Page 40 of Claiming Her Vampire

“If you would come to that conclusion every time instead of me having to have a conversation,” he says dryly.

“I know how it pains you to speak with people,” I say sarcastically.

“You know me too well, too.” He gets to his feet. “I’m going to find a third woman in the sea of barely-dressed on the dance floor. My rage is still burning.”

“We wouldn’t want that,” I sneer. “Despite your rage, would you keep one ear open while you are down there? I will be distraught if my mate is hurt.”

“You know I will,” he says and gives me a salute. “Happy pouting.”

Why do I put up with him? Fuck, he may be an asshole, but he is loyal to me and no other. He may seem like he doesn’t give a shit about anything, but he has his reasons.

About a year after he became a vampire, we got drunk. Alcohol doesn’t affect us as easily as humans, and we have to drink about three times the amount. Well, we did our best to surpass that. Once we accomplished our goal, we had a heart-to-heart. No one should endure the things he told me that happened to him. I was not surprised that he was so willing to be like me. He needed the power that came with it.

We shared our stories, may have shed a tear or two, and never spoke about it again. We buried it and moved on as friends who would kill for each other for any reason. He hid his pain behind indifference, and I hid behind my sparkling personality and power. We are a pair, and I’m lucky to have him on my side, which I would never say aloud to him.

Quick movement on the screen pulls my attention. Great. Harmony is here. That isn’t the problem, though. The Alpha is with her. Jax is the Alpha of a fierce pack. We tolerate each other. Blue is the best out of the three brothers. I put up with the others because Harmony is their mate, and she loves them. He is an excellent panther to have on your side. The more animals that Serenity has on her side, the better.

A soft knock on my door has me rolling my eyes. Samantha is on the other side. I am not in the mood to deal with her bullshit tonight. Or any other night. I thought I made myself clear when we had our talk. I guess not.

“What?” I yell.

“Ryker, can I talk to you?” she asks, popping her head inside.

“What more do we have to talk about?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“I want to part as friends. I don’t want you to be mad or regret our time together.” She bats her eyes, all sweet and innocent. She walks in demurely.

I know better. I’ve done better.

“As long as you understand nothing more can be between us, we will get along just fine. We had what we had.”

“We had some really good times, though, right?” she asks. She smiles and sits on the edge of the desk, facing me.

“We did. It’s over. We move on,” I say firmly. I push my chair back. Her scent is sickening to me now.

“We could have made a perfect couple. What a powerful pair,” she says.

“The point is, we are not a couple and never will be,” I say, shaking my head in exasperation. Her determination would generally impress me. Now, all it does is make me tired.

“Why not? She is nothing. She is a human. Aren’t you curious about what we could make together? She is weak. You need an equal. I could be yours,” she pleads.

“I tried to be nice. I tried to break it off gently. That didn’t work. How can I make it plainer?” I stand and lean over her, baring my teeth and flooding my eyes until the black consumes them. “Do not ever speak of my mate in such a way. She belongs to me, and disrespecting her is the same as doing it to me. We are nothing. She is my everything. You will leave. Do not come back to my club. You're fired.”

“Ryker, please, don’t do this. I’ll be better. We can sneak around. She doesn’t have to know about us. I’m great at keeping secrets.” She jumps off the desk and drops to her knees, holding her hands as if in prayer. “Please, I’ll do anything you want.”

I drop my head back and close my eyes, sending a prayer of patience myself. Why me? Is it my long hair? Or being The King of Vampires draws the crazy women to my door? The screaming woman in Italy was the tip of the iceberg. Stories for another day.

“Get the fuck up,” I bark. “Do you not have any dignity? To lower yourself as you have done, to someone that wants you gone. We aren’t mates.”

“That doesn’t matter. We still could be good for each other,” she persists.

“It does matter. The universe knew we wouldn’t be a good fit. You just want the power that comes with being with me.”

She pushes to her feet with her head bowed. I think she finally sees the wisdom of leaving with some self-respect until she raises her head. Her eyes are filled with anger.

“You will regret sending me away,” she threatens.

“I doubt it,” I exhale softly. “Leave, do not come back.”

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