Page 26 of His Mate By Vengeance

Angelo’s heart raced with anxiety at his words. The only thing worse than Vin being his fated mate would be if it was all one-sided and Angelo was the only one who felt that way. “I don’t know how,” he whispered.

“Well, figure it the fuck out. Most shifters would kill to find their fated mate,” Luca snapped, leaving no doubt that he wasn’t ‘most shifters’.

Angelo’s heart ached for the pain that put such venom in the usually calm hacker’s words. No way was he going to ask if he was okay when everything about Luca’s expression said to back away, though.

Figure it out.

As if it was that easy.

As if Vin would even want to come back when Angelo had all but thrown him out the door after fucking his mouth like he was feral.

CHAPTER 8: VIN

Vin snuckout a side window of the apartment building and climbed down a drainpipe when he left Angel’s apartment because taking an expected exit was a good way to end up dead one day, as Luca had almost discovered. The subdued panic of the pack had been impossible to miss, so he’d stuck around long enough to catch the gist of what had happened to Marco’s cousin by eavesdropping on the crew cleaning up the mess from the bomb. It was definitely an inside job. That meant his Angel would be playing bodyguard against his own pack, which would hurt him.

Vin needed to make it better. And he needed an excuse to stay in the pack complex so he could watch Angel’s back. The guy was far too trusting of people he considered family. Oh, he’d definitely save Luca if he was attacked, but he’d probably do something stupid like hesitate to kill the person attacking and end up sacrificing himself instead. Which was not fucking acceptable. Vin needed to speed his plans up so he could get back where he belonged—by his Angel’s side, whether hewanted him there or not.

Heading out to the street, he immediately noticed the human watching the complex from the street corner. The pack had let the distraction of the bomb throw them off their game or they would’ve already noticed the would-be spy. He considered telling his Angel, but he didn’t want to add to his plate and, to be honest, he was still pissed at him. Instead, he took a picture of the human and flicked it to Marco in a text before sliding up to the driver’s window and knocking on it, a friendly smile on his face and his renewed power flowing freely in a way this human wouldn’t be able to resist.

Cold brown eyes met his as the driver wound the window down looking confused by his own actions. Vin didn’t bother making small talk. He simply snapped the seatbelt with his talons and ripped the guy from his seat. His general frustration almost had him slamming the man’s fragile body into the asphalt too hard, but he restrained himself. Just. Then he used the broken seatbelt to restrainhim, hogtying the guy and leaving him bound and bloodied on the street before smashing a fist into his temple to knock him out. Flicking another text to Marco to let him know the human was waiting, he reached through the window to unlock the car and jumped inside. It was a win-win. Marco got someone to question, and he got the ride he needed.

An hour later, he had a new burner phone, cash, computer, and ID from one of his many stashes around the city. His plan was going to have to be quick and dirty. He needed to get back to his Angel to protect him, but he needed to woo him as well or Angel wouldn’t let him stay. So, he was going to give his Angel a present. The perfect courting gift.

His non-burner phone buzzed as if the thought had conjured the message.

Marco

Thanks for the present. You wrapped it and everything. Love the bow.

Vin

Anything for my future pack, Sugar.

The message was him testing the waters, sounding Marco out. Convincing his Angel they belonged together was one thing, but he knew he wouldn’t get anywhere without the Alpha’s blessing. His Angel’s loyalty to his pack, and to Marco in particular, was an inalienable part of who he was.

Marco

At least one of you isn’t an idiot.

Wait. What? This was interesting. He knew Marco had encouraged him to sleep with Angel at the cabin, but he hadn’t expected this tacit support.

Vin

Don’t call my Angel an idiot. And don’t you dare let him die protecting your cousin.

Marco

Don’t worry. Your mate is safer in my house with Luca. Why do you think I moved him out of his apartment?

Vin frowned as he read the sentences again. And then again. Maybe hewasan idiot. Vampires mated, too. But he’d never come across a vampire/shifter pairing. The wordmatehadn’t crossed his mind once, but it explained the instant obsession he’d had for his Angel and the weird way he’d never called him Sugar like he did all his other marks. The potential mate status would make the Alpha easier to handle, but he wasn’t sure it would help his Angel come round. If he was even aware. If anything, it might make Angelo even more resentful.

Vin

Did you tell him?

Marco

I did. He’s still adjusting.

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