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Leah held her breath and stared at Julian timidly. If her heart wasn’t about to hammer through her chest, she’d laugh at his shocked expression. If only she could hear his thoughts. Though she could talk to him through their emerging connection, she couldn’t read his mind uninvited.

Her heart dropped when he stayed quiet. Wasn’t five seconds of silence too long after a love confession?

“It’s okay. I just wanted to let you know.” Oh no, she was babbling. She never babbled. “Thank you for saving me. No one has ever done that for me, not that I needed saving often. I try to stay out of those situations.” Would her mouth just stop? “Anyway, you don’t have to complete the mating ritual. No pressure.” As if she could force him to do anything. “I just wanted to let you know in case, you know…”

Seconds later, her mouth caught up with her brain. She trailed off.

“Are you done?” The bastard was grinning.

“Yep. I’m done. Your turn.”

“My turn?”

“You know, to either reject me or—”

“Or?”

Why was he making this so hard for her? She’d faced Dmitri, angry vampires, and narcissistic diplomats. This shouldn’t be difficult.

“Do you feel the same? Even a little?” Her face must be bright red because she couldn’t think past her embarrassment and her galloping heartbeat.

“Yes.”

The word transformed her entire world. Gave her hope for the future. She was so elated that she felt she could fly. But her happiness abated when Julian remained worried and uncertain.

“You mean the world to me,” Julian said, love softening the lines of his face, even though he hadn’t said the words. “I want you to claim you as my mate, but you must know the kind of life you’re walking into. This, what happened with Dmitri, it’s not the first, and it won’t be the last. Being my mate means violence will follow you every day. I don’t want that life for you. That’s why I won’t turn you unless absolutely necessary.” A lump settled in her throat when he placed a soft kiss on the edge of her lips.

“Once this is over, if you want to leave, I can promise you a happy and safe life. I promise you won’t spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder. Dmitri and the Organization will never find you. You can live your life in peace.”

Leah believed him. Had she really thought he would take away her choice? If she left, he wouldn’t stop her. He would provide her with everything she required: money, a new identity, a place to call her own, and freedom.

It was all she’d ever wanted.

Yes, she would be safe. And she would have peace.

She could have that normal life in the suburbs she’d always dreamed about, maybe even a husband and children that she’d care for and love.

But she would never be happy. She wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder fearing Dmitri. She would constantly be looking over her shoulder for Julian.

Never understanding the emptiness within her.

“No.”

Leah sat up on her knees and cupped his face. A pounding migraine started at the front of her skull and spread throughout her head. She ignored the pain and concentrated on the words. “I love you.” This time, it was easier. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, or the rest of eternity, if you’ll have me. Nothing else matters. I willneverbe happy without you.”

The agony in her head blossomed to an unbearable degree as she kissed him.

I love youwas her last thought before everything turned black.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“No!”

Julian caught Leah when she slumped over. He sensed it the moment her consciousness disappeared. At least she was breathing. He slashed his healed wrist and fed her more of his blood.

Carrying Leah in his arms, Julian sped into the main room where Rowan and Marek waited.

“Where’s the nearest hospital?” he asked, cutting off Rowan’s question.