ETHAN’S MATE (Book One: The Vampire Coalition) by J. S. Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

the human tradition.
    Ethan didn’t mind having a wedding in addition to
mating. He had gotten Brianna the finest engagement ring he could
find that would still suit her tastes for something simple and
classy. He was finding out that just about anything that branded
her as his made him ecstatic.
    “I already told Brianna that you would be more than
happy to be my groomsmen for the wedding,” Ethan informed his
brother wickedly. “She has a maid of honor and two bridesmaids, so
it works out perfectly.”
    Ethan grinned, flashing them an evil look, as all of
his brothers’ faces registered horror and dismay. None of them were
laughing now.
    “When is it? I think I already have plans,” Nathan
grumbled.
    “Me too.” Rory agreed.
    “And me.” Liam said softly.
    “Oh, no. If you can’t make it…you can explain to
Brianna why you can’t attend one of the most important days of her
life. I’m not doing it.” Ethan broke into a small smile as they all
frowned. His brothers really did adore Brianna and somehow she
could get away with getting them to do her bidding. It amused the
hell out of him. Like it or not, he knew they would all be
there.
    There might be a few bumps along the road to
integrating their families, but it wouldn’t be that difficult.
Brianna had a human life and family. He respected that. Although
she would be a vampire’s mate after the ceremony, she would never
be completely vampire. She would need blood and she would have to
avoid the sun, but she wouldn’t have magic. Any aging would freeze
and she would keep her increased strength, but she would be between
two worlds. She would be more vampire than human, but she was
raised as a human and he didn’t expect her to leave that totally
behind.
    Ethan was startled when a firm rap on the door broke
into his thoughts.
    “It’s time, Ethan,” Adare informed him quietly.
    His brothers all slapped him on the back. They were
leaving. Brianna might adore them, but she really didn’t want them
to witness. She had come to care for them like family and she
insisted she would rather have strangers at this particular mating
ritual as she really didn’t want her future brothers-in-law to see
her naked.
    Adare was leaving too. Now that he was mated, he
could no longer watch the ceremonies like a eunuch. He and Kristin
would leave as soon as Kristin had finished her duties as an
attendant.
    His brothers disappeared. Adare stood at his side,
ready to escort him to the mating chamber. Adare would await his
mate Kristin outside of the door where she would exit and they
would depart together.
    Ethan tried to get control of himself, but the closer
he came to the mating chamber, the more his control seemed to slip
away. He was ready to begin an ancient vampire ritual and the magic
involved in the upcoming ceremony seemed to be building.
    Adare opened the door and motioned him to enter,
stopping and leaving Ethan to continue alone.
    As Ethan entered the chamber, he felt a powerful
surge of magic, but it wasn’t coming from him. This was ancient
magic, strong and powerful.
    His clothing dissolved and he was suddenly dressed in
only a scrap of leather to confine his cock, held in place with
only a few strings. His member was already protesting by trying to
burst the seams.
    His skin gleamed from the ancient mating oils.
    He could feel that magic swirling around him,
heightening his arousal to an almost feral need. He could only
imagine what would happen once their marks touched and the ancient
words were said.
    He gritted his teeth, trying not to lose complete
control while he waited for his mate to arrive.

Chapter 8
    Brianna approached the mating chamber with two women
in front of her and Kristin at her side. Kristin was newly mated
and Brianna appreciated the fact that she had just been through
what Brianna was going through now. She had helped calm some of
Brianna’s nervousness.
    Brianna wasn’t afraid. Hell…she had been close to
dying by the time that