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Vero finished giving instructions to Maeve as she stood guard at the front door, flanked by two other heavily armed mates. Her expression remained calm, but her posture appeared battle-ready. “You g ood?” he asked.

“Not a problem,” Maeve replied, her Irish lilt softening the steel in her tone as she adjusted the grip on her green gun. “We’ll be rotating every two hours, so we will. Everyone’ll get a bit of sleep. Don’t you be worryin’, Vero. We’ve got this, and soon Ralstad and the rest will be okay. They’re too strong and stubborn to be otherwise.”

Vero nodded, grateful for her confidence. He glanced around the main room of the lodge, now stripped of its usual furniture. Rows of sleeping bags blanketed the floor, providing a makeshift barracks for the females who had sought refuge. Half would rest while the other half kept watch, paired strategically with trained mates interspersed among the un trained humans.

It was a solid plan. Many of the Kurjan mates had chosen to stay in their fortified homes, and since most of them were well trained and well armed, he had agreed. There wasn’t enough room in the lodge for e veryone anyway.

Silas hovered at the back door, scanning the snowy expanse with a soldier’s vigilance. Vero made his way over, noting the tension in the ill male’s shoulders. “You need sleep,” Vero said. “You haven’t slept in twen ty-four hours.”

“I’m afraid I have. I fell asleep a few times, and the females took point. Some of these mates would make excellent soldiers,” Silas shot back, his tone grim.

That was something to consider, if any of them wanted the job. “Thank you. I kn ow you’re ill.”

Silas nodded. “Have you spoke n with Paxton?”

A mild relief filtered through Vero. For now. “Yes. The Realm has circled the perimeter. No one’s getting in. Their satellites—and ours, now that they’re fully operational—don’t show any forces heading our way. So if there’s danger, it’s from the virus or infection.”

Silas’s shoulders relaxed sl ightly. “Good.”

Vero took a deep breath. “Also, the Realm picked up Laker, the other traitor, right outside our perimeter.”

“Excellent.”

Vero needed coffee. A lot of it. “He put up a fight, though.”

“How b ad of a fight?”

“He doesn’t have his head anymore.” Vero couldn’t feel bad about that.

Silas scrubbed both hands down his face, a weary sigh escaping his lips. “Well, all right then. Is the summit going to happen t omorrow night?”

“Yes. Of course. Waiting another thousand years isn’t feasible.” Vero straightened and glanced at the patrol rotation chart pinned to the wall. “Lukas said there were only six cell members inside our territory with Laker on the outside bringing in the victims. Guy’s name was Laker, and apparently he created the poison that infected us. We might never know if he worked with anybody else. The Realm’s intel matches ours, so it’s good to know we’re not missing any immediate threats. At least there’s no army coming for us today.”

Silas eyed the quiet room. “When will we have me dical updates?”

Hopefully soon, damn it. “We drew everyone’s blood, and I instigated a genetic stripping and analysis that should be concluded in a few hours. I can’t do anything else absent those results.”

Silas shook his head. “I won’t ask for more details right now. We need you alert, Vero. Please get just a couple hours of sleep. You’re in charge and we need you at least sl ightly rested.”

Vero didn’t require the luxury of sleep, but he did want some time with his mate. They needed to get on the same page and now. “I won’t be long.” His thoughts drifted to Lyrica. She hadn’t said much on the way back from the cabin, and he could only imagine how much she was processing—her ordeal with Lukas, the violence she’d witnessed, and the grim reality of what Vero had done to end the threat.

There had been no other choice. Lukas had loved hurting females too much. He’d been a monster, and there was no redeeming him.

Vero’s gaze strayed to the corner of the room, where Genevieve sat huddled with a few human females. She was crying quietly, her delicate face etched with heartbreak and terror. Though she’d been duped by Lukas, she had survived—and one day, Vero hoped she’d realize how lucky she was. For now, he turned away and strode tow ard the stairs.

Each step felt heavier than the last, the exhaustion of the past days settling in his bones. When he reached their bedroom, he pushed the door open to find Lyrica sitting on the bed, facing the screen on her phone. Her dark hair cascaded in soft waves down her back, her face pale but still striki ngly beautiful.

“Vero’s here,” she said. “I have to go. Okay, I’ll tal k to you soon.”

Hope’s voice carried through the receiver, clear and cheerful. “Good. Rest, Lyrica, and I’ll see you soon.”

Lyrica ended the call and set the phone aside, her eyes tir ed. “Any news?”

He closed the door behind him. “I’m running tests in the lab, and there’s nothing more I can do until those conclude.” He pulled off his sweatshirt. “It’s going to take a few hours to get results.” He glanced at her. “Did I hear Hope say she’d see you soon?”

Lyrica winced. “Yes. She and Paxton arrived with the Realm soldiers and are now guarding o ur perimeter.”

“Good.” Vero concentrated on his pretty mate. “How are you?” he asked, s tepping closer.

She jumped into his arms, shocking him, burying her face in his neck. “I’m fine. A little sore, but more freaked out than anything. How did Lukas trick all of us like that?”

“I don’t know.” Vero brushed her hair back from her face and studied her eyes, losing himself in the deep chocolate of her gaze. “It nearly killed me when I found out you’d been taken,” he admitted. “I’ve never felt like that befo re in my life.”

She gingerly touched the healed spot on his face. “I felt the same when you were shot and didn’t move. It’s terrifying.” Her fingers trembled ag ainst his skin.

“I love you,” he said, the words rough with emotion. “I didn’t really know what those words meant or what that felt like. But I think I get it now. I think this is what it is.”

Her smile was soft, sweet, and filled with something that hit him straight in the chest. “Yes, Vero. This is what it is.”

She leaned up to kiss him, her lips warm and soft against his. He let her take the lead for a moment, savoring her tenderness, then took over, deepening the kiss and tugging her T-shirt over her head.

She laughed as she leaned back. “Vero, seriously, the nation could be dying. We don’t have time for this.”

“I need to sleep,” he said, his hands hooking into the waistband of her yoga pants and tugging them down, along with her panties. “This will help me get there faster.”

“Oh, get there faster, hu h?” she teased.

He didn’t bother answering. Still kissing her, he unbuttoned his jeans, pushed them down, and kicked off his boots. She squeaked in mock protest as he tackled her to the bed, laughing even as she winced.

“Hey,” she said, breathless. “I’m a l ittle bruised.”

“I can fix that.” His voice dropped as he hovered over her. “I’ll give you bloo d in a minute.”

“Oh, promi ses, promises.”

He kissed her again, loving the way her body fit against his. She was all soft, female curves, and they were skin to skin. He paused to brush his lips over her jawline, letting his tongue tease the delicate curve of her ear before nipp ing it lightly.

“There’s nothing more we can do for anyone else right now,” he murmured, his lips trailing down her throat. “The tests are running under Fizzlewick’s watchful eye, the perimeter is secure, and all the females are safe. Soldiers are ill, but the Realm has us covered from attack. So, I thought we’d take this time to get our mating situati on sorted out.”

He leaned back just enough to meet her gaze, enjoying the heat simmering between them. “This is where y ou ask nicely.”

* * * *

Lyrica paused, her breath catching as emotions swirled inside her. He was violent—there was no denying that. He was a warrior in every sense, an enforcer in the Kurjan nation. And yet, somehow, he made her feel safer than she’d ever felt in her life. Was it because she’d never known shelter before? Or was it something deeper? She needed to reconcile his duality—the protector and the predator—because this was who he was. She had to accept h im. All of him.

Her heart spun, but she whispered the truth anyway. “I love you, too.”

“Yeah, I know,” he said, his grin wicked as his hand trailed possessivel y over her hip.

“You do not know,” she challenged, a spark of defiance lighting in her chest. Her nails scraped down the impossibly hard planes of his torso, tracing the indents and ripples of his abs, marveling at the s trength in him.

“Maybe not before,” he admitted, his voice dropping, “but I do now. You taught me.”

His words were raw, and the honesty behind them struck a chord deep within her. She was his weakness, and as terrifying as that knowledge was, it also filled her with a fierce sens e of belonging.

“Ask me,” he said, his tone soft but insistent.

Oh, for goodness’ sake. She blinked up at him. “Fine. Can you mate me Kurjan style without biting me all the wa y to the bone?”

He was on top of her now, their skin pressed together, his warmth enveloping her. “No. Your very bone will wear my mark.”

Her pulse quickened at his words. There was no hesitation in his voice, just raw possessi on. “You sure?”

His grin returned, dark and alluring. “You’ll like it. I promise.”

She didn’t doubt that. She’d liked everything he’d done to her so far—more than liked. Everything about Vero was intense, consuming, and exhilarating. He didn’t just touch her body; he re ached her soul.

“Okay,” she whispered.

His eyes flared with colors so deep and rich they made her breath hitch. Blues, darker than midnight and lighter than the ocean, swirling together in a way that was uniquely him. “Good,” he said, his tone carrying a promise she felt dow n to her bones.

But she had to warn him. “I’m not the obedie nt, meek type.”

He smirked, leaning down to press his lips to the pulse point in her neck. “I’m well aware of that,” he murmured against her skin. His voice was gravelly and full of heat. “But you’ll obey when I want you to.”

Her body jerked at the promise in his tone. She tunneled her fingers into his hair, tugging sharply. “I have absolutely no intenti on of obeying.”

His laugh rumbled through him, low and dark. “We’ll s ee about that.”

Then his mouth claimed hers, going deep, dominant, and possessive. She moaned, surrendering to the fire between them. His kiss was more than just a physical connection—it was a promise of a life together. Yes, they’d butt heads; yes, they’d clash. But it would keep things exciting, and deep down, she knew they’ d make it work.

His hand slid down her side before gliding lower to find her wet and ready. His lips wandered to her jawline, teasing her skin before nipping at her ear. She shuddered, arching into him as he moved lower, his tongue flicking over one nipple, then the other.

Her thoughts scattered as pleasure consumed her. The warrior above her—the violent, unapologetic protector—was her world. Though he terrified others, he made her f eel invincible.

Vero continued his journey down her body, his mouth finding her most sensitive spot. She gasped, her hands fisting in the sheets as he drove her higher. Her orgasm slammed into her so fast she couldn’t hold back the cry that es caped her lips.

He chuckled, the sound full of male satisfaction. Then, slowly, he did it again, this time more leisurely. The second climax was just as devastating, leaving her trembling as she came down with a soft whimper.

“There you go,” he said, his voice rough and ful l of affection.

Before she could catch her breath, he slid a hand beneath her and flipped her over on to her stomach.

“Hey,” she laughed, pushing her hair out of her face as she glanc ed back at him.

“Hey, yourself,” he said, his grin mischievous as he pulled her onto her h ands and knees.

“Oh,” she murmured, heat flo oding her face.

He laughed and smacked her rear, just enough to ma ke her squeal.

“You still haven’t given me blood yet,” she pointed out, though her voice sounded more breathless t han accusatory.

“That’s okay,” he replied, leaning down to kiss a small bruise beneath her hipbone. “I only see one little bruise.”

Her breath caught as a familiar hunger flared through her, heating he r entire torso.

“Vero,” she whispered.

“I know,” he said, his voice softening as he gr asped her hips.

He entered her slowly, deliberately, taking his time as if he wanted her to remember every second. And she would—she’d never forget this moment. Finally, he pushed all the way in, holding her tight as he stilled.

“I do love you,” he said quietly, his voice raw.

Her heart all but exploded. “I love you too,” she whispered, the words barely audible.

“I know,” he said, his tone fille d with emotion.

Then he started to move, each thrust powerful and unrelenting. Her body climbed higher and higher, every nerve ending sparking with electricity. Just as she teetered on the edge, he struck, sinking his fangs deep int o her shoulder.

She cried out, the pain burning bright before morphing into pure pleasure. Something clicked into place, a connection so profound she couldn’t describe it. Her shoulder went numb, and her body shattered, the orgasm tearing through her with a force that left her breathless. She screamed his name as she flew into oblivion, riding the waves of ecstasy until they brought h er back to him.

His body shuddered above her as he found his own release, his fingers flexing against her skin befo re he withdrew.

Gently, he turned her onto her back and lay atop her, his eyes still swirling with those impossible blue hues. He kissed her soft ly, reverently.

“I love you,” he said again, brushing her hair away from her face.

She smiled, smoothing a hand through his messy locks. “I love you too. By the way,” she grumbled, “my shoulder still feels like it’s on fire.”

His grin turned wicked, full of male pride. “I can l ive with that.”