Page 54 of Undying
He dips his head, his green eyes glowing, his fang flashing threateningly. “And if anyone tries to harm her, I’ll destroy them. I’ve spent centuries fighting on and off the battlefield, my whole life focused on ruthlessly hunting and killing. Maybe it has all been training in preparation to keep her safe.
“Anyone who thinks to take her will have to go through me first.” He straightens to his full height, the brawny muscles of his chest flexing impressively…and he’s still completely nude. I’ve been around shifters long enough that I’m able to ignore when they have their dicks hanging out and balls swinging in the breeze, but I still find it disconcerting with him standing so close.
The big beast of a man is resolute in his claim, and it almost gives me hope.
Unfortunately, he’s only one man.
While he’s more than dangerous, he can’t take on an army and hope to survive. Even if she becomes master of her own house, I’m not sure it will be enough to keep her safe anymore.
I glance at Jolie, a little unnerved by her silence, then cringe a little when I find her staring directly at me with her unfathomable brown eyes. I duck my head, smoothing the wrinkles out of my shirt, but the familiar habit does little to soothe my sudden awkwardness.
When I hear Jolie pad toward me on light feet, I freeze.
“I didn’t mean to attack you. I—”
“Don’t apologize,” I interrupt, lifting my eyes so I can search her face. “It was totally my fault. I know better than to startle you.”
She nibbles on her bottom lip, crossing her arms under her breasts, and the towel strains to contain her ample curves. “I’ve never been around a vampire that didn’t want to hurt me in some way. It might take me a while to unlearn that habit.”
“Don’t.” I shake my head and tear my eyes away from her breasts, ignoring the blush that heats my cheeks. “I’d rather you attack me than let down your guard. Your instincts are good—vampires can’t be trusted. They’re predators, and pretending they’re not dangerous will get you killed.”
She stiffens, her expression turning even more guarded. “Even you?”
“Even me,” I reply without hesitation. “I’ll earn your trust. Until then, I’ll announce my presence so as not to startle you next time.”
Suspicion still darkens her gaze, but she nods, some of the stiffness going out of her shoulders, and I feel like I’ve done something right. My gaze catches on Castle’s hulking form hovering behind her, and I sigh.
I really can’t blame him for his actions.
If it had been me, I don’t think I would’ve been able to resist claiming her for my own either.
The sun is creeping closer. Knowing that I don’t have much time left before my body shuts down, I decide to take charge, wanting to spend my last few moments with her before I’m forced to sleep.
“There are supplies in the back of the truck, enough for a few days. More will be arriving tomorrow.” I’m so used to instructing them over the comms while on missions that I don’t think twice about ordering Castle around. “Grab them and start putting them away.”
His eyes narrow dangerously as he studies me, then he retrieves his somewhat shredded pants and pulls them up. He grabs his damaged shirt, then stalks toward Jolie. An almost silent rumble comes from in his chest—a warning that he’s approaching. When he touches her shoulder, she doesn’t even flinch, and I swallow hard, admitting that I’m a jealous fucker.
He pulls his shirt over her head. While she threads her arms through the sleeves, he gently scoops her long tresses into his hands, then tugs the strands free, the tender gesture so intimate that my throat aches. Once done, he cups the back of her neck and kisses the top of her head before he turns and disappears from the room.
Leaving me with the awkward task of trying to explain what it means to have a mate.
Fucking wolves.
ChapterSeventeen
JOLIE
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your room.” Milo doesn’t wait for me to respond, just turns on his heel and leaves. For the first time, I notice the stranglehold he has on the bag in his hands, and I bite my lip to keep from asking questions.
He silently leads me farther down the hall, the tight set of his shoulders making me feel like I’ve let him down, and it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. For some reason, his opinion of me matters. When we reach the opposite end of the hallway, he pushes open the door, then stands back and lets me enter first.
My spine stiffens, half expecting a trap, and I gingerly step forward. Stopping just outside the doorway, I dip my head into the room. Like the rest of the house, it’s stripped bare, the only furniture a lone mattress on the floor.
I tilt my head, listening for signs of a heartbeat, signs of breathing.
When I come up blank, I close my eyes and throw out my senses, searching for a cool spot in the room, a stillness that doesn’t belong.
Empty.
