Drantos woke before dawn. He knew he’d messed up the night before. He never wanted to lie to Dusti but admitting that some biting during sex wasn’t rare with VampLycans had angered her. It was possible it even hurt her feelings.
Her slow breathing assured him that she still slept. His own anger stirred when he remembered the shape she’d been in when he’d found her curled into a ball, near death.
His pure hatred for Decker burned inside his chest. The clan leader had forced his only daughter to flee into the human world to escape a horrible fate of being sent to the cliffs to live with a GarLycan. Dusti’s mother, Antina, had either told the human she’d lived with the truth about her being a VampLycan, to actually form a mating bond with him, or she’d bypassed her instincts. It would have been difficult to get pregnant but not impossible if she snuck his blood, taking hold of his mind to make him forget afterward. It was a depressing thought to have to live with someone that way.
There wouldn’t have been a safe place for Antina to shift, even inside her home, if she’d hidden her nature from everyone living with her. He still couldn’t imagine how she’d survived without being attacked by Vampires and Lycans, but learning about Dr. Brent meant she’d had some kind of an alliance with one of the two. Vampires were stronger so he would bet the doctor was a master Vampire. Those bastards couldn’t withstand direct sunlight but they didn’t have to sleep during the day.
Antina had birthed two daughters with a human. It had been her responsibility to warn them of the truth of their heritage and to have prepared them for her father attempting to use them in the future. Decker’s reason for wanting Bat in Alaska couldn’t be mistaken.
He couldn’t blame Antina for avoiding Aveoth. It would have doomed her to never having a family or being loved. Aveoth had once been a good man. Things had changed in his late teens. He’d become a heartless, vicious leader who’d instilled wariness in VampLycans after his father’s death. He wasn’t as bad as Decker though. The GarLycans didn’t want war. They just believed in segregation of the clans.
He closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing. He’d listened closely to the details he’d learned of Dusti’s mother. She’d died before Dusti had reached maturity but Bat had been eighteen. The age of consent. Why didn’t she at least warn Bat?
It left a bunch of unanswered questions. He believed Bat was as naive as her younger sister, despite Kraven’s reservations. He didn’t think Bat would have willingly boarded that plane to walk into Decker’s world otherwise, especially with Dusti at her side. She wasn’t submissive or the type to take orders without question. Drantos had to assume their mother hadn’t said a word to either daughter.
He adjusted his hold on Dusti to make sure she slept comfortably. She could have died when they’d had to separate. Her human blood made her weak and vulnerable. He slid his fingertips down her arm and grasped her limp hand. It felt small in his. He ran his thumb over one of her fingernails. They were thin and delicate. She had no way to defend herself. No claws were sheathed below the surface. He just wanted to protect Dusti and would do whatever it took to keep her safe.
Maybe that’s what Antina thought too.
He sighed. It was possible the female VampLycan believed she’d be there to deal with her father if he ever tried to take Bat. She would have been a fool, though, to assume she’d be able to prevent her daughter from being kidnapped. Decker never did his own dirty work. He always sent his enforcers to do it for him. She would have been outnumbered.
Maybe she had a spy within her clan who’d assured her Aveoth already had a lover. It’s possible she didn’t want to tell them unless she absolutely had to. Then she’d died before that happened, which left them in danger.
Word of Aveoth losing his lover had spread fast right after Lane’s death. The beautiful VampLycan from another clan had actually volunteered to share his bed. No one knew how Lane had died, but rumors spread that the GarLycan leader must have killed her in a fit of rage. Drantos didn’t believe it. He didn’t want to.
Lord Abotorus, Aveoth’s father, had been a full-blooded Gargoyle, and he never would have willingly allowed his son’s friendship to bloom with any VampLycans. Their clans might have had to forge an alliance but he hadn’t been happy about it. It was acceptable to take one as a lover but the old bastard had seemed to view them as servants. He tolerated Lycans since they needed them to have children. It was part of the deal though that they had to live in peace near the VampLycans. Old thinking made some of the Gargoyles wary of anyone with Vampire blood running in their veins.
The son had defied his father’s wishes by hanging out with Drantos and his brother. Aveoth would meet him and Kraven near the river that divided their clan lands. He smiled as memories of those times flashed. Aveoth could fly and it had fascinated them, seeing his large wings when he landed. He’d shown them what he looked like transformed into his solid Gargoyle shape and had even taken them for a few flights.
In return, they’d taught him how to use the Lycan traits his father demanded he ignore. They hunted in the woods, fished in the river, and shared their fighting skills. They’d mused about a future where Aveoth would strengthen the bonds between their clans once his father stepped down and he took his place. They wouldn’t have to meet in secret anymore, worried about Aveoth being punished if Lord Abotorus discovered who his son spent his time with. He and Kraven had grown to look upon Aveoth as if he were another brother. They’d been that close.
The warmth inside Drantos faded. Lord Abotorus hadn’t stepped down but instead had been challenged to the death by his own son. Aveoth had won. All those years they’d spent together seemed to have been a mockery when Aveoth cut all ties to the brothers. It had left him and Kraven confused and, worse, hurt. The boy they’d bonded with had grown into a man who’d turned his back on them. They hadn’t seen that coming.
Over sixty years had passed, and not a single word from Aveoth. No explanation or apology for just walking away from them. Kraven had wanted to travel to the cliffs the GarLycans called home to speak to him but Drantos had too much pride. He’d always talked him out of it. Aveoth obviously wanted nothing to do with them. They shouldn’t have to ask for his audience and admit he’d caused them grief. He was just another clan leader who shunned others.
Drantos hated to admit it, but in his mind, Aveoth had become somewhat like Decker.
Not that bad, he amended. Aveoth had never attacked any of the clans. He’d kept the alliances in place, his people sticking to their territory. He’d send one of his enforcers to share information if they knew of a threat in the area, and they did the same.
Decker, on the other hand, never gave warnings. They wouldn’t have known Decker had sent for two women from California if it weren’t for a few trusted spies in the VampLycan’s clan. The spy who’d told them about the women hadn’t had many details to share, not even their names, but he’d said Decker bragged to all that their arrival meant big changes were coming. That was never good.
Drantos and Kraven had volunteered to seek out and eliminate the threat. They hadn’t been sure what to expect. All that was certain was they weren’t Vampires. Decker hated Vamps and the flight was scheduled for daylight hours. Drantos had thought the women might be Lycan representatives, and Decker had planned to form an alliance with their packs, in order to attack the clans.
Kraven hadn’t cared who they were. He’d just wanted the threat to end. It had been confusing when they’d boarded the plane full of humans. They'd gone to Anchorage to scope out the passengers and figure out how to deal with the threat before the smaller plane landed. They'd grabbed a few drinks, then boarded the flight.
Kraven had leaned into him, whispering, “Shit. Do you think he’s going to form an alliance with humans? Maybe the military? Would he nuke our clans to just wipe us out completely?”
Drantos had disagreed. “He’d destroy the land he wants. And he can’t take over the clans if no one survives. It would also cause issues with Vampires and Lycans. They’d all be terrified the humans would target them when the truth of their existence is revealed. Decker hates humans more than he does us. He’s insane but not stupid.” He’d scanned the passengers. “There’re two young women traveling together. They might be the ones. He can control their minds and force them to his will.” He’d glanced at the two blondes a few rows up and over.
“Them?” Kraven scowled. “They look about as dangerous as baby bunnies. What in the hell could he use them for?”
“The one in the business dress kind of looks like a scientist. Maybe he plans to poison all the other leaders and their enforcers. It would leave our women and the weaker males at his mercy. Someone with knowledge about chemicals could figure out what kills one of us.”
“Shit.” Kraven winced. “That’s all kinds of fucked-up.”
“We need to question them. We’ll grab them as soon as we land. We should have about twenty minutes to get out of there before Decker's enforcers arrive since we have the plan in place to state the plane was delayed taking off. Decker knows to call and check the status of that since these smaller flights are notorious for that.”
“Okay.”
It had gone to hell when the pilots announced they were going to crash. Drantos had needed to know what Decker planned, and that meant making sure the women survived. It had come as quite a shock to learn they were Decker’s granddaughters, since no one had known Antina had children.
Everything had suddenly made sense. The crazy clan leader wasn’t trying to use humans or Lycans to wage a war. He didn’t need to bring in forces from the outside. He had a clan of GarLycans already in place and the leverage to make an alliance of his own with Aveoth. Decker could offer him a new lover.
Drantos caressed Dusti, pulling away from his grim thoughts. She was too sweet to be a descendant of that devious monster. He silently swore not to allow Decker to win. He needed to protect his family and his clan. He nuzzled his cheek against Dusti. That included her, since she was now his. She wasn’t ever going to end up being sent to Aveoth.
A slight noise drew his attention and he tensed, sniffing the air. The sky had lightened but the sun hadn’t risen above the mountains yet. It could be more enforcers sent by Decker. He’d fight them to the death if they tried to take the woman in his arms.
He gently shifted Dusti and laid her on the ground next to him. She shivered in her sleep but promptly curled into a tight ball, not waking. He rose and fixed the front of his pants, closing them. He tensed, his claws sliding out of his fingertips.
A twig snapped to his left. He curled his lip up and his fangs sprang forth. He didn’t growl a warning in case it was Kraven. He wanted Dusti to sleep for as long as possible. He sniffed again and caught a familiar scent.
His rigid muscles relaxed and he bent, tugging his shirt over Dusti’s exposed bottom. He straightened and placed his body in front of hers.
A shape strode from between the trees and he advanced a few more steps to meet his cousin halfway. “It’s good to see you, Red.”
“So the plane went down. Did you make that happen?” The slightly taller man tilted his head, sniffing—then his narrowed gaze honed in on Dusti. “Is that one of them? You fucked her?”
“She’s Decker’s granddaughter. There are two of them.”
“What?” His cousin appeared shocked.
“It seems Antina had two daughters.”
A growl burst forth from Red. “Why didn’t you kill them?”
“They’re innocents. Their father was human and Antina never told them about their heritage. They didn’t have a clue that they were different, since they take after their father’s bloodline so much. They boarded the plane believing their long-lost grandfather was dying. The bastard planned to use their ignorance to have them come right to him.” He explained what he assumed Decker’s plan had been.
“You should have taken out the threat. Decker can’t hand either one over to Aveoth if they’re dead.”
“No.” Drantos shifted his stance to keep Dusti out of Red’s view. “She’s mine.”
“Shit!” Red took a step back. “Are you certain?”
“No doubt. I’ve spent time with her and the bond is there.”
“Your father isn’t going to be happy about who she is, and I’m certain your mother will be less so. You know this is going to cause a ton of problems for our clan. Decker won’t just let this go. He finally has some leverage to use against Aveoth.”
“I can’t help biology. Decker will die if he comes after Dusti. Aveoth too. I’m not letting either of them have her.”
Red was silent for long moments. “How are you dealing with discovering she’s your mate?”
Drantos assessed his emotions. “It came as a surprise.”
“How human is she?”
He debated on answering but he trusted Red. They were almost as close as brothers. “Very. She does have some Vampire traits.”
“Fangs and bloodlust?”
“No. She just gets weak every few days without blood, from what I’ve been able to ascertain. The desire rises more when she’s under a lot of physical stress. Injuries weaken her if she isn’t given blood.”
“Is she sensitive to the sun?”
“Thankfully, no.”
“Her mother didn’t tell them anything about us?”
Anger stirred again. “Not a damn word. Dusti thought I was insane when I tried to tell her about VampLycans, until we ran into someone from Decker’s clan. She got to see a shifted enforcer.”
“Shit.” Red tensed, going on alert. “He has clan in the area? We haven’t come across any of them.”
“I took on one, and two of them found Kraven. I take it more of our people are nearby?”
“Yeah. We split up to cover more ground to search for you.”
Drantos reached out his hand. “Can I borrow your jacket? She had to flee across the river and only has my shirt to wear. She can’t keep her own body heat worth a damn.”
Red shrugged it off and passed it over. “You know this is going to cause a stir when we get back home. Not only are these women mostly human, but they’re Decker’s blood. That isn’t exactly going to endear them to anyone.”
“Marvilella was from our clan. They carry her blood too.”
“I’d forgotten about that.”
“Let’s hope everyone else hasn’t—or I’ll remind them.”
Drantos spun away and approached Dusti. She shivered in her sleep and he couldn’t miss the gooseflesh that covered her arms and legs. He dropped to his knees and crouched over her.
“Dusti? Wake up. My clan has found us.”
She was slow to wake and it worried him. He opened the jacket. “Dusti. Wake up.” He used a sterner tone and her eyes parted. Confusion was easy to read while she peered up at him. He showed her the jacket. “Put this on.”
That got her moving. She sat up and allowed him to wrap her in the jacket. It didn’t sit well with him, smelling Red on Dusti, but keeping her warm was more important. He helped her to her feet and then scooped her into his arms, careful to keep her modesty.
“Curl into me, sweetheart. You’re barefoot and we’re going to be moving fast.”
“Thank you for not tossing me over your shoulder.”
It would be easier on him to transport her that way, but he didn’t want to possibly expose her ass to his cousin or anyone else if the shirt and jacket rode up past her mid-thighs. He advanced until he stood before Red. His cousin forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He was glad he didn’t have to snarl at him to be polite.
Dusti clutched at his shoulders when she first got a glimpse of Red. Her arms slid around his neck and hugged him tight. Her body tensed in his arms. Protective instincts pounded at him when he identified her fear.
“It’s okay,” he assured her. “I want you to meet Redson, Dusti. He’s my cousin. You can just call him Red.”
“Hello.” Red inclined his head.
“Hi,” she whispered.
Drantos stepped back, putting more distance between him and Red. “Kraven is close, with her sister. I could lead you to them.”
Red glanced at Dusti then held his gaze. “I’ll find them. Just head north and you can’t miss the rest of our group. They’ll find you if you can’t find them.”
He appreciated his cousin’s offer to look for the other couple alone. He wanted to get Dusti to safety but he didn’t want her afraid at the same time. “Thanks.”
Red sniffed the air and Drantos jerked his head. “They’re in that direction.”
“I’ll see you soon.” Red took off.
Drantos adjusted Dusti into a more comfortable position. “No one is going to hurt you.”
“All I can think about is what I saw yesterday. Does everyone change into one of those…creatures?”
He realized it might take a while for her to become accustomed to VampLycans without feeling fear. It didn’t bode well for their future if she couldn’t accept what he was, or the rest of the clan. She’d have to though, since she’d never be safe if she returned to her old life. Decker would just send more of his enforcers after her and Bat. Drantos wouldn’t be there to protect her.
He also wasn’t letting her go.
“Yes.” He wouldn’t soften the truth. “We’re people, Dusti. You don’t fear me.”
She tucked her head against his throat. He noticed she didn’t say anything. He bit back a frustrated growl.
“Just hold on and try to hide your fear.”
Dusti just wanted to talk to her sister. Bat needed to know everything she did and her older sibling was much better at evaluating facts to form a plan of action. Drantos’s words sank in. “Why would I need to hide my fear?”
“They can smell it and it would be considered a weakness.”
“Right.” She was still a little groggy but that helped snap her out of it. “I saw on Animal Planet that sometimes it will attract predators. Am I going to smell like dinner to them or something?”
He snorted. “The things you say. No. It’s just that weakness is perceived as a bad thing. I’d like for my clan to respect you. That means you need to be brave. I would never allow anyone to hurt you. Trust me, if no one else. Does that make you feel safer?”
“That guy was pretty big.”
“Red?”
“Yes. And he was scary. He didn’t like me.”
“He didn’t say that.”
“He didn’t have to. It was the way he looked at me.”
“You’re Decker’s granddaughter. That shocked him but he’ll get over it. Anything associated with your grandfather is met with distrust and dislike.”
“Great. You know how I feel about Decker Filmore. He’s an asshole.”
“They’ll realize that and understand you’re nothing like him.”
“I hope so.”
“Me too,” he muttered. “Don’t be alarmed when you spot them and remember you’re totally safe.”
“Don’t show fear.” It sounded easy. She locked her fingers together behind his neck. She did trust Drantos to keep her safe. He’d faced off against that hell beast to protect her. People in skin, no matter how big they were, had to be tame in comparison. She took a few deep breaths. “Got it.”
“Good.” He lowered his voice more. “They’re approaching us. I smell them.”
She scanned the thick woods until she spotted movement at the base of a tree. One of those large, terrifying beasty creatures stalked forward. Drantos halted and squeezed her, as if reminded her that he would keep her safe.
“It’s someone from my clan,” he whispered. “Not the enemy.”
Dusti tried not to stare but it was impossible. The creature was big, vicious-looking, and had sharp fangs. The claws on the toes could probably tear through flesh as easily as if skin were butter. She sucked in a deep breath and tried hard to manage her hammering heart. The creature growled, sounding unfriendly. Dusti tensed, praying it wouldn’t attack.
“They were raised in the human world and didn’t know about us,” Drantos announced, speaking to the creature. “Their mother was VampLycan but their father was a human.”
The creature sat on its haunches, staring directly at her. It didn’t snarl or lunge forward to attack. The dark eyes freaked her out though. They did look evil. It also had a long black mane. The one she’d seen the day before hadn’t had one that nearly touched the ground.
It growled again, paused, and made some whining noises. Drantos shook his head. “She was never told the truth since she doesn’t exhibit enough traits that would have betrayed what she was. She’s not afraid. It’s just that she’s seen only one other, and he tried to take her away from me. That’s why she’s leery.”
It sunk in that they were having a conversation. It stunned her. “You speak growl?”
“Not exactly but we use tones. I can guess what the questions would be according those, or guess moods by sounds, and also by imagining what I’d be thinking and feeling.”
Drantos gently bent and placed her on her feet. He clasped her hand though and held on tight. She wondered if he did it to assure her or keep her from bolting into the woods when she caught sight of more people. They were in skin, at least.
The beast growled again and Drantos shook his head. “Don’t change. She’ll adjust to how you look.”
The thing ignored him by lifting up to all fours and tucking its head down—then it started to shift.
The hair receded as Dusti stared in horrified fascination. It made disgusting noises that she guessed were bones popping as the shape started to shrink in a little. The skin tone lightened slightly as it became more humanoid. Finally a woman stood before them, stretching as she rose to her feet, seeming to work out kinks in her shoulders and arms.
The woman was tall and lanky, and when she threw back her hair to get it out of her face, it flowed to her ass. Her nakedness didn’t seem to bother her, but it did Dusti. The woman’s perky breasts were displayed and she seemed chilly in the early dawn morning.
“Who is her mother?” She had a husky voice.
Drantos paused. “Do you remember Decker’s daughter who disappeared? Her name was Antina.”
The woman stepped closer and her dark brown eyes widened. “I thought he killed her or she committed suicide to avoid her fate.”
“She was hiding amongst the humans. She mated with one and had two daughters. This is one of them. Kraven is with the other.”
The woman had a graceful, almost catlike way of moving as she advanced. Her nostrils flared and she jerked to a halt. Her eyes narrowed and fixed on Drantos. Anger was an easy emotion to read.
“You fucked it? I smell you all over her.”
“She’s mine, Yonda.”
“No.” She shook her head, some of her long hair falling forward and hiding one breast. “That can’t be.”
“It is.”
Yonda paled considerably. “She reeks of human. This can’t be! You can’t accept a human. You’re the first son. She’s not good enough for you!”
“She carries VampLycan blood. It’s faint but there. And you know it’s not a requirement.”
The scary woman snarled and lowered her chin, glaring at Dusti. If looks could kill…I’d be dying right now. She inched closer to Drantos and even took a step back, putting part of her body behind his. It was impossible to look away from that much rage, all of it directed at her. She just didn’t know why Yonda hated her enough to look as if she wanted to tear her apart.
“Enough,” Drantos ordered. “Don’t even think about it. She belongs to me and I’ll defend her. I’d hate to hit you but I would.”
Dusti usually resented when he spoke possessively of her but at that moment, she was glad. The woman took a step back but she didn’t appear happy about it. Pure anger seemed to radiate off her. It confused Dusti but it was also scary. She’d witnessed that woman changing from a hellish beast. She could revert back.
“Yonda,” Drantos snapped. “Go cool down.”
Yonda didn’t budge. She turned her anger on him. “Does she know how important your place is with our clan? She’s weak, Drantos. You can’t do this! Did you explain your duties to her as first son?”
“It’s none of your business. Butt out, Yonda.”
“You’ve always been my business! I can’t allow you to make such a huge mistake.”
Dusti glanced between the pair, a sick feeling settling in her stomach. She suspected Yonda had been one of the women Drantos had slept with. She studied her—and then a worse suspicion clawed at her. She had to ask the question that she wanted to know most.
“Are you his girlfriend?”
Yonda didn’t spare her a glance, her gaze locked on Drantos. “We don’t use those terms. What do you call it when he sleeps in my bed more than he does his own?”
Dusti tried to extricate her hand from his. Drantos had a girlfriend but he’d slept with her.
She felt betrayed and her fears became reality. She thought he might break her heart and but hadn’t expected their budding romance to come to a screeching halt so soon. It hurt far worse than she thought it would. She’d come to care about him deeper than she’d realized until that minute. The tearing pain in her chest proved that.
He turned his head and frowned at her. “I can explain.”
“Let me go.”
He refused. “Dusti, you don’t understand.”
“Were you sleeping with her before you met me? Do you live at her house?”
“I slept there sometimes. I don’t live with her. It’s not how you think.”
“Let me go,” she repeated, louder. She wasn’t afraid anymore. She was hurt and angry. “I don’t want you touching me. You’re a cheating bastard and you made me a part of it.” She glanced at Yonda. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”
“He’s too good for you,” Yonda spat.
Now the woman was just being rude and bitchy. Dusti twisted on her hand and shoved against Drantos with her other one. “Let go.”
“You call it a ‘fuck buddy’ in your world.” He sounded and looked furious. “We had no commitment.” He snapped his head in Yonda’s direction. “Tell her!”
“You think that helps your case?” Dusti punched his arm, still trying to get him to free her hand. He held it tight enough it almost hurt. “We have another term in my world that applies too. You’re a man-whore. No thanks. I’m so done. Let go.”
“What is going on here?”
The deep voice of a man startled Dusti and she twisted her head, staring at the mid-thirty-something big guy storming out of the woods. He was dressed at least, not a creature. He wore a shirt, faded jeans, and running shoes. His hair was a little long and she took note of the resemblance to Drantos. It was probably another cousin of his.
“Dad.” Drantos released her and lowered his head.
Dusti gaped. She glanced between both men, rubbing her freed hand to return blood circulation to her fingers. They only looked a few years apart. Drantos had said VampLycans aged slowly but it still came as a shock.
“I asked what was going on.” The man halted a few feet away and sniffed. “Is this one of Decker’s associates?”
“She’s his granddaughter.” Drantos lifted his head. “She and her sister—”
The slightly older man snarled and lunged, attempting to grab Dusti.
She gasped and jerked back but Drantos was faster. He put his body between them. A loud, terrifying snarl came from him. Their bodies clashed and Drantos used his chest to shove the other man back.
“Don’t!”
“You’re protecting Decker’s kin? Get out of my way, son. That’s an order.”
“No! Listen to me, Dad. She isn’t aligned with Decker. She hates him as much as we do.”
“Lies,” the other man growled. “She’s his blood and I know what that means. She’s to be offered to Aveoth in exchange for the GarLycans’ help to slaughter the other clans. I’ll kill her before I allow that to happen. Is the sister dead?”
Drantos widened his stance and lifted his arms, his claws sliding out. Dusti backed up until a tree blocked her escape. She was tempted to make a run for it but Yonda took the opportunity to creep up on the left, glaring at her. Dusti held still, afraid to move farther away from Drantos's protection.
“No. She’s with Kraven. I know you’re furious but listen to me,” Drantos demanded. “They had no idea about us or what was going on here. Decker lured them to Alaska by letting them think he was dying. You know his daughter fled. Antina mated with a human and never told her daughters about their heritage. They had no real contact with Decker.”
“They still pose a danger. I can’t allow a war to begin. Their deaths will end it here and now.”
“Don’t make me do this, Dad.” Drantos didn’t budge. “You’re being unreasonable.”
“I’m protecting the lives of many VampLycans. Two deaths are better than dozens or hundreds. It must be done. Get out of the way right now.”
“No!” Drantos snarled.
His father snarled back.
Dusti gawked, horrified that it seemed son and father were about to fight. More clothed people arrived, watching both men. She glanced at the strangers, seeing shock and dismay on many faces.
“You’re going to challenge me?” Velder hissed the words. “I gave you a direct order, Drantos. Two lives are not worth many more. We both know it.”
“I’m not challenging you.” Drantos spoke loud and clear. “They are the granddaughters of Marvilella. Don’t forget that. She was clan. They need sanctuary.”
Velder seemed to consider that briefly. “We’ll give them to Aveoth ourselves then, without strings. He can pick one of them. That is the best option I’m willing to afford.”
“This one is mine.” Drantos growled low. “Aveoth doesn’t get her—and Kraven will fight for her sister. The bonds won’t be denied. Don’t ask that of us.”
The other man stumbled back a few steps until Dusti could see his face. He appeared completely horrified. “No!”
“It’s the truth. You’re not turning them over to the GarLycan. I’ll fight Aveoth to the death before he touches what belongs to me, and Kraven feels the same. You can ask him when he arrives, which should be soon.”
“Tell him you forbid it!” Yonda shouted. “She’s human. Smell her. Weak!” The woman turned her head and spat on the ground. She glared at Dusti. “Not worthy of one of your sons. She’s already causing dissension in our clan. Your son is openly defying you. Kill her!”
The older man snapped his head in her direction and his features twisted into a mask of rage. “Stay out of this.”
Yonda dropped her head and backed away. “I’m sorry, Velder.”
“This is a family issue. Tell the others to prepare for our journey home and keep your mouth shut about what you’ve heard. I won’t abide gossip.” He spun around, addressing the rest of the people who’d approached. “My son isn’t challenging me for leadership. This is a family disagreement. We’re leaving. Go now!”
Yonda spun and fled, running fast. She was buck naked but didn’t seem to care. Dusti watched her until she was out of sight and saw the others follow. She turned her focus back to Drantos’s father. He seemed to be having a glaring match with his son.
“Don’t even think about hurting either one of them,” Drantos warned. “Kraven and I will leave the clan if you make us.”
“You just defied me in front of the others.”
“I’m not going to let you kill Dusti or her sister. She’s innocent in this mess. Decker Filmore might be their blood relation but that’s the only tie they have. Plenty of our people have blood ties to others in his clan. It doesn’t make them our enemies.”
“Decker will target our clan to get them back.”
“I’m aware but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to hand Dusti over. I’ll leave with her and go somewhere else if you don’t want to fight him.”
“I’d rip out Decker’s heart and feed it to him if he ever dares step into our territory. It’s the GarLycans I don’t want to fight with.” Velder paused, glanced at Dusti, then back at his son. “We have kept the peace since settling in this area. We have too many women and children, Drantos. I have to protect them at any cost. They are yours to protect as well, your responsibility as my son.”
“Dusti is my one,” Drantos stated firmly. “I’m certain.”
“We’re done talking right now. This is not over though. No one is going to forget what they witnessed here but we’ll face the consequences later. I don’t want to leave our clan unprotected, now that I know what Decker plans. He could have already contacted Aveoth to launch an attack.” Velder spun around and raised his voice. “Move out. We’re returning home.”
Drantos turned and frowned at Dusti. He glanced at her feet. “I’ll carry you. Come here.” He reached for her.
“Forget it.” She inched around him and avoided touching his hands. The ground was cold against her bare feet but she didn’t want him touching her again. “I can walk.”
“Dusti.” Frustration sounded in his voice.
She avoided his gaze. “Save it. Don’t you have a girlfriend to go apologize to?”
“Damn it,” he snarled. “It isn’t like that.”
“Spare me.” Despite the fact he’d protected her again, she was still mad and hurt. His girlfriend or ex situation, whatever, didn’t sit well with her. She hurried her pace, following his father. The man wasn’t friendly and he’d wanted to attack her but it beat arguing with Drantos. There was no excuse for him being involved with one woman and then having sex with her. He hadn’t mentioned anything about Yonda, and he should have.
More people were ahead of them once they cleared a thick area of trees. A dirt road curved out of sight and two pickup trucks carefully drove along them, stopping where the group assembled. They were a rough, fit-looking bunch. Yonda walked to one of the cabs and jerked the door open. She withdrew folded clothing from inside and dressed. It stunned Dusti that she seemed unaware of all the men around her. Some of them were glancing at the bent woman putting on sweats, obviously checking out her ass.
What kind of world does Drantos live in? It unsettled her and made her even more leery of VampLycans. Her mother had been one of them and had fled. She was starting to understand why. They just weren’t…human enough. Their modesty was nonexistent and they seemed like a brutal race.
The sight of Bat and Kraven across the clearing, along with Red, made her feel relief. Her sister looked worse for wear but alive. She seemed to be arguing with Kraven. Velder switched directions and advanced on them. She went to follow but Drantos suddenly gripped her arm, gaining her attention.
“We keep some sarongs in the trucks for when we shift. Come with me and let’s get one wrapped around your legs. They’re cold.”
“My legs aren’t your concern.” She jerked out of his grasp. “I’m going to go check on my sister.”
He planted his body in her way. “Cover your legs first.” He glanced around and seemed mad. His voice lowered. “They are staring at them.”
She glanced at a few of the men nearest them and noticed they were appraising her. She didn’t like it. “Fine. I’ll wear a sarong.”
He pointed at the truck that Yonda wasn’t near. “Over there.”
She spun and advanced on it. Drantos was the one to open the passenger door. The floor had piles of folded material. He grabbed a black one on top and turned, opening it. He even started to bend, as if he planned to help her put it on. Dusti just yanked it out of his hands.
“I can do it myself.”
“Dusti,” he whispered. “You need to trust me.”
“Fat chance,” she muttered, figuring out a sarong was a lot like a thinner version of a big towel. She wrapped it around her waist and tied it in a knot so it formed a skirt that reached her ankles. “You were dating that woman before we met. That’s all kinds of messed up, Drantos.”
“Look at me.”
She released the soft material and threw her head back, glaring at him. “What?”
“I told you it wasn’t like that. We were having sex.”
“She wanted your father to kill me. She said I wasn’t good enough for you. She acts like a jealous girlfriend.”
“It’s because you’re human. It’s difficult to explain.” He frowned. “We’ll discuss this at length once I take you to my home. Now isn’t the time. You’re still in danger and so is the clan. Just stick close to me and do as I ask.”
She just wanted to hug her sister and go home. She was done with Alaska, her insane grandfather, the whole VampLycan thing, and especially Drantos. Her life had turned to shit ever since she and Bat had boarded that flight. She was hungry, sore, and felt miserable. They’d survived a plane slamming into the ground and then had been kidnapped from the crash site. To make things worse, she’d almost been attacked by some hell beast. The near drowning in the river and almost turning into a human Popsicle hadn’t been fun, either. Last but not least, she’d learned that her mother had been keeping big secrets from her daughters and she wasn’t what she’d appeared to be.
All those things had lowered her guard enough to trust the man in front of her. Who was a cheating bastard.
Tears filled her eyes. It was too much. It just all slammed into her at once. They weren’t alone in the woods anymore and people were around them. Maybe not people. Creatures in skin. She darted a frightened look around, really understanding that she wasn’t anything like them. Her and Bat were surrounded by the things they probably would have paid money to see featured in some horror movie.
I’m having a breakdown, she acknowledged, but didn’t try to reign in her emotions. I’m entitled to one after all this shit has happened.
It wasn’t actually Drantos’s fault that her grandfather was some kind of evil mastermind or that Vampires and Werewolves were real. But he’d been the one to tell her the truth and take her away from the other survivors from the plane. Maybe a rescue team would have found them and she’d be back in her apartment if he hadn’t done that. She’d still be clueless—and happier for it.
“Dusti?” Drantos inched closer and tried to take her hand.
“Don’t!” She stumbled back.
He growled. “Keep your voice down.”
“Fine,” she whispered. “I know you saved my life a few times but stop touching me.” His earlier words replayed through her mind. “I just need you to back off me right now, okay? Just leave me alone.”
He blanched, his expression paling.
“I mean it. Don’t keep grabbing me.” She fought tears by blinking them back. “I just want to go home. Do you get that? I want the hell out of here. I’m so done with all of this shit!”
Movement from the corner of her eye made her startle and she jerked her focus off Drantos. Yonda, now dressed in sweatpants and a tank top. The woman grinned slyly. “You heard her. I know I did—and I’ll repeat it to anyone who asks. She just renounced you, Drantos.”
“Fuck,” he growled. “She didn’t. She doesn’t know anything about our culture. Knock your shit off.”
Yonda proceeded to murder her with a ferocious glower. Dusti wasn’t about to forget that she could transform from a woman into a hell beast and tear her to shreds with her claws. Pure hatred seemed to radiate off the dark-haired beauty, directed solely at her.
Velder’s sudden appearance almost right behind Dusti had her jumping again, twisting to stare up at him. He hadn’t made a sound when he’d snuck up on her.
“Dad,” Drantos argued. “She’s been raised by humans. She’s just upset because she misunderstood about Yonda and I. Yonda’s manipulating the situation because she’s pissed that Dusti isn’t a full VampLycan. It’s none of her business.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Velder looked angry as he spoke low. “Some of them overheard it and I have to follow the laws, despite you being my son. She made it clear that she doesn’t want you touching her. You must keep away from her at all times. Shift and run back to the clan. You’ll make it there before we arrive and can tell them we’re coming. We’ll find her lodging somewhere safe.” He paused. “Don’t cause another scene. We’d have to fight for certain, son. I’m your clan leader. You must heed my words or be punished more severely. One of us would die.” His voice deepened and grew loud. “You’re to return to our clan now. Go!”
Drantos threw back his head and let out an enraged bellow.
Dusti’s knees almost collapsed under her at the horrifying sound and the shock of seeing him like that. He spun away the second it ended, taking off toward the thick trees. He began to shift, his clothes just tearing apart as his body transformed. He disappeared behind trees before the shift was even complete.
What the hell just happened?
She had no idea…and was afraid to find out.