Page 77 of Bitten Vampire

“You are not leaving, and James, you are not making this into a problem. Let it go,” Valdarr says firmly. Then, to my interrogator, “Did Fred lie?”

“No. Apart from protecting her mystery friend, everything she’s said is true and matches my inquiries. And today she acted in the clan’s defence.”

“I’m glad we’re all on the same page,” Ralph says.

Valdarr clears his throat. “Now, we need to discuss something else… something personal.” There is a shift in the room. An alert stillness to him. “My mate.”

“What?” Simone blurts. “You’ve found your mate? A true mate? Afatedmate?”

“There hasn’t been one in generations,” Tony mutters.

“I know,” Valdarr replies. “I’m more surprised than anyone.”

He’s staring straight at me.

Why is he staring at me?

Now everyone’s staring at me.

I shift in my seat. “What’s a fated mate? I mean, I’ve read enough fiction to guess, but…”

“It’s like a soulmate,” Simone says, eyes wide.

“Exactly like a soulmate,” Valdarr confirms. Then softly, almost reverently, “Only rarer. Stronger. Permanent.”

My mouth goes dry.

He doesn’t say it, not yet. But the way he’s looking at me?—

Then he gives me one of those beautiful smiles that steals my breath. “You are my fated mate, Fred. You. Are. Mine.”

The table erupts. Everyone shouts at once.

Chapter Thirty

“Is this a joke?”James and I say in unison.

I glance at him, then back at Valdarr, cheeks burning. No one has ever declared anything like this about me, with that level of certainty. It must be a joke. Why would he want me? I am hardly ‘fated mate’ material.

“I don’t understand,” I mumble. “I don’t believe you.”

Valdarr doesn’t blink. His voice is low and steady. “When I told your ex I was going to cherish you, I meant it.” He draws a breath. “I intended to take my time—to let you feel safe, wanted, to learn about you and to let you learn me, to court you properly.” He hesitates. “But, unfortunately… we have run out of time.”

James hurls his cup at the wall. “This is bullshit!” Glass shatters; blood spatters the slate-grey paint.

I flinch.

“Oh, now you’ve done it,” Simone murmurs, fingertips resting against her cheek.

James lunges?—

—and vanishes.

Harrison intercepts him mid-stride, lifts him as if he weighs nothing, and pins him to the far wall. Was he going to hurt me? Probably.

Valdarr steps in front of me and growls.

He seems even larger. His shoulders roll forward, muscles tense, and his top lip curls to bare sharp, gleaming fangs. For the first time he looks every inch the vampire.