Free Feral: Book Two by Velvet DeHaven Page B

remember that I have nearly completely suppressed all of my instincts until I admitted our bond to you. Any emotions that I have felt until now, I have felt at a human level. After nearly a hundred years, I really did not even have to try to suppress them, and experiencing life as a human came naturally. So I unfortunately have nearly four hundred years of—" he licked the side of my neck, whispering— "tension built up."
    I shuddered at the innuendo and had just pressed my lips to his when he jumped back against the headboard, still cradling me in his arms.
    He snarled viciously then spasmed slightly, bowing his head as shame etched the lines of his face. "They're here. On the porch." He shook his head. "I hate this, la mia . I hate that I am feeling this way toward those that I consider to be my family."
    "Simon," I said patiently, "I know them well enough to know that they do not blame you for anything. They will not be upset with you in the slightest. Kendal and Maymuna have even experienced the same thing.”
    My mate nodded slowly, as if not wanting to admit that it was okay for his clan but not for himself. “Yes."
    I smirked. "So it's okay for them to act like this, but not you?"
    He sighed and turned his eyes to me. "That is not what I meant. I am just a bit overwhelmed." He tilted his head, apparently thinking. "I can tell you exactly what will happen between us, what will happen to me, about my instincts and reactions, but I have never experience anything of this magnitude and it is quite disconcerting to me. Logically, I know that you have been threatened, and I am just protecting you, but emotionally I cannot comprehend why I would feel that my family is, too, a threat."
    I hugged him as tightly as I could without hurting myself. "I am sorry Simon. I wish there was something that I could say or do to make this easier on you."
    The smile in his voice was obvious. " Cara mia , your love and your support alone make a world of difference." He instantly stiffened and hissed. "They're opening the door."
    Not sure of what to do or say, I did the first thing that popped into my head and let my tongue dart out to lap behind his earlobe, the hiss immediately turning into a purr. I just held him and nuzzled the side of his face with my mine, reassuring him with soft murmurs that I was safe and that I was his; and it apparently worked, because when he pulled back, his eyes were fading to their normally purple color and he was smiling softly at me.
    "You, la mia , are truly the delight of my life," he said kissing the tip of my nose, chuckling when I blushed. "I would be entirely unable to survive this change if it were not for your wisdom, grace and love, bella mia ." He placed a tender kiss and my lips and rose slowly, as if unsure if he wanted to move or not. "Come, m'amore … I do believe that I have an apology to make.” He forced a quip. “Before my clan decides to feed me to the dragons.”
    I looked at him in surprise. “Dragons are real?”
    He chuckled. “Oh yes, mia cocca . All sorts of beings walk this earth. It is not likely that any vampires would actually be fed to them, however. The saying arose a couple centuries ago after some particularly virulent dragon clans made a bid for power.”
    I blinked. “You’ll have to tell me about that.” I slipped my hand into his. “Later.”
    We walked slowly down the stairs even for human speed, and I was sure that it was due to him adjusting to allowing me near his family, but I did not mind. I would give him all the time he needed if it meant he was comfortable, or as comfortable as he could be giving the circumstances. The moment we walked into the kitchen, I could sense the tension, so I was not surprised when my mate grabbed me and moved us back into the far corner of the room.
    Kendal and Maymuna seemed to be fine, the former not bearing any signs of Simon’s attack, both of their clothes straightened and proper. But my eyes, and Simon’s, were drawn to