Page 8

“Yes.”

“Why—”

“Come to Maine, Ella.” Mack had replied, not answering her question. “I can protect you here.”

His request had surprised her. They’d all grown up aware that exposure could happen at any time. Her parents and all her ancestors. It had been both harder and easier in the modern world, they told her, but the truth was, they all thought it would neverreallyhappen.

Still, with the ability to teleport and telepath—something humanity didn’tyetknow—it meant they still had a few secrets up their sleeve. Ones the king had ordered the race to keep tightly hidden.

Ella wasn’t sure why Mack had joined the army. He’d always been a physical male. So, it was no surprise when he created his own private gym and employed his brother.

She was never into all the sports that other young vampires enjoyed. She was creative. After working for a few companies, the night hours had been hard to guarantee, so she also created her own business, creating social content for big companies.

It gave her the life and freedom every vampire dreamed of.

She’d just expected Mack to be a part of it.

Not as friends.

Ella had imagined the two of them bonding and starting a family.

The two had grown up together, and she couldn’t remember the moment she felt he was her mate. So many friends had told her it was just a crush becauseMack was hot.Ugh. She hated hearing that.

Year after year, she’d watched him date and hang out with other girls. At one point, her mom had encouraged her to date other males.

“He’ll soon get unhappy seeing you with others.” Her mom winked.

That hadn’t happened.

Ella even went as far as introducing them and having neighborhood parties, so Mack had to meet them. He’d shake their hands with a “hey man” and seemed completely uninterested.

None of her relationships had lasted. All of them ending in strange ways, when she thought about it.

One guy, Nick, organized a night out playing baseball on her birthday. Ella stood on the field and went through the paces, eventually dragging herself back to the bench.

“Hey, we can stay longer if you want. I can extend our time.”

She’d blinked at him. “What? No. I want to go home.”

“I thought you loved baseball?”

“No. I hate...I hate all sports. When have you ever seen me show any interest?”

To be fair they’d only dated for six weeks.

“Your friend...told...me. Oh, shit.”

Ella never found out which friend told him that. She’d interrogated everyone. Even her dad, who found the entire thing funny.

Nick had never phoned her again.

Another boyfriend simply didn’t make it to their date, messaging to say a group of guys stopped him and told him she was cursed and to stay away.

The fuck?

When she’d said that wasn’t true, he’d been spooked enough to say he would rather forget it.

Forgether.