Evan


    My hands are on the wheel, and I turn right to drive up to a hotel I saw in the distance. The roads are dark. Rain is smattering against the window, and my passenger is hysterical. It seems she hates storms.


    Thunder strikes, and Ste shouts. "NO! Thunder, go away!"


    Interesting little thing. Does Ste really think screaming will help?


    She rattles in her seat when the lightning shes, and I try not tough when she shields her eyes. I might not be in love with Ste, but damn, she is pretty damn cute.


    I aim a teasing smile her way. "You''re this special time-traveling silver werewolf, and you''re afraid of a little storm and some rain?"


    "Yes..." Ste doesn''t even bother to deny it. Her big, sad eyes meet mine in the rear-view mirror. "I''m terrified of lightning storms and would love to be under a nket right now. We are there soon, right?" s**t, she is actually scared.


    "Yeah, let me just find a ce to park the car."


    "Thank you."


    "Traveling would be easier if I knew how to teleport, though... I could even take you away from the storm. We could be spending time on a tropical ind right now. A drink in our hand."


    Ste res at me, and I bite back augh. I''m having way too much fun pushing all of her buttons.


    "Not happening."


    "Such a shame."


    "No, it''s a shame you''re still trying to make me spill the beans."


    I snort. "Spill the beans? What are you, forty? No one says that."


    Her eyes narrow even more. "Well, I do, and I''m not telling you how to develop your abilities."


    I sigh. "Fine."


    Ste crosses her arms over her chest, and I find us a parking spot.


    We get out of the car, and Ste flies forward when the skies rumble. She grabs my arm, and I curiously peer down at her. I don''t know her yet-why does shee to me for protection? Posted by ; visit us for more free novels. "Are you okay?" I ask.


    She hugs my arm harder, blushing upon realizing she is squeezing it to damn near death.


    "S-sorry..."


    To my surprise, my heart squeezes when I catch the glistening tears in her eyes. Part of me wishes tofort her, and I grimace at that confusing emotion.


    I mean...


    I can''t honestly like her, right?


    She is a werewolf!


    I swallow thickly. "No problem."


    Ste beams at me. "You''re still kind even without memories... Sometimes an a*****e, but... Most of the time, kind."


    My cheeks burn a little, but I remain silent. Why is my heart racing so fast? There is just no way I like Ste.


    Right?


    Silently, I lead Ste towards the hotel and then get a room. Ste insists on being in my room, and I let her. She isn''t interested in taking advantage; she just doesn''t want to be alone.


    We get into our room, and when I''m lying naked in the bed, I notice that Ste is staring at me.


    She is only standing there in her underwear, arms crossed over her chest. Ste could honestly be a poster with her wild red hair and smooth, unblemished skin.


    But what gets me is the hesitation mixed with yearning in her eyes.


    I breathe augh. "You sucked my c**k earlier, and now you''re feeling awkward about sharing a bed?"


    "Yes."


    I tilt my head, baffled by her honesty. "Why is that?"


    "Well... thest time I saw you, we were together; you didn''t mind if I cuddled with you... Now I''m unsure how to resist the temptation, especially since you''re naked."


    I study Ste in silence.


    My goal is to grow stronger and take over after my father. I wish to be the new vampire king, but...


    Someone said a king needs a queen to rule, and Ste is beautiful.


    I definitely don''t like her.


    These flutters and sparks aren''t real. I have just realized that I can''t rule the world alone; that''s all.


    I need Ste.


    She will be mine.


    Only mine-I should get rid of this werewolf when I meet him. Kill him and pretend there has been an ident.


    Yes, I''m a genius.


    I tap the spot next to me. "Here,e and join me."


    Ste''s eyes bulge out of their sockets. "Y-you don''t mind?"


    "Nope."


    Ste doesn''t look convinced, yet she doesn''t question it. I can tell that she wishes to be near me. The way she nces at me? Attraction. And while I would love to say I don''t suffer from it, I get hard the section she climbs into the bed without underwear. What the f*****g hell?!


    That''s cheating!


    Ste crawls up to me and rests her cheek against my pec. Her hand is skimming over my abs. It feels nice, and I relish the feel of her groping and touching me.


    So damn nice.


    I close my eyes. s**t, that feels good. I love Ste''s tiny hands. I''m forced to repress a groan when her hand travels further down.


    Oh.


    Holy s**t.


    Do not get hard, Evan.


    Do not get hard.


    Ste is running her fingers over my v-lines, and she shrieks when thunder crashes over the hotel.


    Suddenly she is all over me, hugging me tightly while shaking. Tears drip down and run down my sternum, and I will be damned; I put my arms around her to soothe her. "It will be alright... Just breathe..."


    Ste whimpers. "Promise me that you won''t leave... Promise me that you will still be here when I wake up..."


    I brush her hair. "Why wouldn''t I be?"


    "Because you don''t love me..."


    There is a jarring feeling in my chest. I think it''s guilt, probably because I do like Ste. I like her a lot. It''s just that I have other ns than ying house with someone. "Why don''t you try to sleep?" I ask.


    "No..." Ste hugs me tighter. "I will probably end up seeing your face when you''re dying... Raphael too... So I wouldn''t dare..."


    "You have to sleep, though."


    She lifts her head from my chest. "And you will be here?"


    The prayer mirrored in her eyes blows my breath away. It''s not fair that Ste looks so cute.


    "Yes, I promise."


    Ste smiles and falls back against my chest. It doesn''t take long for the little vixen to fall asleep. I''m soon left with the burden ofbing through her hair. My eyes focus on her.


    Red like fire.


    Sweet smile.


    Rosy cheeks.


    A mouth not afraid of speaking her mind...


    My heart is pounding faster with each second. I have a growing wish to protect this little one. I''m not sure where it came from, but that''s when I hear the whispers.


    ''I suspect you already know what she meant by you growing stronger... You probably also know what needs to be done...


    I continue to stroke Ste. "I do..."


    ''That woman ims to be your future mate.''


    "I believe her."


    There are snickers inside my head. ''Yes, you want power now, don''t you? You want to protect her... Well, we can make you stronger. Powerful. So, Evan, don''t you wish to ept us?''


    My fingers sort through Ste''s hair, and I smile when I hear her lightly snore. She is truly adorable. Someone worth protecting.


    I don''t love her...


    Not yet.


    But I will get there; I can feel it, so I better do everything I can to keep Ste alive.


    Beautiful.


    Gorgeous.


    Soon all mine.


    "What would it cost to ept all of you? Could I even handle it? Would I be able to protect my mate?"


    ''All of us? I''m not sure if you''re strong enough yet, but... How about we meld a little more for each day?''


    "What would that mean for me?"


    ''Oh, nothing much... Your personality might turn darker, and you will be more aggressive. There will be a thirst for blood, but... Everything else will remain the same, including your will to protect what is yours! I smile. "Then we have a deal."