The Cure Read Free

their blood allows them to walk out in the sunlight.”
    Sandra gasped. “That’s not possible. That’s an urban legend to our kind.”
    “Believe it or not, the truth is our kinds have mated before. We have mated successfully, and we were not always at war.”
    She’d heard of the peace between wolves and vampires, but she never believed it. How could something so surreal be real?
    “Are you sure?”
    “I lived through it. I’ve witnessed it, and it has been a great loss to everyone.”
    Gliding her finger down his check, she rested the tip against his neck where his pulse should be. There was nothing, no sign that there was ever a heartbeat. It was one of the creepiest, and yet most wonderful things she’d ever felt.
    “We were all mates?”
    “Some of us were mated to each other. Wolves and vampires have been in love before.”
    “It seems too good to be true.”
    “I know. It’s not anymore, though.” He turned over, and his fingers landed at her neck, over her pulse. “I would fight to keep your heart beating. I will fight for you, Sandra.”
    “Why? I’m a stranger to you.”
    “I care about you, and when I care about someone, I protect them.”
    Holy crap, she was falling for a vampire she’d only just met. What the hell was wrong with her? There was no way she could have feelings for a vampire, and yet, that was exactly what she was having.
     
    ****
     
    The conflict inside her crossed her eyes, but Lucas didn’t mind. They were in her dream world, and he didn’t imagine she’d be ready to go to the next level with him in real life. Sandra wasn’t ready for the knowledge that she was his mate. It was the only explanation he had for the connection he had with her. No other wolf compelled him the way that Sandra did.
    Her pulse beat against the pads of his fingers, and he knew he’d do whatever it took to make sure she would always be breathing. Lucas needed her to stay alive. She had to.
    He leaned in closer toward her, and when she didn’t back away, he pressed his lips against hers. At first she didn’t respond, but he didn’t stop. Opening his eyes, he saw hers were closed. She started out tense, and slowly she started to relax, giving into his kiss. Her tongue peeked out, tracing over his lips, and he opened up, welcoming her kiss.
    Sliding his tongue against hers, they both moaned and jerked back. The fire between them was undeniable. He was so turned on and hot.
    “This is in a dream?”
    “You’ll remember it when you wake.”
    “I don’t want to make it an excuse. Can you wake me up?” she asked.
    Part of him was upset that she wanted this to end, but another part loved the fact she didn’t want to use her dream as an excuse.
    “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then hold onto me.”
    Slowly, he brought her out of the dream world, so that she was no longer staring up at the full moon, but the ceiling within his room.
    Lucas moved away from her, giving her time to come around. He didn’t want to startle her.
    Standing by the window, he overlooked the grounds that had seen one too many sunrises of the world. So many battles, so many wars, and yet they were never over. Where one man fell, another came to take his place. It was never ending.
    This time, though, he was fighting for someone. He was fighting for Sandra.
    “You didn’t have to run away,” she said, drawing his attention back to the bed.
    She’d sat up while he’d been looking at the grounds. Her hair was disheveled, and she looked ruffled. To him, she looked breathtaking. He would love to have taken the time to draw her in that moment. He’d want a reminder of her first time in his bed, unfortunately that was never going to be the case.
    “We’re mates?” she asked.
    He turned toward her. “I believe we are. It has been some time since I have found mates like ours, so I don’t know how it starts.”
    “I’m not afraid of you.”
    “I will not hurt you, so you have no need to be