Lazarus grunted. “None of the humans want to talk with me, let alone anything more,” he grumbled.
“If you rut like you spar, I don’t blame them. I’m surprised they even let you into the program in the first place. Human females are soft and timid.” Gideon watched as Lazarus’ face clouded. As his hands curled into fists at his sides. Ridiculous sized muscles bunched and corded. Gideon put up his hands and choked out a laugh. “I’m only playing with you. I’m sure you have a whole string of vampire females willing to take care of that frustration until the right human female comes along.”
Lazarus sat down, his big shoulders slumped forward. “That’s just it… I really want a human female. Now that I’ve seen them, scented them…” He shook his head, his dark eyes gleamed. “I seriously want one for myself. I just wish that one of them would talk to me. It will be weeks before any new females arrive.” He shrugged, looking despondent. “If these females are afraid of me, chances are good that any future females will be afraid of me too. Maybe I should just give up on the whole idea.”
Gideon felt like a total asshole asking what he was about to ask, but he had to. Maybe he could find a way to help the male in return. “Lazarus…” He paused, not sure how to continue.
The big male lifted his eyes. “If you tell me to stop drinking blood and to remove my weapons, I will fucking hit you.”
Gideon shook his head. “That’s not it. I have a favor to ask.”
Lazarus nodded. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thick thighs. “Go ahead. Ask away.”
Gideon nodded, looking about the room to ensure that no one was listening. There were only two other males in attendance. The others were wrestling with one another, too wrapped up in what they were doing to be paying any attention.
“Remember when I told you that it wasn’t like that…” Gideon shoved his hands into his pockets.
The big male smiled and nodded once.
“I was in denial.” His voice was low and he forced himself to maintain eye contact with the other male.
“Of course you were.” Lazarus’ smile grew wider.
Gideon clenched his teeth. The male was only messing with him. “Jenna,” he whispered her name. “We have feelings for one another. I want to get to know her better but I need your help.”
Lazarus snorted, he shook his head. “I fucking knew it. That’s why she isn’t interested in any of the others. It’s you she wants.”
Gideon nodded, once again glancing about the room. “No one can know.”
“You’re playing with fire. What’s so special about this female anyway?” He raised his brows. “Don’t get me wrong, she is really nice, really friendly.” He shrugged. “I like her and I can understand the attraction part of it. Her scent…” Lazarus rolled his eyes and made a groaning noise.
Gideon couldn’t help the growl that was torn from him. The two males on the mat on the far side of the room stopped to turn and stare.
Lazarus smiled, he rose to his feet and slapped Gideon on the back. “So, by your reaction I would say that it’s serious then?”
Gideon nodded. “Yeah, it is.”
Lazarus grabbed the water bottle at his feet, pulled open the lid with his teeth, and took a few deep draws. The scent of fresh blood hit Gideon in the nostrils. Lazarus swallowed down the liquid before turning his eyes back to him. “Serious as in”—his eyes darted to the two males who had resumed their sparring—“you want to mate her?” A low whisper that sounded like more of a growl.
Gideon nodded. “It’s a distinct possibility. There are a couple of things that we need to work through.”
“When are you going to see Brant? Then again, maybe you should go and have a chat with Zane instead.” Lazarus smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll visit you when you’re in the dungeon.”
It was Gideon’s turn to roll his eyes. “You’ll visit me, well thank fuck for small favors.”
“Your dick will grow back as well.” Lazarus chuckled. His nostrils flared. “You don’t scent of a human female.”
“Not that it’s any of your fucking business but I haven’t rutted her.” Gideon spoke under his breath.
Lazarus took a step closer. “You want to mate this female and you haven’t even tested compatibility?”
He wasn’t about to tell Lazarus about the events of a year and a half ago. He wasn’t going to tell anyone if he could help it. “That’s where the favor comes in. Please spend the evening with Jenna. You guys need to make it seem like you’re hitting it off. Take her back to her suite. I will be waiting.”