The Fallout

Copyright © 2023 Nicole Tuttle All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by the copyright law. For permission requests, write to the author at [email protected]. ISBN: Paperback: 9798396609570 This novel is a work of fiction, any similarities to real people and events are entirely coincidental. Cover Design by Nicole Tuttle Interior Design and Formatting by Rachel McEwan Printed and distributed by Kindle Direct Publishing First Printing Edition To anyone who thinks they have to limit how much love they’re allowed to accept. Open your heart and let it all in. You deserve it. Content Warnings This novel includes and alludes to things that may be concerning such as murder, vampires, blood drinking, graphic sex, sexual assault, rape, cancer, descriptions of torture, death of a parent and family member, victim-blaming, panic attacks, brief thoughts of self-harm, PTSD, discrimination, hate crimes, a brief reference to the LA Times Bombing, parental neglect, and harassment. Please consider these before continuing. Acknowledgments This novel would not exist if it weren’t for some incredible people in my life, and I simply must thank them for everything they’ve done for me. To my husband, for always reading my books and being my number one fan. To my mom, for showing me that I could actually be a writer and for being my momager. To Mariah, for encouraging my creative side and for always being a sounding board. To my dad, for reminding me how to use commas correctly (just because I still don’t understand doesn’t mean you didn’t try your best, so thank you). Once again, if you’re in my family and you somehow didn’t get the memo to NOT read this book, I urge you to listen to me now. Please. Seriously. This book is dirty and smutty, and there are things in this novel that I don’t want you to know that I know about. So please, if you love me, put this book down and stop reading it immediately. Thank you! Love you! To all my incredible ARC Readers for their continued support and encouragement. Your kind words and love of my stories are what keeps me going. And finally, to you, dear reader. Thank you for falling in love with these monsters the way I have. Welcome back to Shockgrove. table of contents Title Page Copyright Dedication Content warning acknowledgments Prologue Chapter one Chapter two Chapter three Chapter four Chapter five Chapter six Chapter seven Chapter eight Chapter nine Chapter ten Chapter eleven Chapter twelve Chapter thirteen Chapter fourteen Chapter fifteen Chapter sixteen Chapter seventeen prologue There is nothing quite as beautiful as a vampire joining ceremony. Although, I may be a little biased. Moonlight flooded the small clearing, casting a soft glow across the faces of the people I loved most in this world. Standing off to my side was Laz, their face was lit with the brightest smile I’d ever seen grace their features. To my left was Orpheus, his usually cold exterior softened in this moment of love and light. He wore a suit, as always, but he had swapped his usual dark tie for a bright red one to mark the occasion. Across the way, Silas stood with his hands clasped in front of him, an eager excitement coursing noticeably through him. He wore what he wore every day, dark jeans and a tight t-shirt, but he had the good sense to swap his jean jacket for a grey sport coat at least. And then, standing before me, hands in mine, was the most beautiful creature to ever exist. My love. My chosen. My Alora. Her golden hair was pulled up into a delicate tangle of curls and braids at the top of her head with stray pieces falling to frame her stunning face. She had that perfect olive complexion, a testament to her human parents’ Sicilian ancestry. Her eyes were the color of the ocean, and their gaze felt just as deep. Her delicate frame was draped in a blood-red gown, as mine was. Her dress had a corset bodice that hugged her soft curves perfectly. Mine hung off my shoulders, showing off my dark brown skin that was illuminated by the light from the midnight moon, and flowed loosely down to the grass beneath our bare feet. There was a soft ethereal nature to her as if she were some sort of mythic beauty. My own personal Helen of Troy. Her plump lips called to me the same way they had every day since I met her. Ever since the day she and Silas joined our coven, her intoxicating scent and mesmerizing gaze had laid claim to me. She wasn’t my mate, but what I felt for her was so powerful that I truly couldn’t fathom any bond being stronger than the one I shared with her. That is why I asked her to commit to me, mate bond be damned. I didn’t need some cosmic intervention to tell me that I belonged to this woman, and she to me. The stars in the sky served as a million little reminders of the days I’d already spent worshiping this beauty before me, and a promise of the days I was swearing to devote to her from here on out. “Alora,” Orpheus began, but neither of our gazes traveled to him. We were too enraptured with each other. She had that effect. “Do you swear your commitment to choose Samara, tonight, and every night beyond?” “I swear.” Her voice was steadfast despite the happy sobs that were slipping past her delicious lips. “You may now offer your promise.” Alora cleared her throat, pushing the flooding emotions down, and squeezed my hands in hers. “Samara, my love.” She inhaled sharply, holding