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Falling into a crouch, I scan the forest as I rub my neck. He hadn’t run, or moved, or anything. He must have gone invisible again.

How am I supposed to fight someone I can’t see?

My neck burns, then a familiar warmth rushes through my core.

Ze’ev’s bite has toxins in it.

Cursing, I sprint through the forest.

Footsteps rush behind me.

Are you chasing me? I ask.

Yes. And if I catch you, I’ll bite you again.

His threat sends adrenaline traveling through my limbs, and I skip past the creek, then head into the thicker part of the woods.

And spit out my blood?

I’m not sure why I’m so insulted by that, but I am.

Trust me. You don’t want me to swallow it is all he says in return.

Vines and thorns lash against me, but I have to put some distance between us.

My neck throbs, as do other parts of my body.

Your toxin affects my heat, I warn him. If you keep biting me, I’m going to be of no use to anyone.

Is that so? he asks, sounding pleased. Then our bond is compatible. That’s good to know.

Ducking behind one of the trees, I catch my breath. I’m not built for running, but the strength tonic helps enormously.

As does the terror of going into heat again out here in the woods. This time, Godric isn’t here to help me.

Ze’ev has proved to be able to assist, but I suspect his attention only prolonged my heat and ramped it up.

I can’t go through that again.

You’re just trying to get in my pants, I hiss at him. My libido says that’s a great fucking idea, but I also know how risky my heat can be.

My last experience with Godric almost killed me.

I don’t intend to fuck you, Ze’ev says, and disappointment blooms in my core. Not without both of your sponsors here to protect you from me.

What the hell does he mean by that?

“Do you have a knot, too?” I ask, bewildered as to why Ze’ev won’t give me what my body is screaming for.

Especially if he’s insistent on biting me and making my heat come back with his stupid vampire-sex-toxin.

No, he says with a chuckle. But I would lose control, and that wouldn’t end well for either of us.

Ze’ev losing control doesn’t sound as dangerous as he likely means it. My chest rises and falls as I gulp in air, and I struggle to remember that he’s half shifter, half vampire, and fully capable of ripping me in two.

You’re breathing far too loudly, he chides right before he appears at my side, yanks up my wrist, and sinks his teeth in.

I growl as the burn lances up my forearm and hits my elbow. Ripping free, I sprint through the forest again as he spits my blood out once more.