Nikan cut him off, his dark gaze never wavering from hers. “I know why and I appreciate it.”

Fighting the urge to look away, Esperanze stood, ready to grab the phone and plead with her Alpha for more manpower, but Connor continued. “But I might know someone in the area who can help. I’m going to make a call, but in the meantime I’ll let Ryan know about this, so be waiting for a text or e-mail from him. Sit tight and give me half an hour.”

“Will do. Thanks.” Nikan slid his phone in his pocket after they disconnected.

Antoine, who had been silent, finally let out a small groan. “Your Alpha isn’t going to help us. Why would he help a vampire?” Anger laced each word.

“Because he cares about our pack,” Esperanze snapped, angry at her friend’s depressing attitude. “I’m sorry your friend is being held captive, but I just lost my sister and cousin. Before that half my pack was wiped out from poisoning so stop feeling sorry for yourself! You’re not doing Chandra or yourself any favors by acting this way. That’s pathetic and it’s time for you to man up.” She felt bad for her harsh words, but he needed to snap out of his pity party or they’d never accomplish anything. Right now it wasn’t about him. It was about an innocent woman being held captive.

Antoine stared at her for a long moment, his blue eyes unblinking. The temperature in the room felt as if it dropped a few degrees with the icy stare he gave her. He stood suddenly, and behind her she felt Nikan move closer. His arm snaked around her waist as he pulled her close so that her back pressed against his chest.

“Excuse me for a moment.” Antoine’s voice was monotone as he strode toward the bathroom.

Instead of turning around she laid her head back against Nikan’s chest, drawing on his raw strength and warmth. “Was I too harsh?” she whispered even though it was likely Antoine could hear her over the water she heard from the bathroom.

Nikan shook his head, his chin moving over the top of her head. “No, someone needed to say it. It’s better that it came from you. Now we just wait for Connor’s call.”

Esperanze hated the thought of just waiting, but there wasn’t much of a choice. Unfortunately it would give her time to think about what she’d just heard. There was only one reason Connor would have asked if they were mated yet. Nikan had talked to their Alpha about her and it wasn’t something he’d do lightly.

She wasn’t sure how she felt about Nikan asking to take her as his mate. Part of her wished she could pretend this was sudden, but deep down the most primal part of her had acknowledged Nikan’s interest in her a while ago—and the fact that she reciprocated. As soon as he and the rest of Connor’s warriors had arrived at the ranch he’d been around her every single day without fail. She’d gotten to the point where she couldn’t imagine not seeing him each day. Her wolf wanted to dance every time he was near.

And after what they’d shared last night she knew she wanted more from him. Not just physically, though that was something she was looking forward to. No, she enjoyed his quiet company. If he didn’t have anything to say, he never tried to fill silences, and she appreciated that. Not that they had much silence between them. She’d learned practically everything about his past in the first week they started hanging out. He’d seemed almost surprised with himself when he’d opened up to her, but it hadn’t taken long for her to warm up to him either. It was almost like her wolf recognized him and trusted him. He had so much character too. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be helping out a vampire who meant nothing to him. Nikan might be doing this because of her, but he was also doing it because of the innocent human woman involved. Of that, she had no doubt.

Still, old fears and insecurities bubbled up inside Esperanze, bitter and angry. While Nikan was nothing like her father who had insisted on controlling everything about her mother’s life, he was still an alpha, a warrior, and he was stronger than she was. Shifter rules and human rules were different. In her world, the strongest governed, and if she allowed him into every facet of her life she’d be putting herself at risk to submit to him. What if he expected some perfect, submissive little beta that she could never be? Her father had expected that from her mother and while he hadn’t been physically abusive, he’d been ridiculously possessive to the point that he’d almost snuffed out her mother’s natural zest for life. She’d slowly become a quieter, more reserved woman, so different from how she’d been when Esperanze was a young cub.

“Why did Connor ask if we were mated yet?” No! Why did I ask that? Esperanze wanted to kick herself. The question had slipped out as too many questions and worries raced through her head. She hadn’t been able to control herself.

Nikan’s grip tightened around her, his embrace like steel bands, and his earthy scent seemed to intensify as he leaned down. His mouth brushed her ear, sending a delicious shiver rolling through her. “Are you sure you’re ready for the answer?”

Chapter 6

The feel of Esperanze’s back against his chest, her petite body curved into him, was so perfect. His canines ached, demanding to lengthen, to sink into the soft flesh of Esperanze’s neck and leave a permanent mark as he pushed deep inside her.

But he wasn’t a complete fucking animal. He couldn’t and wouldn’t just take from her. Wouldn’t demand more than she was ready for. Right now she held all the cards. She completely owned him even if she didn’t realize it. No other female made him want the things she did: a permanent home, cubs, a woman to wake up to every morning. But not just any woman. It had to be Esperanze. She was so sweet and giving, taking care of her sisters and keeping them positive after Alicia’s death. Some alphas might look at betas as weak, but he knew differently. They might be physically weaker but they were the backbone of any pack. Esperanze was the perfect example with her inner strength.

He was practically holding his breath as he waited for her response. If she was ready for the answer, he’d tell her exactly why Connor asked and exactly what he wanted from her. Which was pretty much everything.

As Esperanze started to turn in his arms, the bathroom door flew open. Antoine flew out, his eyes wide as he held out his phone.

“They’re calling,” he whispered, as if the shifters on the other end could hear.

Nikan gritted his teeth, resenting the interruption, but he also hated that they were making contact before he’d spoken to Connor again. Releasing Esperanze from his hold, he grabbed a pen and small pad of paper with the hotel’s logo on it from the breakfast table in case he needed to write down instructions. He nodded at Antoine. “Answer it.”

Swallowing hard, the vampire did as he said. “Hello?”

“Who the hell were those two shifters this morning?” Nikan recognized the voice as Gregorio, the one he’d spoken to.

Conference, Nikan mouthed.

“They’re colleagues from the conference. We were supposed to meet for drinks last night and I didn’t show up so they were worried.” Antoine’s voice only shook a fraction.

Nikan was impressed by how well he was keeping it together compared to the way he’d been moaning only minutes before.

“So you’re friends with shifters now?” A snide question.

“I’m friends with all species.” Antoine’s answer was immediate.

Thank God, Nikan thought. The vamp needed to keep his cool for his kidnapped friend’s sake.

“Are they going to make trouble?”

“No. I convinced them I just owe you money. They even offered to give me some.”

Gregorio laughed, the harsh sound streaming clearly through the phone line. “That’s fucking rich. If you’re lying, Chandra will pay.”

“I’m not lying,” Antoine said.

There was a brief silence, but Gregorio finally spoke again. “We need you tonight for a special client. He wants his product directly from the source.”

Nikan shook his head and mouthed no.

Antoine faltered, but nodded. “I’m not letting someone drink from me.”

“You’ll do exactly what we say . . . but he doesn’t want to drink from you. He just wants to make sure what he’s getting is the real deal. Wants to see exactly where the blood is coming from.”

Nikan scribbled on the note pad. You want to see Chandra first.

Antoine nodded as he spoke into the phone. “I want to see Chandra, know that she’s okay first.”

He laughed again. “No fucking way, but I’ll let you talk to her.”

There was a brief rustling in the background; then a female voice came over the line. “Antoine?”

“Chandra,” he breathed out on a sigh of relief. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I . . . I’m fine, but . . . I’m s-scared, Antoine.” Her words were slow and measured as if she was trying hard to get them out. “How long . . .” She trailed off, and Nikan heard Gregorio in the background telling her to shut up.

“I’m so sorry, Chandra. I’m doing everything they say. I’ll get you—”

Nikan shook his head sharply. He didn’t want the vamp making any sort of promises to save her. The brothers didn’t need to be suspicious that there was a plan in the works to help her.

Antoine swallowed hard again and nodded. “Just promise me you’re not hurt.”

“I promise.” She slurred the ‘s’ as she spoke. “I can’t tell you more, but I promise I’m okay. I . . . miss you.”

Antoine closed his eyes and his jaw clenched once. “I miss you too.” His voice was ragged.

Nikan felt a rush of pity for the guy. If anything happened to Esperanze, he’d go insane. And anyone who got in his way . . . his wolf flexed its claws, not wanting to travel down that path. Esperanze was anxiously sitting on the edge of the bed, safe in this hotel room with him. He was going to keep it that way.

Gregorio came back on the line. “See? We’re taking care of your female. Now listen carefully.” The rogue shifter outlined instructions to where Antoine would be going in a couple hours then disconnected after a threat not to tell anyone or else.