Page 15 of Protected by the Vampire

Heat followed, thick and consuming, spreading fast—too fast—like wildfire under my skin. It wasn’t just warmth. It was possession. Connection. Something ancient snapping into place.

I needed to have him.

I had to claim him.

Mark him in all ways.

“Mine,” I clipped low, my teeth lengthening.

Riker released a peep and spun me away from the crowd. “Corbin, clear the room,” the fox ordered, tension slicing through his voice.

“Out!” Corbin barked.

“What the fuck’s goin’ on?” someone else demanded, but their voice was already fading under the rush pounding in my ears.

A hand came up to my cheek.

Everything inside me stilled—and then surged harder.

My body hummed beneath Spade’s touch, reacting like it had been waiting for him its entire existence.

I turned back to him slowly.

My mate.

The word felt heavier now. Real.

“Mine,” I bit out again, the word rough, edged with something feral.

Spade didn’t flinch. He just nodded, steady as ever. Though his gaze dropped to my mouth, lingering there, before rising back to mine. There was something different in his eyes now. Interest and desire.

The fox stepped closer, wary. “Spade… did he cut your lip?”

My mate removed his hand from my cheek and touched his bottom lip. “Just a little.” His gaze flicked down to my mouth. “Are they real?”

“Oh my God. This is epic. We’ll be one big, happy family,” Riker cheered.

“What’s happenin’?” Razor demanded, hooking an arm across Riker’s chest to pull him back.

I wanted another taste of my fated. My fangs ached to be embedded in my mate’s skin. I wanted to be fucked while I drank from him. I want his seed and blood inside me.

“Soren, want me to explain?” Riker asked.

Sudden unease slipped into my senses, clearing the claim roaring in my head and heart.

What would happen if he were disgusted by me?

I was a monster in more ways than one.

Spade could reject the bond. He could leave me.

A hand gripped my hair, and I was yanked forward. My chest crashed into Spade’s, and he clipped, “Whatever you’re fuckin’ thinkin’ to put that look on your face, stop it.”

Holding his waist, I softly told him, “You don’t understand.”

“Then tell me.”

I wanted to tell Spade—I did—but when I opened my mouth, nothing came out. So instead, I flicked my attention to Riker, who beamed, and I nodded.