Chapter 1 – The Alpha in Darkness

Blurb

My name is enough to send most people running. Those that don’t are fools, and for that, they will feel my wrath. I am the King of Darkness. The Dark Tribrid is what they call me. Destruction is what I am, what I bring, and what I am known for. Countries have fallen by my hands. A world changed by me and the blood I have spilled. People now fear the dark, fear the Dark Ones.

My mother thought she was protecting me by keeping my magic from me. That betrayal is what hurt the most. She took a piece of me, and I nearly killed her for it.

Growing up, I knew I was different. My outlook on life was different. My childhood was filled with love and everything a child could desire. But despite my upbringing, I always felt like I was lacking something. Something vital was missing from my life.

From the outside, we appeared to be the perfect family. Our lives were great until I turned sixteen, and I came back into possession of my magic. The darkness sucked all parts of me away until I became the person I am today. I used to fear the darkness, but now I embrace it.

For decades, I roamed the Earth, struggling to find meaning, and that was how I stumbled across my mates. At first, they feared me. By then, everyone had heard my name, not a country left intact as I made my way through each one, trying to figure out my purpose.

I met Ryland first. He was just as sadistic as me and a werewolf. We continued our reign of terror until we met our other mate. I was hoping for a woman, not that I was uncomfortable with my sexuality. It is what it is. I would fuck anything with legs to fulfill my needs and my mates.

Orion was different, weaker. He disagreed with my past and the things we had done. He was much older than both of us and knew of my grandfather. Orion is a vampire and a little old-fashioned, but he is mine even though he annoys and frustrates me.

He hated me at first, but he came to see reason. He has remained by my side, even when he disagrees, trying to talk me down and change me. Yet now I think he has given up.

Then, there is her. I thought I was complete until I met her. Evelyn Harper, the light in my darkness. I want her, crave her. She is a human and perfectly made for us. Evelyn is everything I never realized I desired, and exactly what I was searching for. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she would be ours. She just didn’t know it.

Thaddeus

Sitting on the balcony of my penthouse apartment, I look over the city. My eyes scan the street below as I watch the crowds of people go about their night, unaware of the monster watching them.

As the sliding door opens, the sound of movement behind me makes my eyes snap to the glass doors. Bianca steps out and hands me a smoke. Taking the lighter from her, I light it, breathing in deeply, enjoying the burn in my throat from its harshness.

“When do you intend to return home? Haven’t you punished them enough? They did it to protect you. It is time you stop doing this, whatever it is that you are doing.” She says while leaning on the railing as her blue eyes watch me with caution.

“And what am I doing?” I ask her, looking back toward the city.

“The destruction. What are you trying to prove? Who are you looking for?” She asks, and I sigh.

Only she can get away with questioning me like this. I have always had a soft spot for Bianca. She listens and doesn’t judge, no matter how much I fuck things up.

“I am not trying to prove anything. I don’t need to.”

“Then why, Thaddeus? Why all this?” She asks, motioning with her hand toward the city below.

“Because I can, that is why,” I tell her.

Bianca shakes her head. Tears brim in her eyes as she looks away from me, folding her arms across her chest. “Your mother said there was still good in you. We just had to find it. She claimed that we could pull you back from the darkness, but I am not so sure anymore. I can’t watch you destroy yourself, destroy everything you put your hands on. Sorry, Thaddeus, but I can’t do it anymore. I am going home. Come and see me when you see sense,” she says, as she pushes away from the railing and moves toward the door.

“You’re leaving already? You just got here,” I ask.

In an attempt to hide my disappointment, a painful growl tears out of my throat. As much as I don’t want to show any weakness, her rejection hurts. Bianca is leaving me. She is leaving me like the rest of them did.

Frightened by my reaction, Bianca steps back. “I’m sorry, Thaddeus, but please just go home. They will forgive you,” she says, before turning her back on me and opening the glass sliding door.

“Tell mom I am not coming back,” I tell her, peering over my shoulder at her.

A sad smile spreads across her lips as Bianca nods, acknowledging my words. Then, I just listen to her walk inside, closing the door behind her, leaving me all alone.

A few minutes later, the glass door opens again. I don’t pay attention until Orion appears at my side and plucks the smoke from my fingers. He leans against the railing, looking at the main street of the city. In the meantime, my eyes run the length of him.

He is wearing dark blue jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt. His muscles tense as he turns his head to look at me. He runs his fingers through his dark brown hair before drawing back on my smoke.

“What did you say to your Aunty Bianca that upset her?” he asks, passing my smoke back to me.

“I told her I am not going back,” I tell him the truth.

Orion sighs loudly and looks over the railing again. I move behind him, press myself against him and reach around. My hand slips into his pants while the other roams over his hard-muscled chest. At my touch, his dick twitches in my hand. That’s all it takes for a lewd groan to leave me as I tug at his belt.

“Not tonight, Thaddeus,” he says, smacking my hand away.

All I can think of is his obvious rejection. Hence, I can’t help but voice the hurt and frustration with a growl. If this is how he is going to act, fine by me. I shove Orion away from me and he actually has the gall to glare at me.

“Fine,” I snap at him, turning on my heel and heading back inside. Bianca is gone, and only her faint, lingering scent remains as I step into the living room. “Ryland?” I yell but get no answer. “Hurry up; we’re going out,” I add.

Ryland walks out with a mischievous grin on his lips. He is dressed in a gray shirt and black jeans. He grabs his leather jacket and tugs it on as he approaches me. His eyes flicker black, and his excitement smacks into me at the invitation.

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