Redson Read online

  She just had the worst luck when it came to men…only this one was too noble instead of a douchebag. It looked as if she were destined to become that old maid she’d told him she wasn’t.

  Even if she was willing to risk Red resenting her, and decided to let him bite, being his mate would be bad for another reason. Her grandfather had talked about the days when he’d lived in Alaska. He’d had a Lycan companion then, someone to drink blood from. Her grandmother had died though. She doubted the clan members would offer up their wrists to keep him fed. Grandpa wouldn’t accept her blood on a regular basis, and she doubted Red would allow her to offer if she were his mate. That meant she’d have to stay with Red while her grandfather had to leave.

  She was all he had. He’d be alone. The thought wrenched at her heart.

  The bathroom door opened and she kept her gaze averted. He’d leave for a few hours to get supplies, and dangerous or no, she needed to come up with an alternative plan while he was gone. It was completely out of the question to remain with Red inside his den. Her body ached for him. The constant awareness of her swollen clit and her oversensitive nipples wasn’t exactly comfortable. It would fade away once she wasn’t near the testy VampLycan anymore. He’d caused it, and getting away from him would end it.

  She glanced up when he left the bedroom. He entered the kitchen wearing faded jeans, a blue long-sleeve shirt, and a pair of black tennis shoes. He picked up the plate of corned-beef hash she’d forgotten to reheat. He didn’t say a word, just ate. He rinsed his empty plate in the small sink.

  “I’ll be gone three hours tops.”

  “Okay.”

  He turned to face her, and she made the mistake of looking at him again.

  Red frowned and drew closer. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” She lowered her chin, studying her hands in her lap.

  “Look at me.”

  She did. He crossed the room and crouched, staring deeply into her eyes.

  “You’ve been crying.” His voice softened. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” Then he sniffed at her—and his eyes began to glow. “You are going into heat. I was hoping my pheromones just temporarily affected your sex drive.”

  “Your what?” He’d mentioned something about that before but she hadn’t really let it click.

  “Dominant Lycan men can give off a scent that attracts sexual interest from women when we’re really turned on. It’s not something one controls. It’s like getting a hard-on, only we get a scent to go with it. You’ve never smelled it before, and it might be hitting you stronger than it should under normal circumstances. You wouldn’t have built up a tolerance. The horniness you felt should have faded when I gave you some space. Are you in pain?”

  “I’m fine. It’s a little uncomfortable. I’ll take a shower while you’re gone. Maybe that will help.”

  “Or maybe it won’t.” He reached out and touched her leg.

  She jerked away. “Go, Red. I’ll be fine.”

  “Not if you go into heat and stay that way. It will turn into a form of torture.” He touched her forehead. She twisted away to break the connection.

  “You’re running a slight fever.” His eyes grew brighter, golden.

  “The shower will help cool me down.”

  “This is serious, Emma.”

  “Will it kill me?”

  “No.”

  “Then go.”

  “I can’t leave you this way.”

  “You already did when you rolled away from me earlier, Red. You said it yourself. You wanted to bite me, and we can’t allow that to happen.” She gripped the edge of the couch and used it to help her stand, avoiding brushing against him.

  She made it a few feet when his next words stopped her dead in her tracks.

  “You’ve had a little time to think, Emma. Do you want to risk being my mate? I’ll have you in my bed in three seconds flat if you do.”

  It stunned her. She turned around, gawking at him.

  He rose to his full height. “I’m no coward. I’ve always wanted to find my mate. We could test it out.”

  “You said you made a promise. I don’t want you to break it.”

  Pain clouded his eyes, extinguishing the vivacious light inside them. “I also said I would if you’re my mate.”

  “But you don’t seem happy about that. Is it because I’m so human?”

  “No. It’s the promise I made to my uncle. I hate to break my word, but a true mate bond is more important—bottom line. He wanted me to mate a VampLycan.”

  “What’s the difference?”

  He hesitated. “Between what some call a true mate bonding and settling with someone as a mate?”

  She nodded.

  “The depth of the emotions are far deeper if it comes naturally. We form mental bonds stronger with true mates. Settling is more of a commitment to be together, rather than a deep-seated need to be with that person until death.”

  “That sounds like a huge difference, Red.”

  “It is.” He regarded her with an intense stare.

  “What about you? Did you ever imagine you might be drawn to someone like me?”

  “No.”

  “You always dreamed of mating a strong VampLycan, didn’t you?”

  He didn’t answer. His grim expression said it all.

  She turned away. “Go get supplies. I’ll be fine.”

  “Damn it, Emma!”

  “Your mother doesn’t like you to cuss in front of women, remember? Don’t change on my account.” She entered the tiny bathroom and closed the door.

  Hot tears filled her eyes and she let them fall as she undressed. It was like playing Twister with a toilet and sink in the way. She just shoved her discarded clothing in the sink and turned on the water. It was still warm at least, from when Red had used it before her. She stood under the spray with her eyes closed.

  Chapter Six

  Red was furious. Emma was the only thing he could think about as he returned to Howl. She was stubborn and infuriating, preferring to suffer being in heat rather than allow him to take her back to bed. Sure, he had freaked out at first when he’d realized what might be happening, but the time spent cooling off in the shower had helped him get things in perspective. He was willing to risk tasting her blood to learn the truth.

  The first person he saw in town made him wince. Uncle Velder stepped into his path and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Is there something you wish to explain to me, nephew?”

  “I take it you heard about me carrying a woman into the woods.”

  “A human. Since when have I allowed that to happen? They aren’t playthings for you to bring into our territory if you want to have sex with one.”

  “She’s mixed blood.”

  “No other clan leader asked my permission for her to enter our territory. I went to your home last night but you weren’t there. I assume she’s inside your den?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll give you two minutes to explain. Start now.”

  “Emma’s not from another clan. She’s the granddaughter of Malachi. My father owed him a blood oath and she came here seeking protection. I was honoring his word by giving her what she needed.”

  “Malachi?” Velder appeared stunned. “The Vampire?”

  “You probably knew him, since he was around when the clans first formed.” He hadn’t thought of that until now.

  “Of course. You said she’s his granddaughter? That means she’s VampLycan. Witnesses said they detected only a human scent. How is that possible?”

  “Her mother was a VampLycan. Her father wasn’t. She takes after him.”

  “Why is she here, exactly?”

  This was the part he hated to admit. “Emma and Malachi are being hunted by his nest, who also recruited other Vampires to help track them down. As I said, Malachi sent her to my father for protection.”

  “Why?”

  “He and Dad were friends.”

  “I know that part. Why is