Page 139 of Taming His Vampire Mate

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“It’s fine, I guess,” Jeremy said with a shrug, lowering the first empty blood bag. “Not as gross as I thought it would be. That’s something.”

“Do you need another?” Bryan asked.

“No.” He flashed Bryan a rueful smile. “Thanks, but I don’t want to drink your stash. I’m still hungry, but not for that.”

Everyone glanced at Tobias. Witches and warlocks were basically just humans with powers, after all.

Jeremy sighed, rubbing his temples. “No, I mean… I could go for a steak. Really rare. And maybe a baked potato. That’s what I’m craving. Meat and potatoes. Or maybe just meat.”

Everyone stared at him, including me.

“And the blood you just drank…?” I asked.

He shrugged, eyeing the empty bag in his hands. “I think I needed it, too? Maybe.” He sounded unconvinced.

Across the clearing, Reed and Lindsey exchanged a look—relieved but baffled, as if they’d braced for something much worse and weren’t quite sure how to handle it now that it was working out better than they expected.

“Well then,” I said, giving them both a hard look. “Steak it is. Do you know where he can get meat and potatoes this time of night?”

Reed nodded slowly. “We’ve got what we need at the commune. I’ll cook.” His eyes flicked to Jeremy, hard. “And I’ll bring it back here. No need for you to come with.”

The message was clear: he wanted to keep Jeremy away from the other wolves.

My mate nodded, but through the bond I felt the sting.

Reed gave a curt nod, then disappeared into the woods. Lindsey followed after a backward look at her brother.

It’ll take them some time,I told him. Though I wasn’t entirely sure I believed it, I knew he needed someone to say it.Once we figure this out, you’ll be welcome again. Emma and Reed—

Thierry, it’s okay. Really.His mental voice was soft, full of light. He stepped closer, took my hand, and laced his fingers through mine.My home isn’t here anymore. It’s with you. Wherever you are, that’s where I belong.

I tried to glare him off, but it didn’t work.Your emotions are running high—you just woke up. You need time to—

I don’t. My pack is afraid of me now.

Something twisted in my chest. I hadn’t wanted this for him. I hadn’t wanted them to fear my brave, infuriating, mostly good-natured wolf.

I’m not one of them anymore. I don’t belong here.His eyes searched mine, sadness tempered with excitement, anticipation, and blessed freedom.You saved my life, Thierry. Or gave me a new one, I guess. I belong with you. I always have.

We don’t even know if you’re technically alpha anymore,I argued, mostly to stop him from looking at me like that. Like I was shiny, perfect, and everything might actually be okay. Those were dangerous thoughts.

Jeremy smiled, eyes crinkling, and cupped my face. “Youareshiny and perfect,” he said. “And everythingwillbe okay.”

Don’t lie to me, Jeremy. I need to help Godric destroy Magnus. It might kill us both.

He snorted. “Correction, darling:weare going to destroy him. I’m helping you.”

Absolutely not.

Before I could say it aloud, Jeremy cut me off. “There’s no way I’m letting you face the guy who terrorized you for centuries alone. If you think that, you don’t know me at all.”

My mouth snapped shut. I had no good response to that. I fumed in silence instead. Though underneath that, joy stirred. It was a dangerous, easy joy. Too easy to believe in and far too easy to get used to.

Because Jeremy hadn’t changed, had he? He was still the same man I’d fallen for. The same one I could love for a very long time.

An eternity, even.