To Bite A Bear by Amber Kell Page A

artist is yummy,” Vick purred. “I bet he
    tastes delicious.”
    Irritation flickered through Rohan. He didn’t
    want anyone else coveting the man who would be
    his.
    “Yes, he is indeed,” Rohan agreed, struggling to
    keep his temper. “I think the coven might need
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    To Bite a Bear

    some artwork done. Maybe the entire coven
    mansion.”
    “I can’t say I blame you.”
    Rohan and Vick continued to examine the artist,
    neither of them moving from their spot despite
    impeding the flow of traffic. “I’m guessing bear
    shifter,” Vick said.
    “I concur.” Rohan turned and headed toward
    the exit.
    “Aren’t you going to talk to him?” Vick asked.
    “No. Not now. I’ll talk to him one day soon, but
    it won’t be with all these people around.” Rohan
    left the gallery, knowing he’d be getting to know
    the gorgeous bear shifter very well in the near
    future. From the aura around him, Rohan had just
    met his blood bonded. No way would he make his
    first contact surrounded by distractions. He’d call
    the gallery tomorrow. They’d know how to get
    hold of Harris. Soon to be Rohan’s Harris.

    3
    Amber Kell

    Chapter One

    arris Bender watched as the vampire leader,
    H Rohan, lit the caskets on fire. Vampires
    didn’t bury their dead, they freed their souls by
    burning their bodies in a tradition as old as time.
    The flames cast shadows on Rohan’s face, giving
    his handsome face harsh angles beneath sharp
    cheekbones. To Harris, Rohan appeared beautiful
    at any angle. His fingers itched for a pencil to
    sketch out the scene.
    The heavy weight of silence coated the
    proceedings as if surrounded by an invisible
    shield. No one fidgeted or rustled. No birds sang
    in the distance. Even the bugs held their chirps
    and buzzes until Rohan finished his eulogy for the
    vampires who had passed. Rohan’s sorrow
    pierced Harris’ heart, as if he had personally
    experienced their loss when, in fact, he’d barely
    met them.
    Poisoned blood from human donors had killed
    three vampires, compliments of the sorcerers.
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    To Bite a Bear

    Eaton had saved the rest of them by warning the
    vampires of the problem but not soon enough to
    save this trio. Unfortunately, the sorcerers had
    gone underground where no one could find them,
    so the vampires weren’t able to retaliate.
    Harris didn’t have to be there. He didn’t belong
    to the coven and wasn’t a vampire. However, he
    couldn’t let Rohan mourn alone. The few weeks
    he’d worked for the master vampire had forged an
    odd friendship between the two men. A
    relationship Harris planned to take to the next
    level soon. Rohan called Harris his beloved but
    hadn’t made any further moves despite the
    longing looks and possessive behavior. After
    Rohan had a chance to mourn his friends, Harris
    would show the vampire he didn’t have to be
    alone.
    Rohan had come to Harris’ aid when Eaton had
    been kidnapped, and although Rohan didn’t end
    up having to do anything, having the vampire
    leader there had given Harris the emotional
    support he needed. Harris wanted to return the
    favor.
    When the vampire turned around, he
    immediately searched the crowd. Harris saw the
    vampire relax when Rohan caught sight of him.
    After whispering something to the people milling
    to his right, Rohan walked over to join Harris.
    Without ceremony, Rohan wrapped a proprietary
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    Amber Kell

    arm around Harris and scooted him to one side,
    putting Rohan’s body between Harris and the
    other vampires. Rohan didn’t like other people too
    close to Harris. For some reason, ever since Harris
    started working for him, Rohan had watched over
    him like a dog with his bone.
    “You doing all right?” Harris whispered. He
    fought against the urge to hug Rohan closer. The
    vampire leader probably wouldn’t appreciate
    coddling in front of his people. The way they
    stood now, Rohan could’ve been offering support
    to Harris. Harris knew Rohan was absorbing some
    of his calm. The vampire