Never Give You Up: Battle Scarred

Chapter One

I want someone to love . Galen Collins threaded his way through the crowd of dancers on the floor at Club Zero. Ever since the supers had been allowed to come out and play in public, the popular hangout was always busy. He scanned the throng of gyrating bodies. Anyone with super blood could be at the club. Seers, fae, shifters of all shapes, sizes, and abilities, vampires... Someone from each group was represented.

He insinuated himself in the middle of the dancers and lost himself in the rhythm of the throbbing music. He’d come to Club Zero to forget. He had to be crazy, but he couldn’t handle watching the object of his affections dancing with someone else. True, he should’ve told Anders how he felt, but still.

He turned around and swayed with the other supers. More than anything, he wanted to hook up with Anders. The vampire made his blood heat and his fangs ache. He longed to plunge his teeth into Anders and claim him. But Anders already had a girlfriend and a boyfriend.

A man plastered himself to Galen’s chest and draped his arms around his shoulders. Looking for a good time?

Galen smiled. He couldn’t remember the last time someone came on to him. He usually made the first move. Usually got shot down too. He smoothed his hands over the guy’s ass. He squeezed the man’s toned butt. Damn. His cock throbbed as he rubbed his crotch against the bulge in the other man’s leather pants. Double damn.

The guy winked. He stroked Galen’s chest, then nuzzled Galen’s neck. His chilly breath tickled. Galen shivered and continued to grind against his new dance partner. When he glanced over to where Anders stood with his girlfriend and boyfriend, his stomach soured. He needed to stop thinking about the man he couldn’t have and focus on the one who seemed to want him. He bit back a growl. The one who seemed to want him. What kind of fucked-up shit was that? He’d cling to someone who appeared to have interest, all while hoping the one who didn’t care for him as anything but a friend kept him at arm’s length.

Want to go into the alcove? The guy stroked the hairs on the back of Galen’s head. I need you.

The guy’s voice sounded familiar, but Galen didn’t recognize him. You need me? Come on. You just met me. Hooking up for a quickie was so his style, but he stole another glance at Anders, who tipped his head back and laughed. A broad smile stretched across his face, and he draped his arm around his girlfriend. The boyfriend clinked glasses with Anders and laughed as well.

Galen growled. His friend didn’t have to look so ridiculously happy. He focused on the man grinding on him. Sure. If he got a blowjob out of the deal, then he’d be okay. Not great. Not happy, but whatever. He followed the dancer to the side of the club. Alcoves lined a corridor along the back of the club. No one really knew why the alcoves were there, other than for hook ups and quick feeding.

Galen crinkled his nose. The hallway smelled like sex and sweat. Part of him wanted to leave and never look back. Being in the alcoves struck him as seedy and filthy. The rest of him stayed put. He wanted someone to pay attention to him.

The man threw his arms around Galen’s neck and kissed him. The connection wasn’t sweet or nice. He mashed Galen into the bricks of the alcove and raked his nails down Galen’s chest.

Fire licked Galen from within. He still had the erection, but doubts continued to dampen his libido. He ground his crotch against the man’s thigh, but he wasn’t getting the euphoric feeling like he expected. Shit. This was what he got for trying to hook up with someone.

The guy dropped to his knees and ripped open Galen’s pants. He held Galen’s dick in his hand and stroked. Nice.

Well, he got by with what he had. Galen met the guy’s gaze, and his breath lodged in his throat. The man’s eyes flashed—not the silver like Galen expected...but red. What the hell? Vampire eyes didn’t turn red. They were silver or gray, but not the color of blood. He tensed. He doubted he’d imagined what he saw. Something wasn’t right, but where could he go? Double shit.

The man stared up at Galen. The blue of his eyes turned red again.

What’s wrong with you? Galen tried to pull away, but the man held him firm. Stop.

Nah. You want it. He pushed Galen’s pants down around his thighs.

Dude, this isn’t a fuck club. He reached for his jeans and fumbled forward, crashing into the man.

The vampire said nothing but flashed his fangs. He laughed, and the sound drowned out the music. Galen shivered. He tried to pull away again, but the vampire sank his teeth deep into the inside of Galen’s left thigh.

Disgust and revulsion shot through him. He’d made a mistake. A scream ripped from his throat. The sound echoed in his ears, but he doubted anyone in the cavernous building heard him. His knees wobbled, and he stumbled backwards into the wall. He’d thought he’d get a quick blowjob to keep his mind off Anders. Instead, he’d been bitten and siphoned.

The vampire sat back on his heels and grinned. For a half of a second, Galen could’ve sworn the vampire’s features shifted into those of a wolf. His eyes turned white as he stood.

Enjoy your gift, the vampire said. He flattened his palm against Galen’s chest. A wicked smile curled on his lips. You’ll love the difference.

Difference? Gift? What the fuck? Galen remained against the wall as the vampire disappeared into the crowd. He wanted to move but couldn’t. What the hell was happening to him? He didn’t bother to put his cock away or to pull up his pants. His brain seemed to be malfunctioning. When he swept his gaze over the crowd, the urge to feed on blood didn’t overwhelm him. Instead, the desire to tear flesh from bone hit him. Eating flesh? What had the vampire done to him? He wasn’t a fucking zombie. He sank to the ground and folded his knees to his chest.

A friend he knew from one of the other clubs strolled by, then doubled back before running off. Galen groaned. His friend was probably on his way to tell Anders what had happened. At least someone would know. But why bother going to tell Anders? Anders wasn’t interested—he had both a boyfriend and a girlfriend. What would he want Galen for? Certainly not for romance.

Are you okay? Anders tumbled to his knees. He cupped Galen’s jaw in both hands. I couldn’t find you. Come on. Let’s get up.

Sure. He didn’t fight Anders as his friend hauled him to his feet.

Your junk is out. Put that back before you get tossed. He curled his fingers around Galen’s shaft, then tucked Galen’s dick and balls back into his boxer briefs. You zip, or I’m liable to catch your balls in the zipper.

Although his brain fogged up, he managed to fasten his pants without causing himself injury. He blinked. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Fuck.

Galen? What’s wrong with you? Anders tipped his head and swooped his arm around Galen. You look strange.

I need to go home. He pushed his way off the wall and away from Anders. The blood loss from the bite had to be what was screwing with his senses. He’d heard about vampires going rogue and stealing too much blood. There were stories circulating concerning vampires with diseases too. The last he knew, vampires weren’t supposed to come down with illness—except sun poisoning and death by a stake to the heart.

We just got here. Anders eased up to Galen again and grabbed Galen’s arm. Don’t tell me you took something. I told you about experimenting with blood and drugs.

I didn’t. Galen crinkled his nose. Anders never told him to stay away from quickie blowjobs, but he knew better than to try pills or anything else.

Then what?

Where’s... Shit. What were Anders’s boyfriend’s and girlfriend’s names? Jenna and Boyd? No. Those weren’t the names. But his head was so fuzzy. You know who I mean.

Bethany and Johnson? Anders shook his head. I don’t know where they are. Bethany said she needed space, and Johnson followed her. I’m pretty sure I just got pushed out. He shrugged. It kills me. I thought they were going to be...the ones.

Pushed out? He’d heard that loud and clear. No one stepped away from Anders without reason. They had to be crazy. Then take me home.

I’m not sleeping with you, Anders said. It’d be too weird. Besides, what if they realize they were wrong? I’m not over them.

Nice. Weird. Christ. Not over them. Galen stumbled forward. The contents of his stomach lurched. I’m gonna puke. He doubled over. He hadn’t thrown up since he’d been turned and almost forgot the thrill of being sick. Well, not the thrill but the normalcy of it.

What? Anders hauled Galen out of the club and onto the sidewalk. Vampires don’t get sick. He pressed his hand to Galen’s forehead. Shit. You’re burning up. What did you do?

Take me home, and I’ll tell you. I want to go home. If he could remember and sort out what had happened...then he’d explain everything.

Yeah. Anders kept Galen tucked to his side and made his way across the parking lot.

The chilly night air did little to cool his temperature. He shook his head. Vampires didn’t run a fever. The undead couldn’t.

Anders tossed Galen into the passenger seat of the car they shared. He raced around the hood. I’ll get you home as soon as I can, but I’m calling your friend, Vita. I don’t know what you did to yourself, but you’re messed up. He climbed behind the wheel, then sped out of the lot. What did you get into?

I tried to get my dick sucked. Why keep the secret? He had to deal with the repercussions of his actions.

Was the guy hot? Or was the person a she?

"He was hot. Tall. Had blond hair and a tight ass—just right for grabbing, which I did." He closed his eyes and willed his stomach to settle. The wind from the open window helped but not much.

I thought you liked tall, dark, and handsome men. Anders turned onto the freeway. You never liked blonds before.

He couldn’t admit who he preferred. Anders fit the bill, but like Anders said...it’d be weird if they slept together. He stole a glance over at Anders. He’d lusted after Anders for