Page 105 of Undying
With eyes locked on hers, I lift the goblet to my lips and drink it down in one go. The revulsion I normally feel while drinking blood is gone. I don’t take enjoyment from it, but deep satisfaction fills me at the knowledge I can fulfill all her hungers.
“Since we’re on the subject of blood, we need to discuss our blood supply.” Stanton breaks the silence, and I frown when Jolie immediately stiffens and pulls away.
I don’t even have time to ask what’s wrong before the wolves growl, their beasts so close to the surface, I’m surprised they haven’t shifted.
Stanton’s eyebrows shoot up, then he releases a heavy sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Yes, you are all jealous jackasses and want to feed your mate. What happens when she takes so much that it leaves you weak and you’re unable to protect her?”
That quiets the wolves, though they don’t look happy.
The thought of my mate being hungry or left vulnerable leaves me stricken.
It’s completely unacceptable.
“What do you suggest?” I normally love a good riddle. Not this time, not when my mate’s life is at stake, and I’m fiercely glad Stanton is thinking clearly. Since I never thought I would have a mate, I never thought about all the challenges it would bring, and I’m fiercely glad Jolie has more than one of us to protect her.
That she’s a dhampyr just adds another dimension I could never have anticipated.
“You’ll have to rotate who feeds her on what days, plan special human meals packed with nutrients for both the wolves and Jolie to keep them in peak health, not to mention hiring a number of humans to supply us with blood. If her well-being slips even a fraction, we’ll have to discuss expanding her blood supply.”
The wolves grumble, their beasts obviously not pleased, but they don’t verbally object, not when it comes to the health of their mate. Tobias pouts a little, but no one pays him any mind.
Which is odd.
I look over at Jolie, every line of her body rigid. Her eyes are washed black, the predator in her in complete control, and the hairs on the back of my neck lift in warning. Since the wolves are obsessed with her, they notice the change first and don’t move.
Stanton stands near the end of the table, and I narrow my gaze when the jackass practically oozes satisfaction.
Then it clicks.
He wanted to get a reaction out of us…or more specifically, her.
I study Jolie closer, then blink when I finally realize what triggered her. I push to my feet, the need to comfort my mate nearly overwhelming, and I come to a stop in front of her. “We will only hire people you approve. We won’t drink from anyone else.”
It’s like a statue becoming unstuck, and she slowly turns to face me. “No women.”
I immediately nod, knowing she’s barely holding herself together by a thread. “No women.”
It’s official, men are disgusting pigs, because I can’t stop the weird sense of satisfaction that burns in my chest at the thought of her being jealous.
A phone rings in the distance. Stanton’s voice is a low murmur when he answers, then his curses blister the air. Awareness sparks back in Jolie’s eyes, and we both turn to see Stanton hanging up the phone.
“What happened?” Jolie asks pessimistically, crossing her arms protectively in front of her. I try not to be a dick and notice the way her arms push up her breasts like an offering. I clear my throat and look away, struggling to be the gentleman my mother raised me to be.
I can’t really blame Jolie for her reaction to the phone call.
From my understanding, her life was shit even before being turned.
Peering over at Stanton, I immediately go on alert at his vengeful expression.
“Someone broke into headquarters and destroyed a few of the offices.” He tosses the phone back down on the table and places his hands on his hips.
“What a coincidence that it would happen now, just when I came into your life,” Jolie says suspiciously, her lips pursed.
Before I can probe further, the dining room door is thrown wide. Bryce and Kenny burst into the room, panting like they’re being hunted. Their beasts are so close to the surface that the raw energy pouring off them is nearly suffocating.
They scan the room, not stopping until their eyes lock on Jolie. Violence clings to them, and it’s all I can do not to step in front of her. Logically, I know they won’t hurt her, but I can’t stop the primitive instinct to protect my mate. Bryce’s next words only confirm my worst fear.
“We need to go now. Over a hundred supernaturals are outside. They have the mansion surrounded.”
