Viktor’s heart sank at her admission. “Did someone hurt you?”
“My parents were very strict. Those kinds of things weren’t allowed. The devil’s work and all.”
“What kinds of things?”
“Paranormal things.”
“Well, those sorts of things are highly encouraged around here.” Viktor smiled. “It’s pretty much required.”
“I can’t seem to control the visions when I’m around you. Actually, everything seems out of control,” she admitted.
Viktor sighed as Waverly wrapped her arms around him, resting her cheek upon his chest. “I swear to you. Tomorrow, we’ll figure out what’s going on with the painting.”
“And Teagan?”
“We’re going to head back to Miami. Visit the club. We’ll check again to see if she’s been back,” he told her.
“And what about the humans who are doing this?”
“We’re gonna find them too. But tonight? You’ve got to get some rest.” Viktor pressed his lips to the top of her head.
His scent lingered on her skin, and it pleased him. I am so fucked. There were a thousand reasons why he shouldn’t bite her. Once his fangs pierced her skin, he suspected the bond would initiate.
He’d never allowed himself to get this close to a human. Yet here he was. Not only had he brought her to his home, but he’d also introduced her to his brother. Thoughts warred in his mind. Even as he told himself to let her go, he stole one last embrace.
Viktor released her, his gaze meeting hers. “Ready for bed?”
“Yeah.” She nodded.
Without asking he flashed them into his bedroom. “I can sleep on the sofa.”
“Viktor. Please.” She settled onto the bed and looked up to him. “Can you maybe just stay?”
“Mo chroí.” Her energy filled the room, surrounding him. Resisting the urge to bite her would drive him mad. “You need sleep.”
“Help me.” She patted the bed.
Viktor released a deep breath, acquiescing to her wish. As he slid next to her, she rolled to her side, reaching for him. She gave a sleepy moan as he wrapped his arm around her waist. His nose teased her hair; the sweet scent reminded him of purple cranesbill, his favorite summer flower from his childhood home. She seemed all too familiar, yet he’d only just met her.
But he’d force himself to live in the moment, to resist initiating the bond. As he settled his thoughts, Viktor told himself he’d simply take control over his feelings for the beautiful human. Even if he knew it wasn’t true, he’d stave off the craving until tomorrow.
Viktor materialized into the kitchen and glanced to Rafe, who remained in his wolf form. Before dawn, he’d flashed to San Diego to acquire his protégée. He’d briefly texted with both Jake Louvière and Hunter Livingston and explained the situation. The respective Alphas agreed his child needed to remain with him until a formal decision to leave pack came to fruition. He suspected the youngling would turn rogue, but Viktor would never repeat what had been done to him. He may not have wanted a child, but he’d make damn sure he cared for his own. I am not my sire.
Viktor’s thoughts were interrupted as he caught sight of the kitchen. French pastries on crystal plates and gold catering dishes rested upon the counter. The kitchen table was adorned with fine china on white linens. Roses and day lilies overflowed from an ornate vase. What the actual fuck?
Rafe barked and jumped up, his front paws nearly knocking over an entire plate of pastries. He snatched a croissant, loped across the room and settled onto the sofa.
“Bad wolf!” Viktor called to him.
Rafe gave an apologetic whine, wagging his tail and making quick work of devouring the food.
“Jesus. H. Christ,” Viktor snapped as Greyson materialized out of nowhere.
“No, not him. It’s just me.” Greyson waggled his eyebrows. Dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, the vampire stroked his beard, while he lounged on the sofa.
“What are you doing?” Viktor looked to the table. “What is all this food?”
“I thought our human would be hungry.”
“She’s not our human. She’s my human,” Viktor growled. The urge to protect her roared from within. He turned away from Greyson’s line of vision and forced his emotions under control.
“Ah, but is she?” Greyson mused.
“I’m not up for games,” Viktor stated as he avoided answering the question.
“No bonding yet, I take it.” His brother laughed. “Let me give you a little lesson. I may not have a revolving door of playmates like you, but I know humans well. And I know enough about their women to keep one happy. Let me let you in on a little secret, brother. Food is one of those very important elements. It’s essential. Things can take a turn for the worse if she’s not fed.”
The wolf, still lying on the sofa, whined in agreement.
“Dammit. I’ll admit I struggle with the care and feeding of humans. And until now, I’ve successfully eluded this dilemma. She got me to eat again last night,” Viktor admitted, unsure why he’d shared this information with his brother.
“She’s reminding you of who you were. Or perhaps who you could be,” he suggested.
“She, uh, she doesn’t date vampires,” Viktor said, annoyed with the situation.
“Ridiculous! Everyone dates vampires, whether they know it or not.”
“Not Waverly.” Viktor lifted the lid on one of the catering dishes and peeked inside. “Pancakes?”
“All humans dabble.”
“She doesn’t.” Until now. He perused the pastries. “Croissants? I never understood the insistence of humans on eating layered bread.”
“That’s because you never eat,” Greyson said. “It’s awesome. Come on, then. Have a pastry.”
The gorgeous brown wolf transformed to human, drawing the vampires’ attention. “You ate for her again? Like actual food?”
“Yes, he did.” Greyson laughed. He stood and crossed the room to the kitchen table. He reached for a pastry and held it in the air.
“I ate a po boy.” While delicious, it couldn’t compare to the taste of Waverly.
“Damn, you’re really into this chick.” Rafe lifted the lid to the catering dish, reached for a pair of gold tongs and began to pile pancakes onto a plate. “Nice work, on the breakfast.”
“Of all the things you could start with, you went with a po boy?” Greyson asked.
“It was the first thing that popped into my head. It was great.”
“Ya see, women will do that to you.” Rafe put his plate down onto the table and pulled out a kitchen chair.
“Hold up there, hybrid, I know you wolves enjoy your um, freedom, shall we call it, but you’re not in the woods. I’m afraid I’m gonna have to insist on covering up.” Greyson picked up a throw blanket and tossed it at his feet.
“Wolves. Such free-living creatures.” Viktor looked to Rafe as he wrapped it around his waist with an unapologetic laugh. “May I remind you that you’re vampire now. I shouldn’t have to tell you how to behave outside the woods. I’m not your Alpha.”