Page 12 of A Vampire's Pain
“Wow, she has … changed,” he said.
“When did you last see her?” I asked.
“Back when her father requested my help. I only really caught a glimpse of her, but she had seemed so much … smaller,” he said before he turned to me. “What the hell are you doing with her?”
He grabbed the collar of my jacket and pulled me closer, so we stood face to face.
“Wait—”
“Do you not understand that woman has been through enough?!”
“It’s not—”
“No games, Gabriel! Not with her!” he growled at me.
I shook my head.
“She is my … mate,” I said, whispering the last part.
Dominic looked at me shocked and then sighed. He didn’t let me go though.
“Why of all the people did it have to be her?” he asked.
“You think I chose this?”
He shook his head and finally released me. He had looked close to punching me when he thought I was only playing Valeri, but that was not at all my intention. I wanted to impress her and woo her and all of that. I wanted to become the only one she needed here in life.
“Shit, Gabriel …”
“I know,” I said. “I’m pretty much screwed.”
“Damon will kill you,” he said.
I nodded.
“I know. So … don’t tell him?” I said.
Dominic didn’t look happy, but then finally nodded.
“I will let you do that.”
Chapter 6
-Valeri-
The queen was so much more amazing than I had ever expected. She blew me away with her sweet and kind nature and she was funny too, easily making me laugh, but also distracting me from my surroundings. I knew I should be keeping an eye out for my brother, but I was so mesmerized by Lara and wanted to get details from her story of how she got to be here. I wanted to know how she found the strength to fight against the council and the old traditions and become the queen, even though it looked like no one wanted her there, except the king.
“So, is Gabriel trying to impress you?” Lara suddenly asked, smiling while she took a sip of the champagne in her glass.
I chuckled.
“It doesn’t matter if he is. I am not here for that,” I said, yet my heart felt strangely … heavy, thinking that the hybrid who liked to sleep around had the same intentions with me.
I didn’t know why it almost saddened me. Maybe because I liked to think he was just doing something nice for me. It had been a long time since someone did something nice for me, and I would have loved to think he had no ulterior motives, but I couldn’t forget the rumors surrounding him.
“I must say I am surprised he brought you to us to introduce you,” the queen said.
“Why?” I asked.
