He turned toward the stairs to do his own inspection of the main gaming area when out of thin air, a female appeared on the floor of the room below. She had dark hair and wore a rather revealing white dress, one which hugged every curve of her body. But more than her rather scandalous dress, she lay unmoving and unconscious.
Leo should've directed John to go and check on the mysterious female since it was the other male’s responsibility to handle such matters. However, Leo felt a pull toward the strangely dressed female, almost as if he'd regret not seeing her up close.
Unable to resist, he rushed toward the stairs and descended, dashing across the floor until he could crouch down beside her.
Up close she was pretty, with a small nose, light brown skin, and full lips. Her slightly pointed ears marked her as some sort of fae witch. Leaning a bit closer, the scent of vanilla, lavender, and pure female invaded his nose. But most importantly, Leo could also hear her strong heartbeat, the pulse at her neck making his fangs tingle a fraction, wanting a taste.
He ignored his blood craving as his gaze traveled down to her breasts, spilling from the tight bodice, and to her generous hips. Her hands, he noted, looked soft and didn't show signs of hard labor. Despite her lack of clothing, her face was also too unlined and fresh to be a common prostitute. She might be a mistress, perhaps, for a wealthy human or paranormal.
Not that it mattered what she did to survive. She was alone, no one seemed to claim her, and she was unable to speak for herself. Given what had happened to his sister all those years ago, Leo was protective of females in general, but most especially when it came to vulnerable ones. He needed to get her upstairs and summon a doctor.
He moved to pick her up, but the instant his hand touched the bare skin of her arm, a thundering noise clambered inside his head. Gripping his ears, Leo fell back onto his arse, the sound continuing to pound, driving him mad.
Thump, thump, thumpwent on and on, slowly becoming a low hum instead of a deafening roar.
A few beats later he drew in a deep breath, his first in over fifty years, and he growled. "Fuck."
Someone shouted, "Lucky bastard, you just found your fated bride!"
Lucky for some, but not for Leo. He didn't want to find his bride. Because now that he had, he'd start aging again.
Which meant he wouldn't be able to protect his family or have enough time to carry out all his plans for his kind.
At his side, John asked, "Are you okay?"
"Of course I'm not bloody okay." John raised an eyebrow and Leo added, "Let's just get her upstairs and then I'll find a way to deal with this latest fucking development."
John moved to pick up the female, but a rush of rage and protectiveness surged through Leo.
He cursed again, knowing how the desperate need to keep the female close, to protect her at any cost, would linger until he could bite and fuck her to stake his claim.
Not wanting to punch his long-term friend and employee in the face, Leo muttered, "I'll carry her."
He scooped up the female and did his best to ignore her soft curves pressed against him. Or, how her warmth and scent surrounded him, making blood rush to his cock for the first time in over fifty years.
Bloody hell.What had happened to his blasted control? He was going to have to keep his distance from this one until he sorted it out again.
Leo glared down at her. He had no idea who she was, but she'd just fucking ruined his life plans.
And he was going to ensure she was aware of that fact every day until she let him claim her once and then send her off so he'd never have to see her again.