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GRACE
My body is so damn sore as I walk down the hall to Vince and Veronica’s room. Every movement makes me ache, but there’s also a deep sense of satisfaction knowing it’s from being claimed by my Alpha. A simper slips across my lips as my fingertips graze the wound on my neck. The moment I touch it, as if to check that it’s still there, I wish I hadn’t. I wince from the gentle touch.Fuck, it hurts.
I remember being stunned this morning when I first looked in the mirror. My entire neck is bruised and his mark looks horrendous. It’s going to take a week or more for it to heal. Devin spent most of the morning licking and kissing it. A familiar heat rolls through my body at the remembrance and the pain is so easily forgotten.
The sigh of contentment is met with regret as my gaze settles on Vince and Veronica’s door. Taking a moment to shake out my hair, I wipe the grin off my face. This isn’t what Veronica needs. I can already feel the venom she would give me if I were to prance in with puppy love, no pun intended, written across my expression.
An image of her disheveled and broken appearance last night flashes in my mind and my heart drops, although my pace doesn’t slow. I have no business going to her with my happiness so damn evident. I clear my throat and compose myself before knocking hesitantly on the door.
Thump,thump, my heart is only given a single second before the doorknob turns.
Veronica opens the door slowly and raises her brows when she sees me. Given how well vampires hear, it’s obvious she’s not surprised to see me. Just surprised at the sight of my condition judging by how her gaze travels over my plain white V-neck tee and dark gray sweatpants. I was a bit too sore for jeans.
“Well, that beast didn’t take it easy on you, did he?” She steps away from the door, holding it open and allowing me to walk through.
My eyes widen at the sight of her in a deep burgundy satin robe. I nearly gape at her appearance. She looks just the same as she did yesterday—not during the ceremony, but before. The way she always looks, which is stunning. Her tanned skin is completely unmarked with the only exception being a very faint silver scar along her shoulder. I have to squint to make it out.Seriously?I look like shit, like my mate mauled me, and she gets to go back to looking like a runway model?Not fair.Swallowing the petty thought, I enter the room and feel slightly uneasy as she shuts the door behind me.
It’s only when I clear my throat to speak that I notice how sore it is. If I had to put money on it, I’d bet Veronica’s throat isn’t hurting either. As I part my lips, I note how casual she appears while she makes her way to the window. She doesn’t seem to be in distress like she was last night. She’s entirely composed. There are so many questions that beg to be asked. So many thoughts filled with compassion and empathy that stay lodged in the back of my throat. Nothing is as I thought it would be.
Devin was right when he said it’s complicated, and that’s in addition to the significance and difficulties Veronica being a vampire already brings.
Before I can speak, she gestures to a high-back chair in the corner of the room by a desk. “Sit.”
A brow of mine cocks up of its own accord. I hesitate and narrow my eyes, not liking her tone or the use of the word “sit.” Flashbacks of my first night with Devin run through my mind.
With a corner of her lips pulling up, she adds easily, “Please,” while gracefully lowering herself into the desk chair. She crosses her long legs, which causes the slit of her robe to fall open slightly, exposing even more of her. I glance around the room before taking my seat.
“Where’s Vince?” My posture mirrors hers, both of us resting our hands on the arms of our respective chairs. Suddenly, it feels claustrophobic in here even though it’s just the two of us.
I’m alone in a room with a vampire … although Veronica’s lips perk up again, no doubt at the sound of my racing heart, her dark eyes contradict her countenance. Her gaze holds a sense of mourning in them that I wish I could ease.
“I heard you were coming, so I asked him to getus coffee.” I don’t miss how she relaxes her posture, appearing far less dominating.
“You must’ve heard Lizzie and I are practically caffeine addicts.” I grin, but Veronica simply stares back without any trace of humor. “Thank you, though.” I’m quick to add, “That’s really sweet of you.” At the word “sweet,” her crimson lips curve upward and a small huff of a laugh leaves her.
“Yes, I can be verysweet.” The way she speaks makes me uneasy. Any semblance of ease vanishes. She stares back at me as though I’m her prey. I shift uncomfortably. She doesn’t seem to want my company, and I find myself regretting my decision to comfort her. She obviously doesn’t need it. I start to get up, but then that knot in my chest forms again. My hand flies to the center of my chest and I press on it to try to ease the discomfort.
“Are you all right?” There’s a trace of concern in Veronica’s voice.
Nodding my head, I plant my ass firmly back down in the seat. “It’s funny you should be asking me that, because I came here to ask you the same question.” As the words leave my lips, the hard pain dissipates, granting me freedom to breathe normally. Rubbing the spot, I’m amazed at how quickly it leftme. I make a mental note to talk to Devin about what the hell just happened.
It’s similar to the pull from last night. Something has changed and it demands attention.
In the silence, my eyes find Veronica’s dark gaze. Her lips are pressed in a hard line.
“I’m fine. I was mistaken about something last night.”
“Mistaken?”
Her eyes narrow and I hold my ground as a flare of anger passes through me. She was more than shaken last night, so beat down, yet she refuses to acknowledge it. It’s none of my business, except that she’s my pack and this damn restlessness prods me to push. Just like I have to with Lizzie.
My eyes widen at the realization that Veronica’s pulling the same shit Lizzie does. I narrow my eyes right back at her and repeat the single word incredulously, “Mistaken?” She seems to be shocked at how brazen I am, but I’m not going to back down. This pull inside of my chest demands action.
My voice is tighter than I’d like when I ask, “Why were you crying?”
Veronica clicks her tongue while searching myeyes before she purses her lips. “Why does it matter to you?”
“I hurt for you. You’re a member of my pack and I want to help you.”
