Page 41 of Claim of Blood
“No. I know the manufacturer, but not the service provider. Without knowing who to hack…” Oren shook his head. “What do you wish done with it?”
Lander’s smile was sudden and sharp. “We could attach it to one of the chickens near the stables.”
“Wouldn’t that suggest we’re keeping him with livestock?” Gaspard scowled.
“And wouldn’t that be confusing for them?” Lander’s grin widened.
“Do it,” Adam decided. Maybe it would provoke a response.
Lander headed out, Oren following. “How do you plan to attach it to a chicken?”
“I have my ways,” Lander’s laughter echoed.
Adam decided he didn’t want to know.
Gaspard gathered the medical supplies and discarded the gloves, efficiently separating the used from the unused. Elias moved to help, offering to assist with returns, but Gaspard waved him off.
“The IV bags,” Elias gestured to the three additional bags on the nightstand. “They’ll need to be switched when the current one empties.”
Before Elias could say more, Nathaniel swept him up into his arms. The doctor’s startled squawk drew the Alpha’s wolf to the surface again, eyes flashing. “I’ll take the good doctor to my pack house to rest.”
“But I should—” Elias’s protests cut off as Nathaniel carried him away.
Adam and Gaspard watched them go. “Think we’ll be attending a mating ceremony soon?” Gaspard asked.
“If Nathaniel invites us, we’ll go.” Adam shrugged, smiling.
Gaspard nodded, gathered the remaining equipment, and left.
Adam stripped off his clothes, turned off the light, and set an alarm for the IV bag. He slid into bed next to Leo and pulled his hunter close.
Chapter Ten
Leo
Leodriftedtowardconsciousnessslowly, awareness seeping in through layers of unfamiliar lethargy. Warmth pressed solidly against his back—a presence that should have triggered every defensive instinct he possessed. Instead, his body melted further into it, even as his mind began the slow, automatic cataloging of details.
A steady breath ghosted over the curve of his neck. One arm lay draped across his waist, Adam’s palm spread possessively over his stomach. The sheets beneath him were impossibly soft—cool against his bare skin where they didn’t touch, warm where they did.
Cool air brushed his face. Leo forced his eyes open.
Moonlight spilled across polished floors and deep shadows cast by floor-to-ceiling windows. The curtains had been drawn back, revealing a star-filled sky. How long had he been out?
Then memory crashed over him in sharp, disjointed waves—Adam’s fangs in his throat, pleasure so intense it blurredinto pain. That impossible heat. The vampire’s power pouring through him. Claiming him.
Training snapped into place like a blade unsheathed. His eyes swept the room with practiced precision. An empty IV stand loomed beside the bed, tubing dangling limp. Four used bags lay discarded on the nightstand among sterile packaging and faintly glowing magical runes. Medical. Emergency. He didn’t feel sick, only... heavy. Drained. Used.
Behind him, Adam stirred.
The arm at his waist tightened, and lips pressed against the curve where neck met shoulder.
“You’re thinking very loudly, beauty,” Adam murmured against his skin.
Leo’s breath caught as Adam inhaled deeply at his nape, the vampire’s cock stirring against his ass in a slow, deliberate roll. His thoughts scattered, his body responding before he could reclaim control. He was still weak, still healing. But when Adam’s cock pressed against him, he forgot everything except the heat blooming low and bright.
“I…” Leo swallowed hard, trying to focus. The IV bags. “The fluids.”
Adam’s mouth brushed the mark on his neck. “My sister called to congratulate me. She reminded me that while vampires can exchange blood, you can only give.” His arm tightened, possessive. “I took too much, beauty. The bags were to help you recover.”
