Page 18 of Love Bites

“Didn’t you say she’s Hale’ssister?” Zora muttered.

Clem elbowed me in the gut, then whispered, “Oops,” when I grunted. She stepped around me to elbow Zora, instead.

“He’s not as bad as he might seem,” Lou said, her eyes lingering on the marking on my neck. “But he definitely won’t let his blood mate go to Curtis. Curt would send her back to him in pieces, just to get a rise out of him.”

“Bloodmate?” Izzy demanded, and all of their eyes were on me again.

“I told you I was craving him,” I said weakly.

“It would make sense for you to crave him if you’re his blood mate.”

“Is there still anif?” Izzy asked, hopeful.

“Did he drink from you again?” Louise asked me.

I nodded.

“And did he still want you afterward?”

I grimaced, but nodded again.

“Then no, there’s not anif.”

Izzy sighed in defeat.

Clem recaptured my arm, and we all started moving again. Lou fell into step on the other side of Zora, though Zora kept giving her dirty looks.

She was one of the most loving members of our family. When she was on your side, she would do anything for you. But when she didn’t like someone, she would do absolutely anything to make sure they failed.

Avery stepped between Zora and Lou, probably to keep the peace.

“How did the conversation go exactly, when he asked you if he could mark you?” Lou asked curiously.

I felt a few pairs of eyes on us, probably from random vampires in the hallway we were walking through, but I didn’t let myself feel self-conscious about the attention. It was Damian’s—Hale’s—fault, not mine.

I scoffed. “He didn’task. He said I could mate with him to guarantee my sisters’ safety, or we could leave and let Curtis take us.”

Clem sucked in a breath.

Izzy swore.

Avery murmured something to Zora.

Lou sighed. “Lovely. I’ll talk to him.”

“I don’t think talking will help. He made it pretty clear that he’s calling the shots, and I’m at his mercy.”

“That’s not how a mate bond works,” Lou argued.

Avery set her hand on Lou’s arm. “Tell your brother that.”

“I will.”

Avery released the other woman as we all kept walking. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to grab you. We’re touchy.”

“I’ve realized. Clementine has hugged me at least a hundred times since she’s been away from you.” Lou smiled, making sure we realized it didn’t bother her.

“Sirens require snuggling,” Clem said with a shrug.

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