Page 21 of Viktor’s Temptation (East Coast Territory #2)

Viktor burst out laughing, the sound deep and warm. “Good call. That might confuse the hell out of him.”

Gracie laughed too, then playfully jabbed a finger at Viktor’s chest. “I bet he’s the kind of guy who always steals the last donut at the office and makes his assistant do all his work, then takes credit for the effort.”

“Could be,” Viktor agreed, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Though you realize your command only lasts for today, right? By tomorrow, he’ll be back to snapping at interns and ignoring his emails.”

Gracie sighed theatrically, throwing her hands in the air. “Too bad. He totally looked like a donut thief. But hey, baby steps. At least one woman gets to enjoy a shockingly polite interaction from him today.”

Viktor slipped his arm around her waist, guiding her further down the sidewalk. “True. And who knows, maybe you’ve just given some poor assistant the best day she’s had all year.”

Gracie grinned, looking thoroughly pleased with herself. “I should make this a hobby. Randomly improving people’s lives one command at a time. I could be like a vigilante… but, you know, less punching and more mind-control superpowers.”

Viktor chuckled, his amusement growing. “You’d be a menace.”

“Don’t tempt me, Viktor. I could have so much fun with this.” Her silver eyes shimmered again, this time with playful mischief.

He smirked, shaking his head. “Let’s just keep practicing before you decide to single-handedly reform society, shall we?”

Gracie stopped walking and turned to Viktor, her brow furrowed with thought. “So, you’re saying you can use this ability to truly help people. To ease their pain, or even to build something lasting and good.”

He nodded, his expression softening as he met her eyes. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. Mind control isn’t just a tool for manipulation, Gracie. It can be a way to understand, to heal, and to protect. It’s all about how you choose to use it.”

She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers as if testing the weight of her new power.

“As a nurse, I’ve seen people suffer unnecessarily because they were too scared or too proud to admit what they were going through.

If I could take that fear away…” Her voice trailed off, a mix of hope and hesitation coloring her tone. “I could make such a difference.”

Viktor stepped closer, his voice quiet but firm. “You already make a difference, Gracie. But now, you have tools that can amplify your compassion and your strength. You could be a force for good in ways most humans could never dream of.”

Her gaze lifted to meet his, uncertainty mingling with determination.

“I like the idea of helping someone truly in need. Maybe I could use this…gift…to stop a mother from lying about her pain because she’s worried about missing work.

Or to help an elderly patient find the courage to talk about their symptoms without feeling ashamed. ”

He smiled, his grey eyes filled with something that almost looked like pride. “You will, Gracie. I’ve seen your heart, and I know you’ll use these abilities to make the world better.”

She nodded slowly, her voice a whisper. “It’s strange. At first, this all felt like a curse. But now…I think maybe it’s a chance to become more than I ever was.”

“It is,” Viktor agreed, his voice low and steady. “You were remarkable before, Gracie. This only enhances what was already extraordinary about you.”

For a moment, they stood there in the middle of the bustling sidewalk, the world rushing by as if they were in a bubble of stillness. Gracie felt a swell of gratitude—toward Viktor, toward this strange new life, and toward the chance to find her place in it.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her lips curving into a tentative smile.

He inclined his head, his own smile faint but warm. “You’ll do amazing things, Gracie. I’m sure of it.”

She chuckled, a touch of her natural humor returning. “Let’s just hope my patients don’t start thinking I’m psychic or something. That might be a little hard to explain.”

Viktor laughed, the sound deep and rich, as he gently guided her forward. “You’ll manage. You always do.”

They started walking again, Gracie’s mind swirling with questions. This aspect of her new "talents" intrigued her deeply. “What about marijuana?” she asked suddenly, curiosity sparking.

Viktor tilted his head, considering her question.

“I suspect it might dull our abilities. Weed relaxes the mind, after all, and that could weaken a vampire's influence. It’s becoming more common these days, so it’s something to be mindful of.

But it hasn’t been an issue with the people I encounter often. ”

“What about other drugs?” she pressed.

He smiled faintly. “Cocaine, for example, doesn’t hinder our abilities. If anything, it heightens compliance. Alcohol, on the other hand, lowers a person’s resistance, which makes them easier to influence.”

Gracie frowned, filing away the information. “Do people remember being controlled?”

“Not typically,” Viktor said, his tone shifting to something more serious. “That’s why your flashes of memory are so unique. Whoever wiped your mind underestimated you, and it’s making me even more curious about who did this to you.”

“You and me both,” she murmured grimly.

She fell quiet, absorbing his words. Then she grinned. “Okay, what’s next? I’m ready for another lesson.”

He chuckled. “You’re eager. Good. Let’s take it up a notch.”

He led her into an alley, where a woman was waiting, her eyes slightly glazed.

Gracie watched, fascinated, as Viktor lowered his head to the woman’s neck and began to feed.

Far from frightened, the woman’s face lit up with a blissful smile, as if she were experiencing the most peaceful moment of her life.

When Viktor stepped back, he whispered something to the woman, who walked away cheerfully, humming under her breath.

Gracie stared at him, her mouth agape. “What did you tell her?”

He turned to her, a teasing gleam in his eyes. “That her day will only get better.”

Before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her. The lingering taste of the blood on his lips sent a jolt through her senses, and she instinctively deepened the kiss, standing on tiptoes to press closer. His arms encircled her, strong and protective, making her feel both safe and exhilarated.

When Viktor pulled back from the kiss, his mind raced even as his outward demeanor remained composed.

He could still taste the sweetness of her lips, the lingering hint of her humanity blending with her new vampire essence.

It was intoxicating in a way that made his centuries of carefully honed self-control feel tenuous.

She’s not ready for this. The thought struck hard, but he knew it to be true.

Gracie was just beginning to discover her powers, her place in this new life.

A kiss like that—passionate, deep, and electrifying—could set emotions into motion that she wasn’t prepared to handle.

Hell, even he wasn’t prepared to handle them.

You’re supposed to be training her, guiding her, he thought, berating himself. Not… His jaw clenched, and he inhaled deeply, trying to steady himself. Not complicating things with feelings that could cloud her judgment—or yours.

But then he glanced at her. Her flushed cheeks, her bright silver eyes filled with something between wonder and exhilaration, the way her lips remained slightly parted as if she was replaying the kiss in her mind. His gut twisted.

She’s stronger than you give her credit for, his mind argued. Look at her—she’s excited, ready to learn. You can’t shield her from everything, Viktor’s mind continued. She’s already had so much stolen from her. She deserves the chance to feel in control.

Yet a darker voice in the back of his mind whispered caution. But what if it’s too much? What if you’re pushing her too fast? She’s still finding her footing, still grappling with the trauma of what’s been done to her. The last thing she needs is for you to confuse her with… whatever this is.

He frowned slightly, his internal struggle unresolved.

He didn’t want to overwhelm her, but he also didn’t want to deny her the opportunities to test her limits, to grow into her power.

And selfishly, he didn’t want to take her back to his home just yet.

Once there, the world would close in on them: clan business, strategy sessions, and the lurking danger of whoever had turned her against her will.

Out here, with just the two of them, he could focus on her—on showing her what she was capable of. On helping her reclaim her autonomy.

His eyes softened as he looked at her. Gracie deserved the chance to feel exhilarated, to embrace this new life on her terms. And if that meant staving off his own desires, he’d do it. For her.

"Are you ready to keep going?" he asked, his tone steady and reassuring, masking the storm of thoughts beneath.

When her eager nod came, Viktor felt a surge of determination. Whatever came next, he’d walk this fine line—guide her, support her, and protect her. Even if it meant protecting her from himself.

A movement to her right drew Gracie’s attention. She squinted, her heart skipping a beat. Was that…a dog? No, two dogs!

Scratch that. Two enormous, furry nightmares trotting their way toward them!

“Viktor!” she gasped, clutching at his arm. “Big… big dog! Huge dog!”

“Relax, Gracie. It’s okay.” Viktor’s voice was calm, almost amused, which only irritated her more.

“Not…okay!” she hissed, shoving at his shoulders as if she could push him into action. “That’s not a dog! That’s a…a bear in disguise!”

Viktor chuckled, turning leisurely to face the so-called “dogs.” “Actually, Jace is a wolf-shifter. As is his mate, Anikka.”

Gracie blinked. Wolf-shifters? What in the ever-living supernatural hell was happening here? The two gigantic wolves stopped a few feet away, their glowing eyes fixed on her.