Page 81 of Burn for Her
“Neither of us are men, Dorian. We’re both savages who would gladly tear the throats out of anyone who dares to come for us and what belongs to us.”
He wasn’t wrong there.
“And that’s what our mates deserve. Beasts who would shred the world down to its bones to keep them safe. Beasts who sink their teeth into the souls of their mate and never let go. Beasts who, each night, will curl against the love of their lives and hold them fiercely while their hearts beat as one.”
Dorian didn’t want to be reminded of what he was giving up. He pushed away from the table. “I can’t do this.”
“Then why did you come at all?” Alistair snarled.
“Because she’s in danger, and I have no place to take her.”
The shifter leaned back in his chair his brows furrowed. “You’ve never been fearful of anyone in your entire life, Dorian. It’s not like you to run and hide.”
“I’m not running. I plan to go back to the House in the morning.”
“So, you’re abandoning her with us?”
“Only until I…” Dorian didn’t even know what he was about to say. Until I die? Until I take care of this little problem of someone fucking with me? “I just need to know she’s safe while I handle some things.”
“A girl who fights bare-knuckled with shifters and vampires is not the one who needs protecting.”
Dorian didn’t even want to think about that. Imagining Lena in a fight against anyone—let alone a male, and especially someone like Bane—did questionable things to him.
Great, he was getting a hard-on.
Alistair’s laugh was cold. “I can’t believe you’re going to waste this gift.” He shoved away from the table and left, but not before he added, “I raised you better than this, son.”
Emily handed Lena a stack of clothing. “These should fit you.”
“I’ll lay out some towels in the bathroom.” Marie smiled.
“This really isn’t necessary. I don’t mind wearing Dorian’s things.” She didn’t miss the look on Emily’s face. “If you have a problem with me, just say it. Don’t give me your clothes and pretend you don’t mind. I hate fake.”
Gee, she was really pissy, huh? Lena closed her eyes and blew out a puff of air. “Sorry. I don’t mean to be a bitch.”
“We’re all bitches here.” Emily flashed her a sarcastic smile.
Marie rolled her eyes and pretended to straighten up the room.
“I’m just shocked this is happening, that’s all.” Emily plopped down on the bed that must have been hers at some point. It was girly but with a flare of punk rocker. Exactly how Emily looked dressed in a black t-shirt, skinny jeans, and hot pink fingernails. “Dorian and I just had a conversation about this only a few days ago.”
Lena’s jaw clenched. “And?”
“Better to live a half-life alone than chase after destiny and be killed by fate,” Emily said.
Marie leaned back on the dresser, clutching her chest. “Emily.”
“It’s true.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “He and I have always felt that way. When we lost Killian, it made Dorian’s creed make all the more sense. I don’t want to turn out like that.”
Lena saw them both wipe away tears.
“No one wants that fate,” Marie said. “But you shouldn’t have to live alone. Our existence is so long. Why spend it alone?”
“I don’t have to have a soulmate to be loved,” Emily argued. “Neither does Dorian.”
Lena got pissed. “But if someone could love you, wouldn’t you want to let them?”
“Loving and mating aren’t the same,” Emily argued. “And both come with repercussions.”