arim watched the woman enter the clothing store. He believed she was the heir, but since there were so many humans and other overwhelming smells, he could not be one hundred percent sure until she was away from the crowds. He had left host quarters as soon as he’d finished migrata. Once he stepped aboveground and was in fresh air, he recognized the scent. After making sure he wasn’t being watched or followed, he had pursued the smell and arrived at the mall. Once there, the scent mixed in with odors from the other dozens of people milling about. He recognized the various illnesses, lust, human food, blood. Not to mention other irritating smells, like the sewer for instance. He was almost about to give in to the temptation of tasting the sweet, powerful blood flowing so freely around him when the delicate scent reached his nose. Thoughts of draining the pretty young girl who walked too close to him left his mind. He let the scent lead him inside the mall, through stores, up and down es

The man she knew as Ivan, who she thought she loved as Ivan, turned facing her, looking for the first time like someone she didn’t recognize. “He is right. My name is Khafil.” She swayed as she heard a rushing sound in her ears. She saw “Khafil” reach out to steady her. “Don’t touch me,” she whispered, feeling sick. She stepped away from him and Sarim. She took a deep breath and tried not to throw up in front of them, further embarrassing herself. She would not fall apart in front of him. Despite the pain of her heart breaking, she forced herself to look into the bastard’s lying face. “Did you know Sarim, my father,”—she almost choked on the words—“was searching for me?” “Yes.” Unable to stop it, Victoria turned around and vomited on the pavement. Her body recoiling against the fact she had been cruelly used and deceived. She heard Khafil let out a string of curses. “Is this what you wanted? Are you satisfied now?” he asked the man claiming to be her father. Sarim chuckled

Victoria laughed bitterly. “You are absolutely right. All his handpicked groom had to do was lie to me about his identity, seduce me, and have unprotected sex with me.” She turned, facing him, letting him see her disgust. “Just like you did, right?”“I admit I didn’t handle the situation well.”“You’re damn right you didn’t handle the situation well."You could have told me the truth at any time but you didn’t.” She fumed, ignoring the wave of fresh pain and anger. “You chose to lie and continue your charade. I don’t know who makes me sicker. My father for what he planned, or you for what you actually did.”Anger was streaming unchecked though her. She had the violent urge to hit something.“I’m the prize brood mare in a sick, twisted vampire nation.” She turned her hurt-filled gaze on him.“How could you?” she repeated the earlier question.She watched as the cold mask fell back on his face.“I had no choice.”Victoria reached over and slapped him. Hard. Satisfaction filled her when

How could he explain all that went into being someone’s mate? He closed his eyes for a brief second, opened them, then reached out with his mind to convey an image of the first time they legitimately made love. He projected the image into her mind along with the pleasurable sexual sensations he’d felt. He forced himself to remain focused when his manhood began to swell and his incisors started extending. He visualized her in the throes of passion, surrounded by the mate’s glow. Victoria gasped and sat up straight in the recliner as the sexual heat he’d sent her filled her body. He knew when her underwear became damp as he sent more images of the two of them making love in his bedroom. She gave a faint cry and opened her legs. Sweat graced his brow as the Khafil of memory slipped a finger inside of her. “You. You’re doing this to me.” Cheeks flushed and eyes glaring, she closed her legs and sat up. “Bastard.” Khafil opened his eyes. “You asked me a question. I merely answered it.” H

“The Imura Brotherhood will always come first for you, won’t it? If you had to do it again, you would, wouldn’t you?”Khafil’s heart dropped at the sadness he saw in her eyes. However he couldn’t lie to her either, even if the falsehood would erase the unhappiness.“Yes, I would,” he replied, sorrow in each syllable.Victoria’s eyes brimmed with tears. “You would sacrifice our relationship again, wouldn’t you?” Her stomach clenched as she realized he would forfeit their true mated relationship again if he had to for the good of the Imvura. “Why? Why are they so important over me?” “Victoria,” he started. “Victoria,” he started.She shook her head at him and covered her ears in an attempt to block him out. His heart clenched. “No. Wait. I need you to understand why I had to sacrifice so much for my brothers.”“My father, Zanhoden, is Council leader of the Imvuras.”A sick expression came over her face, but he forced himself to continue. “I’m his oldest child and only son. Which means