And I fall for her all over again, already making notes to purchase more.
She might not be myreina, but that doesn’t mean I can’t treat her like a queen. Eventually, I hope to win her over by making myself indispensable. She’ll eventually realize that she can’t live without me.
Starting now.
Her distress batters my heart. Ignoring the others, I hurry to her side, not stopping until she’s within touching distance. I resist the urge to gather her into my arms despite how much I want to offer her comfort. Jolie is already overwhelmed. She needs space, not another overbearing man telling her how to act or feel.
“If shifters are being called to become your protectors, we can expect more will follow. We’ll have to keep a watch out for them,” I say in a gentle tone, not wanting her annoyance to transfer to me.
A moue of distaste crosses her face, and she huffs in displeasure. “People have already shown up and invaded the place. Two maids are wandering around unsupervised, and I don’t like it.”
Her adorable, pouty look twists up my insides, and I immediately want to make things better. I flash her my most winsome smile, keeping my fangs hidden, not wanting to trigger her. Being forced to live in the very place where she died has to be traumatic. She’s already dealing with more than enough. Intruders are something I can easily fix. “Then we’ll hire our own and get rid of them. How does that sound?”
I pull out my tablet, scanning my checklist for the day. “We already have a couple of interviews lined up for tonight. We’ll have them gone by morning.”
I peer up at her over the edge of the screen, relaxing when the tension leaves her shoulders. For the first time since being turned, I feel at peace, and it’s because of her.
She feels like home, and I’ll do everything in my power not to lose that. I gallantly offer her my arm with a little smirk. “Why don’t we allow the cats to get settled and, er, dressed? Then the shifters can get some of the furniture settled in the rooms while we go over how you want the rest of the house set up?”
Jolie takes my arm, seemingly pleased not to have to deal with everything herself, and my chest puffs up that I’m able to help her. I’m not alpha and masculine like the shifters, and I’m not powerful and domineering like Stanton.
Sure, I can be just as violent as the rest of them—I am a vampire, after all—but that doesn’t mean I enjoy it. The others have accepted it as a part of their lives, but I’m still struggling to find balance.
As I guide Jolie from the room, I’m unable to resist the impulse to lean down and steal a whiff of her hair. Then nearly trip over my feet at what I find—citrus mixed with ice and woodlands.
Both wolves have claimed her as their mate.
I knew about Castle, but Tobias comes as something of a shock.
How fucking long have I been asleep?
It couldn’t have been more than a few hours, but my whole reality has shifted.
I could almost expect something like that from Tobias, he’s always been a bit wild, but I’ve never known Castle to act so impulsively.
Or maybe not.
Mates are precious to shifters. It’s no wonder they’ve been so protective of her since the moment they met.
I didn’t even know it was physically possible for a shifter to claim a vampire, and I’m torn between being fiercely happy for them and disheartened for myself. Not allowing myself time to grieve the loss for fear my sanity might crack, I shove my disappointment away and focus on what’s important.
Jolie and keeping her safe.
She was the first thought in my head the instant my eyes snapped open, and my heart beat almost double time at the prospect of seeing her again. I rushed through my evening routine, showering and dressing with care, wanting to look my best for her, like some beau courting a beautiful woman.
I should’ve known my actions were foolish.
She is something special, too good for the likes of me.
While some people consider female vampires a commodity, they are also highly treasured. Even knowing I don’t stand a chance at claiming her for my own doesn’t curb the spark of hope I feel at her nearness.
I should be content I’m even allowed in her presence, but I can’t stop yearning for more.
Now that the wolves have mated her, things are infinitely more complicated. Thankfully, Tobias and Castle are some of the oldest and fiercest alphas still in existence.
Many will think twice before acting.
Unfortunately, the shifters also make her a more enticing prize. Not only does she come with her own house, she comes with such fierce protectors that both species fear them.
