Free Never Been Bit by Lydia Dare

hopes on such a probability.”
    No, it wouldn’t. But if it was possible, if Alec could be transformed back… she knew what to look for, didn’t she?
    Both Kettering and Blodswell had suffered chest pains before becoming human again. Elspeth believed their hearts had been flexing, preparing to beat once more after each had met his true love. And Blodswell had suffered from headaches and the inability to drink from anyone other than Rhiannon. If Alec began to show such signs, Sorcha would certainly recognize them.
    Radbourne swung from his saddle and offered his hand to her. “You look a million miles away.”
    Sorcha accepted his assistance and landed safely on her feet. “Just woolgatherin’.”
    One dark brow rose in mild amusement. “Somehow that statement terrifies me.”
    “Well, then ye frighten too easily, Archer.” She grinned up at him, so handsome and wolfish, and wished she felt something for him. A fluttering in her belly. A dryness in her mouth. Something other than a simple appreciation of his sense of humor and wolfish nature.
    Sticking to her original course would be so much simpler.
    Find a Lycan and help make him fall in love with her. This Lycan would probably make a fine husband, in fact. But all she could think about was the brooding vampyre somewhere behind them in the darkness of Kent and the soul-searing way his kiss had stolen her breath.
    Radbourne tipped his hat in farewell as he remounted.
    “Do remember what I said.”
    “Of course,” she agreed with a nod. “I’m certain I will find it very difficult ta think of anythin’ else.”
    At that moment, both Hadley twins rode up behind them.
    “Pray say you’ll save me a dance tomorrow evening, Miss Ferguson?” unscarred Grayson Hadley asked.
    Weston Hadley’s face dropped. “I was going to ask her, Gray.”
    His twin shrugged. “I usually beat you out, Wes.”
    How strange life was turning out to be. She had not one Lycan’s attention, but three. Sorcha shook her head with a laugh. “Thank ye both for the flattery. I would be honored ta dance with each of ye tomorrow.” A few hours ago she would have been floating up to the clouds with this, heady from her spectacular success. But something else now weighed her down. She turned her attention once again to the viscount. “Will ye tell Cait that I would like very much ta speak with her?”
    “It’ll be my honor, sweetheart.”
    “And tell her I willna appreciate it if she puts me off again.”
    She could tell Radbourne bit back a grin because his amber eyes twinkled with mirth. “I shall toss her over my shoulder and personally deliver her to you in the morning, Sorcha. Will that do?”
    She couldn’t help but giggle at that particular image.
    Blast, why didn’t Lord Radbourne make her heart leap?
    “That will do very nicely, sir.”

Chapter Seven
    Alec managed to unfold the Hythe’s groom from the ducal carriage and left him to sleep off the remnants of whatever Sorcha had used to drug the poor lad. For a moment he watched the young man’s chest rise and fall with each breath he took in his deep slumber.
    Finally, filled with the most bizarre sense of jealousy, Alec stalked back toward the castle. He snorted at his own foolishness. Jealous of a poor, uneducated English groom.
    But the man would sleep peacefully, and Alec was certain that particular luxury was not in his immediate future. Not after he’d kissed Sorcha. Not when all he could think about was tasting her on his tongue. Not when he needed every bit of strength he had to keep from marching up to her room and finishing what they started that evening.
    But that would be the most foolish thing he could do. She was Sorcha , for God’s sake. He’d known her since her birth. And, despite her wholly intoxicating and innocent kisses, she wanted someone else, something else. And he’d gone down that road before. He knew how that particular story ended, and it wasn’t in his favor.
    He stalked toward the garden