Page 19

Story: The Vampire's Soul

That she wanted him.

That she thought he was her mate, and that he did too, but had thought of her as his little squirt, not wanting to cross the line as friends.

Ella knew she looked cute. Wearing a pair of tight black jeans and a blazer with a fitted tank underneath, which showed a healthy amount of cleavage, she gave him her best sexy smile with a tilt of her head.

“Thanks. You look pretty good yourself.”

Mack’s eyes dipped to her lips, then down to her breasts.

Finally.

It’s like his goggles had come off and he was finally seeing her.

Then he cleared his voice, and her heart dropped.

“You can’t be here, Ella. We’re a target. I wanted you close, so if something happens, I can get to you fast. But you need to stay at the house.”

“Like a prisoner?” She blinked.

“No. Like someone who is just minutes away, so if things turn to shit, I can come for you.”

Right.

But not as a female you that you want, and I’m an idiot all over again.

Then his words connected to her frontal lobe, and she pushed away all romantic thoughts.

“Are we in that much danger? I’ve been watching the news, but do you think they’ll follow through on their threats?”

To hunt us.

To put us in cages and treat us like monkeys.

To experiment on us.

To enslave us.

“Someone said they could make us their slaves,” she said, her eyes bugging. “How? We are stronger.”

Mack growled. “Over my dead fucking body, Ella. No one is going to hurt you. Please stay at the house where I know you will be safe.”

“Okay.” She nodded.

“I have a meeting with the warriors and the prince.” Mack led her out of the room. “Teleport back to the house and I’ll come by tomorrow.”

Tomorrow.

Right.

Not tonight.

As they walked back down the hall toward the entrance, something occurred to her. “Is your family coming to Maine also?”

Because surely, if he wanted those he cared about close, that would include his brother and parents. Wouldn’t it?

Mack kept walking and didn’t answer.

“Mack.”