Free Claimed, a vampire romance (Lost) by Lori Devoti Page A

all.
    She found it reassuring.
    The pack, she realized, approved of her change in perception. Their murmurs blended into a hum, encouraging her to embrace her task.
    One of the waiting vampires rushed forward. She took a step to the side, twisted her arm so the stake pointed at his chest, and slammed the weapon into his heart.
    He froze. Surprise pulled at his face. Then he looked down, and his hands started to rise, but they never made it to the stake. Instead, he fell forward, dead at her feet.
    She stared down at him, neither elated nor dismayed. She'd killed him. It wasn't an act to regret or celebrate. It was just something that had to be done, and she had been the one in the place to do it.
    Beside her, she heard a crunch and a pop. She twisted and moved the second stake to her stronger hand. Cameron stood two feet away, the first vampire's head gripped in his hands. He dropped the male onto the ground and held out one hand. Without a thought, she slapped the stake against his open palm.
    Within seconds, he'd staked the vampire and jerked the weapon free.
    He stood, his back strong and straight and an air of such power flowing around him she wondered how she could ever have been in his presence and not known what he was. Even in the dark of the alcove, his dominance was obvious.
    He hadn't needed her help, but he'd accepted it. That made him even stronger to her.
    Unaware of her thoughts, he moved forward, after the third vampire, who, on seeing what had happened to his companions, turned and fled.
    “They have him,” she said, her voice loud to her ears.
    Cameron stopped and turned. “They?”
    “The wolves.”
    “You're... communicating with them?” He looked both curious and concerned.
    She lifted one shoulder. “I can't explain it, but it's...” What? “Right.” And it was, she realized.
    He glanced over his shoulder again, but at the sound of growls nearby, he nodded his head and returned his gaze to her.
    Minutes seemed to tick by.
    “So you're good then. You'll be good and happy?”
    “I'm good or will be.” She swallowed, waiting for him to tell her he was good too, that being with her made everything good.
    “The Senate will send more vampires, but it's early. I can make it pretty far before day hits. And you and your pack can travel in the light. By tomorrow night, when they realize something has gone wrong, we'll be miles apart, and you'll be safe.” His gaze stayed on her for a second, then he bent to retrieve the weapons that she had dumped onto the ground.
    She stared at him, not believing what he was saying, what he seemed to be thinking.
    “Will we?” she asked. “What makes you think that?”
    A line drew itself between his brows. “I told you, I'll—”
    She stepped closer. “I'll follow you. I'll always follow you.” And it was true. She would. Her old life was gone. She couldn’t go into this new one alone. She needed Cameron. She loved Cameron.
    “I'm a vampire.”
    “And I'm a wolf.” It didn’t matter. She knew that now. Nothing mattered.
    “You haven't shifted. I can't help you with that.” He licked his lips. She could see doubt in his eyes.
    “You don't have to.” She might need the pack, at least for a while, but that didn't mean she would let go of Cameron to be part of it.
    “They'll understand,” she added.
    He moved toward her,until her legs pressed up against his. “How can you be so sure?”
    “They'll have to.”
    “And my father? He doesn't give up easily.”
    “Do you?” She smiled.
    A moment passed.
    Then slowly, Cameron smiled back, and her world shifted again.
    “No. Not this time.” His hands cupped her face and his thumbs traced her lips.
    Then slowly, carefully, as if any sudden movement would break the spell that they’d built, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. Sweet, soft, and meant to last forever.
    And they would.
    -o0o-
    Note from Lori:
    Thanks for reading Claimed and the rest of the Lost series. If you would like to see