Page 35 of Mating Season
I’m not sure if he’s serious about the Youtube channel or not.
“Cooper?”
Yeah?
“Thank you for coming for me.”
It wasn’t even a question. You’re my mate.
His paw is stretched out on the arm rest next to me, and I put my hand on top of his paw.
Ten minutes later, we reach our destination, and I help him out of the Jeep. The night is beautiful and serene, the full moon lighting the parking lot. An owl hoots in the distance, and a small creature scampers through the leaves. The crickets begin their nightly symphony, and I hear the water flowing in a creek nearby.
I turn to Cooper and have the sudden urge to stroke his furry head. He closes his eyes and lets out a chuff as my fingers trail through his fur. It seems like a lifetime ago instead of only a month since I was lost in the woods thinking about the question of man or bear.
It’s really not even a question. The answer is obvious. It was always obvious.
We share a brief psychic moment, and then I walk back into the forest with the bear.
EPILOGUE
COOPER
Aweek later.
If I could have gotten into the vampire’s sleeping chamber during the day, I would have. Or maybe not. It’s not right that he should die peacefully in his sleep. I considered coming for him in my bear form during the full moon and mauling him to death, but a mauling is too quick and merciful. And I want to talk… with pointy objects. I want to drag out this piece of shit’s suffering for daring to touch my mate.
I thought he’d have fucked off back to Europe by now. But why should he? I didn’t go after him when my brother died. Why should he think this would be any different?
It’s just before sunset, and I’m sitting on top of the emptied coffin of one of his vampire guards. I took both of them out while they were sleeping. And now I sit, with a wicked-sharp dagger, waiting for Marcus to rise.
As the sun sets, the heavy vault-like bars release in a loud clang. And then the massive steel door slides open with a groan. But it’s empty. There’s a note on the bare marble slab. I step inside and pick it up.
The note reads, “Look behind you.”
I turn to find Marcus on the outside of the vault, a sinister smile on his face. Before he can input the code to close and lock the door, I fling the dagger at him. It pierces his skin, and he collapses to the ground.
“W-what i-is this?” he asks. He’s already ripped the dagger out of his throat, but it’s too late.
“Dagger dipped in Vampire’s Bane,” I say. It won’t kill him—not immediately—but it weakens him. A younger vampire would be unconscious by now.
“T-there’s no s-such thing,” he says, his voice going raspy.
“It’s a proprietary recipe. My friend Selene whipped it up for me.” For another 15k—apparently she also needs a new roof. I’m fairly certain she didn’t sell it to me at market value.
I look around, wondering where he slept during the day. I guess he knew I’d come for him after all. Rowan would have killed him for taking his mate if he could have pulled himself together long enough—and if Marcus hadn’t already fled the country by then.
I spot a small door, leading to another chamber. I drag the vampire back inside. It’s a windowless dungeon, a good secondary resting place for a vampire—not quite as secure as the vault for a being that falls completely dead each day—but safe enough in a pinch.
This room isn’t mostly empty like the cell I found Rosalie in, no this one is meant for… playing. I push down the bile rising in my throat at the thought of the things he would have done to her in here if I hadn’t gotten to her in time.
There is all manner of bondage and sex furniture, sex toys, whips and chains, as well as weapons hanging on the wall… swords, axes, and knives. The space seems to serve as a play room, a torture dungeon, and general weapons storage.
I drag Marcus over to a set of chains and secure him. He seems even weaker, and I’m afraid he’ll nod off. Fuck. I want him to be fully aware as I take him apart piece by piece. Slowly. I want to drag this out until I am satisfied.
I pull the phone from my pocket and call Selene.
“Coven Mart, how may I help you?”
