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No. Blood. Hungry!The vampire snarled.

Damn you! Answer me!

Flashing hazel eyes.

A woman. The touch of soft skin. The feel of silky hair in his hands. Feelings and desires beyond his need for blood.

Julian moaned, the vampire raking his insides to shreds. Acid burned across his skin.

Chained. Yes, it all returned to him in a flash.

Leah!

Julian!

Her sense of relief was palpable, its radiant warmth beat back the vampire. Julian opened his eyes, blinked until his vision cleared of its red sheen.

You’re safe?he asked.

For now.A pause.What… do you… remember?

Her fragile vulnerability lanced through him. He rifled through his murky memories. The Hunters had chained him up. Then Leah had arrived with Dmitri.

Her terror at the sight of him. How close she’d come to breaking when ordered to shoot his wings.

He hadn’t doubted her for a second. She’d done what was necessary. His smart, strong mate. If she hadn’t fooled Dmitri, she’d be chained with him, or worse.

Her survival was his priority, so no, he didn’t blame her.

Then… then…his brows furrowed.

His vision had turned red when Dmitri kissed her.

And her words…

Another lance, this one with a jagged edge, punched through his heart. The betrayal hurt worse than any physical pain Dmitri could inflict. It was a good thing he didn’t need to breathe.

You and Dmitri? You’re lovers?

It’s not…A hitch in her breath. Shame. Guilt.It’s not what you think. I did it in exchange for Dmitri keeping the girls in the Compound safe.

Understanding and horror dawned at the same time. Those shadows in her eyes. In her room. Her mechanical responses. Dmitri. That monster was the cause.

Savage rage boiled over, and he almost lost the reins on the vampire. If Dmitri had been in the room, he’d have let it loose.

I will kill him.He sent Leah every ounce of his unwavering determination.I swear. He will never touch you again.

Julian sensed she was holding herself together through sheer force of will. If only he wasn’t chained, he would wrap her in his arms and keep her there forever.

If she was here, he would complete their mating bond. The admittance almost brought him back to his knees.

He wanted her, body and soul. The thought of a mate no longer repulsed him. He wanted to spend every single living moment with her. To always have her be a part of him. To hold her, make her smile, hear her voice every day.

It sounded like the most wonderful thing in the world, and it would give him the strength to live another thousand years.

With her.

He heard a sniffle.Don’t cry.