Page 16

VAN

I resisted recoiling at Lucien’s verbal slap, which cut beneath my skin as if I’d been snapped by a nearby vine.

“Lucien!” Celeste said. “How dare you?”

“Come now, love.” His voice softened as he turned to her and offered his hand. “I know you miss me like I miss you.”

She stepped back. “No.”

Lucien sneered. “Enough of slumming with this mangy stray. You’ve made your point. Let’s go.”

I stepped up to him. “Don’t talk to her like that. Perhaps you have trouble hearing. Or understanding.” Staring him down, I added, “The lady said no .”

Lucien turned to me with a disgusted expression. “Saunter off into the sunset, shifter.” He motioned toward distant shadows beneath the trees.

I growled in warning as my jaguar rose within, ready to tear into undead flesh.

He let out a dark chuckle. “What’s the matter, kitty cat? Need to cough up a furball?”

My claws extended and my fangs emerged. I glared at the vamp through narrowed eyes. “Celeste deserves better than you. Someone who respects her. Treats her like a queen. Not someone who uses her and betrays her trust.”

“Oh, Van…” Celeste sighed. “He’s not worth it. Don’t risk your job over him.”

I wouldn’t step back. Not this time. Not when he’d insulted my mate. Casting a quick glance in her direction, I said, “You’re worth it.”

The vamp seized that moment to launch himself at me with a hiss. We tumbled onto the sand, kicking up grains around us.

With his speed and surprise, he quickly gained the advantage and landed on top of me. His eyes were red and feral as he stared down at me, opening his mouth to reveal deadly fangs.

Just as he was about to tear out my throat, I shoved him off me and launched to my feet.

“What are you going to do—scratch me?” he taunted.

“I have a better idea. Slicing you up and roasting you in the sun like hamburger patties.”

We parried and tangled as we headed down the beach, landed fierce gouges from our claws.

I launched at him with so much force that he fell into a crate of beach toys, breaking the wooden slats and sending inflatables flying.

A pink rubber duck floatie bounced off his head and landed beside him.

It would have been comical if I wasn’t already seeing red.

I pinned him down with my paws, then opened my mouth for the fatal blow.

“No!” Celeste cried out. When I paused, she said, “I can’t let you risk everything for me.” Her voice was as soft as an angel’s breath. “Please.” She offered her hand and helped me up.

She faced Lucien, still seething with red eyes. As he stood, she stepped between us and spread her arms wide. “Enough.” She straightened, tall, regal, and expression fierce, as if declaring I’m sick of this shit.

“Lucien, it’s over. I don’t want to be with you .

Leave me alone.” She turned to me and her expression softened.

“Van, perhaps it was pretend that first night, but my feelings have grown for you ever since. I feel the same way about you.” Her lips parted before she continued.

“Destiny brought us together. You’re my one, my true—mate. ”

I gaped at her, this magnificent gothic goddess. She chose me?

My jaguar purred softly inside, basking in her declaration.

As I walked over to her, it felt like walking through clouds. That heavy, dragging sensation that had weighed me down since she’d pushed me away lifted, replaced by something so light and buoyant, I could have been walking through clouds.

I took her in my arms and breathed in her scent. The universe turned right again. I’d hold her there forever and tell her how I feel, but we still had this walking corpse to deal with.

I turned to the undead beast. “In case you haven’t heard, shifters are territorial about their mates.

We’ll do anything to protect them. If you get too close…

” I edged my chin up and my nostrils curled.

“We turn feral. Since you haven’t been able to comprehend basic words up to this point, I’ll make it very clear.

If you come near us again, I’ll stake you to the ship’s mast and watch your undead corpse burn as the sun rises.

Lucien’s almost permanent aristocratic scowl turned scowlier. He opened his mouth as if ready to retort, but Celeste stopped him with one word.

“Don’t.”

His nostrils flared. He turned and walked away and we both stared after him. Once he was no longer visible beyond an expanse of palm trees, I pulled Celeste more tightly into my arms.

I whispered into her hair. “I love you.”