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ELLA

E lla smiled at the Moretti guard standing nearby and waited for Mack. The vampire glanced away.

Crap. Don’t smile at the warriors.

Ugh. I’m so dumb.

Tugging her handbag up onto her shoulder, she glanced around again. The castle was gorgeous. Outside, the circular drive was lit with hundreds of lights, a large well-kept lawn, and beautiful landscaping. The building itself was made from dark gray bricks. Big bricks.

Ella frowned.

Were they bricks or boulders?

Whatever. Castle-sized bricks.

There were over a dozen wide steps up to the entrance to the castle and inside was super tight security. Dozens of Moretti guards were everywhere she turned.

She’d expected there would be members of the king’s army on the premises, but now the world knew about them, she suspected it was more intense than normal.

Until recently, when he’d reached out to her, she had no idea Mack was working for the king. Or living in the Moretti castle in Maine.

It had surprised her.

He’d suddenly left Seattle, leaving his business to his brother, and announced he was moving to the East Coast.

She had been heartbroken.

Immediately, she assumed Mack had met his mate.

Normally, you’d be happy to learn your childhood friend had bonded...except when you thought that boy was your mate.

Ella had thought she was wrong. It wasn’t the first time she’d second—and third—guessed herself.

With no other explanation, she’d grieved for months. Until she found out he was in Maine, working for the king. What a relief it had been. Except the frustrating male still didn’t give any indication that he thought she was his mate.

So Ella was back where she’d started from.

But with Mack on the other side of the country.

Everyone needed to leave home, spread their wings, and find out who they were until they settled down. So, ever the optimist, she told herself Mack was doing that and then he’d come for her.

Ella’s hope was dwindling when the news broke that shocked the world: humans had irrevocably discovered vampires existed.

Mack had phoned her.

“Are you okay?” His familiar rough, masculine voice had vibrated through the speaker.

Closing her eyes, Ella had felt her world finally start to right itself once again. Like stepping off a slippery ice rink, back onto solid ground.

“Yes. Scared. Where are you? Are you really with the king?” she’d asked.

“Yes.”

“Why—”

“Come to Maine, Ella.” Mack had replied, not answering her question. “I can protect you here.”

His request had surprised her. They’d all grown up aware that exposure could happen at any time. Her parents and all her ancestors. It had been both harder and easier in the modern world, they told her, but the truth was, they all thought it would never really happen.

Still, with the ability to teleport and telepath—something humanity didn’t yet know—it meant they still had a few secrets up their sleeve. Ones the king had ordered the race to keep tightly hidden.

Ella wasn’t sure why Mack had joined the army. He’d always been a physical male. So, it was no surprise when he created his own private gym and employed his brother.

She was never into all the sports that other young vampires enjoyed. She was creative. After working for a few companies, the night hours had been hard to guarantee, so she also created her own business, creating social content for big companies.

It gave her the life and freedom every vampire dreamed of.

She’d just expected Mack to be a part of it.

Not as friends.

Ella had imagined the two of them bonding and starting a family.

The two had grown up together, and she couldn’t remember the moment she felt he was her mate. So many friends had told her it was just a crush because Mack was hot. Ugh. She hated hearing that.

Year after year, she’d watched him date and hang out with other girls. At one point, her mom had encouraged her to date other males.

“He’ll soon get unhappy seeing you with others.” Her mom winked.

That hadn’t happened.

Ella even went as far as introducing them and having neighborhood parties, so Mack had to meet them. He’d shake their hands with a “hey man” and seemed completely uninterested.

None of her relationships had lasted. All of them ending in strange ways, when she thought about it.

One guy, Nick, organized a night out playing baseball on her birthday. Ella stood on the field and went through the paces, eventually dragging herself back to the bench.

“Hey, we can stay longer if you want. I can extend our time.”

She’d blinked at him. “What? No. I want to go home.”

“I thought you loved baseball?”

“No. I hate...I hate all sports. When have you ever seen me show any interest?”

To be fair they’d only dated for six weeks.

“Your friend...told...me. Oh, shit.”

Ella never found out which friend told him that. She’d interrogated everyone. Even her dad, who found the entire thing funny.

Nick had never phoned her again.

Another boyfriend simply didn’t make it to their date, messaging to say a group of guys stopped him and told him she was cursed and to stay away.

The fuck?

When she’d said that wasn’t true, he’d been spooked enough to say he would rather forget it.

Forget her .

It had just rubbed salt in the wound when Ella saw Mack next door with some girl leaning against his dumb car, flirting.

Most vampires were happy to enjoy short term sexual relationships until they met their fated mate, so she continued dating even though, deep down, she still thought it was Mack.

Growing up, they had been friends. He’d been almost like a big brother. They’d sometimes hang out. Sometimes they’d fight. He’d fix her bike when it broke and act really unhappy about it.

But he’d always been there.

Until the moment she’d looked at him and hoped he’d kiss her. Then his eyes had turned to fire, his body so much taller and bigger than she’d ever remembered. Ella had been fifteen. Mack seventeen.

She’d licked her lips, not even realizing what she was doing, and he’d groaned, pressing her against the wall.

“Ella, stop.”

“Why?” she’d whispered.

It was the first time she’d felt his erection hard against her. It was scary and exciting.

“You can feel why,” he’d rasped, and her cheeks had felt as if they were burning.

But he didn’t stop.

Mack grabbed her ass, lifting her so his cock tucked between her legs, only her cotton dress between them, and growled some more.

God, she’d been so wet and aching.

His mouth had dipped, looking mad as he glared at her lips.

Ella was sure he’d kiss her.

They were almost touching when his eyes clenched shut and he said, “This can’t happen again.”

What the heck?

He’d released her, backing away, then spun and strode off while she gasped and stood there panting.

The shame had lasted for years.

Ella would keep away, barely look at him, but that didn’t mean she missed the way he watched her. Or toss a towel on the ground when she got out of the pool at a party. Once he ripped off his jacket and put it around her shoulders when they were all at the racetrack.

“No, thanks.” Ella went to pull it off, but he rounded on her.

“Put the damn jacket on, Ella. I told your dad I would look after you.”

“I’m not a kid.”

She’d been nineteen.

“Then act like it and bring sufficient clothing!” He’d hissed and stalked off. After a second of shock, her mouth had twisted into a smile.

It was the start of little things Mack did that kept her believing he was her mate. That and she’d overheard her parents talking about it.

Then he’d left, and Ella had not understood at all.

He had a successful business and was now working for the king. Why? Sure, it was admirable given the race needed powerful males, but it still made no sense.

Then to call her so soon after the exposure—as vampires referred to the incident—and demand she come out east, Ella could only assume it was because he’d finally realized she was his mate.

Finally!

“I can’t leave my parents,” she’d replied.

“Bring them with you. Pack some bags and I’ll arrange a house for you to stay in.”

Ella had gone quiet.

“Please Ella,” Mack had rasped, much more serious than he usually was.

She also knew her parents wouldn’t leave. Her father was the most inflexible man in the entire universe. For days, he’d been ranting about what he’d do if those damn humans even tried to come near my family.

He wasn’t a large vampire like Mack, but he was still able to protect her. The thing is, Ella didn’t live with them. She had her own apartment.

“Dad won’t leave, you know that.” She heard him growl through the phone and smiled, glancing down at the floor. It made her body shiver excitedly when he did that.

“I still want you here,” Mack had said, and her head had snapped up. There was a possessiveness in his tone she’d never heard before.

Oh, how she wanted to believe it meant something before she packed up her life and moved across the country. Because she knew she would.

Mack had asked, and she could never say no to him.

But she had to know why he wanted her to be in Maine. After years of hoping, years of wishing, years of telling herself she was just dreaming, Ella had to know.

“Why?” she whispered.

Mack had cleared his throat. “Your father can’t protect you. I can. You’re like family to me. Push him, Ella. If not, you’ll have to make a choice for yourself as a grown vampire.”

Her lips pressed together in resignation. Of course, it wasn’t because Mack loved her. Yet again, she’d jumped to the wrong conclusion.

“I’ll think about it.” She sighed and hung up.

After a huge argument with her parents the next night on the topic, Ella wasn’t sure what to do. As predicted, her father had refused to leave while her mother was on the fence.

“Mack is a personal trainer, not one of the king’s warriors. I can protect you just as well as he can,” her dad yelled. “You need to stay with your family.”

Ella and her mom had shared a painful look.

He wasn’t wrong, although she wasn’t going to go into details about biceps size.

Mack won.

“Move back home if you’re worried. These humans can rant and rave on social media all they like, but we are far more powerful, Ella. Even you could defend yourself against the average sized male.”

“We sent you to self-defense lessons with Rowan when you were younger.” Her mom shook her head, referring to the vampire who taught many of them how to fight.

It wasn’t like they could join Brownies or Girl Scouts with humans.

“I know, but that was decades ago.” Ella sighed.

“It’s like riding a bike. If someone tries to attack you, instinct will kick in,” her dad replied. “If we suddenly pack up and move, it will look suspicious. Just because they know vampires exist, doesn’t mean they can identify who we are.”

Also, true.

But not completely.

“So, if someone invites you to the beach or out for lunch to test you? Then what?”

“I hate the beach.” He rolled his eyes. “Everyone knows that. Goddamn sand.”

Her mom had let out a little laugh.

Ella tossed her arms in the air. “You guys, I’m serious. People will work it out. Being vulnerable to daylight, all they need to do is knock on our doors and drag us out under the sun.”

Then they’d turn to ash.

Goodbye life.

Even talking about it was uncomfortable for a vampire.

The three of them stood in her family kitchen, staring at one another as they faced the truth of their new reality.

Right then, the TV on the wall caught their attention. Ella grabbed the remote and turned it up. Violent protests had broken out in Cal Anderson Park in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood.

People were demanding the government force vampires to turn themselves in and then cage them.

Oh, God.

As if they were animals.

“Fuckers.” Her dad grunted.

“They’re scared honey,” her mom said, tugging Ella against her.

“So am I,” Ella whispered.

Her mom turned her and cupped the side of her face. “If you want to go to Mack, then you should. That boy will die for you, I’m sure of it. Just the fact that he had demanded you go to Maine shows that he truly cares.”

“If he’s working for Vincent Moretti, his priority will be the royal family. You’ll be alone and vulnerable, Ella. Stay here.” Her dad crossed his arms angrily.

The next afternoon when she woke, Ella lay there staring at the dark ceiling. The pull to go to Maine was strong.

Then her phone beeped.

Ella. Fuck. I saw those protests. Get on a plane tonight. Please.

Saying no was impossible.

Most vampires would step out into the sun instead of allowing themselves to be trapped.

So, if their lives were coming to an end, in whatever way that happened, Ella knew she needed to see Mack one last time.

Okay. Yes. I’ll come.

Sending you the address of the house now.

Ella phoned her parents and gave them the option of joining her, then began packing.

Twelve hours later, she was flying across the United States.

After dropping her bags at the house and looking around, Ella was keen to see Mack. She wasn’t going to sit there waiting for him. She’d waited long enough and traveled a long way.

Now she was here.

Wrapping her jacket around her, Ella turned her back on the entrance and hoped she hadn’t made a mistake.

If he was bonded to another vampire or continued to friend-zone her during such a dangerous time, then she had to acknowledge Mack Mazzini was not and never would be her mate.

“Ella.” A husky voice sent shivers along her arms.

She turned and her body flared to life as she took in the huge and stupidly handsome male, dressed in black sweats and a cap, looking hot as hell.

How had he gotten ten times hotter?

Oh boy, she was not going to survive this.