A Mate for Griffin (4 page)

Sarah sucked in a breath. “I’m a school teacher. I’ve seen my fair share of bullies over the years. The thing is...” She bit down on her lip. “The bullies are often the ones that are most in need of help. Lance is your typical bully type. Like I said, he has problems…big ones.”

Griffin smiled. “You are a good person, Sarah. You see deeper than just the surface. Most people don’t have that ability. If it makes you feel better, Lance feels very bad about what happened.” Griffin smiled. “He’ll never openly admit to that but he does feel really bad. He is beating himself up over it. Although he can be an asshole, he is a good person inside.” He paused. “You still like Lance…despite everything. I think you still have feelings for him, don’t you?”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t. Last night was a huge mistake. I don’t really want to talk about it.” Did she still like Lance?
No way
! She liked the idea of Lance. The idea of getting through to him. Of having his intense gaze on her everyday…only her. No! He was beyond help. Damaged goods.

Griffin nodded. “Thank you for trying to help me. For the record…” his jaw clenched. “I’m normally a better warrior than that. We weren’t supposed to”—he shook his head—“never mind. Don’t get between fighting males again.”

“I don’t plan to. Try not to die again.” She smiled.

Griffin chuckled before breaking out into a coughing fit. When he finally got himself under control, he looked at her through watery eyes. “Why does everyone seem to think that I do it on purpose?”

“I don’t know, you tell me?”

He shrugged his big shoulders. “I’m the youngest elite. I didn’t get onto the team by dancing around like a fairy during fight sessions. I got to where I am by putting myself out there. By taking risks. So I died a few times in the process.” He shrugged. “We mostly come back.”

“Mostly?” She could hear how shocked she sounded.

He nodded. “Silver causes complications and dying too soon after a recent death is also a no no. Combine the two and you’re a goner for sure. Most guys are not prepared to die. To put in the extra effort. To go through all the pain…I was and it paid off. I made the team. I haven’t died in a while. I’ve learned how to be one of the best. I would go through all of it again to get to where I am if I needed to.”

“Pain. So it hurts?” She could feel that her eyes were wide.
This was nuts.

His eyes clouded over and he jerked his head in the affirmative. “Like a motherfu…really badly. Have you ever had a paper cut? Or burned yourself?”

“Oh my word…that bad?”

“Worse and across your entire body.”

“You were willing to go through all that to make the team?” This guy was crazy.

Griffin nodded. “Yeah. What can I say? I’m dedicated to the cause. Look at the perks. I can’t wait to find my mate. A human female and young. Continuing our species will be a great honor. Having a female to love and honor will be the best part of all.” His gaze hazed over and a dreamy smile took residence on his face.

She would be one lucky girl that was for sure.

The door opened behind her. “Time’s up. You get back in bed.” When Sarah turned around, Eleanor was looking pointedly at Griffin. “Thank you for visiting.” She turned her gaze to Sarah, clearly dismissing her.

“Yes, thanks for coming. All the best.” Griffin made to stand.

“Don’t get up, please.” Lord help her. All he had was that pillow since the sheet had completely fallen away. “I’ll see myself out.”

Griffin nodded and smiled. There was this strange glint in his eyes. It reminded her of the look that the little ones got when they were hatching a plan. Or about to do something naughty.

Griffin was a grown ass man. He certainly wasn’t a child. How much mischief could he get up to? She gave herself a mental shake of the head, said her goodbyes and left.

Sarah was perfect. She was absolutely fucking perfect. Sweet, honorable, kind, brave. She was wholesome and good and sexy as fuck. Why hadn’t he noticed her before?

Oh yes!

She was one of the females that had only had eyes for Lance. That was why. No worries. It fit his plans perfectly. Hopefully they were compatible. She certainly still had a thing for the jerk face so he suspected that they were.

It was hair-brained and it probably wouldn’t work but he needed to do something. Lance seemed to be getting worse instead of better.

It was brilliant. It was crazy. It probably wouldn’t work. It might work though.

“What the hell is that look all about?” A familiar voice announced as a door shut. Xavier chuckled. “Penny for your thoughts. Hell, I would pay serious money to hear about whatever’s going on inside your head right now.” The male walked in and made himself comfortable on the chair next to his bed. He planted his feet on the bed and folded his hands behind his head.

“Look what the freaking cat dragged in.” Griffin felt himself beam. He and Xavier had become friends after the covens joined forces. “What look are you talking about?”

Xavier smiled. “You were grinning and frowning and all at the same time.”

“Mmmmm.” Griffin pulled himself upright feeling much better after eating and catching forty winks. Eleanor was the best. She let him drink from her wrist and shooed everyone away so that he could get some shut eye. He sighed. “I was just thinking about something that…” He paused. “I have a plan but it might not be the right thing to do. I’m a little stumped.”

“What kind of plan?” Xavier raised his brows.

Griffin wasn’t sure he felt like talking about it just yet. “Where have you been? You’ve been away for at least a month or more.”

Xavier smiled. It was goofy. Fucking dripping in sticky sweet. He was clearly thinking about his mate.

“Or rather, don’t answer that. I can tell it has to do with your mate.”

Xavier nodded. “Yeah…I’ve been spending time with Esral and working hard on elf/vampire relations.” He grinned.

“Elf/vampire relations. Whatever you do, don’t elaborate on that one.” Griffin choked out, shaking his head.

“Not that kind of relations douche bag. Although…” He raised his brows. “Come to think of it. I have been working hard on those relations as well.” His eyes hazed over as his mind wandered to thoughts of his little elf mate no doubt. The vampire prince bit down on his lower lip and by the look on his face, those thoughts were dirty as fuck.

“Enough about your sex life. I don’t want to lose my breakfast. No little elves running around yet? I can’t wait to see that combination…” Griffin snorted. “Pointy ears and fangs. He or she will be a fruit eating, blood sucking, flute blowing, freak of nature.”

Xavier clenched his jaw. “Don’t talk about my future children like that or I swear to god I’ll kill you.”

Griffin threw up his hands. “What is it with males wanting to stop my fucking heart? I’m joking, you asshole.”

Xavier smiled, leaning back against the chair and putting his legs back on the bed. “Sorry. It’s a touchy subject.”

“How so?”

Xavier huffed out a breath. “Esral hasn’t come into heat yet.”

Griffin wasn’t really sure what to say to that. What was even normal for an elven female?

Xavier shook his head. “We’ve been together for months. It should’ve happened by now. Elven females start coming into heat soon after their…” he cleared his throat. “They are mated. We had decided we were going to wait a while to start a family anyway, but it’s starting to worry Esral. Anyway, mated life is fantastic. How are things with
The Program
? Are the human females all they’re made out to be?”

Griffin made a groaning noise. “Their scent, their taste, everything about them is amazing. I’m sure I will find a mate in the next heat.”

“So no one drew your interest this time around?” Xavier narrowed his eyes.

His mind instantly went to Sarah. Her blue eyes, her soft smile, the way she had defended him.

“By the look on your face I would say that there is someone, so why talk of the next heat? Is there something wrong with her?” Xavier leaned forward.

Griffin shook his head. “No. She is perfect but she’s not for me. The female I have in mind would be for Lance.”

Xavier frowned. “Lance. What does Lance have to do with anything? Can’t the male get his own female?”

Griffin rolled his eyes. “The male is a walking disaster waiting to happen. He is fucking everything up. It’s only a matter of time before he is kicked from
The Program
. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up off the Elite Team as well.”

“What scheme are you hatching?” Xavier paused. When Griffin didn’t answer, he carried on. “I can see the cogs in your mind turning. I can smell wood burning. I hope you’re not planning on playing matchmaker and trying to save that bastard. You do realize that he can’t be saved unless he wants to actually be saved, and he doesn’t.”

“I think that all of this bullshit he is pulling is a cry for help and I plan on answering. He needs a female.”

“He has a ton of females. A whole room full of humans and a castle full of vampires.”

“Let me rephrase that.” Griffin sucked in a breath. “Lance needs the right female. The female I have in mind is kind, courageous, fucking beautiful. I am sure that given time and the help from yours truly, Lance would come to his senses.”

“Doesn’t the female have a say in all of this? It’s crazy.” Xavier gave a small shake of the head.

“Sarah is head over heels in love with Lance. I’ll help her to make him realize that he feels the same about her. Simple.”

Xavier chuckled. “Simple.” he choked. “It’s nuts. He’s going to yank her heart out and stomp all over it. You do realize that, don’t you? I may not have been here much over the last few months but I’ve seen enough to know how fucked up Lance is.”

“I know Lance. Trust me when I tell you that this female is perfect. I know how to make this happen. I just need to convince Sarah. Given her feelings for him though, I’m sure it won’t be too difficult.”

“You should think carefully about this. You are setting her up for failure and a colossal disappointment. Heartbreak. Lance is going to crush her. You have to know that. Can you live with that?”

“Deep down Lance is good. I know he is. He is hurting and every time he pulls a dick move it hurts him just as much. I know that he doesn’t like himself and the things he’s doing. I’ve seen it in his eyes. I have to find him and bring him back.”

“You would be using a female to do it. Using. Her.”

Griffin cringed as Xavier over pronounced each word. “I will make sure that she gets her mate and that she lives happily ever fucking after. I will hold her hand every step of the way.”

“You can’t guarantee anything. It’s not your decision to make. It will be Lance’s. I can see that I’m not changing your mind.” he sighed. “All I ask is that you think carefully about it. Are you willing to use this sweet, kind, courageous female? Are you willing to watch her be ripped apart? If your answer is yes then by all fucking means, go ahead.”

Griffin groaned in frustration, but only because Xavier was right. What now? He would need to give it some serious thought.

The next day…

The conference room was packed. The ten elite, the vampire kings and a number of the guards were on one side of the room and the women on the other. Brant’s PA, Allison, was typing away on her laptop at a desk in the corner.

Sarah quickly spotted Alex and walked over to her. “Hey,” she said.

“Hi,” Alex returned. She smiled. It was tight and didn’t reach her eyes.

Oh wow
! Sarah had to bite back a laugh. Alex’s eyes were wide. She folded her arms and then unfolded them. “Don’t look so nervous…you’re pale.”
And sweating. And chewing a hole through your lip.

“You mean more pale than normal?” Alex smiled and this time it was for real.

“Well…” Sarah sighed. “My bags are all packed, but I really am okay with going home. There is of course a small part of me that wishes that things had been different.” She shrugged. “What can you do? It is the way it is.” Then she narrowed her eyes at Alex. “You missed breakfast. I heard that someone was making a ton of noise last night.” Sarah couldn’t help but to smile. The stories circulating were hilarious.

Alex lifted her hands. “Who me? No way. You heard wrong.”

“I don’t think so. One of the ladies is right next door to you…” Sarah couldn’t help but to snicker. “She said that aside from the screaming and the grunting, that there was a headboard hitting against the wall repeatedly. I think she may or may not have used the word marathon.”

Alex blushed like crazy, which told Sarah everything she needed to know. The rumors were all true.

“So the two of you are getting along?” Sarah grinned. She was really happy for Alex.

The other woman nodded. “It’s all going way too fast for my liking.” She sucked in a deep breath, her eyes were bright.

“That’s how they are though. Vampires know when they have found the one. Sometimes even immediately. It happened that way between Jenna and Gideon. The moment he caught her scent for the first time, he was tickets. Thank god she’s safe.” Oh shit! Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything. Jenna had been safely returned. The vampires were keeping her abduction a secret though…for now anyway. “I saw Jenna this morning.”

“How is Gideon?” Alex raised her brows.

“What do you know about the whole thing?” Sarah asked. She needed to be really careful what she said.

“Not much, just that he was injured. When Lazarus arrived at my room last night he was covered in blood.” Alex swallowed hard.

Sarah nodded. Okay, good, so she knew enough. Keeping her voice low, she nodded once. “Lazarus is a hero. A real hero. Did he tell you that he stuck his fingers in Gideon’s wound so that he could clamp the artery shut and stop the bleeding?”

“Really?” Alex gushed. Her face took on a shocked look before her expression morphed into something that looked a lot like awe. She had it bad for the big vamp, that much was clear.

“Jenna was completely hysterical. Gideon lost consciousness and was pretty much bleeding out. As you know, silver is poisonous to vampires so if he had died then he may very well have stayed dead.” Sarah tried hard to keep her voice down. “Lazarus didn’t hesitate, just stuck his fingers in there, held on for dear life and Gideon is going to be okay. He still has to gain consciousness. Jenna is beside herself with worry. According to the healers it could be another day or so before he comes around. You see he hasn’t been—”

“Good morning.” Just then, Brant stepped forward, his voice raised. Sarah bit back what she had been about to say. She had let herself get a bit carried away but she was just so thankful that Jenna was back and that everyone was okay. At least she could go home with that in the back of her mind.

Brant took a step forward, drawing her attention back to him. “Welcome and thank you for taking part. Let’s quickly go over the rules. Shortly, I’m going to ask each of our males to pick a female. The male can decide as to whether or not he would like to pick someone. In other words, he may decline to do this.” Brant paused, he looked around the room, looking from one woman to the next. It was probably her imagination but he seemed to hold eye contact with her for the longest. She had to work not to squirm under his gaze. Sheesh, the guy was intense. He looked ready for battle even though he wore a tailored suit and tie. The other king at his side, Zane, was truly dressed for battle. His eyes had that whole brooding look down pat. Then again, most of the vampire guys were pretty hectic.

Even Griffin. She was so glad to see that he was up and about. His color was much better but he wasn’t the carefree guy that she had seen yesterday. He looked…nervous. Tense was probably a better description. Maybe she was reading into something that wasn’t there but he seemed to be avoiding looking at her. She was just being silly. The guy didn’t even know her. They had barely said two words to one another.

Lance. Oh boy! His arms were crossed. He looked bored at face value but she could see the simmering tension. His eyes were dark.

“Should a male pick you…” Brant growled almost making her jump. Sarah looked back at the king which was for the best because she should not be staring at Lance.

“Please know that you may decline and go home if you wish. None of you are under any obligation to stay. Also know that you’re free to go at any time, should you decide to stay. For those of you that are not picked”—Brant paused—“you will be escorted back to your room, given three hours to pack and to say your goodbyes and then you will be escorted from the property. In light of some recent events, there will be a full debriefing before you are integrated back into human society. Know that plans have been put into place and that all of you are safe whether you remain here on vampire territory or whether you go back.”

Good. That would give her enough time to go and visit with Jenna.

“What recent events?” One of the women asked. Oh heck! This had to do with the whole kidnapping.

Brant and Zane exchanged looks. “This is not the forum for such a discussion so I will keep it brief. There are fascist groups that would like nothing better than to see the downfall of the vampires. They are angered by
The Program
and do not believe that we should be permitted to mate with human females. There have been violent events.”

A murmur raced through the group of women.

“What violent events?” A woman shouted.

“Yes, we have a right to know.” Vanessa shouted. The woman was Lance’s favorite. Sarah couldn’t help but wonder if he might pick her. Though she didn’t truly think that he would.

Brant shook his head. “You will in due course. It is our hope to roll out
The Program
. To have many more of our males take human females. Rest assured that you will all be properly debriefed and assisted with your reintegration. Should anything go wrong, this would greatly affect
The Program
and I for one would not stand for that. We greatly appreciate your efforts and you will be well rewarded.”

Sarah expected to feel excited at the prospect of the fat check that would soon be coming her way but felt oddly deflated. It had never been about the money for her.

An excited murmur raced between the women. “Will we be able to come back?” Someone asked.

Brant pursed his lips for a few seconds. “It is not completely out of the question. Though not for any of these males standing before you, as compatibility was not proven. However, it is a possibility for future males that enter into
The Program
.” This was news to Sarah. It was her understanding that if you weren’t picked that it was over. It was over for her regardless. There would be no coming back. No vampire in her future. Part of her felt relief while a bigger part felt bitter disappointment.

“Right, let’s get this over with.” Brant folded his arms.

“You first, Griffin,” Zane growled.

The vampire in question took a step forward. Swallowing hard, he crossed and uncrossed his arms several times before stuffing his hands into his pockets. Wow, he really looked seriously worried about something. Hopefully he was feeling okay. His breathing looked normal and his coloring was back to normal. Though he still looked like he was going to be sick.

Every now and then a child would struggle with speaking in class. They did show and tell once a week and it was encouraged that the children spoke about whatever it was that they brought into class. Some kids loved it and others looked like Griffin did right now. Petrified. Like they couldn’t spit the words out.

He obviously really liked one of the women. Maybe he thought that she would say no or something. Shame. Poor thing. She often gave the nervous kids a big hug. Right now she wished that she could do the same for Griffin and maybe a little pep talk. He was really sweet and seriously handsome. A woman would be lucky to have a guy like him.

He swallowed thickly. “Give me a minute.”

“What is there to fucking think about? If you have to think about it, you shouldn’t choose anyone.” Zane looked irritated. Zero understanding was forthcoming. It made her want to hug the poor guy even more. These types of decisions were never easy. The poor thing had been dead just yesterday. Give him a break.

Brant raised his brows and looked put out.

“It’s not as simple as that,” Griffin mumbled, looking pained. His eyes flashed to her for a second and then to his feet. Why had he looked at her?

No! It must have been someone behind her.

“Fine.” Zane shook his head and pointed at the next vampire in line.

“No one,” the guy growled. Two more guys decided that they weren’t choosing anyone as well. The next one however, did say a name and the girl jumped up and down squealing.

Lance stepped forward and despite what had taken place the day before, most of the women held their breath. Her included. No! She forced herself to breathe. She forced herself not to care. Sarah refused to allow herself to feel anything.

“No one.” His voice was a deep growl. His beautiful blue eyes were dark.

Disappointment.
What the hell!
It rose up in her whether she liked it or not. It seemed that there had been a small part of her that was still hoping that Lance would come to his senses and realize that she was the one.

Argh!! Women could be so stupid. She could be so stupid. It wasn’t happening. It was over. With that thought came a small measure of relief. She could go home and be done with it. Lance was a crush. Nothing more. She could lick her wounds, eat a few hundred gallons of ice-cream and all would be well.

She barely paid attention when two more guys stepped forward, each one of them picked one of the ladies. Yay for them!! They looked so happy.

Lazarus stepped forward. Alex stiffened beside her. Why was she so worried? Of course he was picking her. The huge vampire didn’t have eyes for anyone else. They were focused on Alex right now. Lazarus smiled and Alex sighed. How sweet. It was like something right from the pages of a romance novel. “I choose…Alexandra,” Lazarus growled.

Sarah’s heart was beating just watching the two of them.

Alex squealed and skipped right over to Lazarus. The tiny woman threw herself into his tree trunk arms. He proceeded to kiss the shit out of her.

Her own breath caught in her lungs and her heart raced. Watching them brought a single tear to her eye, which she quickly wiped away before anyone could see. Why couldn’t she have that? Sarah didn’t want the money. She wanted that kind of intense love.

“Enough,” Brant growled. What a party pooper.

“Leave them.” Zane laughed. “I can’t believe that this fucker found a human female that actually wants him.”

Lazarus chuckled when he finally came up for air. “I will have you know that my female thinks that I am a big, cuddly teddy bear.”

Yeah right!

“Like fuck!” Zane snorted. Not quite how she would have put it but the king was right. Sarah had been a little afraid of the huge vampire, she still kind of was.

“I changed my mind,” Alex said through a wide grin.

“Yeah,” Lazarus growled low. “After you saw my cock.”

Sarah felt herself blush and watched as Alex did the same. “Shut up.” She slapped him on the arm.

“Quiet.” Brant looked pissed. “Griffin…it’s now or fucking never.”

Sarah had forgotten about poor Griffin. She hoped that he had plucked up enough courage to ask the woman he had in mind.

He looked worse than before. Sweat had beaded on his brow and his face was pale. Maybe he needed to go to a healer or something. Just when she was sure he was going to faint, he growled. His lip curled back, exposing a long fang. It was a deep noise, sounding anguished rather than angry. “Sarah…I pick Sarah.”

It took a few seconds to register that he had said her name and then a few seconds more to close her gaping mouth.“What?” Sarah shook her head. “No! Why? No!” He was obviously not thinking clearly.

“Are you refusing? Do you wish to return home?” Brant stepped forward, his eyes on her.

No. Yes. Maybe. “Um…” What the hell did she say to that? He was either deluded or he...

“She needs to think about it,” Alex said. “Can she please have the three allotted hours?”