Fated Love: A Vampire Paranormal Romance Novel (The Twisted Destiny Saga Book 4) by Franca Storm Page B

her. Wolves rarely were when it came to sex. Too many people already knew about it. Short of killing them, there wasn’t much else he could do but hope that Damon kept them quiet. Killing an army of wolves would destroy his and Ryan’s new alliance. It wasn’t an option.

 
     
    CHAPTER 18
    Ryan opened his eyes to find himself tucked up in the bed of the same guest bedroom that Nathanial had prepared for him last time he’d come to the Dark Realm. He struggled to sit up, finding he was almost completely devoid of energy. He was weak, weaker than he’d ever felt. He glanced down at his naked chest to see that all his wounds were now healed. Cora? Had she healed me? I remember her being there…Nathanial telling her to use her magic…not her blood. Shit…I can’t think about her right now. It…hurts.
    “Fuck me,” he hissed as he shakily climbed out of bed. I need food. Now.
    He crossed to the door and struggled with the stubborn doorknob for several seconds before finally managing to open it. Shit, how weak am I right now? I don’t even have the strength of a human?
    He glanced at the robe hanging on the back of the door, but he didn’t even have the energy to reach for it. He was shirtless but still wearing his jeans. Good enough.
    He remembered there was a kitchen right at the end of the corridor with real food in it—not just blood for all the vampires living in the castle. Gripping the walls for support, he slowly made his way down the corridor at a frustrating snail’s pace. He pushed through the door at the end of the hall and stepped into the guest kitchen.
    “You look like shit,” Luca said.
    Ryan couldn’t even summon forth a growl at Luca’s infuriating presence in the kitchen. The asshole sat with his feet up on the small, four-seater kitchen table, sipping from a glass of blood in his right hand. Ryan eyed the buffet table over on the far side of the room. Fresh food. He could smell the red meat from where he was standing. His mouth watered as he staggered towards it.
    As soon as he reached it, he grabbed the largest steak he could find and tore into it hungrily, gripping it with his right hand and using his left to steady himself against the table. As soon as he devoured it, he reached for a plate and slowly piled more meat, vegetables, and bread onto it. He wavered on his feet and clutched the table tighter.
    “You need help, brother ?” Luca called with amusement.
    “No.”
    But, as usual, he didn’t listen. In a flash of vampire speed, he stood beside him. He leaned against the buffet table, watching him with intrigue. “You’re lucky Cora isn’t wolf or vampire.”
    Ryan put his plate down and, exerting great effort, he forced his body to turn to face him. “What?” he demanded, hating the obvious weakness in his voice as he spoke.
    “I can smell her scent all over you. Another wolf.”
    “Stay…out…of it.”
    “Cora is your wife.”
    Ryan took a step closer and sniffed him. “I can…smell…her.”
    Luca smiled with amusement. “You think I fucked her? My brother’s wife?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m curious,” Luca said as he stepped into Ryan’s personal space and glowered at him. “What is it that you want to hear? That I didn’t or that I did? If I did then you’re off the hook for your betrayal. If I didn’t then, well, shit, Ry. Either way, it’s over between the two of you.”
    “Did…you?”
    They locked eyes.
    And then Luca grinned. “No.”
    “What?” Ryan choked.
    “I kissed her. That’s it. She wouldn’t even kiss me back because of her loyalty to you. A pretty amazing feat considering we both know she feels something for me.” Luca gripped his neck and jerked him towards himself as he said, “You don’t know how lucky you are. There will never be a woman like her again in either of our immortal lives. You struck gold, all the riches of all the realms, by being gifted with her.” He released him roughly and Ryan struggled to maintain his balance