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“No disrespect, Iris,” Asher said, “but we don’t do that shit, not to our alpha and sure as fuck, not to his mate. Belinda needs an attitude adjustment, and fast.”

Iris nodded, but she still wasn’t happy. She turned to me. “I might go for a walk or something, is it safe? Just outside the keep? I need some air…and I’m thinking your pack might need a little break from me as well.”

“No, they don’t,” I growled out.

“It’s okay, Draven.” There was a desperation in her eyes. She was escaping, even if it was just for a short time. She wanted to escape us, escape me.

She walked away and I felt it, her relief, but what I felt most, was her absence. She was literally just outside, but we were newly mated, the tie between us wild and untamed. I was hungry for her all the time. I should give her the space she needed, but I couldn’t do, not after being without her all day.

Fuck that. She was my mate, mine to protect however I saw fit. I strode out after her. She hadn’t gotten far. I caught up to her.

She turned, looking up at me, her eyes wide, glossy. “I’m okay.”

She wasn’t. “I know this is a lot—”

A scrape sounded behind us, and I spun around, a vicious growl tore from me as a dark figure took off through the trees.

CHAPTER 27

Iris

Draven exploded into action, sprinting after the vampire.

The same vampire who I saw watching us after we’d searched Amy’s apartment. I ran after them and burst through the trees in time to see Draven tackle him to the ground. He had to still be young, as far as vampires went. They weren’t easy to catch, and the older they got the faster and stronger they were.

He was wearing a hoodie, and it fell back as Draven stood, dragging him to his feet.

“Pretender,” I said to the cursing vampire.

His vibrant purple gaze shot to me. “Ender,” he corrected.

“You know this fucker?” Draven bit out.

“He was at The Bank. He stopped a demon from hurting me.”

My alpha looked down at the male, expression like thunder. “What the fuck are you doing in my territory? Are you spying on my mate, vamp?”

Ender started up at him, seemingly unfazed. “My master has taken an interest in your mate.” His lips curled. “But he won’t take her from you unless she wants to be taken.” Ender turned my way. “Do you want to be taken, Iris?”

Was he serious? “No, I don’t want to be taken. What the hell?”

“Your master?” Draven snarled.

“A vampire named Nero,” I said.

Draven growled viciously. “You tell him to stay away from her. I don’t give a fuck what he is, I’ll kill him if he comes near her. And if he sends anyone else into my territory, I’ll tear them to shreds and send them back to him in little pieces.”

“Are you sure?” Ender said to me, ignoring the snarling wolf shifter shaking the shit out of him. “There are plenty of witches who’d jump at the chance to be with one such as him.”

“Your master told me witches weren’t to his taste,” I said, and hoped he couldn’t see the way my heart was trying to pound out of my chest.

“They’re not, usually, but still they come, and when he turns them down, they turn to any that will have them. But you’re different. He liked your…candor.”

“So there’re other vampires? And witches offer to feed them?”

“Yes.”

Shit. “Somewhere at the club?”