Page 93 of Bonded Through Bite

I flinch at the rage in Santiago’s tone and that makes Jim surge forward. The snarl and challenge that erupts from my throat is not my own, but instead of fully messing up my senses and mind, he manages to keep us a bit separated.

“Back… off,” I manage to pant and I do mean both of them.

Santiago is snarling right back at me… Jim. Hell, this is all too much. My instincts take over and I twist in Rafael’s lap enough to sink my fangs into him.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Rafael

It takes Samantha’s fangs piercing my neck to bring me back to my senses. Zack is clearly having some self-control issues and Santiago is straight up snarling at Samantha, looking like he’s ready to do murder.

I try to feel her, but there’s no bond beyond the changeling one. Of course there isn’t. She said so herself. I haven’t had her blood, unlike Santiago. It seems that even poisoned, it was enough to form a bond.

Samantha is drinking big, greedy gulps and moaning with pleasure. I swallow the last blood in the bag and hold my hand out for another one. I need to stock up fast. Santiago’s blood would be better, but blood bags are better than nothing.

Santiago throws the last bag at me and starts pacing in front of the fireplace. The wolf is slowly getting himself under control. I tear the bag open and Samantha jerks back, almost smacking it out of my hands.

“That smells horrible,” she says and her nose wrinkles.

I want to groan but manage to keep it inside and hold the bag out for Santiago, who chugs it down without hesitation. He still looks like hell warmed over. When I look down, there are tears in Samantha’s eyes.

“What is it, sweetheart?”

“I don’t want you to starve because of me,” she says and her voice trembles.

“Shh, dove. Don’t cry,” the wolf says and pats her knee. “We’ll figure something out.”

“I’m not starving, sweetheart,” I try to reassure her too.

“You are hungry. I can see it,” she retorts.

“So are you and I’m more than happy to feed you.”

“But—”

“Samantha, sweetheart. I’m old. I can handle it. Don’t worry about it.” My dismissal seems to antagonize her further.

“I could go get more blood,” the witch says from the doorway. I didn’t even hear her come back inside. Samantha’s head whips around and her eyes narrow. “I’m Sophie,” the witch says to Samantha but doesn’t move closer.

“You smell bad,” Samantha says, sounding petulant.

“So I’ve been told.” Sophie chuckles. She doesn’t seem to take offense easily.

“She helped with my leg, dove,” the wolf reminds Samantha.

“Fine, okay, thanks for that,” Samantha says grudgingly.

“I’m happy to help,” the witch says. “So, more blood?”

“Enhanced, if you can get it,” I say and she nods.

“I’ll be back in a couple of hours. You might want to take advantage of my absence.”

It takes a moment for her meaning to register and I look down at Samantha. Her fangs are peeking and her skin looks better, and obviously, her mood has shifted. Santiago turns to look at her too and some of his tension drains away when he catches the witch’s meaning too.

“Oh, we’ll take care of her,” the wolf rumbles. That gets Samantha’s attention and she scrambles from my lap to his.

“Take care of what?” she asks and leans closer to his neck. For a split second, I think she’s going to bite him, but she only traces the tip of her tongue along the vein in his neck. The wolf shudders and cups her bottom, grinding her closer to him.