“Rex, I know. The female said something about it before she tried to kill me. She was in a rage and most of her words were incomprehensible but I gathered she wanted to use me as a bargaining chip. But she planned to kill both of us—until you arrived with backup. I don’t think she was very old for a vamp or very smart. She couldn’t have been to take me when I’m part of a powerful pack. But, I know and I’m not angry. You really thought I would be?” There was no way she could be angry at this male. Definitely not after he’d saved her, but mainly because of who he was showing himself to be.
He nodded stiffly, watching her warily as if he didn’t quite believe her.
“Well, I’m not. Why don’t you shower and we can watch a movie?” She was exhausted but didn’t want to go to bed just yet and didn’t want to be alone. And if she was being honest with herself, she wanted him to hold her, needed to feel his touch. “I mean, if you’re going to stay.” She really hoped he did. The sun had already risen but maybe he didn’t want to stay in her condo. Using the interior hallways and elevators he could move somewhere else if he wanted. She couldn’t expect him to just drop everything for her.
Finally the tenseness in his shoulders fled. “I’m staying and if you’ll allow me, I would like to offer you my blood.”
Blinking, her eyes widened at his offer. Vampire blood had supernatural healing power and would help her kick the lingering sluggishness from the poison. Otherwise time was the only thing that would work. But vampires never offered their blood to anyone. Not that she knew of. It was a mate thing. The implication of that stole her breath for a moment. “Rex, that’s…” She didn’t know what to say. It would be too weird to accept it, but part of her really wanted to. The thought of drinking blood should freak her out, but everything about Rex called to her. Part of her wanted to find out what he tasted like.
An abrupt knock at her front door made her jump like a cub. Inwardly she cursed her reaction.
“It’s Grant. He texted while you were in the shower,” Rex said then turned away before she could respond.
She immediately felt the loss of touching him as he withdrew his hands and made his way to her front door. She fell in step behind him, her bare feet silent against the hardwood floors. Moments later her alpha stood in the foyer of her place.
Without a word Grant pulled her into a tight hug. Being held by her alpha soothed her wolf in a way almost no one else could. Except…she’d actually felt safer being held by Rex. Later she’d examine that, but for now she returned Grant’s hug, knowing he needed to be reassured his packmate was safe.
“I’m so sorry this happened, Margery.” Grant’s voice was rough, uneven and so out of character.
She squeezed him tight then stepped back. “I’m okay. I promise. They didn’t do anything other than poison me and then that maniac tried to kill me.” Which were both terrible things, but she knew Grant had been worried about sexual assault just as Rex had been earlier. “Did you find out who the male was?” She’d heard someone with the female vampire and she’d heard Rex and Grant’s conversation earlier about the male who escaped them.
Jaw tight, Grant shook his head. “Davis lost the guy, but we will find him. If there’s an unknown in my territory he’ll only be able to hide for so long.”
“I’ve got a file on Stanley, but clearly it’s not detailed enough. I’ll reach out to my client about Stanley’s former associates and we can start digging into who could have possibly wanted to help him.” Rex’s voice was as grim as his expression.
Margery could see the rage simmering just beneath his surface. On instinct she reached out for him, wrapping her arm around his trim waist. Her inner wolf sighed in contentment the moment they made contact. Pleasure surged through her when he didn’t pause, just slid his solid arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
Grant didn’t seem surprised at their affection as he nodded at both of them. “Let me know as soon as he gets back to you. For now, you two get some damn sleep. We’ve increased the security and no one is getting in here. I’m staying close to the compound today so let me know if you need me. And, before you ask, I’ve already told the pack to give you some space until you’re ready. I’m pretty sure they’ll only give you today alone,” he said wryly.
That, she believed. But a day was enough to rest and decompress from what had happened. She wanted to ask him about her bakery but at this point didn’t really care if he closed it for a couple days or sent some packmates to work there. “Thank you.” After giving her another hug, Grant left and she was once again alone with Rex.