Page 13 of Viktor’s Temptation (East Coast Territory #2)

Gracie looked down at herself, tugging at her loose, grimy clothes. She was still wearing the same outfit she’d been trapped in—yesterday, the day before, and who knew how long before that. The fabric smelled of fear and sweat, clinging to her skin like a reminder of the horror she’d endured.

Her mind reeled as she thought back to that awful room, the cold chains biting into her wrists and ankles, and the overwhelming pain that had consumed her for what felt like an eternity.

The most pain she’d endured before that nightmare was when she’d had her wisdom teeth pulled at seventeen.

That had been a blip in her otherwise normal life.

She’d grown up with two loving parents, her biggest concerns revolving around exams or forgetting to text her mom when she stayed late at the library.

And then Warren. Gracie’s jaw tightened at the memory of her ex-fiancé.

She’d thought he was the worst thing to happen to her—his condescending attitude, his controlling nature, the slap that had shattered their relationship.

But even Warren paled in comparison to the hell she’d been through recently.

“I’m fine,” she said, lifting her chin with all the dignity she could muster, despite her filthy clothes and wounded pride.

“Are you, Gracie?” Viktor asked softly. His silver eyes seemed to pierce through her defenses, and when she refused to meet his gaze, he ducked his head slightly to look into her face.

“Yes. I’m perfectly fine.” She smoothed a hand down her shirt, the fabric stiff and coarse against her fingertips. The gesture only reminded her how badly she needed a shower. “I really need to get home. I need a shower and clean clothes.”

He was shaking his head before she’d even finished speaking. “I’m sorry, Gracie, but you can’t leave. Not yet.”

Her eyes widened, terror creeping into her expression.

Viktor immediately raised a calming hand.

“Not because you’re a prisoner here,” he clarified.

“But because you need to stay until you’ve learned to control your new powers.

” His thumb brushed the back of her hand, the touch unexpectedly soothing.

“You need to understand how to live as a vampire, Gracie. Since your sire abandoned you, I am taking on that responsibility. I will train you personally.”

She shook her head vehemently, waving her hand as if to dismiss his words. “No, that’s okay. I can figure this out on my own.”

His glowing eyes dimmed, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “And how exactly do you expect to learn to fly, Gracie? Or control someone’s mind? Or even stop your fangs from dropping at inopportune moments?”

Her mouth fell open, and Viktor chuckled at her horrified expression.

“I am very strict with my clan members,” he continued. “Humans must never discover our existence. We live among them, work among them, but they can’t know about us.”

“I understand that,” she murmured, her hands nervously brushing over her thighs.

The feel of loose denim startled her again, her fingers catching on the unfamiliar slack in her jeans.

She plucked at the fabric, reminded of how much her body had changed.

“I lost so much weight during… whatever you called it.”

“Your transition,” he supplied gently.

“Right,” she sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I guess that makes sense.”

Viktor’s expression softened. “You didn’t lose weight, Gracie. Your body was transformed into what it is now—a predator.”

The word hit her like a slap. “I’m not a predator!” she snapped, her fists clenching by her sides. “I’m just a woman who…” She faltered, her voice trembling. “Whatever happened to me didn’t make me into a monster!”

Viktor stepped closer, his presence calm and unyielding.

He took her hand, his touch grounding her.

“Why don’t you take a shower?” he suggested.

“I’ll have clean clothes brought to you—just something simple for now.

Later, I’ll take you shopping for more clothes, and I’ll start to explain your new existence properly. ”

Gracie’s jaw dropped. “I can’t let you buy me clothes!” she gasped. “I have plenty of clothes back at my house.”

Her face paled suddenly, and she clutched at her sides. “My house—my keys!” She looked around wildly, her voice rising in panic. “I don’t have my keys! Or my purse! My wallet—my driver’s license!” She dropped onto the edge of the sofa, pressing her hands to her cheeks. “This is such a mess!”

Viktor sat beside her, taking one of her trembling hands in his. “Gracie, I know this is overwhelming. But yes, I will buy you clothing, and yes, you are going to stay here while I teach you everything you need to know.”

She lifted her eyes to his, shaking her head. “I couldn’t impose on you, Viktor. You’ve already helped me so much by letting me stay here to… recuperate.” Her gaze flicked downward, her tone tentative. “I can figure this out on my own.”

“How are you going to teach yourself to fly?” he asked, his tone firm but gentle as he squeezed her hand.

She tried to pull away, but his grip was steady. “I don’t need to know how to fly! Normal people don’t need to fly!”

His lips curved into a faint smile. “Flying is one of the ways vampires escape danger. It also allows us to see places others can’t reach.” He studied her intently, his voice softening. “You’ll be shocked by the beauty that’s now available to you, Gracie. It’s an amazing world.”

He ran his thumb over the back of her hand. “Please, let me show it to you. It would be my honor.”

Her breath hitched at his words, and for a moment, she couldn’t find the strength to argue.

The warmth of his hand against hers was a small comfort amidst the chaos, and part of her—despite her confusion and fear—wanted to trust him.

But how could she? How could she trust anyone after what had happened?

Gracie hesitated, caught between defiance and the strange pull of Viktor’s unwavering patience. She felt like a shattered glass, her edges sharp and dangerous, but something about Viktor’s presence made her wonder if she could be pieced back together again.

Gracie stared at Viktor for a long moment, her silver eyes narrowing in suspicion. “You’re asking me instead of telling me?”

He chuckled softly, nodding. “Yes, you’re right. Did it work? Will you allow me to teach you?”

She sighed heavily, the weight of her current reality pressing down on her. “Fine! Yes.” She glared at him, though the edge of her lips twitched with reluctant amusement. “But don’t think I don’t see how you’re manipulating me.”

His laughter deepened, a rich, warm sound. “Yes, I might be manipulating you a bit,” he admitted with a grin. “But if it’s working, I am unapologetic.”

Gracie laughed despite herself. “Fine. But you’re not buying me clothes. I’ll call my credit card company and figure out how to get new cards mailed to me.”

Viktor tilted his head, considering her with a thoughtful expression. “How about a compromise?”

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “I suspect you’re not offering a compromise as much as trying to convince me to let you buy things for me. But it’s not going to work. I make my own way in the world, Viktor.”

“Fair enough,” he said with a smothered chuckle. “Enjoy your shower, and I’ll meet you back in the living room.”

Before she could respond, he lifted her hand and kissed it in a charming, old-fashioned gesture. The act was so unexpected, so graceful, that she froze, her heart racing as images of their kiss flashed unbidden through her mind.

Then he turned and left the room, leaving her both relieved and confused.

Two things struck her as she stood there, watching him go.

The first was Viktor’s particularly nice butt.

It was firm, well-rounded, and utterly enticing.

She had never paid much attention to men’s posteriors before, but just a glance at his—and those broad, muscular shoulders—had her nearly drooling.

Stop it! she scolded herself. First of all, she just wasn’t that sexual. She’d endured sex with Warren so that she could enjoy the cuddles afterward, but the act itself had always felt like a messy, time-consuming, tedious chore.

The second thing she noticed was the room’s darkness. Despite the blackout curtains and lack of lighting, she could see everything clearly. It was as if her vision had adjusted to the dimness in a way that shouldn’t have been possible.

“How can I see in the dark?” she whispered, feeling a mixture of fascination and unease.

She turned her attention to the bathroom, flipping on the light.

Immediately, she gasped in delight. The space was stunning—every woman’s dream of luxury.

The soaking tub, large enough for two, beckoned from one corner, while a shower with multiple jets dominated the other.

Everything gleamed in white and black, with crystal accents that caught the light and sparkled like diamonds.

“Amazing!” she breathed, stepping into the room.

Gracie’s fingers skimmed over the basket of makeup on the vanity and the shelf of exclusive bath products near the tub.

The labels were brands she recognized but had never tried— far beyond her budget.

Lavender-scented French-milled soaps and a strawberry-and-lemon conditioner teased her senses.

She hesitated, her hand lingering on the soap.

How had Viktor known to offer her this level of comfort? The thought warmed her, though she quickly pushed it aside.

When she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror, her breath hitched. Her hands flew to her face, her fingertips tracing her cheekbones and jaw. Her hair was limp, yes, but her skin—pale, opalescent, and flawless—startled her.

“What happened to me?” she whispered, leaning closer.

The acne scars that had plagued her chin were gone, replaced with smooth, perfect skin.

Her stomach tightened as she realized she wasn’t just slimmer—she was strong.

Her limbs, sleek and toned, radiated power.

Her breasts sat higher, fuller, and firmer than she could ever remember.

Her figure was lean, almost athletic, and yet undeniably feminine.

Turning, she craned her neck to examine her backside. “Wow,” she murmured. Her usual cellulite was gone, replaced with a smooth, taut curve. She gave an incredulous laugh, twisting to look at herself from another angle. “I’ve never had a good butt before.”

A mixture of awe and confusion filled her as she stepped away from the mirror. She had always been happy to fade into the background, to let others shine. But now…now she looked like someone who commanded attention, who belonged in the spotlight.

“Viktor said I’m a predator,” she muttered, shaking her head. “What does that even mean?”

With a sigh of confusion, Gracie turned away from her reflection.

She stepped into the shower, fumbling briefly with the controls before a rush of steaming water poured over her.

As the heat enveloped her, the tension in her body eased.

The needle-like pain she’d endured for days—or was it weeks?

—was gone. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt whole.

The shampoo lathered into a rich foam, its strawberry-and-lemon scent wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. The soap glided over her skin, leaving her feeling clean, soft, and unexpectedly aroused.

Gracie paused, staring at the bar of soap in her hand. “What is wrong with me?” she muttered. She wasn’t supposed to feel like this. She’d never felt like this before, even with Warren. And this was just from a shower!

By the time she stepped out, the fogged mirror cleared just enough for her to catch her reflection again. Her body, glowing and perfect, was almost unrecognizable. “You’re losing it,” she whispered to herself as she dried off with a plush towel.

Back in the bedroom, the curtains were pulled back, and sunlight filled the space.

Gracie’s eyes immediately caught the outfit laid out for her.

She fingered the silver lace bra, blushing at its delicate beauty.

The leggings and blouse were simple, but they fit her body perfectly when she slipped them on.

She checked herself in the mirror, smoothing her hair into a soft, loose wave around her shoulders. The woman staring back at her looked confident, poised, and radiant.

“Is this really me?” she wondered aloud.

The thought of flying crossed her mind again, and she chuckled, shaking her head. “That’s ridiculous,” she told herself.

But deep down, she couldn’t deny the spark of curiosity growing inside her. She needed answers, and she knew exactly who to ask.

With a final glance in the mirror, Gracie turned and headed out, ready to confront Viktor—and the truth about what she’d become.