"Kira," he rasped, snagging her shoulder with one of his large hands. "You smell like you."

"I won't allow you to risk your life to protect mine. You've done it too many times before." She understood all the risks he'd taken for her already just by concealing what had happened. The clan would be furious that he'd harbored a Vampire in their territory. "Get my dad, Lorn. He'll take me to Velder's clan."

His mouth parted and he revealed his fangs. "No. You'll stay here, where you're safe. I won't allow some stranger to force you into mating with him. You're vulnerable when you feed."

"No VampLycan is going to mate me. It was bad enough when I was mostly human. Now they have to protect their necks from me at all times."

"They don't kill members in Velder's clan when they inherit Vampire-dominant traits. That son of a bitch enforcer will feed you, you'll react the way you did with me, and he'll take advantage. You'll snap out of it with his fangs in your neck and his dick in your-" He snarled. "Sorry. It pisses me off just thinking about it."

"I'll just tell him I don't want a mate or a lover."

"He won't be able to resist. Hell, I'm barely able to fight the urge."

Her eyes widened. He'd stunned her again.

Lorn squeezed her shoulder. His gaze flicked down her body. "We have to put on more clothes before your next feeding. Speaking of, your father is above ground, waiting for us."

"Don't let me bite him, okay?" It was a real fear. "Please?"

"I'll stay close. You should be good for a few hours before you're hungry again."

"You think so? I thought newbies needed blood all the time."

"Let's hope for both our sakes that isn't true."

"Why?" A thought struck. "Am I going to need too much blood from you?"

"It's not that." His gaze lowered down her body again.

Lorn wanted her. The hungry look in his eyes couldn't be missed.

"I'm going to lend you a sweater and some sweatpants. I'll use a knife to shorten the legs so you don't step on them."

He turned away and opened a cupboard, leaving Kira to stare after him.

Chapter Seven.

Kira noticed her heightened senses immediately as soon as they left the den. She could smell the trees, the flowers, and even her father. Her vision had heightened, despite the darkness. Lorn stayed at her side as she turned left, following the familiar scent. She didn't need to be told where her father waited. His heat signature made him glow red a little when she spotted him.

"Kira," her dad whispered.

"Dad!" She ran forward and threw her arms around his waist.

He hugged her hard. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't do that. It wasn't your fault."

"I should have sent you away the minute Decker left, or gone looking for you sooner so I'd have realized you hadn't made it home."

She fought tears and pulled away enough to peer at his face. She hated seeing the pained look he sported. "I'm okay. I mean, for being a suckhead."

He winced. "There might be a way to-"

"I shared what you said," Lorn growled. "I even told her about Velder's offer to give her to one of his enforcers in exchange for blood. She's staying with me."

Her father stiffened. "She's better off leaving here."

"So you've repeatedly said. Remember my texts. She's better off not being forced to mate some asshole," Lorn countered. "She should have choices. Give it a chance."

"Dad." Kira drew his attention.

He looked at her. "It's better in the long run if you go to the other clan. I know it wasn't the life you planned but you'll be safe there. Even if taking his blood gives you Lycan traits, you'll never be safe here." Her father glared at Lorn. "For so many reasons."

Kira glanced between them, feeling as if she were missing something. She let it go though. Her father was upset over what had happened to her and Lorn seemed on edge, probably because of all he risked to keep her safe. "Do you know how long it takes before we know if I'm changing at all? Did Velder tell you that?"

Davis shook his head. "They aren't sure but he implied it was less than a week. The young couple hadn't been that forthcoming with honest answers. They were afraid they'd get into trouble since they weren't mated yet but sharing blood. She was a few months shy of reaching the age of consent. Now she's fine."

"I'd rather stay here with Lorn. At least for now. He told me that the clan thinks he's hunting the Vamps who invaded our territory. That will give us a few days before they become suspicious."

Her father cleared his throat. "Can we talk alone?"

"No." Lorn stepped closer. "I'm not leaving her side. She could get hungry."

Kira winced when her dad snarled and tried to shove her out of the way. She wasn't about to let the two men she loved fight over her.

She gripped his shirt and hung on tight. The material tore a little and it made her father pause.

"You're stronger."

"Suckhead, remember?"

He didn't look amused. "I want to talk privately with you. I don't think it's a good idea if you stay with Lorn or allow him to feed you. I take it you've already done so at least once. You're very calm, and you wouldn't be if you hadn't fed yet. I dealt with a lot of Vampires living in the outside world with your mother."

She knew he was concerned-and she knew why. She glanced back at Lorn. "Can we have a few minutes? I promise to yell out if I start eyeballing his neck."

Lorn didn't look happy about it but gave a sharp nod. He spun, stomping out of sight behind some trees. She could hear him even after he was gone and waited until his footsteps faded.

She met her father's concerned stare. "What is it?"

"You're going to get hurt," he whispered.

He knew how much she loved Lorn. She could even agree with him. "I almost died."

"I know."

"Do you know what I thought when I was sure my life was over?"

He hugged her. "I can guess."

They'd always been close. She nodded. "I'd rather have a few days with Lorn than go through whatever life I have left with regrets. I want to try this with him. It might work, and I'd rather not remain a suckhead. I also don't want to be mated to some stranger unless it's the absolute last option. I can live anywhere as a VampLycan. I won't be so vulnerable to attack. Besides, if I have to drink blood, I'd rather it be his. You know how I feel about him. Does that make sense, or is it gross and disturbing?"

Tears filled her father's eyes. "You'll be spending almost every moment with him for the next few days. That means close quarters. He's also single. I'm guessing he didn't build his den to include two beds."

"There's only one."

Her father's mouth tightened into a grim line. "He's going to break your heart more than he already has."

"That's not possible," she whispered.

"Damn it, Kira. I really think you should leave here with me. This enforcer sounds like a good, honorable man. He's offering you everything Lorn never could. He'll mate you even if you remain a Vampire."

"But I don't love Velder's enforcer. I figure I already died last night when I was attacked, and this is all bonus time. Let me use it how I want, Dad. Please? I want to be with Lorn, even if it's just for a matter of days. I'll regret it otherwise."

He sighed. "I understand. I knew it might not end well with your mother, since she was forbidden. I never regretted it though. I had to take that chance, regardless of the outcome."

The ache in her chest was a good one, despite seeing his raw pain. It proved her parents really had loved each other. "I want to stay as long as I can with him. Just promise to let us know if the clan starts to become suspicious. I'll leave with you then. I don't want to get Lorn in trouble or put his life in danger. I know they'll punish him. He's risking a lot."

Her father bent forward and brushed a kiss on her forehead. "Are you sure this isn't going to make it worse for you?"

"It probably will but I want to stay with him. Who said love ever made sense? Nobody I know." She gave him a sad smile.

"I understand. I love you."

"I love you too, Dad."

He released her. "Let's get you back to him before you need another feeding."

"Thanks."

"I'll pack up your stuff so it's ready to go if we need to get you out of the territory fast. The clan believes you're dead, and won't find it odd for me to get rid of your belongings."

She winced. "I'm sure some of them are pretty happy about me being gone. Did they plan a party yet?"

"No. They wouldn't celebrate your loss. You're being dramatic." He grimaced. "They're too pissed that we were attacked."

"What about Veso? Did he get away? I forgot to ask Lorn. He knew you were up here waiting for us so we didn't talk much."

"No. They must have killed him."

It hurt to hear that news. Veso had been a jerk to her but she'd begrudgingly respected him. He shouldn't have died that way. "I feel guilty. I said some things I didn't mean about him to those bastards who attacked us. They told me some of their friends were playing with him but I acted like I didn't care and hoped he'd die. The idiot master thought the clan would believe Veso and I were lovers and had run away together. I'd hoped he'd gotten away though, or killed the Vampires who'd attacked him."

"I'm sure he'd have understood. We say things we don't mean under pressure."

Her father didn't really understand and she didn't have the heart to tell him everything. Then she'd have to admit what she'd done by biting into the Vampire to survive. "Let's go find Lorn."

She turned away and walked in the direction Lorn had gone, her father staying close. They located him a few hundred yards away, where he waited under a tree. He stepped forward, looking tense and ready to fight.

"Take care of her," Davis rasped. "You'll be hearing from me. Keep your phone charged and check your texts often. I'll let you know if anyone becomes suspicious."

Kira didn't miss the way Lorn's eyebrows arched in surprise. She approached him. "Let's go back inside. It's dangerous if someone sees me with you."

He clasped her hand and led her back to the den. They didn't speak until he had them locked inside. "I expected your father to protest you staying with me."

"We had a little talk. I trust you with my life. That's what matters most to him."

"He didn't warn you about me?"

"Of course he did."

They studied each other and Lorn frowned. "So why are you here? He isn't pleased."

"This is my decision, not his. I've made it. I want to stay with you for as long as it doesn't put you in danger. He promised to let us know if you are. I'll leave when that happens."

"You're not going to that other clan." His voice deepened. "You'll stay with me until you have total control when you feed from the vein, or you no longer need to."

"Okay."

"You don't plan to argue with me?" He seemed stunned.

"I understand what happens to me when the bloodlust takes over. I'd be really upset if I fed from some stranger and he fucked me while I was out of it."

His mouth compressed into a tight line.

Kira decided to be blunt. She had nothing to lose. "I wouldn't be upset if that happened between us."

Lorn's eyes widened and he sucked in a sharp breath.

"I saw how you reacted to me." Her gaze lowered to the front of his pants, then jerked up to his face. "It'll be okay with me if you ever lose control and take me."

"Don't say that."

"I'm being honest."

He took a step closer. "Kira."

"Should I lie? I've had feelings for you forever, so if you were to touch me that way, at least it's something I've always wanted."

"Kira, stop."

"I'd prefer that I'm with it all the way if you take me to bed, but I wouldn't be upset if I came out of the bloodlust to find us in the middle of something."

Lorn spun around to give her his back.