Page 27 of Claiming Her Vampire

“Is he a good wolf or a bad wolf?” Did that phrase come out of my mouth? How my life has changed.

“He’s an asshole and a hothead but a decent wolf.” He steers me towards the door with a hand on my back.

“So it’s safe?” I am concerned.

He stops in front of the door and turns to face me. “Are you worried about me?” A slight grin plays on his mouth.

“That would be weird if I was.” I focus my eyes on his shoulder.

“It would be. I don’t remember the last time someone was.” He dips his head down to catch my eyes. “I think I will like someone—that someone being you—doing it now.”

“Just be careful.” I look at his lips, so temptingly close.

“I will. Now that I have you, I won’t let anything stop me from coming back to you.”

“Good.” We continue to stare at each other. “Are we going to go?” I whisper.

He seems to come to a decision, swooping down and taking my lips.

Fuck, this is nothing like the kisses I’ve had in the past. He pulls my body into his own, presses me fully into him, and takes me. He has to bend down so far with the height difference, even with me on my tiptoes. He must see my strain, and picks me up and holds me tightly to him, giving him more access to my lips. His hands are roaming until they find a home, with one on my ass and the other tangled in my hair at the back of my neck.

An invisible connection clicks into place, strengthening our bond. This feels incredibly right. Being in the arms of a vampire I met days ago, his arms around me, his lips taking mine, owning me, is where I was meant to be.

He eases his grip and slowly ends our kiss. He sets me on my feet, his hands sliding away, caressing as they go. He licks my bottom lip and then stands up straight.

“Now we can go.” He grabs my hand and pulls me through the door.

All I can do is follow blindly, knowing in my soul he will lead me to where I need to go.

Chapter Nine

Ryker

I had a bad experience with a wolf. Since then, I’ve tried to avoid them. To avoid everyone. Until I met Harmony. She opened me up to a new set of people. One of them being Kerian. He turned out to be her brother. The drama that brought me into her world gave me the opportunity to have a true friend in her. Thanks to her friendship, I killed a sick, twisted man who impacted her childhood and created a ripple in her life that led to the drama months ago.

Kerian had a hard time after he learned the truth about his family. He was a new Alpha, trying to do the right thing. Now he kind of went off the rails, fighting and drinking, a new woman every night.

I’m strolling around the bottom floor of the warehouse where we killed Greg when Kerian walks in. He has a permanent scowl on his face. It looks like he has decided to ignore the basics of grooming. His brown hair is a mess, his beard is long, and his clothes are dirty and well-worn. His scent is the same as usual, earth and dog, but with alcohol soaking through.

Another man struts behind him. One I have never seen before. He has black hair and green eyes. Unlike Kerian, he is clean and groomed to perfection—he’s a wolf, too. His scent is similar to Kerian’s. Every shifter has a scent unique to them, yet with notes of their animal.

I don’t blame Kerian for bringing backup. Meeting with a regular vampire is dangerous.

But even though I understand it, I have no choice but to give him shit about it. “Too scared to come by yourself, Kerian? From the stories I’ve heard lately, you have other things to worry about.”

“He overheard our conversation and followed me.” Kerian glares at the man.

“What? Can you blame me? I had to meet the fierce King of Vampires with a fondness for knives, gloves, and killing.” He just grins.

I study him. He’s a pushy, cocky asshole—I like him. “You wanted to annoy Kerian too,” I guess.

“That’s just a bonus.” He slaps Kerian on the back and walks up to me with no fear. “My name is River, Kerian’s brother.” He holds his hand out to me.

I clasp his hand and look over at Kerian to see him rolling his eyes. “You have a brother? Does Harmony know?” She’ll kill him if he hides another brother from her.

“He’s not my blood brother. We were friends years ago. He moved back recently,” Kerian grumbles.

“I begged him to let me join his pack. He reluctantly let me. We were best friends and had a falling out.” River sits in one of the chairs.

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