Page 38 of Vampire Pack

Technically, I did have a blood-related family, and I loved them. I just loved them from afar, because they were all close, and I was kind of an outsider.

I was the second youngest of eight kids. My only sister was the oldest, a vampire, and the golden child, with a whole pack of kids herself.

My mother was also a vampire, and her attention was focused solely on her grandbabies.

My dad was a werewolf, and a professional football player, who spent most of his time working. When he wasn't working, he was with at least one of my five werewolf brothers. They were all professional football players, too. My middle brother was a vampire, and worked as an agent for all of them.

I'd never quite fit in with any of them, but my oldest brother had always put in the time (or paid someone else) to drive me to and from hockey practice when I was a kid. He'd seen how much I loved the sport, and had done something about it. So, I tried to stay in contact with him.

I loved my mother, but she had no interest in participating in my life. She loved little kids, and was amazing with them, but didn't give a shit about much else.

My oldest brother usually dragged one or two of my other brothers to one of my games every year. I dragged my friends to one of his football games too. That was pretty much the extent of those relationships. Our sports seasons did overlap a lot, so we all used that to excuse our lack of closeness.

"Just think about it," Paige suggested. "Not about King, but about having a mate in general. There are good things, right?"

"Having a built-in snuggle buddy is at the top of that list," Mallory offered. "Even if it also means you're technically part of the Vampire Pack now."

"It was nice not having to deal with everything on my own today," I admitted. "I don't think I'll hate always having someone to go with to practices, and games, and whatnot. Assuming he doesn't go all caveman and lock me in his nest for the rest of our lives."

"He wouldn't be so focused on rehabbing your shoulder if he didn't want you to keep playing," Paige said.

I agreed. He had definitely never mentioned wanting me to quit. The real question would be whether or not he could handle me being in the middle of the chaos of our hockey games without losing his shit.

And it was a question. King always went into caveman mode when I was injured, even before we had a mate bond between us.

"I guess I'll just have to hope for the best." I made a face and crossed my fingers.

"There's another perk," Mallory said.

I frowned, not sure what she was talking about.

"An anatomical perk," she clarified.

I blinked.

My eyes slowly widened.

Fuck.

Holy fuck.

How had I forgotten about that?

Unmated vampires and werewolves couldn't get pregnant. After we sealed a bond, our bodies adapted.

Females of both species began going into heat two or three times a year, after they took a mate. The first heat always started within a week after sealing the bond. It was a few days of being hot, incredibly horny, and partially insane, unless you took dangerous pills to suppress it.

Most people wouldn't risk the suppressants. I sure as hell wouldn't.

There was a symptomless shot that men could take for birth control during heat cycles, so that was most couples' go-to.

While female bodies adapted, male bodies just changed.

Mated male werewolves had a bulb of sorts at the base of their erection. It swelled when they got off, and locked their body with their mate's.

Mated male vampires' cocks had barbs. According to what I'd been told, they weren't sharp enough to cause pain. They were basically small protrusions, like tiny studs, that increased the sensations for their partner during sex. They also swelled when the man climaxed, locking the pair together in a different way.

"You forgot?" Paige asked, sympathetic but fighting amusement. Mallory was just grinning.