“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I mean, I think so. I’m just shocked, I guess. I don’t know what to think.”
Chris sat beside me. “This is something to celebrate, Neo. You’ve found your True Mate—the person you were destined for; the person that was made for you. Not everyone is as lucky.”
I nodded my head even though I still didn’t know what to think about that.
Did I feel a connection with Dorian even though we’d just met? Yes, absolutely. But could he really be my True Mate or whatever the hell it was called? Did I even believe in soulmates?
Chapter Six
Dorian
Jumping to my feet, I woke for a second time when my door creaked open. I had the intruder pressed against the now-closed door with one hand around his throat and the other pressing his chest back as hard as I could. It took a second for me to realize it was Dregan, and as soon as I did, I dropped my hands, backed up, and bowed my head.
“My apologies, my liege.”
Dregan waved me off. “I walked in unannounced, no apologies are necessary.”
I bowed my head again.
Dregan walked in and looked around my small room before sitting on the armchair. I had no idea what he was doing here, so I sat on the edge of my bed and waited. He crossed his ankle over his other knee and leaned back with his hands steepled in front of him. “Christopher has reason to believe that you’ve found your True Mate.”
“I met a human last night named Neo, and I felt an immediate connection. I saw him from a distance a few days ago and had been looking for him, but he found me first. Last night, my chest rumbled, and I felt his answering.”
Dregan nodded, then smiled, just a tiny bit—he’d never been one for showing much emotion. “That’s what I thought. Congratulations, Dorian. I’m happy you found him.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
He gave me one short nod. “I wanted to talk to you about turning him.”
“I haven’t even told him we’re True Mates, so—” He held up his hand to stop me, so I snapped my mouth shut.
“The urge to turn him will grow stronger every day, especially because he’s a human and you’ll feel like he needs the strength and healing abilities of our people, but I need you to remember that it takes time to build up a supply of your blood in his system. The longer you have him drink from you, the better.”
I nodded. “I understand.”
“Good.” He stood, so I followed as he said, “I have something to show you, but you’re sworn to secrecy.”
My eyes widened a little, but I nodded. “You have my word.”
He leaned in so his eyes were close to mine. “Promise that you will tell no one other than your True Mate.” He was compelling me. Or trying to. It wasn’t as effective on other vampires, but because of his age and the fact that he was an Elder and the den leader, he had more power than any other vampire on the planet. Which meant that his magic was practically blowing me backwards. I didn’t think I’d be able to disobey him even if I wanted to—which I didn’t because I trusted him with not only my life, but my True Mate’s as well.
“I’ll tell no one other than Neo.” The fact that he’d included my True Mate in this secret was one reason I loved Dregan dearly, and why he made such a good leader. He’d never expect someone to keep a secret from their mate.
“Good.” He nodded and started to turn around, but paused and sighed before turning back. “Christopher told me I should apologize for compelling you without warning you first, so… I’m sorry.”Must’ve been talking to him through their link.
My eyebrows rose higher than ever. “Oh, it’s okay. I understand why you did.”
He nodded at me. “You’ll understand further when I show you. Your mate is with mine, so once I explain a few things, Christopher will bring Neo to you.”
“Is he—”
“He’s fine. Healthy and safe. I should have told you that immediately. He’s safe. My mate won’t let anything happen to him.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
He gave me another short nod, then headed out the door. I stayed close behind him as he walked through the halls. Most people moved aside when he came through, but a few that knew him better said hello. When we passed Remi in the courtyard, Dregan grabbed his arm and asked, “Have you seen Jael?”
