“Good.” He didn’t think she looked as pale as she had right after turning into a Vampire.

“I wonder how long it’s going to take for us to link.” She bit her lip, closed her eyes, and her features scrunched up a little.

It worried him. “Are you in pain? Did I fuck you too rough that time?”

Her eyes opened. “I was trying to send thoughts and images to you.”

“Oh. Try again.”

She took a deep breath and kept eye contact this time. It disappointed him when he couldn’t read her thoughts at all. It might be because she’s still too Vampire.

Kira released her bottom lip with her teeth. “I heard that. At least I think I did. Or maybe I thought it. Because of the Vampire blood?”

Excitement hit. He focused more, pushing his thoughts her way. I love your ass.

She smiled. “My ass?”

Lorn laughed. “You can hear me. Try just focusing on me,” he encouraged. “Picture something inside your mind and try to send it to me.”

Kira closed her eyes, making her look totally adorable as her nose wrinkled a little, her mouth pressing into a tight-lipped line. He leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers, clearing all thoughts from his head.

An image popped into his mind of him standing naked inside his den. It was as if he were seeing himself from her eyes, and she drew closer, her gaze running down his body to his dick. He’s so perfect.

That voice inside his mind didn’t belong to him. It was Kira’s.

“I’m glad you think so.”

She clutched at him and he pulled back a little and stared into Kira’s eyes.

She grinned. “You saw? Heard me?”

“Yes. If you were thinking about my body and we were inside the den. I’m glad you like me without my clothes on. I’m pretty fond of you that way too.”

“I was. This is so cool!”

“The bond will grow stronger. I’m surprised it’s happening this fast. It usually takes days and a lot more blood exchanges.”

“I’ve been drinking your blood for days.”

“True.”

“I love you, Lorn.”

“I love you too.”

It would take time for the clan to adjust to him being their leader. More challenges might be issued but he refused to die. Kira’s life depended upon it. He wouldn’t let her down. Tomorrow he’d talk to clansmen and hopefully swear in more enforcers to back him. He’d also call Velder. It might be time to host an event at the lodge to show everyone that he’d made peace with other VampLycan clans.

“You’re thinking a lot but I can’t pick it up. Talk to me.”

“I’m going to invite the other clans to come here.”

She appeared surprised. “Why? I mean, won’t that freak everyone out? You just took the clan.”

“And I damn well plan to keep it. I want everyone to know Velder, Crocker, and Trayis are happy that I took over, and to strengthen our bonds with them. It will become clear that Decker won’t be coming back.”

“Strength in numbers.”

“Exactly. Perhaps Lord Aveoth will even come. I’ll send him an invitation if the other clans agree to come here.”

“Some of the elders will shit their pants.” Kira stroked his shoulders. “It will frighten them.”

“Good. I want them to know there will be grave consequences if they take me on.”

“Do you think the clan leaders will actually come? Let’s be real. Decker would have pulled something like that, then he would have ambushed them. Trust won’t be easily earned after all that asshole has done.”

He considered it. “Good point. I don’t trust that a few idiots won’t attack any visitors to try to start a war or make me look bad. Velder offered to send enforcers to me if I needed them. We could say they’re delegates.”

“Do you plan to tell Velder the dangers?”

“Yes. There’s no reason to lie to him. I’ll want anyone coming here to be prepared for the worst and ready to fight if the need arises.”

“It’s brilliant.”

“I try.” He grinned, shifted some of his weight and rolled to the side, pulling Kira against his body.

She curled into him and yawned.

“You’re tired. It’s been a long day.”

“I didn’t sleep much today.”

“I’ll get the lights and pull all the curtains together tight. We’re not below ground now.” He worried about any sunlight touching Kira on his bed.

“I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Maybe we should sleep in the pantry. There’re no windows in there. I could make us a bed.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

He scowled as he climbed out of bed and checked the material of the drapes. It was thick. He pulled a lot of nights on guard duty for the clan and had to sleep during the day. They sealed pretty tight but he worried about the top edges of them, the space between the top of the window and the rod.

“Turn off the light and come back to bed,” Kira urged.

“I think the pantry would be better. I could just shove a towel along the bottom of the door, just in case.”

“Lorn?”

He turned, staring at her.

“You’re being too paranoid. You can sleep on the side toward the window, okay?”

There was no such thing when it came to Kira’s safety and wellbeing. He couldn’t be careful enough.

“Please? I want to cuddle with you.” She raised her arms. “Come here, sexy.”

He rechecked the seams of the curtains and made certain that no gaps were along the center or sides. A new thought struck. “Shit!”

“Lorn,” she sighed.

“I’ll be right back. I have some wood in the shed outside. I’m going to board up the window from the inside.” He walked over to where he’d left his pants and bent, ready to put them on.

Kira slipped out of bed and yanked them out of his hand. He growled, straightening. “Someone could break a window. What then? Sunlight would come through.”

“It’s fine.” She threw his pants across the room and held out her hands to him. “Come on. We’re both tired and we need sleep. I’m safe and with you. Your brother and his friends are right outside too, keeping watch.”