Page 29 of Forbidden Daddy Mate

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Steel clouds covered the sun. I’d considered holding off another day, but I wanted Klyte to take a look at Freya’s arm. Though I trusted the safe house, I’d feel better when we were back in Brixton.

I was feeling well enough by now to shift, so I ran through the woods with Freya on my back, powdery snow spraying everywhere as I darted through the trees, relishing the feeling of being free, looking forward to finally getting back to Brixton.

Suddenly, Freya screamed, and her weight vanished from my back. I spun, worried she had fallen, but was met with a far worse sight.

Tyr stood over her, having knocked her from my back and pinned her to the ground with his foot. He looked over at me, his grin malevolent. I charged forward, forcing him to either move away from her or be torn to shreds by my claws.

He moved, vanishing so quickly it was as if he’d never been there. Freya, now free, scrambled.

I stood over Freya as she got to her feet, her face pale from shock. I growled, telling her she needed to get back on so we could make a run for it. If we could get far enough away quickly enough, we could make it out of this. She made to get back on but froze and looked around, her eyes growing wide with horror. It didn’t take long for me to figure out why.

Vampires, far more of them than had been in the house, surrounded us, leering and grinning as they closed ranks. Varin emerged, looking smug.

“Did you really think we wouldn’t find you?” he asked.

Snarling, I shifted back, glaring at the head vampire. I wanted to push Freya behind me, but we were surrounded. There was nowhere for me to keep her safe.

“What do you want with us?” I snarled.

“You? We want dead. Her?” he shrugged. “You’d have to ask Tyr.”

Freya flinched, inching closer to me as Tyr grinned.

“Do I get to know why you want me dead?” I asked.

Varin raised an eyebrow. “The name didn’t give it away? And here I thought you were supposed to be some cunning commander who was supposed to make his enemies tremble. Seems like you’ve lost your touch.”

“I can guess,” I said. “But I’d rather hear it from you. Especially considering Varin is very much dead. I tore his head off myself.”

Fire flashed in Varin’s eyes and he bristled.

“I’ve waited years for my revenge,” he hissed. “I wanted all of you at once, but after the cabin, I’ll settle for you and deal with the rest of them later.”

Revenge for the Varin I’d killed years ago. There were only a couple of reasons why someone would want this level of revenge. I had a sickening idea I knew what was really going on here.

I glanced around. I wanted to get Freya out of here, to protect her. But I knew this wasn’t going to end until Varin and Tyr were both dead. I needed to end this now.

“Freya, I’m going to need you to do exactly what I say,” I said softly, quiet enough that only she heard. “No matter what. All right?”

Freya glanced at me, her jaw set. She knew what I was about to ask, and she wasn’t happy about it.

Her eyes met mine. Seeing the urgency in my face, she nodded reluctantly.

They closed in around us. Tyr leered at Freya, fangs bared in a sinister grin.

“You don’t want to stay with him,” he cooed to her. “Come on with me. I’ll take good care of you. He’s not a good person. You want to come with me.”

“Shut him out. Shut him out,” I whispered, trying to help break his concentration. “Stone wall, remember?”

Freya hesitated, eyes squeezed shut. I could see her fighting him, or trying to. I couldn’t tell who was winning. But she stayed where she was, even as her body went rigid.

“She’s practiced,” Tyr said, almost sounding delighted. “That’s so adorable. It won’t be enough, but it’s cute that she thinks she has a chance.” His voice resumed that rhythmic tone, that scent of caramel spilling into the air. “Come on, now. The faster you get away, the sooner you’ll be safe.”

She hesitated for a moment, then took a step toward him, her eyes still squeezed shut. I could tell she was losing.

“Leave her alone,” I snarled. “It’s me you want. Not her.”

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