Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 129268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
“Of course, darling. Of course.” The queen’s eyes travel down my body with appreciation. I don’t care for it. “So he’s yours alone?”
Veronica nods her head slightly before walking past the table to a chaise longue in the corner of the room, extremely close to the wall of fire. “Funny that fate should give me a mate. Don’t you think so, my queen?”
“It’s odd. It’s not completely unheard of, although I thought they were just rumors before.”
Braeden appears by Veronica’s side, but sits on the ground and stares at the fire with his knees pulled into his chest. He’s so motionless he looks like he’s made of stone. Veronica shifts her long legs onto the sofa in a very seductive move and pats the seat between her legs. I move deliberately with a casual pace and take my seat, a smirk begging to form on my lips. Her right calf rests on my thigh as her queen stalks toward us.
“What are the rumors, Adreana? I’ve no memory of a pairing like ours.” My thumb rubs small circles on the inside of my mate’s knee. She’s relaxed and at peace, although it seems false. My eyes linger on her face, her expression one of disinterest; however, she’s obviously curious. Her queen sits to my left and I lean back to give the two women an easy view of each other. I feel very much out of place in the quiet room, but I continue to follow Veronica’s lead. I’d much rather have her queen’s approval as quickly as possible to go to Still Waters and stake out the blood bank, but Veronica doesn’t appear to be in any rush.
“I couldn’t tell you, my dear. There was word that a vampire had mated with a wolf, and that was all to be said. I’m not sure he ever returned.” Adreana’s eyes focus on my fingers stroking the inside of Veronica’s knee before traveling to her neck. “And you let him claim you, I see. Rather barbaric, wouldn’t you agree.” I don’t let her words affect me in the least as I hold the queen’s gaze. Veronica lets out a huff of a small laugh.
“It was quite primitive, but it suited my taste.”
“If you say so. And what of the Alpha, is he willing to negotiate? I’m hoping this mating benefited us.” Her voice rises toward the end.
“It did, my queen. Devin is willing to give us the bank and allow our control without any interference.”
The queen laughs in obvious amusement, then says, “You toy with me, darling?”
Veronica’s eyes spark with delight at her queen’s approval. “I’d never. He of course desires a plan and would like my mate to receive information from a successful territory. He chose Still Waters. We’re planning on taking our leave this evening, I believe.”
“I see.” The queen sighs and leans deep into the chaise, beckoning an onlooking human to come to her. The man smiles and rises slowly, kneeling in front of her, waiting for her next command. She gently runs her fingers through his thick brown hair.
We sit in silence for a moment. Braeden seems to grow bored and stands, walking to the young woman lying on the plush rug. He squats in front of her and runs his fingers down her chin. “Come, pet.”
“I’m tired … You drank so much.” She barely breathes the words as she leans into his touch. He chuckles deep and low.
“You need to sleep; would you prefer the floor to my bed?” His voice is full of humor.
“Your bed, please.”
He lifts her in his arms as though she weighs nothing and saunters easily out of the room.
“And what do the Alpha and his pack think of the law? Are you expected to only drink from your mate?” The queen’s alluring voice brings my eyes to hers, although she’s not looking in our direction whatsoever. Her focus is on the man waiting patiently on his knees in front of her.
Veronica smiles easily and says, “He holds the same opinion as I.” Her hand finds mine and she brings my fingers to her mouth to suck. My dick instantly hardens. With a quick inhale, I suppress my groan and the need to let my head fall back. The room’s sweet smell and the heat of the fire add to the seductive quality of the unnaturally beautiful vampires. “My mate enjoys my touch and I continue to drink from him.”
Although her voice is even, the queen’s next statement holds a viciousness that’s unexpected. “Do you think of me as a hypocritical bitch? Or a coward for bowing to Natalia’s demand?”
Veronica sits up abruptly, her speed shocking me for a moment. She bows her head slightly with her lips grazing my knee. “Neither, my queen,” she says and her softly spoken words tickle my knee.