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“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 get us 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 very sweet.” 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 left me. 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 my eyes 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.”
“I don’t need help, little human.” Her wicked grin returns and her hard mask resurfaces. “How could you possibly help me?”
“I can’t answer that question until I know what the problem is.” I stare straight back at Veronica, unaffected by her arrogant tone. She’s not going to fool me any longer. We all have walls we build, brick by brick, to keep ourselves protected. Hers have tumbled down and I’ll help her rebuild them if she needs, but only if that’s the boundary she needs. My teeth sink into my bottom lip wondering if I should push her, and if so, how much harder.
Her shoulders relax and she leans back in her chair while tapping her bloodred nails on the desk. “I didn’t like last night.” Her cool expression and flat tone are at least a bit more genuine. I’ll take the small opening she gave me.
“You didn’t want him to claim you?”
She shakes her head gently. “It’s not that. I’m honored to be his mate. I really am.” She takes a deep breath and adds, “I didn’t know fate would give me a mate at all.”
“I don’t understand. Don’t you all have mates?”
Her response is to give me a soft smile that doesn’t reach her dark brown eyes. “No, only werewolves, dear.” She watches her fingers tap along the desk for a moment before continuing. “Other shifters too, I suppose.” She breathes in heavily before meeting my questioning gaze. “Not vampires. We don’t have mates.”
