Page 125 of Taming His Vampire Mate

“Lacey,” she said, bewildered. Her eyebrows knit together as she studied me, a frown tugging her lips down.

“This isn’t your fight,” Jeremy said tightly, unease spilling through the bond—as though it had just struck him that I wouldn’t sit idly by while he ran off to get himself killed. “Thierry, you know I can’t let you do that.”

Ridiculous. I was the most lethal creature here by a country mile. I’d proven it often enough. And the only thing keeping me from tearing into him—for even thinking I’d let him face nightmare monsters alone—was the flood of thoughts he was trying so hard to hide.

History was repeating itself. The bleeds were happening again. The very creature that had taken Ian from him now stalked the same forest. It had already killed. And it was closing in.

The idea of losing me the same way—or at all—was something he couldn’t face, not even long enough to voice it.

“If you think for an instant I’ll allow you to die—anyof you, even the mostinfuriatingamong you,” I shot Lacey a look, then met Jeremy’s gaze, “you’re sorely mistaken about the kind of vampire I am.”

And before anyone—particularly a certain love-struck alpha—could argue with me, I stood and stalked away without another word.

I didn’t look back.

I didn’t need to talk about it anymore. I already knew my role.

I was going to save them.

All of them.

I’d rip that thing apart with my bare hands if I had to. Not one of Jeremy’s wolves was dying on my watch.

And Jeremy could shove off if he thought I’d ever be able to do anything else.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR || THIERRY

“Thierry, wait!” Jeremy fell into step beside me, following me up the narrow path toward the wolves’ cabins at the top of the ridge. “Just stop, okay?”

“Shan’t, sorry,” I muttered, not slowing.

“Fine. First cabin on the right, then.”

I sighed but turned sharply, striding up to the log cabin. The knob turned easily under my hand.

The place was cleaner than I expected—aside from a few empty beer bottles scattered across the wooden table. Still, the furniture was shabby and mismatched. And it didn’t smell like Jeremy. Not the way it should have, if this were truly his home.

More evidence he’d been living on his own in the woods for the past year.

“Longer than that,” Jeremy said, watching me. “After Ian died, I spent more time as a wolf than a man. Grief is easier that way.”

“Shouldn’t you be down with the rest of the wolves, plotting ways to get yourselves killed?”

He exhaled. “I deserve that.”

I scowled at him—then softened the instant our eyes met. It was maddening how hard it was to remain angry with him.

“I’m not sure you do,” I said grudgingly. “I understand why you don’t want me involved. Of course I understand.”

“Does that mean you’ll stay here, out of harm’s way?”

“Absolutely not.”

He snorted. “I suppose I couldn’t fall in love with someone who’d say otherwise.”

“You can’t trot that out every time you want to wriggle out of a fight. I hope you realize that.”

“Not the reaction I was hoping for.” His brows drew together. “Are we fighting?”