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much cooler than his or even humans. But not as cool as regular vamps. As a bloodborn she had a slightly higher temperature. Leaning down to her neck, he inhaled her familiar scent and let it roll over him. She smelled like the forest in winter. And all his. She called to him on the most primal level—had from the moment he’d first seen her.
    Connor was driving and he flicked Aiden a quick glance in the rearview mirror as he set his cell phone down on the center console. “Glad you’re awake. How’re you feeling?”
    â€œLike I got run over by a truck.” His chest ached and something told him it was because of the newly cemented bonding link, not the dart hit he’d taken. He looked out the window at their surroundings to see that they were driving down a quiet two-lane highway that wasn’t familiar. The moon and stars illuminated the road and it was almost three so he’d been out for a few hours. “Where is everyone?”
    Connor’s expression was grim. “Natalia killed a Brethren member’s brother and we killed a handful of vamps but two got away—Erin and Noah are tracking them. Ryan and Teresa have taken Natalia back to the ranch. Kat and Jayce are taking a human who was kidnapped by those asshole vamps to a friend of Jayce’s who can scrub her memories. The shit has hit the fan. Now how the hell is it that you have a bondmate? You told me she died.”
    He snorted. “I’ve never said those words to anyone.” Sure, he’d insinuated it, but he’d never flat outsaid it. Deep down he’d never been able to admit that Larissa was gone forever even though on an intellectual level he’d known it had to be true. Without seeing her body with his own eyes, he and his wolf had rebelled at the thought of her being dead.
    â€œIt was implied.” The angry edge to Connor’s voice had Aiden straightening.
    He remembered how he’d snarled at his Alpha in the club, basically challenging him. “I wasn’t challenging you earlier.”
    Connor let out an exasperated sigh. “I know. Now . . .”
    Aiden couldn’t answer what he didn’t know himself. He turned to look at Larissa. Her dark hair spilled over one of her shoulders in a soft cascade, covering the front of her black top. She snuggled closer to him. “I don’t know how this is possible,” he murmured, staring in awe at the female who had captured his heart so long ago. Even when he thought she’d died he hadn’t been able to let go of her. Now he was glad he hadn’t.
    â€œThat bondmate scent is strong. I don’t understand how it appeared all of a sudden.”
    â€œNeither do I. It snapped before and I thought she was . . .” Yeah, he couldn’t say it. The only way bondmates were separated was in death. “But clearly she’s alive.” And he wasn’t questioning it. The link was firmly in place, he could feel himself tethered to Larissa in a way only bonded mates could be. And every supernatural being could scent their joining. Hell yeah, no males would even think about looking at his female now.
    â€œI’m taking you to one of our out-of-town cabins. Iwasn’t sure what the deal is with her and, no offense, whether she can be trusted. I want to make sure she gets inside before sunrise.”
    â€œShe’s a daywalker.” Aiden spoke before he could think to rein himself in. A proprietary, primitive urge to protect Larissa from everyone, including his Alpha, rose up inside him.
    â€œDamn,” Connor muttered. “What bloodline is she from? Whose coven does she belong to and how long were you two bonded before . . . What the hell happened, man? How did your bondmate link reappear all of a sudden?” The last part was more of a statement than a question.
    Aiden shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He loved his Alpha, but he wasn’t sure how much he