“Gone?” Theo pulls me down the stage, not stopping until I’m standing in front of a man whose suffering is palpable. “Xadiel, what’s going on. Whatever it is, we’ll help—”

“She’s gone, Gabby. Isabella disappeared, and I can’t find her.”

Outtake

The day they met…

Theodore

T

here’s a change in me the moment I step inside the castle, an overwhelming hunger that pulls a deep rumble from my chest as an intoxicating scent infiltrates my senses. It’s sweet—so fucking alluring—and I follow it to my private wing.

Every vampire in the palace has made themselves scarce; I can still hear the whimpers of many as they ran from me, and the low warning growls escaping the back of my throat. And they’re completely right in doing so because the volatile emotions rushing through me will blind me.

My mate is here, and jealousy is an unpredictable emotion. I will kill without remorse if anyone were to come near her.

Every muscle in my body—every single molecule in my vampiric DNA accepts her—and I don’t pause until I’m outside my bedroom door.

It’s then I make out her heartbeat. This thump, thump, thump that lulls me into a state of serenity I’ve never experienced before. That I don’t know how to feel about. It’s confusing yet intriguing and I’m hungry for a taste of the woman responsible.

“Motherfuck,” I hiss out, rubbing a hand over my thick cock—pressing down hard enough to alleviate the uncontrollable need to mount her, but it only serves to make it worse. So much fucking worse when I hear her take in a deep breath of her own, pulling me into her small lungs and letting out a breathy sigh.

Such a sweet little sound. So perfect.

Then, there’s the shift in my mattress, the small rustling of sheets I can clearly hear, and I’m barging in without a second thought. The door slams against the wall, her plump mouth lets out a squeak, and her head turns toward me.

The second I see her face I’m done for.

Nothing fucking matters.

I’ll live and breathe for my pretty girl.

Gabriella

“Pompous, arrogant jerk,” I grumble, stealthily walking the hall toward the vampire king’s bedroom. “Like I don’t have better things to do than come and kick his butt.”

The palace seems empty today, and I’m wondering what poor kingdom is feeling the wrath of his search. He’s been looking for me. Plowing through small covens in search of mine, although we’re in plain sight.

That alone lets me know that he’s trying to catch me off guard. That if caught, I’d be taken against my will, and I won’t let others suffer for his greed.

His room is closed when I reach it and I don’t hesitate to step inside, closing the large wooden door behind me. The first thing I notice is his scent; it permeates the room and calms my nerves, settling at the core of me, and I find myself liking it.

Then, it’s the size of the room and the bland décor.

Not a single trace of femininity anywhere.

“What makes you tick, Theodore Astor?” I ask myself, taking a seat on his bed while nearly sinking into the plush bedding. “What would it take for you to—”

The bedroom door is slammed open and a large man steps inside, his warning snarl loud. The walls shake, and I let out a whimper. Not in fear, but for some reason, it makes my skin prickle with excitement.

“Who are you?” Theodore asks, his voice low and tone a bit gravelly. It licks at my skin, an illicit caress while the blade of his sword glints in the low light. “Why are you in my bedroom?”

“You’ve been looking for me,” I state simply, my hand slowly moving toward the small holster at my side where my knife hides. “So here I am.”

“Have I?” he asks, not fully stepping into the light. He’s in shadow, but those amber eyes glow and his strong build is mouthwatering. “What’s your name, pretty girl.”

“Come a little closer and I’ll tell you.” There’s no mistaking my breathy tone nor the way I cross my legs, the skirt of my dress parting at the split revealing the side of my thigh and lower. Moreover, he follows the move with hunger, his chest expanding as he takes in a deep breath. “This conversation needs to be face to face.”

In a flash, he’s kneeling at my feet, his hands on the bed trapping me while my knife is at his throat. If he’s surprised, he doesn’t show it nor does he try to disarm me. “Can you tell me now, my queen? I need to know my mate’s name.”

“Mate?” I ask, the blade digging a little deeper, an action that hurts me. “You’re mine?”

Is that why my heart is beating fast?

Is this why my palms are sweaty?

Is this why I find his dark, black hair and amber eyes so sexy and the thought of hurting him makes me feel sick?

Mates are a special thing, a gift, and there’s no denying the need you feel. It’s all consuming and sudden and unforgiving as you give yourself without pause or consequence. A few words and your world changes, an instant love that gives your life true meaning.

“I’m yours.” His smile is beautiful and the look in his eyes so soft, a complete contradiction to the man who’s been pillaging in his search for me. Threatening covens under my family’s protection, terrorizing them into telling him where I am while failing at every turn.

They’re loyal to us. They’d never sell me.

But how can he—this vampire—be my mate?

“And you’ve been looking for me.” At my words, spoken low and a bit sultry, his eyes snap from my lips to my eyes, widening as they sink in.

“Gabriella?”

“Theodore.”

The minutes pass and neither of us speak, lost in our thoughts. However, it’s his hand on my cheek that calms me just when I think it’s better that I run. It’s the feel of his lips on my neck and the arms around my waist that anchor me as the knife slips from my fingertips, clanging on the floor.

So simple each touch, but from your mate—the one person made for you—it gives your soul purpose.

“I’m sorry,” he says it so low I almost don’t hear it, but I do, and a shuddering breath escapes me. This is the last thing I expect from the proud king, but right now he’s humbling himself while the sword he held moments ago is now astride my lap. An offering. “You are the lesson I needed to learn, Gabriella Moore. My life is yours.”

“Theo, I—”