“I left it too late,” I mutter.
“No, brother, you had your reasons, but now you get to make it right. She will come out of this as one sexy and strong vampire mate for the alpha vampire,” Camo says from the doorway.
“She is sexy always, brother.”
“That she is.” Skyla giggles.
Looking back to my girl, I smile, then push to my feet. Stepping closer to the bed, Skyla gives me some space, stepping over to her man.
Delaney looks so peaceful lying in our bed. Her hair is fanned out around her head, and her skin is pale, but that is understandable given what her body has gone through—what it is still going through.
Sitting on the bed, I faintly hear our friends leaving.
Taking her hand in mine, I lean in to kiss her knuckles. Her skin is cold, much like mine. Sighing, I replay what happened two nights ago.
Her body is weak, her heart slowing down.
I am losing her.
My fucking mate is dying in my arms, her blood pumping poison around her body.
“NO. No, you do not get to leave me. Fucking wake up, baby. Delaney,” I beg.
“You know what you have to do, brother,” Halen says from my side.
“Fuck, not like this. I wanted her to give me all of her, heart and soul. Her permission.”
“Brother.” Camo sits next to me. “She will understand. You will lose her if you don’t; now suck it up and fucking claim your woman.”
Staring down at Delaney, slowly fading right in front of me, I know deep in my soul what I need to do. My brothers step back, giving me a little space. I know they won’t go far, ready to react if needed.
Cupping Delaney’s face, I lean in, kissing her cold lips.
“I love you, baby. When I did this, I wanted it to be special between us, but my hand has been forced. Please forgive me, baby. Fuck.” I snarl the last word before sinking my fangs into her neck.
Her body jolts as I suck, draining enough of her blood to stop her heart. With some of my blood in her system, she will turn, but I need to make sure there is enough. As her blood coats my tongue, sliding down my throat, I focus on her heartbeat. Counting the times it beats.
It slows. Dropping by the second.
Hearing the last faint beat, I pull back. I watch her for a second, before slicing my wrist with my fangs, dropping my blood into her mouth, coating her lips.
“We need to get her back to the clubhouse,” Winger says, laying a hand on my shoulder.
I nod, lifting my woman into my arms, walking to the club’s SUV, guarded by my brothers. Other supernaturals who helped us in the fight bow as we walk by.
Some people still have honor, I think as we get to the SUV, my woman cradled against me.
“Thorin.”
I blink, shaking my head from my thoughts. Skyla is at my side, her hand on my shoulder.
“Fuck, that night is playing around in my head. Fucking tormenting me. I can still hear her heartbeat slowing,”
“She is strong, brother. She will come out of this ready to be your woman for all of eternity.”
“I hope so.”
“Can you sense her?” Camo asks. “Do you sense the change in her?”
