I’m going to bring her here tonight,he told himself.One way or another.
With that, he turned and headed back out, his steps quicker this time as he made his way to the clearing.
The vampire was still there.
Of course he was.
He stood surrounded by Lyla and her friends, all of them leaning in, hanging on his every word.
And then Alexander looked up, his gaze locking onto him.
Air caught in Boaz’s throat, his breath stalling as goosebumps spread across his skin. He rubbed his arms, trying to shake the feeling off, but it didn’t help as Alexander continued to stare at him.
His eyes lingered, and it made Boaz feel… awkward and overly warm.
Why is he looking at me like that?Boaz wondered as came to a stop beside Lyla.
“Good evening, everyone,” Boaz said.
“Hey,” they replied, their attention shifting to him.
“Boaz,” Lyla said, turning to him with a bright smile, excitement lighting up her face. His heart thundered in his chest, then stumbled when she held out her hand, palm open. “Isn’t this lovely? Its snow from the mountains of the north. It’s so soft and fluffy.”
Boaz looked down.
The snowflake rested in her palm, already starting to melt under the warmth of her skin, tiny droplets forming and slipping between her fingers.
Boaz stared, jealous.
The vampire was damn good.
“Do you like it?” Boaz asked, his voice tight.
“Yes,” Lyla said, a soft blush rising to her cheeks.
“Really? I never pegged you for someone who likes fleeting tricks. I thought you preferred real gifts. Something that actually means something,” he said.
The moment the words left his mouth, a heavy silence fell. Boaz looked up to find everyone staring at him.
His stomach tightened as his gaze shifted to Lyla.
The excitement that had lit up her face moments ago was gone. Her eyes filled with tears, her bottom lip trembling as she stared at him like she didn’t understand what she’d done wrong.
The snow in her palm melted completely, dripping through her fingers.
She sniffed, then ran away.
“Why would you say that?” one of her friends said in disbelief before she turned and rushed after Lyla. The others followed quickly.
Dammit!
Boaz turned, a low growl building in his chest as his eyes locked on the vampire. Every part of him burned with the urge to smack him across the face.
As if reading his mind, Alexander stepped closer. Waiting.
“Fucking leave my pack alone,” Boaz bit out.
“Or what?” Alexander replied, closing the gap between them. He was too close. So close that Boaz could feel the faint brush of his breath against his face.