Page 26 of Little Mate
Either this is a trap, or he’s too confident.
Moreover, I’m wondering what poor kingdom is feeling the wrath of his search. He’s been looking for me incessantly, plowing through small covens in search of me, although we’re hiding in plain sight.
Not once has he stepped foot inside Moore’s land. Why? That alone lets me know that he’s trying to catch me off guard. That if caught, I’d be taken against my will, and I won’t let others suffer for his greed. This ends today. Fate led me here, but I’ll decide the outcome.
No one else will die.
“Pompous, arrogant jerk,” I grumble, stealthily walking the hall toward the vampire king’s bedroom. This floor is large with only one door and the essence lingering throughout is domineering and intimidating. Powerful. This has to be his. “Like I don’t have better things to do than come and kick his butt.”
His room is closed when I reach it and I don’t hesitate to step inside, closing the large wooden door behind me. The first thing I notice is his scent; it permeates the room and calms my nerves at once—the woodsy aroma with citrus is stronger here and reminds me of the guard outside.
Is that how all vampires smell? How they lure you in? I frown at the thought. It doesn’t sit well with me.
Dad kept us away from them for a reason, and this might be it.
I can’t deny that it’s tempting my senses.
Another deep inhale, and a small keening sound leaves the back of my throat. This isn’t what I expected, how the masculine fragrance settles at the core of me, and I find myself liking it.
I can’t control it. My eyes close of their own accord for a second, just enough to clear the sudden fog, which I shake off before reopening them again. This time, I focus on the size of the room and its bland décor.
Not a single trace of femininity anywhere.
“What makes you tick, Theodore Astor?” I ask myself, taking a seat on his bed as if it’s the most natural thing, nearly sinking into the plush bedding. “What would it take for you to—”
The bedroom door slams open then, cutting me off as a large man steps inside, his warning snarl loud. The walls shake, and I let out a whimper. Not in fear, but for some reason, it makes my skin prickle with excitement. What the hell?
“Who are you?” He asks, his voice low and tone a bit gravelly. It licks at my skin, an illicit caress while the blade of his sword glints in the low light. “Why are you in my bedroom?”
“You’ve been looking for me, Theodore,” I state simply, my hand slowly moving toward the small holster at my side where my knife hides. “So here I am.”
“Have I?” he asks, not fully stepping into the light. He’s in shadow, but those amber eyes glow and his strong build is mouthwatering. “What’s your name, pretty girl?”
“Come a little closer and I’ll tell you.” There’s no mistaking my breathy tone nor the way I cross my legs, the skirt of my dress parting at the split to reveal the side of my thigh and lower. Moreover, he follows the move with hunger, his chest expanding as he takes in a deep breath. “This conversation needs to be face to face.”
In a flash, he’s kneeling at my feet, his hands on the bed trapping me while my knife is at his throat. If he’s surprised, he doesn’t show it, nor does he try to disarm me. “Can you tell me now, my queen? I need to know my mate’s name.”
“Mate?” I ask, the blade digging a little deeper, an action that hurts me. He can’t be right. How? “You’re mine?”
Is that why my heart is beating fast?
Is this why my palms are sweaty?
Is this why I find his dark, black hair and amber eyes so sexy, and the thought of hurting him makes me feel sick?
I’m going to kill Isabella for hiding this—for letting me think he’d be agreeable to an alliance. Because I am certain she knew. Had to.
Mates are a special thing, a gift, and there’s no denying the need you feel. It’s all-consuming and sudden and unforgiving as you give yourself without pause or consequence. A few words and your world changes, an instant love that gives your life true meaning.
“I’m yours.” His smile is beautiful and the look in his eyes so soft, a complete contradiction to the man who’s been pillaging in his search for me, threatening covens under my family’s protection, terrorizing them into telling him where I am while failing at every turn.
They’re loyal to us. They’d never sell me.
They died to protect us.
Didn’t they?
The Salicios, Marianos, and Rossis all turned out to be enemies.