His hands rubbed her back as he cradled her closer, whispering soothing sounds to assure her she wasn’t alone while she suffered the pain her condition would cause.

He’d seen it happen once in his lifetime. Poor Zulu hadn’t been blessed with strong Lycan genes at birth. All VampLycans suffered the most changes during puberty. Their voices deepened, their aggression levels ran off the chart, and all kinds of urges surfaced, from desiring sex to the need to hunt down prey.

Lorn would never forget the first time he’d completely transformed from his human form into the beast. It had hurt like a son of a bitch as bones popped while his shape changed into something that was more terrifying than a typical Lycan. The Vampire half of him gave him a more muscled body than the sleek one a wolf. He’d kept some of the human traits, like thick limbs and five-fingered hands and toes with razor-sharp claws.

When Zulu hit puberty, the Vampire bloodlines had taken hold instead. He had hit the ground in agony but bones hadn’t popped as they shifted. He’d turned into something else entirely.

The teenager had lost his ability to withstand the sunlight, burning when it brushed his skin. He lusted mostly for blood instead of sex. Food wouldn’t remain in his stomach unless he took it from the vein. He was the rarity that all parents in Decker’s clan feared most. His Vampire side had dominated his Lycan half.

There were whispers that other clans didn’t kill children who were more Vampire, but no confirmations. It didn’t matter in the end. Decker was their leader and his judgment was final. He’d ordered Zulu dragged from his parents’ home during the day and staked to the ground under the midday sun. His parents had fought to defend him, losing their own lives in the process.

No Vampires would be tolerated living amongst their clan. Ever. Lorn hadn’t witnessed Zulu’s death in person but he’d heard every horrible detail.

Hot tears slid down the sides of Lorn’s face. Kira was changing but she wouldn’t be sporting a tail when it ended. She’d have fangs and burn in the sun. Food would no longer be tolerated in her stomach, instead she’d need blood.

Kira whimpered, clutching at him.

“I’m so damn sorry, baby,” he rasped.

Chapter Four

“Lorn? Hand her up,” Lavos demanded. “We need to get her back to the village. Our doctor—”

“Go away,” Lorn snarled, hating this additional stress on top of his worst living nightmare.

His brother blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m coming down.”

“Don’t!” He’d attack his brother to protect Kira if he came any closer.

“What the hell? Is she okay?” He was silent for a moment. “Shit. You’re thinking about giving her blood, aren’t you? Is she dying?” Lavos craned his head around, sniffing loudly as he peered behind him. “No one is close yet. Damn it. Do it fast. I won’t tell. I know you can’t let her die.” He looked back down, eyes narrowing as he sought out Lorn’s face. “We’ll say she can’t be moved and hide her in there until the scent of you fades. How long do you think she’ll carry it if you have to give her a lot of blood? Hours? Days? Fuck!”

Lorn tried to clear his thoughts to be rational again but it was near impossible. As soon as the clan realized what had happened, they’d stake Kira to the ground and let her burn. It was Decker’s law. The only way to prevent it would be to get her the hell out of there before anyone found out what happened. She needed to be far from their village but she couldn’t travel in her condition.

Could he trust Lavos? They were close, but what he needed him to do would strain any bond. Not only would he be asking his brother to break the law, but putting him at risk of severe punishment if anyone discovered he’d helped Lorn.

“Lorn? You’re scaring me, bro. Talk to me.” Lavos’s voice lowered. “I know what she means to you. Tell me what you need, damn it.”

Lorn couldn’t do it alone. And it was obvious Lavos refused to leave. He cleared his throat to be rid of the knot of pain clustered there. “Swear on our blood bond as brothers that you won’t kill her.”

“Why the hell would I want—” Lavos’s voice broke. His eyes widened in shock and then he paled. “Oh fuck. He didn’t just bite her, did he?”

“No,” Lorn rasped. “He bled.”

Lavos dropped his head and took a ragged breath. “She’s half VampLycan. She’ll fight it off and not turn…”

It hurt him to voice the truth. “She was too human to be protected.”

“You’re sure?”

Lorn cleared his throat again, choked with emotion. “Yes.”

“I’m so damn sorry.”

A decision was made. It was that simple for Lorn. “I won’t allow the clan to kill her. Help me get her out of here and I’ll lock us inside my den. I need you to follow and clear any signs of my trail to make sure they won’t be able to track me. They can’t suspect or they’ll be hunting for her.”

“You can’t keep her contained inside your den forever. Someone is going to have to bring her blood every night and it’ll be only a matter of time before they figure you’ve got a Vamp hiding in our territory. You’ll carry her scent or something by being near her.”

“I’ll just keep her there for a little while.”

“You plan to leave our clan with her? That would work. I can help you both sneak out of the territory tomorrow night.”

“I can’t abandon our clan. You know that.”

Lavos growled low. “They’ll kill her, Lorn. Take her and flee. You can keep her safe in the human world. Or hell, maybe one of the other clans will allow you both to join them. You said you talked to Velder.”

“He wants me to take control of our clan, not join his.” Lorn’s frustration grew. “I only need to get her to my den, where she’ll be safe.”

“Then what? You’re going to unleash her on the outside world? Maybe send her to a big city with a note to one of the nest masters, asking them to please take good care of your Vampire?”

“I don’t know! I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

“She’ll be fresh meat to them. You know how damn vicious bloodbags are. Her only reprieve from instant death will be if they want to play for a bit before they destroy her. I wouldn’t call that doing her a favor. Her maker is dusted about a mile from here. She’ll need to be taught to feed and control her appetite by someone. Who’s going to give her day shelter and protect her from some human stumbling across her when she’s helpless? They have masters for a damn reason! A Vamp going wild from bloodlust, with no control, would draw attention after grabbing the first human to cross her path. She’ll tear out the throats of her victims.”