Free Feral Instincts (The Feral Series) by Erin Ashley Page B

made them dangerous enemies.
    The
vampire clan leaders had grown soft. It was men like Victor that would ruin
them all. When he finally had his army complete Victor’s territory would be the
first to be crushed under Salvatore’s heel and his little pet werewolves with
him.
    Once
again, Victor thought he could come between him and his intended mate.
Apparently it wasn’t enough that he had taken Earnestine from him, now he
thought he could keep Ava from him too.
    Earnestine
had thought him a fool. Playing the devoted mate and yet he had seen the hunger
in her eyes when she looked at Victor. She hadn’t been able to completely hide
her racing heart when he was near. Then one night she had returned from a
supposed social event with Victor’s scent clinging to her.
    Despite
her denials and pleas for mercy he had been forced to punish her. He had made
sure that she had paid for her treachery. Unfortunately he had been unable to
silence his darker urges that night and she had paid with her life. In order to
avoid retribution from the Council it had appeared that his mate had a tragic
accident on her way home from her event that night, her remains were too badly
burned to identify. Although, he knew that rumors that he had murdered her had
still managed to circulate.
    It
was all Victor’s fault really. If it hadn’t been for Victor he wouldn’t have
lost his temper while disciplining his mate. He had already tasted of the
seductive high that came from drinking ones prey to death long before
Earnestine’s death. He had tasted the darkness… and he had liked it. For years
he had dabbled with the darker side of his vampire nature. Always walking the
edge of addiction until one day he stopped fighting it. Being a Descendant, the
power that came from the kill had been highly addictive. The night Earnestine
had died had been the most decadent surge of power he had ever received.
    He
had been such a fool to resist for so long. Why couldn’t the others see that
this is what the vampires were meant to be? They were clearly the superior
race. They were meant to rule over the other races.
    When
Victor had taken Earnestine from him, Salvatore hadn’t been in a position to
exact his revenge. Back then he had still been living the life of an esteemed
Council member. On the surface at least he had still been playing the role of
one of the highly respected Breed Descendant. Appearances had to be kept and
the rules had to be followed. This time would be different. This time they
would play by his rules.
    Salvatore
slammed his fist down on the arm of the chair he was sitting in, snapping it
off. He was so close to getting all that he wanted. How dare they raid his lair
and take what belongs to him! He was the one with the power now! He was the one
in control.
    “Bruno!
Bring my car around. I need to hunt.” Dam it! He forgot he had crushed Bruno’s
skull. Very inconvenient. It would be a while before the bastard regenerated.
“Someone bring me my car! I need some air.” His eyes glowed a bright blood red
as the dark predator went in search of his prey.

Chapter 7
     
    Ava
walked quietly next to Joseph as he showed her around Claymore. She couldn’t
help but sneak peeks at him from beneath her lashes. He was truly an
exceptional looking man. He was a little less army commando looking tonight
than when she had seen him for the first time. He had traded his black fatigues
for black jeans and a black t-shirt that stretched tightly over his biceps and
broad shoulders. His hair was pulled back again from high cheeks bones and a
square jaw.
    Ava
found herself easily relaxing around Joseph. She walked contentedly by his
side, enjoying his company. “Are you getting tired? I could take you back to
your room.”
    “No
I’m fine, really. I’m not that tired. I don’t really want to be alone right now
anyway. I’m not keeping you from anything am I?”
    “No.
I’m all yours.” Joseph said with a devilish grin. Ava couldn’t help but