Raven Redeemed: An M/M Paranormal Romance, page 1
Raven Redeemed
MOON RIVER MATES
FEL FERN
Raven Redeemed © 2022 by Fel Fern
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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.
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Contents
Blurb
1. Thad
2. Zack
3. Thad
4. Zack
5. Thad/ Zack
6. Thad
7. Zack/ Thad
8. Zack
9. Thad/ Isaac
10. Zack/ Thad
11. Zack
12. Thad/ Zack
13. Thad/ Zack
14. Thad
Epilogue
A Preview of Moon River Rogue
About the Author
Also by Fel Fern
Blurb
Half of Zackary Jones’ soul died the day rogue wolves ended the life of his mate and half of his flock. Being the lead alpha of the Moon Burrow Ravens is the only thing keeping Zack going. That, and an adorably ditzy vampire who runs Moon Burrow’s famous bakery. No strings attached. That had been Thad and Zack’s original arrangement. When the vampire wants more than what Zack can give, Zack retreats. It doesn’t take long for Zack to realise he’s made the worst decision of his life.
Thaddeus Blackthorn slammed the door to his bloodthirsty past when he moved to Moon Burrow. Here in this sleepy little town, no one knows who Thad truly is. Developing a crush on the town’s handsome new Raven King, had never been part of Thad’s plans. When Zack begins to reciprocate Thad’s feelings, it’s too late. A psychotic vampire from Thad’s past resurfaces. That monster won’t rest until he’s destroyed everything Thad holds dear in his heart—that includes Zack and his ravens.
Raven Redeemed is a m/m fated mates paranormal romance. Some events mentioned in Raven Redeemed occurred in Axel. It is recommended you read that book first.
Chapter 1
Thad
“Don’t forget your phone,” I told Zack.
The raven shifter alpha paused, checking his pockets. I let out a yawn, showing Zack a flash of my fangs before holding out his cell phone.
He looked at my outstretched pale hand for a few seconds, his expression hard to read.
Most of the time, I pretended to be asleep while Zack dressed and made his hasty exit.
I never understood why Zack always seemed to be in a rush or maybe I did. Zack made it clear from the beginning that what he wanted from our arrangement was simple.
I couldn’t even call us friends with benefits, because calling us friends would be a stretch.
Knowing I was Zack’s dirty little secret thrilled me at first.
In a sleepy little town like Moon Burrow, folks loved to gossip. It was only logical we kept our agreement under wraps.
Lately, I started wanting more than what Zack could give.
Perhaps it had to do with the letter someone had slipped through the door of my bakery, reminding me of the past I’d left behind.
Centuries of loneliness could have also just caught up to me, as it did to all long-lived supernaturals.
Zack snatched the cell phone from my hand. The screen lit up and for a few seconds. I glimpsed his wallpaper—that of Zack, holding hands with a handsome brown-haired man with spectacles.
Both Zack and his former mate Ben, wore matching blue scarves and knitted caps. They looked happy, without a care in the world. My heart ached.
Ben had died tragically last winter, along with half of Zack’s flock. The loss had been devastating for Zack. I couldn’t even imagine what it felt like, being in his shoes.
Pity and comfort, weren’t what Zack wanted from me so I pretended I didn’t see his phone wallpaper.
“Friday. Same time as usual?” Zack asked by the door.
Zack looked gorgeous, even under the dim glow of my bedroom light.
His short black hair remained mussed, as if he just got out of bed and didn’t want to bother with a comb.
His storm-blue eyes had hints of gold in them, as if he had a hard time hiding the animal that shared his human skin.
I knew what Zack looked liked under his clothes. His plain white long-sleeved shirt hid lean, planes of muscles. Muscles, I wanted to kiss and stroke.
Zack cleared his throat, as if he knew how easily distracted I became when he was around.
He asked me a question, I reminded myself. I thought of the letter on my desk.
I didn’t need to break the wax seal because I knew the letter’s contents.
Then I recalled all the years I’ve wandered aimlessly from town to town, before deciding to settle in Moon Burrow and opening my bakery.
A fresh start. That was all I wanted.
Seeing the smiling faces of my usual customers momentarily made me forget about my unclean hands and the destruction I’ve caused in my long life.
“Thad, you okay?” Zack asked.
I blinked, surprised to see him kneeling by the bed.
Zack touched my forehead, as if I was a warm-blooded mortal susceptible to fever.
Then he started stroking my hair. The sensation felt so wonderful— wanted to purr for him like a kitty cat.
Ultimately, I refrained myself from doing so.
“Just have a couple of things on my mind,” I admitted.
“You want to talk about it?” Zack asked.
I made a grab for his fingers. They were big, tanned and had rough calluses underneath. A sharp contrast to my smooth and slender fingers.
When I first opened Crimson Delights, I did not know what I was doing.
The burns and scars I had accumulated while experimenting how to make bread and pastries, eventually faded away with time.
“No,” I finally answered.
I expelled a breath, although technically, I no longer needed to draw air to my lungs. I realized I started doing that since Zack and I began our dalliance.
Part of me wanted Zack to see me as human, harmless, although I was far from that.
Most folks in Moon Burrow saw me as the ditzy but friendly neighbourhood vampire. I wanted to keep that persona intact.
“Okay then. You know you can always talk to me,” Zack said, then hesitated. “You helped me out in my darkest moment. I’d like to return the favor someday.”
“Alright,” I agreed.
Zack wasn’t my boyfriend. He wasn’t privy to my secrets, and I had a few. I’d carried them in my heart for so long, that sometimes, I just wanted to scream and let it all out.
Zack would make for a good listener, I knew that. He always provided a willing ear to any troubled member of his flock.
Still, I hesitated. I was worried if Zack found out how much luggage I came with, he’d start for the nearest exit door.
My family was in a word, complicated. The deeds I’ve done for them had been atrocious. There was no other word for it.
“So Friday night?” Zack pressed.
He stopped touching me, a pity. Then Zack ran a nervous hand through his hair.
“No,” I firmly said.
Zack looked at me for a few seconds, flabbergasted.
“If you’re busy Friday night, then how about the weekend?” Zack asked.
“I have a date on Friday night,” I said.
Zack looked at me as if I’ve grown a second head. I had lied and my brothers always told me lying was something I picked up the moment I could walk.
This was an experiment. I needed to know if Zack really only saw me as a bed buddy, or if there was a chance for us to be… something more.
“I didn’t know you were seeing someone,” Zack said, stiffening.
Did I detect a hint of jealousy in his voice?
After a beat of silence, Zack asked, “Who is he?”
I shrugged. “Just some guy I chatted with on a dating app,” I responded.
I didn’t exactly die. Before Zack and I began our affair, I went out with a couple of guys I met on two different dating apps.
It didn’t take me long for me to figure out they weren’t interested in anything long term.
“Just some guy? What do you really know about this person? He could be dangerous for all you know,” Zack pointed out with narrowed eyes.
Most shifter alphas I met usually came in one flavor. They resorted to growling and threats when they couldn’t get what they wanted.
Zack always seemed calm and put-together. Nothing seemed to daunt or faze him. Tonight, I glimpsed a side of him I never knew about.
Seeing his blue eyes turn completely gold thrilled me to bits. I didn’t miss the savage hunger there either.
I wondered if I’d ever see this part of him in the bedroom. If I still had a pulse, it would race dangerously fast right about now.
> “I’ll have you know I can perfectly take care of myself,” I quipped.
I pulled the bed sheets away from my body and glided towards the window, all too aware Zack hadn’t taken his feral gaze from me.
Before moving to Moon Burrow, I never lacked for company. My old lovers called my looks angelic only to find later out I was anything but.
“Thad,” Zack said in a strangled voice. “The other day, you called me to get rid of a large spider hiding in one of your cupboards. You adamantly told me not to kill it, so I set it free instead.”
“I remember, because I was there,” I retorted.
I finally turned and faced Zack. I didn’t bother with underwear or a shirt, so my assets were on full display.
Zack stared at me like he wanted second course.
I knew I had his attention now. Testing him had been a horrible move, but it was the only way to wake him up.
I might have eternity but Zack wasn’t getting any younger.
If my hunch was right and fate placed my mate right in front of me, then I needed to act fast before another man caught Zack’s fancy.
“I won’t go on that date,” I finally said. Zack breathed a sigh of relief but he looked wary when I held out a finger. “But, I have one condition.”
“What’s that?” Zack asked.
Zack frowned, as if he finally realized I purposely led him to this painful conversation.
“I want more than this,” I answered, waving to the unmade bed. “I want flowers, wine, movies, romance. The works.”
Zack let out a heavy sigh. “Thad, you knew what you were getting into when we started this.”
“Things change,” I said softly, eying the unopened letter on my desk. Zack followed my gaze.
“What do you mean by that?” Zack asked. “What’s in that letter? I’ve noticed you kept glancing at it when you thought I wasn’t looking.”
“Just a note from my family,” I said.
“You’ve never talked about them before,” Zack pointed out.
“If you’re so curious, then take what’s between us seriously. Don’t you sense it, Zack? There’s a spark between us. You can’t pretend it doesn’t exist forever,” I said.
Feeling bold, I walked up to Zack and placed a hand on his unshaven cheek. Zack closed his eyes for a few moments, before taking a step back.
“We decided on those rules for a reason,” Zack finally told me. “Trust me, it’s better this way, Thad.”
“Better for whom? For you?” I let out a frustrated groan.
“When I lost Ben last winter, part of me died,” Zack said, his expression pained. “The best part. Only emptiness lives inside me now. I continue living only because the other raven shifters need me.”
“That’s not true,” I whispered.
When a shifter loses his mate, he is lost forever.
I remembered my older brother Sebastian telling me that so long ago.
When our coven went to war with a large werewolf pack encroaching on our territory, we strategically targeted all the mated shifters, knowing their other half would commit suicide afterwards.
Two for the price of one, Sebastian liked to say, before laughing like a maniac.
There had always been something lacking in Sebastian. The other vampires in my former coven also used to say the same thing about me.
I steered my mind away from the past with a shudder. Zack thought I had been reacting to his words.
“It’s not you, it’s me, Thad. The last thing I want to do is hurt you,” Zack said.
He reached out for me but I pulled away.
“Fine. Then I’m still going on that date. Who knows? Maybe Kenneth Wilson is my fated mate,” I said, putting on my favorite dark-blue satin robe.
When I spotted this robe in the store, I knew I had to get it because the color reminded me of Zack’s eyes.
“Absolutely not,” Zack said with a clenched jaw.
“You’re not my boyfriend. Heck, you’re not my anything, Zack. I can do whatever I want,” I responded with a huff. “Now if there’s nothing else, I’d like you to leave. I need to open the store in two hours.”
Zack let out a curse, then stomped out of my bedroom. Moments later, I heard the front door slam shut.
My apartment was conveniently located directly above my store.
I peered through the curtains and watched Zack get into his pickup.
Did I regret my actions? Maybe a little, but I needed to know where we stood.
Once I could no longer see Zack’s truck, I picked up the letter on my desk.
I ran my finger over the Blackthorn Family crest on the wax seal, then broke it.
The letter’s contents were brief. Sebastian, asking me to come home because our older brother wasn’t getting any better.
That was nothing new, I thought. The last line of the letter sent a chill down my spine.
I have gotten word that Isaac Lockhart has broken out of Redwood Correctional and he’s out for your blood. Be careful.
Crumpling the letter, I tossed it in the trash.
With a demon from my past intent on hunting me down, maybe Zack was truly better off being just a fling and nothing else.
Why did that thought make my chest ache terribly?
Chapter 2
Zack
“Where are you off to this evening?” Spencer, my younger brother, and the flock beta, asked.
Ignoring him for a few moments, I finished lacing up my boots. Three days had passed since Thad had given me his ultimatum.
Admittedly, I missed receiving Thad’s daily text messages. I had also looked forward to his nightly calls.
Sometimes Thad would call because he found a spider in his cupboard—there seemed to be a colony living there, and needed me to take care of it.
More often than not, we chatted about mundane things like how Thad was experimenting with a new recipe for his famous chocolate croissants or how the flock was doing.
“A date?” Spencer pressed, and I finally looked at him.
Spencer met my gaze, but he couldn’t hold it for long. Few could stand toe-to-toe with the lead alpha of the group.
“It’s none of your business,” I said with a huff.
Why did Spencer assume I was going on a date? I glanced at the small mirror hanging on the wall.
Not for the first time that evening, I pictured myself sitting across from Thad at a restaurant in town.
I could almost imagine the sound of Thad’s musical laughter when I tried to crack a joke or two, except I had no sense of humor.
Was the vampire right? I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt for him. Thad had a gorgeous body, and I enjoyed hearing him talk.
He’d also been there for me during days I could barely get out of bed. Were those reasons enough?
I thought of Ben’s smiling face on my phone wallpaper. The last time I’d seen Ben, he’d been in his raven form.
Ben’s small body had been splayed grotesquely in the snow, his beautiful wings broken.
Undesirable pain had filled me. It felt like I was being torn to pieces.
Back then, if Spencer hadn’t shaken me out of my grief, I would’ve remained kneeling by Ben’s corpse in the snow.
I wouldn’t have cared if the wolves found me and ripped me apart. Instead, I put myself together and tried to save the remaining survivors.
“If you’re planning on seeing a certain vampire, maybe it is my business,” Spencer said, touching my shoulder. “Zack, I and everyone else need to know if Thad’s just a temporary distraction for you. God knows you of all people need to unwind after everything that happened last winter.”
I shrugged his hand off then reminded myself that this was Spencer. The concern in his eyes were genuine. Spencer was the best brother anyone could ask for.
