Page 58 of Little Mate
This is the land where all species, exiles of their communities, live freely and without laws. These aren’t the nicest people, most are rabid or have crimes against their coven or pack to attest for, but they’re keen predators. Always alert.
And it's this incantation, one with a deviation added to tweak and fit any scenario, that’s kept the vampires with us protected from the harsh rays that would normally hurt them. Like an invisible umbrella above them, following us as we go.
“Do you need us to stop so you can rest?” Theo’s warm breath tickles my ear while his arm around my waist tightens. “Are you hungry?”
“No need. We are almost there; I sense them.”
I’m heading back to the place I called home until recently. The Moore’s property line isn’t far from where we are, and I can feel the protection spell already reaching out and recognizing me.
We’ve been riding for quite some time now; the members of his coven are covered from head to toe to avoid the sun, while Theo rides in just an undershirt behind me on a grumpy horse.
The vampires are uncomfortable with the feeling, but don’t question me. Instead, they follow through the woods while a huffing neigh greets my ears…again.
We’re riding through familiar terrain and almost back on my family’s property. I’m elated, can’t wait to see everyone, while my horse gives me a bit of a cold shoulder.
I’d forgotten about Onyx, my attention overtaken by my mate, yet Theodore stepped in and found him. Theo took care of our family’s horse personally without my knowledge, feeding and grooming him for the last two weeks.
“I’m sorry.” I lean forward a bit to better reach the area between his ears and scratch. “I’ll make it up to you with an extra bucket of apples. Just don’t be grumpy.” His ears twitch; he heard and understood the word apple very well. They’re his favorite treat. “Forgive me?”
“Are you seriously trying to win the horse over with food?”
“It’s called a bribe…” looking at him from over my shoulder, I mock-glare “…and yes.” No shame. And I might be a bit sulky that Onyx seems to like him more than me. “This is all your fault.”
“My fault?”
“You’re lovable.” A blunt statement, and one he laughs at too, our horse matching his laughter with a snort. “So fix this.”
“Have I told you I like you a little petulant, sweetheart. Be a brat for me, and I’ll reward your ass later.”
“Gods, you can’t say things like that. Not now.”
“Who’s going to stop me?” Then he licks the area his bite will go, and goose bumps rise on my skin. From head to toe, I feel the flat of his tongue, the gentle flick with the tip that settles in my core. As if his mouth was on me there.
“Me.” Weak. No real strength behind it.
“Liar.”
He doesn’t get to respond, though. We break through the trees and there are thirty guards standing just inside the perimeter blocking us from passing—until they see me.
Before I can speak, they’re on their knees and my sister is rushing through the center, coming straight for me.
I hear her say my name, but before my smile can spread, snarls and growls overthrow all sound.
There’s a large wolf rushing for my sister, sliding out in front of her and my mate does the same, jumping high above Onyx and me and landing in a protective stance between us.
Our vampires do the same.
So do the wolves.
They stare each other down, both in a fighting stance before Isa and I realize what’s happening.
“What’s your business here, leech?” a large, naked man asks. His voice is loud, booming through the field while ignoring a very pissed-off Isabella. “How dare you step into—”
“Who the hell are you to question me, mutt?” The vampires all bare their teeth, their nails growing longer than I’ve seen thus far, but it’s the anger contorting on Theo's face that makes me react. “Stand down and in your lane, Xadiel. Don’t tempt me.”
“Make me, you—”
“Enough!” Isa and I say in unison and the members of our army present finally come to their senses. Augusto reaches us first, taking his place one step in front of us much like the others attempt to do, but I hold a hand face down to the ground and they move aside, letting us reach my mate and who I assume is hers.