Leave it all Behind: MM Paranormal Romance, page 1
LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND
MM PARANORMAL ROMANCE
N. A. MOORE
CONTENTS
Hey there, Reader!
Books by N. A. Moore:
Prologue
STAGE ONE
1. My Name is Beau
2. I Exist to Please You
3. The Frenzy
4. This is My Life Now
5. Ownership
6. When Water Burns
STAGE TWO
7. Welcome to Stage Two
8. Foreboding
9. The New Mother
STAGE THREE
10. I Told You So
11. Beauty and the Beast
12. New Arrivals
13. Samhain
14. Chaos
STAGE FOUR
15. The Vampire Awakens
16. Only Just Begun
17. Keep a Secret
18. Better Left in the Dark
19. It’s Okay to Let Go
20. Lilm
21. Anthony
22. Father of All
23. Hypocrisy
Epilogue
Beauty and the Beast
Acknowledgments
Also by N. A. Moore
About the Author
The Consorts - First Chapter
Heat - First Chapter
Copyright © 2023 by N. A. Moore
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover design by The Awkward Bean LLC
www.theawkwardbean.com
ISBN: 9798844023859
ASIN: B0C9V9GP6K
HEY THERE, READER!
So, you're about to dive into this novel, and I'm genuinely excited for you. But, heads up, it's not always a smooth ride. This story gets real and raw. We're talking scenes with gore, some heavy violence, a brief touch on child abuse, and slavery.
If any of that makes you go "nope", or brings up tough memories, please take care of yourself and consider if this is the right read for you. No judgment either way! Remember, books are about our individual journeys, and it's super important to make sure yours feels right.
The chapter It’s Okay to Let Go ends with a scene some may find upsetting. I don’t consider it suicide based on the circumstances, and there is nothing violent or graphic in this scene, but I understand that others may have a different perspective.
Here's to all the feels, twists, and turns you're about to experience. Enjoy!
Catch you on the flip side,
N. A. Moore
BOOKS BY N. A. MOORE:
Chronicles of Astoria
(MM+ Dark Fantasy Romance)
The Consorts
The Black Curse (Coming 2024)
(MM Vampire Romance)
Leave it all Behind
Beauty and the Beast (Coming Soon)
(MM Non-Shifter Omegaverse)
Heat
Rut (Coming Soon)
(MM Psychological Suspense)
Sick & Twisted
For all the vampire lovers…just in time for spooky season.
PROLOGUE
Some say she’s a goddess and I don’t see how they could be wrong.
The moon seemed to glide over her dark skin with the intimacy reserved just for lovers. A part of me was jealous.
Fucking jealous of the moon.
A laugh bubbled out of me, breaking the silence.
Lilith turned, red eyes bright with mirth. Even after all these centuries, my stomach still twisted in knots at the sight of her. The urge to crawl to her, please her, vibrated through every fiber of my being.
“It won’t always be like this,” she declared, voice light despite the edge of warning.
I frowned and joined her on the balcony, leaning against the railing while we gazed at the night sky.
“Meaning?” Being cryptic was her favorite pastime. Who knew if I’d get an answer, much less a clear one?
“You and I,” she hummed. She held out her wrist and with one pointed nail, cut deep into her skin until it blossomed with the dark red blood that had given life to so many. The scent was rich and potent, evoking both the familiarity of home and the adventure of places yet explored in one oxymoronic aroma.
Transfixed, I watched as the precious blood spilled out of her wound and dripped down her arm, until a single drop fell into the pool of water below.
It disappeared into the blackness, a small ripple of disturbance, invisible even to me as it inevitably bloomed and dispersed.
“Sterling,” she called.
My head darted back up to her, feeling uneasy, but also…excited, like something big was coming.
Something transformative.
“He’s waiting for you.”
“Who?”
She simply smiled in that unnerving way she does. Just as I opened my mouth to pester her with more questions, my phone buzzed.
Stasia's name flashed on the screen as I pulled it out of my pocket. A resigned sigh left my lips as I begrudgingly answered.
“What?” I growled.
“Another ring, New Orleans.” Click.
Before I could hiss a curse, my phone buzzed again. They had sent the location. I groaned and put the phone back in my pocket before fixing my attention back on Lilith.
Except she was gone.
STAGE ONE
1
MY NAME IS BEAU
Rising from a deep and wistful sleep, with a thick, cloying haze begging for me to close my eyes once more, was disorientating enough. To wake unaware of my surroundings with no knowledge of how I had gotten there and no clothes on my body made the experience infinitely worse.
And yet, panic wasn’t my first reaction.
As my vision began to focus and fatigue loosened its grip, I took in my surroundings. The room was dark, but I had no trouble making out the surrounding shapes, like the large sultan bed covered in deep red satin that I laid in on a platform overlooking the lavish decor. A little ostentatious, if I was honest, but hey, who was I to judge?
I sat up to get a better view.
Across from the bed were towering bookshelves that reached from floor to ceiling, stuffed to the brim with old leather-bound books, practically falling off the shelves. Every librarian’s dream.
Hmm, so we had ourselves a reader…They could be completely harmless, or they could be utterly unhinged and know exactly how to kill me and where to hide the body.
The structures sat on either side of an unlit fireplace with red velvet chaises and couches before it. Velvet. Actual velvet.
As if it couldn’t get anymore pretentious, to the left were thick velvet curtains trimmed in gold that partially blocked what looked like an office space, though that wording didn’t quite seem to fit the time period of the decor.
To the right was an ornately carved armoire, chest, and vanity with expensive looking colognes and powders. Something right out of a historical film, honest to God.
Where was I?
I tried to think back, desperate for any clues as to how I got here, but drew a blank. It was like trying to grasp at clouds, nothing was tangible. Ice traveled through my veins as the reality of my predicament hit home.
Did I get kidnapped? Or…was this my home?
Surely I would remember if it was, right? Was I the pretentious asshole with a museum for a bedroom?
I shivered, tugging the sheets closer to my chest. A slight throbbing in my head made me wonder if I had been struck. I felt around for any wounds and froze when I came across the thick, neatly wrapped bandage around my left wrist.
There was no pain, but the edges of the white bandage were crisp and fresh, which meant it hadn’t been that long since it was wrapped. There was even a faint darkness seeping through, which probably meant I was still bleeding.
I couldn’t remember getting injured or being treated for it. Yet something tugged at the back of my mind. There was something about this wound that seemed…familiar.
The more I tried to remember, the further it disappeared into the recesses of my subconscious and the throbbing in my temples intensified.
Damn it!
I couldn’t just sit there and wait for someone to come. I needed answers. Well…what I really needed was clothes and then answers.
Pulling the sheets back, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed until my bare soles hit the cool planks of the dark wood floor. I shivered again, feeling my nipples harden and skin tingle, oddly sensitive.
I ignored the sensation and padded over to the armoire, trying not to get distracted by the incredibly detailed gilded frame. Was that real gold?
Focus.
I pulled open the heavy doors and noticed it was filled with expensive looking tops. They were all large, meaning the owner had a massive frame, confirming it definitely wasn’t my room.
Part of me was relieved, for the simple fact that I did not have such a garish taste in decor.
I picked a gray cotton button down that smelled heavily of citrus and clove, rolling the sleeves a couple times, so my hands weren’t drowning
Now, there were three doors that could possibly lead me to answers...or danger. My gut felt oddly settled though, so I didn’t think it was the latter. Even so, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
I couldn’t find much in terms of weapons, but was able to snag a small letter opener from the desk. It could do a little damage at least, if used right anyway.
With my weapon at the ready, I opened the first door. My nose was assaulted with that intoxicating scent of citrus and clove again.
Inhaling deeply, I let the smell consume my senses. I couldn’t tell if it was a cologne or a natural musk, but it was…divine. I couldn’t get enough of it. Made sense when the door revealed a walk-in closet full of more clothes fit for a giant.
Slowly, I shut the door and moved on to the next one which happened to be a luxurious en suite.
The last door led to a dark hall.
Bingo.
A few candles sat in wall sconces, enveloping the space with a gentle light, though it seemed more for decoration than illumination. There were no doors lining the hall except for the one at the very end. Carefully, afraid someone would magically appear and attack, I made my way down the hall. There was light seeping from underneath the door. Pressing my ear against the wood, I strained to hear any activity on the other side.
There were some soft noises, possibly voices, but I couldn’t be sure. I could deduce that it was likely there were people beyond the door. I had nowhere else to go which made it clear I had no choice but to move forward.
My heart hammered in my chest. This was either a really dumb move or a smart one. Even worse, it was my only one. Sitting in that room, waiting to be found was not an option.
Taking a deep, shuddering breath, I pushed the door open—happy that it was unlocked—and peeked around. The room was vast and dimly lit. Octagonal in shape, the space was framed by thick wooden pillars. To the left were some couches occupied with a few people. To the right were even more. In the center sat what looked like a throne atop a pedestal.
I crept forward, surprised that no one stopped me. No one even seemed to notice my presence at all. It only took me a second to realize why.
To my left, there were four men. Two sat on one couch, side by side. They each had another man straddling their laps. One had hair of spun gold waving to his shoulders while the other’s was a rich bronze. Their hips undulated in sync, each ebb and flow perfectly timed.
Transfixed, I stood frozen, eyes never leaving their writhing forms flushed with ecstasy. There was a grace in their movements, every push and pull of their bodies a part of some fluid dance that made my heart race and breath quicken.
I should have looked away. I wanted to, but every fiber of my being refused to follow my will, intoxicated by my inane desire.
The one with golden waves tossed his head back, spine arching into a perfect bow, drawn tight by the lover who impaled him so passionately.
Like a plucked string, the man’s body jerked and mine along with it, tasting the orgasm that had claimed the couple. It was only then, breathless and wanting, that I found the strength to look away, stumbling forward.
Still, no one noticed me, or even spared me a glance. I wasn’t sure if I should have been grateful or not.
There were people everywhere, yet it wasn’t a crowd. Talking, laughing, kissing, fucking. They stood, they lounged. To the left. To the right.
I tried to take them all in, but their faces seemed to blur like light trails on a highway, amplified by some drug-induced high. There were halls in the octagonal room and so many doors, but it was too chaotic to see where they might lead. The lights were dim, only cast by the few candles posted along the walls and tall pillars. The decor matched the room I had awoken in, full of deep rich colors, lavish gilding, expensive fabrics, and dripping grandiosity.
My world tilted as I stumbled forward, feeling a dull tug in my chest. Breathless and unsettled, I came across the raised platform where the golden pedestal sat. And on top of the pedestal was a loveseat, if one could really call it that, it more resembled a throne. It was covered in deep purple pillows with a high back, golden foliage chiseled into the edges, and gold clawed feet. The piece was stunning, but not as much as the couple upon it.
After what I had previously witnessed, I should not have been surprised by yet another couple openly engaging in lewd behavior, yet it still startled me.
A woman sat on the throne, a wicked grin splitting her full blood red painted lips. The smooth brown skin of her throat was bare for all to gaze upon as she leaned back into the lush pillows behind her. She wore a thin slip of dress hiked up around her waist. One long lean leg was resting comfortably on the broad shoulder of the man on his knees before her, head buried between her thighs. His face was completely obscured as he worked to pleasure her. The only thing visible was his light gray hair.
I didn’t remember moving, but as if tugged by a leash getting shorter and shorter, I drew near them, filled with awe and longing.
The woman opened her eyes, revealing glowing red irises. Her gaze landed on me, smile widening. Something about it was unnerving. It urged me to be afraid, but I was not.
Why wasn’t I afraid? My sense of self preservation was nowhere to be found. Instead, I grew eager...needy.
“Ah, he’s finally awake,” the woman mused. Her voice was deep and smooth and nothing like I imagined it would be. It did not match her somewhat dainty features. Instead, it curled around me, clouding my mind, increasing my desire.
The gray-haired man pulled back, sensuous lips glistening with fluids as he turned to look at me.
A pulse jolted through my body as the man’s bright green eyes met mine. Overcome by the sensation, I fell to my knees, hardly registering the pain. Not when my attention was wholly consumed by him.
“Sterling, bring your fledgling to me,” the woman commanded, forcing a shudder down my spine. The man gazed at me intently before uttering one word.
“Come.”
Fuck, I should have been embarrassed, but I couldn’t muster the strength. I crawled to them.
Actually crawled.
My limbs were shaky and eager, the need to please the ones before me enveloped my entire being. Heart pumping, body shaking, eyes watering, I couldn’t fight any of it.
When I finally reached the lower ledge of the golden platform, I cautiously raised my gaze, unsure if I should be so bold.
“It is alright, my child,” the woman cooed. With her allowance, I raised my head and met her stare full on.
She was ethereal in her beauty, with long raven black braids woven into a crown high on her head. Her features were round, small, intense…and her eyes, they were huge and majestic, framed with long black lashes, like a deer.
My bottom lip trembled as she smiled at me.
“Beau.”
I didn’t know how or why, but I knew it was me. This woman had given me a precious gift.
She gave me a name.
I didn’t know how I knew this, I just...did. I couldn’t even remember what my name had been before. I didn’t know who I was.
Did I even exist before or was I born anew?
Who was I? Who am I?
Beau.
That’s right. I’m Beau.
