“I was afraid I’d hurt you.”

“Get over yourself.” She turned, ready to lie down again. She was emotionally drained. “I have to think about my future. I waited a day too late to leave the clan.”

His strong fingers gripped her arm, spinning her to face him. “What do you mean? Were you planning to leave? Where? Who was taking you away?”

“My father offered to help me escape.” She avoided making eye contact. “It was a good time to go. Decker is gone and I doubt anyone else would have wasted the resources to come after me. They know I’d never reveal anything to the humans since it would put my dad in danger too.”

“Look at me.”

She raised her chin, staring into eyes. “What?”

“The Vamp who did this to you is dead. I wanted you to know that.”

“Good.”

Lorn backed away and dropped his hands. “I wanted to kill him myself for forcing his blood down your throat but Lavos was the one who took him out.”

She hugged her waist. “He actually didn’t force me.”

The color drained from Lorn’s face. “You asked him to share his blood?”

“No! He was bleeding me dry and I couldn’t get away from him. It was die or bite back. I did what I had to do to survive. I was growing weaker by the second.” Unwanted tears filled her eyes. “Dying. I was desperate.”

He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple moving. “I understand.”

She was relieved. “I’d hoped the Lycan blood in me would fight it off and I wouldn’t turn.”

“You’re alive, and that’s all that matters now. I’m going to keep feeding you and hopefully my blood will infuse some of my Lycan traits into you.”

Lorn was risking a lot for her. “How long until we know?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Days? Weeks?”

Lorn shrugged. “For however long it takes.”

“The clan will search for you if you’re gone for more than a few days. They’ll scent me on you if I’m staying here and you return to them. I stink of Vampire, don’t I?”

He inhaled. “You smell good to me.”

“You’re being nice again. Do I smell like a suckhead?”

“Kira,” he rasped, snagging her shoulder with one of his large hands. “You smell like you.”

“I won’t allow you to risk your life to protect mine. You’ve done it too many times before.” She understood all the risks he’d taken for her already just by concealing what had happened. The clan would be furious that he’d harbored a Vampire in their territory. “Get my dad, Lorn. He’ll take me to Velder’s clan.”

His mouth parted and he revealed his fangs. “No. You’ll stay here, where you’re safe. I won’t allow some stranger to force you into mating with him. You’re vulnerable when you feed.”

“No VampLycan is going to mate me. It was bad enough when I was mostly human. Now they have to protect their necks from me at all times.”

“They don’t kill members in Velder’s clan when they inherit Vampire-dominant traits. That son of a bitch enforcer will feed you, you’ll react the way you did with me, and he’ll take advantage. You’ll snap out of it with his fangs in your neck and his dick in your—” He snarled. “Sorry. It pisses me off just thinking about it.”

“I’ll just tell him I don’t want a mate or a lover.”

“He won’t be able to resist. Hell, I’m barely able to fight the urge.”

Her eyes widened. He’d stunned her again.

Lorn squeezed her shoulder. His gaze flicked down her body. “We have to put on more clothes before your next feeding. Speaking of, your father is above ground, waiting for us.”

“Don’t let me bite him, okay?” It was a real fear. “Please?”

“I’ll stay close. You should be good for a few hours before you’re hungry again.”

“You think so? I thought newbies needed blood all the time.”

“Let’s hope for both our sakes that isn’t true.”

“Why?” A thought struck. “Am I going to need too much blood from you?”

“It’s not that.” His gaze lowered down her body again.

Lorn wanted her. The hungry look in his eyes couldn’t be missed.

“I’m going to lend you a sweater and some sweatpants. I’ll use a knife to shorten the legs so you don’t step on them.”

He turned away and opened a cupboard, leaving Kira to stare after him.

Chapter Seven

Kira noticed her heightened senses immediately as soon as they left the den. She could smell the trees, the flowers, and even her father. Her vision had heightened, despite the darkness. Lorn stayed at her side as she turned left, following the familiar scent. She didn’t need to be told where her father waited. His heat signature made him glow red a little when she spotted him.

“Kira,” her dad whispered.

“Dad!” She ran forward and threw her arms around his waist.

He hugged her hard. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t do that. It wasn’t your fault.”

“I should have sent you away the minute Decker left, or gone looking for you sooner so I’d have realized you hadn’t made it home.”

She fought tears and pulled away enough to peer at his face. She hated seeing the pained look he sported. “I’m okay. I mean, for being a suckhead.”

He winced. “There might be a way to—”

“I shared what you said,” Lorn growled. “I even told her about Velder’s offer to give her to one of his enforcers in exchange for blood. She’s staying with me.”

Her father stiffened. “She’s better off leaving here.”

“So you’ve repeatedly said. Remember my texts. She’s better off not being forced to mate some asshole,” Lorn countered. “She should have choices. Give it a chance.”

“Dad.” Kira drew his attention.

He looked at her. “It’s better in the long run if you go to the other clan. I know it wasn’t the life you planned but you’ll be safe there. Even if taking his blood gives you Lycan traits, you’ll never be safe here.” Her father glared at Lorn. “For so many reasons.”