“Veso?”

“What?” He kept walking.

“Um, are you seeing someone?”

He halted fast again and turned. “No. The woods are clear.”

“I meant, like a girlfriend.”

“I wouldn’t have fucked you if I was committed to someone else. Mated VampLycans don’t cheat.” He turned away. “Keep moving.”

“I didn’t ask if you had a mate. I already knew you didn’t. I want to know if there’s some woman you’re sleeping with.” She hurried her pace since he walked faster.

“No.”

“Who do you fantasize about then?”

He growled low and twisted around once more. “What?”

“Who do you think about having sex with? Are you in love with someone?”

His eyes narrowed.

She lowered hers and felt heat creep up into her cheeks. It wasn’t the most comfortable conversation to have since she wouldn’t exactly consider them a couple. The subject had come up though, and she really wanted to know more about Veso. He had asked her to be his mate. She had a right to ask about his personal life.

He gripped her chin and stepped closer. “This is not the time to have this discussion. We’ll do it when you’re safe.”

He had a point but she felt as if he would probably avoid her questions later. “Is there someone in your life that you have feelings for?”

“No. I only fucked women when my body had a need I could no longer ignore and they offered. I don’t take lovers. I fucked them once but never a second time. I’m also careful to never let them have my sperm.”

He might not be saying it but she would never forget what he’d told her about his mother. It all made sense. Of course he’d have trust issues with women. His mother had tricked his father into getting her pregnant.

“We didn’t use a condom.”

“You’re going to be my mate.”

“I didn’t agree to that.”

“Keep moving, Glenda. We’ll discuss this later.”

She sealed her lips as he began walking again and stared at his ass. He did have a great one. It was firm, rounded, and muscular…

She just needed to keep moving. More questions filled her head that she wanted to ask. What kind of home did he have? How many other VampLycans lived with him? Did they share one big home or all have their own? Would his father have a cow over Glen being human, possibly try to kill her or something drastic?

She opened her mouth, ready to launch into another set of questions—they distracted her from her aching muscles—but Veso suddenly stopped and crouched.

She tried to do the same as gracefully as him but ended up on her hands and knees. She peered around but didn’t see anything but a ton of trees.

Veso turned his head and held a finger to his lips, then motioned her to go flat. She clenched her teeth and did it, hating that she was pressed against the dirty ground. It would stick to the sweat on her but she didn’t want to be shot with a dart—or worse, to have Veso shot with one.

He shrugged off the backpack and laid it down, held up his hand to tell her to stay, then crawled on his hands and knees toward some bushes.

Shit. She didn’t like him leaving her there alone but she trusted him with her life.

She lay still and quiet, hoping someone wouldn’t stumble upon her once Veso had gone out of sight.

Veso reached the top of a steep slope. The voices he’d heard were louder from there. He used the brush to conceal his body, peering over the edge to the creek below. Three humans were gathered on the other side of it, all wearing lightweight backpacks, and one held a dart gun.

“We have to find them,” the smallest of the three stated. “King Charles is counting on us.”

“I know. They probably stayed by the river. I would. It’ll lead them to other cabins. I’d be looking for a phone that works, food, and weapons.” The bearded man with lots of hair rubbed his jaw with one hand. “I can’t think of anyone who has a land line in this area, can you, Curly?”

The third man shook his head. “Nope. We were lucky they added that tower two years ago so we could get any kind of shit reception out here. Roger paid for it himself. He’ll be patrolling the river with his boat by now, looking for them. Maybe the guy’ll see him and wave him down, thinking he’ll help ’im.”

“Maybe.” The bearded man adjusted his backpack next, his body language antsy with his constant movement. “King Charles felt they’d head in this direction. We’ve got to keep looking. The woman was kidnapped by this son of a bitch.”

Veso frowned. That was the story the Vampire master had gone with? It fit though. He’d want to prey on the humans’ fears to gain a sympathetic bond if they felt resistant in the least to follow his orders. Some humans could begin to think beyond the mind rape if they were away from the Vampire controlling them for a few days. A deep-seated suggestion, like they were actually trying to save a victim, might keep them following his orders longer.

“One thing’s for sure,” the shortest one snapped, “us standing around like this isn’t finding them. Roger and his crew can handle the river. We’ll spread out and keep searching over here.” He reached down and touched a gun strapped to his thigh. “Shoot him with bullets in the legs if you have to. Just don’t kill him. King Charles wants him alive. I don’t blame him. I’d want to personally kill someone who stole my woman.”

“Agreed,” Curly grunted. “Just remember. This asshole is on drugs and is going to be hard to take down. Keep your weapons ready and out. He’s supposed to be some skilled hunter too so watch your backs.”

They broke apart and Veso backtracked to Glenda. She remained exactly where he’d left her. He hated to see the fear in her eyes. He lay down next to her, whispering, “Three of them are just ahead.”

“Do they have those dart guns?”

He nodded. “Yes. They are also prepared to shoot me with bullets to cripple me.”

She reached out and placed her hand on his arm, looking alarmed.

“We won’t let that happen. Keep quiet and low. Follow me.” He snagged the backpack but didn’t put it on his back. He crawled, leading her to where he’d just been. He felt pride when he glanced back. She hadn’t argued with him and did as he’d ordered. It also looked cute as hell as she belly-crawled, her ass going up in the air every time she lifted a leg to inch her lower half along the ground.