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He wrapped both arms around my middle, hugging me to him. “I want this. I want to figure it out. I want to continue my life here, but if the fates have other plans, then it is what it is. I want us to work.”
“I understand.” I brought my mouth to his, hovering a breath apart. “It means more to me this way. I don’t want to be something you’re forced into.”
“Do you understand all that comes with this?” he asked, letting me taste his words. They were laced with questions and promises.
“Please enlighten me,” I said, taking the kiss I’d hoped he’d give willingly.
“You’re not going to like it.”
ELEVEN
DOMINIC
For the first time, I was committed to making this work. I don’t know what had shifted in me, but I knew I couldn’t deny us any longer. I didn’t want to, and I didn’t have the energy. I looked into Vinkettin’s eyes and believed maybe the universe knew better than I did. What an odd sensation. I laughed. What else could I do? Other than believe the Gods had it out for me.
“Now you’re laughing at me?” Vin’s eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Not at you—”
He cut me off. “If you say with me, I’m going to stab you.”
“So you’re rewarding me for laughing?” I eyed the knife left on the counter with a savage grin. It was the worst thing I could say to a blood drinker.
He groaned. “Fuck you. I will be fucking you in your blood at some point.”
“Promises, promises.” I didn’t want to taunt him too much, or our food would get cold. “But that’s not what I was going to say.”
“Enlighten me.” There was a snap to his teeth and a bite to his words, sending a shiver down my spine.
“I was laughing because, for the first time, I believed this might be real. We might work out.”
His heavy brows pulled, and I unwound one arm from around him to smooth the crease between them with my thumb. “Those are heavy thoughts. Why are you laughing?”
“Because I feel lighter.” I didn’t dwell in heavy. I’d be a miserable fuck if I did. There was no point in staying in that headspace. “I’m going to hold on to the joy, Vin. Our days are limited.”
He lowered his mouth to mine. “You children and your hope and joy, so unspoiled by the savage world.”
“Shut up, old man, or I’ll start calling you grandpa, and that just does not have the same feel as daddy.”
He chuffed and rolled his eyes, detangling himself from me. Vin had never been a cuddler, so different from us wolves. We were pack animals, bred and raised for centuries of pack living, curled up together. None of us liked to sleep alone. “Are you going to tell me what I am getting myself into?”
I went back to my French toast, finding it easier to focus on the work before me rather than words. “The pack, my family, our relationship. It’s a lot.” But it was more than that. It was my lifestyle and my fighting and my jealousy. I was taking the easy road by leaving all those things out, but there wasn’t an easy way to open up.
He let my words sit in the air between us, and I could feel his gaze on me. The intensity of him never waned. “I’m sure there are things I haven’t considered, but I do know who you are, Dominic. I’ve stalked you enough.”
I paused mid-bread dip, egg dripping off my fingers, eyes meeting his. “Did you just admit you stalk me?”I loved the admittance even if I already knew.
“You know I’ve been stalking you since I realized what we were. Long before you knew my name. I don’t do anything lightly, and you should note this now.”
“Still hot when I get you to admit it,” I said playfully.
“You take too much pleasure in those things and miss the damn point, Dominic.”
“And what is your point?” I asked.
“You gave me a big speech about choices, and I’ve made mine. I nearly let it go, but I am hereby choosing as much as you are.” He made a rolling gesture with two fingers like it was some grand proclamation.
“Do you want me to say it’s it’s an honor?” All I could do was laugh. A fucking werewolf with a goddamn half-vampire. “Then you know who I am.”
