As all memories were to her.

His hands moved to clasp her shoulders. “Wake for me. Now.”

If only she could just open her eyes for him. But it wasn’t that easy to escape the darkness. Not once it had her in its greedy grasp. She hated to sleep. Fought it with every bit of strength that she had.

To her, the darkness was death.

No escape.

His mouth pressed to hers. The touch was electric, sending a sharp pulse of desire straight through her body. His lips brushed against hers, and his tongue slipped into her mouth.

She awakened with a gasp.

And he stole that breath, taking it away from her.

His mouth lingered for an instant. She didn’t fight him, actually, Jane wanted to grab onto Alerac and hold him as tightly as she could.

He saved me from the dark.

But then he pulled back.

She realized that she was on the bed. That big, king-sized bed in the small motel room. He was curled over her, his hands now pressing into the mattress, caging her.

His gaze—would she ever grow used to that shining green gaze?—pinned her. “You were crying in your sleep.”

And he’d seen her. When she was so weak. Humiliating. “Sorry.” If you don’t want to see me cry, then don’t watch me. She held the words back, for now. Angering the big, bad slayer of vamps probably wasn’t a good idea.

“What did you dream of?”

Jane shook her head.

“Did you remember?” Alerac pressed.

Jane had to laugh. “All I remember is darkness. Having a voice that can’t scream because it’s broken.” She shoved that darkness from her mind, but she knew it would come back. It always did. “I dream of being forgotten.” Exactly what had happened to her.

Six months. Her face flashed in the newspaper and on TV. For six months. But no family had come to claim her. No one had come to tell her that she mattered.

That she was loved.

Forgotten. Yes, that was exactly what she was.

Not surprising, really. Why search for a monster?

“You were never forgotten.”

Her gaze flew to his.

The faint lines near his eyes had deepened. “I should have transported you during the day, while you slept but—but you seemed weak.”

Right. Weak. Wonderful. Just what she wanted to be thought of by this tough, scary guy. Weak probably equaled prey in his eyes.

His gaze slid over her features. “I thought it would be best if you had a day of sleep. A day to prepare for what will come.”

That sounded ominous. “What’s coming?”

His stare turned away from her as he glanced toward the locked door. “Vampires will hunt us in the night, so we must take care.”

She lifted her hand. Curled it around his chin. Forced him to look back and see her. “What’s coming?”

Those too-bright eyes seemed to burn through her. “You tempt much when you touch me. The sheets smell of you. And though you might try to deny it…” He lifted the hand that had cradled his cheek. Brought it to his mouth. Kissed the palm. Lightly licked her.

Jane shivered.

“You want me,” he said, sounding both satisfied and hungry. “And the scent of your desire drives me f**kin’ crazy.”

Her breath caught. “A werewolf’s senses…”

“Are ten times better than a human’s.” Grim. He licked her palm again. Nipped lightly with his teeth.

The heat surging through her body had her heart pounding in a double-time beat.

“So I know exactly when you get wet for me,” Alerac whispered. “You’ll never be able to hide your desire from me.”

He knew. Horror widened her eyes as they flew back to his.

“My pack is waiting outside.”

The faint snarl of the motorcycle engines finally penetrated her awareness.

Oh, crap, if he could scent her desire…could they all?

Yes. The answer was right there on his face.

Her own face burned. Talk about humiliating.

But Alerac shook his head. “They know you’re mine,” he said simply. “None would dare speak ill to you.”

His. “I’m not…yours, Alerac.” They needed to be clear on that.

His hold tightened on her hand. “Wasn’t that the deal?” He murmured. “Your safety, but in return, I have you.”

A desperate deal. She hadn’t even realized just what she’d been giving away.

Had she?

“You fear me.”

“I’d be a fool not to.” A werewolf with glowing eyes and razor sharp claws. Um, yes, a smart girl would fear him.

So would a dumb girl for that matter. So would any freaking one.

The sound of the snarling engines outside seemed to grow even louder.

“Fear can be a good thing. It will help keep you alive.”

He wanted her afraid of him?

Alerac climbed from the bed. Looked even bigger. She swore the guy had grown while she slept.

Then she realized that the pillow beside her bore the impression of—of a head. The covers near her were rumpled. She jumped up from that bed. “You slept with me!” He’d stormed out. Done his angry wolf routine, then he’d come back and crawled in bed with her.

While she hadn’t even realized he’d been there.

“I protected you.” He’d already turned away.

“Protected me from what? The motel maid?” She rushed after him, but had to do a fast halt when he hurried out of the room. What the hell, Alerac? You don’t leave in the middle of an argument. She yanked on her shoes, adjusted her sleep-wrinkled clothes, and followed fast. “You crawled into bed with me because—“

At least six werewolves were on their motorcycles. All of them were staring at her.

Jane clamped her mouth closed. Jerk wolf.

Alerac glanced back at her, and a faint smile lifted his lips. “You were saying, a rúnsearc?”

What she’d been saying would be finished—in private. But her eyes narrowed to slits. “What did you just call me?”

That faint smile faded. “It’s an Irish expression. It means vampire.”

Liam coughed. Or choked. Hard to tell for sure.

Alerac eased onto on his motorcycle. Darkness had fallen again, but the moon wasn’t blocked by clouds tonight. It shone, high and heavy, though not quite full, in the sky above them.

All of the men were staring at her. Waiting.

“Has she fed?” Finally, that suspicious question came from Liam.

Her gaze cut to him. “She can tell you herself.” Her fangs weren’t even aching. She didn’t need blood every day. “And the answer is, no. I haven’t fed tonight. But don’t worry, I’m not about to start biting anyone.”

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