Kira gaped at him. “What?”

“I would never take advantage of you that way.”

She replayed his words, stunned. “Virginity?”

“Your father said he didn’t talk to you much about sex. I wouldn’t have taken advantage of you,” he repeated.

It sunk in that he thought she was a virgin. And that made her angry. “I might be dog shit to the clan but humans found me very attractive. I’m not some old maid!”

He stood so fast that the chair slammed to the floor. She lowered her gaze again, unable to look away from the front of his boxers. The vicious snarl that erupted from him snapped her focus to his face. His fangs were out and his eyes had darkened to near black. He seemed to be having some difficulty breathing, since he panted.

“Some human fucked you?”

Kira wasn’t stupid. He was in a rage. Her mouth parted but she didn’t speak, afraid to. His reaction was confusing at first as they stared at each other.

“Answer me!”

She could barely understand, the animal side of him nearly overtaking his ability to form decipherable words. She licked her lips and then took a deep breath. “What’s wrong?”

He moved lightning fast and her new Vampire instincts rose, shooting pure terror through every nerve ending. His hands shoved at her shoulders, knocking her flat as his weight pinned her to the bed. He thrust his fingers into the hair at the base of her neck and snarled.

“Tell me!”

Kira had to resist letting loose a scream. She wouldn’t have been able to draw enough breath to pull it off anyway, since Lorn’s weight crushed her into the soft bedding. His skin seemed cooler than her own. She stared wide-eyed into his glowing gaze.

“You allowed a human to fuck you?”

His reaction was way beyond rage. She’d seen him go off on others when he’d been protecting her. Being on the receiving end of that kind of violent outburst was another story. She’d never feared Lorn until this moment. She fought to regain some control since her instincts were clawing at her insides to fight to get away from him.

She reached up, her hands trembling badly, and curved her palms around his cheeks to make a physical connection. It had always worked when they were kids and he’d lost control of his emotions when he grew too angry over something. She’d grip his face and make him look at her to calm him down. It took a few tries before words would leave her mouth.

“Lorn?” Tears filled her eyes and she didn’t hide them. “Are you going to hurt me?”

He closed his eyes and his grip on her hair eased.

A few ragged breaths later, he braced his weight and eased most of it off her. Some of his rage seemed to have faded when his eyes opened. They glowed silver but she didn’t look away. VampLycans had enough Vampire traits to control minds but he’d never do that to her. They had trust—or at least she’d thought they had. Lorn was the last person, besides her father, who would ever take advantage of her with those abilities. She’d always had an immunity to mind control, but it hadn’t been tested against someone brutally attempting to tear into her mind.

“No,” he rasped. “I didn’t mean to react that way. My Lycan side took over. I’ve barely slept for days and…I’m just so damn sorry. I’d never hurt you. Never.”

“What’s wrong? Is this some kind of instinctual response to me being a Vampire?” She wouldn’t be surprised. Decker had instilled deep hatred for the full-bloods. “Is it because my scent has changed? I know I probably don’t smell so good. Is your Lycan side telling you I’m the enemy? I’m not, Lorn.”

He turned his head, tucking his chin against his broad shoulder. “Just answer my question.” His tone softened but his words were clear. “Did you let a human touch you?”

“I know you don’t like or trust them, but I was mostly human. I wasn’t so bad, was I? Not all of them are.”

He kept very still. “Yes or no?”

“I dated in college.”

“How many?”

“Dates? I don’t know. I only got serious with one man. He was nice but we broke up.”

He softly growled. “You had sex with him?”

She was unsure why it upset him so much. “Yes.”

He rolled away from her and was across the small room in a heartbeat.

She lay there stunned for a few seconds before lifting her head, watching him. His fists were clenched at his sides and his shoulders were tense. She sat up and used the blanket to tuck around her chest again.

“Lorn?

He didn’t make a sound or turn around to face her.

“He didn’t hurt me. I know you’re overprotective. Is that it?”

He spun then, his fangs had retracted but his eyes still glowed. “How could you?”

“What?” She gaped at him.

“How could you allow a human to paw you?”

“Paw me?”

“You know what I mean,” he snapped, growling again.

“No, actually, I don’t. Was I supposed to die a virgin? Never date because this clan thinks I’m useless and not worthy of ever becoming someone’s mate?” Her temper flared. “I’m more than just someone to order around, doing whatever I’m told to earn the right to keep living!” It hurt that he thought so little of humans. “I’m a person with feelings and needs. I thought you of all people would understand that. I sure as hell couldn’t date anyone here. Don’t be so insulting toward humans, because I am one. Or I was until I was attacked, anyway.”

“I don’t care that he was human. You let someone touch you.” He took a step forward but halted.

“So what?”

He snarled low but seemed to gain control of his temper. “You love me. I wasn’t wrong about seeing that yesterday, when I mentioned Lavos had found his mate. Your father told me the same thing when he argued that I shouldn’t be the one to feed you my blood.”

She wasn’t going to lie. He’d seen too many emotions on her face when her guard had been down. “I couldn’t exactly have you, could I? You avoided me as if I had the plague.”

He said nothing. Kira tried to guess why he’d be so angry since it didn’t make sense. He could have had her anytime he wanted. She decided to just ask.

“Why are you so mad?”