Page 89 of Shifters' Fated Summer
He glided closer, stopping at the foot of the bed.
“I know it’s been hard being apart, but everything will be okay now.”
I refused to answer, scooting back until I was seated, and wrapping my arms around my knees. I’d wanted to sacrifice myself for my mates, and I got my wish, foolish as it was.
“Are you going to vacate the citynow that you have me? Like your mother promised…” I hated how small my voice sounded.
Evrin chuckled, and nothing about it was comforting. “They didn’t return you. In fact, right now, they’re looking for you. But they won’t find you.”
My heart dropped. The vampires had been a step ahead since I was taken. Luca was probably out of his mind, and maybe Cade too, considering our fated mate bond.
I stilled, wondering if the bond would work from this distance. I reached inside, trying to sort my emotions from his. That connection felt dull, but it was probably the residual venom in my system. I got faint hints. Anger. Fear. Determination.
I tried to send a feeling of love and sadness. I was heartbroken to be separated from them. If this was the only way I could communicate with them until venom blotted it out entirely, I’d send as much as I could.
“I’m so grateful to have you back.” Fangs flashed as he smiled again.
“Who betrayed the pack?” I asked. “It doesn’t matter now, I can’t tell them. I want to know.”
Evrin hesitated. “Some fool who was in love with Harper. I captured her and her little mate, and she said he would do anything to get her back. And it was true.”
“You didn’t ask his name?”
“It was Colt or Walt or something.” He was utterly unconcerned, completely confidentI was never getting out of here.
“Luckily, I recovered you before the Blood Moon, and now it’s only a few weeks away. Before you know it, you’ll be like me.”
“What if I don’t want that?” I asked quietly.
Evrin considered for a moment. My heart rose, daring to hope. “I don’t think that really matters, does it, Summer?”
The dread in my gut turned to fear.
“You’ll take my venom, give me your blood, and then I will turn you into an eternal companion, happy to serve me. Once you turn, you won’t even remember those disgusting animals.”
“I’m one of them.” It slipped out, and I tensed.
“But you are delicious, and you are mine. It’s really unfair that those wolves have such sweet blood, especially before they shift.”
“I shifted,” I blurted.
What was wrong with me? I was trying to convince him that he didn’t want me? Did I really think he would lose interest and let me go? My mates were hunting him. If anything, he would use me as bait or end me out of spite.
“That’s unfortunate, but I don’t think it has tainted your blood much,” he said thoughtfully. “Perhaps I should check again.”
He lunged, and I let out a shriek as his teeth latched onto my wrist. Venom pumped into me, more than I remember getting before, and I felt myself slipping awayagain.
When I woke up again, I felt weaker, nauseous. My wrist ached, like he had drawn far too much blood. He probably had.
“There you are, my heart,” Evrin said, swimming into focus. “I’m so glad you shared about your time as a wolf. Since you have shifted, we cannot wait until the Blood Moon. I certainly don’t want you turning into an animal during our mating ceremony.”
I tried to growl at him, but it took too much energy.
“So I got my mother’s blessing to turn you now.”
My heart stuttered. Turn me now? No. He couldn’t.
“No,” I rasped. “I already have two mates. One is a fated mate, and we’ve bonded. I wear their claim marks. You cannot take me as your mate.”
