Page 10 of Bite for Sore Eyes

Gerri's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Well hello, gentlemen. This is Lana Morales, and she is quite excited to be here."

Torren glanced at Rath, noting the rigid set of his co-Alpha's shoulders and the way his green eyes blazed with barely contained intensity. Rath looked like he was fighting a war inside his own head, and Torren realized someone needed to break the spell before they both made fools of themselves.

Something deep in his chest compelled him forward—not deference to Rath's leadership, but his own Alpha instincts demanding action. He stepped past his co-Alpha and extended his hand toward Lana.

"I'm Torren Hale. Welcome to Varkesh Hollow," Torren said, his deep voice rougher than intended

"Very nice to meet you, Torren." Her voice carried a hint of breathlessness that made his bear growl with satisfaction.

But the moment their palms connected, a jolt of pure electricity shot up his arm and the mate bond slammed into him with the force of a meteor impact. Heat spread through his chest and soon settled low in his body with a powerful intensity that nearly brought him to his knees. His bear roared in triumph, the sound so loud in his head that Torren was amazed it didn't echo through the castle halls.

MATE.

Lana's pupils dilated until her brown eyes were nearly black, and her lips parted on a soft gasp that sent blood rushing south with dangerous speed. Her fingers tightened against his palm, and Torren found himself leaning closer, drawn by an invisible force that felt older than time itself.

They stood frozen like that for several heartbeats, the air between them crackling with enough electricity to power the castle's lighting systems. Torren could feel her pulse racing beneath his thumb where it rested against her wrist, and the knowledge that she felt the bond as strongly as he did made his chest swell with possessive satisfaction.

Then Rath pushed forward with barely contained aggression, his massive frame filling the space between them, and Torren's hand was suddenly empty as Lana's attention shifted. His bear snarled at the interruption, frustration flooding his system as he was forced to step back and watch his co-Alpha claim his turn.

"I'm Rath Varkesh," Rath said, extending his hand with the controlled precision that marked everything he did.

"Nice to meet you too, Rath."

Torren watched with a mixture of fascination and unwelcome jealousy as the mate bond activated between Lana and Rath. Her pupils dilated again, and she swayed imperceptibly closer to the other Alpha as if drawn by magnetic force. Rath's grip tightened on her hand, and Torren could practically see the moment his co-Alpha's bear claimed her as thoroughly as his own had.

The sight should have filled him with rage. Instead, watching Lana respond to Rath with the same intensity she'd shown him created an odd sense of rightness in his chest.

"Well, it looks like you three are hitting it off nicely," Gerri interrupted with obvious satisfaction, her eyes flashing gold as she observed their little tableau. "I hate to rush off, but I have another client meeting."

Lana reluctantly dropped Rath's hand and turned to face the matchmaker. "Thank you so much for bringing me here, Gerri. Would you be able to bring my dad here at some point if things work out?"

"I can certainly do that, dear. I have the best feeling about this."

Before either Alpha could respond, Gerri was clicking down the stone steps in her impossibly high heels, leaving them alone with their mate for the first time. Torren felt a surge of optimism at Lana's words—she was already thinking about making this permanent, about bringing her family here.

Rath moved with characteristic efficiency, reaching for both of Lana's substantial suitcases. "Please, come inside and let's get you settled."

He disappeared into the castle's grand foyer, his large frame carrying her luggage as if it weighed nothing. Lana followed, her head tilting back to take in the soaring ceilings and ancient stonework, and Torren brought up the rear, his eyes drinking in the graceful curve of her neck and the way her practical clothes couldn't quite hide her feminine curves.

Focus, he commanded his bear, though the creature was having none of it.

"This is incredible," Lana breathed, her voice echoing slightly in the vast space. "The architecture, the history—how old is this place?"

"Five hundred years old," Torren said, his voice holding a note of pride for Rath's bloodline.

Meanwhile, Rath began climbing the grand staircase that curved toward the upper floors, his voice taking on the tone he used for official briefings. "Follow me to your room first. Once you're settled, we'll show you around the castle, then the territory, and we can go out for lunch if you'd like. And after that, we'll return so you can meet Sera—our castle manager. She'll take your measurements for a complete wardrobe⁠—"

"Rath." Torren's voice cut through his co-Alpha's planning session as he could see Lana's eyes widening with what looked suspiciously like overwhelm. "Shouldn't we ask Lana what she wants to do instead of planning her entire itinerary?"

Rath's jaw tightened, irritation flashing across his features just as they reached the second-floor landing and headed down the corridor toward the guest room they'd prepared. Rath didn't respond yet, but Torren knew his words had struck a chord. After Rath finally pushed open Lana's bedroom door and set down her suitcases, he turned to face her.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to overstep."

Lana's smile was like sunrise, warm and genuine and directed entirely at Rath. "It's okay. That plan sounds fine for now, but I really want to explore on my own too."

Both Alphas reacted instantly, their protective instincts flaring in unison. Torren felt his bear surge forward at the thought of her wandering the territory alone, vulnerable and unprotected.

"I'm not sure that's a great idea. Not until you get more familiar with the territory," Torren said, his tone brooking no argument.