Page 111 of Craving Carla

She starts crying, the tears I’ve been expecting finally breaking free. “I am humiliated. Right in the middle of our first date.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, meaning it. “I’m so sorry.”

She tries to pull away, but I pull her into my arms, ignoring her struggle. I look up with a smile when I notice who’s arriving at the bridge. Carla pulls away and looks back, confused by the convoy of cars suddenly entering Wintermoon.

Four vehicles roll onto the island, and then we hear it—the marching. It’s the Medina coven. Two hundred men, vampires with the strength of an army of thousands, carefully picked, trained, and pledged to my service. One of the SUVs stops in front of us, a trailer connected to the back.

Carla pulls away from me, staring at the marching men. “What the hell is going on?”

I step toward her. “They’re here early. Come meet your new family.”

She narrows her eyes, but before she can respond, Bobby climbs out of the SUV and approaches, bowing before us.

“My queen,” he says to Carla, who winces at the title.

He turns to me, bowing again. “My lord, it is done.” He steps back and gestures toward the trailer.

I take Carla’s hand. She looks down at our joined fingers, then turns her attention to Moria and Kemnebi, who are suddenly tapping their legs hard against the ground.

Bobby gives Kemnebi a Black Panther salute with his fist. “Nice mate, little friend. She’s pretty.”

Kemnebi approaches Bobby, brushing his legs against his feet—probably thanking him.

“What is going on?” Carla asks, her voice small.

“I’m staying permanently on Wintermoon,” I explain, “and my coven is arriving. They will set up camp on the community lands and start breaking ground on our new home.”

Her eyes widen.

I bring her hand to my lips, kissing it gently. “This might not be the best timing, but when is the timing ever right when it comes to us?”

She frowns.

“Switch vehicles and meet with me in the morning,” I tell Bobby. We exchange key fobs, and Bobby walks to my SUV, getting in.

“I’ll introduce you to the coven later,” I tell Carla, leading her toward the large trailer.

She immediately gasps and covers her mouth when she sees one of her children’s legs hanging out from under the tarp. She falls to her knees, breaking into full sobs, looking up at me with beautiful green eyes glossed with tears.

I smile, unable to hide my satisfaction. “See? I told you I would get them for you. And I didn’t need to fuck Alexis to do it.”

She wails, the sound breaking my heart. I sigh and lock my arms under hers, pulling her to her feet. I walk her to the passenger seat of the SUV, opening the door and helping her inside.

I look to Moria and Kemnebi. “Go round up the children. It’s time to put your brother and sister to rest.”

Kemnebi flashes images spelling out “Good Vampire.”

“Thank you,” I tell him. “That means a lot coming from you.”

I climb into the driver’s seat and start the engine, pulling away. Carla is still crying beside me. After the ceremony, I’ll give her a bath and put her to bed. I’ll start the courting process all over again in the morning.

I grab her hand as I drive. “Now you can know they are resting as they should.”

She looks at me and tries to speak, but it comes out as a gurgle.

“No, don’t speak,” I tell her. “Just rest.”

She slumps back in her seat and looks out the window as I drive us back to the patrol cabin. The night’s darkness matches her mood, but I can feel the first threads of healing beginning to weave through the pain.