Chapter 15

{Giovanni's pov}

Closing my eyes, I tightened my hold on Esmeralda’s waist. She felt tiny, almost fragile, while wrapped in my embrace. Time had barely passed, yet her tears had already soaked my shirt. The sense of wanting to protect her was more substantial than any other need I possessed. Even the urge to go and obliterate that vampire vermin who put his hands on my mate permanently from existence.

She was the only thing keeping me grounded. Her scent permeated my very being, bringing forth the tranquil memories of those summer days spent on the beach during my youth. Those bittersweet moments were rare after my mother passed, peaceful in their own right. Now, with my mate clinging to my form, those memories enveloped me as her scent of sea breeze, and tropical flora subdued the two raging animal sides of me. Merryn, sweet and guileless, trembling in my arms like an injured bird. And the one feeling truly helpless was me.

After some time, I could tell she had calmed down because