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“The feeding of a vampire. It’s intimate,” he commented.
“I’ve never been bitten by a vampire before … tonight … it was …” Cassia had been tempted. Though she hadn’t been attracted to Rafe, in the moment, her libido would have tipped her into being with both men. She’d known the way of the wolves. While loyal to their mates, they often shared when it suited them.
“It’s okay, Cass. I know what it feels like. The vampire bite is very seductive. I’ve been there?—”
“You’ve been bitten?” Cassia kept her voice quiet in an attempt to conceal her jealousy.
“I’m old, sweetheart. Life is an adventure.”
“I suppose.” She slammed down her shields. The thought of him with another woman stabbed at her gut. Of course he’s been with other women, Cass. Calm down. You just met him.
“I know that when Rafe bit you … you felt it. It’s a natural response. You thought of being with both of us, right?”
“What? No. Never,” she lied, her voice raised in shock that he’d asked.
“We’re shifters. The draw of the vampire … it’s compelling. Not to mention Rafe is pack which makes it even more appealing in the moment. It happens.”
Cassia shoved upward onto her elbow. “I need you to know, Julian. I’m not a wolf. I’m not …” she stumbled over her words, “If you want to see other people, I guess, I don’t know. The beast inside me … I can’t. If you need to see others?—”
“Meu amor,” his tone serious, “Whatever goes on between us will always be consensual. If and only if we ever decide to explore things, it will be our decision … together. I will never run around on you. I am loyal … especially to my mate.”
Cassia fell back into bed and rolled on her side. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I’m losing it.
Julian faced her and cupped her cheek. “My wolf … he knows you’re mine. Only you.”
Guilt racked through Cassia. “What happened with Rafe tonight. It was … I can’t explain … it felt good though.”
“I’ll admit I didn’t want you to feed him, but that’s only because I was worried he couldn’t control his thirst. But seeing you, the three of us together like that, your reaction?—”
“My body was on fire. It’s not just the vampire bite, though. I feel like I’ve known him. And with you … I feel like I’ve always known you.”
“We’re pack. We don’t have to understand everything. We just need to survive. You saved Rafe tonight. Whatever you were feeling, it’s okay.”
Cassia lowered her gaze. The confession fell from her lips. “Tonight. When Rafe bit me. And you touched me. I wanted to be with both of you. Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t think of Rafe like that but in the moment … Jesus, I don’t know. I’m sorry. I felt so out of control.”
“You’re shifter, Cass. And Rafe’s vampire. Had he bitten me, I’d have to fight the response too. We both feel connected to him. We’re pack. Maybe one day we’ll explore that more, but today we all should just take it easy. We don’t need to think about it too much. You saved him and that’s all that’s important. You did that.”
Cassia rested her head upon Julian’s chest, and settled into his embrace. She’d sought and been granted validation. A myriad of conflicting thoughts swirled inside her but it was her heart that constricted with a foreign emotion she’d never experienced in her life. Love?
Cassia looked up into Julian’s deep brown eyes. They swirled with desire, and her beast howled to be released once again. Her Alpha captivated her like no other man. With Julian, her mate, she and her beast were now secure in their connection. With their mating fully complete, her life was forever changed.
7
While Cassia slept, the Alpha searched for Greyson and found him deep in thought, sitting in his den. Julian peered inside and rapped his knuckles on the door jamb.
“You okay, Grey-man?”
“A few knocks on the head aren’t going to keep me down. Come in.” Greyson stared into the fire and took a swig of his whiskey. “How’s the wolf?”
“He’s doing better. I popped in to see him, but he’s still sleeping.” Julian slid into a matching wingback chair next to Greyson and propped his feet onto the ottoman. “Dom’s a tough one, yeah?”
Greyson chuckled. “She yelled at you, didn’t she?”
“She accused me of trying to wake him up.”
“She’s protective of her tribe.”
“Here I thought I was doing Logan a favor by letting her come with us but she’s been the one who’s been helping us.” Julian gave a laugh. “Cassia said she made her tea. And fed her cookies. Now this thing with Rafe.”
