Page 82 of Lone Wolf

The vampire looked smug at my mate’s reaction. “That’s right. We know exactly who you are, Beauchamp. We’ve always known.”

“I wasn’t there for it myself,” the second vampire stated. “But I heard that the screams were more delicious than any vintage blood wine.”

Hatred swelled from the depths of my soul.

Howdarethey speak to him like that.

“And fancy that. You’ve got yourself a mate, too,” the first vampire teased. “We’ll make sure you face the same treatment as your family.”

The second vampire elbowed the first. “The master said to bring himalive, Cesar.”

“I don’t care,” Cesar argued while sliding a sword from his belt. The blade winked, glistening with oil. “He’s caused enough harm to us, hasn’t he?”

“Do you want to wander in the day? Break the blood bond?”

Cesar rustled with annoyance. The vampire seemed to think for a moment, all sorts of ideas passing through his dead eyes. Those glossy marbles were about to roll if he took another step toward my mate.

Rose, Matéo said.Go right and I’ll go left.

I bristled with confusion.Why?

Just do it, little boxer.

Who was I to question the man I was sworn to protect?

While Cesar spent an extra second mulling over his vampire friend’s words, Matéo lunged toward him. As instructed, I bounced under him to the right. Both vampires recoiled with surprise. I managed to grab the unnamed vampire by the neck and wrestled him to the ground, his throat crunching under the power of my maw.

“Stupid…beast…” he hissed while grabbing my throat. “No idea…what…you're defending… do you?”

I gasped internally.They might know something.

Don't fall for it, Matéo warned.He’s just trying to get a rise out of you.

But it was too late. My jaw was slacking.

Had I made a mistake?

“Yes, that’s it, girl,” the vampire whispered. “He’s not who he says. His size is bigger than most other wolves, isn’t that so?”

Yes, it is.

“And he’s charming. He lures you in. He makes you yearn for him.”

Heavens, he does.

“Domingo knows. He can tell you more. You just have to give us—”

Matéo's voice cut through my mind.Rose, don’t listen to him!

My jaws snapped shut around the vampire’s throat, cutting off whatever else he was about to say.

Doubt had done me in before.

And I wasn't about to let it happen again.

Blood oozed in my mouth as the vampire gurgled, scratching my throat, my shoulders, the underside of my belly with his elongated nails. Shaking my head quickly snapped his neck. He wouldn’t be down for long, but it was just enough time to get Matéo to safety.

My stomach twisted in a knot. While warm liquid dripped from my open maw, I stumbled back, my head spinning the yard into a gray blur. Matéo cried out in my head, shouting for me to be careful, to watch my step, to get away from the edge.

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