Faerie Bound (Matched by Magic, Book Two)

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An Excerpt From: FAERIE BOUND

Copyright ? JENNA CASTILLE, 2010

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.

Garrick
was strong, one of the strongest of his kind. He was bright, earning his
master?s degree in business administration by the age of twenty-one human
years. Since then he?d worked hard keeping his pack solvent, then
comfortable, and finally one of the wealthiest in the country. His pack
remained one of the strongest post-war groups in the para
community and everyone knew he was the one responsible for their rapid
recovery. That alone had protected his position when he revealed the fact
that he was gay, something he?d hoped would satisfy the void inside his
heart.

He was
still young but mature enough at the ripe old age of seventy-four human
years. He had centuries ahead of him to rule and help his pack grow
stronger, even more self-sufficient.

Long,
empty centuries expanding out before him. Centuries filled with a kind of
half-life, where his days were full and productive while his nights
stretched on with meaningless encounter after meaningless encounter.

He
shook his head. Shit, he hated when he got all maudlin. Bad sex did it to
him every time. He heaved a deep sigh and rolled out of bed, narrowly
avoiding the wet spot. He ran his fingers through his hair and over his
face, willing away the exhaustion. Might as well take advantage of the
insomnia and go over accounts.

?Alpha??
Samuel laid a warm hand against his bare back, startling him.

Garrick
looked down at the man, regret and sorrow filling his heart. ?I?ve got work
to do. Pack issues that need addressing.? His excuse sounded hollow to his
own ears and he knew Samuel heard the apology mixed with dismissal in his
words.

The lupin gave him a sad half-smile filled with
disappointment. ?I understand. We had a good time. Some of the best sex
I?ve ever had.? He reached out and placed a kiss on the back of Garrick?s
hand, rubbing his thumb absently across his knuckles. ?You?re a good Alpha
but I?m not your mate. Don?t worry. I understand that. I?m not going to
turn into jilted stalker dude. Mating isn?t something anybody chooses. The
bond?s either there or it?s not. If your wolf didn?t feel it after that
marathon, it?s hopeless for us. I won?t push.?

The
man threw back the covers and started reaching for his clothes. Garrick
eyed Samuel?s tight backside with genuine regret. He was a good man, the
perfect choice to be his partner. He was handsome, kind, personable and
bright. He didn?t have a power-hungry aura. He had a good sense of humor
and they had many likes in common. He?d make a loyal mate and a solid
addition to any pack.

Why
couldn?t he let go of his internal battle and just take Samuel? Why was
fate mocking him like this?

Samuel
pursed his lips, shoulders slumped, and stared
into space. For a moment Garrick feared he?d truly hurt the young man. But
as he reached out for him Samuel shook his head, fine auburn strands
dancing around his face, and reached into his pocket. ?Hell, Alpha, don?t
slap me down for this. I know it?s presumptuous but I like to think that
even if we can?t stay lovers, we?ll remain friends. I might even move down
here permanently anyway if my job interview goes well. So here,? he handed
Garrick a worn, crinkled business card, ?my sister gave me this a few
months ago. She?s bit of a busybody, mated for several years with a couple
of cubs. You know?the well-meaning type. Anyway, I think you might need it
more than me. She says the company came highly recommended. A friend used
it.?

Garrick
glanced down.

www.divine_intervention.odd

For
the discriminating paranormal.

He
raised a single eyebrow.

The
other lupin refused to meet his gaze, giving an
inordinate amount of concentration to buttoning his shirt. ?It?s a
matchmaking service, not an escort service or dating service. I mean, if
all you want is a good screw I?m more than willing to be your fuck-buddy.
I?m not one to refuse great sex. But I get the feeling you want something
more. You deserve to find a real mate as much as anyone else. It might be
worth a shot for you.?

Garrick
crumpled the card in his hand but didn?t toss it in the trash. It almost
seemed warm in his palm. Pulsing. Alive. It held a touch of magic that
tickled his lupin senses, making the fine hairs
on his arm stand on end. Something to draw itself to someone in need? A
compulsion spell or a tracking spell?

Samuel
slipped on his shoes, nodded and eased quietly out of the room.

Online
matchmaker, have I really sunk so low? Garrick plopped down on the bed again, raking the fingers of
one hand through his hair again. He stared down at the innocuous little
card. Samuel meant well but he should toss it. Only losers resorted to
computer dating services. Right? He hadn?t reached that point yet. Had he?

It
couldn?t hurt to look, could it? a small, needy voice whispered in
his head. Go online and check it out. No one would be the wiser. No one
would see it as a weakness. Just a little idle curiosity is all. What harm
is there? If anyone did find out, you were checking up on the service before
another pack member used it.

Before
he could dwell on it any more he walked over to his desk and flicked on his
laptop. In seconds his wireless connection had him looking at an
easy-to-navigate website with an introduction banner scrolling up the screen,
reminding him of the opening scene of his favorite sci-fi movie.

Are you still searching for
that one true love? The one who will make your blood throb in your veins
while leaving your heart aching to be near? Divine Intervention is
dedicated to the paranormal of the twenty-first century. For a chance to
make a true connection, for a meaningful relationship, we?re the first
step. We are a guaranteed private service, using state-of-the-art
matchmaking programs, psychological testing and magical aids. If the years
stretch out ahead of you like a long, lonely road and you?re ready to find
that perfect fit, your perfect mate, contact us. Take the leap. Just fill
out our easy online questionnaire to start the process. One of our
representatives will contact you for a one-on-one interview and the rest
will be taken care of by our highly trained professionals. Stop counting on
fate to guide you. Create your own destiny.

The
screen faded into a simple registration form. Garrick didn?t allow for
second thoughts, his fingers flying over the keys, filling out the basic
information.

When
he finished typing, Garrick stared at the blinking cursor on the screen. Do
I or don?t I? Am I that desperate? What the hell do I think I?m doing?

But he
ached, deep and bleeding. So damn lonely. And they guaranteed privacy. He
couldn?t ask for more. He was tired of hiding that integral part of
himself, tired of lying to himself and the world around him. He needed,
needed more than he had. Needed to let someone else take control, if only
for a few stolen moments. But was this the way? Should he risk outside
help?

Was
this a safe option?

He
reached down, laying a hand on his heavy cock, swollen and hurting. A small
drop of precum glistened at the tip like a tiny,
desperate tear. A man couldn?t die of a terminal hard-on but life without
satisfying sexual contact sure as hell wasn?t comfortable.

Garrick
hit send.