Compelled (Shadow Beast Shifters Book 5)

Leaving Lucien’s table was harder than I’d anticipated, and I was happy to see that he immediately moved the chair back across from him so the next female to have his attention was nowhere near him.

That allowed me to relax and pay some attention to Carter. “Good morning,” I said brightly, and no joke, he looked floored by my cheeriness. “I’m excited to learn more about you.” Fake and a liar. Maybe I had learned something from Hattie after all.

Carter took an extended moment without answering, and I didn’t let the smile fall from my face. My wolf perked her head up again, her energy already feeling stronger with the untainted food in my system. Lucien had been right, as per usual.

“I’d rather get to know you,” Carter finally said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his hands over his stomach. “Who were you, Simone, before you came to Valdor?”

“I’m a shifter from the Torma pack in California.” I didn’t hesitate to answer, since my life was somewhat boring. “An only child, I grew up with enforcer parents who were important in the pack, working directly for the alpha. I spent most of my life alone or with my best friend Mera, who was the pack outcast but clearly had a much larger destiny than to stay in that craphole.”

I continued on with my love of dance and reading. “I own my own bookstore,” I said, feeling a longing for it come over me, “and I couldn’t imagine running any other business. I mean, I match shifters with books and make lives better. I look at reading as food or medicine for the soul.”

“Medicine for the soul,” Carter purred. “I like that.”

I nodded, my passion for this subject rearing up. “Yes! It’s so important, and did you know, when I looked into the human world to find authors, I read all about how their funding for arts programs is continually cut.” A rumble filled my chest, and I was so happy to feel my wolf rising that I almost cried. “Cutting from the arts, which is also the first place people turn for entertainment. Authors, actors, painters. All of this is soul food, and without it, there would be a massive increase in depression and other mental health issues. We need to start nurturing our artists.”

Carter’s smile was filled with genuine amusement. “As I noted the first time we met, I enjoy the fire in your soul, Simone. I believe we would be well matched.”

Some of my happiness and passion died away. I’d momentarily forgotten the reason I was here with Carter. “Tell me about your first mate. What was she like?”

That sobered him up too, and I felt like a bitch. But if I had been truly considering a mate-bond with this vampire, I would want to know about that relationship and what I might be up against.

At first I thought Carter was going to ignore my question, but then he said, “Katra was my fire.” His voice broke, but he continued. “My soul food. She made me a better vampire, and my greatest regret is that she was gone before we made the decision to create another life.”

My chest grew tight at his genuine grief. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Carter. I really am. But do you honestly believe that anyone else could ever be your fire again? I know you told me that you are different now. Reborn. But I can tell that a part of you will always belong to her.”

Some of the pain in his face eased as he leaned closer to me. “That’s not as big an issue as you might imagine. I’ll explain why tomorrow when we have the house viewing.”

Confusion bloomed in my chest, followed by unease.

I’d never thought of Carter as unhinged—in general he conducted himself maturely, no matter how often I rebuffed his affections. This day, though, there was a hint of darkness in his gaze. “I’m sure there’s nothing you could show that would convince me I could replace your soul fire,” I said as I stood. “Don’t forget to honor my choice in the end.”

Carter nodded, standing as well. “I won’t forget, Simone. You have my word.”

“Thank you.”

After that, I got to sit by myself and relax. Lucien delivered a glass of water to me halfway through the breakfast, and as I smiled my thanks, I had to ask, “Found a favorite yet?”

I was only half joking. He didn’t laugh.

“There’s only ever been one in this competition for me, Simone Lewison. You know that.” He didn’t call me by my full name often, but when he did, it tightened many parts of my body which had been previously relaxed.

“You’ve got someone waiting on you,” I managed to say, needing him to walk away before I combusted.

Lucien didn’t even glance at the stunning brunette vampire, who had her piercing blue eyes locked on us. “I’ll be relieved to be done with this duty,” he muttered before he let out a sigh and returned to his table.

It was like a slap of cold water in the face because even if he had been referring to the brunette in this instance, she wasn’t his only duty.

He was only here in this situation to help me.

Was he ready to be done with that as well?