“You’re not supposed to make any noises.”

“We’re almost whispering.”

“And a Vamp can hear that.”

“I’m nervous,” she admitted.

“They will either attack us or they won’t.”

She adjusted her body to face him and it rubbed part of her thigh against the rough material of the couch. She flinched at the slight pain. Veso leaned closer.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me. Are you hurt?” He sniffed. “I don’t smell blood.”

“I’m just a little tender.”

“Your muscles?”

“My clothes were wet and they rubbed against my skin. It isn’t bad. More like a rash.”

“Let me see.”

“No way.” She scooted back on the couch. “It only happened on my inner thighs. That’s where we rubbed together the most.”

He turned his head away, staring at the door. It made her afraid, and she tensed. It was possible that he could hear something she couldn’t, like a Vampire.

Long seconds passed and he stood. She glanced around for a weapon, anything to use if someone kicked in the door. Veso walked to the fireplace and gripped the mantel. He just stood there.

Glen glanced between him and the door. More time passed and she finally relaxed. “What are you doing?” she whispered as softly as she could.

“Don’t ask,” he rasped.

“Okay.” She frowned.

He finally released the mantel and turned. His face was in the light from the other side of the cabin and his grim expression didn’t bode well as he locked gazes with her. His eyes were more golden than brown again, also never a good sign. She’d figured that out after spending so much time with him. He took a few steps closer and then stopped.

“Infections are easy for humans to get. Let me see your damn thighs.”

“I told you it’s nothing.”

“We don’t need you sick. I figure by tomorrow night we’ll reach VampLycan territory if you ride me again. That means you need to be well enough to hold on to me, and not in pain. Let me see. I’m able to heal you.”

“How?”

“My blood.”

She shook her head and grimaced. “No thanks. No more injections for me and I’m not drinking your blood.” She got up. “I’m going to sleep. Do you mind if I take the bed?”

“Glenda.” He frowned.

“Good night.” She fled around the couch and climbed the ladder to the loft. The lamp didn’t put off much light but she wanted it on. That way if anything tried to break in, she wouldn’t be in the dark. She was so sick of that.

The bed wasn’t a big one, maybe a full, and she was pleasantly surprised when she lay down on it. It was comfortable and had some give, not overly firm. It was much better than sleeping on the ground or on that horrible cot that the Vampires had provided her with in the mine. She lay on her side, curled into a ball, and closed her eyes.

Tomorrow night she hoped they were wherever it was that Veso lived. She would be able to go home.

And then what? Shit.

She’d be on her own. Her life would need to change. She’d have to move right away. The Vampires had already taken her from her apartment once so they knew where she lived. There wasn’t a lot of money in her savings account but she had good credit. She could take an emergency loan and use her credit cards to get a new place. It would probably be a good idea to give notice at her job too. They could control humans so she wouldn’t even be safe during the day.

It would also mean saying goodbye to Veso.

A tightness filled her chest and she had to breathe through it. He might be happy to be rid of her, but she would miss him.

Veso paced the small living space, his gaze going up to the loft. It bothered him that Glenda wouldn’t allow him to see her injuries. It was possible she was lying about the extent of them. He hadn’t smelled blood and she hadn’t seemed to be in pain when she’d rushed to get away from him.

He had a lot on his mind. First though, he needed to contact his father. He didn’t remember his phone number. Modern technology wasn’t always a good thing, the ease to place calls done by electronics storing information at a touch. He’d have to call the lodge. That number would be listed. Davis would have to relay the message or give him his dad’s number.

He walked toward the backpack but then paused. His father would come. He’d ask Lavos, Garson, and Kar to join him, and he doubted his father would wait until morning. Their group would take on any Vampires who tried to stop them, and arrive within hours. It would mean assistance—but it would also put an end to his alone time with Glenda.

He bit his lip. His father would try to talk him into sending her back to the human world, despite the danger it would put her in.

He resumed pacing, battling it out inside his head. Glenda would be safer if he had the backup of his father and friends. But no way would he let her return to Oregon. The master would send his nest after her and she’d be recaptured. Once word spread that he’d kidnapped Veso, other clans would be on the alert, their members warned. It would mean the crazy bastard would try to breed her with a Lycan.

He wouldn’t allow that to happen.

He stopped pacing, staring up at the loft. His father and friends would try to talk him into letting Glenda go. She wouldn’t be safe yet with his clan. Some of them really hated humans. Nabby and his friends would target her, forcing Veso to fight them to defend her, and they tended to have no honor. They’d attack him in a small group instead of one on one.

Damn, damn, damn! He wasn’t sure what to do yet so he put off making the call and seeking assistance getting home. It was better to focus on the night ahead. First off, that meant dealing with Glenda’s injuries.

He strode over to the ladder and climbed it. She’d fight him but he didn’t give a damn. Plus, it bothered him that she might be in pain.

She lay on her side as he approached the bed. Her eyes opened and she stared at him. “Is someone outside?”

“No, but they could be.” He kept his voice as low as hers. “You need to remain very quiet.”

“I was trying to sleep until you came up here. You told me not to talk.”

“Show me your injuries.”

Her mouth parted.