“Mine!”
His arms around her eased a little but not by much. She opened her eyes, staring at the wall across the room. Her lips were coated with his blood, the iron taste of it in her mouth as she tried to catch her breath. Her body felt way too warm, as if she were running a fever.
She’d just mated Veso.
He cleared his throat. “Say something.”
She blinked, trying not to panic. They were mated. He’d seduced her into it. No, she couldn’t totally blame that on him. He hadn’t been fucking her when he’d asked her to drink his blood. She’s the one who’d opened her mouth and shoved it against his arm.
“Glen?” He lifted his head and she turned hers.
The sight of blood on his mouth too, his chin, knowing it was hers… “You bit me,” she got out.
“Twice. I’d have let you bite me but you don’t have these.” He curled his upper lip, revealing his fangs.
“So we’re officially mated now?” She needed him to verbally confirm it, to hear the words.
His features softened. “We’re mates. That’s a wonderful thing.”
He wiggled a little and she lifted up, freeing his trapped arm under her ribs. He bent that arm after planting it on the bed, holding his head up but firmly wrapping his other one around her waist to keep them intimately linked. The fact that his leg still pinned hers wasn’t lost on her too. He probably figured she’d try to make a run for it. She was his though. They were mates. Excitement and fear clashed inside her all at once. There was no going back, no changing her mind.
“Breathe.”
“I am.”
“Too rapidly. Slow it down, Glen. There’s no need to panic.”
She was. Her heart was racing and her lungs were working too fast. She swallowed, reminded of the blood she’d drank since she could still taste it. It was smeared on her lips, probably her face too. It was on his.
He leaned in, holding her gaze. “I love you.”
She searched his eyes, stunned. He looked sincere. He’d actually dropped the L bomb on her.
“I do. You’re strong, Glenda. Stop looking as if you’re about to faint.”
“Glen. You said you’d call me that.”
He had the nerve to smile. “You want to argue now? I just told you that you’re the owner of my heart and always will be. I’m laying myself bare to you. This is where you’re supposed to tell me that you love me too.”
“I…”
“I love you. It’s not so hard to share your feelings, Glen. That was my second time uttering those words. You can say them too.”
Please don’t break my heart one day. “I love you, Veso. I’m just still a bit scared,” she admitted.
“We’re mates. Love is natural between us. I know it’s not easy to accept. I fought my instincts to mate you at first, not trusting them because of the blood injected into us at the mine. We’ve had time since then for it to have worn off. You just drank my blood because you know inside that you’re my mate. Try to imagine a life without me. I’ll give you a minute to think on it. I’ve done that…and I didn’t like what I pictured.”
He made it sound so simple. Life never was.
“Just close your eyes and think ahead five years if I let you return to your world alone.”
It wasn’t all that much to ask and it beat staring at him, because the blood on his face still made her feel slightly disturbed, reminding her of how she must look too. She closed her eyes, putting herself back inside her apartment. She’d rarely be there because she worked at least six days a week, ten- to twelve-hour shifts she didn’t even get all the overtime pay for. It had been lonely. All those meals she ate in front of her TV and the nights she slept alone. Her life had been sad and kind of pathetic.
He cuddled her tighter against his body, putting his lips close to her ear. “I’ll always be here for you. We’ll share everything together. You have a mate. Accept that and cherish it. I do.”
She parted her eyelids, staring at him. “You are evil.”
“Why? Because I make sense?”
“No, because you don’t play fair.”
He smiled. “I’m a VampLycan. I’ll do whatever it takes to get what I want.”
He was honest. She’d always give him credit for that. And blunt. She should be too. “We’re so different. Doesn’t that worry you?”
“I’ve heard that opposites attract. We’re proof that’s true.”
“Do you have an answer for everything?”
“I think so.”
“Fine. What about all my belongings in Oregon? I don’t even own clothes anymore, just ones Kira leant me. She’ll want them back at some point. I don’t want to write off my stuff. How will I support myself? I have a car. My lease isn’t up for another four months on my apartment. I have some savings but not enough to pay off—”
“That’s all easy to take care of.”
“Really? Tell me the wonders of the world, oh great know-it-all.”
He snorted, smiling again. “I’ll send my father to pack the belongings you want and have them shipped here. I have money, which makes it yours too. He can pay off your car and sell it for you. I’m certain your city vehicle wouldn’t survive one winter here.” He frowned. “I’ll drive you anywhere you need to go that a vehicle is required. You won’t need one of your own.”
“That sounds so sexist.”
He grinned. “It’s not. We had to walk to our cabin, remember? No roads.”
“I’ll want to go grocery shopping and stuff. That means I need a car to get to a town at some point.”
“Never without me at your side. Humans don’t like us, Glen. It wouldn’t be safe. They distrust anyone from a VampLycan town. They believe we’re some kind of religious cult.”
“Why?”
“We keep separate from them except mail and supply runs. It’s always been that way.”
“To keep your secret,” she guessed.
“Yes.”
“I can’t have your dad packing my underwear. Not to mention, he won’t want to do that.”
“He’ll do it because you’re my mate and your safety comes first. I won’t allow you to return to your home. The master is no longer a threat but that doesn’t mean other Vampires won’t be hunting for you. He was working with their council. It’s possible he shared your name and his plans with them. At some point, they are going to realize he’s dead.”
“I don’t have keys to my place, which means I have to get another set from the landlord. I have to pay off my lease and give notice that I’m moving.” He had no idea how the real world worked. That was obvious. “Your father isn’t me, so they aren’t going to let him do any of that.”
“You forget what we can do.” His eyes began to glow.
“Mind control.”
The yellow of them faded to the natural color. “Yes. My father can gain access to your home, pack whatever you want sent here, and do so safely. He’ll go in during the day and can handle any humans he needs to deal with on your behalf.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It is, Glen.”
“What about my mom? I still call her every so often.”
“We do have phones in Alaska. Just don’t tell her where you are. The Vamps could use your family to track you.”
It made her go still inside. “They’re in danger?”
“Doubtful, especially if they have no information on where to find you. To kill a human in a city draws too much attention so they tend to avoid doing that.”
“What do I tell her?”
“That you met the man of your dreams.” He grinned. “I swept you off your feet and I’m incredibly handsome. Any mother would love to hear that.”
He was impossible—and all hers.
It hit hard. He really was hers.
He chuckled. “Breathe, mate. Don’t faint on me.”
“Fuck you. You’re so bossy!”
“I can do that.” He kissed her.
Chapter Tw
enty
Veso chuckled, watching Glen dust his mantel. She turned her head, shooting him a dirty look.
She amused him. He was mostly grateful that she wasn’t attempting to sneak out of the cabin to escape. He worried she’d change her mind about being his mate. Her muscles were probably sore though, since he’d celebrated their mating with lots of sex.
“Dust isn’t funny. There’s layers of it. Don’t you sneeze a lot?”
“It’s one chore I hate. The house is clean.”
“Except for your shelves and the surfaces above the floor and counters.”
“You did want a job.” He grinned, enjoying riling her. She was really attractive when she got mad.
“Ha ha ha. Bite me.”
He rounded the counter, stalking toward her.
She completely turned and held up the dust rag, pointing a finger at him. “Stop. I didn’t mean that in the literal sense. You have big fangs.”
“I’ve got big everything.” He stopped a few feet from her and glanced at her upheld hand. “I’m just trying to show you I’m a good mate by doing what you demand.” He let his fangs extend, showing them off. He ran his tongue over the tips.
“You’re so not funny.”
“I disagree.” A sudden sound outside had him tensing, moving quickly for the door. “Stay here.”
He unlocked it and exited fast, his claws extending too. The sight of his father made him relax. “What’s wrong?”
“Lorn has decided to announce your human is part of our clan. He wants you and Glen at the back of the lodge within the hour.”
“That’s not a good idea.” Veso wanted his mate to be safe. The thought of putting her in the midst of a full clan meeting didn’t sit well with him.
“I agree,” Glen said from behind him.
He turned, growling low when he saw her standing in the open doorway. “I told you to stay inside.”
“I heard your father’s voice.” She stepped farther out onto the porch and stood next to him, waving. “Hi, Bran.”
His father’s gaze ran over Glen and he smiled. “I see your bite mark. You mated her.”
He glanced at Glen to see her reaction. She wore one of his shirts; it was loose around her neck and revealing parts of her shoulders. His mark couldn’t be missed. He’d licked it to heal the bite but a bruise remained. She blushed a little, reached up to adjust the shirt, but smiled. It looked a little forced.
He wondered if she was rethinking her decision to mate with him. He’d kept her busy all night, between sex and the naps they’d taken. The shared shower earlier that morning had been nice, and he’d fixed breakfast for them both, then washed the dishes while she’d started to clean. They hadn’t done much talking.
Then he noticed the color high in her cheeks and breathed easier. It wasn’t regret he saw but embarrassment. She was so human.
“You can’t disobey an order from our clan leader. Lorn knows what he’s doing.” His father came up the porch steps. “We’re changing things. It will be safe for her.”
He debated it.
Bran scowled. “Do you think we’d allow anything to happen? That I would? She’s your mate. I’d kill for her. Lorn and his enforcers will squash any trouble if it arises.”
“Fine.” To not show up would be disrespectful to Lorn. He didn’t want to have to move to another clan and build a new home for his mate. It would take time, and she wasn’t made for outdoor living. Winter would come before it was finished. “I just hope Lorn understands I’ll rip apart anyone who goes after my Glen.”
“He does.”
He reached out and placed his hand on her lower back. “Put on shoes. We’re going to the lodge.”
“Great.” She turned and reentered his cabin. “I’m changing my clothes too since I’m dressed for comfort right now, but I’ll hurry.”
Veso wasn’t sure what that meant. She had put on one of his shirts and a pair of Kira’s leggings. Her outfit seemed fine to him.
“It’s going to be fine, son.”
“It better be. She’s had to watch me kill enough times this week.”
“She needs to learn that life here can be harsher.”
“I’m attempting to downplay that a little. She’s still adjusting to me.”
“Did you get her permission to bond? She doesn’t appear agitated.”
“I didn’t force the mating.”
“Good. I’m proud of you.”
“I do listen to your advice. I need a favor though.”
“Name it.”
“Someone needs to clean up Glen’s human life. It seems to bother her, not having her own clothing. She rents an apartment in Oregon.”
“Say no more. Just tell me when you want me to go.”
“Perhaps next week or the one after it. I want to make sure we don’t have any problems here before you leave. Thank you for patrolling last night. It gave me the ability to just focus on my mate.”
“I’ll do the same tonight. This is an important time for your bonding to grow.”
“Did you manage to get any sleep?”
“I took a nap once I saw movement inside your home, until Lorn called. I’ll get more later.”
“Thank you.”
“I’d do anything for you.”
Veso surprised his father by giving him a hug. “Thank you. You could have been difficult about Glen being human.”
Bran patted his back. “I see you’re using the name she likes.”
Veso chuckled, pulling away. “She corrects me every time I slip. I’m a faster learner and it pleases her.”
“Mates will do that.” A sadness crept into his father’s eyes.
“You should try to find one.”
“Some of us aren’t meant to have a mate.”
“I believed that too. I was wrong.”
“The only additions to our family I’m expecting are when your mate gives you sons and daughters.”
That thought scared Veso.
His father grinned, seeming to guess where his mind had gone. “Fatherhood comes naturally. It’s instinctual. You’ll be an excellent father. I do admit I’m a bit grateful I wasn’t aware of your existence until after you were born.”
“Why?”
“It would have driven me insane to watch a woman suffer the pain of birthing my child. That’s one thing we can’t protect them from.”
“Fuck.” Veso hadn’t thought of that.
His father laughed. “You’re not obsessing over this upcoming meeting anymore.”
“That’s not amusing. I can’t get Glen pregnant. She’s human. What if she’s too weak to birth one of my children? I can’t lose her.”
“Feed her your blood often. It will strengthen her. She won’t turn into one of us but it will boost her immune system and her ability to heal. And we have a doctor.”
“One I don’t trust.”
“I’d trust the one with Trayis’s clan. We’ll visit there when the time comes. My old cabin still stands. She’d be comfortable there late in a pregnancy.”
“Trayis would allow it?”
“He’s a friend. Yes, he would.”
It was one less worry. Veso sighed. Mating a human was difficult but Glen was worth it.
* * * * *
I’m probably heading right into my own death. Glen glanced at the two men she walked between. Veso looked furious and his father seemed tense. Their gazes constantly roamed the woods. It was as if they expected someone to attack them at any moment. That didn’t help alleviate the pit of dread building in her stomach.
Humans are the enemy here. That means me. She wanted to snort aloud, knowing she was probably the most harmless thing in the woods. The hill came into sight and so did the lodge. It perched on the top of it, looming as grimly as the house in that scary movie about Norman. Only these people wouldn’t be gripping butcher knives. They had claws.
All the better to slash me with. Shit!
Veso took her hand. “I’ll keep you safe.”
/> She peered up at him. “Who is going to keep you safe?”
“I will,” Bran stated matter-of-factly. “And Lorn will have his enforcers ready to take out any threats. Hide your fear, Glen. You’re the mate of a VampLycan. Shoulders back, keep your breathing steady, and think of something that makes you angry if you get the urge to run. Hold your ground no matter what happens. We’re predators. You don’t want to incite anyone to attempt to hunt you.”
“You would make such a bad motivational speaker. Your son gets that from you. Don’t quit your day job.”
Bran frowned at her but Veso chuckled. “I got that joke.”
“I wasn’t kidding,” she muttered. “I understood the gist of it though. Act like they’re mean dogs. Stare them down, don’t turn my back on them, and act bigger than they are if they look like they might attack me.”
“Who gave you that advice?”
“I don’t know. I think I saw it in a movie,” she admitted.
“Just stay at my side and follow my orders.” Veso squeezed her hand.
“Be submissive like a good little mate. Got it.”
“That’s not what I meant. If I say get behind me, be at my back. If I say duck to avoid being splattered with blood, then you—”
“Try not to puke. I remember when you got creeper blood on me. Trust me, I’ll duck. I also don’t want to be hit with a flying body part. I remember your fighting motto.”
“My son has one?”
She met Bran’s curious stare. “Off with their heads.”
He chuckled. “That’s good.”
“I thought you’d like it. Do you enjoy ripping heads off too?”
“It depends on whose.”
“Good answer.” She sealed her lips, grateful her father-in-mate seemed to like her. She wanted to keep her head on her shoulders.
The uphill climb didn’t do wonders for her already aching leg muscles. She managed to avoid limping though or grimacing in pain when they reached the top. One thing was for sure. She’d get plenty of exercise living with Veso. All of them were so in shape for a reason.
The sight of a large group of people distracted her from her discomfort. Oh boy. Here we go. Veso and his father came to a halt at the line of trees, keeping them there.
Veso (VLG Book 4) Page 23
