“Well, that’s up to us, isn’t it?” He took her hand in his and kissed it. “I’ve never been mated before. I know you’re mine.” He tilted his head. “I can’t give you up. I don’t understand why my kind lets their mates go after they have children.”
“I don’t want to get pregnant yet,” she blurted, suddenly panicked.
“Neither do I.” He glanced away. “I was, ah, caught in the moment before. I mean, I do want children, but not for a few decades yet.”
“Oh, good.” She felt relief. “But where will we live? I have the pack to take care of.”
“And I have my clan. But we want the same things. To protect our world, we must stop this evil that comes.”
“I agree. Hell, I’m not even sure my pack will take me back after I bring you home.”
“So sweet to me.”
She laughed. “You know what I mean.”
“I do.” He grimaced. “My kin demand they get to watch as I challenge your pack for the right to mate with you.”
“Even though you already bonded with me.” She tapped a finger on his chest.
His cheeks seemed to flush.
“Are you blushing?” she asked in amazement.
“Nein.Stop it.”
She laughed harder. “You’re so cute when you’re shy.”
“So annoying.” He kissed her. “I didn’t meant to bond with you. It just happened. And then I was, er...”
“Scared?”
“Please. My kind fear nothing. I was nervous about scaring you off. I didn’t want to frighten you with my lusty intention. Or my big dick. Not until you were really mine.”
“What an ego on this one.” She kissed him.
He kissed her back.
“There is more to discuss.”
“Sure, later.”
He smiled and let her have her wicked way with him.
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
Two Nights Later
Sunday night,Riley sat with Kraft and Varu in a small office his mate normally used, filled with natural light and plants despite it being past midnight.
“You’re sure?” Varu asked Kraft again. “This cannot be undone.” He frowned at them and paused.
He did that a lot, Kraft had told her, in constant communion with the Bloode Stones that sat inside him.
She had no idea what that actually meant, and Kraft didn’t provide an explanation. But she did know that if she hadn’t considered Varu scary before, she sure as shit would now. The guy hadfiveBloode Stones inside him, practically the entire Bloode Empire at his disposal. A master vampire who could teleport and who knew what else, now asking if she was sure she wanted to be a part of the Night Bloode.
“I’m sure.” Kraft turned to Riley with a smile. “Are you sure, berserker?”
“Yes. I’ll join your clan.”
