Cole's Redemption (Alpha Pack #5)(54)

“The rogue was watching, and he became enraged. In revenge, he turned his attention to the child’s mother. Four days later, he caught her alone and killed her.”

For a few seconds, she simply stared at her father. Then she whispered, “The child was me.”

“Yes.”

“You interfered, changed my fate, and he killed my mother instead.”

“Yes,” he choked. “But I know how much your mother loved you, as I do, and she wouldn’t have survived had the vampire gotten his hands on you instead. She wouldn’t have changed the outcome even if she could have.”

Selene couldn’t speak.

“I learned my lesson on tampering with fate,” he said hoarsely. “And I learned that sometimes death just won’t be cheated, no matter how we try to avoid it. I’m so sorry, baby. Your mother died in your stead, and I wish it had been me. I lost my mate and, despite my efforts, you as well. Sometimes I—” He fell silent, leaving the rest unfinished.

The clock in the study ticked, and Selene grappled with her emotions. “I don’t know how to feel. You thought you could control everything, and all you did was get my mother killed! I don’t hate you anymore, but honestly . . . I don’t know if I can forgive you, either.”

As soon as those words left her lips, she regretted them. Raw pain flashed in her father’s eyes before being quickly hidden. “I understand. I just wanted you to know the whole story. If you still doubt what I’ve told you, I don’t think Damien would deny the truth now.”

Damien. There was another person on her shit list.

She stood. “I’ll talk to you later. And thank you . . . for telling me.”

Turning, she walked out before she gave way to the sorrow.

Nick sat in Tarron’s study long after Selene left.

Shadows closed in on his soul, crushed his heart. She’s never going to forgive me. I’ve lost her for good.

And he knew, then and there, that when death caught him, he was done. He’d die without a fight because he had nothing left.

For the first time since his mate was murdered, since he lost his baby girl, Nick hung his head and cried.

Zan knew something was wrong the second Selene stepped into their room.

Shutting the door behind her, she leaned against it and met his gaze. Tears were streaming down her face, and he jumped up and hurried to her, gathering her into his arms.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” He kissed the side of her head. “Tell me.”

“I talked to my dad. He finally told me everything.”

His blood froze. “What did he say?”

“It was supposed to have been me!” Her voice broke, and she cried harder.

“What?”

“I was the vampire’s target, not Mom!” she rasped, sobbing. “He saw what was going to happen and got me away. The rogue killed her instead.”

“Oh, no.” He squeezed her tighter. “That’s why he never interferes with fate.”

“Why? Why did this have to happen? I loved my mom and dad. We were happy.”

“I know, baby. Shh, please don’t cry.”

“They were the best parents.”

“I’m sure they were.”

In stops and starts, Zan managed to get the rest of the story out of her. He led her over to the bed, eased her down, and held her as she cried. He’d known the story would be tragic when it finally came out, but God. His heart broke for all she and her father had lost. And her mother, too.

Gradually, her tears subsided and she turned to him, placing soft kisses on his chest. Arousal stirred, his c**k lengthening in his jeans and making the fit uncomfortably tight. “We don’t have to do this now, sweetheart.”

“Make love to me, my mate,” she said breathlessly. “Please.”

He knew what she needed—to be loved. To forget for a while.

“With pleasure.”

He removed his jeans and underwear first, then helped her off with her shirt, shoes, and jeans. He left her lacy black panties for last, spreading her out for his gaze, wearing those and nothing else.

“You’re beautiful.”

“So are you—inside and out.”

Leaning over her, he took her mouth in a deep kiss, putting all of his feelings for her into it. He stroked her hair, her cheek, shoulder, and finally cupped one full breast. He loved the weight of it in his palm, the warmth. Kneading the mound, he flicked the tight nipple a few times with his thumb, enjoying her gasp and the way she arched into his touch.

His hand moved lower still, fingers slipping beneath her panties and combing through her pale bush to probe at the heated flesh between her thighs. She moaned, opening for him, and he sat up, helping her get rid of the offending garment. Dropping the scrap of material to the floor, he returned his attention to loving his mate.

He positioned himself between her thighs, spreading her legs, baring her to his hungry gaze. His c**k throbbed, eager to be buried inside her, claiming her once again as his. Not just yet, though. He wanted a taste.

She loved being eaten, so he obliged, laving her slit. Getting it nice and wet for him while savoring her salty sweetness. Her essence. He lapped her until she pulled on his hair, as eager for him as he was for her.

“Please, I need you inside me!”

Settling himself in place, he guided the head of his c**k to her entrance and slid home.