Page 49 of Betrayed Mate

I diverted my eyes to the TV and blushed. Some sort of porn was playing, which had my entire body flooding with embarrassment. I’d had sex before, but we didn’t have sex openly like this and never with others in the same room.

Moans and sucking noises echoed in my ears as the strong scent of copper filled my nose. The urge to gag surfaced, but I swallowed, fighting the sensation. The last thing I needed to do was offend the very people who could decide to attack us at any moment.

Ryker slid an arm around my waist, pulling me to his chest so my vision was blocked, a welcome relief. The sounds were still bad enough.

Tingles spread from his touch, and I breathed in his scent, which seemed intoxicating. Need shot through me, catching me off guard. The fact that I was attracted to him was problematic, but this was taking it to a different level. It had to be the influence of the scene before us.

I stayed close, not wanting to embarrass myself further.

Soon the sounds and scents faded, and he loosened his grip on me.

Knowing I needed to break whatever hold he had over me, I took in a deep breath, allowing his scent to fill my lungs once more before lifting my head. We moved along to the kitchen, where the quadruplets were pouring blood into glass cups on the other side of a huge marble island.

The stench of copper hit my nose again, and a sour taste filled my mouth. The girl took a sip from her glass and then smiled,revealing pink-stained teeth and elongated canines. “Your room is ready.”

Gritting my own teeth, I tried to keep a neutral expression, not wanting to reveal my disgust. I understood that blood was their sustenance, but the fact that it came from humans, who shifters and witches protected, upset my stomach. This was one reason that vampires and shifters were naturally at odds.

Ryker didn’t hesitate, guiding me past the vampires toward the door at the far end.

My pulse pounded in my ears as we entered a massive, stone-walled bedroom. Two queen-size beds lay against each of the left and right walls, totaling four. Matching beige comforters on each had been folded down, showing brown sheets and pillowcases. Like the living room, the wall to the outside was all glass, including the sliding door cut into the center.

Turning to Kendric, Raven kissed him. When she pulled back, she said, “You five shift and go run and eat. It’ll be morning soon, and you all need rest. This is your safe haven for as long as you need.”

“We’ll spend time together tomorrow, right?” Kendric arched a brow and cupped her cheek.

The gesture was so tender and intimate that my heart clenched hard once more. That was something I’d never have. But I’d rather survive with the pain and anger than be mated to Reid, who didn’t have issues slaughtering my entire pack.

“Of course, but right now, I need to go speak with the guards.” She pecked his cheek and then turned to me and continued, “And I want to get to know you a lot better tomorrow.”

Her gaze was kind, but the hairs on the back of my neck rose in alarm. They did that whenever a vampire got too close because of their unnatural magic—a witch’s spell gone wrong had made these immortal creatures.

I forced a smile and chose my answer carefully. “Okay.” This was a trick my sister used on my parents. She wouldn’t agree with them but, rather, would inform them she acknowledged their words.

She sashayed from the room, Kendric watching her every step, while Gage and Xander hurried to the sliding glass door. My wolf inched forward, bursting to get out, and my stomach rumbled.

Ryker led me forward once more, and as soon as we stepped through the door to the outside, Kendric’s footsteps hurried to catch up.

Within seconds, we reached the woods, and I hurried to a sizable oak, where I removed my clothing. As soon as the chill hit my bare skin, my wolf surged forward, taking control. I tingled as fur sprouted, and my spine cracked until I was on all fours.

And then I was off, running to where Ryker and the other three were waiting for me.

The five of us ran through the woods, listening for signs of prey. The wind rippled through my fur, and my muscles burned.

The sounds of a herd of deer caught my attention. My head snapped toward the west. Saliva pooled and dripped down my jaw.

A few seconds later, Ryker and the others snapped their heads in the same direction, hearing the same thing I had. I couldn’t pack-link with them, but I didn’t have to right now. I knew what they were saying,food.

The four of them took off, the advantage of a pack link. I’d have to follow their lead and be a few seconds behind so I didn’t mess up their attack and cost us a meal. I trailed them, though my wolf urged me to quicken the pace and take the lead.

Fighting the alpha urge even as it reared its head, I noticed their gait increasing. As Xander and Ryker separated to goaround a tree, I saw the deer in front of me—four does and two fawns.

I’d scarcely paused to see which one the others selected before choosing my own when something dark appeared, barreling toward me and moving faster than anything I’d ever seen before.

Before I could adjust for the attack, something sharp pierced my shoulder and caused my leg to give out.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Iwhimpered, unable to hold in the sound, as my attacker pushed me onto my side. The faint, sweet scent of vampire mixed with the sweaty scent of human hit my senses.

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