Page 22 of Crimson Shifter

Godsdamn me.

Sometimes I really hated being a vampire.

I glanced down the table at my mother and Reginald, wondering if they scented it too, but neither paid any attention. And after a few more moments, they retired from the formal dining room saying they were going for a walk on the beach.

She’d probably fuck him out of boredom, and likely expected me to do the same with Archibald. He probably expected the same, but I would do no such thing.

I did him the courtesy of listening to him prattle on about himself and his achievements and his aspirations for the future, which involved things our king would definitelynotapprove of, for another hour.

“I'm finished,” I said with no preamble, unable to take another second in his company. I backed away from the table, heading down the hallway where my chambers resided. Archibald followed me every step of the way as if I invited him.

I stopped at the edge of the hallway that would lead to my bedroom, turning around to face him. “Are you lost, Archibald?” I asked.

“Not at all,” he said, stepping closer to me.

I retreated, my spine hitting the wall as I looked up at him.

He was a good head taller than me, and certainly pudgier around the middle, not to mention he had at least a hundred years on me. He was no doubt stronger, but I knew if I had to, thanks to Talon’s training, I could fend him off.

Talon was still in his panther form at my side, hackles rising as he watched the exchange.

Archibald leaned an arm against the wall, half caging me in. Anxiety clawed up my throat. “I think I'm exactly where I need to be,” he continued, sliding one finger boldly toward my face as if he was going to trace my jawline.

I easily deflected his touch, which only ignited a fire in his eyes. “Don't touch me.”

His smile was sickening, and rolled my stomach. “You want to play hard to get? That's fine by me. I'm a fan of those games. But I scented you earlier, I know you want me.”

“Trust me, I have no interest in you,” I fired back. “What you scented was because I’d retreated into a delightful memory out of sheer boredom.”

Talon chuffed at my side, pacing back and forth slightly on his paws.

“The lies you tell yourself,” he said, shaking his head. “I don't need the games. I've made my intentions known with you and your family. It's time you made good on all that you've been dangling in front of me for months.”

My lips parted in shock. How could he interpret me leading him on when I did everything to avoid him at every encounter? “You're delusional,” I said, attempting to move, but he stopped me by slamming another arm on the other side of my face. “Let me pass,” I demanded, my pulse spiking with adrenaline.

“No, I don't think I will. You see, I'm quite tired of chasing you. I'm all up for role-playing, but this is getting old. You know what my family can offer yours. This is a basic exchange of wealth and power. We’ll only complement each other. So now it's time to take this to the next level.”

He dipped his head, his mouth aiming for mine.

I snapped my hand against his chest, stopping him, but just barely. I tried to shove him off of me, but those hundred years between us definitely made it difficult.

“You can fight it,” he said. “I actually like it when they do. It makes the blood taste so much sweeter.”

His hands flung to my shoulders, gripping me in place hard enough to hurt.

Panic filled my mind, slowing my reactions as I battled between the suffocating feeling of being trapped, and the undeniable need to get free.

“Let me go,” I said, but he didn't budge. “I'm warning you?—”

“You're warning me? You're younger than me and much less powerful. You will do what I say. Youwillgive me what I want.” His fangs punched out, and he bared them as he moved toward my throat.

I grabbed his face, using all of my strength to hold him back. “No,” I yelled through my struggles. “No!”

“Yes,” he said, pressing his body flush against mine.

My heart raced, my entire body shaking as I tried and tried to fight him off?—

The weight of Archibald’s body jerked off of mine, his fangs coming nowhere near my neck as he was flung to the other side of the hallway.