Page 96 of Burn for Her

He was used to going on so little, Dorian’s body was accustomed to starvation. For better or worse, that never changed. Even while he lived with the Woods family, he never drank from anyone’s vein. Dorian supplemented however he could, but in the end, had to join a vampire House, which turned out to be the best thing for everyone.

Having the King’s blood in his veins now was a game changer for Dorian. A gift he didn’t plan to let go to waste if he could put it to use and finish making a bond with Lena.

Turning her was another hurdle he’d save for later.

“Come on.” He coaxed Lena towards the door. “We have a ceremony to watch.”

Once outside, a cacophony of voices rose from all directions in the woods and surrounded them. ATV engines roared in the distance. Howls erupted. Lycan prowled the property in small groups, howling and hollering at one another. Escorted in on four wheelers or shifting and running through the woods in wolf form, all guests finally gathered, and the ceremony could officially begin.

Before Dorian lived with the Lycan, most everyone here was part of the Woods clan. But when Dorian was adopted, the other shifters nearly went to war with Alistair over it.

His adopted family chose Dorian over them. That decision cost the Woods family a lot.

It was one more hunk of guilt Dorian carried on his shoulders over the years. He had no clue what he would have done if Alistair hadn’t taken him in. Back then, Dorian knew nothing of vampire Houses, let alone how to interact with someone. He went into shock the first time he was given a hot meal.

These Lycan taught him how to hunt, how to read, how to write and play…

They gave him everything, and it cost them everything.

Most who left eventually returned once Dorian joined a vampire House and left the Woods family. Not that Alistair ever forgave them for their initial abandonment. The entire Lycan community was shaken by Alistair’s devotion to Dorian. Some admired him for it, but most were disgusted by it. His children were constantly judged for having an adopted vampire brother too. Not that they ever let another Lycan’s opinion get to them.

But it definitely got to Dorian.

He smelled the wood smoke from the massive bonfire burning on the other side of the barn. Okay, barn wasn’t a good word for this structure. It was more like a massive extended dining room with a retractable wall that opened up to the massive bonfire lit for the ceremony.

“Once I came to live with them,” Dorian said as he escorted Lena around to the right of the barn. “The pack broke away and left.”

“Alistair must have felt betrayed.”

“I’m sure he did, but he never said it. Not around me at least.” They got closer to the fire. “They eventually came back, but Alistair makes them work for the invitation to join the ceremonies.”

“That’s generous of him.”

Dorian thought so too.

“I smell vampire,” snarled a Lycan about fifteen feet away.

“My son is here visiting,” Alistair explained, then steered the Lycan away from where Dorian and Lena stood.

“We can watch the ceremony from here,” he whispered against her ear. The night was young, and clouds covered most of the dark sky. The smell of pine and smoke wafted into his nose. It fucked with his head.

Lena frowned. “We’re not allowed to be down with the rest of them?”

“My kind doesn’t practice these rituals. I don’t want to intrude.” Dorian’s heart sank a little. “Alistair’s youngest, Killian, did this ceremony two years ago. He didn’t find his mate in time.”

Lena’s gaze sailed to the half-circle of Lycan handing out vials of a watery liquid silver. “He turned?”

“Yes. And he stayed a wolf. He’s lost forever to his animal.” And will eventually be hunted and put down. Dorian couldn’t bring himself to say that part. His heart couldn’t take it.

Seeking comfort, he wrapped his arms around Lena’s waist and inhaled her cherry blossom scent.

“So those men… Lycan over there. They’re all going to risk their lives to find their mate?”

“Mmm hmm.”

“And they have until the next full moon?”

“Mmm hmm.”

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