Page 13 of Craving Her Vampire

“Loved it.” She squeezes her hands. “Can we do it again?”

“You aren’t feeling sick?”

“Not at all.”

“Holy fuck,” I say. She really is meant to be a vampire’s mate. My mate. “I’m glad you enjoyed it, pet.”

“So cool. You must love being a vampire.” She swings her legs back and forth, fully trusting me to hold her.

“I do,” I agree. “You will, too.” She frowns, and I don’t like it.

“Will I be a coyote-vampire?”

“You will be both.”

“Good. I would hate to lose my coyote.”

“You will be an original.” I can’t wait to see.

“I will be powerful, like you?”

“No, but you will have great power,” I smirk when her face falls. “You like my power?”

“You don’t understand,” she whispers. “I haven’t felt strong for a long time,” she admits and jumps out of my arms.

“Hey,” I call, grabbing her hand. “You will be a force. No one will be able to fuck with you again, and if you can’t handle them, I will.”

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.” She avoids my eyes. I have a feeling she’s had to be strong and not show weakness.

“You can say whatever the fuck you want,” I say harshly, and her eyes snap up. “There will be no judgment between us.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Bash says. I glare at him as he stands in the doorway. “The coyotes are getting restless, and Ryker is complaining about the noise. You know he hates that.”

“I know,” I grit out. He never shuts up about it.

“What are we torturing them to find out?” Bash asks casually. Daisy looks between us and then down at our joined hands.

“You can trust them,” I offer. “Everyone I introduce you to, you can trust.”

“Henry may know where my brother is,” she says softly, speaking to Bash but keeping her eyes on our hands. “I haven’t seen Liam for nine years. Our pack leader told me he sold him.”

“Jesus,” Bash says, rubbing his head. “Do you want to question them?”

She frowns, shaking her head. “I can’t do anything to them. Turner will kill me.”

“Love,” I say, gaining her attention. “You can do whatever the fuck you want. You aren’t going back to the house. Those men will not live to go home.” Her eyes become contemplative.

“I called the bear. He’s taking care of the car and bodies,” Bash says.

Quinn owns an investigation firm, but he used to work with me. We spent twelve years killing out-of-control shifters, vampires, and humans. He cut off our relationship until recently when he needed help protecting his mate.

“I’m ready,” Daisy says, tugging on my hand.

Bash leads the way into the building and down the stairs. The music from the club fades the farther we go. Daisy’s hand feels right in mine. I don’t question the universe's choice of mate, knowing she is meant to be mine. I don’t know much about her, but I don’t need to. We will learn everything in time. Typically, anyone would be leery of a vampire as old as I am, shifter or not. I haven’t sensed any hesitance or fear.

She has taken my word, believing my friends are trustworthy. The bond working through our bodies assures us.

We enter the dim room and find Ryker leaning against the wall. He is fiddling with one of the knives he keeps strapped to his chest, watching the three coyotes with disdain.

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