nipped Rom's pierced left nipple feeling Rom grind into him. 

"I know we are equal..." The massive man inhaled sharply. He had done so much begging in his past life and those were only the few years he could remember. He vowed not to make himself the type to beg for anything. "Please, please suck my cock." He whined.  

Julian pulled Rom's face down to his, kissing his lips. "Not so bad, keep going."

"Please, please, uhhh please Julian let me feel your mouth on my cock. Make me cum all down your throat." Rom jerked as Julian slid down his body. 

"We'll work on it." Julian devoured Rom's cock hungrily. The heat of his hard flesh radiated in his mouth. His hands manipulated Rom's firm cheeks as he swallowed more and more of Rom's cock. Julian was thankful he didn't need to breathe. This little vampire privilege helped him to get all of Rom's thick nine inches down his throat. He knew he was starting to get cold and the heat from the shower water helped to keep things warm. 

Rom felt himself disappear inside the vampire. His skilled tongue took the water collecting on Rom's flesh and swirled it down his throat as he sucked. He felt the cool tip of Julian's nose buried in the fur above his cock. The startling mixture of heat and chill pushed Rom over the edge quickly. He growled and thrust his hips into Julian's face. 

Hot thick globs of cum cascaded down Julian's throat. It was the first time he had tasted a male in his mouth. He moaned appreciatively. The taste was salty and bitter. Rom's flavor engulfed his entire mouth with rustic overtones. Julian licked his lips gently bathing his man's cock free of any lingering cum. 




Starcrossed Ch. 002



"You really weren't kidding about those extra talents." Rom lifted Julian off of his feet pushing him into the shower wall. His massive body pressing into Julian's his hands around his cock.

Julian jerked "I never knew... uhhh" He started to moan and pant. "Stop stop I'm too sensitive." 

Rom bit Julian's bottom lip. "I want to please you baby." Rom growled feeling Julian soften in his hand.

"I uh, I already came. I never tasted a guy before and it was overwhelming." Julian hung his head. 

"Fuck that's hot" Rom growled. "Let me relax you then." 

Julian assumed everything about the brick wall of a man would be rough, yet wrapped in Romulus's arms Julian was blissfully fondled.

Every stroke was gentle and caring. His muscles relaxed and he started to drift into darkness. 

Rom caught Julian as he slipped "tired love? And I thought I had gone through a lot with phasing."

Julian grumbled resting his face against Rom's chest. He felt the warmth of the water leave him and he yawned.

"Don't fall asleep on me love. We should try and hunt before we move on." Rom laid Julian down on the bed.

"I was thinking, we should try and hunt down your old masters. We could find a way to get that thing off of your neck." Julian reached up and touched the metal hoop.

Rom groaned a little "I was hoping we wouldn't have to go there. I could just take you to my home. We could grow old together watch the time pass. Raise little pups."

Julian smiled. It was strange how appealing that sounded. "We aren't the settling down type. Beside if we go to Rome at the very least we can try and clear your name."

Romulus snorted "Maybe, I'm wanted in every empire but sure I guess we got to start somewhere." He still felt like he and Julian were important he just didn't understand how or why but it just felt right. Maybe something would fall from the sky and tell them what they needed to know. He doubted it, since when were things ever easy. "You know, I had a dream last night."

Julian smirked "Yeah, I know. You couldn't keep that monstrosity to yourself. Jizz all over my leg. I had to wash my pants since they were put on in a panic. Some really hot guy ripped a slut to pieces and caused a scene." Julian tapped Romulus's nose in a bad dog fashion.

Rom flushed. "Sorry, not that dream." Rom sat down on the bed beside Julian. "I remembered something from my past last night about how there are two beings made to bring in the new world. A mated pair thought to balance things out. Just a fairy tale my mom used to tell me" Romulus laughed to himself "which until last night I didn't even know I had a mom."

Julian snorted "Everyone has a mom pup" He shoved Rom onto his back straddling him. "Glad to hear you are remembering, even if it is just a little bit. However I don't think we have to worry that we are the mated pair. Usually prophesies like that involve future off spring and prophetic children, and that would be a true miracle. We will fix the world one way or another. Not to mention after we get to Rome I will personally kill the bastard that hurt you." Julian grabbed a towel and started to rub his body dry.

"Having kids would be one for the history books. Too bad there aren't any books being written. The current ones are all considered rarities"

Julian trailed a finger down Rom's happy trail. "Get some rest love, I have a feeling Rome is a long walk from here. Although I don't think I am really going to be much help when it comes to not being notice." 

Rom opened his eyes "Yeah, I noticed. Every female within a ten foot radius throwing herself at you, but who said we are walking? We are heading for my house first. I have a few toys that will make the journey a little more pleasant." Rom lifted his eyebrows a few times suggestively.

Julian smacked his chest "Hey, I'm two days into not being a virgin. I don't think I am ready for toys."

Rom's face lit up "Hell I didn't think you would be interested but now that I know you are, we are getting some. Some rope, some leather, some whips..."

"Yeah, no!" Julian laughed. Climbing on top of Rom, he felt the wolf's powerful hips and fiery sex between his legs. "I am either really hungry or you are really horny." Julian kissed Rom. He noticed he had changed the sheets and it warmed him to know his partner cared.

"Hunt, nap, and then my home or should I say our home?" Rom asked wondering how the vampire would feel about that.

Julian nodded "Our home." Even his uncles home had belonged to another. Julian didn't need to see where Rom slept and spent his free time. He already knew it was where he belonged. 

Rom smiled "And when the woman, and men throw themselves at you then I'll make it perfectly clear you are off the market." 

"How would you do that darling?" Julian licked the outer shell of Rom's ear grinding his rapidly cooling hips into the wolf.

"Hell I'll fuck you in front of them if I have to, but that might not help us out to much with trying to fly under the radar" Rom rolled Julian onto his back pressing his lips against his. He felt colder than before. "Alright, we hunt your way tonight. Tomorrow it's my turn." Rom was nervous, with all the cleanliness that Julian seemed to enjoy, he would find a wolfs method of feeding repulsive. 

"I don't mind you getting me dirty during a hunt. Just promise to lick me clean afterwards."

~*~*~*~

Rom's eyes quickly adjusted to the dark outside and he looked around loving the fact that people seemed to have never seen an odd pairing like him and Julian. Apparently a sex pot vampire was permitted to slum it with a werewolf only if the wolf was female. The man at the hotel had assumed the dog to be female and hadn't given it much thought. 

Rom was careful to keep himself hidden under his cloak. The hood cast darkness over his face and he kept to the shadows. When people saw Julian they stopped to stare. Inevitably when they realized the massive being draped around him their eyes didn't linger long. No one enjoyed seeing a man being with a man; however no one was going to say so to such a massive vampire and the wolf that dwarfed him.

Rom pulled Julian's body more tightly into his own. "It seems to be working to keep the towns beings at bay." Rom growled softly. They walked to the edges of the tiny town that most had not even bothered to include on maps. Here is where the trash of the town lived, those who had been banished. The prostitutes and drug dependants often became a food source for newcomers and people not wanting to upset an existing family.

Rom hated that system, deeming which beings were worthy of being dinner didn't sit well with him. He had risen from his lowly standings and assumed others should be able to do the same. However this tiny town wasn't the one they needed to raise issue with. It was all of the towns. They all farmed poor beings, acting as if their lowly status made them unworthy of human qualities.

Rom turned to Julian, "Anything you please darling, beings in this world are used to their being hunted so it won't attract much attention. It's just the natural order of the food chain." Rom retreated into the shadow content to see how Julian killed and just watch him move. His back against a stone wall he watched. 

~*~*~*~

Julian scaled the building, his fingers barely making contact with the mortar joints in the brick. He landed silently on the roof and was lost to darkness. Rom could smell him and so he didn't freak out. His mind started to drift within its small confines. He felt as though his memories and thoughts were contained within a small ring. 

A small hand tugged at his coat and Rom turned around the snarl on his lips dying when he noticed it was a small child addressing him. He expected the youngster to run, telling his parents he had run into the infamous murderer. 

"Sir, are you the murderer Romulus?" The child asked innocently. Rom noticed now the child's eyes were clouded. He was sightless. He was also a wolf cub. 

"No" Romulus lied. He didn't want to frighten the little one. He took a closer look and realized he could count the cub's ribs. 

"Oh, I was hoping you were. I have been praying to the moon every night that I would meet you before I died."

Romulus's heart broke he kneeled in front of the cub. "Why would you die young one?"

Small hands traced Romulus's battered face. He smiled tracing the defined scar. "We are starving sir. My family can not afford to move to a wolf town and so we are starving in a vampire slum. We are just like the human sheep." 

"What good would a murderer be?" He asked. 

"He would meet up with his mate and they would bring peace. That's why the governments don't want them to meet or love. If they did then the powerful would fall. The fat would be cut down to size." 

"Love?" Julian asked hesitating when he saw the upset child in front of the wolf. How could his love be labeled a murdering monster. He looked so perfect with the small boy.

"I'm here" Rom called knowing his lover knew that without him saying. 

"I knew it was you." The boy smiled. "Just know Romulus, Julian, you have more friends than you think" 

Rom was startled to see the child blow away like dust. A chill ran down his spine. He didn't rise off his knee too startled to move. He felt Julian's newly warmed hand on his cloaked shoulder. "He was already dead" Rom whispered feeling as though he had let the boy down. Damn he hated not knowing himself not remembering the prophecy. 

"What was that?" Julian whispered, he hadn't had much experience with other beings that he could recall and the child had smelled like a wolf.

"A ghost" Rom stood and faced his lover. The child had woken something in him. Rom felt as though his insides had been turned upside down. He was needed, and for some reason unknown to him that felt right. "Just a ghost, a child who died from the ongoing war between the races."

Julian kissed his wolf, his arms wrapped around the thick boulder and his tongue slid into Rom's mouth. "There is food in the alley love."

~*~*~*~

Rom reemerged. The meal had allowed him to heal more quickly. Or maybe that was because he was around Julian. He came staggering out of the ally his pants unzipped and his cloak undone and hood down. Human form or werewolf form Romulus was a messy eater. His canine teeth had quickly stripped the vampire that Julian had killed clean. Despite being predominately drained of blood Rom had managed to give his chest a light dusting. 

"He had just drained a small family" Julian stated as if to explain why he had killed his own kind and why it had left him so full and Rom so messy. Julian smiled licking Rom's firm chest.

"God if you keep that up I am gonna show you what sex standing up feels like." Rom growled. He was panting and twitching at Julian's oral attention.

"When we get to your home I would like you to teach me that lesson." Julian nipped Rom's nipple before moving his tongue to clean Rom's blood stained lips. "He tastes better when I lick him off of you." Julian taunted running a finger up the center crease of Rom's abs. 

Rom was still recovering from the phase back to human and his legs shook and gave out when the blood rushed to his cock. 

Julian laughed catching his heavy lover in his hands. "Alright lover boy some other time." He stated.

Rom growled "I hate changing, next time I will just feed as human if you are going to tease me after." 

Julian rolled his eyes "Yeah yeah, you just can't handle me. I'm too sexual for you."

Rom's eyes narrowed "You wait till my strength returns, I'll make everyone know who you belong to by making it so you can't walk strait." 

Julian moaned "Promise?" 

"Hell yeah, you bet your sweet little ass I promise." Rom growled. 

"You didn't get to watch how I hunt" Julian pouted.

"We are going to be together a long time. There will be plenty of kills." Rom grabbed Julian by his ass and pulled him into his body. 

Julian laid his head over Rom's heart. It felt so perfect to just be held by his lover. Rom was more than a lover; he was Julian's soul mate. "I love you"

"I love you too Julian" Rom kissed the top of Julian's head inhaling the scent of his wonderfully blonde hair. 

"How far is your home from here?" Julian asked, the thud of Rom's beautiful strong heart echoing in his ear. 

"Two days walk. There are a few small caves along the way so you will be out of the sun's reach. They aren't clean like you insist on but it's the best I can do." 

Julian rolled his eyes "You'll come to love the fact that I am neat. Someone has to clean up after you."

"Well, you'll come to love the fact that I am messy." Rom countered folding his arms over his chest.

Julian laughed "Already do love. I enjoy watching you just take what is yours with the same passion in bed as you do for eating. I now also know why you seem to be allergic to clothing."

Rom tilted his head in confusion.

"Blood tastes better when it is licked from the flesh of your mate." Julian wondered how Romulus would react. 

A dopy grin spread over Rom's rugged face. He couldn't keep the expression of glee at bay. "Mate" He repeated wrapping his arm around Julian. The poor beings watched the couple. Julian the tall and muscular one with perfectly handsome features and Rom, massive and rugged with a beautifully tragic face. 

"We should get some canvases for tents. I have a feeling we will be on the road a lot."

Julian could feel the eyes on him. He was used to being looked at by drooling females and even a few males. But he could feel his normally confident mate squirming. He knew Rom was wanted but these people seemed to be in awe, not disgust. Maybe just maybe this would be easier than he originally thought. 

~*~*~*~

Rom waited in the shadow of the alley as Julian made the necessary purchases. He had always traveled with what little clothing he wore on his back and nothing more. He was amused at all the things Julian thought they might need and arched an eyebrow when Julian thrust a heavy pack at him, a similar one already on the tall vampire's back. "Wipe that smirk off your face or you won't get any."

Rom laughed "As if you could resist me." He pushed Julian up against the wall and forced his tongue into his throat.

Julian nipped at the evading tongue causing Rom to yip. "Some war hero." He teased pushing the heavy wolf off of him. "I can resist you and I will if you don't learn to keep it in your pants and that being prepared will benefit us."

Rom shrugged "Alright, I'll let you win this time."

Julian smiled. He loved the playful banter between them. Rom wasn't easily offended and neither was he. They were both strong in their own way and could handle each other. It was amazing how perfectly they interlocked. 

~*~*~*~

Rom and Julian set off into the forest towards the wolf's hidden house. They fed off of animals and slept during the day, protected by the impenetrable tent Julian had purchased. They enjoyed the stars and made plans for how to get to Rome. 

Rom didn't enjoy the idea of taking his mate to the Roman prisons. But he knew the whole reason for meeting Julian was so they could do something about the poor, the class wars and all the other worldly problems that had been inherited after the great explosions. 

Rom saw the mouth of his cave come into view, the moon spilled over the white rock and the boulder that covered the hole. It looked like a small home and most of it was underground. He could tell by the unimpressed look on Julian's face that he didn't think there was much inside. "You doubt my home?"

Julian looked like a scolded child. "No, it's just... I was expecting... I don't know."

"More, something beautiful and big?" Rom asked enjoying the guilty look his mate was sporting.

"Yeah." Julian admitted. "Sorry, I am sure it is very nice and... homey inside. I forget that you are a wanted name."

Rom grabbed Julian's hand and pulled him towards the boulder and moved it out of the way. Behind the boulder was a carpet of moss that hung from the ceiling. Rom held that up and showed off an intricately carved mahogany door. It had wolves and other woodland animals on it in different groups and interacting with their young or hunting. The door depicted the scene of the first days of man with Adam and eve in the center of the door. 

Julian was surprised by the door, and when Rom opened it and pushed him into the dark room he smelled the intoxicating scents of spices and wood. It smelled homey with an undertone of smoked meat. Julian could see in the pitch black. Rom moved the boulder back and closed the door. "It's so big" Julian exclaimed. 

Rom smiled "You sound surprised." Rom draped his body over Julian's. "It's all underground." Rom struck a match and a fire wrapped around the outside of the room. The long wide hall led down to a cool center of the home warmed and lit by the fire. The large foyer had high ceilings and the floors and walls were constructed of marble. Animal hides, silk and repaired furniture made it look more like a home. At the far end was a large staircase that split half way up and lead to the wrap around balcony. Doors adorned the upper level where the bedrooms were. 

"I made it myself. Surprisingly I am pretty good with my hands. Salvaged some of it form abandoned buildings. The hides I killed myself." Rom's chest swelled with pride. No one had ever seen his home. Honestly he wasn't sure why he had built it to be so grand. It was just a drive, something to keep him busy for a few months. 

"Come on, there is a room I think you will enjoy." Rom pulled Julian up the large stairs and lead him to the last door. 

Julian was giddy with anticipation. Rom's house was incredible and he couldn't imagine what would possibly be more splendid than the underground marble palace. 

Julian watched the fire ignite around the room behind glass panels. He realized the reason for the panels once he looked at the rest of the walls. Cherry wood bookshelves had been mounted to cover the entire wall surface except for the glass panels where the fire illuminated the room. 

"You like it?" Rom whispered stepping behind his mate and wrapping him in his arms. There were sun bleached books, books with leather binding, hard back books, paper back books, books from authors of every nationality and age. To one side there was a very nice glass chess set on the other side of the room. There were science books and history books and books containing everything someone could ever want to know "You mentioned you liked reading."

Julian turned around burying his face in Rom's chest. "It's beautiful, I love it." He nuzzled into the warmth of his mate, smelling the forest and purely wild scent on him. 

"They're yours" Rom rubbed down Julian's back feeling him shiver. 

"Thank you" Julian wiggled out of his mate's vice grip and went to a shelf. A happy squeal erupted from his lips when he lifted a book he had never seen before in another language. His uncle had only kept a small amount of books. He had then come to learn that books were a rarity. He wondered how Rom had managed to collect all of them. "You must really love reading!" Julian turned to look at Rom, wrapped up in yet another book.

Rom hung his head "Actually, I uh can't read" 

Julian saw the pain on his lover's face. He knew Rom well enough to know he didn't enjoy admitting his shortcomings especially when they were involved in his intelligence. Rom's face then took on a glazed look. "Babe? You alright?" Julian asked...

***

Thank you to my editor Tap once again your speed and comments are wonderful. As you all can see AU and Starcrossed are being posted much faster! I know My work is not an easy read with all of the errors and you are a saint for fixing it and still being able to offer up plot insight. 




Starcrossed Ch. 002



Thank you guys for reading and commenting. I know this chapter wasn't that exciting however I am working on character development. Trust me it gets good and there will be the first actual problem in 4 or 5. It is always interesting trying to figure out where to break it up since I know the entire story and have written an ending. If there is anything you think you need to know before I start to get into the meat of the story please let me know via email or comment. I read them all and do listen to advice given. I hope this was still entertaining enough to make you want to read on. If not please let me know what you would like to see. This gets very bloody and so I wasn't sure if I should add all of it in. I guess I will just give you all a heads up for the really bloody ones. 

Thank you to Lord Desh for inspiring this story and I hope you like the new additions and where it goes. I kept pretty close to the original for the first chapter but develop more starting with chapter 2. Thank you for letting me use this as I still think it was a lot of fun to write and read.



Starcrossed Ch. 003



((Thank you all for reading and I am sorry this took so long to get out. Also I promise this will be the last information dump. Be warned this story eventually will contain Non con, abuse, BDSM, violence and excessive gore. All characters are 18 and of legal age. This chapter contains what I would consider mild gore and is only a taste of what is to come.)) 

*

Rom watched as Julian wandered throughout the room tracing all the book spines. 

His eyes dilated and he felt a heated sensation around his neck, as if the silver ring were melting acid, infesting his flesh. His head felt fuzzy as a memory broke through the ring.

..."Stupid dog" A large hairy man spit in the small teens face. "You're an animal, not even intelligent enough to learn to read." A book hit the small boy in his chest and he gathered it up like it was a fragile infant. "And your filthy mother tried so hard to teach you." he laughed closing the cage door behind him.

"My mother was an angel" The kid yelled seemingly startled by his own bark.

"Watch your mouth you flea bitten mutt. Do you forget who it is who owns you?" The Man's piggish grey eyes raked over the starved frame... 

"Babe?" Julian questioned hearing a whimper come from Rom. 

Romulus shook his head clearing away the painful memory. The ring around his neck was causing painful little pings to travel through his neck and down to his core. "Sorry, ghosts again." He walked over to a book shelf and picked out a small book, almost like a pamphlet. Military and government opinion works were still heavily distributed. "This one is about me."

Julian looked concerned, the book was all black and had the word "enemy" scratched into the front. He was about to say something to sooth the wolf when Rom smirked.

"I have something else to show you, my babies." Rom held his hand out for Julian.

Julian wondered what in the hell Romulus would consider babies. Did he have some wolf cubs locked up somewhere? He followed Rom through the large house and down the steps. They walked through a concealed garden which Julian marveled at. The only way to see it would be an aerial view and as far as he knew nothing flew anymore. He was then led to another distant cave and a strange smell coated his nostrils. Rom lit another match and the light danced off the steel bodies of four machines.

"I know they are illegal and all but these four have been destroyed. I restored them and put combustion engines in them so the only waste is water and they run off of hydrogen and oxygen." Rom ran a large hand over the sexy curves of a purple one, the same color as his eyes. The small silver title on the back read viper. 

"What are they?" Julian asked amazed by how much Rom knew about engineering. He must have tinkered with the damn steel robots for hours.

Rom's smile faltered "Cars, you've never seen a car before?" He asked. Julian had seen pictures of the time before. He didn't remember it but everyone had seen pictures. Especially since Rom had such a huge collection of printed works. 

Julian shook his head no "What are they for?" He asked mesmerized by his reflection in the paint.

Rom opened the passenger door and Julian inhaled the scent of leather. "Get in" 

Julian sat on the seat not sure what would happen. He watched Rom get in the other side of the metal contraption and put a plastic little robot into the big robot. The thing roared to life and the lights flashed on the monster. Julian grabbed the leather his eyes wide. 

"Relax babe." Rom threw the car into reverse and backed it up into the garden. The car roared internally and raced around the track carved into Rom's garden. It moved faster and faster hitting top speeds of 175 miles per hour. 

Julian looked petrified and he clung to the seat. "Out Rom, I want out!" 

Rom's face fell as he pulled the viper into the garage. "We can travel faster..." He offered watching Julian shake. Julian dashed from the car. When he felt his head stop spinning he turned back to look in Rom's dark eyes. "We can take it sometimes." He offered. He didn't have the heart to tell the wolf the 'cars' terrified him. Julian could move that fast on his own two legs. His body was used to it. Moving that fast while not moving was strange. 

Rom perked up "Really? You like it?" His heart fluttered. "I can find you one for your own if you'd like one. Or you can have one of mine, though I guess they're all ours anyway." Rom ran his hand over the silky contour of the hood "I would give you the world if I could Julian." 

Julian walked over to Rom encasing him in his arms, and leaned down to give him a kiss. It wasn't a big change in height, just noticeable enough to where Rom had to look up. "I have a feeling we are going to have to fix it first. Besides, they can have the world. I have all I need wrapped up in my arms." Julian felt the wolf's warmth press into him in agreement. "Ti amo Rom, sei mia per sempre." Julian whispered in Italian. 

"Avete mio Julian del cuore, voi siete il mio amore il mio vampiro" Romance languages sound even better coming from your lips. 

Julian smiled "I wondered if you would remember your native tongue. Not many do, they speak this new crude language and have forgotten their ancestors." Julian Ran his cool fingers through the thick hair on Rom's head. "We should get a blood bank for our home." Julian commented "Makes it easier to not have to go out and hunt anytime I want food. I know you can eat people food so we could have romantic dinners at home." 

Rom grinned "You called it home."

Julian swatted him "Yes, it is our home."

There was an odd fizzling pop as the collar on his neck cracked. 

Rom doubled over. He felt sick and his knees made contact with the ground. Flooded with memories. Being with Julian and being happy seemed to erode the ring on the wolfs neck...

~*~*~*~

"Hey little bitch. You like the new necklace I gave you?" The large man laughed at the 12 year old wolf. He was 17.65 human years and still looked so innocent, he didn't even know what he was.

Rom lounged against the chain jerking back. The silver ring glowed blue absorbing the memory. "Fuck you!" The small boy spat.

The hairy man laughed "Soon enough my dear boy just four more months now and you will be of legal age."

~*~*~*~ 

A half starved boy that looked to be about sixteen was huddled in the corner. Rom was 22 now and it wouldn't be long before his wolf years caught up. The large fat hairy man walked in.

The wolf emptied his bladder in fear as his blue eyes looked at the black bar. He had changed into a wolf during his fight. The large man's nose wrinkled. "You pathetic little bitch. Did I give you permission to piss?"

Rom could have been used for a study in anatomy he was so thin. Every bone was so clearly outlined. He pushed up against the cinder block wall. "No master, I'm sorry I'm sorry" He started crying scrambling away from the fat man. He knew that stick had one of two uses; pain on the inside of him or pain on the outside. "I didn't know" He cried covered in the blood of another boy and his own. Rom was used to killing, even at that young age.

"Well now you do." The large man phased into a grey wolf and lifted its fat leg to mark the boy.

He grabbed him by the back of the neck and pushed him to the ground mounting him.

Cries of terror and shrieks of pain flooded the hall. The guards laughed. So the prisoner knew what he was now.

~*~*~*~

Rom looked big. There was not an ounce of fat on him. His eyes were a clouded purple as he sat on the floor. The fat wolf came in and this time Rom looked relaxed dazed. "No one will ever love you like I do Romulus." 

He pulled on the chain and the big wolf stood. "Just my bed from now on what do you say to that?"

Rom almost always obeyed, as long as the drug was running through him. The older wolf had been hoping to break him, to slowly wean him off of it. Letting him socialize with other wolves was not helping this. Rom was a natural leader. 

He spit in the face of his master a smirk playing on his lips as his eyes started to clear. The master growled and phased. 

He crashed into Rom with the intention to rip him apart. Instead Rom fell face first onto the cobble floor. Blood started to pool out from under his lifeless body. 

The master phased back, a hairy naked man he suffered no pain like Rom endured when he phased. He pulled him by his hair arching his neck to expose his face. "Now look what you made me do to that pretty face of yours." He spit on the gushing wound. "No one loves you Romulus and with a face like that no one ever will. Not even your mate, not even your fuck buddy Rodney."

~*~*~*~

Rom looked up into worried amber eyes. "I think the ring is breaking." He smiled and rose shakily to his feet.

"You look terrible, where is our bedroom you need to lay down." Julian supported the nearly dead weight of Romulus. 

"That one" Rom indicated a door at the end of the hall and Julian scooped him up like a baby. He was taller than Rom but Rom was much bigger and so Julian had some issues carrying his bulk, despite the fact that the weight wasn't a problem. 

Rom had loved his scar back then. He remembered that now. It meant that people stopped wanting to have sex with his drugged body. He had many scars on him. They had all made him ugly, and safely unwanted.

"I think that ring is to keep your memories from you." Julian noted, not just the good memories but all of them. Anything important." He touched the burn scar on Rom's thick neck. The door came within reach and Julian was pleased that he had so much strength. He crouched and used one of the arms supporting Rom to open the door. Julian gasped at the interior.

Rom, who was too tired to open his eyes smiled "I bet your face was adorable when you saw our bed."

Julian felt his meal rising to his cheeks shamefully, causing him to blush. "Yeah, although I guess I really shouldn't be surprised with any fantastic thing you do." He rested Rom down on the bed and removed his heavy boots and baggy black pants. Always shirtless Julian was happy he didn't have to contend with the extra fabric. He tucked his naked lover into the bed. 

The room was massive with marble walls and floors. The bed was black iron and twisted into an almost Celtic looking pattern. Julian pulled back the black silk comforter feeling the under feathers of birds move. "The pillows are filled with down too." Rom informed him with a smile. "It was easier to come by than cotton fillers." 

Julian nodded even though Rom's eyes were closed. "God you look so sexy against those silk red sheets." Julian pealed off his own clothing not expecting a response and pulled Rom into his arms.

Rom winced "I doubt I am sexy"

Julian pulled back stunned. "What makes you say that?" He protested in shock.

Romulus opened his eyes "Well, for one I am too big. Too much muscle is unattractive which I definitely have. Two, I am a carving board. I have scars over every inch of my body. I forget I have them sometimes. Even my damn dick has a scar."

Julian's mouth was open "I like that you are all man" He protested running a hand up Rom's chest. Maybe some beings would find so much firm muscle intimidating or unappealing, but he loved it. He traced a finger down Rom's split face "I also happen to admire your scars. It shows me how strong you are and strength; both mental and physical is beautiful and damn sexy."

Rom studied Julian's face he could tell he had meant what he said. "Well if you think strength is beauty then I am a sex god."

Julian rolled his eyes "And then you open that beautiful mouth of yours."

Rom pulled Julian into his body. 

"Sleep, sexy, then you can hunt and bring me something back." Julian pressed his cool lips to Rom's jaw, which elicited a growl from the large male.

"What will you do while I am gone?" Rom yawned eyes already heavy with sleep.

"I'll find a good book to read to you. Rom, why do you have all those books?" Julian asked smiling down at the innocent looking wolf.

"I collect things. They seemed like they might be important some day." Rom cuddled deeper into Julian's embrace. 

The vampire just smiled and ran his hands through the thick black hair on Rom's head. It felt so soft just sliding through his fingers. How anything was soft on the burly wolf was baffling. He was so powerful and rugged.

~*~*~*~

Some hours later Romulus stretched and opened his eyes to the world. His bed was void of a particular vampire.

Julian laughed "Morning sleeping beauty."

Rom looked to the corner to see Julian, a book cradled in his lap. 

"What time is it?" He asked eyes glowing since the fire in the house had died some time ago. 

"It is light hours. You slept through the dark and I didn't have the heart to wake you. You looked so sweet and innocent."

Rom snorted before resting his feet on the floor. "I'll bring something back." He grumbled angry he had slept so long. 

"Take your time. I am enjoying your collection of fairy tails. By the way I am working on organizing the library."

Rom shook his head "What am I going to do with you. You'll have moved everything in my home before I come back." He laughed running a hand through his thick hair. 

"Well I hope you keep me. I would also enjoy if you fed and then fucked me but I'll leave that up to you." Julian turned the page bordered in gold.

"I plan to do all of those things." Rom walked over to Julian and kissed his cool head. He frowned. "You are cold."

"I'm a vampire" Julian looked up at Rom.

"You are colder than you should be. You should have woken me."

Julian waved his hand as if to dismiss the wolf "I'm not helpless. Now go get food for both of us."

Rom figured his time would be better spent hunting. "Fine, there is a small supply of blood in the basement if you get too bad off." 

Julian nodded in understanding clearly too addicted to the words on the page to give more of a reply.

Rom walked out of the room closing the door behind him before making his way down the center staircase and to the main door. He opened the wooden barrier and moved the boulder. The light glared into his eyes as he turned to conceal the door in the hill.

Rom sank to his knees naked. The painful sounds of bone splitting and reforming engulfed the air. His muscles twisted and tore before reattaching. Fur sprung up from his sun soaked hide, feeling like tiny fires rolling over him. 

The large black wolf shook as if to rid his fur of dust. The feel of the soft grass beneath his calloused paw pads was a welcome sensation. He turned his head toward the forest and chose a meandering path with a destination in mind. He tried hard to never walk the same way twice so as not to wear a path that monsters could follow. Romulus was heading to his village. 

He walked into the town that had grown accustom to seeing him and knew that someone was going to die. Rom smiled this was his town as far as they were concerned he was a wolf spirit sent to protect them. He killed only the evil in the city. For some reason Rom felt he needed to protect them. They stayed hidden from most of the world and to him seemed different. 

They were all human, reliant on him to be the law. In a town were resources were limited and most pitched in for the greater good there was no room for criminals. It was harsh, but all knew the law. They may not know everyone by name but this town was strong. When new human survivors came in they talked about the horrors of the outside world. 

Some of the new ones brought the stench of evil with them. A human disease that needed to be eradicated as swiftly as possible. Some recognized the wanted man and it was these that Rom took aside and threatened with the rules. In time they simply forgot, or committed an atrocity and earned death. Those who forgot about Romulus and the outside world, lived long and had posterity. Those who committed a terrible crime became dinner. 

There was an elderly man living in the first house right on the outskirts of the village. "Hey Slash" The old man called. He had been the one to give Rom this name because of the white slash on his face where his human scar was. He was the first one to trust the wolf and welcome him into the town. Though now all the humans knew him by name and were happy to see him. 

"Come on ol boy" The man called. The man had been about 33 when Rom had first come to town. He was now about to turn 90. It was strange how fast time had passed. How little had changed. Things were changing now though, Romulus had Julian. 

Jackson placed two knotted fingers to his lips and whistled. Rom's tongue rolled out of his mouth in a smile. His black tail wagged and he padded up to the old man like a well trained Labrador. "Ya know it really aint fair a spirit of the forest still looks so young." He laughed, scratching Rom behind the ears. 

For a werewolf being pet like a dog was a terrible insult. With this group of people Rom just let it go. He loved them and knew it was their way to show affection. Not to mention they still only thought he had a wolf form. Rom never showed them he was human as well. He didn't want to scare them.

"I got sumfin for ya". The old man hobbled into his home and came out with a few slivers of raw bacon. Rom accepted it and ate them without really tasting. 

The old man shook his head. "Ya look happier ten usual" The old man questioned arching a feather grey eyebrow. 

Rom wagged his tail to affirm his friend's suspicions.

"Ya find yur self a gurly friend?" He laughed. 

Rom did a half snort half sneeze to convey his disgust. 

"Boyfriend?" Jackson laughed.

Rom wagged his tail his mouth open.

"Well I'll be damned. He better be good lookin. You bring em by. Anythin that makes ya that happy I wanna see for I die."

Rom licked the man's fingers. A silent promise to bring Julian by sometime. The man smiled showing how he now had so many creases in his kind face.

"Cops got sumfin for ya at the jail house. Since ya been gone longer ten usual." 

Rom body bumped the closest thing he had to consider family. Then padded through the town towards the jail as if he owned the place. A few people called out to him and he looked like a playful over grown German Shepherd as he trotted to his dinner.

"Hey boy" the cop smiled. Rom play bowed and wagged his tail as the cop lunged at him. Rom loved this town he often wondered what had drawn him to it but that wasn't important. 

He had been protecting it from the outside world for centuries and when new people came in or tried to disrupt order Rom was the executioner. "Come on boy, I got 3 big males for you to chase he said walking Rom to the familiar holding cell" Rom sensed the fear in these men and decided to have some fun with them. 

He sat next to the cop as the cop talked to the men "It's your lucky day boys he laughed. Your executioners here" the men gulped and the cop unlocked the door. 

Rom walked into the cell wanting to make an example of the first so the chase would have a clear meaning to the remaining two. He padded in like he was still a friendly wolf. 

"Alright boy they are all yours" with that Rom pulled his lips back in a snarl. He lounged at the group picking the smallest of the three. He tore his throat out and then began eating the tissue he pulled out.

He grabbed the underside of the mans ribcage and shook back and forth until the body split in the seams spraying his kill all over himself the cell and the other two. 

For murderers they sure seemed like cowards when confronted with a brutal death. 

Rom growled at the other two and looked back at the cop and whined "Alright boy" the cop said as he hit a button. The back wall of the cell opened. Rom turned his attention to the men who took off. He waited a few moments before following. He would take one for himself and drag the other home for Julian.




Starcrossed Ch. 003



Hunting the first one was easy. He ran to the trees and Rom followed. He chased him up a hill covered in leaves snarling and growling. Rom climbed the hill faster than the first man could grabbed his ankle and pulled him down. 

The man's name was Ivan and he had murdered an elderly lady that was loved and needed by her family. "Please" the man begged; Rom loved the pleading the begging the screams and the squirming.

He sunk his teeth into the man's side tearing the muscle and flesh, savoring the taste as blood and drool dripped from his mouth. The man grabbed his side crying in panic now. Rom grabbed his leg and shook him like a rag doll listening to the bones break and the man scream again. 

He let him go and watched as the man tried to crawl away combat style before he held him face first in the dirt letting the man choke and die from the lack of air. 

When the man stopped moving and his heart was silent Rom stripped him clean. He found a stream and washed himself free of dirt and blood knowing Julian would prefer him the least messy as possible. 

He was trying hard to take care of him, to be his provider. He sensed fear and blood and took off in the other direction. He quickly found the third man and had him on the run. 

He pounced on the man and his weight snapped his legs. Rom took him by his right shoulder dragging him back to his home. Rom had a way into his home incase he needed to store live food for later and he walked up to it placing his paw on the pad and drug the squirming shrieking man inside leaving bloody paw prints as he went. Once the door was closed, Rom let him go and opened a door bringing him back into the area with Julian. He wined a little hoping Julian would hear him and be pleased with the meal he had brought for him.

Rom was covered still in his own meal and he knew he had left paw prints in his once clean house. He licked his muzzle trying to clean off some of the blood so as not to look like too much of a monster. After all he had warned Julian he was a messy hunter. 

Julian walked around the corner chuckling when he saw his furry blood drenched lover. His ears perked at the shriek coming from an unknown place.

"You brought me dinner I assume?" He tapped Rom's wet nose. During Rom's absence Julian had longed for the wolf.

He had been worried their intense passion the first night and the time in the hotel might not be easily repeated. He wasn't the type to whore around. Seeing those eyes quieted his fears. It was still Rom, still his cocky grin. Only now his face was covered in dark fur. His wild wolf tame as a lap cat. 

"Sounds like you tortured the poor thing." He cringed a little.

Rom snorted and body bumped Julian enticing him to follow.

"Good thing you are easy to read" Julian grabbed the tip of his lover's tail playfully. He was lead to an odd pit like room. His mouth watered and his orange irises seemed to disappear as his pupils dilated.

The floor where the broken man was rolling around told the story of death. Blood soaked into the metal of the grated floor. "Thank you" He growled grabbing the man. His fangs slammed into the man and he drank. He saw this victim's crimes laid out before him. When the man was dry he dropped it. "Do I just leave it?" Julian asked.

Rom stood on his hind legs his massive paws on Julian's toned chest. He licked the blood from the corner of his mouth looking into his vampire's soul. He didn't want to have to deal with the body now. Rom wanted to go upstairs with Julian, and get into bed with Julian.

The newly drained blood from the murderer crept into Julian's cheeks. "I have a book picked out for when you get back." 

Rom tilted his head. Had Julian heard his thoughts? That never happened as far as he knew. Rom padded over to a lever and used his front paws to pull it. The floor and the ceiling started to open. The floor revealed sun bleached bones of past meals that Rom had brought home. The ceiling revealed the day time sky. Rom leapt over the opening floor through the tunnel to the main part of the house. 

He walked up to his room watching Julian read curled up on his bed. It was such a good sight; Julian in their bed. 

Julian didn't look up from the book. "You plan to get your furry ass up here?" 

Rom leapt onto the bed in one smooth motion, his large head resting in Julian's lap. Julian traced his ears and massaged between Rom's eyes. He felt his glabella, the plate like bone above his nose, fracture and force down. Fur receded and Julian looked impressed at the naked sweat drenched man that lay in the spot the large black wolf had just been occupying.

"You're impressive." Julian breathed as his lover rolled over and Julian traced the creases of his muscle planes and his battle scars. 

"I'm phasing back faster. I think this ring is slowing me down though. I can feel it like a prison when I try and phase back." He scooted around in the blanket enjoying the newly warmed fingers on his body. "Did you pick a good book?" He asked.

Julian nodded "Yes, history of the world before the end. It talks about how Egypt used to be. They had humans enslaving humans and..." Julian glared as Rom mock snored. "Fine, I also picked up a book of fairytales. More of a bed time story type of thing but it is hardly as interesting."

Rom smiled revealing perfect white teeth against his golden lips. "I'm not that bright remember? I'd rather not learn and just have your sexy voice sooth me as I regain my strength."

Julian rolled his eyes "You are smart and you know it. There is no way you could have restored those car things and built this plumbing and all if you weren't smart."

Rom ran his finger up and down Julian's thigh suggestively "No, that just means I am strong, hard headed and not afraid to get dirty. That's common sense." 

"I happen to like the idea of you getting all sweaty doing all that heavy lifting." Julian's eyes roamed over his recuperating lover who was starting to stiffen in other areas. 

A thought had occurred to him while he was waiting for Rom to bring food home. "Why is it that wolves and vampires are so heavily segregated. I read something about separation between the races. It always seems like one race thinks it's superior. I think we are both good just different."

Rom sat up sighing "I don't know if it is a law. More so my kind thinks your kind is frigid and stuck up and you tend to find us messy. I know some vampire countries in the new pangea form enslave the wolves and in some wolf countries they try to exterminate the vampire race. It just depends. In Rome wolves are in power and there are no vampires. My friends and I were enslaved for entertainment and as soldiers. I didn't see a vampire unless I was being pimped out to one from another country, and then I saw them when I got out."

Julian was amused; Rom seemed to be remembering and was talking without realizing he was doing so.

Rom looked a little startled as the ring shocked him. "So I have a new theory about this damn thing." he laughed. 

"Stops you from remembering much? You remembered friends and that would be positive so it zapped you." 

The wolf grinned. Julian had figured out in a matter of minutes what it had taken Rom years. He rested his chin on Julian's shoulder looking at the words. "I wonder what they were like. I just remember I have them but I feel like I am trying to breath in murky water without gills."

Julian kissed his cheek. "You'll remember eventually. So... now that you are feeling better do you still want me to read to you or take care of that big problem you seem to be having?" 

Rom looked between his thighs "Can't help it." He shrugged patting his thighs.

Julian set the book down on the bed side table He opened the drawer and found some scented massaging lotion. "Found your dirty little secret by the way." He teased dangling the bottle in front of Romulus's purple eyes. 

The wolf huffed "Sore muscles after the change back."

Julian arched his eyebrows "Sore muscles... huh?" He stripped out of his clothing and crawled into Rom's lap. "I can fix that." 

Julian squirted the creamy lotion into his hands. The scent of vanilla and jasmine swooned around his head and he rubbed circles into Rom's clavicles. He felt the tension in his man's body relax. 

Julian's skilled fingers traveled across Rom's chest. "This must be a bitch when you're on the road." 

The wolf groaned in satisfaction as Julian worked a particularly tender area "It's getting easier. I don't normally have a sex god relaxing my muscles for me." 

Julian nipped the tip of Rom's nose. "Sex god... you're so full of shit your eyes should be brown." 

Rom moved his hips up so that his cock dueled with Julian's between them. "Nope, see how hard I am. Sex god."

Julian huffed, "More like horney bastard."

"Hey Sparkie you are up too." Rom wrapped his hands around Julian sucking on the vampire's neck causing the blood to rush to the surface and leave a bruise. It would fade once the blood was needed elsewhere, but Rom enjoyed the mark while it was there.

Julian slid his hands around their members "I did say I would rub the tension out of you entirely." He whispered eliciting a low growl from Rom. 

His fingers already covered with lotion moved in a twisting pattern up their lengths before plunging back down. He watched his own pale foreskin move over the head of his cock and down to reveal the flushed head. He didn't understand who would have mutilated Rom's cock and he pondered it listening to the heated moans and growls between them.

Rom felt the need to talk about it. "They do it to all slaves when they are sold. No one wants to worry about cleaning it."

Julian's eyes flew open. "Wha... did you know I was thinking that?" Julian asked stroking slower now.

"Mmmm Just felt like I should tell you.." Rom moaned. He placed his rough hands over Julian's moving them the way he wanted. He didn't understand the significance, too wrapped up in his sexual gratification. "Cum" He growled. 

Julian obeyed. The control Rom had over his body was a little startling to a being who had been trained in every fighting style imaginable. A vampire comfortable with any weapon he would ever have the chance to get his hands on. Maybe that was why it was so erotic, he thought to himself. 

Julian rested his head on Rom's shoulder arching his back to make a tent over their twin organs. Knowing he could kill Rom, maybe not easily but it was definitely believable. Then handing all his power and strength over to him. So much so that when Rom's voice dropped in pitch, and commanded his orgasm Julian obeyed. 

His cock jerked in time with Rom's. Their cum shot up like a male fountain blending in the air. Rom's powerful hand was still wrapped around his own as they milked their cocks dry. 

The lap underneath Julian radiated heat. He watched the wolf's chest as he panted. 

Julian's free hand scooped some cum off of Rom's head and he sucked his finger. A slight moan escaping his lips as Rom jerked in post orgasm bliss. 

"So, how is it you seemed to know what I was thinking?" Julian asked.

Rom shrugged "I don't know, just seemed like a good thing to answer. I mean I didn't like hear you or anything." 

Rom kissed Julian and then looked down at the mess. "You wanna try my tub?" 

"Yes please" Julian climbed off of Rom and made his way to the bathroom. He opened the glass shower door and turned on only the hot water. It was how he felt heat and he assumed Rom wouldn't mind. 

Rom waited to regain some of his expended strength and energy before going to the bathroom. When he opened the door steam crashed out of the room claiming the bedroom in a dense fog. "Any hot water left?" He teased lightly.

"Mmm" Julian moaned sliding deeper into the heat. The water pelted his cool skin and he felt warmer than a human under the spray. 

"Get in, I'm tired." Vampires didn't need to sleep like humans did. However they needed time to relax and allow the blood to flow through their body before it died and dried up. So, vampires often slipped into a sleep like state when relaxed.

Rom opened the shower door stepping in behind Julian. "Good, let me wash you and then you can feel how amazing my bed is all over again."

Julian rolled his head back onto Rom's shoulder. He felt the skilled hands slide over his body washing away the remains of their lust. The vampire felt so protected and loved in Rom's embrace. 

Julian was startled to feel a warm tongue snake around his hard cock. His eyes flew open and noticed a large Rom sized bulge between his thighs. He gave an involuntary moan and felt teeth abuse his left inner thigh. 

"I fell asleep?" He asked feeling an orgasm building deep within his balls. Julian was startled to realize how relaxed Rom made him. It had been close to day time, but even that wouldn't have made the vampire relax that far without thinking about it. 

"Mmmhhhmm" Rom ran his tongue up Julian's length and swallowed him to the hilt; his throat constricting around the vampire's organ. 

"Fuck... mmm coming" He warned.

Rom felt the warm sperm coat the back of his throat and he swallowed hungrily. When his mate was done jerking he disengaged and moved up to the head of the bed. "Yep fell asleep, standing up, in my arms naked in the shower." Rom ran his knuckles up Julian's stomach.

"Sorry. What light is it?" Julian asked sitting up. He wrinkled his nose realizing his thigh was sticky as was his arm. He went to run his fingers through his blonde hair and encountered cum on his nose, and entangle in his hair.

"Jesus what did you do have an orgy with yourself while I slept?"

Rom laughed "Something like that. I'm a vivid dreamer. I'm surprised I haven't covered you before, now that I think of it."

Julian closed his eyes and shook his head "Well I was going to try taking care of you, but I doubt there is anything left." 

Rom pulled the vampire into him and Julian gasped feeling a thick hard cock at his back. "Always more where that came from."

Julian moaned loudly. He didn't know how he had blood left to get hard but he was up in Rom's hand on command. He moaned and panted along with Rom. They rocked back and forth. 

Julian's strong ass cheeks clenching Rom's cock and soon his chest and back were painted with sperm. Quick and hot. 

Julian stayed in Rom's arms. "Alright, now time for a cold shower." He finally huffed. 

Rom bit his ear "I kinda like you covered in me."

Julian squirmed out of the powerful arms and moved to the bathroom. The wolf couldn't help but growl longingly at his pert ass dripping with cum and bouncing with movement.

"I want you to meet someone before we leave for Rome." he called to the vampire. 

*

 ((Thank you to everyone for reading this. I promise things start to pick up in chapter 4. Thank you to my editor Tap, and Lord Desh for letting me use this. Thank you also to jen8652003 and lonesomedove66, for reading, commenting and voting so often, your comments mean a lot to me. If I didn't think people were reading I might never post so your words of advice and encouragement mean the world to me. Just to clear a few things up. Thank you pkm194949 for pointing out the impenetrable tent. I had to go back and reread that to see what you were saying and to see what point I was trying to get across. That was a fault on my part for not being clear enough. Impenetrable to light, and rain. A typical camping tent that could easily be found in our time. The material would still be available in the new world and is like a canvas type of material dark and sealed to make it water proof. Bullets, knives, rocks all fair game and will go right through the tent. This is brought up in future chapters and I will clarify in the story that it is not some magic protect against all shield.

Also I know this is an insta-romance story. I normally do not write those sorts of things. I know AU may seem like one but that story is all about how two people that like each other struggle until they get it right. This story is called Starcrossed as an allusion to Romeo and Juliet. Destined to meet destined to love destined for struggles. Developing the relationship would have taken away motivation for the characters. Dating in this time period would be nearly impossible since one is on the run for being a wanted murderer and the other has no idea what he is looking for. Neither character knows which breath will be their last and each is very aware that they are expendable. No point in waiting and slow progression if you might not have time. So yes, this is insta-romance and I thank you all who are still here reading who looked past that. I promise it gets good now that I have most of the ground work out of the way. 

Thank you all once again for reading and please let me know what was good and what wasn't if you have the time. If you would like feedback or a reply to your comments please let me know. I love talking to people who have suggestions and complaints.)) 



Starcrossed Ch. 004



Edited By: Another Wannabe

All characters engaging in sexual acts are over the age of 18. 

~*~*~*~

Romulus was in his wolf form, looking up at the full moon. He couldn't help but to feel the pain of a great loss. This might very well be the last time he was ever in the security of his own home. He didn't regret going out and meeting Julian, but knowing they were likely leaving for good made leaving at all very difficult.

"Love?" Julian questioned stepping out into the garden from the back entrance of the den. He seemed to sense the sadness that had taken over the wolf. He hated leaving the wolf's den as well. For the first time that he could remember he felt safe and at home. Nothing bad could ever happen here. Julian could have stayed in the library for hours reading until there were no more words to read. "I know." He plopped down next to the wolf and rested his head on Romulus's shoulder. "We will be back here someday. I can feel it."

Rom nuzzled his vampire, knowing the next good-bye they were about to have would be just as hard.

~*~*~*~

Julian, like most vampires, hated walking through the woods. Vampires typically preferred to be clean and so they traveled quickly and near civilization where modern comforts were more common. He never quite felt at ease. The trees were determined to rip his clothing, mud wanted to coat his shoes and pants, and, worst of all, he was never sure what animals he would have to kill when they tried to make him dinner. No animal would be able to bring down a full grown vampire like Julian, but that never seemed to stop them from trying.

Julian would rather have just stayed in Romulus's nice clean lair for a few more hours. The vampire was certain he would get enough of the woods soon enough. He knew it meant a lot to his lover for him to meet whoever they were walking to meet.

He imagined Rom probably knew some old decrepit magic wolf. He was surprised when the trees finally gave way to a small village. Everything about the village was different from anything else he had ever encountered. It was as though the evil tendrils of the world had not tainted this village. What was even more shocking was they were all mortal. He didn't smell a single supernatural being.

Julian followed Romulus until the wolf blocked his path. "I'll wait here," he said, still mesmerized but the purity of the small town. He wondered how the village had survived so long without interference. Even before the world fell apart there had always been supernatural beings, they had just been hidden. The smell of blood was stronger here and made his mouth water. The humans that lived in their world were treated like wild animals or livestock. Their sole purpose was to feed the hegemonic beings of whatever realm they were unfortunate enough to end up in.

Here the humans were beings of their own. They functioned without interference from vampires, wolves or other beings. The world as it was now, he didn't think it was possible for humans to exist without the supernatural. Humans were usually portrayed as being mindless killers. They had destroyed the world, they were to blame for the pain and suffering. This town shattered Julian's image of humans. These humans seemed somehow good, and caring. 

The vampire watched the overgrown wolf walk to a small stone cottage. Smoke unfurling from a single short chimney, brought with it the smell of cooked animal flesh.

Romulus pawed at the aged wooden door and whined to get the inhabitant's attention. He sat on the stone steps waiting for his friend to come outside. Romulus's visits were rarely so close together. He had always planned his trips to be sporadic, like the paths he took to get here. He had always worried coming too often would eventually catch the wrong beings attention and that his town would be destroyed. The town was in his mind fragile, and he feared for its corruption. He needed to believe that the town would always be alright.

If people here could change, and respect one another then maybe others could too. Maybe not just humans, but other races could one day live in harmony once more. Romulus of course had never known a harmonic time, but he assumed there had to have been one. Things could always have been as terrible as they are now, or no one would ever have seen the point in living.

Jackson exited his cozy dwelling in a well-worn robe. He smiled upon seeing his guardian and scratched behind his ears. "Miss me that much?" he chuckled.

He always missed Jackson. He often wished he could reveal his true self to the human, to speak with him and let him know how much he loved him. It was another reason added to an already long list of justifications, why he would never come back. The town would have to survive on its own if it was to have any hope of progressing.

Romulus trusted Jackson, and so he decided to show his old friend what was still living out in the world, to remind him of why this village needed to survive. There needed to be hope.

A cold chill ran up the wolf's spine. He worried that this farewell would not go as he planned. He trusted Julian, despite not knowing him for that long. He just worried that Jackson would be fearful, that he would see him and Julian as monsters. Romulus looked at the woods where Julian was cloaked in shadow.

"You bring yer boyfriend?" He laughed when the wolf nodded. "Well bring 'im down I'm sure I got some meat in here somewheres."

Rom tilted his head at Julian expectantly and the vampire took that as a cue to move closer. He was still confused as to why Romulus didn't just walk up in his human form. Humans were usually terrified of wolves and vampires. Rightfully so, since they were nothing more than food. The whole village was peculiar, but he didn't want to question it too much. If this meant something to his lover he would do his best to preserve it as well. 

Jackson looked at Julian startled, and confused. He had been expecting another wolf, not this predatory thing. His fingers threaded through Romulus's thick fur for reassurance and, since his wolf didn't seem to feel threatened by the man, he wouldn't be either.

"Hello," Julian said, giving a small bow.

"Hello" Jackson answered, offering a hand. He looked down at the wolf, saying, "I think you got some explaining to do." He started wondering if what he had guessed all those years ago had been true all along. Was Romulus magical in ways other than his unnaturally long life?

"My name is Julian," he stated, wishing the wolf would join the conversation as well.

Jackson's hand pulled away from the wolf suddenly when he heard the first crunch of a bone breaking and reforming into a more human shape.

Julian did his best to shield his lover in the cloak they had brought and with Jackson's direction helped Romulus into a chair. "I'm sorry I hid my true self from you all these years my friend." He leaned against Julian, "I wanted you to meet my mate."

Jackson's youth returned to him. His eyes shone at the excitement of seeing magic. "I'm glad to know magic exists. So what is yer real name 'en Slash? I can't imagine I guessed it right on my first try."

"My name is Romulus. We came to say good bye." The wolf longed to say everything he hadn't been able to vocalize for all these years.

Jackson nodded, accepting the new form and name without much trouble, "can ya both stay fer a few hours?" The old man asked. The hurt of losing his long-time friend steeped into his voice.

Romulus nodded, not trusting his voice to come out evenly. He swallowed the knot that was forming in his throat. Spending a few hours more in his safe heaven was too tempting to pass up.

~*~*~*~

Julian would have liked to have stayed in Jackson's home for days. The human was fascinating to him. Not that he had ever attempted to get to know a human before, but Jackson seemed like someone worth knowing. He had been very inquisitive of the pair. How they met, where they were going, and if there were more like them in the world. He loved Romulus in a way that he didn't know humans had the capacity to love. If they could all be taught to love as Jackson did, then perhaps the race would be worth saving. It was a more truthful love than he had ever seen given by another species.

As disgruntled as the vampire was about leaving the cozy town he was even more upset once they were on the road again. Romulus liked to stay as far away from civilization as possible. When they stopped they slept in the tent and Julian never felt like he was able to get good rest.

Eating was another thing he did not like about his lover's means of traveling. He preferred to toy with his food, leading humans to believe he would love them and take them at the height of ecstasy. Now, he was stalking deer and occasionally drinking from the wolf. It was a necessity to feed from Romulus when resources were scarce. As good as Rom tasted Julian felt guilty taking too much from his mate.

Tonight it was raining, the sort of rain that sent down little arrows of water that cut through skin on their journey to the ground. The vampire was happy he could not feel the cold but that didn't mean he was any more pleased about being soaked and covered in mud.

At first they had started out with just a general direction on how to get to Rome. They meandered and walked slowly through the woods. Rom stopped often, checking the stars, to make sure they were still headed in the right direction.

Now though, Rom didn't feel the need to stop. He was being pulled, and driven, knowing he was heading in the right direction. The wolf no longer needed validation, he knew where he was going. Every step closer made the ring around his neck hurt more. Every step was like another turn on a jack-in-the-box and the anticipation for the ending was driving him crazy.

He couldn't help himself, he had been ignoring Julian's discomfort the closer they got. His drive to get to Rome made any other thought impossible. He just wanted to know... he felt guilty when he actually looked at Julian. He looked miserable. The vampire looked more pale than usual and his bottom lip poked out as he sulked.

Julian had disliked walking through the woods before, now he loathed it. The woods between Rom's den and the village was a friendly place compared to this hell. He would rather spend eternity in that woods then to take one more step deeper into this one.

"Please, look there is an abandoned building right there and everything." Julian gestured between the trees. He had seen it and had considered not saying anything but it just looked too good to pass up. The opportunity to get out of the rain, and be a little more spread out then they could get in their tent. The cold wouldn't kill him, but with the meager amount of blood he had been drinking it seemed to not sustain him as long with his body being cold.

Rom nodded, "Yeah, we can take it easy tonight, I'll bring you something back to eat. You just take it easy." He hoped for Julian's sake that the building was really abandoned. It was made of large rocks, held together by mortar of some sort. Unlike the rocks that built Jackson's home, these rocks were a darker color and felt colder. The mortar had some time ago decided to grow moss. The building was old without question, but it had stood the test of time and the challenges of nature. That, or there was someone maintaining it. It was an odd place for a building. There were no trails here and it didn't look like there would be a village anywhere close.

"I can hunt," Julian protested. He felt guilty for making Rom stop now. He knew his lover thought Rome would hold all the answers and he could understand what having no past felt like. If he felt certain that his memories would return he likely would have gone just as quickly as Rom had.

"If you can hunt then we can keep walking and set up the tent later." Rom knew he was being manipulative. Julian hated feeling dependent but he knew his lover needed a break from the traveling. They were truly desperate for shelter.

Julian was about to argue further, when he felt Rom's eyes on him, giving him a stern, 'I dare you to argue with me,' look. He smiled a little and shook his head, damn that wolf was too good at getting his way. "Fine, I'll let you bring something back," he knew it was because Romulus cared, and not because he was helpless. The dominating stare just helped to lessen the blow to his pride.

Happy to have gotten his way once more, Rom looped his arms around Julian's waist. With his mate so close to his body he felt how cold Julian had gotten. Vampires needed blood to stay warm and while they were cool to the touch a vampire should never feel as icy as Julian did now. It was a clear indicator that he hadn't been eating enough as external temperatures were easily combated by a well fed vampire.

Romulus made a mental note to watch more carefully. Julian had complained, but he had never made his plight seem urgent. It was now that the wolf realized guiltily that Julian was pushing himself as hard as he could to help Rom get to Rome faster.

"Thank you," he whispered, kissing Julian on the forehead. He was grateful both to have gotten his way and to have a mate who selflessly sacrificed a good deal of comfort and health. 

Julian pressed further into the warmth of his lover's body. He would gladly use the opportunity to get clean once more, even if the cleanliness wouldn't last on the road. Being so close to Romulus again made his mind wander. Maybe his lover would be able to eat enough so that he wouldn't feel guilty feeding from Rom on the road.

~*~*~*~

Walking closer to the abandoned building made Rom bristle and he wasn't sure why. Something about this place made him sick. Twigs snapped under their feet, and the rain started coming down harder.

Julian grabbed Rom's hand. Something wasn't right and they both seemed to sense it. He couldn't smell anyone or hear any movement but he gripped Rom tighter as though this building would somehow take his lover away. "Maybe we should keep walking."

The wolf knew it would be better to keep walking. He usually trusted his instincts and that way of doing things had often saved his life. He was painfully reminded how cold he had allowed his mate to get when Julian's fingers intertwined with his own. "You are freezing," Rom kissed Julian's neck. "There's no smell, or tracks anywhere. We are both just wound tight from being on the road. We could probably even have a nice fire in there and you won't have to smell wet dog."

He knew he was trying to justify entering the building more to himself than to Julian. His lover was too cold from lack of blood and rest to continue. "I'll check it out once we get you out of this rain."

"I like wet dog. Lets me know you are close," Julian teased, moving forward again. He was willing to ignore whatever warning he was feeling for the opportunity to get dry.

Rom's eyes flickered to the building again. Something was definitely strange about it but Julian was exhausted and now that Rom knew just how worn he was, he didn't want to push too hard. Rom noticed a window that was blocked off by a wooden board that had been fastened where the shutters used to hang. He circled the building and saw that some time ago there had been a rockslide. A large boulder had taken out the face that had the door and now the only way in or out of the small four walled building was through the boarded window.

He didn't like not having an escape route if something did go wrong. He rationalized that since the building had been partly destroyed by a rock slide that it was likely abandoned and would be safe enough if only for a night. He returned to a shivering Julian who looked hopeful that the building had been deemed safe. "I don't think anyone live here."

Romulus pulled hard against the wooden board and managed to pull it free. He hopped through the opening and landed on the cobblestone floor. He gave a soft growl and looked around. The building seemed even smaller from the inside. There was clearly no one inside as the wolf could easily see the entire contents of the strange building even in the dim light.

There was no furniture or places to hide. He was pleased that there was some old dry wood near the fireplace. Likely this had been a place for travelers to rest now that traveling was only done on the ground. The wood had clearly been cut years ago and some dust had settled on the meager pile. Some spiders had also decided it would be a perfect place to build a home.

Certain they were alone, Rom held his arms out to Julian and pulled him through. "See, it's safe," he assured Julian. "That wood won't last long though, I'll try and see if I can find some more that is dry so we can keep a fire going through the night."

Julian snorted, still not liking the place. "Good luck."

An echo suddenly filled the room as if a pair of heeled shoes were walking down a large stone hallway. There was a pop and the lovers were splashed with water as a melodic laughter ricocheted off the walls.

Rom growled and fell to his knees in excruciating pain. His spine felt like it was trying to twist from his body and his skin was crawling with fire.

Julian knelt beside his lover and hissed at the strange being that was now in the building with them. "What are you doing to him!" he snarled, "Stop it or I'll kill you!"

The female giggled, her blonde curls shaking with the sound. "I'm not doing it. He is remembering. Remembering me actually, though you should remember this building Julian. You lost your mind here."

A pale slender finger touched the silver ring around Rom's neck and pulled back before Julian could rip her hand off. The ring fell to the floor and turned to water. "Better baby?" she cooed in a high pitched almost melodic voice.

Rom was panting and dripping with sweat. He felt dizzy and yet more clear than he could ever remember. "It won't all come back of course but at least now remembering won't kill you. You have a promise to keep Romulus." She smiled and waved her hand conjuring a chair as if from a water fountain in the ground. When it solidified she sat.

Julian glared into her eyes, pools of endless blue. Romulus was clearly not up to questioning and he had likely less memory than his wolf. "Who are you?" He snarled watching her blue gown move on her slender frame like waves of the ocean.

"Harlen," Rom growled to which the blonde smiled.

"Very good puppy," she praised him in an almost mocking tone. "My name is Harlen and I am a Siren." She watched hungrily as Rom got to his feet. God his body was perfect, even better than she remembered. His lover wasn't bad either. "We have never met Julian, but Romulus knows me well. He will tell you when he remembers it all."

Harlen stood again and circled the pair she wrapped her arms around Rom and slid her hands down his chest whispering in his ear "Your Vampire is rather charming as well, so much power." She shivered a little at the thought of being with him.

She moved to rub against Julian who suddenly felt powerless. No matter how badly he wanted to shove her away, her touch was addicting. Not like Rom's but in the way a junkie craves what he knows is slowly killing him. "You know, typically I don't like vamps. In your case though I think I will make an exception." She licked her lips. "Get your hands off me before I break them," Julian finally managed to growl.

"Very good, leech. We will have to work on it but it's not a bad start." She turned her eyes back to Romulus. The warm bubbly mirth that had once been there was now replaced with a deep sorrowful ocean. "Do you remember me enough to skip the introduction Romulus?" She sighed knowing his memory was still tangled. "I am neither good nor evil by nature. I am a siren and I see the past present and future. I record it but normally I don't interfere. If I do, then I must equally help the other side to atone for my mistake. We aren't supposed to have hearts." She said the last part with a tinge of regret. Harlen regretted allowing herself a heart. It had done nothing but cause trouble. 




Starcrossed Ch. 004



She walked away and sang, an open-mouthed high pitched almost opera sound. There was another splash and a rusted chest appeared in much the same fashion as Harlen had. Her voice dropped an octave. The chest's key was sound and it sprang open on command.

Reaching into it Harlen's heart started to race. She had been ordered never to open this and doing so only caused her heart pain. Breaking a command from her master was not so easily done. Her hands shook with the effort and a few tears fell. "She would want you to have this. Despite the pain it will cause her." She handed a tattered journal to Romulus. "It was your mother's. Nothing important, just letters and poems, but they used it to break you."

Rom handed the book to Julian, not sure if he trusted it to be what Harlen said it was. He grabbed Harlen, hard enough to leave bruises on her arms and slammed her into the wall. "Stop messing with my head. Why are you here?" Sarcasm quickly replaced her torment. "Easy big boy, put me down before you hurt yourself." She struggled a little. "You always did have a temper, killing me though wouldn't be a good way to keep your promise."

He glared at her, and growled deep in his throat before being jerked from the room into another memory...

~*~*~*~

Harlen's hand stroked Rom's face, applying a healing oil to the place where it had split. "Why do you anger him so?" she asked, being gentle with him.

Harlen had been there since the beginning. She was supposed to make him better, to seduce him away from his mate forever and then rip his heart out and stop the prophecy from ever coming true. "I can't seem to help it," he smiled a little. Harlen held out her hand and a small piece of meat appeared. "I'm sorry, he is really watching my magic use."

"Thank you," he ate the meat slowly, knowing he likely wouldn't get more anytime soon.

~*~*~*~

"STOP! You're killing him!" Rom heard Harlen's voice cut through the sloshing sound that was the blood in his ears from a particularly nasty blow to the head.

"Silence. He can handle it, or he will die." Harlen watched in horror as a young wolf was forced to take on four full grown warriors that were beyond his skill. She hummed softly to herself, her eyes trained on the carnage in the ring. She was coaxing the warrior out of Romulus. It was in there somewhere.

He had won that fight, and kept his life because of Harlen.

~*~*~*~

Rom felt her tear falling on his face. He hugged her tight as she pushed a key into his hand and fastened a ring around his neck. "It's going to hurt Romulus but it is the only way past the guards. They will recognize your thoughts. I left you a single thought, to escape."

The wolf nodded. "I'll come back for you Harlen. You won't be his prisoner forever and, when I find my mate, we will make the world better. I promise Harlen you will be happy one day."

"He tortures her Rom, please don't take long," her head jerked over her shoulder, hearing the footsteps of guards. "Promise me you will come back. Promise me you will find him and save us." With that last plea of desperation his memory went blank and Harlen went to create a distraction.

~*~*~*~

To Julian's shock the snarling subsided and Romulus put Harlen back on her feet. "I'm sorry it took me so long."

"You need more memories Romulus. You aren't ready to take him on. I'm risking everything by being here and I have sacrificed everything to get you here. You don't have a plan Romulus, and that is foolish," she turned to look at Julian, all the lust seemed to have evaporated from her eyes, "Both of you should know better." She pulled a slender silver chain from around her neck. There was an iridescent blue pearl at the end.

"You need to gather information. Take this with you and you will escape his gaze. Go into the city quietly and gather your pack."

Rom tilted his head as he accepted the charm, "My pack?"

"You didn't think you spent years in the coliseum without making friends did you?" she laughed, "It is a good thing you are attractive." She tousled his hair and turned again to Julian, "Take care of him as you were always meant to. He has demons you can't even begin to imagine and he will need a clear head to take on the Roman throne."

She backed away from the puzzled pair and smirked in an impish way. "You really both should try to remember." There was a loud crack and splash of water and she was gone.

~*~*~*~

Julian turned to his mate. He was aggravated, and his head hurt from listening to a siren talk in riddling circles. "Friend of yours?"

Romulus nodded. "I think so. I remember her helping me escape and promising to come back for her."

Julian hugged Romulus. The large wolf suddenly felt so small and fragile. "We will help her together then." He kissed Rom's neck, and felt the heat of the wolf's blood just below the surface. The confusion of Harlen suddenly popping in had caused him to forget his hunger, which now had returned with a vengeance. "We should hunt," he whispered dragging his fangs over the now bare flesh.

It felt wonderful to be able to kiss every part of his lover's neck now that the memory ring had been removed.

Romulus growled suggestively. "What if I don't feel like hunting?" He turned into the vampire's embrace so they were facing each other.

"Not tonight Romulus," Julian replied sternly, "you aren't strong enough right now for me to feed from, and you will need your strength in case that harpy decides to come back and hand us over to whoever it is we are heading to war against."

Romulus threaded his fingers in Julian's blonde hair, giving it a slight tug. "I feel better than I have in years. Stronger, and more alive than I can ever remember. Let me share it with you."

Julian looked out the only open window, at the rain that was still hammering relentlessly on the earth. It was a tempting offer, but reason was causing him to doubt Romulus's claim at renewed strength and they both needed to be strong. "It's not smart," he said weakly, turning his eyes back to the now very exposed neck. The metallic ring being removed seemed to make his mate's blood even more appetizing, which Julian hadn't even thought possible.

"I keep telling you, I'm not smart, no reason to start trying to be now." Romulus pressed against Julian, letting his body pass some of his excess warmth to the vampire. "Feed love, it's something we both want."

Julian knew better, Romulus needed his strength and he could just as easily feed from a deer and be strong himself. If the road ahead was really as rocky as the siren claimed, they would both need to be at their best.

Julian's amber eyes unfocused, his pupils dilated with the heady scent of wolf. His words had completely faded as the wolf's quickened heartbeat thudded softly in his ears.

He wasn't aware of his own actions, and Rom had won another argument. His fangs sank into the soft flesh as blood flooded his mouth. Romulus was a well-aged fine wine, earthy and rich. Blood typically had a harsh metallic flavor that most vampires acquired a taste for. The poorer quality blood tasted like water put through too many copper pipes. This blood was perfect, smooth and thick, he could feel the warmth flaring out through his veins.

Julian couldn't remember ever feeling so warm. All the aches the cold had ever given him and the stiffness that went along with being dead were melted as his mate touched every part of his being.

Romulus felt his lover's teeth sink into him and he let out a moan of approval. He didn't feel as though he was losing anything but rather sharing excess fire with his lover. It felt far better and more intimate than anything they had done before.

Romulus felt more connected to Julian than he had ever felt with anything, even his own wolf. He craved Julian, just as deeply and pushed him roughly against the stone wall. He felt the vampire's hands grope his back, trying to pull him in deeper. He took both of Julian's slender wrists in one hand and pinned them above the vampire's head.

The teeth never moved from Romulus's neck as Rom's free hand worked to undo the buttons on Julian's shirt. As each was freed he was given another eyeful of the perfect marble-white skin. Julian rolled his hips against Romulus. He wanted more, needed more. There was a desperate urge to completely consume Romulus as if it were the only way he would ever feel whole again. He growled and felt himself slipping in and out of consciousness.

Somehow his shirt had been removed and his pants had followed. Julian struggled against Romulus's hold, wanting to touch him back. He could feel his mate's fingers slide inside of him. The balls of his feet pressed against the floor, causing his back to arch and pull Romulus' teasing fingers into his body. He growled with pleasure, needing more.

Julian was so lost in pleasure he was hardly aware when Romulus lifted him off his feet. Without thinking or removing his fangs Julian wrapped his legs around Romulus's thick waist. His head rested on the wolf's shoulder.

The sensation of his mate's thick shaft deep inside of him momentarily caused the vampire to lose interest in his meal. His fangs unhooked as he moaned open-mouthed. His hands had been given back to him and Julian clawed desperately at his lover's back.

Romulus felt the vampire's now warm tongue tending to the bite. His hands moved and groped Julian's ass, helping to support him as Julian used his thighs and the wall to ride Romulus's cock.

Julian rolled his hips faster, pulling Romulus even deeper. He moved his body in a serpentine motion using the wolf's body for his own pleasure. The blood that was now flowing through him seemed to make everything more sensitive. He could feel every ridge and vein as he clenched in time with movements.

He shifted so Romulus would hit his prostate harder. Julian's own cock moved between them untouched. It throbbed, as his balls felt tight. He could hear Romulus's breathing and heart rate quicken as they both move closer and closer to orgasm.

Everything was sharper, better. He could feel his lover's climax about to take over. Julian spit into his palm and rapidly jerked his cock. His balls seized, Romulus's breath hitched, and his ass clenched. The lovers locked together and erupted together.

Romulus felt Julian's seed paint his chest. The warm flecks and powerful scent covering his body. His tongue licked Julian's swollen lips, tasting his own blood. He moaned and couldn't help but smile. He was right, allowing Julian to feed from him had been much better than hunting in the rain. Julian felt Rom fill him. It was perfect to be so completely full of Rom. His legs were barely able to grip his lover's waist, he was thankful for the wall to lean on and Rom's groping hands on his ass.

Of all the meals he had ever had, he had never felt this fulfilled. He felt Rom shift his weight and set him down on his feet. He pressed against Rom not wanting to completely lose contact so soon.

"We need to build a fire." Rom nosed at Julian's neck. They both needed to get clean and he really would rather not use that icy rain water.

Julian huffed as Rom moved away. He admired his lover's body as he bent over and dusted a few logs and kindling for the fire.

As Rom worked on that, Julian tacked their tent over the window. It would keep the rain and wind out as well as light of the next morning. He knew they couldn't stay here long since the siren had warned that whoever Romulus was going to have to go up against would be looking for him.

He was lost in his thoughts, thinking about the bit of Rom's memories he had tasted in his blood. Whatever they were going to find in Rome, it wasn't going to be good. He moved to their packs and got out their small pot for boiling water and cooking food for Rom if he wanted something warm. He pulled back the small section he left untacked and filed it with rain water. Rom had the fire going and he put the pot in the flames. Julian nipped Rom's back. His wolf still felt warm and he himself felt better than he usually did.

"You feel stronger," he commented.

"I know. The past is coming back. Slowly, I think so that it isn't overwhelming." He wondered what phasing would feel like now that he felt stronger. Julian seemed to bring the best out of him. He would need whatever strength Julian would give him when they went into Rome.

Slowly the memories were coming back to him and they were all dark memories. Romulus pulled the pot from the flames and dipped one of their clothes in the warmed water. He dabbed the cum from their bodies.

He kissed Julian's neck. "See, feeding you didn't slow me down at all."

Julian tilted his head and moaned a little. "Maybe it should," he teased, "I need some rest and I know you need sleep." He tugged on Rom's hair a little.

Rom moved to their bags and untied the bed furs he had packed. He rolled them out near the fire and settled down, patting a spot for Julian. The vampire didn't sleep, but he enjoyed relaxing and being close to the one he loved.

It wasn't long until Romulus was snoring softly, and Julian was threading his fingers through the wolf's thick hair. He was in a trance-like rest. He couldn't help but wish that his lover wouldn't have to go back to the hell he had been. Maybe they could just go back to his den and shut the world out forever.

Julian almost didn't even care that he wouldn't get memories back if it meant he could keep Romulus like this. Untouched by all the dark things in the world. "I love you Romulus." He kissed his cheek and cuddled into Rom's chest for the day.

Whatever tomorrow brought, they would face it together.

~*~*~*~

Thank you so much to Another Wannabe for editing this. Your comments and attention to details were a huge help. I really appreciate everything you did to help with this chapter. I am also grateful for the tips you gave me to become a better writer overall. Any editor that is willing to take me on is a saint. You truly did go above and beyond what I usually expect, and I couldn't be more appreciative. 



Starcrossed Ch. 01



This is something I've been working on for the better part of a year. It's inspired a lot by the work of SecretFantasy69, Cedar_Needle and others, and I hope you all like it. It's a long form, multi-chapter tale, and if there's an interest I'll post the rest. Please let me know what you think!

I'd like to thank Firebrain for her fantastic editorial assistance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"... Petroleum prices continued to soar in busy trading, so everyone should expect to see in an increase in plasticine costs in the coming weeks. Make your fabricator purchases early! Back to you Lan."

"Thanks Geren." The broadcast cut back to the crispness of the studio, Lan's perfectly made-up face filling the screen. "Sad news from Deriond today as a series of bombings struck the planetary capital. Initial reports place the death toll at nearly two thousand from a series of coordinated antimatter charge attacks."

As Lan spoke, the broadcast cut to surveillance footage of a sub-tube station. As crowds milled from train to train, there was a sudden bright flash as a suicide bomber was consumed by a massive explosion, the camera feed cutting out from the sudden bombardment of heavy EM interference.

"The DDF was quick to claim responsibility for the attack, and local authorities have promised swift retribution for the atrocity." The broadcast dutifully cut to state police executing mass arrests. "Prince Alex released a brief statement condemning the attack and once again renewed his pledge to find a peaceful solution to the Deriond problem."

"Terrible story, and on such an important day!" Lan's co-host said earnestly, shaking his perfectly coiffed head. "Let's go back to Emily and Dran at Liada Today for their continuing coverage of the festivities."

"Good morning and welcome back to Liada Today!" If Lan was cosmetically perfect, then Emily was even more so, her blonde hair gleaming. "You are joining us in the midst of our live coverage of Crown Prince Alex's birthday celebrations. We are coming to you live from Azul Square in the shadow of the Royal Palace, and I have to say there is a palpable excitement, wouldn't you agree Dran?"

"Emily, excitement doesn't even begin to cover it. Everyone knows that this will probably be our first chance to meet the next Princess, the woman who'll eventually become queen and-"

"Is it really that simple though?" Emily interrupted. "Is it a foregone conclusion that Prince Alex will have a bride by the end of the week?"

"Well, while that isn't the official line, I think it's pretty much an open secret that this is the purpose of the whole party, quite frankly," Dran explained. "More than thirty eligible women from every corner of the system are either in the city already or in the process of landing. And included in that number, you'll remember, are two princess of the Eridani Imperium."

"That's correct. Now to discuss are Guy Caine and Biff Alrus. Welcome, gentleman."

"Thank you Dran, it's a pleasure to be here," Biff said with a smile.

"Now what can people expect from these festivities? Is it really just a dressed up courting...?"

"I have to agree with you Dran. Prince Alex is turning twenty-six and it is high time he selects a bride. We all know the rules of succession: the Crown Prince cannot become King unless he is married. It is just that simple."

"Then why has it been allowed to go on so long? Prince Alex has been of marrying age for some time, and has had no shortage of willing candidates..."

"Including you Dran?" Guy joked, making everyone laugh.

"Prince Alex isn't the most eligible man in the system for nothing, Guy," Dran zinged back. "But why has there been such a delay?"

"That's one of the great mysteries at court. I've spoken with many different people who expected Alex to be wed shortly after coming of age. But then he surprised everyone and joined the Navy! One three-year tour later and everyone expected him to make his decision then, but instead-"

"Instead he's found excuse after excuse to avoid picking a bride!" Dran interrupted, laughing. "Gallivanting holidays, diplomatic missions, goodwill tours... anything but time at court, it seems."

"Well Prince Alex has made his disdain of the Royal Court pretty clear, so this really shouldn't surprise anyone," Guy pointed out. "But he should get his fill of it this week, no?" All three laughed as the camera switched to an aerial shot of the Royal Palace and the massive city square butting against it. There was a sizeable crowd already formed, waving banners and flags to celebrate their beloved Prince's birthday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You know, almost any other man on Liada Prime would envy you," Erina said as she reviewed the day's itinerary on her datapad. She sat idly in a rich leather armchair, watching as Alex got dressed for his big day.

"Perhaps," Alex said as he adjusted his stiff collar, "but none of them actually have to face the prospect. How do I look?" he asked, turning.

"Pretty good, as usual," Erina said with a grin, stepping forward to help straighten the rigid epaulettes. She took him in: tall, broad shoulders filling out the blood red uniform of the Royal Navy, short dark hair leaving bright blue eyes visible. He made quite a dashing figure, Erina thought, brushing some imaginary dust off his shoulders, straightening his few ribbons and medals. "You'll have to fight them off, looking this good."

"I thought that was sort of the idea." Alex continued preparing for the evening. He attached his saber to his belt, quickly checking the sword's edge.

"I don't mean that literally, you know."

"Always check your weapons. Always," Alex said without looking at her. "You know that."

Erina nodded.

"But anyway, I don't think any man in the whole system envies me. Or they wouldn't if they knew what I was getting into. I don't have thirty six women vying to-"

"Thirty eight," Erina interrupted, consulting her data pad. "I told you, the Duchess of Corr and Countess Euna surprised everyone and showed up."

"Ah. Well, it's not like I have thirty-eight women vying to fuck me," he said as he quickly sheathed the sword, the heavy hilt clacking as it snapped in. "They all want a husband. They want to be Queen."

Erina shrugged in sympathy. She didn't have a witty rejoinder to the truth. It was time for Prince Alex to find a wife. That Alex didn't particularly want to get married was beside the point. Unfortunately, Alex's fastidious avoidance of the royal court had limited his opportunities to meet an appropriate woman and court her. That he was now regretting avoiding the issue made little difference.

"Do you want to go over any of the dossiers again?" she asked as she checked her watch. She knew he was expected in the main ballroom within the hour so that the receiving line could begin.

"No, I looked them over last night."

"Was that after you got back from the hall? You guys were up 'til..." Erina glanced up. "You didn't even look at the files."

"Nope," Alex replied, smirking.

"You know, Alex..." Erina began.

"Rin, I'm not going to look at thirty six dos-"

"Thirty eight."

"Thirty eight dossiers on the noble women of the Liada system. I'd rather drink horse piss. I'd like to meet them first and whittle down the list to the ones I can actually stand, and then I'll study. Fair?" Erina nodded. "Thank you. Any good gossip?" he asked as he checked his side arm. The pistol, a nickel-plated automatic, had been his grandfather's. It had been modified to fire a bee-hived flechette round, allowing it to use modern ammunition.

"Well the only good stuff isn't true."

"Isn't that always the case?"

"The rumor was that Lady Orma was pregnant from some spice merchant's son, and was desperate to get here so she could snag you, pin the kid on you, and be the mother of the new heir to the throne. Shocking, I know. But I had Vela following her and got a urine sample. No truth to it."

"Well that's good. Vicious rumor though. I'll have to make sure to smile at her, annoy whoever started it. Nothing else good? No spies? No one caught sucking off a footman?"

Erina laughed. "Sorry."

"Hmph. Well, I guess we ought to get this started." He snapped to attention in front of the mirror, looked himself over a last time. Erina came close behind him, her hand on his arm.

"I forgot how nice your butt looked in uniform," she whispered in his ear, leaning close to kiss him lightly on the cheek. Alex turned and they shared a long, sweet kiss. "C'mon, let's get this underway."

"If I must."

"You do my love. Sorry."

As they left his private chambers, the guards in the next room snapped to attention as they passed through. Leaving the Crown Prince's suite they found Horace waiting for them, as he always was.

"The big day has arrived, your highness," Horace said grandly as he fell in beside the prince, nodding a greeting to Erina. "Excited?"

"Oh indeed," Alex groused, "I might just vomit in cheer."

"Do buck up, lad. Marriage is a wondrous institution. Or so I'm told," chuckled the older man, casually nodding a response to the guard's salutes as they passed. As they rounded a corner a palace maid, Laen, was waiting with a glass of iced jarra.

"Your highness," she said as he grabbed it, not slowing down. He took a deep drink and visibly relaxed.

"Laen, thank you! You're a goddess!" he called as he continued with his retinue out of the royal suites, ignoring both Horace's amused smile and Erina's rolled eyes.

Leaving the royal suites, they passed through the land bridge attaching the new structure to the ancient palace. Alex glanced at the palace's approaches and saw dozens of luxury shuttles, yachts, airships and transports jockeying to land, and wondered where his future queen was among them.

"Hell of a way to pick a bride," he muttered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

There was a noticeable jolt as the shuttle broke out of the starliner's drive field, and Deena's stomach dropped the same way it always did. After a momentary shudder the craft stabilized, the gentle hum of the shuttle's engine soothing her jangled nerves. Releasing a held in breath, Deena relaxed as she looked down on her destination as the shuttle began its landing sequence.

Liada Prime, the Jewel of the System, the seat of the system's political and commercial power, was a rather unremarkable planet. Colder, with massive ice caps spanning well past the poles, it wasn't the most hospitable planet in the system by far. As they shuttle entered the atmosphere, Deena leaned her forehead against the glass of her window to watch the planet pass by below them. Liada Prime had only one major landmass, with a series of archipelago chains dotting the massive eastern ocean. As the gray waters passed beneath them, Deena shivered in anticipation of the cold. Being used to the endless summers of Ashnan, Liada Prime would be an unwelcome change.

They passed over the coast and began their final approach to the capital. As they passed over endless miles of suburbs and outlying settlements, Deena was reminded again of just how endless the city was. The craft slowed as it approached the city's interior, the modern glass and steel structures giving way to great stone buildings dating back to the city's founding nearly a millennia ago. Deena marveled at their grand construction when she noticed the shuttle had come to a full stop.

"Is there a problem, Captain?" The Lady Sophie asked through the intercom.

"We've entered the line for a landing pad, Madam. We should be on the ground within the hour."

"Very well. And please keep me informed of any other changes to our flight plan, thank you."

"Mother," Deena said with just a touch of scolding as she left the window and went to her jewelry box, searching for her favorite diamond and emerald earrings. "There's no need to be cross. We'll land when we land, and not a minute sooner."

"Deena, this may be one of the most important events of your life. I wish you would at least try to take it seriously. Did you go over the conversation topics I had written up?"

"I am not studying pre-written conversation so I can impress the prince with my knowledge of interplanetary commerce vis-à-vis the Tritium Council's edicts on taxation. I'm supposed to seduce him, not bore the man to tears."

Sophie smiled. "Well I'm glad you at least looked at them. But seriously darling, this would be such a great opportunity for you, and for our House. I'd hope you would at least try to-"

"Mother." They'd been on the starliner for almost twelve days, and not a minute had gone by that her mother hadn't tried to remind her how important this was. Deena was more than a little sick of the topic. And besides, she felt like she had been cooped up in a metal can for the whole time. She was desperate to get out and feel the ground below her, breath real air, and see the sky above.

"I appreciate the importance of this week. I do. And because of that I would like at least a few minutes to relax before arriving, alright? Please just give me some privacy while I get ready. Please." It was said quietly as she stepped close and took her mother's hand, pleading with her eyes.

"Yes, I'm sorry, you're right. I've just been cooped up here for so long... you're right. Winifred!" Sophie called, summoning Deena's maid as she squeezed her daughter's hand affectionately. "I'll leave you alone to prepare." Winifred entered quietly, giving the Duchess a quick bow as she left the room.

"Is everything alright, my lady?"

"As good as they can be, I suppose," Deena replied, running her fingers through her long blonde hair. "I've already done my make-up and hair. I just need your help with my gown?"

"Of course," Winifred said, going to collect the diaphanous gown from its hanger.

Deena removed her robe, turning to appraise herself in the mirror. Her long blond hair was naturally a little curly, and she left it to hang down her back. She had taken it easy on the make up, only a little color on her lips to off set her pale complexion, a little eye shadow to accent her green eyes. Her gown was strapless, forcing her to wear a stiff corset that thrust her large breasts practically to her chin.

"Maybe I should just go like this. Think Prince Alex would like that?" she asked lightly, turning to her maid and striking a pose. Dressed only in the corset and brief underwear, she did make quite an impression.

"He might at that, my lady." Winifred tried not to laugh at the thought. She had known Deena since the Duke's daughter was only a girl, and was filled with pride to have seen her grow to such a beautiful young woman. "Your mother, on the other hand, would kill us both. So in my official role as your lady's maid, I'm afraid I must insist on the gown."

"I suppose you're right Win," Deena replied, smiling at the older woman. With a bit of struggling they managed to get the gown on her, the golden fabric leaving her pale shoulders bare. Deena leaned forward, her breasts threatening to fall out of the gown. Oh well, I might as well flaunt them. Winifred continued to fuss about her as she walked back to the viewport. They were hovering a kilometer away from the Royal Palace, slowly following the other shuttles down to their assigned landing pad.

"What a horrible place," Deena whispered. The palace was a sprawling mess, with almost four centuries of additions, renovations and modifications clashing to create a garish monstrosity. Crenellated flying buttresses clashed with geodesic domes, interspersed by sensor towers and plasteel struts. The massive structure looked more like it grew of its own accord over the years rather than being built. But Deena was more worried about the intrigues of court, the duties of office, and being forced to compete for a man she hadn't seen in more than a decade.

Deena chewed her lip as she wondered about the man she was coming, if her mother had her way, to seduce. If you watched the Cortex, you knew that Prince Alex was a handsome, dashing young man, his time divided equally between the Grand Assembly, the polo fields, and the most exciting and exclusive social events. He was the most beloved man in the system and the most eligible man by far.

Deena had to laugh. She remembered Alex as a lanky, quiet young man who was scared of the livestock and didn't know how to ride a horse until she showed him how. Trying to reconcile his image with her memories... So what kind of man has he turned into?

"If things go well, Lady, that horrible place might end up being your home."

Deena snorted in response, earning her a look from her maid.

"You've seen the guest list. More than thirty eligible women from all over the system, and two genuine Princesses besides. I doubt he'd be interested in a minor noble from an insignificant border world," Deena groused, picking at her immaculate gown. "It's not like he's going to remember me or anything. It was years ago, and all these other women have been jockeying for this."

"Deena," Winifred began with a sigh, "we've been over this several times. You know your family's name still carries weight with the royal family. You've actually met the boy, that puts you head and shoulders above most of these other girls." Deena was about to protest further, but Winifred cut her off quickly. "I know I know. He'll never select you; I've heard it a million times. If that's truly how you feel, why not look on tonight as nothing more than an adventure? An exciting night at the royal court. So what if the Prince will be distracted by all those other women? Who knows whom else you may meet tonight, hm? Your gown is guaranteed to turn a few heads, maybe show up in the night's 'casts or on the Cortex."

Deena sighed, smiling for the first time in hours.

"Oh Win, I'm sorry. You're right. Perhaps I'll meet some merchant's son and run off to Zegema beach and elope, have dozens of babies."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Winifred shook her head at her charge. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Introducing the Lady Heidi von Bremmer!"

The tribune's voice filled the hall as the lady entered the massive ballroom. As his voice echoed, many heads turned to see the new arrival and gauge her against the competition. Anyone looking at the girl had to admit she stacked up well: her sea green gown accented the jet black hair piled atop her head, her pale skin almost glowing as she descended the stairs to the main floor. Alex thought she was gorgeous, but so were many of the women vying for his attention that evening. He had to go beyond looks tonight. She approached the receiving line, curtsying to his mother the Queen before moving before him.

"Lady von Bremmer," he said pleasantly, taking his hand in hers, "it's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I hope your voyage was not too taxing?" Alex knew she hailed from one of the outer planets; her family was heavily into mining and refineries.

"Not at all. I enjoy travel, especially when I have such a lovely destination to go to," she cooed, her crimson lips looking utterly kissable.

"Capital City is truly the jewel of the system. Have you any plans to explore?"

Heidi's smile faltered. Clearly she wasn't prepared for much in the way of questions. "I... I had hoped to see the... I understand the nightlife is without peer. Perhaps you could recommend something? My younger brother traveled with me as well, hoping for a bit of adventure."

Hoping to snag one of these fine ladies for himself, more likely. "We'll have to discuss it later, certainly," Alex said with a smile, dismissing her gently. She bowed slightly as she moved down the receiving line, Alex's eyes moving unbidden to her deep cleavage. Maybe this won't be so bad, he thought as he looked to the head of the stairs for the next guest.

But as guest after guest paraded past, Alex's good cheer kept waning. The ballroom was slowly filling with the upper crust of Liada Prime and its neighboring planets, nobles and various industrialists and businessman rubbing elbows and discussing the exciting week ahead of them. While all the celebration was ostensibly for the Prince's birthday, everyone there knew the true purpose of the festivities, and that the Crown Prince would select his bride by the end of the week.




Starcrossed Ch. 01



"I look forward to that," Alex said to probably the twentieth young woman that evening. Her sharp, bird-like features put him off, and he was relieved when she moved down the line. "You can just shoot me now, Horace," he whispered.

"Ah, but that would be treason, your highness." As the head of palace security and dominus of the Royal Guard, Horace took his responsibilities very seriously. Watching the young prince handle himself was filling Horace with an almost fatherly pride, but he was also enjoying watching him suffer his social responsibilities.

"The Lady Orma of Golga Prime," the tribune announced. A petite redhead made her way down the stairs, her dress drawing amazed looks from most of the hall. It's shimmering fabric was cut away just below her breasts, leaving the bottom swells exposed, as well as her lightly freckled flat belly. Alex wondered if that was a silent fuck you to whoever had spread the rumor about her being pregnant. In any case, he liked the girl's guts.

"My lady," Alex said grandly, taking her hand and kissing it lightly, "it is a great pleasure to finally meet you." Glancing to a gathering of guests, Alex could see that everyone had noticed this gesture.

"Indeed," Orma said, slightly thrown by Alex's unexpected familiarity, "I've oft wanted to visit Liada Prime and see the palace for myself. Everything has truly surpassed my expectations."

The two exchanged small talk for a few moments, Alex making a point of talking to her for about thirty seconds longer than he had many of the other women. He kept sneaking glances at the crowds, trying to gauge who might be watching the exchange. One of the few pleasures Alex could find in the intrigues of the royal court was in trying to out-do the schemers who filled it.

"Well we'll have to discuss this further, my lady," Alex said with a tilt of his head, dismissing her. Orma dazzled him with a brilliant smile before moving down the line.

"You enjoyed that a bit too much," Horace whispered as he leant close. "You'll get that poor girl's hopes up unnecessarily."

"I could do far worse." Alex's eyes followed her, taking note of Orma's ass in her slinky dress. "And besides, isn't her father the admiral of the third fleet? Surely he would be a useful ally in the next appropriations battle?"

Horace's eyes narrowed. "You did review the dossiers."

"I skimmed some of them. Don't tell Erina."

"The Lady Deena of Ashnan," the tribune bellowed.

"Dee?" Alex's head snapped around as his eyes went to the stairs. Descending the staircase was a woman he only slightly recognized: the long blond hair and green eyes were the same, but everything else had changed since he had last seen her. Her gown was a pale gold, her creamy shoulders bare. The neckline was nearly scandalous, but Alex couldn't complain as his eyes skimmed from her cleavage, along her slim throat, to her slightly parted lips. Alex found himself speechless for a long moment as he looked into her sparkling green eyes. Gods, those eyes!

"I hardly recognize you," were the first words he said as he took her offered hand in both of his, kissing it lightly.

"I suppose I have grown up a bit since last time, yes," she replied lightly, a blush coloring her cheeks. "You too, I must add. I don't remember you being so... broad."

This got a full laugh out of Alex.

"It's so good to see you." Alex was still gripping her hand tightly in his. He really wanted to give her a hug, but such a breach of protocol would probably cause an interstellar incident. "How was your trip? I remember the cruise to Ashnan always seemed endless."

"Well, the planets aren't any closer than they used to be, if that's what you're asking. But I managed. Caught up on my reading at least." Deena silently fumed, chastising herself for such a bland comment.

"Oh, reading," Alex said wistfully. "Do they still write books that aren't strategic assessments and trade documents? Do they really?" Deena laughed, remembering how Alex used to make her laugh even when they were children.

"If you find those tedious, I could lend you some grain manifests, or possibly genetic analysis on pest infestations? I assure you, they challenge the very definition of the term."

"I don't doubt it. And how fares your world?"

They spoke briefly, exchanging news from their families. As three minutes turned to four, however, Horace leaned forward and cleared his throat. When Alex ignored him, Horace couldn't help but smile.

"Your highness."

"Oh yes, my apologies," Alex said, more than a little flustered. "Official duties. Save a dance for me?" he asked, his smile hopeful.

Deena felt her stomach leap. "Of course, my lord," she said, curtsying and continuing down the line.

The tribune announced the next girl, but Alex's mind was elsewhere. He hadn't seen Dee since forever, hadn't thought of her in years; seeing her like this bought all sorts of memories and feelings back to him. He remembered playing tag in the barnyard with a squealing young girl. He remembered learning how to climb a tree. He remembered her holding him as he wept...

"My lord?" Horace asked from behind him, bringing him back to the present.

"Yes, my apologies. It's so lovely to meet you," Alex said automatically to another pretty young lady, returning to the task at hand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It appears you have us all at a disadvantage, my dear," the Lady Drusis said, her tone light but her eyes hard. "And how is it that you know the Crown Prince?"

Everyone noticed the way Alex had reacted to her and the speculation took off from there. Deena could see the headlines on the Cortex already: Daughter of obscure duke ensnares Prince Alex! Palace in uproar!! She groaned inwardly at the thought.

"His father, the king, and my father were old friends from their Academy days," Deena began. "When Al... When the Crown Prince was a child, he would be sent to summer with our family on Ashnan. He was very young, maybe nine years old that first summer... anyway, for the next four years the Prince would come and stay with us on the plantation in Eregra, in the North Country. I'm only a year younger than he, so we fell in together when he was there."

"Oh, how darling," the brunette said, digging into the word like it was the cutest thing she had ever heard. "So you were playmates, then? How delightful." The other ladies tittered at the veiled insult.

"Yes, I suppose we were," Deena responded, turning to the taller woman. "Unfortunately, during his fourth summer with us, that was the year his father and brother were killed. Prince Alex was rushed back home and... well, that was his last summer with us," Deena said, unable to hide her emotion.

"Oh, how terrible," Lady Orma offered, her sadness genuine. "I remember I cried for two days when it happened. Prince Donald was so young..."

"Oh yes," Drusis agreed, her face somber. Her smile returned quickly as she turned back to Deena. "I suppose it wouldn't have done to have the new Crown Prince tromping around a plantation out on the rim, neh?"

Deena's smile turned ice cold. "No, I suppose it wouldn't. Excuse me." She turned on her heel and stalked away from the group. The party was in full swing, with circles of nobleman and ladies discussing the day's affairs.

But all Deena could remember was that day, more than a decade ago, when Alex's father and brother were killed in a freak shuttle crash. She remembered it as if it was yesterday.

~~~~~~~~~

"Prince Alex! Alex!!" Duke Armus called to Alex from the fence, waving his arms to catch the young man's attention. He succeeded, Alex pulling his horse to a stop. Deena stopped beside him, looking over and seeing her father standing with a retinue of Alex's guards.

"What is it? Don't tell me he's worried about lightning or something." Alex didn't even try to keep the annoyance from his voice. "Those clouds are still hours off."

"Perhaps it's matters of state, milord," Deena teased as they turned and trotted to the fence line.

"What's the matter?"

"Get down from there, your highness. There's been... I need to tell you something," Armus sad gruffly, opening the gate and holding the horse's reins as Alex dismounted.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"Prince Alex, your..." Armus paused for a moment, releasing a held-in breath. "There's been an accident. A shuttle crash." Alex's hand dropped from the horse's side, his jaw tightening as he prepared for the blow. "Your father and brother were both killed, your majesty."

Deena couldn't keep the gasp of shock inside, covering her mouth in a vain attempt to keep quiet. She looked from her father, his face ashen, to Alex, who didn't appear to have even heard the news.

"I... Donald? Donald's dead?"

Armus nodded.

"And... And Father?"

"Yes, your highness. I'm so terribly sorry," Armus said softly.

Alex nodded, his jaw still clenched. He began blinking furiously, and Deena could tell he was trying with everything he had not to cry.

"I... I see. Thank you, Armus, for notifying me," Alex bit out mechanically, turning to hide his face from the gathered men. "I... I suppose I'll have to return to Liada Prime for the... for the funeral," he choked on the last word, his hand going to his mouth.

"My lord, perhaps we-" but before Armus could finish Alex had broken off in a full run, racing to the barn. The guards were about to race after him, but Armus waved them off. "Leave him for now, at least. Deena, I... Deena?"

Deena was racing after Alex, tears streaming down her face. She reached the barn a few moments after him, pulling the heavy door shut behind her as she slipped in. She could hear Alex in the loft above her and quickly scaled the ladder, finding him on his knees, his shoulders heaving with his sobs.

"Oh Alex I'm so sorry," she said as she rushed to him, hugging the older boy from behind as he crumbled. He slumped to the side and would have fallen to the floor if Deena hadn't caught him, cradling his head in her lap as he wept, howling in his grief. "Alex, Alex, it'll be okay, shhh..."

Deena wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, with Alex crying in her lap, but she was surprised when a heavy hand settled gently against her shoulder. Glancing up, she saw the guard's commander as he moved to kneel beside her.

"Alex?" His voice was a gentle rumble, not the harsh commander's bark it usually was. "My lord, we must return to the homeworld. The shuttle is waiting."

"But Horace, I... Father, Donald, they're dead!" Alex moaned, his face still hidden in Deena's lap.

"They are. You are Crown Prince now, Alex, and you are needed at the palace. Your people need you. Your mother needs you."

That seemed to reach Alex. He rose from Deena's lap, wiping at his eyes and regaining his composure. As he stood, Deena stood with him, her own tears still flowing. Alex took a deep breath and slowly released it before nodding to Horace.

"This way, majesty," Horace said, indicating the ladder.

Alex nodded once before his eyes flicked to Deena. He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped, only nodding to her before going to the ladder.

"My lady." Horace bowed deeply to her before following his master down the ladder and back to Liada Prime.

And that was the last time she saw Prince Alex.

~~~~~~~~~

Deena shivered, forcing herself to stay calm and not to cry. She grabbed a flute of sparkling wine from a passing platter and downed most of it in one gulp. She glanced to her right and saw Alex in the center of a group of women, all of them laughing at whatever he was saying. As she watched, the horrid Drusis forced herself into the circle close to Alex.

Gotta hand it to her, the bitch works quickly. Deena grabbed a second flute and looked around the ballroom, her mood quickly turning sour.

"You should slow down, my dear. The night is still young," someone said from behind her. Deena turned and was stunned to see the Queen herself before her. Deena had only met her a few times when she accompanied Alex one summer, but Queen Beatrice's bearing hadn't diminished with age. A light silver circlet adorning her head, Beatrice was every inch the monarch, radiating calm control and, yes, power from her every pore.

"Your Highness," she said, quickly curtsying.

"I could not say so earlier, but it was a pleasure to see you here this evening. A reminder of simpler times," she said, lightly touching Deena's arm. "I remember spending long afternoons wandering the peach orchards on the eastern slope. So calm and peaceful, the scent of peach blossoms in the air," she smiled lightly at the thought. "Happier times."

"Yes. I often go there to ride," Deena was happy to be speaking on such a familiar topic. While primarily her father's responsibility, she had become more and more involved in the management of her family's vast agricultural holdings. As they spoke, Deena glanced over to Alex, and was surprised to see him looking back at her, a slightly amused look on his face. "But yes, happy times."

"Yes indeed." An aide whispered in her ear. "Yes of course. My apologies, I must go. But before the week is out I would love to sit with you. Would you take tea with me tomorrow afternoon?"

"Of course, your Highness," Deena agreed, bowing slightly. The Queen moved off, discussing something with her aide. Before Deena knew what was happening, she was pulled into a lively conversation with several Barons and generals.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the other side of the Great Hall, Alex's diplomatic skills were being put to their greatest test. No less than eight prospective mates surrounded him, and it was up to him to manage their expectations, be charming, cordial, while at all times remain aloof and noncommittal (and by the Maker he couldn't be caught looking at their tits).

"Well I must say I haven't had the pleasure," he said, stalling for time, "but I've heard nothing but praise for the beaches of Unpau."

"Oh yes. The volcanic sands are so fine, like silk," the girl to his right said, her tongue doing delicious things to the word silk. Her dark hair was up in a tight bun, accentuating her long neck and her deeply tanned shoulders. In fact, her entire body looked to be a lustrous caramel, without a mark or blemish upsetting the smooth flesh. Alex didn't have any trouble believing that she knew from the beaches of Unpau. "There's nothing better than laying out during second dawn. The warm sands feel delicious against your skin," she said, absently brushing the upper slope of her breast. Alex forced himself to maintain eye contact. Damn, she's good.

"Oh, I couldn't agree more my dear," said the tall brunette to his left, the Lady Drusis. "I visited your world two summers ago, had the grandest time. I especially love how free your people are with their... how shall we say, appetites?" she tittered. "I'm certain such... vulgarity doesn't extend beyond the lower classes, neh?"

"Oh of course," the tan girl, Altia, responded, completely unfazed. "No more than the questionable hygiene of the women of Ix, I'd imagine."

A flush of anger was Drusis's only reaction. Alex desperately looked around for an escape and as the band began to play, he found it.

"Excuse me, please," he said as he struck out from the group, quickly heading across the floor, draining his wine and depositing it with a passing servant. "A dance, my lady?" he asked as he reached his targeted group.

"Yes, of course," Deena replied, unable to stop the flush from warming her cheeks.

Alex took her hand and led her to the dance floor, pulling her into an easy waltz, making sure to keep the appropriate distance between them as they moved.

"I seem to remember a time when you couldn't be bribed into dancing with a girl," Deena said quietly, knowing they were being observed by everyone in attendance.

"In my advanced years I have learned to appreciate the pleasure. I see the Lady Sophie is pleased to see me."

Deena glanced over his shoulder on their next turn, seeing her mother practically hopping with joy to see her with Alex. "Your highness, I believe you've just made her... several months, I imagine."

"Oh? She's taken this week quite seriously then."

"Only a little," Deena said with a laugh. "She gave me prepared conversation topics to entertain you. Show you my intelligence and wit."

"Anything good?"

"Not terribly. Want to discuss the Tritium Council's edicts on taxation?"

"Which ones? The standard edicts they reaffirm biannually, or the secondary edicts they enact on a quarterly basis, conforming to market trends?"

Deena paused. "Clearly my mother's briefing didn't prepare me in full."

Alex laughed aloud, drawing intrigued looks from their fellow dancers. "By the way, thank you for rescuing me."

"Really? I think it's you who rescued me. I didn't realize you could discuss interstellar politics in such detail for so long without losing your mind." Glancing about, Deena noticed a few more couples joining them on the floor. "Why did you need rescuing, my lord? You appeared to be in an enviable position."

"Oh?" Alex asked as he turned her quickly to the music, delighted to find her light on her feet.

"Come now. What man wouldn't want to be sought after by the finest ladies of the system?"

"You know, I've been hearing that all week. And I suppose being sought after by the finest ladies in the system would be enjoyable. Those women, however," Alex indicated the group he had just escaped with a subtle point of his chin, "are a bunch of conniving harpies."

Deena laughed at that, a bit too loudly.

Alex smiled. "It really is good to see you again, Dee."

Deena blushed. "No one's called me that in years." Glancing at the other women, Deena could see several of them looking their way with barely concealed venom in their eyes. "You know you're going to get me in trouble, Alex."

Alex smiled. He knew it was a breach of protocol for her to address him by name, but he really didn't give a damn.

"How so?"

"Everyone will think you've taken a fancy to me. The 'harpies' as you call them won't take kindly to the competition."

"You sound like someone who doesn't believe herself to be in the competition," Alex said, his eyes searching her face. Deena looked away, embarrassed. "You should consider changing that assumption, my lady."

They finished their dance in silence, Deena left too stunned to speak. As the song ended, she quickly escaped from his grasp, moving as quickly as she could into the crowd.

---------------------

"It was worse than bad, Erina," Alex said as he unfastened his uniform's rigid tunic. "I've been standing for the last seven hours, and was dancing for almost three of them. I've drunk waaaay too much... and why didn't anyone stop me from eating those little cream puff things?"

"Why should we have stopped you? They were delicious."

"They sure were, that's why I think I ate three dozen of them. I feel horrid," Alex groaned, rubbing his stomach.

"Well, your gastro-intestinal crisis notwithstanding, everything went off without a hitch." Erina consulted her omnipresent datapad. "All stations are reporting green, all guests are either in their suites or out of the palace. So that's that," she said as she produced another datapad and tossed it to Alex. "So?"

"So what?" He looked over the pad. "Oh, yes. Dossiers."

"This morning you agreed that after meeting the prospective ladies you would go over a trimmed-down list. So who gets cut?"

"You're heartless!" Alex laughed, opening the master list and immediately flagging names. "The Eridani princesses ..."

"You know that's impossible. It was a nice gesture from them, but they would be too much of a security risk."

"It's a shame," Alex said as he marked their names. "The younger one struck me as something of a tigress."




Starcrossed Ch. 01



"Really?" Erina paused in the hallway, challenging the crown prince with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh yes. Gave me a look like she wanted to suck my cock in the middle of the ballroom. I was tempted too," he turned to Erina, brushing her chin with his thumb. "She had a delicious set of lips."

"Hm," she replied evenly as they continued on their way. "The Lady Drusis seemed to make an impression."

"Yes-as a conniving, manipulative bitch. See what you can do to keep her away from me the rest of her time here," Alex said sharply. He understood that the competition would be fierce this week, but he hated to see someone trying to advance by tearing other people down. "The Lady Altia impressed me, however."

"I think you just want the rumors about Unpauans to be true for your own sake," Erina laughed as they reached his quarters, pausing at the door. "And the Lady Deena?"

"I wasn't very subtle there, was I?"

"Not in the slightest. That little performance at the line and then you go and give her the first dance too? What's the matter, couldn't squeeze in a grope as well?"

Alex's eyes turned hard at that, and Erina offered a raised hand in apology.

"I can try to spin it as a more of a friendly thing, talk up how she's a family friend..."

Alex shook his head, dismissing the suggestion.

"I didn't even realize she was coming until she was announced," he said wistfully, leaning against the doorframe. "And she's certainly grown up to be quite a beauty."

"Indeed," Erina said, frowning slightly, "talk about beautiful lips, hm? Among other things..."

Alex nodded, looking into Erina's grey eyes.

"She does have very large... tracts of land. I've seen the plantations of Ashnan, they're endless."

Erina groaned at his attempted wit, returning to her datapad. "Jealous?"

"Hardly," Erina said quickly, blocking his advance with the edge of her pad. "I can't tonight. I have to meet with Horace and review reports from the party," she said softly, regret in her voice. It quickly passed, her usual demeanor returning. "Now you have a full day tomorrow. I've sent you a complete itinerary, and you will review it by morning. You wouldn't want any more surprises this week, would you?"

"No, I suppose not. I'll see you in the morning, Erina. Good night." "Good night, milord," she said, giving a quick bow as she moved off down the corridor.

This whole thing must be bothering her more than she's letting on. He nodded to the guard at his door as he entered his quarters, closing the door and locking himself in.

He'd asked her repeatedly if she was bothered by the idea of him selecting his bride in such an open and grotesque spectacle, but she'd insisted that it was the way it had to be.

"Well, that's Erina for you," Alex muttered as he stripped off his uniform, "won't tell you how she's fucking feeling." Once he had stripped off his uniform and tossed it across the room, he glanced down at his cock, throbbing and hard in his underwear. "No question how you feel, huh?"

It was true. All those women, knowing they'd all jump at the chance if he'd asked them to join him in a cloakroom. Even the loathsome Drusis... he'd have bent her over a balcony railing in a moment if he could.

It was with that image in his head that he noticed a lump under his bed covers. He was about to dive for his saber when he heard it giggle. With a quick yank he pulled the covers off the bed.

"Laen... and what brings you here tonight?" Alex asked, his mood improving.

"Lady Erina said you would need my company this evening," Laen said, her eyes slightly downcast. Her dark eyes rose to meet his, a wry smile on her lips. "If it would please you?"

"It would please me greatly," Alex said as he practically leapt onto the bed, pulling the giggling nude girl into his arms. "So tell me, my dear, what have you heard about the party?"

"Well, I heard that you danced with the Lady Deena first... actually, there was a lot of talk that you were quite smitten with her," she giggled, tracing his muscular chest with her fingers.

"Smitten? Really?" Alex had to wonder at that. Was he smitten? Or had a beautiful woman merely caught his eye? An old friend become a potential love? As his kisses trailed down Laen's collarbone, he pushed such thoughts to the back of his mind. There would be time enough to think on the troubles of selecting his queen.

"The elder Princess, Jalea, apparently got so drunk she had to be escorted from the hall back to her shuttle. I also heard two of the women nearly came to blows." She trailed off for a moment as Alex's mouth descended to her full breasts. "The Lady Altia confronted the Lady Drusis over spreading rumors... ooh... they actually had to be separated by a footman. He was almost struck for his troubles!" Laen laughed, fading into a gasp as Alex moved to her gumdrop sized nipples. "Oh, milord, you know I love that..."

"I do," Alex whispered, pausing to kiss her soft lips, "and I know you like this even more." His kisses trailed down, past her heaving breasts, down her soft stomach to the light blonde curls and her slit. Laen groaned, but suddenly pulled Alex's head up to her lips, kissing him hotly, only to shove him off of her and onto his back.

"Not tonight, my lord," she said, quickly jumping on top of him. "I always come to you with grand plans to seduce you, and every time I find myself screaming your name as you pleasure me. Tonight," she slid down his body, her hard nipples dragging down his stomach, "allow me to finish what those noble women started."

Alex didn't say anything as she drew his underwear down his thighs, his hard cock flopping back against his belly. She pulled it back to her face, licking up the shaft to the head, her tiny tongue flicking around it before pulling it into her mouth. As she descended down his shaft, he groaned quietly, her hot mouth enveloping him. Laen pulled him from her mouth, looking up at him with her dark, mysterious eyes.

"I think..." she whispered, her tongue still flicking at his cock, "I think I'd like to finish you quickly, at first. You feel so hard tonight..." she punctuated this with a strong squeeze on his shaft. "Did those noble ladies get you going, my lord? Did seeing them in all their finery get you this hard?"

"Seeing you got me this hard, Lae," Alex whispered, loving this assertiveness. She smiled at the compliment, only to pounce on his cock hungrily, swallowing him deep down her throat and practically fucking him with her mouth. Alex could only groan and hang on tight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"And did you see the looks on their faces when he took you to dance? You could have landed a bulk hauler in their mouths!" Sophie downed her third after-party drink, quickly pouring another. "Oh, I can't wait to call your father with the news."

"What news? You have nothing to tell him!" Deena shouted, exasperated. "And I saw the jealousy in their eyes, but I also saw the daggers," Deena said, pulling her shoes off her feet, moving so Winifred could help her take the gown off. Deena was exhilarated, but at the same time anxious, near terrified. She refused to get her hopes up. "Alex was just happy to see me... I don't think he-"

"Oh come now! Did you see the way he looked at you? I know lust when I see it, darling." She finished off her drink with a gulp. "I bet he couldn't even think of those other girls after having all that in his face," she said, indicating Deena's décolletage. "Mother!" Deena gasped, shocked. "I... I'm tired, mother. I just want to take a shower and get to bed. I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow, so..." Deena took her mother's hand, handing her off to Winifred. Sophie, nearly drunk as she was, cooperated as they guided her from the common room into her bedroom. They had been put in a large suite in the guest quarters, another sign of their esteem with the royal family. Many of the Prince's suitors were staying in their ships or nearby hotels.

"Oh Mitra, thank you Win," Deena said as they extricated her from the gown. As Winifred hung it in a closet, Deena peeled off her corset and underwear, stripping down for the shower. "So have you heard anything?"

"Well... the Lady Drusis doesn't appear to have made herself any friends, that much is clear. I suppose what flies on Ix isn't as acceptable here in the core. And... there is a lot of buzz about you, my lady. You've surprised everyone."

Deena groaned, stomping off to the bathroom.

"Deena, honey, this is good news!" Winifred shouted after the nude girl as she slammed the door behind her.

Alone in the bathroom, Deena stewed for a moment in thought. She had seen the look in his eyes. But perhaps mother was right, and that was just lust? He was surrounded by eligible women, which would get any man's blood boiling. But after what he said...

She also knew Alex's responsibilities: he wouldn't be picking a girl he liked, wouldn't be picking the most attractive girl or the girl he lusted after. He'd be picking the woman who would make the best queen. The woman with the most connections at court. With the most influential family. With a father that could be a useful ally. And that probably wasn't her.

But then again... Deena had been so focused on not getting her hopes up for this ridiculous spectacle that she hadn't allowed herself to consider that she might actually be chosen. Now that she was here, and it seemed to actually be happening, she could scarcely believe it.

It was more than just lust when he looked at me. I mean it was lust too, but there was more. Happiness. Longing.

She activated the shower cubicle, several showerheads bursting to life and spraying the enclosure with streaming water. As the tiled stall heated up, Deena considered herself in the mirror. Her large breasts sat high on her chest, her large nipples hard, even in the warm room. Deena played with them absently, tracing down her gently rounded belly to the juncture of her thighs. She had taken to shaving some years ago, as it was currently the fashion. She gently stroked her smooth lips, felt her hard little clit. Dipping a finger in her folds, she wasn't surprised to find herself quite wet.

"Oh hell," she muttered as she stepped into the shower. "Perhaps Alex isn't the only one having lustful thoughts..." She stepped under the hot water, the multiple sprays pelting her from all angles. She noticed that her hand had yet to leave her wet pussy, and smiled at herself. While still a virgin at twenty-five, in this age of the Cortex and adult-only starcast channels, she was not naïve about sex or what she liked. As her fingers spread her pussy lips and traced a finger along her clit, she imagined that it was Alex in the shower with her right now, his large hand exploring her folds.

She slumped against the shower wall, filling her other hand with gel and lathering up her tits and belly. Her other hand stayed busy, rubbing her clit firmly, letting the feelings blossom. In her mind, Alex was on his knees before her, his face buried in her cunt, his fingers thrusting deeply inside as he sucked her clit. Noticing a series of hip-high nozzles, she turned to expose her clit to the pulsing spray. A shuddering moan escaped her as the hot water slammed into her, her fingers pulling her hard nipples, the slick nubs slipping in and out of her grasp.

Moaning quietly, she slid a hand around behind her to the full cheeks of her ass. Reaching between them, she rubbed soapy fingers against her asshole, loving the deliciously dirty feelings it gave her. In her mind it was Alex's finger that forced it's way inside, Alex's tongue relentless on her clit.

Her moans filled the bathroom as her fantasy began to run away with her. Alex would kiss up her belly to her tits, sucking her nipples on his way to her mouth. His kisses would light a fire in her as his thick cock -and Deena just knew he had to have a nice, big thick one- would slip into her pussy and force her open, pushing to her core in one hard, brutal thrust. He'd fuck her like a savage, his hands filled with her big ass as he pounded her against the shower wall.

Her orgasm hit her quickly, surprising her. Her ass clamped down on her fingers, pulsing as the waves went through her. She slumped down a little, sliding to the floor of the steamy shower, her fingers still thrusting into her ass and rubbing her clit, bringing herself down slowly. Leaning her head back, she opened her eyes, nibbling her bottom lip.

"Fucking hell. Can I actually pull this off?" she asked the empty room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh Laen... you delicious girl you," Alex groaned, his voice weak.

"Mmmm," she hummed, pulling his softening cock from her mouth, "I think you're pretty tasty as well, highness."

She had indeed finished him off quickly, bringing him to a gasping, thrashing orgasm in minutes and swallowing every drop as her hands pumped furiously at his shaft. She continued to play with his half-hard cock, licking and nibbling him as he panted, drained.

"I don't think any of those noble ladies could have done that, do you?"

Alex laughed aloud, still gasping. "I doubt it, Lae, I really do. By the gods, I feel like I came a gallon."

This earned him a snort from Laen, causing the two lovers to laugh. Alex pulled the giggling maid to his lips and kissed her, tasting hints of his cum on her tongue, not caring. They kissed softly for some time, when suddenly Alex grabbed her, pulling her hips up to his face, parking her plump ass above him as he devoured her pussy. He hungrily lapped at her, big broad licks from her tight hole to her clit. He would linger there, teasing her as she gasped, gripping the headboard.

Alex slipped two thick fingers into Laen's grasping cunt, gently fucking her as he kept up his lapping tongue. She tensed above him, his fingers stretching her open as they sawed in and out of her, teasing her g-spot with each thrust. She relaxed against the headboard, moaning quietly. Laen always got a perverse thrill from having the Crown Prince pleasure her, having the most powerful man in the system kneeling between her thighs. This time was no different, even though he lay beneath her.

Pulling a finger free, he pulled her hard clit into his mouth while he slipped the slick digit back to toy with her asshole. Laen went crazy from all the stimulation, gushing her orgasm all over his face as she gasped his name. While still in the midst of her orgasm, Alex flipped the young girl onto her back, bringing his awakened cock to her clenching pussy, firmly pushing his way in.

"Oh! Oh Alex, ah, I, your highness," Laen gasped, wrapping her slim arms and legs around him and pulling him close. He fucked her deeply through her orgasm, the waves crashing over her again as he pounded her pussy mercilessly. Laen dug her nails into his back hard, the pleasure almost turning into pain as she just kept cumming on his thrusting cock. Alex pushed up to look her in the eyes, saw the frenzy there and slowed his thrusts, just stirring his cock in her clenching pussy. They stayed like that for some time, gently grinding into each other as Laen's heart calmed.

"Oh my lord... That was beautiful," she gasped, her eyes wide. They kissed, her soft lips cool under his. She squeezed him inside of her. "You haven't cum? My lord, I don't know if I can take much, oh, oh my lord," she trailed off into a groan as Alex slowly resumed his pumping, chasing his own pleasure now.

"You are so wet tonight, Laen."

"I'm sorry my lord," Laen gasped, "I can't help it... It's all those women, those noble ladies... they all want you, want to have you, but tonight you're here, fucking me, making me yours, oh, making me cuuuum..."

"Is that it?" Alex asked, intrigued. He took her hands in his, pinning her arms above her head as he picked up the pace, pounding her into the mattress, pumping his cock all the way in, pulling back to just the head, only to thrust back with all his might. He could feel his orgasm coming, wanted her to finish with him.

"Mh-hm," Laen nodded between moans, tears leaking from her eyes.

"I wonder how many of those noble ladies would trade places with you right now..." Alex whispered, gently kissing her throat, "to feel me deep inside them, fucking them..."

Alex groaned, pulling Laen close as he exploded inside her, the two lovers shivering, clutching the other close until they collapsed back on the sweaty sheets, desperate for breath. Alex rolled to the side, pulling Laen to his chest. They both lay there for some time, just savoring the calm.

"You know, your highness, I think I would actually trade places with one of the noble women tonight," Laen said suddenly, her hand tracing along his chest.

"Oh? Who?"

"The Lady Deena."

Alex moved to look her in the eye.

"You've never looked at me the way you looked at her tonight. Good night, highness," she whispered, turning over and cuddling her ass against him.

Alex was suddenly wide-awake. He lay back on the pillows and stared at the ceiling as Laen's comment echoed in his mind. As Laen's breaths turned regular, Alex slipped from the bed and padded to the balcony, looking out over the palace gardens and the suburbs of the Capital City beyond them. Looking up, he could see the moon Ghedora in the sky, its own cities glittering even from a quarter million kilometers away.

He had been dreading this, having to choose his bride. He already had a woman he loved, and he couldn't stand that he was being forced to push her aside because of rules laid down a thousand years before he was born. Rules he hadn't any say in and never asked for, rules seemingly designed to get between him and what he wanted.

What the hell do I want? This had been the thought tearing him up every day leading up to this charade. He was happy enough with things the way they were: he was already the de facto monarch, in everything but title. He had a woman he loved by his side, even if he couldn't do so publicly. What more could a man want?

A family. He knew it so thoroughly that it was impossible to ignore. Of all his memories of his father, the most vivid were of the four of them together. He and Donald would play in the gardens while his parents would watch over them, laughing at their antics, taking part themselves.

One time, maybe a few weeks before the accident, he and Donald were sparring under Horace's guidance. Donald was older, and a better swordsman besides, but Alex managed to disarm Donald, sending his older brother sprawling to the ground. Alex had whooped in triumph, turning to ask if his parents had seen him. He caught them in their own little world, Beatrice leaning back against Philip's chest. They were laughing at something, and looked as happy as two people could be.

I want that. That happiness. To be whole.

He couldn't get that with the way things were now. He may have all the power of king, but he wouldn't be able to have a family outside of marriage. So a family meant a wife. And a wife meant picking one of his potential suitors, his feelings for Erina notwithstanding.

His mind turned to the events of the evening. So if he was to pick a bride, who was it to be? As he thought over the various noble ladies parading past him, he knew that there was only one of them he could imagine spending any more time with, let alone the rest of his life. He released a breath he didn't even realize he was holding.

"Well I guess that's that then." He shook his head. "Great Maker I hope you know what you're doing."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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With the decision made a sense of calm came over him, and he took one last look over his kingdom before returning to his bed.