Page 87 of Claiming Her Vampire

Her arms fall limply. Tremors travel from her body to mine.

I gather her in my arms and turn us on the bed, staying inside her and lying down. I pull the covers over us and bring her leg over mine, pulling her close to my chest and spooning her.

I rest my hand on her breast, my mouth near her neck, and my fingers on our joined bodies.

“This is mine.” I flutter my finger over her clit. “This is how we sleep from now on. In any position, with me inside you, so I can fuck you whenever I want.”

“Shit, Ryker,” she whines. “How is it possible to be turned on after that?” She covers my hands with hers.

I chuckle. “Easy. I’ve had a hard-on since I met you.”

“Yeah, but you're a man,” she says like that explains everything.

“I will make it my mission to keep you horny for me,” I promise.

“It won’t take much,” she says, drowsy.

“Get some sleep. I’ll wake you when I recover so that I can prove my point.”

“Love you,” she mutters.

“I love you too, baby,” I swear. “I wish I could go back,” I whisper.

“What?”

“I wish you had chosen me and become a vampire of your own will,” I confess.

“Ryker, I know this is what I was meant for. You are the one I was meant for.” She squeezes my arm. “I do choose you,” she says softly.

I listen as she falls deep into sleep, her breathing evening out. Relieved. I pull her as tight as possible to me. Her warmth comforts me. She is safe in my arms—where she belongs.

I thought it was humorous watching Harmony and her mates. They cater to her every need, finding joy in it. I never understood the devotion.

I have always respected the bond of mates and hoped to find it someday, even if I thought I wasn’t worthy of it. My expectations were wrong. I had an idea of what love feels like, but it’s been so long since I’ve experienced it. It didn’t feel like this.

I would do just about anything for my coven, for those loyal to me, even for Harmony and her mates. That need is built on respect and care.

Serenity is my weakness. I will do anything to protect her. If some thought I was deadly before, fuck with her, and your world will end.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Serenity

“Ryker couldn’t understand why I wanted to talk to you. But, of course, he gave in and drove me here. I made him sit in the car with the music on full blast so he wouldn’t hear our conversation.” I look around the cemetery. “Life certainly has been exciting lately, a crazy roller coaster. As I’m sure you saw, we found the shifters, and they are making progress. I’m sure you can imagine that it’s been difficult to adjust back to life. Just thinking about sitting locked in a cage for months on end, enduring terror and trauma, gives me the chills.

“Kerian and River are helping with them. They’ve been great, giving them jobs, helping find them therapists, and being there with advice. I’m pretty impressed with them. River is as crazy as ever, a good crazy, though. Kerian grounds him, but River helps Kerian come out of his shell. I get the feeling they both have been through some traumatic things. Ryker is developing a solid friendship with them.

“Ava has been able to go back to her life. She is determined to put all this behind her and live her life. She still likes to give shit to Bash constantly. We were able to have a girls’ night. Harmony met Ava, and they hit it off. Harmony also brought a friend with her, Marie. She is timid but super sweet and extremely intelligent. I think Ava plans on taking her under her wing. Marie just went through some kind of heartbreak, from a man, of course. But that’s Ava, helping those that need it and infusing confidence and passion. She has made it her mission to help her. With her past, no wonder she feels the need to do so.”

I rearranged the flowers I brought to the base of the small grave. “Ryker has been fantastic. So supportive and loving. We learn more about each other every day. He shows me his vulnerable side. When you look at him, you would think he has no fear. He hides that side of himself from everyone but me. He’s allowed me to process my feelings over my parents' deaths without judgment. He researched my family tree and discovered I have a witch that was my ancestor. We want to find out more to help me understand my powers. I could never have imagined that I may have witch blood running through my veins. I’m adjusting to the thought gradually.

“He would have loved you desperately. He loved your mother, and when you both died, it tore him apart. But it also changed him into the man he is now. I believe everything happens for a reason. Although your death was so sad and way too early, you put him on a different path. He protects the weak and treats women with respect. You did that for him. You made him a better man. He would have protected you so much, and you would have rebelled and given him grey hair.

“I know you have been watching him from wherever you are, guiding him and loving him. He loves you, too. I know you don’t judge him because he is a vampire. Who knows, maybe you would have been one too. I’m fuzzy on the technicalities of a human-vampire mating. You would have been beautiful, either way. He told me he comes here all the time to see you. I wish we could have a regular conversation and you could tell me what he says. He’s still nervous about talking to me about you. I have assured him that his love for you extends to me.”

I glance back at the car to make sure he’s still inside. I can hear the blare of the music, and I chuckle.

“He’s taking me to Italy. He wants to show me the world. He’s still mad that I’m making him travel like a normal person, though. It's my first big trip, so I want to experience it like everyone else. Sometimes he just doesn’t understand. Plus, I’m not sure how our speed affects the baby.” I rub my stomach lovingly. “Somehow, the gods have decided to take a chance on us and make us parents. You're going to have a sibling. I will probably be a shit mom, but Ryker will be amazing. He doesn’t know yet. You are the first one I’ve told. I’m going to tell him about the little one on our trip. If I thought he was protective before, shit, he’s going to be ridiculous.”

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