Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“Hey,” she laughed, pushing her hair out of her face as she glanced back at him.
“Hey, yourself,” he said, his grin mischievous as he pulled her onto her hands and knees.
“Oh,” she murmured, heat flooding her face.
He laughed and smacked her rear, just enough to make her squeal.
“You still haven’t given me blood yet,” she pointed out, though her voice sounded more breathless than accusatory.
“That’s okay,” he replied, leaning down to kiss a small bruise beneath her hipbone. “I only see one little bruise.”
Her breath caught as a familiar hunger flared through her, heating her entire torso.
“Vero,” she whispered.
“I know,” he said, his voice softening as he grasped her hips.
He entered her slowly, deliberately, taking his time as if he wanted her to remember every second. And she would—she’d never forget this moment. Finally, he pushed all the way in, holding her tight as he stilled.
“I do love you,” he said quietly, his voice raw.
Her heart all but exploded. “I love you too,” she whispered, the words barely audible.
“I know,” he said, his tone filled with emotion.
Then he started to move, each thrust powerful and unrelenting. Her body climbed higher and higher, every nerve ending sparking with electricity. Just as she teetered on the edge, he struck, sinking his fangs deep into her shoulder.
She cried out, the pain burning bright before morphing into pure pleasure. Something clicked into place, a connection so profound she couldn’t describe it. Her shoulder went numb, and her body shattered, the orgasm tearing through her with a force that left her breathless. She screamed his name as she flew into oblivion, riding the waves of ecstasy until they brought her back to him.
His body shuddered above her as he found his own release, his fingers flexing against her skin before he withdrew.
Gently, he turned her onto her back and lay atop her, his eyes still swirling with those impossible blue hues. He kissed her softly, reverently.
“I love you,” he said again, brushing her hair away from her face.
She smiled, smoothing a hand through his messy locks. “I love you too. By the way,” she grumbled, “my shoulder still feels like it’s on fire.”
His grin turned wicked, full of male pride. “I can live with that.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Vero dressed quietly, making sure the bedclothes were tucked securely around his mate. Lyrica slept peacefully, curled into a tight ball with faint traces of healing cells shimmering in the air around her. The sight surprised him. She’d gained the ability to manifest healing cells much faster than he’d anticipated. Then again, Lyrica was no ordinary female—she was his mate. Spirited, brilliant, and a touch dangerous. He couldn’t have asked for more.
A grin tugged at his lips as he walked to the window, checking the triple lock. Not that anyone in the territory was likely strong or desperate enough to scale the two stories to their bedroom, but he wouldn’t leave anything to chance. A green gun rested on her bedside table, cocked and ready for her use if needed. Quietly, he grabbed his boots and carried them out of the bedroom to avoid disturbing her.
The atmosphere felt heavy with anticipation. The day of the Convexus had arrived. Ready or not, Venus would darken the Leo Noctis tonight. He and Paxton had to bring those Cyst back into the nation.
In the silence of the hallway, a rare moment of peace filled him. Lyrica loved him. He’d mated her as both a demon and a Kurjan, bonding them forever. That knowledge settled into his bones, a deep sense of contentment tempering his usual sharp-edged focus. But only for a moment.
He couldn’t afford to bask in his happiness for too long—his people were sick, and they needed answers. His trial run and research on the blood samples should be complete by now. It was time to head back to the lab.
Descending the stairs, he noticed a fully armed Silas standing near the main entrance, his presence as steady as ever. The sleeping arrangements in the lodge had shifted; new females now rested on makeshift bedding, and the guards had rotated. He recognized several of the armed females as seasoned Kurjan mates. Their readiness reassured him.
Walking over, he addressed his soldier. “Anything?”
“No,” Silas replied, his voice low to avoid disturbing the others. His lips were blue, matching the veins that stood out starkly against his pale skin. “I did sleep while Jonathan watched over this crew, and I’m good for a while. Unfortunately, Jonathan passed out, and I had a couple of the younger soldiers carry his ass to the doctor. I’ve been waiting for Fizzlewick to call, but no news yet.”
Vero checked his watch. “I should have results in about fifteen minutes,” he said. “I ran a series of tests on the blood samples—antigen analysis, chromosomal stability checks, and clotting factor evaluations.”
Silas frowned. “Clotting factors?”