Chapter 7

Just touching her is everything.

The faint scent of fear when I lifted her from the ground may have ruined the moment ever so slightly, but when it was quickly replaced by the sweet smell of arousal, it made it all the better.

In time, maybe she'll accept me and understand that just because I'm no longer the man the fates picked for her, I'm still devoted to her and can still be hers.

Mandy jogs every few steps to catch up rather than asking me to slow down, and I enjoy her stubbornness. I'm glad she says nothing, because I'd rather not admit the reason I'm setting such a brisk pace. We need to get home before dark. My little mate isn't safe. We're not the only predators living in this remote part of the old forest.

"It's quiet here," she comments, hinting that I'm the reason the birds have fallen silent; the reason there isn't so much as a swaying branch. I say nothing, keen to get her indoors before I break the bad news to her.

"The old alpha was killed by vampires, long ago, after betraying them. Vampires are solitary by nature, but they're protective of each other in some circumstances. The territory was eventually given to Weston when the other replacements failed to… regain control. Weston had the good sense to leave well enough alone, but he likes how the extra acreage looks on the map. He must be trying to compensate for the size of something else."

Mandy hides her smile by scanning the trees on her other side.

"Have you met Alpha Weston? Or any of the council?" I fight back the urge to reach out and touch her. Her dark hair looks rich and warm in the fading evening sun, and I just know it will be silky soft when I drag my fingers through it.

Mandy frowns and shakes her head. "I met Raiden when she moved in, but that's it. Blake kept me out of the way when they were visiting in case someone recognised me, or Noah."

Breathing a sigh of relief, I nod, appearing disinterested but rejoicing in the fact that my brother isn't a complete idiot. Her location hasn't been blown, for now. Even if Raiden has put two and two together, I trust her to have the common sense not to say anything.

"And Alpha Weston allows you to live in his territory?" Mandy is incredulous. Vampires and wolves have always had a fraught relationship, staying out of each other's way to keep the peace. An alpha allowing vampires to live on his land is almost unheard of.

"We have an arrangement. And he only needs one packhouse." Resuming my hurried pace, I push back a branch and hold it while Mandy steps through a small path between two sheer rock faces.

Mandy pouts at my evasive answer as she squeezes past, looking more annoyed at having to touch me when she edges past than at my refusal to give her a straight answer.

"Still seems rather generous… especially given you're a Steel." Her steps falter as she rounds the last mound of boulders and sees the house for the first time. "What is this place?" Spinning, she turns to stare at me, wide-eyed, then rushing forward to stare up at the large gothic mansion in the distance. I can't tell if she's impressed or scared as the clouds cover the sky and cast a dull gloom over the expanse of open land in front of the property.

"Welcome home, little mate." The fondness in my tone catches us both off guard and I grow uncomfortable under her assessing gaze. "Let's go. I'm not the only thing lurking out here that would love to sink its teeth into that pretty neck of yours."

Mandy's horrified. Despite still being unsure of me, she stops and waits for me to come back to her side.

"I did say that Weston leaves this place well enough alone. The forest around here is kind of a no man's land. It's fine most of the time, but you never know who you'll meet."

"More vampires," Manday clarifies, and I nod.

Katya had been nearly a permanent resident; but she outstayed her welcome long before I was forced to end her miserable excuse for a life. There are others, too, and, just to be safe, I'd prefer Mandy not meet them just yet.

"And you're friends?" Her question is hopeful, but when she sees my grimace, her heart beat picks up. I wave my hands in a so-so gesture, and she glances around nervously. "Where the hell did you bring me?"

Huffing, I try not to be offended at her dislike for my home just because of the neighbours.

"It's okay. Once you're mine, they'll know not to touch you."

Mandy nods, and somehow, I know her thoughts have drifted back to that night. There isn't a hint of doubt in her expression. She's seen me in action, and felt what happened after she left, what I did to her mate.

She knows from experience I'm not all bark and no bite.