Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“Yes. Of course. Waiting another thousand years isn’t feasible.” Vero straightened and glanced at the patrol rotation chart pinned to the wall. “Lukas said there were only six cell members inside our territory with Laker on the outside bringing in the victims. Guy’s name was Laker, and apparently he created the poison that infected us. We might never know if he worked with anybody else. The Realm’s intel matches ours, so it’s good to know we’re not missing any immediate threats. At least there’s no army coming for us today.”
Silas eyed the quiet room. “When will we have medical updates?”
Hopefully soon, damn it. “We drew everyone’s blood, and I instigated a genetic stripping and analysis that should be concluded in a few hours. I can’t do anything else absent those results.”
Silas shook his head. “I won’t ask for more details right now. We need you alert, Vero. Please get just a couple hours of sleep. You’re in charge and we need you at least slightly rested.”
Vero didn’t require the luxury of sleep, but he did want some time with his mate. They needed to get on the same page and now. “I won’t be long.” His thoughts drifted to Lyrica. She hadn’t said much on the way back from the cabin, and he could only imagine how much she was processing—her ordeal with Lukas, the violence she’d witnessed, and the grim reality of what Vero had done to end the threat.
There had been no other choice. Lukas had loved hurting females too much. He’d been a monster, and there was no redeeming him.
Vero’s gaze strayed to the corner of the room, where Genevieve sat huddled with a few human females. She was crying quietly, her delicate face etched with heartbreak and terror. Though she’d been duped by Lukas, she had survived—and one day, Vero hoped she’d realize how lucky she was. For now, he turned away and strode toward the stairs.
Each step felt heavier than the last, the exhaustion of the past days settling in his bones. When he reached their bedroom, he pushed the door open to find Lyrica sitting on the bed, facing the screen on her phone. Her dark hair cascaded in soft waves down her back, her face pale but still strikingly beautiful.
“Vero’s here,” she said. “I have to go. Okay, I’ll talk to you soon.”
Hope’s voice carried through the receiver, clear and cheerful. “Good. Rest, Lyrica, and I’ll see you soon.”
Lyrica ended the call and set the phone aside, her eyes tired. “Any news?”
He closed the door behind him. “I’m running tests in the lab, and there’s nothing more I can do until those conclude.” He pulled off his sweatshirt. “It’s going to take a few hours to get results.” He glanced at her. “Did I hear Hope say she’d see you soon?”
Lyrica winced. “Yes. She and Paxton arrived with the Realm soldiers and are now guarding our perimeter.”
“Good.” Vero concentrated on his pretty mate. “How are you?” he asked, stepping closer.
She jumped into his arms, shocking him, burying her face in his neck. “I’m fine. A little sore, but more freaked out than anything. How did Lukas trick all of us like that?”
“I don’t know.” Vero brushed her hair back from her face and studied her eyes, losing himself in the deep chocolate of her gaze. “It nearly killed me when I found out you’d been taken,” he admitted. “I’ve never felt like that before in my life.”
She gingerly touched the healed spot on his face. “I felt the same when you were shot and didn’t move. It’s terrifying.” Her fingers trembled against his skin.
“I love you,” he said, the words rough with emotion. “I didn’t really know what those words meant or what that felt like. But I think I get it now. I think this is what it is.”
Her smile was soft, sweet, and filled with something that hit him straight in the chest. “Yes, Vero. This is what it is.”
She leaned up to kiss him, her lips warm and soft against his. He let her take the lead for a moment, savoring her tenderness, then took over, deepening the kiss and tugging her T-shirt over her head.
She laughed as she leaned back. “Vero, seriously, the nation could be dying. We don’t have time for this.”
“I need to sleep,” he said, his hands hooking into the waistband of her yoga pants and tugging them down, along with her panties. “This will help me get there faster.”
“Oh, get there faster, huh?” she teased.
He didn’t bother answering. Still kissing her, he unbuttoned his jeans, pushed them down, and kicked off his boots. She squeaked in mock protest as he tackled her to the bed, laughing even as she winced.
“Hey,” she said, breathless. “I’m a little bruised.”
“I can fix that.” His voice dropped as he hovered over her. “I’ll give you blood in a minute.”