“You had a life until those Vampires stole you. Now you have a new one. We’ll fight about this later. Every moment that master lives, you’re at risk of being recaptured.”

She blew out a breath and nodded. “Priorities. Got it. Let’s go.” She turned, heading up the stairs.

Veso followed. She might want to leave—but he wasn’t letting her go. She was his mate. He’d just have to teach her that.

Chapter Sixteen

“Thank you, Perri.” Glen took a seat on the couch, gripping the tray a quiet woman had handed her. It had a plate on it with a large turkey sandwich, chips, and a cold soda.

“You are welcome. I’ll be downstairs with my children. Call out if you need anything.”

Glen nodded. Her gaze drifted to Kira next. The other woman sat close, watching her every move. Glen was starving but didn’t dig into the food, instead settling the tray on her lap. “I don’t bite.”

Kira grinned. “I do, but you’re safe. I only sink my fangs into my mate.”

Glen wasn’t sure whether to be comforted by that or freaked out.

Kira chuckled. “That was a joke. I mean, it’s true but your neck is safe from me.”

Glen’s gaze drifted to the door of the office. They were sitting in a loft area outside of it at the top of the stairs. She wished she could see Veso but couldn’t from where they sat. He’d assured her she was safe. She really hoped he was telling the truth.

“Eat,” Kira encouraged. “Perri wouldn’t hurt you. Do you want me to take a bite of your sandwich to prove it’s not drugged?”

She glanced down at her food. “Um, I never even considered it would be. Is that an issue?” She arched her eyebrows, staring at the other woman.

Kira shook her head. “Not with Perri. She’s grateful my mate took the clan. Her kids were at risk.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“I know. This all must be so confusing for you. The man who led our clan before my mate took over killed children who showed too many Vampire traits. Perri’s children were. That’s the breakdown for you. Lorn won’t hurt her kids. He’ll protect them.”

“But aren’t all of you half Vampire?”

“Yes. It’s complicated but Decker was a madman. He loved to kill anyone he didn’t consider VampLycan enough. Being too Lycan was fine with him but being too Vampire was a death offense.” Kira reached up and circled her finger next to her head. “Nuts.”

“I take it he hated humans?”

Kira nodded. “My mother was human. My dad met and mated her when he wasn’t living here. I don’t think he ever planned to come back except my mom died. He brought me home here to keep me safe. He couldn’t trust a human babysitter not to see something she shouldn’t. He feared she’d hurt me if I grew claws or fur. Turns out I couldn’t shift. I was persona non grata here for a long time. An outcast that Decker only put up with because of my father. He’s a full VampLycan.”

“Davis.” Glen had met him and he’d been nice, regarding her with a warm look that hadn’t scared her.

Kira nodded. “My dad is great. He fell in love with my mom like Veso fell for you.”

“I don’t think he’s in love with me,” Glen admitted softly. “I think he’s mostly trying to irritate me and freak me out. He seems to like to make me mad.”

Kira grinned again. “No. He verbally claimed you. That’s serious for our kind. So you guys have been through hell, huh?”

“You could say that.”

“Veso trained me to fight. He comes across like a dick but he’s got a good heart. You could do a lot worse.”

“We’re so different.” She regarded the other woman with a bit of suspicion. Kira was very pretty. “Did you two ever…”

It took a second for the unanswered question to sink in but then Kira shook her head. “No. Never. I’ve been in love with Lorn all my life. We grew up together. He just couldn’t mate me until he took over the clan. It was forbidden. I even left the clan for a while to go to college. Veso was just my trainer and friend. The only VampLycan I’ve ever slept with is my mate.”

“Oh. Good. I mean—”

“It’s okay. I get it. VampLycans go into heat. Lorn used to leave, and of course I knew why, but I was still jealous.”

“I don’t understand.”

“He couldn’t have me, so he’d go hook up with other women in different clans,” Kira whispered. “God, it tore me apart when he was with someone else. But Veso and I were never lovers. Hell, I don’t even think he’s ever slept with anyone in the clan. He’s not the most social guy. He lives on the outskirts of our territory. He’s not a people person, you know?”

“I could guess that about him.” Glen began to eat. “He can be a bully, opinionated and pushy.”

“Those are VampLycan traits. Our men are all alpha personalities, otherwise known as cavemen. He’ll die to protect you though, be completely loyal, and do anything to make you happy once you’re his mate. I’m familiar with humans, since I used to mostly be one and lived in that world for a bit. Mates form a link, and you being unhappy will make him unhappy. Your happiness will make him happy. It’s just how it works. I know it’s a bit of a stretch for you to think that way since it’s not like that with humans, but he’s not one.”

“What about my life? I have an apartment, maybe a job still, and everything I own is in Oregon.”

Kira reached out and touched her arm gently. “You’ll never be safe out there, Glenda.”

“It’s just Glen, please. Veso refuses to shorten my name, but I got teased growing up so I hate being called that.”

“It’s a pretty name.”

“Kids don’t care about spelling. Glenda the good witch.”

Kira released her and laughed. “That had to suck.”

“They bought me tiaras sometimes, and wands all the way up until high school for my birthday and Christmas, thinking it was hysterical. I’m just glad you understand what I’m talking about. Veso didn’t get it.”

“I can’t see him watching classic movies. He’s more of a hunter/survival-book type of guy.”