“You can still see me like that, can’t you?”
I nodded, taking a deep breath. “A little. I just wasn’t expecting it. I’d never seen a Vampire.”
An understanding, yet pained smile curved her lips with my words.
“I’m sorry I scared you, Tasha. Heck, I scared myself too the first time I transformed… It’s just part of who I am now, and there’s nothing I can do about that.” Guilt suddenly engulfed her eyes, making them shine. “I hope you can forgive me for hurting you with mycall. I never intended to attack you.”
“I know, you don’t have to apologize. I chose to protect Debbie from it instead of myself, and you had no control over that. Luckily, my wolf chose to protect me too, and I’m grateful you used your power that way. It saved us all from the Hunters.” The conversation reminded me of something. “I had no idea that Vampires had more powers than just being a Vampire and flying.”
“Not all of us can fly,” Vane corrected, reminding me I hadn’t seen any wings of her when she transformed.
“You can’t?”
She shook her head, caramel curls bouncing over her shoulders.
“It’s kind of a status thing,” Bjørn added. “Only the highest of Vampires have wings.”
“They are called theAncients,meaning the original branch of our race,” Vanessa explained.
“Like the first ones toeverexist?”
“Yes,andno,” the Fae corrected.
Only the highest of Vampires…“But D had wings,” I interjected, confused. “What does that make him?
“Well, theAncientscome from the first, original Vampiress, but my brother was?—”
Bjørn cleared his throat forcefully, bringing her attention to him and giving her a pointed look.
“Sorry, I know there is a lot you need to learn about us, but I don’t want to take the opportunity from my brother to tell you about his story himself. In the meantime, I’d love to answer anything else about my journey and our race in general. Hopefully, that will make it easier for you to get used to us. To understand us.”
I understood what she meant, so I just nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”
She hugged me that time, and I embraced her too, feeling a set of bulking arms wrapping around us both.
“Aww, I love a good reconciliation, mate. It’s beautiful!”
Chuckling, we looked up at the Fae, who placed a kiss on our temples, like I assumed a father might do with his children. “Now, let’s eat.”
“Wait, are you wearing Dante’s clothes?” Vanessa asked, her perfectly manicured brow knowingly arching with the question.
My cheeks heated as I looked at both of them, low-key panicking. I did not think that through. “I-I?—”
“Ignore her. Vane is just messing with you,” Bjørn assured, resuming his breakfast duties, and placing the bread on the counter. “We know you and Dante are together now, dearie, and we are very happy for you both.”
“It was about time, if you ask me,” Vane added with a cheeky grin. “You’ve been super chummy with him since you met.” She winked at me like she was in on the secret. “Can’t blame you though. It takes one look at him to know he’s absolutely scrumptious in bed.”
Cheeks still as red as strawberries, I chuckled. Sure, I was surprised at their casual and lighthearted mention of our mating and intimacy, but I found myself liking their daring humor—it made me feel a bit bold too. “Scrumptious is not even the right word; I almost didn’t let him off the bed.”
“Oooh!!” Bjørn shouted. “I’m glad to see that he knows what he’s doing. I thought I was going to have to teach him a thing or two.” He winked.
“Hey, I wanted to have Dante for breakfast too, but I think he ran away.”
Our laughter mixed in the air, making me truly relish their company. I’d never had anything like this. Back in the village, mating was private. All mates were assigned by the Alpha, and he announced the new pairings to the pack. No one talked about it afterward, we just accepted it.
I’d probably would have died of embarrassment if anyone even asked about my mating there, but it was all so normal here. Bjørn, Vanessa, and the others were so open with each other, and trusting, so free.
“I bet your she-wolf was too much for the mightyLord of Twilight,” Vane teased, popping a slice of sausage into her mouth while we stood around the counter.
