Feral in the Family

Jay, a gentle, anxious vampire, is caught in the chaos as his den's leader, Silas, goes feral. Jay's "family" is a toxic, hierarchical group of vampires, and he's always been the odd one out—too soft, too obedient, too human. When Silas attacks and kills Jay's maker, Veronique (Vee), Jay is paralyzed by fear and guilt, unable to help. He flees, haunted by Vee's voice and the trauma of his upbringing, setting the stage for his journey toward selfhood and belonging.

Coffee, Snow, and Solitude

Jay tries to build a normal life in Hyde Park, Colorado, working at a café and blending in with humans. He's sweet, quirky, and desperate for connection, but loneliness and the echoes of Vee's emotional abuse linger. His coworkers are kind, but Jay's sense of isolation is profound. He craves touch, affection, and a sense of family, but fears he'll never truly belong or be brave enough to claim happiness.

Obsession Brews at Dawn

Alexei, a brooding, ex-mobster on the run, stumbles into Jay's café. Instantly, he's captivated by Jay's innocence and charm—an obsession that grows with each visit. Alexei, used to violence and numbness, finds himself drawn to Jay's light, even as he tries to keep his distance for both their sakes. Jay, meanwhile, is oblivious to the depth of Alexei's fixation, simply happy to have a new regular who makes him feel seen.

Peppermint and Predators

Jay and Alexei's mutual fascination deepens, but their worlds collide when Alexei discovers Jay's true nature after witnessing him feed on a coworker. Instead of recoiling, Alexei is intrigued and aroused, consenting to let Jay feed from him. The experience is intensely intimate, blurring the lines between hunger, pleasure, and trust. Their connection intensifies, but both are haunted by past traumas and the threat of outside forces.

Blood, Secrets, and Consent

Jay and Alexei navigate the complexities of feeding, desire, and consent. Jay's lack of sexual experience and deep-seated need to please are met with Alexei's patience and hunger to care for him. Their relationship becomes a safe space for both, where Jay can explore intimacy without fear, and Alexei can finally let down his guard. The act of feeding becomes a metaphor for trust and mutual need.

Hunger and Human Touch

Jay's innocence and Alexei's worldliness collide in a series of tender, awkward, and deeply erotic firsts. Jay learns to touch and be touched, to ask for what he wants, and to accept pleasure. Alexei, in turn, finds purpose in nurturing Jay, teaching him about sex, food, and the simple joys of being cared for. Their physical connection is inseparable from their emotional healing.

Firsts, Fangs, and Feelings

As Jay and Alexei grow closer, Jay's friends—other vampires and their mates—become wary of the human in Jay's life. Jay's struggle with Vee's lingering influence and his own self-worth comes to the fore, especially as he's forced to confront the reality of his past and the possibility of a future with Alexei. The couple's growing intimacy is threatened by secrets, guilt, and the ever-present risk of violence from both vampire and human worlds.

Family, Found and Chosen

Jay's new "family" of vampires and humans rally around him, offering the unconditional support he's always craved. Through shared meals, confessions, and gentle confrontation, Jay begins to believe he might finally belong. The group's acceptance is tested by revelations about Jay's inheritance and the dangerous politics of vampire society, but their loyalty to each other holds strong.

The Ghosts of Makers

Jay's memories of Vee—her control, her coldness, her rare moments of kindness—haunt him. He grapples with the paradox of missing his abuser and longing for the comfort of belonging, even as he tries to forge a new identity. The narrative explores the deep scars of emotional abuse, the difficulty of breaking free, and the slow, painful process of learning to want and choose for oneself.

Pancakes and Past Lives

Alexei and Jay bond over simple pleasures—cooking, art, and the rituals of daily life. Alexei shares his own painful family history, revealing the roots of his stoicism and need for control. Together, they create new memories and traditions, finding healing in each other's company. Their relationship becomes a sanctuary from the violence and chaos of their pasts.

Billionaire Betrothal Bombshell

Jay's secret comes out: he's the reluctant heir to a vast vampire fortune, and his "engagement" to Wolfe, a cold, calculating vampire from his old den, was arranged to secure power and safety. Wolfe arrives in Hyde Park, threatening to drag Jay back to a life of servitude and control. The revelation shakes Jay's new family and tests his relationship with Alexei, who must confront his own fears of inadequacy and loss.

Mate, Money, and Motives

Wolfe's arrival forces Jay and his friends to confront the realities of vampire politics and the dangers of power. Jay must decide whether to honor old obligations or fight for his new life. Wolfe's motives are ambiguous—part self-interest, part genuine (if cold) loyalty to Jay. The group negotiates, bargains, and ultimately stands together, refusing to let Jay be taken without a fight.

Den of Deceptions

Wolfe, seeing Jay's resolve, takes matters into his own hands by turning Alexei into a vampire—removing the "human" obstacle to his plans and binding Jay and Alexei together in a way that can't be undone. The act is both a violation and a twisted gift, forcing Jay to confront what he truly wants and what he's willing to fight for. The aftermath is a crucible for their relationship and their chosen family.

Turning Points and Tethers

Alexei's transformation is harrowing but ultimately liberating. The mate bond between him and Jay is revealed in full force, bringing with it a flood of love, desire, and mutual understanding. Jay, for the first time, feels truly chosen and cherished, while Alexei finds purpose and belonging. Together, they face the future as equals, no longer divided by mortality or fear.

The Price of Belonging

Jay's friends reaffirm their commitment to him, promising to fight for their found family no matter the cost. The group's unity is tested by further threats from the old den, but their loyalty and love prove stronger than fear. Jay learns that true belonging isn't about obligation or blood, but about choice, trust, and mutual care.

Wolfe's Gambit

Wolfe, ever pragmatic, shifts his allegiance to Jay's new den in exchange for a share of the fortune and the right to stay with his own newly discovered mate. The politics of vampire society are upended, and the group's future is secured—at least for now. Wolfe's actions are both self-serving and oddly redemptive, highlighting the complexity of loyalty and the possibility of change.

New Bonds, Old Threats

With the immediate threats behind them, Jay and Alexei settle into a new rhythm—building a life together, exploring love, and finding joy in the everyday. They adopt stray kittens, dream of starting a pet shelter, and embrace the messiness of happiness. The scars of the past remain, but they are no longer defined by them. Their family, both vampire and human, is stronger for having chosen each other.

Home, at Last

Jay and Alexei, surrounded by friends, love, and the promise of new adventures, finally find the home they've always longed for. Their journey—from trauma and loneliness to trust and belonging—is a testament to the power of chosen family, the necessity of vulnerability, and the enduring hope that even the most broken can find healing and joy.

Characters

Jay (Johann)

Jay is a centuries-old vampire with the heart of a child and the scars of a survivor. Raised in a den where obedience and emotional suppression were prized, he's been shaped by emotional abuse and neglect, especially from his maker, Veronique. Jay is sweet, quirky, and deeply anxious, craving affection and belonging but terrified of rejection. His journey is one of learning to trust, to want, and to accept love—not as a reward for obedience, but as his birthright. His relationship with Alexei is transformative, allowing him to explore intimacy, pleasure, and selfhood for the first time. Jay's development is marked by increasing agency, courage, and the slow, painful shedding of old patterns.

Alexei

Alexei is a former mobster, haunted by a violent past and a lifetime of emotional numbness. On the run from his family, he's drawn to Jay's innocence and light, finding in him a reason to hope and care again. Alexei is fiercely protective, possessive, and hungry to nurture—traits that find their perfect match in Jay's need for care. His transformation into a vampire and the revelation of the mate bond allow him to finally belong, to love and be loved without fear. Alexei's arc is one of redemption, vulnerability, and the embrace of a softer, truer self.

Veronique (Vee)

Vee is Jay's maker and the source of much of his trauma. She is cold, exacting, and manipulative, shaping Jay into the perfect companion—obedient, neat, and emotionally suppressed. Her rare moments of kindness are laced with control, and her death is both a liberation and a source of guilt for Jay. Vee's voice lingers in Jay's mind, a symbol of the enduring power of emotional abuse and the difficulty of breaking free.

Wolfe

Wolfe is a younger vampire from Jay's old den, a self-identified psychopath who values order, power, and convenience above all. He is both a threat and a reluctant ally, orchestrating much of the political maneuvering that drives the plot. Wolfe's actions—turning Alexei, seeking a mate of his own—are driven by self-interest, but he is not without a certain loyalty to Jay. His character explores the limits of empathy, the complexity of motivation, and the possibility of change.

Soren

Soren is Jay's old friend and fellow den escapee, now mated to Gabe. He is sharp-tongued, protective, and deeply scarred by his own traumatic past. Soren's relationship with Jay is a mix of tough love, empathy, and shared history. He pushes Jay to claim happiness, challenges his self-doubt, and models the possibility of healing and love after abuse.

Danny

Danny is a human-turned-vampire nurse, mated to Roman. He is the emotional center of the group, offering Jay the unconditional acceptance and care he's always needed. Danny's warmth, patience, and insistence on Jay's value are crucial to Jay's healing and sense of belonging.

Roman

Roman is Danny's mate, a brooding, traditional vampire with a hidden soft spot for those he loves. He is wary of outsiders and fiercely protective of his family, but ultimately embraces Jay as one of their own. Roman's journey is one of learning to trust, to adapt, and to accept the messiness of modern love.

Gabe

Gabe is Soren's mate, a stabilizing presence in the group. He is practical, loyal, and unafraid to challenge Soren's excesses. Gabe's acceptance of Jay and his willingness to fight for their family are key to the group's unity.

Colin

Colin is Jay's café manager and initial feeding partner. He is calm, accepting, and curious, providing Jay with a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore his needs. Colin's relationship with Jay is platonic but deeply important, modeling the possibility of consent, boundaries, and friendship across differences.

Tobias

Tobias is a minor but pivotal antagonist, representing the lingering dangers of Jay's old life. His confrontation with Jay and the group crystallizes their unity and Jay's newfound strength, marking the final break with the past.

Plot Devices

The Mate Bond

The mate bond is the central supernatural device, representing both destiny and the possibility of healing. It is a literal and metaphorical tether, binding Jay and Alexei together in a way that transcends trauma, fear, and mortality. The bond amplifies their emotions, making vulnerability both inescapable and transformative. It is used to explore themes of consent, agency, and the difference between chosen and imposed connection.

Found Family

The narrative structure revolves around the creation of a found family—a group of vampires and humans who choose each other, offering the acceptance, care, and loyalty denied by their birth families and makers. This device is used to contrast the toxic, hierarchical den with the egalitarian, loving community Jay builds in Hyde Park. It is also a vehicle for exploring the complexities of belonging, obligation, and the right to happiness.

Trauma and Recovery

Jay's journey is shaped by the enduring effects of emotional abuse—flashbacks, self-doubt, and the internalized voice of his maker. The narrative uses repetition, internal monologue, and the motif of "losing time" to convey the difficulty of breaking free from old patterns. Recovery is depicted as nonlinear, requiring both self-compassion and the support of others.

Consent and Boundaries

The story foregrounds issues of consent—sexual, emotional, and supernatural. Feeding, turning, and intimacy are all negotiated, with an emphasis on mutual need and respect. The contrast between Jay's past (where consent was denied) and his present (where it is central) is a key driver of character development and thematic depth.

Foreshadowing and Parallelism

The narrative uses foreshadowing and parallelism to draw connections between Jay and Alexei's pasts—their experiences of abuse, loneliness, and the longing for family. Their healing is likewise mirrored, as each learns to accept love, trust, and the right to happiness. The structure of the story, with its alternating perspectives and recurring motifs, reinforces the sense of destiny and the possibility of change.

Analysis

Johann is a deeply empathetic exploration of trauma, healing, and the transformative power of chosen family and love. At its core, the novel is about the struggle to break free from the scripts written by abusers—whether makers, parents, or social systems—and to claim the right to want, to choose, and to belong. Jay's journey from obedient, anxious companion to self-possessed, loved mate is both a romance and a recovery narrative, showing that healing is possible but never simple. The book interrogates the ethics of power, the meaning of consent, and the necessity of vulnerability, using the supernatural as a lens for very human questions. In a modern context, Johann resonates as a story for anyone who has felt "too much" or "not enough," offering hope that even the most wounded can find joy, connection, and a home of their own.

Last updated: May 29, 2025