Page 40 of Vameer

I roll my hips. Seeking friction.

Then my heartbeat slows. Pulling me away from that edge.

And I scream into my pillow.

Chapter 17

Vameer

Jack takes the internet back. And I keep my focus on my chest.

It was harder to slow my heartbeat than it should’ve been.

Why are you fighting me, Mon Coeur?

Some of my focus pulls lower, to the desire curling in my loins.

My father spoke of this to me. The need that overtakes you when you find your mate.

I don’t want to think about him or my mother right now, not in that context. But I’m glad he told me. Without the warning, I’d think I was losing my mind to lust.

My mate wasn’t warned.

Was my brother?

Jack taps the internet. “Next I can show ya the press conference they did after all that. Talking about shifters and Morell.”

My entire attention snaps to Jack. “Repeat what you just said.”

“We didn’t know about shifters until⁠—”

“No. The name. Repeat the name.”

“Morell? That’s the guy who kidnapped Nix. The whole reason for…” Jack furrows his brows. “You okay?”

“Morell tried—” I stop myself before saying more. Unsure of exactly how much humans know about vampires.

“He stole her right in front of Volik, through a mirror. Not sure how that works.” He shrugs. “But she killed him. Then sprouted horns.”

I stare at the Irishman.

Guilt presses in around me.

My enemy tried to kill my brother and his mate. And I slept.

He went through finding his mate without me or our parents.

He fought against the threat of death, from my enemy, without me.

He’s lived a third of his life without his brother.

I have failed him.

Sad and angry, I take a step back toward the wall. Then I slump down and sit on one of the whiskey barrels.

The bending movement causes my muscles to bunch. And my belt finally snaps.

The old leather drops to the floor.