Chapter 1

Falcon

I looked down at the long-awaited moment with fatherly love. It came over me in a wave of inexplicable joy. I had the life I thought would never come to be. 

“My king,” Nora said to me. I lifted my head to see that all eyes were on me as I held our daughter. Her eyes were open and gazing up at me with curiosity. A coo escaped her bowed lips. Millions of questions crossed my mind as I stared at an angel who looked just like my radiant mate—a vision of beauty made from love.

The sirens wailed. They found us. It seemed they weren’t finished being massacred.

A new sense of hope had poured through everyone in the room with the birth of my little princess. Her pale face and bright grey eyes welcomed me in until the sound of trouble rang through the celebration, forcing me into action. Setting the babe onto Nora’s chest, I kissed my mate’s lips and told her, “All will be well.” I smiled down at her, brushing her hair behind her ear. She’d given me everything and I loved her with all my soul.

Directing my attention to Draco, I added, “Protect them.” They were my existence and everything to me. I doubted a soul would be able to harm them, but I had to be sure that they were well guarded and no one but Draco would do. The island had been fortified and this room like many of them was made of pure steel. Securing the future was of the utmost importance when we created this place.

“As always, my king,” he answered with a slight nod of his head. With one more glance at my beloved, I teleported to the security room.

On the far, wall sat eight large screens. Each of them recording a different part of the island. The main command console has a round of monitors taking in radar and sonar as well as sensors that cover the island. Lights flashed above each monitor, letting us know which sensors had been tripped. The room was larger than an ordinary security room. It was more of a command center. In the back of the room sat our arsenal full of hand-to-hand combat weapons.

“What do we have?” I asked Gideon who was staring out at the monitors into the darkness of night.  

“It looks like two boats headed this way. They shot a missile towards the island, but I shot it out of the air before it reached anywhere near the shoreline.” I nodded, staring aimlessly, simmering with rage. They were looking death in the eyes, having no idea that none would survive trying to come into my world.

“Thank you, Gideon.” I see great promise for him. When he came to us, I saw nothing but arrogance and bravado, now I see a leader in the making. He has become a big ally in such a short time. We needed his strength and voracity if we wish to win this war which is unquestionable. He has learned his place and respected the knockdown and grew from it.

“See here.” He pointed, directing me to the largest monitor. Slamming my hands on the metal surface, I looked at the screen. My blood boiled, knowing they were coming for my family. Even if I’d had a son it wouldn’t make my rage any less. But having my daughter gave me a fearlessness I never knew before. I was ready to tear each and every one of their heads off.

He looked down where my hands smashed, denting the metal. Shit, I needed to gain control of my anger. It couldn’t lead me; determination and level-headedness should dominate my leadership. I took a calming breath and focused my attention on the screen.

“Wow, we need to find a stronger material for you,” he chuckled nervously.

I gazed out at the edge of the beach watching the dark waves glimmering in the moonlight. Their boats altering the pattern of the ebb and flow as they moved closer to shore. I could hear the waves from this distance and it was almost as if they played my own personal battle hymn. I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave my orders. “Gideon, let them reach land.” I wanted them to touch the shores. We had plenty of traps to greet them. I could see my reflection through the shine of the metal. My eyes were bluer than the sea and my fangs ready to pierce weak flesh. No vampire who dared to challenge me would survive.

My wife’s dog steadied itself alongside me, looking at the monitors as if he understood all the chaos and what it meant. “What are you?” I questioned aloud; the dog clearly couldn’t answer me. I believed that he was neither dog nor wolf, but something more. I could sense the difference in his being. Nothing about him screamed normal pooch. He gave me a howling whimper as if he answered me. After I dealt with this mess, I needed to find answers. The people of the village who gave him to me were wary about his being. They sensed the difference and feared it. With all the traitors in our midst, I had to be certain Thor wasn’t a part of a Lamian trap. I could only trust a handful of individuals these days. Power corrupted those who never had it before. I’ve lived my life as someone who held power and it lost its thrill when I was in my thirties.

“That dog has been pacing the door the entire time,” Gideon grumbled, slipping on his armor and noticing my attention aimed at Thor. He spent a lot of time with the dog lately.  I wondered what his take was on the dog. “He’s not a dog,” he added.

“I agree, but he’s not a wolf either,” I continued.

“That I can agree on.” Gideon looked at Thor suspiciously.

I cleared my thoughts on the dog and moved to be equipped for battle. With the modern weaponry we had, I didn’t see a need for much physical battles, but you could never be sure. It was better to be prepared.

A second round of sirens tore through the air. Gideon and I glanced at each other. I gave him a smirk and he returned with a nod. “Let the games begin.”