Page 43 of Love Bites

“You say that like you don’t think he does, or will,” I countered.

She didn’t answer right away, continuing to tug my stitches free. The sensations weren’t pleasant, but they didn’t hurt.

Finally, she removed the last one and set her tools down on the bed beside me, meeting my gaze.

“Hale is very stubborn,” she finally said. “I’ve known him a long time. Longer than most people in the Manor. His bloodlust was always so strong that he refused to drink from the vein since he was a teenager. He doesn’t think he can fight it well enough not to kill his blood sources. Considering his tremendous amount of control, I’m inclined to believe him. Has he bitten you?”

I nodded. “He drinks from me.”

“That’s good. I would have to imagine he’s not taking more than what he deems necessary, though.”

I frowned. “So he’s too hungry to use his power?”

“Not too hungry to use it, but too hungry to sustain it.” She gestured toward him. “He’s still bleeding.”

My stomach clenched.

I’d been afraid of that.

“It’s been an entire day,” I said.

She nodded. “He refused to let me look at his injuries until you were healed. I didn’t argue. There’s usually no point in fighting with him.”

“You could’ve bandaged them when he passed out,” I protested.

She gave me a wry smile. “He doesn’t have the power to heal them enough to stop bleeding right now, so bandages are useless. I brought in a dozen blood bags, but he didn’t bat an eye at them. The only blood he’s willing to drink is yours.”

The knot in my stomach tightened further. “I need to feed him. I get it. What else are you trying to say, though? I’d appreciate it if you just came out and said it.”

Her smile widened a little. “I like you, Blair. I think you’re good for him. But the thing you have to understand is that Hale will take care of everyone around him, no matter what it costs him. He’ll go to war with the wolves if he has to, even if he doesn’t have the blood or energy reserves to manage it. He’ll burn himself to the ground protecting you and your sisters if you let him.”

I bit my lip.

“You don’t have any real reason to want to take care of him right now, but the bond between you is permanent. You need to think long and hard about whether you’re willing to spend your immortal life alone if he burns out because you choose not to help him.”

I let out a slow breath. “I’ll consider it.”

She picked up a small syringe with a tiny needle. “This is a medication created to boost blood regeneration. It was designed to help humans and magical beings recover after a vampire lost control of their bloodlust and fed for too long. We realized a few years ago that it has another benefit—boosting blood supply over time. If someone with magic goes through a series of regular injections, it impacts their body long-term, training their magic to regenerate their blood quickly. After the series of injections, it only takes one or two a year to maintain the benefits.”

My eyebrows lifted. “Wouldn’t that helpeveryone?”

Her smile widened. “Yes, if it was cheap to make. Unfortunately, it’s extremely expensive. The other four leaders all went through with the injections and keep up with them.”

“Why doesn’t Damian?”

“Vampire magic prevents us from regenerating blood at all.”

“So it’s useless for him. For all of you.”

She nodded confirmation. “I highly recommend you go through with the series if you decide you’re willing to try to keep up with Damian’s appetite. Even if you don’t, it’s better to be safe than sorry when you’re living in a Manor full of vampires. Louise offered to foot the bill already.”

I bit my lip.

Lou strode into the room, and I looked at the doorway as she entered. Her gaze went right to her brother, her face settling in a grimace. “He turned down the blood bags again?”

“As expected,” Kara agreed.

Lou ran a hand through her hair.

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