Page 74 of Little Mate

“Silence.” Her immediate compliance to my demand is false, belittled by her earlier behavior. Stupid and idiotic; I study her for a few minutes, stretching out the silence while she shifts nervously, a whimper escaping her. “Name.”

“Elise.”

“Elise what?”

“Veltross. My name is Elise Veltross.” Even though half human, her essence is reminiscent of his. Earthy, but mixed with roses to enhance her femininity. Moreover, her father’s words the day Theo fought the young and moronic vampire who challenged him still ring in my head.

“You will never be one of us, witch. The king will soon become bored with you and toss you aside as he’s done with his lovers in the past.” The haughty expression on his face angered me, but more than that is his audacity to insult his king himself and his privacy.

I know my mate is not a virgin.

I don’t expect a man his age—who’s lived through centuries and watched the world evolve—to be one, but Veltross’s blatant contempt and arrogance is grating my nerves. The way he mocks our bond isn’t something I can easily let go of.

Not here. Theo needs to focus.

Breathing in and out, I plaster a fake smile across my lips. “And let me guess—you have the perfect woman for him in mind? Or are you in love with your king?”

“Don’t be insolent, child.”

“Don’t push me, you backwards-thinking fool. My patience is thin.” My sister finally catches on, moving closer, and I shake my head at her. A minute movement she sees and proceeds to fist the back of my dress, tugging me closer and in front of her so she doesn’t react. “Leave. This is your only warning.”

“The day my daughter takes her rightful place, I’ll take great pleasure in draining every drop of blood from your veins.”

“The day your daughter crosses my path, she should watch her back. I’m not one to be messed with.”

“And what will you do? Your cheap tricks don’t—”

“That tugging you feel at your chest is the black soul that resides in you. I can manipulate it, turn it against you, Veltross. That pain will be magnified, and it will be I who dances on your grave.”

“The daughter of one of my generals. One who would be embarrassed by your behavior and punish you just as swiftly.” Coincidence, or…? my mate asks through our link, tilting his head while studying her. Have you spoken to Isabella?

“Yes.” Eyes on the ground, Elise takes a step back. “I’m very sorry.”

We’re to meet tomorrow afternoon. “You let your human side overpower and disgrace our very nature and laws, Miss Veltross.” Eyes narrowed, I watch her through slits while clutching the napkin in my hand. I’m not buying her sudden contrite act, nor do we trust her father. He’s a good general but thinks too highly of himself and his position. His actions toward me have put a mark on his back. “How dare you try and touch my mate and your king.”

It's in her body language. A part of her has a misplaced claim on him; I scent her jealousy.

“I was being—”

“You speak when spoken to. Understood?”

“Yes, My queen.”

“Do not step a single foot out of line, Elise. This is my only warning.”

“Yes, My queen.”

“Leave.”

“Thank you, My queen.” Elise scurries off and doesn’t look back, hiding up front while I’m served dinner by an older gentleman and my husband watches me eat. It’s something he enjoys, to sit and quietly observe while I return the favor when he hunts—when he lets nature take its rightful place and he momentarily satiates the never-ending thirst.

My king has great control over his impulses. He only kills to eat, as any hunter would do.

It’s sexy to watch him overpower his prey.

My thighs clench under the table at the memory of his meal last night, the beauty of his brutality, an action my husband catches. His nostrils flare and his eyes become darker—hooded and hungry. A little feral, and I lick the last bite of my dessert sensually from the spoon.

A move he follows with a different, unrestrained hunger.

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